Even more money is to be ploughed into upgrading the districts CCTV network after the Cabinet at Stratford District Council agreed to release extra funds for the project. The councils CCTV network currently consists of 104 cameras operating in Alcester, Bidford, Henley, Southam, Shipston, Studley Stratford and Wellesbourne. The devices are all analogue and considered to be obsolete, while the operating system which controls the cameras is also now at the end of its life. A consultation exercise also concluded that an additional six cameras need to be installed, to eliminate blind spots. The council had been examining whether to invest in a wireless transmission or another using fibre optic cables, and decided that the fibre system, which is cheaper, would be the most future proof option. Back in April, the council agreed to commit 465,000 of its reserves to partially upgrading the system, a move supported by both Warwickshire Police. However the cost for all this is now expected to be 796,607, 331,607 more than originally budgeted. During Mondays Cabinet meeting members decided to divert an 175,000 from its ICT budget towards the camera system, as well as taking an extra 156,607 from reserves. Cllr Lynda Organ said: I think the CCTV service provided by this council is one of the most important elements of its work and I have no hesitation in supporting this recommendation. During the meeting Cllr Peter Moorse, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said that whilst he was all in favour of the upgrade, he would urge the council to consider CCTV on Evesham Road, explaining that it was Stratfords only major route not currently covered by the system. Phil Grafton, head of governance and democracy, agreed to look into the matter. 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. The top down model had its debut in the prestigious environs of the Los Angeles Auto Show, which kicked off on Friday, where it grabbed the attention of the thousands of car enthusiasts, industry figures and global media in attendance. The 2019 Continental GT Convertible is almost identical to the coupe sibling, and is powered by the same 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine that churns out 626 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Just like the coupe, the convertible gets cylinder-deactivation for improved fuel economy, eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, 48-volt control system, and variable all-wheel drive. Bentley claims that the two-ton-plus GT car can go from 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 207mph. New features include a canvas Z-fold roof that can be stowed or raised in 19 seconds at up to 30mph. Notably, the cars fabric top is available for the first time in a tweed-like finish, along with seven other colour options. Despite the fabric top, Bentley claims the new convertible is three decibels quieter on the move than its predecessor, making it just as quite inside as the previous generation Continental GT Coupe. To keep passengers cosy when the roof is down, the car also features a neck-warming system, heated seats, arm rests and heated steering wheel. Pricing has not yet been confirmed, but is expected to be significantly higher than the hardtop, which starts at $214,600. The 2019 Bentley Continental GT Convertible will be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show until 9 December. The Story of Ausar, Aset, and Heru Ausar was an early leader of Kush, and genius who developed the written word, agriculture, and theology. Armed with this knowledge, Ausar left Kush to spread his teachings along the Nile Valley and around the world. On his teaching travels, he met a beautiful Nubian woman named Auset, whom he married shortly thereafter. Auset remained in her homeland while her husband continued in his travels as a teacher. Ausar gained fame and admiration throughout Kemet as a unifier, a man of order and virtue, and an exemplary scholar. This fame provoked the envy and hatred of his brother, Set. As Ausar traveled across Kemet unifying the wild and scattered tribes into the worlds first nation-state, his brother followed behind him like a harsh wind in an attempt to undo his brother's accomplishments. Set stirred up animosity among those who had come under Ausars rule. Who is he that you should listen to Ausar? Set would proclaim. Let each man do as he pleases! Lawlessness exploded across the region, and the order that Ausar brought to Kemet began to deteriorate. Nevertheless, Set was not satisfied with the chaos that he wrought he wanted his brother dead. Set followed behind Ausar, caught up to him, and murdered him while he slept. He dismembered Ausars body into 14 pieces and spread them across Kemet so that they could not be found. When Auset learned of the murder of her husband, she fled into hiding and then went searching for the missing parts of her husbands body. She found every piece, except for Ausars penis. It had been cast into the Nile and eaten by a crocodile. She cleaned each piece of her husbands body, anointed it with oil, and wrapped him in linens. She grieved over her beloved, not only because he was murdered but because they hadnt consummated their marriage Auset was still a virgin. The spirit of Ausar heard her cries and visited her in the night. Nine months later, Auset gave birth to Heru. Heru, endowed with the spirit of his father, was given the mission of defeating his wicked uncle Set and restoring order to his fathers kingdom on Earth as the rightful heir to a unified Kemet. Heru grew up in hiding to prevent Set from discovering that Ausar had an anointed son, but all the while preached of his fathers kingdom and preparing his disciples for the day of battle. The battle between the forces of Set, in the North, against the forces of Heru, in the South, was apocalyptic. Once the battle was over, instead of killing his uncle Set Heru bound him in chains and cast him into an abyss. At the moment of his victory, Heru was transformed into a falcon and was called up into heaven to stand before his father and give testament. Ausar was well pleased, blessed him, and sent him back down to Earth to rule as the legitimate Pharaoh of a unified Kemet. Once Heru assumed his throne on Earth, Ausar was also able to be at rest and assumed his throne as the Lord of the Underworld. The 1994 Rwanda Genocide against the Tutsi, over a million people were killed and the Kigali Genocide Memorial was created in April 2004 as the final resting place in mass graves for more than 250,000 victims. In 1999, the capital city of Kigali Rwanda provided land where a place of remembrance could be built and where victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi could receive a dignified burial. Construction of the Kigali Genocide Memorial began in the same year and the process of burying victims began in 2001. Today the memorial serves as the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the genocide. The memorial opened in April 2004, the tenth commemoration of the genocide. Kigali Genocide Memorial was created in April 2004 as the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims The Kigali Genocide Memorial includes three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which documents the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. There is also a childrens memorial and an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence around the world. The first part of this exhibition gives an outline of Rwandan society before colonization, including the unifying features and the harmony that existed before colonization as well as a flavor of the hardships of everyday life. The second part details the planned nature and horror of the Genocide against the Tutsi, as well as stories of survival, rescue and from those who stopped the slaughter. The first part of this section details the post-genocide reconstruction that has taken place in Rwanda and how justice and compromise has been fostered. The second exhibition is called Wasted Lives because some of the massacres documented there have not been recognized as genocide by international law. The atrocities examined include Namibia, Armenia, Cambodia and the Balkans as well as the Holocaust. The Childrens Room is the third exhibition and is dedicated to the memory of children killed in the Genocide against the Tutsi. This section shows how a generations dreams were stolen by genocide and remember the thousands of children and infants massacred. There is also a mobile exhibition, debate and dialogue workshops that use storytelling to share how the Genocide against the Tutsi. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is funded and managed by Aegis Trust on behalf of the National Commission for the Fight against the Genocide. Did you know? Tutsi rebels continue to fight waging guerrilla battles in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, the ethnic strife that sparked the slaughters in Rwanda and Burundi continue in the regions. Hutus first settled in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa between five hundred and one thousand BC and were an agricultural people who lived in large family groups. The Tutsis were a nomadic people who began arriving in the Great Lakes region from Ethiopia some four hundred years ago. Eventually, the Tutsis settled amongst the Hutus adopting the languages, beliefs, and customs. Colonial rule, which began in the late 19th Century, did little to bring the groups together. The Belgians, who ruled what would later become Rwanda and Burundi, forced Hutus and Tutsis to carry ethnic identity cards. The colonial administrators further exacerbated divisions by only allowed Tutsis to attain higher education and hold positions of power. However, economic differences between the groups soon began to form. The Tutsis as cattle-herders were often in a position of economic dominance to the farming Hutus and in many areas, like Rwanda, the minority Tutsis ruled the Hutus. The only difference between the two groups was economic, rather than ethnic. The companys share price soared after it entered into an exclusive agreement with Albemarle Corporation to potentially sell a half share in its Wodgina lithium project for $US1.15 billion. The agreement includes a 50/50 joint venture to produce spodumene concentrate and lithium hydroxide. MIN is a fundamentally sound mining services and processing operator. The shares closed at $15.17 on November 29. Super Retail Group (SUL) The shares recently fell to a six month low after CEO Peter Birtles announced he would be stepping down after more than 12 years at the helm. However, the company, with businesses including Supercheap Auto, Rebel, BCF and Macpac, has experienced a relatively strong start to fiscal year 2019, with each of its divisions achieving positive like-for-like sales growth. This is despite a continuing decline in broader consumer confidence. Shares in SUL closed at $7.54 on November 29. HOLD RECOMMENDATIONS Aristocrat Leisure (ALL) An exciting growth story. The gaming machine company posted a 34 per cent increase in net profit after tax and amortisation to $729.6 million for the year to September 30. Normalised operating revenue rose 47.7 per cent to $3.624 billion. Hold Aristocrat given the companys exposure to the US market and continuing growth in its digital gaming arm. Whitehaven Coal (WHC) The thermal coal producer has been sold off in recent times, in line with the broader market. A potential rebound could be partly driven by persistent demand from China and Japan. Also, the stock may attract bargain hunters as it was recently trading relatively low within its range. SELL RECOMMENDATIONS Orocobre (ORE) ORE is a global lithium carbonate supplier. I have concerns about a potential oversupply in the lithium market. Although the shares are way off their 52 week high of $7.44 on January 30 this year, the company has enjoyed a reasonably good run up to November 29. However, I believe the shares could potentially pull back from here. The shares closed at $4.33 on November 29. Healthscope (HSO) Brookfield Capital Partners has lodged a takeover bid for this private hospital operator. Brookfield has proposed an off market takeover offer representing total value of $2.455 a share and a simultaneous scheme of arrangement representing total value of $2.585 a share. HSO has provided exclusive due diligence to Brookfield until December 21. There is no guarantee the bid will proceed. Consider selling. The shares closed at $2.20 on November 29. ADT has high grade polymetallic projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Shares were issued in the initial public offering (IPO) at 20 cents before listing on May 1, 2018. Good results were reported at its Rupice project. The company is well funded to continue its aggressive drilling program. Sandfire Resources has a strategic 7 per cent stake in ADT. The shares were trading at 68.5 cents on November 29. Harvey Norman (HVN) HVNs patience and perseverance in Malaysia and Ireland is paying off with retail growth. The company reported an aggregated total sales increase of 65.4 per cent in Malaysia and 29.8 per cent in Ireland between July 1, 2018 and November 23 when compared to the same period in 2017. The shares are way off their year high of $4.54 on February 27. The shares were trading at $3.135 on November 29. HVNs most attractive annual fully franked dividend yield was recently 9.68 per cent. HOLD RECOMMENDATIONS Byron Energy (BYE) Last year, the company raised $28.5 million at 7 cents a share to develop its oil and gas projects. The company reported a net profit of $US1.3 million for the year ending June 30, 2018 compared to a net loss of $US5.357 million the previous year. The Byron operated South Marsh Island lease began oil and gas production in late March 2018. The shares were trading at 22.5 cents on November 29. Australian Mines (AUZ) A bankable feasibility study (BFS) is said to support a strong commercial case for developing the Sconi Cobalt-Nickel Scandium project in North Queensland. The BFS indicated average cobalt sulphate production of 8500 tonnes a year. It also indicated average nickel sulphate production of 53,000 tonnes a year. This is one to watch. The shares were trading at 4.1 cents on November 29. SELL RECOMMENDATIONS ResApp Health (RAP) A digital health company developing smartphone applications for diagnosing and managing respiratory disease. The company released positive preliminary results for its smartcough C-2 study on October 30. However, the shares have been in a downtrend. The shares were priced at 26.5 cents on October 16. The shares were trading at 10.5 cents on November 29. Qantas Airlines (QAN) The shares were priced at $6.76 on August 20. The shares were trading at $5.985 on November 29. The annual dividend yield was recently below 3 per cent. In my view, the shares are still too expensive in a fickle and highly competitive industry. >> BACK TO THE NEWSLETTER: Click here to read other articles from this weeks newsletter Please note that TheBull.com.au simply publishes broker recommendations on this page. The publication of these recommendations does not in any way constitute a recommendation on the part of TheBull.com.au. You should seek professional advice before making any investment decisions. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia Mon, December 3, 2018 00:01 1089 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e025a6f 4 Inforial Free The Indonesian government is facilitating the return of Shinta Danuar, a 26-year-old Indonesian migrant worker (TKI) in Taiwan with permanent paralysis, to Indonesia. In coordination with the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office to Taipei (KDEI Taipei) and an airline, Shinta will return to her home country on Nov. 29. Hopefully, there will be no problems, the Manpower Ministrys labor supervision and health and work safety director General Maruli A. Hasoloan said on Tuesday. The cost of her return is completely covered by the Manpower Ministry and the Agency for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BNP2TKI). The government is concerned with Shintas condition and wants to help her to come home as per her familys request, Maruli said. . (./.) Suryati, Shintas mother, had asked for the return of her daughter, which was not medically recommended. Suryati also signed the request form and a statement saying she would accept all the risks. Shintas paralysis was caused not by any abuse or mistreatment, said Manpower Ministry spokesperson Soes Hindharno, but by health problems. Shinta, who originally came from Banyumas in Central Java, had worked with her employer Gao Jia Tai in Hsinchu City in Taiwan since April 2014 as a nurse. In early January 2015, the KDEI Taipei received a report from Shintas agency, which informed that Shinta was in a coma and was being treated in Mackay Memorial Hospital in Hsinchu, Taiwan. The doctors had mentioned the possibility that Shinta would be in a permanent coma. The spinal cord damage left her paralyzed from the neck down. When Shinta awoke from the coma, doctors soon discovered that her lungs could not expand properly so she needed respiratory equipment. Shinta was later moved to Heping Hospital in Hsinchu, Taiwan, for a better treatment. . (./.) The medical team at Heping Hospital trained Shinta to breathe without the device to ease the process of returning to Indonesia. After two years had passed, however, the attempt still had not worked and the doctors declared that Shinta had to use respiratory equipment permanently. During the treatment, the KDEI Taipei had visited Shinta several times to monitor her condition. The office, Shintas agency, and her employer had also facilitated two visits by Shintas family in January 2015 and March 2018. After undergoing a range of medical treatments to prepare for her return, Shinta was scheduled to return on Thursday. Due to her profound paralysis, the Taiwanese Emergency Medical Service is providing a special ambulance to take Shinta, who will be assisted by a team of doctors. The Taiwanese Emergency Medical Service also requested that the Indonesian government provide a standardized ambulance to take Shinta from the airport to Kramatjati Police Hospital in Jakarta. The head of the workers division of the KDEI Taipei, Indah Wijayanti, and a team will assist Shintas return to Indonesia, said Soes of the Manpower Ministry. And then Kramatjati Police Hospital will provide further treatment. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 2, 2018 05:49 1090 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e00fc23 4 Health carcinogens,health,disease Free Cancer has become the second-leading cause of death globally. According to the WHO, the disease is estimated to kill almost 10 million people in 2018. While around one third of deaths from cancer occur in people with a high body mass index, smoking, alcohol abuse or a lack of physical activity, some carcinogens (any substance that promote carcinogenesis, the formation of cancer) are found in everyday household goods. Below is a list of items cancerous substances might lurk in. Curtains and carpets Readers Digest points out that cadmium, coming out of cigarette smoke, is carcinogenic. If smoking is done inside the house, cadmium may lurk on soft items, for instance, curtains and carpets, even though you no longer smell it. Paint Paints often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have long-term health effects. According to a study published in March in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, occupational exposure to paints makes painters and artists more vulnerable to lung, bladder or pancreatic cancer. VOC-free paints are available for use to avoid this risk. Air freshener Natural health news portal Natural On wrote that air fresheners, or any household items that contain some type of fragrance, have a toxic chemical called phthalates, known as harmful to the production of male hormones. Meanwhile, the University of Washington conducted a study in 2008 that found how air fresheners emit carcinogenic chemicals. You may instead consider using natural essential oils to make the room smell nice. Read also: Cancer to kill 10 million in 2018 despite better prevention Cleaning products The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released a guide to healthy cleaning, addressing the fact that some household cleaning products contained chemicals that are harmful to health and even linked to cancer. Those products include laundry detergent, washing-up liquid and all-purpose cleaners. While almost half of the products poorly disclose their ingredients, more than one-fourth of all products assessed are linked to cancer. Pesticides Urban farming is a positive activity, but if pesticides are used in the practice, the urban farmer needs to be careful. Although pesticides overcome weeds and insects that sabotage the plants, they are unfortunately carcinogenic. Studies, for instance the one published by Wiley Online Library, found that pesticides were linked to an increased risk of cancer. (iru/mut) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 2, 2018 13:05 1090 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e0190b4 1 Science & Tech scientists,gundam,robot,Japan,Pitoyo-Hartono Free Indonesian scientist Pitoyo Hartono is a member of a team behind the construction of a giant Gundam robot in Japan. The project, titled the Gundam Global Challenge, has the goal of designing an 18-meter Gundam robot capable of movement. Japans Waseda University engineering physics professor Shuji Hashimoto, who is also Pitoyos mentor, is leading the project. Read also: Yokohama plans to build moving Gundam statue by 2020 "The research in his lab consists of four groups, namely robotics, image processing, sound and musical processing and neural network and artificial intelligence," Pitoyo told tempo.co. In addition to Hashimoto as leader and Pitoyo Hartono, anime director Yoshiyuki Tomino, film producer Katsuyuki Motohiro and creative technical director Seiichi Saito are also involved in the project. Pitoyo works as an artificial neural networks professor in the department of mechanics and information at Chukyo University in Japan. He joined the Gundam Global Challenge in 2014 by Hashimotos invitation. Pitoyo completed his undergraduate and graduate studies in 1993 and 1995 at Waseda University. Among his interests is revealing how intelligence can arise in humans and nature through robotics research. (iru/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Los Angeles, United States Sun, December 2, 2018 07:04 1090 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e00fd47 2 People McDonalds,food,ketchup,food-rage Free A California woman was behind bars on Wednesday for beating and choking a McDonald's manager after discovering there wasn't enough ketchup in her order, police said. Mayra Berenice Gallo, 24, apparently went into a rage on October 27 after ordering food through the drive-through at the fast food outlet in the town of Santa Ana. Police spokesman Anthony Bertagna told AFP that an infuriated Gallo stormed into the restaurant through the employee back entrance and started pushing and choking the victim after being told she couldn't be in that area. Read also: McDonald's switches to cleaner cheese, buns in latest menu scrub "She was irate that she didn't get ketchup," Bertagna said. The incident, which was caught on video, ended after a man accompanying Gallo pulled her away. She was arrested on Tuesday after police received tips from the public and was being held on assault charges. Bertagna said such incidents are sadly becoming all too common. "We're seeing more and more of this kind of stuff. Why? we don't know," he said. "We had one guy at a 7-Eleven (convenience store) who tried to buy a bag of almond M&M's and when his credit card didn't work, he basically trashed the store." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 2, 2018 22:02 1089 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e024a2b 1 Lifestyle credit-card,security,privacy,technology,shopping,e-commerce Free Credit cards are easy, convenient and only require either a PIN or your signature to approve a payment. However, in certain scenarios, this convenience could mean a breach of safety, according to several experts interviewed by Readers Digest: 1. When on a non-secure website (HTTP instead of HTTPS) HTTPS is a protocol for secure communication over a computer network that is widely used on the internet, said lawyer and certified international privacy professional Robert McKee. The S in https is for "secure", meaning the information you give the website is secured with encryption. If a website requires payment and reads http instead of https, the website is not secure. Using a third-party payment service like PayPal, which allows for secure and quick payments, is a safer option than entering your credit card numbers on an unsecured website. [HTTPS] main motivation is authentication of the visited website and protection of the privacy and integrity of the exchanged data, McKee said. 2. Over the phone Getting a phone call from your bank regarding your credit information is suspicious enough on its own and if your phone does not recognize the number, it might be safer to have the conversation in person. This is an especially dangerous situation as it can happen to anyone living anywhere in the world. A resident of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, identified only as Jill, was recently scammed out of almost CDN$3,000 (US$2,258) through a series of phone calls, as reported by YorkRegion.com. A scammer posed as a representative from the bank Jill used, Scotiabank, and started asking questions about her recent purchases. The scammer then convinced Jill to read the numbers off of every credit card she owned, which is the only information anyone needs to make online purchases. In April of this year, three suspects allegedly used 80 to 100 phone numbers to contact their victims and steal their credit card data. Scammers can also be listening in on your phone conversations, even when you are on a call with your actual bank, using wiretaps or other methods. When in public, anyone around you could be listening to your conversation and be writing down your card numbers as you read them out. Other situations, aside from bank calls, could be when you are ordering anything over the phone, such as a shipment, or food for delivery. One of the most common examples of card information being given over the phone is through delivery of food purchases, said the vice president of information technology at the Florida Capital Bank Mortgage Company, Jeremy Brant. When ordering a food delivery, there are plenty of available applications with built-in payment systems that do not require you to converse with a stranger over the phone. In situations like these, or other instances when a vendor is asking for card information over the phone, order the service online or pay cash in person, Brant advised. 3. Responding to an email Despite the dangers of providing your credit card details over the phone, or in text, it is possibly even more dangerous to put your credit card information in an email, according to attorney, credit card expert and best-selling author Stephen Lesavich. There is a technique called phishing and it involves emails that are designed to extract credit card numbers for an unauthorized purchase, Lesavich warned. Lesavich explained that hidden links, spelling mistakes, strange use of English and logos that look off somehow could be signs that the email was not genuine and the recipient should avoid clicking any links contained within it. Read also: Research shows Indonesians like to shop online during work hours 4. When there are no reviews (on e-shopping sites) From Tokopedia to Bukalapak, there are plenty of people selling almost anything. Banks are embracing Indonesias growing internet economy more and more by capitalizing on platforms such as these, which make online payments more frequent. However, if sellers have no reviews it is difficult to judge whether they are legitimate, as scammers can pose as legitimate businesses, much like phone scammers pretend to represent someones bank. The internet has given consumers a much more effective way to gauge the reputation of the companies we do business with, so use it, said founder and CEO of a card comparison and news site, Adam Jusko. If there are no reviews for a seller or business you want to purchase something from, it might be safer to avoid giving out your credit card information. Cross reference the address and phone number by looking them up on a search engine to see if they match the merchant, Jusko said. 5. When you cant afford it Aside from scammers, you yourself are responsible for how much money is expended from your credit cards. While some people are building up a debt on their credit cards, other people who treat their cards as a tool of convenience are actually making hundreds of dollars from their cards," Jusko said. Use your credit card for the convenience it provides and any rewards you might receive, but only charge what you know you can completely pay back at the end of the month, he advised. Read also: Millennials like to shop for viral products: E-commerce company 6. When you wont be able to see your card A high-risk destination example is Brazil. During the 2016 Olympics, multiple people had their credit cards cloned while at restaurants, said the CEO of ETS Risk Management of Bethesda, Maryland, Mark Deane. When paying at a restaurant or a store, if at any time a merchant, seller, or cashier needs to take your card out of view, it might be safer to accompany them, or pay in cash. This is especially dangerous when you are traveling because you are in an alien environment. This is becoming more and more common in Europe, where restaurants bring devices to the table to accept payment, said the head of cards at mobile-first credit card startup Final, Alex Cramer. One security manager of a large corporation even told a story of being at a table and catching the waiter with a cloning device under his jacket, trying to swipe the card at the table. The waiter ran off when challenged, said Deane. 7. In public or on unsecure Wi-Fi and computers Delete Wi-Fi networks from your devices that arent yours and make sure to secure your Wi-Fi connection with a unique, private password, said Emmanuel Schalit, CEO of password manager Dashlane. A public computer may have devices or software to record all of your keystrokes, also known as keyloggers, McKee warned. Passwords, personal data, along with credit card information, can be read by anyone who can reach your device via Wi-Fi (even your own, if it is not secure). It is even easier for scammers and hackers to obtain your sensitive information via public Wi-Fi, or any internet connection that is not password protected. If any network has no password in order for you to connect to it, it might be safer to avoid using it altogether. Also, dont use Wi-Fi connections that arent known to be secure (think: your coffee shop Wi-Fi, the free Wi-Fi in your building or the airport) unless doing so over a secure VPN, Schalit said. When traveling, or for those that frequent internet cafes, usage of a public computer might be a common daily practice, such as for blogging, updating social media accounts and even making purchases using your personal credit card information (or, also just as dangerous, your online payment merchant such as PayPal). The computers also might contain malware with other tools for stealing your information, McKee said. (acr/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 2, 2018 21:08 1089 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e0237ba 1 Lifestyle productivity,work-life-balance,vacation Free Long weekends are considered a gift to many people, especially among office workers, however, experts said taking a Friday off could actually be detrimental to your health in the long run. Research has discovered that taking Wednesdays off could help you recharge better than taking Friday off for a long weekend, according to Readers Digest. Everyone has a different chronotype, said Dawna Ballard, expert of chronemics, which is the study of time and communication. Ballard, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who gained her PhD from University of California at Santa Barbara, went on to say that people were naturally faster or slower than one another. However, this natural pace is affected by the workweek schedule and office environment. Our work, though, just goes and throws that out the window and says actually, this is how fast you have to work, this is when you have to work. Read also: Can vacations boost longevity? Monday is usually the worst of the workweek for most people, due to the pace of the workweek clashing with the pace of the weekend. Having a break mid-week will therefore help you recharge, because the pace of the workweek doesnt differ too greatly from that of the weekend after the adjustment, the article said. Chronic misalignment between our lifestyle and the rhythm dictated by our inner timekeeper is associated with increased risk for various diseases. said researchers Jeffery C. Hall, Michael Robash, and Michael W. Young, who studied human circadian rhythms; which is your bodys internal clock for when you feel sleepy, hungry and energized at different times of the day. However, other researchers showed that not everyone will benefit from a midweek break, like a Wednesday off. Theres both positives and negatives, Steven Meyers, professor of psychology at Roosevelt University in Chicago, was quoted as saying by Huffington Post. Theres typically less sleep after a mid-week, one day holiday vacation. Meyers said. He went on to say that the second main negative is that time away from tasks generally decreases productivity at work. Read also: Four-day work week experiment in NZ proves successful People no longer have the same workweek routine, and their projects are interrupted and it takes more time to reacclimate. In the short term [taking a mid-week day off] is a balancing act. said sleep researcher and neurology instructor at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine, Kelly Glazer Baron. For people who cannot adjust to a midweek break schedule, there is always the option of working Wednesdays from home, according to the article from Readers Digest. Meyers, however, points out that there are serious benefits associated with having a day off in the middle of the week. Peoples moods are often times buoyed when theyre looking forward to enjoyable activities, he said. He went on to say that some work tasks actually improve when we put them aside to get a refreshed perspective. We can approach them with a fresh set of eyes and have new ideas about how to complete the task. Meyers was quoted as saying. (acr/mut) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Gisela Swaragita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 1 2018 The authorities in the capital city are gearing up for a so-called reunion of the 212 alumni on Sunday, with security and traffic measures in place to ensure a peaceful and orderly event. The gathering is named after the massive rally held on Dec. 2, 2016, to call for the prosecution of then-Jakarta governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama for blasphemy. The commemoration of the second anniversary of the rally on Sunday will center on the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta. 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 Ruslan Sangadji (The Jakarta Post) Palu Sun, December 2, 2018 08:40 1090 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e011290 1 National Central-Sulawesi-earthquake,UNDP Free At least 300 earthquake and tsunami survivors in Sigi regency are cleaning up debris in disaster-hit areas in Central Sulawesi in a cash-for-work relief program sponsored by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). UNDP's Indonesia country director, Christophe Bahuet, said the program aimed to lift the spirits of survivors of the September catastrophes. Each survivor is paid Rp 80,000 per day for work undertaken from Nov. 10 to the end of January 2019. Each also gets health insurance coverage from the state Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan). This is the first stage and we have involved 300 people from Lolu, Jono Oge and Mpanau villages in Sigi regency, Bahuet told The Jakarta Post on Friday. They mostly work in their home regency but may also work in other disaster-hit areas. A 7.4-magnitude earthquake occurred off the western coast of Donggala regency on Sept. 28 and triggered high ocean waves, with Palu, Donggala, Sigi and Parigi Moutong the worst-hit areas. The two disasters were followed by soil liquefaction in several villages in Sigi and Palu. The catastrophes killed more than 2,000 people and severely injured almost 5,000, with more than 1,000 reportedly missing. More than 270,000 people have been displaced and stay at shelters. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) estimated that Central Sulawesi suffered Rp 15.29 trillion (US$1 billion) in losses from the calamities. The cash-for-work program, which aims to employ 3,500 people, is part of the UNDPs $1.4 million early-recovery and relief program to support victims. In the program, the UNDP is cooperating with the Volunteers of People and Nature (ROA), the Association of Community Innovation (Imunitas) and the Mitra Karya Membangun Foundation (YMKM). The first stage was to run for 25 days in Sigi. The next stages would take place in other regencies. Bahuet said 40 percent of the program's participants were to be female survivors. Sul Lamakampali, one the participants, told the Post that the program was very helpful because it encouraged her to work for money, which was better than just waiting for assistance from the government. This program is very educative to me and other survivors. This really helps to reduce the burden. We lost jobs after the disasters. Therefore, the money we earn from this program can be used to start our business, she said. The government said about 14,400 of the displaced households would be provided 1,200 shelters put up by the Public Works and Housing Ministry while waiting for the reconstruction of the region, while the remaining 9,013 families would be provided with shelters developed by, among others, the National Alms Agency and the Indonesian Red Cross. (foy) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Sat, December 1 2018 A traffic policeman stands near a warning sign informing drivers about the electronic ticketing system on Jl. Sudirman, South Jakarta, on Friday. As of Tuesday, the Jakarta Polices traffic division had ticketed 3,624 vehicle owners for violating traffic rules. As the system is currently only in place on two thoroughfares, Jl. Sudirman and Jl. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta, Jakarta Police plan to expand the system to 23 other intersections across the capital.(JP/Seto Wardhana) 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 Sun, December 2, 2018 07:09 1090 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e010aeb 1 National palm-oil,Luhut-Binsar-Pandjaitan,greenpeace Free Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has rebuffed claims that he and the government were not paying attention to the deforestation and forest fires caused by oil palm plantations. He said he was also worried about their environmental impacts on younger generations, but he claimed the government was struggling to make progress since the land concessions for the plantations, some of which were on fire-prone peatlands, had been given out by past governments. Were just fighting fires [created by] past sinners, he said during a press conference at his office in Central Jakarta on Friday, as quoted by tempo.co. Luhut reiterated his derision for environmental group Greenpeace Indonesia, which had disrupted the operations of a tanker carrying palm oil belonging to the Wilmar trading company in the Bay of Cadiz near Spain, saying that the government has every right to question the local chapter of an international group. Read also: Six activists detained for staging rally on board palm oil tanker However, he denied allegations that the government had not done anything to achieve a sustainable palm oil industry. The government, he said, would next year release its One Map, an integrated map recording land ownership all across the country. Those who make noise now will later be proven to have four or five properties, said Luhut. Those who claim to be poor cannot hide that they have land everywhere. He said the map would also reveal the operations of companies like Wilmar and whether they are linked to plantations in protected areas. Luhut said he was the one who had been tasked by President Joko Jokowi Widodo to lead a team to quell forest fires in 2015, which were among the worst ever experienced in the country. Read also: Indonesian government remains vigilant on forest fires While he said it was previous administrations that had carelessly issued land concessions, he lamented how people now criticized Jokowi, who was the one who banned the expansion of plantations on peatlands and the expansion of oil palm plantations. Luhut claimed that not a single plantation concession has been issued during the Jokowi administration. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Arnold Belau and Wahyoe Boediwardhana (The Jakarta Post) The Jakarta Post/Jayapura/Surabaya Sun, December 2, 2018 14:04 1090 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e01ac7e 1 Politics Papua,KNPB,self-determination,independence,surabaya,East-Nusa-Tenggara Free More than 500 Papuans in several cities were arrested following rallies on Dec. 1 to commemorate what some Papuans claim to be the birth of West Papua nation in 1961. The lawyer of the arrested Papuans, Veronica Koman, said in a statement on Saturday that 537 people were arrested in Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara, Ternate in North Maluku, Manado in North Sulawesi, Makassar in South Sulawesi, Jayapura, Asmat and Waropen in Papua and Surabaya in East Java. Among the total, 322 were arrested in Surabaya. In Papua, 90 people were arrested in separate places and times. On Friday, a day before the rallies, joint forces of the Indonesian Military and the National Police searched the headquarters of the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) in Kampung Vietnam in Jayapura. The joint force also arrested Larius Heluka on Friday. The following day, the joint force arrested 89 people in Abepura in Jayapura municipality, in separate places in Jayapura regency and in Yapen regency. As of Sunday, all 90 had been released by the police. In Kupang, the police arrested 18 people early Saturday morning. East Nusa Tenggara Police chief Insp. Gen. Raja Erizman said the Papuans were not arrested but secured and questioned. I have ordered [Kupang Police chief] to treat them well, Raja said Saturday. In Surabaya, which saw one of the biggest Dec. 1 rallies, a clash occurred between about 300 people grouped under the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) and other groups that accused the Papuans of committing treason. Seventeen people were injured, with some sustaining head wounds. The Papuan students in Surabaya made a public speech, calling on Papuans to not remain silent when it came to discrimination and restrictions on their freedom of speech. They also campaigned for self-determination for Papuans future. However, the situation became tense when a group consisting of around 200 people from several mass organizations, including the Communication Forum of Indonesian Veterans Children (FKPPI) and Pancasila Youth (PP), arrived on the scene to stage a protest against AMP. The two camps launched verbal attacks at each other, which escalated into a physical altercation. At first, this rally ran peacefully, until we were blocked in front of the Grahadi building and then came the Pancasila Youth mass organization, which intimidated us and turned the situation into an [altercation], AMP human rights lawyer Veronica said after the incident on Saturday. The East Java Police and Surabaya Police deployed 1,055 police personnel, aided by two Army groups and the Surabaya Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), to disperse the two clashing camps. Veronica said the AMP had respected the aspirations of the mass organizations, but they should not have incited the riot by throwing bottles and sharpened bamboo at the students. AMP spokesperson Dorlince Iyowau said the Papuans only demanded the right to decide their own fate. Our main demand is the right to decide our own fate, as a democratic solution for West Papua. We want Papuans to have their own political rights, Dolince said. Meanwhile, PP Surabaya secretary Baso Juherman accused the alliance of committing treason. The rally [by the alliance] was clearly a treasonous act. The PP took to the streets to prevent them [from committing treason], because the rally hurt Surabaya residents, Baso said. The coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) in Surabaya, Fatkhul Khoir, called on the release of the 322 people in a statement on Sunday. (foy/evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Karina M. Tehusijarana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 2, 2018 13:33 1090 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e019b8d 1 Politics 212-Alumni,212Rally,Prabowo-Subianto-Sandiaga-Uno,Jokowi,jokowidodo,presidential-election,basuki-tjahaja-purnama Free Islamist groups and the opposition camp held a major rally marking the 2016 anti-Ahok rally in Jakarta on Sunday with a call for Muslims to shun political parties that backed the imprisoned former governor in the 2017 Jakarta election. A group calling itself the 212 Rally Alumni was established to gather people who were involved in the rally on Dec. 2, 2016, to call for the prosecution of then-Jakarta governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian of Chinese descent, for blasphemy. The rally drew a huge turnout, possibly the biggest show of force from the opposition camp and the Islamist groups, which have long had a troubled relationship with President Joko Jokowi Widodo, after the campaign season kicked off in September. The incumbent is running for reelection in the 2019 presidential election, facing his old rival Prabowo Subianto of Gerindra Party and running mate Sandiaga Uno, the former deputy governor of Jakarta. Thousands of people, mostly wearing white clothes, had gathered at the National Monument (Monas) square since Saturday night. While most of them came from Greater Jakarta, there were also others who came from other regions, such as Central Javas Surakarta. Apart from Monas square, other rallygoers also crowded the area around the Horse Statue in Central Jakarta located roughly 1-kilometer from the monument. Some people eventually decided not to join the rally as there was no room left, The Jakarta Post observed. Presidential candidate and Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto attended the rally, as well as Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, who beat Ahok in the 2017 election. They were present alongside officials from political parties supporting Prabowo and his running mate Sandiaga, including National Mandate Party (PAN) founder Amien Rais and party chairman Zulkifli Hasan, as well as Gerindra deputy chairman and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon. The committee, however, omitted their intention to invite President Joko Jokowi Widodo to attend the rally. The committee issued a circular, as reported by tempo.co, that said it decided not to invite the President because Jokowi was seen as opposing the rally and tried to incriminate clerics. On Sunday morning, President Jokowi was scheduled to visit Bogor, West Java. Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto greets a girl during the 212 rally on Jl. M.H. Thamrin on Sunday. ( tim media prabowo sandi official/ tim media prabowo sandi official) (Courtesy of Prabowo-Sandiaga Media Team/-) Making a speech during the rally, Prabowo said he could not talk much because he bears the task of being a presidential candidate; therefore, he could not talk about politics during the occasion. Id like to thank the committee for inviting me today. Im proud of seeing millions of Indonesians, millions of Muslims, gathering here peacefully, he added. During the rally, the committee played a recording of a speech by firebrand cleric and Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab. Later, the cleric joined the rally through a phone call from Saudi Arabia. He called on his supporters to continue the fight during the 2019 presidential and legislative elections. During the 2019 elections, it is haram [forbidden] for us to vote for presidential and legislative candidates backed by parties supporting the blasphemer. Lets vote for presidential and vice presidential candidates based on the decision of Ijtima Ulama [the consensus of the ulema], A 51-year-old rallygoer from West Jakarta, Sukarno, said the rally was meant to tighten the relationship among Muslims. Theres no political interest [behind the rally] or any intention of supporting certain candidates, Sukarno said. Minutes after talking to the Post, he welcomed Rizieqs call to reject candidates backed by parties that supported Ahok . Another participant from Bandung, Hendra, 22, said he would follow the call to support candidates produced from Ijtima Ulama because its a mutual agreement. The crowd began to clear Monas square at 11:15 a.m. as the rally concluded. (foy/kuk) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Theresia Sufa (The Jakarta Post) Bogor Sun, December 2, 2018 10:45 1090 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e013cf0 1 City cannabis,khat,drug-abuse,narcotics,Bogor-Police,West-Java Free The Bogor Polices narcotics division in West Java have seized hundreds of cannabis and khat plants, a flowering shrub classified as a drug, on land owned by state-owned forestry firm Perhutani in North Tugu village in Cisarua, Bogor regency, West Java Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Andi Mochamad Dicky said the discovery on Friday followed an operation code named Antik Lodaya carried out since Nov. 23. From the operation, we have uncovered 29 cases and arrested 40 suspected drug dealers. We have seized various evidence, ranging from crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy to marijuana. An interesting finding is the farming of cannabis and khat, Dicky said on Friday. The farming of the cannabis and seeds was hidden. From the raid, the police seized 122 plants and arrested two people, identified as 47-year-old RH and 29-year-old AS. Investigators also found khat in South Tugu village and have named a 85-year-old identified as S the sole suspect. Khat leaves contain cathinone, which is used to make ecstasy. (fac) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan Sun, December 2, 2018 21:31 1089 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e023cea 1 National 212-Alumni,rally,Islamists,#2019changepresident,2019-Ganti-Presiden,Prabowo-Subianto,Sandiaga-Uno,Prabowo-Sandiaga,#2019PresidentialElection Free Thousands of Muslims gathered in Medan, North Sumatra, on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the 2016 anti-Ahok rally as they followed in the footsteps of their counterparts in Jakarta who held a similar rally in the capital. The rally at Al-Jihad Mosque in Medan, which kicked off with an early morning prayer, ended at around 1 p.m. Participants gathered in and around the mosque despite the rain. People attending the rally put on a number of performances, which included parading on horses and waving flags bearing the tawhid (oneness of God). Horseback riding is commonly believed to be one of the teachings of the Sunnah from Prophet Muhammad, although some, including clerics from Indonesias largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, have begun to cast doubt on the suggestion that Muslims should learn to ride horses. Aidan Azwin Pangabean, the deputy chairman of North Sumatra chapter of the National Movement to Safeguard the Ulema Fatwa (GNPF), said the movement decided to hold a similar rally in Medan because not everyone had the opportunity to go to Jakarta. In his speech, he responded to the fact that most of the attendees had held up two fingers as a symbol of their support for presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno. If participants demand that the president should be changed, its their constitutional right. We cant limit or prohibit their rights, Aidan said. Bobby, who attended the rally, said it was held to unite and strengthen all faiths. Participants came from various sects. Everyone here is part of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia. Medan Police had dispatched around 500 personnel to secure the rally, said police chief Sr. Comr. Dadang Hartanto. Apart from Medan, similar rallies were also held in a number of regions across the province, such as Asahan, Langkat and Deli Serdang regencies as well as Binjai city. (kuk) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 2, 2018 13:11 1090 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e0190d2 1 World Retno-Marsudi,George-HW-Bush Free Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has offered her condolences following the death of former United States president George HW Bush, who passed away on Friday at the age of 94. My deep condolences on the passing of George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States of America (1989-1993) on December 1, 2018. My prayers go out to the family and friends and may they be given strength and courage during this time of sorrow. Menteri Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia (@Menlu_RI) December 1, 2018 My prayers go out to the family and friends and may they be given strength and courage during this time of sorrow, Retno said on Twitter on Saturday. The White House said a state funeral would be held on Wednesday at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. US President Donald Trump, who plans to attend the funeral with first lady Melania Trump, also designated Wednesday as a national day of mourning, and ordered the lowering of the American flag for 30 days, Reutersreported. Bush will be laid to rest on Dec. 6 on the grounds of the George HW Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University. He will be buried in his family plot, located behind the Bush Library, alongside his wife, Barbara, who died seven months ago, and daughter, Robin, who passed away in 1953 at the age of three, according to Associate Press. Bush senior is the father of George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the US. Having been in office between 1989 and 1993, the 41st president of the US is honored for his role in helping to end the Cold War and reduce the threat of nuclear annihilation. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Karo, North Sumatra Sun, December 2, 2018 18:21 1089 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e02090b 1 National Medan,Karo,South-Tapanuli,North-Sumatra,BPBD,disaster Free Seven university students were killed and nine others were injured in a landslide at a hot springs resort in Semangat Gunung village in Merdeka district, Karo regency, North Sumatra, on Sunday. The bodies of all the victims were moved to Amanda Hospital in Berastagi, Karo, where seven of the injured students are also being treated. The remaining two injured students were sent to Efarina Hospital. Read also: 19 killed, dozens missing in Sumatra floods Karo Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) head Martin Sitepu said five of the seven deceased victims had been identified. They were Emelita Ginting, Mones, Emiya Tarigan, Sartika Teresia Pinem and Sindy Simamora. All were students of Prima Indonesia University (Unpri) in Medan. Martin said the 16 students were spending the night at the Daun Paris Raja Berneh hot springs resort when part of a cliff in the area collapsed at about 6 a.m. local time following heavy downpour in the region the night before. They did not have time to escape when the debris fell on the place where they were staying, Martin told The Jakarta Post on Sunday. Roy Ginting, a witness, said that when the landslide hit, the students were sleeping in a cottage in the resort located close to the cliff. They were there for a gathering involving senior and junior students of the university. It was their first night at the resort. Meanwhile, in South Angkola district, South Tapanuli regency, two children were carried away by a flash flood on Thursday night and, as of Sunday, their bodies had not been found. The two are identified as Cindi, 11, and Hesta, 2. BPBD South Tapanuli head Umar Halomoan said a team comprising personnel from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the BPBD and locals were searching for the two and had expanded the search area to a radius of 14 kilometers from the place where they went missing. Umar said the flash flood also damaged a house, a worship house, an early education institution building and a utility pole. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mohammad Salim (Agence France-Presse) Mosul, Iraq Sun, December 2, 2018 11:30 1090 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e015c85 2 World mosul,Mosul-liberation,Iraq,liquor,jihadists,Islamic-State,ISIS Free Rows of yellow-labelled whiskey bottles sit alongside imported French wines, while cans of Korean beer chill in the fridge: with Iraq's Mosul free of jihadists, the booze is back. The city spent three years under the iron-fisted rule of the Islamic State group, which punished those caught drinking alcohol with public lashings or worse. But more than a year since Iraqi forces ousted the jihadists from Mosul, liquor stores are flourishing. The western commercial district of Al-Duwasa is home to several modest outlets, including Khairallah Tobey's. The enterprising 21-year-old bounced between well-stocked shelves, pulling down bottles of beer priced at an affordable 1,500 Iraqi dinars -- just over a dollar. "Our sales are good right now," said Tobey, a member of Iraq's Yazidi minority. Owners of Mosul's bottle shops are all Yazidi or Christian, as Iraq does not grant alcohol licenses to Muslim citizens. But under IS, which violently enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law when it overran Mosul in 2014, everyone was banned from selling, buying, or drinking alcohol. Booze never completely disappeared from the city -- its residents found ways to smuggle in the devil's drink -- but it was expensive and dangerous. With Mosul back under government control since July 2017, liquor stores are now back in the open. "At work, I feel relaxed and not afraid or nervous at all, thanks to the security and freedom now present in Mosul," Tobey told AFP. 'Openly, without fear' Across the Tigris river in the city's east, vendor Abu Rayan said he has had the last laugh. "I opened up my shop again just to spite Daesh, after it kicked us out of the city and confiscated our property and money," he said, using an Arabic acronym for IS. Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol, but drinking has remained commonplace across Muslim-majority Iraq. Two years ago, the country's presidency shot down a draft bill in parliament that proposed a ban on the production, sale, and import of alcoholic drinks. There are no restrictions on consuming alcohol in Mosul, but those who sell, buy and drink it take certain precautions. Most shops keep their signs relatively discrete, hanging just a few posters advertising Turkish beer Efes or its Korean counterpart Cass to help customers find the store. Bottles are always packed in opaque black bags, and when they are cracked open, it's typically out of public view -- usually a spot on the Tigris river late at night or in the privacy of a home. Not everyone in Mosul is thrilled with the city's burgeoning booze sector. Some residents have demanded liquor stores be shut for religious reasons or to protect young people. But others say doing so would be a violation of individual rights. "Drinking wine is a personal freedom that is allowed by the law. It has nothing to do with the difficult circumstances that this city has gone through," says Ali Hassan, who paints homes. He has heard stories of a different Mosul, in the 1960s and 1970s, when people visited bars, clubs, and liquor stores across the city. "They drank openly and without fear," says Hassan, 33. Regulation for revenue? Soon after this golden age, Iraq's troubles began. A string of conflicts in the 1980s was followed by an international embargo that brought shortages of most goods. Then, in 2003, the US-led invasion of Iraq toppled strongman Saddam Hussein -- but paved the way for the rise of religious militias across the country, including in Mosul. As extremists gained traction, they targeted liquor stores with gun and grenade attacks. Now, Mosul may have the opposite problem -- too many unlicensed liquor stores are opening up, which has worried authorities and angered those shopkeepers who do have the right paperwork. "We've received more than 100 requests for licenses, and so far 25 have been issued," said regional official Zuhair al-Aaraji. Shops selling alcohol must be a certain distance from homes, schools, places of worship, and government offices, he said. Rights activist Mohammad Salem, 31, said regulation isn't necessarily a bad thing, but that individual rights should be protected. "The best situation is to organise the trade and sale of alcoholic drinks, supervised by social, health, and security authorities," Salem said. After all, he added, alcohol sales could provide an important source of revenue for Mosul as it rebuilds. "Any decision to ban liquor would contradict personal freedoms, and deprive the city of economic and financial resources that it needs in this current state." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 2, 2018 18:31 1089 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e020ac2 1 News Garuda-Indonesia,Airlines,London,Britain,travel,Heathrow-Airport Free National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is to once again fly nonstop from Jakarta to London, beginning on Dec. 13. The airline ceased the flying the route on Oct. 30, as it announced on its Twitter account. Garuda director Ari Askhara said that reopening the route is part of the airlines commitment to strengthen its international flight networks. The number of British tourists coming to Indonesia has shown a significant increase, which shows a promising market, he said as quoted in a statement received by The Jakarta Post. Read also: Garuda Indonesia promises 'vintage' flight experience' The London-Jakarta route is served by a Boeing 777-300 ER dual class three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The Jakarta-London flight is scheduled to depart from the Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, at 12:05 p.m. and is to arrive at Heathrow Airport at 8 p.m. local time. Meanwhile, the London-Jakarta flight is to depart at 9:55 p.m. and arrive at 7:10 p.m. local time. (wng) 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. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 2, 2018 14:08 1090 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e01dcf8 1 News art-exhibition,Jakarta-intercultural-school,d-gallerie Free Twelve students from the Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) recently held an exhibition in collaboration with the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and Indonesia for Humanity (IKA). The latter is the initiator of Pundi Perempuan (Womens Savings), a public funding program that supports the Womens Crisis Center (WCC). Titled Lantern, the group exhibition displayed thought-provoking works in a variety of artistic media, including photography, sketches, paintings and 3D art, at DGallerie in South Jakarta from Saturday to Monday. Through the works, the students expressed their concerns about violence against women to raise awareness on Komnas Perempuan among the younger generation. Social Affairs Minister Agus Gumiwang inaugurated the exhibition and said that in 2017, the number of reports of violence against women in Indonesia had increased from 259,150 to 348,446. Showcasing sensitive issues such as violence against women in the form of art allows us to teach without sounding preachy or proud, Agus said at the event. Read also: Violence against women, children in Jakarta mostly carried out by youths: Report Riandara Pratama, co-founder of the Lantern Project, which initiated the exhibition, said that Lantern was a social initiative dedicated to empowering women through different forms of art. She also thinks that organizing the exhibition was important to her as a global citizen. A high school senior at JIS, Riandara also took part in the exhibition by displaying a series of photographs-on-canvas created using 35-millimeter film, one of which was titled A Womans Superhero Mask, which depicts a young woman applying concealer over a black eye. Meanwhile, Cheryl Melwani, also a co-founder of the Lantern Project, conceded that she had heard rumors of women being undermined or abused in her own community. Boys have come up to me saying that my dreams of becoming an international lawyer specializing in human rights were ridiculous because all I was meant to be was a housewife, she said. Komnas Perempuan chairwoman Azriana Manalu explained that in her experience, youths who grew up in a stable environment are less likely to struggle firsthand with issues such as violence or abuse. To think of bringing this issue up in the form of an art exhibition where it can receive a lot of exposure is incredible to me, Azriana said of the exhibition. Proceeds from the exhibition will go to Pundi Perempuan to support the organizations efforts in protecting abused women. (acr/mut) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, December 2, 2018 19:09 1089 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e020f48 1 News dance,students,Sundanese,Jaipong,art-and-culture Free The Sundanese dance jaipong is among the extracurricular activities offered at State High School 39 in China's capital of Beijing, where at least 60 students attended classes in the traditional dance from West Java on Wednesday. For an hour and a half, students from China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and Argentina were mimicked the movements of their instructor Titik Parmuji from the Indonesian Institute of Art (ISI) in Surakarta, as reported by news agency Antara. Read also: Government gears up to hold Indonesian Cultural Congress The multinational class was excited, as the dance they were learning was accompanied by the energetic Sundanese song "Manuk Dadali". The dance drew so much interest from students that the extracurricular activity classrooms were unable to accommodate all students in one session. "Every week, there are two art classes. This time, we have receive support from the Indonesian Embassy to provide lessons in traditional Indonesian arts," said Zuo Fulin, the schools deputy principal. He noted that his students were already familiar with traditional Indonesian arts, especially the musical instrument angklung. "Almost every year, we hold angklung performances by students. We also introduce the angklung to residents of Luoyang [in Henan province] when students go on their study tour there," he said. (liz/wng) Dec 02 2018 1:22 pm Agudath Israel of America Joins in Our Nations Grief Over the Passing of President George H.W. Bush. President Bushs entire life was devoted to serving the United States, its people and its ideals during war and peace, at home and abroad, in Congress and the White House. His wisdom, skill, statesmanship and temperament helped our country find stability, and break new ground on the world scene, during the very tenuous and uncertain post-Cold War era. He is admired, and will be remembered, for his readiness to exert Americas strength to protect its interests and allies. On a more personal note, we remember well how warmly Mr. Bush both as President and Vice President engaged with Agudath Israel. He graciously welcomed Agudath Israels Washington Leadership Missions, joined by numerous members of the Cabinet and other high ranking administration officials. He invited our executive leadership on several occasions to small meetings to discuss various critical policy initiatives ranging from civil rights to child care. The President also worked closely with Agudath Israel and recognized its achievements in several areas, including our efforts concerning the plight of Iranian and Syrian Jews, the discrimination and anti-Semitism facing the Jewish community of Airmont, NY, and the groundbreaking neighborhood stabilization and revitalization programs we had undertaken in Brooklyn. Agudath Israels late revered leader, Rabbi Moshe Sherer, had a particularly close relationship with the President, and often was pivotal in voicing Jewish concerns to him on Israels security. As the entire nation mourns, Agudath Israel expresses our deep condolences to his distinguished family. They should be comforted by the fact that they have admirably carried on the ideals of this great American leader and patriot. As Brexit moves from approval of the European Union to Parliament in Britain, Ireland is very much a wild card. The Republic of Ireland is an enthusiastic member of the EU. Northern Ireland, which is under British control, also favors remaining in the EU. But the United Kingdom is poised to leave the EU in accordance with Brexit (which passed by referendum in 2016). Ireland and Northern Ireland still enjoy the free flow of goods and people, which is guaranteed by EU rules and the Good Friday Agreement negotiated between Ireland and the United Kingdom in 1998. It is obvious that Brexit undermines the Good Friday Agreement. The solution? Assuming Brexit passes when a vote is taken in the British Parliament on Dec. 11, Northern Ireland could hold its own referendum on uniting with the Republic of Ireland. The latter supports unity and the former supports EU membership. Of course, the United Kingdom would object, as it covets Northern Ireland. But the United Kingdom allowed Scotland to hold a referendum on Independence in 2014 (which was defeated). It only follows that the United Kingdom would allow Northern Ireland the same option. To be sure, the United Kingdoms government in London is not the only hurdle. It is questionable whether Northern Ireland itself would hold a referendum. The Protestant majority in Northern Ireland has always opposed unity with the predominately Catholic Republic of Ireland. In the bad old days of the Protestant-Catholic conflict in Ireland, Protestants had a slogan Home Rule is Rome Rule. Indeed, there was a time when the Republic of Ireland was officially Catholic. But that concern has been diminished by developments in recent years. The Republic of Ireland had already legalized birth control and divorce when this past year it also legalized abortion. Truth be told, home rule is no longer Rome rule. This should be incentive for Northern Ireland to unite with the Republic of Ireland. Unfortunately, this scenario has not been explored by Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. There isnt even talk in either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland of unity based on maintaining EU membership. But if Brexit passes Parliament, Northern Ireland will soon feel the pain of leaving the EU (as will the rest of Great Britain). Northern Ireland may have a Protestant majority. But it will have just as compelling a majority who favor the EU. Staying part of Great Britain would then be for Northern Ireland only a matter of romantic nostalgia. A united Ireland has been for decades a dream in the republic. Should Brexit become a reality, it is most conceivable that a united Ireland will be realized. John ONeill is an Allen Park freelance writer. He has a degree in history from Wayne State University. You cannot print contents of this website. Sign in Welcome, Login to your account. Forget password? Remember me Sign in Recover your password. A password will be e-mailed to you. More than four hundred priceless artifacts, most of them traveling for the first time out of Greece, will be presented at The Schloss Karlsruhe Museum in a one-of-a-kind exhibit, Deutsche Welle reports. Titled Mycenaean Greece: The Legendary World of Agamemnon, it will feature the priceless golden mask of Agamemnon, unearthed by Heinrich Schliemann in 1876, The visitors will be guided through an ancient world and can experience Mycenaean culture from its beginnings to its downfall, Museum co-curator Bernhard Steinmann told Deutsche Welle. Pioneering German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann (1822-1890) traveled to the ruins of the citadel of Mycenae in 1874 and conducted excavations there for two years. He finally made the most sensational discovery of his life, even topping his previous Troy efforts. A tomb containing three intact skeletons, one of which still had hair and a bit of scalp attached, was discovered, along with many burial treasures. One of the two gold masks found was still lying atop the skeleton with the most flesh and hair, presumably just as it was at the time of burial. The archaeologist, feeling he had located the resting place of Agamenon after a lifetime of searching, was eager to assume that it indeed was the tomb of the King of Mycenae. Obsessed with the works of Homer, Schliemann believed that the heroes of the Iliad were actually based on true historical figures. Having done extensive excavations in Hissarlik, Turkey a few years earlier, he had found the remains of what many had thought was the mythical city of Troy. Once he was sure the site indeed had been the city of Troy, he sought artifacts which would explain the cause of the Trojan War thought since Homeric times to have been the gorgeous Helen. The wife of King Agamemnon was later kidnapped by Paris, the son of Priam, the king of Troy, thus enraging the King of Mycenae who went to destroy Troy. Nevertheless, history proved Schliemann was a bit off base, as scientists and historians realized that the masks predated even the period of the ancient Trojan War by some 400 years. Still, the changing historical timeline did not diminish Schliemanns monumental archaeological discovery, which stands alone in the history of archaeology for its audacity. The Mycenaean civilization dominated the Peloponnesian Peninsula from the 15th to the 12th century BC, building magnificent cities and trading with other peoples. Yet the Mycenaeans mysteriously disappeared 400 years later and the cause of their downfall are still unknown. Ornate tombs, priceless jewelry, fine ceramics and many bronze weapons comprise the remnants of that once-great civilization. Along with the world-famous Mycenaean gold Mask of Agamemnon, the exhibit also includes an ancient crown found in a tomb in Routsi which will be exhibited for the first time. Also included will be artifacts from the Griffin Warrior tomb, discovered near Pylos in May 2015 one of the most significant archaeological finds in Greece of the last 65 years. Mycenaean Greece: The Legendary World of Agamemnon will stay open from December 1, 2018 through June 2, 2019. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Rosemania License: CC-BY-SA Peased with Greeces strong cooperation through the Visa Waiver Program, as well as efforts to deepen security cooperation Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Threat Prevention and Security Policy Elizabeth Neumann concluded on Thursday her four-day visit to Greece, according to ANA. The visit took place in the context of an ongoing law enforcement and counterterrorism collaboration between Greece and the US, and in preparation for the inaugural US-Greece Strategic Dialogue scheduled to take place next month. In all her meetings, Assistant Secretary Neumann underlined that her visit will provide an important basis for the discussions conducted during the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue on December 13, the US Embassy in Athens said in an announcement issued on Thursday. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: State Department The Greek National Operas Alternative Stage presents an unconventional adaptation of one of Manos Hadjidakis most popular works, on December 6 and 7. It is a Baroque adaptation of Magnus Eroticus, with the lyrics sung in English for the first time and is part of the Manos Hadjidakis Cycle, which revisits some of the composers most famous as well as more obscure pieces. Beginning from the sui-generis instrumental ensemble of Hadjidakis original work, gambist, director and visual artist, Andreas Linos, alongside an exquisite group of musicians, proposes a paradoxical, yet attractive reading of what is perhaps the composers most important song cycle, interpreted by the Broken consort, an English baroque music ensemble. Magnus Eroticus is not dressed in local folk costumes. It is dressed in its own clothes which are a composition of difficult combinations of sounds, light colours and poetic dreams. It does not contain messages easily erased by the rain, it doesnt fight back. The order these poems follow, forms an unbreakable song cycle, a mass for Magnus Eroticus something like the vespers for the Saints at some far away deserted chapels with the participation of imaginary angels, lovers, virgins and adolescents. It is a strange litany, yet natural, in our inner and secret life. These songs are not sensual. They operate in practice, in the deep sense of any relationship, in every form, provided it contains the conditions for human communication, noted Hadjidakis on November 28, 1972. INFO When: December 6 and 7 at 18.30 & 20.30 Where: Greek National Opera Alternative Stage at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: flickr.com The Onassis Foundation and the Cavafy Archive, invites students and scholars to participate to the 3rd Cavafy International Summer School which will be held from July 8 to 14, 2019, at the Onassis Library (56 Amalias Avenue, Plaka). This scholarly institution is the first of its kind, devoted entirely to Cavafy and the impact of his poetry. For the third year in the row, it points the way toward new approaches and alternative understandings of the work of the great Alexandrian poet. During the six days of intensive seminars and workshops, collectively titled Cavafys Orient/ations the summer school will focus on the multiple (geographical, aesthetic, historical, etc.) topographies and cultural dynamics of Cavafys work, and will approach the Cavafy phenomenon in its broader geographical and historical range, both during the period of his life in Alexandria and later on when his poetry became a major literary event at an international scale. The 3rd Cavafy International Summer School is intended for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career scholars, along with for academics whose research concerns fields such as comparative or world literature, Cavafy studies, Modern Greek or classical studies. The participants will have the opportunity to present their work to inspired workshop leaders. Submission deadline: January 31 2019. Admission to the Cavafy International School is free. Workshop leaders Stathis Gourgouris: Professor of Classics, English, and Comparative Literature, Columbia University Takis Kayalis: Professor of Modern Greek Literature, University of Ioannina. Speakers Hala Halim: Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Near Eastern Studies, New York University Peter Jeffreys: Associate Professor, Department of English, Suffolk University Alexander Kazamias: Senior Lecturer in Politics at Coventry University Vassiliki Kolocotroni: Associate Professor of English Literature, University of Glasgow Aamir R. Mufti: Professor Department of Comparative Literature, UCLA Yiannis Papatheodorou: Associate Professor of Modern Greek Literature, University of Ioannina. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report A shopping center dedicated to products from artisanal and small-scale producers from different parts of Greece, laid out in a way that allows visitors to take a culinary tour of the country The distance from the Acropolis to Stoa Arsakeio on Stadiou Street can be covered by foot in less than 20 minutes, and while the two points may have little in common right now, Legendary Food is hoping to put the latter up there among Athenss most visited destinations, ekathimerini.com reports. The firm has set its sights on the arcade in the Arsakeion building complex with the aim of bringing together artisanal and small-scale producers from all over the country to offer locals and visitors a panorama of Greeces foods and flavors. Legendary Food is one of two candidate investors interested in leasing the Arsakeio arcade from its owners, the Arsakeia-Tositseia Schools Society for the Promotion of Education and Learning, and the competition for the tender has now entered its third round. The focus of the project is a shopping center dedicated to products from artisanal and small-scale producers from different parts of the country, laid out in a way that allows visitors to take a culinary tour of the country. The company later plans to expand to other major cities abroad New York, London, Berlin, Istanbul, Melbourne, Dubai and Shanghai with a similar concept. The arcade will also host outlets in shop-in-shop form representing some of the countrys most emblematic food industry representatives, special areas for cooking classes, tastings and seminars with acclaimed chefs, as well, of course, as restaurants. The enterprise will also be putting a lot of work into an electronic marketplace where small-scale producers can sell their wares to a global clientele, while part of the proceeds of the entire project will be invested in the modernization of production. The potential success of such endeavors is already evident in Eataly, an Italian initiative that has grown to more than 40 stores around the globe , as well as Time Out Market Lisboa, which opened in 2014 and is now the Portuguese capitals top tourist destination, and Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid. The location Construction of the Arsakeion Mansion, a large residence designed by Lysandros Kaftantzoglou on the corner of Panepistimiou and Pesmazoglou streets, commenced in 1846. By 1925 it had grown into a complex that took over an entire city block. Up until the early 1930s, it was home to the Arsakeion and Tositseion schools, which then moved to the northern suburb of Psychico. The principal building went on to house the magistrates court, the prosecutors office and the Athens Court of Appeals, all of which moved out in the late 1970s. Then, in 1984, the main building was leased by the Greek state and given a total overhaul so that it could house the Council of State, the countrys highest administrative court. An old movie theater that had been situated in the complex since 1937, the Orfeas, was demolished as part of the revamp, making way for the Stoa tou Vivliou book arcade and the atrium as we see it today. Up until a few years ago, the arcade was bustling with business thanks to a number of shops, mostly high-end leather stores and booksellers. The crisis, nevertheless, forced most of them to close down. The entire complex is listed as a historical building. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: athenswalk License: CC-BY-SA The further strengthening and deepening of the bilateral cooperation on financial, energy and cultural issues along with the dialogue on regional matters will be on the focus of the visit Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on December 7 during his official visit to Russia, ANA reports. The visit of the Greek prime minister takes place 190 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries underlining the close relations between the two countries which are based on strong relations of friendship and respect between the people as repetitively has been underlined by Athens. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: NVO License: CC-BY-SA The new legislative framework is being brought up to date, and niche tourism is promoted such as wellness and spa tourism The draft law on "theme tourism" addresses chronic problems it resolves while strengthening the tourism industry and creating a friendly investment framework, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura said during a discussion in the Committee on Production and Commerce of the Parliament, according to ANA. She also spoke of Greece's dynamic presence in the international tourist market, as the country is now a top tourist destination. "In our new development plan, we have set our strategic priorities for the development of high-quality tourism with a sustainable, fair and balanced solution. It is a milestone that opens up new horizons and supports local and regional investment," she underlined. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: C messier License: CC-BY-SA Anastasia Kontaxaki, a nurse in Paradise, CA, escaped the deadly fire known as the Camp Fire that blazed through the city on November 8, 2018, all thanks to the kindness of a stranger. Now, she is paying-it-forward with a GoFundMe campaign, raising money for the fire victims and Paradise community with the support of her sister Effie, who is situated in the UK. Together, these Greek sisters are helping give back to Paradise by gathering donations to help arrange meals and gifts to be delivered to the fire victims during the holiday season. Anastasia Kontaxaki, originally from Greece, is a nurse at Feather River Hospital. On the day of the fires, she was at work and had first evacuated of all of the patients before fleeing the deadly fires herself. By the time she was ready to leave the hospital, the traffic was barely inching along and was bumper to bumper. I didnt have phone service so I texted my husband I loved him in case I didnt make it out, Anastasia noted. This is when she made the fateful decision to flee by foot and not by car, and it would put her in contact with a stranger named Monty. She didnt know him before that day, but she now says, He is my hero. With her eyes burning and smoke all around, and even though Anastasia was moving faster than the cars on the street, the elements of the fire were taking their toll on the nurse, who had geared herself up in a surgical mask and goggles as she left from the hospital. This is when she heard a car honking, a man yelled out to her from a minivan, asking her if he could give her a ride. She got in and thanked him. His name is Monty and he was my angel that day. He was evacuating his disabled sister along with 3 other sweet old ladies that he didnt know. The cars were moving so slow and the fire started crossing Penz that we decided it was better to turn around and go the other way. We drove through flames on both sides of the road watching trees and houses burn all around us. I kept praying for God to help us get out as I felt the car getting hot from the fire, she recalls. After trying multiple routes to escape the fires, they finally made it into the clear. Once they were safe, Monty properly introduced himself. ..and thats when I realized he didnt know the three ladies in the back seat. He saved four total strangers beside his sister that day. He kept his calm the whole drive through hell and he made some smart decisions that saved all six of us in that car. I got his phone number and Ive been keeping in touch with him. I cannot thank him enough for saving my life on Thursday and giving me the chance to see my husband and kids again. He is my hero, Anastasia stressed. Anastasia was one of the lucky ones to have survived the deadly fires. The fire burned Paradise down to the ground, leaving it unrecognizable, and Anastasia and her sister mobilized to assist the families of Paradise. As of November 29, fires have claimed the lives of 88 people, while 198 are still missing. More than 30,000 people fled Paradise for their lives that day, leaving all of their possessions and memories behind to be engulfed in the flames. The sisters GoFundMe campaign, Giving Back to the Paradise Community has a goal of raising $5,000 to assist the fire victims. You can learn more and contribute to their fundraiser here. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Andrea Booher License: CC-BY-SA Bahrain's Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Rera) recently hosted a workshop to discuss the key measures which will be introduced over the coming months to regulate the real estate evaluator profession in the kingdom, said a report. The workshop held under the theme Foundations for a Sustainable Real Estate Sector provided evaluators with an opportunity to discuss and agree key issues for the sector. Evaluators have a key role to play in building a more sustainable real estate market, reported BNA, citing a top official of the property watchdog. "We will continue to drive forward with the objective of creating an efficient and transparent real estate sector which is attractive to local and international investors," remarked Rera CEO Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. He pointed out that Rera would ensure that Bahrain adopts international best practice by implementing International Valuation Standards and collaborating with world-renowned organisations such as the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in designing and implementing training and development programmes to further professionalise the sector. "We will achieve this by engaging with all stakeholders, listening to their issues and ultimately implementing regulations that will be to the benefit of all in the property ecosystem," stated the Rera chief. The co-operation and enthusiasm for reform evidenced at the meeting with leaders from the evaluator profession augurs well for the future of the real estate sector in Bahrain, he added. Home Just In Chitwan all set to host elephant festival from Dec 26 Chitwan, December 2 The 15th Chitwan Elephant Festival is going to take place at the Baghmara ground in Sauraha of Chitwan from December 26 to 30. The festival will also include an elephant polo competition as in the previous years. The festival is being held every year on the eve of the New Year in the Gregorian calendar. Other activities include picnic for elephants and elephant beauty contest. This year, a special programme is being held on the themes of literature and tourism, according to organising committee coordinator Suman Ghimire. The festival is hosted by the Regional Hotel Association, Sauraha. Nepal Tourism Board is the promoter of the festival. RSS Microsofts technology ecosystem and the growing popularity of cloud services will create more than 5,600 jobs in Bahrain by the end of 2022, according to new research by the International Data Corporation (IDC). The study also covers findings from other Middle Eastern markets such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and Turkey. The Microsoft ecosystem the companies that sell, service, deploy, or otherwise work with Microsoft products supported more than 3,100 workers in 2017, said the study. The ecosystem itself is a prolific generator of downstream revenues, accounting for BD10.57 ($28.04) for every BD1 ($2.65) that Microsoft produces, according to IDC estimates. Mohamed Ali AlQaed, chief executive, Information & eGovernment Authority, said: The report from Microsoft and IDC confirms the long-lasting strength we have rooted to realise the Economic Vision 2030. Cloud computing and Microsofts ecosystem of products, services and partner solutions will continue to play a vital role in economic development and creation of jobs in the kingdom. In partnership with Microsoft and other entities, we carry-on building a knowledge hub as the mature level of progress achieved with the Kingdoms cloud migration journey makes it a centre of excellence for developing cloud in the region and becoming the first Arab country to implement such policy worldwide, he added. IDCs white paper analyses the impact of ICT, cloud services and the Microsoft ecosystem on the Bahrain economy between 2017 and 2022, covering a decade of IDC regional findings. The research shows that organisations across the kingdom will participate in a rise in IT spending and employment. Innovation and economic diversification will be supported by the increasing utilisation of public cloud services. In addition, the government's cloud-first strategy, together with investments in private and hybrid cloud solutions, will enable businesses to generate almost BD129 million ($342.17 million) (net) in new revenues over the next five years. IDC predicts spending on public cloud services in Bahrain will almost quadruple over the same period, from BD2.74 million ($7.27) in 2017 to BD10.05 million ($26.66 million) in 2022. Between the end of 2017 and the end of 2022, adoption of cloud services will create nearly 5,200 new jobs (net) and the Microsoft technology ecosystem will add 400 jobs (net) for a total of 5,600 in net job creation. Necip Ozyucel, cloud and enterprise group lead, Microsoft Gulf, said: Digital transformation has the power to engage customers and citizens, empower employees, optimise operations and reinvent products and services. IDCs report clearly shows that private and public organisations have realised those benefits are there for the taking, and are directly or indirectly creating jobs as they invest in their futures, Ozyucel said. Our company is proud of its record of job creation in Bahrain. Acceleration of economic growth and innovation and the downstream revenue that comes from the Microsoft ecosystem are natural outcomes from our efforts to help every individual and organisation on the planet to achieve more, Ozyucel added. In March, Microsoft announced it would open dedicated cloud data centres in the neighbouring UAE, to serve customers across the Middle East. The company believes the provision of cloud services through regional data centres will help start-ups to more quickly realise their potential, as well as accelerating the adoption of public cloud services within government agencies and regulated industries, such as banking and finance, telecoms and healthcare. Microsoft also takes very seriously its role in upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce to support an emerging series of jobs and shifts in responsibilities resulting from the increased use of cloud services. According to the World Economic Forums Future of Jobs report, published in January this year, two in three children will end up working in jobs that do not exist yet. Microsoft is active in creating awareness of this with its education partners around the world. The company also runs several professional programmes that address the need for upskilling and reskilling, to plug knowledge gaps in the emerging cloud-services segment, including Microsoft Cloud Administration, Azure Essentials and the AI Professional Certification. In its whitepaper, IDC also examined wider ICT spending in Bahrain, predicting it would reach BD296.76 million ($787.14 million) in 2022, and that IT employment in the country will surpass 12,600 by that time. Megha Kumar, research director - software and cloud, IDC Middle East, Turkey and Africa, said: As cloud continues to gain momentum in the region, countries will be able to accelerate their digital transformation and economic diversification agendas. Cloud will enable innovative projects that revolve around artificial intelligence (AI), enterprise mobility, Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain, she said. It will also create demand for new skill types and expertise in the market. We will begin to see a shift in the job types that will be needed by organisations, with new roles coming into play. These will range from AI and blockchain architects and data scientists to AI systems trainers, she added. TradeArabia News Service Oman Data Park (ODP), the first localised cloud service provider in the sultanate, is offering IT services on demand. ODP currently manages three data centres located in KOM, Wattayah, and Duqm. These three are interconnected to provide resilience, interconnectivity of data and business continuity, said a statement. ODP held a roadshow in Sohar showcasing the latest cloud, security, AI and IT managed services. The key topics that was covered at the roadshow held at Crowne Plaza, Sohar on November 26, were Security services, disaster recovery and the new artificial intelligence applications. At the event, participants got to witness cutting edge technology that can empower to increase productivity and accomplish work quickly and easily. Said Al Jahwari, business development manager made a presentation on ODP profile and Services, while Nicholai Georgiou, sales team lead presented SAP Business One application that integrates all core business functions in companies such as accounting and financials, sales, customer relationship management, project management and so on. Unlike many other small business solutions in the market today, SAP Business One is a single application, eliminating the need for separate installations and complex integration of multiple modules. The SAP Business One application is for the SMEs, normally with fewer than 1,000 employees and 300 users. The other presenters were, Fayez Al Balushi, pre-sales team lead, who spoke on ODP Managed Security Services and Artificial Intelligence Services, Amjed Khalil, Cloud Account Manager presented ODP Cloud Services. Ankit Rajpal, territory manager Oman and Bahrain, explained about Veeam Hyper-Availability Platform. He highlighted that the intelligent automation expects to boost the need and securely meets the demand across the multi-cloud world, reducing risk and accelerating innovation. Veeam Cloud Connect, he said makes it easy for Veeam customers to extend their infrastructure readiness to the cloud by sending their virtual and physical backups and VM replicas to a Veeam Cloud & Service Provider (VCSP), or to their own infrastructure. Dell EMC made a presentation on its Cloud Platforms. The largest data centre challenge that the CIOs faced in 2018 was in developing a multi-cloud strategy. The VxRail management platform, VxRail Manager, is a tactical advantage for VxRail and reduces operational complexity. With VxRail Manager, upgrades are simple and automated with a single-click. You can sit back and relax knowing you are going from one good known state to the next, inclusive of all the managed software and hardware component firmware. Currently, ODP is serving around 450 corporates ranging from large to mid to small companies. They include the big banks and the major oil and gas companies in the country. ODP serves some of the prominent companies both Local and International as well. ODPs new data centre in Duqm provides a diverse set of services such as ICT colocation, IT-managed services, cloud services and disaster recovery services. Along with the Duqm data centre, the company has launched the version 2 of its cloud services. They are further enhanced cloud services with a lot of advanced features, it stated. TradeArabia News Service The G20 leaders summit announced yesterday that Japan will host the summit next year, while Saudi Arabia will host the summit in 2020. This announcement came in the G20 Leaders declaration issued yesterday in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, said a Saudi Press Agency report. His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia, took part in the summit along with leaders from other G20 nations. The declaration said: "We thank Argentina for its G20 Presidency and for hosting the successful Buenos Aires Summit and we look forward to our next meetings in Japan in 2019 and in Saudi Arabia in 2020. Building on the G20 Food Security and Nutrition Framework, the declaration reaffirmed their commitment to tackling the challenges of food security, which is crucial to achieving a world free of hunger and all forms of malnutrition. "We will promote dynamism in rural areas and sustainable agriculture, conscious of the importance of sustainable soil, water and riverbanks management supported by individual countries voluntarily, taking into consideration the specific needs of family and small-holder farmers. We encourage the voluntary use and sharing of innovative as well as traditional agricultural practices and technologies," it said. It highlighted the importance of collaboration among public and private stakeholders to strengthen risk management, facilitate adaptation to a changing environment, protect biodiversity and provide effective responses to reduce the impacts of extreme weather on agriculture. "We will increase efforts to engage with the private sector, the scientific community and all other relevant stakeholders to enhance value addition, productivity, efficiency, sustainability and upgrading in agro-food global value chains and encourage initiatives to reduce food loss and waste," the declaration added. National carrier Gulf Air celebrated Bahraini Womens Day yesterday (December 1) by operating an all-Bahraini female flight to Kuwait; inclusive of the flights operating and hospitality crews. The flight also included Bahraini social media influencers Khawla Al Maraghi, Rasha Yusuf, and Amina Al Khenna. The participants were received by representatives of Bahrain Embassy to Kuwait, where they visited the embassy prior to attending a luncheon in their honour. With 38 per cent female personnel, the airlines female workforce represents all Gulf Air divisions, ranks and levels of expertise. Bahraini Womens Day is celebrated annually on December 1 as part of an initiative by HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) to honour the achievements and valuable insights and contribution made by Bahraini women towards the development and progress of the Kingdom of Bahrain. TradeArabia News Service Muscat International Airport has won the prestigious title of the World's Leading New Airport in 2018 at the 25th edition of the World Travel Awards hosted in Lisbon, Portugal. Recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence, this years ceremony saw the participation of leading travel and tourism service providers from around the world. Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed Al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports, said: This esteemed award recognizes our efforts in writing a new chapter in our journey of excellence. Muscat International Airport aims to not only raise the bar on customer experience but operational efficiency as well. This new state-of-the-art passenger terminal is the first encounter visitors have with Oman and we have worked to ensure that it is a true representation of our genuine hospitality and beautiful country. Commercially opened in March of this year with a gross floor area of approximately 580,000 sq m, the new airport has the capacity to serve 20 million passengers per year. Al Hosni added: We are committed to playing a pivotal role in realizing the governments ambitious national logistics strategy and becoming one of the top 20 airports in the world by 2020. The new infrastructure is vital to deliver the level of service that our customers expect and to expertly manage and develop the gateways of Oman. Since opening its doors, the airport has received worldwide acclaim for its Omani-themed architecture, advanced technology, and exceptional passenger experience. With an expansion potential of upto80 million passengers per annum, it was designed and constructed to the highest standards of quality and service, meeting the International Air Transport Associations classification for top airports. As a result, it was voted Best New Middle East Tourism Development Project at the World Travel Awards just four weeks after starting its operations. The Sultanate, represented by Oman Airports will play host to the 2019 World Travel Awards. The country will welcome professionals from all over the world who will congregate in Muscat, to acknowledge the leaders in one of the most competitive industries globally. Al Hosni said: We are both honoured and excited. This event will position Oman as a contender to hold such high-profile international aviation events which will ultimately contribute to the countrys economic diversification strategy. Today, the travel and tourism sector in Oman has seen tremendous growth as a result of the opening of the new Muscat International airport. Between January and October 2018, the total number of flights arriving at Muscat International Airport was 89,368, a 5.2 per cent increase from last year while the number of passengers increased by 10.5 per cent from 2017, reaching 11,705,440. By end of 2018, the total number of passengers flying into the airport is expected to have reached a record 16 million. TradeArabia News Service The finest travel brands in the world have been unveiled at a star-studded World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal. Winners at the red carpet reception held the at the historic Patio da Gale included Jamaica, which celebrated a double victory by collecting both Worlds Leading Beach Destination and Worlds Leading Cruise Destination. The ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, Peru was named Worlds Leading Tourist Attraction, whilst Mauritius fended off stiff competition to emerge as Worlds Most Romantic Destination. The evening marked the climax of the WTA 25th anniversary Grand Tour 2018 an annual search for the finest travel and tourism organisations in the world, with the winners of WTAs six regional ceremonies going head-to-head for the coveted World titles. Graham Cooke, founder, WTA, said: What an incredible evening it has been here in the magnificent city of Lisbon. We have had the privilege of recognising the worlds leading hotels, destinations, airlines and travel providers and my congratulations to each of them. Hospitality winners included Armani Hotel Dubai (World's Leading Hotel); Atlantis the Palm, Dubai (Worlds Leading Landmark Resort); Fraser Hospitality (Worlds Leading Serviced Apartment Brand); and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (World's Leading Resort Brand). In the aviation sector, Aeroflot capped a year of strong passenger growth by winning both World's Leading Airline Brand and World's Leading Airline Business Class, whilst Singapore Changi Airport was named Worlds Leading Airport and Muscat International Airport was voted Worlds Leading New Airport. The strength and depth of Portugals tourism economy was reflected with victories in a range of categories. Portugal was voted Worlds Leading Destination, Madeira heralded World's Leading Island Destination, whilst Turismo de Portugal was named Worlds Leading Tourist Board. Other highlights included awards for Hong Kong (World's Leading Business Travel Destination), Cape Town (World's Leading Festival & Event Destination), Guayaquil (Worlds Leading City Tourist Board), Europcar (World's Leading Green Transport Solution Company and World's Leading Car Rental Company Website), Norwegian Cruise Line (World's Leading Cruise Line) and YAS Waterworld (Worlds Leading Water Park). WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. TradeArabia News Service One billion people live with disability, making them the largest minority in the world. With implementation in 177 countries, the landmark 2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities demonstrates how countries can come together on an issue and move the needle quickly for change. This years theme of the International Day on Persons with Disabilities, Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality, speaks to the heart of UNDPs work to achieve inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development as part of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Indeed, to realize the promise of the 2030 Agenda and its core pledge to leave no one behind - it is essential that all peoples, particularly those facing discrimination and exclusion, have access and voice and can participate equally in every aspect of life. To support governments and organizations in achieving this, UNDP launched a guidance note on persons with disabilities today which highlights practical ways we are working in countries around the world to support disability inclusion. We are also taking forward a number of initiatives within UNDP to help reduce barriers and foster an enabling environment for the employment, retention, and closer collaboration with persons with disabilities. On this day, lets commit to working together to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access and voice in society, and can realize their fullest possible potential. UNDP's Work: UNDP provides support to the Sierra Leone election commission hold elections that are not only technically sound and sustainable, but that are also inclusive in particular, to women and to persons with disabilities. https://unsierraleone.exposure.co/not-about-us-without-us UNDP Honduras is utilizing 3D printing technology and vocational support to socio-economic reintegration of returning migrants and victims of violence with disabilities. https://bit.ly/2EWKfmo In Kuwait UNDP is working with national partners on removal of barriers to social, economic and educational inclusion of persons with disability through increasing technical expertise for implementation of Universal Design and countrywide use of technology enablers. http://www.kw.undp.org/content/kuwait/en/home/presscenter/articles/2018/_kuwait-digital-accessibility-framework-workshop.html In Ukraine UNDP with the NGO Dovira Foundation supported the first inclusive festival for Donetsk Oblast The World for Equality in Mariupol. Festivals like this are important not only because they promote active involvement of persons with disabilities in the life of their community, but also because they encourage their fellow citizens push for a more inclusive society. http://www.ua.undp.org/content/ukraine/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2018/first-inclusive-festival-Mariupol.html#.W7RrRy6RbDk.twitter In Viet Nam, UNDP conducted research study on stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities to support evidence-based reporting and monitoring the implementation of the CRPD. http://www.vn.undp.org/content/vietnam/en/home/presscenter/articles/2018/SupportingPwD.html In Albania UNDP in n partnership with Innovation Labs Albania, improved the indications of wheelchair accessibility on OpenStreetMap helping persons with disabilities in the touristic city of Pogradec understand accessibility levels of their city. http://www.al.undp.org/content/albania/en/home/presscenter/articles/2018/putting-people-with-disabilities-on-the-map.html Kathmandu, December 2 As one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Nepal is going to lobby with the international community to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, at the 24th meeting of parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Even a 1.5 degree rise will have devastating consequences on Nepal and the Himalayas in particular, said Maheshwar Dhakal, head of Climate Change Division at the Ministry of Forest and Environment. The glaciers are melting and this will cause massive floods downstream, he warned on the eve of the key meeting, set to begin in Poland this week. According to Nepals status paper prepared ahead of the meeting, the government is going to call on state parties to revise their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2020 to raise their ambition in line with the latest available science, including the IPCC reports. The current level of global ambition does not put us on a track to limit average global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, therefore global ambition needs to be heightened up as soon as possible, says the paper. Dhakal said that Nepal will continue to align with the LDC group during the negotiations. The UN Framework Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement clearly recognise the special circumstances and needs of the LDCs and this recognition must be adhered to in every delivery mechanism of the climate finance, says the document. Nepal, which has a diverse landscape. is going to report to the world that it is already feeling the impacts of climate change: the number of rainy days is increasing significantly in the northwestern districts. Similarly, very wet days and extremely wet days are on a significantly decreasing trend, mainly in the northern districts. According to the paper, consecutively dry days are decreasing significantly, mainly in the northwestern districts of the mid-western region while consecutive wet days are increasing significantly in the northern districts of the mid-western region and central parts of the western and eastern regions. Maximum temperature trends are higher than minimum temperature trends in all seasons. To address the situation, Nepal is going to insist that developed countries provide a clear roadmap with strategies and approaches to delivering US$100 billion by 2020. Nepal will call on developed countries to provide adequate and sustainable climate finance to supplement development assistance to address climate risk in the least developed countries. Finance must target countries special needs and priorities, i.e. in the case of LDCs must prioritise adaptation whilst maintaining a balance between adaptation and mitigation, says that government. The government is going to lobby for an easier and simplified application, approval and disbursement processes for funds like the Green Climate Fund and the Green Energy Fund. Nepal, which has long been suffering due to climate change-induced disasters, will also call on state parties to ensure that the provisions of loss and damage included in the Paris Agreement be implemented. The COP 24 should provide high-level guidance for the review of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change, the paper says. In the context of the Talanoa Dialogue, Nepal is going to call for collective guidance on the global effort needed to put the world on a pathway to below 1.5 degrees of temperature increase. The IPCC special report on 1.5C will be an important input to the Talanoa Dialogue. The findings of the report should be taken for consideration by the ministers and must feed into the political dialogue during COP 24. The outcomes of the dialogue must ultimately lead to a significant collective increase in emissions reductions before 2020 to put us on track to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5C, says the report. This story is part of Onlinekhabars coverage on climate change under the 2018 Climate Change Media Partnership, a collaboration between Internews Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Foundation. Kabul, Dec 2 (UNI) More than 35 militants of the Taliban have been killed and a number of others suffered injuries in the southern Afghan Kandahar province, according to the Khaama Press News Agency. The militants were killed as a result of explosion in their own bomb-laden armored vehicle. The incident took place near the province's Maruf district, bordering Pakistan. A spokesman for the provincial governor said that the Taliban militants were planning to launch an attack against Afghan military, using an Armored Personnel Carrier packed with those very explosives, the outlet reported. The Taliban has refuted the reports. UNi XC-SNU 1420 AIADMK urges LG to recommend CBI probe against Agrl department officers 26 Nov 2021 | 12:59 PM Puducherry, Nov 26 (UNI) AIADMK Election wing Secretary Vayyapuri Manikandan on Friday urged Lt.Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan to recommend a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against officers of the Agriculture Department who allegedly functioned in support of a private sugar mill in Tamil Nadu and causing hardships and Revenue loss to the government here as well as the cane growers. see more.. Heavy rains wreak havoc in South TN, Kayalpattinam records 31 cm rain 26 Nov 2021 | 12:53 PM Thoothukudi, Nov 26 (UNI) Heavy to very overnight rains battered Southern and Delta districts of Tamil Nadu under the influence of A Cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal on Friday, leading to flooding and water logging in several residential areas affecting normal life. see more.. Pondy Cabinet decides to constitute committee for higher education in UT 26 Nov 2021 | 12:52 PM Puducherry, Nov 26 (UNI) The Puducherry Cabinet has decided to constitute a committee for higher education in the Union Territory. see more.. Malayalam lyricist Bichu Thirumala passes away 26 Nov 2021 | 12:38 PM Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 26 (UNI) Malayalam lyricist Bichu Thirumala passed away at a private hospital here early on Friday. see more.. EU, UN launch urban water project in northern Somalia MOGADISHU, Dec 2 (Xinhua) A sustained water system was launched on Sunday by Somaliland, the EU and the UN children's fund (UNICEF) in northern Somalia. According to a joint statement issued in Mogadishu, some 800,000 people will now have sustainable access to safe drinking water thanks to the concerted efforts by Somaliland government, private water companies and communities. "Water is a basic right. It plays a crucial role in our lives. We are glad that the people of Somaliland and in particular Tog Wajaale now have access to clean and affordable water," EU Charge d'Affaires to Somalia Fulgencio Garrido Ruiz said. Nagaland records 14 new COVID positive cases 26 Nov 2021 | 12:22 PM Kohima, Nov 26 (UNI) In the latest COVID-19 situation in Nagaland, the number has recorded 14 new cases yesterday, which increased the total number of corona virus-infected cases to 32,092 so far and with no report of death in the pandemic, the death toll remained at 696. see more.. BJP's ally IPFT and Pradyot hold agitation in Delhi for Tipraland from Nov 30 26 Nov 2021 | 12:12 PM Agartala, Nov 26 (UNI) The BJPs partner in the Tripura government Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) will take part in the demonstration at Jantar Mantar of New Delhi on Nov 30 and Dec 1 next along with opposition Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Alliance (TIPRA) of royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman to press for separate Tipraland under Article 3 of the constitution. see more.. Tripura journalist recovered in critical condition 26 Nov 2021 | 11:35 AM Agartala, Nov 26 (UNI) A young journalist of Bishalgarh in Sepahijala district identified as Mannan Haqu was recovered in a critical condition last night from Bishalgarh bypass and shifted to Agartala Govt Medical College (AGMC) after primary treatment in the local hospital. see more.. 6 1 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Northeast, Tremors Felt In Kolkata 26 Nov 2021 | 10:50 AM Kolkata, Nov 26 (UNI) Kolkata felt tremors of a massive earthquake of magnitude 6.1 that jolted the India-Myanmar border region early morning on Friday. see more.. Israeli PM condemns anti-Russian graffiti in city of Ashdod Tel Aviv, Dec 2 (Sputnik) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the graffiti with a slogan against the country's Russian-speaking community and called for detention of those responsible for the incident. A graffiti saying "We don't want Russians here" in Hebrew appeared this week on the wall of the department of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration in the large southern city of Ashdod. Aliyah is the Jewish immigration to Israel. "I strongly condemn the graffiti against repatriates from the countries of the former Soviet Union, which appeared on the walls of the building of Ministry of Aliyah and Integration in Ashdod. There is no place for such inscriptions against this glorious Aliyah, which made a huge contribution to the success of the State of Israel. Hopefully, those responsible for their deeds will be caught as soon as possible," Mr Netanyahu wrote on his Russian-language Facebook page. Malaysia reports 6,144 new COVID-19 cases, 48 new deaths 26 Nov 2021 | 1:01 PM Kuala Lumpur, Nov 26 (UNI/Xinhua) Malaysia on Friday recorded 6,144 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the total tally to 2,608,979, the health ministry on Friday. see more.. Japan's largest mobile carrier faces govt order due to 'serious' system failure 26 Nov 2021 | 12:58 PM Tokyo, Nov 26 (UNI/Xinhua) The Japanese government has issued an administrative order on Friday to NTT Docomo Inc. (NTT Docomo), the largest mobile carrier of Japan, after a system failure last month, which affected at least 12.9 million users and was called a "serious incident" by the communications ministry, local media reported Friday. see more.. Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia has been administered slow poisoning: Fakhrul 26 Nov 2021 | 12:50 PM Dhaka, Nov 26 (UNI) Expressing suspicion that 'slow poisoning' has been given to former Bangladesh prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in an effort to assassinate her, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that nothing is impossible for the present government which can kill and make people disappear very easily, it was reported on Friday. see more.. 5 8 magnitude earthquake hits Bangladesh 26 Nov 2021 | 12:47 PM Dhaka, Nov 26 (UNI) A 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit parts of Bangladesh in the early hours of Friday. Tremors were felt in Dhaka, Chattogram, Noakhali, Bandarban, Khulna, Sylhet and other cities of Bangladesh at 5.45 a.m. see more.. Naga NGOs of Nagaland meet US envoy at Kohima Kohima, Dec 02 (UNI) Various Naga organisations have appraised the United States of the issues confronting the Naga people, including the vexed Naga political problem. According to sources the Naga NGOs comprising Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers Association (NMA) and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) met visiting US Ambassador Kenneth I Juster, who was in Kohima to attend the Nagaland Hornbill Festival, on Friday evening in Kohima and apprised him of various issues, including the unresolved Naga political problem. Naga Hoho President Chuba Ozukum apprised the US envoy about the Naga political issue and ongoing peace process with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) which has entered 21 years and talks with the other Naga groups and insincerity of the Government of India to resolve the issue. NPMHR Secretary General Niengulo Krome also presented a brief report about violation of human rights and atrocities committed by the Army under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. He told the US Ambassador about insincerity of the Union Government towards finding a solution to the Naga political problem and violations of human rights which has even reached the United Nations. Kolkata, Dec 02 (UNI) Eighteen Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries have been invited to the fifth edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) in February 2019. This is another sign that the summit is growing in stature worldwide. Several Asian and European countries are taking part every year. The invitation to the LAC countries, which is a first for the BGBS, was announced by the State Finance and Commerce and Industries Minister, Dr Amit Mitra at the conference, India-LAC Business Cooperation: Special focus on West Bengal, organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Kolkata. Elaborating on the issue, he said that there are a number of core competency areas that Bengal and the LAC countries have in common, like leather, textiles manufacturing, information technology (IT) and a few others, and so, in these, there is potential for investment which will be beneficial for both sides. There can even be partnerships at the state level between Bengal and the states of LAC region. The minister said that one company in Bangla has recently invested in Chile for the manufacturing of mining machinery. And now it is time for the LAC countries to come and invest big in Bengal. About the foreign collaborations, Dr Mitra said that six countries have already agreed to partner Bengal in BGBS 2019, including Germany and Italy which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited in September this year. At the ICC conference, the minister also discussed the deep cultural and social linkages between Bangla and the LAC countries. He further said Bengal is one of the leading States in India in terms of human capital generation and employment creation. Significantly, the event was attended by the ambassadors from eighteen Latin American countries Venezuela, Brazil, Paraguay, Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Ecuador, Argentina, Panama, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Peru, Suriname, Bolivia and Uruguay. Regional Groups in LAC like ALBA, CARICOM, Mercosur, Pacific Alliance & SICA gave PowerPoint presentations at the session. UNI SJC RN Over 770 Refugees Returned to Syria From Abroad Over Past 24 Hours - Refugee Center MOSCOW, Dec 2 (Sputnik) Over 770 refugees have returned to Syria from Lebanon and Jordan over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry's Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides and Refugee Migration Monitoring said on Sunday. "Over the past day, in total 777 people returned to the Syrian Arab Republic from the territory of foreign states: 194 people (58 women and 98 children) left Lebanon for Syria via the Jaydet-Yabus and Talkalakh CPs [checkpoints], and 583 people (175 women and 297 children) from Jordan via the Nasib CP," the center said in its daily bulletin. A total of 928 internally displaced Syrians returned to their homes over the period, it added. Home Just In From the Kathmandu Press: Sunday, December 2, 2018 Major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Sunday have covered the statement of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the inaugural of the Asia Pacific Summit on their front pages. Whereas most of the newspapers report the Prime Ministers quotes, Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post are particularly critical of the event, mainly due to its controversial Christian background. Meanwhile, Kantipur and The Himalayan Times have published reports about the European Unions decision to continue the ban imposed on flight of Nepali airline companies in the European sky. Few other political, sociocultral and political issues have been featured on the front pages of Nepali newspapers today. Important Former PMs boycott Asia Pacific Summit The Kathmandu Post reports that at least five former prime ministersSher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Jhala Nath Khanal, Baburam Bhattarai and Khil Raj Regmidid not attend the inaugural of controversial summit though all of them were invited. Meanwhile, the inauguration was centred at the appreciation of the Unification Church and its chief Hak Ja Han, also known as Madam Moon, according to Kantipur. Gorkhapatra reports that speakers of the inaugural raised concerns of their own interest though the themes of the summit were something else. EU ban on Nepali airlines continues The European Union has decided to continue its five-year-old ban on the flight of aircraft from Nepali airline companies in the European sky, according to The Himalayan Times and Kantipur. THT report reads that Lack of improvement and safety oversight by the countrys aviation regulator led to the ban. Quoting a senior official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the report claims the agency had expected the ban to continue as The EU recently sent a list of 43 questions to CAAN raising serious concerns Nepal records six rape cases everyday Gorkhapatra reports in its anchor story that Nepal Police has recorded six cases of rape per day in the first three months of current fiscal year (mid-July-mid-October) on average. Citing a response given by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Women and Social Committee in Parliament, the report mentions that total 590 rape cases were reported in the period. Total 697 persons have been identified as suspects, and 561 of them were arrested. Ignored 600 Nepalis study in blacklisted Bangladeshi colleges A snippet in Kantipur, filed from Dhaka, reports that more than 600 Nepali students are currently studying in blacklisted Bangladeshi colleges. Their future has turned uncertain as they may not be allowed to do practice in Nepal. Currently, around 5,000 Nepali medical students are in Bangladesh, the biggest host of Nepali medical students globally. Panel suggests decriminalisation of defamation A government-commissioned task force has suggested removing defamation from the list of criminal cases in the new penal code, The Himalayan Times reports in its lead story. The task force formed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to suggest changes to make the new code more media-friendly has submitted its report to Minister Gokul Prasad Banskota on Friday, according to the report. Dialogue team fails to make concrete progress Republica reports in a four column story that the Political Dialogue Committee, a government team formed to hold talks with disgruntled political groups, is preparing to wrap up its work as the term is about to expire. The team led by lawmaker Som Prasad Pandey, however, has failed to make any concrete progress about the assignment, the report adds. The team is required to submit its report to the government by December 15. Conflict between NGOs and INGOs The Kathmandu Post reports in a two column story that Nepals non-government organisations have voiced their concerns over the potential misuse of international NGOs that have been operating their offices in Nepal. The NGO Federation of Nepal made public its recommendations to the government during its recent ninth general convention, demanding that the international NGOs have no access to funds from the UN and donor agencies. Interesting Council to examine doctors qualification every five years Owing to concerns raised by various stakeholders over the qualification and competence of medical doctors, the Nepal Medical Council has decided to conduct qualification checkup every five years, according to a brief story in Naya Patrika. The doctors need to pass the tests in order to get their licences renewed, the report informs. Russian military deliver humanitarian aid to injured Syrian soldiers in Aleppo DAMASCUS, Dec 2 (Sputnik) Russian military from the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian Reconciliation have delivered humanitarian aid to injured Syrian soldiers at a military hospital in Aleppo and their families, the center's spokesman, Maj Gen Sergei Popov, told reporters on Sunday. "We gave wheelchairs and warm clothes to the Syrian army soldiers who suffered injuries during the armed conflict [in Syria] as well as their relatives. A total of 25 sets have been delivered," the spokesman told reporters. Popov also told medics working at the hospital that the reconciliation center and Russian charity foundations would continue to provide humanitarian aid both to injured Syrian soldiers and their families. Tehran refutes Pompeo's allegations on Iranian Missile tests violating UN ban MOSCOW, Dec 2 (Sputnik) The Iranian Foreign Ministry refuted on Sunday recent claims by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Iranian missile program allegedly violated the UN Security Council's resolutions. Pompeo said Saturday that Iran had test-fired a medium range ballistic missile in violation of the 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." "The Iranian missile program is of defensive nature and developed in accordance with the needs of the country. No resolution of the UN Security Council bans the missile program or Iranian missile tests," the statement quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi as saying. Turkmen parliament ratifies Caspian Sea convention ASHGABAT, Dec 2 (Sputnik) The Mejlis of Turkmenistan has ratified the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea and a number of related agreements, local media reported on Sunday. According to the TDH news agency, apart from the landmark convention, Turkmen lawmakers also unanimously ratified intergovernmental agreements with other Caspian littoral states on trade cooperation, transport and prevention of dangerous incidents in the Caspian Sea. The status of the oil-and-gas-rich Caspian Sea was regulated by agreements reached between Iran and the Soviet Union until the dissolution of the latter. The new deal on the legal status of the sea among the independent states that emerged after 1991, namely Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan, was signed at the Fifth Caspian Summit in Aktau, Kazakhstan, on 12 August 2018. 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 Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, 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 Home Just In Kimff 2018 to begin in Kathmandu this Friday Kathmandu, December 2 The 16th edition of Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (Kimff) will begin in Kathmandu on Friday, December 7, say the organisers. Organised by Himal Association, the event will be held at Nepal Tourism Board and Rastriya Sabha Griha till December 11. Nepal Tourism Board and Kathmandu Metropolitan City among others are also involved in hosting the annual event. More than 70 films including documentaries, fictions, shorts, experimental films and animations from 31 countries will be screened back to back during the event, according to the organiser. Women move mountains has been chosen as the tagline of the event and it will seek to explore the role of women in society and engage them in filmmaking and fil appreciation. Meanwhile, the event will also hold a short film competition on the theme of travel is an attitude for Nepalis below 35. There are many other prizes in various categories. Home Just In Nepal PM says he will take initiatives to hold 19th SAARC Summit in Pakistan Kathmandu, December 2 Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said Nepal would take initiatives from its side to hold the 19th SAARC Summit in Pakistan. During a meeting with the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yusuf Raza Gilani, who is currently in Nepal in course of the ongoing Asia Pacific Summit, PM Oli said Nepal, as the current Chair of SAARC, would play a role to hold the next SAARC Summit in Pakistan and was desperate to hand over the chairing position. Although the 18th SAARC Summit had decided to hold the next summit in Pakistan, the misunderstanding between India and Pakistan has been hindering the schedule. According to PMs foreign affairs advisor, Rajan Bhattarai, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan said the Pakistani people and political parties were committed to SAARC and ready to host the summit. PM Oli also reiterated that Nepal was for making the regional organisation effective. RSS On 25 November 2018, Ukraines military navy intentionally violated the Russian maritime space in Crimea. After gathering evidence of the violation of Russian territorial waters and considering it a hostile act, the Russian Federation proceeded to intercept and lead to port the Ukrainian armoured patrol boats or artillery Berdyansk and Nikopol as well as the tug boat Yani-Kapou . All these belong to Ukraines military navy. In Kiev, the Ukrainian Security and Defence Council proposed to President Petro Porochenko to introduce a martial law for sixty days. In New York, the UN Security Council was summoned for an urgent meeting at the request of the two parties. Ukraine does not recognize that Crimea has stuck itself onto the Russian Federation (the glue being provided from the referendum for auto-determination in 2014). Because Ukraine does not recognize this, it considers the land and sea territory of Crimea is its. Following the opening of the bridge built by the Russians between the two banks of the strait of Kertch, the Ukrainian Navy is militarizing the Sea of Azov and is seeking to transfer what remains of the national navy to it. Russia on the other hand does not recognize the coup detat perpetrated in Kiev with the help of the United States; a coup which benefitted Nazi groups. Considering that the putschists have taken all sorts of measures against the Russian minority in Ukraine, including a downgrading of the status of the Russian language, the Russian Federation has accepted the referendum of auto-determination of Crimea and has incorporated it into its being. In contrast, Russia has not publicized its position on the status of the separatist region of Donbass, whose people have also asked that it be glued back onto the Federation and where fighting continues to this day. To overcome the blocus imposed by the Ukrainian authorities on the peninsular of Crimea by Ukraine, Moscow built a bridge between the two banks of the Kertch strait. Faced with the Ukrainian militarization of the Azov Sea, the Russian Secret Service set up a procedure for searching merchant ships both Ukrainian and Russian ships -, entering and leaving the canal of Kertch-Enikal. These searches, in general every three hours, have occasionally lasted up to 36 hours, causing disorder in the Ukrainian ports of Berdyansk and Marioupol and the Russian ports. On 21 November, Russia had issued an official communique against the militarization of the Azov Sea [1]. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 29, 2018 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 29, 2018 | 11:41 AM | PADUCAH The Paducah Fire Department is taking time this holiday season to remind local residents about fire safety. The department says Christmas trees, lighting, and entertaining can increase the chances of a fire. They said natural Christmas trees, while beautiful and festive, contain more fuel than a gallon of gasoline. Keeping them well watered will prevent them from drying out and becoming more flammable. Folks are also cautioned to never use live candles on Christmas trees or place them near decorations. If you are planning to use a string of lights, inspect them before hanging. f the cords are damaged, pinched, or frayed, or if any of the bulbs are loose, replace the entire strand. You should also make sure that strands of lights or cords used outside are rated for outdoor use. Entertaining is popular during the holidays, and officials offered some tips to be safer when hosting guests. Before guests arrive, check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are operational. Also, make sure they know all of the exits and your familys escape plan. Plus, secure cords for holiday lighting and decorations to prevent guests from tripping and falling. Residents are also advised to put up any matches, lighters, or other flammable materials so that visiting children cant access them. For more information about holiday fire safety including national statistics, visit www.nfpa.org. By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 01, 2018 | 12:04 PM | PADUCAH The Tilghman cadets helped pack 86 boxes, decorated them and created handmade Christmas cards for nearly 900 tow boat crew members. The boxes will be delivered to towboats before they leave port so that the crew may open the gifts on Christmas day. The Rev. Kempton Baldridge, chaplain at Seaman's Church, said donations of hand-knitted items and other items from around the world and across the United States arrived after people learned of the project by word of mouth at their church or civic group. There are approximately 4,000 towboats on the inland rivers system, along with 18 United States Coast Guard buoy tenders. Chaplain Baldridge said the Christmas on the River project will provide holiday gift packages to as many of the tow boat crews as possible. Seventeen members of the Paducah Tilghman High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit participated in Christmas on the River, coordinated by Seamans Church Institute at the Center for Maritime Education in downtown Paducah. 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 Inspiring Wrexham woman enjoys dream visit to Westminster as guest of MP This article is old - Published: Sunday, Dec 2nd, 2018 A Wrexham woman recently had the chance to shadow her MP around the corridors of power during an event aimed at encouraging more women to stand for election. Wanjiku Ngotho, head of regional services at Bawso on Grosvenor Road, said her first ever visit to Westminster was a dream come true. Wanjiku was invited by Wrexham MP Ian Lucas as part of the Ask Her to Stand initiative, which saw more than 250 inspiring women from all parts of the country descend on Parliament to highlight the need for more women in politics. Currently, men outnumber women by more than 2:1 in the Commons while only 33% of councillors in the UK are female. The Ask Her to Stand Day was held on Wednesday, November 21, on the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Qualification of Women Act, which allowed women to stand for Parliament for the first time. The day was intended to be both a celebration of the anniversary, and also a call for more women to come into politics. Wanjiku, 44, who is originally from Kenya but has lived in Wrexham since 2006, said: I enjoyed the day so much. It was really surreal to be there as I never thought Id get the opportunity to see what I saw. Im really grateful to Ian for thinking of me. As a black woman living in Wrexham, I never thought Id get the chance to do something like this. It was inspiring a dream come true for me. Mr Lucas took Wanjiku on a tour of Westminster and also arranged for her to watch Prime Ministers Questions from the public gallery. Wanjiku said it was an eye-opener seeing how Parliament works, and was interested to hear questions about modern-day slavery and sexual and domestic violence crop up during PMQs. She deals with such issues on a regular basis in her role at Bawso, which provides specialist services for the BME (black, minority, ethnic) community in Wrexham. Wanjiku also attended a workshop called Breaking Down Barriers, attended by female politicians who spoke about what inspired them to move into politics. Wanjiku is now considering taking such a step herself. Mr Lucas said: It was a pleasure to welcome Wanjiku to Westminster and I am pleased she enjoyed the day so much. She is an inspiration through her work at Bawso and a role model within the Wrexham community. We need more women to stand for public office, at all levels in politics from the grass roots to Westminster. I hope Ask Her to Stand Day inspired Wanjiku and other women like her to stand for election and give us all broader and more representative decision-making. The day was organised by campaigners Frances Scott, 50:50 Parliament, Helen Pankhurst and the Centenary Action Group, the Fawcett Society and the Jo Cox Foundation. Kathmandu, December 2 Nepals first ever seed investment fund, Safal Seeds, which is geared toward early-stage Nepali startups was launched at Nepal Communiteres I-Cube Business Incubation Demo Day held on November 30, at Shankar Hotel. The event showcased five companies that were incubated and supported for a full year at Nepal Communitere. Safal Seeds aims to bridge the gap between businesses and investors, in addition to providing administrative, communications, and legal support to SMEs, which often lacks institutional support. Safal Seeds is a partnership between Nepal Communitere, Antarprerana and Safal Partners. British Ambassador, Richard Morris, who was the events keynote speaker, emphasised the importance of creating a healthy ecosystem for entrepreneurs willing to innovate, take risks, and collaborate, and underscored the importance of providing business development guidance and support for SMEs. I believe Safal Seeds is a groundbreaking initiative, which will nurture budding start-ups to create a pipeline for them to be ready for large-scale investmentsboth domestic and foreign, added Niraj Khanal of Antarprerna. Three registered companies pitched for seed investments were 8byte Creative Studio, Around the Corner Restaurant and Orange Ball Pvt. Ltd. Two student startups NovaTech and Light Up also showcased. I-Cube, which is a two-year DFID/UKAID sponsored program, represents three key pillars for the success of start-ups; to innovate, iterate and incubate their business. The incubation journey for the second cohort of I-Cube is already underway for up to eight companies. Potential investors who attended the event showed their support by pledging an investment of Rs. 100,000 200,000 each. Traveller community donations help Wrexham Foodbank hit biggest donation day ever This article is old - Published: Sunday, Dec 2nd, 2018 Wrexhams Foodbank had the busiest ever day for donations, with over 2500KG donated inside 24 hours. Part of the donation spike came from a response to a viral social media challenge where members of the Traveller community across the UK have been filling up shopping trolleys for local foodbanks as part of what has been dubbed the foodbank challenge. The challenge works by people filming themselves filling a trolley then nominating friends and family to take part by donating a trolley full of goods within 48 hours. Wrexhams Foodbank told us: We had over 800kg from Asda which mostly came from the travelling community, with collections in Asda, and Tesco Wrexham and Tesco Cefn Mawr locally. They added they were grateful for all donations that enable us to continue supporting those in crisis in Wrexham. A big thank you to everyone who has donated and to our volunteers who are putting in extra hours over the weekend and the next few weeks to process it all. Up the road in Deeside 70 trolleys of food have been donated in the past few days as the challenge was taken up. The challenge was started by Traveller man and new father Watson Harrop, 30, of Bishops Auckland, County Durham. Mr Harrop decided to take action after noticing families in his local area struggling. While out shopping for his three-month-old daughter at his local Tesco last Thursday, he spontaneously decided to fill a trolley full of food to donate to the stores foodbank according travellerstimes.org.uk Mr Harrop says enough food for around 18,000 meals has been donated in Bishop Auckland alone, a small market town with a population of less than 30,000. In an interview with Travellers Times Watson Harrop said: In my local town alone the Tesco has had over six tonnes of food donated in just one week thats enough to make 8,000 meals. Its overwhelming how many people have helped and donated. Its caused an avalanche of different communities coming together. It doesnt matter if youre Traveller, Pakistani, black, white I decided were going to come together and make a difference for people who are less fortunate than us over the Christmas period. You can read more of his interview here. Wrexham Foodbanks warehouse in Dean Road (post code LL13 9EH) will be open Tuesday 10-18.30 and Friday 10-18.00 this week for people wanting to bring Reverse Advent calendar donations in. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 21:44:53|Editor: mmm Video Player Close LONDON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- As world leaders gather in Argentina for a G20 summit, expectations are running high that the world's major economies will take decisive measures to protect global growth amid the spectre of protectionism. BACKING FREE TRADE Over the past years, the G20 has proven a great help in the coordination of economic policies. The bloc of major economies is in Buenos Aires to find itself at the center of a multilateral trading system threatened by rising protectionism. "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. There are lots of responsibilities that now lie on the shoulders of the G20 to find solutions and ways forward," said Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club. Irene Mia, of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), noted that trade is at the bottom of all questions. "Free trade is the key of fueling the growth we have seen but there may be setbacks. I am fairly optimistic in the long term." Alan Barrell, professor at Cambridge Judge Business School, lauded China's consistency and determination in pursuing common development and advancing globalization. He questioned the anti-globalization actions taken by some countries, which he said are "going a very wrong direction" and "in a way closing the door and stopping the trade." "Protectionism eventually brings bad things ... It always shows to be bad in the long run," he said. "Trade wars are never won." PROTECTING GROWTH In Hamburg in 2017, G20 leaders agreed to promote greater inclusiveness, fairness in the pursuit of economic growth and job creation. Argentina is expected this year to continue to steer discussions towards inclusive growth under the theme Building Consensus For Fair and Sustainable Development. "There is a lot of discontent both in developed countries and developing countries. There is part of the population that thinks it hasn't been listened to by mainstream parties and the government. I think that growth hasn't been inclusive enough, so some parts of society are more vulnerable, as they haven't really profited by the growth we have seen in the past years," said Mia. An EIU report said that mainstream political parties in the West were losing ground in recent years, as seen notably in Britain's 2016 referendum on Brexit and other European elections. Wealthy societies are more divided than once thought, according to the report. In Mia's opinion, the top priority should be government building trust with people in order to secure the latter's constructive participation in the political process. For example, involving people in budget-making. "It is not just important to grow. It is actually important to grow in an inclusive way," she noted. Observers said that it is vital to have inclusive development both within the country and around the world. The problem is how wealth and jobs are shared in a globalized world. During the Chinese and German presidency of the G20 in the last two years, the group demonstrated a stronger commitment to increasing support for countries in Africa in sectors such as infrastructure, industrialization and agriculture. "The sharing of the benefit of globalization hasn't been fair," Perry said, adding that several countries in Africa, Asia and South America have been sidelined in some respects. IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE In nations rich and poor, infrastructure upgrading is needed to boost growth and create jobs. However, the sector is underfunded, with a global gap of some 5.5 trillion U.S. dollars from now to 2035. Argentina's G20 presidency is expected to prioritize infrastructure development, including mobilizing private investments. "Three to five years ago, British newspapers were criticizing China for investing in infrastructure. Now you read that most economists recognize you cannot have long-term, even medium-term growth without investment in infrastructure," Perry said, calling the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure friendly. "The Belt and Road Initiative is transformational because it's transnational, so infrastructure development under the framework can become more inclusive in development. China is the only country that has the finance, skills and experience to do that," he said. "Five years on, the initiative is still quite new," said Peter Frankopan, professor of global history at Oxford University. "A very large amount of money has been committed into projects right across Asia and also Africa since 2013. The initiative has no geographical limits and there are many cases where these investments are sensible, logical and work very well." "What the Belt and Road Initiative can do in a positive way is to invest in very large infrastructure projects like energy plants, roads or train lines or ports that can have a very positive impact," Frankopan added. In many of the countries where such investments are headed, there is an opportunity for a real improvement in gross domestic product as well as in the quality of people's lives, noted the historian. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 05:06:16|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 206 civilians were killed in November this year by U.S.-led airstrikes on areas controlled by the Islamic State (IS) in eastern Syria, a war monitor reported Saturday. As many as 77 children and 57 women were among those killed by the strikes on the last IS-held pocket in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The U.S.-led coalition has intensified its airstrikes in recent weeks in support of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is pushing to dislodge IS from its last stronghold on the eastern bank of Euphrates River. The SDF has been trying to defeat IS in that part of the country near the Iraqi border since Sept. 10. However, the IS counter-offensives and suicide bombing have rendered all efforts flat as the SDF are preparing for another round of battles against IS in eastern Deir al-Zour. The U.S.-backed SDF has also been trying to achieve progress on the political level. A day earlier, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), which is the political wing of the SDF, concluded a conference in the city of Ayn Issa in northern Syria with the participation of opposition figures. The conference ended with a final statement that stressed the political solution is the right approach that guarantees the participation of all Syrians in the political process. The statement also noted that the formation of the constitutional committee shouldn't exclude any side, in an apparent desire by the Kurdish forces to be represented in the constitutional committee that is being discussed currently. The conference also underlined the importance of a broad dialogue that would gather opposition and government representatives. The Kurdish forces have been enjoying a sort of autonomy in northeastern Syria since the early time of the Syrian war. The Syrian government has stressed that all Syrian areas should return under its control in reference to the Kurdish-controlled areas among others. The SDC has already held discussions with government representatives and both sides agreed to form negotiation committees to continue the dialogues. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 07:21:39|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close People take part in a protest over the deteriorating housing issue in Dublin, Ireland, Dec. 1, 2018. Thousands of people took to the streets in the Irish capital on Saturday afternoon to protest against the deteriorating housing issue in the country. (Xinhua) DUBLIN, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people took to the streets in the Irish capital Dublin on Saturday afternoon to protest over the deteriorating housing issue in the country. Holing banners and placards and chanting slogans, the protestors marched through the city's busiest road O'Connell Street, drawing large crowds of audience and causing a temporary traffic disruption in parts of the downtown area, but no violence was reported throughout the protest. Organized by National Homeless and Housing Coalition, a group which represents 50 groups including local communities, trade unions and homeless groups, the protest drew the participation of representatives from various circles of the country including some opposition party leaders. Addressing a rally of the protestors, Tina McVeigh of the opposition party People Before Profit said that the government has ignored a cross-party motion calling for a number of measures, including a constitutional right to housing and an end to evictions into homelessness. Homeless campaigner Peter McVerry said that the government had lost control and housing and the housing problems will continue as long as it is in the hands of the private sector. Protestors called for a number of measures including a declaration by the government of a housing and homeless emergency and more rent controls as well as more social and affordable housing. The protest was organized two days after the Irish government released a homeless report showing over 1,200 more people became homeless as of the end of this October over a year ago. The rise in the number of the homeless people, which currently stands at about 10,000 in the country, is largely due to the rapidly rising rents and home prices in Ireland. Official statistics showed that the average price of a residential property in Dublin was almost 100 percent higher than February 2012 when the local property market crashed to a lowest point following the financial crisis and the average rent in the city is now about 30 percent higher than the peak time before the crisis with a one-bed room rent standing as high as 1,000 euros (about 1,140 U.S. dollars), forcing many families to live in the government-provided emergency accommodation at hotels, hostels and other residential facilities. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 07:36:44|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday exchanged views on trade and security on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Buenos Aires, according to a statement released by the White House. The two leaders exchanged thoughts on Russia's violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and explored how to strengthen the NATO alliance further as well as how to improve European energy security, the statement said. They also discussed the ongoing situation of confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, according to the statement. "We have a great relationship and a great working relationship, I think very important," said Trump before the meeting, according to the statement. Trump also expressed his praise of Merkel, who "was highly respected by everybody, including me." Meanwhile, Trump reaffirmed his stance on trade between the United States and Germany, saying that "we have a tremendous trade imbalance, but we're going to get that straightened out." For her part, Merkel said the two countries should address issues related to fair trade, multilateral issues, the World Trade Organization, the INF Treaty and regional issues concerning Syria and Ukraine. Despite the long-term alliance between Washington and Berlin, the bilateral ties recently have been overshadowed by their differences on bilateral trade, the Iran nuclear deal, climate change, the defense spending of NATO members and the NORD-Stream 2 gas pipeline project, among other issues. File photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (L) welcoming German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on April 27, 2018. (Xinhua/Ting Shen) WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday exchanged views on trade and security on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Buenos Aires, according to a statement released by the White House. The two leaders exchanged thoughts on Russia's violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and explored how to strengthen the NATO alliance further as well as how to improve European energy security, the statement said. They also discussed the ongoing situation of confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, according to the statement. "We have a great relationship and a great working relationship, I think very important," said Trump before the meeting, according to the statement. Trump also expressed his praise of Merkel, who "was highly respected by everybody, including me." Meanwhile, Trump reaffirmed his stance on trade between the United States and Germany, saying that "we have a tremendous trade imbalance, but we're going to get that straightened out." For her part, Merkel said the two countries should address issues related to fair trade, multilateral issues, the World Trade Organization, the INF Treaty and regional issues concerning Syria and Ukraine. Despite the long-term alliance between Washington and Berlin, the bilateral ties recently have been overshadowed by their differences on bilateral trade, the Iran nuclear deal, climate change, the defense spending of NATO members and the NORD-Stream 2 gas pipeline project, among other issues. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 07:56:48|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close Argentine President Mauricio Macri addresses a press conference during the 13th summit of the Group of 20 (G20) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 1, 2018. The 13th G20 summit concluded here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ming) BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Group of 20 (G20) summit concluded here on Saturday, with members endorsing the multilateral trading system, and calling for reforms to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the global trade oversight body. "International trade and investment are important engines of growth, productivity, innovation, job creation and development. We recognize the contribution that the multilateral trading system has made to that end," the G20 said in its final declaration. However, "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," members said, adding they will review progress in that direction at the next summit. In terms of climate, the G20 leaders' declaration said, "Signatories to the Paris Agreement... reaffirm that the Paris Agreement is irreversible and commit to its full implementation, reflecting common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities..." At a press conference which later concluded the summit, Argentine President Mauricio Macri summarized the declaration endorsed by all leaders at the G20 Summit and emphasized the support the international community is giving to Argentina. With respect to trade, he said that "what is being proposed is trade that is fair." About climate change, Macri said, "we agreed that every one of us has to continue addressing their commitments giving strong support to renewable energies, a sector in which Argentina is betting heavily." "The G20 is a common space for dialogue and working collaboratively," added Macri. Under the slogan of building consensus for fair and sustainable development, the two-day summit discussed issues such as the future of work, infrastructure for development, financial stability, climate sustainability and international trade, among others. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 09:22:04|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador delivers a speech during the inauguration in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, on Dec. 1, 2018. The inauguration of Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was held here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei) MEXICO CITY, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office Saturday morning at a solemn ceremony in the Mexican Congress. Lopez Obrador arrived at 11:14 a.m. local time (1714 GMT) along with outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto. In front of 500 deputies and 128 senators, as well as special guests from the country and abroad, Lopez Obrador received the presidential sash. In his first message to the nation as president, Lopez Obrador committed himself to fighting "the filthy corruption, public and private" in Mexico. He reiterated that corruption, "a disaster for the country," must be resolved because "it is key to Mexico's development." He also reaffirmed his campaign promises of moving the country forward and boosting investments, which he assured "are secure in Mexico." During his speech, he affirmed his commitment that he will "not allow anyone to take advantage of his position to take funds from the (country's) treasury." Lopez Obrador also said Mexico will maintain "good relations with all the peoples and governments of the world" and will join the international agenda on issues such as immigration, the environment and defending human rights, among others. He said he plans to begin working with the United States and Canada to "go further" than what is outlined in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement signed on Friday in Buenos Aires on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. The intention to seek investments to "boost development in Central American countries as well as ours" is a measure to stop the migration phenomena, he said. His government, he said, is to stick to the constitutional ideals of "non-intervention, self-determination of the people and peaceful settlement of disputes and cooperation for development." Lopez Obrador, candidate of the left-of-center National Regeneration Movement, won the July 1 presidential election by a wide margin. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 10:22:22|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump reached "important" consensus during their just-concluded working dinner, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday night. Wang made the remarks when briefing the media on the Xi-Trump meeting after the Group of 20 summit in Argentina's capital city of Buenos Aires. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 11:47:36|Editor: mym Video Player Close KUNMING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed and three more injured in a residential building fire early Sunday in southwest China's Yunnan Province, local authorities said. The fire broke out at about 1:58 a.m. in a residential building for rural residents in Xishan District of Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan, the district publicity department said. The fire directly caused five deaths and another three died after falling from the building while trying to escape from the fire, the department said. The three injured are under medical treatment. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. Home Just In Ruling party spokesperson says govt needs to review its performance Biratnagar, November 30 The spokesperson of Prime Minister KP Sharma Olis Nepal Communist Party has said the government needs to seriously review its performance. Narayan Kaji Shresthas statement comes at a time when the government is under fire from members of the public for failing to conclude the investigation into the rape and murder of Nirmala Pant and its involvement in hosting the controversial Asia Pacific Summit. Shrestha says the self review is a must as the government needs to ensure result oriented performance. Speaking with journalists at the Biratnagar Airport on Friday morning, Shrestha also lamented the rise of factional activities in the party, stressing the need to discourage them. We cannot hide the fact that our party has not been free of factionalism, he said, Factions based on personal interests should be discouraged. Serious discussions over the issue are necessary. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 11:47:38|Editor: mym Video Player Close by Simon Eric Haywood, Huang Haoyuan and Ding Le GUANGZHOU, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Long before graduation, the sixth class of students at Dongguan Technician College in southern China's Guangdong Province have already been snapped up by employers. Students at the college are jointly trained by Technische Universitat Dresden, one of the largest technical universities in Germany. "Whatever German students learn, ours do too. Students will be assessed by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the process no different than that in Germany," said Liu Haiguang, president of the college. Tim Leitschuh, CEO of Bock Furniture Products, says he is eager to hire these high-potential students after they graduate. Last year, 116 graduates from the college's Sino-German class were hired before graduation and are already on a basic monthly salary of 6,000 yuan (860 U.S. dollars). This is a far cry from the effort students in vocational education in the past would have needed to exert in order to find a job. The main reason is the transformation and upgrade of industries such as electronics. Dongguan shipped 356 million smartphones last year, one in every five worldwide, creating a great demand for highly skilled machine operators and programmers. By 2025, the talent gap in fields such as robotics and new generation IT will be a whopping 14 million across China, according to a report released by the Chinese government. By high-speed rail merely 40 minutes away, the neighboring city of Shenzhen is home to 11,200 registered state-level high-tech companies including Huawei and Tencent. Those companies are eager to hire talented young staff. In order to match this growing demand, higher and vocational education in the Pearl River Delta has been developing rapidly. Years ago, an internet company came up with more than a dozen intended projects during a brief meeting with Luo Zhiquan, president of the Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data and vice president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen). "Unfortunately, my team couldn't take so many on; only a few projects could be selected. The Big Data Institute came into being two years ago because of this demand," he said. Soon the university established several other institutions to facilitate development in various local industries such as robotics, intelligent manufacturing and finance. "There are currently over 4,000 students, with a long-term goal of 11,000 across the region. We hope not only to promote the development of the Pearl River Delta region but of China and the world," Luo said. The city plans to expand its number of higher education institutions to 20 and students to 250,000 by 2025. Official data shows that Guangdong now has 151 colleges and universities, nearly 40 percent more than that of a decade ago. The number of graduates has also doubled. Ye Yizhou, an associate research fellow at Sun Yat-sen University, believes that the Pearl River Delta, as China's most important manufacturing hub, is bearing the brunt of the country's heavy burden of economic transformation and upgrade. "Many regions in China are now aware of the role of talent in developing the industry," Ye said, adding that with such high demand, it is no longer sustainable for the PRD to rely on external talent, and the region instead needs to focus on home-grown talent. "The establishment of a large number of universities will enlarge the region's talent pool and encourage innovation, which in turn will directly serve the development of medium and high-end industry. This will work to enhance the region and eventually the whole country," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 11:52:39|Editor: mym Video Player Close YANGON, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Universities of Myanmar and Thailand have vowed to cooperate in education sector following a Thai delegation's recent visit to a Myanmar university in Myeik, Myanmar's southern Taninthayi region, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Sunday. Myanmar's Myeik University and Thailand's Phetchaburi Rajabhat University are preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Jan.-Feb. next year on the extensive collaboration in education, cultural exchange programs and research. During the visit over the last two days, the two sides discussed raising bilateral cooperation in 13 courses offered by Myeik University via a sector-by-sector approach, said Dr. Ni Ni Oo, rector of the Myeik University. He added that the key objectives of MoU are to develop the skill of local students to be able to assist in the participation of developing their region as well as to increase their employment opportunities. Myeik University has initiated eight MoUs with foreign universities and organizations to conduct research in Myeik on conservation of natural environment, prevention of illegal wildlife trade and preservation of water resources. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 11:57:41|Editor: mym Video Player Close YANGON, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Intravenous injections have caused widespread HIV infection in Myanmar's Sagaing region, local media quoted regional government Minister of Social Welfare Dr. Zaw Win as saying Sunday. About 20.77 percent of HIV-infected patients got the infection due to drug injection, Zaw Win told a ceremony marking the World AIDS Day in Monywa, Sagaing region on Saturday, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Sunday. A total of 14 dispensaries in Sagaing are offering methadone to HIV patients and the regional government is providing supervision for conducting HIV blood test and education campaign for migrant workers, youths and prisoners, a region public health official also told the event. Myanmar has launched a HIV/AIDS Flagship (UHF) project in five regions and states with the highest rate of HIV infection. With a fund of 10 million U.S. dollars and backed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the two-year project 2018-19 covers Kachin and Shan states and Sagaing, Yangon and Mandalay regions. The project aims to scale up HIV prevention, testing and treatment services by utilizing non-governmental organizations and private sector health providers for people living with HIV and key population people who injected drugs, women sex workers, men and women who are afflicted and transgender people. According to statistics, there are 224,794 people estimated to be living with HIV in Myanmar, which ranked 25 in the list of global countries having a high rate of HIV prevalence. The rate of new patients with HIV infection dropped by 26 percent in 2016 from 2010, while the death toll due to AIDS-related disease plunged by 52 percent. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 12:47:47|Editor: mym Video Player Close SHIJIAZHUANG, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A long time ago, a wealthy aristocrat went to bed and laid his head on one of the most popular symbols of wealth in ancient China -- a ceramic pillow shaped like a baby. This baby-shaped porcelain pillow is now in the Palace Museum, but it is not the original piece. Instead, it is a modern replica by the late artist Chen Wenzeng, a master of the long-lost tradition of "Ding ware" making. If not for a group of ceramic experts in north China's Hebei province, the secrets of the centuries-old ceramic art would remain lost, and the prospect of bringing them to the homes of the commoners would be no more than a wild imagination of the archeologists. For centuries between the Tang (618-907) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, kilns in Dingzhou county, now called Quyang, produced exquisite white porcelain, winning the Ding kilns fame as one of ancient China's "five great kilns." The technique, however, fell into decline after Yuan rule ended. In the 1970s, China launched a campaign to revitalize this art form, sending artisans in Quyang County to research the ancient styles and techniques of Ding ware. "What bothered us first was the absence of historical records," said He Huan, 61, who like Chen is a leading figure in revitalizing the art. Without any ancient guidebooks, artisans had to explore through trial and error every step in Ding ware making, including incising, engraving and impressing patterns. Ding ware is distinct for its carved, incised or pressed patterns. To restore these decorative patterns, He Huan went to museums across China to imitate characteristics of ancient Ding porcelain. "The trickiest part of our work is to find the suitable ceramic raw materials," said He's colleague Lin Zhanxian, who recounted the years spent at kiln relics and laboratories, where he collected specimens and did a chemical analysis to match them with clay from nearby pits. Around 2000, their reproductions were eventually similar to the original pieces. In 2008, the artistry of the Ding kilns was listed in the nation's intangible cultural heritage. FROM IMITATION TO INNOVATION The successful replication is, however, just the start of the long journey to revitalize the art. Ding ware was once a sought-after luxury by affluent Chinese, and artisans like He believe their modern-day offspring deserve to be showcased in places other than just museums. "We knew how to imitate ancient porcelains, but we didn't know how to turn ceramics into a profitable industry," He recalled how his replica met a chilly market for a long time. In 1997, He and Chen made their first attempt to design two Ding ceramic artifacts, which earned a place at a huge exhibition to celebrate the return of Hong Kong to the motherland. As a reward, they received 900 yuan each, a large amount of money back then. "For the first time, we realized that maybe we could make more money through innovation instead of imitation," said He. Chen started to inscribe calligraphy onto the Ding ware, while Lin invented a method of producing vibrant glaze colors such as green, black and brown. Such innovations made a surprising splash in the high-end collection market and even entered exhibitions at the Palace Museum and the National Art Museum of China. Now the market-oriented Ding ware making has become a pillar industry in Quyang. The country is now home to over 2,000 ceramic artisans, generating an income of 200 million yuan (28.8 mln U.S. dollars) annually. "It is a good start to decode the secrets of porcelain-making and create modern works, but only a start," Chen's disciple Pang Yonghui, who manages a company making and selling Ding ceramics. "The future prosperity of Ding ware still has a long way to go." Their next goal is to expand the market of Ding ware, once a luxury ornament of the wealthy. "It is wrong to emphasize the cultural value of Ding ware without considering practical use." Five years ago, 70 percent of products in Pang's company were high-end art porcelains. Now, the majority are daily products such as teapots and cups. "Daily-use porcelains have become our flagship products," Pang said. To promote this traditional art, the Quyang government and local companies jointly built a Ding ware museum in 2017. A teaching base has also been set up in cooperation with Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, China's only institute of higher learning dedicated to the ceramic arts. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 13:07:53|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- China encourages the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to advance denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday night. Wang made the remarks when giving a briefing on the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump earlier in the day after the Group of 20 summit in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. During the meeting, Xi expressed China's support to another summit between the United States and the DPRK. China encourages the United States and the DPRK to work towards the same goal, take care of each others' legitimate concerns and advance denuclearization and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the peninsula in parallel, Xi said. Trump has expressed the United States' appreciation of the positive role that China has played and expressed that the United States will continue coordination and cooperation with the Chinese side, Wang said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 13:12:54|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close SYDNEY, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- An ancient ray-like fish species, found only in the harbor waters of Australia's island state Tasmania, is fighting for its survival amid deteriorating environmental conditions, according to the latest research. Scientists are deploying unprecedented monitoring technology as part of urgent measures to help the animals. The endangered maugean skate, which lives in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour, is struggling with falling oxygen levels, with salmon fish farm waste and changes in river flow piling pressure on the species, local media cited Tasmanian Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies research as showing on Sunday. "We know that oxygen in the harbor has been decreasing over the last 10 years and that's raised some concerns about the maugean skate since it's an endangered species," researcher Dr. Killian Stehfest told the ABC news channel. Stehfest is part of the team carrying out the first detailed study of the skate, which was only discovered in 1988, according to the channel. "What we are hoping to do is getting a clear picture of the health of the species and how much time it spends in different areas which have varying levels of oxygen. That will give us a picture of how it is coping with declining oxygen rates," said Stehfest. "It's a very interesting species, because it's the only skate species that spends all its life in brackish water and it's also the skate with the smallest range out of any skate species." The latest study involves using catching and fitting the skates with advanced electronic tags, the first of its kind to be used on a wild animal which measures oxygen levels at different depths, with the data transmitted via underwater "listening" devices, reported the channel. "It's exciting to be using this technology on a species, it's a world-first in many ways," said Stehfest. Fellow researcher Jeremy Lyle said reducing salmon numbers and rotating empty pens could also help lessen the impact of the aquatic farming on the skate's habitat and the oxygen levels there. "The environmental health of the harbor is likely to be a crucial factor in the future wellbeing of the maugean skate," Lyle told the channel. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 13:43:00|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close MALABO, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The economy of Equatorial Guinea will be "significantly" boosted following the completion of the Chinese-built regulating reservoir of the Djibloho Hydropower Plant, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo said Saturday. The project was completed at a time when Equatorial Guinea aims to enhance development through the provision of clean energy for all, especially in rural areas, Obiang said during the regulating reservoir's completion ceremony, adding that the project has brought more jobs to locals. The regulating reservoir will bring peace and development to the country, which aims to make energy for all a reality, according to the president. With a 120-MW capacity, the Djibloho Hydropower Plant is the largest of its kind in the country, and is able to satisfy about 90 percent of the electricity need of Equatorial Guinea's continental part since 2011, said Liu Bao, a senior executive of the Chinese company Power China that has built the Djibloho plant and the regulating reservoir with financing from the Export-Import Bank of China. Inconsistent rainfall, however, adversely affected the constant supply of power. During dry seasons, the electricity production usually depends on polluting diesel fuel, hence the necessity of a regulating reservoir, Liu said. During Saturday's ceremony, Liu and one of his colleagues were decorated by President Obiang for their contribution to the country's development. According to Minister for Industry and Energy Miguel Ekua Ondo, the completion of the regulating reservoir will alleviate poverty in the country. "We now have the possibility to reduce electricity prices for the population," Ondo told Xinhua. Equatorial Guinea wants to eliminate its reliance on imported diesel fuel and use local resources, including hydropower and gas, Ondo said. The "timely" completion of the reservoir has rekindled the country's 2020 vision that aims at expanding the sources of production to achieve a competitive economy, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 13:48:01|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Two adults were seriously injured after a school bus on Saturday night went off road into the woods in Berkley, a town in Bristol County of the U.S. eastern state Massachusetts, State Police said on Twitter. About 20 people, including parents and children, were aboard the bus, the police tweeted. The police said the bus did not roll over and remained upright, while a passenger car also went off the road. The bus was returning to Tiverton, Rhode Island, according to the police. "Investigation (is) ongoing," the police said in one of the series of tweets. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 14:33:08|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly said on Saturday on his way back here that his second meeting with the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Un, is likely to happen in January or February next year. According to several Western media outlets, Trump told them aboard Air Force One after attending the Group of 20 (G20) summit that the meeting would occur early in 2019. Three sites are being considered, he added. Trump was also quoted as saying that at some point, he would invite Kim to the United States. Earlier on Friday, while meeting with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in, Trump discussed his intention to hold a second U.S.-DPRK summit, and restated with Moon a common commitment to work closely together on making it happen. Trump also met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday. They reviewed the recent developments related to the DPRK and discussed how best to work with the international community, including South Korea, to continue to put pressure on the DPRK until it implements its commitment to denuclearize. After Trump and Kim met in Singapore in June, negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled due to differences on the scale of denuclearization, U.S. sanctions, and whether to issue a war-ending declaration, among others. On Nov. 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 in New York for Nov. 8, 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. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 15:23:16|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the chief guest on the occasion of India's 70th Republic Day on Jan. 26, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi through a tweet. Modi personally invited Ramaphosa when the duo met in Buenos Aires on the sidelines of the ongoing Group of 20 summit (G20). The latter immediately accepted the invitation to grace the occasion. After meeting the South African leader, 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 (Mahatma Gandhi) close link with South Africa is well known." India's "Father of Nation" Mahatma Gandhi spent many years, from 1893 to 1914, of his life in South Africa working there as an attorney. It was in South Africa where Gandhi carried out a non-violence movement against the oppressive treatment of the white people towards the native Africans and the Indian community there. Gandhi was born in India's western state of Gujarat on Oct. 2, 1869. Next year, India would be celebrating his 150th birth anniversary. In another tweet, Modi said "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." MUMBAI: Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said that Pakistan has to develop as a secular state if it wants to enjoy good ties with India. Responding to Prime Minister Imran Khans statement regarding peace and dialogue between the two countries, General Rawat said that it is Pakistans turn to show practical action against terrorism. Qureshi responds: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in his response to Indian army chief on Saturday said that Pakistan is an Islamic welfare state. It came into being based on an idea and Indian army chiefs remarks cant change our ideology. He was commenting in his hometown Multan on General Bipin Rawats statement that Pakistan needs to be a secular country to have better ties with India. Speaking to the media persons, he welcomed New Delhis response to Pakistans efforts amid at fulfilling the demand of Sikh community to open border crossing in Kartapur. We are thankful to Indian government. They also sent two ministers to the ceremony, he said. He said it was a good beginning. He said Pakistan has the desire for peace at its eastern and western borders and better relations with neighbours. The minister said opening of Kartarpur corridor was welcomed all over the world. Responding to a question regarding creation of south Punjab province, he said there were some legal restrictions and the matter requires a constitutional amendment. It is our desire, intention and a part of our manifesto to make south Punjab a separate province and give it a separate identity, he said.Agencies Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 15:23:16|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CANBERRA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has criticized the nation's states and territories for failing to cope with strong population growth. In an interview with News Corp Australia to mark his 100th day in office, Morrison expressed his concern about the "lack of population planning" by state and territory governments. "My frustration has been that the migration program has been insufficiently informed by the carrying capacity of state and territory infrastructure," he said on Sunday. "We decide what the annual intake is and we manage the temporary intake which is much bigger in terms of population growth. "You guys (the states and territories) have planning departments, you know where the houses are going to be built, you're deciding where the schools are, you are deciding where the roads are. "I am frustrated about the lack of population planning." Morrison was sworn-in as Australia's 30th Prime Minister in August after his predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull, was deposed by the governing Liberal Party. However, the party's performance in opinion polls has been worse under Morrison's leadership to the point where it is facing a landslide defeat in the 2019 general election. Despite polls projecting that the opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP) could win as many as 90 out of 150 seats in the lower house of Australian Parliament, the House of Representatives, Morrison on Sunday said he could still win the election. The Liberal Party and Morrison were dealt a significant blow late in November when Julia Banks, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Chisholm in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, announced she was quitting the party to sit in Parliament as an independent, citing sexism and bullying as the reasons behind her decision. Banks' defection left Morrison's government with only 74 out of 150 seats in the House of Representatives; two short of the 76 required to pass legislation through the house. "As a leader, you have to deal with whatever comes your way," Morrison said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 15:23:16|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A total of 18 people including 11 militants have been killed as clash erupted between security forces and the Taliban outfit in the northern Faryab province, a member of provincial council Abdul Ahad Albeg said Sunday. The clash, according to the official, broke out after the Taliban militants launched coordinated attacks on security checkpoints in Andkhoy and Qarghan districts late Saturday night and the government forces returned fire, triggering gun battle which has left 11 militants and seven security personnel dead. A total of 11 security personnel and nearly two dozen more militants have been injured, the official said. The official has also warned that the said districts would collapse if the government fails to send reinforcement. Taliban militants who are in control of parts of the troubled Faryab province and have threatening provincial capital Maimana, are yet to make comment on the subject. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (R 2) attends the launch ceremony of Iran's first indigenous destroyer Jamaran at the port of Iran's southern city of Abbas, on Feb. 19, 2010. (Reuters file photo) TEHRAN, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Navy launched on Saturday a domestically-built destroyer in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, Press TV reported. The construction of destroyer "is the result of daring and creative design relying on the local technical knowledge" of the Iranian experts, said Iranian Navy Commander Rear-Admiral Alireza Sheikhi. The military vessel, named Sahand, has radar-evading stealth properties and can embark on voyages for five months without resupply, according to the report. It has a flight deck for helicopters, torpedo launchers, anti-aircraft and anti-ship guns. The destroyer also has surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, possessing electronic warfare capabilities. According to Rear-Admiral Touraj Hassani Moqaddam, Iran's deputy navy commander, the new destroyer fits for ocean missions and it will set off for South America with two other warships and special helicopters in the near future. The Sahand is the third frigates built by Iran after the Jamaran and the Damavand, but its enhanced operational capabilities and size make it twice stronger in terms of offensive and defensive features, according to the report. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 15:58:21|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Two Indian army troopers were killed and two others wounded in a landmine blast near International Border (IB) in Kashmir, officials said Sunday. The blast went off in Pallanwala sector, Akhnoor in Jammu district. "Last evening a blast went off in Pallanwala sector in which two troopers were killed and two others wounded," a police official said. "The landmine exploded after troopers accidentally stepped on it. The injured troopers were immediately removed to hospital." Reports said the landmine exploded when a contingent of army was on a routine patrol in the area. IB and Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir is believed to be heavily mined on both sides. International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), a Geneva-based network seeking ban of landmines, has been urging both New Delhi and Islamabad to ban the use of landmines and launch comprehensive mine clearance programs. India and Pakistan are yet to ban landmines and hence fall into the group of 32 countries in the world that are not signatories to the mine ban treaty. According to ICBL officials landmines on LoC and IB were mostly laid during 1947, 1960s, 1970s and during 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan. Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 16:13:23|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Li Zhanshu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, speaks with deputies to people's congresses at various levels and grass-roots cadres on their opinions about the law draft at Huyu Village of Ruili City of Dai-Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture of Dehong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 30, 2018. Li made a research on how to better make a law on basic medical care and health promotion during his four-day tour to Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) KUNMING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu has underlined the need to expedite legislation on health care. Li, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, made the remarks during a four-day research tour in southwestern province of Yunnan that ended Saturday. "It is imperative to safeguard people's rights and interests and improve people's wellbeing with a well-conceived rule of law," Li said during the research on how to better make a law on basic medical care and health promotion. The draft of the law has been deliberated twice by the NPC and made public for comments. Li spoke with 10 deputies to people's congresses at various levels on their opinions about the law draft. Their discussions focused on ensuring a balanced, rational and scientific allocation and distribution of medical resources. "Medical resources of all levels and all types should be used and shared, serving as a legal guarantee for maintaining people's lifecycle health," Li said. Li also visited community healthcare centers, pharmaceutical company, and rural clinics. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 16:13:23|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, agreed Saturday to take measures to ease bilateral trade tensions and keep up close contacts, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. "In a friendly and candid atmosphere, the two presidents had profound discussions that have lasted for two and a half hours. The time was much longer than the schedule," Wang told reporters when briefing on the Xi-Trump meeting earlier in the day after the Group of 20 (G20) summit in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trump's China visit in November last year. According to Wang, the two presidents reached important common understanding and the meeting certainly has "charted the course for China-U.S. relations in the some time to come." The two countries shoulder increasing responsibilities for world peace and stability, and they have more common interests than differences, said Wang. The two presidents agreed that the two countries "can and should" ensure success of China-U.S. relations and that coordination, cooperation and stability should be the defining features of bilateral relations, said the Chinese official. Wang said the two presidents agreed to keep up close contacts with each other through visits, meetings, telephone calls and correspondences to continue providing guidance for bilateral ties. Xi and Trump agreed to "have further exchange of visits at an appropriate time," Wang said. During their working dinner, the two leaders had very "positive and constructive" discussions over trade and economic issues and agreed not to impose additional tariffs. China will import more marketable products form the United States in efforts to gradually ease imbalances in the two-way trade, said Wang. The two sides also agreed to open market to each other, said Wang, adding that China will, in the process of its further opening-up, work to gradually resolve the legitimate U.S. concerns. Working teams on both sides will follow the guidance of the principled consensus reached between the two leaders, and step up negotiations toward the removal of all additional tariffs so as to reach a mutually-beneficial agreement at an early date. The important consensus reached at the meeting not only effectively stopped further escalation of trade tensions, but also opened up new prospects for win-win cooperation between the two countries, said Wang. Results achieved at the meeting will not only benefit the two countries and the two peoples, but also be conducive to the global economy's stable growth, he said. The two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation on law enforcement and combating illicit drugs, including the synthetic drug fentanyl, said Wang, adding that China's measures to tackle the abuse of fentanyl-like substances have won positive comments from across the globe and China has decided to list all fentanyl-like substances and their precursors as controlled substances. During the meeting, the Chinese side also reiterated its stance on the Taiwan issue and the U.S. side said it will continue to adhere to the one-China policy. The two sides also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula issue. China supports a second meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and hopes that Washington and Pyongyang could meet each other half way, accommodate each other's reasonable concerns and push forward on parallel the denuclearization process and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the peninsula, said Wang. Washington appreciates Beijing's positive role in this regard and hopes to maintain communication and coordination with China, said the Chinese official. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 16:13:23|Editor: Li Xia 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) by Xinhua writers Cui Yuanlei, Luo Jun, Shooka Shemirani BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies wrapped up a two-day summit here on Saturday amid a strong call for work in tandem to "steer the world economy in the right direction." Addressing the 13th G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Chinese President Xi Jinping spelled out the risks facing the world economy, and the steps the developed and emerging economies can take to bolster global growth. Given the various challenges and profound changes in the world landscape, Xi called on G20 members to "have a stronger sense of urgency, be rational in approach and look beyond the horizon." OPENNESS AND MULTILATERALISM Titled "Look Beyond the Horizon and Steer the World Economy in the Right Direction," Xi's brief but pertinent speech on Friday highlighted the danger of unilateralism and protectionism. He offered a four-point solution that begins by calling on G20 members to "stay committed to openness and cooperation, and uphold the multilateral trading system." His remarks were echoed by other G20 leaders, who also warned that the world economy is facing increasing risks as protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise. "This is a time when we as world leaders have an opportunity to come together to address challenges head on and work through our differences for the common good," said Argentine President Mauricio Macri, the host. "The spirit of the G20 is to promote a dialogue that is respectful of differences and to foster actions based on common interests," Macri added. Echoing Xi's proposal, Brazilian economist Julio Miragaya said that the importance of multilateralism is "phenomenal" because without it the law of the jungle prevails. Argentine political observer and columnist Jorge Castro said that by stressing the importance of the multilateral system, Xi "put the reality of today's trade into words." "Multilateralism reflects the reality of today's global system," he said. CLEAR VISION In addition to openness and multilateralism, Xi's four-pronged solution also includes partnership, innovation and inclusiveness. The Chinese president has a clear vision of how things are and need to be, said Castro. "President Xi told his G20 colleagues that the world has entered a process of transformation, an era of a new industrial revolution, which is a challenge and an opportunity for the countries of the world," he added. Argentine public policy expert Patricio Giusto also underscored Xi's ability to hone in on the issue. "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 Giusto, also a professor with the Catholic University of Argentina. "The path China points to, of open cooperation to protect the multilateral system, is the path that the majority of G20 powers are betting on," he said. CHINA ENGINE Embracing the concept of an open economy and free trade is what helped China speed up development, enabling it to lift millions out of poverty, Xi noted. "This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. During the past 40 years, with the support of the international community, we in China have forged ahead with perseverance and made historic achievements in development," said Xi. According to Gonzalo Tordini, an Argentine expert in international economic cooperation, "China's most significant contribution" since launching its reform and opening-up has been reducing poverty. Economic consultant Giusto described China's contribution to the global economy in recent decades as "enormous" as well as multifaceted. "With expanding trade, investment and loans made through its financial agencies, China today accounts for about a third of global growth. In Latin America, China has become a strategic partner, based on a natural economic complementarity," said Giusto. Castro, also head of the Institute of Strategic Planning in Argentina, believes China will continue to play a vital role in driving global growth as the engine of the world economy. "China is the fundamental factor of global economic growth, and that trend is increasingly stronger. It's not for nothing that China is the main trade partner of 145 countries around the globe. That trend is going to hold," Castro said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 16:53:30|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TALUQAN, Afghanistan, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A major commander of an illegal armed group after two days of resistance surrendered himself to security forces in Afghanistan's northern Takhar province on Sunday, provincial police spokesman Abdul Khalil Asir said. "At last, the warlord Nawed, who was the commander of more than 100 illegal armed people has bowed to security forces' pressure and surrendered himself along with six of his armed men to police here Sunday morning," Khalil told Xinhua. Takhar police chief Abdul Rashid Rashid told media that Nawed was accused of killing people, robbery, rape and grabbing lands, among others, and he was arrested by police in provincial capital Taluqan city on Sunday morning and shifted to Kunduz city for investigation. Nawed was a strong warlord in Takhar's neighboring Kunduz province over the past nearly two years, with more than 150 armed men fighting for him, according to locals. The security forces had launched operations at least twice in a year but failed to arrest him, according to villagers in Khan Abad district where Nawed was active. Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has urged the illegal armed groups to surrender to government or to face the music. Numerous illegal armed groups reportedly exist in the conflict-battered Afghanistan, creating law and order problems. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 17:58:40|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a condolence message to U.S. President Donald Trump on the death of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. On behalf of the Chinese government, the Chinese people, and himself, Xi expressed heartfelt condolences over Bush's death and sincere sympathy to all members of his family. Bush was an old friend of the Chinese people who had witnessed and promoted the historic development of China-U.S. relations in the past more than 40 years, and contributed to the friendship between the two peoples, which the Chinese people will not forget, Xi said in the message. Xi emphasized that for a long time, with the joint efforts of the leaders of the two countries and the two peoples, China-U.S. relations have been advancing, bringing benefits to the two peoples and people from other parts of the world. China attaches great importance to China-U.S. relations and is willing to work with President Trump to promote the development of bilateral relations along the right track, Xi added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 18:03:41|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A sustained water system was launched on Sunday by Somaliland, the EU and the UN children's fund (UNICEF) in northern Somalia. According to a joint statement issued in Mogadishu, some 800,000 people will now have sustainable access to safe drinking water thanks to the concerted efforts by Somaliland government, private water companies and communities. "Water is a basic right. It plays a crucial role in our lives. We are glad that the people of Somaliland and in particular Tog Wajaale now have access to clean and affordable water," EU Charge d'Affaires to Somalia Fulgencio Garrido Ruiz said. "We are extremely proud to be here, witnessing this important milestone and the realization of the prayers of so many communities to have access to safe and clean water for the first time," he added. Water systems in four towns -- Borama, Burao, Erigavo and Tog Wajaale -- were rehabilitated or rebuilt with the funding provided by the EU and technical support from UNICEF and partners. According to UNICEF, some 68 percent of the population have access to a reliable water source in Somaliland. However, the disparity between urban and rural areas is significant, the UN agency said, noting that only 28 percent of households can access an improved water source in rural areas. For many Somaliland communities, their struggle to get clean water is compounded by poor infrastructure and intensifies in periods of crisis such as the 2017 drought. UNICEF Acting Representative Jesper Moller said access to safe, affordable and sustainable water is a dream for so many people in Somaliland. "Today, that dream has finally been realized for many children, women and their families in Somaliland. We are grateful for the government's strong leadership and the EU's generous funding in making this huge undertaking a success," said Moller. He said the water project is a true testament to the commitment and hard work of all partners involved, and the courage, resourcefulness and resilience of the people of Somaliland. Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene says that the disruption likely from the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union next year could prove to be an advantage to the Scuderia. Ferrari is one of only three teams not to base its F1 operations in the UK. Even American team Haas operates primarily out of Banbury in Oxfordshire. But with Brexit set to limit free movement of workers between Britain and Europe, many of the designers and engineers working in the sport could find themselves with visa issues after March 2019. Arrivabene believes that this could help his team attract top talent to Maranello. Similarly, Toro Rosso could find it easier to recruit the people it needs at nearby Faenza. And although Switzerland isn't in the European Union, its stable relationship means it too should be able to find the people it needs for its operations in Hinwil, in the Swiss canton of Zurich. "Looking at the situation into the future, Im thinking about the solution for the overall Formula 1," Arrivabene explained last week. If everything is going in the direction that is announced at the moment, I suspect that in the near future we will find a lot of people that theyre knocking on the door of Maranello." The situation with Brexit remains unclear, with the British government needing to get parliamentary approval for its proposed plan to avoid a sharp 'no deal' split with the EU. "I have [faith] that they will be able, the proper authority, they will be able to find a solution, said Arrivabene, who admitted that as a whole the situation wasn't ideal for the sport. "Its not really the best scenario, talking about the overall Formula 1, so I hope they find a solution," he said. "Not only for Formula 1 in general," he added. "[It should be able to] accommodate any kind of historical cooperation, and is going to look forward for the future and think about the best development for all of us. Over at Mercedes, team boss Toto Wolff admitted that they were closely monitoring political developments in the UK. The German manufacturer operates out of two sites in the UK at Brackley and Brixworth, and Wolff admitted that it left its F1 operation in an exposed situation with regards to Brexit. "We have a large operation in the UK, he explained. Our motorsport division, call it 1800 people, with a large percentage of EU citizens working for the team. "We are importing lots of goods from the EU, we have taken steps to make sure they are not stuck on the border," he added. So it is a factor for us ... Overall it is not a very pleasant development. Wolff said that he tried to keep his personal feelings out of politics, but in this case he was against Britain's departure from the EU. "This topic is very close to my heart," he said. "We forget why we ended up with the EU: 70 years ago there was a war, and the European thinking was to prevent that in the future. In times where everything changes in the last two years, nationalism coming up in various countries, new alliances forming, others breaking up. My personal opinion Im not speaking for Mercedes is here that we should be looking very carefully at the situation and not risk the economy of a country." Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 18:13:44|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JUBA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Sunday condemned a series of brutal sexual attacks on women and girls traveling from their villages to the town of Bentiu in the Unity region. David Shearer, special representative of the secretary-general and head of UNMISS, said about 125 women and girls have sought medical treatment after having been raped or sexually assaulted in a 10-day period as they walked along roads near Nhialdu and Guit on their way to Bentiu. "The violent assaults happened in a government-controlled area and it has primary responsibility for the safety of civilians," Shearer said in a statement issued in Juba. He said the UN mission has held urgent meetings with authorities and urged them to take immediate action to protect women and girls in the area and to hold the perpetrators of these terrible crimes to account. The UN official said the attacks were reported to have been perpetrated by young men in civilian clothing or military uniforms, saying beside the sexual assaults, they were brutally beaten and robbed. "These attacks on vulnerable civilians are absolutely abhorrent and must stop," Shearer said, noting that peacekeepers have been dispatched to patrol the area to provide a protective presence and an investigation has been launched to identify the perpetrators. He said UN mission engineers are also clearing foliage from the sides of the road so attackers find it harder to conceal their presence. Shearer urged armed forces in the area to guarantee command and control over their troops to ensure rogue elements within their ranks are not involved in these criminal acts. South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013, and the conflict has created one of the worst refugee crises in Africa, as some 4 million South Sudanese are displaced internally and externally, according to UN estimates. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 18:18:46|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli police on Sunday recommended charging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, with bribery and other corruption-related offenses, in a case involving the country's largest telecom corporation Bezeq. The conclusion was jointly drawn by the police and the Israeli Stock Authority in a statement after month-long criminal investigation, dubbed by the police as "Case 4000." According to the statement, there is enough evidence to indict Benjamin, Sara, and Bezeq's former control-holder Shaul Elovitch and his wife, Iris. The statement said Netanyahu, then the communication minister in addition to his capacity as prime minister, allegedly took bribes and gave financial and regulatory benefits to Elovitch, who also controlled Walla, a news website. Netanyahu also intervened with regulators to assist Bezeq, according to the police. In exchange, Elovitch, a close friend of Netanyahu, allegedly required Walla to give favorable coverage of the Netanyahus, the police said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 18:23:47|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close DHAKA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's nomination papers for contesting in the general elections slated for Dec. 30 were cancelled Sunday. Election Commission appointed Returning officers (ROs) Sunday cancelled her nomination papers for contesting in three constituencies on the ground of her conviction in two corruption cases. Apart from Khaleda Zia, ROs who are currently scrutinizing 3,065 poll aspirants, also cancelled nomination papers filed by dozens of candidates on various grounds including convictions. Bangladesh's apex court on Wednesday upheld a ban for convicts from running in the general elections slated for Dec. 30. The country's major opposition alliance led by Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to contest the parliamentary polls. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League party, which rose to power with a landslide election victory in early 2009 and won its second term in 2014, is facing challenges from Zia's BNP and its allies, which boycotted the 2014 elections. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 18:28:48|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A total of 35 insurgents were confirmed dead and 17 others injured as fighting aircraft pounded Taliban hideouts in parts of Afghanistan's eastern Ghazni province, a statement from the army said on Sunday. The aircraft, according to the statement, have stricken Taliban hideouts in Andar, Gero, Deyak, Qarabagh districts and outside provincial capital the Ghazni city, killing 35 militants and injuring 17 others, some in critical conditions. Taliban militants are yet to make comment on the report. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 18:33:50|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday denied any involvement in corruption, saying the police indictment recommendation has "no legal status." "These recommendations were determined and leaked even before the investigations began," Netanyahu said in a statement. "A final decision whether to press charges should be made by Attorney General Avichai Mendleblit," he added. Earlier in the day, Israeli police recommended charging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, with bribery and other corruption-related offenses, in a case involving the country's largest telecom corporation Bezeq. The conclusion was jointly drawn by the police and the Israeli Stock Authority in a statement after month-long criminal investigation, dubbed by the police as "Case 4000." According to the statement, there is enough evidence to indict Benjamin, Sara, and Bezeq's former control-holder Shaul Elovitch and his wife, Iris. The statement said Netanyahu, then the communication minister in addition to his capacity as prime minister, allegedly took bribes and gave financial and regulatory benefits to Elovitch, who also controlled Walla, a news website. Netanyahu also intervened with regulators to assist Bezeq, according to the police. In exchange, Elovitch, a close friend of Netanyahu, allegedly required Walla to give favorable coverage of the Netanyahus, the police said. Netanyahu and his associates have been entangled in a series of corruption investigations. The police have recommended indictment of Netanyahu in two other criminal cases involving bribes. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 18:38:50|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Fighting between government forces and Taliban outfit has left 11 insurgents dead in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province on Saturday, Qasim Azad, a police official in the restive province said Sunday. The clash took place when the government forces ambushed a Taliban convoy in the restive Shah Wali Kot district Saturday evening killing 11 insurgents, the official said. No security forces had been harmed in the fighting, the official added. Taliban militants are yet to make comment. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 18:43:52|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close By Xinhua writer Zhang Yiyi GUIYANG, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- As warm breezes blow on colorful embroidered attire and silver ornaments, singing voices echo above the drum towers. The 15th Kam Grand Choir Festival concluded Friday in the county of Congjiang in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, in southwest China's Guizhou Province. The three-day event featured grand choirs and singing competitions along the riverside, along with many traditional festive activities in different Dong villages. The Kam Grand Choir is a type of polyphonic folk singing performed without musical instruments or a conductor. Also known as the Grand Song of the Dong, one of China's 55 ethnic minorities, the choir was included in the World Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2009. In Dingdong Village, more than a thousand villagers gathered in the public playground Friday afternoon for "Cai Ge Tang," a grand spectacle performed as the villagers walk and dance in circles. The spontaneous repertoire lasted for hours. "Today, on this special occasion, the songs are mostly about how we miss the good old days we spent together as childhood friends, and about our wish to find the love of life," said Liang Xiangtao, 25, one of the local village girls singing and dancing in the circle. Teenagers in Dong villages usually learn to sing the traditional songs before their coming-of-age ceremony at the age of 15, and then sing in groups with members of the same age, Liang said. According to Liang, since the dialect of the Dong ethnic group lacks a written form, many traditions and customs in life are passed on via these folk songs. "My friends and I all left work for this event because we deeply cherish and identify with our cultural heritage," said Liang, who currently works in a family inn miles away from her village. "I've been thinking about coming back home and recording the traditional Dong songs," Liang said. According to Liang, although residents are keen on transmitting their tradition, young people under her age now know less about the Dong songs as a growing number of them have left for school or work. "They are more than just songs for us, they are ancient nuggets of wisdom and cultural heritage we would hate to lose," she said. Richard Watts, a photographer from the U.K., was among the visitors at the event. Since first visiting Guizhou in 1994, Richard's interest in Guizhou has grown tremendously. He now spends four to five months traveling and taking pictures of minority groups in the province each year. "It's my great passion," he said. For Watts, the ethnic groups' enduring preservation of and passion for ethnic traditions are what keep bringing him back to Guizhou. "The essence of them remain unchanged. Modernity has come to their lives, so they've changed a little bit, but you can still find many traditional elements," Watts said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 19:33:59|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close HANOI, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, the country's top legislature, will pay an official visit to South Korea on Dec. 4-7. The visit will be made at the invitation of Speaker of South Korea's National Assembly Moon Hee-sang, the Vietnamese top legislature's Committee for External Affairs announced on Sunday. Vietnam and South Korea, which established diplomatic relations in 1992, have targeted two-way trade of 100 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, up from 61.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2017. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 19:39:00|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close YINCHUAN, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Hadina, from Egypt, was surprised to find her painting included in the "Art Travel" program by Yinchuan Han Meilin Art Museum and displayed at the museum in northwest China. "It's really exciting that visitors from all over the world can see my painting," said Hadina, 32. Yinchuan Han Meilin Art Museum, located in the Helan Mountains Rock Art Heritage Park in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, is currently exhibiting the fine arts of Chinese artist Han Meilin. Beginning this summer, the museum has a new installation: a 4 meter-high, 7 meter-long "picture wall" made of 560 paintings by 560 ordinary people from around the world, including Hadina's. "This 'picture wall' is a result of our 'Art Travel' program," said Zhang Xu, responsible for the program. "It was designed for ordinary people who have an artistic dream." The program began last September. Authorities divided a big picture of the panoramic view of the museum and the Helan Mountains behind it into 560 pieces, and mailed the pieces, a picture of the panoramic view, and a small blank canvas to each participant. The participants were required to paint the canvas within a month. They needed to make sure that the museum's outline was visible after painting the canvases, so that when the pieces were put together, the image of the museum and the mountains was still visible. "The participants had various occupations, ages, and even nationalities," Zhang said. "As long as they left their addresses, our canvases would reach them and have their stories recorded in their paintings," Zhang said, adding that the canvases had traveled to almost every corner of the country, and even some foreigners in China, such as Hadina, had signed up. "The moment I opened the parcel and saw the picture of the museum, I was quite curious what it would be like if my painting were part of it," said Hadina. "Blue sky, green leaves and red dates are typical in my country, so I drew my homesickness into a date palm." Months ago, she paid a visit to the museum, and was more than happy to find her painting included in the final "picture wall." "It's amazing to see hundreds of different paintings combined so perfectly in one picture, and I'm proud that one of them belongs to me," she said. Xie Huihua, 23, from south China's Guangdong Province, felt rather thrilled to find that not only her painting but also her pupils' paintings were included in the "picture wall." Last year, Xie volunteered to teach art in a remote Tibetan primary school. She said it was hard for local children to get in touch with the outside world, so when told that their paintings would be displayed in a museum thousands of miles away, some jumped at the chance. "Children may lack painting skills, but they are rich in imagination," Xie said. "Their images, like houses and flowers, were mostly drawn with simple lines, but these things indicate their childhood, carefree attitude, and passion for color." Xie also drew a picture, in which her students were running and playing under a tree by a river. A distant snow mountain was reflected in the clear water. "Sometimes I feel that life is all about wonderful encounters, like my experience with those Tibetan kids, as well as theirs with the 'Art Travel' program," said Xie. Most participants wrote down their stories on the paintings to make themselves understood. Yang Huichao, a guide in the museum, said she was deeply touched when memorizing the art stories. "Art is usually regarded as untouchable for ordinary people, but their paintings made art more real," Yang said. "Some people painted to pray for ill family members, to realize a childhood dream, or to show their inner world." The final "picture wall" has been on display for half a year, attracting many visitors who not only took photos but also explored the stories behind. Some 100 participants came to see the exhibition themselves. "Some kids were so excited that they jumped to point out their own paintings and kept saying 'Look! This is mine!'" Yang said. "Introducing 560 paintings to the public may have increased my workload, but I quite enjoy it." According to Yang, the museum plans to upload all the paintings and their related stories on a digital screen, allowing visitors to touch the screen to read the stories. "Currently, we are printing 1,000 albums, and each participant will get one as a way to cherish their contribution," Yang said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 20:09:06|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said on Sunday that the Palestinian leadership is battling in the UN General Assembly to halt a U.S. draft resolution to condemn Hamas. "Hamas is a Palestinian party, and whether we agree or disagree with it, we will not allow that any Palestinian party is described as terrorists," Saeb Erekat told the official Palestinian radio station Voice of Palestine. The UN General Assembly is expected to vote on Thursday on a draft resolution that condemns Hamas rocket attack against Israel in a step backed by the outgoing U.S. ambassador in the UN Nikki Haley. Israeli media reported that Washington has pressured in the past few days some European countries to support the draft resolution. If passed, it would be the first UN resolution to condemn Palestinian resistance. Resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly are non-binding, but they carry political weight and are seen as a barometer of world opinion. In a letter to President of UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh condemned "the ongoing and desperate attempts by Washington's financial and emotional support to Israeli occupation." Hamas counts on the UN member states to stand by the international legitimacy "in support of the people's rights to defend itself and halt the aggressive U.S. attempts," the letter said. The Palestinians severed ties with the United States after U.S. President Donald Trump, who declared Jerusalem as Israel's capital last year, moved the Israeli embassy to the disputed holy city in May. In addition, the Trump administration has cut more than 500 million U.S. dollars in Palestinian aid. Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their future independent state, while Israel claims all Jerusalem as its "eternal and undivided" capital. Israel annexed East Jerusalem in the 1967 War and declared the entire city as its capital in 1980, a move not recognized by most of the international community. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 20:14:09|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TIRANA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) --The Albanian Naval Forces ship "Lissus" have rescued 84 migrants in two different operations in the Aegean Sea, the Ministry of Defense said on Sunday. According to the ministry, the Albanian ship found a boat with 39 migrants aboard on Saturday evening. In a second operation on Sunday morning, "Lissus" ship accompanied another boat with 45 people on board, of whom 31 were men, five women and nine children. Among them, 28 migrants were of Afghan nationality, 10 Iraqis, five Syrians, one Egyptian, and one is in the process of identification. The operations, according to Ministry of Defense, have taken place in the framework of prevention of sea disasters and rescue of emigrants. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 20:14:10|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Han Jie, Dong Yue, Qu Junya BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- If there is a magic wand to solve the China-U.S. trade frictions, that is sincerity. At a working dinner under global spotlight, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump managed to reach consensus here Saturday over their countries' economic and trade issues. The consensus, for the time being, relieves people around the world who were anxiously waiting for the result and, what's more, demonstrates that as long as the two sides have sincerity, there is a way out. China-U.S. relations are at a critical moment. This meeting was the first face-to-face interaction between the two heads of state since trade ties between the world's two largest economies became frayed in March this year. The two countries now agree to avoid escalation of trade restrictive measures, a positive signal that points out the direction for as well as injects impetus into the development of economic and trade ties between them for the next stage. To solve their economic and trade issues, the mindset plays the most important role. Dragging on from spring to winter, this round of China-U.S. economic and trade frictions has lasted for more than eight months. During the period, a previous consensus was later torn up by the United States, and recently, in particular, the White House made some different voices, triggering concerns about the prospects of China-U.S. relations. This time the two sides chose to meet in Buenos Aires, showing a positive attitude that made the outside world see the dawn of solving the issues as soon as possible. After three rounds of consultations, China and the United States have accumulated more experience in dealing with each other. The Xi-Trump meeting has put a brake on the China-U.S. trade dispute to prevent it from further escalation. Either Beijing or Washington should treasure the hard-won progress. For now, the economic teams on both sides should implement the directions by the two heads of state, take immediate steps to tackle the issues of the other side's concern, accelerate consultations to secure agreements so as to remove the additional tariffs imposed this year, and put bilateral economic and trade ties back onto the normal track at an early date. However, considering the size of their economies as well as the complexity of bilateral ties, there is yet a long way ahead before anything of substance can be achieved. The China-U.S. relationship, which is a month away from its 40th anniversary, is at a historical juncture. As long as the two countries join efforts to remove disturbances, build up mutual trust and step toward each other, they will be able to have both the wisdom and time enough to manage their differences properly. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 20:19:13|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close AYBAK, Afghanistan, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Anti-government militants abducted 40 truck drivers in the northern Samangan province on Sunday, provincial police spokesman Mohammad Munir Rahimi said. "The armed Taliban rebels stopped 40 to 45 trucks carrying coal in Khashak Dara village of Dara-e-Suf Payen district today... and took their drivers, possibly 40 drivers or more to unknown locations," Rahimi told Xinhua over phone from provincial capital Aybak city. Search operations are underway for the release of the abductees, the official said. Taliban militants have yet to claim responsibility. In a similar incident, Taliban militants abducted 25 commuters in the neighboring Sari Pul province last week, according to local officials. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 20:49:18|Editor: Li Xia 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 and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump held a "very successful" meeting here Saturday and agreed to continue to maintain close contact. At the working dinner after the conclusion of the 13th Group of 20 summit, Xi and Trump had an in-depth exchange of views on China-U.S. relations and international affairs of mutual concern in a friendly and candid atmosphere, reaching important consensus and agreeing not to impose new additional tariffs. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation based on reciprocity and mutual benefit and manage differences based on mutual respect so as to jointly advance China-U.S. relations with coordination, cooperation and stability as the defining features. Xi pointed out that China and the United States shoulder important responsibilities in promoting world peace and prosperity. Sound China-U.S. relations, Xi said, are in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the general expectation of the international community. Cooperation is the best option for the two countries, Xi said. Xi called on both China and the United States to handle the development of bilateral relations from an overall perspective and push for long-term, healthy and stable development, delivering more and better benefits to the two nations and people around the world. Trump said he agrees with Xi on his evaluation of bilateral relations. U.S.-China relations are very special and important, Trump said, adding that it is in the interest of the two countries as well as the world that the United States and China, both countries of significant influence, maintain a good cooperative relationship. The U.S. side, he added, is ready to increase cooperation with China through consultations and actively seek mutually beneficial solutions to their problems. The two heads of state are willing to maintain close exchanges in various forms to jointly chart the course of the development of China-U.S. relations. They also pledged to hold further exchanges of visits at an appropriate time. The two sides agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in various areas and increase communication in education as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Trump said the U.S. side welcomes Chinese students to study in his country. The two sides also agreed to take proactive steps to strengthen cooperation on law enforcement and combating illicit drugs, including the synthetic drug fentanyl. The measures adopted in this respect by China so far have been applauded by the international community including the United States. China has decided to list all the fentanyl-like substances as controlled substances and start working to adjust related regulations. Xi stressed that the exchanges in trade and economy between China and the United States, the world's two largest economies, have been very close and interdependent. It is very normal that the two countries disagree on economy and trade, Xi said, adding that the key is that the two countries manage their differences properly and work out a solution acceptable to both in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. The two heads of state had proactive and fruitful discussions on trade and economy. They reached consensus not to impose new additional tariffs and agreed to instruct the economic teams of the two sides to step up negotiations toward the removal of all additional tariffs and reach a concrete agreement that would result in win-win results. The Chinese side said it will work to open its market, expand imports and resolve economy- and trade-related issues in China-U.S. relations in the process of a new round of reform and opening-up and in line with the needs of its domestic market and people. It added that a concrete agreement featuring mutually beneficial and win-win results is the foundation and premise of any positive moves from the Chinese side directed toward the U.S. side. The Chinese side also called on the two sides to make joint efforts to bring bilateral economic and trade relations back on the right track and realize cooperation for win-win results. Xi reiterated China's stance on the Taiwan issue and the U.S. side pledged to continue to adhere to the one-China policy. Xi and Trump also compared notes on the Korean Peninsula situation and other major international and regional affairs. The Chinese side said China supports a second summit between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and hopes the two sides could meet each other half way, address each other's legitimate concerns and advance the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in parallel with building a mechanism for peace on the peninsula. The U.S. side said that in this respect, it appreciates China's positive role and hopes to maintain communication and coordination with China. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 21:04:20|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A 70-year-old woman was killed and 19 others were hospitalized Sunday after fire broke out inside a high-rise building in India's financial capital city of Mumbai, police said. The fire broke out at 18-storey Samrat Ashoka building located on Keshavrao Khade Marg near Mahalaxmi Racecourse in south Mumbai. "At least 96 residents were stranded in their flats due to the fire and smoke, who were rescued by firefighters. Unfortunately among the rescued Laxmibai Koli, a 70-year-old woman succumbed during treatment," said a police official. Police said 19 people were admitted in the hospital. "Many of the people rescued were taken to hospital but discharged immediately," the official said. According to officials, the fire started in the electrical wiring inside a duct on the third floor and then spread to other floors. The officials said it took several hours for firefighters to bring the fire under control. Chances of fire in Indian buildings are usually high as people ignore safety standards. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 21:14:23|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close URUMQI, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Just as any other youth who aspires to change the world, Li Yue volunteered to venture into an unprecedented enterprise -- starting an express delivery station in Taxkorgan, China's westernmost county on the Pamir Plateau. He soon discovered that it was quite a world of change. Taxkorgan has a long history as a trade depot on the ancient Silk Road. The old caravan passage, however, is now less traveled and left beleaguered by glaciers and snow mountains. The absence of express delivery only adds to the embarrassment of the former trade stop in the e-commerce era. People's living standards in Taxkorgan have long been impeded by its challenging geography. Over the past decades, everyday necessities were subject to high prices and poor diversity, and there was no tap water or electricity for a long time. Li's ambition was to make a difference, but his original excitement took a head-on blow as soon as he arrived. The headaches and upset stomach he suffered from the 4,000-meter altitude made it difficult for him to carry on with work. "Apparently, it is not easy to be a 'Visitor on the Icy Mountain,'" Li joked, referring to a Chinese hit film depicting the story of border defense and a romance that took place near Taxkorgan. What pestered Li most was the fact that a trying mountain road was the only access to the county. No airlines, no trains and no expressway. Li decided to be more than a passerby. "Taxkorgan is largely populated by Tajik ethnics, whose lives are passionate but beset by inconveniences," he said. "And I'd like to help them out." "Inefficient as it might be, the only method to bring cargo from Kashgar, a city 300 km away from Taxkorgan, was pickup trucks," Li said. "Freight trucks are simply too large and dangerous for the zigzags on the plateau." Rural communities in Taxkorgan are loosely scattered among mountaintops and valleys, and between them are 1,500-meter drops. Li's door-to-door service had to cover 41,000 people in an area one and half the size of Beijing. "Although we wanted to help the locals, I knew that opening an express delivery business here was not economically sensible," said Tan Wanbin, Li's superior in charge of business in Kashgar. To Tan's surprise, two months after Li's watch began, some 1,000 orders had been made and delivered to his station. Parcels ranging from sleeping masks to recently released smartphones were shipped through the mountainous trail. "I noticed that home appliances are gaining popularity since a lot of farmers and herdsmen have moved into new homes," Li said. Thanks to local authorities' augmented efforts to alleviate poverty, over 1,500 poverty-stricken households in Taxkorgan have resettled in new houses, and more than 3,000 have been provided job opportunities. "For people living on the Pamir Plateau, diverse and reasonably priced commodities are now only one click away," said Li, revealing a sense of pride. E-commerce has become an indispensable part of the lives of many Chinese. With 569 million online shoppers, China saw its online retail sales shoot up to 594 billion U.S. dollars during the first half of 2018. "We provide the same services here as coastal regions, such as returning and exchanging products," Li said. "It is now a world of difference from what I saw before," said Ning Yingjie, who came to Taxkorgan in 1985 among the first group of incoming adventurers following the implementation of reform and opening-up policies. "To fetch water in winter, we had to make it through the one-meter-tall snow on the grassland," Ning said. "And the local roads were once too narrow to accommodate two vehicles coming from opposite directions." The roads in Taxkorgan are now undergoing another round of upgrading, and Ning has opened a well-equipped hotel in Taxkorgan, receiving cross-border businessmen, construction workers from the east and tourists who crave the raw beauty and fresh air on the plateau. Li said he saw a business opportunity in the revitalization of the small mountain county, and his express delivery station began to receive more regular customers. The monthly orders have ammounted to around several hundred. "The station I founded on the Pamirs is a small one," Li said. " But it will help Taxkorgan connect with a wider world." Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 21:14:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Turkey has urged civilians in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib to stand against the al-Qaida-linked groups which aim to undermine the demilitarized zone deal backed by Turkey and Russia, the pro-government al-Watan newspaper reported Sunday. The newspaper cited sources as saying that the Turkish military observation points in several areas in the southern countryside of Idlib have met with civil delegations to stress the importance of the demilitarized zone. The deal on the demilitarized zone was reached between the leaders of Turkey and Russia during a summit held in the Russian resort city of Sochi in September. The deal, which has went into force, covered areas in Idlib, which is the last major rebel stronghold in northwestern Syria, as well as adjacent countryside areas of the provinces of Hama, Latakia and Aleppo. The deal, however, was partially implemented in terms of reducing the rate of violence and the withdrawal of heavy weapons of the rebels from the designated zone, as ultra-radical rebels, such as the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the umbrella group of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, have refused to withdraw. The ultra-radical rebels in the demilitarized zone were said to have been amassing forces, preparing to attack the Syrian army and undermining the demilitarized zone deal. But they have denied such allegations. Turkey has been working to keep its end of the deal with the Russians, as it enjoys sway over the majority of the rebel groups in Idlib. Activists recently said the Turkish intelligence had so far failed to persuade the al-Qaida-linked groups to withdraw from the demilitarized zone amid a tone of dismay from Damascus and its Russian backers about the violations of the Nusra Front. During the meeting with the civil delegations in Idlib, the Turkish side underlined the importance of the demilitarized zone to avert a military operation in the province by the Syrian army and its Russian allies. They asked the delegations to work on preventing the Nusra violations. The Turkish side has also distributed leaflets among the population in the demilitarized zone, saying preserving the zone deal is a "historic obligation" while undermining it will leave repercussions that will affect all, according to the newspaper. The new development came days after Russia, Turkey, and Iran held the 11th round of peace talks on Syria in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan. During the talks, the three powers discussed several issues regarding the Syrian situation, mainly the situation in Idlib and the formation of a Syrian constitutional committee. After the demilitarized zone deal entered its third month, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights recently said the situation is heated as the ultra-radical rebels and the government forces are preparing for an "unclear future." According to the London-based watchdog, violations reported in the zone were on daily basis and the rebels are amassing forces to protect its positions amid fears of an imminent military showdown. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is also consolidating positions and fortifying its areas while opening the doors for volunteers to join the ranks of its fighters in Idlib. It's worth noting that the ultra-radical rebels control 70 percent of the buffer zone. The Syrian government has initially welcomed the deal but noted that it was only temporary. But with the latest violations, the government officials said Idlib will inevitably return under the government control, warning that the situation cannot drag on like this. Throughout the crisis, Idlib has emerged as the major destination and stronghold of the Syrian rebels fleeing other parts of the country after deals or surrender. Idlib is now in a state of severe lawlessness characterized by assassinations, explosions, and infighting. Idlib is also of strategic significance as it shares a border area with Turkey in the north and neighbors the coastal province of Latakia, hometown of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Notably, the namesake capital city of Idlib lies close to the international road linking the capital Damascus with the northern province of Aleppo. Idlib is home to around 3.5 million people, including those who evacuated other Syrian areas after the surrender of rebels. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 21:39:30|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PARIS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday visited the Arc de Triomphe and Parisian streets to assess the damage after a group of protesters smashed and torched buildings and cars, plunging the city into civil unrest. Immediately after returning from Argentina, Macron went to the emblematic monument of L'Arc de Triomphe where a statue of Marianne was smashed, the country's landmark monument was looted and tarnished. Accompanied with Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, the president returned to the streets around the Arc de Triomphe that had been target of 3,000 troublemakers, among them far-right and hard-left supporters, according to the interior ministry. Under the applause of supporters and heckling of some "Yellow Vest" protesters, Macron had took time to meet security forces and firefighters who had been mobilized on Saturday to secure the demonstration overshadowed by raging violence. Videos showed the capital's vibrant avenues turned into battle field. Overturned vehicles were in flames around the Arc de Triomphe, shop-fronts including those of Channel and Dior were smashed and Christmas trees were torched, forcing the closure of dozens of metro stations. In the French capital, 412 individuals were arrested in connection with the violent incidents. 378 remained under custody, Paris prefecture said. It added 133 people were wounded, including 23 police officers. Facing a fierce street challenge, Macron is holding an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and ministers of interior affairs and ecology to discuss the riots and how to handle the popular social movement of the "Yellow Vests." "We have to think about the measures that can be taken so that these incidents don't happen again," government spokesperson Benjamin Griveaux told Europe 1 radio. "It is out of the question that each weekend becomes a meeting or ritual for violence," he said when asked about imposing a state of emergency. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 22:09:34|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science (Harvard SEAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here Sunday to set up a Laboratory for Instrumentation for Precision Medicine. Both sides aimed to build a laboratory focusing on medical instrumentation for microfluidic-based diagnostics, drug delivery and sensor development in the age of precision medicine. "The HKSAR government is committed to attracting world-leading research institutions to conduct collaborative research," a press release from HKU quoted Carrie Lam, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), as saying at the signing ceremony. "The signing of the MoU between the HKU Faculty of Engineering and Harvard SEAS, which signifies enhanced collaboration and cross-fertilization in the research area of precision medicine in Hong Kong, is a very significant step in this endeavor," she said. Precision medicine is an emerging field of research by scientists. Innovation and technological development in the area will open up a new paradigm in healthcare leading to the customization of healthcare, with medical decisions, treatments, practices, or products being tailored to individuals. "The collaboration will enable the talented engineers and scientists in both universities to create significant innovative instrumentations for precision medicine, and will facilitate the design of devices and treatments that will impact health care across the world," Executive Dean for Education and Research at Harvard SEAS Fawwaz Habbal said at the event. "The signing of MoU is expected that by joining the strengths of the two academia, a strong platform will be built for translating fundamental breakthroughs and more synergistic activities will be conducted for the advancement of healthcare-related technologies that can lead to strong technology transfer value and societal impact," Dean of Engineering of HKU Christopher Chao said. In the coming months, HKU Faculty of Engineering and Harvard SEAS intend to submit a proposal to the HKSAR government under the recently announced Health@InnoHK research cluster initiative, with a plan to establish a research laboratory in the Hong Kong Science Park. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 22:30:35|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close China's research icebreaker Xuelong arrives at the roadstead off the Zhongshan station in Antarctica, Dec. 1, 2018. The research team has carried out unloading work by using the helicopter. Xuelong carrying a research team set sail from Shanghai on Nov. 2, beginning the country's 35th Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping) Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 22:24:37|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Israel's police said Sunday they have found enough evidence to press charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, in a bribery case involving the country's largest telecom company. In a joint statement concluding the nine-month-long investigation, dubbed by the police as "Case 4000," the police and Israel Securities Authority recommended indicting the prime minister and his wife for accepting bribes, fraud, and breach of trust. According to the statement, Netanyahu promoted regulations favoring the telecom giant, the Bezeq Group, in return for favorable coverage in Walla, a news website. Both Bezeq and Walla were controlled by Shaul Elovitch, a businessman and Netanyahu's long-time friend. The police also recommended indicting Elovitch and his wife Iris. Revealed by the investigation, between 2014 and 2017, when the prime minister also acted as Israel's communication minister, he awarded Bezeq with regulatory and financial benefits worth hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars. "The main suspicion is that the prime minister took bribes and acted in a conflict of interest by intervening in regulatory decisions that favor Shaul Elovitch and the Bezeq Group, while at the same time, directly and indirectly, interfering with the content of the Walla site in a way that would benefit him," the statement read. The "improper conduct" between Netanyahu and Elovitch included "diverting media coverage in exchange for preferable regulation," the police said. "The prime minister and his associates intervened in a blatant and ongoing manner, and sometimes even daily, in the content published by the Walla News website, and also sought to influence the appointment of senior officials (editors and reporters) via their contacts with Shaul and Iris Elovitch," the police added. Under Israeli regulations, the final decision whether to carry out the indictment should be made by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing. Shortly after the police recommendations were publicly announced, the prime minister released a statement dismissing the allegations. "I am sure that also in this case the relevant authorities, after examining the matter, will reach the same conclusion that there was nothing because there is nothing," he said in the statement. In February, the police recommended to indict Netanyahu for a series of corruption charges including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in two other cases, "Case 1000" and "Case 2000." In "Case 1000," Netanyahu and his family allegedly received expensive cigars, champagne, and jewelry worth about 1 million new shekels (about 268,200 dollars) from the Israeli businessman and Hollywood tycoon, Arnon Milchan, and Australian businessman, James Packer, between 2007 and 2016. In "Case 2000," Netanyahu allegedly received bribes from Arnon Mozes, the publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth, one of Israel's largest newspapers. According to the police, Netanyahu and Mozes held talks over an "exchange deal," in which Netanyahu would receive favorable coverage in Yedioth Ahronoth in return for promoting a law and other measures that would limit the distribution of Israel Hayom, Yedioth's main rival. The police announcement cast doubts on Netanyahu's ability to end his current term, with the opposition calling for his immediate resignation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 23:04:45|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close The United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Joint Special Representative Jeremiah Mamabolo speaks at a press conference in Khartoum, Sudan, Dec. 2, 2018. Jeremiah Mamabolo on Sunday acknowledged improvement of security situations in Sudan's Darfur, but warned about fresh waves of displacement in the region.(Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir) KHARTOUM, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Joint Special Representative Jeremiah Mamabolo on Sunday acknowledged improvement of security situations in Sudan's Darfur, but warned about fresh waves of displacement in the region. "Given the improved security in most parts of Darfur, civilians are reportedly returning gradually to their homes after years of displacement," Mamabolo said at a press conference in Khartoum. "However, Darfur still witnesses fresh waves of displacement, especially in Jebel Marra where intermittent hostilities between non-state armed groups and regular forces continue to directly affect civilians in the area," he added. Meanwhile, Mamabolo urged the holdout movements to join the peace process. "I would like to, once again, call on all the holdout movements ... to come to the negotiations table and join the immense efforts exerted by the international community and all the parties to achieve peace in Darfur," he said. Mamabolo added that UNAMID continues its drawdown, which entails the reconfiguration of its operations on the ground as mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 2429. In early 2008, the UNAMID was deployed in Darfur, a region that has been witnessing military clashes between the Sudanese army and the rebels since 2003, which left 300,000 people dead and displaced around 2.5 million others, according to UN statistics. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 23:29:54|Editor: yan Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Altogether 40 Israelis were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of serving as doctors, medical interns and pharmacists without proper training and certification, the Israeli police said. Most of the arrested Israelis were employed in hospitals or public institutions around the country. According to the police, the suspects presented the Israeli Ministry of Health with medical and pharmacological certificates from universities in Armenia but they studied there for only a very short period of time without completing the academic requirements. The police said that based on this fraud, the suspects received a license to engage in medical professions in Israel. The police conducted a covert investigation on an anonymous complaint following a request from the Ministry of Health. The investigation revealed that the suspects did not meet the requirements in several European universities and therefore turned to an intermediary who had also failed to finish his medical studies but received certification. According to the Hebrew-language website Ynet, each suspect paid this person 15,000 euros (about 17,000 U.S. dollars) and he referred them to universities in Armenia. One of the suspects was arrested while on duty as a doctor in an internal ward of a hospital. Another suspect introduced himself as a general practitioner. During his arrest, his father, who was armed with two rifles, tried to escape. A third suspect, who owns a private dental clinic, had previously served in prison for security offenses. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 23:34:55|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close MOSCOW, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Russia is ready to resume dialogue with the United States under an offer from U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton as soon as Washington is ready for that, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday. Bolton contacted Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov and confirmed that the two countries would like to resume and normalize dialogue, Lavrov told state TV channel Rossiya-1 on the sidelines of the G20 (Group of 20) summit. "We are ready for this, as soon as our colleagues are ready for this," Lavrov said, according to a transcript published by his ministry. On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump called off a previously scheduled meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit, citing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine confrontation surrounding the Sea of Azov. Russia expressed disappointment at Washington's decision, saying the move was a result of U.S. internal politics and lack of an agenda. Moscow and Washington were in contact after Trump called off the meeting, but the two leaders are unlikely to hold talks in the near future, the Kremlin said Saturday. Ushakov said it is possible for Putin and Trump to hold a meeting before the next G20 summit in 2019. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 23:54:59|Editor: yan Video Player Close ALGIERS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Defense Ministry on Sunday said in a statement that two terrorists were shot dead, two were arrested and nine surrendered to military authorities last month in Algeria. The statement said that during the same period, another 26 individuals suspected of providing support to terrorist groups were also arrested. Counterterrorism troops also discovered and destructed 47 terrorist warehouses full of war weapons and ammunition, and explosive devices manufacturing workshops. Algeria has deployed tens of thousands of troops on the southern and eastern borderline, in a bid to thwart the intrusion of terrorists and arms, amid instability in Mali and civil war hitting Libya. The North African nation has also opened safe routes along its southern border, to encourage Algerian militants who joined terror groups in the Sahel region to lay down arms, in exchange for fair trials. Also, and as part of the fight against illegal immigration, army troops arrested last month as many as 334 individuals of different African nationalities, while coastguards managed to save the lives of four illegal immigrants off the sea and prevented 650 people from illegally sailing to European shores. Algeria said its border guards thwart every year 40,000 potential illegal immigrants from reaching Europe, as part of the North African nation's efforts in countering illegal immigration. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 23:55:00|Editor: Lu Hui 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. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump held a "highly successful meeting" here Saturday, reaching important consensus and agreeing not to impose new additional tariffs. The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on China-U.S. relations and international issues of common concern in a friendly and candid atmosphere at a working dinner after the conclusion of the 13th summit of the Group of 20 in Argentina. Sound China-U.S. relations, Xi said, are in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the broad-based expectations of the international community. He called on both China and the United States to handle the development of bilateral relations from an overall perspective and push for long-term, healthy and stable development of bilateral ties. Trump said that he agrees with Xi on his evaluation of U.S.-China relations. U.S.-China relations are very special and important, Trump said, adding that it is in the interest of the two countries as well as the world that the United States and China, both countries of significant influence, maintain a good cooperative relationship. The U.S. side, he added, is ready to increase cooperation with China through consultations and actively seek mutually beneficial solutions to their problems. The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation based on reciprocity and mutual benefit and manage differences based on mutual respect, so as to jointly advance China-U.S. relations with coordination, cooperation and stability as the defining features. They also agreed to maintain close exchanges in various forms to jointly chart the course for the development of China-U.S. relations, and pledged to hold further exchanges of visits at an appropriate time. It was the first meeting between Xi and Trump since the U.S. president paid a state visit to China in November last year. The world, Xi said, has witnessed a lot of changes since then. As two major countries with great influence, China and the United States shoulder important responsibilities in promoting world peace and prosperity, Xi told Trump. Cooperation is the best choice for China and the United States, he said. On economic and trade issues, Xi said that it is very normal that the two countries have some disagreements in the fields of economy and trade, adding that the key is to manage their differences properly and work out a solution acceptable to both sides in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. They agreed not to impose new additional tariffs, and instructed the economic teams of both sides to step up negotiations toward the removal of all additional tariffs and reach a concrete deal that is mutually beneficial and win-win. Xi also reiterated China's stance on the Taiwan issue and the U.S. side pledged to continue to adhere to the one-China policy. The two leaders also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula situation and other major international and regional issues. The meeting lasted for two and a half hours, much longer than planned, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a briefing on the closely-watched Xi-Trump meeting. "The meeting was very successful and produced important consensus. It provides direction for China-U.S. relations in the time to come," Wang said. In a White House press release, Trump was quoted as saying that 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," Trump said. Experts said that the important meeting sends a positive signal in the development of China-U.S. relations, one of the most important bilateral ties in the world. It suggests that cooperation is the key to the solution of problems, said Zhu Feng, a professor with the School of International Studies at Peking University, adding that given the differences between China and the United States in institutions, industrial policies and markets, Xi and Trump have demonstrated strategic courage and resolution at the dinner table. Berthold Kuhn, a China expert with the Free University of Berlin, noted that the meeting was "a first step" toward the settlement of China-U.S. trade disputes and more time is still needed for negotiation. "I am ... slightly optimistic," he said. Roundup: Xi-Trump meeting puts China-U.S. ties back on right path, say experts Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 23:55:01|Editor: yan Video Player Close MOSCOW, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The presidents of Russia and Turkey agreed on further steps to implement the agreement over a demilitarized zone in Syria's Idlib province, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday. According to the ministry, Lavrov said that, during their meeting in Argentina, the leaders agreed on further steps to honor the agreement on the creation of a demilitarized zone while taking measures to prevent the extremists from sabotaging "the vital agreement" welcomed by all. The minister added that, despite the consistent actions of the Turkish side, still not all extremists have obeyed the demand to leave the 20-km demilitarized zone. On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit held in Argentina and discussed bilateral cooperation and issues on the regional and international agenda, according to the Kremlin. In September at a bilateral meeting held in Russia's coastal city of Sochi, the two countries agreed to establish a demilitarized zone in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, the last rebel stronghold in Syria, urging rebel groups to evacuate. Under the deal, Russia and Turkey decided to carry out joint patrols in the area to prevent further fighting. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 23:55:02|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump in Buenos Aires on Saturday has succeeded in putting China-U.S. relations back on the right path, world experts and scholars have said. "Historians of the future may well take note of today's dinner summit between President Xi and President Trump at the critical moment when China and the U.S. stepped back from the brink of confrontation and sought to forge a working partnership to benefit both countries and the world," Robert Kuhn, a leading China expert and chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, told Xinhua via email. The resumption of talks between Xi and Trump was absolutely crucial and was a positive step and represented progress, said William Jones, Washington bureau chief of the U.S. publication Executive Intelligence Review. "While all of the outstanding issues will not be resolved at one meeting, I think momentum can be restored by this meeting," he said. "After this summit, perhaps we can see the 'light at the end of the tunnel,' even if we still have a way to go to get to that light," he said. Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said the meeting between Trump and Xi was important because personal conversations build relationships and help avoid misunderstandings. Neither side has much to gain from confrontation and conflict, and the two countries have strong relationships in trade and commerce and it is important to continue that, West said. The consensus reached by the two heads of state shows that the two sides are ready to compromise and find solutions to problems, said Alexei Maslov, head of the Asian Studies Department at the Russian Higher School of Economics, National Research University. Shi Shiwei, a visiting professor at the Free University of Berlin, said the important consensus reached at the Xi-Trump meeting sets the tone for the following bilateral negotiations on trade and other issues and is conducive to positive bilateral trade interactions. Berthold Kuhn, a China expert at the Free University of Berlin, said both China and the United States have made tremendous efforts to achieve such results, which is the first step for both sides to avoid a trade war. Wang Jiangyu, associate professor at the Faculty of Law of the National University of Singapore, said the negotiations between China and the United States will be stronger and more pragmatic after the meeting and the two sides will show more sincerity and seriousness in future talks. "The Xi-Trump meeting has gone off well. This is most commendable," Sourabh Gupta, a senior fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies in Washington, D.C., told Xinhua. "China always stood ready for a fair, win-win approach to managing and resolving its trade, intellectual property rights and investment frictions with the U.S., and the meeting appears to confirm that it has put its money where its mouth is," he said. "A freeze on new tariffs and an agreement to hold further talks, if confirmed, would be a positive step," said Henry Levine, a senior advisor of Albright Stonebridge Group. Vasileios Trigkas, a scholar and research fellow at the Belt and Road Strategy Institute of Tsinghua University, said not to impose new tariffs is "a ceasefire which buys time for technical negotiations." Gordon Hinkle, vice president of Global Operations at the California Center, has been following the news from Buenos Aires. After hearing the meeting had achieved positive results, he said "it is extremely encouraging." "The California Center as well as numerous other U.S. businesses are anxious to see a deal cut soon between China and the U.S., so we can get back to unhindered, non-tariff burdened business with our numerous overseas partners and clients," he added. Bloomberg News reported that "investors have been eager for signs of a progress toward keeping an already costly trade dispute from spiraling into a new and broader cold war." "Both sides avoided the worst-case scenario," Bloomberg said. As the international community is concerned about the escalation of the trade frictions, Jin Jianmin, a senior fellow at the Fujitsu Research Institute in Tokyo, said the international community and the markets will definitely respond positively to the attitudes of the two sides in solving their disputes through cooperation and consultations. He hoped the two countries would put their words into action and set a good example for opening a new chapter for mutually beneficial cooperation in international economy and trade. Japanese economist Hidetoshi Tashiro said the whole world is pleased with the positive results of the Xi-Trump meeting, which is of great significance to the world economy. He said in today's interconnected world, it is very much possible that countries that try to give themselves an edge in trade by imposing tariffs will end up losing more. Praising the Xi-Trump meeting as productive, Hee Ok Lee, a professor at South Korea's Sungkyunkwan University, said the two sides have avoided confrontations on the tariff issue, which has created a good start and favorable environment for resolving trade disputes. Lee, who leads the Sungkyun Institute of China Studies, said the meeting is of great significance for not just the two countries, but the whole world as well. He expected the two countries to increase communication and mutual trust in the future. (Xinhua reporters Liu Chen, Liu Pinran, Xiong Maoling, Gao Pan in Washington, Yang Shilong, Liu Yanan in New York, Huang Heng, Gao Shan in Los Angeles, Luan Hai in Moscow, Liang Xizhi in London, Ren Ke in Madrid, Qiao Jihong in Hamburg, Yan Lei, Deng Min in Tokyo, Yan Ming in Seoul contributed to this story.) Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 00:00:02|Editor: yan Video Player Close MANAMA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Bahrain's cabinet announced Sunday to resign after the end of the parliament and municipal council elections. Bahrain's Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired a cabinet session, during which he announced that the resignation of the cabinet had been submitted to the Bahraini king. The government is required to resign following an election, according to the country's constitution, after which the king will swear in the next government. "The government has had the honor of shouldering the responsibilities entrusted to it by the king and has endeavored diligently to achieve the objectives and aspirations that embody the vision of the king," said the prime minister in a statement posted on the Bahrain News Agency. "Despite our achievements, our ambitions still lead us towards achieving the best for our nation and citizens," he said. Five societies and 231 observers monitored the 2018 polls in which there were a total of 365,467 eligible voters. During the first round of polls on Nov. 24, officials reported a 67-percent turnout. The first round saw a clear victory for nine parliament candidates out of the 40, two of them women. This is Bahrain's fifth parliament and municipal council elections, which are held every four years. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 00:15:05|Editor: yan Video Player Close NICOSIA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Eight more irregular Syrian immigrants arrived on the northwestern coast of Cyprus, the police said on Sunday. Police said they found the eight men aged 24 to 41 on a tourist beach after they crossed the 250-kilometer stretch of the eastern Mediterranean from Mersin, a port city on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey, in a speed boat. Police said one of them walked about ten kilometers from the beach they arrived at to the nearest police station and told them about their arrival. They claimed that the man who brought them from Turkey returned back after they disembarked. However, the police said they spotted the speed boat on a deserted beach which is reserved for dogs near the spot where the immigrants were found. The men were transferred to a refugee center near Nicosia where they will stay until the asylum request is being considered. According the the interior ministry of Cyprus, more than 4,000 refugees, mostly from Syria, arrived in Cyprus this year, bringing the total number of asylum seekers during the past few years to over 15,000. 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 Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 00:25:07|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close NAIROBI, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations official on Sunday urged African states to borrow in local currencies in order to improve their debt sustainability. Vera Songwe, executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, told Xinhua in Nairobi that the continent will need to work together with the financial market as well as concessional lenders like the World Bank and the African Development Bank to help bring down the risk of local currency lending. "Local currency denominated debt issued domestically or abroad could help the continent reduce its exposure to exchange rate risk that could lead to debt distress," Songwe said during the 49th Plenary Session of the African Economic Research Consortium Biannual Research Workshop. The five-day event brought together over 200 participants, including researchers, policymakers and private sector actors. Songwe said a number of African countries such as Rwanda and South Africa have already issued local-currency debt. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 00:30:08|Editor: yan Video Player Close TORONTO, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A young woman was seriously injured to her face in a shooting in Toronto, Canada early Sunday, according to Toronto police. The shooting occurred at the area of Queen Street West and Ossington Avenue at around 2:40 a.m. Sunday after someone reported gunshots. Police are reviewing security camera videos in the area. No one has been arrested in the shooting and no description of a suspect was available. According to the Toronto Police Service, date to November 25 this year, there were a total of 371 shootings and 513 victims, which include both fatalities and shooting-related injuries. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 01:05:15|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAIRO, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Italian public prosecutor has asked his Egyptian counterpart here to list some policemen as "suspected" in the case of Italian student Giulio Regeni who was found dead in Cairo in early 2016, official news agency MENA reported on Sunday. "Rome prosecution filed again its request to place the names of some policemen on the list of Italian suspects registry, a request that was turned down in December last year," MENA quoted a judicial source as saying. The source underlined the talks between the two countries' prosecutors as "transparent." During the meeting, Italy promised to conduct in-depth investigations into Regeni's visa as he entered Egypt using a tourism visa not a visa for carrying out researches for his PhD, the source added. On Thursday, Italy's Chamber of Deputies Speaker Roberto Fico announced the suspension of parliamentary relations with the Egyptian parliament, until current investigations into the case of Regeni are finalized. On Friday, Egypt's parliament said it regrets the decision of Italy's lower house to suspend parliamentary ties. In a Friday statement, the parliament said it was "surprised" by the Italian chamber's "unilateral" decision and called for the non-politicization of legal issues. Italy's Foreign Ministry summoned on Friday the Egyptian ambassador to Rome to prompt authorities in Cairo to "act rapidly" in investigating Regeni's case. Regeni, a Cambridge University graduate student who was researching trade unions in Egypt, disappeared in Cairo on Jan. 25, 2016 that marked the fifth anniversary of Egypt's uprising. His body was found several days later by the side of a highway near Cairo with torture marks. Rome's chief prosecutor said that the young researcher was under Egyptian surveillance before his death due to his research into Egypt's independent labor unions. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi repeatedly vowed to bring Regeni's murderers to justice, blaming "conspirators" who attempt to cause tension in Egypt's ties with Italy for the tragedy. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 01:20:17|Editor: yan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Violence across Iraq killed a total of 41 civilians in November, the lowest since the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) began publishing monthly casualty data six years ago, the UN mission said Sunday. A UNAMI statement said that 73 civilians were wounded in the terror attacks and armed conflicts in Iraq last month. The Iraqi capital Baghdad was the worst affected with 55 civilian casualties, as 23 people were killed and 32 others wounded, it said. Jan Kubis, the United Nations special envoy to Iraq and the UNAMI chief, said "the continuing loss of life is regrettable but the latest figures are the lowest since UNAMI began publishing them in November 2012." "These figures reflect the continuing downward trend in violence as the country recovers from its fight with terrorism and presses ahead towards a stable, prosperous future," Kubis said. The security situation in Iraq has been dramatically improved after Iraqi security forces fully defeated the extremist Islamic State militants across the country in December last year. However, small groups and individuals of extremist militants regrouped in urban and rugged areas and are carrying out attacks against the security forces and civilians despite operations from time to time to hunt them down. Many blame the chronic instability, cycle of violence, and the emergence of extremist groups in Iraq on the United States, which invaded the country in March 2003, under the pretext of seeking to destroy weapons of mass destruction in the country. But no such weapons were found. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 01:30:19|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (6th R, front) poses for a group photo with other leaders attending the 13th summit of the Group of 20 (G20) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018. The 13th G20 summit is held here on Friday. 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, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Group of 20 (G20) leaders concluded a fruitful summit Saturday, exchanging in-depth views on building consensus for fair and sustainable development. The group issued a declaration after the two-day summit, sending a positive signal to the international community and market and maintaining the cooperative momentum among the G20 economies. Xi put forward a four-point proposal, urging the group to steer the world economy responsibly, stay committed to openness and cooperation, and play a leading political role in nurturing favorable conditions for international trade and fighting climate change. URGING TO STEER WORLD ECONOMY RESPONSIBLY Addressing the 13th G20 summit on Friday, Xi urged the G20 to stick to openness, partnership, innovation and inclusiveness. He warned of accelerated accumulation of risks in the 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. "The world economy is facing another historical choice." With the industrial chain, value chain and supply chain ever growing and expanding, 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, and win-win cooperation is the only choice going forward, Xi said. He called on G20 leaders to work with "the same courage and strategic vision" as has been demonstrated 10 years ago when the first G20 summit was convened. "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 said. During a discussion on fair and sustainable future, Xi said that with the G20's combined economy making up over 80 percent of the world's total, as long as each member keeps its economy stable and growing, the world economy will be stable and growing. He encouraged the G20 to contribute positive energy to the world economy and reduce the negative spillover of certain macro-economic policies, so as to initiate a virtuous cycle of common development. MAKING FOUR-POINT PROPOSAL The G20 economies demonstrated a positive will to address differences through consultation and standing united in face of challenges, with Xi putting forward a four-point proposal. 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 (WTO), 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, said 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. He called for the use of "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." 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. "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. 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," he said. CALLING FOR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP ON TRADE, CLIMATE CHANGE Xi also called on the G20 to play a leading political role in nurturing favorable conditions for international trade, and urged the G20 to inject political impetus into international cooperation on jointly tackling climate change. On the trade issue, the Chinese president said that the G20 should firstly stick to openness and free trade, maintain and further expand an open market, and realize win-win cooperation through mutual exchanges and complementarity. Secondly, the G20 should stick to inclusiveness, and bring the benefits of international trade and economic globalization to people of all countries and all classes, Xi said. Thirdly, the G20 should uphold rules-oriented spirit and nurture a stable and expectable institutional environment for the healthy development of international trade, he said. On climate change, Xi said it is a major challenge to the future and destiny of mankind, which requires G20's joint efforts. China, France and the United Nations reiterated their firm commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement on Friday, sending a strong signal of pushing forward international cooperation to tackle global warming, Xi said. He urged the G20 to inject political impetus into the international cooperation on jointly fighting climate change, with a sense of responsibility of building a community with a shared future for mankind. The Chinese side looks forward to the participating sides reaching a package agreement at the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Katowice, Poland, and implementing the Paris Agreement based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, Xi said. China stands ready to make joint efforts with various sides and make its due contribution, he added. The Chinese president arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday night to attend the G20 summit on Friday and Saturday, and pay a state visit to Argentina. Related: Full text of Xi's remarks at Session I of G20 summit in Buenos Aires Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 01:40:21|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran has become one of the world's missile powers despite the severe western sanctions on it over the past 40 years, Iran's Defense Minister Amir Hatami said on Sunday. "Iran is among the world's top powers in building missiles, radars, armored vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles," Hatami told official IRNA news agency. "Iran has managed to attain a very desirable and acceptable performance in the field of defensive products and the (Iranian) Defense Ministry has become self-sufficient in defense industry despite tough sanctions by the arrogant powers in the past 40 years," he was quoted as saying. On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Iran's test of "a medium range ballistic missile that's capable of carrying multiple warheads ... violates UNSCR 2231." Earlier on Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry dismissed the U.S. charges that Iran's ballistic missile tests have violated the UNSCR 2231 as "ridiculous." "Iran's missile program has a defensive nature and is designed based on the needs of the country," Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying by the ministry's website. "No resolution at the UN Security Council has banned Iran's missile program or missile tests," Qasemi added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 02:20:31|Editor: yan Video Player Close VALLETA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Eleven migrants who were rescued by a Spanish fishing boat were brought to Malta on Sunday before being transferred to Spain, local media reported. A total of 12 immigrants were rescued ten days ago by the Spanish fishing vessel 'Nuestra Madre de Loreto' from a dinghy off the Libyan coast, Television Malta reported. One of them who lapsed into unconsciousness had to be airlifted to Malta on Friday. Malta, along with Italy, had initially refused to accept the boat as it had rescued the migrants in Libyan waters. The Spanish government said 'Nuestra Madre de Loreto' had been given permission to dock in Malta earlier on Sunday. The 11 immigrants, nine men and two boys, were then transferred from 'Nuestra Madre de Loreto' to a vessel of the Armed Forces of Malta and disembarked at Haywharf. Following an agreement between Malta and spain, the migrants would be transferred to Spain, said a Maltese government spokesman. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 02:25:32|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close People hold placards during a march called "Claim the Climate" in Brussels, Belgium, Dec. 2, 2018. As the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change kicked off in Poland, a climate protest called "Claim the Climate" was held on Sunday across Brussels, with police saying that over 70,000 people took part in it throughout the day. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) BRUSSELS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- As the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change kicked off in Poland, a climate protest called "Claim the Climate" was held on Sunday across Brussels, with police saying that over 70,000 people took part in it throughout the day. According to the organizers, it is the biggest climate march ever organized in Belgium. "The climate march is a great success for citizen mobilization, the climate issue must be a central concern for future generations, and Belgium, which has finalized its Climate Energy Plan, will defend ambitious objectives at COP 24", announced Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel on Twitter. "This Sunday, the Climate Coalition and Climate Express will challenge our Belgian leaders for a more ambitious climate policy at global, European and national levels. They will demand that warming be limited to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius, as the Paris Agreement requires, "explained Nicolas Van Nuffel, president of the Climate Coalition. "They will also demand that this be done through a just transition, which respects the rights of everyone, including employees of sectors and businesses, the people of the South, refugees ... We will go to the streets for climate justice, in Belgium and all over the world". The march began at the Gare du Nord at around 1 p.m.local time, all the way down to the Parc Cinquantenaire. Two courses are planned: one for pedestrians and one for cyclists. The Belgian National Railway Company (SNCB) announced that no less than 34,000 travelers went by train this Sunday in the capital to join the campaign. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 02:30:34|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran exported more than 7.65 million tons of cement and clinker during the first seven months of the current Iranian year (March 21-Oct. 22), Eghtesadonline news website reported on Sunday. The figure registered a 10.2-percent increase compared with the similar period of last year. Cement accounted for 3.8 million tons of the exports, Abdolreza Sheikhan, the secretary of the Cement Association, was quoted as saying. More than 50 percent of the clinker and cement exports went to Iraq and Afghanistan over the period, said Sheikhan. Also, around 247,000 tons of cement were exported to Central Asian countries, mostly to Uzbekistan, via railroad through Sarakhs border crossing in Iran's Khorasan Razavi Province during the seven months, Mohammad Hadi Ziyaeimehr, director general of Khorasan Razavi Railroad Organization, said. Ziyaeimehr noted that Sarakhs border crossing accounts for 90 percent of Iran's cement exports through railroads. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 02:45:36|Editor: yan Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) receives Argentina's highest decoration, the Order of the Liberator General San Martin, from President Mauricio Macri in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping received Argentina's highest decoration, the Order of the Liberator General San Martin, from President Mauricio Macri here on Sunday. Addressing the ceremony at the presidential residence, Macri spoke highly of China's great development under the leadership of Xi, the relationship between Argentina and China, and the Asian country's important contribution to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. Xi told Macri that he is honored to be awarded the decoration, as it symbolizes the Argentine people's national spirit of independence and carries the profound friendship between the Argentine and Chinese people. Xi said the honor does not belong to him alone, but also to all those committed to promoting China-Argentina friendship. The decoration, named after Argentina's national hero Jose de San Martin and granted by the head of state of Argentina, is the highest honor awarded to foreign nationals. The Chinese president arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday to attend the Group of 20 summit and pay a state visit to Argentina. . F-35 17 Queen Elizabeth (), , , Daily Mail, ... Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 03:15:41|Editor: yan Video Player Close by Mohamed al-Azaki SANAA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United States has been mounting pressure to bring an end to the war in Yemen that is pitting its close allies in the Saudi-led coalition against Iranian-allied Shiite Houthi rebels. After more than three years of devastating war that killed thousands and brought the whole Yemeni nation to the brink of starvation, why is the United States stepping up its pressures now? The U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis has called for "immediate end" to the war in Yemen. "It looks like very, very early in December up in Sweden we'll see both the Houthi rebel side and the Saudi-backed government of Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi will be up there," Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon last week. Mattis' words were quickly backed by the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In the U.S. Congress, many senators have risen their voices to end the U.S. military support to Saudi Arabia, increasing pressure on Trump administration to end the war in Yemen. They are now preparing to pass a legislation to completely end the U.S. military assistance to Saudi Arabia. Also, many European countries, including France, have backed the calls for ending the conflict in Yemen. Some European governments announced a pause of their weapon sales to Saudi Arabia. Britain sent its Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to Riyadh to press for an end to the Yemen's war. Now, after such unprecedented push, the United Nations is well confident that all rival parties to the conflict will engage in those upcoming peace process. These accelerating moves are raising a question, why now? "The U.S. diplomatic movements have begun in early October, after the Western media began to learn about details of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," said Abdelelah Haidar, a Yemeni political analyst and an expert on the U.S. political issues based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident, who was a journalist for The Washington Post, was reportedly assassinated inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. The Saudi government has since been facing increasing pressure to disclose the perpetrators behind the murder of Khashoggi, as well as to end its war in Yemen. "It appeared to be a U.S. military decision by the Pentagon chief Mattis as he was the first U.S. official to demand an immediate end to the Saudi-led coalition war in Yemen," Haidar told Xinhua. Before Mattis' move, many voices in the Congress, which are very critical to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, have increasingly demanded the punishment against the murders of Khashoggi and called for an end to the Yemen's war. "The victory of democrats in the midterm elections in the Congress in late October has sped up the pressure on Trump's administration," Haidar said. "The democratic's senators were backed by a large-scale support from the leading U.S. media outlets, which focused on the Saudi-led coalition war in Yemen and linked it with the murder of Khashoggi," he said. "I think, the Congress' pressure is targeting Trump himself ... it targeted the personal business relationship between Trump, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and the Saudi royal family," Haidar said. Analyst Adel al-Assar of Sanaa-based daily Althawra newspaper said that "all comes together, the Congress' actions and U.S. media reports on Yemen's war, to put Trump administration to do something." "The democrats in the Congress are preparing to move ahead toward a complete cut of the U.S. military assistance to Saudi Arabia," al-Assar said. "So, Trump and Kushner have their own personal motive to save Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom they have a very special friendship," he added. The Congress' movements and Trump's "personal motivation" are two important factors that could probably explain what was behind the U.S. quick action towards its close ally Saudi Arabia and the war of Yemen. The same movements could also be seen recently in the discussions inside the British House of Commons and the House of Lords, which focused on Khashoggi's murder and the war in Yemen. Professor Ali al-Ammary of the Faculty of Media in Sanaa University argued that the increasing pictures of Yemen's war, particularly the airstrikes, the Yemeni malnourished children and depressed Yemeni families on western media front pages, were the key factor behind the recent international pressure to end the war. "The peoples in the U.S. and Europe have become aware that millions of Yemeni children are dying from malnutrition, starvation and epidemic diseases as a result from the Saudi-led coalition naval blockade for more than three years," said al-Ammary. It was an "ignored war" for many months because many western journalists had been denied access to Yemen, by now the international media organizations have become more active in reporting daily tragedies of millions of Yemenis. "It has become facts that are shown by international media outlets, newspapers and televisions on a daily basis, and that put pressure on the U.S. and Britain to take an action now to stop this conflict," al-Ammary said. "I think it's the right moment to push for the Yemen peace, which represents all the best opportunity to date," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 03:30:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Former FBI Director James Comey said Sunday that he has reached an agreement with Republican lawmakers regarding his testimony about the agency's actions ahead of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. "Grateful for a fair hearing from judge. Hard to protect my rights without being in contempt, which I don't believe in," Comey wrote on Twitter. So will sit in the dark, but Republicans agree I'm free to talk when done and transcript released in 24 hours," Comey tweeted. "This is the closest I can get to public testimony," he added. Comey challenged a subpoena issued by Representative Bob Goodlatte, the Republican head of the House Judiciary Committee, to appear before the panel. Republicans want to question Comey over his oversight of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server when she was secretary of state and alleged meddling in the 2016 election. The former FBI chief revealed days before the election that the agency was examining new materials possible relevant to the Clinton probe, a decision that, as Clinton has argued, contributed to her loss in the race. Conservatives have gone after Comey for not pursuing charges against Clinton. An internal report released in July stated that Comey deviated from norms of the FBI and the Department of Justice in handling the Clinton probe but his actions were not driven by political bias to help either side. Comey was fired by U.S. President Donald Trump in May 2017, followed closely by the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who's leading the wide-ranging Russia investigation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 03:35:45|Editor: yan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of protesters on Sunday stormed the headquarter of the Libyan government in the capital Tripoli, demanding health insurance and payment of salaries, a government source said. "Dozens of protesters of wounded and martyrs families stormed the government's headquarter in central Tripoli, demanding payment of outstanding salaries and medical treatment," the source told Xinhua with anonymity. The protesters broke the main gate of the headquarter and got inside. Libyan deputy Prime Minister, Ahmad M'etig, met with the protesters and listened to their demands, the source added. Local media published images of dozens of protesters holding up signs of their demands in front of the government headquarter and some others were inside the building. No exact number of wounded and victims in the incident was unveiled. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 03:45:47|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (IRIR) and German companies may launch cargo trains in the near future, Eghtesadonline reported on Sunday. "Negotiations started two years ago and, at present, we are in talks to sort out regulation-connected issues," Mojgan Kordbacheh, the deputy head of IRIR's International Affairs Department, was quoted as saying. The first train is expected to be launched next year, he said, adding the rail route will be used to trade goods between Iran and Europe. Hossein Ashouri, a board member of IRIR, said earlier that Iran is planning to launch multiple rail corridors to Europe. "The planned corridors include a route from Azerbaijan and Russia, another from Georgia and Black Sea, and a third through Turkey," Ashouri said. "We have been discussing parallel routes with German companies and the officials of participating states," he added. German firms DHL, DB Cargo and DB Schenekr are among the companies involved in the negotiations, according to the report. IRIR held multilateral meetings with these companies and the authorities in Turkey last year to discuss rail corridors using the existing infrastructures. Russia's President Vladimir Putin talks to U.S. President Donald Trump during their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, July 7, 2017. (REUTERS PHOTO) MOSCOW, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Russia is ready to resume dialogue with the United States under an offer from U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton as soon as Washington is ready for that, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday. Bolton contacted Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov and confirmed that the two countries would like to resume and normalize dialogue, Lavrov told state TV channel Rossiya-1 on the sidelines of the G20 (Group of 20) summit. "We are ready for this, as soon as our colleagues are ready for this," Lavrov said, according to a transcript published by his ministry. On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump called off a previously scheduled meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit, citing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine confrontation surrounding the Sea of Azov. Russia expressed disappointment at Washington's decision, saying the move was a result of U.S. internal politics and lack of an agenda. Moscow and Washington were in contact after Trump called off the meeting, but the two leaders are unlikely to hold talks in the near future, the Kremlin said Saturday. Ushakov said it is possible for Putin and Trump to hold a meeting before the next G20 summit in 2019. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 04:00:50|Editor: yan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Libya's Interior Minister, Fathi Bashagha, on Sunday met with the British Ambassador to Libya, Frank Baker, in the capital Tripoli and discussed security cooperation between the two countries. Bashagha praised Britain's technical and logistic support for the Libyan government, stressing the Interior Ministry's need for direct international support by training and capacity building of the police and security forces. According to a statement issued by the Interior Ministry, the British ambassador expressed his country's readiness to provide all necessary resources. Baker confirmed that Britain is looking forward to constructive political and economic cooperation with the Libyan government for the region in general and Libya in particular to face all challenges. On Nov. 15, the Libyan Ministry of Interior and British Crime Agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that includes training and technical support for the ministry's security personnel. Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj in October approved new security arrangements in the capital Tripoli, which focus on forming joint police and army forces to secure the city. Libyan security services struggle to train and equip their personnel, as the country suffers insecurity and chaos as well as domination of armed groups and militias that operate independently from the authorities. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 04:55:57|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Participants attend the UN Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland, Dec. 3, 2018. Delegates from nearly 200 countries began talks on Sunday on urgent actions to curb climate change three years after the landmark Paris Climate Change Agreement set a goal of keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. The two-week UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP24, is held in the southern Polish city of Katowice. (Xinhua/Jaap Arriens) KATOWICE, Poland, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Delegates from nearly 200 countries began talks on Sunday on urgent actions to curb climate change three years after the landmark Paris Climate Change Agreement set a goal of keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. The two-week UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP24, held in the southern Polish city of Katowice, aims to finalize the implementation guidelines and provide clarity on how to carry out the Paris deal fairly for all participating countries. Six months after the 2015 Paris summit, the negotiations on the implementation guidelines were launched and COP24 was set as the deadline. "We are here to enable the world to act together on climate change," said Poland's environmental envoy Michal Kurtyka, who is presiding over the UN meeting. "The United Nations secretary-general is counting on us, all of us to deliver," Kurtyka said, urging all countries to "show creativity and flexibility." The to-be-finalized implementation guidelines are expected to unleash practical climate actions with respect to all the targets and goals of the Paris agreement, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing financial and other support to developing countries. While governments are committed to finalizing the guidelines, a great deal of work still remains to be completed in Katowice. The UN conference is being held following a cascade of UN and other reports on increasing impact of greenhouse gas concentrations and emissions. "All of these findings confirm the need to maintain the strongest commitment to the Paris Agreement's aims of limiting global warming to well below 2C and pursuing efforts towards 1.5C," said Patricia Espinosa, the UN climate chief. "Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are at record levels and emissions continue to rise. Climate change impacts have never been worse," she said, "This reality is telling us that we need to do much more -COP24 needs to make that happen." Apart from COP24, the climate talks in Katowice also include Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the Conference of Signatories to the Paris Agreement. About 20,000 people will take part, including politicians, representatives of non-governmental organizations, scientific community and business sector. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 05:36:03|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led coalition fired several missiles on military sites in central Syria on Sunday evening, causing damages only, state-run SANA news agency reported. The missiles targeted some military positions south of the town of Sukhneh in the eastern countryside of Homs province in central Syria, said the report. It said the attack left material losses only. No further details were yet given by the state news agency, but some opposition activists said the U.S.-led attack was initiated in the U.S.-run base in al-Tanf area in countryside of Homs near the Iraqi border. Activists said the attack targeted a convoy of Syrian army in the desert region in Homs countryside, speculating that the convoy was close to the U.S.-run base. The attack came just days after Israel targeted Syrian military sites in the town of Kisweh south of the capital Damascus. The attack by the U.S.-led coalition is not the first to target Syrian military sites. In June, U.S.-led airstrikes targeted a Syrian military position in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, leaving casualties. In May, 12 pro-government fighters were killed by U.S. strikes on Syrian positions in Deir al-Zour as well. The largest attack was carried out by the U.S., Britain and France in April against several military sites across the country as part of retaliation against an alleged chemical attack. The Syrian government has repeatedly condemned the U.S.-led attacks, particularly those targeting civilians in Deir al-Zour on the pretext that they are targeting Islamic State (IS) militants. The government repeatedly urged the UN Security Council to put an end to the violations of the U.S.-led coalition in Syria. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 05:51:07|Editor: yan Video Player Close AMMAN, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A Royal Decree was issued on Sunday approving the controversial income tax bill that entails increasing taxes on the industrial sector, according to the Gazette, the official website of Jordanian Royal Court. The new law, which will go into effect in 2019, entails increasing the income tax on the industrial sector to 20 per cent. The parliament endorsed the bill last week, which is part of the fiscal reforms the country is working on to offset its budget deficit. The income tax bill exempts households earning less than 20,000 Jordanian dinars (28,189 U.S. dollars) per year in 2019. In 2020, the exemption level will be lowered to 18,000 dinars. For individuals, the Lower House decided to exempt those with annual income of less than 10,000 dinars in 2019 and less than 9,000 dinars in 2020. The bill, which is part of the reforms under a program with the International Monetary Fund, has been under national debate for a long time. The government is expected to generate around 200-million-dinar in additional revenues in 2019 after the bill goes into effect. The popular backlash against the previous drafts of the bill led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Hani Mulki in late May. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-03 06:31:12|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) meets with Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia upon his arrival in Algiers, Algeria, Dec. 2, 2018. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday kicked off a two-day official visit to Algeria with members of Saudi government, businessmen and prominent personalities. (Xinhua) ALGIERS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday kicked off a two-day official visit to Algeria with members of Saudi government, businessmen and prominent personalities. He was welcomed by Algerian Prime Minister, Ahmed Ouyahia, and ministers at the Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers. The Saudi crown prince is due to meet top Algerian officials to discuss bilateral relations and developments in the oil market as well as a couple of international issues, Algerian Presidency Office said in a statement on Saturday. The source added that the visit aims at "consolidating distinguished bilateral relations, and giving a new impetus to bilateral cooperation, as well as boosting partnership and investment projects and opening new horizons for businessmen in a bid to increase trade exchange and expand economic partnership between the two countries." The visit is also due to boost various bilateral workshops emanating from the 13th meeting Algerian-Saudi Joint Committee held in Riyadh in April, which resulted in the signing of several cooperation agreements. The two parties will also discuss and exchange views on some prominent political and economic issues in the Arab and international regions. The issues include the Palestinian issue and the situation in some sister countries, in addition to the recent developments in global oil market. Coun Perez reiterates warning to barangay leaders involved in drugs 07 Aug 2017 Hits:37 Comments(0) Liga ng mga Barangay President, Councilor Jerry Perez yesterday reiterated his warning to all barangay officials from using or selling drugs. Perez said he is closely monitoring the activities of all the barangay officials and vowed sanctions against erring leaders. Aqui gane na mio barangay ya quita ya iyo na puesto cunel dos barangay leaders quien mas temprano ya sale positivo na... Nicolae Ciuca i-a predat mandatul lui Vasile Dincu la Ministerul Apararii Nicolae Ciuca a explicat ca, incepand de astazi, se desparte de Armata, dar a mentionat ca un militar, chiar daca este trecut in rezerva, va ramane pe viata militar."Vine un moment in care trebuie sa te desparti de ceva anume. Astazi, ma despart [citeste mai departe] Five NFC teams with records as good as or better than the Eagles played Sunday, which could eventually mean something if wild-card playoff scenarios come into play, but the Week 13 game likely to have the biggest impact on the Birds playoff chances took place on Thursday. Dallas beating New Orleans, 13-10, didnt radically change the reality of what the 5-6 Eagles need to do to win the NFC East again, but it brought a sharper, harsher focus to how difficult that task might be. Dallas is 7-5, with four wins in a row, starting with what was then viewed as an upset victory over the host Eagles on Nov. 11, 27-20. The Cowboys now have a nice, healing break from Thursday to next Sunday, when they host the Birds at AT&T Stadium. The Eagles will head to Dallas on a short week, after Monday nights meeting with visiting Washington. But if the Eagles lose Monday, their playoff chances move into the realm of the strictly mathematical, anyway. Even if the Eagles defeat the Redskins, Dallas remains a game ahead, with a much easier remaining schedule. The Cowboys must travel to Indianapolis the week after the Eagles visit, but they finish with Tampa Bay and the Giants. The Eagles, meanwhile, should they actually defeat the Redskins giving them back-to-back victories for the first time this season and then upset the Cowboys, get the reward of heading to Los Angeles to face the Rams. Then they host the surging Texans before finishing up at Washington. Chances that Doug Pedersons final postgame news conference of the regular season, in that tiny little visitors room under the stands at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., will be devoted to talk about an upcoming playoff matchup? Not good. The Eagles postseason situation really drifted into hope-and-a-prayer territory when they lost those Dallas and New Orleans games, Nov. 11-18. You can go back even further, to the fourth-quarter fold-up at home against Carolina on Oct. 21, when a large chunk of the foundation of a playoff push crumbled away. Last weeks victory over the Giants temporarily smoothed some rough edges, got the talk flowing again of how anybody has a chance in a flawed NFC East until Dallas shut down the high-flying Saints. Friday and Saturday, Eagles players said the Cowboys stuffing the Saints who toyed with the Eagles in a 48-7 home victory on Nov. 18 really didnt affect their mood or their prospects at all. Well see Monday night whether that is really the case. Were pushing all of our chips in against the Redskins, right tackle Lane Johnson said. Yes, the Saints could have helped the Eagles a little, but thats the thing in this league you shouldnt have to ask for any kind of help, Johnson said. We put ourselves in this predicament, so were going to have to try to find our way out of it. >> READ MORE: Takeaway-starved Eagles could benefit from risk-taking QB Colt McCoy The only way forward, the Eagles say, is to not dwell on everything that has to happen for them to have a shot at defending their Super Bowl title, but focus on each step as it comes. There is no point to looking past Monday night, and 6-5 Washington. The only thing that we need to focus on is whos in front of us and who we play against. I dont focus on anybody else, wide receiver Nelson Agholor said. I didnt look for [the Saints] to do anything. If anything, I was watching the tape to see how to prepare for Dallas because thats who were going to play again. A few players, such as safety Malcolm Jenkins, said they werent too surprised to see Dallas stifle the offense that humiliated the Eagles in the worst loss ever suffered by a defending Super Bowl champ. The Cowboys shocked a lot of people. But you play good defense at home, you get momentum on your side, things like that happen, Jenkins said. I wasnt really watching it for the outcome, I just enjoy watching ball Im too focused on what were doing here. Its a bad feeling when you start looking for other teams to lose games in order for you to have success. You just focus on what you can control. It doesnt change anything for us We had to win anyway. Defensive end Brandon Graham said the Eagles fate remains in their hands, and technically, that is true if they finish 10-6, on a six-game win streak, they will be NFC East champs. Everythings right in front of us, Graham said. All we got to do is win, and worry about the rest later. Pederson acknowledged Saturday that he has been tuned in to how his players are handling the questions about their dwindling postseason chances. I listen to some of our player comments this week and I think they are right on, Pederson said. I think its unfortunate where we are. Weve kind of dug this hole for ourselves, and the only way to climb out of it is one game at a time. I think thats been the focus of the team, been my focus, obviously, this week. We have to control only what we can control, and we have the Redskins on Monday night and its going to be a great division battle. All the things that they are talking about, we have to do, and we cant worry about playoff scenarios. We just have to make sure that we take care of our business, and see if thats good enough at the end." This story originally appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer on June 20, 1989. Appealing to the high ideals of self-sacrifice and compassion, President Bush last night urged the Cheltenham High School graduating class to end an era of greed. In a sweltering auditorium full of proud parents and awestruck high school students, Bush spoke for 15 minutes of the heroism of the Chinese students killed in Tiananmen Square and the unprecedented elections in Poland earlier this month, and he asked the new graduates to take risks in pursuit of noble causes. To win the fight for justice and equality will require you, you and you, enlisting in our crusade, he said, pointing to a few startled students seated on the platforms beside the stage. Earlier, the arrival of five Marine Corps helicopters on the freshly cut lawns outside the playing fields went largely unnoticed by the crowd in the auditorium, which was concentrating on the procession of graduates in brilliant yellow and blue satin gowns. The announcement, Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, at 7:50 p.m. electrified the crowd, which responded with applause and a prolonged standing ovation. Bush appeared from under the school banners at the back of the gymnasium and stepped onto the speakers' platform. He immediately pulled off his black mortarboard and stood at attention for the drum roll and The Star-Spangled Banner, after which he applauded the band. He then turned to James Bell, president of the school board, and raised his fists in a display of school spirit. A vocal ensemble sang excerpts from the musical Les Miserables, with a phrase, Will you join in our crusade? that would later be echoed in Bush 's speech. The podium blocked the Presidents view of the chorus, and he tried several times to peer around it, eventually giving up and just listening. The electric fans buzzing all along the walls failed to relieve the heat, which was particularly intense on the platform, where television lights added to the discomfort. Throughout the ceremonies, Bush reached into his black robes to find a handkerchief to wipe his forehead. He was introduced by one of the schools three valedictorians, Hang Nguyen, who expressed a popular sentiment in saying that although the ceremony was like thousands of others around the country, it was unique because of all the individuals in the class. Unique, too, she said, because the President had shown up. Im enjoying my first visit here, Bush said. And he seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself throughout the hour and 10 minutes. Bush managed a comment to all of the 321 graduating seniors, shook their hands, patted them on the backs, and after one student - Susan Elizabeth McCartney - gave him a bold kiss on the cheek, he took the initiative to kiss at least a dozen other graduates. Bush projected the same relaxed fatherly attitude in his address, in which he brought the idealism theme to the back yard of this Philadelphia suburban community. The fight for liberty and human dignity, he said, "will demand the little- noted deeds that make headlines not in the national magazines, but in the local weekly. " Bush selected Cheltenham High School, a community of mixed ethnicities and economic groups, to deliver his first high school graduation speech as President. The school has a distinguished academic record, with a dropout rate of less than 1 percent. A majority of its students seek higher education. The Presidents emphasis on volunteerism was considered by many of the students as preaching to the converted. Bush named four students who perform volunteer work at a nursing home, a rehabilitation center, a hospital and the American Cancer Society. To encourage this kind of volunteerism, Bush said that later this week he would announce a new program with the acronym YES, Youth Entering Service. A White House ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow to announce the program, which would require congressional allocation of $25 million a year for four years into a foundation to provide matching grants for community service projects. Some of the students said that they did not agree with Bush 's political views, but that the moment would nevertheless go down in their personal history as totally unforgettable. Among the parents, too, were those who do not support Bush 's policies but appreciated how their childrens moments shined more brightly in the reflection of presidential glory. I find his words encouraging. Whether it turns into reality for Americans who find the American dream (to be) the Impossible Dream is the real question, said Ervin Jones, whose daughter, Marcia Denise, graduated yesterday. "But its historically important for the kids. " Jones sat in the far left side of the gym about 10 rows back. The seats in the front row - dead center in front of the podium - were taken up by members of the school faculty, school board and state Rep. Jon D. Fox (R., Montgomery), who was a graduate of Cheltenham High School 24 years ago. Larry Cook got a hot seat, too. The high school junior said he had bought a scalped ticket from a friend for $15. Fox said he couldnt recall who had spoken at his graduation. Cook said he was hoping that next year, when it is his turn, Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev would show up. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman adjusts his robe as leaders gather for the group at the G20 Leader's Summit at the Costa Salguero Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The prince is a controversial figure at the summit, due to the killing of a dissident Saudi journalist in the country's Istanbul consulate. Saudi Arabia denies that bin Salman ordered the killing, but U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded the opposite. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) Read more In the hours before and after the journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a senior aide who allegedly oversaw the assassination exchanged multiple messages, according to people familiar with the matter. The communications between the two men are another piece of evidence tying the crown prince to the killing of Khashoggi, a former palace insider turned prominent critic, who also was a contributing columnist to The Washington Post. The CIA included the existence of the messages in its classified assessment that Mohammed is likely to have ordered Khashoggi's death, a view that agency officials have shared with members of Congress and the White House. Mohammed exchanged the messages on Oct. 2 with Saud al-Qahtani, one of his closest aides and a fierce public supporter who has kept a blacklist of those he deems disloyal to the kingdom. The content of the messages, and what form the messages took, was not known, according to people familiar with the matter. Citing portions of the CIA's written assessment, the Wall Street Journal first reported on Saturday that Mohammed had sent at least 11 messages to Qahtani before and after the killing. The CIA has rated its assessment that Mohammed was involved in the killing at "medium-to-high confidence," and privately, officials have said it is inconceivable that the prince, who exercises total authority over the government, could not have known about such an audacious operation. The Post had previously described officials as saying that the CIA had high confidence in its assessment. "The accepted position is that there is no way this happened without him being aware or involved," said a U.S. official familiar with the CIA's conclusions. But the agency has not found any single piece of evidence that irrefutably links Mohammed directly to the killing, people familiar with the intelligence said. Trump administration officials on Sunday continued to stress that point and emphasized the importance of the United States' maintaining a close relationship with Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has acknowledged that its operatives killed Khashoggi, but it says the operation was not authorized by the crown prince and was undertaken by rogue actors. "I have read every piece of intelligence that is in the possession of the United States government," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview with CNN on Saturday, "and when it is done, when you complete that analysis, there's no direct evidence linking him to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi." Pompeo, who declined to comment on the CIA's classified assessment, said the United States was working closely with Saudi Arabia on major foreign policy issues, including Afghanistan, and that the kingdom was a vital regional counterweight to Iran. "They are a relationship that has mattered for 70 years across Republican and Democrat administrations alike," said Pompeo, who previously served as the CIA director. "It remains an important relationship, and we're aiming to keep that relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said the question of holding the killers responsible and the strategic importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship were separate issues. "Accountability for the murder of Khashoggi stands alone. It is distinct from any other factor going on," Mattis said in remarks at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. "Right now, we do not have a smoking gun," he said, noting that he had seen all the latest intelligence in the matter as of Friday. "We do not have a smoking gun [showing] that the crown prince was involved. We certainly need to continue to explore . . . all aspects of the murder and find anyone who was involved, but that should not in any way dissuade us from basically confronting Iran," which the Trump administration views as its major adversary in the Middle East and one that Saudi Arabia is essential to confronting. Qahtani has emerged as a key player in the killing and a compelling link to the prince. He shows up in another portion of the CIA's assessment: An alleged member of the Saudi hit team that U.S. and Turkish officials said Qahtani oversaw, Maher Mutreb, called Qahtani from inside the consulate to inform him Khashoggi was dead, The Post has previously reported. Mutreb, a security official who was often at the crown prince's side, is seen on security camera footage entering and leaving the consulate on the day Khashoggi was killed. The U.S. intelligence community also has intercepts of communications before Khashoggi was killed that show Mohammed had ordered an operation to lure him back to Saudi Arabia. Friends of Khashoggi's have said that Qahtani called the journalist and raised the potential of his working for the crown prince if he would end his self-imposed exile in Virginia and return to his native country. Communications that the United States intercepted in July show that Mohammed had asked senior Saudi intelligence officials about the status of a plan to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, according to one intelligence official. President Donald Trump, who also has been briefed on the CIA's findings, has been equivocal in assigning blame to the crown prince, who works closely with the president's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner on Middle East issues. "Maybe he did or maybe he didn't!" Trump said in a statement last month, adding that the true culprits might never be known. The president has said that the strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia and the benefit to the U.S. economy from Saudi arms purchases are too important to rupture over the killing of Khashoggi, which he has condemned. But the latest revelation of intelligence connecting Mohammed and his aide Qahtani to the killing may increase pressure on the administration to take more punitive steps. The Treasury Department has sanctioned 17 individuals it said were involved in Khashoggi's death, including Qahtani, Mutreb and the Saudi consul general in Turkey, Mohammad al-Otaibi. But some members of Congress have called for further action, and Republicans have begun defecting from the administration over its support for the Saudis. Last week, in a rebuke of Saudi Arabia and the administration's handling of the Khashoggi case, a majority of the Senate voted to advance a measure to end U.S. military support to Saudi Arabia for its war in Yemen against Iranian-backed militants. - - - Mekhennet reported from Frankfurt, Germany. The Washington Posts Missy Ryan in Simi Valley, California, and John Hudson in Washington contributed to this report. Then-President-elect George H. W. Bush holds his hands up to acknowledge the crowds applause, and ask them to allow him to continue his speech, during his victory rally with grandson, George P. Bush, right, and son George W. Bush, left, in Houston, Texas, on Election Night in November 1988. Read more There's an old maxim that funerals are not for the dead but for the living. If so, what are we to make of the nationally televised, days-long orgies of misty, watercolor memories from Beltway-insider politicos and elite journalists that erupt whenever a prominent national leader passes away? True, nostalgia sells because it's must-see TV for the older-skewing audience addicted to cable news, but in a pundit-driven world where spin doesn't stop at the grave, the life of the recently departed is often reconfigured if not starkly reinvented to fit the politics of the living. That will never be more true than this week, as Friday's death of the 41st president, George Herbert Walker Bush, at age 94, will be wielded like a club by Washington insiders to drive home the contrast between his post-World War II-era of country-clubbish, Cold-War-consensus politics and the go-it-alone crude divisiveness of the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue not to mention the last era when (some of) his fellow Republicans didn't oppose popular stuff like balanced budgets or clean air. The model for the modern presidential grief-fest was created in 2004 when Ronald Reagan's death was twisted by conservatives for an agenda more extreme than what the living Gipper would have actually supported, and which helped push that year's re-election-seeking George W. Bush, or Bush 43, over the top. As I write this now, just 33 hours after the announcement of Bush 41's death, there has already been a tsunami of pieces hailing his most un-Trumpian qualities, his outward civility, and his occasional forays into the lost world of bipartisanship. CNN's obit captured the weekend's zeitgeist in one paragraph. "But in many ways, the acerbic and bitterly divisive election of 2016 represented a final wrenching departure from the more courtly, old-fashioned politics practiced by George H.W. Bush, who until late in his life would pen handwritten notes to friends, former political allies and foes, and even reporters who covered his presidency," it stated. "He counted Democrats among his closest friends, and his death marks not only the passing of a president but a reminder of a bygone era of greater civility in Washington." The praise for Bush 41's best qualities are both understandable and deserved. It's hard to find a greater contrast than the one between 1992's just-defeated president's graceful, handwritten note to the man (Bill Clinton) who beat him and the childish and narcissistic tweets of the 45th president much like the difference between Bush's World War II heroism and the Vietnam avoidance of Cadet Bone Spurs. And Bush's Ivy-bred, hail-good-fellow-well-met, martini-cart chumminess is fondly remembered by his political associates and by access-driven journalists. As a family man, the late president looks a lot better than a president who ignores his young son and whose older children are under investigation. And like the other modern one-term president, Jimmy Carter, Bush 41's post-presidency was laced with good deeds and occasional candor like renouncing his NRA membership as that group grew crazy and extreme that buried memories of their less successful years in the Oval Office. But the reason Bush's death is a national news story is not those flashes of humanity but because he was one of just 44 men (Grover Cleveland twice) to serve as our president, and for all the little people out there in the dark who never got one of Poppy's handwritten notes but lived under his policies, the reality of his 1989-93 presidency rejected by 62 percent of the electorate when he ran for re-election was a lot different from what you'll hear right now if you flip on your TV. The good, the bad, and the ugly wasn't just a Clint Eastwood movie. Foreign policy was Bush 41's passion not surprising for a man whose 1960s ties to the CIA as a globe-trotting oil driller are rarely discussed and in death you'll hear a lot about the good (managing the end of the Cold War, not creating a mess by invading Baghdad as his son later would), but not the bad (a propaganda campaign to launch that 1991 Gulf War that was the precursor to today's "fake news") or the ugly (a pointless 1989 invasion of Panama that even Reagan had rejected as Yankee imperialism). But the most damaging mythmaking that's taking place in the mourning of George H.W. Bush is to hold him aloft as a paragon of civility (a term that so often means "elites sharing a cocktail as they launch a new war or crush the working class") and friendly bipartisanship when the reason we're even talking about him is because he only gained the presidency by green-lighting the ugliest and admittedly, by its own late architect most openly racist presidential campaign in modern history. History tends to remember world leaders not because they were good family men but because of their driving ambition and George H.W. Bush was no exception. In 1988, after eight years of abandoning some of his core beliefs (flip-flopping on abortion, for example) to serve as Reagan's vice president, Bush's dream of becoming president was in his grasp yet slipping away. Bush's boss was personally popular, but Reagan's governing marred by the Iran-Contra scandal and growing awareness that prosperity did not "trickle down" to the shrinking middle-class left voters thirsting for something different. In October 1987, 55 percent of Americans told an ABC news poll that they wanted a change from Reaganism. The 1988 Democratic primaries handed that task to Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, a decent man with an all-American story as the son of Greek immigrants, but a flawed candidate who believed in bland competence over charisma. When Bush's efforts to distance himself from Reagan (with his promise of a "kinder, gentler America") failed to resonate, he turned to a rising, ugly phenomenon in American politics the politics of personal destruction and handed control to the man who would give the nation its master class in racial-resentment campaigning, the late Lee Atwater. Atwater (a one-time partner of consultants Paul Manafort and Roger Stone perhaps you've heard of them?) famously acknowledged, in a 1981 interview attributed to him after his death from brain cancer, how the GOP and its "Southern strategy" of the latter 20th century harnessed white racist anger for electoral gain understanding the shift from blatant N-word bigotry and "state's rights" to more abstract appeals to whites: "Now, you're talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you're talking about are totally economic things and a by-product of them is, blacks get hurt worse than whites." Working for Bush in 1988, Atwater and the Bush campaign looked for that racial wedge with Dukakis and found it in the case of an African American murder convict in Massachusetts named William "Willie" Horton. Horton had been serving a prison sentence for murder when he was allowed weekend furloughs under a state program while Dukakis was governor and escaped, eventually raping a white woman at knifepoint. The policy was flawed but the Dukakis link was tenuous, and federal prisons under Reagan and Bush (and also California when Reagan was its governor) had quite similar, lenient furlough policies. But Lee Atwater had found his hot-button flashpoint for bringing racism into the 1988 election. "By the time we're finished, they're going to wonder whether Willie Horton is Dukakis's running mate," Atwater who was Bush 41's chief strategist said. A 30-second spot featuring Horton's case and his menacing mug shot photo was outsourced to an obscure political committee run by a man named Floyd Brown (who later launched a group you may also have heard of Citizens United) that only ran the ad briefly enough to get a Horton-Dukakis link in the national news and to reinforce a Roger Ailes-produced Bush campaign spot called "Revolving Door" that spotlighted furloughs and white fears of black crime. Bush himself frequently mentioned this case as he campaigned. A picture of Horton's mug shot even hung in the Bush campaign office as the GOP nominee steadily rose in the polls. The Horton ads were just the exclamation point on one of the most blatantly ugly campaigns in American history with echoes of McCarthyism (Dukakis was tagged as "a card-carrying member of the ACLU" and tarred with a veto of an almost certainly unconstitutional law requiring kids to recite the Pledge of Allegiance) and worse. There were false rumors that wife Kitty Dukakis had burned a flag at a 1960s protest or even that Michael Dukakis was mentally ill (bizarrely aided by Reagan himself, who joked that the Democrat was an invalid). I guess it's easy to become an icon of American civility after you've gained the platform of the presidency in a campaign marked by thuggery and a dash of blatant racism one that made sure middle-class white voters were mad over cultural issues and not over the GOP's pro-wealthy policies. It's also ironic that Bush's passing and the wave of nostalgia is occurring while the movie The Front Runner depicting the implosion of wonkish 1988 candidate Gary Hart over his personal peccadilloes as the start of the politics of personal destruction that gave us Trump is in theaters. According to a recent expose by veteran A-list writer James Fallows, Hart's outing as an alleged philanderer with a woman named Donna Rice, right down to the choice of a boat named Monkey Business, may also have been a setup orchestrated by Team Atwater. You could argue that Bush's muck-covered 1988 campaign doesn't matter if he turned around and governed as a wise philosopher-king. The reality is more complicated. One of 41's first presidential moves was to, in essence, continue to amplify the Willie Horton message by amping up the so-called war on drugs that targeted black men in cities. His political team decided to dramatize the speech by Bush holding up a bag of crack to highlight drug dealing right outside the White House. The problem was that no one was actually dealing crack in front of the White House. Instead, DEA agents entrapped a suspect a 19-year-old black high school senior named Keith Jackson, from a poor D.C. neighborhood who told the lawmen he didn't even know where the White House was and lured him to Lafayette Park for a deal. Arrested only after Bush's speech, the teenager spent eight years in federal prison because of mandatory-minimum laws enacted by the Reagan-Bush administration. When Bush was voted out of office in 1992, President Civility issued pardons for all his cronies from the Reagan White House convicted in the Iran-Contra scandal. Bush didn't pardon Keith Jackson. He also and I've heard no mention of this in the hours of television tributes presided over the rapid acceleration of mass incarceration that primarily targeted nonwhite inmates, policies that ripped apart thousands of families and devastated cities like Philadelphia. As news of Bush's death spread this weekend, networks raced to book his pals like Dick Cheney, who was Bush's defense secretary, or his Secretary of State James Baker. No one booked Keith Jackson, or other forgotten victims of mass incarceration. It's part of our humanity to not speak ill of the newly dead except that we live in an age where hagiography too often replaces history. In the case of Reagan, amnesia over what actually happened in the 1980s was used to sell unjustified wars and harmful tax cuts in the 21st century. In the case of Bush 41, our misunderstanding of this so-called civility is selling a 2018 notion of Trump Exceptionalism that our problems will all be solved if we can just get Trump out of the White House and go back to the bipartisan Way We Weren't of the bygone 1980s. In reality, undoing Trumpism is just the first step of treating a cancer in American politics and governing that's deeply rooted in the 12 years that George H.W. Bush spent in the White House as vice president and president and it includes both criminal-justice reform and drug treatment as well as reversing the racism that's propped these policies up. It's hard work and it can't begin until we start telling the truth about our history. Police have reported no arrests in the shooting of two security guards outside V.I.P. Afterhours Club in North Philadelphia Saturday morning. Read more A landlord coming to collect rent from tenants at his Wissinoming home Saturday afternoon made a gruesome discovery: A body of a man, who had been stabbed to death, was wrapped inside a blood-soaked carpet. At about 2:30 p.m., the landlord arrived at the house in the 4000 block of Higbee Street, where, police said, one woman and two men were acting suspiciously. He then discovered that one or more of them appeared to have cut up a bloodied carpet and that a body was tucked inside, police said. The landlord called police, and officers took the three people into custody for questioning. One of the men is a suspect but had not been charged Saturday night, said Homicide Capt. John Ryan. Other suspects may have played a role in trying to dispose of the body, he added. Police have yet to reveal the identity of the victim. Ryan said it appears that "it is a domestic" and that both the victim and suspect knew each other. It is unclear when he was killed. "They were fighting over something," Ryan said. "It's early in the investigation and we're still sorting it out." Artist Chenlin Cai points out locations where he would like to paint a mural on 9th and Arch street in Chinatown on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018. Cai has painted murals inside Chinese and Japanese restaurants around town. Read more On a walk through the streets of Chinatown with Chenlin Cai, he points out the stuccoed side of the Friends Senior Care Center at Ninth and Arch, marred by graffiti, or the wall across the street, the boundary between a parking lot and the China King, so drab it's nearly an eyesore. But in his eyes, they're all possibilities. A graduate of the elite Tsinghua University in Beijing, Cai (pronounced "chai" like the tea) left his budding career behind at the age of 30 to come to the United States. He hoped to study Western art techniques, learn about the American education system, and meet the Chinese people who had made their home so far from their native country. He's an artist. He wanted to be inspired. Four years later, he's ready to take on a new dream before he returns home: painting murals in Chinatown. When he was pulled West It was a friend, Michelle Sun, an auntie-like figure to him who had settled in the Philadelphia suburbs, who suggested the city. It's the mural capital of America, she told him. Although he liked to make heady, experimental pieces with a political bent, she knew he also loved to paint murals. He liked how they took art out of galleries and into the public sphere, how they encouraged people to engage with their environment. Not long after he got his MFA from Tsinghua, he painted one for the South Korean government's Korean Cultural Center in Beijing when the city hosted the 2008 Olympics, and later, designed and executed a year-long mural project to honor the history of Xuchang, a city in Central China. Cai, as he tells it, with constant apologies for his English, was comfortable back home. He and a partner ran a lucrative business training Chinese high school students to prepare for art school entrance exams. He was getting commissions, showing his work in group exhibits, winning awards. His parents, who never finished high school and ran a clothing store in the small Fujian province fishing village where he grew up, didn't really understand how art could be a career path, but they supported him, though they encouraged him to settle down, start a family. He was nearing 30, after all. But Cai was pulled West, intrigued by how the adventure could shape his art and teaching style. There aren't many Chinese here, Sun, now of Berwyn, told him, not like San Francisco or New York, so it'll force you to practice your English. And she would help take care of him, as he had done years ago, when she came from Hong Kong to Beijing to study at Tsinghua and knew hardly anyone in the city. Cai, a strong believer in guanxi, the Chinese concept of how relationships make things easier, listened and came to Philadelphia in 2014. Call me Jerry The early days were hard he had left behind all his connections, all that guanxi he had worked so hard to build, to come to a place where no one knew his name. "Jerry," he told them, when he saw how Americans struggled to pronounce his name. "You can call me Jerry, like Tom and Jerry." It was harder, still, that he felt he couldn't fully express himself in English. >> READ MORE: 12 murals in Philly that speak to the Asian experience While he worked toward his second MFA at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, he hustled to pay for his living expenses. Every winter and summer break, he'd fly back to Beijing to teach intensive courses at his old business, which he had since sold to his partner. He kept up private lessons with Chinese students who had gone to college abroad, teaching them through the video feature of Chinese messaging app WeChat. He also made pieces that were eventually bought by collectors, such as the one where he collected 400 X-rays of Chinese workers from hospitals around the country and scanned them to create a series of digital collage replicas of a famous Chinese landscape painting. This exploration of dualities the horror faced by a Chinese worker set against a peaceful nature scene is one that runs through much of Cai's work and Cai himself, said his PAFA professor Renee Foulks. Cai, whom she described as softspoken and humble, but also a "ball of energy," has very strong traditional figure drawing and painting skills but he was also developing his own color theory and experimenting with painting on such materials as plexiglass. When he was in Philly, he found refuge in Chinatown. He'd try a Sichuan restaurant and introduce himself to the owners, offer to look at their children's artwork and give them pointers. Eventually, they'd hire him to teach their kids. Little by little, word got around. He got hired to teach art classes at a Chinese school in Blue Bell. He started getting asked to paint murals inside restaurants. Guanxi. Now, his work can be seen all across the city, tucked inside Asian restaurants. There's the gluttonous panda surrounded by wontons in chili oil and Chinese hamburgers at Chendgu Famous Food on Lancaster Avenue, the leaping fish that evoke a yin and yang in the stylish Old City sushi spot Tomo, the dragon boating scene inside Chinatown's Bubblefish that pays homage to the owner's award-winning team. People are always asking who painted the mural, said Bubblefish co-owner Ping Li, who described it as "a work of art." Moving to the outdoors Cai, who now lives in Oreland, hopes to paint his first outdoor mural in Chinatown this spring. This, he feels, is his purpose, to promote Asian culture in the city. He noticed that in the mural capital of the country, of its 4,000 murals, there aren't many that speak to the Asian experience. "I can do this for the city," he said. (Cai applied to a Mural Arts open call in 2017 but didn't hear back. He hopes to eventually work with the organization, too.) Before he can execute his plan, he has to build community support on a recent, unseasonably warm fall day after a news conference, Cai was waiting to talk to John Chin, executive director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, to pitch him on working together. Cai has to get building owners on board the Friends Senior Care Center is interested and secure funding, but most urgently, he must get approval to stay in the country. Since his student visa extension expired, he's been waiting to hear back about the so-called extraordinary artist visa, which has been harder to secure since President Trump took office. But Cai is hopeful. It wasn't so long ago that he came to the city, where he had to start all over. Now, when he walks the streets in Chinatown, people call out to him, greeting him, asking him how he's doing, what he's working on. He no longer goes by "Jerry." He wants people to know his real name. Nothing like a little FOMO to inspire an entrepreneur. Just ask Kenny Poon, who, after watching business opportunity after business opportunity slip through his fingers, opened five trendy spots in Chinatown in the last five years, including his most ambitious, Chinatown Square. It's a cavernous food hall that feels almost out of place in the neighborhood with its extremely sleek New York vibes, and that draws crowds late into the night for its raucous, second-floor bottle-service lounge. "I missed a lot of chances in Chinatown already," he said on a recent morning, seated at the long benches at the back of Chinatown Square. His hair gelled spiky and sporting a near-constant grin, Poon, 39, had just come from taking one of his kids he has four to the dentist. It's been a learning curve for Poon. Years before he started bringing the zeitgeist to Chinatown, he ran a bustling store there, catering to Asians looking for hard-to-get Nokia and Samsung models. Though already a dominant player in the neighborhood's nascent cellphone industry, he envisioned opening up more shops to corner the market. But, he says, his brother, who ran the business with him, wasn't interested. Poon hesitated. Then it was too late. The same thing happened with bubble tea. In 2012, he opened one of Chinatown's first shops, Tea Do, but didn't open a second one fast enough. A few years later, the market was saturated. And now? He lives in "fear of missing out" on the chance to capitalize on an idea, said his longtime friend and frequent business partner, Dave Taing, with a laugh. Thus the sprint. "Right now," Taing said, "we can't move fast enough." The duo, who co-own Chinatown Square, have a number of projects in the works, including some that look outside of Chinatown, notably, another massive food hall project at a University City development. (Their company is called Poon Taing just like you'd guess it sounds and Poon, who moved to the United States when he was 14, initially did not know what the sexual slang word meant, though, cheekily, Taing did. Poon was fine with a little bro-y humor. After all, those are their names.) Their momentum, sparked by Poon's initial bets on Chinatown, is a marker of what the neighborhood has become: a destination for young people, Asian and non-Asian alike. "It's not just the traditional Chinatown, where you come for chow mein," said Margaret Chin, chairperson of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp., who remembers a time just a decade ago when Philadelphians would travel to New York City's Chinatown and Flushing to get what you couldn't at home: Shanghainese soup dumplings, roast duck, freshly killed chickens. Now, on top of all kinds of Asian cuisine, Chinatown offers an alternative to a city nightlife scene that's often either mostly white or mostly black. It was something that Reena Sok, 28, noted as he smoked strawberry hookah with his friends Thursday night while a DJ blasted Drake at Chinatown Square's Johnnie Walker Lounge. "Multiple cultures can come here and still feel happy," said Sok, whose parents grew up in Cambodia. Much of the change has been driven by an influx in the last eight years of entrepreneurs from the Chinese province of Fujian, where Poon was born, and the rising number of affluent Chinese international students coming to the neighborhood hungry for more options. Millennials also make up nearly half the population in Center City zip code 19107, which includes Chinatown, according to a 2014 Pew report, and while Asian property ownership has risen over the last decade, largely affluent white residents have moved into the neighborhood's new condos, said Penn professor Domenic Vitiello, who authored the 2017 article, "Who Owns Chinatown: Neighbourhood Preservation and Cchange in Boston and Philadelphia." Amid all this change, Poon has emerged as the Chinatown tastemaker. There's no one who matches his stature in terms of how many "New Chinatown" businesses he owns, said Jack Chen, the Fujianese owner of neighborhood spots like restaurant Sakura Mandarin and dessert shop A la Mousse, as well as his and Poon's Yamitsuki Ramen. (This, Chen said, is in partly due to the traditionally risk-averse Chinatown business owners of the older generation, who generally kept businesses in the family.) Poon's places are booming, said PCDC's Chin, and they have changed the dynamic of the neighborhood by appealing to the "young folks." Just don't call him the "king." Poon was reluctant about the title, citing Eastern cultural practices of modesty, respect and keeping a low profile. He didn't want people in Chinatown to think he was going around boasting. And yet, the title seems accurate for the way that Poon is leading the neighborhood's hip evolution. In the style of a new kind of Chinatown entrepreneur, he's always on to the next hot new idea ("There's so many bubble tea shops," he said, "I don't even care no more."), but also has the old-school connections to seal the deal. It's a life he's been preparing for since he was a teen. When he graduated from Samuel S. Fels High in the Northeast, his parents, who owned a Chinese takeout at Broad and Dauphin Streets, near where he grew up, gave him $50,000. They told him he could either go to college or get into business. He chose the business. He bought a share of his uncle's Chinese buffet in Fairfax, Va., where he learned every aspect of the business, including cooking and running the front of house, and as the only buffet in the area, he made all his money back in six months. But soon after, two other buffets moved in, offering the same prices but with more options. He watched as the competition killed his business. After two years, Poon sold his share of the buffet to his cousin and moved home to Philadelphia. He opened KenShin Asian Diner in Northern Liberties, a neighborhood he thought was poised for growth, but he decided profit margins were too small in that part of town. Then he worked in real estate as a property manager and an agent; he made good money but hated doing sales. In 2011, a hair salon owner who had once bought a cellphone from him called asking if he knew anyone who'd be interested in taking over her lease at the corner of 10th and Cherry Streets. "How about if I take it?" he asked. Never mind the commission, he told her. She cut him a good deal. Poon started renovations to turn the spot into a bubble tea shop, much to his family's disbelief: You're spending all this time and money on a property and it's not even for a restaurant? But Poon bet right. Tea Do, open until 11 p.m., quickly became a hangout for students across the city. He used the profit from Tea Do to fund a second floor for the karaoke bar Tango, which established itself as a nightlife spot with events like Thirsty Thursday, lip sync battles, and a ladies bikini contest. (Taing, who used to run popular "Asia nights" at Philly nightclubs in the aughts, helped expose Poon to the local nightlife industry.) Then followed Korean fried chicken franchise Bonchon in 2015, Yamitsuki Ramen in 2016, and finally Chinatown Square in 2017, a more than $2 million undertaking that involved digging into the building's foundation to open up the space, curating the vendors and getting liquor brands to sponsor the upstairs karaoke rooms and bar. (It's why Philadelphia is home to the country's only Johnnie Walker Lounge. Poon loves the brand so much, his friends like to say that when he perspires, as he did during the interview for this story, he sweats Johnnie Walker.) The pair funded the renovation with a mix of self-financing, family investment, and an $879,000 Small Business Administration loan. With all the more expensive businesses opening up, is there a fear that they'll displace the older businesses or longtime residents? Sieu Nguyen, who runs Lee How Fook, the Chinese restaurant her parents founded, said the patrons who are coming to the neighborhood for the karaoke bars and the hot-pot restaurants aren't bypassing her restaurant, but coming to Chinatown specifically to try out the new places and that's not a bad thing. "We still have longtime customers that are very loyal," Nguyen said. And while affordable housing is important to maintain, says Chin, the PCDC chairperson the organization's banner project is the mixed-use, 20-story Eastern Tower she sees the neighborhood's new economy as a positive change. Those businesses play an important role in bringing more people to Chinatown, she said. "We want to preserve our tradition, our culture, but at the same time, to welcome other folks to come in, too," said Chin. The organization's executive director, John Chin (no relation to Margaret), has noted the businesses are still Asian-owned and offer more mobility than the Chinatown business of yore. Also important is that the new businesses engage with the community, said Wei Chen, civic engagement coordinator for Asian Americans United, like how ViVi Bubble Tea has offered its space for efforts like voter registration. As for Poon, he says he's committed to the tradition of Chinatown. The last thing he wants is for Philly's Chinatown to become like Washington's, which he describes as scrubbed of Chinese culture and filled with national chains. That's not Chinatown, he said. "That's Americantown." Buenos Aires: US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have reportedly agreed to end several months of tensions over the ongoing trade war between the two countries and decided to put on hold new tariffs after January 1, the Chinese state media reported on Sunday. The China Daily and Chinese international broadcaster CGTN both said that President Trump and his counterpart Jinping agreed to halt tariffs "after January 1" - when Washington has been set to impose USD200 billion in new tariffs. Though the White House didn't immediately comment on the outcome of the meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, senior Trump adviser Larry Kudlow said that it went "very well". Earlier, Trump and Xi at down with cautious optimism to a working dinner here amid hopes of making some progress in winding down the trade war between the two countries that affects the global economy. "At some point, we're going to end up doing something that is great for China and great for the US. The relationship is very special," Trump told reporters at the beginning of the dinner, Efe reported. Xi, seated facing Trump and flanked by a dozen of his advisers at a long rectangular table, noted his "personal friendship" with the US president and expressed a wish to collaborate with him in order to guarantee prosperity for the global economy. "Only with cooperation between us can we serve the interests of world peace and prosperity," Xi said in his brief statements. The US President noted that Saturday's meeting was very important and also spoke of his "incredible relationship" with Xi. Since midway through this year, Washington has imposed tariffs on $250 billion worth of goods from China, to which Beijing responded with import duties on $60 billion worth of products from the US. According to The Wall Street Journal, both nations are working on an accord so that Washington refrains from imposing more tariffs, while the Chinese government lays out changes in its economic policy, such as ending restrictions on importing US agricultural and energy products. The meeting was held at the Duhau Palace-Park Hyatt Buenos Aires hotel where Trump stayed during the G-20 Summit and it was the US President's last event before returning to Washington. Accompanying Trump were Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner, National Security Adviser John Bolton, and advisers on matters of trade and the economy, Peter Navarro and Larry Kudlow, respectively. The Chinese delegation included Xi's Cabinet chief, Ding Xuexiang; Deputy Finance Minister Liu He, Communist Party Foreign Affairs Director Yang Jiechi, State Councilor Wang Yi, Commerce Minister Zhong Shan, and National Development and Reform Commission Chairman He Lifeng. After the dinner, Trump left for the Buenos Aires airport to fly back to Washington. Bhopal: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday expressed confidence of forming the government in Madhya Pradesh. He said that the grand old party will win majority of 126 to 132 seats in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls. "Every political party says that they're forming the govt but I went around the state in last one year. From what I saw till the polling on November 28, Congress is winning 126-132 seats in Madhya Pradesh. Congress party will form the govt," he said. On Friday, a few Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers protested outside the strong room in Satna after a viral video showed an unknown person taking a carton inside the highly protected area. The workers claimed that Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government was trying to tamper the EVMs. The district administration, however, denied all the charges and stated that the EVMs were under the supervision of security personnel. The total number of seats in Madhya Pradesh Assembly is 231. The people of Madhya Pradesh went for voting on November 28, and the results will be announced on December 11. PATNA: Union minister and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha on Saturday fired a fresh salvo at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership, saying a person who heads towards doom loses his reasoning. His remark comes a day after his November 30 deadline to the BJP for NDA seat sharing in Bihar ended. Quoting a stanza in Hindi composed by poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, the RLSP chief said: "Jab nash manush par chhatha hain, pahle vivek maar jatha hain" (as a person heads towards doom he loses his reasoning). Kushwaha claimed that he had sought time with BJP chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi but his request was unheard. "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," he said. Kushwaha, however, added that he will stay in NDA fold if the Nitish government accepted his 25 demands to improve the education system in the state. "I am ready to bear all humiliations if the government accepts our demands," he said. RLSP will be holding a two-day brainstorming session at Valmikinagar on December 4-5 in West Champaran after which Kushwaha is likely to make a big announcement at a public meeting on December 6. He had on November 17 served an ultimatum to the BJP to finalise the seat sharing formula between the NDA partners in Bihar for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Kushwaha is now insistent that he will only meet the Prime Minister on the issue. Kushwaha has been voicing his dissent over the seat distribution ever since Amit Shah announced that the BJP and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JDU will contest on equal number of seats out of the total 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar. The BJP has offered two seats to RLSP which the party has rejected saying that it deserves a "respectable" share in the seat sharing arrangement. Kushwaha's party had won all the three seats it had contested in 2014 in Bihar with the BJP. However, with the return of JDU in the coalition, the equation changed. 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. 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 JDU chief and floated RLSP. Kushwaha aligned with the BJP in the last Parliamentary election, while the JDU was part of the grand alliance with Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress. 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. However, the BJP seem to be confident 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," BJP MLA and Bihari unit vice-president Mithilesh Tiwari said. Crisis-hit Jet Airways on Sunday cancelled at least 14 flights to various destinations after some of its pilots didn't report for work over non-payment of dues. The pilots reported "sick" over non-payment of their dues, reported news agency PTI quoting sources. The loss-making private carrier has been defaulting on salary disbursement to its senior management along with pilots and engineer since August due to severe cash crunch. The airline has partially paid to these staff for September while the full salaries of October and November also remain unpaid. "At least 14 flights have been cancelled so far due to some pilots reporting sick. They are protesting against non-payment of salary, dues and the indifferent attitude of the National Aviator's Guild (NAG) in taking up the issue with the management," the source said. Jet Airways posted a net loss of Rs 1,261 crore during the September quarter. This was the airline's third successive quarterly loss. Amid cash paucity, it has been defaulting on salary payments to 15 per cent of its work force, primarily senior management, pilots and engineers. The airline has been saying for quite some time now it is in "active discussion" with various investors to secure financing to navigate through current headwinds and create long-term growth. The airline is also withdrawing its flight services on as many as seven Gulf routes from this month, PTI reported quoting. The Naresh Goyal-controlled airline will not operate as many as 39 services per week to Doha, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Dubai from various domestic cities, he said. Once a key market for Jet Airways, the lower demand and high competition have made a good number of routes in the Gulf economically unviable, forcing the airline to withdraw operations from there, the source said. Notably, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways holds 24 per cent stake in the domestic full service carrier. "Jet Airways has decided to withdraw its services to Doha from Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram as well as to Abu Dhabi from Lucknow and Mangalore. Besides, the airline will also not operate on Mangalore-Dubai route. All these services are being taken out of operations from December 5," a source told PTI. This apart, the air services on Delhi-Muscat route are also being withdrawn from this month, he said. The airline currently operates one daily service each on Kochi-Doha, Mangalore-Abu Dhabi, Mangalore-Dubai and Lucknow-Abu Dhabi. The Kozhikode-Doha and Delhi-Muscat is four days per week operations while Thiruvanathapuram-Doha services are three times per week. Jet Airways in its response said Gulf operations are being optimised to focus on connectivity at its hubs in Mumbai and Delhi instead of point-to-point connectivity. The airline also said it will be enhancing frequency on Mumbai- Doha, Delhi-Doha as well as Mumbai-Dubai routes. "Jet Airways has undertaken a comprehensive review of its network, whereby it will move capacity from uneconomical routes to more profitable ones, to more closely align the capacity offered with the demand characteristics of specific markets," Jet Airways said in a statement to PTI. "It is important to note that the scale of the airline's operations will remain unaffected," it added. NEW DELHI: Delhi's air quality deteriorated again Sunday and slipped into very poor category due to local pollutants as authorities predicted further increase in pollution level. According to the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR), the overall air quality index (AQI) of Delhi was 322, which fell in the "very poor" category. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor" and 401 and 500 is considered to be "severe". The SAFAR had last week forecast that the air quality of the national capital is expected to "significantly deteriorate" Sunday due to a decline in temperature which might lead to entrapment of pollutants. However, even after "significant deterioration" the air quality is likely to stay in the 'very poor' level, it had said. According to SAFAR, the air quality is very poor in Delhi and at present, there is "insignificant intrusion from outside of Delhi". "It said it is an ideal time to ascertain the impact of local emissions on the pollution level of Delhi," it said. The local emissions include pollution from vehicles, construction activities and garbage burning among others. Earlier, authorities had said that vehicular emissions contribute to 40 per cent pollution in Delhi. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said in 14 areas of the national capital, the air quality was in the "very poor" category, while in 14 areas, it was recorded in the "poor" category. The PM2.5 (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometre) level was recorded at 155 and the PM10 level at 328, it added. Ghaziabad recorded very poor air quality, Faridabad poor air quality and Gurgaon recorded moderate air quality, the CPCB data showed. Delhi's air quality has been in the "very poor" category for the past one week but on Saturday it had improved to a poor category for a brief period of time. It again slipped into very poor category Sunday, the authorities said. According to SAFAR, the air quality is very poor in Delhi and at present, there is "insignificant intrusion from outside of Delhi". "It said it is an ideal time to ascertain the impact of local emissions on the pollution level of Delhi," it said. NEW DELHI: China has not accepted India's proposal to carry out bilateral trade in local currencies which was aimed at bridging the ballooning trade deficit with the neighbouring country, an official said on Sunday India's exports to China stood at only USD 13.4 billion, imports aggregated to USD 76.4 billion in 2017-18, leaving a trade deficit of USD 63 billion. It was USD 51.11 billion in 2016-17. India had suggested China for renminbi-rupee trade to boost its exports and tackle the widening trade deficit concern. "They have not accepted the proposal," the official said. The issue was discussed in an inter-ministerial meeting in October. In the meeting, it was suggested to the Reserve Bank of India and the Department of Economic Affairs would look at the possibility of exploring renminbi-rupee trade with China. India has also proposed trade in national currencies with some other countries, including Russia, Iran and Venezuela. New Delhi has trade deficit with these three countries, too. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President Ganesh Kumar Gupta said that the government should promote exports from India in the domestic currency. "This will help in bridging trade deficit with countries like China," Gupta said. Trade experts have stated that bilateral trade in domestic currencies will help India only in the case of those countries with which it has a trade balance. "Trade imbalance should not be there with the country with which we want to do trade in the Rupee. It will not help in bridging the deficit. The partner country should have an opportunity to invest in India to use the rupee," said Biswajit Dhar, a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. The Indian industry and exporters have time and again raised the issue of increasing trade deficit with China and have asked the government to seek greater market access for domestic goods in the Chinese market. Recently, China has permitted exports of rice and sugar. But India wants to increase exports of several other items, including pharmaceuticals, engineering and services. New Delhi: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has said a university should come up at the site of the disputed Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. He emphasised that `Ram Rajya` can be ushered through education and not by constructing a grand temple. "My stand is that with a consensus from both sides (Hindus and Muslims), let`s build a good university at that place," Sisodia said in an interview with NDTV that was aired on Sunday. "Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Indian, foreigner -- students from all communities may attend that university and from there should spring Lord Ram`s ideals. Ram Rajya would come if we teach our children and not by building a mandir," Sisodia said when asked what was the Aam Aadmi Party`s (AAP) stand on Ram Mandir debate. Asked about the current wave of caste politics in Indian politics, Sisodia, who is also Delhi`s Education Minister, said that the only way to end it was through education. "When I was at Japan University, the people there were talking about a new concept of running cars with hydrogen and on the same day on Twitter we were debating about Lord Hanuman`s caste. It is really unfortunate but the only way to move forward is by education," he said. Without taking any particular name, Sisodia slammed the political parties of spreading casteism at university levels "by appointing Vice Chancellors subscribing to Hindutva who try to impose it on the students". "On one hand, you talk about `Digital India` but your actions resemble that of Vijay Mallya," Sisodia said. Talking about the Lok Sabha elections due next year, Sisodia said the AAP government would be focusing on all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi. "We will also keep our focus on Punjab and Haryana for the 2019 elections," he said. When asked whether Delhi Police should be with the state government, Sisodia remarked that even if his government plans to take an action, it never gets implemented on the ground level because of different governments controlling different authorities in Delhi. "Delhi Police need to be under the Delhi government," he said. He also said the previous Sheila Dikshit-led government "didn`t do any work" in Delhi. "If her government had done anything, we wouldn`t have to struggle like this to get work done," he said. America's fighter aircraft F-15 arrived at AFS Kalaikunda on Saturday as part of the US contingent to take part in an India-US joint exercise 'Cope India 2019' in West Bengal. The 12-day exercise will commence on December 3 and continue till December 14 at Air Station Kalaikunda and Air Station Arjan Singh (Panagarh) in West Bengal. The exercise will host more than 40 aircraft including F-15 and C-130H aircraft of USAF. The fighter aircraft would operate from AFS Kalaikunda (KKD) and the transport aircraft from AFS Panagarh. #CopeIndia2018 :The USAF fighter aircraft F-15 arrived at AFS Kalaikunda, 01 Dec 18. The exercise will host more than 40 aircraft including F-15 & C-130H aircraft of USAF. The IAF contingent will comprise of Su-30MKI, Mirage-2000, Jaguars, IL-78, C-130J, AWACS & AEW&C aircraft. pic.twitter.com/A26xCEnV3Z - Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 2, 2018 The contingent of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will comprise of Su-30MKI, Mirage-2000, Jaguars, IL-78, C-130J, AWACS and AEW&C aircraft. Indian Air Force welcomed US Air Force personnel as the contingents started landed in India during the week. #CopeIndia2018 : The second shuttle of USAF contingent landed at AFS Kalaikunda, today. The exercise is scheduled to begin from 03 Dec 18. Indian Air Force extends warm welcome to U.S. Air Force personnel to India.@PACAF@usairforce@SpokespersonMoD@DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/eUJLBnwRdK - Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 30, 2018 The US consulate said that the exercise showcases efforts and commitment of the two nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. "Exercise CI19 is a long-standing bilateral US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)-sponsored Field Training Exercise (FTX), conducted with the Indian Air Force (IAF), focused on enhancing US-Indian mutual cooperation and building on existing capabilities, aircrew tactics and force employment," a communique from US consulate said. #CopeIndia2018 : The fighter aircraft would be operating from AFS Kalaikunda(KKD) & transport aircraft from AFS Panagarh. On 28 Nov, USAF 2xC17 landed at KKD with advance ground party & equipment. Subsequent contingent would be arriving on 30 Nov18. Stay tuned for more updates.. pic.twitter.com/2jZtzNLBfk - Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 29, 2018 "We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to fly and train with our Indian Air Force counterparts within their home country," Col Darryl Insley, 13 Air Expeditionary Group-COPE India 2019 (AEG-CI19) commander, said. Approximately 200 US Airmen with 15 aircraft from the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan and 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard will take part in the exercise alongside their IAF counterparts. "Through participation in COPE India, I am confident that all airmen involved will both increase their skills and build meaningful bonds through bilateral engagements and exchanges," Insley said. The Cope India exercise is being held after a gap of eight years, with the last one having taken place in 2010. Cope India began in 2004 as a fighter training exercise held at Air Station Gwalior. The exercise has evolved to incorporate subject matter expert exchanges, air mobility training, air drop training and large-force exercises, in addition to fighter-training exercises. New Delhi: Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Sunday urged Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to take action against his Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi for 'politicising religious issue' and 'hurting sentiments of Sikhs'. "I urge Pak PM @ImranKhanPTI to take action against his minister for hurting sentiments of Sikhs and peace efforts by equating attendance at function at Sri Kartarpur Sahib with trapping India by bowling a googly. Nothing can be more disgusting than this," Harsimrat Kaur Badal tweeted. I urge Pak PM @ImranKhanPTI to take action against his minister for hurting sentiments of Sikhs and peace efforts by equating attendance at function at Sri Kartarpur Sahib with trapping India by bowling a googly. Nothing can be more disgusting than this./1 Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) December 2, 2018 In another tweet, she added, "@ImranKhanPTI ji no one should be allowed to play with religious sentiments. Your commitment to peace shouldnt be a hollow promise. Please walk the talk & take action against Mehmood Qureshi imm. for politicising religious issue to assuage hurt feelings of Sikhs." .@ImranKhanPTI ji no one should be allowed to play with religious sentiments. Your commitment to peace shouldnt be a hollow promise. Please walk the talk & take action against Mehmood Qureshi imm. for politicising religious issue to assuage hurt feelings of Sikhs./2 Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) December 2, 2018 Notably, Harsimrat Kaur Badal was one of the two union ministers who represented India at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kartarpur corridor which promises to help Sikh pilgrims from India to offer prayers at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on the banks of Ravi river in Pakistan. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj came down heavily on her Pakistani counterpart saying that his googly remark exposed him. She added that his dramatic remark showed that Pakistan has no respect for Sikh sentiments. Last week, Qureshi said that Pakustan PM Imran Khan "bowled a googly at India" by opening the Kartarpur Corridor. According to a report in Pakistan-based Geo News, country's foreign minister made the remark at a ceremony in Islamabad to mark the first 100 days of Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government. KOHIMA: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday enthralled the audience at the opening ceremony of the 19th edition of the Hornbill Festival 2018 in Nagaland. While five skydivers of IAF's Air Devil team took part in the opening ceremony, Air Force teams also carried out paramotoring and skydiving on Saturday morning. In the evening, IAF's Su-30MKI aircraft and Mi-17 helicopter painted the skies blue. #HornbillFestival : On the momentous occasion of 55 statehood day , IAF celebrated with the people of Nagaland by carrying out Para motoring & Skydiving in the morning. Followed by Su-30MKI aircraft & Mi-17 helicopter painting the evening skies blue. pic.twitter.com/jp6N34goY7 - Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 2, 2018 The hugely popular Hornbill Festival 2018 showcases the rich ancient culture and civilization of Nagaland. The festival this year coincided with the Formation Day of Nagaland. Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Hornbill Festival on Saturday. Singh said the festival demonstrates the cultural diversity and civilizational unity of the people. "How each tribe is proudly unique, their cultural richness and yet there is an overwhelming sense of unity among all. This spectacular demonstration of unity in diversity in what India is all about. At the Hornbill Festival I get a glimpse of the Indian spirit of happy peaceful coexistence of the multiplicities," he said. He said that he visited the Hornbill Festival last year and was so overwhelmed that he felt compelled to attend this festival again this year again. The Home Minister also thanked the Nagaland government for initiating such events in other parts of India including the national capital. "This will help the countrymen to understand the cultural richness of the Nagas. Folk songs and dances are essential ingredients of the traditional Naga culture. Tradition is kept alive through songs and folk tales and very often romantic and historical themes are sung and stories of famous ancestors told. Seasonal songs, which describe various activities done in a particular agricultural season and war dances are also an intrinsic art form in Nagaland," he said. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio shared glimpses of the event and called the festival an "amalgamation of the vibrant Naga culture and tradition" and said that it celebrates the uniqueness of Nagaland. Over the years, #HornbillFestival has become an important tourism event, not only in India but also worldwide. It's acclaimed as one of the best events for showcasing rich Naga culture & traditions, preserved over the years in the form of music, dance, food and culture. #Nagaland pic.twitter.com/8nxZy8k4Dq Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) December 1, 2018 "Over the years, Hornbill Festival has become an important tourism event, not only in India but also worldwide. It's acclaimed as one of the best events for showcasing rich Naga culture and traditions, preserved over the years in the form of music, dance, food and culture," Rio said. NAGPUR: Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has attacked the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and said that the right-wing Hindu outfit is just doing its "job" 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 on Saturday 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,'' Kharge was quoted as saying by the PTI. "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," the veteran Congress leader said. Earlier speaking at a programme organised by United Christian Congress, Kharge, who is the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha. 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. (With PTI inputs) KANGAR: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India, has said that he has not broken any law and was being targeted by the "enemies of Islam," in a rare public speech in Malaysia where he has sought refuge. Naik, 53, is facing charges of money laundering and hate speech in India. Indian authorities last year said that Naik has been "promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in the country through public speeches and lectures". The controversial Islamic preacher has been living in Malaysia, where he has permanent residency ever since the Indian authorities started investigating him. However, he has been keeping a low profile over the past year amid criticism that he is a threat to peace in multi-ethnic Malaysia. Naik said in a late Saturday speech in Kangar, capital of the north Malaysian state of Perlis, that he had never broken any law of the country. "But because I was spreading peace, I was giving solution for humanity, all the people who don`t like peace to prevail, they don`t like me," he said, adding he was being targeted because of his work to spread Islam. "This doesn't go down (well with) the enemies of Islam. Be it western countries or the country I was born in, India," he said. Naik has been controversial because of his puritan brand of Islam - recommending the death penalty for homosexuals and those who abandon Islam as their faith, according to media reports. In a clip on YouTube, Naik can be seeing saying that if Osama bin Laden "is terrorizing America the terrorist, the biggest terrorist, I am with him". Bangladesh suspended a television channel that featured his preachings after media reported that militants who attacked a Dhaka cafe killing 22 people last year were admirers of him. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. Britain banned Naik from entering in 2010. About 1,000 people turned up for Naik`s speech, along with the state`s chief minister, crown prince and religious officials. The preacher was known to be close to officials in the previous Malaysian administration, which was unexpectedly defeated in a May general election. New Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in July said as long as Naik was not creating any problems in Malaysia, he would not be deported. According to media reports, the Indian authorities have sought his extradition. In Kangar, Naik described himself as a fundamentalist for following the fundamental teachings of Islam. "I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim," he said A doctor by training, Naik will be delivering more lectures at universities and a mosque on the speaking tour. His wife, Farhat Naik, will address women in separate speeches. In a reply to National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Governor SP Malik said his administration was not considering any changes to the legislation governing permanent resident certificates (PRCs) in the state. Omar had written to Malik expressing concerns over reports of changes proposed to the procedure of granting PRCS and had said that his party would oppose any move aimed at changing the act. In his letter addressed to Omar, Malik said, "At the outset, I would like to mention that the government is not making or even considering any changes to the act governing permanent resident certificates in the state. It is an integral part of the legal structure of Jammu and Kashmir and there is no attempt whatsoever to tamper with this law." Article 35A of the Constitution empowers the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to define 'permanent residents' of the state who are eligible for special rights and privileges, which the legislature can provide. The Supreme Court is currently hearing a bunch of petitions seeking abrogation of Article 35A, which was added by a presidential order in 1954 through Article 370 of the Constitution. Earlier Sunday, the former chief minister wrote to the governor, saying the National Conference would oppose any move to change the procedure to grant PRCs in the state. "As for the matters in the rest of your letter, I would like to highlight that no changes in the procedural rules governing the issue of PRCs will ever be done without larger consultations with all stakeholders. "Consultations are essential so as to avoid any unnecessary apprehensions in the minds of anyone," the governor said. However, he said, "in view of the concerns expressed by you, I will assure you that nothing will be done to modify the procedures for issuing PRCs". "I may like to point out here to you that seeking a PRC is one of the services under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Services Guarantee Act of 2011. As per this act, a PRC by a genuine state subject applicant should be obtained within a period of 30 days from the date of application. It has been observed that many genuine applicants face avoidable difficulties in getting a PRC within these timelines. "There have also been complaints that the issuance of these certificates gets delayed due to a variety of procedural reasons. It is in this context of having a hassle-free process of bonafide applicants that I believe the revenue department has sought comments from a few others. "This is a routine administrative matter and unnecessary meanings should not be read into it," he said. As a senior political leader, the governor said, "I would request you not to pay heed to such frivolous and unfounded reports. In fact, you have an obligation to dispel rather than promote unnecessary mistrust among the people and are always welcome to discuss issues with me, which you have been doing once in a while." On Abdullah's remarks that the fax machine at the Governor's House was not working, Malik said, "Incidentally my fax machine was working and your fax was received and confirmed by my office while you were tweeting that it was not functional." "I'm trying to fax a letter to jandkgovernor but the fax machine still isn't working. The operator who answered the phone says the fax operator is on holiday as it's a Sunday. Will attempt again tomorrow in the meantime am forced to put the letter out through social media," Abdullah had tweeted. Jaipur: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that Pakistan can seek India's help if it is unable to handle the fight against terrorism alone. "I want to ask the Pakistani prime minister (Imran Khan) that if in Afghanistan, a fight can be carried out against terror and Taliban with the help of the US, then, Pakistan can seek help against terrorism from India if it feels that it cannot handle it alone," he said. The Home Minister added that there have not been any major terrorist-related incident in the country in more than four years of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government. "I do not want to claim that terrorism has stopped, but no major terrorist incident has happened in the country in the last four-and-a-half years," Rajnath said. Singh, who was speaking at a press conference in Jaipur, said that Jammu and Kashmir was never an issue as it has always been an integral part of the country. "The issue is of terrorism, and Pakistan can discuss it," he added. Terrorism is confined only to Kashmir where also the situation is improving, Singh said adding Panchayat elections in J&K is being conducted successfully. "The government has brought Jammu and Kashmir into a political process. As far as terrorism is concerned, there is no second thought that it is Pakistan sponsored," the Home Minister said. The Union minister asserted that the country and its borders are safe. Terrorism has reduced and the problem of Naxalism will get eliminated from the country in the coming years, he added. Naxal related incidents have come down by 50-60 per cent in the last four years, he said, adding it has reduced from 90 districts to only 8-9 districts and that the problem will get eliminated in next three to five years. (With inputs from PTI) BUENOS AIRES: Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for New Delhi after concluding a hectic three-day tour of 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. 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. pic.twitter.com/xC4QrRnU3T Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) December 1, 2018 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 world 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 world 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 world. India will host the summit in the year 2022 when it completes 75 years of Independence. Srinagar: A youth in Jammu and Kashmir who had joined militant ranks in October was arrested by the police in Srinagar on Sunday. Family sources said Ahtisham Bilal was arrested by police from his home in Khanyar area of Srinagar. Later, the police said the youth had been reunited with his family after he agreed to give up militancy due to persuasion by the family and police.The youth had abandoned his education in Sharda University in Noida after a scuffle between two groups of students on the campus. He later appeared in a video that went viral purportedly asserting he had joined militant ranks. The youth had stated in his video that he was joining ISJK which is reportedly the Kashmir wing of the Islamic State. New Delhi: Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh's Mumbai reception was a star-studded affair. This is the third wedding reception organized by the couple and it took place on December 1, the same day that Priyanka Chopra tied the knot with international pop icon Nick Jonas. The internet is flooded with 'Deepveer' reception pics right now and fans can never get enough of the two! Actress Karisma Kapoor, who was also present at the reception, took to Instagram and shared pics from the night. What catches our attention, however, is Deepika's footwear! The actress can be seen donning a pair of white sneakers instead of high heels which she wore while arriving for the party. Well, looks like someone got into party mode! Check out the pics here: Deepika and Ranveer tied the knot on November 14 in a traditional Konkani style ceremony. A day later, on November 15, 'Deepveer' solemnized their wedding as per the Sindhi tradition. Their wedding venue was well guarded which is why no pictures from the ceremonies made their way on the internet. The only pics we have from the wedding and Mehendi ceremonies are the ones that the actors shared themselves. After their wedding in Italy, the couple hosted a reception in Bengaluru on November 21. Soon after the Bengaluru reception, the couple hosted another reception in Mumbai on November 28. For the third reception, which the couple hosted for B-Town friends, Deepika wore a Zuhair Murad custom ensemble and the leggy lass killed it with her look. Ranveer, on the other hand, looked dapper again in his black outfit from Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna collections. He is also seen wearing square-shaped glasses which completes the look. Panaji: "Baap re baap, ab itne log jaanne lag gaye hain," actor Pankaj Tripathi exclaims in acknowledgement of the love and praise he has received for his versatile roles across films and web series over the years. He says he is swarmed with good scripts, but doesn`t have enough time to devote to all. "People have really liked `Mirzapur`. The public is giving a lot of love. Two years ago, I used to feel I have done so many films... who knows me. Now I wonder... Baap re baap, ab itne log jaanne lag gaye hain (so many people have started recognising me). I don`t know what`s happening. I am only doing my work with sincerity. Rest, I don`t know what is happening," Pankaj told IANS here in his distinctive style. From playing Sultan Qureshi in "Gangs of Wasseypur" to leading the cast of the film "Gurgaon" to playing pivotal roles in web series like "Sacred Games" and "Mirzapur" -- Pankaj`s growth trajectory is a shining example of how character artistes are coming into their own with the changing landscape of Indian showbiz. It is convenient to say he has almost become synonymous with gangster characters, but one cannot miss his roles in films like "Newton", "Bareilly Ki Barfi" and "Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain". "I feel people want to watch crime stories and explore the genre, but honestly, I don`t like a lot of `khoon kharaba (bloodshed)`. Even in `Mirzapur`, I am not seen indulging in any bloodshed. Even in `Gangs of Wasseypur`, my character was brutal, but he was seen in shooting once or twice. "Personally, I am not fond of brutal bloodshed scenes. I like simple, ordinary tales, but I think youth is liking such crime stories and so they are made," said Pankaj, who will be seen in "Sacred Games 2". He will be seen in comedy and satirical films like "Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai" and "Luka Chhupi". "There are so many offers, but I am booked till August. I`m getting some wonderful scripts in the independent cinema space, but there`s no time. "Either I am telling the filmmakers to wait for me...but nobody will wait for me till next year. Still, I am taking out time in between everything and managing what I can," the National School of Drama alumnus told IANS on the sidelines of the recently concluded International Film Festival of India (IFFI). A National Award winner, Pankaj, who comes from Bihar, will also be seen as a flamboyant south Indian film star in Indrajit Lankesh`s "Shakeela" and as a farmer in Satish Kaushik`s "Kaagaz". "There`s not even a slap in the whole film `Kaagaz`. It`s a simple, ordinary tale and I like simplicity. I don`t understand crime, but in that also if I get some interesting role with a layered character, then I get interested." Citing the example of his "Mirzapur" character Kaleen Bhaiya, Pankaj said: "He creates a fear in your mind, but he doesn`t do anything. He keeps sitting on a chair without saying much. In fact, he comes across as a caring father, a good husband and a son... So I enjoy doing such characters." There is a lot that Pankaj adds to his roles, taking it beyond the written character. "I do some writing in all my roles. There are small things that I improvise on. I read a lot, and travel a lot, so there is a reflection of that when I talk," he explained, adding that while improvisation is important tool for an actor to immerse himself or herself in a role, it is not something that all actors can do. "If you have experience, if you are widely read and have lived life, then you can do it. Otherwise, for improvisation, your basics need to be very strong." All in all, he says it is a "good phase" for him. "I feel responsible and in every performance -- be it independent cinema or commercial cinema -- whatever kind of storytelling it may be, I try and engage the audience so that whoever is coming to watch the content, they are entertained. "I try to entertain, but not with anything over-the-top... I believe I should bring a smile to people`s face, and that`s what I always attempt. That`s why whether I work in the indie space or commercial cinema, the audience doesn`t get disappointed as they find me entertaining. But my work is not just to entertain... It is also to say what the director and writer want to convey." New Delhi: After battling cancer in New York for quite a few months now, Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre is all set to return to Mumbai. An elated Sonali took to her Instagram handle to share her excitement along with a few pictures. Taking to Instagram, Sonali wrote, "They say "Distance makes the heart grow fonder". It sure does. But let's never underestimate what distance teaches you. Being away from home in the city of New York, I realized I was walking amongst so many stories. Each trying to write their own chapter in different ways. Each struggling to do it but never giving up. Each taking it #OneDayAtATime. And now I'm on my way back to where my heart is. It's a feeling I can't describe in words but I'm going to try - it's the joy to see my family and friends again, the excitement to do what I love and mainly the gratitude for the journey I've had up until this moment. The fight is not yet over...but I'm happy and looking forward to this happy interval :) It's time to learn that there is a new normal out there and I can't to embrace it. And as my adventure with life continues these words by Chris Martin hit home, "Everything you want is a dream away. Under this pressure, under this weight We are diamonds taking shape..." Sonali regularly updates about her condition on social media and often shares pictures and videos. She has documented each phase of braving the disease and has emerged as a really strong person. Here's wishing Sonali a speedy recovery! HARDOI: An Urdu teacher of a government school in Uttar Pradesh`s Hardoi district has been issued a showcase notice after he allegedly ordered the students to greet him with `Salaam Alaikum`. The school is situated in Sandila town of the Hardoi district and the teacher has been identified as Ishtiaq Khan. The matter came to light on Saturday after some students told their families that their teacher had allegedly pressurised them to greet him with `Salaam Alaikum` instead of wishing him 'good morning'. Angered with this, some activists belonging to right-wing outfit Bajrang Dal visited the school and brought the matter to the knowledge of the district education authorities there. Assuring them, Hardoi's Basic Education Officer, Hemant Rao said that a showcause notice has been issued to the Urdu teacher and action would be taken if the school authorities were not satisfied with his response. "Some people have complained that Ishtiaq Khan, an Urdu teacher of a government school in Sandila, is asking students to only greet him with 'Salaam Alaikum'. We have issued a showcause notice to him and will take action if we are not satisfied by his response," Rao said. Some groups have complained that Urdu teacher Ishtiaq Khan,in Govt school in Sandila is asking students to only greet him with 'Salaam alaikum'. We have issued showcause notice to him and will take action if not satisfied by his response:Hemant Rao,Basic Education Officer, Hardoi pic.twitter.com/2zJLO5XtPO ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 2, 2018 Narrating the incident to ANI, a Bajrang Dal activist said, "My niece told me that when she wished the teacher (Ishtiaq Khan) good morning, he said that don`t greet me with a 'good morning', and say 'Salaam Alaikum' instead.'' ''We came to the school and met with the principal. The principal said that she was not informed about the same, but added that if such a thing happened, then action would be taken," the Bajrang Dal activist said. KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged people to be sensitive to issues concerning the environment while advising them to 'save green and stay clean'. The firebrand West Bengal leader gave this piece of advice to people on National Pollution Prevention Day which is observed on December 2 every year. Banerjee further informed that her government has set up a committee to address environmental challenges in the state. The Trinamool Congress took to Twitter to suggest people to "save green and stay clean". Today is National Pollution Prevention Day. Let us strive to save green, stay clean. In #Bangla, we have set up a six-member committee headed by the chief secretary to look into environment issues. Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 2, 2018 "Today is National Pollution Prevention Day. Let us strive to 'save green, stay clean'. In #Bangla, we have set up a six-member committee headed by the chief secretary to look into environmental issues," Banerjee said in a tweet. In another tweet, the TMC chief informed users that she had recently joined Instagram to further connect with people on social media. Social media is a very important medium to connect to the people. Since 2012, I have been using @Facebook and joined @Twitter in 2015. To further connect to my friends online, I have recently joined @instagram. You may want to follow me there >> https://t.co/z7UFecfsdJ Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2018 National Pollution Prevention Day is observed annually on December 2 in memory of people who lost their lives in Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984. More than 3,000 people died after they were exposed to toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas due to a leakage at a pesticide plant in Bhopal. (With PTI inputs) Dhaka: The candidature of jailed former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, who has filed her nomination papers for the upcoming general election in the country from three constituencies, has been rejected Sunday by the Election Commission due to her convictions in two graft cases. The Commission's decision came four days after the Bangladesh High Court ruled that a person jailed for more than two years cannot contest polls, effectively ruining Zia's chance to participate in the December 30 polls. The 73-year-old ex-premier is currently serving jail terms in two graft cases involving charities named after her slain husband Ziaur Rahman. Zia had filed nomination papers from three constituencies -- two from northwestern Bogra and one from southeastern Feni, but the returning officers of the two districts scrapped her nominations as she was convicted by the court, an EC spokesperson said. As per election rules, a candidate declared unfit to contest polls can appeal to an EC tribunal for revised decisions or could challenge the commission decision to the High Court. Besides Zia, the nomination of 15 high-profile candidates were also disqualified on different grounds, the spokesperson said. Zia has been in custody since February 8, when the Dhaka Special Court convicted her in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case and sentenced her to five years of imprisonment for embezzling 21 million Bangladeshi Taka (USD 252,504) in foreign donations meant for the Trust. On October 30, the High Court doubled her jail term to 10 years. On October 29, a trial court convicted her in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case and sentenced her to seven years in prison and imposed a fine of Tk 1 million (USD 12,024). Zia was made vice-chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the largest political opposition of the country, in March 1983 after the assassination of her husband. She became chairperson of the party on May 10, 1984, a post she is holding till now. In her 35 years of political career, Zia went to the jail several times. During the 2007-2008 tenure of the army-backed caretaker government, she was in jail for about a year on charges of corruption. The BNP, which boycotted the 2014 elections under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League (AL) government, is set to contest the polls in alliance with the newly formed National Unity Front (NUF) led by eminent jurist Kamal Hossain. Buenos Aires: The 13th G20 summit ended with a number of big outcomes as India announced that the country will be hosting the summit in 2022. US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping also came to a truce on the ongoing trade wars. Speaking at the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "It's India's 75th Independence Day in 2022 and we had requested Italy if we can get 2022 instead of 2021 (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". Italy and India swapped year for hosting G20 summit. Italy will be hosting G20 Summit in 2021. Italian PM Giuseppe Conte said it was "very important for India to celebrate its 75th anniversary of Independence with our presence and therefore I decide to accept the swap". In Asia, South Korea hosted G20 in 2010, followed by Turkey in 2015 and China in 2016. On global outcomes, Trump and Xi met for almost two-and-a-half-hours on a working dinner. Later in a press statement, the White House said, "President Trump has agreed that on January 1, 2019, he will leave the tariffs on USD 200 billion worth of product at the 10 per cent rate, and not raise it to 25 per cent this time." According to the White House, China also agreed to purchase "very substantial" amount of agricultural, energy, industrial, and other product from the US to "reduce the trade imbalance between our two countries". US President has been calling on Bejing to reduce the trade deficit with Washington. Trump and Xi have also 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. Both agreed that this will be completed within the next 90 days. The US President also said, 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. PM Modi also spoke on the ongoing trade wars between world number one and number 2 economy, saying it has a "collateral" impact on emerging economies. Terror and the issue of fugitive economic offenders remained the key focus and PM Modi called on the need to "implement the 11-point action plan against terrorism which was issued as a stand-alone statement at the summit in Hamburg in 2017". India's Sherpa or Chief negotiator, Shaktikanta Das, replying to a question on terror said, "PM Modi raised the issue of terror and the way it undermines human life and also economies and society. PM Modi emphasised that the Hamburg declaration should be implemented by all countries. " PM Modi had also given a 9-point agenda to tackle fugitive economic offenders which called on Financial action task force (FATF) to define economic offenders. On the sidelines of G20, PM Modi also met a number of world leaders including Chinese President Xi for the fourth time and invited South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for 2019 Republic Day. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "PM Modi extended South Africa Pres Cyril Ramaphosa invitation to be chief guest for India's Republic Day in 2019 and Ramaphosa accepted." India will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019. A number of programmes have been organised by India to celebrate the anniversary. Days after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi landed in a soup over his controversial 'googly remark', Qureshi on Sunday defended his statement saying it was with reference to the bilateral interaction with the Indian government and linking his remarks to "Sikh sentiments" was misleading. On Thursday, Qureshi had said Prime Minister Imran Khan bowled a "googly" to ensure Indian government's presence at the groundbreaking ceremony of the landmark Kartarpur Corridor. A googly is a leg-spinner's prize weapon, which is almost undetectable. Qureshi noted that it was the same Indian government that had said it will not engage with Pakistan sent two ministers to the groundbreaking ceremony. Khan had 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 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 Sunday, taking to Twitter, Qureshi said that dragging his comment towards "Sikh sentiments" is a deliberate attempt to misrepresent and mislead. He clarified that Pakistan has a deep respect for the Sikh sentiments and no distortions or controversies would change it. Qureshi further added that Pakistan has taken the historic initiative in good faith and will carry it forward in good faith. "Dragging my comment towards "Sikh sentiments" is a deliberate attempt to misrepresent & mislead. What I said was strictly with ref to bilat.interaction with the Indian Govt. We have deep respect for Sikh sentiments & no amount of distortions or controversies would change it. In deference to the long-standing desires of our Sikh brethren, we decided to open the Kartarpur Corridor. We have taken this historic initiative in good faith and will carry it forward in good faith," said Qureshi. Qureshi's googly remarks drew strong criticism from External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who came down heavily on her Pakistani counterpart saying his comments "exposed" him and that Pakistan has "no respect for Sikh sentiments". Earlier in a series of tweets on Saturday, 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. Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal also took exception to Qureshi's remarks and warned Pakistan that it should not use the Kartarpur Corridor issue and religion to fulfil its "evil designs" of vitiating the peaceful atmosphere in India and particularly in Punjab. She said the issue was a matter of faith and there is no scope for "one-upmanship" and "petty politics" on it. "Going to Sri Kartarpur Sahib was a matter of faith for me. Indulging in one-upmanship on this sacred issue is uncalled for. No one was bowled over by any 'googly'. PM Modi and ministers have only respected sentiments of Sikhs by authoring and participating in this noble initiative," she said on Friday. "If you think you will be able to fulfil your evil designs by misusing our religion, you are mistaken...Do not use religion to fulfil your evil intentions," she said. London: Frogmore Cottage on Queen Elizabeth II's estate in the town of Windsor, which was recently announced as the new home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has a curious Raj era connect with India. The cottage had been a royal gift to Abdul Karim by Queen Victoria, the then Empress of India, in recognition of his service and as a sign of her affection towards her Indian aide and confidant. Karim, whom the monarch referred to as her "Munshi"(attendant), was just 24 when he arrived in England from Agra to present Victoria with a special mohar, or gold coin, to mark her Golden Jubilee in 1887. He quickly grew close to the ageing monarch, who bestowed many gifts on him including Frogmore Cottage for his own use. "Queen Victoria gave it to Abdul Karim as a special gift. She would often visit the cottage and have tea with his wife and him. He had decorated the house with many exotic things, including presents given to him by European royalty," said Shrabani Basu, the author of Victoria and Abdul: The Extraordinary True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant'. "There is also a sad angle to the story. Hours after Queen Victoria's funeral, the new king, Edward VII, ordered that all the letters written by his mother to Karim be seized from his house. They were burnt in a bonfire outside Frogmore Cottage and Abdul was ordered to return the home," said Basu, whose book formed the basis of the Oscar-nominated film Victoria and Abdul' last year, starring British actor Dame Judi Dench as Victoria and Indian actor Ali Fazal as Abdul. Basu had stumbled upon the rare friendship during her research and then followed it up with a visit to Windsor Castle and asked to look at Queen Victoria's Hindustani journals a collection of notebooks filled with the monarch's handwriting practicing Urdu with her "Munshi" Karim. "His story is now well known in Britain and around the world. Despite Edward VII's attempt to destroy the letters, Abdul could not be deleted from history," adds the author. Kensington Palace had confirmed last month that the newly-wed Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are expecting their first child in the spring of 2019, are set to move out of their west London home at Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace before the due date and make the 10-bedroom Frogmore Cottage their family home. "Windsor is a very special place for Their Royal Highnesses and they are grateful that their official residence will be on the estate. The Duke and Duchess office will continue to be based at Kensington Palace," a spokesperson for the couple said. The heritage cottage, which has been a favourite royal retreat for many years, will undergo a multi-million-pound refit for the new family. It is set within the peaceful and secluded Frogmore House estate, near Windsor Castle, surrounded by 35 acres of lush green Berkshire countryside. The estate has its own man-made lake, Frogmore Lake, and is home to the Royal Burial Ground and the tomb of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to move in to their home as soon as the renovations are completed next year. Two militants were eliminated over the last day in Donbas, no casualties among the Ukrainian servicemen recorded, reports the press office of the Ministry of Defense. It is reported that the militants kept transgressing the ceasefire regime at the frontline and opened aimed fire at the defensive positions of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO). Related: Ukraine restricts entry of foreigners and stateless persons to occupied Donbas The enemy conducted only one provocative shelling near Krymske in Luhansk sector. In the afternoon, from 1:30 p.m., the Russian occupiers fired eight 82mm mines over ten minutes in the direction of occupied Sokilnyky village. The rival was very active in Donetsk sector, 14 aimed enemy fires were recorded. The militants fired overwhelmingly grenade launchers of different systems and other infantry weapons. The Russian occupation forces violated the ceasefire regime in areas of Krasnohorivka, Pavlopil, Lebedyske, Marinka, Chermalyk, Nevelske, Bohdanivka, and Pisky. Related: 14 attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas over 24 hours Moreover, the explosion of several 82mm enemy mines was recorded in Nevelske and Pisky settlements. December 1, the militants 15 times violated deliberately ceasefire regime. According to the reconnaissance of the Joint Forces, two militants were eliminated, another one was injured. According to the Russian Ombudsman, the detention conditions of the Ukrainian capturers meet international standards, no complaints or appeals from their side The members of the Moscow public monitoring commission visited 24 Ukrainian sailors. Commissioner of the Ukrainian Parliament for Human Rights Lyudmyla Denisova reported this on Facebook. I have just received an official information from Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia Tetyana Moskalkova. She reported that the members of the Moscow public monitoring commission visited 21 Ukrainian sailors who are kept in Lefortovo remand center. They talked to each of them, Denisova said. Related: Trudeau urges Putin to release Ukrainian sailors According to Moskalkova, the detention conditions of the Ukrainian capturers meet the international standards, no complaints or appeals from their side. In addition, the members of the commission visited three Ukrainian sailors who are in the medical unit of Matrosskaya Tishina prison. Their treatment is going well. The commissioner for human rights in Moscow city, as well as commissioner for human rights in Russia Moskalkova will visit them the next week, the Ukrainian Ombudsman claimed. Denisova has also told that she intends to negotiate with the Russian colleague on December 3. Related: Trump to meet with Putin after return of Ukrainian sailors , - Pompeo I am planning to negotiate with Moskalkova on allowing me to visit our sailors, Denisova 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. 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: Russia not to introduce reciprocal restrictions for entry for citizens of Ukraine, - Putin 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. A picket against Russian military aggression in Ukraine took place in St. Petersburg, Russia, Ekho Kavkaza reported. About 50 people took part in the picket on Nevsky Prospect. Olga Smirnova, a member of the Solidarity democratic organization and the organizer of the pickets, believes that the seizure of three Ukrainian military vessels and the capture of sailors signifies Russia's new armed attempt to increase the zone of occupation of the Ukrainian territories. The picket participants demanded the release and return of seafarers and ships to Ukraine, to end the naval blockade of Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov and punish those responsible for the seizure of Ukrainian ships. Earlier we reported that President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko considered it necessary to increase the naval presence of Germany and the allies in the Black Sea. We need an increased naval presence of Germany and allies in the Black Sea as a deterrent for Russia, Poroshenko said. In addition, he stressed that Russia's aggressive actions are unacceptable and the international community should increase pressure on Russia. We need a strong, unified, unequivocal response to Russia's aggressive behavior. We must stop Nord Stream 2. We must now think about the new sanctions, Petro Poroshenko noted. Moreover, Russia intends to simplify the procedure of obtaining the Russian citizenship for the Ukrainians Russia wont impose any reciprocal restrictions against the Ukrainian citizens. President of Russia Vladimir Putin claimed this during a press conference at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, the press office of the Kremlin reports. We wont introduce any restrictions against Ukrainian citizens. Moreover, we will liberalize the stay of citizens of Ukraine on our territory and liberalize the issuance of the Russian citizenship to them if anyone wants it, Putin stated. Related: Over 100 Russians were banned entry to Ukraine since travel restriction was imposed As we reported earlier, Ukraine has banned the entry to its territory for the male citizens of Russia in the age from 16 up to 60 in connection with the introduction of martial law in ten border regions and the incident with the Ukrainian vessels in the Kerch Strait. In addition, only Ukrainian citizens can get to the annexed Crimea through the administrative border in Kherson region. The Prime Minister of Canada also remembered Putins attention about the tense situation in the Sea of Azov Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau called to release the captured Ukrainian sailors while having a conversation with President of Russia Vladimir Putin. The Prime Minister claimed this at the press conference after the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, reports CBC News. He noted that he talked personally to the Russian President at the first meeting of the leaders on November 10. Related: Trump to meet with Putin after return of Ukrainian sailors , - Pompeo I used the moment to speak directly with President Putin in order to put pressure on him in connection with our concern about the situation in the Sea of Azov and the fate of the Ukrainian sailors who were taken prisoner. I asked him to free the Ukrainian sailors and allow free passage of ships to the Sea of Azov, Trudeau 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. Related: Russia not to introduce reciprocal restrictions for entry for citizens of Ukraine, - Putin 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: 21 sailors delivered to Moscow remand center, three more to prison hospital 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. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko considers it necessary to increase the naval presence of Germany and the allies in the Black Sea. The president said this in an interview with the German Funke Media Group, the presidential press service reports. We need an increased naval presence of Germany and allies in the Black Sea as a deterrent for Russia, Poroshenko said. In addition, he stressed that Russia's aggressive actions are unacceptable and the international community should increase pressure on Russia. We need a strong, unified, unequivocal response to Russia's aggressive behavior. We must stop Nord Stream 2. We must now think about new sanctions, Petro Poroshenko said. In an interview with France 24, President Petro Poroshenko has stressed that Ukraine is ready for a meeting in the Normandy format at the level of political advisers to de-escalate the situation. It is reported by the press service of the head of state. "This proposal was previously agreed with me during a telephone conversation with the German Chancellor, and we will certainly take part in the meeting of Normandy format at the level of political advisers, at which we to raise an urgent question - the requirement for the Russian Federation to return our military ships and open the Kerch Strait," said the head of state. Earlier President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko considered it necessary to increase the naval presence of Germany and the allies in the Black Sea. We need an increased naval presence of Germany and allies in the Black Sea as a deterrent for Russia, Poroshenko said. In addition, he stressed that Russia's aggressive actions are unacceptable and the international community should increase pressure on Russia. We need a strong, unified, unequivocal response to Russia's aggressive behavior. We must stop Nord Stream 2. We must now think about the new sanctions, Petro Poroshenko noted. "He is not recognizing that what he is doing is actually creating an animosity against his people," said Mattis The Russian President Vladimir Putin kremlin.ru Russian President Vladimir Putin is a slow learner. US Secretary of Defense James Mattis voiced such an opinion during the California Security Forum, Reuters reports. Mattis has noted that Russia's aggression against Ukraine in the Sea of Azov, when the Russians opened fire against Ukrainian ships and captured their crew, highlights the reason why the international community is more and more suspicious of Moscow. Mr. Putin is clearly a slow learner. He is not recognizing that what he is doing is actually creating an animosity against his people, "said Mattis. In addition, Mattis said that Russia attempted to intervene in the midterm elections in the United States last month, just like in 2016. (Putin) tried again to muck around in our elections this last month. And we are seeing a continued effort along those lines, Mattis said, adding that the United States would take whatever steps to defend American democracy. Luka Chkhetia, former Georgian serviceman who fought in Ukrainian battalion Donbas is among the detainees Open source Five citizens of Ukraine were arrested in Alliance Hotel in Tbilisi, Rustavi 2 reports. It is stated that former Georgian serviceman who fought in Ukrainian battalion Donbas Luka Chkhetia is among the detainees. His father Sergo Chkhetia told reporters that his son was going to take part in protest action scheduled for December 2 in Tbilisi. Related: Russia says 24 detained Ukrainian sailors to be brought to justice The arrested arrived in Tbilisi and checked in Alliance Hotel on November 27. Hotel representatives recounted that all the detainees have Ukrainian passports. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia hasnt commented on the situation yet. Related: SBU detain 'head of rural council' in occupied Donbas As reported before, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the draft agreement on the trips on Ukrainian passports in the form of ID-cards with Georgia for the citizens of both countries. The agreement provides that the citizens of Ukraine will be able to visit Georgia on the basis of the inner passports in the form of ID-cards which contain the contactless electronic medium. French protesters seriously damaged one of the symbols of France - the Arc de Triomphe during their rally on Saturday, December 1, Le Figaro reports. Established in 1836, the monument became one of the epicenters of clashes during the protests of the so-called "yellow vests," which oppose the increase in fuel taxes. The protesters inscribed the walls of the monument with various slogans like Macron's resignation, Yellow vests celebrating triumph. Statues and decoration of the monument were also damaged. The French police detained 107 people on Saturday, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said. According to him, 5,500 people participate in protest actions in Paris, organized by the Yellow Vests movement, and 36,000 people protest in France. French Interior Minister Christoph Castagne earlier reported that 39 people were detained during the clashes. From January 1, 2019, the tax on diesel fuel in France will increase by 6.5%, and by 2.9% on gasoline. At the beginning of this year, taxes have already been raised by 7.6% and 2.9%, respectively. The government declares that this will not only help to fill the treasury but also is beneficial for the ecology and health of the French, who may start using bicycles and walking more. Ukrainian political prisoner held in Russia, director Oleg Sentsov received another award. Polish Foreign Ministry awarded him the Pro Dignitate Humana (For Human Dignity) award, Interfax-Ukraine reports. Its an honor for me that this year I can award Mr. Oleg Sentsov with the award For Human Dignity for acknowledging his achievements in the field of human rights, the uncompromising protection of persecuted people and those who have been repressed, said Jacek Czaputowicz, head of the ministry, during the presentation of the award today, on December 1 in Kyiv. The Administration of the Russian President Vladimir Putin has declined the appeal filed by Russias party Yabloko ('Apple,' - 112 International) on pardoning of Oleg Sentsov, the Ukrainian political prisoner. Journalist Anton Naumlyuk wrote this on Facebook. 'The right for the pardon is an exclusive prerogative of the president. Russias Constitution does not restrict the president within this right. We urge to not be afraid to take this step, which is important from the humanitarian, legal and political points of view,' the statement of the party says. Yet, Putins administration responded that according to the pardon procedure, the convict has to file the complaint by himself. It has to be sent to the commission of pardon headed by the governor. Then, the president is to confirm this decision. Earlier, Ukrainian political prisoner Oleg Sentsov was awarded Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The native of Crimea, film director and political activist, Sentsov was illegally detained in Crimea in 2014, then taken to Russia. They judged him and sentenced him to 20 years of imprisonment at a high-security penal colony. The prosecutors charged Sentsov with preparing terrorist acts in the occupied Crimea. Sentsov denies his guilt. Ukraine's government, common citizens and the international society - politicians, artists, public figures - urge the Kremlin to release him. Established in 2017 by Kurple Magazine are a commemorative way to celebrate those that provide excellence in N.M.s cannabis industry. Come and be a part of the best cannabis event in New Mexico! The Essie Awards are open to the general public. Enjoy the green carpet with photo opportunities prior to the start of the show. This year, enjoy the addition of an Industry Cannabis and Cocktail Lounge for nominees and industry professionals prior to the awards ceremony from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the event begins at 7:00pm sharp. The Essie Awards: New Mexicos Cannabis were established in 2017 by Kurple Magazine. The awards were built as a commemorative way to celebrate those that provide excellence in New Mexicos cannabis industry. The Essie Awards have been named in honor of Essie DeBonet, New Mexicos first enrolled medical cannabis patient,and celebrating the unsung heroes and defenders of compassionate care in New Mexico. Elizabeth Alexander Walking forward in that light by Keith Taylor From the December, 2018 issue When Elizabeth Alexander recited her poem "Praise Song for the Day" at President Obama's first inauguration in 2009, I didn't like the poem. Like many poetry readers I thought I heard something too rhetorical, too made-to-order, a bit flat. I was completely wrong. In 2012, Alexander's husband died, just after his fiftieth birthday, and a few years after that she published The Light of the World, a deeply moving memoir of their relationship and her grief. That book was a finalist for the Pulitzer, and it became an essential book people have turned to in their own grief. In a new afterword to the paperback edition, Alexander writes that she hoped "the particulars" of her marriage and family life would "radiate outward and be meaningful in ever-widening circles. For loss is our common denominator." One of the best things a book like this can do for a poet is to send its readers back to her earlier work. I went back to Crave Radiance, her 2010 collection that covers her writing life from 1990 to 2010. In her early work, Alexander moved into history- primarily African American history-and entered the characters she wrote about. The poems are a deep lesson in empathy for people as diverse as Paul Robeson, Muhammad Ali, Monet, Romare Bearden, Pablo Neruda, Nelson Mandela, and Frank Willis, the almost- forgotten security guard who first discovered the Watergate break in. Alexander also writes wonderful dream sequences, and she has written memorably about pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum depression. In "Postpartum Dream #12" she dreams she has been called to be a Supreme Court Justice: Maybe I could do it when the baby goes to kindergarten. Maybe I could do it on alternate Mondays. ...continued below... Love beyond marital, filial, national, love that casts a widening pool of light, love with no need to pre-empt grievance. In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, any thing can be made, any sentence begun. On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp, praise song for walking forward in that light. The dream is funny, of course, but it is also a bit of a nightmare. Although I suspect these poems are loved by women who share her experience, they are also necessary for men like me.Readingtoday, I found myself completely startled when,near the end, I came again to "Praise Song for the Day." Perhaps my reading of the poem has been changed by everything we've been through recently-now the end of the poem hits like a hammer. "What if the mightiest word is love?" Alexander asks, and then concludesAlexander reads at UMMA as part of the Zell Visiting Writers Series on Tuesday, December 4. [Originally published in December, 2018.] YEREVAN, DECEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Freedom, democracy and sovereignty dont only relate to the citizens who intend to vote for Im Kayl (My Step) bloc in this election, it relates to all those citizens who are casting their vote according to an independent, sovereign free decision, who dont allow anyone to guide them, caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, candidate for parliament leading the My Step blocs electoral list, said during a campaigning event in Sisian. There is only one way to guide in elections: thats campaigning to hear out politicians and parties, get familiarized with them, and eventually decide whom you want to vote for. We are now in the status of a government, and by saying democracy we dont simply mean what is advantageous for us. When we say freedom, it means freedom for all citizens, for those who agree with us and for those who dont agree with us, Pashinyan said. Pashinyan also spoke about an incident back during the 2017 Yerevan City Council election, when his political team had discovered evidence of vote buying committed by Republicans in a campaigning office. We addressed the prosecution, however they refused to launch a criminal case. We then applied to court in order to overrule the decision to drop the criminal case. During this court case the revolution took place and it was only after the revolution that I learned that the court has approved our lawsuit and the Special Investigative Committee has re-started the investigation into the criminal case on vote buying. As of today, this case is sent to court and the investigative body has gathered evidence that 130,000 dollars in electoral bribes have been distributed from this campaigning office and 11 people from the Republican partys campaigning office have a status of defendants, Pashinyan said. Pashinyan said that this fact ought to be a serious signal for anyone who plans to attempt to distort the will of the Armenian citizens through any illicit method. I mean everyone. There might be people who will illegally try to, falsely, secure votes for My Step bloc for rendering the so-called bears services. My Step bloc doesnt need no [illicit] votes. Let no one try to render illicit services to us, because even a single vote gained through that kind of a method will be a humiliation for us, for personally me and the revolution. We must now allot anyone to have any impact on the citizens will, he said. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan tendered a technical resignation on October 16 in a maneuver to trigger the process of dissolving the parliament. In accordance to the Constitution, when a Prime Minister resigns the parliament must elect a new PM within two weeks. Lawmakers deliberately failed to elect a new PM as a formality in order to pave the way for dissolution. Pashinyan took office after massive protests in April forced president-turned PM Serzh Sargsyan to resign. But Sargsyans Republican Party (HHK) still held most seats in the 105-seat parliament. Since taking office, Nikol Pashinyan has numerously said that the incumbent parliament doesnt represent the people and that early elections should take place as soon as possible. The parliament was dissolved by virtue of law on November 1. On the same day, President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian signed an order on calling early general election on December 9. The incumbent parliament functions until the new parliament is elected. The government is formally a caretaker government until a new Cabinet is formed after the election. The campaigning period kicked off November 26 with 11 political parties and blocs running for parliament. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. An active duty soldier of the Armenian Armed Forces was found dead with a gunshot wound Saturday evening, the defense ministry said. The serviceman, identified as Gor Sargsyan, 31, died in unknown circumstances while on-duty in an undisclosed military base. He was a contractual serviceman and had joined the military in 2016. The defense ministry said that an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The ministry also extended condolences to the family and friends of the soldier. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have agreed on steps to implement the agreement on Syrias Idlib demilitarized zone during their meeting in Buenos Aires on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview to Rossiya 1 TV, TASS reported. "At this meeting the sides confirmed their agreement on Idlib," Lavrov said. "They noted that despite active and consistent steps of our Turkish colleagues, still not all extremists have met the demand to leave the 20-km demilitarized zone," he said, according to TASS. "They agreed on further steps aimed at honoring the agreement on creating this demilitarized zone, but simultaneously to take measures so that the extremists do not try to sabotage this vital agreement, which everyone has welcomed," Lavrov said. The September 17 talks between the Russian and Turkish Presidents, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Russias Sochi yielded an agreement to establish a demilitarized zone (15-20 km deep) in Syrias Idlib, along the contact line between government troops and the opposition by October 15. A ramshackle collection of thousands of dwellings built on stilts over the water and connected by rickety and treacherous wooden planks, Hanuabada is a world away from the sanitised parts of the capital that recently played host to Asia-Pacific leaders. His life changed when he was taken in by a family in Hanuabada, a settlement in Port Moresby that has become a haven of tolerance, offering sanctuary for dozens in a gay community that is gradually coming out of hiding. PORT MORESBY As an openly gay man in Papua New Guinea, where sex between men is illegal and stigma and violence widespread, 24-year-old Kapera Patrick (pictured outside his home in Hanuabada) remembers thugs pelting him with abuse, stones and bottles. The sprawling settlement, whose name means big village in the local Motu language, was built over the sea as locals believe the water protects them from sorcery coming down from the mountains. A caged pig squats outside many of the huts for meat or barter and naked children at play squeal with delight as they skip expertly on the narrow and often broken planks that serve as the village's streets. Home to as many as 50,000 people, Hanuabada has become synonymous with a small but thriving gay, lesbian and transgender community that has flocked here as word spread that they would be safe. "I used to live in a place called Joyce Bay and I got abused. They threw bottles at me, stones at me. And then I heard about this place. I came here and the family brought me in and accepted me," says Patrick, who does informal jobs to get by. Hanuabada is "a very free place and the people know me. They don't abuse me. I've been accepted for my sexuality," he told AFP, speaking through a Pidgin interpreter. While nothing like as open as the West, the community has still hosted small drag parties and men both gay and curious come to Hanuabada to meet up, many having their first sexual experiences here. Patrick's adoptive sister, Marelyn Baita, an eloquent 29-year-old, explained how the community grew. "They used to live outside but some of their friends brought them here," she said. "The community knew them and protected them." Now the only abuse Patrick gets is affectionate and good-natured. His friends refer to him as she and sister, and wolf-whistle when he poses with possibly exaggerated campiness for photos. People in the village have accepted the gay community "because that's the way they are," said Baita. "We cannot change it. That's their personality. That's their life," she told AFP. Gay rights advocates in Papua New Guinea detect a gradual improvement in hostile attitudes but say real change cannot come until sodomy is decriminalised. Parker Hou, who was once beaten up and deliberately burned for his sexuality, said the law meant illegal gay people lack access to medical services explaining the high rate of HIV. The law "causes most of our friends to go into hiding. If I'm infected, I'm too scared to go to the clinics," said the 44-year-old, who is campaigning to change what he derides as an "English Victorian law from the 1800s". "We are using this English law to discriminate against our own Papua New Guinean citizens. I find it just silly," he said with sadness in his voice. Low levels of education nearly half the population is illiterate in the poverty-stricken country also plays a huge factor in prejudice faced by the community, says David Lawrence, a prominent gay rights activist. Bullied and hounded out of school, Lawrence twice attempted suicide but has since become a vocal campaigner and met Queen Elizabeth in 2015 after winning an award for his work. He said he has met gay people raped for their sexuality and at least three have been murdered, allegedly by ashamed members of their family or community. But social media has transformed life for Papua New Guinea's gay community in recent years, said Lesley Bola, who works for UNAIDS. Members of the community mainly contact each other via Facebook often using fake accounts and "can express themselves freely" without fear of retribution, said Bola, adding that he had seen a shift in the past 10 years. Bola works with clinics on changing attitudes in the medical profession but admits it can be a struggle at times. Being gay in Papua New Guinea is "like survival of the fittest", said the affable 51-year-old. But small pockets of tolerance like Hanuabada show that attitudes can change with increased "exposure" to the LGBT community, campaigners say something Marelyn Baita has seen first-hand with her father. "When he first came here, seeing gay people, my father couldn't try to understand them. He was so angry. They are men but they tend to... dress up like ladies," she said with a smile. "He was angry but they continued to live with us year after year and he came to accept them." Worldly things they are. Thats my only comment. I was robbed senseless on 23 February and again last Wednesday. There was no laptop this time. I learned that lesson well. Two Samsung phones. An electric sewing machine. Wrapped gifts my kids bought for their friends. New wrist watches I bought for my kids. Over K200 in cash. Sun glasses. And other shit. LAE - Im feeling angry. In the early hours of Wednesday last week, my kids and I got robbed again. Marlene Potoura lives in Lae and is a struggling teacher, accomplished writer (but there's no money in it) and devoted single mother. She scratches together a living to enable her two children to have an education and a future. Marlene who lives in poverty - has been robbed twice this year. Crime in Papua New Guinea occurs throughout society, but its at the bottom where its most cruel. Poor stealing from poor. Let Marlene explain. Stupid pricks. Pathetic really. I live in a shitty cave surrounded by the Hotel Morobe and the Travellers Inn. And yet assholes come and pick phones from me. Hahaha, bunch of losers! Material worldly things. I am not worried? No. But I am angry about these stupid lowdown animals who creep into houses at night like snakes and nick stuff. Lazy low down losers. Im now packing school stuff to move out. The worst robbery happened in February this year. Two laptops, one external drive, 16 flash drives and two internet dongles were stolen. I was worried sick. I had lost more than 20 years of writing and I nearly went insane. After weeks of grief, I pulled myself together and went through my hard copy files. I hand wrote a lot of my stories; months of commitment and hard work. I bought a desktop after months of writing by hand and typed everything again. I was able to publish two youngsters books with Phil Fitzpatrick, but did not have enough money to buy hard copies. They didn't take my desktop this time. I am thankful. I have always loved Lae but finally its getting to me. I never got robbed when I lived in the settlement areas. Now my kids and I live in town and I've been robbed twice. ________ PNG Attitude is starting a Christmas appeal for Marlene and her two children; an appeal to get them on their feet and out of the Lae slums. And Im asking you to help. Any contribution is big enough. I will aggregate donations from Australian and overseas readers and will use a special account to get the funds to Marlene to reduce the exorbitant cost of fund transfers to Papua New Guinea. Make your donation here: Keith Jackson, NAB Neutral Bay, BSB 082-302, account no 50-650-1355. Remember to send me an email here to let me know youve made a donation. Papua New Guinean readers can donate directly to Marlene Potoura at the Westpac bank in Lae. The account number is 600 613 7433. You can also email me here to let me know. Igor Vorotinov, 54, is accused of faking his own death in Moldova to collect a $US2 million life insurance policy in Minnesota seven years ago. Vorotinov was arrested last month in Moldova and extradited to the United States on a mail fraud charge after investigators spent years trying to coax him back to the US. An investigation into Vorotinov's death was launched after an FBI agent received a tip that it may have been staged. Vorotinov allegedly put his clothes and ID on a dead body before placing the corpse along a road in Moldova, and his ex-wife then identified the body as Vorontinov. A Minnesota man accused of faking his own death to collect a $US2 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. Read more: 12 of the biggest money scandals and scams of 2018 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 travelled to the country, identified the body as her husband, and had the corpse cremated. Story continues She then returned to the US with a death certificate and the cremated remains, and received the life insurance payment,The Associated Press reported. Read more: Scammers have started using a fake Spotify email to steal people's Apple IDs - here are the red flags to watch out for 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. It still remains unclear who the corpse used in the alleged scheme belonged to. After getting our first glimpse of their wedding on Thursday afternoon, Sam Wood and Snezana Markoski have finally given fans a look at their big day. The happy couple, who first met on season three of The Bachelor Australia, looked picture perfect in the stunning black and white images taken by Alice Mahran. Blushing bride Snez chose to post a snap of the couple holding hands and gazing lovingly into each others eyes as they walked towards the camera. The photo perfected showcased her a long sleeve lace gown from Paddington-based bridal boutique Pallas Couture. The 38-year-old simply captioned the image: Mr & Mrs Wood. Meanwhile Sam looking dapper in a suit by Bespoke Of Melbourne chose to post a photo of him kissing his wife on the forehead while she smiled towards the camera. Naturally hundreds of fans were quick to share their congratulations and good wishes to the loved-up couple. The lovebirds officially tied the knot during an idyllic ceremony in Byron Bay. The bridal party were spotted arriving in a beige kombi van at the Fig Tree Restaurant in the regions iconic Hinterland. And not long after the bride stepped out looking absolutely stunning in her gown which featured a cut-out back and floor length veil. Planned to perfection Speaking of details of their wedding with Yahoo Lifestyle, the couple said they put a lot of thought into the guest list for the occasion. Its a very small wedding with just our closest and 70 or 80 friends and family. Its not a crazy affair, the 28 by Sam Wood founder admitted. Story continues I think you need to go small and intimate or you go all out and it ends up being three or four hundred people. We just wanted something nice and small thats still very tasteful and lovely. Sam and Snezana first met on season three of The Bachelor Australia and got engaged in December 2015. Photo: Sam Wood/Instagram And it seems Sam who proposed to Snezana back in December 2015 was happy to leave all the wedding arrangements to Snez, saying she, predominantly organised it all. I put my input every now and then. Most of the time she goes Ill take that on board and then doesnt, he said. And by the looks of it, Snezana did an amazing job. Got a story tip? Send it to tips@oath.com Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Or sign up to our daily newsletter here. Melbournes traffic flow has become so congested it is now considered worse than New York and Rome. The first-ever Urban Mobility Index ranked the Victorian capital 25th for traffic flow among a list of 38 major cities, showing that motorists are delayed on average by more than 30 minutes for every 100km they travel Ross Caldow, Here Technologies industry specialist for the public sector, told the Herald Sun the ranking comes on the back of unprecedented research about how Melbourne moves. What we can see from a Melbourne perspective is that the city performs quite poorly around traffic congestion, he said. Hoddle Street was ranked among the most congested roads in the Victorian capital. Image: AAP Melbourne was ranked worse than New York and Rome for traffic congestion. Image: Urban Mobility Index The rankings also come from a comparison of the posted speed to the congested speed We can see there is a lot going on around the network. The city also ranks 23rd in public transport expenses and 36th in public transport frequency. Western Ring Road, Hoddle Street and West Gate Freeway are among the major roads that come to a standstill, with the average weekday speed considerably lower than the actual speed limit. From York Street to the West Gate Freeway, the average weekday speed is 30 km/h half the speed that motorists are allowed to travel. The research finds that the citys soaring population growth is a major factor in the congestion. Mr Caldow said there is not a immediate blanket solution to the problem, but rather Melbournes private and public forms of transport need to be more integrated. The increase in congestion means also means Melburnians are often driving below the posted speed limit. Image: 7 News Last year it was revealed that Melbournes congestion woes were making it increasingly difficult for firefighters to attend jobs on time. CFA chief officer Steve Warrington says volunteers often struggle to drive through traffic to their unit after receiving an alert about a fire. Particularly as we get congestion around Melbourne, there can be struggles to get to the fire station to get the truck out, Mr Warrington said. Police are investigating a suspicious death after mans body was found stuffed in a wheelie bin. Officers were called to a unit complex in Yeronga, south of Brisbane, at about 7pm on Saturday. Residents of a neighbouring apartment complex had called police, complaining of a foul odour. The officers found the mans body in a wheelie bin, police said on Sunday. A crime scene has been declared as detectives work to determine the cause of the mans death and to confirm his identity. Officers found the mans body in a wheelie bin. Source: Getty (file pic) Queensland Police said it was a suspicious death in a statement released on Sunday. -With AAP Brazil's incoming far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, took a swipe on Saturday at the government's environmental monitoring agencies, warning he would not allow them to impose "fines all over the place." "The party is over," said Bolsonaro, a retired army captain who takes office on January 1. He was speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony at the Agulhas Negras (Black Eagles) military academy outside Rio de Janeiro, where he studied in the 1970s. "I will no longer allow Ibama and ICMBio to be handing out fines all over the place," he said, referring to Brazil's main government environmental protection bureaus. "I want to defend the environment, but not in a Shiite way, as is taking place now," he said. He used the word "Shiite" as a synonym for radical and inflexible. Bolsonaro himself owes Ibama 10,000 reais ($2,600) for illegally fishing in 2012. The president-elect vowed to pay the fine. "But I am living proof of the bias and bad work of some inspectors of Ibama and ICMBio. This will stop," he said. During the presidential campaign Bolsonaro criticized both government agencies, arguing that environmental protection could not "hinder development" and complaining that agribusiness was being "suffocated" by regulations. A notorious climate change skeptic, Bolsonaro has threatened to withdraw Brazil from the 2015 Paris Agreement to curb global warming. On Saturday he said that he took part in the recent government decision to withdraw Brazil's offer to host the COP25 UN climate conference next year, officially due to "budget constraints." Bolsonaro also reiterated his intention to "integrate Indians into society," saying that he no longer wants to maintain native reservations. "My plan is to make Indians our equals," he said. "They have the same needs as us, they want doctors, dentists, television, internet." This ignores the wish of the tribes to maintain their traditional way of life, away from towns and cities. Bolsonaro had a similar comment on Friday, claiming that over the past 20 years Brazil has been under foreign pressure to designate territory for native Brazilians. "Why here in Brazil should we keep them reclusive in reservations, as if they were animals in a zoo?" he asked. Brazil's president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, who takes office January 1, 2019, has long criticized government environmental monitoring agencies There are calls for two police officers to be fired over racist Christmas tree decorations. The two police officers, from Minneapolis, US, have been placed on paid leave from their jobs after decorating their precincts Christmas tree with racially insensitive memorabilia. Now, the citys mayor Jacob Frey is calling for them to be fired, according to the Associated Press. The Christmas tree was located at a police station on the citys North Side, which saw more than two weeks of protests after the fatal Minneapolis police shooting of Jamar Clark, a 24-year-old African-American man, in 2015. The tree was originally decorated with baubles and lights. However, it is alleged that the two officers redecorated the tree with items that conjure negative stereotypes of black people. The officers decorated the tree with a cigarette pack, a can of malt liquor, police tape, empty bags of the crispy snacks Funyuns and Takis and a cup from fried chicken chain, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. The tree was decorated with racist paraphernalia. Source: Twitter/North by Northside A photo of the tree was posted to the internet, sparking community outrage. This behaviour is racist, despicable, and is well beneath the standards of any person who serves the city of Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement. The offending party will be fired before the day is over. Shifting the culture of the police department requires swift and decisive action. Termination is necessary both to discipline the officer and to send a clear message. The mayor later stepped back from his comments, but said he still would like to see the officers terminated, according to local outlet Fox9. Protestors rally outside of the Hennepin County Courthouse, Minneapolis, after Jamar Clarks 2015 shooting. Source: Getty Community activists gathered outside the precinct on Friday, saying the incident tarnishes the holiday season for the neighbourhood. Its a modern-day version of a dog whistle, tainted with racism, specifically against the African-American community, civil rights activist Ron Edwards told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. -With AP Canada said Saturday it will send a delegation to Cuba next week to reevaluate its presence there after another diplomat was diagnosed with a mysterious brain injury that has affected several dozen North American envoys to the island. Since 2016, 13 Canadians and 25 Americans have all reported similar unexplained symptoms, including dizziness, fatigue, headaches, hearing and vision complications, a loss of balance, nausea and an inability to concentrate. "A delegation of senior officials will return to Cuba next week to review Canada's current operations and determine how we can further reduce the risks to our diplomatic staff," foreign ministry spokesman Richard Walker told AFP. He said Canada was considering all options, without offering details. The Canadian government said Thursday it had allowed employees currently in Cuba to return home, if they wanted to. Canadian and US authorities initially suspected an attack using some sort of acoustic weapon, which led to heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and the Caribbean island nation. But Ottawa later concluded that to be "unlikely." American doctors and officials have pointed to "a new type of a possible acquired brain injury" outlined in a February issue of Journal of the American Medical Association by health experts at the University of Pennsylvania, who treated 21 US diplomats. The Canadian government has allowed employees currently in Cuba to return home An engagement ring which was lost moments before the proposal has been found in New York and police are searching for the owners. A man was proposing to his girlfriend in Times Square when he dropped the ring and it fell about 2.4 metres down a utility grate. The bungle happened just before midnight on Friday, according to the New York Police Department. The couple asked police for help, but emergency service officers could not immediately find the sparkler. Eventually, they found it. But the would-be bride and groom left without leaving their names or contact information. Police are asking the public to help reunite the couple with the ring, posting a video of the couple trying to retrieve it. New York police are trying to find the rings owners. Source: NYPD/AP WANTED for dropping his fiancees ring in @TimesSquareNYC, the New York Police Department tweeted on Saturday. She said Yes but he was so excited that he dropped the ring in a grate. Our @NYPDSpecialops officers rescued it and would like to return it to the happy couple. Help us find them? Police have also released surveillance photos of the couple and showing the woman crouching and the man lying over the grate as they try and retrieve the ring. Police released surveillance images and footage of the couple trying to retrieve the ring. Source: NYPD/AP -With AP Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded Saturday that Saudi Arabia extradite suspects in the killing in Istanbul of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, taking to task the kingdom's crown prince who was basking in his quick return to the world stage at the G20. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's presence at the summit of the Group of 20 powers in Buenos Aires demonstrated he was firmly in control, as he met with Western leaders and sealed an oil pact with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But the Turkish leader, also attending the G20, was visibly cooler toward the 33-year-old prince and on Saturday directly criticized him for the first time over the killing of Khashoggi, a royal confidant turned critic. Saudi Arabia has said that 21 people are in custody and vowed to keep probing the killing of Khashoggi, who was killed and dismembered after visiting the kingdom's Istanbul consulate to handle paperwork for his planned wedding. "It's essential that these people are tried in Turkey in order to eliminate any question marks that the international community may have," Erdogan told reporters in Buenos Aires. "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 with information on the whereabouts of Khashoggi's body and the identities of accomplices said to have supported the visiting Saudi hit squad. 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. But he criticized Prince Mohammed, saying that during the summit the Saudi heir apparent gave an "unbelievable explanation" on Khashoggi's killing. The prince told world leaders that "unless the crime is proven, you cannot blame Saudi Arabia," Erdogan quoted him as saying. "Of course, that might be valid from a legal point of view," Erdogan said. "But his own officials have admitted that this was a planned operation." - Only Canada raises case - Erdogan said that only one G20 leader -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau -- raised the journalist's killing in the full summit. Erdogan said that he himself did not bring up the case as time ran out in the session. Both French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May said they raised the Khashoggi case during private meetings with the crown prince, with Macron overheard on an open microphone telling him, "You never listen to me." Canada has been outspoken on human rights in Saudi Arabia, which has retaliated by breaking off diplomatic relations and vowing to end trade. But US President Donald Trump has said that it does not matter if the crown prince ordered the killing of Khashoggi, who lived near Washington, because the kingdom is a major buyer of arms, supplier of oil and opponent of Iran. In a nod to growing criticism at home on Saudi Arabia, Trump only exchanged "pleasantries" with the crown prince, according to the White House. But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with his Saudi counterpart in Buenos Aires, and again defended the US embrace of the crown prince. "There's no direct evidence linking him to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi," Pompeo told CNN. - Reports implicate prince - Several US news reports say that the CIA has concluded that the crown prince ordered the killing, even if there is no "smoking gun" evidence. The Wall Street Journal, quoting the CIA assessment, said Saturday that Prince Mohammed sent at least 11 messages in the hours before the killing to a close adviser charged with overseeing the murder. The crown prince enjoyed a buoyant welcome at the G20 on Friday from Putin, the two exchanging a high-five and grinning broadly as if they were long-lost friends. Putin said he had agreed with Prince Mohammed to renew a pact on cutting oil production by their two nations, the world's leading exporters of crude. Analysts had been touting a Russia-Saudi deal ahead of talks next week in Vienna of the OPEC oil cartel, as global crude prices have been slumping. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is demanding the Saudis extradite suspects in the killing in Istanbul of journalist Jamal Khashoggi The US consulate in Mexico's second city, Guadalajara, was attacked with explosives hours before a visit to the country by Vice President Mike Pence and first daughter Ivanka Trump, authorities said Saturday. The explosion late Friday night damaged a wall but caused no injuries, they said. "The investigation has been handed over to federal authorities, who will give information on developments in due time," the prosecutor's office for the western state of Jalisco, where Guadalajara is located, said on Twitter. The attack ocurred just before Pence and President Donald Trump's daughter and adviser Ivanka flew into Mexico City on Saturday morning at the head of a high-level US delegation attending the inauguration of Mexico's new president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Prosecution sources said a person threw an explosive device at the building and ran away. The suspect was caught on film by security cameras but evaded authorities, despite the heavy security presence at the building. Grenade fragments were found at the scene, according to investigation sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. The blast left a 40-centimeter (16-inch) hole in an exterior wall. In a video posted online in recent days, purportedly by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the powerful drug trafficking organization had threatened to attack the consulate. The cartel, one of the largest and most violent in Mexico, is a top target for US anti-drug operations. The blast left a 40-centimeter (16-inch) hole in an exterior wall of the US consulate in Guadalajara, pictured here Flags flew at half-staff across the United States on 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 at age 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. The days-long national farewell to Bush will begin Monday with a commemoration in Houston, where the Bushes lived for years and where he died on Friday surrounded by friends and family. From there, Bush's casket will travel to Washington on board Trump's presidential aircraft -- in what the US leader called "a special tribute that he deserves very much." The former president will lie in state in the US Capitol between Monday and Wednesday ahead of a state funeral at the towering National Cathedral, expected to draw dozens of dignitaries from around the world. Bush's remains will travel back to Texas on Wednesday, where he will lie in repose at St Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston with a funeral service the next day preceding his interment at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station. He will make his final journey aboard a funeral train. At the presidential library on Saturday, people came to sign the memorial book in Bush's honor, or lay flowers at the feet of his statue. Chris Griffin, a student at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University who helped organize a candlelight vigil Saturday, said: "I think his legacy is really what inspires all of us." - 'Grace, civility and social conscience' - Bush was a decorated World War II pilot, diplomat and onetime CIA chief who saw his son George follow in his footsteps to the Oval Office -- making them only the second father-son duo in American presidential history, after John and John Quincy Adams. 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. Jimmy Carter, now the oldest surviving former US president, said Bush's administration "was marked by grace, civility and social conscience." Britain took the rare step of lowering flags in government buildings. Gorbachev called him "a true partner" in winding down the Cold War, and French President Emmanuel Macron mourned the loss of a leader who "strongly supported the alliance with Europe." Suffering from Parkinson's disease, Bush had been wheelchair-bound and in failing health. He is survived by his five living children and 17 grandchildren. Former secretary of state James Baker recounted anecdotes from his longtime friend's final days to The New York Times. He said Bush's last words were to the younger George, who was put on the speaker phone to say goodbye, saying 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 political dynasty, Bush left school to join the US Navy during World War II. He was rescued at sea after being shot down over the Pacific. After graduating from Yale University, he briefly worked 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 becoming 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. 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 last year. Mourners place candles at the foot of a statue of George Bush at his presidential library in College Station, Texas, where he will be laid to rest next week Bush -- seen here in 1992 -- served one term as head of state before being defeated by Democrat Bill Clinton The US flag flies at half-staff at the World War II Memorial in Washington in tribute to former US president George H.W. Bush Mourners attend a candlelight vigil organized by the Bush School of Government and Public Service at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas George Bush led the US as the Soviet Union broke up -- here, he is seen in May 2005 with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Moscow Flags were lowered at the White House in Bush's honor Strains over climate change marked the end of the G20 summit in Argentina Saturday as the United States celebrated what it called a victory for its holdout stance. A final communique adopted at the summit in Argentina said all other G20 members agreed to implement the "irreversible" Paris Agreement on climate change. A paragraph in the statement noted: "The United States reiterates its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement." Beyond entrenching their position, US officials said they saw growing dissent, even if the communique still resulted in a 19 versus 1 declaration backing the Paris climate pact. The "coalition" against the United States on climate change was beginning to fray, a senior White House official said, adding that several countries, including Turkey, Russia and Saudi Arabia, had balked at signing the document before finally backing it. "We had a paragraph where we specifically preserved and explained our position for why we're withdrawing from the job-killing Paris Agreement," the official said on condition of anonymity, repeating President Donald Trump's denunciations of the accord as bad for US business interests. "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." "I think across the board it was really a resounding success." Outside the United States, which joined the Paris deal under former president Barack Obama, the biggest polluter not to have ratified the 2015 Paris Agreement is Russia, which ranks fifth. Turkey and Iran have also failed to ratify. A French source close to the negotiations said earlier that "a certain number of countries" were hesitating "to confirm their commitment to the Paris accord, so it was one of the big battles of the night to keep the pack of 19." - Mounting signs of changing climate - The feud comes despite mounting signs of the impact of climate change, with a major US government report last week saying that the country's economy could be sliced by 10 percent by the end of the century without major action. Thomas Bernes, senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Canada and a former G20 negotiator, also said that objections from Turkey and the Saudis had contributed to holding up the final communique. The statement stressed the need to respect different paces of economic development, as developing economies balk at going further on their Paris pledges. "But in the end, it's still 19 v 1," said Bernes. He said Brazilian far-right president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, who takes office on January 1, would be unlikely to help G20 consensus on climate. Bolsonaro has threatened to follow Trump's example and withdraw his country from the Paris Agreement. The differences laid bare in Buenos Aires came a day before UN climate talks were to get underway on the other side of the world in the Polish city of Katowice. The COP24 is seeking to breathe new life into the pact, in which nations 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. President Donald Trump has denounced the Paris climate accord as bad for US business interests G20 leaders meeting in Argentina from November 30 to December 1 and a world map of the member countries. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Saturday that Russia tried to meddle in the US midterm elections last month -- just as it did in the 2016 vote that brought President Donald Trump to power. The already strained ties between Washington and Moscow have "no doubt" worsened over Russia's continued attempts to interfere in the US voting process, Mattis said at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. Russian President Vladimir Putin "tried again to muck around in our elections this last month, and we are seeing a continued effort along those lines," the Pentagon chief said. Putin has "continued efforts to try to subvert democratic processes that must be defended," Mattis said, stressing he was unsure whether there were growing threats from Russia. "We'll do whatever is necessary to defend them." Mattis spoke after President Donald Trump scrapped a planned meeting with Putin at the G20 summit of world leaders in Buenos Aires, Argentina, citing a Russian military intervention in Ukraine. Ahead of last month's vote, Twitter and Facebook shut down thousands of Russian-controlled accounts, while 14 people from Russia's notorious troll farm, the Internet Research Agency, were indicted. And US law enforcement agencies warned that "Americans should be aware that foreign actors -- and Russia in particular -- continue to try to influence public sentiment and voter perceptions through actions intended to sow discord." The troll farm's finance chief, named as Yelena Khusyainova, was indicted by the US Justice Department days before the November 6 midterms, becoming the first person to face charges of interfering in the US vote. Russia in turn condemned the US for indicting her, saying the accusations were fabricated in order to impose further sanctions on Moscow. Trump himself is at the center of a probe into whether his 2016 presidential campaign conspired with Russian operatives to tilt the election in his favor. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is accusing Russia of having meddled in the 2018 midterm elections French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday denounced protesters against him as chaos-seekers, as the growing demonstrations first triggered by planned fuel price hikes turned violent. "I will never accept violence," Macron told a news conference at the G20 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. Macron has tried to focus in Buenos Aires on global affairs, seeking to lead like-minded countries in taking action on challenges such as climate change in the face of resistance from US President Donald Trump. But he was repeatedly forced to address the crisis at home, even if he took pains not to say "yellow vests" -- the emergency jackets that have become the emblems of the movement initially sparked by Macron's push for a low-carbon economy. "Those guilty of this violence don't want change, they don't want improvements, they want chaos. They betray the causes that they pretend to serve and which they manipulate," Macron said. "They will be identified and brought to justice for their actions," he said. Macron said he will convene a meeting on the situation with his prime minister and interior minister for Sunday morning when he returns to Paris. "I will always respect debate and I will always listen to opposition but I will never accept violence," Macron said. The protests first sprouted up in rural France among citizens who say higher fuel taxes are an urban luxury that they cannot afford. The movement has since spread into a broader movement against Macron's rule. Macron had an unpleasant surprise at the very start of his trip to Buenos Aires -- his plane door was opened by an airport worker clad in a yellow vest. France's President Emmanuel Macron was repeatedly forced to address the crisis at home A man who was killed by a falling tree while clearing a firebreak on his family property during the Queensland bushfires has been described as gentle. George Bird, 21, died while trying to protect his familys homestead at Rolleston, south of Emerald, on Friday night. The Central Queensland man was the tenth of eleven children. Its a very, very sad day for that family today, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palasczuk said. Queenslands catastrophic fires have now burned an area the size of Belgium. The states Deepwater region is at the centre of an almost abandoned disaster zone. Residents forced out are desperate to go home, but authorities say it is still too unsafe to return home. 21-year-old George Bird (pictured) died when a tree fell on him. Source: 7News Conditions to worsen on Sunday Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Deputy Commissioner Mike Wassing said severe dry weather with dry storms moving from the southwest was forecast for Sunday, potentially impacting the more than 100 bushfires still burning. Temperatures are a little bit lower today, still very high for our average for this time of year, but that really gives us a day to do some consolidation, he told AAP. So thats what our crews are really doing now at the moment is really bedding down to make sure any of the existing fires dont get a run, because weve got another bad day tomorrow. Deputy Commissioner Wassing said there were more than 1000 firefighters on the ground, including interstate crews, as well as volunteers and support services, and all were being monitored to ensure they werent overwhelmed by the heat. Everyone will go above and beyond, but everyone comes home is our motto, he said. Bushfire in Deepwater National Park, Queensland on November 28. Source: Getty Mackay mayor Greg Williamson said the evacuation operation at Eungella on Friday had been uncharted territory for the community. It started off a very calm day, ended up chaotic, he said. Were used to floods, not fires. Deputy Commissioner Wassing said the fires at Deepwater and Eungella in Central Queensland, as well as Carnarvon in the states southwest, remained large and dangerous with potential impact on communities. Story continues He said they were hoping for more moderate conditions by Thursday. The challenge for us will be well still have lots of fires, and the underlying dryness of the fuel and the grass and the forests will still be there, he said. Theres still lots of work to do. -With AAP "It's a family thing. My father, my grandfather were miners, so I am," says Arkadiusz Wojcik at a coal mine in the southern Polish town of Knurow. Defying the danger to life and limb of descending into the mine on a daily basis, Poland's coal miners still pass down the job from father to son. The occupation may be on its way out in much of the West, but in Poland's Silesian coal country it is thriving thanks to high wages and support from a government that refuses to decarbonise the economy. In Brussels, Berlin and Paris, coal is the enemy. It produces the carbon dioxide blamed for the planet's rising temperatures. In Poland however, coal is a way of life, with no signs of changing. "Here in Silesia, it's a tradition," says Wojcik, 36, after working a night shift 650 metres (2,100 feet) underground. The Knurow mine is operational day and night, with the schedule divided into four shifts. But one thing is constant: the risk. "Of course we get scared. Accidents happen, it's part of the job," Radoslaw Ruminski says, after exiting a mine lift. "But we don't think about it every day when we go underground," the 37-year-old tells AFP. So far this year, 21 miners have died on the job in Poland. Last year, there were 15 deaths, while in 2014 -- a particularly grim year -- 30 miners lost their lives. To offset the danger, there is money. "Above all, it's the salary that motivated me because it is higher than in other sectors," says miner Kamil Ganko. The 33-year-old machine operator refused to reveal how much he makes, but coal miners can earn up to 1,600 euros ($1,800) in take-home pay per month. That is about double the average Polish wage of 813 euros net. - 'No other jobs' - Miners are also entitled to various perks left over from the communist era, including two extra months of salary each year: one in December on the feast day of Saint Barbara, who is the patron saint of miners, and another in February. Each miner also gets to take home eight tonnes of coal every year -- a considerable bonus in a region where many households depend on the fossil fuel for heat. A final benefit is the right to an early retirement after 25 years of toiling away underground. But for some, even that is too late. "My husband died just eight months before he was supposed to retire," says Agata Kowalczyk, who runs the Association of Widows and Orphans of Miners. "The mine manager and a psychologist paid me a visit to deliver the bad news," she tells AFP. Despite her husband's death, their sons have not turned their backs on the work. "Two of my four sons continue to work at the mine. The eldest works down below. He's the foreman and likes the night shift", when the pay is higher, she says. "There are no other jobs here. No other big employers. What would the thousands of miners do? For now there's no alternative in Silesia," she adds. - Coal sponsors climate talks - Knurow is one of four mines belonging to the state-owned JSW company, which is the EU's largest producer of high-quality coking coal -- a resource destined for the steel industry. Listed on the stock exchange, JSW has around 27,000 employees, making it one of the biggest employers in Poland. The company currently has its eye on two more ore deposits to increase the production of coal, most of which is exported to other European markets. JSW is also one of the main sponsors of the UN's COP 24 global climate summit, which opens this weekend in the Polish coal city of Katowice. Though many mines have been shuttered over the years and continue to close, "the sector could use at least 15,000 more workers," says Kazimierz Grajcarek, who was once responsible for miners at the Solidarity trade union. "It's undergoing a revival," he tells AFP, saying that the sector is attracting many workers from Ukraine as well as a handful from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and even Spain. "The EU wants Poland to close its mines. But what then? In Poland we have no wind or sun," he says, refuting the progress, admittedly small but real, in wind and solar power. "So what will all these people do? Where will they work? Each miner generates four jobs in the service sector." - Politics and mining - Poland is now building a big, new coal-fired power station and consumes more than it produces. The difference is made up by imports, including from Russia, which provided Poland with nine million tonnes of coal last year. The arrangement makes for a delicate situation for a government that wishes at the same time to break its dependence on Russian gas. December 4 marks Saint Barbara's Day, but the festivities begin two weeks ahead. The miners celebrate with great fanfare, donning costumes, feathered caps and medals. Deputy Energy Minister Grzegorz Tobiszowski even wore the outfit at a mining event earlier this month. No party or government in Poland can ignore miners, who as a group carry considerable political clout. "Mining is more than a job," says Dariusz Radon, a 48-year-old miner and mine rescuer. "The community is close-knit to the point that each miner is prepared to die for his colleague." In Poland's Silesian coal country mining is thriving thanks to high wages and support from a government that refuses to decarbonise the economy One of the perks of the job is an allowance of eight tonnes of coal every year -- a considerable bonus in a region where many households depend on the fossil fuel for heat The Knurow mine is operational day and night, with the schedule divided into four shifts Poland also imports coal, including from Russia, which provided it with nine million tonnes last year Four people are being sought by police following the suspicious death of man found in a wheelie bin in Brisbane. Detectives investigating the death in the suburb of Yeronga have released images of four people, two men, aged 38 and 30, and two women, aged 27 and 23, who may be able to assist police with their investigations. Police are advising the public not to approach any of the four and to call triple-0 immediately if sighted. Detective Inspector Mark Thompson, Crime Services South Brisbane, said investigations are continuing into confirming the mans identity. Two males sought by police in connection to a body found in a Brisbane wheelie bin. Source: QLD Police Police are also looking to speak with two women over the body. Source: QLD Police Our investigations to date have suggested the deceased mans possible identity. We are working to confirm this and then to speak to family, he said. A post mortem examination will assist with this process. A crime scene remains in place at Yeronga where a ground search will continue in the surrounding area. Police were called to a Yeronga Road unit complex around 7pm on Saturday after the body of a man had been located inside a wheelie bin following reports of a bad smell. If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day. You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000. 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." Russian President Vladimir Putin said he thought it was a "pity" that he and US President Donald Trump didn't have a formal meeting at the 2018 G20 summit in Argentina As Qatari filmmakers gathered on the red carpet at Doha's Ajyal Film Festival one thing stood out -- the majority of local directors are women. "I think this is a question that everyone is mesmerised by: the idea that we have more women in filmmaking here in Doha than men," said festival director Fatma al-Remaihi. Among those showing movies at the annual six-day festival were Aisha al-Shammakh, Nouf al-Sulaiti and the rising star of Qatari cinema, Amal al-Muftah. Their films focus on a variety of subjects, from "maligned" Qatari millennials and father-daughter relationships through to stories from the gas-rich country's recent and much less-wealthy past. The women are redressing "many misconceptions about them around the world", said Remaihi, who also heads the Doha Film Institute. The number of female entrants at this year's festival, which runs until Monday, is consistent with data from recent research. A 2016 study by Northwestern University in Doha found that around 60 percent of all emerging filmmakers in Qatar's nascent cinema industry were women. Across the rest of the Middle East and North Africa region, the figure was around 25 per cent, the same study said. The influx of women directors in Qatar comes at a time when the bright lights of Hollywood have been dimmed by the #MeToo movement's revelations. And the fresh blood has helped diversify the nature of films produced. Previously, one filmmaker jokes, it was "all pearl diving" -- a reference to Qatar's main economic activity, before the exploitation of vast natural gas reserves. But now the film topics are diverse. One example of that is Sulaiti's short film, "Gubgub" (Crab). Seemingly a movie about a day's crab hunting, it really focuses on a young girl's determination to prove she can rival her older brother at a "male" pursuit. She succeeds by catching 10 crabs. "I feel like it gives us a platform where we can express ourselves," said Sulaiti. "I don't think we had that platform or opportunity before." "I want that little girl to believe that she can achieve whatever (she wants). I want little girls to see that," the 25-year-old added. And Sulaiti said younger Qataris would understand that message. "In the past, we got an education, we got married and we stayed at home with our husband. "I think slowly [Qatari] girls are seeing we can do whatever our brothers can do." - Conservative or progressive? - The emergence of female filmmakers comes at a time when conservative Qatar is seeking to portray itself as the progressive power in the Gulf. This is especially true as Doha remains politically isolated by neighbouring powers in a bitter regional dispute. Since June 2017, Qatar has been cut off by former allies including neighbouring powers Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which accuse Doha of being too close to Iran and sponsoring terrorism. Qatar denies the charges, and has sought to present itself as the most tolerant of the Gulf states. One of the most prominent Qatari figures during the Gulf crisis has been Lolwah al-Khater, the foreign ministry spokeswoman. Beyond films, Qatar has the highest proportion of women -- 51 per cent -- in the workplace among Gulf nations, according to the United Nations. In 1999, Qatar became the first Arab country in the Gulf to allow women to vote. - 'Like pioneers' - Muftah received a rapturous ovation as she was introduced at Ajyal and said filmmakers in Qatar were "like pioneers". "I know from the outside it seems like there is segregation... but here really I feel like it's a level field... whether you're a man or a woman, you are treated the same," she added. She directed "Sh'hab" (Shooting Star) showing at the festival, a story passed on from her grandmother about a girl who wants to go to sea with her father and brother, rather than stay at home. Muftah rose to national prominence with a 2014 film Al-Himali, about market porters. She admits she had trouble convincing her family that she should seek a career in the arts rather than the sciences. But she believes she can give a voice to generations of Qatari women through her chosen career, since she feels "really strongly about my position as a woman". "The community of women in Doha -- especially in this society -- are very private," she said. "And I just feel like as women filmmakers we have access to that community and to so many different stories." Qatari women film-makers pose on the red carpet during the Ajyal Film Festival at Katara Culture Village in the capital Doha on November 28, 2018 Fatma al-Ramaihi, chairwoman of Doha Film, poses on the red carpet during Qatar's sixth edition of the Ajyal Film Festival Canadian actress Evangeline Lilly, in a headscarf, at Qatar's Ajyal Film Festival in Doha Amal al-Muftah in conversation with actors at the Ajyal Film Festival Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faces his first test at the ballot box on Sunday in regional polls in Andalusia which will kick off a series of elections in the country. The election could see a far-right party, Vox, win representation in a regional parliament in Spain for the first time since the country returned to democracy following the death of longtime dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. The elections in Andalusia -- Spain's most populous region which is home to some 8.4 million people -- will be the first electoral test for Sanchez since he came to power in June after winning a surprise vote of no-confidence in parliament against the previous conservative Popular Party (PP) government of Mariano Rajoy over a corruption scandal. Surveys indicate the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), which has ruled the southern region since 1982, will be re-elected with fewer seats and will once again lack an absolute majority in the regional parliament. The party had 47 seats in the outgoing 109-seat assembly. A significant loss of seats would be a bad omen for Sanchez as he gears up for European Parliament elections in May and an early general election in Spain, widely expected in 2019. During the campaign, Sanchez kept his distance from Susana Diaz, the incumbent regional leader of Andalusia who last year unsuccessfully challenged him for the leadership of the PSOE. "We are facing a new electoral cycle and a rout would be hard to stomach" for the PSOE, political scientist Jean-Baptiste Harguindeguy of the Pablo de Olavide University in Seville told AFP. The stakes are also high for Spain's increasingly crowded right, with market-friendly Ciudadanos trying to surpass the PP, the dominant force of conservatism in Spanish politics since Franco's death. The PP's new leader, 37-year-old Pablo Casado who took the reins of the party after Rajoy was ousted, has struggled to rally the party's base and reverse a slump in the polls at the national level. The task has been made harder by the emergence of Vox. Founded in 2014 out of disenchantment with the PP, Vox has gained momentum with its hardline stance on illegal immigration and fierce defence of Spanish unity in the face of last year's failed independence bid by the northeastern region of Catalonia. Surveys suggest it could win up to five seats in the Andalusian parliament although analysts predict Vox will remain a minority force in Spanish politics. Without an absolute majority, Diaz will need the support of other parties to remain in office. Ciudadanos, which had backed her previous government, has said it will not support her again, so the stage is set for tough coalition talks. The Andalusia polls will be the first big test at the ballot box for Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Around 25,000 Georgians protested Sunday against the election of a ruling party-backed candidate to the presidency and demanded snap parliamentary polls in a move that threatens to complicate the transition of power in the Western-backed nation. Holding Georgian and EU flags, protesters alleged vote-buying and other irregularities as they packed Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament building in the centre of the Georgian capital Tbilisi. The former reformist president and leader of the 2003 "Rose Revolution" Mikheil Saakashvili addressed the huge crowd by video link from Amsterdam, where he lives in self-imposed exile. "Misha! Misha!" chanted supporters as the flamboyant 50-year-old politician appeared on a big screen. "Georgia's future is being born on this square today," said Saakashvili, accused by the authorities of abuse of power. "We will fight peacefully but we will never give up," he said, flashing the victory sign at the end of his speech. On Wednesday, former French diplomat Salome Zurabishvili was elected the ex-Soviet nation's first woman president, beating a candidate backed by an alliance led by Saakashvili's party. Zurabishvili has said her election was a step forward for women and a move closer to Europe. But opposition leaders including Zurabishvili's rival Grigol Vashadze have refused to accept the result, pointing to instances of alleged vote-buying, voter intimidation and ballot-stuffing in the election's second round. Fresh street protesters could spark concern for the country, which has seen civil wars, mass demonstrations and unrest since gaining its independence in 1991 with the breakup of the Soviet Union. The vote was the small South Caucasus nation's last direct leadership poll as it transitions to a parliamentary form of governance. In the first round, held in October, French-born Zurabishvili failed to take the 50-percent-plus-one-vote needed to win outright. - 'Election fraud' - Ahead of the second round Vashadze was narrowly leading in opinion polls. However Zurabishvili gained more than 59 percent on Wednesday, while her rival topped 40 percent. The new head of state will be a largely ceremonial figure, but the vote was seen as a trial run for the contest between billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili's ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition in more important parliamentary polls set for 2020. "Georgia does not have a president now," Vashadze, a career diplomat, said to roaring applause from the protesters. He said the results of the "stolen election" should be annulled and snap parliamentary elections held. He said the authorities had to overhaul the country's electoral system and by December 16 establish a working group to hold talks with the opposition. Many protesters accused tycoon Ivanishvili, seen by many as the country's de facto ruler, of stealing people's votes. "I am here to protest against election fraud," Liana Partsvania, 63, told AFP. "People took to the streets today because the elections were rigged," said another protester, 20-year-old Gia Mgeladze. The vote was also seen as a test of Georgia's democratic credentials as it seeks European Union and NATO membership. Monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe said the election was competitive but they also raised concerns about misuse of administrative resources. Tensions increased ahead of the second round, as the opposition accused the government of voter intimidation and claimed that ruling party activists had attacked Vashadze's campaign staff. Zurabishvili in turn said she and her children had received death threats from people affiliated with Saakashvili's United National Movement. In what critics derided as "vote-buying" ahead of the election, Ivanishvili promised the government would drastically increase social spending and pledged to spend his own money to write off the bank loans of more than 600,000 people. Former reformist president and leader of the 2003 "Rose Revolution" Mikheil Saakashvili addressed the huge crowd by video link from Amsterdam, where he lives in self-imposed exile Opposition presidential candidate Grigol Vashadze said the results of the "stolen election" should be annulled and snap parliamentary elections held. "Georgia does not have a president now," he said to roaring applause from the protesters He US President Donald Trump said Saturday he hoped to organize a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in early 2019, perhaps as soon as January or February. Trump told reporters traveling home to Washington with him aboard Air Force One from Argentina that "three sites" were in consideration for the meeting, a follow-up to their historic summit in Singapore in June. "I think we're going to do one fairly (soon) -- you know, into January, February, I think," said Trump, who had been in Buenos Aires for the Group of 20 summit. "We're getting along very well. We have a good relationship." In the Argentine capital, Trump held separate bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday that primarily focused on trade, but the US leader said Xi he had agreed to work with him "100 percent" on North Korea. When asked Saturday if he would ever host the North Korean leader in the United States, Trump replied: "At some point, yeah." In June, Trump and Kim opened up a face-to-face dialogue after months of trading military threats and pointed barbs. The two leaders signed a vaguely worded document on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, but progress has since stalled as Washington and Pyongyang spar over the meaning of the document. North Korea has taken few concrete steps to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. US 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 Pyongyang insisting that Washington ease sanctions. On Friday, Trump discussed the situation with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The pair "reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization" of North Korea, Trump's 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. - Kim visit to Seoul this year? - Moon's office welcomed Trump's comments about a second summit with Kim. "We hope a concrete agenda and logistics will be determined soon," Yonhap quoted presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom as saying. But differences remain between Washington and Seoul on how to proceed with Kim, as the dovish Moon favors more robust engagement with the North. North and South Korea have begun to remove landmines and destroy military bunkers at parts of their common 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 Kim will make his first-ever visit to the South this year, as Seoul is hoping. Kim agreed to travel to Seoul after hosting Moon in Pyongyang in September for their third summit this year. But prospects of a fourth Moon-Kim meeting have recently dimmed, with negotiations on denuclearizing the North grinding to a halt. In his talks with Trump in Argentina, Moon earned some support for the Seoul summit from the US leader -- perhaps in a bid to entice Kim to make good on his pledge. The two leaders said Kim's visit to the South Korean capital "would provide additional momentum to their joint efforts to establish peace on the Korean peninsula," Moon's press secretary Yoon Young-chan said. US President Donald Trump says he wants to hold a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in early 2019 North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (L) and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in have met three times in 2018 -- the first was in April at the truce village of Panmunjom but they first shook hands at the Military Demarcation Line dividing their nations 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. Former U.S. Rep. Jim Walsh remembers his first meeting at the White House. President George H.W. Bush was seeking support for the 1990 budget deal he hoped would eliminate the deficit in five years. With other skeptical Republican congress members in the room, a nervous Walsh asked a question: How could Bush say the budget will be balanced when his own budget director's estimates from a year ago were already off? Bush, Walsh recalled in an interview Saturday, responded: "That's a great question." The president pointed to his budget director, Richard Darman, and said, "Dick, answer him." "And he laughed when he did it," Walsh said. "He had a sense of humor, but he was also very serious about big issues." Walsh's reflections came one day after Bush's passing. The 41st president of the United States died Friday in Houston. He was 94. Bush won the presidency in 1988 the same year Walsh, a Syracuse Republican, was elected to represent central New York in Congress. They campaigned together in the Syracuse area. Walsh greeted Bush at Syracuse Hancock International Airport and they held a joint press conference. That's when Walsh learned about the demands of a presidential candidate. As he was talking to one of Bush's aides they pulled out a card to relay contact information. Instead, the card listed Bush's schedule for the trip. "Every two minutes was planned," he said. "He had to hit the schedule on time to get all that stuff done. It just struck me how difficult a job it was." After Bush became president, Walsh and his wife, Dede, attended the annual Christmas parties at the White House. At the events, they would pose for photos with the president and first lady Barbara Bush. He received a couple of phone calls from George H.W. Bush during his tenure as president. One call he remembered was when Bush contacted him ahead of a January 1991 vote to authorize the use of military force against Iraq. "He was looking for my support on that vote, which was a really, really tough vote," Walsh said. When the House of Representatives passed the resolution, Walsh was one of 250 members who supported the measure. While Walsh received phone calls from Bush, notes were the most common method of communication. The president sent several notes to the Syracuse, and Walsh said he still has many of the notes he received. The correspondence highlighted bills or issues Congress considered. Walsh believes that Bush's skills as a communicator came from his understanding of how Congress works. Bush not only served as a vice president for eight years, a U.S. ambassador and CIA director, but he also represented a Texas congressional district for two terms from 1967 to 1971. "Presidents who served in Congress get it," Walsh said. "They understand that you really need to have developed personal relationships to build that level of trust for when there is a tough vote. The first time you meet somebody you don't want to be asking them for something. You want to have a relationship. And he was very, very cordial, not demanding." The former congressman compared his family to the Bushes. The Bush family has a storied tradition of public service. Bush's son, George W. Bush, was the 43rd president of the United States. Another son, Jeb, served as governor of Texas and was a presidential candidate in 2016. Walsh's father, William, served as Syracuse mayor and a member of Congress. Jim Walsh's son, Ben, was elected Syracuse mayor in 2017. "We consider public office a high calling," Walsh said. "We certainly looked at things very similar that way." There are two achievements Walsh cited as important elements of Bush's legacy. The president signed the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. The landmark law, which Walsh supported, provides protections and aimed to make workplaces more accessible for people with disabilities. The final version of the Americans with Disabilities Act received congressional approval in July 1990. Bush signed the measure two weeks after the votes. "It was a very forward thinking, progressive, thoughtful piece of legislation, and that was his idea," Walsh said. "I still have a button from when we passed it ... I think for people with disabilities it's probably the most significant legislation in the last 100 years. That's part of his legacy." The response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990 was also mentioned by Walsh as part of Bush's legacy. There were agreements between the United States and Kuwait, and Walsh remembers Bush pledging to defend the American ally in the Middle East. The Gulf War began in early 1991 and U.S.-led forces liberated Kuwait within five weeks. What Walsh remembers, too, is Bush's kindness. In his speech at the 1988 Republican National Convention, Bush called for a "kinder, gentler nation." The president repeated a similar line in his 1989 inaugural address. Many leaders and friends who commented on Bush's passing referred to his generosity. Walsh echoed those sentiments. "His whole approach was honorable, decent, kind, people-to-people governance," Walsh said. "It was a great way to govern." Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 President George Herbert Walker Bush's service to the United States of America is unmatched, and his decades worth of contributions to his country are too numerous to count. The 41st president was the first American leader I remember as a child. I was 3 when he ascended to the White House, and my mom has told the stories over the years of me butchering the pronunciation of "president" whenever I would recognize Bush on television. In a way, I have "41" to thank for my early interest in history and politics. As I grew older, my admiration for Bush remained. Like my grandfather, he was a World War II veteran. He had a long and distinguished career in public service. He was an ambassador, a congressman, CIA director, vice president for eight years under President Ronald Reagan and president for a term. What I remember most, though, is his dignity. One of the stories mentioned often since his passing Friday is about the note he left for incoming President Bill Clinton in 1993. Clinton defeated Bush in the 1992 presidential election. "Your success now is our country's success," Bush wrote. "I am rooting hard for you." As a political reporter, Bush's letter is a powerful reminder of what seems to be another time. Too often in our current political climate members of opposing parties treat "the other side" as the enemy. Bush's note wasn't a message to a political foe. It was a letter of encouragement and support to a fellow American. And that's what George H.W. Bush was all about. He put love of country and family above all else. He was devoted to his wife Barbara, who predeceased him, and their children. When duty called, he rose to the occasion. He was a statesman. In his inaugural address, Bush said that the United States "is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle." He continued, "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." Those words ring true today. A kinder nation. A gentler world. That's what we should strive for in 2019, the 30th anniversary of that inaugural address. Let George Herbert Walker Bush's legacy be our guide. May he rest in peace. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 On Thanksgiving and Christmas, many families gather together to celebrate the holidays. I have thought it a perfect time to share the family stories to family members seated around the table. My only regret is that my parents and grandparents did not know the results of my genealogical research. It took over 40 years to trace our maternal grandparents back to the founding of America. George Chipman of Fleming recently visited me at the Owasco Town Hall to show me his family tree. The chart was as big as a dining room table, and went back to the 1300s and the kings of England! This work done by his cousin was very impressive. On Nov. 17 at the meeting of the Owasco chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, as chapter historian, I read this paper to the 29 members and guests in attendance. It is the reason I collect and tell the stories of the ancestors not only in my family, but their history for the residents of Owasco. We Are the Chosen" author unknown My feelings are in each family there is one who seems called to find the ancestors. To put flesh on their bones and make them live again, to tell the family story and to feel that somehow they know and approve. To me, doing genealogy is not a cold gathering of facts, but breathing life into all who have gone before. We are the storytellers of the tribe. All tribes have one. We have been called as it were by our genes. Those who have gone before cry out to us: Tell our story. So, we do. In finding them, we somehow find ourselves. How many graves have I stood before now and cried? I have lost count. How many times have I told the ancestors you have a wonderful family and would be proud of us? How many times have I walked up to a grave and felt somehow there was love there for me? I cannot say. It goes beyond just documenting facts. It goes to who I am and why I do the things I do. It goes to seeing a cemetery about to be lost forever to weeds and indifference and saying, "I cant let this happen." The bones here are bones of my bones and flesh of my flesh. It goes to doing something about it. It goes to deep pride in what our ancestors were able to accomplish. How they contributed to what we are today. It goes to respecting their hardships and losses, their never giving up, their resoluteness to go on and build a life for their family. It goes to deep pride that they fought to make and keep us a nation. It goes to a deep and immense understanding that they were doing this for us. That we might be born who we are. That we might remember them. So we do. With love and caring and scribing each fact of their existence, because we are them and they are us. So, as a scribe called, I tell the story of my family. It is up to that one called in the next generation to answer the call and take their place in the long line of family storytellers. That is why I do my family genealogy, and that is what calls those young and old to step up and put flesh on their bones. Recently, Richard Oliver Hale of Owasco village exemplified all the above. He told me his family story and heritage on Nov. 21, the day before Thanksgiving. I was enthralled and very moved by the sacrifice and stoic endurance of his mothers family. It was so appropriate for Thanksgiving, for his ancestors were true pilgrims. When you read this, see if you dont agree. The story is too long for one article, so this is part one. It chronicles a family from the beginning of the colonies to present-day Richards Hale in the hamlet of Owasco. Richard said it was his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Norman Bishop, who told him over and over the family stories. He affectionately called her "Mahgee" all her life instead of my grandmother." He learned his heritage by listening to her, for she was a proud woman from a middle upper-class family. In the year 1635, the Bishop family, formerly from England, and genteel farmers were one of 32 grantees, or owners, of land which became New Haven, Connecticut. Family lore states they waded ashore on shale from the ship to their new home. The land was cleared by the Native Americans who had died off from disease, and were not in evidence. In 1639, John B. Bishop, the youngest son with no hope to inherit the family land and holdings, traveled 12 miles up the coast and founded Guilford, Connecticut. The home he built with thick walls of stone and a thatched roof still exists today as a national historic landmark in Guildford. It is said the 12-foot fireplace would roast an ox for family celebrations. (Note: Next month, the John D. Rockefeller connection and surviving the Depression.) Laurel Auchampaugh is the Owasco historian and can be reached at the Owasco Town Hall from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoons or at historian@owascony.gov. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Wreaths Across America program has become a vital part of our community in Cayuga County for the past eight years. The WAA program is based upon the tradition of remembering service members for their sacrifices. The annual wreath presentation ceremony is a ritual that occurs around the world, and is understood in most cultures. The wreaths symbolism honors a selfless warrior who has perished. The wreaths circular shape signifies eternity, bravery, peace and a unity that provides a powerful connection between current service members and those who came before them. The physicality and balsam scent of the wreath evokes an individuals contemplation on the dedication and special qualities that make our veterans outstanding human beings. The WAA lessons ask to remember our fallen veterans, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom and to spread patriotism for the ultimate sacrifices soldiers have made for our country. If you go WHAT: National Wreaths Across America Day ceremony WHEN: Noon Saturday, Dec. 15 WHERE: The Episcopal Church of SS. Peter & John, 169 Genesee St., Auburn COST: Admission free and open to the public; wreaths $15 to sponsor INFO: Visit wreathsacrossamerica.org. To order a wreath, contact Dr. Linda Townsend at (315) 776-5728 ext. 1157 or ltownsend@pbcschools.org. The program's 2018 theme, Be Their Witness, will come to fruition on Dec. 15, National Wreaths Across America Day, with the words of our guest speaker, Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould. Sheriff Gould is a Vietnam veteran, having served in the 4th Armored Division Artillery in computer specialization. Sheriff Gould had a distinguished career as a 34-year veteran of the state police and has served as Cayuga Countys sheriff from 2007 until he retires on Dec. 31. He continues to Be Their Witness by working with and helping Vietnam veterans with their community projects. Sheriff Goulds words will honor our veterans and describe life lessons to help our children understand the true price of freedom in our democracy, as he noted: The ceremony is an exceptional display of the recognition and pride that Cayuga County has in our service men and women. The members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 704, Cayuga Community College associate professor and criminal justice program coordinator Thresa Misiaszek, members of the college Criminal Justice Club and the alumni and students of Dana L. West Jr.-Sr. High School come together to create the recognition ceremony. Our community is blessed to have a cadre of amazing veterans, students, community volunteers and sponsors: Mr. Steve Pelc, Heieck-Pelc Funeral Home, Carnicelli-Indelicato American Legion Post No. 1776, Swietoniowski-Kopeczek American Legion Post No. 1324, Frank Calimeri Veterans Post No. 9, Rear Adm. Richard West and Ministro Ministries, who are the key to the ceremonys success. For my students, their participation and community service brings home the reality and need to appreciate the work of the veterans and their family members' sacrifices in order to preserve our freedoms. My students serve as wreath escorts to recognize and remember those who have given everything and those who proudly serve. They welcome the opportunity to interact with the veterans and their families and gain invaluable perspectives on a part of history not found in a textbook or by surfing the internet. This is my third year of participation said student Ryan Teabo. "I volunteer; it is always a good thing to greet and meet our veterans. The ceremony is a way to honor family members who served and sacrificed for our country. Jenna, Mary and Lilly Nila have participated in each of the ceremonies. They noted, Our recognition, devotion to and appreciation for our veterans here and for those at rest in Arlington is a part of the fabric of our lives. We were raised to revere and respect our service persons and are honored to be a part of this outstanding ceremony where we can give back to the veterans by thanking them and acknowledging their service to our nation. Nick Valenti, director of the Central District of the New York State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America, said: "The ceremony recognizes our veterans and their families who have borne the greatest sacrifice while protecting our freedoms and democracy. It is crucial to recognize our military personnel who are currently serving our nation given the current state of affairs in the global arena." The ceremony will also feature the first public display of the Cayuga County Vietnam Veterans Quilt of Honor remembering our 27 fallen soldiers. The drawing for the planned Cayuga County Vietnam Veterans Memorial will also be on display. The Cayuga County Wreaths Across America ceremony will take place at noon Saturday, Dec. 15, at The Episcopal Church of SS. Peter & John, 169 Genesee St., Auburn. The event is free and open to the public. If anyone wishes to purchase a wreath to publicly honor a loved one or to use for their home, please contact me at (315) 776-5728 ext. 1157 or ltownsend@pbcschools.org. Dr. Linda Townsend is a social studies teacher at Dana L. West Jr.-Sr. High School in Port Byron and an adjunct instructor for the Project Advantage Cayuga Community College criminal justice program. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Residents in two Cayuga County school districts will decide on school project proposals this week, with neither expected to increase taxes. The first vote, on Tuesday, involves the Cato-Meridian Central School District's energy performance contract for $2.4 million in upgrades to various systems in the district. The proposal asks whether district residents want the state to pay an additional 10 percent in aid toward the cost of the improvements. That extra 10 percent, or $240,000, can be used as an incentive through the state if voters approve it, with the state being obligated to honor that vote. The school district does not need a vote for the upgrades themselves to go forward. The project includes improvements to insulation and lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in the district's elementary school, middle school and high school. The improvements are estimated to save about $144,000 annually for the district, with the savings monitored by the state Education Department. The initiative, which is not expected to increase local taxes, is meant to help the district run school buildings more efficiently while reducing the facilities' collective carbon footprint, according to a press release. District Superintendent Terry Ward said the district will bond for the local share of the cost, but the whole bond will be paid through savings in energy costs over the next 15 years. State aid is set to cover 78 percent of the cost, but that would come to 88 percent if the community votes for that extra 10 percent. The Syracuse office of the John W. Danforth Co. will handle the upgrades. A $6.5 million capital improvement project that the community approved last year is separate from the improvements that would fall under the energy contract. Ward said certain improvements that were originally in the capital project will now be covered by the energy contract, freeing up $642,000 to be directed to security and safety upgrades in the buildings under the capital project. Electronic classroom doors, window film and electronic interior doors to hallways would be included in the capital project. Ward said the community has been supportive of the energy contract project. He believes the energy project making funds available for security upgrades in the capital project is one of the biggest reasons why people have been supportive. "There should be no reason we would not want the extra $240,000 in state aid on this project," Ward said via email. Another local district's vote, on Wednesday, is for the first phase of a proposed 15-year, three-phase capital project in the Moravia Central School District. The first phase is set to cost $11.5 million, with $10 million in building improvements and a $1.5 million energy performance contract. If the first phase is approved, bidding with contractors would start in fall 2019 with an eye to start construction by spring or summer 2020 in the hopes of finishing the phase by late 2020 or early 2021. The first phase would encompass updating all district lighting to LED; replacing interior and exterior doors; upgrades to mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; asbestos abatement in different spots and replacing some corridor lockers, ceilings and the middle school gymnasium, according to the district's website page explaining the capital project. Safety would be also a primary element of the project, with secured entrances making outside visitors unable to reach student areas without running into additional security. A $1.5 million energy performance contract would run simultaneously with the first phase of the project to ensure the project's elements are cost efficient and energy effective. The energy contract is set to include lighting controls with dimming capabilities, automated electronic controls and improved insulation and sealing. The project is set to have no tax impact. The district has said it would cover the costs of the project with a combination of state aid and reserves. The project up for a vote this week is the first of three phases in a plan to complete $35 million in work on district facilities. District officials have previously said there's a $10 million to $11 million estimate for phase two and $15 million for phase three. Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Mrs. Kehoe was born in Syracuse on Sept. 6, 1947 to the late Andrew and Kathryn OConner San Emeterio. Lindas passion to help others reflected through her involvement within the community, careers, and caring for her family. Some of Lindas roles were dairy farmers wife, phlebotomist at Auburn Community Hospital, Convenient Care in Skaneateles and Internal Medicine in Auburn, Founder of New Hope Rescue Squad, Medic & Rescue Captain, New Hope fire-person, and Four Town Ambulance. She was an active member of St. Patricks Church in Moravia, and always encouraged her children to lean into those spiritual values when times were challenging. Lindas inspiring dedication and hard work on Starvation Ranch in Sempronius, with her husband, Dale, and their four sons consummated in 2006. As Linda reflected those memories with family, Milked many a cow! was a proud statement often applied. She loved her family and the time she spent with them, she was a proud momma and grandmother. Lindas phrase Love you so! radiated throughout the lives of friends and family she deeply cared for. One of the reasons U.S. Rep. John Katko has won re-election two times since becoming our region's congressional representative is his willingness to take stances such as the one he made on July 14, 2016. That was the date Katko, a Republican, became a co-sponsor of a congressional resolution that acknowledged human activity's contribution to global climate change. He was one of just 16 GOP representatives to sign onto the bill, and advocates for policies aimed at combating climate change saw the measure as an important symbolic step forward. But more than two years later, with a devastating scientific report from the federal government freshly released, it's past time to move from acknowledging the problem and take concrete steps toward fixing it. That House of Representatives resolution said as much. Consider this passage: "If left unaddressed, the consequences of a changing climate have the potential to adversely impact all Americans, hitting vulnerable populations hardest, harming productivity in key economic sectors such as construction, agriculture, and tourism, saddling future generations with costly economic and environmental burdens, and imposing additional costs on State and Federal budgets that will further add to the long-term fiscal challenges that we face as a Nation." Government climate report warns of worsening US disasters WASHINGTON As California's catastrophic wildfires recede and people rebuild after two hurricanes, a massive new federal report warns that these types of disasters are worsening in the United States because of global warming. The White House report quietly issued Friday also frequently contradicts President Donald Trump. That conclusion was reinforced with scientific precision with the Nov. 23 release of the National Climate Assessment, a massive analysis that examined more than 1,000 research reports and involved the work of 13 federal agencies. Among the predictions: Left unchecked, climate change will reduce the size of the U.S. economy by 10 percent in less than 100 years. The economic analysis is important because one of the biggest obstacles to meaningful climate change policy has been the concern about economic impact from major environmental regulations. For several years, though, a group of Republican and Democratic policymakers have been working on a bold plan that could accomplish the goal of protecting and restoring the planet without hurting the economy. In fact, it's a plan that could actually provide some economic stimulus. That's been translated into a bill introduced last week called the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. The measure has three Republican and three Democratic co-sponsors in the House of Representatives so far, and we believe Katko should join the effort. The act would establish a fee on carbon dioxide emissions that would be aimed at encouraging companies to reduce CO2 output over time. But the fee would not be gobbled up by the government; instead, it would be used to fund a monthly rebate paid out to American citizens, which would help most of them more than cover any increases in prices for petroleum products. A provision is in place for a carbon fee to be put on products imported from countries without their own reduction program in place, which will help protect American companies in the global marketplace. That's a boiled-down version of the legislation, and as it gets more attention, we're sure there's going to be plenty of healthy debate about its pros and cons, which is fine as long as it results in a law that brings the United States significantly forward in dealing with this dire situation. We know Katko has taken time the past couple of years to meet with advocates for this type of legislation, often referred to as "climate fee and dividend," and his responses have been encouraging enough for them to keep trying to bring him on board. We believe now is the time for him to be among the leaders in this effort, which could be one of the most important actions he'll ever take as a congressman. The Citizen Editorial Board includes publisher Rob Forcey, managing editor Mike Dowd and executive editor Jeremy Boyer. Love 5 Funny 2 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 0 Revolade (eltrombopag) showed lower rate of bleeding-related episodes and similar rate of thrombotic events vs. romiplostim, rituximab and splenectomy, in a retrospective analysis of US electronic health records Patients who received splenectomy, as second-line regimen, showed highest platelet counts and most frequent thrombotic event rates among groups receiving other therapies Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a rare blood disorder where there is an increased risk of bleeding due to a low number of platelets Basel, December 2, 2018 - Novartis announced results of a retrospective, real-world evidence study in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) treated with Revolade (eltrombopag), compared to other second-line therapies. The data demonstrated that patients experienced better clinical outcomes with Revolade, in terms of fewer bleeding episodes. The data were presented during the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Diego. "Despite advances in treating immune thrombocytopenia, many patients remain at risk for bleeding episodes," said Samit Hirawat, MD, Head, Novartis Oncology Global Drug Development. "With these kind of real-world data, we can reimagine care by more clearly understanding the outcomes of a range of treatments and, in turn, helping healthcare providers better navigate available options with their patients." Electronic health records (EHR) data from January 1, 2009 to September 30, 2016 from the Optum EHR database were used to evaluate the effect of second-line agents for ITP. Identified patients had the following characteristics: 18 years or older, evidence of previous treatment with steroids or immune globulin products, and activity in the database for at least 6 months prior to and 12 months post initiation of a second-line agent. Treatment outcomes evaluated included platelet counts, bleeding related episodes (BREs), and thrombotic events (TEs) over the 12-month period following starting a second-line therapy. Of the 2,526 adults that met the inclusion criteria, 110 (4.4%) received eltrombopag, 189 (7.5%) romiplostim, 1,488 (58.9%) rituximab, and 260 (10.3%) splenectomy, with the remaining 479 (18.9%) receiving a mix of other second-line agents. Compared to baseline, platelet counts increased in all treatment cohorts. The proportion of patients who experienced BREs ranged from 25.5% (eltrombopag) to 36.5% (romiplostim), while TEs were observed in all treatment cohorts ranging from 11.6% (eltrombopag) to 15.7% (splenectomy). An additional analysis demonstrated that patients with ITP who had a splenectomy as second-line treatment had the highest mean platelet counts during the first 12 months post treatment initiation, but were at greatest risk for TEs (15.7%) (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism) compared to 11.6% (eltrombopag), 12.7% (romiplostim), and 13.9% (rituximab). "These real-world data can help doctors as they weigh options for second-line therapy with their patients." Adam Cuker, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "They may also help explain the long-term trend toward deferring splenectomies until after other lines of treatment have been tried." Immune thrombocytopenia is a rare and potentially serious blood disorder where there is an increased risk of bleeding due to a low number of platelets. As a result, patients with ITP experience bruising, bleeding and, in rare cases, serious hemorrhage that can be fatal.[1] The goal of treatment in chronic/persistent ITP is to maintain a safe platelet count that reduces the risk of bleeding.[1] Promacta/Revolade (eltrombopag) Eltrombopag, marketed as Promacta in the US and Revolade in countries outside the US, is approved in more than 90 countries worldwide for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who have had an inadequate response or are intolerant to other treatments. It is also approved for the treatment of patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) as first-line therapy in the US (patients 2 years and older) and Japan, and in many other countries for patients who are refractory to other treatments. In more than 40 countries, Promacta/Revolade is indicate for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic hepatitis C to allow them to initiate and maintain interferon-based therapy. Promacta/Revolade is approved in the US and in the European Union for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in pediatric patients 1 year and older with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, or splenectomy. Promacta should only be used in patients with ITP whose degree of thrombocytopenia and clinical condition increase the risk for bleeding. Important Safety Information Promacta can cause serious side effects, including liver problems, abnormal liver function tests, high platelet counts and higher risk for blood clots, and new or worsened cataracts (a clouding of the lens in the eye). Promacta is not for treatment of people with a precancerous condition called myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). If you have MDS and receive Promacta, your MDS condition may worsen and become AML. If MDS worsens to become AML, you may die sooner from AML. For patients who have chronic hepatitis C virus and take Promacta with interferon and ribavirin treatment, Promacta may increase the risk of liver problems. Patients should tell a healthcare provider right away if they have any of these signs and symptoms of liver problems including yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice), unusual darkening of the urine, unusual tiredness, right upper stomach area pain, confusion, swelling of the stomach area (abdomen). A healthcare provider will order blood tests to check the liver before starting Promacta and during Promacta treatment. In some cases, treatment with Promacta may need to be stopped due to changes in liver function tests. The risk of getting a blood clot is increased if the platelet count is too high during treatment with Promacta. The risk of getting a blood clot may also be increased during treatment with Promacta if platelet counts are normal or low. Some forms of blood clots, such as clots that travel to the lungs or that cause heart attacks or strokes can cause severe problems or death. A healthcare provider will check blood platelet counts, and change the dose of Promacta or stop Promacta, if platelet counts get too high. Patients should tell a healthcare provider right away if they have signs and symptoms of a blood clot in the leg, such as swelling, pain, or tenderness in the leg. People with chronic liver disease may be at risk for a type of blood clot in the stomach area. Patients should tell a healthcare provider right away if they have stomach area pain that may be a symptom of this type of blood clot. New or worsened cataracts have happened in people taking Promacta. A healthcare provider will check the patient's eyes before and during treatment with Promacta. Patients should tell a healthcare provider about any changes in eyesight while taking Promacta. Patients should tell a healthcare provider about all the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Promacta may affect the way certain medicines work. Certain medicines may keep Promacta from working correctly. Patients should take Promacta at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking products such as antacids used to treat stomach ulcers or heartburn and multivitamins or products that contain iron, calcium, aluminum, magnesium, selenium, and zinc, which may be found in mineral supplements. Patients should ask a healthcare provider if they are not sure if the medicine is one that is listed above. Patients should avoid situations and medications that may increase the risk of bleeding while taking Promacta. The most common side effects of Promacta when used to treat chronic ITP in adults are: nausea; diarrhea; upper respiratory tract infection (symptoms may include runny nose, stuffy nose, and sneezing); vomiting; muscle aches; urinary tract infection (symptoms may include frequent or urgent need to urinate, low fever in some people, pain or burning with urination); pain or swelling (inflammation) in the throat or mouth (oropharyngeal pain and pharyngitis); abnormal liver function tests; back pain; flu-like symptoms (influenza), including fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, and body aches; skin tingling, itching, or burning; and rash. The most common side effects of Promacta in children 1 year and older when used to treat chronic ITP are: upper respiratory tract infections (symptoms may include runny nose, stuffy nose, and sneezing); pain or swelling (inflammation) in the nose and throat (nasopharyngitis); cough; diarrhea; pyrexia; runny, stuffy nose (rhinitis); stomach (abdominal) pain; pain or swelling (inflammation) in the throat or mouth; toothache; abnormal liver function tests; rash; runny nose (rhinorrhea). The most common side effects when Promacta is used in combination with other medicines to treat chronic HCV are: low red blood cell count (anemia); fever; tiredness; headache; nausea; diarrhea; decreased appetite; flu-like symptoms (influenza), including fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, and body aches; feeling weak; trouble sleeping; cough; itching; chills; muscle aches; hair loss; and swelling in the ankles, feet, and legs. The most common side effects of Promacta when used to treat severe aplastic anemia (SAA) are: nausea, feeling tired, cough, diarrhea, headache, pain in arms, legs, hands or feet, shortness of breath, fever, dizziness, pain in nose or throat, abdominal pain, bruising, muscle spasms, abnormal liver function tests, joint pain, and runny nose. Laboratory tests may show abnormal changes to the cells in bone marrow. The most common side effects of Promacta when used to treat adults and pediatric patients 2 years and older with SAA in combination with standard immunosuppressive therapy are: abnormal liver function tests, rash and skin discoloration including darkening of skin patches (hyperpigmentation). Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING and Medication Guide, for Promacta. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "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. 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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. Optum is a registered trademark of UnitedHealth Group. About Novartis Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world's top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 1 billion people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 125 000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at 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 media.relations@novartis.com References [1] National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Immune Thrombocytopenia. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/immune-thrombocytopenia. Accessed October 2, 2018. # # # Novartis Media Relations Central media line: +41 61 324 2200 E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com Eric Althoff Novartis Global Media Relations +41 61 324 7999 (direct) +41 79 593 4202 (mobile) eric.althoff@novartis.com Michael Billings Benign Hematology Communications +1 862 778 8656 (direct) +1 201 400 1854 (mobile) michael.billings@novartis.com Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com Alaska Quake Almost Created Slight Surge on Oregon Coast Published 12/01/2018 at 9:59 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Seaside, Oregon) For a few uneasy minutes, some on the Oregon coast thought there was a possibility of a tsunami coming from Friday mornings earthquake in Alaska, which resulted in a tsunami warning for that area. The quake measured a 6.6 in magnitude and happened around 8:45 a.m. Social media accounts around the Oregon coast filled with repostings of the tsunami warning for that area, although none had been issued for this region. After all, sometimes these things take time to determine. By 10:10 a.m., the tsunami alert for Alaska had been canceled and it had been clear for some time already that none would be issued for the Oregon coast. However, Seaside geologist Tom Horning was examining numbers from his end and was seeing the possibility that a slightly larger-than-usual wave might occur on the Oregon coast. There was clearly no danger involved: it would simply be a bit of a surge. It was a curiosity at best, but still an interesting event if it were to happen. He brought up that idea not long after the quake, but the chances of a surge were diminishing throughout the day. If a tsunami is generated, it will arrive Seaside around 3:45 p.m., Horning said that morning. The tide will be around +5.0 ft. Based on this, there should not be a significant risk of a tsunami, although the tide might surge a foot higher than normal. Nothing, of course, materialized. No one reported seeing anything slightly larger than usual in the tides about that time, and Oregon Coast Beach Connection had a couple of people on the lookout. If anyone would know about tsunamis, it would be Horning. Aside from being the Carl Sagan of Oregon coast geology, he experienced the 1964 tsunami that tore up Seaside, coming from a much larger quake in Alaska at the time. Horning was a pre-teen then, asleep in an upstairs loft when water came crashing through the bottom floor of his childhood home on the Necanicum River. He spent a little time comparing the two quakes. The Seaside tsunami of 1964 was from 8.5 to 19 ft high and came in on a 7.8 ft tide, Horning said. Compared to the subduction zone quake of 1964, this is 1 percent the magnitude of 1964 and has released about 0.1 percent the energy. It can be locally destructive to poorly built structures on bad ground, but its effect dissipates over larger areas. Oregon Coast Lodgings in this area - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Nothing in this section shall be construed to provide grounds for a victim (i) to appeal any decision made in a criminal or juvenile proceeding; (ii) to challenge any verdict, sentence, or adjudication; (iii) to participate as a party in any proceeding; or (iv) to obtain confidential juvenile records. ... Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the power of the district attorney, or the inherent authority of the court. Voters offering to vote in person shall present photographic identification before voting. The General Assembly shall enact general laws governing the requirements of such photographic identification, which may include exceptions. "I would recommend that the state legislature include a provision in any enabling legislation that gives the legislature the power to appoint a private lawyer as a special assistance attorney general who will have total authority - without supervision by the attorney general - to defend any lawsuits filed against the voter ID law and/or referendum." ... "With the newest members of the U.S. Supreme Court, I think any challenge against the law will ultimately fail before the court in the same way that the court previously upheld Indiana's voter ID law in 2008." "If I were the North Carolina General Assembly I would get that Supreme Court decision upholding voter ID in Indiana, and I would study that decision, and the restrictions that were upheld very carefully, and that's what I would enact." Earlier this month, North Carolina's voters considered six constitutional amendment proposals and approved four of them. Two of the approved amendments are straightforward textual changes with no immediate statutory impact, but the others require statutory changes. The complications inherent in implementing those changes may make the General Assembly regret placing the amendments before the voters.The approved amendments that simply made straightforward textual changes were the income tax cap amendment and the right to hunt and fish amendment. The former merely changes one word in Section 2 (6) of Article V, reducing the existing income tax cap from "ten" percent to "seven" percent. The latter adds a new section (Section 38) to Article I. By its own terms, however, the new section leaves existing statutes and regulations in place and imposes no new burdens on the legislature.The right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is a valued part of the State's heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good. The people have a right, including the right to use traditional methods, to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, subject only to laws enacted by the General Assembly and rules adopted pursuant to authority granted by the General Assembly to (i) promote wildlife conservation and management and (ii) preserve the future of hunting and fishing. Public hunting and fishing shall be a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. Nothing herein shall be construed to modify any provision of law relating to trespass, property rights, or eminent domain.The other two approved amendments-the victims' rights amendment and the voter ID amendment-are very different. Both require statutory implementation, and, in each case, the process of implementation will present some special challenges.Prior to the recently approved victims' rights amendment, the North Carolina Constitution already enumerated the "rights of victims of crime" at Section 37 of Article I. The recently approved amendment modifies Section 37 in several ways. It expands the range of crimes to which the section applies; it removes the phrase "as prescribed by law" from the list of rights, thereby withdrawing the legislature's power to define those rights; and it imposes some additional limits on victims' claims:It also makes the General Assembly responsible for implementation." It also stipulates,This is not a trivial responsibility. To carry it out, the General Assembly will have to review and revise the existing body of statutory law that deals with victims' rights, and, as it does so, it will have to consider how best to avoid the pitfalls that other states have encountered with their own victims' rights laws. Nevertheless, the challenges that will have to be overcome to implement the victims' rights amendment are nothing compared to the challenges presented by the voter ID amendment.The voter ID amendment adds the following passage to both Section 2 and Section 3 of Article IV of the North Carolina Constitution:Clearly, the General Assembly will have to enact those laws, and when it does, it will have to deal with four complications. The first is that there is a previously enacted voter ID law on the books. The second is that the previously enacted law has already been held to be unconstitutional by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The third is that the Democratic Party's institutional allies are almost certain to mount a legal challenge to whatever law the General Assembly may enact pursuant to the voter ID amendment. And the fourth is that Attorney General Josh Stein cannot be relied upon to defend the enacted law against such a challenge.The first two complications can be dealt with simply by repealing the existing law, but the third and fourth present a more difficult challenge. In a recent Carolina Journal article , Dan Way discusses those challenges in detail and passes on some expert advice about how to deal with them.After acknowledging that,Hans von Spakovsky, senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation and former member of the Federal Elections Commission, says:Von Spakovsky seems confident that, if properly drafted and diligently defended, a new ID law can ultimately pass constitutional muster:And to make sure the law is, in fact, properly drafted, Greg Wallace, a constitutional law expert who teaches at Campbell Law School, offers this suggestion:Let's hope the General Assembly takes the advice offered by von Spakovsky and Wallace, and let's hope that implementation of all of the recently approved constitutional amendments goes smoothly. English Danish Copenhagen, 2 December 2018 Santa Fe Group A/S has reached an agreement, in the form of a Term Sheet, with Kobus Fourie, Managing Director for Santa Fe Australia, whereby the Santa Fe and Wridgways activities in Australia are divested. The transaction will take the form of a share transfer and is expected to close by the end of December 2018. The transaction remains subject to final agreement between the parties. At the same time, Santa Fe Relocation will sign a 5-year Franchise Agreement with Kobus Fouries newly acquired business. The Franchise agreement is mutually exclusive, and the two companies will remain integrated through customer experience, processes and technology. Existing and new Santa Fe Relocation customers will continue to be serviced in Australia based on Santa Fe Relocation methodology and processes, and on Santa Fe Relocations CORE operating system. Domestic customers in Australia will continue to enjoy the high service level under the WridgWays brand, which they have been accustomed to for generations. The shares are sold at the price of AUD 1 (one) in total. Any gain or loss on the sale is expected to be immaterial and will be reported as discontinued operations. Commenting on the transaction, Santa Fe Group CEO Martin Thaysen says: It was important for us to find a sustainable future for our Australian business, looking after both our employees and our customers best possible. This is the ideal situation, where we get a highly capable and committed franchise partner in Australia, a future for our employees with career and growth opportunities and continued exceptional customer experience for our global Santa Fe Relocation customers. We look very much forward to the future partnership with Kobus, and growing our business in Australia under new ownership. The activities being sold were expected to generate a full-year revenue of around EUR 47m and an EBITDA before special items loss of around EUR 6m in 2018 of which allocated Group cost constitutes approximately EUR 1.5m. As closing will take place in 2018, the business will be reported as discontinued operations in the reporting for 2018. Full-year outlook for 2018 adjusted With the transaction, the Full Year Outlook for the company is adjusted to a revenue of around EUR 213m (previously around EUR 260m) and EBITDA before Special Items of around EUR 2m (previously a loss of around EUR -4m) for the continuing operations. For additional information please contact: Martin Thaysen, Group CEO, tel. +44 20 3691 8300, e-mail martin.thaysen@santaferelo.com Christian Mller Laursen, Group CFO, tel. +44 20 8963 2514, e-mail Christian.laursen@santaferelo.com Attachment This week, Yale University released a report about a fascinating study from Cydney Dupree, assistant professor of organizational behavior at Yale School of Management, and Susan Fiske of Princeton University. The study asked whether white liberal American politicians treat minority Americans differently than they do white audiences, and whether the same holds true for conservatives. The study examined 74 speeches delivered by white presidential candidates over the course of 25 years, about half to minority audiences and about half to white audiences. The speeches were then analyzed for the number of words related to ability and status (competence words), and the number of words related to friendliness (warmth words).The results: white liberals tended to radically increase the number of warmth words and decrease the number of competence words used when speaking with minority audiences. According to the study,The study didn't end there.Next, the study organizers asked white participants to email with a partner without seeing that partner. The partner would be named in either stereotypically white or stereotypically black fashion. The study found, shockingly, thatHow about conservatives? It turns out that conservatives spoke to white people in the same way they spoke to black people.Dupree stated.The fact that white liberals tend to treat minority audiences more emotionally, and without resort to competence-related language, is certainly patronizing. It's ridiculous for white liberals to think that they have to dumb themselves down in some way to speak with minority voters.But the study also raises a more serious implicit question: why have minority voters resonated overwhelmingly to those Democratic presidential candidates who emphasize warmth over competence? In other words, why is it working? While we can point out the double standard of applying warmth rather than competence to minority audiences by white liberals, those same white liberals have been winning an ever-increasing share of the minority vote. By contrast, white Americans have been voting in ever-larger numbers for Republicans over that same period.Why? The obvious answer is that many minority Americans may react poorly to competence-based language - that different communities approach education and linguistic exactitude differently. That's a bad thing, and catering to it is a bad thing as well. In 2000, George W. Bush spoke before the NAACP and took on precisely this assumption, slamming theand adding that he aspired to an equality wherein no one wasBut the Left has objected to that idea, instead reveling in the soft bigotry of low expectations, suggesting that those who call for equal enthusiasm for a meritocracy are in fact emissaries of bigotry and racism. The subtle bias the study's authors cite isn't so subtle - it's baked into the very foundations of modern liberalism.It will take an act of will for white liberals to abandon their racial double standard. They will have to adhere to a philosophy that everyone, regardless of race, ought to be treated with an equal level of competence. If they don't, they're likely to continue polarizing the nation along racial lines. Should Beaufort County elected officials demand that every alleged incident of Child Rape be investigated in Beaufort County? Yes, without fail, irrespective of the parties involved; this heinous crime must be investigated, and the truth be known, and responsible parties prosecuted. 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 With the festive season upon us, it is easy to get lost in Christmas shopping and gift-hunting. However, there are many South Africans who aren't as fortunate and need a helping hand. One person Zolile, who gave a helping hand, shared his story on social media. PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! Zolile Mlonyeni recently decided to reach out to a fellow South African who happens to be homeless. He didn't do it for attention or to receive praise, but to help another human being. Zolile says he passed the homeless man, but something told him to turn back and give him the R8 in his pocket. He then walked away, but returned again, driven by a voice inside him that urged him to do more. Zolile eventually took the man for a decent meal and bought him some much-needed items from the shops. He also learned that he shared a name with the man he was helping and that he came from Khayelitsha. PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data with FreeBasics: Briefly is now available on the app Zolile (number 2) apparently had a job and house but lost everything because of things going very wrong for him. Here's the story as it was told on social media: So today knocked off work and took a walk around town past 8am and I bumped into this guy who lives on the streets and he asked for some coins and I had like R8 coins and I pass him and go back again and gave him the R8 and he said Ndabulela bhutwam. As I went my way something said turn back and go to that guy again and so I did and first words to come out my mouth were Bhutwam ubukhe watya namhlanje? And he said Not at all. Heres the thing I was not forced to give him the R8 in the first place and I definitely was not forced to turn back and go to him but my heart and a voice inside told me to. I told him masambe sothenga ukutya and we went to shoprite and asked him to take a trolley and take what he wanted Ill pay. You wont believe what he only wanted, was just a loaf of bread and amasi alumele. And at that moment my heart broke and made me realize that some people dont want our sympathy but just food. And my heart couldnt let me just buy him a loaf of bread namasi, so I pleaded with him to take other stuff and fruit too and so took a strol at the shop and took some stuff. READ ALSO: BLACK GUY GETS HILARIOUS REVENGE ON WHITE LADY WHO CUT IN LINE As usual you know people by giving funny looks. But what I noticed about him was he was not bothered by the looks people have him and surprisingly I was not bothered myself. We talked like brothers and laughing and we went to pay and my heart was like that aint enough so we went to KFC and again I was not forced to do this and I bought him a 5 piece meal so he can have a nice meal too like anybody else. We sat down and talked and he told me his name is surprisingly is Zolile too but I forgot the surname . Hes from Khayelitsha ko-I and he ended up on the streets cause of his girlfriend. He had a house and a job and he did everything for his girlfriend but she apparently often disappointed him and cheated on him and she dumped him but still he never stopped helping her whenever she needed anything. People called him names for doing that and it was too much for him so much that he ended up drinking and losing his job and the girl kicked him out the house and he had depression hence he ended up on the streets. Im not writing this because I wanna be famous or something but that guy showed me that never judge someone by how you see them on the outside cause you dont know their daily struggles. I learnt a lot from him today even though he doesnt know. Im not rich but the money that I had he needed it more than I did and I felt so blessed after everything . I dont regret anything I did today as long as Ill know I used my money to make someones day and brought joy to them. Tomorrow at 8am made a date with him Im taking him for breakfast and blanket shopping. 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 / Local by Staff Reporter THE Government has set aside over $45 million targeted at improving the country's water and sewer infrastructure, a move which will see 90 percent of all urban dwellers having access to safe drinking water by year 2024.Among other things the rehabilitation will involve the construction of sewer systems for a number of new residential areas around the country. In projections that were made by Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, Government will avail a total of $45,2 million for various water and sewer reticulation projects around the country which include installing a sewer reticulation system in Bulawayo's Cowdray Park Hlalani Kuhle suburb.Cowdray Park Hlalani Kuhle has presented the Bulawayo City Council a headache as the suburb had no sewer or water reticulation system which saw residents in the suburb constructing Blair toilets to avoid open defecation. The local authority insisted that the Blair toilets were illegal but could not demolish them because there was no sewer reticulation to give residents an alternative.Presenting his 2019 budget proposals, Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube revealed that they were setting aside $4,1 million for the construction of a sewer reticulation system for the 3 000 houses in the suburb."The service level benchmarking exercise undertakes with support from the World Bank in 32 local authorities, underlined critical interventions needed to restore services in the 32 local authorities, particularly with regard to infrastructure services."The 2019 budget will therefore make provision for the rehabilitation of water and sewer infrastructure, amounting to US$45,2 million in 18 local authorities," said Prof Ncube.Other local authorities that will receive funding include Harare City Council, $4,1 million for the rehabilitation of clarifiers, outfall sewer and upgrading of collapsed sewer, Gweru City Council, $4 million for the replacement of pumps at three main pump stations and rehabilitation of Cambridgesire Treatment Plant and Norton town council will receive $2,5 million for the rehabilitation of sewer ponds and sewer reticulation system in Mandale.Beitbridge Municipality will receive, $1,4 million for the rehabilitation of the sewerage reticulation system, Lupane Local Board; $1,1 million for the upgrading of sewer reticulation system, Chirundu Local Board; $1 million for the construction of a new sewerage reticulation system, Kadoma City Council; $1,8 million for the rehabilitation of the water reticulation and construction of a pumping station while Kwekwe City Council will receive $2,3 million for the upgrading and rehabilitation of the sewer and water reticulation system.Also included in the list is Marondera Municipality that will receive $2,9 million for the rehabilitation of the water reticulation network, Bindura City Council; $3,8 million for the construction of a water treatment plant and rehabilitation of water reticulation network, Victoria Falls will get $2 million for the rehabilitation of the water and sewer reticulation network and Chiredzi Town Council will also receive $2 million for a complete reticulation upgrade and construction of a reservoir.Chitungwiza Municipality on the other hand will get $1,5 million for the rehabilitation of sewer infrastructure in Zengeza, Chegutu Municipality; $3,5 million for the rehabilitation of water and sewerage network and construction of new manholes, Chinoyi Municipality; $2,8 million for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the sewerage reticulation system, Epworth Local Board; $2,3 million for the upgrading of water mains, sewer outfall and sewer treatment plant and Redcliff Municipality completes the list of urban authorities, receiving $2 million for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the water and sewer reticulation network.Two rural district councils have also been identified to get Government support, these being Chirumhanzu that will get $726 000 for sewer ponds rehabilitation and Manyame will get $700 000 for the construction of a sewerage reticulation system.Meanwhile, Prof Ncube also recently buttressed the need to ensure that all water bodies in the country are fully utilised. These plans are contained in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) launched by Government recently."By 2024 all sewer should be treated before being discharged to the environment, while 90 percent of urban dwellers should have access to safe drinking water. City fathers must plan for the growth in urban settlements by providing basic services and affordable housing for urban dwellers.All ongoing dam projects will be completed and measures put in place to ensure all water bodies are fully utilised. Additional boreholes will be constructed countrywide, through DDF and Zinwa, to ensure that rural households also have access to safe drinking water," reads the document.Gwayi-Shangani Dam has also been targeted- with two other dams; Causeway and Marovanyati- targeted to be completed by 2019 with a budget of US$194,2 million set aside for this."Support of US$60 million will target execution of works for Chivhu, Semwa, Bindura and Tuli-Manyange dams. Emergency Water Supply and Sanitation Rehabilitation Project under ZimFund, targeting Harare, Ruwa, Redcliff and Chitungwiza is under implementation and expected to be complete in 2018."Guruve, Lupane and Zimunya sewer and water upgrading works under ZIMREF are on-going and expected to be completed in 2018 at a cost of US$5,5 million. Through the IDBZ, Government will prioritise the completion of the Victoria Falls Municipality Water and Sanitation Project and the Chiredzi Town Council Water and Waste-Water Augmentation," reads the document.Contacted for comment, Bulawayo mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni said the programme would complement other projects they had in place."Already we have a project that we are doing in Cowdray Park from a grant we received under the Africa Development Bank so if the central government comes in to support us in these key water and sewer projects it will surely go a long way in ensuring that we fulfil our goal as a city of improving our water and sewer reticulation," said Clr Mguni. News / National by Staff reporter CHIMURENGA music maestro Thomas "Mukanya" Mapfumo, has challenged Zanu-PF to first practice good governance and foster unity in deeply-divided Zimbabwe before demanding the removal of sanctions from the West.The United States slapped Zimbabwe with sanctions through the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 over human rights abuses by former president Robert Mugabe following a chaotic and violent land reform programme.The sanctions were renewed this year by US president Donald Trump's administration, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Zanu-PF government has blamed the embargoe for the deterioration of the economy and has been on a charm offensive to persuade the Americans to lift the sanctions.But Mapfumo, whose hard-hitting songs have become legendary for speaking truth to power, said the government should stop playing with people's lives."Let's practice good governance first. We are the ones causing these sanctions, not the outside world. If we are not agreeing among ourselves, they will remain.""What we have is politics of corruption, not development."Even well-known thieves hold senior positions in government there is too much corruption instead of them building infrastructure such as schools, freeways and hospitals."Political bickering caused by partisan politics is taking centre stage."Our politics is backwards, more than 38 years of political fights without any development on the economic front is too much," he said.Mapfumo added that political elites were busy destroying the country's future by taking both the fruit and the branch from the tree yet they want to eat the fruit only."Our politics should put more focus on developing the economy, so that we leave an inheritance for our children," he said.The Chimurenga music maestro said it was sad that Zimbabwe had witnessed insignificant development after the Zanu-PF government took over from Ian Smith's regime at independence in 1980.Mapfumo said Africa was not united and this had led the resource-rich continent to always have to extend the begging bowl to countries like China.Mapfumo went into self-imposed exile under Mugabe's rule and resurfaced back home after the November military coup that ushered in Mnangagwa's rule.Some believed it was a sign that he was warming up to Mnangagwa's rule.However, Mapfumo has not changed his stance against the Zanu-PF government, blasting it for its failure to restore the country's economy.Mapfumo is expected back in the country this month for a "Peace" concert. It will be his second visit to the country since Mnangagwa took over in November last year.He has lined up eight shows around the country, which will provide an opportunity to his fans to watch him live. News / National by Staff reporter The government has increased the training period for midwives from 12 months to 18 months beginning 2019 in order to cater for curriculum changes which are meant to improve service delivery.This was revealed by the President of Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives (ZICOM), Dr Lillian Dodzo during an annual general meeting for midwives held in Nyanga."There is an increasing recognition that providing quality universal health coverage is an investment in social and economic well-being of the nation and a key contributor to the wealth and productivity of any country. Attaining universal health care is when a country has midwives with sound knowledge and skills for managing obstetrics and neonatal emergencies and appealed for the creation of separate establishments of midwives," said Dr Dodzo.The Vice Chairperson of the Health Services Board, Professor Auxillia Chideme Munodawafa, who was guest of honour at the conference, urged the midwives to get into research and come up with scientific solutions and recommendations for midwifery challenges and dilemmas."Surely there has to be a difference between my midwife who delivered me 71 years ago and today's midwife with a masters degree or PHD from NUST. Midwives should work hard in reducing the current mortality rate which is at 651/1000," she said.The conference which was held under the theme "midwives responds to the global agenda on sustainable development and universal health care," was attended by scores of midwives representatives from across the 10 provinces. News / National by Staff reporter A 37-year-old American tourist was rushed to a private hospital in Victoria Falls with a fractured leg yesterday morning after she was attacked by a hippo while canoeing on the Zambezi River.Mrs Christine Yaldor was canoeing with her husband whose details Sunday News could not immediately get.They had booked with one of the operators for a mid-morning canoeing adventure, sources said. Mrs Yaldor and her husband were suddenly attacked by the hippo when their boat came closer to the animal as they enjoyed sailing in the river. A witness said:"They came too close to the hippo and it panicked and attacked their boat. The woman was injured on her right leg in the process."Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident."I can confirm that an American woman was attacked by a hippo while canoeing. She sustained some injuries on her leg but she has been since treated and the wound dressed," he said.Mr Farawo urged tourists and members of the public to be careful and avoid contact with wild animals as they could easily get agitated and attack."Our message remains the same, we urge tourists to be vigilant and extra careful. Never underestimate these animals. Simply stay away from them. Let us be careful and avoid unnecessary deaths and injuries," he said.Mrs Yaldor's condition could not be ascertained by the time of going to print.In September, another tourist from Germany was flown to South Africa for urgent medical attention after he was attacked by an elephant he was trying to photograph.The tourist was in the company of his wife and was rescued by some curio vendors who scared the jumbo away. News / National by Staff reporter THE Harare businessman accused of defrauding a Bulawayo company of more than $2 million last year has been remanded out of custody to 14 December this year.Onesimo Ndoro appeared in court last Friday on routine remand. He appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Miss Ratidzo Ringisayi. According to the State, a Bulawayo man on 10 November 2017 told Pump and Steel Company that they could facilitate a foreign currency allocation from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to assist the company in paying for imports.He allegedly said he had made consultations with Ndoro who indicated that there was a US$80 million facility available to assist businesses with imports. He further told Pump and Steel Company that RBZ would create a file to enable the company to benefit from the facility." . . . He then supplied the complainant with an EcoBank account number that belonged to Onesimo Ndoro, who instructed the complainant to make the deposit into the account so they could link him to RBZ for foreign currency to be availed, since his company East Glow Trading Private Limited had a file with RBZ," read the State's case.Pump and Steel made an initial deposit of $676 945, equivalent to ZAR 9 748 008. Ndoro, however, is said to have only made a payment amounting to $300 523, 330 to the said SA supplier KULKONI (ITS) SKOK Machine tool. The amount was equivalent to ZAR4 327 535 95 and converted $376 421, 067 to his own use. After the transaction Ndoro instructed Pump and Steel to pay transactional charges of $152 312, 064 split at $50 770 to three different accounts.Among the accounts two of them belonged to Ndoro, one being a CABS account and International Business Support Services under CBZ. The other account belongs to another account holder at FBC.On December 4, 2017 Pump and Steel made a deposit of $1 982 913 to East Glow Trading, after Ndoro had convinced the company directors that there was a $2 million facility set aside for them. Ndoro is, however, said to have made a payment of $197 414 to Euro Steel and Trident Steel, the alleged South African suppliers and converted the remainder of the money amounting to $1 785 508, 60 to his own use. Pump and Steel, as a result lost $2 161 930, 27 from the alleged scam and nothing has been recovered. News / National by Stff reporter Mystery surrounds the closure of a science laboratory at Mandwandwe secondary school in Bulawayo, after a science teacher passed away after he allegedly inhaled a poisonous substance while using the laboratory in 2016.It may seem as business as usual at the school in Nkulumane but for teachers and students, it is not business as usual as they are living in trauma after the death of a former teacher, Mr Trust Ncube.When the ZBC News crew visited the school, the laboratory was in a dilapidated state, a sign that showed it had been non-functional for some time.Most students refused to comment on the haunted science laboratory' on camera, fearing victimisation by the school authorities.However, an anonymous former student said the laboratory was closed due to some gas leaks which killed the science teacher and since then, it was never used as students are afraid to learn in it.The school's deputy headmaster, Mr Methuseli Moyo professed ignorance on the allegations, saying he is not aware of such things and claimed that the laboratory was being used.A new science laboratory has since been built leaving the community wondering why the old laboratory is still closed if the allegations are false. Opinion / Columnist A video circulating on social media of MDC officials, Murisi Zwizwai and Charlton Hwende publicly confronting, accusing and humiliating MDC co-vice-president, Engineer Elias Mudzuri for attending a meeting of Parliamentary officials with President Mnangagwa at State House last week makes a nauseating sight.Ironically, Mr Hwende accepted the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on ICT whose perks are equivalent to those of Deputy Ministers. Eng Mudzuri had attended the meeting with President Mnangagwa, together with other Parliamentary Presiding Officers, in terms of Parliament's Standing Rules and Orders. Messrs Zwizwai and Hwende accused Eng Mudzuri of associating with President Mnangagwa, despite the party's so-called policy of not recognising his legitimacy.What makes the stance by the MDC Alliance officials so appalling and hypocritical is the litany of cases of MDC co-operation and working together with various Government officials and departments, despite the so-called policy of non-recognition of President Mnangagwa's legitimacy.First and foremost, the very act of acknowledging the appointment of Government Ministers by the very same President Mnangagwa is, by logical deduction and extension, a categorical acceptance of the legitimacy of the President. It would be a great case of hypocrisy to accept a Government Minister's legitimacy arising from that minister's appointment by an illegitimate President. If the appointing authority, in this case President Mnangagwa, is illegitimate, it logically follows that all his appointments and other executive decisions are illegitimate. How does the MDC Alliance explain its acceptance and recognition of Government Ministers while at the same time denying the legitimacy of the appointing authority?Messrs Zwizwai and Hwende confronted Eng Mudzuri at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) where legislators were engaged in post-budget consultations. The 2019 budget they were discussing was presented by Professor Mthuli Ncube, an appointee of President Mnangagwa. Here we don't see the MDC Alliance MPs boycotting the consultations, probably because they were being held at a five-star hotel where they would wine and dine, at the taxpayer's expense.This co-operation with the executive arm of the State is not problematic, according to the Hwendes of the MDC Alliance, but Eng Mudzuri's attendance of a meeting with President Mnangagwa is problematic. Readers may need to know that Eng Mudzuri is the MDC Alliance leader in the Senate, a position which was conferred on him through that party's caucus processes.In other words, his attendance at State House was in line with the MDC Alliance's participation in Parliament as well as other State institutions. For the MDC Alliance to now find fault with this participation is the height of hypocrisy.It is an open secret that the MDC Alliance appointed Dangamvura-Chikanga legislator, Mr Prosper Mutseyami as its Parliamentary Chief Whip, while it's national chairperson, Ms Tabitha Khumalo, is the leader of the opposition in the Lower House of Parliament.Here lies the MDC hyprocrisy: if the MDC surely did not recognise the legitimacy of the outcomes of the 30 July elections, why would they appoint all these officials to take up positions in Parliament? Is it because there is money to be earned from Parliamentary participation? Is it about the foreign travel on Parliamentary business? If the MDC Alliance is to be taken as a viable alternative to Zanu-PF, it cannot be seen to be selective in its engagements with Zanu-PF and Government. In one minute, they get along with the same Government. In another, they claim otherwise.Appearing before the Motlanthe Commission investigating post-election violence on Monday last week, Mr Nelson Chamisa expressed his readiness to engage President Mnangagwa for what he termed "the country's progress."Why would he want to engage an illegitimate President? Mr Chamisa is so keen to enter Government through the back door.He is, however, unwilling to say so publicly, but would rather cling to an ambiguous policy of non-recognition of the President and demonstrations, under a futile hope that it would bring him political rewards.The above contradictions point to deep-seated policy and leadership paralysis. Mr Chamisa is simply overwhelmed and out-of-depth to provide clear leadership in the MDC Alliance. It is as clear as day from night that the MDC Alliance is suffering from a strategic leadership crisis, which has failed to chart a way forward after its defeat on 30 July. It is simply not clear if the MDC Alliance is acknowledging the Zanu-PF Government or not. Its engagement is selective.An opposition with the nation's interests at heart would have accepted the poll results with the full assurance that another round of elections would be coming in five years. Mr Chamisa still has age on his side, that he can still try his luck for the presidency. Dragging the country down all because he lost an election, taken together with his unconstitutional power grab in the MDC-T, has exposed Mr Chamisa as a politician motivated by love for power, in the same mould as the infamous Alfonso Dhlakama of Mozambique and Jonas Savimbi of Angola. The Dhlakama and Savimbi of Zimbabwe is prepared to shed the blood of fellow compatriots in pursuit of power. Zimbabwe is experiencing economic challenges exasperated by the MDC Alliance's intransigence and refusal to accept its loss. Mr Chamisa has openly declared that "tozvidira jecha/ sizabhidliza umbuso", an apparent declaration that they would sabotage the economy as long as they are not in power.It is an open secret that Messrs Zwizwai and Hwende, among others like Mr Morgen Komichi, are fronting a faction within the MDC Alliance that is opposed to any member challenging Mr Chamisa for the party leadership at the forthcoming elective congress. They have not made any secret about their position. On the other hand, Eng Mudzuri has hinted that he may contest for the party presidency.Previously, Eng Mudzuri had a run-in with Mr Chamisa following the death of Tsvangirai when Chamisa grabbed the presidency outside the confines of that party's constitution. Eng Mudzuri, together with Dr Thokozani Khupe contested the power grab by Mr Chamisa. That sowed seeds for some of the factional political theatrics that are now manifesting through the insults by Messrs Hwende and Zwizwai. Mudzuri is being persecuted for challenging the circumstances of Chamisa's ascendancy to the leadership of the MDC-T, as well as his bold stance to challenge Chamisa during the congress.On the other hand, Dr Khupe has gone to accept that the results of the polls reflect the wishes of Zimbabweans and has exhorted Zimbabweans to embrace and work with the Zanu-PF Government. This shows Dr Khupe has the national interest at heart: postponing personal political ambitions in the greater public good.Calls by Youth Assembly secretary-general, Lovemore Chinoputsa for Eng Mudzuri's expulsion from the MDC Alliance over the State House meeting should be contextualised in the factional battles for the party leadership. Eng Mudzuri is adjudged to be posing a threat to Mr Chamisa, hence the open attempts to block his political march. In the short period Mr Chamisa has been in national politics, he has demonstrated his insatiable love for power that he is prepared to sacrifice national progress.Such politicians present a clear danger to national aspirations. Voters, however, have a way of punishing such unpatriotic politicians. And voters don't forget.Mandla Vodloza Sibanda is a political analyst based in Harare. Opinion / Columnist Last week on November 24 Emmerson Mnangagwa was in Murombedzi - former president Robert Mugabe's village backyard in Mashonaland West - to commemorate his chequered one year in office following his controversial installation as president on November 24, 2017 after the army unconstitutionally ousted Mugabe.The Murombedzi commemoration, also attended by (Retired) General Constantino Chiwenga, who led the November 2017 military coup, was understandably disguised as Mnangagwa's "thank you rally" for his disputed election on July 30, 2018, which has left him paralysed by a crisis of legitimacy.This is because the military coup, which just about everyone now says was unconstitutional, has become a dirty word among a growing number of Zimbabweans whose livelihoods have been dramatically eroded over the last 12 months, and are worse off today than they were before the coup as a crippling economic meltdown becomes the order of the day.It is, thus, no wonder that loud official silence over the momentous events of November 2017 characterises the disposition of Zanu-PF, the army and government towards the first anniversary of the military coup. Mnangagwa's initial buzzwords that were used as the currency of the coup such as "the new dispensation", "Zimbabwe is open for business" and "the voice of the people is the voice of God" have fallen into disuse due to their irrelevance.Even the so-called Second Republic, much touted during and immediately after the poisonous 2018 election campaign, is fizzling away as most Zimbabweans take it to mean that Mnangagwa is just a second-hand officeholder in the same troubled republic that Mugabe served as its first-hand.When the currently indisposed foreign minister, General Sibusiso Moyo, announced the coup on television in the wee hours of November 15, 2017 as a "military intervention targeting criminals around President Mugabe", he memorably declared that the political situation in the country had "moved to another level". The "new level" was ostensibly from Mugabe's "ruinous rule" to a "new and prosperous dispensation" led by Mnangagwa and underwritten by the military.But 12 months later, the consensus in and outside Zimbabwe is that the situation in the country has, at best, remained stuck at the level it was before the November 2017 coup; and that, at worst, it has rapidly sunk back to the 2008 level of a post-election legitimacy crisis underpinned by a collapsing economy with social and financial ruin on the horizon.The writing is on the wall that the "transition from the old order to a new dispensation", which Mnangagwa promised at his hyped inauguration on November 24, 2017, was stillborn. The new and harsh reality is Finance minister Mthuli Ncube's oxymoronic promise of "austerity for posterity" in an economy that is deep in the doldrums. What has happened and why?A cursory review of public discourse in Zimbabwe will readily show that the questions of the "what" and "why" of politics in the country are hardly, if ever, asked, let alone answered. This is because they invariably require the identification of "who" has done "what", "how", "where" and "when". That identification requires truth-telling which always attracts ghastly consequences on the truth-teller.It is against this backdrop that the challenge for the media and academia in Zimbabwe, and indeed for ordinary Zimbabweans, is that they are not able to freely and meaningfully discuss and debate things to tell the truth about things that have been done or are being done by the country's leadership. A major reason why the claim of a new dispensation after the military coup has proven to be false is that the non-discussabiity of things that have happened, or are happening, has remained to be the scourge of politics in Zimbabwe since 1980. Nothing has changed.In her critically acclaimed treatise, the Human Condition, Hannah Arendt decries as a "failure of speech" where human beings find themselves unable to discuss, or to reflect on, things that are nevertheless done in their society. Such a condition is totalitarian because "speech" is a sine qua non of human existence. It is in this connection that freedom of expression is both a natural and constitutional right, because speech is an innate human quality that gives rise to an inalienable right. The populist historian, Yuval Harari, catalogues in his book Sapiens how "speech" has superbly distinguished human beings from other species by enabling them to cooperate flexibly in large numbers to accomplish complex tasks to benefit humanity.The essence of human freedom is thus the discussion of human action, namely, truth-telling. A society that does not discuss what is happening or has happened within its borders is uncivilised, undemocratic, primitive and doomed. Yet this is where Zimbabwe finds itself, one year after the military coup that Zimbabweans from across the political divide at home and in the Diaspora celebrated in their numbers as a "liberation moment" on November 18, 2017.There are four defining features of the last 12 months in the post-coup era, which have gone undiscussed. These include the erosion of people's livelihoods; the breakdown and selective application of the rule of law enabled by the judiciary; policy paralysis in government occasioned by tribalisation; and the lack of confidence in Mnangagwa dramatised by the fact that he won only in 129, while his Zanu-PF won in 145 constituencies (unlike Nelson Chamisa who won in 81 where his party won 63 constituencies); coupled with the fact that he was rejected by half of the voters in all the three conflicting and disputed results declared by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec).Since the coup, Mnangagwa has projected himself through slogans like "Zimbabwe is open for business"; a mystical scarf whose all-weather use, everywhere and every time, has set tongues wagging with suggestions that he is using it for juju purposes; and personalised leadership models around the styles of Rwanda's Paul Kagame, China's Deng Xiaoping and Britain's Margaret Thatcher that have no connection with Mnangagwa's everyday reality.Before the coup, the army generals who had settled on Mnangagwa as the face of their putsch, peddled propaganda that he was the most suitable successor to Mugabe supposedly because he was like China's "Deng" and that, in any event, Zimbabwe needed a Deng to lead a revolutionary transition from Mugabe to a new dispensation. In this "Deng" fantasy, the generals saw the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) playing in Zimbabwe, through Zanu-PF, the role that People's Liberation Army (PLA) plays in the Communist Party and in China.But the Deng proposition fell away after Mnangagwa's November 24, 2017 inauguration, when the Misheck Sibanda-led Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) took charge of branding its new boss away from the army, in a vain hope to cure the coup. To give Mnangagwa African roots, and hopefully exonerate the Chinese from complicity in the coup, OPC branded Mnangagwa as a "Kagame". Under OPC auspices, the chief executive of the Rwanda Development Board, Clare Akamanzi, who is a governance expert, came to Zimbabwe in April 2018 to address Cabinet ministers, Zanu-PF politburo members, senior government officials and even private sector "juntarites". Mnangagwa played along by declaring that he was "charmed by the efficient governance system in Rwanda".The Kagame tag sought by OPC collapsed after the July 30 general election, before it produced a Kagame-like vision for Mnangagwa. The appointment of Mthuli Ncube as Finance minister in September opened a door for Petina Gappah, who operates from the indisposed General Moyo's office, to astonishingly claim Margaret Thatcher as Mnangagwa's new leadership model. The presumption is that Ncube's "austerity for posterity" slogan might win favours in Britain's conservative party because an "austerity" orientation resonates with Thatcher's policies.But the prospect of the "austerity for posterity" slogan to make Mnangagwa a Thatcherite is between slim and none. First, Zanu-PF bigwigs like Obert Mpofu and Patrick Chinamasa who were dropped from Cabinet, despite having been the party's leading coup lights, don't want to hear much about "austerity for posterity" from Ncube, whom they say is adopting and announcing policies without consulting them when the Zanu-PF new mantra is that the party is supreme to the government. Mnangagwa himself, whose ghost writers want to turn him into a Thatcherite, has publicly said the new post-coup position is that the party runs the government through its full-time secretaries whose terms and conditions of service are at par with, if not better than, Cabinet perks. And so Mnangagwa is a Thatcherite only in the pages of the Financial Times through articles written for him by ghost writers who know between little and nothing about Zanu-PF's machinations.In the end, the last 12 months have seen a Mnangagwa whose jittery handlers have alternately sought to present as a Deng, a Kagame and a Thatcher with the result that he has not risen to be any of these in any way. This accounts for much of Mnangagwa's leadership failure. One cannot aspire for what they never become and hope to be a successful leader.In the middle of these failed attempts to mould him as a Deng, a Kagame and a Thatcher, Mnangagwa has quietly emerged over the last 12 months as his own kind of leader: a clansman or a tribesman only at ease with his homeboys. This is conspicuously clear through some key appointments that he has made across the board. A brief illustration will suffice.Sibanda is Mnangagwa's cousin and from Midlands. The chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, Vincent Hungwe, is a clansman from Masvingo; as is the secretary to the Services Commission, Jonathan Wutawunashe.The principal director, who is his Personal Assistant, is William Gwatiringa, a clansman from Midlands; as is his principal director for State Residences (effectively the State House principal director), Coxwell Chigwana, who recently replaced another Midlander, Douglas Tapfuma, who is now principal director for Monitoring and Evaluation in the OPC. In the all too powerful President's Department, the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), which works closely with the OPC, the Minister of State Owen Mudha Ncube is also from Midlands as is Isaac Moyo, the Department's director-general.It should be said without prejudice to the incumbents in question that this brazen tribalisation, clanisation and regionalisation is unprecedented. OPC, the Civil Service Commission, the Services Commission, State House and the President's Department are all headed by Mnangagwa's clansmen or tribesmen from his home province or region. All this has happened in 12 short months since the November 2017 military coup.Is this what the coup was about?The Office of the President, State House and the President's Department are everyone's offices. They are national offices for all Zimbabweans regardless of clan, tribe, province or region.What makes this bad situation worse is that, under the veil of fighting corruption for which he has rightly declared zero tolerance, Mnangagwa has set up an Anti-Corruption Prosecuting Unit in the OPC, which directly reports to him. The unit is handling the so-called high-profile cases, a euphemism for Mnangagwa's real or perceived detractors or political opponents. It is common cause that there has been massive looting and corruption for personal gain under command agriculture, for example, running into billions of United States dollars. But there's been no investigation or prosecution of any kind there because the programme was led by Mnangagwa himself. All hell would have broken loose had anyone else associated with the so-called G40 had led command agriculture. The same would have happened had the Ministry of Transport that oversees Zinara not been under Joram Gumbo, one of Mnangagwa's trusted clansman and tribesman.Since its formation, serious questions have been raised about the constitutionality of the Anti-Corruption Prosecuting Unit in Mnangagwa's office, given the clear provisions of the new Constitution adopted in 2013, which assign the prosecution power to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in terms of s258 of the constitution. The NPA is required under the constitution to be independent and not to be subject to the direction or control of anyone. Unlike the terms and conditions of services and allowances of the NPA that are set under an Act of Parliament, those of the Unit's officers are set by the OPC run by Mnangagwa's homeboys. How can the officers be independent and not be subject to the direction of the president or the OPC who are the paymasters?There's one other aspect about the Unit, which is particularly insidious. It's officers are Thabani Mpofu, Brian Vito, Tapiwa Godzi, Mike Chakandida, Zivanai Macharaga and Vernanda Munyoro. Thabani Mpofu, the unit's head, is Mnangagwa's clansman from Mberengwa and the others are from Midlands or Masvingo. How can this inspire national confidence or promote the interests of justice and the rule of law to give prospective investors, let alone accused persons, a reasonable degree of comfort that the country respects the rule of law as a constitutional democracy? Why is this being tolerated and why is there no public discussion truth-telling on this outrageous tribal opprobrium in the OPC?One does not need to be a lawyer to realise that Mnangagwa is in gross violation of the equality and non-discrimination clause in s56(1) of the constitution. He is also in wilful breach of s97(1) of the constitution. The violations are unprecedented, as is the silence from or acquiescence by the bench and the bar.In the circumstances, it is no wonder that the civil service has over the last 12 months become a homeboy turf for two provinces, to the detriment of national capacity and service delivery, while the cabinet has become a chamber of frightened and paralysed men and women who can't make decisions or contribute robustly, as they are afraid of being accused of abuse of office by the President's prosecutorial clansmen and tribesmen who have become a law unto themselves with impunity.It's clear that the new Constitution is the enemy of the new dispensation. Not only was the November 2017 coup itself unconstitutional, but first Judge President George Chiweshe and later Chief Justice Malaba sanitised the coup when the new Constitution is clear that former president Mugabe did not deploy the army on November 15, 2017 and that the army cannot under any circumstance deploy itself. A story yet to be told is the personal and political association between Mnangagwa and Chief Justice Malaba dating back to their Kwekwe days when Mnangagwa was the town's strongman and Malaba its magistrate. Before Malaba was appointed Chief Justice, there was widespread but false media speculation that Mnangagwa favoured Justice Chiweshe against Justice Rita Makarau when in fact Mnangagwa's choice was Malaba against Chiweshe who was Chiwenga's choice. The rest is history.What emerges from the foregoing is that while there was a documented coup strategy, called "Blue Ocean" to grab power, there was no post-coup vision upon which to run the country after the coup for the country to benefit the people. Over the last 12 months, Mnangagwa has not had one big idea for the country. Not one. Yes, there have been slogans about "the voice of the people is the voice of God"; or "Zimbabwe is open for Zimbabwe" and now "austerity for posterity" but these slogans are not visionary nor big ideas for the people.Empirically, the people's consensus is that they are worse off today than they were 12 months ago when the US$/RTGS exchange rate was 1:1.8 or 80%; when the price of bread was $0,90 a loaf; when there was no punitive 2% transactional tax; when ordinary people who earn $300 or less a month did not fear a traffic fine of $700, or fear that the government would reject its own bond note or RTGS currency, which Mnangagwa says is 1:1 to the US$; nor did ordinary people imagine that they would be required to pay duty in United States for items sent to them by relatives in the Diaspora or risk being jailed for 10 years for buying the forex for duty in the parallel market.The bottom line is that 12 months after the coup, people's confidence in Mnangagwa has dramatically fallen, hopes have been shattered and livelihoods have been eroded back to 2008 levels or altogether destroyed.It is now wonder that the new battle cry is for "Operation Restore People's Livelihoods". Opinion / Columnist After watching Thursday's MDC demonstration, I had a seminal tete-a-tete with a comrade in the academic struggle. We decided that we should focus on protests as political strategies, inquiring their yield. The comrade submitted that while freedom of speech and assembly are central pillars of democracy, recognised as intrinsically valuable, it is unclear how effective the exercise of these freedoms is in bringing about change.I asked him: How does political change come about? He responded: Though there are numerous historical episodes where political change has been associated with political demonstrations, such as the French Revolution, the Civil Rights movement, and the Arab Spring, it is unclear to what extent these protests caused change.Protests are likely to occur alongside other changes in society, and it is difficult to disentangle whether they cause "political" change or simply reflect unobservable changes in preferences and beliefs, (underline "political"). He argued that empirical evidence of the causal effects of protests is scarce. In fact, to his knowledge, there is almost no empirical work quantifying the causal effects of protests on subsequent "political" outcomes. It is an open question; to what extent political protests can cause political change, and this article inquires on one of these issues.Yet another "mother of all"Dubbed "the 'mother' of all demos", on Thursday, 29 November, Movement for Democratic Change took to the streets to exercise the Constitutional Section 59. With this democratic honour, every Zimbabwean is allowed to demonstrate and to present petitions peacefully. Mark the word "peacefully".In what has become a routine in Zimbabwe's politics, "peace", not in the meaning of the absence of physical "violence" is alien in demonstrations. The very fact that speculations of violence exist plays testimony that there is a sense of unsafety within those not interested in the protests.It equals to truth that frustration of the protestors, fear gripping businesspeople which disturbs the smooth flow of business, frightening binge drinking at the protests, the passive dogma shared at the protests speaker after speaker with so much hate speech is enough to nullify the observation of peace in the "peaceful" protests. We can safely say, protests are never peaceful in the true meaning of peace.Look "through", not "into" the demonstrationIt is important to look "through" the MDC protest than "into" it to get a clear perspective of how opposition politics in Zimbabwe is morphing.I present that perspective to you because not much analysis about the meaning of the size and its prologue in new politics in Zimbabwe has been presented. If you have been following online discussions about the protests you would agree that there has been a contest on the turnout, which to propaganda subjective was an impressive turnout while those objective, agree that, it was a "sham" because of the handful bussed supporters.Well, my submission will not be trivial to remain debating on whether the square was half full or empty that is a minion optimism pessimism agenda, I want to propose to everyone reading this to read "through" the numbers and establish the existence of logic in the idea of the protest, the response of the demonstrators in MDC strongholds which are the City and the consequences of a mobile struggle which MDC has morphed into, critically observing how such a change is catastrophic to democracy that we are attempting to rebuild.We have to understand that MDC commands a large following in the cities, particularly Harare which according its leader, there are 98% chances that if you throw a stone in Harare you can hit their supporter. It remains a mystery why in a city with more than a million people, less than an eighth turn out for the protest compared to before. Should we be asking ourselves if it's protesting fatigue or party fatigue? Are urban dwellers becoming cognisant of the necessity of the 2% tax such that they find a protest against it a malaise? Or people are now more concerned about their lives than listening to drowsy sermons by a pastor who is always lying about something? These are some questions we should be asking about why the protest had a low turnout.Some may attribute it to the heavens that opened up. To some it was a farming blessing, but I bet to Nelson Chamisa and team the morning was a curse, I even heard some complaining about Zanu-PF as if it's responsible for the heavens. Well, let us give them the benefit of the doubt the rain ruined the turnout. Let us address this problem by exploiting variation in rainfall during the day of the protest.The idea is simple: people are more prone to participate in protests if it does not rain agreed! Conditional on the likelihood of rain, rainfall is a random event, arguably uncorrelated with other factors that affect political outcomes. Under the assumption that absence of rainfall affects turnout and subsequently the logic of the demands allows us to interrogate not only the number of protest attendees but the quality of the protest outside the numbers that turned out.Even when relaxing this assumption, my interrogation finds out that the overall importance of the protest was to (a) bring Harare to a standstill, which they failed, (b) make the protest national a huge and criminal fallacy that Harare is "national" it's only a City and (c) the protest was an announcement of positionality shift of the MDC which is seeking dialogue to sneak in Nelson Chamisa (not anyone else but Nelson) into Government after losing democratic elections.Rain has nothing to do with all these failures, it trickles down to shortage of think-tanks in the opposition, intelligent enough to advise the top brass on how failed this desperate move is. While they are trying to keep the party alive, the opposition's survival is on life support, anytime power my go.Is it a protesting problem or it's an MDC?In today's Zimbabwe, an appeal to protest via Twitter, Facebook, or text message is a sure to attract a crowd, especially if it is to demonstrate against something, anything, really, that outrages us. The problem is what happens during and after the march.Sometimes it ends in violent confrontation with the police, and more often than not it simply fizzles out. Observably, behind massive street demonstrations there is rarely a well-oiled and more-permanent organisation capable of following up on protesters' demands and undertaking the complex, face-to-face, and dull political work that produces real change in Government. Uniquely about the Thursday protest is the three point demand without equivalent alternative.They protested against the 2% tax, demanded that all workers be paid in US dollars and a push for a national dialogue on legitimacy. The simplistic response to these problems shared by the demonstrators is that Chamisa is the answer.Chamisa, a person, just a human being without sound counter policies to help us escape challenges, is the remedy to economic challenges Zimbabwe is facing! Aaah! I think the lads and ladies in opposition are not serious about their suggestions of how to preset the problems Zimbabwe is facing.To tell us that the scourge of El Nino, cholera outbreak, tax collection normalisation, geo-politics punitive, sanitising the foreign and sovereign debt and monetary snags are fixed by having a their person in Government is an insult to Zimbabwe's national intelligence.What we are witnessing is the popularisation of street marches without a plan for what happens next and how to keep citizens engaged and integrated in the political process. It's just the latest manifestation of the dangerous illusion that it is impossible to have democracy without MDC and that street protests based more on social media than sustained political organising are the way to change society. Data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows the death rate at hospitals in and around Sydney, N.S., is among the highest in the country. This is the second year in a row the Cape Breton Healthcare Complex's standardized mortality ratio has climbed. The complex includes the regional hospital in Sydney, plus community hospitals in New Waterford, Glace Bay and North Sydney. Alfie MacLeod, the Progressive Conservative MLA for Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg, said the government and the Nova Scotia Health Authority need to take action. "This is not about politics," he said Friday. "This is about people's health and about people's lives, and we, collectively, have to look at what's going wrong here." Robert Short/CBC MacLeod said it's not clear why the death rate is going up, but the numbers take into account the aging population. He said an exodus of family doctors and specialists could be contributing to it. "You know, we have great health-care professionals in the system, but these people, like anybody else, need to have the resources to do the job that they were trained to do and the job they want to do, and I believe that the government and the health authority are failing them," MacLeod said. "The cost of that is people who are not getting the type of health care they need, and according to this report, it's also deaths are being caused." Data errors partly to blame: NSHA The Nova Scotia Health Authority said it is surprised by and concerned about the increases. Dr. Mark Taylor, interim vice-president of medicine, said it's not yet clear why the death rate keeps going up in Cape Breton hospitals. "We don't want to give the impression that that's the only issue there," Taylor said. "It is quite possible that there are issues with regard to the patients we're treating. We really don't have enough information yet to look at that. In the days to come we will be looking at that in more detail." Story continues Quality review coming Taylor said the mortality data would not be a good indicator of the number of doctors or specialists in the system. He said wait times and other data are better indicators of staffing shortages. In addition, said Taylor, the Cape Breton hospitals fared well when compared to national averages in categories other than mortality rates. She said staff "fell behind a bit" and were only able to review 40 per cent of the charts. They did find some errors and made some corrections, she said. However, McCormick said, the health authority has been reviewing charts monthly since April and when staff begin to review the data in depth, they will also perform a quality review to make improvements in health care as well as reporting. CBC The Canadian Institute for Health Information's standardized mortality ratio is determined by dividing the number of deaths in a facility in one year by the number expected, and multiplying by 100. Any result higher than 100 is considered above average. The Cape Breton Regional Hospital's mortality ratio last year was 123, while the Canadian average was 91. The latest figures show the Sydney hospital's rate has climbed to 144, while the national average has dropped to 89. The rate at hospitals in the Eastern Zone, including the Cape Breton regional, also rose over the last two years. This year's zone average is 120. Parks Canada has begun asking the public to help weigh in on what they want to see over the next decade as it shapes a new management plan for the province's top tourist attraction, Gros Morne National Park. About 30 people from scientists, to tourism operators, to locals who simply love the park crowded into classrooms on Grenfell Campus for the first community consultation session Thursday afternoon in Corner Brook. "The more feedback that we're getting from the people who actually own the parks Canadians own our parks it's invaluable. It's going to help us set the direction for the next 10 years," said Greg Knott, a public relations officer with the park. For two hours, Parks Canada staff explained its priorities and collected feedback about the challenges and opportunities facing Gros Morne, which sees more visitors every year than Signal Hill or Cape Spear. People highlighted diverse concerns, from declining salmon returns, to the amount of snowmobiling, to boosting tourism in the shoulder and winter seasons. Facebook/Visit Gros Morne National Park 'A critical point' for the park One huge challenge for the park's future is clear: each year, more and more people are flocking to Gros Morne. Since 2013, visitation at some of its top attractions has grown between 39 to 46 per cent, according to Parks Canada. A Parks Canada pamphlet handed out at the meeting called this juncture in Gros Morne's development "a critical point in its move from being a 'nice to visit' locale to becoming a 'must visit' destination.'" Compared with when the last management plan was approved in 2009, "it's a different park," said Knott. "There's definitely a lot more engagement, a lot more activity, and excitement in the area." I don't think we should ever be concerned that there's too many people coming. - Peter Antle "I think it's a positive thing. It's a big economic generator for us on the west coast," said Peter Antle, one of the people who came out to brainstorm about Gros Morne. Story continues "There are ways to manage those numbers, and that's what we need to deal with. I don't think we should ever be concerned that there's too many people coming." Trail development Parks Canada has come under fire for some of its recent decisions around managing visitor impact, such as the overhaul of the Western Brook Pond trail. The trail, now in its final phase of construction, has been completely renovated and widened, in part to deal with the ever-increasing numbers of people walking its path to the popular boat tour. Almost 40,000 people used the trail in 2017, an increase of 46 per cent from 2013. Lindsay Bird/CBC The trail construction generated intense backlash in the summer of 2018, and staff at Thursday's meeting welcomed additional criticism, while also asking people how they felt about further developments for the attraction, such as using electric vehicles on the trail to make the area more accessible. "We've heard lots of positive feedback, we've been hearing some criticism about certain initiatives that we've undertaken. And we want to hear that," said Knott. Knott said that attention over the trail has helped boost public interest in the future of the park overall. "One thing we have been noticing is we definitely have a higher engaged population than what we've had in the past," he said. "Certainly these touchstone projects help people to focus on Gros Morne, and we encourage people to give us that feedback." Alice Will/Submitted More feedback wanted The Corner Brook session was just one public consultation meeting, with others held or being held in St. John's and the park's enclave communities of Cow Head, Norris Point and Woody Point. Those meetings, along with private sessions with stakeholders and online comment cards, contribute toward the planning for the overall park management plan, a document required by federal legislation to be renewed every 10 years and approved by Parliament. "The more people that get out, the better that we can help develop our management plan," said Knott. The information gathered at these sessions will be put into a draft plan, which then will again be circulated to the public, before being sent to Ottawa in the fall of 2019. Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador Some 500 years ago, Portuguese explorers landed on the shores of an uncharted island off the southeastern coast of China. The land was long and narrow with forested mountains and sandy beaches that formed at the base of magnificent cliffs. They named it Ilha Formosa Beautiful Island. The name was officially changed to Taiwan in 1684 but remained in use by many English speakers until the 20th century. Knowing that historical nugget will help you understand Formosa Bistro, a Taiwanese restaurant that recently opened in Edmonton. It should also help to distance it from Famosa, a pizza chain that started in Edmonton in 2005. Formosa is located in a strip mall between car dealerships on 34th Avenue, between a Persian grocery store called King of Dates and a South Indian/Sri Lankan store called Kathir Food Experience. I arrived just after lunch for my first visit and had the entire restaurant to myself. Crispy coating, perfectly salted The server recommended the sweet potato fries, a ubiquitous dish offered at night markets and street vendors from Taipei, in Taiwan's north, to Taitung City in the south. She warned me they taste like mini doughnuts. A vegetable that tastes like dessert seemed like a great way to start. The fries arrived steaming hot; the outside crispy coating was perfectly salted and gave way to a slightly sweet interior. My server had not exaggerated. It made me wonder why these aren't served at carnivals and farmers markets. She also recommended the popcorn chicken. I wanted to pass on that recommendation. I had eaten many servings of popcorn chicken in my life. I didn't think this one would be much different. As it happens, that popcorn chicken now ranks as one of my best Edmonton food discoveries of 2018. A dusting of sweet potato flour combined with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sugar and five spice elevated this dish to a level I never thought possible. I couldn't chew and swallow the tender pieces of sizzling hot chicken fast enough. Story continues The beef noodle soup is more complex, as one might imagine the case when beef rib and shank is braised for hours and combined in a robust broth along with hearty chunks of root vegetable, bok choy and chubby, chewy noodles. So, too, were the flavourings in the bao steamed white buns packed with pork belly (or pork chop or fried chicken), pickled greens, cilantro and crushed peanuts. Typically, I would order at least two bao, but the buns here are large, and one at $7.99 was quite enough. Bring me the egg When visiting another country, or sitting at a foreign table, it behooves you to explore that culture's food. It was to owner Yu-chen Lee's amusement that I, sitting alone to eat and obviously not Taiwanese, inquired about and ordered the century egg tofu. "Are you sure?" she asked, "Not many Western people order that." Then, for that reason, yes. Absolutely. Bring me the egg. If you're a patron of Asian grocery stores, you may have noticed cartons containing black eggs quail, chicken or duck with labels stating the contents as century eggs, hundred-year eggs, thousand-year eggs, millennium eggs, or simply preserved eggs. The eggs, themselves, are not that old. The preparation method, however, dates back 600 years to the Ming Dynasty in China. The process hasn't changed much over the years. Eggs are still placed in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, and rice hulls for several weeks or months and left to alter into a state of preservation. The process turns the yolks dark green, thickens them to a creamy consistency, and imbues them with a deep, slightly salty flavour. The egg whites turn a translucent amber and feel like stiff jelly. The eggs are then sliced and placed upon a block of silken tofu, topped with bonito flakes (smoked, dried skipjack tuna), slivers of green onion, and finished with a drizzle of oyster-based sauce. It's an acquired taste, perhaps, but a surprisingly satisfying one. The creamy tofu and umami-packed egg and bonito flakes acted as a perfect complement to the deep-fried squid tentacles that arrived shortly thereafter. Twyla Campbell Like the popcorn chicken, the squid is lightly dusted with flour and seasoned with garlic and five spice. But instead of picked carrots and daikon radish, it is accompanied by a Taiwanese version of pickled mustard greens. Variations of pickled vegetable condiments appear with almost every dish. The vinegary aspects help to balance the other components that are typically rich, sweet, or a combination of both. The lu rou fan (braised pork belly over rice) is a good example. If you're looking to try one dish, this might be it. Lu rou fan is Taiwan's signature dish. The saying goes, "Where there's a wisp of smoke from the kitchen chimney, there will be lu rou fan." Chef Yu-lin Shen sticks to a traditional recipe, slow-cooking the pork belly in aromatic soy sauce along with five-spice powder. The mixture is placed on top of perfectly cooked, short-grain rice and topped with pickled cucumber. It is your job to mix it all together and enjoy it to the last morsel. The same can be said for any of the restaurant's dishes. Formosa is located at 9314 34th Ave. You can hear Campbell's reviews on Edmonton AM every second Friday. You can also see more of her reviews on her blog, Weird Wild and Wonderful, and can follow her on Twitter at @wanderwoman10. By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli police on Sunday said they had found enough evidence for bribery and fraud charges to be brought against Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife in a third corruption case against the Israeli prime minister. Authorities allege Netanyahu awarded regulatory favours to Israel's leading telecommunications company, Bezeq Telecom Israel , in return for more positive coverage of him and his wife on a news website, Walla, owned by the company. Netanyahu has long denied wrongdoing. In a speech to his Likud party in Tel Aviv to celebrate the start of the Jewish festival of Hanukka, he accused the police of instigating what he described as a "tainted process" against him and his wife. Now in his fourth term, Netanyahu dominates Israeli politics. Yet he is politically unusually vulnerable as his right-wing coalition's majority has shrunk to a precarious single seat. "It's clear for everybody to see the transparent, petty timing of the publication of the pre-determined recommendations, the deliberate leaks, the tainted process and the false allegations about me and my wife," Netanyahu said. "(The investigation) has been a match-fix. The recommendations aren't surprising and the timing isn't surprising." The final decision on whether to indict rests with the attorney-general, who is still weighing whether to charge Netanyahu in the other two cases. These relate to allegations that Netanyahu accepted gifts from businessmen and that he tried to strike a deal with another media mogul for better coverage in return for curbs on a competing newspaper. Most of Netanyahu's coalition partners have said they will wait for a decision by the attorney-general before deciding how to proceed. Some analysts have said Netanyahu could put pressure on the attorney-general to think twice before indicting him by calling a snap election to seek a stronger popular mandate. The next election is not due until November 2019. Netanyahu has said he wants to serve out his term, but politicians close to him say that his precarious parliamentary situation means an early election is likely. In a joint statement with the Israel Securities Authority, police said they also found sufficient evidence to charge Shaul Elovitch, a family friend of Netanyahu, with bribery. At the time, Elovitch was Bezeq's chairman and controlling shareholder. The statement said there was also evidence to charge Bezeq's then-CEO Stella Handler with fraud. Elovitch and Handler have denied wrongdoing. They were both briefly detained earlier this year and have resigned from Bezeq. The police said the main suspicion was that Netanyahu "acted out of a conflict of interest by intervening and making regulatory decisions that favor Shaul Elovitch and Bezeq". It alleged that Netanyahu had sought to interfere with the content of Bezeq's Walla website "in a way that would benefit him". Netanyahu, who also served as communications minister from 2015-2017, said in his speech that he had neither received anything from Elovitch, not given him anything. The police also recommended that Netanyahu and his wife be charged with fraud and breach of trust. (Additional reporting by Stephen Farrell, Steven Scheer, Ari Rabinovitch and Ori Lewis; Editing by Kevin Liffey) On Saturday afternoon, thousands of French-speakers in nearly 40 communities across Ontario decried Premier Doug Ford's cuts to some French-language services. The protests organized by the Francophone Assembly of Ontario, which represents 740,000 Franco-Ontarians took place in front of MPPs' offices of all political stripes and in every corner of the province. "Franco-Ontarians have the right to have our rights protected," Quebec actor Lina Blais said outside Ford's constituency office where 300 people gathered. "Our population justifies our institutions." This "resistance" is a response to Premier Doug Ford's move to downgrade the province's independent watchdog on francophone services and repeal funding for a long-awaited French-language university in the Greater Toronto Area. The decision has prompted immediate and growing backlash from Ontarians, the federal government and Quebec's new premier, Francois Legault, who have all repeatedly asked Ford to reverse the cuts. One of Ford's MPPs, Amanda Simard, broke ranks to criticize the move, saying she was disappointed and frustrated. Earlier this week, the eastern Ontario MPP left the Progressive Conservative's to sit as an independent. Her departure from Ford's caucus means he has lost the only francophone among the 76 PCs elected in June widening the schism between him and Ontario's French community who feel he has undermined their history. Rozenn Nicolle/Radio-Canada Simard stood among those rallying on the doorstep of her constituency office in Hawkesbury, one of the largest communities in her riding of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. "I was the parliamentary assistant, but I did not have a voice," she said, referring to her former role as parliamentary assistant to the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, a position Ford scrapped, then reinstated after a backlash. "I think now I will be able to speak more freely." Story continues Submitted by Marilou Gaudreau She met with three-year-old Glorianne Gaudreau-Cheff, who was dressed in green-and-white, the colours of the Ontario francophone flag, and carrying a sign that read: "I might not be big enough to have a voice, but please don't take away my rights." The Francophone Assembly of Ontario estimated more than 13,500 people attended the day of action many of whom were in Toronto, Ottawa and areas in northern Ontario, such as Sudbury and North Bay. "This is the first time in history that Franco-Ontarians have mobilized like this in every corner of the province," said Gilles LeVasseur, a business and law professor at the University of Ottawa. He chanted French slogans like "strong franco" and "we are, we will be" with nearly 1,500 people at the Human Rights Monument in Ottawa, where the French-speakers gathered on Saturday. Michel Aspirot/Radio-Canada Politicians from all three levels of government were present at the Ottawa rally, including federal Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie Melanie Joly, who called the event a "historic moment." "When our governments want to touch our linguistic rights, they should not weaken but strengthen them," she told the crowd that erupted in resounding cheers of approval. Over 600 demonstrators also carried placards scrawled with messages, like "respect franco" and "Franco-Ontarians are not just any minority," while making their voices heard in Sudbury and North Bay. Display of solidarity across Canada The Ford government's cuts sent shockwaves through other French-speaking communities across Canada. In provinces like Manitoba, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, communities raised concerns about what the move signals to francophone minorities. Rozenn Nicolle/Radio-Canada As a result, joint rallies were also held Saturday in Regina, St. Boniface, Man., and Moncton, N.B. "When I learned about the cuts in Ontario, it was really devastating," said Genevieve Latour, who organized the rally of 100 people in Moncton. She added: "Seeing the momentum of solidarity here in Moncton and across Acadia, it really gives me hope." 'You have to protect the two languages' Pierre Joanette was one of dozens of people who drove around 100 kilometres west from Montreal to Hawkesbury to stand with Simard in solidarity with Ontario francophones. He pointed out the importance of protecting the province's French identity as a cornerstone of Canadian history. "We believe in Canada you have to protect the two languages," he said. According to the latest census, French is the mother tongue of more than half a million people in Ontario. Jean-Philippe Hughes/Radio-Canada Meanwhile, hundreds of other people braved the cold weather and gathered outside Caroline Mulroney's constituency office in Bradford. The York-Simcoe MPP was named as the minister of francophone affairs on Nov. 22 after the PCs backtracked on some cuts affecting Ontario francophones. Mulroney, who is also the province's attorney general, has vowed to continue to advocate for the standalone French-language university, but noted the province's fiscal realities prevent the PCs from funding it right now. The premier's spokesperson, Simon Jefferies, defended the government's decision, saying the PCs recognize the "significant and ongoing contributions" of Franco-Ontarians and are committed to taking steps to preserve the French language in the province. "Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals left our government with a $15-billion deficit, and we look forward to the day when our province is in a financial position to proceed with projects like the French-language university," Jefferies said in an email to CBC News. Under cold, clear skies in central Kazakhstan, the Russian Soyuz rocket that will take Canadian David Saint-Jacques into orbit was carefully manoeuvred out of its hanger and brought by train to its final position before Monday's blast off. The so-called "rollout" is one of the most important rituals in the pre-launch routine for the mission that will take Saint-Jacques and two other astronauts to the International Space Station. The event, which is steeped in tradition, drew hundreds of spectators on a bitterly cold morning to Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome, set in the flat, desolate landscape of Central Asia. Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters The pre-dawn procession began with the spacecraft being eased from the hangar where it was assembled, with its four giant engines coming out first. When the slow-moving train arrived at the launch station almost two hours later, the rocket was eased into a vertical position with the help of a giant hydraulic arm. 'Wonderful' rollout "It was wonderful," said Canadian Josh Kutryk, who was selected as one of Canada's two new astronaut candidates in 2017. He's part of a large delegation sent by the Canadian Space Agency to witness the launch. "To be fortunate enough to see the rocket roll out and go down the railway tracks, and to see it get fuelled and finally passengers put aboard, it's fascinating to think we are doing this." By tradition, the cosmonauts and astronauts do not take part in the rollout. Earlier this week, Saint-Jacques and his two colleagues, American Anne McClain and Russian Oleg Kononenko visited the rocket and tested the capsule's equipment for the last time. Tamara Alteresco/Radio-Canada Saint-Jacques is expected to hold a final news conference in Baikonur Sunday, but in previous interviews he has expressed confidence in the technology and said he's eager to get his journey started. A Russian Orthodox priest will officially bless the rocket Sunday and the crew will get a separate blessing just hours before liftoff, which is set for 6:31 ET Monday. Story continues 'I feel proud and happy for David," said Kutryk. Watch our LIVE interactive special featuring Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield starting Monday at 6 a.m. ET on CBCNews.ca and CBC News Network. Launch pad tourists Saint-Jacques's wife, Veronique, and two of their three young children were in the crowd and cheered as the Soyuz was lifted into its final liftoff position. Among those waving Canadian flags were Michael, Joe and Patricia Olson from Williams Lake, B.C. Shamil Zhumato/Reuters Michael Olson says they were so inspired by meeting with Saint-Jacques two years ago they decided to fly all the way to Central Asia to send him off. "I've always had an interest in space travel," he said. "[When] we met David we told him we were going to see his launch, so we are fulfilling a promise." Chris Brown/CBC His mother, Patricia, says she never expected she'd end up in the middle of Central Asia watching a rocket blast into space. "It's unbelievable," she said. "He's taking us to places we never thought we would." Several tour agencies offer visits to Soyuz launches, with prices usually in the range of $5,000 Cdn per person. Rare launch for a Canadian Ever since the retirement of the last space shuttle, Russia's Soyuz program has been the only way to bring astronauts up to the ISS. NASA pays roughly $80 million US a seat per astronaut and divides them up between nations that financially support the ISS project. Alexey Sergeev/Radio-Canada Canada's contribution led to Chris Hadfield's memorable mission as the ISS commander five years ago, but Saint-Jacques's trip is the only one currently scheduled for a Canadian astronaut. The only other active astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency, Jeremy Hansen, may have to wait several more years before he gets slotted in. STR/AFP/Getty Images The Baikonur facility was built in the early 1960s during the heyday of the Soviet Union's space program. Although Russia has since built a new cosmodrome in the country's far east, the Vostochny facility only handles cargo launches, and launches in Kazakhstan are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Saint-Jacques's launch was initially scheduled for later in December but it was moved up after the last manned Soyuz launch in October failed to reach orbit. The two crew members escaped unhurt after a risky high atmosphere ballistic descent back to Earth. Trudeau tells Mohammed bin Salman Canada will 'always stand up strongly' for human rights Canadian officials have been openly critical of the actions of both Russia and Saudi Arabia, and in an open forum with their leaders, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau didn't back away. The prime minister confirmed Saturday afternoon in Argentina that he'd "directly" approached both Vladimir Putin and Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 summit. Trudeau explained he'd conveyed Canada's concerns to Putin at the leaders' plenary session, particularly with the situation in the Sea of Azov, where Ukranian boats were attacked by Russian vessels earlier this week and reiterated the demand that the captured sailors be released. Canada has also spearheaded a G7 foreign ministers' statement that condemns Russian aggression in Ukraine, Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed earlier this week. There wasn't opportunity for Putin to respond at the leaders' retreat, Trudeau said when asked if he was worried about repercussions from Russia. Better answers needed over Khashoggi's killing In his conversation with Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trudeau said better answers about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi were required. He also pushed the issue of imprisoned human rights workers and the "humanitarian catastrophe" from violence in Yemen. "I made it clear Canada was concerned." Trudeau said he stressed the fact that Canada will "always stand up strongly and clearly for human rights." All eyes have been on the Saudi crown prince during the trip, which marks his first major overseas appearance since the killing of Khashoggi in October. Though the leaders spoke, Trudeau did not hold official meetings with either Putin or bin Salman. With Russia's previous cyberthreats and Saudi Arabia's poor reaction freezing trade and investment to earlier criticism of their human rights record, backlash could be a possibility. However, Trudeau didn't seem too worried. Story continues "Frank and direct conversations is better than not talking," he told reporters. May, Macron speak to Saudi prince U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May and France's Emmanuel Macron were more forceful in their condemnations of Saudi Arabia. May's office says the prime minister stressed to Salman the importance of ensuring those responsible for the "appalling murder" of Khashoggi are held to account. Macron also came face-to-face with the Saudi crown prince, and an official said the tense exchange captured on video shows the president's firm stance. Canada is also ramping up its response. On Thursday, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland announced Canada was imposing sanctions on 17 Saudi Arabian nationals the government deems linked to Khashoggi's killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. G20 nations skirted current global trade tensions, but threw their weight behind reforming the World Trade Organization in a copy of their end-of-summit joint statement obtained by Reuters. U.S. confirms it will withdraw from climate accord In the communique, which was set to be released at the end of the two-day meeting Saturday, the United States also reaffirmed its commitment to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, while other G20 signatories to the agreement declared the pact irreversible and said they would fully implement it. Despite the withdrawal and some trade tensions, Trudeau still praised the summit for making progress on multilateralism, trade, climate issues and gender equality. The agreement is more watered down than it has been in past years, but Trudeau said any time countries can come together to discuss big issues it's a "good thing." "No country can solve global problems on its own," he said. "We must work together." 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. . ..Commentary Magazine..27 November '18..The faculty of Pitzer College, a small elite California school, has turned a critical eye toward the colleges study abroad programs. That makes sense. After all, theyve got one in China where, according to the State Department, the government restricts political and social discourse at colleges, universities, and research institutes. Academic subjects deemed politically sensitive, such as civil rights, are off limits. I mean, Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to turn the academy into a stronghold that adheres to party leadership. That doesnt sound very Pitzer at all!College campuses are sensitive to anti-Muslim prejudice. Its no surprise, then, that Pitzers faculty might want to reexamine the schools relationship with a country that, according to Sigal Samuel of, keeps an estimated one million Muslims in internment camps. In the camps, they are compelled to renounce Islam and recite Communist Party propaganda songs for hours each day.It also makes sense that theyd want to get out in front of the situation in Brazil. There, campuses were recently stormed by military police and staff were arrested for their political views in the wake of the presidential election. Pitzer has a study abroad program there, too.In Rwanda, according to Freedom House, scholars and students can be suspended for divisionism. Freedom House rates Rwanda not free. Among many other conditions, space for free private discussion is limited in part by indications that the government monitors personal communications. Social media are widely believed to be monitored, and the law allows for government hacking of telecommunications networks. That doesnt sound very Pitzer either! But Pitzer has a study abroad program there.So what study abroad program has so riled Pitzers faculty? The one at the University of Haifa in Israel. Photo - Tracks of a tractor hauling a boat at Midge Point Beach to Repulse Bay The Whitsundays Laguna Quays Respite coordinated by Well-Being Australia for missions heading toward its eight year has proven to be a lovely break away for a wide range of those in Christian service. The respite cottage is readying for 2019 already with December and January mission bookings. This two 2 min video is of its ministry for missionaries, home missions, church full time personnel is remarkable. Laguna Quays Respite It is a joy in the Lord seeing so many wishing to visit. The respite cottage is situated a fifteen minute drive south of Proserpine airport and a stone's throw from Midge Point. These missionaries and their families along with school chaplains, home missions of all shapes and varieties, church ministry personnel. Opened in 2011, Well-Being Australia developed this mission respite ministry after my wife Delma and I had ministered respite to Australian Institute of Sport elite athlete "respite" in both Moruya (Basil Sellers Moruya) and Tweed Heads (Basil Sellers Tweed) since 1992. The Laguna Quays Respite facility was a dream of ours to serve our mission community with a no-cost rest and recuperation experience and the Whitsundays provides many such opportunities for relaxation. Mission people can drive or fly into Proserpine airport inexpensively from - Brisbane (Virgin, Jetstar), Sydney (TigerAir / Jetstar) or Melbourne (Jetstar) Photo - Local electrician Rod Dench ready helper (with ute) Arrival Upon arrival they can collect a heavily discounted AVIS rental vehicle under a special arrangement between Well-Being Australia and AVIS for mission people visiting the respite cottage. There is no charge for the Laguna Quays Respite cottage yet visitors are welcome to leave a gifting to help with its functioning costs. Over these six years mission people have visited the Laguna Quays Respite facility from such missions and denominations as: SIM, CMS, WEC, OMS, SU, TEAR, BCS, UCA, OMF, YM, Wycliffe, BCA, YWAM, MAF, AFES, CM, ASEF, Japan Missions, International Inter-Serve, NZ Missions, Global Interaction, independent missions, school chaplains and Ministers and pastors from many denominations. Photo - Plumber Troy Bannister a ready helper Who can visit Laguna Quays Respite? Missionaries, home mission personnel, school chaplains and professional church personnel needing respite and rest. It is specifically designed and dedicated to such mission personnel. Over these past five years many family groups have visited in school holiday periods it is a three bedroom beach house cottage but they squeeze in somehow. Many missionary families have had family stays before they leave for overseas. Many are simply tired and need rest. It has also been a wonderful solace for pastors and specialist ministry personnel who need timeout to relax their head space and for those wanting to seriously reflect as their prepare significant messages or writing designations. It is a broad church. The local community are remarkable in their willingness to help in this missions project. Enquiries are welcome for bookings - missionaries / home missions / school chaplains / pastors - to contact us for your respite visit to the Whitsundays timeout@bushorchestra.com 0419 917 713 Laguna Quays Respite web site also host this video. http://www.bushorchestra.com/respite Photo - Rear of Laguna Quays Cottage Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand. Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html As the year draws on, we find that we have suddenly passed the oft-celebrated date of October 31. For some, this date marked Halloween, or the culmination of spooky month. For others, it was Reformation Day, when we commemorate Martin Luther posting his 95 theses in 1517. Last year, therefore, was the 500th anniversary, which resulted in much excitement and celebration. If you are missing these celebrations, I have good newsfrom this very moment you can celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Synod of Dort, another Reformation milestone. Allow me to give an extremely meagre overview of this event and its importance to Christianity. Synod of Dort 100 years after Luthers posting, the teachings of the Reformation had spread across Christendom, and had taken root in the Netherlands. These Reformation teachings had continued through people like John Calvin and Theodore Beza and had been formalised in documents such as the Belgic Confession in the Netherlands. However, some Dutch Protestants, who had followed a man named Jacobus Arminius before his death, presented objections to the Belgic Confession and some Reformed teaching. In 1610, they advocated Five Articles of Remonstrance, or points with which they disagreed. In order to settle the ensuing division and controversy, an international Synod was held from November 1618 in Dordrecht (or Dort), which finished in May 1619. The Synod rejected the Articles of Remonstrance, and set forth the Reformed doctrine on each point. These Reformed doctrines have come to be known as the Five Points of Calvinism, the doctrines of grace, or TULIP. TULIP stands for Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace and Perseverance of the Saints. Of course, Reformed Theology, or Calvinism, is much more than simply these five points. However, they do provide a useful overview of Reformed soteriology, and have had a lasting impact on Christian theology. I will therefore begin to introduce these points, and will conclude it in my next article. Of course, there are entire books written on each individual point, so bear in mind that this is simply a very broad overview. I am also not saying that these doctrines are essential to Christianitythere are many faithful Christians who disagree with TULIP. This is simply an explanation. Total depravity Total Depravity does not mean that every person is as evil as they could possibly be, nor that people are unable to do any good towards others or anything like that. Total Depravity, or Total Inability, refers to the fact that when humanity became corrupted by sin, they became corrupted in totality. People are totally unable to turn to God by themselves. Biblically, Jesus Himself taught that no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws Him (John chapter 6, verse 44). Paul then writes in Romans that None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. (chapter 3 verses 10-12). He also explains in Ephesians that you were dead in the trespasses and sins (chapter 2 verse 1). Finally, Paul writes that no person can naturally turn to God in 1 Corinthians: The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned (chapter 2 verse 14). So this doctrine asserts that people are, because of sin, spiritually dead and unable to naturally love God or turn to Him without the work of His grace. The doctrine of total depravity highlights people's dire need for Godwe need Gods grace, no matter how good we appear, because none can naturally turn to God in faith. Unconditional election Unconditional election flows naturally from total depravityif sin has so infected us that no one is able to follow God apart from God first working in us, then Gods choice to save people must be based solely on God's sovereign will, not upon the actions of the individual. In this view, God unconditionally elects and saves certain sinful people. Those chosen have done nothing to deserve this grace, because as per total depravity, they cannot. Those who believe in God are not better or more righteous than others. Once again, proponents point to several biblical passages. First, Jesus seems to indicate that only people elected by the Father will believe in Him when He explains All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. (John chapter 6 verse 37). Christ later explains to His followers You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you (Chapter 15 verse 16). The Apostle Paul then explicates this idea further in Romans, when he states, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (Chapter 9 verses 15-16). Paul then explains the eternal nature of this divine, unconditional choosing in Ephesians: He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will (Chapter 1 verses 4-5). Finally, he writes in 2 Timothy that God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity (Chapter 1 verse 9). To be continued So far, we have seen that in the Reformed understanding of salvation, humans are totally impacted by sin and are therefore unable to save themselves. Therefore, God must reach in and save people, not because they are better than other people are, but because God chooses to save them. Salvation in this view depends on God, not on people. In my next article, we will look at the final three petals of this TULIP. Haydn Lea is an Ordained Minister, and is currently serving as an Air Force Chaplain in Adelaide. He is married to Shamsa Lea, is the father of Amira, and loves running, boxing and studying history and theology. Haydn describes himself as a five-point Calvinist, but he recognises that many faithful Christians disagree. Thankfully he isnt a cage-stage Calvinist about it all. Haydn Leas previous articles may be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/haydn-lea.htm A ground-breaking beauty pageant for people with albinism has encouraged confidence and inclusion for those who remain the target of deadly stigma in Africa.The first Mr and Miss Albinism East Africa pageant on Friday night in Nairobi saw participants from Tanzania and Uganda, as well as Kenya.Elizabeth James of Tanzania said she wanted an end to the ignorance which drives some to kill people with albinism for their body parts or even dig up graves in the misguided belief that they will bring wealth and good fortune.Event organiser Isaac Mwaura, Kenya's first albino legislator, said the pageant was a way to build self-esteem: 'People with albinism are people like any other, and for sure we are also beautiful.'Scroll down for videoWatch videoPeople burn cars and trees in Paris as protest turns violentWatch videoPriyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas celebrate wedding with fireworksWatch videoMet Chief Cressida Dick backs police ramming mopeds despite criticismWatch videoThe 41st President of the United States George H.W. Bush has diedWatch videoNew ready-made homes can be built in just 36 hours for 65kWatch videoMum who lost her home to fire is 'overwhelmed' by donationsWatch videoPlucky commuter trips thief up at Hull Paragon InterchangeWatch videoKiwis start summer in style with the annual Crate Day celebrationsWatch videoMet Office: December starts with mild forecast that is damp and cloudyWatch videoBe the Helpforce: Call for volunteers to transform the NHSWatch videoVladimir Putin joins Angela Merkel for a G20 breakfast meetingWatch videoHigh Court challenge state pension age for 1950s women given go-ahead 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 publishedin the journal ScienceDiscovery Of Ancient Stone Tools In AlgeriaThe 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 homininbones 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 Africaand 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 HumanitySahnouni saidthat 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. Iran Human Rights (December 1, 2018): Seyed Danial ZeinolAbedini is a juvenile offender whose death sentence has been upheld by the Supreme Court and is scheduled for execution. Iran Human Rights (IHR) urges the Iranian authorities to stop juvenile executions and calls on the international community to pay urgent attention to Seyyed-Danidal's case. According to the IHR sources, Seyyed-Danial Zeinolabedin was born on August 9, 2000. He committed a murder on September 22, 2017. This means he is sentenced to death for a crime committed under the age of 18. Under Article 91 of the Islamic Penal Code which was added to the law 5 years ago, judges are allowed to issue alternative verdicts for the minors. The juvenile offenders whom a judge considers not mature enough to realize the nature of the crime committed can face prison terms. Seyyed-Danials lawyer, Asoo Arya, told IHR, my client is underage. According to Article 91 of Irans Islamic Penal Code, execution of people under 18 years old is not allowed unless the court recognizes the defendant as a mature person by sending him/her to forensics. My client has not been sent to forensics. However, according to Article 91 of Iran's revised Islamic Penal Code, it is up to the presiding judge's discretion to deem the juvenile mature enough to understand the nature of the offense: "In the cases of offenses punishable by hadd or qisas, if mature people under eighteen years do not realize the nature of the crime committed or its prohibition, or if there is uncertainty about their full mental development, according to their age, they shall be sentenced to the punishments prescribed in this chapter." Otherwise, the Islamic Penal Code puts the age of criminal responsibility for males at 15 and 9 for females. However, the article could neither stop nor even decrease the execution of juvenile offenders. From the application of article 91 in 2013 to the end of 2017, at least 35 juvenile offenders have been hanged in Iranian prisons. | 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 Singapore on Friday hanged a Malaysian convicted of drug trafficking, the latest in what rights groups said was a series of executions prompting them to renew calls for the wealthy city-state to abolish the death penalty. Singapore has some of the worlds toughest anti-drugs laws, and airport customs forms warn arriving travelers of death for drug traffickers in no uncertain terms. Human rights group Amnesty International and the U.N. Human Rights Office have urged Singapore to halt executions and follow the example of neighbouring Malaysia, where a newly elected government has vowed to end capital punishment by year-end. The execution was an unlawful and brutal act, carried out in breach of due process and in defiance of the appeals made by Malaysia, N. Surendran, the lawyer for the executed man, said in a statement. Prabu N Pathmanathan, the Malaysian citizen, was hanged at dawn in the city states Changi prison, he added. Malaysian Law Minister Liew Vui Keong had said this week that he planned to urge Singapore to exercise clemency. Singapores Ministry of Home Affairs did not immediately have comment. Authorities in Singapore routinely do not comment on executions and only release data on executions in annual reports. A regional representative of the United Nations Human Rights Office urged Singapore to immediately ban the death penalty as a step towards its complete abolition. We are deeply dismayed that there has been a sharp increase in executions in Singapore in recent years, said Cynthia Veliko, the U.N. official. We understand that there have been a number of executions to date in 2018, including a reported four this week alone. Amnesty International said the execution of another man, whose name had not been released, was imminent, citing reports of another man executed this week and 3 on Oct. 5, all for drug-related offences. That compares with 8 executions for drug-related offences in Singapore for all of 2017. Although 15 countries prescribed the death penalty for drug-related offences in 2017, Amnesty recorded executions in only 4 China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, it said in a statement. Pathmanathan was convicted of smuggling drugs from Malaysia into Singapore in 2014, court documents show. Yes, he broke the rules, but that doesnt mean you have to kill him, Magentrau Somalu, one of his close friends, told Reuters. He deserved a 2nd chance. | 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 infosurhoy.com, December 2, 2018 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. (Representation image) 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. The shelter home accommodates more than 80 girls and boys, the police said. (Representational Image) Dhenkanal: 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 childcare institutions were shut down by the Women and Child Development Ministry across the country for various irregularities after the inspections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Photo: File/AP) New Delhi: China has not accepted India's proposal to carry out bilateral trade in local currencies which was aimed at bridging the ballooning trade deficit with the neighbouring country, an official said. India's exports to China stood at only USD 13.4 billion, imports aggregated to USD 76.4 billion in 2017-18, leaving a trade deficit of USD 63 billion. It was USD 51.11 billion in 2016-17. India had suggested China for renminbi-rupee trade to boost its exports and tackle the widening trade deficit concern. "They have not accepted the proposal," the official said. The issue was discussed in an inter-ministerial meeting in October. In the meeting, it was suggested to the Reserve Bank of India and the Department of Economic Affairs would look at the possibility of exploring renminbi-rupee trade with China. India has also proposed trade in national currencies with some other countries, including Russia, Iran and Venezuela. New Delhi has trade deficit with these three countries, too. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President Ganesh Kumar Gupta said that the government should promote exports from India in the domestic currency. "This will help in bridging trade deficit with countries like China," Gupta said. Trade experts have stated that bilateral trade in domestic currencies will help India only in the case of those countries with which it has a trade balance. "Trade imbalance should not be there with the country with which we want to do trade in rupee. It will not help in bridging the deficit. The partner country should have an opportunity to invest in India to use the rupee," said Biswajit Dhar, professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. The Indian industry and exporters have time and again raised the issue of increasing trade deficit with China and have asked the government to seek greater market access for domestic goods in the Chinese market. Recently, China has permitted exports of rice and sugar. But India wants to increase exports of several other items, including pharmaceuticals, engineering and services. After the announcement of the TRS that it was going in for elections with the support of the MIM, BJP and the Congress have been strategically targeting the ruling party. Hyderabad: It is apparently not an easy task for the Congress-led Mahakutami to win back the support of Muslims who had voted in favour of the TRS in the 2014 elections and the 2016 GHMC polls. After the announcement of the TRS that it was going in for elections with the support of the MIM, BJP and the Congress have been strategically targeting the ruling party. With a view to securing the communitys votes, the Congress and its Prajakutami allies the Telugu Desam, CPI and the TJS have been propagating among the Muslims that voting for the TRS would amount to voting for the BJP as both the parties had struck a tacit understanding and would come together for the Lok Sabha elections. Though the Congress hopes that the Muslim votes will turn in their favour in view of the close relationship of Mr Chandrasekhar Rao with BJP, some party leaders acknowledge that the Opposition party would get only a percentage of the commuitys ballot. In view of the understanding between the TRS and the MIM, the BJP has been polarising the Hindu votes by propagating that the TRS is dancing on the tunes of the MIM and the BJP was the only party which can give Owaisi-mukt Hyderabad. With the campaign of the Congress against the TRS and that of the BJP against the MIM, voting among the Muslim community, whose numbers range from 10 to 90 per cent in 45 constituencies, has become crucial. The TRS is very confident of retaining the votes of the community as it has taken initiatives in the fields of education and welfare of the commuity and also its efforts to secure 12 per cent reservations from the Centre after passing a Bill in the Assembly. TRS leaders are claiming that 12 per cent reservations is not a big issue as the younger generations of Muslims prefers to go abroad and a number of youngsters had availed of the Chief Ministers oversees scholarship scheme. The TRS leaders said there is less completion among Muslim youths for government jobs. In such a scenario, reservations is not a major issue. The Congress has announced that it is not in favour of enhancing reservations from 4 per cent. TRS leaders are of the opinion that the no holds barred campaign of the BJP against the MIM and the TRS is also likely to polarise the votes of the Muslims towards the ruling party. This makes the scenario difficult for the Mahakutami. The land we have known and loved faces today a real existential threat. It stands at the very brink of a precipice. A single wrong step and Kashmir will be gone for good into the domain of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Its lifelong pracharak (activist) Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014. That very year, Kashmir was to go to the polls. The RSSs political department, the BJP, hit upon a plan: Sweep the polls in Hindu-majority Jammu, acquire the support of some touts in Kashmir and form a government. It was called 44-plus. The Assembly in Srinagar has 87 seats. The people foiled the plan. Departing from the practice of boycotting elections, they voted enthusiastically for Kashmiri parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC). PDP leader Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and his three associates turned out to be more unscrupulous than suspected. Defying the peoples expressed wishes and ignoring offers by the NC and the Congress, they forged an alliance with the BJP. The coalition broke up when the BJP withdrew support as its vote in Jammu began dwindling. The governor, N.N. Vohra, imposed governors rule on June 20, 2018, since none had a majority in the House. Soon Ram Madhav began working with Sajjad Lone for a BJP government. As late as on November 15, governor Satya Pal Malik declared: The Assembly will not be dissolved. On Nov 21, he dissolved it citing puerile reasons horse-trading had started 20 days ago. Why then the resolve of November 15? Opposing ideologies. That did not prevent the BJP from forming coalitions in New Delhi. The real reason is that till November 15, the BJPs pet Sajjad Lone was the sole contender for the chief ministers chair. It panicked when Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah agreed to join hands to keep the RSS/BJP away. From Srinagar on November 21, 2018, Mehbooba Mufti wrote to Malik, who was in Jammu, staking her claim and citing support from the NC and Congress. Malik panicked. He knew that Sajjad did not command a majority as the PDP-NC-Congress combine irrefutably did. The governors treachery as that of Sajjad Lone provides a blessing for the people of Kashmir provided its leaders rise to the occasion. It provides ground for hope that the politicians will join hands to fight in defence of Kashmirs rights which Sajjad Lone and his BJP patrons would have readily bartered away for a few crumbs of power. Mehbooba acted wisely in taking the initiative to seek Omar Abdullahs support and that of his father Farooq Abdullah; as they did by responding. But, on November 22, NC vice president Omar Abdullah spoke of a temporary grand alliance with the PDP and the Congress to safeguard the special status of J&K in the Supreme Court. Will it, then, vanish after the Courts verdict? Both parties are legitimately locked in a democratic contest for power. But their peoples terrible plight should make them define the limits to the contest, the area in which they must cooperate and the activities which they could jointly undertake. To begin with, they must draw up a joint declaration on Kashmirs autonomy and its future course for a settlement of the Kashmir dispute. Both are agreed on autonomy and on negotiations with both Pakistan and India. Add to these, matters of daily concern to the people in law and order, lifting of curbs on Hurriyat leaders, civil liberties, police excesses, etc. They must involve Kashmiri intellectuals, retired civil servants and the like. This might well be their last chance, lest carpetbaggers take over Kashmir. History will not forgive Mehbooba and Omar if they neglect the task or fail at it. By arrangement with Dawn Islamabad: Pakistan government has charged Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) leaders Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Afzal Qadri with treason and terrorism. On November 23, Rizvi, a firebrand cleric, was taken into protective custody as security forces launched a crackdown against the religio-political party. Information minister Fawad Chaudhry said all institutions and major Opposition parties were onboard and supported Pakistans decision to try them for treason. The terms for treason and terrorism may be life imprisonment and the case against the TLPs leaders will be heard in an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), elaborated the minister. Referring to those workers of the TLP who were earlier taken into protective custody, the minister added they will be released after giving sureties. The TLP had staged violent countrywide protests against the acquittal of Aasi Bibi in November. The top court moved to seek contempt proceedings against cleric Khadim Rizvi. The action was taken following TLPs refusal to withdraw the call to stage a protest sit-in at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi on November 25. Fawad touched upon the recent opening of the Kartarpur corridor and said a mindset exists in Pakistan and India that decisions were taken by the countrys armed forces. The Indian army chief has given a statement that no talks with Pakistan will be held till Pakistan becomes a secular state, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the Kartarpur corridor a positive initiative. Arent these two different things, he questioned. The information minister also referred to the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Karachi and clarified that the operation did not fall in the domain of the federal government and was being conducted under orders from the Supreme Court. 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 The Ministry of Industry and Trade and Vietnam Electricity (EVN) are saying that pressures increasing to raise power prices in 2019. Speaking at a meeting Friday on the production of EVN, the country's biggest power producer, Nguyen Anh Tuan, head of the ministry's Electricity Regulatory Authority, said his agency is developing a power supply plan for 2019, which includes four different scenarios based on the predicted growth rates of electrical load as well as the predicted amount of water received by hydropower plants. In all scenarios, the total electricity generated by coal-powered thermal power plants would increased by 116 million kWh, putting pressure on EVN to increase electricity prices. "In 2019 we can still guarantee there will be enough electricity, but during times of tension on our generators we would have to mobilize oil factories. We are still developing a plan but we would like to request consumers to save electricity," Tuan said. Furthermore, it is forecast that next year, hydropower plants' reservoirs would receive much less water and the supply from Vietnam's gas fields is also declining. Tuan has therefore instructed EVN's coal suppliers to consider imports in calculating the amount of fuel they can supply. Speaking at the meeting, Dinh Quang Tri, acting general director of EVN, asserted that in terms of total electricity output, EVN is capable of supplying enough electricity for the next two years but pricing will be a problem. According to Tri, the total output of hydropower plants is estimated to decrease by nearly 4 billion kWh so EVN would have to increase the output of thermal power plants powered by coal and oil. As the cost of each kWh of electricity generated from oil is nearly VND5,000 ($0.2), while the current electricity price for households is only VND1,720 ($0.13) per kWh, this will cause significant loss to the utility, he claimed. Tri also said that EVN is considering 4-5 different options for electricity prices next year, which would soon be submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Another factor that could affect electricity price in 2019 is a 5 percent increase to coal prices that would come into effect this month, Tuan said. "Coal accounts for a significant proportion of electricity's production cost so this exerts a huge pressure on the electricity industry. When developing a scenario for electricity prices we have to take all these costs into account." Additionally, the growth in electricity demand in Vietnam is still above 10 percent and is skyrocketing in some areas, posing yet another pricing challenge next year. To counter this, Tri has proposed that households install solar panels on their roofs. According to his calculations, if each household installs panels capable of generating 3-5 MW, they would have enough electricity for their daily lives. "Promoting home solar power will partially solve the issue of electricity shortage in the south," Tri said, adding that he hopes the government would soon issue relevant regulations so EVN could develop deployment plans, determine prices and technical standards of solar panels for consumers to install. Vietnam currently relies largely on hydropower and thermal power plants for its electricity needs. However, its hydropower potential is almost fully exploited and its oil and gas reserves are running low. Thermal energy is expected to account for over 48 percent of the countrys power production next year. Vietnam, one of Asias fastest-growing economies, has been struggling to develop its energy industry. World Bank country director for Vietnam Ousmane Dione said at a recent forum that Vietnam will need to raise up $150 billion by 2030 to develop its energy sector. Dione added that electricity demand in the country will grow by about 8 percent a year for the next decade, Reuters reported. With huge untapped potential and steady growth, Vietnams food processing industry promises much for foreign investors, officials say. In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's biggest city, the food processing industry grew by 8.7 percent and the beverage production sector grew by 4.6 percent in the first ten months of this year, according to the municipal trade department. The industrys products are sold at 2,280 convenience stores in the city, up 507 stores over 2017, it said. In the past five years, Vietnams annual consumption of processed food and beverages has grown at an average of 9.68 percent and 6.66 percent respectively, says data compiled by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. In 2013-2017, the industrial production index grew by an average 6.8 percent per year for processed food and 9.7 percent for drinks, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said at a recent seminar in HCMC. The countrys annual food consumption value is estimated to make up 15 percent of its gross domestic product, he said, adding that the figure is about to grow bigger thanks to higher annual incomes and the increasing trend of consuming ready-to-eat food, especially organic ones. In the first nine months this year, the consumption index grew by 8 percent and 10.2 percent against the same period last year for processed food and drinks, respectively, according to the Vietnam Report Joint Stock Company, a Hanoi-based market research and business assessment firm. The Business Monitor International (BMI) projected earlier this year that Vietnam's food industry will grow by 10.9 percent each year between 2015 and 2020. Tran Kim Oanh, director of the Investment Promotion Center for Industry under the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, said that in the 2010-2016 period, the number of companies operating in the sector made up two percent of the total, but their total revenue accounted for 7.3 percent, or $54 billion. With more than half of a population of 95 million of working age, Vietnams food processing industry has a lot of room to grow, said experts. Food and beverages currently account for the highest proportion of monthly consumer spending in Vietnam, accounting for about 35 percent of the total, she said. Opportunities Food processing is one of the industries Vietnam is giving priority to in its growth plans until 2025 with vision until 2035. Vu Van Chung, deputy head of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said that so far, foreign investment in the food processing industry of Vietnam was $11.2 billion in 717 projects, excluding those formed through merger-acquisition deals. Most foreign investment has flowed into processing agricultural produce, seafood and producing beverages. The food processing industry in Vietnam is considered attractive thanks to tax preferential policies including an import tax exemption for technologies to upgrade the production chain in Vietnam. "Despite preferential policies for investors, Vietnams food processing industry has not been able to attract investments from markets that strong in this field, like Japan, the U.S., Australia and the EU," Chung said. The biggest obstacle for the sector right now is that domestic material supply is unable to meet production chain demands. For example, domestic materials supply can only meet 25 percent of inputs for the dairy sector, and up to 90 percent of materials to make cooking oil is imported, he said. But deputy minister Hai was hopeful that things would improve when the free trade agreements that Vietnam has signed come into effect, opening a broader consumption market for investors in Vietnam in general and investors in the food processing industry in particular. Vietnam is the first stop for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Asia. Photo acquired by VnExpress Vietnam is the first stop for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Asia, after 85 locations in Europe and the Americas. The world's largest car rental servicer, Enterprise Holdings, recently announced that its Enterprise Rent-A-Car service is now available in Vietnam. The move is part of Enterprise Holdings' goal to expand its car rental services across the Asia Pacific region. Enterprise Rent-A-Car will operate in Vietnam through its Vietnamese franchise partner MP Logistics. Cuong Dang, general director of Enterprise Rent-A-Car Vietnam, said the company currently has 300 rental cars, from 5 to 47 seaters, available in Ho Chi Minh City. The service is scheduled to be expanded to Hanoi and central Da Nang City in the first quarter of 2019. Rent-A-Cars initial strategy will be to grow a base of corporate customers, foreign employees of multinational companies with operations in Vietnam. The initial emphasis will be on long-term rentals with a chauffeur. Later, it will expand its services to include short-term, chauffeur-driven options, self-drive rentals and leisure hire at popular tourist destinations likes Da Nang. Cuong said he believes that there is great demand in Vietnams car rental market but inadequate supply, and that in the future, this market will thrive. There are two reasons Vietnams car rental market will grow, he said. First, FDI growth will be maintained for the next 10 years, which will attract an increasing number of foreign workers. Second, the middle class is seeing strong growth. The younger generation does not accord much priority to saving to buying luxurious cars and big homes, but tend to pay more attention to quality of life and experiences, and as such would be more willing to rent cars. However, Cuong noted that the Rent-A-Car model brought to Vietnam would take longer to recoup capital and profits than in the U.S. "The price of buying a car in Vietnam is twice that in the U.S., but the rental price is the same in both markets, so the business risk will be higher," Cuong said. Todd Prister, regional director for the Enterprise Franchise Asia-Pacific said that the company is excited about the potential of Vietnams economy. "Vietnam not only has one of the highest growth rates in the world as well as attractive business markets, but also is a prominent destination in Southeast Asia. Combining these factors, Vietnam will be a brilliant opportunity for us," said Todd. According to Forbes, Enterprise is the largest car rental company in the U.S. and is the 13th largest private enterprise in the country. Todd Prister said Enterprise is also the largest car rental company in the world in terms of vehicles owned, employees and sales. The company is present in 85 countries, 10,000 locations, owns over two million vehicles and has an average annual turnover of about $22 billion. Nguyen Hai An, a seven-year-old girl in Hanoi, who has inspired a lot of organ donors as she decided to donate her cornea before dying of a brain tumor in February 2018. Photo by VnExpress/H.A. The number of organ donation registrations in Vietnam has rocketed in 2018 to about one-third of the last five years. According to the Vietnam National Coordinating Center for Human Organ Transplantation (VNHOT), the total number of registrations for organ donations reached nearly 19,300 since its establishment in 2013. This is one of the two official centers in Vietnam for people to register to donate their organs after death. From 2013 to 2017, the total number of registrations was 11,853, according to the VNHOT online portal. So far this year, 7,300 people have volunteered to donate their organs after they die or go into irreparable coma. Last February, the touching story of Nguyen Hai An, a seven-year-old girl in Hanoi, inspired a lot of organ donors. An decided to donate her cornea before she died of a brain tumor on February 22. Raising awareness on organ donation has been a challenge in Vietnam. In 2014, after one year of operation, the center could only motivate a few more than 200 people to register for organ donation. These people were mainly leaders and officers of the center and some doctors. Many people in Vietnam strongly believe they need all their body parts for the afterlife, and families of donors have also been caught up in rumors about selling organs for money. Figures from the health ministry last year showed that Vietnamese doctors only performed around 1,500 organ transplants since 1992. That left thousands of patients suffering from heart, kidney, liver and lung diseases and blind people awaiting donations. But by the end of August 2018, the number of organ transpants have jumped to 3,378, including 3,223 kidney transplants, 125 liver transplants, 26 heart transplants, one kidney - pancreas transplant, one heart - lung transplant and two lung transplants. VNHOT has been in operation since 2013 at the Viet-Duc Friendship Hospital in Hanoi. People can also register to donate their organs at the Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. A compilation photo of the Vietjet aircraft (R) that had problem upon landing at Buon Ma Thuot Airport on Thursday night and the plane's steering rod without the nose wheels. Two foreign pilots of the Vietjet plane whose nose wheels flew off as it landed have been suspended pending investigations. The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) said Sunday that it has confiscated the pilot licenses of a Filipino pilot and his Spanish co-pilot while investigating the incident. Vietjet Air, for its part, said that it has suspended the two pilots, but did not reveal their names. Starting Monday, a CAAV investigation team and Airbus specialists will decode the black box of the Airbus A321 which the budget carrier Vietjet received from the France-based Airbus two weeks ago. French investigation authorities will oversee the process. The Ministry of Transport has ordered CAAV to quickly investigate and check other planes to prevent similar issues. The nose wheels of Flight VJ356 flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Buon Ma Thuot Airport in the Central Highlands flew off while landing last Thursday evening, injuring six passengers. 207 passengers on board had to leave all their baggage behind and escape the plane through emergency doors. Authorities found one wheel in the airport on Friday and the second on Sunday morning. One nose wheel of the Vietjet aircraft has been found on November 30. Photo by VnExpress/Anh Duy The Buon Ma Thuot airport reopened on 12 p.m. last Friday. Vietnam's aviation industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years. The country served more than 53 million air passengers in the first half of this year, up 14 percent from a year ago. Donald Trump, who has already slapped $250 billion in tariffs on China, sounded upbeat about making progress with Xi. Photo by AFP U.S. President Donald Trump sat down for a tariffs showdown over dinner with China's leader Saturday after a tense G20 summit. Trump and President Xi Jinping met in Buenos Aires, shortly after the annual summit of the world's leading economic powers concluded with a watered-down statement described by one G20 expert as the "lowest common denominator" of international diplomacy. "The relationship is very special -- the relationship that I have with President Xi -- and I think that is going to be a very primary reason why we will probably end up getting something that will be good for China and the United States," Trump said at the start of the dinner. The leader of communist China, who has cast himself as a defender of stable global capitalism, told Trump: "Only with cooperation between us can we serve the interest of both peace and prosperity." German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed hope that the Sino-US meeting would "lead to solutions," after Trump ignited a trade war by slapping $250 billion in tariffs on China and threatening more to come next month. "We all realize that we are indirectly influenced by the fact that Sino-American economic relations are not running as smoothly as a world order needs," Merkel told reporters. 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. 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 also stressed the need to respect different paces of economic development, as developing economies balk at going further on their Paris pledges. Trump's opposition defies the international scientific consensus and the findings of his own government, which issued a report last week warning of an enormous hit to the US economy unless action is taken now. Nevertheless, the G20 statement 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, Argentinian President Mauricio Macri, told a news conference. To that end, 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 by Thomas Bernes, 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. "It was the lowest common denominator. It brings into question the credibility of the G20 on trade but equally on climate, on migration, on the IMF (International Monetary Fund)." 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 form 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 fruitful dialogue in Buenos Aires with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he greeted 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 any ceasefire to Trump's trade war with China. U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attend a working dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping after the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina December 1, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Kevin Lamarque China and the U.S. have agreed to halt additional tariffs as both nations engage in new trade negotiations for 90 days. The White House announced the halt on Saturday after President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held high-stakes talks in Argentina. Trump agreed not to boost tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 percent on Jan. 1 as previously announced, while Beijing agreed to buy an unspecified but "very substantial" amount of agricultural, energy, industrial and other products, the White House said in a statement. China "is open to approving the previously unapproved" deal for U.S. company Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) to acquire Netherlands-based NXP Semiconductors (NXPI.O) "should it again be presented." In July, Qualcomm - worlds biggest smartphone-chip maker - walked away from a $44 billion deal to buy NXP Semiconductors after failing to secure Chinese regulatory approval, becoming a high-profile victim of the Sino-U.S. trade dispute. The White House said that if agreement on trade issues including technology transfer, intellectual property, non-tariff barriers, cyber theft and agriculture has not been reached with China in 90 days that both parties agree that the 10 percent tariffs will be raised to 25 percent. Trump slapped 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods in September. China responded by imposing its own round of tariffs. Trump has also threatened to add tariffs on another $267 billion of Chinese imports. Xi agreed to designate the drug fentanyl as a controlled substance, the White House said. For more than a year, Trump has raised concerns about the synthetic opioid being sent from China to the United States, which is facing an epidemic of opioid-related deaths. China also agreed to start purchasing agricultural products from U.S. farmers immediately, the White House said. U.S. companies and consumers are bearing part of the cost of the U.S. tariffs on China by paying higher prices for goods, and many companies have hiked prices on imported goods. At the same time, U.S. farmers have been hurt by reduced Chinese imports of soybeans and other products. The spokesman of Iranian parliaments presidium says the Rouhani administration has sent the budget bill for the next Iranian calendar year to the parliament on November 2. The official presentation of the budget is planned for Thursday December 6. Behrouz Nemati also confirmed that oil exports are estimated to be 1.5 million barrels per day in the new budget, vs 2.7 million before the United States reimposed sanctions on Iran. But critics say even such a huge reduction is an overestimation of what the country could really sell. According to Nemati, the calculations in the budget bill for March 2019 March 2020 are based on an estimated oil price of $54 and a rate of exchange for US dollar projected at 57,000 rials per U.S. dollar. The estimated oil price is nearly the same as current market price, but the projected rate of exchange is questionable as the current rate market is around 120,000 rials dollar. An economic planning official later said that the dollar rate used in the new budget is closer to 58,000 rials. One reason for raising the exchange rate in the budget is to try to cover the deficit. If oil revenue in dollars is exchanged on paper based on 58,000 rials, instead of current official rate of 42,000, the government can claim to have more rials to spend. It is all arbitrary anyway, since the free market rate is 120,000 rials per dollar. On Saturday, Iran's Economic Coordination Council had forecast a more than 50 percent decline in the country's oil sales in the next Iranian fiscal year which starts in March 2019. The forecast put Iran's oil exports next year at one million barrels per day which is less than half of the figure forecast for the current year, Iranian official news agency IRNA reported December 1. Critics as well as the Iranian Parliament's research center say the real oil sale figure next year would be as low as 500 thousand barrels per day, adding this is going to put the Iranian government face to face with a bigger budget deficit. An activist writing under the alias Mickle Scofield tweeted, "In the budget for the next year, the estimate for oil sale is one million barrel per day while it is unlikely that Tehran could sell more than 500 thousand barrels. He noted that whatever Iran earns from oil exports can be spent only on food and medicine imports. Iranian activists, particularly those inside Iran, fearing retaliation and persecution use false names and VPNs to evade tracking and identification by security forces. The Economic Coordination Council reviewed next year's budget during its meeting on Saturday and called for reducing the share of oil revenues in the budget as well as advising the government to import essential commodities with subsidized dollars, IRNA reported. This means the government would offer cheap dollars to importers, which is the case now, but what actually happens is that at the retail level merchants set prices based on higher, free market dollar rates. This is creating very high prices for essential needs of ordinary people. According to IRNA, the coordination council, which has been established following the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran and the ensuing economic difficulties, is attended by the heads of legislative, executive and judiciary branches of the government as well as several other state officials. The report says that the council emphasized "attention to the needs of low-income strata of the society," and called on the government "to provide essential commodities for the people at a subsidized rate, support production, boost employment, extend financial support to workers and pensioners, and complete abandoned development projects with the participation of the people and private sector." These are in fact part of the governments responsibilities it has failed to fulfill, even when the country was not facing a serious economic crisis, because of inefficiency, mismanagement and widespread corruption. Meanwhile, the council has barred the government from saving 10 percent of the oil revenue in the country's National Development Fund, which is another name for the foreign currency reserve, Fars news agency reported. The Iranian government had declared earlier that its revenues will face a decline next year due to U.S. sanctions. The current price of oil is around $60 per barrel for Brent oil and around $51 for West Texas Intermediate. The price of Iranian oil is usually two to three dollars less than the North Sea Brent price per barrel. Following the reimposition of US sanctions, Iran's oil exports have dropped. According to Reuters, Iran's entire oil export to Asia during November has been 762 thousand barrels, which is its lowest in five years. In another development, the Economic Coordination Council has called for withdrawing money from the National Development Fund in order to make up for the budget deficit. The council's ratification and advice needs to be endorsed by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The government is to submit the budget bill to parliament by Thursday December 6. Last year's budget bill, which cut expenditures in some areas, handsomely rewarded religious institutions and the armed forces, as well as the police. That was a factor in igniting mass protests on December 28, which shook the country for more than a week. DUBAI, Dec 2 (Reuters) Iran said on Sunday it would continue missile tests to build up its defenses and denied this was in breach of U.N. resolutions following U.S. allegations that Tehran had tested a new missile capable of carrying multiple warheads. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday condemned what he called Iran's testing of a medium-range ballistic missile in violation of the 2015 international agreement on theIranian nuclear program, from which Washington has withdrawn. "Missile tests...are carried out for defense and the country's deterrence, and we will continue this," Brigadier- General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for Iran's armed forces, was quoted as saying by the semi-official Tasnim news agency. "We will continue to both develop and test missiles. This is outside the framework of (nuclear) negotiations and part of our national security, for which we will not ask any country's permission," Shekarchi said. He did not confirm or deny Iran had tested a new missile. Earlier, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton tweeted: "Iran just test-fired a... ballistic missile capable of reaching Israel and Europe. This provocative behavior cannot be tolerated." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi also said Iranian missiles were purely defensive and added, "There is no Security Council resolution prohibiting missile program and missile tests by Iran." U.N. Resolution 2231 enshrined Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States in which Tehran curbed its disputed uranium enrichment program in exchange for an end to international sanctions. The resolution says Iran is "called upon" to refrain for up to eight years from work on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons. Iran has repeatedly said its missile program is purely defensive and denied that its missiles are capable of being tipped with nuclear warheads, or that it has any intent of developing nuclear weapons through uranium enrichment. Qasemi, addressing Pompeo, said: "It is...ironic that you cite a resolution that you have not only breached through your unilateral and unlawful withdrawal form the accord, but that you also encourage others to breach, or even threaten to punish and sanction them if they carry it out." In May, President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the nuclear deal, approved before he took office, and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. Trump said the deal was flawed as it did not include curbs on Iran's development of ballistic missiles or its support for armed proxies in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq. Separately, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused the United States of arming militant groups which fight against the Tehran-backed Syrian government and theIran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen. "US (is) proliferating advanced weapons to extremists incl Al Qaeda & ISIS (Islamic State)," Zarif said on Twitter, referring to a British newspaper report that said many arms supplied by Britain and the United States had ended up in the hands of militias fighting in the Yemen war. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter that he was deeply concerned by "Iran's test-firing of a medium range ballistic missile. Provocative, threatening and inconsistent with UNSCR 2231." "Our support for (the Iran nuclear accord) in no way lessens our concern at Iran's destabilizing missile program and determination that it should cease," Hunt added. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom Editing by Mark Heinrich and Peter Graff) On their 27th consecutive day of strike, the workers of Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane complex insisted that they will dismiss any offer for negotiations until their detained colleagues are freed. Two worker representatives are still in custody and one was said to have been tortured and hospitalized a few days ago. Earlier, Kiumars Kazemi was introduced as the new director general of the factory. According to the government's official news agency (IRNA), authorities from the city of Shush and its member of Majles (parliament), officials from the oil-rich province, Khuzestan, southwest Iran, as well as workers' representatives were present at the ceremony for introducing the new director general. "We are going to check the situation of the factory every month for a whole year," the Revolution and Public Prosecutor of Khuzesta, Abbas Hosseini Pouya, said at the ceremony, adding, "We are following up on the workers' demands." He also promised to solve the problem of two Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane plant workers still in detention within next two-three days. The appointment of a new director appears to be an attempt by the authorities to calm the workers and re-start production. The new boss immediately called on workers to return to work and said whoever refuses to work does not belong in the factory. Security forces arrested workers' representative Esmail Bakhshi nearly two weeks ago, along with eighteen others. Most of the detainees were later released, but Bakhshi, a former president of the factory's union, Ali Nejati, and a young journalist Sepideh Qolian are still behind bars. In the meantime, Tasnim, a news agency run by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) named Kiumars Kazemi as the representative of the shareholders at Haft Tapeh Suga Cane factory, with full powers. Without referring to Kazemi as the new director general, Tasnim described him as "responsible for restoring operations at the complex. Kazemi had earlier served as the vice director general of the plant for some time. Despite the new appointment, the strikers have insisted to carry on protests until all of their demands, including the return of the factory to the public sector, receiving overdue wages and release of the detainees are met. The workers have also decided on Saturday, December 1, to leave the Shush Governor compound and hold their protests inside the factory, in front of managements offices. Expanding on the new decision, one of the protesters told the state-run Iran Labor News Agency (ILNA), "We were told that governmental and provincial representatives are on their way to negotiate with us, therefore, we decided to change the location of our protest assemblies." Furthermore, the newly appointed caretaker of the factory has insisted that, following a meeting with the private owner of the complex, Morad Assad Beigi, he accepted to serve as the director general with full power and authority. Nevertheless, Kazemi asserted that he will not be involved in buying or selling of the company, a reference to the workers demand that the privatized factory should be returned to public ownership. Amid U.S. sanctions on Iran, Iraq is currently facing a challenge in addressing energy needs and supply of other vital goods, as its chief supplier of natural resources and a key trading partner grapples with its own isolation. Following the imposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran, particularly on oil and gas exports, Iraq was given 45 days by the U.S. to stop importing Iranian gas. Yet this deadline was clearly not enough, as the Iraqi government has called for an extension, citing difficulties with replacing Iranian supplies. As a result of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, as well as ongoing instability, Iraq depends on Iranian gas as a source of electricity. With some estimates claiming that up to 39 million Iraqis depend on Irans gas, it is clear that Iraq faces an immensely difficult challenge in satisfying the increasing demand for electricity. This issue becomes even more pressing due to frequent power cuts, which have resulted in widespread protests last summer. With that in mind, it is clear that Iraq must quickly address its economic problems. Iraqs central government has managed to land a key deal with the Kurdish forces in North Iraq, allowing it to resume oil exports from Kirkuk, one of the centers of oil production in Iraq. While this deal allows the Iraqi government to export oil through the pipeline in Kurdish territories to Turkey and earn more money, the issue for Baghdad has been how to use its already big oil income to build a viable economy. Iraqi businesses currently have an immense opportunity in meeting the demand for basic goods such as milk, which were often imported from Iran. Indeed, the southern city of Basra has recently witnessed the opening of a dairy plant, which can produce up to 10 tonnes of packaged milk per hour, thus meeting the demand in Basra and its surroundings. With its oil income largely spent on government operations, Iraq is in a desperate need of foreign investment to rebuild its still damaged infrastructure. Indeed, the 10 million dollar dairy plant itself was the product of Lebanese investment. In this sense, Iraq needs to diversify its portfolio of foreign investors to avoid potential backlash due to the Iranian sanctions. It comes as little surprise that the new Iraqi president Barham Saleh visited Saudi Arabia where he was received by King Salman. In what was described as a thawing of ties the two leaders discussed regional developments. Although Iraqis might wish for Saudi Arabia to be a top investor in their country, Irans influence in Iraq can easily dissuade their arch-rivals from risking any money in a country full of Shiite militias. Nevertheless, Salehs visit to Saudi Arabia was preceded by his trip to Tehran. Meeting the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on November 17, Saleh voiced his desire to further strengthen ties between the two counties, despite the short period of exemptions from US sanctions. Indeed, while trade between the two countries was estimated to be worth roughly 7 billion dollars in 2017, the leaders have vowed to increase it to 8.5 billion this year. The promise of trade was equally followed with the desire to further strengthen strategic ties, with Salih calling for the formation of a new regional system, which Iraq and Iran would be part of. Moreover, Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei asked Salih to preserve the Iran-backed Shia militia known as Hashd al-Sha'bi, which was recognised by the Iraqi government as a reserve force in December 2016. Knowing that this militia is vehemently opposed by the United States government, it seems that Iraq faces a much greater challenge in addressing its connections to Iran. Indeed, while the temporary exemption from US sanctions is still in place, Iraq is quite likely to experience the impact of the sanctions in the near future. Moreover, while president Salih has said that Iraq should not be a field for struggle between conflicting demands and wills, it seems that the recent talks with both Iran and Saudi Arabia highlight the complicated position of Iraq in Middle Eastern geopolitics, potentially giving way to future issues. ALGIERS, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Algeria on Sunday from Mauritania, resuming a tour of Arab countries after attending the G20 summit in Argentina. Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia received the prince in the capital Algiers, the state news agency APS said. Before the summit, the heir to the throne of the world's top oil exporter had visited the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Tunisia. On his way to Algeria he had stopped over in Mauritania, where Saudi Arabia pledged to build a large hospital in the capital Nouakchott, state media said. The crown prince is on his first trip abroad since the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, 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 of the murder. After offering numerous contradictory explanations, Riyadh said last month that Khashoggi had been killed and his body dismembered when negotiations to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia failed. Algerian-Saudi investments and trade relations, especially in the oil and petrochemical sectors, will be discussed during the two-day visit, APS said on Saturday. Algeria is one of the few Arab countries that has good relations with Saudi Arabia and its arch-rival Iran, both fellow OPEC members. Algiers also has strong ties with Qatar, with which Saudi Arabia and three other Arab states severed trade and transport ties in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran. Qatar denies the allegations. Algeria 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 as he did in Tunisia, as demonstrations are banned in Algiers. But a group of prominent journalists and intellectuals has written an open letter opposing his visit, saying it is "unethical and politically inappropriate". Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 2 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: The 82nd Congress of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) kicked off in Baku on Dec.2 and will continue on December 3. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Congress, Azerbaijans Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov said it is not by coincidence that such a high level and internationally acclaimed event is taking place in Baku. I am extremely delighted to welcome each of you to Baku, Azerbaijan for 82nd Congress meeting of International Federation of Gymnastics. It is not by coincidence that such a high level and internationally acclaimed event is taking place in our capital city of Baku. Baku has evolved as a global host of prestigious events. As you may know, we hosted the First European Games in 2015, Fourth Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017, the World Chess Olympiad, the annual Formula 1 Grand Prix, Special Olympics Youth Forum, WADA Executive Committee and Foundation Board meetings just last month and many other significant international events, said the minister. FIG President Morinari Watanabe during his speech at the opening of the event noted the high level of organization of the Congress. "I am sure that the Congress will successfully complete its work. We highly appreciate the work of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation," said the head of the organization. The Congress, which is, according to the FIG Charter, the highest body of this structure, will be attended by about 300 representatives from more than 115 countries. The 82nd Congress heard reports of the FIG president and technical coordinator, as well as presidents of the technical committees on various types of gymnastics. Then the heads of the continental unions that are FIG members delivered reports. The Congress participants will also approve the quarterly financial plan of the structure. Moreover, admission of new members to FIG, as well as exclusion of some federations from the structure will be discussed and the venue of the next Congress will be determined. During the meeting, various proposals put forward before the beginning of the Congress by FIGs governing bodies, including the member federations, were discussed. The Congress participants also considered changes made to the rules and the Charter of the international structure, various premium awards. Before the beginning of the Congress, the meeting of the FIG Presidential Commission took place on November 29, and the meeting of the FIG Executive Committee was held from November 30 to December 1. The meeting of the FIG Council, which is one of the governing bodies of the FIG, was also organized in Baku in May 2017. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 2 By Taleh Mursagulov Trend: The prices for apartments are expected to decline by 5-10 percent in Azerbaijan in the first half of 2019, director of Azerbaijans Koneko Group appraisal company Vugar Oruj told Trend. "As a result of the implementation of social housing construction projects, we see an increase in supply in the market," he said. "Thus, supply is expected to increase in 2019, which will lead to low prices in the Azerbaijani real estate market." "Presently, few deals are struck in the Azerbaijani real estate market but there is certain revival," Oruj said. "Sellers cannot sell real estate in the market in a short period of time," he said. "We see such facts that after a certain period of time, there is a decline in real estate prices. This shows that the owners cannot quickly sell real estate in the market and are forced reduce the initial price." Oruj also added that real estate prices are not expected to increase sharply. "Some real estate owners consider property as investments and they have expectations from these investments," he said. "In this regard, they refuse to reduce property prices, even though they cannot sell it at the price they have set. At the same time, among the owners of the property put up for sale, there are people who want to sell it as soon as possible. In this case, if they fail to sell apartments as soon as possible, then we expect them to reduce prices." Oruj said that the number of citizens purchasing housing is expected to increase in 2019 compared to the previous years. ---- Follow the author on Twitter: @TalehMursagulov Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 2 By Rashid Shirinov Trend: In January-October 2018, Kazakhstans container transit traffic through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) increased by 17.5 times to 2,800 TEU, compared to 160 TEU last year, First Vice Minister of Investment and Development of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar told Trend. "For the 10 months, export rail transportation through TITR amounted to 537,400 tons, and import rail transportation to 254,600 tons," he said. Sklyar also noted that oil products, grain, metals, coal and chemicals constitute the main freight transported by Kazakhstan via TITR. "In order to develop the transit and export potential of the country, a network of effective transit transcontinental corridors and routes through Kazakhstan, such as the Northern Trans-Asian Railway, route from China to Central Asia and Persian Gulf countries, North-South Corridor and TITR, was formed and is being implemented," the first vice minister added. TITR is an international transport corridor connecting China with European countries. The TITR Coordination Committee includes railway, sea and port administrations, as well as logistics companies of 8 countries: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland and Romania. By 2020, it is planned to reach cargo transportation volume of 7-8 million tons through TITR. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @ShirinovRashid Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 2 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: Despite problems and restrictions on providing Iranian aircraft with fuel at some airports due to the US sanctions, flights are made, Ali Abedzadeh, chairman of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization and Deputy Minister of Road and Urban Development, said in an interview with IRNA. He said that no flight has been cancelled as a result of not providing the Iranian planes with fuel. However, some flights have been delayed. Abedzadeh added that after some US sanctions were imposed, there were some problems with supply of fuel to Iranian planes at some airports. In this regard, the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization has informed all countries that this action is contrary to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (also known as Chicago Convention), he said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 2 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: Iran's Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade sent a letter to the Iran Customs Administration in which it has banned export of some products, ILNA reported. The export of chicken, tire, sugar, packing bags, various dairy products and exercise books has been banned. The government has banned the export of these products due to Irans need for these products, subsidies for the production of these products and the official currency exchange rate ($ 1 = 42,000 rials). Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 2 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: By the end of the eighth month, 13.302 million tons of products were transported via trains through Iran's Hormozgan province this Iranian year (started on March 21, 2018), which is 2 percent more compared to the same period of last Iranian year, Director General of Railway Department of Hormozgan province Mohammad Pour-Fakhri told reporters, IRNA reported. He said that over 5 million tons of various mining materials and other products have been loaded at Madan-e Gol Gohar railway station and Shahid Rajaee port. Pour-Fakhri said that 8,298,818 tons of cargo and mining materials were discharged at the oil refinery, the Persian Gulf Special Economic Zone, Shahid Rajaee port, which is 7 percent more compared to the same period of last year. Thousands of Georgians protested in the capital Tbilisi on Sunday against the result of the countrys presidential election, as defeated candidate Grigol Vashadze said opposition parties would challenge the outcome in court. Vashadze has described the election as a criminal farce and has called for snap parliamentary elections after the central election commission said on Thursday that Salome Zurabishvili, who was backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, had secured 59.5 percent of the vote. Vashadze had 40.5 percent, it said. We dont recognize illegitimate results of this rigged election and demand an early parliamentary election to be called in the country, Vashadze told thousands of supporters at Sundays rally in Tbilisi. Zurabishvili is set to become the countrys first female head of state, although the role is largely ceremonial. Vashadze said the opposition planned to challenge the election results in court and would offer to work with the government to make changes to the electoral code, followed by snap parliamentary elections. International observers, in their assessment of the election, said on Thursday that the vote was competitive, but the ruling party had enjoyed an undue advantage and increased misuse of administrative resources further blurred the line between party and state. Vashadze said that if the government rejects the oppositions demands, another peaceful protest would be held on Dec. 16, the day of the president-elects inauguration. Political analysts say they do not expect the election result to trigger any serious unrest in Georgia, an ally of the United States in the Caucasus region. Under a revised constitution, the prime minister and government wield most executive power. But the presidency is still seen as an important position as the international face of the country, which aims to secure better relations with the West to counter Moscows influence. Both Zurabishvili and Vashadze favor strong ties with the West. Zurabishvili, a former French career diplomat who served as Georgias foreign minister from 2004-2005, told Reuters in an interview on Saturday that the oppositions call for people to refuse to recognize the results of the election served Russias interests. Thats exactly what Russia would have wished for - to have a very divided and very weakened country and a discredited president whose legitimacy is under attack, she said. Moscows influence in the country dominates Georgias domestic politics, with rival parties accusing each other of being insufficiently firm in confronting it. Russia fought and won a brief war against Georgia in 2008, after which Moscow recognized the independence of two Georgian breakaway regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia now has troop garrisons in the two regions. Mexican authorities are investigating an apparent grenade attack on the U.S. consulate in the city of Guadalajara, officials said on Saturday, underscoring the security challenges facing Mexicos new president, Reuters reported. The attack took place early on Saturday morning, local media reported, ahead of the swearing in of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador later in the day. No one was killed or injured in the attack and Mexican authorities are investigating the matter, according to a U.S. official in Mexico. Jalisco state prosecutors wrote on their Twitter account that federal authorities had taken over the investigation of the incident. The state is the home base of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which is considered one of the most powerful gangs in Mexico by U.S. and Mexican authorities. The gangs leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or El Mencho is on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrations most wanted list. Violence has surged in Jalisco and across Mexico, which is seeing record levels of killings. Jaliscos incoming governor, Enrique Alfaro, is set to take power next weekend. Bahrain's cabinet announced Sunday to resign after the end of the parliament and municipal council elections, Xinhua reports. Bahrain's Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired a cabinet session, during which he announced that the resignation of the cabinet had been submitted to the Bahraini king. The government is required to resign following an election, according to the country's constitution, after which the king will swear in the next government. "The government has had the honor of shouldering the responsibilities entrusted to it by the king and has endeavored diligently to achieve the objectives and aspirations that embody the vision of the king," said the prime minister in a statement posted on the Bahrain News Agency. "Despite our achievements, our ambitions still lead us towards achieving the best for our nation and citizens," he said. Five societies and 231 observers monitored the 2018 polls in which there were a total of 365,467 eligible voters. During the first round of polls on Nov. 24, officials reported a 67-percent turnout. The first round saw a clear victory for nine parliament candidates out of the 40, two of them women. This is Bahrain's fifth parliament and municipal council elections, which are held every four years. All 23 people killed in the combustible and toxic gas-triggered blasts in north China's Hebei Province have been identified after DNA tests, local authorities said Sunday, accorging to Xinhua. The victims are from 20 different households which previously registered their family members as missing after the accident, according to the city information office of Zhangjiakou. An investigation showed that the vinyl chloride leaked from the gas holder at Hebei Shenghua Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. and spread to a nearby road, causing the blasts at around 0:40 a.m. Wednesday. The blasts engulfed many roadside vehicles, causing heavy casualties including the drivers of coal-loaded trucks waiting to enter the chemical plant as well people with no relation to the company. A further 22 were injured. The local police have detained 15 people from the company. The provincial authorities have ordered that lessons be learned from the blasts, and thorough checking for safety loopholes, to avoid more accidents. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. leader Donald Trump are unlikely to hold talks in the near future after the latter canceled their scheduled meeting in Argentina, the Kremlin said Saturday, Xinhua reported. The Russian and the U.S. administrations were in contact after Trump called off his meeting with Putin on Thursday, but the two sides reached no agreement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Russian media as saying. However, Putin and Trump had a brief contact on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Peskov confirmed, giving no details of their conversation. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of G20 summit in Argentina on Saturday and discussed areas of cooperation including rebalancing the world oil market, Reuters reported citing the Saudi Press Agency. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, of which Saudi Arabia is a key member, and Russia and other leading oil producers will meet in Vienna on Dec 6-7 to discuss 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. Speaking in Buenos Aires, Putin said on Saturday that he had no concrete figures on possible output cuts but that Russia would continue contributing to reducing global output. On Friday, Putin and the crown prince, heir to the throne of the worlds top oil exporter, exchanged a high-five as they took seats next to each other at a plenary session of the Group of 20 summit. Putins friendly behaviour contrasted sharply with that of other leaders at the summit, amid suspicions of the princes possible involvement in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. Saudi Arabia has said the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder, which has strained Saudi ties with the West and battered the princes image abroad. Russia has refrained from criticising 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. Putin is expected to visit Riyadh, but the timing of visit has not yet been finalised. The Russian and Turkish delegations to the G20 summit in Buenos Aires agreed to continue the joint work aimed at implementation of the memorandum on the situation in the rebel-held Syrian province of Idlib, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters, Sputnik reported. Earlier in the day, Cavusoglu met Russian President Vladimir Putin on sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires "We discussed many issues, energy issues, trade, some other issues as well cultural issues. And we also discussed the Idlib issue and, in general, Syria. We should continue Astana format meetings. Our teams will continue working together on the Idlib memorandum to implement the Idlib memorandum and joint patrols of Russian and Turkish troops will also start along the boundaries of Idlib. These are all the issues we discussed and we will continue working together and we should also continue implementing the Idlib deal, which is important for Syria," Cavusoglu said on Saturday. He added that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had proposed to hold trilateral meetings between foreign ministers of Turkey, Russia and Iran on the Syrian issue, particularly, on creation of the Syrian constitutional committee. "In principle, I said 'yes.' We need to actually call the first meeting of this [Syrian] constitution committee as soon as possible, possibly by the end of this year as we agreed in Istanbul," Cavusoglu added. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin also said that Russia and Turkey are concerned about the situation in the Syrian province of Idlib, hoping that the joint efforts of the defence ministries and special services of the two nations will result in solving the situation and creating a demilitarized zone in the area as soon as possible. "The situation in Idlib worries us too. We see that our Turkish partners have not yet managed to achieve everything [that is planned], but they are working. We also see that they are working on creating a demilitarized zone, Putin said at a press conference, when asked about his contacts with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the G20 sidelines. We hope that our special services and the defence ministries will resolve this issue via joint efforts as soon as possible, he added. The demilitarized zone in Idlib was established on September 17, when Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on the issue. Ankara is dissatisfied with Riyadhs explanations in connection with the murderer of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday, Sputnik reported. We regard it as a despicable murder. Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia does not support us. At first, there was a lie that he [Khashoggi] left the consulate. [However] there is evidence that he was killed: there is a seven-minute audio recording, we shared it with the world. Turkey handed it to the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom all those who wanted. We cannot be satisfied with the explanations we have got, Erdogan told reporters on the sidelines of the G20 summit, as aired by the NTV broadcaster. Turkey insists that Saudi Arabia should extradite those responsible for the murder, Erdogan reiterated. But this is not only the case of Turkey, but of the whole world. We still haven't received any information from the Saudi side about the assassins' accomplices. They must reveal it, he stressed. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday condemned what he described as Irans testing of a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads as a violation of the international agreement on Tehrans nuclear program, Reuters reported. 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 Irans 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. Pompeos statement provided few details about the latest Iranian missile test. The Iranian regime has just test-fired a medium range ballistic missile thats capable of carrying multiple warheads, he said in the tweet. This test violates UNSCR 2231, he added, citing the United Nations Security Councils endorsement of the international nuclear agreement. We condemn this act. By Tomoyuki Tachikawa, KYODO NEWS - Dec 2, 2018 - 14:35 | World, All U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday agreed not to impose new tariffs, Washington and Beijing said, but trade strains will be rekindled if the two countries fail to make concessions on contentious matters within 90 days. The United States agreed to put off levying additional tariffs and to leave the current rate on $200 billion of Chinese goods at 10%, not raising them as previously planned, after Jan. 1. The world's two biggest economies, meanwhile, agreed to talk about technology and intellectual property rights issues within 90 days, but "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 White House said. Although Washington and Beijing also confirmed that they will start negotiations to eliminate all tariffs, a failure to resolve an array of thorny issues before the clock runs out could spark another round in their trade war. The agreements came at the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Xi since November 2017, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires. "We'll be discussing trade and I think at some point we're going to end up doing something that's great for China and great for the United States," Trump said at the outset of the summit, adding that he has "established a wonderful relationship" with Xi. Xi said to Trump, "Only with cooperation between us can we serve the interests of both peace and prosperity," expressing hope that the U.S.-China trade dispute would be resolved through dialogue. Trump is likely to have urged Beijing to carry out concrete reforms to stem its alleged unfair business practices, including intellectual property and technology theft, while Xi may have proposed to end the ongoing trade war by accepting some requests made by Washington. With concern growing that escalating trade tensions have been dragging down the broader economy, China promised to open its markets further and buy more U.S. products in an attempt to curb its massive trade surplus with the United States. China has agreed to "purchase a not yet agreed upon, but very substantial, amount of agricultural, energy, industrial, and other product from the United States," adding it will start buying "agricultural product from our farmers immediately," the White House said. In addition, Trump and Xi confirmed that Washington and Beijing will "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." The U.S. president has apparently been trying to not only rectify the trade imbalance with China but also to sell U.S. products in Chinese markets without anxiety about intellectual property and technology theft, diplomatic sources said. Since earlier this year, the two countries have engaged in tit-for-tat rounds of punitive tariffs on each other's imports. Sino-U.S. ties have deteriorated sharply, sparking fears of a "New Cold War." So far, the United States has imposed tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese imports -- or about half the goods it imports from China each year -- in response to Beijing's alleged theft of intellectual property and technology, as well as other trade complaints. In retaliation, China has levied tariffs on more than 80 percent of all goods imported from the United States. Trump had threatened to impose tariffs on all Chinese imports if he failed to "make a deal" with Xi. Many economists have warned that intensifying trade strains between the United States and China would deal a crushing blow to the global economy, which has been on a recovery track. At their summit, Trump and Xi also exchanged views on the denuclearization of North Korea. "Great progress has been made with respect to North Korea," the White House said, adding, "President Trump, together with President Xi, will strive, along with (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un, to see a nuclear free Korean Peninsula." Trump was quoted by his office as saying, "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." Since late April, the Kochuthara colony has been flooded several times intermittently. Every time, a flood occurs, the area remains submerged for days. In many other villages of Kuttanad, the story sounds similar. BUENOS AIRES: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for New Delhi after concluding a three-day visit of Argentina. In this visit PM 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 shared his views on the Twitter about PMs visit. His Tweet reads, "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," PM attended 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, PM participated in the Russia-India-China (RIC) Informal Summit, the first such meeting since the one held in Saint Petersburg in 2012. Summit in the year 2022 will be hosted by India. Vietnam's Information Security Index revealed The 2018 Information Security Index of Vietnam was 45.6 percent, a figure at average level, reported by Vietnam Information Security Association (VNISA) in Hanoi on November 30. The 2018 Information Security Index of Vietnam was 45.6 percent, a figure at average level, reported by Vietnam Information Security Association (VNISA) in Hanoi on November 30.(Source: cmc.com.vn) Data from VNISA revealed the countrys information security indices were 47.4 percent, 59.9 percent and 46.8 percent respectively in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The 2018 Vietnam Information Security Day conference under the theme Cyber security for the age of artificial intelligence and smart devices was hosted by the VNISA, in collaboration with the Authority of Information Security and the Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Team under the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Command 86 under the Ministry of Defence. Vietnam has about 350,000 IoT (Internet of Things) devices on the Internet, most of which are cameras and routers. More than 40 percent of those might be affected by information security loopholes, said Nguyen Thanh Hung, Deputy Minister of information and communications. Speaking at the conference, Hung said in the future, artificial intelligence (AI) and IoT would be two concepts which are always mentioned together. "IoT generates huge amounts of data and AI helps analyse and process it." Even though IoT promoted the digitisation of many industries, it posed security threats to new technology applications, he said. Tools used to attack IoT devices were becoming more sophisticated, algorithms used to attack and artificial intelligence (AI) would be increased in the level of both attack and defence. On the other hand, some of the terminal devices would become new targets, including refrigerators, robot vacuum cleaner, street lights or watches. According to Gartners report, more than 25 percent of the attacks are from IoT-related companies by 2020. "It is possible to see the risks in the coming time, in which malicious code will become smarter and the perfect environment for them is the network of IoT devices," said Hung. This would be a great challenge that State agencies, organisations, businesses and the community in Vietnam must pay attention to in order to avoid unexpected consequences, he said. The Deputy Minister also noted that cyber security was a long-lasting war. However, he also noted information security was a field that Vietnam could make strides in comparison with other areas of science and technology. Basically, information security was based on human resources, not too dependent on infrastructure. One of the ways to enhance information security in Vietnam was to create stronger trust among the society, he said. Trust was the key to success in the field of cyber security. To promote the work to ensure cyber security, the deputy minister suggested State agencies and social organisations pay more attention to the work, regularly updating knowledge and new technologies, while technical systems must ensure information safety and meet the conditions for preventing and combating network attacks.-VNS/VNA 1. Fill in your name or an alias. Do not leave blank or use the name 'guest' or 'anonymous'. 2. No Nivul Peh. Profanity will be deleted. Transcription factors are proteins that determine whether specific genes are transcribed or not by binding to DNA. In other words, they help turn genes "on" or "off." One such transcription factor, Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 2, plays a central role in many processes critical to cardiovascular homeostasis. Researchers also understand that levels of KLF2 increase with health and decline with disease. "We are very keen to identify the cellular pathways that regulate the increase or decrease in KLF2 levels in order to develop novel strategies to sustain levels and ameliorate cardiovascular disorders," said Mukesh K. Jain, MD, professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the Ellery Sedgwick Jr. Chair & Distinguished Scientist, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. He is part of a trans-Atlantic network of international leaders in cardiovascular medicine who aim to find out. Jain and his colleagues have been awarded a five-year, $6M grant from the Paris-based Fondation Leducq to conduct a thorough analysis of the pivotal role of KLF2 in vascular-related functions and disorders. The team's grant was one of five awarded globally and is, in the French foundation's words, "an indication of [our] enthusiasm for your proposal, and faith that the collaborative work of the network will significantly improve our knowledge and treatment of cardiovascular disease." Joining Jain as part of the research team are eminent researchers from Yale University, the University of Oxford, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine in Germany. KLF2 and members of this family of transcription factors regulate hundreds of genes that control blood vessel function, often simultaneously, turning on and standardizing a coordinated genetic program governing vascular health. This includes the development of new blood vessels in embryos and adults and embryonic heart valve formation. KLF2 is also a major anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting agent, thereby promoting vascular health. But lower levels of KLF2 can cause inflammation and narrowing of the arteries, resulting in blockages in blood vessels, conditions that affect tens of millions of people worldwide. Additionally, the effects of cardiac medicines known as statins are mediated in part through KLFs. How is KLF2 involved in such a broad range of life-sustaining activities and potentially lethal breakdowns? To help answer this question, Jain and his colleagues have three aims. First, determine how KLF2 actually functions within a cell. This entails illuminating the cellular machinery it uses in controlling vascular processes. Second, determine what specific genes with blood vessels it targets to turn on and off. Third, test the findings of aims one and two in both human tissues and relevant mouse genetic models. The team expects that these studies will reveal the full KLF2 regulatory set of connections and identify new treatment targets for cardiovascular disease. The team will use insights from its studies on KLF2 to conduct analysis of KLF4, a related molecule with similar functions. "KLFs are now known to serve as master regulators of the endothelium, the tissue that forms a single layer of cells lining the blood vessels, heart, and lymphatic vessels," said Jain. "Studying the mechanisms of KLF2 expression and its involvement in vascular physiology, and gaining an ability to control that function, have the potential to treat a broad array of cardiovascular diseases ranging from stroke and heart attack to brain-based cerebrovascular malformations." Among its techniques, the research team will use CRISPR-Cas9-based approaches to delete certain genes in the KLF2 sequencing process and determine what affect this has on vascular development and function. This will help specify which genes are involved in various processes and diseases, boosting overall understanding and identifying targets for treatment, either through medication or gene-editing. The researchers will also utilize already FDA-approved medications on human cells and mice, seeking to determine which ones might be used to target the findings of the investigative team. This work builds on seminal findings Jain published in 2004 that led to the discovery of KLFs in vascular biology. While KLFs were known to regulate critical functions based on studies in the 1970's and 1980's in flies, the link to cardinal functions of blood vessels was amongst the first in mammalian systems and represented a major advance in cardiovascular biology. KLFs have also been implicated in numerous biological processes that affect the development of cancer, metabolic disorders, immune dysfunction, and aging. The official grant process commences on January 1, 2019. ### For more information about Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, please visit: case.edu/medicine. 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. FILE PHOTO: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands as they visit the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, Hubei province, China April 27, 2018. China Daily via REUTERS/File Photo MUMBAI (Reuters) - China was looking to boost agricultural exports to India while increasing imports of rapeseed and soymeal, President Xi Jinping told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of a G20 meeting on Friday. Xi also indicated greater trade in the pharmaceuticals sector between China and India, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale, who was travelling with Modi, said. "On the economic side, President Xi Jinping referred to enhanced imports of rice and sugar from India and spoke of possibility of greater imports of soymeal and rapeseed," he said. The meeting at the G20 meeting of industrialized nations was the fourth between Xi and Modi this year as the leaders looked to build on a thaw in ties between the two countries after a military standoff on their disputed border last year, officials told Reuters on Thursday. China's official Xinhua news agency cited Xi as telling Modi that relations were improving. The two countries should expand bilateral trade and strengthen investment, Xinhua cited Xi as saying, without giving details. India's commerce ministry and a six-member Chinese delegation signed an agreement on Wednesday allowing Beijing to inspect imports of Indian fish meal and fish oil in an effort to ease market access for exports of various farm products. China's Ministry of Commerce told Reuters in a faxed statement on Friday that China was happy about the "constantly improving" investment environment in India with hopes to push for the resumption of Chinese dairy, apples and pears exports. India banned the import of Chinese apples in 2017 after finding pesticides, while China restricted imports of Indian buffalo meat because of concern over foot and mouth disease. Their bilateral trade reached $89.6 billion in 2017/18 with a deficit of $62.9 billion in China's favour. (Reporting by Nidhi Verma and Abhirup Roy; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard and Yawen Chen in Beijing, editing by Louise Heavens and Grant McCool) Criminal police officers, prosecutors and tax inspectors searched Deutsche Bank offices in and around Frankfurt Police vehicles are parked in front of Deutsche Bank headquarters as roughly 170 criminal police officers, prosecutors and tax inspectors searched Deutsche Bank offices in and around Frankfurt, Germany, November 29, 2018, on money laundering allegations, the public prosecutor said in a statement. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach By Tom Sims and Hans Seidenstuecker FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Police have searched the offices of all the members of Deutsche Bank's board as part of an investigation into money laundering allegations linked to the Panama Papers, a source told Reuters on Friday. Shares in Germany's largest bank ended 2.9 percent lower, after hitting a record low earlier in the day, as a raid that began on Thursday at the bank's towering Frankfurt headquarters extended into a second day. "We will of course continue to actively support the investigation and work constructively with the authorities," Karl von Rohr, Deutsche's co-deputy chief executive officer, said in a statement on Friday evening. Deutsche Bank shares have lost around half of their value this year, after the bank endured three years of losses and a series of financial and regulatory scandals. The company is now worth only around 17 billion euros ($19.3 billion). The raid comes as Deutsche Bank tries to repair its tattered reputation. Christian Sewing, appointed chief executive in April to help the bank rebuild, has trimmed the group's U.S. operations and reshuffled its management board, but revenue has continued to slip. Investigators are looking into the activities of two unnamed Deutsche Bank employees alleged to have helped clients set up offshore firms to launder money, the prosecutor's office has said. The inquiries focus on events from 2013 to this year. Gerhard Schick, a member of parliament for the opposition Green party, said it was "particularly irritating" that the bank's current board members oversaw operations during the time in question. "This is not about legacy issues," he said in a statement to Reuters. BOARD MEETING This week's events raise the stakes of a regularly scheduled meeting of the bank's supervisory board planned for Dec. 4. The prosecutor said on Thursday the investigation had been triggered after investigators reviewed information in the Panama Papers, consisting of millions of documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca leaked to the media in April 2016. Around 170 police officers, prosecutors and tax inspectors began the raid on Thursday, seizing written and electronic documents. Only one police car was visible outside the bank's headquarters early on Friday. Story continues The head of the Frankfurt prosecutor's office, Albrecht Schreiber, said on Friday evening that investigators had made "very rapid and very good progress". Deutsche was cooperating fully, he said, adding that authorities' queries were answered "without reservation". Deutsche Bank's controls that aim to prevent money laundering have caught the attention of regulators on both sides of the Atlantic. Schick, who is also chairman of Finanzwende, a grassroots financial watchdog initiative, pointed the finger at Germany's financial market regulator, BaFin. BaFin said its critics had misunderstood the situation, and that supervisors and prosecutors played different roles. In January, BaFin president Felix Hufeld said the agency had found no evidence of substantial breaches of money laundering rules by the banks named in the Panama Papers. In September, BaFin ordered Deutsche Bank to do more to prevent money laundering and "terrorist financing," and appointed KPMG as third party to assess progress. On Thursday, as the raids were going on, the vice chairman of supervision for the U.S. Federal Reserve, Randal Quarles, met Deutsche Bank management for an unrelated and previously scheduled appointment at the bank's headquarters, a spokesman for the Fed said. ($1 = 0.8805 euros) (Additional reporting by Pete Schroeder in Washington; Editing by Keith Weir/Adrian Croft/Susan Fenton) A woman plants rice seedlings on a field near Mahmoudabad, 240 km (149 miles) northeast of Tehran, May 6, 2008. Picture taken May 6, 2008. REUTERS/Caren Firouz/Files DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran has ended its seasonal ban on rice imports, allowing importers to register their orders, Iranian news agencies reported on Sunday. Deputy Agriculture Minister Ali Akbar Mehrfard announced the end of the annual ban in a letter dated Nov. 28, the ISNA semi-official news agency reported. Other agencies carried similar reports. The government usually imposes the ban for a few months each year to support local prices and help Iranian growers during the harvest season. Iran consumes 3 million tonnes of rice a year. About one million tonnes is imported, mainly from India and Pakistan. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by David Goodman) Blog Archive November (2) October (2) September (2) August (3) July (3) June (3) May (2) April (2) March (3) February (2) January (2) December (2) November (2) October (2) September (3) August (3) July (4) June (4) May (5) April (4) March (4) February (4) January (4) December (4) November (6) October (2) September (3) August (2) July (10) June (3) May (2) April (8) March (5) February (3) January (4) December (4) November (5) October (5) September (4) August (7) June (4) May (4) April (2) March (5) February (2) January (4) December (3) November (4) October (4) September (3) August (4) July (4) June (5) May (3) April (3) March (4) February (5) January (5) December (2) November (3) October (4) September (4) August (4) July (4) June (5) May (4) April (4) March (5) February (4) January (4) December (5) November (4) October (4) September (4) August (4) July (4) June (4) May (3) April (4) March (3) February (4) January (2) December (5) November (5) October (8) September (7) August (7) July (8) June (8) May (5) April (7) March (6) February (2) January (4) December (3) November (7) October (3) September (3) August (4) July (5) June (8) May (7) April (7) March (5) February (6) January (8) December (6) November (5) October (7) September (4) August (7) July (7) June (6) May (8) April (10) March (12) February (3) January (8) December (9) November (7) October (7) September (8) August (9) July (5) June (7) May (4) April (4) March (5) February (8) January (6) December (5) November (5) October (5) September (2) August (2) July (3) June (2) May (5) April (1) March (3) February (4) January (1) December (3) November (3) October (3) September (2) August (2) July (2) June (4) May (4) April (4) March (4) February (4) January (3) December (5) November (5) October (4) (Adds details) By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - 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. 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 Trump's 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. Story continues 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. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; additional reporting by Yeganeh Torbati, editing by Jonathan Oatis) (Bloomberg) -- Russias space program took a step toward repairing its reputation for reliability after a failed launch added to concern over unprecedented foreign competition for getting into orbit. On Monday, the Roscosmos agency sent the first crew into space on a Soyuz rocket since a booster failure on a similar model forced Russian Alexey Ovchinin and American Nick Hague to abandon their mission minutes after liftoff in October. They made the first emergency landing in the craft since 1975. NASA Associate Administrator William Gerstenmaier was on hand for the launch at Kazakhstans Baikonur Cosmodrome to ferry Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, U.S. astronaut Anne McClain and Canadian David Saint-Jacques to the International Space Station. The crew confirmed that it safely reached orbit according to a live feed on NASAs website, and plans to link up to the ISS early Tuesday in Moscow. The successful mission wont dispel the storm clouds on the horizon for Russias space program, however. Recent setbacks at Roscosmos, including a series of failed launches and accusations of misspending, have tarnished its Soviet legacy as the first manned space program. Adding to the woes, the program now faces the prospect of reduced revenue as a seven-year monopoly on ferrying people to the space station comes to an end. They are obviously concerned about losing income from sending U.S. astronauts into orbit, Gerstenmaier said in an interview in Moscow before traveling to Baikonur. They share some of the same problems we do -- theres a finite amount in the budget in our countries and space flight is part of the discretionary budget. Cheaper Rockets Billionaire Elon Musks Space Explorations Technologies Corp. and Boeing Co. have contracts to deliver astronauts to the ISS starting next year under NASAs Commercial Crew project. A raft of start-ups around the world also use cheaper rockets to put slimmed-down satellites into space, presenting a challenge to Roscosmoss lucrative launch business. Story continues Roscosmoss press service declined to comment on the potential loss of revenue from NASA. It has earned some $2.6 billion from the U.S. for carrying astronauts and equipment to the ISS since NASA retired its fleet of space shuttles in 2011. Russias market share for rocket technology worldwide fell slightly in 2017, which Roscosmos blamed on sanctions, the weak ruble and increased competition, according to its annual report published on Friday. It singled out SpaceX for allegedly undercutting the market thanks to U.S. government assistance. Reliant on Soviet technology developed decades ago, Russia may find its increasingly overtaken in the new space race. While NASA has a contract to send astronauts to the ISS with Roscosmos until February 2020, it will stop paying for seats on the Soyuz after that if the Commercial Crew program goes to plan, Gerstenmaier said. Basically Stolen The windfall funding from the U.S. hasnt always been spent wisely. Alexei Kudrin, the head of the countrys Audit Chamber, told Russias lower house of parliament in June that he found 760 billion rubles ($11.4 billion) of financial violations in Roscosmoss books. Several billion have been spent, basically stolen, that we are currently investigating, Kudrin said in an interview aired Nov. 25 on state-run Rossiya 24 TV. Roscosmos is the champion in terms of the scale of such violations. Kudrins criticism related to a 2017 audit, Roscosmos told the Tass news service. President Vladimir Putin appointed Dmitry Rogozin, a former deputy prime minister, as the new head of Roscosmos in May this year. The agency has faced a series of other problems. A critical defect was discovered on a launchpad of its newest cosmodrome, Vostochny, in Russias Far East, RBC newspaper reported. Separately, a commission is still studying the cause of a mysterious hole found on a Russian module of the ISS. A spacewalk is planned for Dec. 11 to investigate the issue further, though a final report isnt expected until February, according to Gerstenmaier. Even so, the Soyuz remains the most-used launch vehicle in history and Roscosmos has had successful unmanned launches since the failure in October, which it blamed on a sensor that was damaged during assembly. We see tremendous advantages in us working together and cooperating, Gerstenmaier said. If the two agencies also pursue dissimilar capabilities, or theres even a little competition in some areas, thats healthy too, he said. (Updates with launch details from second paragraph.) --With assistance from Stepan Kravchenko. To contact the reporter on this story: Jake Rudnitsky in Moscow at jrudnitsky@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Torrey Clark at tclark8@bloomberg.net, Tony Halpin For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2018 Bloomberg L.P. BERLIN (AP) Thousands of people marched Saturday in Berlin to demand that Germany speed up its exit from coal-fired power plants, a day before the opening of a U.N. climate summit in neighboring Poland. The protest in the German capital and a simultaneous march in the western city of Cologne were organized by environmental groups. Many demonstrators carried flags with slogans like "Stop Coal!" and "The future is coal-free." Some were dressed as burning trees or storm clouds to highlight the more frequent forest fires and fierce storms generated by a warmer climate. German news agency dpa quoted police estimating the number of protesters in Berlin at about 5,000 and about double that in Cologne. The summit opening Sunday in Katowice, Poland, seeks to build on the landmark 2015 Paris accord, when countries agreed to try to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) by the century's end. German officials had hoped to present a blueprint for phasing out the country's use of coal over the coming decades, demonstrating the government's commitment to cutting Germany's greenhouse gas emissions, which have stalled in recent years. But an expert committee postponed issuing its recommendations to the German government until after the U.N. conference. It has been under pressure from coal-producing states to consider in greater detail what can be done to create new jobs in coal mining regions. ___ Read more stories on climate issues by The Associated Press at https://www.apnews.com/Climate By Alex Lawler LONDON (Reuters) - OPEC oil supply has fallen in November from a two-year high due to U.S. sanctions on Iran, a Reuters survey found, although most of the output gap left by Iran was plugged by Saudi Arabia and the UAE in response to calls from U.S. President Donald Trump. The 15-member Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has pumped 33.11 million barrels per day this month, the survey on Friday found, down 160,000 bpd from October, which was the highest by OPEC as a group since December 2016. The survey adds to indications that OPEC output remains ample despite U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran this month. Oil prices have slid 30 percent since early October on worries a new glut may emerge. OPEC and its allies including Russia meet on Dec. 6-7 in Vienna to discuss cutting supply. With Saudi Arabia and Russia pumping at record rates, U.S. output surging and forecasts pointing to lower demand in 2019 due to a slowing economy, some analysts are sceptical the producers will avoid generating a surplus. "The most likely outcome of next week's OPEC meeting is a fudge," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM. "Russia and Saudi Arabia will agree to curb production but by less than is needed to prevent a supply imbalance in early 2019." OPEC, Russia and other non-members agreed in June to return to 100 percent compliance with output cuts that began in January 2017, after months of underproduction in Venezuela and Angola that had pushed adherence above 160 percent. In November, the 12 OPEC members bound by the supply-limiting agreement boosted compliance to 120 percent as production fell in Iran, from a revised 110 percent in October, the survey found. IRAN DECLINE The biggest drop in OPEC supply this month has come from Iran, according to the survey. Exports fell at times below 1 million bpd as returning U.S. sanctions discouraged companies from buying Iranian oil, although volumes rose later in the month, sources in the survey said. Sanctions waivers granted to eight buyers could lead to higher exports in December, analysts have said. The second-biggest decline was in Iraq, where exports from southern Iraqi terminals were curbed by bad weather, despite the resumption of some Kirkuk exports in the north after a one year halt. Story continues There were small falls in production in Libya and Nigeria, both exempt from the supply pact. OPEC is discussing including one or both of the African producers in a 2019 supply deal. The biggest rise was in Saudi Arabia, where supply hit a record 11 million bpd. Trump has been urging Saudi Arabia and other producers to pump more oil to curb rising prices and make up for losses from Iran. UAE output rose following a jump in October, reaching 3.35 million bpd. The UAE says its oil-production capacity will reach 3.5 million bpd by the year-end. Supply to market unexpectedly rose in Venezuela as two tanker-trackers reported a rise in exports, which have been declining for months due to the country's economic crisis. Before Congo joined OPEC this year, the group had an implied production target for 2018 of 32.78 million bpd, based on cutbacks detailed in late 2016 and Nigeria and Libya's expectations of 2018 output. OPEC excluding Congo pumped almost exactly that amount in November, according to the survey. The Reuters survey aims to track supply to the market and is based on shipping data provided by external sources, Refinitiv Eikon flows data and information provided by sources at oil companies, OPEC and consulting firms. (Editing by Edmund Blair) Late Saturday, the White House said in a statement that the U.S. would leave the tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese products at a 10 percent rate, and not raise it to 25 percent at this time. Traveling back to the U.S. from the G-20 summit in Argentina, Trump told reporters he had struck an "incredible deal." Trump also told reporters that he thinks there could be a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in January or February next year. President Donald Trump has told reporters on Air Force One that a trade deal brokered with China is one of the largest ever made. After meeting at the G-20 summit in Argentina, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed a temporary stop to their bilateral trade disagreement, striking a deal to hold off on any additional tariffs on each other's goods after January 1. "It's an incredible deal. It goes down, certainly, if it happens, it goes down as one of the largest deals ever made," Trump said while en route to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. As per an earlier statement from the White House , the U.S. leader also said China would now look to buy from the U.S. a "tremendous amount of agricultural and other products," in a bid to address the one way flow of trade. "It'll have an incredibly positive impact on farming, meaning agriculture, industrial products, computers, every type of product," Trump told a gaggle of reporters. The U.S. government had threatened to more than double the tariffs it has already placed on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports, while Xi's government has put targeted tariffs on $110 billion in U.S. goods. "What I'd be doing is holding back on tariffs. China will be opening up. China will be getting rid of tariffs. You know, China right now has major trade barriers they're major tariffs and also major non-tariff barriers, which are brutal," Trump said. Trump also suggested that following their talks, President Xi could now approve a deal for Qualcomm to buy chip rival NXP. Story continues "The Qualcomm deal that they rejected which was one of the larger deals of its kind, which China rejected if that deal came back to him, he would most likely approve it quickly, which is a big thing." Kim Jong Un meeting Trump also told reporters that he thinks there could be a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in January or February next year. "We're getting along very well. We have a good relationship," Trump said, before adding that at some point he will invite Kim to the United States. More From CNBC By Caroline Stauffer and Cassandra Garrison 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 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 China's 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 Saturday's talks. Story continues Trump said on Friday there were 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 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. Trump's skepticism that global warming is caused by human activity has raised questions about whether the countries will be able to find enough common ground on climate change to include it in any communique. Earlier this month, 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 overnight. 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 next month, after Russian ships fired on Ukrainian ones 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 Michael Cohen, Trump's former longtime personal lawyer, pleaded guilty on Thursday to lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Organization skyscraper in Moscow. A White House spokeswoman denied this and Trump said on Friday the ships' seizure was the "sole reason" he scratched the meeting. 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. British Prime Minister Theresa May said she would be robust when she talks to Prince Mohammed, urging him to hold a full and credible investigation. Saudi Arabia has said the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder. Oil markets were awaiting a bilateral meeting between Putin and Prince Mohammed on Saturday afternoon for any sign of a breakthrough in a deal for Russia to 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 with a late-night bargain 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 U.S. 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." (Reporting by Roberta Rampton, Michael Martina, Matt Spetalnick, Maximilian Heath, Scott Squires, Cassandra Garrison and Kylie Maclellan in Buenos Aires; Writing by Daniel Flynn; Editing by Ross Colvin and Frances Kerry) STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE 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. State and local officials are begging Congress and federal agencies to spend more money to halt an alarming rise in sexually transmitted diseases, which have climbed steadily in Colorado and elsewhere over recent years. We are basically all expressing the same concern and expressing the need for urgent action, said Dr. Nate Smith, president-elect for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. This is something that is not going to go away on its own. More than 2.3 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were reported in 2017, say preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats nearly a 9 percent increase from 2016 and a higher rate than those reported in other developed nations. Even more worrisome, syphilis last year caused nearly 1,000 babies to be born with deformities or severe health problems a 20-year high and a doubling in four years. If untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can make women sterile. Colorado chlamydia rates increased steadily from 2007 to 2016, with two dips in 2010 and 2013, reported the state Department of Public Health and Environment. As of 2016, the most recent year with available data, 25,569 chlamydia cases were reported in the state. Thats a rate of 461.7 cases per 100,000 people, compared with 497.3 per 100,000 people nationwide that year. By county, Colorado chlamydia case rates are highest in Denver 908.7 cases per 100,000. El Paso, Adams and Arapahoe counties are among seven others with chlamydia rates higher than 500 per 100,000 people. Gonorrhea and syphilis rates also have increased in Colorado in recent years. Denver has the highest gonorrhea and second-highest syphilis rates. We know what we have to do to respond, Daniel Shodell, deputy director for disease control at the CDPHE, told The Gazette in May. And were really focused on testing, treating and encouraging people to protect themselves. Dr. Chris Nevin-Woods, medical director for El Paso County Public Health, has said public health funding to address STDs has not kept up with the outbreak. Over the past 15 years, the purchasing power of federal funding devoted to fighting STDs, which goes to state and local public health programs, has fallen by 40 percent. But because STDs have risen so dramatically so quickly, officials say its time to invest more federal money to fight it. The National Coalition of STD Directors has asked for a $70 million annual increase in STD prevention and treatment and for the Trump administration to come up with a federal plan to coordinate the work of health agencies. The group also would like the administration to declare a public health emergency for STDs, as it did for opioids. Such a designation would free federal funds that help officials respond faster. The money would go to STD clinics, to protect babies from syphilis effects and to combat drug-resistant gonorrhea, which can lead to long hospital stays, disability or death. The CDC estimates STDs cost the U.S. $16 billion a year. Smith, who is also director of the Arkansas health department, said with more money, his state would hire more health-care workers who reach out to sexual partners of infected people and bring STD testing and education to vulnerable communities. Such interactions help people get treated and talk about protection, he said. State and local officials are meeting with top federal health officials regularly and have found discussions encouraging, said David Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors. Before 2013, STDs were on the decline. Now even more common STDs, including herpes and human papillomavirus, which can lead to cervical cancer, arent tracked by the federal government. HIV rates are reported separately. More people are using drugs to prevent HIV transmission, and more women are using long-term contraceptives. But condom use appears to be falling by the wayside, raising STD rates. Gonorrhea diagnoses increased by 67 percent from 2013 to 2017, nearly doubling among men and increasing by nearly a fifth among women, the CDC reports. Syphilis diagnoses nearly doubled, mostly among men who have sex with men. Chlamydia was the most common condition reported to the CDC in 2017, accounting for 1.7 million diagnoses. This is the continuation of a persistent and troubling trend, said Kyle Bernstein, chief of the Epidemiology and Statistics Branch in the CDCs Division of STD preventionl. Some politicians are taking note. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state, top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, wrote to to Surgeon General Jerome Adams in October, saying: I write to ask that you take immediate action to raise public awareness of the problem and engage all relevant federal agencies in taking evidence-based steps to address the problem, with particular focus on prevention amongst populations most at risk of contracting STDs. Ahead of budget deliberations this year, 10 Democratic senators and 36 Democratic representatives asked their appropriations leaders for more money to fight STDs. They didnt get it, but Harvey said advocates hope the money will be in President Trumps budget request in February. The federal government now spends about $157 million a year to fight STDs. Experts say the 2.1 million people addicted to opioids, such as heroin and prescription painkillers, contribute to the rise in STD rates, because people are trading sex for drugs. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration has rolled out a few proposals to deal with drug-resistant bacteria. The CDC has urged doctors to test women for syphilis not only when they learn they are pregnant, but also a couple of times throughout their pregnancies. The opioid crisis, which claimed 40,000 lives last year, and other public health issues such as obesity and nicotine addiction have pushed the STD surge into the shadows, Smith said. If you look at the numbers, its really pretty bad You cant look at that kind of increase for any transmissible disease and not be very, very alarmed, he said. Colorado Politics contributed to this story. More than half of Colorado utility customers are expected to have 100 percent carbon-free electricity in the next 30 years after another of th More information The South Canon trail system near Canon City is good for year-round hiking and biking. For more information, visit joinfar.org. To comment on the BLM's review of a gas and oil lease sale involving portions of the system, go to the agency's eplanning site and follow instructions: https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/planAndProjectSite.do?methodName=renderDefaultPlanOrProjectSite&projectId=115103&dctmId=0b0003e88121ae05 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. A Fort Carson soldier was arrested in what authorities are investigating as an accidental shooting death Saturday night at a home east of Colorado Springs. Pfc. Isaac James Klippert, 21, is facing charges of manslaughter, first degree assault and prohibited use of weapon, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office said in a news release Sunday. He is being held in the El Paso County jail on $25,000 bond, according to inmate records. Deputies received a report of a shooting about 9:55 p.m. at a home in the 3600 block of Saguaro Circle, southeast of Colorado Springs Airport. A deceased male with a gunshot wound was found at the home. The victims name and age have not been released, nor have details about the shooting, except that investigators believe alcohol was involved. Klippert, of Yakima, Wash., is assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He has been in the Army for a year and three months. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today the Principals of the BC treaty negotiations process, the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, and the First Nations Summit, signed the Principals Accord on Transforming Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia. This Accord further strengthens the goals of treaty negotiations: recognition and protection of Aboriginal title and rights, nation-building, and establishing a government-to-government relationship. The Treaty Commission has long advocated for fundamental change to treaty negotiations, said Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane. The Principals need to ensure that the commitments in the Accord become real and immediate changes at treaty tables and a priority for all departments across government. Aboriginal title and rights are a legal interest and must be recognized and treated as such if changes to government policies are to be effective and live up to the commitments in the Accord. Treaty negotiations are the best means to establish this legal and constitutional recognition of title and rights. The Accord also acknowledges that treaty negotiations must reflect the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Treaty Commission has focused on the importance of the UN Declaration in treaty negotiations for the last several years. The Treaty Commission congratulates the Principals for signing the Accord and looks forward to supporting the implementation of these important commitments. Quick Facts In January 2018, the Principals expanded the Treaty Commissions mandate: Through its role in facilitating treaty negotiations, BCTC will support the implementation of the UN Declaration, the TRCs 94 Calls to Action, the federal Principles, and the recognition of First Nations right and title. The Treaty Commissions 2018 annual report highlights some of the proposed federal and provincial policy changes and how are treaty negotiations are also leading some of these innovations. Read it at www.bctreaty.ca FOR MORE INFORMATION: Odette Wilson / Communications Advisor / t: 604-482-9215 / c: 604-290-4059 / owilson@bctreaty.ca Mark Smith / Director of Process / t: 604-482-9208 / msmith@bctreaty.ca About the BC Treaty Commission The Treaty Commission is the independent body responsible for overseeing treaty negotiations among the governments of Canada, BC and First Nations in BC. It has three roles: facilitation, funding, and public information and education. Visit www.bctreaty.ca to learn more about the Treaty Commission. 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 Rights to water has the farmers of Isfahan protesting there for the past several months. The tension between the farmers and the Iranian regime has been whipped so high that the protesting farmers have clashed with security forces on several occasions. Government employees and retired government workers are protesting in front of the regimes parliament in Tehran for their rights. At hundreds of schools in dozens of cities, teachers are striking to demand a pay raise, job security, and the release of their imprisoned colleagues. As well, hospital workers are demonstrating against the problems that the privatization of Irans hospitals have caused. In fact, the privatization of government institutions is the root of many problems in the country. Haft Tapeh is one example of this crisis. The regime has neglected the plight of the people of Kermanshah the victims of last years earthquake were still living in the desert in tents or trailers, as a new earthquake hit the same region. The government has failed to provide them with even the minimum facilities and aid. Another part of this economic crisis are the IRGC-linked financial institutions. Clients of these institutions have been robbed of their wealth, and are protesting across Iran to claim back their investments that have been spent on the Revolutionary Guards ventures beyond Irans borders, like financing Lebanons Hezbollah, and weaponizing the Houthis in Yemen, and the Badr Corps in Iraq. The slogans and demands of protesters are all very similar and point toward a confrontation between the people of Iran and the regime. One of the farmers of Isfahan who have been protesting over their rights to water said, Im a farmer from east Isfahan. Why arent you talking about the plight of the injustice youve done to the thousands of families who used to live in comfort but are now struggling to make ends meet? His message was widely distributed on social media, and continued, I myself was arrested and sent to solitary confinement because I had protested for my right to water. My sight was damaged because of the beatings of security forces. Three of my teeth were broken. While I was in a critical condition, they gagged me, blindfolded me and tied my hands and feet and abandoned me in front of the Khourasgan hospital. I was a livestock farmer. They destroyed my life. My father in law and my brother in law are now selling coal. Please send my message and those of other farmers to the world. During the demonstrations by the Ahvaz Steelworkers, the protesters chanted, We are steel workers, we will break the roots of tyranny, and, We will fight oppression and tyranny. One of the protesting workers at Haft Tapeh published a note. He asked asked the private owners who drove Irans largest sugarcane factory to bankruptcy, Do you really think the workers of Haft Tapeh believe your words? He added, The workers of Haft Tapeh will not tolerate your presence under any conditions. During this past year, the uprisings and protests that have engulfed Iran show no inclination to halt. Iranians are showing solidarity in fulfilling their dream of overthrowing the regime and establishing freedom in their country. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The trend of events defied the assessment of many Western pundits and experts who had predicted the regime would find a way to contain the situation even as dissent became more widespread and more frequent than it had been for four decades. One indicator of the changing times is the growing role of Iranian dissidents, namely the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Tehran has put aside the years-long policy of portraying the organized resistance as irrelevant and inconsequential, and Tehrans power players have been talking much more frequently about the opposition. With a faltering economy and growing regional and international isolation, it seems the mullahs crisis is going to accelerate. As Iran moves towards a showdown with the people and the opposition on the one side and the regime on the other, one area of the raging battle is on the field of public information. The Iranian regime, the world record holder for annual number of executions per capita and the main state-sponsor of terrorism and Islamic extremism, deprives the Iranian people of their most basic rights. Widespread repression and censorship of the media prevent the people and particularly the youth of the nation from having free access to news and information. This is particularly true at present, as the regime struggles to contain unrest. As such, the independent TV network known in Farsi as Simay Azadi and in English as Iran National Television stands out. It is a 24-hour satellite TV channel that covers Iran and the Middle East. The network, reaches an audience inside Iran via satellite receiver equipment that is illegal to own or operate in the country. In spite of this restriction, millions of Iranians reportedly defy the ban, even re-acquiring such equipment after mass confiscation efforts by government authorities. This network has been working for more than three decades to broadcast the facts as they are and to defend the Iranian peoples interests and cry for access to free and uncensored information. Simay Azadi is the only Persian-language network that carefully and immediately conveys factual, uncensored news, including the news of the protests and strikes, as well as remarks of the regimes most senior officials and sentiments of various social strata of the Iranian society. The network exposes in detail the Iranian regimes meddling in regional countries, focusing on its crimes in Syria but also discussing Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, and more. The mullahs have tried in various ways to silence the voice of independent media that disrupts their oppression and their conspiracy of silence. However, despite all the repression they face, the numbers of viewers for Simay Azadi has been constantly on the rise in recent years. In that time, many citizen journalists of Simay Azadis nationwide network have been arrested, imprisoned and tortured and some of them have even been executed on charges of cooperating with the network or delivering video clips and news to it regarding popular protests inside Iran. Nevertheless, Simay Azadi has continued to play a pivotal role in obtaining first hand, uncensored news from throughout the country and relaying it to Iranians in real time. In fact, this role has only grown more prominent despite the repression. Simay Azadi has devoted around-the-clock coverage to main developments including the protests, and Iranians have reached out to this TV with breaking news. Relying on volunteer technical and support staff, the non-profit TV network has been able to continue its work with financing from Iranian citizens and Iranian expatriates. Over the years, Simay Azadi has organized 22 pledge drives appealing directly to the people for their financial contributions. This weekend it launches its 23rd telethon, the first since the onset of the uprising in Dec 2017. During each telethon, thousands of people from all over Iran and the world have expressed their support for activities to continue against the mullahs censorship. The amounts of these contributions range from 10 dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the overall total reaches into the millions, vividly reflecting Iranians desire for freedom. Independent media, including Simay Azadi and its fundraising campaign signify a broader conflict between the Iranian public and the regimes attempts to control the flow of information. As Iran is heading to a showdown between the people and the regime, the role of independent media is becoming more significant. The international community should stand with the Iranians and their attempts to break the yoke of the ayatollahs an effort in which entities like Simay Azadi play more significant roles than ever. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Overcast. High 61F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers later at night. Low near 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Rev. Al Sharpton Sells Rights of His Life Story to His Non-Profit National Action Network for $531,000 Rev. Al Sharpton who is currently in South Africa hosting an MSNBC broadcast on the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela, confirmed to the NY Post the sale of his life story to his non-profit National Action Network. NAN brought the rights for $531,000. Sharpton is the founder and president of the organization and is set to retire within the next couple of years. Sharpton told the NY Post, the idea for the deal came from two NAN board members, whom he would not name. He said they wanted to create a source of revenue for the civil-rights organization after he steps down in about a year. ADVERTISEMENT Senator Kamala Harris was asked over the weekend if she was going to run for president at the Know Your Value conference in San Francisco. Her response, It will ultimately be a family decision And over the holiday, I will make that decision with my family. .@KamalaHarris on if she'll run for president: 'It will ultimately be a family decisionAnd over the holiday, I will make that decision with my family.' #knowyourvalue Know Your Value (@MikaKYV365) December 1, 2018 The ruling party in Singapore has named a likely replacement to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Lee is 66 years old and has said he will step down at age 70. He is the son of Singapores founder, Lee Kuan Yew. Late last week, Singapores 57-year-old finance minister, Heng Swee Keat, was given an important position in the partys leading decision-making group. That group of 16 ministers, known as the fourth generation, or 4G, declared Heng first among equals. His new position is expected to lead to the prime ministership. Lee Hsien Loong has been Singapores prime minister since 2004. He is widely expected to step down after elections in early 2021. Lee also heads the Peoples Action Party, or PAP, which has ruled since Singapore separated from Malaysia in 1965. The island, which today is home to about 5.6 million people, has been a model of stable economic growth since that time. Preparing the way for new leadership Party leaders want to protect that stability and the PAPs control. In May, they watched as Malaysias longtime ruling party suffered defeat in elections. Lee said after the Malaysian vote, The ruling party, the PAP, does not have a monopoly of power. Lee is Singapores third prime minister after Lee Kwan Yew and Goh Chok Tong. Both men continued to influence the governance of the country after leaving office. It is unclear if the same will be true of Lee. Heng is a former central banker. Observers say he is considered a safe pair of hands. In 2016, he suffered a stroke and collapsed during a cabinet meeting. Singapores mainly pro-government media have reported that the PAP supports Heng. However, Zakir Hussain of the Straits Times said, Leadership transitions in political parties are generally never smooth. Critical voices People are increasingly criticizing the Singaporean government on social media. Singapore calls many such posts fake news. Lawmakers have called for legislation to deal with what they call online falsehoods. The government has blocked a foreign based website. It has criticized Facebook for not taking down a post. And, it has seized equipment belonging to a local blog called The Online Citizen, or TOC. Terry Xu is chief editor of TOC. He told Reuters that the government is reacting more strongly than before. The site is being investigated for possibly spreading false statements about government officials. Rights groups have criticized Singapore for its control over the media. The group Human Rights Watch said it is concerned that the situation will get worse as the ruling PAP considers possible elections in as early as 2019. The group Reporters Without Borders ranks Singapore below Russia and Myanmar for freedom of the press. The group said it was concerned about stronger control of the media as elections near. A spokeswoman for Singapores communications ministry said in an emailed statement that the TOC investigation is in no way related to elections. She said discussions including criticism of the government take place every day on many sites. But, she added, that does not mean the government will permit public institutions to be impugned under the cover of free speech. Im Mario Ritter Jr. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted this Reuters story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story stable adj. in a good state or condition that is not easily changed or likely to change monopoly n. complete ownership or control of something transition n. a change from one state or condition to another impugn v. to criticize a person by suggesting that they are not honest or should not be trusted We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. Redding, California, is a city with few choices for students interested in higher education. For generations, the local economy has been mostly based on sales of natural resources, such as minerals and wood from the forests of northern California. Jobs in these industries traditionally did not require a college education, and they long offered enough pay to support a family, says Buffy Tanner. Tanner is the director of several programs at Shasta College, a local two-year college. She describes Shasta as the only public higher education institution serving the surrounding the area. We dont really have a college-going culture in our area, Tanner tells VOA. Even with the shift in our economic base, theres still lots of families that dont quite understand, you know, Why would you go to college? Why wouldnt you just go to work directly out of high school? Over the past 30 years, many local businesses dealing with natural resources have closed, says Tanner. Now, most of the local job openings are in fields like healthcare and education, which do require some kind of college degree. The issue is that, because people in Redding have failed to see the value of higher education, few of them have a degree. In fact, three years ago, Shasta found that about 31 percent of area adults over age 25 had attended college without completing their study programs. So, Tanner says, Shasta College decided it needed to do more to help former students return to college and finally earn a degree. In 2016, Shasta launched two programs, which she now leads. They are called Accelerated College Education, or ACE, and the Bachelors through Online and Local Degrees, also known as BOLD. The school designed each program with the needs of returning college students in mind, Tanner says. Such students are usually older than other students and have full-time jobs. And they are often earning money to support families, meaning they have lots of responsibilities in addition to work and school. That is why the ACE program offers a path to an associates degree through night school as well as internet-based classes. This programs study periods can be completed in just eight weeks, instead of the normal three- to four-month college term. As there are no nearby public four-year institutions, BOLD partners Shastas returning students with public colleges and universities in other areas. It helps them earn a bachelors degree through classes in Redding and online at a reduced cost. ACE also places returning students in groups that work together as they progress through the program. And BOLD offers special classes with Shasta that help students progress through the higher education system and find jobs after completion. So, the students have better support than they might have had in the past, Tanner adds. A societal responsibility All of these efforts brought attention to Shasta College, leading it to join a larger movement to help students earn degrees. In February, the Lumina Foundation research group reported on the rates of people earning college degrees in the United States. It found that almost 16 percent of Americans between the ages of 25 and 64 had attended college without ever earning a degree. So Lumina and several other groups teamed up with the Institute for Higher Education Policy, or IHEP, to launch a program called Degrees when Due. Julie Ajinkya is the vice president of applied research at IHEP. She says her organization has created computer software that collects information on college students who have yet to earn a degree. Through the Degrees when Due Program, IHEP has shared those software programs with Shasta College as well as other schools. Ajinkya says her organization plans to spend the next three years helping these institutions understand the data its software gathers. It will then show them how to identify and best serve the special needs of students who want to return. IHEP wants to share its resources with as many schools as possible, Ajinkya says. But first, like Shasta, the schools must recognize the reasons why students leave college and the barriers they face to returning. She says many leave because of a personal issue, like a health problem or family crisis. The main reason they have difficulty in continuing or returning to college is the rising cost of higher education. And these are circumstances that are often out of their control. I think its really all of our responsibility to support students in eventually completing, Ajinkya says, because we know that increasingly our job force is going to need more and more individuals who have some sort of post-secondary training. And so as a nation, we will miss a key opportunity if we dont. Efforts spreading nationwide Colleges and universities across the country seem interested in this initiative. Dawn Medley is a student affairs official at Wayne State University, a public four-year institution in Detroit, Michigan. She says the Lumina Foundation reached out to the school about setting an example for how schools could help improve student graduation rates earlier this year. Together, they began examining student data and found that Wayne State had 13,000 students drop out of college without earning a degree. So, Wayne State launched a program called Warrior Way Back. When students leave college before earning a degree, they still have to pay back their loans, Medley notes. Schools will not release the academic record of any student with unpaid debt. And a student often cannot attend another college without those records. This is a big problem for returning students who left because of financial reasons in the first place, she says. "Warrior Way Back" lets former students with some debt return to Wayne State. For every term a returning student completes, the program reduces their old debt by a third. And if they choose not to earn a bachelors degree, they can move to a community college to use their past work toward earning an associates degree. Im Pete Musto. And Im Dorothy Gundy. Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. What do you think colleges and universities should do to help returning students? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Quiz Quiz - US Organization, Colleges Aim to Help Former Students Finish Their Studies Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story institution n. an established organization shift n. a change in position or direction associates degree n. a degree that is given to a student who has completed two years of study at a junior college, college, or university in the U.S. bachelors degree n. a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after four years of study applied adj. having or relating to practical use post-secondary adj. of, relating to, or being education following high school opportunity n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done initiative n. a plan or program that is intended to solve a problem graduation n. the act of receiving a diploma or degree from a school, college, or university academic adj. of or relating to schools and education Dominique Crenn has become the first woman in the United States to receive Michelin Guides highest honor of three stars. The French-born chef was recognized Thursday when Michelin published its yearly rating of top restaurants in the San Francisco area. Her restaurant, Atelier Crenn, has been praised for its creative and artistic offerings since it opened in 2011. A year ago, Michelin gave Atelier Crenn a two-star rating. Its rise to three stars was unanimous among the travel guides food critics. They praised the restaurant for its top-quality experience, noted Gwendal Poullennec, Michelin Guides international director. Crenns food, he said, shows a wonderful balance ofartistry, technical ability and taste. Crenn is a small eatery with only eight tables. It offers a tasting menu for $335. Dominque Crenn is the fifth female chef in the world to head a Michelin three-star restaurant. The other chefs are Carme Ruscalleda in Spain, Anne-Sophie Pic in France, Nadia Santini in Italy and Clare Smyth in Britain. Atelier Crenn and Single Thread are the only three-star restaurants in the San Francisco Bay area. They join six other businesses on the guidebooks list of top Bay-area restaurants for 2019. Their food is worth a special journey, Michelin said. The latest San Francisco guidebook will go on sale on December 4. For the second time in two years, San Francisco and the nearby wine-producing areas of Napa and Sonoma have more three-star restaurants than New York City, which has five. New York still has a lot of top restaurants, said Poullennec. She added there are more restaurants there with one, two or three Michelin stars than in San Francisco. Michelin Guide awarded stars to 76 New York restaurants earlier this month, compared with 57 in the San Francisco area. The identity of Michelins food critics is always kept secret. A restaurant must be visited by several critics before it is recognized with any stars. The Michelin Guide began in France in the early 20th century for drivers who needed places to stop. Im Susan Shand. The Reuters news agency reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story chef n. one who cooks professionally unanimous adj. everyone agreed journey n. a trip menu n. a list of foods that may be ordered LINGUIST List 29.4766 Sun Dec 02 2018 Confs: General Linguistics/United Kingdom Editor for this issue: Everett Green 28-Nov-2018Brandon Papineau 9th International Conference of the Undergraduate Linguistics Association of Britain9th International Conference of the Undergraduate Linguistics Association of BritainShort Title: ULABDate: 11-Apr-2019 - 13-Apr-2019Location: London, United KingdomContact: Nina MarklContact Email: < click here to access email > Meeting URL: https://www.ulab.org.uk/ Linguistic Field(s): General LinguisticsMeeting Description:Formed in 2011, the Undergraduate Linguistics Association of Britain (ULAB) has brought together undergraduate students from all over the UK in its annual conference eight times. The 9th annual conference of ULAB will take place at Queen Mary in association with the University of London.At the moment ULAB is the only organisation in Britain whose main goal is to bring linguistics discussions to undergraduate students and provide them with with the opportunity to present their work and showcase undergraduate research in language sciences.During the three days, undergraduate linguistics students from all over United Kingdom will present their research, get feedback, participate in discussions and attend various workshops. Interest in the conference has grown drastically over the years, demonstrating that ULAB fills a gap in the levels of linguistics networks. Russell Ware M.D., director of Hematology at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, was senior investigator on a multi-national clinical trial focused on improving health outcomes for children in sub-Saharan African who have sickle cell anemia. He is pictured in front of his research laboratory at Cincinnati Children's. Credit: Cincinnati Children's A daily hydroxyurea pill may finally bring some relief for young children living with the painful and deadly blood disease sickle cell anemia (SCA) in resource-challenged sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease is prevalent and health care availability is suboptimal. This is what a large multinational clinical trial called REACH discovered when it tested daily hydroxyurea treatment in 606 children between the ages of 1 and 10 years old. The children took a pill each day for six months, followed by increases in the daily dosages based on their health status and weight. Initial doses varied between 15-20 mg/kg a day. The treatment improved their health by controlling SCA symptoms and, in an expected finding, giving them some protection from malaria that is also prevalent in the region, according to the study's lead physicians at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Centre Hospitalier Monkole in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Study results are published today online by The New England Journal of Medicine in conjunction with being presented at the American Society of Hematology's annual meeting in San Diego. The clinical trial determined that hydroxyurea therapy is feasible to use and safe for children in sub-Saharan Africa. Compared to pre-treatment levels, hydroxyurea use was linked to reduced rates of sickle cell pain by an average of 55 percent, infections by 38 percent, malaria by 51 percent, transfusions by 67 percent, and death by 70 percent. "Hydroxyurea was safe and offered many benefits to these young patients, including improved anemia, fewer sickle cell pain events, less malaria, and better survival," said Russell Ware, MD, Ph.D., the study's senior investigator and a physician-scientist at the Cincinnati Children's Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute. Also leading the clinical trial was Leon Tshilolo, MD, Ph.D., at the Centre Hospitalier Monkole. Investigators named the study REACH, an acronym for Realizing Effectiveness Across Continents with Hydroxyurea. According to Tshilolo, the clinical trial lived up to its name. "The study shows the importance of research partnerships between the US and Africa to improve clinical care," he said. "Even in an African setting hydroxyurea is feasible to use, accepted by patients and families, well-tolerated, and safe for children with sickle cell anemia. Almost all of the children had clinical improvements, and the older patients were well enough to attend school." SCA's Heavy Burden Caused by a genetic mutation and most prevalent in people of African ancestry, SCA is a painful disease where blood cells turn sickle-shaped and become stuck in the vascular system where they block blood flow. This can damage vital organs and cause death. Hydroxyurea works by significantly increasing both hemoglobin and fetal hemoglobin in the blood, which helps reduce sickling, anemia and other impacts on patients. Available therapies to treat SCA effectively are limited, although numerous studies in recent yearsalmost all in developed countriesshow that hydroxyurea is a safe and effective drug for managing the disease and improving quality of life. SCA affects more than 90,000 people in the United States and millions of people worldwide, with 75 percent of the disease's burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Other nations with high incidence rates are India, nations in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Because of the lack of detailed medical records, the best available estimates are that 50 to 90 percent of infants with SCA born in sub-Saharan Africa die before the age of 5, according to a 2017 paper published by Cincinnati Children's researchers that included Ware. The paper also reported that efforts to help people in the region with SCA have been stagnant because most affected people lack access to basic diagnostics and clinical care. Institutions like Cincinnati Children's are working with ASH and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (part of NIH) to invest in research and clinical programs and address the global burden of SCA in limited-resource settings, especially sub-Saharan Africa. The Phase 1-2 multi-center open-label REACH clinical trial treated children in four sub-Saharan countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya and Angola. Researchers plan to follow children in the study long-term to get additional data about growth and development and to look for any possible effects on organ function and fertility. Explore further Sickle cell anemia treatment does not increase malaria risk in Africa 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. OUR DATABASE CANNOT BE USED TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT CONSUMER CREDIT, EMPLOYMENT, INSURANCE, TENANT SCREENING, OR ANY OTHER PURPOSES THAT WOULD REQUIRE FCRA COMPLIANCE. MUGSHOTS.COM PARTICIPATES IN AFFILIATE PROGRAMS WITH VARIOUS COMPANIES. 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MOST OF, IF NOT ALL MUGSHOT LAWS WERE CRAFTED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM FEES FOR REMOVAL OF ONLINE MUGSHOTS AND TO FURTHER PROTECT THE PRESS FROM THOSE VERY SAME "MUGSHOT LAWS".WE DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR REMOVAL OF ARREST INFORMATION AND/OR BOOKING PHOTOGRAPHS. MORE... South Africa should prepare for years of gloom and citizens must start stockpiling candles and torches, thanks to what lies ahead at Eskom. According to a report in the Sunday Times, Eskoms load-shedding and financial problems could drag the country into a death spiral. Eskom needs to spend billions of rand on maintenance in 2019 and has promised that load-shedding will subside by March, but the report quoted energy analyst Ted Blom who said coal shortages will continue until 2025. About 80% of Eskom power generation relies on coal, said the report. Eskom has been described as being at a coal cliff, where there are not enough coal mines to supply its needs, and that new mines will take years to develop. Eskom has made headlines in recent weeks for its coal shortages, and in November 10 of its power stations had less than 10 days of coal supply left. With coal shortages comes more load-shedding, and while this is a severe problem for people who want to go about their daily lives, it can be a death sentence for businesses and the economy. Continued load-shedding may even force the ratings agencies to downgrade SA to junk status due to all the local investments which would disappear. Econometrix chief economist Azar Jammine stated in the report that this has led South Africas growth rate to drop to the second-worst among the G20 countries. Economist Mike Schussler described this as a nightmare for SA, and said we are at the edge of a cliff. Eskom technically bankrupt The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) recently said Eskoms financial results indicate a company that is technically bankrupt. While presenting its 2018/2019 interim results, Eskom revealed that its 2007 debt of R40 billion has swelled to R419 billion and is estimated to exceed R600 billion in the foreseeable future. In addition, Eskoms huge staff complement including fixed-term contractors has increased to 48,628 in 2018 from 47,658 in 2017, costing South Africans R29.5 billion in March 2018. Eskoms dire financial situation is set to get even worse as its full year loss is set to grow to R15 billion up from the expected R11.2 billion. Outa said Eskom does not have a sustainable business model or a comprehensive financial plan to claw itself out of the debt hole it is currently in. If Eskom was a private company, it would either be under business rescue or in liquidation, said Ronald Chauke, Outas energy portfolio manager. He said the appointment of Calib Cassim as Eskoms permanent chief financial officer may offer some stability and comfort that the rot will stop. However, Outa said, its the power utilities declining revenues which inhibit it from turning into profitability or controlling its ever-increasing operational costs. Eskom moves turnaround strategy to 2019 Eskom has also said that it only expects to launch its turnaround strategy in 2019 after at least two delays of its much-anticipated recovery plan. The power companys long-term strategy has been approved by the board, but the plan is seen as being implemented in the new year. This news come after a third day of scheduled power outages on Saturday due to inadequate energy availability. Financial constraints limited maintenance amid unplanned outages from an aging fleet of power stations, making matters worse. Reporting with Bloomberg. Big Time Strategic Group, a company owned by a Zimbabwean businessperson, has come under scrutiny for an IT tender it was awarded by the North West municipality of Moses Kotane. According to a report by the City Press, the Hawks are investigating the multi-million-rand tender along with further contracts the company was awarded. The report stated that the company was given a R67.8-million three-year tender for ICT services with proper processes not being followed in 2014. This was after it was allegedly irregularly awarded a tender to develop the ICT strategy in the first place, stated the report. It stated that Big Time was paid R70 million 10 months into the contract and has been paid R200 million to date. It is also billing millions of rand monthly for services. Computer lessons The report further stated Big Time received the following payments: R1.5 million a week for computer training for 80 Moses Kotane councillors. R9.3 million for developing a website. Big Time stated that the company had supplied services and training to the municipality, but denied it was paid to develop a website. It said it was a web application with several other functions. No details on the app could be provided. Moses Kotane municipality told the City Press that the company was contracted to the municipality until 2020, and that the Hawks were investigating the matter. While R9.3 million for a municipal web app may sounds ludicrous, it does not come close to what happened in the Free State in 2013. The Free State government awarded R140 million for a new website to Letlaka Group in March 2013. The Free State government disputed the figure at the time, saying that the total cost was closer to R40 million, and that the tender encompassed 38 re-engineered websites. It also included the provincial governments utilisation of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, it said. Now read: New communications minister at war with the SABC over job cuts NSMQ 2021: We are not intimidated by ... Ive never held Long Beach in high regard. Its ranked near the bottom of places that I would want to visit on a SoCal vacation. Yes, its got the Queen Mary luxury liner, now a floating hotel, which is a positive, but its also got the second largest container port in the United States which brings with it monstrous truck traffic and gnarly air pollution. But what if your first grandchild lived in Long Beach an incredibly cute grandchild who will be 2 months old come mid-December? That would change everything, wouldnt it? Long Beach would jump to the top of your must-see list. When Helena Wren Courtney was born, our plan was to travel south and meet her in late October when her parents post-birth exhaustion was likely at its peak. In retrospect, maybe not a great plan, but everyone was game. Then, complicating the situation, my son, the attorney, had to interrupt his months paternity leave for a two-and-a-half-week trial in Delaware. Seriously. Delaware. Our pilgrimage to bask in the glory that is Helena Wren got further delayed in November so dad could bond again with wife and child upon his return from Delaware, the blue hen (not wren) state. Then came Thanksgiving and our tradition of Napa feasting. Couldnt go to Long Beach then. This is why my grandchild has come to be nearly 2 months old and never gazed upon in person by me. Ive had to rely on electronically transmitted images which reveal Helena Wren to be gosh-darn cute. Do Instagram photos and videos lie? Cheryl and I are accepting of these visitation delays, except when were not. Cheryl in particular has a strong urge to behold the step-grandchild in person and rock her in her arms. Instagram photos only whet this impulse. Weve seen Helena Wren pose for the camera while wearing an unending succession of onesies. Cat onesies. Rainbow onesies. Bird onesies. Halloween onesies. Dennis also posts videos, sometimes set to music, of Helena Wren both falling asleep and waking up. When I asked if he could add actual Helena vocalizations to his videos, Dennis laughed. Did I really want to hear the newbie bring down the house with her wailing? I guess not, but a recording of sweet cooing would be nice. Unfortunately, shes not at the cooing stage, Dennis said. That stage isnt supposed to arrive for another week. I have helped raise two newborns. I mostly remember diapers ... and more diapers. I recall things getting interesting at 6 months. Thats when my minimally responsive children acquired personalities exceeding those of your average house cat. If we put off visiting Long Beach until springtime, the Courtney grandchild would be 6 months old and in fuller blossom. But spring is a long time off, says Cheryl. Surely we can squeeze in a quick trip during the holidays. Helena Wren will only be 2 months old once. As we speak, wheels are turning, travel options are being weighed. And Helena is maturing by the day. Her latest facial expressions suggest she has already become an old soul. As a further inducement for a visit, Dennis says that Long Beach has more to see than one incredible baby. For example, he and Margaret live in a neighborhood that has wild parrots. Lots of them. A leisure-oriented waterfront is a short trek away. Within a 15-minute hike theres a fine coffee shop. And, like Venice, Long Beach has canals. Not shipping channels, but actual canals. During the holiday season theyre lined with lighted Christmas trees. According to my son, this is when Long Beach is at its most magical. Who knew of this other Long Beach, away from the throbbing container port? Sounds charming doesnt it? A city that offers up not just one irresistible grandbaby, but festive canals and wild parrots. Kevin can be reached at 707-256-2217 or Napa Valley Register, 1615 Soscol Ave., Napa, 94559, or kcourtney@napanews.com. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Napa man was arrested Friday night after his car veered off of Third Avenue and crashed into a pole, injuring his passenger in the process. Gajendra Singh Sareen, 52, was driving north on Third Avenue, approaching North Avenue, when he drove through a stop sign just around 9:40 p.m., according to a statement released by the California Highway Patrol. The 2008 Bentley crashed into a metal pole, injuring passenger Yanina Liakhouska, 37, of New York, according to the statement. She was taken to Queen of the Valley Hospital for unspecified "moderate" injuries. Sareen was arrested on suspicion of two felonies related to driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 and injuring a person while driving under the influence. Bail was set at $100,000. He was released at 3:20 a.m. Saturday, according to jail records. 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. Nothing says Christmas like an all-tuba symphony. At least thats what fans of TubaChristmas hope to say in the coming years as they try to cement the concert as a Napa tradition. TubaChristmas is pretty much what you might expect from the name a group of musicians who play instruments in the tuba family come together to play Christmas carols. This year marks the 45th anniversary since its inception in Rockefeller Plaza and its third anniversary in Napa, though concerts are held worldwide. TubaChristmas is not a widely known phenomenon in California, but it has groupies like Roz Plotzker of Oakland, a fan since 2006. It was her first time coming to Napas concert, but shes seen the show in Philadelphia and New York. It sounds like whales singing Christmas carols, she said. Whats not to like? Tuba players, or tubists, are normally stuck in the back, said Alan Parks, Napa High music teacher and conductor of Napas TubaChristmas, but an event like this gives them a chance to shine. This really just puts a big smile on my face, Parks said. We get a really nice moment in the sun from this, and that does not happen very often. Napas TubaChristmas was organized with the help of the city Parks and Recreation Services department and the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Napa, where the show was sheltered from any rain that may have hindered the performance. The event was originally scheduled to be held in Veterans Memorial Park along the downtown waterfront where it has been held in the past, but organizers didnt want to take any chances with the weather. Nearly 20 musicians gathered from Napa, Sacramento, Santa Rosa and other parts of the Bay Area to play heavy brass instruments of many shapes and sizes, such as euphoniums, baritone horns or tubas. Its just nice to be able to play with all the brass, said musician and Napa resident Rick Lovie. Almost every musician dressed in red or green, or in Christmas sweaters. Some were dressed in official TubaChristmas beanies or scarves. One musician dressed as Santa. Saturdays performers said they liked playing at TubaChristmas because it gives them a chance to play the melody. Its a lot more fun if you can hear yourself, said Jacob Chadwick, who played the tuba for the Vintage High band. Normally, youre told to back off. The acoustics of the church turned out to be better than Veterans Memorial Park, performers said. The heavy bass filled the room and reverberated off the walls and floors. The floor and church pews shook ever so slightly. Its fun because that low register really resonates, especially in a room like the sanctuary of a church, said tubist Joe Martin, who came from Sebastopol. Brian Munger of San Francisco has played in Napas TubaChristmas each year. It was different, Munger said. Thats what kind of intrigued me in the first place. Though TubaChristmas is new to Napa, its already become a holiday tradition for Camille Sanchez and her grandmother, Colette Jotter. Sanchez loves to hear her grandmother sing along. Frosty the Snowman is Sanchezs favorite because she can picture Frosty hopping with the low notes of the song. It seems to conductor Parks that TubaChristmas is starting to build a regular fan base of people like Sanchez. He recognizes familiar faces when he scans the crowd. So is TubaChristmas here to stay? If were going on three, I figure thats starting in on tradition territory, Parks 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. Napa County proposes to pay up to $80,000 to cover legal costs for Assessor John Tuteurs defense against charges brought up by the 2017-18 Napa County Grand Jury. The Attorney Generals office failed to find sufficient evidence to prosecute willful or corrupt misconduct charges that could have removed Tuteur from office. Napa County Superior Court on Nov. 14 dismissed the case. It is in the countys interest to defend its employees acting in good faith in the course and scope of their employment against claims that cannot stand up in court, a county report said. Napa County could reimburse Tuteur for reasonable legal defense costs against allegations that are within the scope of his employment and in his capacity as Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. The Napa County Board of Supervisors will consider the matter when it meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the county administration center, 1195 Third St. The proposal is on the consent calendar, which is reserved for routine items that might be passed without discussion. I undertook the initial defense against the unfounded accusation with the understanding that when exonerated, I would be eligible for reimbursement from the county, Tuteur said on Friday. Tuteur hired Barth & Daley LLP to defend himself in the grand jury case. To date, the expenses are $66,917. The $80,000 maximum would cover this bill and remaining expenses that arise, a county report said. One possible source of further expenses could be an appeal filed by the grand jury in the First District Court of Appeal to avoid releasing investigative materials related to the Tuteur charges. The court dismissed this case on Nov. 27, the county report said. Another could be the grand jurys order for a civil suit against Tuteur for failure to pay back taxes, an allegation that was also part of the dismissed willful or corrupt misconduct case. That order is being reviewed by the Attorney Generals Office and state Board of Equalization, a county report said. The grand jury in the willful or corrupt misconduct case made four charges against Tuteur. One charge arose from a 2008 Assessors Office error on how much tax Tuteur should pay for property that included a cell tower lease. The office discovered the error in 2016. The grand jury said Tuteur failed to pay $20,000 in back property taxes. Tuteurs defense said the Assessors Office chief appraiser finished resolving the complicated matter this year after consulting with the state Board of Equalization. Tuteur owes $1,453 in back taxes and has begun making payments. Three other charges involved how Tuteur administers the states Williamson Act locally. Napa County is among the California counties that choose to offer tax breaks for agricultural land if the owner agrees to keep the land in agriculture for at least 10 years. 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. At the start of each Congress, the House majority party assigns the label H.R. 1 to a prime piece of legislation, a coveted designation that exemplifies its priorities for the coming two years. In the outgoing Congress, Republicans assigned it to the tax cut bill that became the GOPs signature legislative achievement. For the incoming House Democratic majority, the choice is a broad-ranging package of election reforms aimed at dealing with a multiplicity of problems that have arisen in recent years. It includes restoration of a crucial part of the Voting Rights Act, a national voter registration system, restrictions on gerrymandering, and a variety of election and ethics reforms including expanding conflict-of-interest laws to cover the president and the vice president, who are now exempted. Its a statement of what Democrats stand for and are going to fight for, the measures chief sponsor, Rep. John Sarbanes, D-M., told The Washington Post. These are the reforms that will ultimately change the balance of power in Washington, Sarbanes and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi declared in a separate Post op-ed. That is, if they pass. For while the Democrats may have enough votes to pass them in the House, ultimate enactment is in doubt, given the likely opposition from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Donald Trump. Still, theres no doubt the nations election system needs major changes after another election that ended with widespread complaints from both parties, ranging from frustration over inefficient procedures to charges of fraud. Last year, Trump created a commission to probe his unproven fraud allegations, but it collapsed amid partisan wrangling. More recently, defeated Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams announced shed sue to improve the states voting procedures. But broader changes are needed to ensure all Americans can vote. From all evidence to date, fraud is not the problem. For the past decade, various groups have sought without success to document the voter fraud Trump has trumpeted for years and some Democrats unfortunately echoed after close Georgia and Florida elections. The real problem is that many states have outdated registration rolls and voting procedures that have failed to keep up with population growth. More than 110 million people voted this year, 12 million in California where some jurisdictions are still counting, three weeks after the election. Those numbers suggest some concerns about limiting voting are exaggerated. But more than half of eligible voters stayed home; cumbersome procedures and restrictive requirements are clearly one reason. Much of the responsibility for fixing this lies with states where problems have persisted. This years poster child is Florida, where both parties have cited incompetent personnel and inadequate procedures. But Congress can do something too, and thats what House Democrats have in mind. Two portions of their bill deserve special attention. The first would renew and update the Voting Rights Acts pre-clearance procedures that the Supreme Court threw out in 2013 as outdated but urged Congress to fix. Their plan replaces the discarded section, which required pre-clearance for states designated in 1965 for past discrimination, with one covering states with violations the past 25 years. The new measure would impact Texas, Arizona, California, New York and nine Southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Significantly, all have sizeable minority populations. Without the pre-clearance provision, many states including Texas have enacted restrictive voter ID laws and other provisions that critics say were designed to limit voting by minorities. House Republicans ignored proposals to update the 1965 act. Enactment now remains problematic, since it requires not only House passage but support from a bipartisan Senate majority and Trumps signature. Even if passed, implementation by this administrations Justice Department is questionable. The second would establish a national voter registration system designed to end some of the controversies over bloated voter rolls and improper state actions to cleanse them. Eligible citizens who interact with government agencies, such as applying for a drivers license or veterans benefits, would be automatically registered to vote, unless they decline. The agencies would transfer the voter registration information electronically to state elections officials. Already, 36 states plus the District of Columbia have adopted the system at local motor vehicles offices. And 38 states plus D.C. allow online voter registration and enable voters to check and update their records on a secure online portal. The oft-proposed plan to create a small donor public financing system is a likely non-starter, due to fierce Republican opposition. Unfortunately, so too is requiring corporations, labor organizations, Super PACs and other groups spending in elections to disclose their donors. By putting election reform atop their legislative agenda, and pledging measures to fix Obamacare, curb drug prices and improve the nations decaying infrastructure, Democrats hope to show they plan to legislate as well as investigate with their newly won power. Carl P. Leubsdorf is the former Washington bureau chief of the Dallas Morning News. Standing in front of a helicopter on the White House lawn Thursday, President Donald Trump was asked by reporters why he relied on Michael Cohen, his former lawyer and adviser, for years even while describing him as "not a very smart person" who was prone to "lying" and was "very weak." "A long time ago he did me a favor," Trump responded. Cohen appears to be through with doing favors for Trump. He pleaded guilty in New York on Thursday to lying to the Senate Intelligence Committee last year about the timing of a Moscow real estate project he was negotiating on Trump's behalf during the 2016 presidential campaign. Cohen originally told investigators that those talks were abandoned in January 2016. In fact, Cohen admitted in his guilty plea, negotiations continued through June 2016. Whoops. Cohen's testimony means that the Trump Organization was trying to do business in Russia during the heart of the presidential primary season in 2016 -- when it had already become obvious that Trump was going to be the Republican nominee in July (the final five Republican primary contests were on June 7, and Trump was well ahead in the delegate tally even before then). Anyone, anywhere -- in Russia, for example -- who wanted to curry favor with a future president had mounting evidence during the first six months of 2016 that Trump might be worth the gamble. Cohen's guilty plea raises the possibility that the Trump Organization and Trump himself were trading financial favors with Russian interests at a time when his presidential prospects might have given him leverage in any transaction. To be sure, it's doubtful that Russian businesspeople and the Kremlin fully believed Trump would be president. The general consensus in the news media and elsewhere at the time was that Hillary Clinton would thrash Trump in the general election. But Vladimir Putin and Russia's intelligence services have always played long ball, and it's quite possible that they were placing bets on Trump well before 2016. Regardless, we now know that a group of Russians visited Trump Tower on June 9, 2016, offering to hand over compromising information on Clinton to Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort. We also know from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. intelligence services that shortly after that Trump Tower meeting, the Russian government began a concerted effort to tilt the 2016 election in Trump's favor -- which culminated in Russian interests seeding social media with bogus news accounts that undermined Clinton and the successful hacking of the Democratic National Committee's computer servers and theft of embarrassing emails. Did the Trump Organization end negotiations for the Moscow project -- on or around June 14, 2016, and just several days after Trump Jr. convened his Trump Tower meeting -- because his presidential prospects had improved by then and pursuing that deal had become more overtly problematic? Did Russia then trade a financial relationship for a political relationship in order to court Trump more closely? Cohen's guilty plea doesn't fully answer those questions, but it does bring the public closer to knowing the outcome of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 election. Cohen, on the advice of Felix Sater -- a longtime Trump business associate, a high school pal of Cohen's and a career criminal -- pitched the real estate deal to Moscow. He did so comically and haphazardly at first by sending an inquiry to a publicly available email address for Putin's press secretary. That apparently opened the door, however, and according to a charging document Mueller's prosecutors filed in New York on Thursday, that led to further chats with Kremlin insiders. The document says that Cohen spoke with Trump more than three times about the transaction and inquired about traveling to Russia to negotiate further. Although Sater is not identified in the charging document, someone identified in it as "Individual 2" took actions that track with what is already known publicly about Sater's involvement in the deal. According to the document, Individual 2 wrote to Cohen at one point asking for a call about Putin because "they called today." As the New York Times reported last year, Sater emailed Cohen at one point during negotiations for the Moscow deal and boasted that "I will get Putin on this program and we will get Donald elected." Sater, as I have noted before, invoked Putin's name in order to get other, even earlier deals done involving the Trump Organization -- though much, or all, of that might have been braggadocio. Braggadocio -- or bald-faced lying -- might also cause the president new problems. The president's comments Thursday, during which he flatly dismissed Cohen's statements and guilty plea as a tissue of lies -- despite evidence documenting them in the information Mueller's prosecutors have made public -- are likely to cause his lawyers to pull out their collective hair. And he's made ample statements in the past that might come back to haunt him as well. "I have no deals that could happen in Russia, because we've stayed away," Trump said in early January 2017, when he was the president-elect. "We could make deals in Russia very easily if we wanted to, I just don't want to because I think that would be a conflict. I have no loans, no dealings, and no current pending deals." "No current pending deals" might have been a true statement at the time. But "we've stayed away" certainly was a lie; Cohen and Trump first began considering a Moscow project in 2015. And Trump once told my attorneys during a 2007 deposition in an unsuccessful libel case he filed against me that Sater had brought Russian investors to his Trump Tower office in the early or mid-2000s because he was thinking of investing in Russia. "It's ridiculous that I wouldn't be investing in Russia," Trump said in that deposition. "Russia is one of the hottest places in the world for investment." Timothy L. O'Brien is the executive editor of Bloomberg Opinion. He has been an editor and writer for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, HuffPost and Talk magazine. His books include "TrumpNation: The Art of Being The Donald." Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri reviewed the progress of five flagship schemes of Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry for eight northeastern States at Prajnja Bhavan here on Saturday and said before October 2, 2019 all the Northeastern States will be open defection free (ODF). Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Secretary of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Durga Shankar and representatives of all NE States remained present in the review meeting. During the two-days meeting, the implementation of PMAY for the urban segment, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation for Urban Transformation, Smart City Mission, Swatch Bharat Mission (Urban), Northeast Urban Development Program, Deendayal Antodaya Yojana National Urban Livelihood Mission were discussed. After the meeting, the Union Minister appreciated the progress of five flagship schemes in all the northeastern States. Speaking to reporters, Union Minister Puri said, There have been very encouraging developments and I find all the States of the northeastern region are not only coming to terms with the implementation of the schemes but in some areas, we have excellent results. Nagaland was declared ODF as of yesterday. Out of the eight States, four are ODF already and three others will be ODF by December 31, 2018 and one of the States will be by January 2019. It is good that eight to nine months before the schedule that is October 2, 2019 all the Northeastern States will be ODF. According to the Minister, ODF cannot be total with just meeting the physical targets of construction of individual household toilets, or community and public toilets but until there are behavioural changes ODF scheme cannot be completed. Puri said, In Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana I can tell you that Tripura has done excellent work in Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY-U) and we have sanctioned all demands for houses under PMAY in Tripura. The Minister said, In the PMAY (implementation in NE region) in terms of overall figures between the years 2005 and 2014 which is the 10 years of the previous UPA dispensation the Central Government had sanctioned a total number of 26,041 houses and central assistance was Rupees 684 crores. Now 26,000 houses in 10 years period and in our four years plus (NDA 2 government period) this is now 2.30 lakh and the central assistance is Rs 3570 crores in these 4 years. In the Northeast, the maximum houses have been sanctioned in Tripura with 79,988 houses of which 60 percent has already been grounded. He praised Tripura for its outstanding performance in the construction of houses under the PMAY. Puri said, Out of the 2.30 lakh houses in the NE region overall 1.16 lakh houses have been grounded, construction of 17,403 have been completed and Tripura has grounded the maximum houses which is 63,723 houses and of these 15,717 have been completed. Tripura is followed by Assam which has 27180 house been grounded. According to the Minister under the previous political dispensation JNNURM scheme which had ended on March 31 of 2017, 4874 houses are still under-construction and some 2619 of the constructed homes are still lying vacant. In presence of the Union Minister and Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, seven northeastern cities signed MoU for integrated command and control centers under the Smart City project. Regarding Smart City project, Puri said Sikkim made significant progress and others need to expedite the ambitious plan even it is a new concept. On the day the second phase of housing scheme for urban poor under the 10% Lumpsum Scheme of MoHUA, a Shelter House for Urban Homeless under DAY-NULM was inaugurated beside declaring Tripura as the first NE state and the 10th in the country where building rules will be applied online through a single window and shall be sanctioned within one month. Meanwhile, the Tripura CM requested the Union Minister to ensure the funding pattern of the flagship schemes at the ration of 90:10 between the center and the state respectively. Manipur Education, Labour and Employment Minister, Thokchom Radheshyam attended the 11th International Tourism Conference on Innovations & Opportunities in Global Tourism at Palermo in Sicily of Italy as a special guest. The conference which began on November 28 was jointly organized by the Indian Tourism and Hospitality Congress & UET, Italy, according to an official press release issued on Saturday. Th Radheshyam spoke on the cultural and educational tourism with special emphasis on Manipur and added that Manipur has a huge potential which has not been explored to its full extent, the released stated. The Minister expressed his desire to develop the State into one of the most important tourist destination which will enhance the socio-economic development of the State, the report also added. The Minister stated that one of the basic aims of the conference was to understand the importance of tourism and hospitality education and to necessitate human resource development through formal education and skill-building. He said that tourism being one of the major aspects, the State Government introduced tourism as one of the disciplines under the vocationalization of higher education under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). Under this scheme, 12 trades in collaboration with 14 industrial partners have also been introduced in 29 government colleges and 11 government-aided colleges of the State, he added. Th Radheshyam also met the President of the Sicilian Parliament, Gianfranco Micciche and his Cabinet Minister, the Mayor of Cefalu the oldest city of Sicily, the Vice Chancellors of University of Palermo and Pegaso. The conference was attended by experts, educators and officials of institutions, the official statement further added. In a blow to NDFB (S) militants, the Army and police operating in Assam on Sunday arrested nine rebels of the outfit at Jairampur in Arunachal Pradesh and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from their possession. Army officials said acting on a tip off, a joint operation was launched by the troops of Armys Red Horns Division, Dao Division, Assam Rifles and Jairampur police and apprehended the cadres of the proscribed outfit. The arrested rebels have been identified as Sulekha Brahma, 22, Sumuriya Narzary, 20, Rajesh Basumatry, 20, Gaodang Mochahary, 19, Rita Swrgary, 20, Rotjona Narzary, 22, Mani Ram Basumatary, 26, Dillp Narzary, 23 and Binaram Narzary, 21. According to sources, the complete group was arrested while infiltrating into India from their training camp in Myanmar. A trap was laid on their infiltration route and all nine cadres were nabbed, said an official. A total of nine weapons including AK-47 rifles, AK- 56 rifles, pistols and a huge cache of ammunitions were found on them. The cadres along with seized items have been handed over to police. The US Ambassador to India, Kenneth I. Juster on Sunday visited the Kohima War Cemetery on Sunday. During his visit to the Kohima War Cemetery, US Ambassador Kenneth paid homage to the Indian and British soldiers who sacrificed their lives while fighting in the famous Battle of Kohima in 1944, generally regarded as the bitterest battle of the Burma campaign. Also read: US Ambassador Kenneth visits Made in Nagaland Centre in Kohima While uploading a few images of US Ambassador Kenneth visiting the war cemetery, WeTheNagas on its Twitter handle on Sunday stated: US Ambassador to India, Kenneth I. Juster, today visited the #KohimaWarCemetery and paid homage to the Indian and British soldiers who fought in the famous Battle of Kohima in 1944, generally regarded as the bitterest battle of the Burma campaign. It may be mentioned that US Ambassador to India Kenneth arrived in Kohima recently to attend the Hornbill Festival 2018. He attended the inaugural function of the festival as as the guest of honour. Kenneth also visited YouthNets Made in Nagaland Centre in Kohima on Saturday. He was greatly impressed by the Centre and the various products by local entrepreneurs, which are on display. The US Ambassador arrived in Nagaland on Friday. Kenneth I. Juster was given a warm welcome by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. 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 The My Step alliances MP candidates, led by acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, on Sunday are meeting with voters in Sisian town, and within the framework of their campaign rallies for the upcoming snap parliamentary election in Armenia. Next, the My Step campaign team will continue their campaigning in Jermuk town of Vayots Dzor Province. Subsequently, they will be in Vayk and Yeghegnadzor towns and in Areni village of this province. Pashinyan has taken a leave until December 5, to take part in the election campaign of this alliance. Nikol Pashinyan, acting First Deputy Prime Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, and National Assembly Way Out (Yelk) Faction Head Lena Nazaryan are the top three, respectively, on the electoral list of My Step alliance. Campaign season for the upcoming snap National Assembly (NA) election has gotten underway Monday in Armenia. The campaign season will conclude on December 7, whereas December 8 is election silence day, and December 9election day Eleven political forcestwo alliances and nine partiesare running for parliament. As a result of this election, the NA seats will be distributed proportionally among the political forces that have passed the respective minimum thresholds: 5% for parties, and 7% for alliances. If we want to build a country, there definitely should be a second pole in the National Assembly, so that it would not be such that a [political] force will be super big and will not be controllable. Political scientist Stepan Grigoryan, who is second on the electoral list of Sasna Tsrer party, on Sunday noted the aforementioned during their talk with voters in Maralik town, and within the framework of their campaign rallies for the upcoming snap parliamentary election in Armenia. Grigoryan said if people wish to assist the Armenian government, they need to vote for the Sasna Tsrer so that the latter form a second pole in parliament and oversee the authorities. There are young people in the government; we want to make them work, the political scientist stated. But how shall we make [them] work? By having a faction in the parliament, demanding that they work, calling [them] the National Assembly. Its very important to oversee the government; in that case, we will be able to build a country. Sasna Tsrer party official Varuzhan Avetisyan, political scientist Stepan Grigoryan, and party official Garegin Chugaszyan are the top three on the respective 174-name electoral list of this recently formed political force. Campaign season for the upcoming snap National Assembly (NA) election has gotten underway Monday in Armenia. The campaign season will conclude on December 7, whereas December 8 is election silence day, and December 9election day Eleven political forcestwo alliances and nine partiesare running for parliament. As a result of this election, the NA seats will be distributed proportionally among the political forces that have passed the respective minimum thresholds: 5% for parties, and 7% for alliances. The exports of mining products from Armenia are dropping, and the reason is that the Teghut [copper and molybdenum] mine is not operating. Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Sunday noted the abovementioned during his talk with the residents of Jermuk town, and within the framework of the My Step alliances campaign rallies for the upcoming snap parliamentary election in Armenia. The government is conducting negotiations, exerting efforts so that the operation of Teghut begins [again], Pashinyan said. But we have also stated that the eco-Armenia concept, the green Armenia concept is also laid in the basis of our activities. (). We are saying that mining industry in Armenia should be implemented with the highest standards. To us, the question of all questions is as follows: Does the operation of the Amulsar [gold mine] pose a threat to the water system of Jermuk and to Lake Sevan? The acting PM noted that the Investigative Committee has filed a criminal case with respect to determining the impact the operation of this mine has on the environment. An expertise has been commissioned within the framework of the criminal case, and we will announce an international contest [in this regard], Nikol Pashinyan stated. We will not save money from our budget so that a highest global-level company conducts that expertise in the criminal case. Its very important to us that the results of the expertise are reliable. During his telephonic conversation with Armenias Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed to postpone the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit which is slated for December 6, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Pashinyan on Sunday told about the aforementioned to reporters. During our recent phone conversation, the president of the Russian Federation proposed, said that since there is such a situation, lets not do the CSTO summit on the 6th [of December], so that we discuss the solutions in a working order, and then go [to a summit] with ready solutions, Pashinyan said. And I agreed because I believe that its more accurate to resolve that matter with working procedures. Since we again dont have consensus now [on this matter], there is no sense in repeating [the CSTO leaders meeting in] Astana [on November 8], and its not constructive. The arrangement is that we continue the working discussions until reaching any consensus. On December 6, Nikol Pashinyan was to attend the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council regular meeting in Saint Petersburg. Arsen Gasparyan, Acting PM Nikol Pashinyans chief adviser, had told RBC news agency that the CSTO leaders were not going to elect the organizations new Secretary General until 2019. At present, the right to nominate a respective candidate belongs to Armenia. In November, Armenian authorities recalled the countrys representative Yuri Khachaturov from the office of CSTO Secretary General. Khachaturov has been charged in Armenia within the framework of the criminal case into the tragic events that transpired in capital city Yerevan on March 1 and 2, 2008. On March 1 and 2, 2008, the then authorities of Armenia used force against the opposition members who were rallying in downtown Yerevan, and against the results of the then recent presidential election. Eight demonstrators as well as two servicemen of the internal troops were killed in the clashes. But no one had been brought to account for these deaths, to this day. Since then though, a few things have become clear. Firstly, U.S. production has been stepped up by more than imagined. In addition, the Saudis increased their output to help offset the expected loss from Iran but, most importantly in that context, that loss doesnt look likely to materialize. Despite a lot of tough talk, the sanctions on Iranian That question is being asked because of current circumstances. Crude oil has been in freefall, with both Brent and WTI having lost around a third since hitting highs in early October. There are some demand related worries involved as trade wars threaten to slow global growth, but the biggest reasons for the drop are supply related. A couple of months ago, those highs were achieved in anticipation of a disruption to global supply as the Trump administrations abandonment of the Iran nuclear deal with Iran and the resulting sanctions took effect. As I write, the worlds leaders are meeting at the G20 summit in Argentina. There are, as always, lots of story lines surrounding the meeting, some financial in nature such as the chance of informal trade negotiations, and some not so much, such as whether Donald Trumps cancellation of his private meeting with Vladimir Putin indicates the end of their bromance. For energy investors though, the meeting will be watched with a different focus. Both Saudi Arabia and Russia are in attendance, so they will be watching for any signs of an agreement to cut oil output. As I write, the worlds leaders are meeting at the G20 summit in Argentina. There are, as always, lots of story lines surrounding the meeting, some financial in nature such as the chance of informal trade negotiations, and some not so much, such as whether Donald Trumps cancellation of his private meeting with Vladimir Putin indicates the end of their bromance. For energy investors though, the meeting will be watched with a different focus. Both Saudi Arabia and Russia are in attendance, so they will be watching for any signs of an agreement to cut oil output. That question is being asked because of current circumstances. Crude oil has been in freefall, with both Brent and WTI having lost around a third since hitting highs in early October. There are some demand related worries involved as trade wars threaten to slow global growth, but the biggest reasons for the drop are supply related. A couple of months ago, those highs were achieved in anticipation of a disruption to global supply as the Trump administrations abandonment of the Iran nuclear deal with Iran and the resulting sanctions took effect. Since then though, a few things have become clear. Firstly, U.S. production has been stepped up by more than imagined. In addition, the Saudis increased their output to help offset the expected loss from Iran but, most importantly in that context, that loss doesnt look likely to materialize. Despite a lot of tough talk, the sanctions on Iranian oil have been rendered ineffective by the granting of exceptions to a whole host of customer countries. The net effect has been that after a tight market for a few years as the OPEC+ agreement to cut output held and was extended, we are back to a glut. Little wonder then that as Brent has dropped below $60/ barrel and WTI breached the $50-mark, talk has surfaced this week of a possible re-examination of cuts. The Russians, the largest of the non-OPEC signatories to the deal, and the Saudis, the de facto leaders of the cartel, were reported to be in discussions focused on the timing and scope of new cuts. That would suggest that supply restrictions are coming for sure, and just the details need to be worked out. Given those rumors, you might expect crude to have reversed course and jumped in such a supply-sensitive market. As you can see, however, that hasnt happened. The drop in WTI futures was halted just below $50, but the bounce was anemic and short-lived. (Click to enlarge) There is obviously some doubt in traders minds as to whether the rumors are true, or at the very least if any new agreement will result in meaningful output reductions. So, do those doubts or the initial optimism have the best chance of being correct? As always with anything OPEC related, the political situation in the Middle East will have a big influence on the outcome. The problem is that the Saudis feel that while higher prices benefit them in the short term, they benefit their regional rival Iran more. Even with the exceptions to the sanctions, Iran has a limited market for its oil, so is unable to step up production to offset low prices. Obviously, in those circumstances, higher oil is a plus for them. In the current environment, where Saudi Arabia and Iran are fighting proxy wars in Syria and The Yemen, low prices coupled with the ability to increase output give the Saudis a significant advantage in financing those conflicts. There is also another, more pressing reason for Saudi Arabia to take some short-term pain for long-term gain by allowing prices to stay lowDonald Trump. Trump has on several recent occasions claimed credit for the potential economic benefits of lower oil prices. As anger over the murder of the American resident and journalist Jamal Kashoggi has risen, Trump has stayed supportive of Mohammed Bin Salman and has given some of that credit to the Saudis. With the President as seemingly their only ally, not just in America but amongst all western democracies right now, acting to force oil prices higher would not be a smart move by the Saudis. So, even though production cuts make sense for most of the original OPEC+ group, they may not do so for the Saudis, at least not at this moment, and that makes an agreement to cut immediately less likely. There is, however, a way that everyone could get what they want, an agreement to cut in the future. That would at least halt declines in oil for now, with the prospect of a recovery before long, but would result in a period of pain for Iran, while also allowing Saudi Arabia to say to Trump that they had done what they could to keep prices in the face of enormous pressure from other oil exporters. It would, however, probably not cause a rapid jump in oil, as traders would remain skeptical given the history of OPEC trying to talk oil up before doing anything concrete. Whether it comes out of the G20 summit this weekend or not, that looks to be the most likely outcome. From a traders perspective though, it is not something worth betting on. As mentioned, any upward reaction in oil would be limited in the event of such an announcement, but if one doesnt come and talks break down, the current mood in the market would ensure another sharp drop. Better to wait. If there is a deal there will be plenty of room to the upside and time to get long, but the downside risk makes acting in advance an unappealing proposition. By Martin Tillier for Oilprice.com Just as the U.S. shale patch is drafting spending budgets for 2019, oil prices have tumbled 25 percent from four-year highs in early October to just above $50 a barrel WTI Crude at the end of November. Oil at $50 is largely considered the break-even point for many shale developments and is the minimum price at which most U.S. drillers have been budgeting spending plans over the past year or so. Most producers across the shale patch will be announcing 2019 spending plans alongside full-year 2018 earnings releases at end-January and early February, but signs have already started to emerge that the U.S. shale patch will be cutting budgets for 2019. Collective spending plans for next year may be the first budgets cut across the industry since the oil price crash of 2015-2016, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence. Just two months ago, $50 oil was not the base-case scenario at which U.S. companies planned, and few had expected such a steep price correction. Now exploration and production companieswho had just started to report rising cash flows and to finally reward shareholders with buybacks and increased dividendsfind themselves in a position to choose from where to cut spending next year, considering that a prolonged period of $50 oil would eat into cash flows and undermine previous cash generation projections. Anadarko Petroleum is one of the few companies that have already announced its 2019 budgetand its lower than this years. Anadarko said in mid-November that its 2019 capital investment program is in the US$4.3 billion-US$4.7 billion range, plus a US$1 billion addition to its share buyback program. The company expects around US$1.6 billion adjusted free cash flow at $60 WTI in 2019. So lower WTI prices would undermine this free cash flow estimate. Analysts who until recently expected an uptick in the U.S. shale patch budgets, now see declines. Energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, for example, expected minor increases in 2019 budgets, but now sees budgets either flat or down next year compared to this year, Andy McConn, a Houston-based analyst at WoodMac, told Bloomberg. Related: How Much Does OPEC Need To Cut To Balance The Market? The current sentiment and expectations about 2019 budgets are in stark contrast with the mood in the companies Q3 earnings releases and budget tweaks. According to a Rystad Energy analysis of 34 onshore producers, their combined capex guidance increased by an additional US$1.4 billion in the third quarter of 2018, after a US$3.7-billion increase in Q2, with companies active in the Permian accounting for over 70 percent of the total budgets adjustment. In the Dallas Fed Energy Survey for Q3carried out in September when the oil market was still fearing a huge loss of Iranian oil supplyexecutives at 166 energy firms forecast on average that WTI prices would be $68.81 per barrel by the end of this year, with responses ranging from $55 to $85 per barrel. Only around 6 percent of respondents expected WTI to be lower than $65 a barrel at end-2018. Two and a half months after the survey, the mood on the market is starkly different and the WTI price is lower than the lowest year-end projections of the company executives. Drillers have started to plan reduction in budgets, according to executives and officials who spoke to Reuters last week. Smaller producers in Texas have already begun to scale back some drilling activity, according to Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton. Six weeks ago some of these were profitable and now theyre break-even, Sitton told Reuters. Related: The Biggest Losers Of The Current Oil Price Slump The (price) swing has been large enough that we have some companies that are no longer generating free cash flow. The next few days may show if WTI prices in the low $50s will persist, as the OPEC/non-OPEC meeting in Vienna will be discussing a production cut to prevent a new global glut and prop up prices. If the cartel and allies fail to lift the market out of the bearish mood or if they decide to avoid angering U.S. President Donald Trumpwho wants oil prices even lower by not acting decisively on cuts, the U.S. shale patch may be in for some complicated math of how to balance production growth and shareholder returns at $50 WTI oil. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Cloud of suspicion in China over rice from near Japans nuclear meltdown zone The Chinese authorities may be ready to lift a ban on importing rice from a Japanese prefecture neighbouring a nuclear disaster site but Chinese consumers might need more convincing. Chinas General Administration of Customs announced on Wednesday that it had lifted a ban on rice imports from Niigata, one of a number of prefectures neighbouring Fukushima, home to the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which went into meltdown and released radioactive material in the aftermath of a tsunami in March 2011. According to the World Health Organisation, radioactive iodine and caesium in concentrations above the Japanese regulatory limits were detected in some food commodities soon after the disaster. China responded by banning imports of food and livestock feed from 10 prefectures. More than seven years later, Niigata is the first area to have the ban lifted on its rice. After evaluation, we permit Niigata rice to be imported, the customs administration said on its website. It said the rice was produced in the prefecture and processed in registered factories, and that when imported it should satisfy Chinese laws and regulations on food safety and plant health. But Chinese internet users werent so convinced. The officials would rather sacrifice Chinese peoples health for diplomacy, one person said on Weibo, Chinas Twitter-like platform. Whoever wants to buy the rice can buy it, another wrote. I only ask for it to be properly marked on the packaging. In all, 54 countries and regions imposed temporary import bans on Japanese food from affected areas immediately after the nuclear disaster. Since then, 27 have lifted their restrictions and Fukushima prefecture shipped 210 tonnes of agricultural products abroad last year, mainly to Malaysia and Thailand. It follows a years-long clean-up effort and a concerted campaign by the Japanese government to promote agricultural products from Fukushima and neighbouring regions, both domestically and internationally. Story continues A page on the Japanese government website, titled Fukushima Foods: Safe and Delicious, is dedicated to the clean-up and monitoring efforts and features photos of farmers encouraging tourists to try their rice, vegetables and fruit. Hopes that the ban would be eased grew as relations between the two countries thawed. An agreement was reached in March to hold talks in Tokyo between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, after which Fukushima officials told the South China Morning Post they hoped Beijing would reopen the door to exports of agricultural and fisheries products. Those prospects rose in late October with the first visit to China by a Japanese prime minister in seven years. There were grass-roots efforts, too. Last week, a group of Chinese reporters led by Xu Jingbo, from the Tokyo-based, Chinese-language Asia News Agency, quietly visited northeast Japan, stopping in disaster-hit areas including Fukushima. Xu told the South China Morning Post he had organised the trip because he wanted there to be fair coverage of food safety and the Fukushima nuclear clean-up. We should look at the Fukushima nuclear leak in a scientific and fair way, he said. The group visited the power station and government centres that test radiation residues on agricultural products and seafood. He said that since the accident, the Japanese government had cleaned up debris and contaminated soil, digging 30cm into the earth and transporting the soil to a remote area for treatment. The radiation level tested on my body was only 0.03 millisieverts after the visit, about 1/80 of taking a CAT scan in hospital and about the same level as riding on an aeroplane, Xu said. But lingering fear and opposition in China and neighbouring regions remains strong. Last week, voters in Taiwan showed overwhelming support for keeping a ban on food imports. On the Chinese mainland, every movement towards lifting the ban has provoked hostility online. Xus Weibo account was flooded with comments, calling him a traitor. Some questioned whether he received money from the Japanese government for such propaganda. An article published on the WeChat account Buyidao, operated by the state-run Global Times, questioned the Japanese government and media, saying they had covered up the severity of the radiation in Fukushima and dealt with the clean-up irresponsibly. Tokyo Electric Power [the owner of the plant] and the Japanese government have not been honest with the Japanese people and the world, the panic runs inside Japan and has permeated to other countries, it said. On the rice ban lifted this week, Guo Qiuju, a radiation expert at Peking Universitys physics department, said the Chinese government had its own standard and detection methods. China has strict levels on radiation levels detected in foods; if its detected below a certain level, it can be assumed to be safe, she said. But public concerns persist. A shopper at Alibabas Hema Xiansheng supermarket in Shenzhen she said she probably would not buy any products from the affected areas even if the ban was completely lifted. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post. Im afraid of what might happen to me, she said. This article Cloud of suspicion in China over rice from near Japans nuclear meltdown zone first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Omar Zumot, manager of Amman's Saint George winery and who studied winemaking in France, samples a glass as two Jordanian families look to revive an age-old tradition that some suggest has Biblical heritage Two Jordanian families aim to put wine from their desert land on the world viticultural map, reviving an age-old tradition that some suggest has Biblical heritage. Wine lovers like to say that the wine Jesus Christ served to his disciples at the Last Supper came from the northern town of Umm Qais in modern-day Jordan, to signify how old the country's winemaking tradition is. "Wine was produced in Jordan more than 2,000 years ago but then it disappeared for centuries," said Omar Zumot, who studied winemaking in France, and now manages the Saint George winery in an eastern suburb of Amman. "It's our responsibility to relaunch it," he told AFP. The Zumots and their main competitors, the Haddads, belong to Jordan's Christian minority in a Muslim-majority kingdom, where the sale of alcohol is legal. "We began to produce wine in 1996 and today we produce 400,000 litres a year," Zumot said, during a tour of his winery, which makes a range of organic wines that are aged in 700 French oak barrels before being bottled. "We're only at the start of the road but my dream is to put Jordanian wines on the map." Firas Haddad, marketing manager of Eagle Distilleries, home of the award-winning Jordan River wine, shares that dream. "We set up the first winery in 1975. We used to produce just two kinds of wines, white and red from grapes that we brought from Suweida in (neighbouring) Syria," he said. Today, the company based in Zarka, near Amman, produces wine from 45 varieties of grapes, most of them from vines brought to Jordan from France, Italy and Spain, he said. Jordanian wine lovers like to say that the wine Jesus Christ served to his disciples at the Last Supper came from Umm Qais in modern-day Jordan Ancient winemaking Swiss archaeologist Ueli Bellwald told AFP that winemaking in Jordan goes back much further than the time of Christ. "Winemaking in Jordan does not date back only 2,000 years," said Bellwald, who has been working on digs in the ancient Nabatean city of Petra for nearly three decades. Wine production started in the Nabatean kingdom "in the middle of the first century BC" and reached a peak during the Roman and Byzantine periods, "based on the enormous number of wine presses from these times", he said. According to Bellwald, as many as 82 wine presses have been discovered in the Beidha-Baaja area of Petra in southern Jordan. "There were even winemaking facilities of industrial scale," he said. Basalt, water, sunshine Both the Haddads and the Zumots have vineyards in the northeastern Mafraq province neighbouring Syria and Iraq. Mafraq is one of the most fertile regions of Jordan with soil rich in basalt that was formed by volcanic activity tens of thousands of years ago. It lies 840 metres (2,800 feet) above sea level, is rich in underground water and enjoys sunshine 330 days a year, said Haddad. All this makes for "exceptional" wine, he said. Workers inspect bottles at Eagle Distilleries in Zarqa, east of Ammanbut while the makers say the wine is "exceptional" high duties and taxes make it expensive The Haddads have set up the "Wine Experience" in the heart of Amman touted as Jordan's first wine tasting lounge, and like the Zumots organise vineyard tours. Tourists visiting the lounge, like Peggy from Australia and Frederic from France, were "surprised" that Jordan produces wine. Both noted the high price tags. All alcoholic drinks, whether they are imported or domestically-produced, are subject to taxes that exceed 300 percent, while even items used in the production process face substantial duties. "Customs duties are exorbitant and because of that (our) wine is expensive. The cheapest bottle sells for between 15-20 euros," or $20 to $25, said Zumot. His company exports only "small quantities" to Europe and some Arab countries, including Iraq, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, he said, citing high shipping costs. 'A passion, an art' Jordan River produces 500,000 bottles of wine annually, 90 percent of which is sold domestically, said Haddad. For now, very little is sent abroad. "A few months ago, we sent a shipment to Australia. Another one is on its way to California," he said, adding he also expects to export his wine soon to Paris. The Jordan River wine has won 96 awards, while the Saint George has clinched 23 prizes. "Wine is not just an industry, it's a passion, an art," said Alaa Mansur, production manager at the Haddad winery. 2018 AFP 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. Federal authorities have arrested the CEO of a cryptocurrency operator based in Dallas for allegedly defrauding investors out of $4 million in a digital coin scheme that legendary boxer Evander Holyfield had endorsed. Jared Rice, Sr., the 30-year-old CEO of AriseBank was arrested Wednesday on charges of securities and wire fraud. AriseBank has been under serious scrutiny since the beginning of the year, when the SEC brought a complaint against the company and the Texas Department of Banking issues a cease-and-desist order. Alarm bells started ringing when Arise began advertising itself as offering FDIC-insured accounts on what it claimed was the worlds first decentralized banking platform. It also claimed to have FDIC-insured Visa credit cards. Arise was none of this, and it certainly wasnt FDIC insured, or authorized to conduct banking of any kind in the state of Texas. It also didnt have a Visa partnership, according to prosecutors. Some $4 million dollars of investment in Arise Coin later, and Arise has fallenhard, and taken investors down with it. According to prosecutors, Rice also quietly converted investor funds for his own personal use, spending the money on hotels, food, clothing, a family law attorney, and even a guardian ad litem. He also allegedly falsely claimed that his ICO had raised $600 million within just a few weeks, and failed to disclose that hed plead guilty to state felony charges in connection with an earlier online business scheme. Holyfield appeared to think he was jumping into something that was going to help the millions of people left homeless after 2017s superstorms through AriseBank and blockchain development company Cryptonomex, who allegedly said they were going to use BitShares to accelerate the recovery process in future disasters. Related: How Central Banks Impact Gold Markets I am really excited about this. The more I can do, the better. Cryptocurrency seems to be a good way to help the causes that I care about, Holyfield was quoted as saying back in January, right before the SEC shut Arise down. This year has seen a lot of big moves to crack down on cryptocurrency fraud, with lawsuits up over 300 percent. That alone should convince celebrities to stop lining up to attach their names to the next crypto calling. From Katy Perry showing off her crypto manicure to Snoops Blockchain Week performances , celebrity interest in digital currencies has in some ways been construed as a sign of growing acceptance. But increasingly, a celebrity name doesnt mean youre not going to get taken on a very expensive ride. Evander Holyfield isnt the first to be crypto-ized. In January, Steven Seagal endorsed the Bitcoiin ICO that claimed to be a better version of bitcoin. They reportedly raised $75 million and then bailed. DJ Khaled and Floyd Mayweather Jr. also found themselves attached to the Centra Tech ICO that raised over $32 million, claiming it had a partnership with Visa (just like Arise). The project was targeted by the SEC and its founders were charged and indicted for fraud. Nor did the two celebrities come out of this without serious damage. On Thursday, they settled charges with the SEC for failing to disclose payments they received for promoting the ICO investments. According to the SEC, Mayweather failed to disclose promotional payments from three ICO issues, including $100,000 from Centra Tech Inc. Khaled failed to disclose a $50,000 payment from Centra Tech after calling it a game changer on his social media account. By Michael Kern for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: Alabama joins Ohio as only modern state to truly botch an execution | Main | Split California Supreme Court holds 50-year sentence for juve kidnapper violates the Eighth Amendment after Graham February 26, 2018 At just what level of Dante's Inferno does modern ACCA jurisprudence reside? The silly question in the title of this post is my silly reaction to a not-so-silly ruling from a Fourth Circuit panel today flagged for me by a helpful reader. I will get to that ruling in a minute, but first I must spotlight this website's helpful explanation of the circles of hell set forth in Dante's Inferno: The Levels of Hell In Dante's Inferno, Hell is described as having 9 different levels, or circles, each lower than the last. As one descends into the depths of hell, he comes closer to the 9th circle where Satan himself resides. Each level of hell is reserved for different types of sinners, and different punishments are inflicted on the damned depending on the nature and severity of their sin. The greater their sin, the lower the level to which they are condemned to spend eternity. Notably, the "seventh level of hell is reserved for those who are guilty of violence, whether it be against themselves, property, nature, or other people." I suppose that would be the fitting level for locating the modern federal court jurisprudence over application of the Armed Career Criminal Act because what is typically debated within this jurisprudence is whether a defendant's prior conviction qualities as a "violent felony." But, in referencing Dante's Inferno, I am really thinking about federal criminal practitioners and federal judges who must feel like they are dropping through various levels of hell as they sort through various intricate precedents to try to figure out what is and what is not a "violent felony" for ACCA purposes. Last week I noted here a big split Fifth Circuit en banc ruling holding that Texas burglary convictions do not serve as predicates for the Armed Career Criminal Act. Today, it is a Fourth Circuit panel ruling that has my ACCA head hurting; US v. Middleton, No. 16-7556 (4th Cir. Feb. 26, 2018) (available here), gets started this way: Jarnaro Carlos Middleton was sentenced as an armed career criminal pursuant to the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), 18 U.S.C. 924(e). Middleton challenges the district courts determination that his prior conviction for South Carolina involuntary manslaughter qualifies as a violent felony under the ACCA. Due to the idiosyncrasies of the Supreme Courts categorical approach, the ultimate issue in this case is whether selling alcohol to a minor involves the requisite use of violent force. We conclude that it does not and reverse. Critically, there is no suggestion in this opinion that Jarnaro Carlos Middleton's conviction for involuntary manslaughter had anything to do with selling alcohol to a minor. But a 1992 opinion of the Court of Appeals of South Carolina upholds an involuntary manslaughter conviction involving selling alcohol to a minor, and that fact ends up shaping whether Jarnaro Carlos Middleton faces a 15-year statutory mandatory minimum or a 10-year statutory mandatory maximum for the federal crime of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1). Somewhere Franz Kafka (as well as Dante Alighieri) is blushing. And if the realities of the majority opinion does not whet your ACCA appetite, Middleton comes with a partial concurrence that starts this way: The majority concludes that a conviction for South Carolina involuntary manslaughter does not categorically qualify as a violent felony under the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), 18 U.S.C. 924(e)(2)(B)(i). While I agree with that conclusion, I hesitate to join the majoritys analysis. In my view, our recent decisions in In re Irby, 858 F.3d 231 (4th Cir. 2017), and United States v. Reid, 861 F.3d 523 (4th Cir. 2017), undermine the majoritys reasoning that South Carolina involuntary manslaughter can be committed with de minimis force and by simply causing injury without using force. Nevertheless, I would hold that South Carolina involuntary manslaughter cannot be an ACCA predicate because, although the ACCA force clause requires a higher degree of mens rea than recklessness, an individual can be convicted of involuntary manslaughter in South Carolina based on reckless conduct. Therefore, while I write separately as to Part II.B, I concur in part and concur in the judgment reversing the denial of habeas relief. Natch. February 26, 2018 at 05:22 PM | Permalink Comments Thanks for the laugh. I think it's personal. As my husband prepared for the "Mystic" he meticulously read and outlined Dante's Inferno to see his fate. He settled on Circle III as a given, but feared Circle VI - Heresy. He began to continually explain himself in a strange theological way. It was some comfort to get a new puppy and name it Cerberus and treat him kindly. At least they would be familiar when needed. The bottom line was, no one really cared where he would go - least of all him. Yeah - we're in one of the 8 circles, I just pick limbo. Posted by: beth | Feb 26, 2018 6:29:08 PM Professor Berman, as a sentencing mitigation expert I am still running into many CJA panel defense attorneys who are not up to speed on Mathis and the new sentencing landscape. The way out of this pit, I believe, is to follow the lead of the U.S. Sentencing Commission when they revised the Immigration guideline a couple of years ago, with their focus on the length of the prior sentences instead of their nature. It's much easier to figure out how long a sentence was than what type it is! It seems nearly impossible for a defense attorney to avoid 2255 issues today. Trying to research every possible predicate is incredibly time consuming, and really, who can predict what a Circuit Court might find? I keep my hair cut really short so I can't pull it out. Posted by: John D Olive | Feb 27, 2018 10:15:48 AM Forget 2255 issues. My fear is that --like with immigration issues -- state practitioners might be require to notify their client about whether the state offense qualifies as a crime of violence for ACCA. I know that the Supreme Court appears to be still sitting on a cert petition involving whether my state's burglary statute is a crime of violence (probably for a dissent from the denial of cert). If the nine justice of the Supreme Court can't agree on whether it is a crime of violence, how are local prosecutors and public defenders suppose to figure it out? Posted by: tmm | Feb 27, 2018 4:15:22 PM "Midway through the time of our lives I came across a dark wood for the straight path was not before me." Yeah, definitely this line of caselaw. Posted by: Andrew | Feb 27, 2018 7:05:37 PM Post a comment Argentina reaches deal at G20 to export cherries to China, with pork and honey negotiations in works Argentina has reached a trade agreement with China on cherry exports, another step in the South American countrys efforts to become what it calls the worlds supermarket. Details of the agreement, which will be signed on Sunday, were finalised in a meeting between President Mauricio Macri and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 Summit in Buenos Aires on Friday, Luis Miguel Etchevehere, Argentinas agro-industry secretary, told the South China Morning Post on Saturday. Argentina was also in the process of obtaining sanitary protocols to export honey and pork to China, Etchevehere said. The terms of those deals were under negotiation, he said. China has become a key market for Argentine agricultural products, including fruit and meat. Earlier this year, the two countries signed an agreement that opened the Asian market to Argentine beef and lamb, concluding a multi-year negotiation. Trade between the two countries reached US$16.8 billion across all sectors last year, according to European Union figures. Amid trade war, Argentina sees opportunities with both US and China American cherries were among the agricultural products targeted by Beijing in the ongoing trade war. China increased tariffs on the fruit, which has become popular during the Lunar New Year holiday period, to 50 per cent from 10 per cent in response to duties imposed by US President Donald Trump. That has jeopardised about US$130 million in cherry sales, according to testimony from Cass Gebbers, president and CEO of Gebbers Farms in Brewster, Washington, during congressional hearings in July on the effects of Trumps tariffs. Washington state is Americas biggest cherry producer and exporter, according to Iowa State Universitys Agricultural Marketing Resource Centre. Watch: US cherries flood Hong Kong Etchevehere, who described the goal of making Argentina the worlds supermarket, said his country would like to expand its international trade. Last week, the United States agreed to end a nearly 17-year hiatus in the import of Argentine beef that began because of concerns about foot-and-mouth disease in Argentine cattle. Story continues We would like to increase trade in agriculture with China and the US as our products complement each other, Etchevehere said. We hope the US and China will reach an agreement on trade soon because that will benefit all of the countries around the world. This article Argentina reaches deal at G20 to export cherries to China, with pork and honey negotiations in works 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: Beyonce led an all-star line-up including Ed Sheeran, Jay-Z and Usher in Johannesburg at a concert to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela on Sunday. The concert was the climax of a year of events celebrating the centennial of Mandela's birth in 1918, and part of a campaign to tackle poverty, child malnutrition and boost gender equality. This year's Global Citizen Festival was held at Johannesburg's 94,736-capacity FNB staium and saw Beyonce perform several of her hits as well as a duet with Sheeran. Thousands of music fans, many of whom had received free tickets to reward their activism and campaigning work, flocked to the stadium hours before the concert began. "I'm proud to be part of the global citizen movement because they are trying to make a positive impact on people's lives -- especially women's and children's issues," said Nokthula Khuzwayo, 23, from Soweto. "I loved Dbanj's performance and of course Queen B and Jay-Z, even though it was a brief one." As well as a constellation of global stars that also included Pharrell Williams and Coldplay's Chris Martin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted fellow heads of state from Ghana, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. "We are here to act in one voice," said Ramaphosa. Beyonce's performance of her smash hit XO, during which she wore a flowing pink-red dress and paid tribute to Mandela, drew an outpouring of emotion from the crowd. - 'Take action' - South African stars Trevor Noah, who was the host, and Bonang Matheba also made appearances, as the largely local crowd braved heavy downpours to attend. Ahead of the concert co-host Oprah Winfrey hailed Mandela's "goodness and integrity", describing him as her "favourite mentor". Mandela was imprisoned for decades under South Africa's apartheid regime. After being released in 1990, he led the country's transformation into a multi-racial democracy and was elected its first president. He died on December 5, 2013, aged 95. Earlier on Sunday, Mandela's widow Graca Machel, draped in a bright yellow and blue dress, took to the stage to honour her late husband in front of the near-capacity crowd. And Mandela's grandson Ndaba Mandela told festival-goers: "Today it is a privilege and choice for us to take action on behalf of the hundreds of millions of people trapped in the cycle of poverty. "So I plead with you, don't think of this as just a music festival, this is a call to the hearts and minds of humanity all across the world." The Global Citizen initiative aims to help eradicate extreme poverty by 2030 and has staged events in other world cities including London, Brussels, and New York. According to the initiative's founder Hugh Evans, more than $2 billion have been pledged to good causes following the Johannesburg gig, beating the $1 billion goal. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted ahead of the event pledging $50 million to women's and girl's education projects. Event organisers earlier paid tribute to a rigger who died following a fall while helping to prepare the stage on Saturday. "The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated," Global Citizen said in a statement. FILE PHOTO: Egyptian actor Rania Youssef attends the closing ceremony of the 40th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival at the Opera House in Cairo, Egypt November 29, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Soliman CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian film star faces trial next month promoting immorality after attending the Cairo Film Festival in a see-through dress, state-owned online newspaper Al-Ahram Gate reported on Saturday. Rania Youssef will face a trial in January in Cairo after receiving a number of complaints about her attire, accusing her of inciting immorality and promoting vice. The actress turned heads at the closing ceremony of the festival on Thursday when she appeared in a black dress that exposed what some commentators described as a swimsuit beneath it. The pictures of the 44-year-old star left social media users divided, with some calling her names and other defending her right to wear what she wants. "This dress and design is called 'I forgot my trousers while going to be honored," wrote one Twitter user. Another user said Rania's appearance will help her get more work. "This entry has at least 15 films, two television series and 13 television and radio show appearances," wrote Karim Ahmed on Twitter. "Congratulations. Another Twitter user writing under the name Zakaria MJ frowned at the criticism. "Rania Youssef is looking gorgeous," he wrote in a message in English. "I dont get why everybody is mad at her." (Reporting by Sami Aboudi and Ahmed Tolba; Writing by Sami Aboudi and Nadine Awadalla) "In our societies it even seems that homosexuality is fashionable and that mentality, in some way, also influences the life of the church," Pope Francis says in the book 'The Strength of a Vocation' 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 susceptible. "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. South China Morning Post Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group is expanding its foray into the automobiles sector with the formation of a joint venture that will offer car services such as sales and parking. Wanda Automobile Technology Services was founded on Monday with a registered capital of 100 million yuan (US$15.65 million), according to sources close to the group. Tai Qing (Beijing) Technology, its joint venture partner, is a mainland Chinese firm that offers these services. The new companys formation comes af 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. US President Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping agreed Saturday to suspend any new tariffs in the escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies, even if huge existing duties will remain in place. Following more than two hours of dinner talks between the two leaders, the White House said an increase of tariffs from 10 to 25 percent due to kick in on January 1 would now be put on hold, providing room for intense negotiations. The agreement, hashed out over steak in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, lowers the temperature in a conflict that has spooked world markets. The two leaders, who were in Buenos Aires for a summit of the G20 countries, called it "a highly successful meeting," a White House statement said. "The principal agreement has effectively prevented further expansion of economic friction between the two countries and has opened up new space for win-win cooperation," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. "It's an incredible deal," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on the flight home to Washington, adding it would have an "incredibly positive impact" on American farmers. - Partial truce - Under the agreement, Trump is shelving a plan to raise existing tariffs of 10 percent to 25 percent from the start of next year. Xi avoids further immediate pressure on China's slowing economy, while Trump -- scarred by last month's midterm elections that saw the Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives -- can ease damage to agricultural US states that export to China, particularly soybean producers. "China will be buying massive amounts of product from us," Trump said after the talks. For Beijing-based political consultant Hua Po, "this was a rare opportunity for China" to capitalize on what they saw as Trump's compromised position after the midterms. "At this time, it was acceptable for China to maintain some bottom lines while making some major concessions." But Brad Setser, a former Treasury official and now senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, told Bloomberg that much remains to be done. "The hard part is finding the basis for a real deal that settles the broader issues rather than agreeing on a pause," Setser said. The truce is only partial. Some $50 billion worth of Chinese imports already face 25 percent tariffs, while the 10 percent tariffs -- which target a massive $200 billion in goods -- will also remain in effect. Meanwhile, China has targeted $110 billion worth of US imports for tariffs. If there is any further retaliation, Trump has warned, he will slap punitive duties on the remaining $267 billion in Chinese goods coming to the United States. And Saturday's truce also contained an ultimatum. The White House made clear that the 10 percent tariffs would still leap up to 25 percent if China doesn't meet US demands in 90 days. These include China stopping a host of trade barriers, intellectual property theft and other actions that Washington say make fair trade impossible. Tough negotiations lie ahead, but Trump was upbeat. "This was an amazing and productive meeting with unlimited possibilities for both the United States and China," he said in a statement. - Steaks and high stakes - The meeting -- featuring a menu of sirloin steak, caramel rolled pancakes and Argentine wine -- went on longer than scheduled. And while it may have been tacked on to the end of two days of G20 diplomacy, it was in many ways the main event of the weekend. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was also attending the G20, spoke for many when she urged progress. "We all realize that we are indirectly influenced by the fact that Sino-American economic relations are not running as smoothly as a world order needs," she said. - Personal chemistry factor - On the US side at the dinner, Trump was accompanied by advisers such as Larry Kudlow and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who are widely seen as wanting a deal. But hawkish advisers like Peter Navarro and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer were also present. Trump, as often in his diplomatic dealings, appears to consider his personal chemistry with Xi the most important factor in the success of the negotiations. He has prided himself on building a good relationship with the Chinese leader, even though he acknowledges it may have trouble surviving the growing crisis. At the dinner, Trump said his ties to Xi were "a very primary reason" for considering a deal possible. burs/dma-sst/amz China and the United States agreed to a 90-day ceasefire on new tariffs in their trade war at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, allowing a reprieve after months of threats and stalled talks. The decision for the US to hold off on planned tariff increases on US$200 billion in Chinese goods from 10 to 25 per cent on January 1 came over a grilled steak dinner in Argentina, the first face-to-face meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping since the start of the conflict. Here is a look back at how it all began. The first shots The truce comes almost a year after the two countries began sparring over trade. Trump first slapped 30 per cent tariffs on solar panels and washing machines in February, prompting a complaint to the World Trade Organisation from Beijing. Then in March, the Trump administration imposed steel and aluminium tariffs across the board, including on China, which the Chinese government responded to with tariffs on 128 US products such as wine, fruit, and pork. But the trade war began in earnest in July with the US levying its first round of punitive tariffs, triggered by an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act into Chinese trade and intellectual property practices. Xi Jinping and Donald Trump agree to trade truce, no additional tariffs, China state media says Washingtons duties on US$34 billion in Chinese products was quickly matched by Beijing. The US imposed tariffs on another US$16 billion in August again matched by China and then US$200 billion in September. Beijing responded to the third round by targeting US$60 billion in US goods. Beijings US$110 billion total targeted industries that analysts said were aimed at Trumps political base, including a particularly stinging 25 per cent duty on American soybeans. While business leaders in both countries called for a resolution, a series of trade talks including low-level discussions in Washington in late August failed to yield a breakthrough. Story continues After the Chinese side reportedly cancelled scheduled talks in September, US officials signalled that they would not return to the negotiating table without a concrete proposal from Beijing. Then just before the G20 summit, Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He, Xis top economic aide, called off a planned meeting in Washington at the last minute and pinned everything on talks in Buenos Aires. Just how bad has it been? The trade war cast a long shadow over the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Papua New Guinea in November, resulting in the leaders failing for the first time to issue a joint communique. And as the China-US conflict has rolled on, it has spilled over into a broader strategic concern, one some analysts have described as the start of a new cold war. In October, US Vice-President Mike Pence slammed Beijing not only for unfair trade practices, but for militarisation of the energy-rich South China Sea, domestic repression including massive state imprisonment of ethnic Uygurs in Xinjiang, and expanded global influence through debt diplomacy. Without offering evidence, Trump also accused China of meddling in US elections ahead of the November midterms. Chinas truce deal includes offer to buy more US natural gas, improve IPR protection, source says As tensions escalated, Washington tightened export restrictions on strategic industries, sanctioned a key department of the Chinese military for purchases from Russia, and increased visa scrutiny for Chinese academics in the US. Meanwhile, American companies in China have reported increased scrutiny from regulators and delayed approvals for licences. Whats next? Xi and Trump initially appeared to hit things off with reciprocal lavish state visits in Mar-a-Lago in Florida and Beijing, but their apparent honeymoon was short-lived. A 100-day plan that outlined ways for China to open its economy failed to address the Trump administrations fundamental concerns. Those concerns include US complaints about Chinese intellectual property theft and industrial subsidies, centred on Beijings state-backed Made in China 2025 initiative, a programme to turn China into a leader in a range of advanced technologies. Despite the ceasefire, analysts are sceptical that a deal can be reached on the wide range of prickly trade issues. Only days before the G20 summit, Trump told The Wall Street Journal that it was highly unlikely he would delay the January 1 tariff increases, insisting that the brunt of the existing tariffs were being borne by China. He also said the US was ready to levy tariffs on the remaining US$267 billion in Chinese imports, including consumer goods such as Apple products. The White House is insisting on structural reforms to Chinas economy, beyond window-dressing measures to close the trade imbalance, but Xi is unlikely to make major concessions given the inevitable domestic political backlash, analysts say. Both sides got the time out they wanted, to recalibrate their strategies and figur e out what to do next, Patrick Chovanec, managing director and chief strategist at Silvercrest Asset Management, said on Twitter. But the underlying issues some due to Chinas protectionist ideology, some due to Trumps remain unresolved. This article The US-China trade war: from first shots to a truce first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. A detailed schedule of the funeral and memorial services for former President George H.W. Bush has been released and detailed how much of next week will be dedicated to the former commander in chief who died late Friday night aged 94. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania will attend the funeral that will take place at the Washington National Cathedral on Wednesday. First though, Trump announced he will be sending one of the Boeing 747s that serves as Air Force One to Houston to transport Bushs remains to D.C. Lawmakers from both the House and Senate will attend an arrival ceremony that will be held at the U.S. Capitol Monday afternoon. Bushs remains will then lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda and the public will be able to pay its respects from 7:30 p.m. Monday until 7 a.m. Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the funeral at the National Cathedral, which is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, the 41st presidents remains will travel back from Joint Base Andrews military facility in Maryland to Houston, where the former president will lie in repose at St. Martins Episcopal Church. A Second service will take place there on Thursday before Bushs casket will be taken by train to College Station, Texas, where the former president will be interred at the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum on the grounds of Texas A&M University. The former president will be buried alongside his wife Barbara and daughter Robin. Barbara Bush died in April, whereas Robin died in 1953 when she was three. Advertisement Trump declared that Wednesday will be a national day of mourning and he signed an executive order directing federal offices to close on that day as a mark of respect for the former president. Tradition dictates that financial markets also close on national days of mourning. The funeral had already been carefully planned in advanced well before Bushs death. 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, said Major General Michael L. Howard, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region commanding general. When George H.W. Bush, who died Friday at the age of 94, lost his re-election bid against Bill Clinton in 1992, many of his critics blamed the presidents handling of economic issues. He inherited a large budget deficit from the Reagan years, but during the the GOP nominating convention in 1988, he famously promised no new taxes. When, two years later, his budget deal included a raise on taxes for the wealthy to cope with deepening deficits, the conservative wing of his party turned on him. And when the economy succumbed to a recession, much of the rest of the country turned on him, and his popularity plummeted. Some accused him of neglecting domestic issues in order to focus on world affairs, but possibly the most damaging accusation at a time of economic hardship was that Bush couldnt understand the concerns of ordinary Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Tim Naftali wrote in Slate, this impression could be seen in the public uproar over an incident at a checkout counter at a grocers convention in 1992, described this way by the New York Times at the time: He signed his name on an electronic pad used to detect check forgeries. If some guy came in and spelled George Bush differently, could you catch it? the President asked. Yes, he was told, and he shook his head in wonder. Then he grabbed a quart of milk, a light bulb and a bag of candy and ran them over an electronic scanner. The look of wonder flickered across his face again as he saw the item and price registered on the cash register screen. Advertisement The Times described the scene as an illustration of how Bush is having trouble presenting himself to the electorate as a man in touch with middle-class life. In Fridays obituary, the Times again referenced the incident as one critics pointed to to cast him as out of touch with ordinary Americans, with the parenthetical that Bush later insisted he had not been surprised. The incident has become the mockable out-of-touch moment to which all other out-of-touch moments are compared: Mitt Romneys offer to bet Rick Perry $10,000 over healthcare reform at a debate; Rudy Giulianis guess that a gallon of milk costs $1.50; and Trumps assertion you need an ID to buy groceries. Advertisement Advertisement But according to Snopes, the writer of the 1992 article, Andrew Rosenthal, had not been at the convention but instead based his description on a pool report by a journalist from the Houston Chronicle. That reporter wrote that Bush had a look of wonder on his face but did not include the incident in the dispatch he ultimately wrote. Advertisement Soon after the incident, the Associated Press reported that the scanners manufacturer defended the president and said the scanner Bush examined was not a typical grocery model and had the new ability to weigh produce and read torn labels. The Times defended its original article by reviewing a video of the event and claiming it showed that while he was shown new and old scanners, he was clearly impressed by the old ones as well, according to Snopes. Its not abundantly clear from the video, and other publications disagreed with the papers interpretation of the incident. Advertisement But even if the infamous grocery scanner incident is false, Bushs critics wouldnt have had to look far for material to depict him as an out-of-touch elite. While all presidents have people shop and cook and otherwise wait on them, and most come from privileged backgrounds, Bush was born into a particularly wealthy family. George H.W. Bushs father was a Wall Street banker and two-term Senator, and the children spent the Depression years with maids, a cook, and a driver. They summered in Maine, and Bush attended a private academy for high school and Yale for college. It seems likely that, at a time when a public was suffering under economic hardship, critics would have found something to peg their grievances to. There have been other incidents that rightfully invited criticism beyond George H.W. Bushs policyracial dog whistles in his campaign and allegations of inappropriate touching later in his life, for example. But given how dubious the grocery scanner story is, it might be best to give it a miss while reviewing the notable moments of the 41st presidency. Former FBI Director James Comey confirmed on Twitter that he will testify privately with House Republicans and has dropped a legal challenge that was part of an effort to make sure any hearing would be public. Comey said he agreed to drop the legal challenge after Republican lawmakers agreed he could talk about his testimony freely and would be handed a transcript of the exchange within 24 hours. Grateful for a fair hearing from judge. Hard to protect my rights without being in contempt, which I dont believe in, Comey wrote on Twitter. So will sit in the dark, but Republicans agree Im free to talk when done and transcript released in 24 hours. This is the closest I can get to public testimony. Advertisement Grateful for a fair hearing from judge. Hard to protect my rights without being in contempt, which I dont believe in. So will sit in the dark, but Republicans agree Im free to talk when done and transcript released in 24 hours. This is the closest I can get to public testimony. James Comey (@Comey) December 2, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Comey had filed a lawsuit in an effort to block the subpoena to testify about the FBIs investigations ahead of the 2016 presidential election. But now that an agreement has ben reached, Comey said he would withdraw his lawsuit and the House Judiciary Committee would quash its subpoena. Advertisement The hearing is part of an effort by Republicans to take one last stab at questioning Comey and former Attorney General Loretta Lynch on how they handled the investigation into Hillary Clintons email server as well as a probe into Russian interference in the election before theyre forced to turn control of the House over to Democrats. Comey had said since he was called to testify that he would want to do so publicly. But in the last week House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican, made clear Republicans had agreed to release the transcript of his testimony. I have just offered to Director Comey that the Committees will publicly release the transcript of his testimony following the interview for our investigation, Goodlatte wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. This ensures both transparency and access for the American people to all the facts. Advertisement Astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson has disputed the allegations of sexual misconduct that were made public by three women. The famous scientist defended himself in a lengthy Facebook post shortly after Fox and the producers of the television series Cosmos said they had opened investigations into the claims that were first published by the website Patheos. The American Museum of Natural History in New York, where Tyson directs the Hayden Planetarium, also said it was looking into the claims. Advertisement In the Facebook post that Tyson published under the headline On Being Accused, the astrophysicist went through each of the accusations, noting that two of them were nothing but friendly gestures while he suggested that a thirdand the most seriousallegation never took place. Katelyn N. Allers, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, told Patheos that she felt uncomfortable with he way Tyson grabbed her and looked into her dress when he realized she had a tattoo of the solar system. Allers said Tyson became obsessed with whether her tattoo included Pluto. He looked for Pluto, and followed the tattoo into my dress, she said, noting that the action made her feel uncomfortable. Tyson said that he was interested in the Pluto question since it had just been declared it was not a planet and insists he had no idea Allers had been uncomfortable. That was never my intent and Im deeply sorry to have made her feel that way, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another woman, Ashley Watson, said she quit her job as Tysons assistant after he made her feel uncomfortable with sexually suggestive advances. At one point that included Tyson showing her what he described as a Native American handshake. That involved holding hands, making eye contact and feeling the other persons pulse. After she broke it off, he said he wanted to hug her but said it was better not to because otherwise hed just want more. Tyson denies there was anything sexual about the encounter and said that when Watson told him she felt uncomfortable he apologized profusely. The third allegation had been made before as Tchiya Amet El Maat has publicly accused Tyson of raping her in 1984. She claims this took place when they were graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin. Tyson never refers to any of the accusers by name but it seems pretty clear this is the case he writes about when he mentions he had been intimate only a few times with his accuser during his time as an astrophysics graduate school. Tyson points out that the allegation was only made after his visibility-level took another jump. Accusations can damage a reputation and a marriage. Sometimes irreversibly. I see myself as loving husband and as a public servanta scientist and educator who serves at the will of the public, he wrote. Tyson also recognized, however, that people have no reason to believe his version of events. Im the accused, so why believe anything I say? Why believe me at all? Tyson wrote, before saying that this demonstrates the value of an independent investigation. At some point in the future, we will perhaps look back at this week as the week that brought a time switch in the Mueller probe. This was the week in which we learned that a lot of what had been reported as speculative, or reported but not taken seriously, or reported but forgotten, now maps onto real facts. This was the week that Trump confederates were shown to be liars or admitted to being liars. The presidents former lawyer has now established that he was lying to Congress to protect the president. The president, or Individual 1 as hes now described in legal filings, himself is now certainly a subject of great interest to federal investigators. Advertisement There are many things we do not know. But it is worth recognizing that we have gone from a state of being in which Trump and his campaign were lying about Russia if certain things were shown to be true, to a state of being in which the president and his campaign were simply lying about Russia. Is that in and of itself illegal? No. But whatever it is, this is not a witch hunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, its clearer than ever that, in addition to an ongoing obstruction investigation, Mueller is now setting down markers around which of Trumps advisers and associates and family were involved in Russian entanglements that may have compromised them and with efforts to cover those entanglements up. As former federal prosecutor Ken White put it in the Atlantic: Advertisement The president of the United States personal lawyer admitted to lying to Congress about the presidents business activities with a hostile foreign power, in order to support the presidents story. In any rational era, that would be earthshaking. Now its barely a blip. The blip-y nature of this news is understandable. For one thing, this all took place on a news week that included the G-20, George H.W. Bush, tear gas at the border, red Christmas trees, and several natural disasters. For another, its frankly easy to become lost in this maze of Mueller news, to slide into a googley-eyed trance simply trying to parse the Manafort-Trump-Mueller-Assange-Corsi-StoneDon Jr. Putin-Flynn- Cohen-Sater-IvankaErik PrinceDeutsche Bank Mad Libs on TV chyrons.* Even Oceans Twelve didnt have this many characters. In the absence of a mile-high whiteboard or pocket Collusion flashcards, it feels hard to get your bearings. Thats to be expectedPaul Waldman had a smart piece this week in which he reminded readers that actual criminal conspiracies tend not to take place via elegantly dressed criminals laying out the details of the crime in crisp declarative sentences: Advertisement Advertisement The Hollywood version of a conspiracy involves careful planning, skilled operatives, multiple moving parts coming together with uncanny efficiency and usually a scene in which everyone involved gets together so the leader can say, Okay, heres the plan, which he then runs through so everyone understands how the whole thing will go down. Advertisement Were not going to get our explanatory scene in the real world. Were learning about the case in real time, not reconstructing something in reverse. Sometimes a criminal conspiracy looks more like a sweating blob of rugby players than a well-orchestrated pairs skate. But whats important to process this weekin addition to the fact that the president and those around him are starting to sound panickyis that we can say with certainty that Mueller is building a slow, well-supported, public case for wrongdoing that was covered up with public lying and lies told under oath. Its still unclear if any of these acts will prove criminal, and it is unclear what happens if they do. But thats whats happening. Advertisement It is worth recognizing that at the same rate that Bob Mueller is amassing a mountain of provable factual evidence, the president is continuing to construct his national political movement based on the principle that reality should mostly be a choose-your-own-ending kind of enterprisesee this weeks dismissal of his own governments game-changing climate report. His response to the Cohen news was equally predictablehoax, witch hunt, he just lightly looked at doing a building somewhere in Russia, all very cool and very legal. But as Democrats take control of key committees in Congress in a few weeks, it will prove harder and harder to claim that the witness testimony, and facts, and evidence that the public will see with their own eyes is actually a grand-scale Deep State conspiracy. That is all about to happen, and as this weeks deluge demonstrated, it is likely to happen at a pace that will be challenging for many of us to keep up with. Advertisement Advertisement There is no doubting that for millions of Americans, nothing Robert Mueller ever reveals will ever dislodge anything. But even without the delicious caper-movie master-plan reveal scene, it is becoming clear that Muellers investigators have been and are building to something that cannot be easily discounted. You can decide for yourself if all this is the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning or merely the middle of forever. But what it is not is the endthank you Sen. John Thuneor even the middle of the end. For anyone who still allows the facts to determine outcomes, even through the confusion and the hectic pace, this was the week it got real. It was a tough homecoming for French President Emmanuel Macron. As soon as he stepped off the plane from the Group of 20 summit, he found himself in the middle of a political crisis following the worst riots to hit Paris since 1968. More than 400 people were arrested and more than 260 injured nationwide Saturday as thousands of police officers tried to quell protesters that burned cars, looted stores, and smashed windows. The protesters also spray-painted some of the most iconic monuments in Paris, including the Arc de Triomphe. Ive worked on monuments around Paris for 20 years and Ive never seen anything like this at the Arc de Triomphe. It was carnage, a Paris City Hall official overseeing the cleanup said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The growth in the so-called yellow-vest protests appears to have caught Macrons administration off guard as a movement that began against fuel taxes has grown into a broader anti-government movement. The president has called on his prime minister to hold talks with representatives of the protesters while emphasizing that the violent few do not represent the majority of citizens. It is far from clear who actually represents what has been described as a largely leaderless movement, but a meeting is expected as early as Monday. An earlier effort to meet with representatives of the movement collapsed when eight self-declared spokespeople were threatened by others who insisted they didnt represent the demonstrators as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Macron visited some of the areas that were worst-hit by the riots, and he was met by both boos and cheers. Although the most spectacular violence took place in Paris, the protests Saturday demonstrated how the yellow vests have truly become a national movement. Overall more than 130,000 people took part in demonstrations across France, according to the Guardian. Its difficult to reach the end of the month. People work and pay a lot of taxes and we are fed up, one protester told the Associated Press. Macron said that while he was willing to listen to the demonstrators, he would not tolerate violence which officials are blaming on infiltrators. Advertisement Contemporary music is finding its audience in Slovakia. News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled When prominent Slovak contemporary musician Daniel Matej was going to turn 50 back in 2013, his colleague musician Ivan Siller got the idea for a special present. He addressed Matejs friends and colleagues and asked them to compose short pieces dedicated to Matej on the occasion of his birthday. The result is a colourful collection of contemporary music. He not only premiered, in cooperation with Fero Kiraly the collection, simply called Fifty, in 2014, but earlier in 2018 released it on CD. It was one of the greatest, most beautiful and most delightful surprises of my life, Matej writes in the booklet of the CD. How it began Siller was inspired from Matej himself, since he had already initiated similar collections during the Evenings of New Music festival. One was dedicated to Erik Satie, another to Johann Sebastian Bach and the other to Charles Ives and Arnold Schonberg. video //www.youtube.com/embed/MGq5ebU9D_g It seems to me that a collection of compositions from people, with whom he has cooperated, would be a good birthday present, Siller told The Slovak Spectator. The assignment was very open without any topic or musical theme. The musicians were only asked to compose a piece as long as 50 seconds or one-page long. The musicians approached the assignment in various ways, sending mostly one to three-page compositions. As a whole, the CD is a personal account by people, who know or cooperate with Daniel, said Siller. Out of almost 30 compositions, it was the pieces by Peter Graham, Piet-Jan Von Rossum and Fero Kiraly that appealed to Siller right away. But he gradually found his way to all of the compositions. The collection shows how many different styles and how many different means of expression contemporary music has today, said Siller, adding that there are romantic pieces, compositions using the classical tonal language as well as experimental compositions using birdsong and strong beats on a piano. Promoting contemporary music Siller himself is a great promoter of contemporary music, which is - based on musicological terminology - music not older than 30 years. He heads the Slovak section of the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) and is a member of the Ensemble Ricercata, Cluster Ensemble and VENI ensemble, playing 20th century as well as contemporary music. Music will never cease to exist; composers will continue to compose, said Siller. He is against creating a kind of contemporary music when only some pieces are played for a selected audience during festivals. Read also: Read also: Fascinated by Glass hypnotic music Read more While still many Slovaks prefer listening to traditional classical music, the interest of the local audience in contemporary music is slowly, but gradually growing, according to Siller. Richard Moreau trainee Isitfridayyet picked up his first Preferred victory in the $34,000 feature at Woodbine Mohawk Park Saturday, Dec. 1. A field of eight older pacers battled over a "sloppy" track for this weeks edition of the Preferred. The early scramble saw Regal Son clear to the top shortly after posting a :27 opening quarter. Physicallyinclined, who left from the rail, was on the move from third at the first quarter and rushed up to take the lead well before reaching the half in :56.3. Isitfridayyet and driver Louis-Philippe Roy got away sixth from post eight. The eventual winner angled out at the half and was situated third over and a little more than four lengths from the lead turning for home. Physicallyinclined continued to lead at three-quarters in 1:25.4 as four others ranged within a length of the lead coming to the wire. Isitfridayyet powered off cover and charged by on the outside to win by a length and a half in 1:53.2. Regal Son came up the inside from the two-hole to finish second, while Rockin In Heaven came from second-over to grab third. Physicallyinclined gave up the lead in the lane but battled to finish fourth. A five-year-old gelding, Isitfridayyet has gone from competing as a $15,000 claimer at Western Fair in January to winning the top-class at Mohawk Park in December. His five-year-old record now sits at 11 wins and $134,830 earned in 23 starts. Isitfridayyet joined the Moreau barn in late-February and is owned by Leonard Rosene of London, Ontario. The Preferred victory increases his career numbers to 20 wins and $176,374 earned. He paid $5.70 to win. Live racing resumes Monday, Dec. 3 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7:10 p.m. (With files from Woodbine Mohawk Park) To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. Israeli airstrikes, a Syrian refugee assaulted in Britain, protests in northern Syria and a high civilian death told in November. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend. 1. On Thursday, Israeli jets bombed several areas near the Syrian capital Damascus as well as in the countrys south, in its first reported strikes in the country since September. For an hour, Israeli forces bombarded positions in the southern and southwestern suburbs of Damascus as well as in the south of Syria, on the border of Quneitra province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Earlier, Syrian state media reported that a number of hostile targets close to the capital Damascus were downed by air defenses. 2. Al-Araby al-Jadeed reported that the family of a young Syrian refugee who was assaulted at his school, and seen in a widely-shared video, said they are considering suing far-right figure Tommy Robinson after he claimed their son had been involved in attacking a girl. Video footage of the attack on 15-year-old Jamal, a Syrian refugee from Homs, went viral on Wednesday, prompting outrage online and an outpouring of support for the teenager. In a video rant, Robinson, who founded the far-right group English Defence League (EDL), took to Twitter to discredit Jamal, accusing him of attacking young English girls in his school. Police said they were investigating the attack on Jamal as a racially-aggravated assault and had questioned a 16-year-old boy over the footage. The suspected attackers Facebook page features posts expressing support for Robinson, a notorious anti-Islam activist. 3. On Thursday, two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on a clearly marked convoy, about 50 kilometers from where the US-led coalition and local Syrian fighters are battling the last pocket of Islamic State (ISIS) extremists in the country. The convoy, Asharq al-Awsat reported, was to assess dire humanitarian conditions in the area due to the escalation in fighting. US-backed forces said Friday they had captured an ISIS leader in eastern Syria where the Kurdish-led fighters have been battling the extremists. 4. People from rebel-held areas in northern Syria came out onto the streets to rally against the regime, in spite of a fragile buffer zone deal and the heavy bombardment, Zaman Al Wasl reported. As with every Friday for the past 14 weeks, demonstrators held up the three-star flag of the Syrian revolution and placards recalling the first days of the Syrian revolution in 2011, saying their goal is the toppling of the Assad regime, chanting The people want the fall of the [Assad] regime. A remarkable demonstration took place in the famed village of Kafranbel, where two of its prominent activists and citizen journalists, Raed al-Fares and Hammoud Janeed, were killed by Hayyat Tahrir al-Sham militants last Friday. The group, formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, is the dominant force in Idleb, and has killed most of its opponents, including citizen journalists and human rights advocates. 5. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said 89 children and 31 women were among those killed in the previous month. The rights group said 79 civilians were killed in airstrikes carried out by the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) and 72 others by Syrian regime forces. The YPG/PKK was responsible for the deaths of 11 civilians last month, while 19 others were killed by ISIS terrorists. Three civilians were killed by armed opposition groups in Syria last month, while 47 others were killed by unidentified groups. A total of 6,626 civilians have been killed in Syria since the start of this year. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Elderly woman died after being hit by teargas shell Srinagar, December 02: J&K Police booked an assistant professor, a journalist and a lawyer in Kulgam on the charges of being involved in separatist activities, rumour mongering and sharing anti-India posts on social networking sites. The professor was booked for posting a video about a school shutting down because of an Indian forces camp coming up nearby, a journalist for posing in a Whatsapp group news of a womans death due to forces teargas firing on people and a lawyer for uploading something critical of the Indian authorities on Facebook. The Assistant Professor, Dr Abdul Bari Naik, a doctorate from Aligarh Muslim University, teaches at Kulgam Degree College. He told media that he was being punished for his social work. I have been vocal about several social issues, said Bari. He said he recently posted a video about the closure of a school in the vicinity of a newly established forces camp in Redweni, Kulgam district. The school had remained closed for over a month because people in the area were protesting against the establishment of the camp. In the video I suggested that either the camp be removed or the school, Bari added. The district administration Kulgam sent a letter to the Principal of the college seeking a report on Bari for what it said violating the Civil Service Rules (CSR). The principal, in his reply suggested that Bari was an exceptional teacher and very popular among the students and had never been found involved in any activity detrimental to the college discipline. Despite the clean chit from the college authorities, Bari said, he was booked under a flimsy FIR by the police. A senior police officer confirmed that an FIR has been lodged against Bari for separatist activities. Journalist Abdul Hameed, who works for a local news channel, has also been booked by the Kulgam police, after he posted a news item in a Whatsapp group about the death of a local woman as a result of teargas shelling by Indian troops. Hameed said that he posted in the group that police had used teargas shells on the funeral procession of 13-year-old Uzair in the main market of Kulgam, and the woman was injured and later succumbed to her injuries. It is a group to seek confirmation from police officials. As the police officials had suggested something (a version of events), I also put there a piece of information, which is properly backed by a video byte from the family of the woman. I cant understand why I should be booked for that, Hameed told media. A police officer while confirming the FIR against the journalist said that Hameed had been booked for rumour mongering. The same officer also confirmed that a lawyer named Muzammil Butt had been booked for sharing anti-government posts on Facebook. However, details of the posts could not be ascertained. (agencies) "Leiwe Kleeschen, gudde Kleeschen Breng eis Saachen, allerhand, Fir ze kucken, fir ze schmaachen, Aus dem scheinen Himmelsland." If you've lived in Luxembourg for a while, you'll know the song. If you're new, you might be a bit confused. Is this an early Christmas celebration? Let's get the obvious question out of the way: Is Kleeschen Santa Claus? Not exactly! Kleeschen refers to the figure Saint Nicholas of Myra. 6 December is St Nicholas' Day and is celebrated in several countries - including all Benelux countries, parts of France, and parts of Germany. In the Netherlands, the figure is referred to as Sinterklaas (the Luxembourgish equivalent for this is Zinniklos, but most people call him Kleeschen). Sinterklaas is actually a primary source of inspiration for the North American Santa Claus figure that we know around the globe today, but Luxembourgers predominantly focus on their own Kleeschen. So how do Luxembourgers celebrate Kleeschen? Tradition dictates that Kleeschen would go through villages and ask if the kids had behaved themselves during the year. If yes, he would put presents in their shoes/plates/whatever they put out by the door, but if nothis companion Houseker would give them a stick! Similarly to advent calendars, there is a build up to Kleeschen. In the week/two weeks before Kleeschen (at your discretion as a parent), kids lay their shoes out in a row. If they behaved themselves, theyll wake up the next morning to find chocolate or some other treat in their shoes. If they didnt behave themselves, they may find a stick courtesy of Kleeschens companion, Houseker. The amount of sticks depends on the severity of the childs misbehaviour. On the one hand, its a fun and exciting build-up to the festive season, but on the other hand a great way for parents to urge their kids to behave. [Fun anecdote: My parents moved to Luxembourg when my sister was very young. Unaware of Kleeschen and its traditions, my parents did not set out any chocolates or the like in my sister's shoes. One day, she came home from school and tearfully asked whether Kleeschen disliked her, as she hadn't received anything in her shoes. My parents were understandably confused and asked the neighbours what she was referring to. And then of course made up an excuse, saying that Kleeschen got lost!] Kleeschen comes either the evening of the 5th or day of the 6th. As a child in public primary school, Kleeschen is an extra exciting day: You get the day off school! Sadly, the same doesnt apply for secondary schools, although those in their final year tend to celebrate the day regardless. Some secondary schools have had to implement strict measures for Kleeschen due to final years getting a bit raucous. Lets just say, there have been many occasions where Samu (emergency services) have had to make a trip to various Luxembourgish secondary schools. Okay, I guess it's time to stock up on sticks. Are there any official celebrations as well? Indeed. Many municipalities organise their own Kleeschen processions near the date of 6 December. Usually, Kleeschen goes to the local school and kids queue up for a treat. Luxembourgish supermarkets (i.e. Cactus, Cora, Delhaize,...) also organise their own Kleeschen events ahead of the holiday, in which kids can queue up to get a Tiitchen, which is a bag filled with treats. Of course, there's no such thing as a free lunch (or bag of sweets), and kids usually have to sing the Kleeschen song, which you can listen to below. If you don't speak Luxembourgish, you can find a nifty translation of the song here. Always good to know what you're singing. Do shops sell any specific seasonal goodies for Kleeschen? Yes indeed! Shops sell the chocolate figurines of St Nicholas wrapped in foil, but you also see some Dutch treats as well, especially in Hema. The Dutch traditions include biscuits, yellow and pink sweets, and chocolate letters! Tell me more about this Houseker guy. Is he like Zwarte Piet? Houseker fulfils the same function as Zwarte Piet, but does not exactly look the same. Houseker is meant to be the same intimidating companion who gives children sticks if they misbehave. Usually dressed in black robes, Houseker has a large bushy beard and, often, his face is painted black. AFP describes Zwarte Piet as "usually performed by an adult with a blacked-up face, wearing an afro wig, earrings, gaudy costume and red lips -- a costume that has increasingly come under fire for being a racist stereotype." An example of Zwarte Piet, as compared with Houseker in one of this article's earlier photos. The two figures are not identical, particularly as in legend, Zwarte Piet is an African slave freed by Kleeschen. According to the Luxembourgish historian Alain Atten, Houseker's name originates from the Peasants' War of 1798 (Kleppelkrich ), when the peasants had their headquarters in Housen. This means Houseker was a man from Housen who supported the peasants in the war. Indeed, Houseker's apparel is reminiscent of that of a peasant at the time. There isn't much more specific information as to the origins of Houseker, but the black face is still problematic. Is the character blacking up to mimic the skin colour of someone black? Or, is it, as others suggest, soot? The Luxembourgish case is a bit more ambiguous than the Dutch one, but the idea of having a "bogeyman" dressed up as a black person is one that causes some discomfort. However, it isn't the purpose of this article to debate the topic - it's just a part of the Kleeschen tradition that is worth being aware of. If the figure isn't rooted in racial dynamics, I think it would be easier to just forego the black face paint and allow the beard and cloak to depict the character. Interesting.... Anything else worth knowing? I think that's it, but if not please let us know in the comments. Whilst this has highlighted the racial complexities surrounding the Houseker/Zwarte Piet figure, I hope this has also been a useful insight to a Luxembourgish holiday that amps up the festive season! A check for change Why do we need reform in election laws? School Sector Development Programme: Education Ministry to set up mechanism for accountability The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has decided to set up a separate mechanism for local governments to report about expenditure of the education budget allocated to them. Your browser does not support the audio element. Its the poor cousin to almost every other issue in rural Vietnamese education. On November 30th, Lifestart Foundation, an NGO that operates in central Vietnam, donated 28 computers to Dung Si Dien Ngoc Secondary School and Tran Cao Van Secondary School, both in Dien Ban Town in Quang Nam Province, using a 25,000-dollar grant provided by the New Zealand Embassy in Hanoi. Lifestart Foundation, which has worked in Vietnam for nearly two decades, focuses on support for talented and high-achieving students from poor or disadvantaged backgrounds with scholarships, materials and improving domestic living conditions for their families as well. As Karen Leonard, founder and director of Lifestart, described the idea on its website, We are committed to breaking the poverty cycle of Central Vietnam's brightest scholars via education. A teacher and students try out their new computer room at Dung Si Den Ngoc Secondary School in Dien Ban Town, Quang Nam Province. Leonard went on to say, Students in the countryside usually come from poor families rice farmers mostly. They do not have access to technology like their counterparts in the cities. IT skill and knowledge is a necessary and vital part of learning and will enable them to compete on an equal playing field. The donation does not include training. The schools have an IT teacher albeit under-resourced. Rural schools are poorly resourced. Computers are expensive. Even with what we are donating each computer will be shared between 2-3 students at the same time! The libraries have few books so computers are a luxury. So what did I mean by poor cousin to every other issue at the top of the article? Live in the bigger cities with a reasonable income and its likely that the better funded schools would have computers. We all know that yet rural education is plagued by other considerations such as safe ways to get to schools (bridges), schools in the mountains that dont even have brick walls or enough funding for the basics of school materials and so on. Computers would be very far down the list of whats needed now. Students and staff at Tran Cao Van Secondary School Dien Ban are very happy with their new computer room. I dont mean this as a criticism of Lifestarts good work. I also dont mean this as a reflection on local efforts to improve conditions in educational situations. Yet it is an important part of the nations need to develop a workforce that can take advantage of the opportunities and vast changes coming to Vietnam as it modernizes its economy. There are a number of things I can point out. A cheap labor force is attractive for some businesses that involve a lot of manual handling such as shoes and clothes manufacturing but already many of these businesses will automate a large part of this work within the next decade, leaving staff out of a job unless they can retrain and some awareness of computing will give staff the opportunity in seeking work. Another trend is Vietnams expanding use of online services for government administration, both to the public and in-house. Again, computer training plays a big part in this. Giving rural students more access to this will hopefully narrow the skill gap between urban and rural competitors for work and just as importantly, higher education. Students and teachers use donated computers at Tran Cao Van Secondary School in Dien Ban Town, Quang Nam Province. For rural students, scholarships to enter university are just the tip of the iceberg. In Da Nang, for example, almost every higher learning institution posts admission applications, courses, homework, administrative procedures and much more online these days. And all that goes back to the beginning; learning to use computers in school. It has now become almost the necessity (not the luxury) of getting a computer for home or a laptop for study. So the idea of its a luxury item is not really that accurate these days. There are other issues of course, particularly training and support for IT teachers outside the urban environment. Another is the ongoing costs of Internet connection and technical support. One interesting innovation is online classes with advanced teachers shared with poorer schools via the net. Its one way of reducing costs and giving wider access to knowledge across the nation. This, of course, is out of our hands, its up to the national government to consider greater investments in education. Anyway, congratulations to the kids of the schools and Lifestart Foundation for such a project and heres hoping that they all get into higher education! Your browser does not support the audio element. A man in Vietnams Mekong Delta took it upon himself to quit his high-paying job and opened a budget-meal vegetarian restaurant for low-income people much to his familys objection. Many people, especially poor laborers, admired the decision and public-spirited act of Vo Van Tam, who gave up a job that provided him with almost VND20 million (US$860) monthly, a decent salary by local standards. He is now running a restaurant offering meals at just VND1,000 (four U.S. cents) each. The 36-year-olds establishment, converted from a coffee shop, lies opposite an industrial park in Lai Vung District of Dong Thap Province, so that factory workers can conveniently frequent it. Tam is serving the dual role of a manager and head cook and employing cooks from Ho Chi Minh City, over 140 kilometers away, as the facility has been understaffed for over a week. They began working in the kitchen at 2:00 am every day. The motivation behind Tams choice is a mixture of role model influence and empathy. When I knew that charitable restaurants had emerged everywhere, I told myself to set up an eatery for poor factory laborers, Tam said. I used to live in a poor family and worked as a manager. Thats why I know people who worry about making a living every day really need budget meals. Tam spent nearly VND80 million ($3,440) out of his own pocket on opening the restaurant and now pays VND3 million ($129) in monthly rental, alongside a daily overhead cost of about VND2 million ($86). The restaurant serves poor people. Any calculation will lower the value of charity efforts, he said. Ill try to maintain the service and only stop when I dont have enough money for that. He intends VND1,000 only as a token charge because he fears free servings may hurt customers self-esteem. But he requires respect for the diners from his employees. Although this is a VND1,000 eatery, I always ask the staff to show enthusiasm and treat patrons as their family members, he said. A VND1,000 serving doesnt mean customer service is worth only VND1,000. He places a donation box right in the middle of the eatery to collect contributions to help the poverty-stricken people. A local factory laborer, Doan Van Nhan, who has been a frequent patron of the restaurant since it was opened, said it sold delicious food and he was very satisfied with the staffs attitude. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The flight crew of an aircraft whose nose wheels fell off moments before it landed in Vietnams Central Highlands on Thursday night has been suspended from work to assist an investigation into the cause of the serious incident. Dinh Viet Thang, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), confirmed on Saturday that the agency had imposed the suspension upon the aircrew of flight VJ365 operated by low-cost carrier Vietjet on November 29. The crew includes the pilots, flight attendants, as well as other aviation personnel whose service was required for the operation of the flight. The captain of the flight was Ramon Alexander Carag Avila, who is from the Philippines, while the first officer was Raul Vidal Alves, a Spanish national, according to a source close to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Investigators from the CAAV have retrieved the black box and other documents relating to the flight for their probe. Flight VJ365, carrying 207 passengers, arrived at Buon Ma Thuot Airport, located in the namesake city, from Ho Chi Minh City at 11:03 pm that day. Both wheels of the nose landing gear of the aircraft flew off during landing, but the plane managed to safely stop on the runway. The flight crew deployed emergency procedures and evacuated passengers in accordance with protocols. A representative from Vietjet said on Friday morning that all 207 passengers safely exited the aircraft. Six people were slightly affected and immediately taken to the hospital for health checks. All of them were later discharged in stable health conditions. The flight was operated by the Airbus A321 aircraft coded VN-653, which was delivered over two weeks ago, according to the carrier. Buon Ma Thuot Airport resumed regular operations after the plane was towed to a hangar at 12:00 pm on Friday and the damaged runway was fixed. Authorities also located one of the missing wheels still in one piece, while the remaining wheel was found with only its rim as the tire had apparently fallen off. Thang, the CAAV head, previously stated that technical factors had been ruled out as the plane did not encounter any technical problem. The plane was in good condition prior to landing. Weather conditions were also favorable, with 10km visibility, he elaborated. The pilots didnt request ground support before landing. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Here are todays leading news stories: Politics -- Vietnam always wants to strengthen and develop the traditional friendship with North Korea, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said during his reception of North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho in Hanoi on Saturday. Society -- The border guard offices and Red Cross Societies in Ho Chi Minh City and the south-central province of Khanh Hoa have offered support worth VND500 million (US$21,365) to flood victims in Nha Trang, a beach city in Khanh Hoa, after Storm Asugi hit the region last Sunday. -- Police in Hoc Mon District, Ho Chi Minh City confirmed on Saturday they had apprehended a 28-year-old man for allegedly beating to death an officer on the afternoon of the same day. -- The aircrew of flight VJ356, operated by budget carrier Vietjet, has been suspended from work to assist an investigation into a serious incident in which the nose wheels of the aircraft fell off minutes before it landed in the Central Highlands city of Buon Ma Thuot on Thursday night. -- More than 8,000 new HIV cases are confirmed in Vietnam every year, Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said at a national meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday marking the World AIDS Day. -- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has recently urged the municipal administration to initiate a project on ring road No. 3, which is expected to cost VND19.8 trillion ($845.3 million). -- Officers in the southern province of Dong Nai said on Saturday they were looking into a case where a 50-year-old female middle school teacher was seriously injured after a strange man threw a rock at her face on Friday afternoon. -- Police in the southern province of Binh Duong are investigating the cause of the death of a 38-year-old man whose burned body was found in front of his house on Saturday morning. -- Facebook users in Vietnam were once again infuriated on Saturday after another monkey was filmed being killed in a live-streamed video uploaded to the personal account of a man who is believed to reside in the north-central province of Ha Tinh. Business -- More than 1,000 young people attended a startup and innovation fair in the central city of Da Nang on Saturday, which featured about 30 youth startup products, models, and ideas. Sports -- Vietnam will take on the Philippines in the semifinal first leg of the 2018 AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Championship in the Filipino city of Bacolod at 6:30 pm on Sunday. The game will be broadcast live on VTV6 Channel. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Tika R Pradhan is a senior political correspondent for the Post, covering politics, parliament, judiciary and social affairs. Pradhan joined the Post in 2016 after working at The Himalayan Times for more than a decade. Around 3,000-4,000 Vietnamese die from HIV and over 8,000 new cases of HIV infection are found every year, Vietnams top healthcare official said at an event in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday. Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien unveiled the figures in her address on the opening day of a campaign against the infection, which was also World AIDS Day, observed internationally on December 1 every year. At least 50,000 Vietnamese are unwittingly living with HIV, one of the leading causes of death in a country of 96 million people, Tien said. Vietnam has effectively provided HIV-prevention interventions and healthcare to those contracting the human immunodeficiency virus, and deployed the worlds tried-and-tested measures in battling its spread. But the country has lacked HIV prevention investment and had modest preventive coverage nationwide so far, Tien pointed out. Government efforts to tame the infection have been hindered by an increasing number of people contracting HIV via unprotected sexual intercourse. The situation was compounded as the rates of HIV infection amongst drug addicts and men who have sex with men tended to be on the rise again, the minister said, adding that discrimination against HIV-infected people is still common. Vietnam is the first nation in the Asia-Pacific region to commit itself to the 90-90-90 targets launched globally by the UN in 2014. The ambitious program aims to create a world where by 2020, 90 percent of people living with HIV will know their HIV status, 90 percent of people diagnosed with HIV will receive sustained antiretroviral treatment and 90 percent of people on the treatment will have viral suppression. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Actress Judy McBurney, best known for The Young Doctors and Prisoner, has died aged 70. She died following a four-year battle with cancer on Friday. Following an early career in modelling, McBurney (pictured right) moved into acting with appearances She played Nurse Tania Livingstone for five years on The Young Doctors marrying Dr. Tony Garcia (played by the late Tony Alvarez). Their wedding made them one of Australias most popular TV couples, with fans showering them with wedding presents. In 1983, McBurney she joined Prisoner as Pixie Mason playing the role for two years. Character traits such as Pixies make-up, pink clothes, hair-ribbons, and the pink items in her cell, as well Womens Weekly magazines and photos of Princess Diana on the walls, were all her idea. Other credits included in Catwalk, Barrier Reef, Seven Little Australians, Behind The Legend, The Box, Homicide, Bluey, Bellbird, Number 96, A Country Practice, Always Greener and Home and Away. Although she retired from acting, she continued to teach acting and modelling. Source: TelevisionAU, JudyMcBurney.com, Facebook Mexico City is a vast metropolis with art galleries and other "normal" attractions to explore including Templo Mayor, an Aztec temple dating back to the 13th century and the Palacio Nacional, which exhibits the work of artist Diego Rivera, Here we look at the more unusual side of the capital of Mexico, including an eerie island with hundreds of dolls hanging in the trees, a market selling items relating to mysticism and witchcraft, a museum of mummies, another with vintage toys and a dilapidated former luxury hotel. 1 La Isla de las Munecas (Island of the Dolls) - Parque Ecologico De Xochimilc, Mexico City, Mexico Don Julian Santana left his family and moved to this island in the Teshuila Lake 50 years ago. Legend said a young girl had drowned in the lake, so Santana dedicated his life to honouring her soul with a collection of dolls. It is now an eerie place to visit, with hundreds of dolls found in the rubbish near his home and hanging in the trees in an eerie tableau. Santana also decorated his cabin with dolls, wearing sunglasses, head dresses and other fashion. Chucky, anyone? 2 Mercado de Sonora - Fray Servando Teresa de Mier 419, Merced Balbuena, Mexico City The esoteric Sonora Market has something for everyone who believes in magic (black or white), natural healing and mysticism. As noted by Broadly, vendors offer items like a holy water spray, ritual pamphlets, a magic soap, animals, vegetables and fruits. 3 The Mummies at Museo de El Carmen - Av Revolucion S/N, Alvaro Obregon, Mexico City, Mexico 4 Museo del Juguete Antiguo Mexico - Dr. Olvera 15, Mexico City, Mexico 5 La Posada del Sol - 139 Av. Ninos Heroes Doctores, Mexico City, Mexico ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Bangladesh have claimed their first Test series win in four years after thrashing West Indies by an innings and 184 runs in the second Test in Dhaka on Sunday. Resuming their innings on 75 for five, the remaining West Indies batsmen did not offer much resistance as they were dismissed for 111. Hasan led Bangladeshs bowling attack claiming seven wickets in the innings. Trailing by 407 runs, West Indies were forced to follow on. The visitors fared only slightly better in the second innings, scoring 213 runs. Hasan starred again, claiming five wickets to return with his best ever bowling performance. Shimron Hetmyer was the only silver lining in an otherwise disappointing Windies performance as he scored an attacking 93 off 92 balls with nine sixes and a four. Hetmyer fell short of registering his maiden Test century when the batsman went for a 10th sixth, but ended up giving a catch to Mohammad Mithun at long-on. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan hailed his teams effort after the match. We did the process right and we did well in every department. Overall a very good team effort, said Shakib, who claimed three wickets. Bangladesh won the opening Test match in Chittagong by 64 runs. An Egyptian actress could face up to five years in prison after being charged with public obscenity for wearing a see-through dress which revealed the entirety of her legs. Rania Youssef, who is aged in her 30s, had been attending the closing ceremony of a film festival in Cairo when she was pictured on Thursday in the black ensemble, which raised eyebrows. The piece comprises of black leotard covered by a transparent overdress with criss-cross detailing and a large bow belt. Youssef is set to stand trial on 12 January after a group of lawyers filed a complaint to the chief prosecutor. She now faces up to five years in prison if she is convicted. Egypt is a largely conservative country with a majority Muslim population. It has retained some of its secularism despite decades of growing religious conservatism. In 2016, Egyptian author Ahmed Naji was handed a two-year prison sentence after being charged with obscenity for publishing a book with references to sex and drugs. Prosecutors said he "violated public modesty" with his novel The Use Of Life but was soon released and his sentence was suspended following an appeal to a Cairo court. 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 US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Group of 20 industrialised nations called for reforms to the crisis-stricken World Trade Organisation 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 recognise 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. US unhappy with WTO over China 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. Story continues 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 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 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. Test of Trump-Xi chemistry 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 US 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 US 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. (FRANCE 24 with REUTERS) I will never accept violence, says Macron on Paris protests French President Emmanuel Macron has denounced violent protests on Saturday that saw Yellow Vest demonstrators torching cars, smashing up storefronts and clashing with police across central ... The interior ministry said around 136,000 people took to the streets across the country in the third straight weekend of protests against rising fuel taxes. Many of the gatherings took place peacefully but the French capital was again a scene of violence, as demonstrators built barricades on and around the Champs-Elysees, lighting fires and throwing rocks at police officers. Nearby, Pariss Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores were evacuated as the chaos spread. Paris police figures show 412 people were arrested, with 378 people still in custody on Sunday morning after the clashes, which saw more than 130 people injured 23 of them from the security forces. 'They betray the cause they pretend to serve' I will never accept violence, President Macron told a news conference at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. 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. He said that those who of this violence do not want change or improvements. They want chaos. They betray the causes that they pretend to serve and which they manipulate. He also added that the perpetrators will be identified and brought to justice for their actions. Macron said that he had convened a meeting with Prime Minister Philippe, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner and other top officials on Sunday after his return from the G20 summit. (with AFP) Prithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years. FILE PHOTO: Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari arrives to attend a visit and a dinner at the Orsay Museum on the eve of the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of the First World War, in Paris, France, November 10, 2018. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's President Buhari on Sunday denied claims that he had died and been replaced by a Sudanese impostor, breaking his silence on a rumour that has circulated on social media for months. Buhari, who is running for re-election in February, spent five months in Britain last year being treated for an undisclosed illness. One theory widely aired on social media - and by some political opponents - was that he had been replaced by a lookalike from Sudan called Jubril. No evidence has been presented, but videos making the claim have still been viewed thousands of times on YouTube and Facebook. "It's real me, I assure you. I will soon celebrate my 76th birthday and I will still go strong," Buhari told Nigerians in a town hall session in Poland, where he was attending a conference, when asked about Jubril. "A lot of people hoped that I died during my ill health," he said, adding that those who spread the rumour were "ignorant and irreligious". The presidency circulated Buhari's comments in an emailed statement entitled "It's Real Me, President Buhari Responds to Cloning Allegation". (Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by Kevin Liffey) 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 G20 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. The truce, reached after a dinner of more than two hours, buys time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijing's aggressive drive to supplant U.S. technological dominance. "It's an incredible deal," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "What I'll be doing is holding back on tariffs. China will be opening up, China will be getting rid of tariffs. China will be buying massive amounts of products from us." In a long-sought concession to the U.S., China agreed to label fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid responsible for tens of thousands of American drug deaths annually, as a controlled substance. And Beijing agreed to reconsider a takeover by U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm that it had previously blocked. The White House announcement framed a victory for Trump and his unflinching negotiating tactics, securing a commitment from China to engage in talks on key U.S. economic priorities, with little obvious concession by the U.S. Notably, however, the White House appears to be reversing course on its previous threats to tie trade discussions to security concerns, like China's attempted territorial expansion in the South China Sea. "It's great the two sides took advantage of this opportunity to call a truce," said Andy Rothman, investment strategist at Matthews Asia. "The two sides appear to have had a major change of heart to move away from confrontation toward engagement. This changes the tone and direction of the bilateral conversation." Story continues The Trump-Xi meeting was the marquee event of Trump's whirlwind two-day trip to Argentina for the G-20 summit after the president canceled 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. Trump said Bush's death put a "damper" on what he described as a "very important meeting" with Xi. The United States and China are locked in a dispute over their trade imbalance and Beijing's tech policies. 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 - 25 percent on $50 billion worth and 10 percent on the other $200 billion. Trump had planned to raise the tariffs on the $200 billion to 25 percent if he couldn't get a deal with Xi. China has already slapped tariffs on $110 billion in U.S. goods. Under the agreement reached in Buenos Aires, the two countries have 90 days to resolve their differences over Beijing's tech policies. If they can't, the higher U.S. tariffs will go into effect on the $200 billion in Chinese imports. U.S. 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 judged. A full-blown resolution was not expected to be reached in Buenos Aires; the issues that divide them are just too difficult. 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. The U.S. and China also made progress on the regulation of fentanyl, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin. U.S. officials for years have been pressing the Chinese government to take a tougher stance against fentanyl, and most U.S. supply of the drug is manufactured in China. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders says China's decision to label the drug as a controlled substance means that "people selling Fentanyl to the United States will be subject to China's maximum penalty under the law." The White House also said that China's government is "open to approving" the purchase of Dutch semiconductor manufacturer NXP by American chipmaker Qualcomm. China nixed the proposed takeover earlier this year, citing antitrust concerns, after U.S. and European regulators approved the deal. China's decision earlier this year came amid a period of heightening tensions between the U.S. and China over trade and intellectual property issues. Qualcomm announced it was dropping plans to proceed with the deal after it failed to receive Chinese government approval. It is unclear whether the transaction could be revived even with China's acquiescence. In other developments, Trump announced aboard Air Force One on his return to Washington from Buenos Aires that his next meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un would likely happen in January or February. He said there were three sites under consideration, but he declined to name them. Trump also said he would shortly be providing formal notice to Congress that he will terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement, giving lawmakers six months to approve the replacement he signed Friday. He said lawmakers can choose between the replacement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or nothing. (AP) 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 Jon Gosselin, who was estranged from his eight children, has much to celebrate this holiday season. His relationship with his daughter Hannah, 14, and son Collin, also 14, seems to be steadily flourishing. The teens are two of the sextuplets Jon shares with his ex-wife Kate Gosselin. The former couple also has twins Mady and Cara, who are now 18. Past to the present custody petition for Collin Earlier this year, Hannah moved in with her father after a custody dispute with Kate over their daughter. Kate reportedly submitted legal documents too late for the court to reverse its own decision, determining that Hannah should be in her dads custody. The ex-couples son Collin was sent away from his family in 2016 to live at an around-the-clock residential facility. Kate made certain that media outlets knew that her son allegedly has issues or special needs. In making the public proclamation, she also violated Collins privacy. (What teen wants the world to know their personal business if it is even accurate?) Fathers Instagram followers cheering for him Jons social media followers have been rooting for him and continually encouraged him to seek custody of Collin once it was known that Hannah was living with him. Well, Jon is doing just that; he filed the necessary court documents on October 24 in his effort to attain custody of his son. Holiday outing with teens The most recent visit that Jon shared with Collin, and also his social media followers, seemed to be a happy holiday outing that also included Hannah and Colleen Conrad, his girlfriend, as well as her children named Jordan and Jesse. The group is all smiles in the photo that Jon posted on his Instagram account on November 25, according to Pop Culture. Discuss this news on Eunomia Celebrity Insider also reported about Jons outing with his children and with Colleens kids. The man is ready for the holidays was the opening sentence in the publications report on November 28. Jon captioned the photo, "Found our tree, let the holidays begin!!!!!" Court proceeding involving a minor Everyone seems to be pulling for the court to do the right thing by Collin, despite the contentious nature of the divorce and past custody issues between the parents. The Gosselins past custody feud fueling ample headlines. Considering the delay in media learning that Hannah was actually living with her father and that he, in fact, had custody while Kate was telling media that she did, may be a sign that the court will rule in a manner that reflects the sensitive nature of proceedings involving a minor. Let nothing dampen holiday cheer For Jon, his social media followers are hopeful that nothing will dampen his holiday cheer and that he will have Collin living with him before the end of the year. Jon seems to realize that people genuinely care about all of his children and has not exploited either Hannah or Collin with the images he shares or his comments. He has quelled people genuinely asking about his son where he was, how he was doing, and when he might resume living with family. With the end of the familys reality show on TLC, Jons fans and fans and Instagram followers are happy to see the joyful expressions on his childrens faces. May they have a great holiday season! Be sure to follow Blasting News for updates and for the latest information. Former President George H.W. Bush passed away at the age of 94. Bush Sr., started his political career as Vice President of the United States under President Reagan from 1981 to 1989. He was then elected president in 1989, serving only one term after losing to President Bill Clinton. During his time in office, President Bush was forced to deal with a major economic recession and a budget debt, causing him to be unable to enact domestic reforms he had planned. However, despite the failings, there are five moments that truly defined his legacy as president. 1 President Bush responded to Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990 Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait claiming that they had stolen oil from the border. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia ended up calling for support from their NATO allies. In 1990, President Bush ordered Operation Desert Storm, which led to the massive Gulf War. Operation Desert Storm lasted only 42 days when Bush declared a cease-fire. Most of the Iraqi military surrendered or just fled back to Iraq. 2 Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev sign nuclear treaty With only one term in office, President Bush ended up spending much of his time at rebuilding US-Soviet relations, as well as limiting the nuclear weapons that each country could have. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which limited the nuclear weapons stock of both the US and Russia by almost 40 percent. 3 Bush orders Operation Just Cause and overthrows Panama's dictator Manuel Noriega 4 President Bush signs into law the Americans with Disabilities Act 5 President George H.W. Bush adds to the Clean Air Act ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Alaska faced an earthquake of magnitude 7 on Friday morning that left the people in panic forcing them out into the streets. Many of them witnessed the roads crumble before their eyes. Earthquakes are not new to Alaska because it faces these annually, the numbers are more than the total of the remaining 49 states. The southern part of the state is more prone due to the presence of underground tectonic plates that slide past each other. Republican Rep. Donald Young carried out an initial assessment. It revealed that the quake was not deadly and, fortunately, there were no deaths at this time that we know of. Fox News reports that while there are no casualties, there has been damage to the infrastructure with power lines down in many places and road communication disrupted. As Republican Sen.Lisa Murkowski said, concerns of recovery efforts and safety were of prime importance because many homes are without power. In case gas lines are broken, that could lead to further complications. Earthquake leaves the infrastructure in tatters Reacting to the disaster, GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan admits that Alaska has witnessed some major aftershocks, but this one was a big one with a direct impact on transportation. Communication links are broken in many places with damage to most of the highways in and out of Anchorage. This will pose problems because most goods come into Alaska via Anchorage. Tsunami warning canceled after 7.0 quake and aftershocks in Alaska https://t.co/59fleDIFwi pic.twitter.com/V8JZiKKl60 KFOR (@kfor) December 1, 2018 Dan Sullivan went on to add that in spite of damage to roads and bridges from the earthquake, there are no reports of the collapse of buildings. It seems portions of a highway has "completely disappeared. It connects Anchorage with the mountains and glaciers and restoring the communication network of highways and bridges will take time. Tsunami warning canceled According to New Zealand Herald, the system generates tsunami warnings automatically and these are monitored. Discuss this news on Eunomia In this case, there was no evidence to suggest any unnatural activities and the authorities canceled the warning. The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump, who is in Argentina at the Group of 20 summit, is briefed about the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Alaska. Alaska recorded the strongest quake in the history of the United States on March 27, 1964. It was of magnitude 9.2 and centered about 120km east of Anchorage. Its duration was approximately four and a half minutes, and it triggered a tsunami that claimed about 130 lives. An earthquake is a natural disaster and catches the people unawares leading to panic. It leaves behind a trail of destruction and rebuilding is a long process. Madi locals protest demanding authorities control CNP animals from entering human settlements Residents of Madi in Chitwan district disrupted vehicular traffic on the Bharatpur-Madi-Thori road for two days protesting the deaths of two women attacked by an elephant on Wednesday. My battle for reforms in health and education is still on, says Dr KC Senior Orthopedic Surgeon at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) Dr Govinda KC has said that his battle for the reforms in health and education in remote Karnali and Far-West Province is still continuing. past daily news Sep 13 (1) Sep 09 (15) Sep 06 (12) Sep 04 (10) Sep 03 (10) Aug 31 (17) Aug 29 (14) Aug 26 (13) Aug 22 (11) Aug 21 (12) Aug 19 (21) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (10) Aug 10 (10) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (10) Aug 06 (10) Aug 05 (8) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (14) Jul 29 (1) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (10) Jul 22 (11) Jul 19 (16) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (10) Jul 15 (13) Jul 12 (7) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (8) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (8) Jul 04 (11) Jul 03 (8) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (8) Jun 28 (7) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (7) Jun 25 (8) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (9) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (9) Jun 18 (8) Jun 15 (9) Jun 13 (13) Jun 11 (11) Jun 09 (19) Jun 06 (10) Jun 04 (10) Jun 03 (8) Jun 01 (6) 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Readers of literary fiction about war, if not of fiction in general, may feel a similar despair. Does the writer have enough authority to make their simulation convincing? Before Hanif was a Booker-longlisted author, or wrote for the New York Times and BBC, he trained as a pilot in Pakistans air force. What Major Ellie says about ejector seats and fireproof suits has the confidence of truth. But much more importantly, Hanif knows about the absurdity of war in a way that a civilian never could. Ellie has been sent on a mission that is simply an opportunity to perform an act of courage that might distinguish him in his straight line of a career. It involves bombing a refugee camp in the middle of nowhere, an outpost in a war that the war itself is not interested in. (Hanif doesnt specify the desert location; we feel it is an amalgam of borderlands between South Asia and the Middle East.) But after his plane goes down he is taken in, reluctantly, by the inhabitants of the camp. As he looks to find a way back home, a 15-year-old inhabitant Momo sees his chance to gain access to the deserted neighbouring US base. More here. Myanmar's State Counsellor Suu Kyi returns home Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi returned home on Sunday after attending the Asia Pacific Summit. Tom Standage in The Economist: In 1770 a chess-playing robot, built by a Hungarian inventor, caused a sensation across Europe. It took the form of a life-size wooden figure, dressed in Turkish clothing, seated behind a cabinet which had a chessboard on top. Its clockwork arm could reach out and move pieces on the board. The Mechanical Turk was capable of beating even the best players at chess. Built to amuse the empress Maria Theresa, its fame spread far beyond Vienna, and visitors to her court insisted on seeing it. The Turk toured Europe in the 1780s, prompting much speculation about how it worked, and whether a machine could really think: the Industrial Revolution was just getting started, and many people were questioning to what extent machines could replace people. Nobody ever quite guessed the Turks secret. But it eventually transpired that there was a human chess player cleverly concealed in its innards. The apparently intelligent machine depended on a person hidden inside. It turns out that something very similar is happening today. Just like the Turk, modern artificial-intelligence ( AI ) systems rely on help from unseen humans. Training a deep learning system involves showing it millions of examples of an input (such as photographs of animals) and telling it what the correct output is (cat, dog) in each case. Once trained, the system can then correctly identify animals in pictures it has not seen before. But the training process requires huge numbers of correctly labelled examples and those must be created by humans. More here. Mark Reinstein/Corbis via Getty Images National tributes paying respect to Bushs humble service, forbearance and demeanor were immediate. Known as a collector of friends, he was remembered for reaching across the aisle to political opponents as he preached a kinder, gentler nation. Politics, Bush liked to say, does not have to be mean and ugly. 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, said former President Bill Clinton, who won his own first term by defeating Bush. 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 Barack Obama tweeted, While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude, as he called Bushs life a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. While Bush was not viewed as a great orator, he had at least a couple of memorable moments before a microphone. Both came on the same August day in 1988 at the Republican National Convention. This is America ... a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky, Bush said in his nomination acceptance speech. In a letter years later, he expounded on his points of light quote. I have pursued life itself over many years now and with varying degrees of happiness, he wrote to granddaughter Jenna Bush in 1997. Some of my happiness still comes from trying to be in my own small way a true point of light. I believe I was right when I said, as President, there can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others. Perhaps Bushs most-famous quote was his pledge: Read my lips no ... new ... taxes. But two years after defeating Michael Dukakis to become president, Bush felt pressured to make a budget-deficit reduction deal with the Democratic-controlled Congress and agreed to a tax increase, infuriating many Republicans and undermining a potential second presidential term. But for all his triumphs and missteps, Bush never was preoccupied with how he would be remembered. As he once said, I view my legacy as let the historians figure out what I screwed up and figure out what I got right. 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. NC criticises governments showy publicity of social security scheme The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) has taken exception to governments move to advertise the social security scheme that was brought a few days back as if it was the governments brainchild programme. Taryn Powell of Albuquerque was at wits end. About a month ago, she started receiving an onslaught of calls and texts with information on how her son could apply for jobs or student loans. Several things were wrong about this, Powell said. One was that her son is 15 and not in the market for a job or a college degree. The other was that the calls and texts came from a variety of numbers many from a 505 area code but all of them misspelled her sons name in the same way. Powell, a nursing case manager, at first just deleted them all but then decided to take action because her identity was stolen about a year ago and she says she is super-paranoid. She tried to stop the deluge by contacting the solictors via email, phone calls and texts. When she followed a link in one of the texts, she was directed to StartJobs.net a job aggregator with lists of employment opportunities that has been the target of Better Business Bureau complaints. The site has since been taken down. An investigation by the AIM Group, a classified advertising consultant, found that StartJobs.net and its affiliate OnlineResumeBuilders.com were collecting personal information from applicants such as current mortgage rate, home ownership and debt level along with the basics such as name, phone number, address and email address. Hidden in the fine print, StartJobs discloses that it might use the information for direct mail or telemarketing, according to the AIM Group. The emails and texts start within moments of submitting an application, the group said in a report. One person who complained to the BBB said he used the site to apply for a job at a Costco call center in New Jersey, only to learn that no such facility existed. Costco told the AIM Group it does not work with StartJobs. The BBB says it has given both an F rating because it has tried to contact them without success. The AIM Group said the physical address listed is for a mailbox at a UPS store in Miami. Powell says the deluge started after her husband used on online resume service, but she doesnt know how his efforts revealed her sons identity to the people who were contacting her. She said last month that shes been blocking the calls, but some are still getting through. And theres another local connection to this tale: When an AIM Group representative called a phone number listed for StartJobs in October, she got a man who said he didnt know where the companies were based but that he was working in the Albuquerque area. Powell said the episode has been difficult and that she is always hyper-vigilant about identity theft after a scammer tapped into her bank account and cleaned us out for $2,000. If youre using online resources to look for jobs, here are a few tips to protect yourself: Make sure the company supposedly advertising actually exists and verify that it has a facility in an advertised location. Its a huge red flag if you cant identify the companys contact information, owner, headquarters or even product from an online ad, the BBB says. If you are offered a job without a formal interview or job application, its most likely a scam. Watch out for free trials that arent free. The Federal Trade Commission has issued a consumer alert after a court order temporarily halted advertisements for free personal care products and dietary supplements online that actually charged consumers the full price. The defendants also enrolled consumers in negative option plans in which customers had to continue paying for products unless they opted out in advance, the FTC says. Ellen Marks is assistant business editor at the Albuquerque Journal. Contact her at emarks@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3842 if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. Carol Potenza discusses and signs copies of Hearts of the Missing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at Barnes & Noble, Mesilla Valley Mall, 700 S. Telshor Blvd., Las Cruces; at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande NW, Albuquerque; at noon Saturday, Dec. 15, at COAS Books, 317 N. Main St., Las Cruces; and at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at Collected Works, 202 Galisteo St., Santa Fe. Las Cruces author Carol Potenza is in good company. Potenza writes in the mystery tradition of New Mexicans who have come before her Tony Hillerman, Anne Hillerman, James Doss and Aimee and David Thurlo. Those authors set many of their successful mysteries in Indian Country; the Hillermans and the Thurlos on the Navajo reservation and Doss on the Ute reservation. Potenzas promising debut mystery Hearts of the Missing is set on a fictional, Keres-speaking pueblo off Interstate 25 between Santa Ana and Cochiti pueblos. In her newly published novel, Potenza named the pueblo Tsibaashi Dyini, translated as Fire-Sky. The protagonist is Nicky Matthews, a sergeant on the pueblos police force who is working to fit together the pieces of a deadly puzzle. Initially, Nicky is dealing with the case of Sandra Deering, a member of the pueblo and soon-to-be-graduated University of New Mexico student who has disappeared. Sandras body is found on train tracks, and her death is ruled a suicide. But Nicky has a passel of unanswered questions about the ruling. She wonders why the toxicology results were speeded up when the state crime labs work is backed up. She wonders if Sandras death may have something to do with her class project about an apparent rise in the number of Fire-Sky Indians who had disappeared or were believed lost over the past few years. Nicky learned from Sandras professor that Sandra refused to reveal much about her research because she thought it might endanger her. The novel also has spiritual elements. Maybe theres a murderer who wants to ensure that the spirits of those killed will forever wander and be lost to family and their ancestors. Potenza said she incorporated pueblo ceremonies, rituals and ghost stories that were told to her. Nickys pursuit of the Deering case leads her to look into possible shady work at the state medical investigators office on DNA testing of Fire-Sky Indians who allegedly committed suicide. Nicky also sniffs around to determine if that testing is linked to the pueblos method of a per capita distribution of funds to members based on their Fire-Sky genetic makeup. She thinks Peter Santibanez, whos in charge of the pueblos tribal enrollment office, may be manipulating the distribution and removing members he doesnt think qualify for funds. Courageous Nicky seems to be treading on thin ice. She challenges Santibanezs authority. Her superiors want her to drop the Deering case yet she cant let go. Nicky herself may be a target. In separate incidents, the front windows of her home are broken and a rattlesnake is found under the seat of her vehicle. Could they be related to her bosses opposition to her work on the Deering case? Or are they jealous, crazed over-reactions of the wife of the state police chief, a former lover of Nickys? Nicky isnt the only one looking into the case and its possible link to the deaths of other pueblo members. So is the FBI. The feds may have two FBI agents working undercover on the pueblo to determine if theres a serial killer on the reservation. Potenza stirs the various ingredients together into a satisfying conclusion. Hearts of the Missing is the winner of the 2017 Tony Hillerman Prize. The prize comes with Minotaur Books editing, marketing and publishing the novel. Potenza, an assistant professor of biochemistry at New Mexico State University, said she has finished a second novel and is working on a third in the series. Twenty years has passed in an instant. There have been long hours of coordination, and Norberta Fresquez wouldnt change a thing. Fresquez is the founder of Mariachi Christmas, which has become a staple for the holiday season at Popejoy Hall for the past two decades. Its incredible, Fresquez says of the milestone. I still remember back 21 years ago when (Popejoy Director) Tom Tkach called me and asked me about some of the productions I had done. He wanted to offer something to the community that would be cultural and meaningful. Fresquez began to develop a production that would be entertaining while educational. For the past four years, Fresquez has teamed up with Mariachi Aztlan and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Ballet Folklorico for the performance. Fresquez says seeing the show is like taking a trip through Mexico. Dances are choreographed from various regions. We talk about the history, and its narrated in English, she says. This year, were visiting La Huasteca region of Mexico. That region is along the Gulf of Mexico and includes parts of the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo and San Luis Potosi. Of course, there will be the swirling skirts of the folklorico dancers. Joining the group will be the mariachi band, stacked with vibrant violins and cheery trumpets. Fresquez says theres always room for growth, and hes grateful to be working with Popejoy Hall on the production. We have some of the best light designers in the state, she says. At Popejoy, we feel very great about the production effects. I would love to grow the show with adding more props and enhance it visually. Id love to add luminarias and props that would help strengthen that meaning. The message after all these years is still very powerful and helps connect us. Mid-20th century photographer Clarence Redman captured city life from high school science fairs to the Albuquerque Dukes. The Albuquerque Museum is showing 24 prints by the commercial and freelance photographer. Redman worked for newspapers, including the Albuquerque Journal, the Albuquerque Tribune and the Santa Fe New Mexican after moving to New Mexico from Alamosa, Colo., in 1928, the museums digital archivist Jillian Hartke said. Two years after moving to Santa Fe, Redman landed in Albuquerque, where he became a leader in his field, first working for the Ward Hicks Advertising Agency. In 1933, he set up his own agency on Central Avenue. He worked as a commercial photographer for Kirtland Air Force Base during World War II. Rich in context and period detail, the photographs include high school talent contests, an endless parade of building shots for the business publication Albuquerque First, New Mexico State Fair shots of grinning children with their prize livestock and wedding and graduation portraits. Like any good photojournalist of the time, Redman carefully identified the people he photographed. These are not famous people, but it tells a cool story of what it was like in town, Hartke said. He didnt set things up,' she added. He just shot what he saw. One image captures an Albuquerque Public Schools harmonica band in rehearsal. Another shows a swimsuit model gingerly pointing a toe into the water at Tingley Beach. Another frame shows contestants at a 1955 beauty pageant sponsored by J.C. Penney. I literally have thousands of pictures of APS, Hartke added. In 1952, Redman found himself on the other side of the lens in Life magazine. He stopped at a red light on the way to a wedding when he saw two flying saucers hovering over Tijeras Canyon. Life produced an article titled Have We Visitors From Space? highlighting 10 UFO sightings and asking the Air Force to examine them. Redmans story boasted a second witness in a different part of the city. The Air Force said there was no record of aircraft at that time, Hartke said. By the 1950s, Redman was attending national conferences as the New Mexico delegate for commercial photographers. He died in 1970. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Forecasters say expected snowfall this weekend will create hazardous travel conditions in parts of New Mexico, including portions of Interstates 25 and 40 and U.S. Highways 285 and 550. The National Weather Service said Saturday that snowfall will occur overnight across western New Mexico before expanding eastward Sunday across northern and central New Mexico. According to forecasters, accumulations of snow are likely even in lower elevations due to the very cold air mass accompanying an upper level trough being pushed toward the southeast by the jet stream. Over 1 foot (30 centimeters) of snow is possible across the northwest mountains. WASHINGTON Congressional negotiators and White House officials are discussing a one-week budget bill that would delay a partial government shutdown while Washington prepares for the state funeral of former president George H.W. Bush, according to several people briefed on the talks. On Saturday, President Donald Trump weighed in, as well, saying hed possibly sign a two-week funding extension while the Bush memorials took place, according to an Associated Press report. A final decision has not been made but could come as soon as Sunday, when Trump returns to Washington. Funding for parts of the federal government is set to expire at midnight Dec. 7, but Congress is deadlocked over Trumps demand for $5 billion in funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. White House officials had begun preparing for a shutdown in recent days. Numerous agencies would be impacted, including those that deal with homeland security, law enforcement, agriculture programs and foreign aid. The funeral for Bush is expected to take place Wednesday at Washington National Cathedral. Trump has declared Wednesday a national day of mourning. Lawmakers from both parties tend to set aside their differences during such periods, which is why they are considering a short-term spending bill that would push back any budgetary showdown. Democrats have so far rejected Trumps push for more wall funding, and they can block spending bills in the Senate because of the narrow 51 to 49 Republican majority there. And Democrats, fresh off picking up 40 House seats in the November midterm elections, have vowed to hold a tougher line against Trumps immigration policies. Trump, meanwhile, has just one more month in his first term as president to work with a Congress that is completely controlled by Republicans. Democrats take control of the House early in January. During the 2016 presidential campaign, one of Trumps most famous promises was a vow to build a wall along the southern border to prevent undocumented immigrants from crossing into the United States. The promise was very popular with his supporters, and he repeatedly vowed that Mexico would pay for its construction. Since becoming president, however, Trump has shifted his position, saying now that the wall needs to be constructed with taxpayer money. This has put some Republicans in an uncomfortable position of spending money on a barrier that few of them initially campaigned on but has become one of Trumps core goals. If Congress does not pass a spending bill by Dec. 7, it would lead to a partial government shutdown. It would be limited in scope since Congress has passed spending bills for the military and health programs, among other things. But it could still lead to major disruptions, as thousands of federal workers would probably be sent home without pay. One of the themes I have heard thinkers and leaders in New Mexico talk about since coming home 11 years ago to New Mexico from New York is how the state doesnt have the people talent to fill the high-paying jobs now available. The same thing is heard over and over discussing the needs of companies moving to New Mexico (regarding) those high-paying jobs they would bring. When the reason is given why companies choose a neighboring state over New Mexico, the lack of talent pool is the reason given time and time again. In the five and a half years since weve operated Mtuccis Restaurants in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, our own hiring experience has been totally different than that. In New York City where we operated 11 restaurants over 23 years, we employed 1,000 people. Our retention rate, especially for our industry, was high. Fifty percent of our employees were with us 10 years or more. I am still proud of that rate. Here in Albuquerque, our five-year experience has shown us we will do better than in New York. Our state unemployment insurance rate is just .44 percent. In a recent conversation with a new payroll company, they were excited to tell us they could (make our rate even better). Nearly none of the 14 people in upper management in our company had management experience before joining us. Through our own ongoing, in-house training-program, we have helped our local, home-grown talent become highly dedicated, skilled managers in our company. Weve done this without outside programs or money, grants or state and local funding. Were not alone in this in New Mexico. There are tech companies doing the same thing: hiring locally and providing the employees the training and education to perform at the desired highest level. I have known that our approach isnt rocket science, and at some level I hope no one catches on because itll continue to give us the edge in finding talent here in New Mexico. But its not that difficult to find smart, aggressive, hungry prospective employees. And working with them the old-fashioned way, in effect, as our apprentices, they learn it all. Itd be even better if there were some financial support for local initiatives. Itd be helpful, but we dont need it. I know well find, hire, train and retain the 30 management staff well need over the next five years. I know in New Mexico as employers, we already have the talent we need. As far as I am concerned, from a selfish point of view, its OK if were the only ones looking. Itll give us first choice as we recruit here. But believe me, theres enough talent to go around. New Mexicans, lets stop believing we do not have the talent pool. We do. Lets work together to identify the talent, provide them the tools to thrive, and stop wondering where they are going to come from. WASHINGTON President Trump recently tweeted: Did you ever see an investigation more in search of a crime? It is usually a bad idea to raise a rhetorical question when the answer is both obvious and unfavorable. In the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller, there are at least three offenses that could lead to indictment or impeachment. There is obstruction of justice which Trump seems to attempt persistently, publicly and shamelessly. There is possible financial corruption concerning Russia on the part of Trump and the imperial family about which the recent plea deal with Michael Cohen hints. This is likely to be interesting reading in Muellers report. And there is the initial matter of collusion with a hostile foreign power to influence a presidential election. This is hardly a fanciful charge, given that Trump, while a candidate, publicly invited Russia to hack into Hillary Clintons emails as a way to influence a presidential election. What else do we know related to this charge? We know that Trump adviser Roger Stone allegedly told associates he was in contact with WikiLeaks, the conduit for emails hacked by Russian intelligence. Stone denies this. We know that Stone contacted conservative author and conspiracy theorist Jerome Corsi, encouraging him to gather information on hacked Clinton emails. We know that Corsi responded to Stone: Word is friend in embassy plans 2 more dumps Impact planned to be very damaging. The friend in this email amazingly and disgustingly appears to be the anti-American cybercriminal Julian Assange. We know that Stone issued the tweet, Trust me, it will soon (be John) Podestas time in the barrel, six weeks before WikiLeaks began releasing 50,000 emails that Russian agents had reportedly stolen from Clintons campaign chairman John Podesta. And we know, from Corsi himself, that he and Stone conspired to lie about the motivation of this tweet. President Trump is left to claim which he has now apparently done in written testimony that he never discussed these matters with Stone or Corsi. This would have required candidate Trump to adopt a strategy of plausible deniability in this case, encouraging Russian hacking in public, but carefully avoiding the topic in private conversations with Stone. How likely is this? On the evidence of two matters, not likely at all. In spite of initial denials, it is now clear that Trump took a personal role in facilitating hush-money payoffs to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. He also discussed with his legal fixer, Michael Cohen, how the source of funds to Daniels could be hidden. Also, in the matter of Donald Trump Jr.s 2016 meeting with Russians at Trump Tower, President Trump reportedly dictated a misleading description of the meeting in the name of his son. I have seen scant evidence that Trump delegates unethical activities. Instead, he evidently spends hours a day on the phone with friends and informal advisers, making plans and chewing over gossip and grievances. Are we really to believe that Trump publicly invited Russian hacking of his opponent, that one of Trumps advisers claimed to have information on the hacking, but that the two never discussed the matter? I dont believe it. Which means there is a serious possibility that the president of the United States has committed perjury. But it may also be difficult or impossible to prove such perjury unless Stone, or someone else with direct knowledge, were to testify against the president. So Trump probably feels safe in his deception. Stone has raised the Im-a-mendacious-windbag defense essentially claiming that he is a serial liar who inflated his own contacts and influence to get attention. This has a level of credibility. He is, in fact, a mendacious windbag. But the argument Believe me now, I have always been an inveterate liar, has practical, as well as logical, limitations. Here is one fact beyond dispute. Look at the men whom Trump has traditionally surrounded himself with: Roger Stone, Jerome Corsi, Paul Manafort, Michael Cohen. These are some of the least reputable people in American politics. Trumps inner circle has always been a cesspool. And there is a reason for this a reason Trump has traditionally employed unethical people to serve his purposes. It is because he has unethical jobs for them to do, involving schemes to remove political threats and gain electoral advantage. And there is every reason to believe that Trump has fully participated in such schemes. E-mail michaelgerson@washpost.com. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group. No one can feel at all comfortable with the sight of tear gas being used on women and children. Then again, no one should feel comfortable with hundreds of people many of them adult men, some throwing rocks trying to push through the border after overwhelming the Mexican police who tried to stop them. In many ways, the ugly incident that occurred last weekend in Tijuana on the U.S.-Mexico border, in which U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents unleashed tear gas to disperse the group moving toward them, is a predictable outcome after years of ineptitude and inaction in Congress when it comes to making even minimal fixes to our immigration laws. It hasnt mattered which parties were in control, and in fact both Democrats and Republicans have failed when they controlled all three branches. Thats just pathetic. So what we have now is thousands of Central American migrants camped out in Mexico drawing protests from residents there as they are kept from crossing en masse to the U.S. to file asylum claims. The U.S. is processing only a limited number a day and is insisting appropriately that the claims be made in orderly fashion at a port of entry. It was frustration with this bottleneck and the weekslong processing backup that prompted a crowd to surge forward last Sunday in a diminished version of the video we have all seen when a huge caravan crashed through Mexicos southern border and overwhelmed federal police to begin their trek north. The Mexican government was not amused with the events and has moved to deport up to 100 of those involved. These acts of provocation, far from helping achieve their objectives, are in violation of legal migration and could result in a grave incident at the border, the Interior ministry said in a statement. President Trump was his usual unhelpful self in making pronouncements about criminal elements and accusing some women of grabbing babies to use as props. Just a bit of humanity on his part would go a long way. And his order to send military troops to the border is grandstanding unless it sends an effective message that this isnt business as usual. If you recall, President Obama and his then-Homeland Security chief tried their own information campaign to discourage mass migration from Central America, essentially telling people that they should not expect to be able to stay in the U.S. simply by showing up here. Yet Trump has brought the issue to a head, and there is an argument that that needed to be done. Unless, of course, you are OK with an endless stream of caravans making their way from Central America to the U.S. border, where many will seek to enter an overwhelmed queue for asylum. And its worth nothing that the asylum claims which are supposed to be based on individuals fear of persecution on one of five protected grounds: race, religion, nationality, political opinion or particular social group are especially tenuous, given that Mexico has offered the caravan members the ability to remain in Mexico legally and offered them work permits. That offer makes them economic immigrants seeking a better life and a better job who would rather be here than in Mexico. And thats not how asylum works. Economic immigrants need to get in the line for legal immigration to the U.S. which in 2017 had 20 million naturalized citizens and another 13.1 million legal nonresidents. So no, the door has not slammed shut. If Trump backs down and opens the gates, the U.S. is acknowledging it has no effective border control and an unlimited number of people can present for asylum and then disappear into the U.S. population for years, or forever, as their case is adjudicated. Congress could, and should, finally step in. It could start with a fix for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and take that off the table. A judge has blocked Trumps order doing away with the program but noted that in the end Obamas order extending protection to that group was likely unconstitutional but rescinding it now would just be too big a mess. True enough. But that clock is ticking. And Congress should simply take action. Congress also clearly could enact changes making it clear that you cant enter illegally along the border and then claim asylum. You must present at a port. And, Congress should make it clear that people seeking asylum can be detained if it is deemed appropriate while awaiting the outcome of their request. None of this touches the issue of the estimated 11 million people living here illegally now. It shouldnt be that hard to come up with at least a system of work permits to allow those people to come out of the shadows, stay legally, fill jobs without suppressing wages, pay taxes and move freely back and forth across the border. Amnesty would be a tougher deal to make, but this would be a huge start. There are other major issues, such as the need to increase the number of legal immigrants with the kind of job skills needed in a STEM world. For now, however, if members of Congress class of 2019 cant do the comprehensive immigration reform job that they should, then at the very least they need to step up, work together and finally fix the most glaring problems that ultimately brought a caravan to our southern border. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. A New Mexico man who killed five family members as a teen is set to return to court Monday for a weeklong hearing to determine whether he has been rehabilitated while in state custody. It is the second such hearing for 21-year-old Nehemiah Griego, who three years ago pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death in the shootings of his parents, Greg and Sarah Griego, and three siblings at the familys home in the South Valley of Albuquerque. The 2013 shootings stunned the city, in part because of the number of fatalities, the chilling details of the crime and the ages of Griego then 15 and his youngest victims. His sisters Jael and Angelina were 5 and 2, and his brother Zephaniah was 9 years old. Griegos attorney Stephen Taylor said Griego has received continuous treatment since 2013, but he declined to comment further on it ahead of the hearing, citing his clients privacy rights. In the past, Griegos lawyers have presented testimony indicating that he endured abuse and malnourishment so severe as a child that he suffered brain damage. The case has resulted in hours of hearings and appeals over Griegos progress and mental health treatment while in custody, and arguments over whether he should be sentenced as a juvenile or an adult. Heres a look at the case and the upcoming hearing: Key question For state Childrens Court Judge John Romero, the central question will be whether Griego who was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder while in state custody has proven receptive to treatment and is prepared to re-enter society. The answer will help determine whether hes sentenced as a juvenile or adult. In New Mexico, the maximum sentence for a crime committed by someone the court considers a juvenile cannot extend beyond the persons 21st birthday. That means Griego would be released if the judge decides he should be sentenced as a juvenile. If Griego is sentenced as an adult, the judge would have broad discretion over the sentence, with the maximum penalty being 120 years. Case History In 2016, Romero found, after a similar hearing, that Griego showed he was treatable, placing him on track for release on his 21st birthday after he received two more years of therapy. But the state appeals court overturned that decision earlier this year. The judges sent the case back to Romero, saying they didnt believe he considered certain testimony presented by the prosecution. Griego, who was under the custody of the states Children Youth and Familys Department, was transferred to the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center in March. Romeros decision this time is expected to be based on whether Griego has, in fact, made the progress needed in treatment to be released. Last time, the focus was more forward-looking and centered on his potential to complete treatment and be prepared to re-enter society by age 21, said Diana Garcia, who became a prosecutor on the case this year. The crime Prosecutors in the past have focused on chilling details of the killing when they argued that Griego should serve time as an adult. Bernalillo County sheriffs deputies said Griego began his January 2013 rampage in his parents bedroom, where he shot his mother as she slept. He then shot his brother and two sisters. Griegos father, a reformed gang member and pastor at an Albuquerque megachurch, was the last to die. Griego ambushed his father as he returned home, authorities said. Griegos lawyers have spotlighted descriptions of Griegos isolating and abusive home life. He was homeschooled and rarely had the opportunity to socialize outside church functions, his attorney said. His father trained the teen to use his guns and gave him the task of patrolling their property. Witnesses Attorneys have presented a long list of witnesses they could call during the hearing, including two older sisters. They did not testify at the 2016 hearing but have since become more vocal about the case. The sisters supported the appeal and the judges decision to send the case back to Childrens Court, saying they have forgiven their brother but want to see him sentenced as an adult to ensure justice for their family. Other possible witnesses include an aunt who has closely tracked Griegos therapy and believes hes prepared for release. Attorneys also plan to call mental health experts, juvenile corrections officers, a state psychologist and other therapists. The backgrounds of those witnesses are similar to many who testified in 2016. Nepal still on EU air safety list The European Commission (EC) has continued its ban on Nepali airlines for five consecutive years through an updated EU air safety list. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal About 45 people stood mingling and sipping coffee at University of New Mexicos Zimmerman Library on a recent morning when the institutions president made her entrance. With little fanfare no official introduction, no formal remarks Garnett Stokes gradually began working her way through the crowd, carrying on a series of brief conversations with the individuals and small groups gathered in the librarys window-walled Willard Room. All had come for some presidential face time, whether to make suggestions, pay compliments or simply say hi to the woman at the helm of the states largest university. Stokes calls her new traveling office hours initiative an essential way to connect with the campus community something she also did in her past role as University of Missouris provost. Now nine months into her tenure as UNMs president, Stokes said she plans to make the sessions part of her regular routine, holding the informal meetings at different spaces around campus every Wednesday that her schedule permits. At a university with more 24,000 students and even more employees when counting the hospitals, there is plenty to discuss. And some people arrive with serious concerns. At Zimmerman, Stokes had conversations about budget challenges, staff salaries and retention of minority faculty members. One student even spoke to her about the difficulty hes had registering for a math class. Occasionally, students will come with specific issues, Stokes said, noting that she was able to refer the student to her interim chief of staff, Terry Babbitt, for more precise guidance. But many of the people who come, theyre coming just to introduce themselves and tell me about where they are on campus and what they do, and they want me to know a little bit about their programs. Even when people approach her with concerns, she said the tone is overwhelmingly friendly. Karen Gardner, a program planning manager in UNMs College of Arts & Sciences, attended the Zimmerman event to discuss three specific matters, including the chronic funding challenges within her college. I have spoken to her before but not in this type of an environment, Gardner said, referencing a few short interactions at campus events. Ive never had a chance to promote personally what I had to say. Other attendees had no particular agenda but said they appreciated the opportunity to have an audience with UNMs leader. It was nice to have a president come out and meet people, Todd Quinn, UNMs business and economics librarian, said after his quick chat with Stokes. She comes across as very approachable and very open, added Amy Jackson, also a UNM librarian. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal The five defendants arrested after authorities found a dead child at a compound north of Taos in August are now under investigation for a specific terrorism-related charge that has never before been filed in New Mexico, according to a court filing by federal prosecutors. While the possible charge providing material support to terrorists is unprecedented for New Mexico, it has been used hundreds of times across the country in cases related to jihad, said Karen Greenberg, director of the Center for National Security at Fordham Law School. The case began as a child abuse matter in state court in northern New Mexico. Since then, it has morphed into a case with allegations of terrorism playing out in federal court, where local prosecutors are being assisted by an attorney in the Department of Justices Counterterrorism Section. In fact, federal prosecutors recently said that more serious charges will soon be filed, possibly for terrorism or kidnapping offenses. Court testimony has referred to evidence involving defendant Siraj Ibn Wahhaj: international travel to countries, including Saudi Arabia and Morocco; a manual describing the stages of a terrorist attack that was found at the compound; and the fact that the FBI prepared a report after Wahhaj and his brother attended a Black Lives Matter march in Atlanta prior to Wahhaj and the other defendants arriving in New Mexico. Prosecutors in an October motion seeking to give the case complex case status said that, while the defendants have been charged only with gun crimes, they are under investigation for kidnapping and providing material support to terrorists. A search of a federal court database found that the latter charge had never been filed in a federal court in New Mexico. Defense attorneys said they are not sure why the government thinks their clients may have supported any terrorist group. Nothing in the public record indicates what support they may have provided, or which terrorist organization the government thinks the defendants are connected to. They have not shared any information with us thus far that would indicate any of the defendants were engaging with providing material support to terrorism, so I have no clue, said Kari Converse, an attorney for one of the defendants. Greenberg said the terrorism law, which has been in effect since the mid-1990s, can be interpreted broadly as far as what constitutes support. In one prior case, it was used against someone who provided another with a sleeping bag. Other times, it has been used against someone who downloaded and shared materials found online, and it has also been used against people who gave financial support or weapons to certain groups. She said it doesnt require that the defendant is providing support for a specific attack. So far, federal authorities are considering the charge, and no one has been formally accused. Tip leads to raid Taos County Sheriffs deputies were the first to raid the compound in search of Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, a 3-year-old boy who was later found deceased. The deputies were acting on a tip about horrible living conditions at the compound. The tip came from a family member who was searching for the child. Five adults and 11 children, ages 1 to 15, were found at the compound, and law enforcement officials have said the children appeared to be malnourished. The children have been placed in the custody of the state Children, Youth and Families Department. One of the defendants, Jany Leveille, has been charged in federal court with being an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The other four defendants, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, Hujrah Wahhaj, Subhannah Wahhaj and Lucas Morton, have been accused of a conspiracy related to Leveilles alleged weapon possession. All the defendants are in their mid-30s to early 40s, and all remain in jail. None of the five defendants is facing charges in connection to the death of 3-year-old Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, whose body was found inside a tunnel on the compound in Amalia near the Colorado border in August. The case sparked additional controversy when the state charges were dismissed after prosecutors failed to meet the necessary timelines. Federal authorities quickly stepped in and filed weapons charges against the group. Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj was Siraj Wahhajs son. Authorities have said the boy died because the defendants withheld vital seizure medication. FBI Special Agent Travis Taylor said in a court hearing in September that the disabled child was taken from his biological mother in Georgia before arriving in New Mexico in late 2017. Abdul-Ghani lived with the five defendants and their 11 children. Taylor said Abdul-Ghani died during a ruqyah, which is similar to an exorcism in the Islamic faith. He said that according to eyewitness interviews, Abdul-Ghani would cry, scream and foam at the mouth, and his eyes would roll back in his head during the rituals, which were performed for hours a day until he died. Authorities have said there was more to their case than just the weapons charges. Taylor said that, while at the compound, the group, including the children, trained in military skills. They learned to fire weapons and reload while on the move. They also practiced clearing rooms and other tactics. Court documents have accused the group of training some of the children to carry out armed attacks for purposes of jihad, a holy war against enemies of Islam. The indictment says that, between December 2017 and August 2018, the defendants in Taos County tried to recruit and train people, including children, to prepare to engage in jihad and to die as martyrs in violent attacks on government, military, educational and financial institutions in fulfillment of Leveilles religious prophecies. When authorities raided the compound in August, they found multiple firearms, a manual telling how to perform a terrorist attack and fight hand-to-hand, according to court documents and testimony. During a September court hearing, Taylor was asked about Siraj Wahhajs travel overseas, including to Saudi Arabia. The agent was also asked about an FBI 302 a summary of an FBI interview about Siraj Wahhaj attending a Black Lives Matter march before the events that led to criminal charges. After each question, attorneys in the case held a bench conference with the magistrate judge overseeing the hearing, and the testimony continued without getting an answer from Taylor. Defense attorneys have moved to remove the language in the indictment concerning jihad and martyrdom, saying it could prejudice a jury if the case goes to trial. Anytime you have a client charged with a crime and the government tries to allege other crimes in the indictment or inflammatory or prejudicial material in the indictment, you want to have the record clear that is not what they are charged with, said Carey Bhalla, a defense attorney in the case. More charges possible Prosecutors, however, indicated last month that a new indictment making more serious allegations against the group may be forthcoming. The United States has made both the defendants and the court aware that investigation of this matter continues, the prosecutions reply states. There will be at least one superseding indictment. A superseding indictment alleging terrorism and or kidnapping offenses may yet address the defendants concerns. We havent seen any evidence of that so far, said Amy Sirignano, another defense attorney in the case. If they have evidence to support (providing material support to terrorists) then they need to do what they intend to do and bring the evidence that supports it. Officials from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico could not be reached for comment last week. Defense attorneys, meanwhile, said they are waiting to see what additional charges, if any, their clients will face. A magistrate judge ruled in September that the group will remain in custody. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal With Michelle Lujan Grisham positioned to dramatically make over the University of New Mexico governing board, students and faculty are offering the governor-elect some input about what they want in new members. Lujan Grisham has the rare opportunity to immediately stock UNMs Board of Regents with her own picks, as five of seven current members terms are ending. A spokesman said last week that Lujan Grisham intends to start submitting her regent appointments to the state Senate in early January. UNMs student government leadership wrote Lujan Grisham earlier this month urging her to make regent selections that reflect the campus community. And the universitys Faculty Senate last week discussed the characteristics they want in regent candidates, with senators, commenting that they want regents who have some university experience, no conflicts of interest and an understanding of civil discourse. Faculty Senate President Pamela Pyle said she aims to get a meeting with Lujan Grisham or someone in her administration to present the faculty feedback. I want on their radar that this is one of the most important decisions theyre going to make. I want her to understand the weight of how the faculty feels, Pyle said during the Faculty Senate meeting. The regents have oversight of UNM and its $3 billion annual budget. They hire, and can terminate, the university president. They also set the institutions priorities and goals. New Mexicos governor nominates regents, who are then subject to confirmation by the state Senate. But the states regent boards have sparked political wrangling, with the Senate failing to hold confirmation hearings for any of Gov. Susana Martinezs UNM appointments for the past two years. That has disrupted the normal, staggered-term system and created a patchwork board with some temporary placements, leading to this wave of five near-simultaneous departures. Five is a substantial number, Pyle said during the faculty meeting. Were not just getting one or two; we are now altering the course and the shift in power on the board. And for those of us who have been intimately involved, we know how important that is. Both UNM students and faculty say they want the new governor to consider diversity when selecting new regents. Associated Students of UNM President Becka Myers wrote in her recent letter to Lujan Grisham that diversity is important to UNMs culture and identity. We are a minority-majority campus, serving a 46 percent Hispanic student body. It is critical to me and all of us at ASUNM that our Regents reflect that diversity, which includes ethnicity, heritage, culture, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ideas, and professional backgrounds, she wrote. As the University faces pressing challenges, the diversity of the Board of Regents will be imperative as it seeks to steer UNM and New Mexico in the right direction. The board has been predominantly Anglo in recent years. Faculty senators also expressed the desire for a board that represents different perspectives, with Ann Waldorf, an associate professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences, noting the importance of understanding both urban and rural communities. I think we get confused about the fact that students dont just come from right around here, and rural is a cultural barrier and so (we should) really push for that as well, she said. Lujan Grisham has made it clear she has been unhappy with the current UNM board. Asked if Lujan Grisham was soliciting feedback from the university community, spokesman Victor Reyes wrote in an email to the Journal that she welcomes feedback, recommendations, and input from community members and education stakeholders via her website. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal Editors Note: A liberal arts college graduate turned forest ranger, Laura McCarthy is heading up a race against time to protect New Mexicos waters from deadly wildfires. She talked about the Rio Grande Water Fund project in a recent interview. July 2018 was hot and dry when lightning sparked the Venado fire in the Jemez. As always in New Mexico, foresters scanned the horizon looking for the telltale soaring plume that comes with extreme fire behavior, such as the Las Conchas fire in 2011 that burned 44,000 acres in its first 13 hours and charred more than 150,000 acres leaving a burned-out moonscape that flushed untold amounts of ash and sludge into the watershed when heavy rains came. That didnt happen with the Venado fire. After racing across the treetops, the fire almost miraculously dropped to the ground and was eventually limited to a few thousand acres. But nothing about it was miraculous. It was science-based strategic planning and hard work. The Venado fire, which experts said could have easily grown to 40,000 acres, hit an area of the forest that had recently been thinned in one of the projects of the Rio Grande Water Restoration Fund. The same thing happened with the Cajete fire in 2017, ignited by a campfire that hadnt been extinguished. And with the David Canyon fire in June 2018. It also hit an area where the forest had been thinned and overgrown brush removed. It burned just 15 acres. At a time when the nations attention has been riveted on the devastating fires in California and the heated finger-pointing about its overgrown brush and forest, a unique public-private partnership in New Mexico has been on the ground working to reduce the danger from explosive wildfires and, in the process, protecting one of our most precious and scarce resources: water. The primary mover behind this effort, which has so far resulted in 108,000 acres of forest treated with thinning, controlled burns and managed natural fires at a cost of $44.5 million? Meet Laura McCarthy. McCarthy, who grew up in Washington, D.C., and graduated from a liberal arts college in Maine before choosing a career that led her to sleeping in tents in the forest and even serving as a fire lookout, is the associate state director of the Nature Conservancys New Mexico field office and managing director of the Rio Grande Water Fund. Much work is yet to be done to mitigate the significant threat of devastating fires that could impact the states water resources. Another 300,000 acres is in the Rio Grande Water Funds planning pipeline, with estimates that New Mexico has 1.7 million acres of forest in which proactive management would make a difference. There are plenty of economic and bureaucratic hurdles. But also progress and momentum. Im really grateful that in New Mexico we have found a way to proactively scale up and not wait for the feds to bail us out, McCarthy said. This public-private partnership is a way New Mexicans are stepping up and saying this problem affects our water supply throughout the Rio Grande Valley, and we need to take matters into our own hands and demand a proactive solution not where we say others should do something, but one where we all step up and pitch in. McCarthy and her team have assembled an impressive group of about 70 businesses and government agencies in their race to head off devastating wildfires and their horrific impact on our water. Signatories to the organizations charter range from government agencies, like the Forest Service, State Land Office and the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, to companies like Presbyterian, PNM and General Mills. McCarthy says that about $4.55 million in private donations have been used to leverage $40 million in public funding. Along the way, the project has created an estimated 235 forestry jobs and an estimated $23 million to $36 million in economic output. But its hard to put a monetary value on the real goal of the project, which is to prevent catastrophe. McCarthy says one of the four priority areas identified by the project for forest thinning is in the San Juan-Chama watershed, given its importance to Albuquerques drinking water supply. I would read about the San Juan-Chama Water Project in the paper, but I had no idea we were banking our water supply on essentially two modest-sized watersheds that if they were to burn in the way that Las Conchas burned would set us back for 50 years, she said. That was a big awakening. Business buy-in McCarthys work on the Rio Grande Water Fund project dates back to 2012. We had a concept but no staff working on it and I met with a lot of people and asked what they thought. Is it viable? Could we pull something like this off? The thing about the concept was that it was going to be a bigger scale than ever tried before and was going to work across sectors, bringing water people, forest people and the private sector all together. The feedback was pretty positive. I remember distinctly that one of our board members helped get an invitation for us to present to a committee of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce in December 2012 that (Albuquerque architect) Dale Dekker chaired. I had a decent set of slides explaining the problem, but I was pretty sure the business community was going to hate this. That wasnt their reaction. Dale, in particular, saw the video of the debris flow and said, Thats like a tsunami right here in our own state and we should do something about this. And that was the transition point because we knew we had buy-in. We spent a year and a half with working groups developing what we call a comprehensive plan for wildlife and water source protection. It was comprehensive because we said, lets take all the existing plans and look at them together and kind of roll them up into one coordinated action. McCarthy said the Nature Conservancy had strong analysis capacity and geographic information systems that were used in identifying the target areas a huge challenge given that forest lands cross various state, federal and tribal boundaries with private property owners mixed in. We identified four priority geographies that were important from a water supply perspective and that had a high probability of uncharacteristically severe wildfire. Note: Experts say the runoff from an area like that devastated by Las Conchas is up to 100 times greater than runoff from an unburned forest that receives similar rainfall. We identified the San Juan-Chama as No. 1, followed by the west slope of the Sangre de Cristos, the East Mountains and the Jemez. Within each of those we have collaborative groups working at various scales. We figure we have 600,000 acres to restore so were 20 percent there. Weve made a dent. Seeds planted After graduating cum laude from Bowdoin College with a bachelor of arts in government and legal affairs, McCarthy landed a job as a forestry technician in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, taking inventory of what was on the ground. We would record the kinds of trees, how tall they were, how big around and what was growing in the understory. All that was used by professional staff to make decisions about things like logging. I was in Idaho for three years, and it turned out I really loved it. She recalls that on her first day she was handed a device used to bore into trees to extract tree ring samples and had no idea what it was. I was clueless. But not clueless for long. Her resume also includes stints as a wildland firefighter in the West and forest ranger in Vermont, along with a master of forestry degree from Yale University in 1988. She came to the Southwest in 1996. I had met my husband, Patrick, and he was working for the Nature Conservancy and wanted to move to the Southwest to be closer to his family. They have two children and share a love for the outdoors. They went camping for three days after the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Working in D.C. Some of McCarthys most important work on forests was done in Washington, D.C., when she was the Nature Conservancys senior policy adviser for fire and forest restoration. I started in 2005 and my boss was in Arlington, Va., and that worked well because those were the years Pete (Domenici, R-N.M.) and Jeff (Bingaman, D-N.M.) were trading off chairmanship of Natural Resources, and that was the committee I needed to be working with. So it was an asset to be a New Mexican doing that job. She had high praise for both former senators, as well as current office holders, Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich. She said the water fund project was in response to legislation sponsored by Bingaman to address the fire threat issue. The bill, she said, sort of fixed it but not well enough. And that led me to try this public-private partnership. The Forest Service, she said, had seen its budget decimated by fighting increasingly hot and catastrophic wildfires. Unlike other disasters where Congress appropriates special funding for a hurricane, for example the Forest Service had to absorb those costs from its budget. That didnt leave much for proactive forest management like that undertaken by the Rio Grande Water Fund. Congress has finally made a fix, but it doesnt take effect until next year. Working the political system has been crucial, and McCarthy has the advantage of having worked in the system. There are lots of hoops to jump through dealing with the Forest Service, but myself and our forest program director here are both former Forest Service employees and I think that has allowed us to be effective because we can walk a mile in their shoes. We know when to cut them slack and when to push, and I think they view us as a valued partner. I think the Forest Service has evolved a lot. I think the leadership in the Southwest Region is really strong, and they really want to see forest restored. That doesnt mean there arent dozens and dozens of barriers to work through, including many policies that are old and were developed in a different era. The Nature Conservancy approach is that we work with anybody; we meet them where they are, and we do our best to get to solutions. Major overgrowth Years of fire suppression, coupled with a warmer climate (in particular, temperatures are noticeably hotter in the Jemez) have left the area with a huge potential for devastating fires, McCarthy says. And more urban interface with the forest, as seen recently in California, is another problem. McCarthy says ponderosa pine forests had a general average of 80 trees an acre back when fires were frequent. Now, we often have 1,000 or even 2,000 trees per acre. So thats the magnitude of the problem were talking about when we talk about the overgrown forest. Not only does it create a perfect setting for explosive wildfire and resulting damage to watershed, McCarthy says the overgrown forest is terrible for wildlife. There is no food supply. And it sets up conflict between wildlife and livestock because theres not enough grass for the elk and cows and theyre all forced into meadows that are sensitive wetlands. If there was grass growing between the trees at 80 trees an acre then we wouldnt have as pronounced conflicts between humans and wildlife. As for those who oppose tree cutting at all, she says they are coming from their values, but not from a place thats grounded in 80 years of science. Meanwhile, immediate challenges include how to scale up the work and make operations more efficient on all levels, perhaps managing 30 to 40 projects at once. One challenge is how to train workers, then keep them when the year for field work is often out of sync with government fiscal years. We need to be able to keep people working year round and need to improve processes (like environmental studies) that can slow a project. Market forces Nature Conservancy folks are sometimes referred to as the conservative environmentalists a term McCarthy embraces. The organization used to raise money to buy and protect select properties, but eventually realized the scale of the processes that drive ecological change are bigger than any one ownership. Hence, the move toward the kind of partnership effort being undertaken here. She said of one of the organizations founding values is to work with the private sector and it believes market forces are the way to bring about conservation and change. Im not saying there is no role for regulation, but the pathway to significant change is through market forces. Its about finding the common ground between nature conservation and human well-being. The Rio Grande Water Funds private sector investors, she says, have an interest in reliable water and a sustainable supply chain and that means they need partnerships with those who are working on conservation, not just for natures sake but also integrating human users of nature in a sustainable way. But it is a race against time. It will soon be winter in New Mexico and with luck the state will see a good snowpack. However, the next fire season will be back in the blink of an eye. While McCarthy and her partners have made significant progress, they are playing a high stakes game of chess with nature trying to target key watershed areas and treat them before they can explode into devastating fires like Las Conchas. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal As Catholics around the world welcome the beginning of Advent, parishioners in the Santa Fe Archdiocese are also dealing with the recent news of the archdioceses intent to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Santa Fe Archbishop John Wester announced the decision Thursday, and the subject was a focus of Masses in Albuquerque and Santa Fe this weekend. The first thing were being vigilant for is the care of those who were victimized, said the Rev. Andrew Pavlak during his homily at San Felipe de Neris Saturday evening Mass, following a reading from the Gospel of Luke that emphasizes vigilance against sin. Pavlak warned that the reorganization may cause changes in the coming months. There may be some things that we need to tighten our belts on, he said. Pavlak encouraged parishioners to ask him any questions they may have about the reorganization and to pick up copies of Westers statement on the bankruptcy in the back of the Old Town Plaza church. San Felipe de Neri parishioner Stephen Archuleta said he found Pavlaks message heartening. I think the Church is trying to do the right thing by positioning itself to take care of those who were impacted, he said. It actually made me feel pretty good that theyre looking at it like that. His father, Billy Archuleta, who was baptized at San Felipe in 1942, said he thought the decision to file for bankruptcy was a prudent one. Theyre not doing it to get out of paying people, he said. Theyre just doing it to put aside the money before someone says, Im going to sue you for all the money. After Mass at Santa Fes Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi on Saturday evening, parishioner and former board member of the now-defunct St. Francis Cathedral School, Annie Coogan, said she has seen church money funneled into payments for victims of abuse for years. Were well familiar with our money going toward that, Coogan said. We would like our church to be transparent about where all the money is going. In his statements Thursday, Wester said he is hopeful financial transparency will be improved through the reorganization process. The archdiocese has paid out millions to victims of sexual abuse by priests for about two decades. While it will not save the archdiocese money, declaring bankruptcy will ensure funds are available for current and future claims, Wester said. In Santa Fe, the Rev. Christopher Hallada acknowledged during his homily the challenges the abuse scandal and bankruptcy have posed to parishioners faith. Its hard when theres so much uncertainty in our church to trust in God, Hallada said. But thats what were called to do this evening. Police arrested a third suspect on Saturday who they say was part of a gang that targeted and shot three teenagerskilling one, leaving one blind and the other paralyzedin separate attacks across Albuquerque over a few months. Albuquerque police spokesman Simon Drobik said Kalani Hodges, 17, will be charged as an adult in connection to three shootings in August and September that left 17-year-old Adrian Martinez dead, Aneas Price, 16, permanently blind and Vicente Sanchez, 16, paralyzed. Police say Hodges, Matthew Delena, 23, and Seven Long, 15, used Facebook to lure their victimsunder the guise of drug dealswith the intention of shooting and killing them. Authorities have maintained that the shootings were gang-related and done out of retaliation, but have not described how the victims were associated or affiliated with any rival gangs. Police say Long shot Price on Aug. 22 at the Sandia Vista Apartments, all three suspects gunned down Martinez on Sep. 9 at the corner of Monroe and Marble and Delena shot Sanchez several times on Sep. 14 in a Whole Foods parking lot. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina President Donald Trump took his first step back in his months-long confrontation with China on Saturday, agreeing to cancel a planned Jan. 1 tariff increase on Chinese products in return for purchases of what the White House called a very substantial amount of American farm, energy and industrial goods. The limited bargain, reached with Chinese President Xi Jinping over dinner, will see the U.S. and China restart talks aimed at resolving a trade dispute that is damaging the global economy, worrying some of Trumps Republican allies, and unnerving investors. But the partial accord recalled previous deals that administration officials have disparaged as unenforceable and unproductive. The two leaders struck the agreement during a roughly 2.5-hour dinner on the sidelines of the summit of G-20 leaders, personally tackling several of the greatest irritants in the U.S.-China relationship. Trump and Xi agreed to immediately begin talks on Chinese industrial policies, including coercive licensing of U.S. technology, trade secret theft and non-tariff trade barriers. This was an amazing and productive meeting with unlimited possibilities for both the United States and China, Trump said in a statement issued from Air Force One as he returned to Washington. It is my great honor to be working with President Xi. Even as Trump appeared to soften his approach to China, he talked tough on a separate trade front. Aboard Air Force One, the president told reporters that he would formally terminate the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement in a political gamble designed to force wavering lawmakers to back his replacement treaty dubbed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. The temporary ceasefire in the U.S.-China trade war left the toughest issues to future bargaining sessions, which will attempt to succeed where earlier efforts failed and under an ambitious 90-day deadline. If the latest effort encounters the same roadblocks, Trump said he will proceed with his previous plan to raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese products to 25 percent from 10 percent, which was to have taken effect on Jan. 1. The president also has threatened to extend the tariffs to everything that the U.S. imports from China, which would involve an additional $267 billion in goods. There was no mention of that threat in the White House account of Saturdays talks. Some analysts said the talks had made important progress on cooperation on the North Korean nuclear program and restricting illicit Chinese shipments to the U.S. of the addictive opioid fentanyl, but did not represent a breakthrough in commercial diplomacy. On standard trade issues, this is where we were weeks ago, said Derek Scissors, a China scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and sometimes adviser to the administration. Economist Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics wrote in a note to clients: Weve been here before . . . China will have to offer a little more than the minor concessions that South Korea, Mexico and Canada agreed to reach trade deals with the US. The White House quoted Xi as saying he is open to approving Qualcomms $44 billion takeover of NXP Semiconductors, which the American company had abandoned in July after failing to secure Chinese regulatory approvals. Chinas refusal to approve the deal upended the global expansion plans of a premier American company and showcased Beijings ability to make the U.S. feel financial pain in ways other than tariffs. While the Trump-Xi duet riveted most attendees here, the G-20 leaders agreed on a communique that reflected shared ambitions in economic development, finance and trade. The communique was in harmony with many of the United States biggest objectives, especially in backing reform of the World Trade Organization, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity. On climate change, however, the United States remained the lone holdout, with 19 other leaders pledging to implement the Paris accord to fight global warming. The United States instead reiterated Trumps decision to withdraw from the accord. G-20 leaders also agreed that the global trading system is currently falling short of its objectives and agreed to take stock of proposed overhauls at next years summit in Japan. But it was the United States and China that dominated the spotlight. Perhaps not since President Richard Nixon met Chinese leader Mao Zedong in 1972 have U.S.-China relations pivoted so closely around individual personalities, Aaron Friedberg, a China specialist at Princeton University, said. 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 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. Trump and Xi met in April 2017 at the presidents Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, and in Beijing in November 2017. After negotiations led by their subordinates ran aground, Trump telephoned Xi last month to reopen the dialogue. The trade conflict, which has rattled financial markets and upended global supply chains, began this year when Trump imposed tariffs on $253 billion of imported Chinese steel, industrial products and consumer goods, including handbags, furniture and appliances. Chinese officials, caught off guard by the aggressive U.S. moves, retaliated with import taxes on such American products as soybeans, automobiles and liquefied natural gas. Trump and Xi met amid mounting worries that trade fights are undermining a weakening global economy. Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said Saturday that trade tensions have begun to have a negative effect and are increasing the risk that growth will disappoint. Video Embed Code Video: President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires on Dec. 1. Trump called the two leaders relationship very special.'(The Washington Post) HONG KONG Early last year, a little-known Chinese researcher turned up at an elite meeting in Berkeley, California, where scientists and ethicists were discussing a technology that had shaken the field to its core an emerging tool for editing genes, the strings of DNA that form the blueprint of life. The young scientist, He Jiankui, saw the power of this tool, called CRISPR, to transform not only genes, but also his own career. In visits to the United States, he sought out CRISPR pioneers such as Jennifer Doudna of the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford Universitys Dr. Matthew Porteus, and big thinkers on its use, like Stanford ethicist Dr. William Hurlbut. Last week, those shocked researchers watched as He hijacked an international conference they helped organize with an astonishing claim: He said he helped make the worlds first gene-edited babies , despite clear scientific consensus that making genetic changes that could be passed to future generations should not be attempted at this point . U.S. National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins called Hes experiment a misadventure of a major sort starring a scientist who apparently believed that he was a hero. In fact, he crossed every line, scientifically and ethically. But nobody stopped him. How can that be? To be fair, scientists say theres no certain way to stop someone intent on monkeying with DNA, no matter what laws or standards are in place. CRISPR is cheap and easy to use which is why scientists began to worry almost as soon as the technology was invented that something like this would happen. And there is a long history in science and medicine of researchers launching experiments prematurely that were met with scorn or horror some of which led to what are now common practices, such as in-vitro fertilization. Gene-editing for reproductive purposes is effectively banned in the U.S. and most of Europe. In China, ministerial guidelines prohibit embryo research that violates ethical or moral principles. It turns out He wasnt exactly tight-lipped about his goals . He pursued international experts at Stanford and Rice Universities, where he had done graduate studies work, and elsewhere, seeking advice before and during the experiment. Should scientists who knew of Hes plans have spoken up? Could they have dissuaded him? The answers arent clear. It doesnt fall into the category of legal responsibility, but ethical responsibility, said Collins. He said that not speaking up doesnt seem like a scientist taking responsibility. Chinas National Commission of Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Hes own university have said they were in dark and have since condemned him . But three Stanford scientists Hurlbut, Porteus and Hes former fellowship adviser, Stephen Quake had extensive contact with him over the last few years. They and other scientists knew or strongly suspected that He intended to try to make genetically edited babies. Some confidantes didnt think He would follow through; others raised concerns that were never heeded. Stanford has not responded to an interview request. Quake, a bioengineering professor, was one of the first to know about Hes ambition. Quake said he had met with He through the years whenever his former student was in town, and that He confided his interest a few years ago in editing embryos for live births to try to make them resistant to the AIDS virus. Quake said he gave He only general advice and encouraged him to talk with mainstream scientists, to choose situations where theres consensus that the risks are justified, to meet the highest ethics standards and to publish his results in a peer-reviewed journal. My advice was very broad, Quake said. Hurlbut thinks he first met He in early 2017, when he and Doudna, co-inventor of CRISPR, held the first of three meetings with leading scientists and ethicists to discuss the technology. Somehow, he ended up at our meeting, Hurlbut said. Since then, He returned several times to Stanford, and Hurlbut said he spent many hours talking with He about situations where gene editing might be appropriate. Four or five weeks ago, Hurlbut said He came to see him again and discussed embryo gene editing to try to prevent HIV. Hurlbut said he suspected He had tried to implant a modified embryo in a womans womb. I admonished him, he said. I didnt green-light his work. I challenged him on it. I didnt approve of what he was doing. Porteus said he knew that He had been talking with Hurlbut and assumed Hurlbut discouraged the Chinese scientist. In February, He asked to meet with Porteus and told him he had gotten approval from a hospital ethics board to move forward. I think he was expecting me to be more receptive, and I was very negative, Porteus said. I was angry at his naivete, I was angry at his recklessness. Porteus said he urged He to go talk to your senior Chinese colleagues. After that meeting, I didnt hear from him and assumed he would not proceed, Porteus said. In retrospect, I could have raised a hue and cry. In a draft article about the gene-edited twin girls, which He planned to submit to journals, he thanked UC Berkeley biophysicist Mark DeWitt for editing the manuscript. DeWitt said he tried to dissuade He and disputed that he edited the paper. He said he saw the paper, but the feedback he offered was pretty general. Hes claims, including that his work has resulted in a second pregnancy , cannot be independently confirmed and his work has not been published. He defended his actions last week at a gene editing summit in Hong Kong. In contrast, another U.S. scientist said he not only encouraged He but played a large role in the project. Michael Deem, a bioengineering professor at Rice University and Hes doctoral degree adviser, said he had worked with He since the scientist returned to China around 2012, and that he sits on the advisory boards and holds a small stake in Hes two genetics companies in Shenzhen. Deem defended Hes actions, saying the research team did earlier experiments on animals. We have multiple generations of animals that were genetically edited and produced viable offspring, and a lot of research on unintended effects on other genes, Deem said. Deem also said he was present in China when some study participants gave their consent to try embryo gene editing. Rice said it had no knowledge of Deems involvement and is now investigating. So far most of the attention has focused on regulatory gaps in China. But thats not the whole story, said Rosario Isasi, an expert on genomics law in the U.S. and China at the University of Miami. Lets focus on how it happened and why it happened, and the way it happened, said Isasi. How can we establish a system that has better transparency? Theres no international governing body to enforce bioethics rules, but scientific bodies and universities can use other tools. If someone breaks those rules, scientists can ostracize, journals can refuse to publish, employers can refuse to employ, funders can refuse to fund, said Hank Greely, a professor of law and genetics at Stanford. Greely expects Hes experiment will have ripple effects in academia, whether or not regulators act. Universities are going to take a harder look at whats going on. This incident will put everyone on alert about any related research. Of course, sometimes bad beginnings can turn into better endings. In 1980, University of California, Los Angeles, professor Martin Cline was sanctioned for performing the first gene therapy on two women in Israel and Italy because he hadnt gotten approval to try it at UCLA. Cline announced his work rather than publishing it in a scientific journal, and faced criticism for trying genetic engineering on people when its safety and effectiveness hadnt yet been established in animals. Now gene therapy is an established, although still fairly novel, treatment method. Two years earlier, in 1978, Dr. Robert Edwards was similarly denounced when he announced through the press the worlds first test tube baby, Louise Brown. The work later earned a Nobel Prize, and IFV has helped millions to have a child. And this year, Louise Brown mother of two sons, conceived in the old-fashioned way turned 40. ___ Larson reported from Washington, D.C. ___ This Associated Press series was produced in partnership with the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. BUTTE COUNTY, TOWN OF PARADISE, Calif. The Butte County Sheriffs Office and Paradise Police Department are working to reduce risks for home and business owners when returning to their property. Multiple local, state and federal agencies, contractors and utility providers are contributing to these efforts. The Sheriffs Office in conjunction with the Paradise Police Department is establishing an orderly re-entry process controlled by entry points to ensure that only residents and property owners are allowed initial access. A form of identification (ID) is required to gain access, such as a drivers license or state ID card, passport, utility bill and valid photo ID, or consular ID. Re-entry will be phased and based on established evacuation zones which can be identified on the map which is accessible at buttecountyrecovers.org/evacuation-map. Residents can register for the Countys emergency mass notification system to receive updates when they are able to access their property. In addition, these social media channels will be updated as evacuation zones are released: Facebook Town of Paradise Butte County Sheriffs Office Butte County Twitter: Town of Paradise Butte County Sheriffs Office Butte County Next Door Town of Paradise Upon re-entry, property owners will encounter dangerous conditions and be exposed to hazardous materials. Butte County Environmental Health will provide re-entry health and safety kits at re-entry checkpoints. Health and safety precautions for re-entry can be reviewed in advance here. Fire survivors can benefit from resources provided here to address the mental and emotional issue that may surface after a disaster. Updates will be provided at press conferences on Monday, December 3, and Wednesday, December 5, at 6 p.m. These will be streamed live and a link can be found on the Sheriff Departments and Butte Countys social media sites. For news updates via email or text messages, sign up here or text BCRECOVERS to 22828. CHICO, Calif. - Recology, an employee-owned company, recently donated $100,000 to the Camp Fire Relief Fund at the Golden Valley Bank Community Foundation. The check was presented by Dan Shea, General Manager of Recology Butte and Colusa Counties. "We are proud to be part of this community and the relief efforts for the fire victims," Shea said. "We look forward to helping the Foundation direct this money to where it is needed most." Recology joined many local companies assisting the Foundations Camp Fire fundraising efforts and their contribution pushed the total to over $2 million. The Foundation and its fundraising partners are accepting general contributions for Camp Fire Relief. Checks can be made payable to GVBCF Camp Fire and dropped off or mailed to the Bank. Donations can also be accepted through PayPal through the Foundations website at www.goldenvalley.bank. CLICK THIS LINK to see our Camp Fire Donations Page CLICK THIS LINK to visit our FIRE WATCH section of our website, containing articles including latest information, missing person's information and official re-entry notices. Oli meets ex-PM of Pakistan, ex-Presidents of Colombia and Palau Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday held separate meetings with the leaders who came to Kathmandu to attend the Asia Pacific Summit 2018. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - The United States and China have 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 White House said 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 truce buys time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijing's aggressive drive to supplant U.S. technological dominance. 9:20 p.m. President Donald Trump has wrapped up his time at a summit for world leaders with more than two hours of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two are trying to tamp down tensions surrounding a U.S.-China trade war. Top economic adviser Larry Kudlow told reporters after the meeting that it went "very well," but no other details have been released. During two days at the Group of 20 summit of rich and developing nations held in Argentina, Trump met one on one with the leaders of Germany, Turkey, South Korea, Australia, Japan and the host country of Argentina. He canceled a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Moscow's seizure of Ukrainian ships. He also canceled a wrap-up news conference out of respect to former President George H. W. Bush, who died Friday. Trump boarded Air Force One late Saturday en route to Washington. ___ 6:15 p.m. President Donald Trump is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the countries look for ways to ease an escalating trade war. Trump suggested to reporters just before the sit-down that at "some point" it could yield "something that will be good for China and good for the United States." He didn't elaborate. Trump and Xi were set to talk over dinner Saturday at a summit of world leaders in Argentina. The two are trying to negotiate the end to a trade conflict that is rattling financial markets and threatening the world economy. Both sides have raised tariffs on billions of dollars of each country's goods. Trump said they would also discuss the opioid crisis. He said he hopes China will criminalize fentanyl, the synthetic form of opioids largely shipped from China. ___ 3:50 p.m. A senior White House official says a joint G-20 statement meets many U.S. objectives, most importantly reforming the World Trade Organization. President Donald Trump and the other leaders signed the document at the end of a two-day summit of rich and developing nations held in Argentina. The U.S. supported the language on the WTO but did not sign on to a commitment to support the Paris Climate Accord, which Trump is exiting. All the other countries agreed to support the statement. The White House official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, also noted language on workforce development and women's economic development and said China committed to doing infrastructure financing on "transparent terms." -By Catherine Lucey ___ 3:20 p.m. President Donald Trump is meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan amid a global outcry over the death of a U.S.-based columnist who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Erdogan has sought to keep international pressure on Saudi Arabia over the slaying in October of Jamal Khashoggi. Trump has said there is no definitive evidence that Saudi Arabia's crown prince is complicit in the killing. He says the kingdom is an important ally that has helped keep oil prices low. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that the crown prince must have at least known about the plot to kill Khashoggi. The two leaders are meeting at the Group of 20 rich and developing nations in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The meeting is closed to reporters. ___ 2:40 p.m. President Donald Trump held an "informal conversation" with Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday. That's according to White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who says the chat occurred during the dinner program at the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sanders says that as is typical at multilateral events, the president and first lady had several informal conversations with world leaders at the dinner, including Putin. Trump and Putin were supposed to have a formal bilateral meeting Saturday at the summit, but Trump called it off Thursday amid spiking tensions over Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian naval vessels and their crews last weekend. ___ 2:15 p.m. President Donald Trump is talking trade and other hot-button international issues with German Chancellor Angela Merkel - a leader he says is "highly respected by everybody, including me." They are meeting during the Group of 20 summit of rich and developing nations being held in Argentina. Trump and Merkel will discuss trade, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and Moscow's violations of a landmark nuclear arms treaty that Trump plans to exit. Many in Europe have looked to Merkel as Trump has called into question traditional trans-Atlantic ties with his announcements of trade tariffs, repeated criticism of European contributions to NATO and other issues. Merkel has walked a fine line, criticizing some of Trump's decisions while emphasizing that a good relationship with Washington is central to her government. ___ 2:10 p.m. President Donald Trump says he expressed his "best wishes" to the Bush family after the death of former President George H.W. Bush. Trump says he spoke with former President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Saturday. He praised the elder Bush, who died Friday, as "a high-quality man who truly loved his family." He added that Bush's death "really puts a damper" on his participation at the international Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Earlier Saturday, Trump cancelled a scheduled summit news conference out of respect for the Bush family. Trump has publicly sparred with the political dynasty, clashing on style and substance. Trump commented while meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who praised the late Bush one of the fathers of German reunification. ___ 1:15 p.m. President Donald Trump has ordered American flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days to honor former President George H.W. Bush. In a proclamation signed Saturday, hours after Bush died, Trump has also designated Wednesday as a national day of mourning. Trump encourages Americans to gather in places of worship "to pay homage" to Bush's memory. He adds: "I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance." Trump hails Bush as "one of America's greatest points of light," a reference to one of Bush's signature phrases about American civic culture. Trump has mocked the "points of light" phrase, saying at campaign rallies that "I never quite got that one." ___ 12:40 p.m. President Donald Trump is cancelling 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. In a tweet, Trump says 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 adds: "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 is scheduled to meet down Saturday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chinese President Xi Jinping before returning to Washington. ___ 4:45 a.m. When President Donald Trump sits down for dinner Saturday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, their table talk will undoubtedly have a global impact. 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 says: "There's some good signs. We'll see what happens." The Trump-Xi meeting is the marquee event of Trump's whirlwind two-day trip to Argentina for the Group of 20 Summit. 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. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press) By J.B. Handley It started innocently enough, I just wanted to know which vaccines the State of Oregon requires children to get before entering kindergarten in a public school. (As we all know, but few other Americans seem to, require is a relative term because parents can opt out of any and all vaccine requirements if they so choose through exemptions.) A quick trip to the Oregon Department of Health website and I found what I was looking for, some of which surprised me: Kindergartners in Oregon must demonstrate they have received the following vaccines: DTaP, Polio, Varicella, MMR, Hep B, and Hep A. This means that kindergartners in Oregon do not need to demonstrate that they have received the following vaccines listed for children on the 2009 CDC Immunization schedule, and vaccines that many parents believe they need to get in order for their children to enter school: Hib, PCV (pneumococcal), Rotavirus, Influenza, and Meningitis (meningococcal). So, of the 11 types of vaccines approved for pediatric use (and given in 36 doses because many are given multiple times), Oregon says you need to prove your child received 6 of them to enter kindergarten, or just over half of the vaccines recommended by CDC. I called the Oregon Department of Health to try and understand why there appears to be a gap between the CDCs overall recommendations and what the state of Oregon needs from its public school students and heres what I learned: How many vaccines and doses our kids actually receive How the number of vaccines given to kids has changed over time (its nearly tripled in 20 years) That autism rates are up geometrically in 20 years What diseases the vaccines given actually are designed to prevent (people are always shocked when they learn we vaccinate for chicken pox, as just one example) How many vaccines other first world countries give their children That flu shots (and swine flu shots) still contain mercury For Hib, they believe a child should receive Hib, and that the earlier the better, and that most children receive Hib when they are much younger and when the risks of getting Haemophilus Influenza type B are much higher.For PCV, its a newer vaccine (2000) and they just arent yet recommending or requiring it (I pressed, and thats the party line).For Flu, they think it should be a parents choice and in any one year the flu shot and actual influenza strain thats circulating may not match, so making it an entry requirement didnt make sense.For Meningitis, they dont have an opinion yet, but the vaccine is on the CDC schedule only for certain high-risk groups so its not required for public school(which is true).That leaves Rotavirus.Sigh.OK, let me just say it so you dont have to: Paul Offit.You just cant talk about the Rotavirus vaccine without also talking about Paul Offit, the vaccine industrys most well-paid spokesperson. The man who made tens of millions of dollars from a Rotavirus vaccine patent and who believes a baby could tolerate 100,000 vaccines simultaneously. The man who the media cannot get enough of (or is he simply the last doctor willing to publicly defend vaccines?) when it comes to discussing vaccine safety. The man who wrote a book, Autisms False Profits, that is filled with lies, misstatements, and false reassurances for unwitting parents.Yup, that guy.One of the big challenges in discussing the possible relationship between vaccines and autism (or the whole concept of vaccine injury in general) with the average American is that very few people have a handle on the actual facts. I find that in particular, people do not understand: As I say way too often, the devil is always in the details. Shouldnt it be fair to say that some vaccines are more important than others? Wouldnt an average parent care less that their child caught the flu than polio? Dont these differences matter? Which brings me back to Rotavirus. To me, Rotavirus is a great way to demonstrate how corrupted the process of adding vaccines to the US schedule has become. As about 1,000 Americans understand (and they are all reading AoA right now), there is a little-known federal advisory committee that has ridiculous power to add vaccines to the CDCs schedule, the Advisory Committee of Immunizations Practices (ACIP). For a vaccine maker, landing one of your own people on the ACIP is pay dirt. Because we all know how sleazy the Rotavirus admission to the CDC schedule is, I will just summarize: Paul Offit, vaccine patent holder for Rotavirus for Merck, was appointed to the ACIP, God knows why He voted to add the Rotavirus vaccine to the schedule (it wasnt Mercks, because his vaccine wasnt ready for market yet) That Rotavirus vaccine damaged a bunch of kids and was pulled from the market, but Offit abstained from recommending its removal A couple years later, rotavirus got added back to the schedule, with Offits vaccine leading the way Offit made tens of millions of dollars from the sale of the Rotavirus patent he held to Merck. Earlier this year, Generation Rescue looked at the vaccine schedules of 29 other first world countries. We found that compared to the 36 doses the CDC recommends for our kids, the average for the rest of the first world is 18, or half the total vaccine doses we give. And, many first world countries give as few as 11, 12 or 13 doses (Sweden, Finland, and Italy, respectively). More interesting than the aggregate number of vaccines given in the first world was the seeming AVOIDANCE of certain vaccines that are mandated by CDC. For Rotavirus, a vaccine commercially available now for 11 years, the numbers are laughable: Of 29 other first world countries that GR evaluated, only 2 also mandate Rotavirus. Said differently, 27 of 29 other first world countries besides the United States DO NOT think Rotavirus is an important enough disease that the children of their country should receive a vaccine for it, even though a vaccine has been available for over a decade. Which brings me back to the State of Oregon. I mentioned that 6 of 11 vaccines from the CDCs schedule are required to go public school in Oregon. For the ones that were not required, I found the Department of Health to be extremely helpful in explaining why certain vaccines were not on their required list and in giving me general advice about immunization strategy. When it came to Rotavirus, the last vaccine I asked them about, I will just leave you with a quote from their spokesperson: [A brief chuckle] Well, Rotavirus is just some diarrhea for a day or two. Its just not a big deal. That one will never be on our list. JB Handley is co-founder of Generation Rescue and a Contributor to Age of Autism. 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. A prospective 31-year plutonium disposition campaign will likely encounter several serious obstacles over the course of its lifetime, according to a newly released interim report handled by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The report "Disposal of Surplus Plutonium at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant," a product of congressional request states the U.S. Department of Energy's conceptual plans to rid of surplus defense plutonium via dilute-and-dispose may face funding fluctuations, programming changes and public perception woes, among other things. The dilute-and-dispose process has at this point been proven on a smaller scale by the DOE's environmental management branch. The report acknowledges that. Scaling dilute-and-dispose to the 34 metric tons level is a whole other issue, though, the report notes. No judgement was rendered by the study panel on that matter because of lack of information. Dilute-and-dispose, the DOE's preferred Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility alternative, involves mixing plutonium with inert material for burial at WIPP, a deep geologic repository in New Mexico. The dilute-and-dispose process essentially a cross-country odyssey involves four major facilities and locations: The Pantex Plant in Texas, Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, SRS and WIPP. "The process, if implemented, would involve a large number of sites, organizations and stakeholders," the report reads. Accordingly, more than two decades of trucking trips would be needed, the report reads. That involves lots of interstate travel, lots of coordination and lots of potential outrage. WIPP, originally designed for transuranic waste, does not accept waste via rail, according to a report footnote. Both U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and National Nuclear Security Administration chief Lisa Gordon-Hagerty support the dilute-and-dispose undertaking. In his May 10 bid to kill MOX, a now-null venture designed to turn weapons-grade plutonium into nuclear fuel, Perry named dilute-and-dispose as the right path forward. Another 100-plus MOX layoffs scheduled for beginning of 2019 Another 114 Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility-related jobs are on the chopping block, bringing the current total to more than 600. The dilute-and-dispose process is less complex than the construction of the MOX fuel option, according to the interim report. MOX was more than a decade in the making when it was terminated Oct. 10 by the NNSA, a semiautonomous DOE agency. The project had ballooned well past its initial budget and timeline. The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 as a private, independent science and technology institution. The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964. And the National Academy of Medicine was established in 1970. All three work cohesively. The full surplus plutonium report will be issued later. BAGHDAD Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani visited Baghdad Nov. 22. With that visit, he ended an entire year of accusations and threats between himself and federal authorities that followed the September 2017 referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan Region. Shortly after his return from Baghdad, Barzani said new Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was more understanding and cooperative than Haider al-Abadi was when it came to Kurdish issues and resolving them. Barzani then headed to Najaf to meet with Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Sadrist movement. This let slip a new policy that Barzani might be planning to adopt in light of the current changes represented by the federal forces imposing control on Kirkuk, the disputed areas and border crossings, in addition to the coming adoption of the 2019 general budget and Baghdad's insistence on reducing the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) share to less than 17%. KDP leader Muhsin al-Sadoun told Al-Monitor, Barzani discussed with Abdul Mahdi and leaders of the parliamentary blocs outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil, but the main reason for the visit is his desire to activate the role of the political party in the negotiations between the blocs. His meeting with Sadr was to mediate and put an end to the deadlock in negotiations in order to form the government. Speaking about the possibility of forming a political alliance that includes Barzani, State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki and Fatah Alliance leader Hadi al-Amiri, Sadoun said, The current understandings do not rise to the level of an alliance, but Barzani intends to open an office in Baghdad to keep communication channels open especially since his party is a key partner in the new government. Sadoun pointed out, Through Barzanis visit to Baghdad, the KDP wanted to give importance to the idea of participating in the state administration by taking part in the government and playing the largest political role in the country. While Barzani wanted to move past disputes with Shiite parties, tension with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) arose since the latter saw a connection between the timing of Barzanis visit to Baghdad and President Barham Salihs flight to the Italian capital of Rome, which means Barzani might have chosen this specific time so he can avoid meeting with Salih. Barzanis party strongly opposed Salih's candidacy for the presidency and considered it an abuse of the partnership between the two parties in the administration of the KRG especially after Barzanis candidate for the same post, Fouad Hussein, lost. PUK leader Ghiyath al-Surji told Al-Etejah TV, Barzani's visit came in order to serve the KDPs interests and strengthen its influence. He took advantage of President Salihs absence so he would not have to meet with him. He noted that Barzani does not want to achieve the interests of the Kurdish people and instead chose to be devious. The PUK does not fear any action or conspiracy against it because it only asks for its own entitlement and gains in Baghdad, Surji said. The agreement on activating the Kirkuk oil pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan through the KRG is only common interest between the federal government and the KRG. Up until recently, this oil would be exported to Iran by road through the province of Sulaimaniyah where the PUK headquarters are located. Meanwhile, the PUK strongly opposed the export of Kirkuk oil to Turkey, saying that Barzanis party controls all financial benefits and does not evenly distribute them. However, the recent US sanctions on Iran restored the pipelines importance and thus rebuilt the relationship between the federal government and the KRG. Although Barzani received a warm welcome both in Baghdad and Najaf, his demands are far from being met at least in the foreseeable future. He is asking to increase the KRGs share of the general budget from 14% to 17%, and for the federal forces and the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) to withdraw from Kirkuk and the rest of the disputed areas so peshmerga forces can return. However, the majority of political parties in the federal parliament are from PMU factions, which opposed the referendum on the KRGs independence; its military factions remain present in those areas. Hunain al-Qaddo, a parliament member for Al-Binaa Alliance, told Al-Monitor, The demands to withdraw the federal forces contradict the [Iraqi] Constitution, which stipulates in Article 121 the right of the federal forces to move freely in all areas of the country and that the peshmerga forces move within the KRG exclusively. He added, The rest of the demands, such as the KRGs share and the distribution of imports, are subject to the equivalence of the ratios and statistics available to the population, and there is no room for manipulating them at the expense of the disadvantaged areas. Qaddo noted, The disputed areas need to amend the constitution instead of going into political negotiations. However, Barzani is convinced that it would be difficult to restore the status quo that prevailed before the referendum and implement or amend Article 140 concerning the disputed areas. He seeks to achieve political influence in the capital, which could allow him to obtain the possible gains he desires instead of resorting to confrontation. This is particularly convenient since Barzani felt a bit left out when the overwhelming majority of parliamentary blocs preferred Salih, a PUK candidate, over his candidate, Hussein. KDP leader Riban Salam revealed the proposal that Barzani presented to Baghdad leaders to form a supreme policy council, including the leaders of the blocs and the three presidencies to plan the country's policies. Salam said this was an attempt to give a more effective role to Barzanis party, particularly following the recent elections, after which new political alliances emerged and kind of steered clear of the usual sectarian and national division that has plagued Iraq since 2003 and which over the past years has allowed Kurds to be an equilibrium for the political process. ALEPPO, Syria Afrin in the northwestern Aleppo countryside is now home to tens of thousands of internally displaced persons. Refugees from eastern Ghouta are the most numerous among the thousands who came from other areas in Syria and brought their customs and traditions with them to Afrin. They have their own dishes, outfits for women and men, social relations of an Islamic nature, and other customs and traditions that are quite different from those of the Kurds, Afrins locals. According to statistics by the Humanitarian Response Coordinators in northern Syria, 67,728 displaced people from eastern Ghouta have reached areas controlled by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in the north of Syria. The different lifestyles have created a barrier between Ghoutas displaced persons and the Kurdish population in Afrin. The Kurdish locals are less committed to Islamic teachings in terms of dress and social relations. For instance, Afrins young women wear jeans and go out without headscarves. Meanwhile, those from Ghouta wear a black abaya and a veil covering their faces, only showing their eyes. They do not mix with men at work or in school. On Nov. 10, the local council's Education Directorate took the decision to shut down schools run by eastern Ghouta residents and turn all public schools into mixed schools. In response, the families from Ghouta did not send their children to school. A source from the Education Directorate told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that this decision is in line with the educational system that was in place in Afrin before the FSA took over. The schools in Afrin were mixed gender during the control of the Kurdish People's Protection Units. The source added that other reasons for the decision include reducing costs, the number of teachers, and thus salaries, and operating expenses. On Nov. 15, dozens of parents and teachers from eastern Ghouta organized a demonstration in front of a school in Afrin, protesting the directorates decision. They held up banners that read, Our children have the right to learn in a pure educational environment. Other banners included the third paragraph of Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children. Omar al-Shami, an Arabic-language teacher from eastern Ghouta who works in a school in Afrin, told Al-Monitor, When the 2018-19 academic year began in Afrin on Oct. 1, schools for children from eastern Ghouta consisted of two separate sections one for boys and one for girls. Families pay no more than 5,000 Syrian pounds [around $10] per student per month. Local Kurdish children and children from various Syrian areas whose families have no problem with boys and girls attending the same school enrolled in mixed public schools." Ghoutas displaced opened three schools for their children in Afrin, but without a permit from the local councils Education Directorate. Since Afrin is part of the Euphrates Shield area, it is supported by the Turkish government that pays the salaries of school employees and covers other expenses. The decision to only keep mixed public schools was approved by Turkish officials present in Afrin. Shami said, Afrins Education Directorate issued a decision Nov. 10 to close the schools attended by the children from Ghouta under the pretext that those in charge of these schools have no official permits. All schools in Afrin are to be attended by both boys and girls from grades one through nine. He added, This is why Ghoutas families prevented their children from attending these mixed schools. Five days after the decision was issued, parents and activists took to the streets in protest. Omran al-Doumani, an activist from eastern Ghouta who now resides in Afrin, told Al-Monitor, A delegation of eastern Ghouta activists and dignitaries in Afrin met with officials of the citys local council and with the representative of the Turkish governor of Hatay in Afrin on Nov. 16. The demands the protesters raised are going to be taken into account and parents agreed to allow their children to resume school in mixed classes. No final solution was reached, however, and the representative of the Turkish governor has promised to meet with Ghouta families to find a proper solution. He said, The protesters demanded only that they be given the freedom to run their own schools without the intervention of the Education Directorate in Afrin. They did not demand the prohibition of mixed schools in Afrin. The displaced people respect the customs and traditions of the Kurdish residents of Afrin. Doumani noted, We are often asked why we stay in Afrin if the locals' customs do not suit us. The truth is that people from eastern Ghouta have nowhere better to go and believe Afrin is their best option in the FSA-controlled areas. This is particularly true in terms of renting houses since it only costs around 20,000 Syrian pounds [$40, a month] to rent a place in Afrin while it costs over 100,000 Syrian pounds [$195] to rent in Azaz and al-Bab, a sum that displaced people cannot cover. While the Kurdish residents of Afrin are not hiding their resentment toward the new situation in the city after it has become a haven for thousands of Syrians coming from various areas, the FSA is trying to protect the customs and traditions of the locals and avoid possible clashes. The displaced people of eastern Ghouta who live in Afrin need to respect the customs and traditions of the locals, activist Shero Alo from Afrin told Al-Monitor. They need to be open to the people of Afrin and tolerant of their habits. They peacefully protested so they can have an educational system to fit their customs and traditions but they cannot impose it on all of Afrins residents. This doesnt mean they cannot have their own schools where their Islamic customs are taken into account. He concluded, The people of Afrin are certainly not against the freedom of the people living alongside them in the same area." PM Oli honoured with US$ 100,000 award Universal Peace Federation, a South Korea based inter-religious organisation, on Sunday decorated Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli with Leadership and Good Governance Award. The Donald Trump administration is dusting off an influential Cold War-era foreign policy playbook to help justify its support for Riyadh. Writing in The Wall Street Journal this week before the Senate voted to advance a bill that would end US support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cited a famed 1979 essay to explain why the Trump team is sticking by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid international uproar over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In Dictatorships and Double Standards, Jeane Kirkpatrick, a one-time Democrat who later switched parties and served as UN ambassador during the Ronald Reagan administration, called on the United States to support conservative autocrats over communist dictatorships during the height of the Cold War, after President Jimmy Carter criticized the human rights records of American allies in Nicaragua and Iran. Mr. Carters ideological predilections had blinded him to US national-security interests and inhibited him, to borrow a phrase, from putting America first, Pompeo wrote. What a timely reminder for critics of President Trumps pragmatic and correct approach to the US-Saudi relationship today. Its not the first time the Trump administration has invoked Kirkpatrick to justify US ties with autocrats. In a confidential memo last year obtained by Politico, Brian Hook, then the State Department director of policy planning, cited Kirkpatrick to push then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson toward a realist foreign policy. Hook, who now heads up the State Departments counter-Iran policy, wrote that Trumps so-called America First world view reflected declining optimism that the world can be easily democratized or reshaped simply by expressing American liberal values, or by badgering American allies. But colleagues of Kirkpatrick, who died in 2006, say Pompeos reading omits key points. The former UN ambassador notably sought to cast off the notion that the United States was a morally fallen nation following the Vietnam War and embraced pro-American authoritarian regimes that had a shot at eventual democratic reform. She said that authoritarian non-ideological dictatorships often changed into something milder or democratic, as in Taiwan, whereas no communist regime had never evolved in that way, said Joshua Muravchik, who worked for Kirkpatrick on the Coalition for a Democratic Majority, a centrist foreign policy group in the 1970s. She was making a more complicated point here, and Pompeo leaves out parts of it. Muravchik says Trumps praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is difficult to divorce from the US administrations overall foreign policy. Certainly Trump himself is not influenced by her, or else he wouldnt have the posture he does toward Putin, not to mention toward Kim, Muravchik said. I can only imagine what she would have had to say about a president who says hes fallen in love with Kim Jong Un. Experts also question whether Kirkpatricks thinking is a fit for a post-Cold War world, where the United States is no longer locked in an ideological battle with Moscow. She wrote her famous Dictators and Double Standards article at a time when the US was locked in a bitter fight to the death in the Cold War with the Soviet Union, which was big and bad and nuclear-armed and sprawling all over the world, said Christopher Preble, a vice president for defense and foreign policy studies at the libertarian Cato Institute. Dont look for Kirkpatrick-themed book clubs to pop up in the halls of the State Department or the White House, either. A former US official who served under the Trump administration told Al-Monitor that Pompeos reference to Kirkpatrick appears to be searching for ideological moorings for decisions that are being made by the president, not a doctrine thats guiding the administration. As the president cozied up to various autocrats, it just became clear to appointees that standing up for human rights wasnt a good strategy if they were personally ambitious, the former official said. Nobody wanted to be out on a limb and have the president cut that limb off. The official said that during a visit to Poland in January, Tillerson who was still secretary of state and top aides werent initially planning to commemorate International Holocaust Day, which took place during the trip. Tillerson only scheduled an appearance at a Holocaust remembrance event in Warsaw on Jan. 27 after the nations parliament passed a law criminalizing mention of Polish crimes in the World War II genocide. In the end, experts say trying to discern a pattern in the Trump teams apparent willingness to look the other way over human rights concerns might be a losing proposition. The one thing we do know about Donald Trump is he is a transactional person in his business dealings and as president, Preble said. Its very particular, its very much on a case-by-case basis, and we risk getting ourselves into trouble if we assume a grand strategic narrative. Soleimani knows how to keep down costs in Syria Assuming that the Trump administration and Israel are not inclined to understate Irans spending abroad, the $16 billion estimate [of Irans support to Syria since 2012] is equivalent to $2.28 billion per annum, writes Mohammad Ali Shabani. This would put the cost of Irans combined expenditures for operations across the region whether directly or via proxies at 0.5% of the GDP. The latter includes an estimated $6 billion in credit lines extended to the Syrian government. Shabani assesses Irans low-budget regional operations based on US, Israeli and Iranian estimates and data. Available data suggest that sanctions have had a negative impact on Irans military spending, Shabani explains. For instance, Iranian academics Sajjad Dizaji and Mohammad Farzanegan point out that military spending dropped by almost one-third between 2006 and 2015 one of the highest percentage decreases in military spending globally. But military expenditures increased by 30% after the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions in 2016, a development that President Donald Trump emphasized when declaring the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in May. Yet, while there has been a jump in military spending over the past two years, the contraction of such expenditures over the previous decade has meant that the increase has only brought spending back to 2009 levels, Shabani continues. Moreover, even after the surge, military expenditures only constitute 3% of the gross domestic product. Here, Dizaji and Farzanegan separate the respective impact of unilateral and multilateral sanctions, and posit that the present US penalties are likely to have a statistically insignificant effect on Irans military spending in both the short and long run. Irans Quds Force did not invent inexpensive warfare but has rather perfected it, adds Shabani. Indeed, even during the Iran-Iraq War, Iranian military spending peaked at around $10 billion, or 8% of GDP, in 1982. In contrast, the shah spent $17.5 billion, or 12% of the GDP, on his military back in peacetime 1976. Thus, for Iranian commanders such as Qasem Soleimani whose formative years were during the war with Iraq propping up the Syrian government at a cost of 2% of what Saudi Arabia is spending in Yemen would simply be an evolution of past experiences. Putin plays cop with Israel and Iran over Syria Israel considers the joint Iran-Hezbollah precision project (precision-guided missiles) to be a strategic threat that will make Israel more vulnerable in the next conflict than it is today, writes Ben Caspit. Precision missiles will allow Hezbollah to interfere with Israeli air force activities, target major infrastructures and population centers, and cause Israel considerable damage. The Security Cabinet has deemed the precision project a red line for Israel and grounds for war. Thwarting the project at almost any cost has been made a top priority. While Israel has launched numerous attacks on this project over the past two years, it limited these attacks to Syrian territory only. According to foreign reports, the Israeli air force attacked a Syrian research center, supply convoys and aerial transports landing at Damascus International Airport, where the cargo was loaded on trucks headed to Beirut. It took the Iranians quite a while to realize that Israel was serious, Caspit continues. Right now, it seems like they are changing their tactics. They are no longer flying supplies into Damascus and transporting them over land to Beirut. From now on, their Boeings will land in Beirut on direct flights from Tehran. While this will expose the Lebanese government to international pressure and even sanctions, it will put a sudden stop to Israeli attacks on the transports. Iran does not believe that Israel would dare to down a Boeing jet. Doing so would open the gates of Hell. Israel believes that this change to Irans modus operandi, with its transition to direct flights from Teheran, is not simply the result of many hundreds of attacks on convoys by the Israeli air force, explains Caspit. It can also be attributed to Russian pressure. Having turned a cold shoulder to Netanyahu recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear to the Iranians as well that he will not tolerate any activity that threatens stability in Syria. He regards both Israel and Iran as two neighborhood punks who are trying to disturb the public order, and he sees himself as the neighborhood cop who will not allow that to happen. That is why Iran made the decision to skip Syria entirely and use direct flights to Lebanon instead. That is why the number of Israeli attacks on Syrian territory has declined significantly recently. Akiva Eldar links developments on Israels northern border with its Hamas initiative. On Nov. 20, Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot said during a tour of the Syrian border that Iran had been far less successful than it had hoped in transferring precision weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon, Eldar writes. Since the most recent cease-fire was reached with Hamas on Nov. 13, calm appears to have been restored to the Gaza Strip. Hamas is reining in the violent demonstrations along the border with Israel and Eizenkot is reining in the security cabinet ministers. Military affairs commentator for Haaretz Amos Harel reported Nov. 16 that Israeli officials believe the restored calm will also enable progress in contacts on a long-term cease-fire deal with Hamas. Erdogan takes zero-sum approach to YPG Officials in Ankara are convinced that Washington is stonewalling their efforts to curb and defeat the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and its political wing, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), writes Semih Idiz. The prevailing belief is that Washington wants to establish some kind of autonomous Kurdish region in northern Syria, similar to one in Iraq, where it hopes to maintain a military foothold for the foreseeable future with a view toward pursuing its agenda in the Middle East. Idiz adds, At a time when Turkey is combating separatist terrorism by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) at home, the thought that the area along its long border with Syria could be administered by YPG/PYD elements is a nightmare scenario for Ankara. He continues, Ankara appears determined to take a zero-sum approach to the YPG issue and is giving no indication that it is amenable to a negotiated settlement, especially one that legitimizes the YPG in any way. This, however, has prompted Washington to take a series of measures that has only fueled Ankaras suspicions. Turkish and US forces in northern Syria recently began joint patrols outside of the city of Manbij, which Ankara also wants to be free of YPG fighters. This was promptly followed by an announcement from Washington that joint US-YPG patrols had started along Syrias border with Turkey, causing untold irritation on the Turkish side. Ankara rejects any attempt by Washington to establish equivalence between Turkey and the YPG. Enrollment in Alabamas public schools has declined for the fifth year in a row, to 722,212 statewide, down from 726,924 last year, according to 2018-2019 enrollment numbers posted on the Alabama State Department of Educations website. Hispanic students, while representing only 8.4 percent of the student population statewide, are the fastest-growing student group, increasing from 4,012 students in the 1995-1996 school year to 60,976 students statewide during the current school year. That mirrors a national trend showing Hispanic student enrollment is increasing at higher rates than other racial or ethnic student populations. AL.com took a look at enrollment data for 24 years, from 1995-1996 (the earliest year for which data is available) forward to the current school year. Statewide enrollment over the time period reviewed showed a peak of 741,115 during the 2009-2010 school year. Some trends in student enrollment follow national trends, though Alabama is one of only a dozen or so states to see continued declines in public school enrollment overall. During this time period, white student enrollment declined by 14 percent, dropping by 60,000 students, from a high of 456,854 in 1995 to 391,271 for the current school year. White students currently make up 54 percent of the total student population statewide. Black student enrollment has dropped, too, from a high of 266,138 during the 1997-1998 school year to 234,382 for the current school year, a 12 percent drop. Statewide, black students comprise 32 percent of the student population. The percentage of Asian students (1.5 percent statewide) and students who identify as two or more races (2.4 percent statewide) are also steadily increasing in public schools. The percentage of students identifying as American Indian or Alaska native has shown the least variance through the years, accounting for just under 1 percent of the total student population this year. The chart below shows the number of students of each race or ethnicity enrolled in Alabamas public schools since the 1995-1996 school year. If the number of students isnt visible on the bar graph, hover your mouse over that section of the bar. The interactive visualization is best viewed on a tablet or desktop. Click here to open in a new window. Its unclear how enrollment in private and homeschools have changed, as Alabama law does not require private schools nor homeschools to report enrollment figures. Traditionally, researchers estimate 10 percent to 11 percent of students are enrolled in private school, and recent research indicates 3 percent to 4 percent of students are homeschooled. Which districts are growing, and which ones are shrinking? Alabama has had 11 cities break away from their county district since the 1995-1996 school year, and that naturally had an impact on student enrollment in the counties from which they broke away. Two public charter schools are now operating---one in Mobile County and one in Sumter County---but only enroll a little more than 500 students between them. Baldwin County schools have undeniably seen the largest actual student increase, gaining 10,115 students since the 1995-1996 school year. Gulf Shores became the first city to break away from that county, and Baldwin district officials are still grappling with the cost of continued growth in a tax-averse region of the state. Two city school districts---Auburn City and Saraland City---have seen their student population double, and Saraland has only been in operation since the 2008-2009 school year after breaking away from Mobile County. City school districts are seeing most of the student growth, but some county school districts, like St. Clair (36 percent increase) and Lee (24 percent increase) are still growing. Here are the top 10 fastest growing school districts, in percentage growth since either the 1995-1996 school year or the year the district began operating. 2018-2019 1995-1996* percentage gain # students gained Auburn City 8711 4212 106.8% 4499 Saraland City* 3107 1518 104.7% 1589 Madison City* 11010 5615 96.1% 5395 Eufaula City 5293 3123 69.5% 2170 Vestavia Hills City 7141 4239 68.5% 2902 Albertville City 5510 3273 68.3% 2237 Pike Road City* 1843 1105 66.8% 738 Hoover City 13868 8670 60.0% 5198 Baldwin County 31519 21404 47.3% 10115 Oxford City 3975 2787 42.6% 1188 *Saraland City began operations in 2008-2009, Madison City in 1998-1999, and Pike Road City in 2015-2016. In contrast, county school districts have shown the largest declines in student population. Of the eight counties that have lost more than half of their students since the 1995-1996 school year, seven are in the Black Belt: School district 2018-2019 1995-1996 percentage drop # students lost Barbour County 715 1962 -63.6% -1247 Macon County 1838 4167 -55.9% -2329 Lowndes County 1318 2955 -55.4% -1637 Greene County 1015 2220 -54.3% -1205 Coosa County 857 1849 -53.7% -992 Sumter County 1302 2808 -53.6% -1506 Marengo County 960 2018 -52.4% -1058 Choctaw County 1257 2627 -52.2% -1370 Take a look at the following interactive charts showing student enrollment trends in districts. The first allows you to choose a school district to look at the enrollment history through the current year. Click here to open in a new window. This is a map of all Alabamas school districts. Choose a subgroup of students to view student enrollment trends over time. Use the date slider to click through the school years. Click here to open in a new window. What trends do you see in your neighborhood schools? First the good news: Sea level rise cant be bad in the next 10 years, John Englander told a gathering of Gulf Coast marine scientists on Thursday. There is no way to melt enough ice to cause sea level to be a problem in the next 10 years. Of any magnitude. Englander, an oceanographer and expert on the impacts of sea level rise, gave a keynote address at the 2018 Bays & Bayous Symposium. Bays & Bayous is a biennial gathering of marine scientists from Alabama and Mississippi; this year's gathering was hosted by the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program on Nov. 28 and 29 at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center. To be sure, Englander's presentation on "Rising Seas and Changing Coastlines" did brim with bad news. He cited a recently released federal report predicting a rise of between .5 meters and 2.4 meters of rise by the year 2100. "Because we've warmed the planet already, a degree, and we are accepting that we're going to warm it at least another degree, a lot of ice is going to melt," Englander said. "The sea level's going to rise. It's the one prediction you can make with absolute certainty. It doesn't matter if the world went 100 percent solar tomorrow. Just by the heat that's stored in the ocean, ice is going to continue to melt. "That's kind of a stunning, sobering point," he said. "We can't stop sea level rise anymore. We can slow it, eventually, but not near-term." Bays & Bayous offered a two-day smorgasbord of presentations from scientists, professors and students. A subtle theme throughout was that the Gulf Coast scientific community is itself undergoing a change as a new era of data gives it more and more pieces of the puzzle, allowing specialists in many fields to put together a big-picture understanding of how the complex factors of the coastal environment and ecology affect each other. Harriet Perry, the retired director of the Center for Fisheries Research and Development Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, touched on it at an intergenerational panel discussion pairing veteran scientists with young counterparts at the beginning of their careers. She said her generation of researchers had worked under vastly different conditions, when the Gulf was full of unexplored territory and undiscovered phenomena. "It was essentially a descriptive phase of science in the Gulf," she said, contrasting that with the more quantitative approach that has followed. "I like to think that scientists of my generation furnished the foundational and baseline data for much of the research being conducted by students today. Without our work in the field, you wouldn't have those numbers to crunch." The theme emerged in denser presentations as well. University of Alabama Assistant Professor Hamed Moftakhari's session on "compound coastal flooding driven by tropical cyclones" featured some daunting equations and three-dimensional graphs. The basic concept, though, was fairly practical to anyone living on the coast. Experts have been pretty good at estimating the risk of flooding caused by rain, Moftakhari said, and they've also been pretty good at predicting the potential havoc wrought by hurricane-driven storm surges. But properly understanding what happens when the two phenomena hit at once requires new math, he said. Otherwise people underestimate the risk of devastating floods that occur when rain-swollen rivers can't drain because they're backed up by a surge. A cynic might say Moftakhari had developed an innovative new scientific basis for higher insurance rates, but his methods might also help communities plan for events like Hurricane Michael's impact on the Florida Panhandle or Hurricane Florence's drenching landfall in the Carolinas. Englander also conveyed the sense that science was getting a new grasp on the complexities of the environment and offered hope that this could be the beginning of a cultural turning point not just for the scientific community, but for society at large. Over the next decade the direct impacts of sea level rise will be modest, he said. But as a few millimeters of rise a year add up, they'll contribute to a range of other problems. The wave action and surges generated by storms will be more damaging. Those, coupled with an expected rise in major rain events, will contribute to the compound flooding issue addressed by Moftakhari. Extreme tides, while perfectly regular and predictable, also will rise a little higher. Individually, all those things are hard to translate into popular understanding. "The sophistication of science today is pretty geeky," he said. "It's really down there at the micro level, and the average person doesn't relate to that." Englander said he sees sea level rise as a double-edged sword. It's scary and potentially devastating, but as its effects become more evident, more and more people will come to see it as a practical issue and not a hypothetical, distant-future concern. "Sea level rise, I submit to you, when combined with coastal erosion, can be an interesting vehicle to engage people," he said. He urged scientists to strive for a jargon-free approach to explaining the issues. "When we come to teach the science of sea level," he said, "it's an opportunity to teach science differently. Because even some of you in this room are confused by some aspects of science that's not a part of your discipline." That opportunity, for better or worse, will only grow, he said. Sea level could rise a few feet by mid-century, enough for people now alive to see it happen, and continue accelerating as 2100 approaches. "More than any other issue in our lifetimes, and our kids' and grandkids', it's going to change the world as we see it. And not just as the world as we see it, the world as it is," he said. "But the importance and the relevance and the reason to be concerned about it isn't some theoretical global something up in the atmosphere. It's because of what it does to coastlines." It will move them inward, displacing people in a way never seen before, he said. "What do we do?" he asked. "And I mean we in the collective sense What do the seven billion people on this planet, about one billion of which live in areas threated by coastal erosion and sea level rise, what do we -- I don't have the answer. There is no answer. It's a profound question. It's beyond science. It's culture, economics, demographics, national security. We've never quite faced anything like this Cities will disappear. Countries will disappear. This is not theoretical anymore." Science shows that over the eons, rising and falling levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide have paralleled the ups and downs of global average temperatures and sea level rise and fall. But manmade activity, particularly use of fossil fuels, has caused carbon dioxide to shoot above a threshold of 400 parts per million. No matter what people do next, temperature and the sea level will follow that rise, Englander said. He said he draws three predictions from that. The first is that it's vital to take positive steps now, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reversing deforestation. All is not lost: Those are valuable, positive steps that can keep the situation in 2100 from becoming as dire as it might. The second is that even if humankind magically got everything right tomorrow, it could still expect a rise of five to 10 feet, enough to produce some catastrophic impacts. The third is that planning for those impacts will help absorb them. "The sooner we begin to engineer for the future, the easier will be the adaptation," he said. The bottom line for the scientists in the room, he said, was that more people are going to be listening to them. They need to speak a language that conveys more than just complexity and concern and fear. "So I say, yes, sea level is scary. It's unfortunate, sad, sure," he said. "So is getting older. We're going to get older, we're going to die. That's part of life. We have to see the things we can stop. We can slow sea level rise now. We can't stop it. That double-sided sword becomes an opportunity. Because the inevitability of that, and the fact that sea level takes the stuff up in the atmosphere, carbon dioxide and the other greenhouse gases, and puts it in property. Real estate, the things most important to us. Our homes our cities, our countries, our states. That gets people's attention. And I hope you take that message and use it that way. even if it's not your specialty It's a story that will get people to care about the things you care about too." Mobile-based greenhouse gas researcher Raoul Richardson agreed, telling Englander, "We have to remain in the cultural environment like this one on a regular basis, so we can find some level of engagement," he said. One growing role of scientists is to offer hope, he said, and that hopefulness "can only come from people being awake, being engaged and collaborating together to accomplish something." "The people that work in the Mobile port area, the harbor, the investors, the banks, they probably don't come to this," Englander said. "The TV stations aren't here. 'Oh, that's those environmental ecology guys. They're talking about the estuary.'" He encouraged his listeners to think about putting on a workshop on coastal erosion and sea level rise for the business community, "where that's the audience, not talking to scientists." When people understand what the issue means for them personally, "it gets their attention," he said. Getting depressed about it doesnt do anything, he said. Poster campaign renews stir seeking justice for Nirmala On Saturday morning, protesters demanding justice for Nirmala Pant gathered at Maitighar Mandala amid an air of uncertainty and fear. This was because only a day prior, 12 protesters had been arrested while they were putting up posters that questioned the governments delay in serving justice to Nirmala. The US House of Representatives under the Trump Administration passed Kate's Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals bills. There may be others, I just remember these two bills off the top of my head.Both bills are in the Senate. You need 60 votes to pass them, and we only have 51. And while McCain was alive but in Arizona, we only had 50. No DemoQuacks will vote with us, not even on these 2 bills. Ryan who isn't an immigration hawk isn't going to waste House floor time on bills that have no chance of passing in the Senate because Republicans don't have the votes in the Senate to pass a bill.Republicans tried but they don't have the votes to do anything in Congress.Nancy Pelosi is rearing to go, she's got the votes, she's promised a HUUUGE immigration bill out soon after the first of the year. She's a woman of action and she'll get it passed and Schumer and Dems will start passing it through the Senate. We probably won't like it, so Republicans will probably block it, but maybe not. As the world focuses on the Rohingya issue, the Myanmar army stands accused of targeting another group in Kachin State. Kachin, Myanmar A Myanmar military unit that has been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department was sent to Northern Rakhine State, where more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled across the border to Bangladesh, last year. The 33rd Light Infantry Division (LID), known for its brutality, is now back in action in Kachin. Where they go, human rights abuses follow, local aid workers say. This is the same group of soldiers that carried out extrajudicial executions, forced disappearances, and sexual violence, as well as firing on fleeing villagers in Rakhine State in August and September 2017. These tactics are familiar to communities in Kachin, says David Baulk, a Myanmar human rights expert. The history of the 33rd LIDs operations in these areas is long and bloody. When fighting broke out in Kachin in April, the 33rd LID was involved as the conflict between the Myanmar army, or Tatmadaw, and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) intensified, local civil society groups say. {articleGUID} The Tatmadaw, in the first six months of the year, contributed to the displacement of 14,000 people Myanmar Humanitarian Brief September 2018.pdf. One group of these villagers now sits in a church compound in Myitkyina, Kachins capital. Fighting started in April. Four military fighter jets came over us. We heard a motor gun. Three people in our town were injured and one died. Our village had only 2,000 people, we were all friends, says Phyo Su Lat. We hid in a farm for three days, helping the old, sick and young. Then every two to three days we moved through the jungle, nine times in total. We made camps in the forest hiding from the military who were chasing us. We could hear their planes and their guns, their machines and drones, night and day. We were scared that if they caught up with us, women would be raped, men tortured and killed. Three people died on the journey: a newborn baby, a five-year-old boy and a 60-year-old man. Nyunt Sein Moe, another villager, says they were the lucky ones. In another town nearby, our friends were used as human shields and forcibly recruited. They had to travel with the army, and when they got to an area infected with landmines, two men were made to walk in front. A landmine exploded on one. The state-building project of the Myanmar government hinges on their control of the country's ethnic states, not least because these areas are home to extremely lucrative natural resources and large-scale development projects. David Baulk, Myanmar analyst Dating back to 1962, the conflict centres around the KIA, an ethnic militia numbering near 10,000 seeking greater federalism or independence, and the Tatmadaw, which has traditionally used force in its efforts to maintain the state. At the heart of the Kachin conflict is the Myanmar governments rejection of the Kachins longstanding demands for a genuinely federal state in which their human rights are protected, says Baulk. The state-building project of the Myanmar government hinges on their control of the countrys ethnic states, not least because these areas are home to extremely lucrative natural resources and large-scale development projects. Both the KIA and Tatmadaw rely on natural resources for their survival, with much of the militarys income coming from jade alone. The places where the army moves are very strategic. Where they focus are areas of vast natural resources, like jade and ruby, or amber, says Khon Ja, a researcher and advocate at Kachin Womens Peace Network. They also go to places where we have national plans, such as road and rail construction, including the One Belt One Road project. Fighting at the moment is in KIA-controlled areas, indicating the army is encroaching on areas that are resource-heavy or part of economic plans. The Tatmadaw doesnt ask if people will move, they just go and fight. Its huge money. [Chinas] One Belt One Road project is an economic corridor through Myanmar. The plan is to build infrastructure, road, rail waterways, to connect Chinas landlocked region. Once they are able to open this corridor their goods can transport through the region and globally. We do not want to go home With no political progress on these issues, a 17-year ceasefire ended in 2011, leading to thousands more IDPs. In another camp in Kachin, IDP Than Khin Khin says: In April, we heard military trucks move in with 1,000 troops. A military fighter jet flew over and shot at a location near ours and we heard heavy machine gun fire. We were scared. We fled to another village and waited there. Some of us were rescued quickly but the rest were made to wait at a checkpoint, near the conflict zone and with scarce food, for a week. A friend, Thuya Zaw Win, adds: Our friends in some villages nearby could not get away. In areas of fighting, they are not allowed to leave, even though bullets were flying by their heads from machine guns. The villagers are kept close as human shields, so that the enemy doesnt attack. Aung San Suu Kyi talks to people at Mai Na internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp near Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, northern Myanmar, in March 2017 [Si Thu/EPA] Organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross have been working hard to help the displaced when they arrive, upgrading makeshift camps, creating newer camps that have electricity and clean water. Yet even in the camps, IDPs to not feel safe. Given shallow international financing, in desperation some have gone back to their villages, putting themselves in danger. When people flee they leave everything and have to go back. They could step on a landmine or be arrested by the Tatmadaw and killed, says Khon Ja of Kachin Womens Peace Network. Since 2017 five people from IDP camps have been killed by the Tatmadaw after being tortured. One was 65 years old and another was handicapped. We do not want to go home: we are scared it is not safe. You need to find a solution to the conflict before forcing people to return, says Htun Kyi Lwin. Nyunt Sein Moe adds: In a village nearby people were asked to return, and when they did they were shot. Everyone said it would be fine but they got caught in the middle of the conflict and had to flee again. Land takeover As IDPs flee and linger in camps, Chinese companies are entering and planting bananas on their land for export back to China. According to Kachin rights groups, there are now dozens of Chinese businesses and thousands of Chinese technical experts working in the state. Often the original land owners are still in the camps, unaware their land has been taken. In other cases, Chinese companies send agents who offer IDPs meagre sums to rent the land. Desperate, many accept. Those who do not are threatened that if they do not agree, the government will create an industrial zone and rent it to the companies anyway, says San Htoi, joint general secretary of Kachin Womens Association of Thailand. When IDPs contest it, they fail as they do not have a land registration, having lived on it for generations. The result is many do not have a home to return to, and consequently take a risk by going back to secure their land. Temporary residents are seen at Myitsone, at the confluence of the Mali and Nmai rivers, outside Myitkyina capital city of Kachin state, Myanmar March 30, 2017 [Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters] [This is] making it illegal for people to go to their own land. This is hundreds of thousands of acres. In many cases, when people go back to their homeland in conflict areas, they have been arrested, or killed by the Tatmadaw, Khon Ja says. At the same time, humanitarian access has been decreasing, as civilian and military authorities work together to weaponise the denial of humanitarian aid to Kachin State, according to a report from Fortify Rights. Its difficult to survive in camps because the government has been blocking international humanitarian aid, San Htoi says. Some camps in Kachin have no humanitarian support by NGOs whatsoever. So many IDPs do not want to stay. They want to return to their homeland, which they are worried about losing, but its dangerous. Before the 2015 election, many hoped situation would change as Aung San Suu Kyi swept to power. But humanitarian access to areas beyond government control has become worse since the elections, says Pierre Peron, public information and advocacy officer in Myanmar for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Before 2015 we would get travel authorizations to go to displacement camps in non-Government areas; since then that has become almost completely cut off. Since elections things have gotten worse for many people in Kachin. Thats the sad fact. For Baulk, the human rights expert, denying access to humanitarian aid is part of the Myanmar armys long history of perpetrating extensive and systematic human rights violations against the Kachin. Extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, torture, the use of human shields, arbitrary arrest and detention, the targeted denial of humanitarian aid the list goes on and on, and continues to grow day by day. And it will continue to grow as long as the perpetrators of these crimes are not brought to justice. Last week, the US mainstream media demonstrated once again that it has a Palestine problem. CNN suspended the contract of commentator and Temple University Professor Marc Lamont Hill, after he gave a speech at the United Nations in which he criticised the Israeli occupation and the abuse of Palestinian rights. Hill based his speech very much on facts. He cited Israeli laws that discriminate against Palestinians; the use of arbitrary violence by the Israeli security apparatus; the use of torture against Palestinian detainees; the denial of due process to Palestinians by Israeli courts; the restriction on movement in the occupied territories, etc all violations that have been well-documented and condemned by the UN and a myriad of human rights organisations. Yet CNN, which last year adopted a new slogan Facts first did not seem to agree with these facts. After pro-Israel organisations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned the speech, the TV station was quick to sever its ties with Hill. While CNN did not announce why it chose to do so, it is clear to many of us it caved in to pressure from pro-Israel groups. Hill was accused of being anti-Semitic for using the phrase free Palestine from the river to the sea, which supposedly is a Hamas slogan and a call for the destruction of Israel. Well, it is neither. Throwing accusations of anti-Semitism at people criticising Israel and supporting the Palestinian right to self-determination is a convenient tool of the Zionist lobby. But calling for the freedom of Palestinians and for the recognition of their rights is not anti-Semitic; it is pro-Palestinian. Conflating anti-Semitism with pro-Palestinian positions and criticism of Israel is not only ill-intentioned but also dangerous, as it does a disservice to Jews who have faced hate speech and hate attacks. In Palestine, the Israeli authorities have brought this tactic to the extreme and have already passed a number of laws curbing freedom of speech. This means that those of us who dare criticise Israeli policy or call for resistance to Israeli occupation, even if in the form of a poem, face the risk of imprisonment. In the United States, those who do so clearly face the risk of being fired, as in the case of Professor Hill and as in the case of many others before him and probably many others after. The way CNN (mis)handled this situation offers us an opportunity to discuss how media organisations succumbing to Israels campaign of silencing critics is particularly problematic. {articleGUID} For a long time, mainstream media organisations in the West, like the CNN, have been hiding behind the veneer of objectivity when it comes to issues such as the Palestinian struggle. These outlets claim to be covering these issues objectively applying certain procedures and high standards of verification that supposedly guarantee full and balanced reporting. With that grand declaration of objectivity, they then claim to present the true picture of what is going on. But they often dont. The language employed by many mainstream media networks in the West when reporting on Palestine is often imprecise and misrepresents certain objective realities. CNN and its peers often talk of a conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, skipping the fact that the latter are legally and objectively speaking occupiers. They talk of contested lands as if there is no illegal settler-colonialism going on in Palestine, pushing Palestinians out of their land. They would often call the Israeli armys violence against peaceful protesters clashes (as if the two sides are equal) and conveniently use the passive voice in titles reporting killings of Palestinians (as if Israeli soldiers were not the ones who shoot Palestinians dead). Claiming objectivity but then, clearly using obfuscating language and intentionally skipping certain facts is not only damaging to the media profession but also spreads disinformation. The firing of Professor Hill has exposed once again this disingenuity, the apparent political bias, and perhaps even the fear of the Israeli lobby within Western mainstream media. It also shows that even media institutions that claim to be fighting for freedom of speech, to be delivering facts first, to be speaking truth to power can also partake in the silencing of critical voices. What is particularly disconcerting, in this case, is that CNN is not only succumbing to political pressure and Israels speech policing policies but also perpetuating them even if indirectly. CNN is clearly not ready to take on the controversial topic of the Palestinian question and pursue facts first. Instead, it has chosen to stay on the political safe side: report only on certain events with bias, obscuring the real dynamic of relations between oppressor and oppressed and using a certain preset discourse. Unfortunately, this safe side logic has also been adopted not only by media outlets but also by Western institutions both academic and political ones and even by governments. Just recall all those fake condemnations by political leaders in the West during Gazas Great March of Return, when in one day Israeli snipers shot dead more than 50 unarmed, peaceful Palestinian protesters and wounded hundreds of others, with local hospitals unable to cope. They all called on Israel to exercise restraint and threw in there for balance and objectivity a reference to Hamas, which killed no Israelis that day or any other day of the march for that matter. Those who do not stand on the safe side of things people like Marc Lamont Hill have been taking clear positions on Palestine, based on facts and critical thinking. They like others throughout history who stood up for oppressed peoples rights are vilified and viciously attacked, but they will persevere and continue to speak truth to power, objectively and factually . Meanwhile, Western institutions (academic, media and others) will eventually have to engage in self-scrutiny because they are not only regularly succumbing to political pressures and adopting misrepresentations, but are also complicit in reproducing Israels policing and silencing strategies. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. The new deal, an extension of a swap signed by the two countries last year, brings the total swap amount to $18.7bn. Argentinas central bank has signed a deal with its Chinese counterpart to expand a currency swap programme by eight billion dollars, the bank said in a statement. The agreement is an extension of a swap first agreed between the two countries in July 2017. The new deal, announced on Sunday during a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, brings the total swap amount to $18.7bn. In a currency swap, the first party borrows a specified amount of foreign currency from the counterparty, while at the same time, lending a corresponding amount to the counterparty in the currency that it holds. Presidents Mauricio Macri of Argentina and Xi also announced more than 30 agriculture and investment deals. China is among Argentinas top export markets, especially for agricultural commodities that are the engine of its economy. The move is meant to reinforce economic and political ties between the two countries. Macri said that Chinas development benefits Argentina and the world. The announcement comes after US officials said they had reached a 90-day truce in their trade dispute with China, a spat that has rattled financial markets and imperilled global economic growth. That announcement followed a Saturday dinner meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump following the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. Xi is now scheduled to visit Panama, which has been negotiating a free-trade deal with China. The two countries agree to halt additional tariffs for 90 days as talks over trade dispute continue. China and the United States have agreed to halt additional tariffs as both countries engage in new trade negotiations with the goal of reaching an agreement within 90 days, the White House said on Saturday. The breakthrough came after a dinner meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires. Trump agreed not to boost tariffs on $200bn of Chinese goods from 10 to 25 percent on January 1 as previously announced, while Beijing agreed to buy an unspecified but very substantial amount of agricultural, energy, industrial and other products, the White House said in a statement. China is open to approving the previously unapproved deal for US company Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) to acquire Netherlands-based NXP Semiconductors (NXPI.O) should it again be presented. In July, Qualcomm worlds biggest smartphone-chip maker walked away from a $44bn deal to buy NXP Semiconductors after failing to secure Chinese regulatory approval, becoming a high-profile victim of the Sino-US trade dispute. {articleGUID} The White House said that if an agreement on trade issues, including technology transfer, intellectual property, non-tariff barriers, cyber theft and agriculture, has not been reached with China in 90 days then both parties agree that tariffs will be raised to 25 percent. Trump slapped 10 percent tariffs on $200bn in Chinese goods in September. China responded by imposing its own round of tariffs. Before the summit, Trump also threatened to impose tariffs on another $267bn of Chinese imports. Friendly and candid meeting The Chinese governments top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, said the negotiations were conducted in a friendly and candid atmosphere. The two presidents agreed that the two sides can and must get bilateral relations right, Wang told reporters, adding they agreed to further exchanges at appropriate times. Discussion on economic and trade issues was very positive and constructive. The two heads of state reached consensus to halt the mutual increase of new tariffs, Wang said. China is willing to increase imports in accordance with the needs of its domestic market and the peoples needs, including marketable products from the United States, to gradually ease the imbalance in two-way trade. Einar Tangen, a political analyst and investment banker based in Beijing, told Al Jazeera that the truce was an excellent outcome given the threats of escalation that preceded the meeting. Both sides were very leery. They have to be able to go home and say that they have accomplished something and I think both of them have, he told Al Jazeera, adding that he did not expect China to yield on US demands regarding state-subsidisation of industry. This state-owned enterprise issue is not going to go away. Remember, this is a 90-day cooling-off period, there was 100 days last year. Youre still going to be running into the same impediments. China feels that it needs to go ahead, that its just passing the middle-income track level, that it needs to develop a tertiary economy, and they will not allow themselves to be subjugated by another nation, he added. Reporting from Beijing, Al Jazeeras Adrian Brown said that it would be hard for both parties to reach a broader economic deal within the 90-day period. There remain fundamental areas of disagreement between these two sides, especially in the area of forced technology transfer and the fact that the US says that American companies who want to do business in China have to enter into 50-50 joint-venture arrangements and then hand over their know-how. The US is saying this has to stop. There is one area where Xi Jinping is unlikely to yield and that concerns his industrial policy, known as Made in China 2025, said Brown. This is his aim, to make China a world leader in technologies of the future, things like artificial intelligence and robotics. But the US is saying that China will do this by heavily subsidising the companies involved and it says that has to stop. President Xi has maintained that it wont, he said. Meanwhile, the White House also said that Xi agreed to designate the drug fentanyl as a controlled substance. For more than a year, Trump has raised concerns about the synthetic opioid being sent from China to the US, which is facing an epidemic of opioid-related deaths. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the decision means that people selling fentanyl to the US will be subject to Chinas maximum penalty under the law. This years COP climate conference is seen as the most important one since the 2015 Paris Agreement was signed. Representatives from 195 countries have gathered in the Polish city of Katowice for the start of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP24. The conference, which is being held between December 2 and 15, will focus on producing a set of rules to flesh out details of the Paris climate accord, the landmark agreement signed in 2015 by all nations, bar Nicaragua and Syria, to battle climate change. World leaders have been trying to breathe new life into the 195-nation agreement amid backsliding from several nations, most notably the United States, over commitments made when it was signed in December 2015. This years COP gathering is considered the most important one since the member states signed the Paris Agreement, which will take effect in 2020, when the previous Kyoto Agreement is due to end. According to the 2015 climate deal, countries will try to limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Restricting the rise in temperature to 1.5C rather than 2C would mean that by 2100, sea levels would be 10cm lower, while the likelihood of an Arctic Ocean free of sea ice in summer would be once a century rather than at least once a decade. Coral reefs would also decline by between 70 and 90 percent instead of being virtually wiped out. For people, it would greatly reduce the risk of water shortages, food scarcity, and poverty related to climate change. Experts have warned that global warming is on track to surpass three degrees by 2100 and have urged governments to do more than first planned to rein it in. In a report released on Thursday, the World Meteorological Organization pointed out that the 20 warmest years on record have been in the past 22 years, and that 2018 is on course to be the fourth warmest year on record. Increased emissions and lagging action mean the gap figure for this years report is larger than ever, the report stated. Climate critics But over the last two years, several world leaders have responded critically to climate change, a theory agreed upon by the vast majority of the scientific community. During the G20 conference in Argentina, US President Donald Trump, who pulled his country out of the Paris agreement in June 2017, clashed with other world leaders about climate change. The US was the only G20 member which refused to back the global action on climate change, in which the rest of the G20 agreed to implement the irreversible Paris Agreement while respecting different paces of economic development. Trumps decision came a week after the US released its National Climate Assessment, which warned that natural disasters are worsening in the US because of global warming. Responding to questions about the economic impacts of climate change, Trump said he doesnt think they will be devastating. I dont believe it, he told reporters on Monday. Ive seen it, Ive read some of it, and its fine, he said. The president often falsely cites cold weather as proof global warming is not as bad as scientists say. Scientists, however, are quick to point out that weather is a short-term event and climate science looks at weather patterns over an extended period of time. Earlier this week, Brazil withdrew its offer to host the United Nations Climate Conference, the COP25, next year citing budget constraints and presidential transition. Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro, who will assume office on January 1, had threatened to withdraw Brazil from the Paris climate accord. Opposition calls for snap election, alleging vote-buying, intimidation, and ballot-stuffing in Wednesdays runoff vote. Thousands of Georgians have staged a mass protest over the results of the countrys presidential runoff vote, alleging widespread electoral fraud and demanding snap parliamentary elections. About 25,000 opposition supporters demonstrated in the capital, Tbilisi, on Sunday, days after the former Soviet nation elected its first woman president, Salome Zurabishvili. An independent candidate backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, Zurabishvili claimed almost 60 percent of the vote to beat the opposition candidate Grigol Vashadze on Wednesday. But opposition leaders including Vashadze have refused to accept the result, pointing to instances of alleged vote-buying, voter intimidation and ballot-stuffing in the elections second round. {articleGUID} Holding Georgian and EU flags, protesters packed Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament building in the centre of the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Sunday. The former reformist president Mikheil Saakashvili addressed the huge crowd by video link from the Dutch capital, Amsterdam, where he lives in self-imposed exile. Georgias future is being born on this square today, said Saakashvili, accused by the authorities of abuse of power. We will fight peacefully but we will never give up, he said, flashing the victory sign at the end of his speech. Al Jazeeras Robin Forestier-Walker, reporting from the protest in Tbilisi, said: Georgias main opposition party and its coalition partner are holding this rally to send a message to the government. Stolen election Wednesdays vote was the small South Caucasus nations last direct leadership poll as it transitions to a parliamentary form of governance. Zurabishvili, a former French diplomat, has said her election was a step forward for women and a move closer to Europe. Georgia does not have a president now, her rival Vashadze, a former foreign minister, said to roaring applause from the protesters. He said the results of the stolen election should be annulled and snap parliamentary elections held. He urged the authorities to overhaul the countrys electoral system and by December 16 establish a working group to hold talks with the opposition. People took to the streets today because the elections were rigged, Gia Mgeladze, a 20-year-old protester, told the AFP news agency. Many protesters accused business tycoon and leader of the Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, of stealing peoples votes. In what critics derided as vote-buying before the election, Ivanishvili promised the government would drastically increase social spending and pledged to spend his own money to write off the bank loans of more than 600,000 people. Negative campaign The vote was seen as a test of Georgias democratic credentials as it seeks European Union and NATO membership. Monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe said the election was competitive but they also raised concerns about misuse of administrative resources. Tensions increased in advance of the second round, as the opposition accused the government of voter intimidation and claimed that ruling party activists had attacked Vashadzes campaign staff. Zurabishvili, in turn, said she and her children had received death threats from people affiliated with Saakashvilis United National Movement. These monitoring groups which oversaw the election believe that it was both sides, not just the government, but the opposition that engaged in hate speech rather than focus on important platform issues, said Al Jazeeras Forestier-Walker. And that has undermined faith in the democratic process here. At least 287 people arrested and 110 injured, including 17 policemen, in the worst riots in Paris in more than a decade. French President Emmanuel Macron has denounced protesters in Paris as chaos-seekers, after they torched cars, smashed windows, looted shops and tagged the Arc de Triomphe with multi-coloured graffiti. I will never accept violence, Macron said at a press conference, before leaving the G20 summit in Argentina to deal with the domestic crisis. 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. The yellow vest demonstrations, which were first triggered weeks ago by planned fuel price hikes, turned chaotic in the French capital on Saturday, which saw its worst riots in more than a decade. French police officers responded with tear gas, after demonstrators hurled stones and projectiles towards them, on the third weekend of demonstrations that have morphed into a broader rebuke of Macron. President Macron will discuss the situation at a Sunday meeting [Thibault Camus/AP Photo] Authorities said that at least 287 people were arrested and 110 injured, including 17 policemen. 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. Six buildings were set ablaze, and nearly 190 fires were put out, the interior ministry said. They want chaos An estimated 75,000 protesters, the majority of them peaceful, were counted across France on Saturday afternoon, according to the interior ministry. That number was well below the total on the first day of protests on November 17, when 282,000 people took part across the country. Last Saturday, 106,000 took to the streets. But the vast plumes of smoke and tear gas that clouded the capital on Saturday were a testament to the escalation of violence in Paris. Those guilty of this violence dont want change, they dont want improvements, they want chaos. They betray the causes that they pretend to serve and which they manipulate, Macron said on Saturday. They will be identified and brought to justice for their actions, he said. Macron said he would convene a meeting on the situation with his prime minister and interior minister on Sunday morning in Paris. I will always respect debate and I will always listen to the opposition but I will never accept violence, Macron said. Reporting from Paris, Al Jazeeras David Chater said the movement could become a real threat politically to President Macrons administration. The protests were even more violent than last weeks demonstrations. There were more arrests and more injuries. There seems little chance of reconciliation any time soon. 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 people struggling. The countrywide protests have included many pensioners and have been most active in small urban and rural areas where demonstrators have 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 rise due in January. French President Emmanuel Macron leads crisis meeting in Paris, but no discussion on imposing a state of emergency. French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered his prime minister to hold talks with political leaders and yellow vest demonstrators to end nationwide protests after rioters turned central Paris into a battle zone. After a meeting with members of his government on Sunday, the French presidency said in a statement that Macron had also asked his interior minister to prepare security forces for future protests. A French presidential source said Macron would not speak to the nation on Sunday despite calls for him to offer immediate concessions to demonstrators, and said the idea of imposing a state of emergency had not been discussed. The meeting came a day after yellow vest demonstrations, which were first triggered by planned fuel price hikes, turned chaotic in Paris, which saw its worst riots in more than a decade. {articleGUID} French police officers responded with tear gas, after demonstrators hurled stones and projectiles towards them, on the third weekend of demonstrations that have morphed into a broader rebukeof Macron. Authorities said that at least 133 people were injured, including 23 members of the security forces. Michel Delpuech, Paris police prefect, said six buildings were set ablaza and 112 vehicles were torches. There was also widespread destruction around more than 130 makeshift barricades/ Delpuech said some participants in Saturdays rioting used hammers, gardening tools, bolts and aerosol cans in clashes with police. He added that some far-right or far-left activists were involved in the rioting as well as a great number of protesters wearing yellow jackets. At least 412 people were arrested and 133 injured [Omar Havana/Al Jazeera] The government said it will brief the French Senate on Tuesday about the protests and its measures to prevent a repeat of the damages. Earlier on Sunday, Macron visited the Arc de Triomphe in Paris after the famous landmark was defaced during the riots. TV images showed the inside of the monument ransacked with a statue of Marianne, a symbol of the French Republic, smashed, and graffiti scrawled on the exterior. Some bystanders cheered the president but more jeered him, with some protesters chanting: Macron, resign! Interior Minister Christophe Castaner attributed the violence to specialists in sowing conflict, specialists in destruction. French government spokesperson Benjamin Griveaux said that all options should be considered to maintain public order and safety. Reporting from Paris, Al Jazeeras David Chater said that the attacks on the monument were carried out by a small minority of the protesters, but the damage to the landmark has touched a nerve in the French government. Of all the things that happened, the arson attacks, the attacks on the police, the attacks on the shops in the Champs Elysees, it is the Arc de Triomphe and the graffiti that was pasted over it, that is the biggest offence, as far as the administration is concerned, he said. The yellow vest movement erupted on social media in October [Omar Havana/Al Jazeera] They want chaos An estimated 75,000 protesters, the majority of them peaceful, were counted across France on Saturday afternoon, according to the interior ministry. That number was well below the total on the first day of protests on November 17, when 282,000 people took part across the country. Last Saturday, 106,000 took to the streets. But the vast plumes of smoke and tear gas that clouded the capital on Saturday were a testament to the escalation of violence in Paris. Those guilty of this violence dont want change, they dont want improvements, they want chaos. They betray the causes that they pretend to serve and which they manipulate, Macron said on Saturday. They will be identified and brought to justice for their actions, he said. I will always respect debate and I will always listen to the opposition but I will never accept violence, Macron said. French police officers responded with tear gas, after demonstrators hurled stones and projectiles towards them [Omar Havana/Al Jazeera] 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 people struggling. The countrywide protests have included many pensioners and have been most active in small urban and rural areas where demonstrators have blocked roads, closed motorway toll booths, and even walled up the entrance to tax offices. Two people have died 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 rise due in January. Private sector raises investment in hydropower projects in the Farwest Private sector investment in hydropower projects has been increasing steadily in the hilly districts of far-western region. Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, who oversaw US naval forces in Middle East, was found dead at his home in apparent suicide. Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, who oversaw US Navy forces in the Middle East, was found dead on Saturday in his residence in Bahrain, according to navy officials. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are cooperating on an investigation. However, no foul play was suspected. This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at 5th Fleet, and for the entire Navy, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said in a video statement. Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was a good friend of all of us, Richardson said. Stearney was the commander of US Naval Forces Central Command and of the US Navys Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, which is responsible for patrolling the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. {articleGUID} In recent years, the fleet has dealt with potential threats from pirates and weapons smugglers as well as Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats and Houthi rebels firing missiles at commercial ships from Yemen. In 2004, the fleets surface warships were ordered to hold an ethics, trust, responsibility and mission stand down after two sailors were accused of stealing money and other valuables during an inspection of a Singaporean vessel in the Gulf. Decades of service Born in Chicago, Illinois, Stearney graduated from the University of Notre Dame with an economics degree before joining the US Navy in 1982. {articleGUID} Two years later, he became a pilot and logged more than 4,500 flight hours over the course of his career, which also included stints as a trainer and service in Afghanistan. In May, Stearney was appointed as commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command and of the Fifth Fleet, positions he occupied until his death. Rear Admiral Paul Schlise, the deputy commander of Fifth Fleet, has assumed its command, while Vice Admiral James Malloy, a deputy chief of naval operations, is preparing to fly out to Bahrain to take command in the interim. Further information is expected as the investigation continues. Adnan Gheiths release from jail includes conditions such as a ban from visiting occupied West Bank for two weeks. A court in Israel has released the Palestinian governor of Jerusalem from detention to house arrest for three days as part of an investigation related to a land sale. Adnan Gheith, who was arrested on November 25, was released on Sunday from prison, but will remain under house arrest until Tuesday, Jerusalem magistrate court justice Chavi Toker ruled. Police have been investigating Gheith over suspicions he was involved in the Palestinian Authoritys (PA) arrest in October of US citizen Issam Akel, who is accused of involvement in selling an occupied East Jerusalem building to Jewish buyers. Such sales are considered treasonous among Palestinians concerned with Israeli settlers buying property in the annexed East Jerusalem. {articleGUID} Along with Gheith, Israeli authorities arrested 40 members of the Fatah movement in Jerusalem last week. Nine Fatah activists were also released under strict conditions that include deportation from the occupied West Bank for 14 days and a payment of a bail of 500 shekels ($134). The activists were identified as Alaa Abu al-Hawa, Amer Awwad, Fadi Mahmoud, Hussam Abu Isnineh, Khalil Bashir, Muhammad al-Qaq, Ahmad Mustafa, Iyad Hadra, and Hatem Mahlus. They want to harass him Israeli police have also suspected Gheith of recruiting Palestinian residents of Jerusalem to the PA armed forces, which Israel says violates the 1993 Oslo accords. Palestinian officials have condemned his arrest and claim it is intended to pressure the Palestinian leadership over Akels case. Israelis, as well as US ambassador to Tel Aviv, David Friedman, have called for Akels release. Gheiths lawyer, Rami Othman, said the courts decision to release his client to house arrest proved the case was not serious. {articleGUID} They want to harass him, he told the AFP news agency following Sundays hearing. He said they did not want him to remain Jerusalem governor. They dont like the position. This was Gheiths third arrest in one month. He was appointed last August by PA President Mahmoud Abbas as the authoritys governor of Jerusalem. Gheith had been arrested for several days in October and was also taken for questioning a number of times in recent weeks, with his office raided on November 4. Israel, meanwhile, has halted security coordination with the PA in the Jerusalem area, Major General Adnan Al-Dumeiri, spokesman for the Palestinian security forces, told AFP. Security officials in Israel did not comment on the issue. 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 Palestinian leadership sees the eastern sector as the capital of their future state. WHOs Africa director talks about the Ebola crisis and the resistance met while trying to tackle the outbreak in DRC. The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is now the second largest in history, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), with at least 426 confirmed cases in the country. The outbreak, declared on August 1, has led to at least 198 confirmed deaths, DR Congos health ministry said. It is the tenth time in DR Congo since Ebola was first detected there in 1976 and centres around the restive eastern city of Beni in North Kivu, a region which has been blighted by armed conflict, which has hampered efforts to curb the outbreak. Al Jazeera spoke to Dr Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director of WHO Africa, about the spread of the outbreak, lessons learned from the earlier outbreaks, and what the future holds for health issues in Africa. Al Jazeera: DRCs health minister called it the worst outbreak in the countrys history. How difficult is it for the WHO to tackle it? Matshidiso Moeti: This is happening in a zone where theres long-standing conflict. There is also a mistrust and the level of acceptance from the population has been a particular problem. Even as were there, there have been attacks on communities, kidnappings, threats to our staff and even attacks. Weve been keen to work at community level, with various community groups, hoping to spread the word to everyone, including the armed groups. We want to tell them that when theres an Ebola outbreak, and the virus is circulating, were all at risk, including them. This is a combination of security issues and mistrust by the population, and even reluctance to cooperate sometimes. There are areas under the radar where the standard of infection control is very poor, they are some of the main areas where transmission is occurring and that has made the situation difficult and complicated. This is a work in progress. Al Jazeera: What kind of resistance did you meet from the communities? Moeti: One of the biggest challenges has been the initial resistance from the communities. Some of them question why were here now. They ask where we were when they were being killed by these armed groups and how weve taken notice once Ebola hit them. One thing were working on is safe and dignified burials. Thats one of the biggest areas of contamination and infection. In African communities, we have traditions when it comes to births, marriages and death. This is when we remember our culture and go back to practice it. Al Jazeera: How difficult is it to let families safely part with the bodies of loved ones? Moeti: It is difficult. People dont find it easy to accept it. There has been resistance. But weve managed to do it effectively. One of the things is knowing who to work with, who has the trust of the community and a relationship with them different leaders, religious leaders, womens groups, etc. {articleGUID} The investment in a dialogue with the community has also been important, not only for surveillance but also for building confidence in terms of persuading people to appreciate the risk and change their practices how to deal with the loved ones who have died and essentially to hand them over for a safe burial. Al Jazeera: How is that persuasion being done? Moeti: For example, there is a very large number of small health clinics run by a number of health workers. This is a mix of traditional remedies and modern medicine but are not really regulated. This has been used and trusted by the population but this is where a lot of transmission has happened. Now were working with them on infection prevention and control. Were providing them with the material, knowledge and training needed so that if people visit, they understand and realise what they have to do to prevent transmission. Al Jazeera: Malaria killed approximately 435,000 people last year, 93 percent of those in Africa. Last year, you told Al Jazeera progress was being made but it wasnt enough. Why is progress still slow? Moeti: The situation is still very similar. Twelve months is not a lot of time to turn a programme around Al Jazeera: but were talking about more almost 400,000 deaths Moeti: You have to recalibrate and what additional capacity you have, address the bottlenecks youre encountering. You see, its one thing to distribute bed nets but another to change what people do inside their homes making sure they actually use it and to adopt that practice consistently. Weve identified 10 African countries and India as the heaviest burden countries [as part of a new initiative] and planning to improve the situation. A total of six women are voted in, doubling the number of female legislators in the Council of Representatives. A record number of women have been elected in Bahrains elections in what officials say is an historic achievement that has broken the glass ceiling of representation in the countrys parliament. By the elections second and final round of voting on Sunday, a total of six women were voted in, doubling the number of female legislators in the tiny Gulf kingdom. The 2018 elections are historic for Bahrain, Mohammed al-Sayed, spokesperson for Citizens for Bahrain organisation, told Al Arabiya English news channel. We will certainly have more women in parliament, and this is a source of pride for all Bahrainis as we believe in equality and the important role played by Bahraini women in society and politics, he continued. Fawzia Zainal was elected in the first round on November 24 [Screengrab/Instagram] Sawsan Kamal, Zainab Abdul Amir, Massoma Abdul Raheem and Kaltham Al Hayki joined Fawzia Zainal and Fatima Al Qatari, who were elected in the first round on November 24. The total number of seats for Bahrains Council of Representatives is 40. Breaking the glass ceiling Bahrains first elections in 2002 saw no women elected to parliament, despite 31 female candidates. The following election in 2006 saw only one woman elected, Lateefa al-Gaood, who retained her seat in 2010 and remained the sole woman legislator. In the 2014 election, three women were elected to parliament. {articleGUID} Bahrain does not have a quota system for female representation in parliament, with many Bahrainis viewing such a scheme as running against the countrys constitution, which states equal rights for all of its citizens. Speaking to the state-owned Bahrain Television, Ahlam Janahi from Bahrains Businesswomens Society said the latest election will be remembered for breaking the glass ceiling. Finally, the women of Bahrain have proven themselves that they are able to represent themselves in all facets of life and proved that as a country, we do not need a quota system in order guarantee female representation, Janahi said. Elections boycotted by opposition The government said at 67 percent, the voter turnout for this years election was the largest in Bahrains history. The opposition, however, claimed the turnout did not exceed 30 percent. {articleGUID} The last election in 2014 had a turnout of 53 percent after when opposition groups boycotted elections in the Western-allied kingdom, home to the US Navys Fifth Fleet. Activists had called for a boycott of this vote, describing it as a farce, amid a crackdown on dissent by the ruling Al Khalifa family since it quashed a Shia-led uprising in 2011 with the help of neighbouring Saudi Arabia. Since then, the island state has kept a lid on dissent, closing opposition groups, barring their members from running in elections and prosecuting scores of people, many described by human rights groups as activists, in mass trials. Washington says it carried out an air raid west of the Somali capital, Mogadishu killing nine fighters. The United States military said it killed nine fighters in an air attack targeting al-Shabab fighters in Lebede, Somalia, as part of its operations to support the governments efforts to weaken the armed group. The militarys Africa Command (Africom) said the attack was carried out on Friday. We currently assess this air strike killed nine militants with no civilians involved, Africom said in a statement late on Saturday. The statement gave no details on those killed. US military involvement in Somalia has grown since President Donald Trump approved expanded operations against al-Shabab early in his term. Washington currently has about 500 military personnel in the Horn of Africa nation and carries out periodic air raids in support of the UN-backed government there. The US has carried out at least 37 air raids this year against the al-Qaeda-linked group, one of Africas deadliest rebel groups, which continues to stage attacks in Somalias capital, Mogadishu, and other cities. The group killed at least 15 people, including a Sufi Muslim leader, in a suicide explosion in the central town of Galkayo last Friday. Al-Shabab was pushed out of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in recent years but continues to control rural areas in the south and central regions. The US president wants to implement denuclearisation deal signed with Kim Jong Un, South Koreas Moon says. Donald Trump wants North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to know that he likes him and will fulfill his wishes, South Koreas President Moon Jae-in has said, a day after meeting the US president at an economic summit in Argentina. Moon, who is hoping to host Kim soon on the first ever trip to Seoul by a North Korean leader as agreed earlier this year, said Trump had asked him to pass on a message. The message is that President Trump has very favourable views toward Chairman Kim and he likes him, Moon told reporters aboard a flight from Argentina to New Zealand, where he started a three-day state visit on Sunday. As such, he asked me to tell Chairman Kim that he wants to implement the rest of their agreement together and he will fulfil Chairman Kims wishes. {articleGUID} Trump, who met Kim in Singapore in June, said on Saturday that he is likely to meet the North Korean leader for a second time in January or February, with three sites for their meeting under consideration. Were getting along very well. We have a good relationship, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his return from the G20 summit. Trump added that at some point he will invite Kim to the United States. In June, Trump and Kim opened up a face-to-face dialogue after months of trading military threats and pointed barbs. The two leaders signed a vaguely worded document on denuclearisation, but progress has since stalled as Washington and Pyongyang spar over the meaning of the document. North Korea has taken few concrete steps to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was due to meet a top North Korean official in early November, but the meeting was abruptly put off, with Pyongyang insisting that Washington ease sanctions. On Friday, Trump discussed the situation with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The pair reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearisation of North Korea, Trumps spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. They agreed on the need for maintaining vigorous enforcement of existing sanctions to ensure North Korea understands that denuclearisation is the only path, Sanders said. {articleGUID} In the Argentine capital, Trump held separate bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday that primarily focused on trade, but the US leader told Xi he had agreed to work with him 100 percent on North Korea. When asked on Saturday if he would ever host the North Korean leader in the United States, Trump replied: At some point, yeah. Ukrainian leader says his country is ready to hold talks with Russia to de-escalate conflict in Kerch Strait. Kiev, Ukraine Ukraines President Petro Poroshenko has said Kiev is ready to hold talks with Russia in the Normandy format to de-escalate the conflict between the two countries in the Kerch Strait. Poroshenkos remark came on Sunday, a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the possibility of four-way talks between Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany at the G20 summit in Argentina. The four countries form the Normandy Four, which was set up to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine involving Russian-backed rebels. Poroshenko told the French broadcaster, France 24, that Merkel agreed to the proposal in his talks with the German leader. We will certainly take part in the meeting of the Normandy format at the level of political advisers, where we will raise the urgent question: the requirement for the Russian Federation to return our military, ships and open the Kerch Strait, he said. We demand [from Russia]: stop violating international laws [it] may have further consequences, Poroshenko said. He also said that Moscow should withdraw its troops stationed on the Russian-Ukrainian border and remove a large number of warships from the Sea of Azov. Ukraine has also called on Germany and its allies to boost their naval presence in the Black Sea to deter Russia from further aggression in the region. Russia has been rejecting talks Volodymyr Fesenko, director of the Penta Centre for Political Studies in Kiev, told Al Jazeera that Ukraine has always been in favour of negotiation. Russia is the one that has been rejecting it. Poroshenko tried to talk to him right after the incident in the Kerch Strait, Putin rejected it. Then, the foreign ministers of the Normandy format met in Berlin, but we are told the Russian side refused to discuss the Kerch situation, he said. Now, it is clear why. Russia is blocking the talks since it is waiting for the end of the [March 31] presidential elections in Ukraine. He also said that without the Normandy format talks, there would be no Minsk Agreement and at least partial implementation of those accords. All serious questions have been resolved in the Normandy format only. Without mediators like Germany, there would have been no progress, he said. {articleGUID} Oleksiy Haran, head of research at Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, told Al Jazeera that Ukraine is unlikely to go for talks with Russia without a third party. Whenever we have bilateral talks, Russia violates it. There is no trust with Russia, Haran said. The rift between Russia and Ukraine intensified after Kiev ousted the Moscow-backed president, Viktor Yanukovich, in 2014. It turned into a conflict following the Russian annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and the seizure of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east by Russia-backed rebels the same year. The conflict between the two neighbour states reached a new low last Sunday after the Russian border patrol blocked three Ukrainian military vessels from travelling from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait the shared internal waters of both states according to a 2003 agreement. On Saturday, Poroshenko, who believes Moscow wants to conquer the whole of Ukraine, said there were more than 80,000 Russian soldiers in and around his country The Kremlin has accused the Ukrainian president of playing up the conflict with Moscow to secure electoral support in the upcoming presidential election. Follow Al Jazeeras Tamila Varshalomidze on Twitter: @tamila87v About the show A weekly programme that examines and dissects the worlds media, how they operate and the stories they cover. Watch The Listening Post every Saturday at 0830GMT In the DRC, where some of the most valuable minerals are mined, young women sell their bodies to put food on the table. RJP-N conflict deepens after Mahato takes charge With an abrupt change of guard, the feud in the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal has festered so much that it has started affecting the partys activities. Still Winning This week the President signed a new trade deal with Mexico, Canada, and Argentina, a deal far more favorable to our interests than the now discarded NAFTA deal. In the same time frame, our master negotiator hosted the first trilateral meeting with Japan and India, which should also boost the economy and which includes defense and military purchases. Merry Christmas, Xi. Comey: Still a Loser On the home front, Mueller and Comey keep looking worse and worse. Previously, former FBI Director James Comey refused to answer 100 questions when he testified before Congress because the hearings were public. Now, the House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed him to take his deposition, allowing him to testify in a closed setting. He ran to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking to quash the subpoena because he claimed his testimony might be selectively leaked. Judge Magistrate Trevor McFadden drew Comeys counsels admission that there was no case law supporting his position. The government noted that Comey was free to publicly disclose his testimony after the deposition, and that, moreover, a transcript would be provided him 24 hours after his testimony which he was free to release in whole. Comeys counsel told Judge McFadden Heres your opportunity, judge to make some law. The judge said he would decide the case Monday at 10 a.m. I wouldnt bet that hell make new law. The deposition, in the meantime, is now scheduled for this Tuesday. Doubtless, Comey is playing for time and the installation of a Democratic majority in the House and we can expect more shenanigans from the former FBI head. Two Mysteries 1. Chicago While the President was out of the country the FBI raided the office of Chicago Alderman Ed Burke, a guy who controlled the city and state finances. The Feds ordered everyone to leave, placed brown paper over the doors and went through the files in Burkes office. Is this Trump striking back? Is Obamas cover coming undone? The Chicago field office offered no comment. Its not clear they were even in the loop respecting this raid. Anti-Trumpers are salivating that this is another attempt to tar him, as his company hired Burke to handle permitting and tax issues to build in Chicago. Well, who didnt? Only people who didnt want building permits and favorable tax treatment. 2. Cain Raid in Maryland More distressing and inexplicable was the November 19 FBI raid on the home of Dennis Nathan Cain, a whistleblower who gave evidence that federal officials failed to investigate potential criminal activity respecting Hillary Clinton, the Clinton foundation, and Rosatom, the Russian company which purchased Uranium One to Inspector General Michael Horowitz and which was then properly transmitted to the Senate and House Intelligence committees. The law protects whistleblowers that follow the procedure Cain did. Nevertheless, the FBI charged that Cain possessed stolen government property and used this to obtain permission for the raid from federal magistrate Stephanie Gallagher. The details of this seemingly shocking use of the FBI were reported by crack investigative reporter Richard Pollack. For six hours agents rifled through Cains home even after he handed over the documents to the FBI hed already given to Horowitz. Pollack notes: 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 The DCNF alleges. Mueller is now the special counsel investigating whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election. The bureau raided my client to seize what he legally gave Congress about the Clinton Foundation and Uranium One, the whistleblowers lawyer, Michael Socarras, told the DCNF [Daily Caller News Foundation], noting that he considered the FBIs raid to be an outrageous disregard of whistleblower protections. From the outside it looks like Mueller used the FBI to harass someone who had the goods on him. The FBI has refused comment on the reason for the raid. Is this a lame attempt to keep Congressional investigators away from Muellers misfeasance on the ground that its a matter under investigation? Who knows? In the meantime, Im chalking this up as a likely further attempt by the Deep State to keep the truth of its wrongdoing from public notice. Mueller The Special Counsel keeps rolling with indictments that have nothing to do with the original charge -- certainly because the only collusion with Russia was by Hillary. Each time the anti-Trumpers are certain the Presidents end is nigh. This weeks indictment of Cohen is of a piece with that history. Tom Maguire weighs in: Michael Cohen claims to have chased a Trump Tower-type deal in Moscow until just before the Republican primary in 2016, despite previous testimony that he (and more to the point, Trump) dropped the effort before the Iowa primaries. Possible explanations: (a) Cohen is lying. Problematic, since there are (or ought to be) emails and phone records that overlap with his new story (e.g., a phone chat with an aide to Putin's press secretary). (b) Trump has been lying. Possible! (c) Fog of deal-making. Folks who have worked on the Big Deals, whether it be a real estate project, a book/movie deal, an elaborate tax scheme, or something else know that deals generally have the potential for a zombie status, where they aren't alive but no one can quite kill them. Why? Because there are generally many constituents, most of whom did not achieve whatever their current status is by taking "no" for an answer. Knowing nothing about it, we can be sure that if Trump has been pursuing a property idea for Moscow there are financiers, property owners, builders, prospective tenants, government officials and various middlemen that can see a payday for themselves if a deal happens. In fact, a day later the Times reports that Felix Sater, a grifter in Trump's orbit, had pushed a Moscow deal for years and never stopped. So. Knowing Trump's reputation email exchanges or notable meetings with Trump on giving him an updated elevator pitch while in Trump Tower or mentioned it in one of their many phone calls, well good luck with that -- maybe it didn't happen, maybe it did and Trump brushed it off and promptly forgot. As to whether this is evidence of collusion with the Russian government during the election, well, not in itself. For those excited by the possibility that Trump lied, well, wait until they learn about the daily sunrise (and the monthly full moon!). Doubtless, hoping to keep Manhattan hysterics from requiring hospitalization when their dreams are dashed, the NY Times prepares to let its readers decompress gradually, reporting that the Presidents recall of the Russian deal and the documents he provided matches Cohens account. Those of us watching the Mueller escapades and believing his role is to protect himself and the other DOJ, FBI, Obama officials, and intel heads from exposure for their misuse of national security information to target Trump are beginning to despair of their ever being brought to justice. Victor David Hanson is more optimistic. Columnist and political commentator Victor Davis Hanson said the verdict is "not out" for the Obama-era DOJ officials after their use of the infamous Russian dossier. Davis noted 8 to 10 FBI officials have been retired or reassigned or facing indictment. Hanson also warned Wednesday night it's "not over" former FBI director James Comey, former CIA director John Brennan, and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper because the dossier, put together by a foreign national, was used to open investigations and get FISA warrants. "It's not over because we are looking at a situation where a presidential candidate hired a foreign national to find dirt on her opponent in that dossier was seeded among top officials of the Obama administration. Surely, there are plenty of signs that the Mueller camp has grown desperate. Adam Hill provides a fine synopsis of the many Mueller flops: How could he not be desperate? The collusion was always on the other side of the aisle. Hill details all the fizzles of the hot (leaked) scoops of the Mueller teams hotshot work and concludes, as I do, the enterprise was doomed by fact from the outset. After two years of this Trump/Russia hoax, the truth-bending bombshells still find their way into headlines. Keep in mind that Special Counsel Robert Mueller likely has every text, email, and voicemail that anyone connected with the Trump campaign ever made or recorded, and probably recordings of several of the phone calls. These latest leaks demonstrate that the Mueller team isnt above spinning their cast-offs as smoking guns for the eager media. Much ink has been spilled trying to determine how the Russia-collusion investigation got started. Theres simply no mystery here. As Ive repeatedly documented, Clinton hired Fusion GPS to push the Trump-Russia hoax as a way to counterweight her email legal troubles. Fusion GPS paid money to journalists and the wife of a senior Department of Justice official (Bruce Ohrs wife, Nellie Ohr) to help. Fusion also hired Christopher Steele to help. He was already working with the FBI and is documented to have been its paid informant as early as February 2016. Fusion GPS continues to receive millions of dollars to continue researching the story. We never have learned which journalists received payoffs from Fusion GPS (although its unclear why any money would be needed to sic the media on Trump). Because The Guardians source is secret, we cant rule out that it is also related to or paid by Fusion GPS in some way. Conrad Black details the anti-Trump hysteria, fake news, media opinion manipulations, and the Mueller fiasco, agreeing with my view that Mueller is displaying desperation. And the Mueller special-counsel rumbles toward its third year. So desperate have Muellers efforts and those of his rabidly Democratic staff members become that in trying to extort and suborn inculpatory perjury about the president, they are facing a revolt from the victims, led by Paul Manafort from his solitary confinement cell, but emulated now by Jerome Corsi. Rather than cooperate (i.e., lie) after being catechized by Mueller, to avoid facing the extremes of the American kangaroo courts, they are refusing Mueller, and effectively betting on the failure of Mueller to make good on his mission to take down or seriously discommode the president. Mueller is escalating the terror campaign against Manafort by inciting state prosecutions, insusceptible to the presidents power of pardon. The Democrats have been shouting from the housetops about protecting Mueller, but Trump has no interest in shutting him down. Mueller has nothing, and his terrors dont impress its victims. What is inexplicable is the presidents delay in naming an attorney general. He must have been considering this question since it became clear that Jeff Sessions was a prosecutorial eunuch 18 months ago. The only reason that comes to mind for his waiting is because he wants to see if the Democrats are going to be stupid enough to try to impeach him, which would not only fail and backfire, it would be a gold-edged invitation to send the Clinton campaign and Obama Justice Department in droves to the grand jury, and on from there on the conveyer-belt of American criminal justice to the fate they deserve. I hope the president names his next attorney general soon, too, but even more, I hope we wont have to wait much longer for the FISA investigation documents to be declassified and released. Then we can see if Mueller and Comey, Clapper and Brennan, and a host of other Obama thugs like playing defense under legal tactics and rules they instituted. The concerns of those countries who connived with them -- Australia and Britain, Im looking at you -- will be exposed, but it might teach them a lesson to never permit their intelligence officers to do this again. Dropping Paul Manafort as a cooperating witness ruins his credibility as far as anything he told Mueller and any testimony he may be forced to give with respect to that. The lies Mueller is alleging are almost certainly an exercise of Muellers specialty, the perjury trap he is trying to set for President Trump. It must be assumed the Special Counsel has proof of Manaforts lies. Manaforts defense team has been working with the presidents lawyers since the inception of his plea agreement. The presidents attorney, Rudolph Giuliani, has admitted as much. Mueller is trying to prove collusion between Trump and Manafort with respect to the written answers the president submitted last week in response to Muellers questions. If any of Trumps answers to Muellers questions include even one of the same lies as Manafort, it would not only be perjury but the "high crime" the incoming Democratic House majority will use to initiate Articles of Impeachment. It doesnt even have to be a big lie -- saying he didnt know of the Trump Tower meeting between Trump Jr. and Natalia Veselnitskya (who coincidentally, had ties to Fusion GPS, having dined with Glenn Simpson both before and after the meeting), when Mueller has evidence he did, would be enough for Mueller to ruin Trumps presidency. So, denying foreknowledge of a meeting that was not illegal and certainly didnt rise to the things Hillary and company did with the Steele Dossier may be insignificant, but it still would be a false statement. Thats how Mueller got General Michael Flynn, who related a conversation he had with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak that differed from the recordings Mueller had of the meeting. The meeting would be a legitimate task for an incoming national security advisor and even though interviewing FBI agents didnt think he was lying and merely misspoke or misremembered, the inconsistency was used to indict him. Mueller knew what was said because he had recordings of the conversation. In other words, it was a perjury trap. Thats not even mentioning that acting Attorney General Sally Yates opened the investigation of Flynn under the pretense that he violated the Logan Act, a 1799 piece of legislation widely believed unconstitutional and never used to prosecute anyone in the more than two-century interregnum. And thats how he got George Papadopoulos as well. He told investigators that a conversation about Russia with suspected CIA spy Joseph Mifsud, an academic and Russia expert, happened before he was associated with the Trump campaign. Papadopoulos, who was named as a foreign policy advisor for the Trump Campaign on March 19, 2016, met with Mifsud on March 15, 2016. His crime is not telling investigators that on March 10 he already knew of his imminent appointment. This resulted in a sentence of 14 days in jail for George even though Mueller asked the court for a much longer sentence because Papadopoulos gave him nothing to implicate the president. Its what hes trying to do to Jerome Corsi also, a septuagenarian who couldnt remember forwarding an email. Mueller had seized his computers and thus already knew he had forwarded the email. Apparently, poor memory can result in jail time for Corsi even though there was nothing illegal about the email itself. Mueller wanted to flip him, and according to Corsi, lie and say he was the conduit between Assange and Roger Stone (a Trump confidant) for stolen Hillary emails. In doing so, Mueller was attempting to draw a line from Assange through Corsi to Stone and then to his real target, the president. The email is immaterial, its the wrong answer about forwarding it that generates the charge and the alleged threat by the Mueller investigation that he would spend the rest of his life in jail if he didnt say what he was told to say. Given $30 million, two years, and 17 hungry prosecutors empowered to find anything a target might have ever done in his life and it is likely they will find something. Flynn would have probably prevailed in court, but Mueller also specializes in ruination. He is said to have threatened to also charge Flynns son and wife. Mueller has an unlimited budget ($40 million spent so far); Flynn had only his savings. The same holds true for Papadopoulos and Corsi. This is how Mueller has pursued his vocation, railroading people into prison for minor offenses, and his own career advancement. Apparently destroying peoples lives by charging them with process crimes when he cant charge them with real crimes is what earns respect in D.C. because dont forget that when the now irrelevant Rod Rosenstein appointed Mueller (coincidentally, newly fired FBI Director James Comeys best bud), all we heard was how respected he was and how he had unblemished integrity. At least Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer, actually lied. He twice told Congress that negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow ended in January of 2016 when they ended in June. Yet, there is nothing illegal about negotiating to build in Moscow. He lied because he thought it would be better politically if talks ended before Trump attained the nomination. It is illegal to lie to Congress. However, it bears noting that John Brennan, James Clapper, Eric Holder, Hillary Clinton, James Comey, and many other members of the Obama Administration have also lied to Congress and havent been indicted by Mueller. Of course, thats because he was tasked to only pursue Republicans. The entire process that resulted in Muellers appointment was started by members of the Obama administration and probably personally approved by the former president. Yep, that was him, say, thank you," please. Muellers Greatest Hits: Whitey Bulger As Alan Dershowitz said: [Muellers] the guy who kept four innocent people in prison for many years in order to protect the cover of Whitey Bulger as an FBI informer. Those of us in Boston don't have such a high regard for Mueller because we remember this story. The government had to pay out tens of millions of dollars because Whitey Bulger, a notorious mass murderer, became a government informer against the mafia. Thats really all that need be said about Mueller, then FBI director, and Bulger. Steven J. Hatfill He was the man Mueller and trusted mini-me James Comey (remember, there may be no coincidences in life, but there are many for Mueller) tried in vain to blame for the Anthrax letters sent to public officials in 2001. The letters containing powdered anthrax killed five people and hospitalized 17 others. Despite the lack of evidence, for years Mueller hounded Hatfill, who was a virologist at the Armys Fort Detrick, Maryland laboratories. When Hatfill sued and won almost $6 million from the government for Muellers abuse of power, Mueller said, I do not apologize for any aspect of the investigation. Hows that for integrity? Ruin a man because the conviction would look good on your resume and all the liberal world applauds. Scooter Libby Scooter Libby, Vice President Dick Cheneys chief of staff, was accused of outing CIA analyst Valerie Plame -- the eventual charge was perjury (oh, the coincidence). Forget that the entire world knew she worked for the CIA and she wasnt an agent and therefore never in danger and that Libby was innocent. As the FBI would say with serial killers, Muellers signature emerges. First, then-FBI director Muellers deputy, James Comey (theres a coincidence again) forced Attorney General John Ashcroft to recuse (its always best if targets are defenseless). Then, Patrick Fitzgerald was named Special Counsel by Comey, which allowed through the two-hop rule the FBI to investigate anyone to have ever been in contact with Libby and by extension, anyone to have ever been in contact with them -- in other words, the entire Bush administration. It turns out, they knew all along that Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage was the leaker. Apparently, when you have unblemished integrity, you can do whatever you want. President Trump pardoned Libby in April. Ted Stevens In the runup to his 2008 reelection campaign, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska was investigated by Director Muellers FBI on bogus suspicions of him misreporting money spent on renovations to his home. Less than 100 days before the 2008 election, the Justice Department indicted Stevens and he lost the election by less than 2%. Judge Emmet G. Sullivan (coincidentally, also the sentencing judge for General Flynn) found that the prosecution was permeated by the systemic concealment of significant exculpatory evidence, which would have independently corroborated Senator Stevenss defense and his testimony, and seriously damaged the testimony and credibility of the governments key witness. Judge Sullivan also said: In nearly 25 years on the bench, I've never seen anything approaching the mishandling and misconduct that I've seen in this case. Mark Begich, who became the senator from Alaska after beating Stevens in 2008, was the 60th filibuster-proof vote for Obamacare. One of the prosecutors in the case committed suicide and the FBI agent who blew the whistle on the injustice was hounded out of the FBI while the agent responsible for the bogus charges was promoted. Stevens later died in a plane crash, a ruined man. But thats what Mueller does, he ruins people -- if its good for his career, that is. William L. Gensert can be found on Twitter @williamlgensert He can be reached at gensbill@aol.com and will answer all emails that do not threaten family and friends given enough time. Highly recommended is a new program on the Fox News channel tonight, Sunday, December 2 from 8-9 P.M. E.T./P.T. It's the second season premiere of the occasional documentary series Scandalous. Season two, episode one of Scandalous: Chappaquiddick, "The Bridge," will be shown this evening, with three more hour-long episodes to follow on successive Sunday evenings in December. The subject of the four new in-depth programs is the 1969 scandal involving the late Sen. Edward M. (Ted) Kennedy (D-Mass.) that essentially short-circuited his seemingly inevitable path to the presidency. Not well remembered now, the scandal a half-century ago was also depicted in a dramatic feature film, titled Chappaquiddick, that premiered in theaters last April and bombed at the box office (only $18 million in ticket sales versus a $34-million budget). Fox News Channel graphic for Scandalous: Chappaquiddick. The story of Kennedy's actions resulting in the death of 28-year-old campaign aide Mary Jo Kopechne more than merits the new, detailed look that Scandalous: Chappaquiddick promises to give it. Last winter, season one of Scandalous presented seven hour-long episodes about the scandals of Bill and Hillary Clinton leading up to the 42nd president's impeachment by the House of Representatives and trial in the Senate in 1999. It was a serious, hard-hitting, compelling, and mostly objective production featuring 45 new interviews with many of the principals and journalists who covered the events, a wealth of archival video, and excellent narration by Bruce McGill. The first season of Scandalous performed well in the ratings. The story of Chappaquiddick seems like a logical follow-up to the Clinton scandals. As a news release emailed to journalists by Fox News on November 28 noted: This second season will spotlight the personal tragedy and political drama that enveloped the United States in the summer of 1969, turning the island of "Chappaquiddick" into a household name. The program will chronicle the perspective of many of those involved, along with the journalists who covered the puzzling accident that left the political career of the late Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy tarnished and led to the death of campaign strategist Mary Jo Kopechne. Through archival footage, records and never-before seen photos, the series will revisit the daily twists and turns of the drama that first captivated the world nearly 50 years ago. In the early 1970s, I made the first of many trips to Martha's Vineyard, when the Chappaquiddick story was still fresh in the minds of local residents, even though the rest of the country had largely moved on. Most of the Vineyarders whom I spoke with over 45 years ago were of the opinion that Kennedy had gotten away with murder. The Background Late on the evening of Friday, July 18, 1969, a party at a small rented cottage on the remote, rural island of Chappaquiddick, separated by a churning 500-foot wide body of water from the main island of Martha's Vineyard, was winding down. The partygoers were six single women in their twenties who had worked for Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.), who had been assassinated the year before; six older men, including Ted Kennedy; and several male Democratic campaign strategists. Around midnight, Kennedy left the party with Kopechne, who, he said later, wanted a ride back to her hotel in Edgartown on the Vineyard. But Kopechne left her hotel key and purse behind at the cottage. The other attendees at the party were planning on spending the rest of the night at the rented cottage. Supposedly taking a wrong turn from the two-lane paved road on the way to the ferry, Kennedy wound up heading in the opposition direction along a one-lane dirt road toward an isolated beach. Approaching the beach, the Oldsmobile sedan Kennedy was driving veered off the small Dyke Bridge and became submerged in the Poucha Pond below. Kennedy escaped and said later that he repeatedly dove into the water in search of Kopechne, who remained trapped inside the vehicle. Inexplicably, after giving up, Kennedy did not report the accident, but instead walked back to the cottage, where he conferred privately with several of his closest aides, who also failed to report the accident. Small three-car capacity ferry running from Martha's Vineyard toward Chappaquiddick Island on May 12, 2004. This is the body of water that Kennedy swam in the early morning hours of July 19, 1969 to get back to his hotel after the accident at Dyke Bridge. Photograph by Peter Barry Chowka. Without informing the other partygoers about what had just happened, the aides drove Kennedy back to the accident scene, where they said they made additional unsuccessful attempts to locate and free Kopechne from the still submerged car. They then drove Kennedy to the deserted and now closed Chappaquiddick ferry landing, and he wound up swimming across the channel back to the Vineyard and spent the rest of the night at his hotel. The next morning, after making a series of calls from pay phones to confer with some of his top political advisers or fixers around the country, Kennedy finally reported the accident to police. By the time rescuers reached the car, Kopechne had expired but not from drowning. According to People magazine (December 29, 2017): "I know she suffocated when her oxygen ran out," the diver [who removed Kopechne's body from Kennedy's car], John Farrar, said in Senatorial Privilege: The Chappaquiddick Cover-up, a 1988 book about the incident by Leo Damore. "She didnt drown." Farrar claimed that Kopechne could have been alive for some time after the accident and alleges that she could have been saved if Ted had summoned the police earlier. "She could have lived a good while after the car went off the bridge," Farrar said in Senatorial Privilege. The district attorney's request for a belated autopsy was opposed by Ted's camp and by Kopechne's parents at the time. It was rejected by a Pennsylvania judge following a hearing. A Slap on the Wrist The subsequent legal proceedings and a variety of journalistic accounts over the years also suggested that if the accident had been reported in a timely manner, Kopechne might have survived. Incredibly, Kennedy was not charged criminally with vehicular manslaughter; instead, he was given a slap on the wrist allowed to plead guilty to leaving the scene of an accident causing personal injury, a misdemeanor for which he received a two-month suspended jail sentence and had his driver's license suspended for six months. This account is a bare-bones summary of an outrageous and tragic event and its aftermath that were essentially wrapped (or covered) up in little more than one week. Meanwhile, the country was preoccupied with and distracted by the breaking news about the first successful landing of two American astronauts on the Moon that was occurring at the same time. The questions that the Chappaquiddick incident raised about Kennedy's character and behavior that night in July 1969, however, dogged him for the rest of his life. The incident further embellished his reputation as an out-of-control womanizer, and he was unsuccessful in his only serious try at the presidency, when he challenged incumbent President Jimmy Carter for the Democratic Party's nomination in 1980. Sen. Ted Kennedy at a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. George McGovern, Newark, N.J., Oct. 31, 1972. Photograph by Peter Barry Chowka. Although he never made it to the Oval Office, Kennedy's career in the U.S. Senate lasted for over 40 more years until the day he died from a brain tumor in 2009. Over time, the details of the 1969 incident at Chappaquiddick largely faded, and Kennedy in life and after his death was lauded by Democrats and Republicans alike, constantly celebrated and honored as the "Lion of the Senate." Hopefully, Scandalous: Chappaquiddick's new four-hour-long deconstruction of the events almost a half-century ago will add some much needed clarity to the hagiographic, airbrushed revision of the real history that has dominated political discourse ever since. Correction: No autopsy was performed. Peter Barry Chowka writes about politics, media, popular culture, and health care for American Thinker and other publications. Follow him on Twitter at @pchowka. I have no problem with people being anti-Trump or believing that he is wrong for America. But, when rabbis and other assorted Jewish intellectuals willfully mis-interpret classic Biblical texts in order to validate a leftist agenda, we should all be concerned. Indeed, there is enough evidence to demonstrate that the Bible is an ancient epic of Israels history, political theory, cosmology and religion. Therefore, it is intellectually dishonest to conflate an ancient Jewish text with a contemporary political issue. For example, their obsession with welcoming the stranger because we were once strangers in the land of Egypt, refers to Hebrew jurisprudence. It was the Biblical ideal that Israel would be the light unto the nations. As to its superficial application, stranger or ger in Biblical language means resident alien; that is someone who lives among us legally but has no inherited or original rights. He or she is not merely an individual intending to live among us. The ger is entitled to equality in law and its obligations. When the Bible refers to Hebrews once being strangers in Egypt, it uses the same term ger, meaning that the Hebrews were legally in Egypt. But they were not Egyptian; they were Israelites. Thus, the injunction regarding the stranger did not apply to those who disregard our laws. Justice, which is what our nation strives for, cannot be left to sentiment. There are other considerations. The plight of those people seeking a better life in America is a sad one. And perhaps we can demand more of our government towards assisting them to build a better life in their own home. Perhaps we can improve the immigration system. There is good reason for debate about these issues and perhaps about changing our established procedures for immigration. It is a difficult political issue. Jews would have had a significant contribution to its resolution if only they had not themselves fallen victim to the antagonistic trope of the radical left. When emotion supersedes reason one might consider a mass hysteria. The allegation that Trump is the cause of gun violence is vicious. Jews would be advised that their attitudes border on scapegoating. Throughout the Middle Ages every outbreak of the plague or every murder of a child was attributed to the Jew. Joshua Trachtenberg demonstrated in his classic study The Devil and The Jews (1943) how the Jew became the Devil. And we must be wary of witch hunts. As victims of bigotry, one would have thought that Jewish voices would be conciliatory voices of reason. Using Biblical texts as a pretext for their political attitudes is little different than excising and applying, out of context, various New Testament sayings in order to prove that Jews have been rejected and a new covenant has been established. American Jewry apparently has been infected by a moral virus; a contemporary strain of the medieval St. Vitus dance syndrome. Symptomatic is their knee jerk derision of everything Israel does and of their hatred for Netanyahu and Trump. There are other signs of this moral dysfunction. The Jewish reaction to anti-Semitism does not seem to reflect the political and spiritual reality of a Jewry liberated from the ghetto; a Jewry capable of defending itself. Neo- Nazis and the Nation of Islam do not represent the existential threat of 20th century Nazism. It was the silence of America and its Jewry during the 20th century that abetted the final solution. President Trump, however, in deeds rather than words, affirmed his aversion to Jew hatred and to a campaign to de-legitimatize the Jewish state. Yet, Jews have become hysterical. They appear as impotent and as anxious as were their grandfathers living in ghettos. They live in a country where the right of self-defense is cherished. Yet, American Jews in this instance behave in the same passive dependent ways that their European ancestors did prior to the Holocaust. This dependency is both un-American and un-Jewish. Their reaction is characterized by a fear that haunts them because their only identification with Judaism is historical. Reverence for the past does not mean glorifying it. That would mean that they glorify victimhood by confusing victims with martyrs. Yet, the American Jewish curriculum pursues an educational model that perpetuates both. How else can one make sense of their falling for the Palestinian narrative that thugs, murderers and terrorists are innocent victims of a Nazi-like occupation? How else can we explain that they see the devil in Israels efforts at defending its people? Controlling a hostile population and even killing the enemy is not human rights abuse. It is simply defending our own human rights. Jewish intellects use the Exodus narrative as a rationale for their confused loyalties. They falsify the texts by using them out of context. The Exodus is not about slavery, but about liberation. It is not so much about sympathy for the victim as it is about the courage of the free. Although God is credited for this great delivery, the Biblical editor makes it clear that the Hebrews helped. They actually left Egypt armed and in military formation. They even borrowed equipment from their former oppressors and they fought their way to the Promised Land. In other words as unfair as their reality was, they chose to act decisively and in their own interest. As Ruth Wisse once pointed out, Jews have a problem with power. Perhaps because for centuries they were powerless, they have accommodated themselves to a collective impotence. They celebrate powerlessness by continuing to refuse to teach themselves how to protect their own synagogues. They attribute anti-Semitism to Trumps rhetoric rather than to the probability that Jews have always been soft targets. Trump did not invent Jew hatred. It has existed for a long time and responsible leaders should have anticipated the consequences of hate speech. There is more than rhythm in the verse, the land of the free and the home of the brave. There is reason. One is responsible for ones liberty. Courage is the bulwark of freedom. The Black power movement understood this clearly. Some Jews sought to act and formed the Jewish Defense League and exercise their right of self-defense only to discover that they were ostracized by other Jews and called thugs. Jews have yet to realize that only they can protect themselves from anti-Semitism. While anti-Semitism is a Christian and Islamic ideology, only Jews can reduce its toxic effects upon society. But, Jews can only accomplish this by being Jews, by educating their children about Judaism and by emphasizing the correlation between the Chosen-ness of Israel and American exceptionalism. Finally, one would have believed that the history of the Jews would have formed in the American Jewish psyche an abiding sense of gratitude. Jews in America stood by while their president denied sanctuary to Jews fleeing Hitler. This generation was privileged to witness an American president say yes to Jerusalem and no to terrorists making an improbable claim. Yet, one did not hear a resounding Thank you, President Trump! We understand the international climate in which you, the only world leader, were willing to act morally and courageously on our behalf. In the reality of politics there are always uncomfortable alliances. Unfortunately, it seems that American Jews have entered into a wrong and a self-destructive alliance. Photo credit: Tim Pierce The flagrantly incompetent Broward County Supervisor of Elections cant even carry through a proper resignation. The 2020 election is coming, and her services may be needed by the Democratic Party. Following the embarrassing fiasco of counting votes in the closely contested Florida governors race, Brenda Snipes submitted her resignation Just hours after finishing a tumultuous election recount ending a 15-year tenure full of botched elections, legal disputes and blistering criticism, in the words of the local paper, Sun-Sentinel. But that was then, and this is now, via the Sun-sentinel: Broward Supervisor of Elections Dr. Brenda Snipes announced Saturday she will fight her suspension by the governor, and rescinded her letter of resignation that preceded it. As the paper notes, this change immediately followed a move against her by Gov. Scott: Gov. Rick Scott suspended Snipes late Friday afternoon, citing widespread issues with voting in Broward County. Snipess attorney is claiming that her track record of mistakes doesnt warrant suspension: Broward elections office attorney Burnadette Norris Weeks said the governor is holding Snipes to a different standard than other elections supervisors in Florida, as if there can never be a mistake made. She alleged the suspension was mean-spirited, an attempt to take Snipes pension, and based on false or unfair allegations. She also suggested the Republican governor was motivated by politics, removing the Democratic supervisor in a heavily Democratic county. We believe its a malicious action that should not have happened, she said, adding later that all of the voters of Broward County should be concerned. Oddly enough, back at the time of her resignation, Snipes said, Its time to move on. Is she a time-traveler? Snipes staged her about face Saturday with a certain amount of colorful pageantry and counter-factual claims: In a room filled with black pastors, elected officials, community leaders and her fellow Deltas sorority sisters in their trademark red clothing, Snipes thanked her supporters Saturday and asked everyone to keep an open mind. Weve made lots of achievements, accomplishments and have always done our work in an air of quality and integrity, Snipes said. Snipes now intends to stay on through the 2020 presidential election, where the Demcorat candidate may need her assistance. Here is video of her news conference Saturday: The Miami Herald reports on what probably lies ahead: The Florida Constitution mandates that the Florida Senate is required to hold a hearing to remove Snipes from office. The Senate has three months to begin its proceedings. The hearing was not likely to take place if Snipes resignation date was honored. The executive order states that Snipes will not receive any pay or benefits while suspended, but it remains unclear if her suspension would affect the pension she is set to receive after her retirement as Browards supervisor of elections. Scott has appointed his former general counsel, Peter Antonacci, to lead the department. Norris-Weeks said she believed Scotts executive order was, at least in part, meant to interfere with her benefits. Mainly, she said, it was done for the purpose of embarrasing (sic) Dr. Snipes and tarnishing her record. The supervisor is being held to a standard that no other supervisor has been held to in the state of Florida, she said. We are disheartened by the governors actions. We believe it is a malicious action that should not have happened. Readers may recall that Snipes was due to collect a pension of almost $130,000 a year for a mere 15 years of service. This is more than two-and-a-half-times the average household income in Florida. Although it is apparently not illegal, it is an outrage to reward incompetence so richly. Correction: Mark Roth informs us: As I understand it, Snipes already had a 58,000 pension from her tenure as a teacher in the Broward County Schools. She is also entitled, under Florida Law, to a pension for her serving as Broward County Supervisor of Elections. When added together they total approximately $130,000. It is inaccurate to present Snipes as receiving $130,000 for her miserable performance as an appointed government official. In my opinion, it is bad enough that she receives $71,000. Photo credit: Miami Herald video screen grab Violent French protests against high taxes and the government of President Emannuel Macron entered their second week as similar demonstrations erupted in Brussels. The protesters in both countries are wearing yellow vests, which drivers are required to carry in their cars at all times. In France, they are unhappy over a recent fuel tax increase and high taxes in general. Reuters: 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. Close to the Place Vendome, Christmas trees decorating the streets were upended, piled in the middle of an avenue and set alight, prompting chanting from scores of protesters. Youths smashed 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. Banks were vandalized and scrawled with anti-government graffiti. Police said several hundred far-right and far-left extremists had infiltrated a demonstration by some 5,000 calmer yellow vest protesters who had gathered in the capital to denounce President Emmanuel Macrons fuel tax increases. We are in a state of insurrection, Ive never seen anything like it, Jeanne dHauteserre, the mayor of the citys 8th arrondissement, 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. In Belgium, demonstrators also wearing yellow vests, became violent as well: Two police vehicles were burned during violent clashes Friday, November 30, at the end of a demonstration of about 300 "yellow vests" in Brussels, the first gathering of this type organized in the Belgian capital. The French journalist Remy Buisine was arrested in full direct, before being released. Police cars were burned in the street early in the afternoon, shortly after the police used water cannons to disperse protesters throwing projectiles.According to a spokeswoman for the Brussels police, the protesters notably threw "billiard balls and cobblestones" . Some 60 people were arrested because they carried banned items such as cutters, smoke or tear gas bombs. VIDEO: Protesters in Belgium burned police vans after officers fired water cannon to disperse violent members of the "yellow vest" movement which spilled over from France pic.twitter.com/ksh2M0rJVp AFP news agency (@AFP) November 30, 2018 What is really happening in the streets of Brussels and Paris? President Macron is seriously considering a state of emergency, given that the protests have spread nationwide. CNBC: Disturbances also rocked several cities and towns and across France - from Charleville Mezieres in the northeast to Nantes in the west and Marseille in the south. "We have to think about the measures that can be taken so that these incidents don't happen again," government spokeswoman Benjamin Griveaux told Europe 1 radio. 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. The protests began as a backlash against Macron's fuel tax hikes, but have mined a vein of deep dissatisfaction felt towards the 40-year-old's liberal economic reforms, which many voters feel favour the wealthy and big business. The Reuters report above mentions that both far right and far left demonstrators are in the streets. This is not an ideological protest; it is class warfare. Macron's economic policies - including his ruinous green policies - favor the establishment at the expense of ordinary people. The elites in France and elsewhere in Europe have been taking an ever greater share of people's paychecks to pay for unpopular programs, including refugee resettlement and taxes to save the world from global warming. They treat people like sheep and are surprised when the flocks become unruly? Macron and other elites don't have a clue how to deal with this situation except suppress the protests. Eventually, he is going to have to come to terms with what's really happening in France. By then, it will probably be too late for him. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Iran had test fired a medium range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads. The launch specifically violates a UN Security Council resolution that calls on Tehran not to test ballistic missile technology. NBCNews: The ballistic missile Iran tested has the ability to hit parts of Europe and any location in the Middle East, the secretary said, which he claimed would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution that called Iran to not pursue "any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology." "We condemn these activities," Pompeo said, "and call upon Iran to cease immediately all activities relating to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons." On Sunday, a senior Iranian official said the country's missile program was not in breach of U.N. resolutions. "Iran's missile program is defensive in nature... There is no Security Council resolution prohibiting the missile program and missile tests by Iran," state news agency IRNA quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi as saying. Qasemi did not confirm or deny that Iran had carried out a new missile test. Iran has repeatedly said its missile program is purely defensive and denied its missiles are capable of being tipped with nuclear warheads. An American lobbying group loyal to the regime in Iran, says Pompeo is wrong. The language of the U.N. Security Council Resolution "calls on" rather than "forbids" Iran from testing its missiles, according to Trita Parsi, the president of the National Iranian American Council. The very U.N. resolution that Pompeo cited is also the very nuclear deal the Trump administration withdrew from earlier this year, Parsi added. "We had a functioning deal and you may not have agreed with all the contents of it but it actually contained this conflict," he said. "Trump came in, ripped it up and now we are seeing more missile tests, were seeing escalation and we are seeing a drift towards war." That's an idiotic statement. Iran conducted missile tests during the Obama administration, who called them out for it - to little effect. To use Trump's scotching the nuclear deal as an excuse is ludicrous. Besides, one of the glaring deficincies of the nuclear deal was that it never covered Iran's missile tests, as Tehran gleefully pointed out several times during the Obama presidency. Iranian missle technology may be outdated, but they can pretty much hit what they aim at. Of course, if you're using a nuclear warhead on one of those missiles, you don't have to get very close to the target. Iran is clearly building for a day when they can arm their missiles with nukes. That spells big trouble for Israel and US friends in the region. The Reverend Al Sharpton is, if nothing else, a shameless hustler. In addition to the nearly $220,000 salary he pulls down from his "charity," the National Action Network, NAN has agreed to buy the rights to the story of his life for a cool $551,000. New York Post: The document does not indicate when Sharpton, who is president of NAN, gets the cash, which is above and beyond the $244,661 he already pulled down in compensation from the group in 2017. Sharpton also wouldnt say when the cash would come in. What does that have to do with anything? he said, speaking to The Post Saturday from South Africa, where he is hosting an MSNBC broadcast on the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandelas birth. Sharpton claimed the idea for the deal came from two NAN board members, whom he would not name. He said they wanted to create a source of revenue for the civil-rights organization after he steps down in about a year. This way they make a profit from the beginning and all of the revenues, he said. Sharpton said he had contracts for two movies, with a third contract in the works. One of these movies is already in production, he claimed. He would not provide details of any of the projects. He said a play was being shopped around and there were other assets that would generate revenue for NAN, including a recording where James Brown is singing and hes talking, and video footage of him with Michael Jackson. Youve got real property here. Youre not talking about just me as an activist. These are non-related NAN things that are the saleable items, he said. The picture emerging from California's election is grotesque. How again did Democrats engineer their strange midterm victory in Orange County and in other traditionally Republican areas? In that election, apparently-winning Republican candidates were all unseated as the ballots just kept arriving, and arriving, and arriving, until the results flipped. Each and every time. And no such flips happened for Republicans, just Democrats, after Democratic operatives had enough information from televised results to know that Republicans were winning. Democrats say it's just 'counting all the votes.' Welcome to ballot-harvesting. The Daily Caller has an ace report with a video showing just how that's done: Attorney Robert Barnes, on Twitter, noted just how problematic that new practice is: Cali new law for 2018 election "allow anybody to walk into an elections office and hand over truckloads of vote by mail envelopes with ballots inside, no questions asked, no verified records kept. It amounts to an open invitation to large-scale vote buying, voter coercion" Robert Barnes (@Barnes_Law) December 2, 2018 Which is why it's illegal almost everywhere in the world. California, on the other hand, back in 2016, passed AB1921, a law that actually permits it. Anyone can turn in ballots now, no questions asked, no chain of custody required. Back at the time, Democrats were hollering about low turnout and how getting more turnout was a priority, even though they were running a one-party state at that time, as they are now. They painted themselves as all concerned about 'democracy' given the low rates of turnout in their districts, many of which were known as 'rotten boroughs' full of non-citizen voters. But what they really had in mind was 'ballot harvesting.' Most of the attention at the time from Republicans was focused on the involuntary registration of voters through the Department of Motor Vehicles, which has led to what was feared: the registration of illegal immigrants. But the bigger thing was going on on the outside, with the mail-in ballots nobody asked for and the apparent real purpose for these unasked for and unwanted ballots, which was ... ballot-harvesting. I sign up for every party mail list in order to read what all political sides are thinking, so I get lots of Democratic Party mail, including polls of members, which I answer, probably horrifying Democrats who open such returned polls, as I tell them to get rid of Obamacare. If they want to know what I think, I tell them. Could the fact that I am on those lists be the reason why I got a mail-in ballot when everyone else in my household got a sample ballots and an invitation to go to the polls on election day? Despite my Republican registration, it sure sounds like it. Since I don't trust the chain of custody in a mail-in ballot, I always take my mail-in ballot to the polling station instead. This gesture is largely useless. What we have here is a grotesquely changed electoral landscape. Go to the poll station to vote? Like newly minted democracies do? Like Americans have always done? Nope, not the deal anymore. Turns out the mail-in ballots are all that matter now, because all anyone has to do is harvest, and keep harvesting them, until Democrats get the result they want. I wrote about those lingering questions in the recent midterm here. 'Count all the ballots!' has been the pre-emptive Democrat rallying cry, the slogan they shouted before anyone even realized there was a problem. Yet in reality, that slogan was their defense of this sneaky little project, making anyone who doen't like it a bad person who wants to disenfranchise people. It's a lie. It's not about counting all the ballots in the slightest, it's about selectively counting the ballots of only voters who fill in the Democratic slots. The Democratic operative who called herself 'Lulu' in the video clip wanted to collect only the ballot of the voter in the household who had no party affiliation, not the ballots of the Republicans, so it wasn't about counting all the ballots, it was about counting all the Democratic ballots and the ballots of those on the fence who could be muscled into voting Democrat. She, after all, offered to 'help' that voter, which we all know means the ballot would be filled out a certain way. Oh, and here's another goodie in this: Ballots can be harvested and mailed even on election day, when the counts are happening and Democrats can see which candidates are performing weakly in televised reports. The operatives can be dispatched like flying monkeys to those districts to intrude on the private spaces of voters who maybe didn't want to vote or who were planning to go to the polls in the evening, and 'harvest' those votes on the spot. And you can bet a certain number of those ballots would be cast by people who were afraid of consequences if they didn't vote the way that ballot harvestor standing at the door wanted them to vote. After all, the harvesters, by coming to the homes, signaled they knew where the voters lived, and theoretically, many of these voters could have been illegal immigrants registered whether they liked it or not by the DMV to vote, so they were going to vote. Oh, and after 'harvesting' the vote, could the Democratic operative have steamed open the ballots she collected to see how those people voted and make sure they were delivering the votes? With zero chain of custody rules, she certainly could. The specter of involuntary registration, combined with the ballot harvesting on the other end really does present some selective vote-counting as well as fraud opportunities. This is the kind of thing that went on in Daniel Ortega's Nicaragua, where the elections were denounced as fraudulent and unfair by global electoral monitors, which may well be where the California Democrats got the idea. They've effectively ended the right to abstain, which up until now, has been an acceptable choice, and like a commie place they are effectively making voting compulsory for people who may not even want to vote. Lefties have been yelling for years about turnout, and this is the result: ballot-harvesting, the actual thing they had in mind. Republicans didn't know about it. Now they do, and now they will have to set up their own 'ballot-harvesting' teams for the next election, collecting only Republican ballots just as Democratic operatives collect only Democratic ballots from people who can't be bothered to go to the polls, or who have a mail-in ballot they didn't ask for sitting on their dining room tables and haven't gotten to the polls.There should be quite some competition among the two parties' harvesters for people who aren't registered to any party, with each side considering those ballots their very own and rushing to 'harvest' them first. Pity those guys. But what we have here is a real corruption of democracy, the end of choice in whether to vote, and the selective 'harvesting' of votes as now the new ground game. In the era of 3-D and other high-tech printers, and a very badly run electoral operation by the California Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, the prospect of ballot stuffing is there, too, now that anyone can turn in ballots with zero chain of custody rules. It's not democratic, it's the sort of thing dictatorships in badly run impoverished countries do, and hey, what a coincidence, California leads the nation in poverty. It's also the kind of thing United Nations observers and the international community's usually liberal electoral integrity commissions condemn. Where's the condemnation for this clearly outrageous practice going on in California? It's on track to get very, very worse. In a two-and-half hour dinner meeting at the G 20 summit in Buenos Aires, the US and China agreed to postpone planned escalation in tariffs while further negotiations take place. The meeting was longer than anticipated, starting an hour early after President Trump cancelled both his meeting with Vladimir Putin and a scheduled afternoon press conference, allowing time for substance was discussed in some detail. Photo credit: Voice of America There were 2 aspects to the agreement reached over dinner. One, the one getting the most attention: Mr Trump agreed not to boost tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 percent on January 1 as previously announced, while Beijing agreed to buy an unspecified but "very substantial" amount of agricultural, energy, industrial and other products, the White House said in a statement. And two: In other key results from the talks, the U.S. promised to uphold the one-China policy, Wang said, while China threw its support behind further meetings between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The White House said that Xi would consider approving a possible $44 billion deal for Qualcomm Inc. to purchase NXP Semiconductors NV if its brought to him again. It also said China agreed to designate the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which has been linked to an epidemic of overdose deaths, as a controlled substance -- a move that would expose its sellers to the maximum penalty under Chinese law. Thus, the hardball negotiations will continue: The two leaders also agreed to "immediately begin negotiations" on technology transfer, protecting intellectual property, non-tariff barriers, "cyber intrusions" and cyber theft, services and agriculture, according to the statement. So far, in pre-market trading, there is no sign that stock investors are celebrating: Source China is suffering more from the first round of tariff escalation because its enormous trade surplus is far more affected by tariffs than the USs comparatively punitive exports to China. Continuing the status quo hurts China more than the US. This is the underlying reality that Trump grasped in beginning the trade offensive, so the pressure on China continues to build as the can is kicked down the road. Already, one of Xis moves against the US has backfired. You may recall that China purchased a 4-page advertising supplement to the Des Moines Register targeting Iowans with the information that their exports to China are in peril. With its status as the first expression of voter interest in presidential elections thanks to the Iowa Caucuses, damaging Trump in Iowa carries extra weight in Chinese thinking. China therefore targeted US pork for punitive tariffs because Iowa produces both pork and corn, the principal feed for pigs. But in an act of God (or Marx or random chance, if you prefer), China is buying as much pork from the US as ever: A disease sweeping through Chinese hog herds is helping negate the effects of the trade war for American farmers, with U.S. pork sales to the Asian nation back to levels before tariffs were introduced. China was the third-largest buyer of pork in U.S. Department of Agriculture weekly data released Thursday. The 3,300 metric ton-purchase was the most since February, a month before China imposed tariffs on U.S. pork. Hog futures rose 4.4 percent in Chicago, the most in two weeks. Source (The prominent spike represents buying in advance of tariffs, and is far larger than the trough that followed. Overall, US pork sales are slightly up.) Time is on Trumps side. That's why this move is a victory, albeit an incremental one, for the US. Runway extension project reassigned to Nepali firm Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has decided to reassign the contract to lengthen the runway to a Nepali joint venture after the original contractor disappeared without starting work more than a year ago. Guess it's not your father's left anymore. Despite electing a socialist, and that socialist doing what socialists do, which is invite other socialists to his presidential inauguration, an incident in Mexico City yesterday suggests that the landscape has shifted for the left. Here's what went down: Video | AMLO menciona a Maduro y esto es lo que ocurrio. Viva Mexico ! pic.twitter.com/13LAR9oy4W Pedro Mario Burelli (@pburelli) December 1, 2018 Venezuela's socialist President Nicolas Maduro got booed, bigtime, at the inauguration of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico's first leftist president in decades. The booing happened from both the left and right, as attending members of Mexico's farthest left and farthest right parties stood up, pointed, chanted 'dictator!' and whipped out a banner telling Maduro he wasn't welcome in Mexico. Compare and contrast to the cordial reception Vice President Mike Pence got, representing the U.S. for President Trump's administration. He sure as heck didn't get booed. And compare and contrast to all those years of Hugo Chavez whooping it up for the cameras in the early 2000s with his fellow leftwing leaders, all little pawns and boobs of his, orbiting him like satellites, yelling about Meester Boosh! Socialism! Socialism! Socialism! Here's the sorry remnant of almost all that remains of them now: Yes, Mexico did elect a socialist in AMLO, but only when the coast was clear and these odious leftists were pariahs. Now it's clear as day that the leftist lovefest is truly over in Latin America and even the left isn't denying the horrors of the Maduro regime anymore. And what's more, Venezuelans are cheering because the Mexicans of all political stripes, left and right, stood up and said something. Maduro probably knew this was going to happen and showed up for the inaugural lunch while leaving his chair empty at the actual inaugural. Vice President Pence, to much acclaim, as this tweet shows, attended the more serious inaugural event and skipped the lunch in order to not have to be in the same room as a skunk like Maduro who, in his starving country, loves to go places to show off how he eats. Video | AMLO menciona a Maduro y esto es lo que ocurrio. Viva Mexico ! pic.twitter.com/13LAR9oy4W Pedro Mario Burelli (@pburelli) December 1, 2018 Maduro, see, stinks up a joint. That narrative is now set. Venezuelan normal people were absolutely delighted and Twitter was loaded with 'Viva Mexico!' from them. It's something that, if for just one minute, is worth it to cheer. Robert Spencer's The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS makes it clearer with every page: there are numerous core elements of the U.S. and Western European approach to Islam, the jihad threat, and much more based on ignorance history and blindness to present-day reality an ignorance that could be catastrophic if the lessons of this seminal book are not heeded. Take, for example, the Muslim presence in Western countries, which has increased dramatically since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. It is taken for granted by Western European leaders, as well as by the media on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as the left and much of the right in the United States, that the new Muslim communities are overwhelmingly made up of moderates who reject terrorism and the elements of sharia (Islamic religious and political law) that render Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other states that implement Islamic law so toxic for defenders of human rights. Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison thus got in hot water recently when he declared that Muslim leaders in Australia have to be much more aggressive in combating terrorism within the Muslim community. Those leaders and the media responded as if Morrison had committed an unpardonable gaffe in questioning their commitment to Islam's allegedly peaceful teachings. Spencer, relying almost exclusively on Islamic sources that celebrate the jihad violence he chronicles, shows in The History of Jihad that violence against unbelievers, and their bloody subjugation under sharia, has been a constant of Islamic history, without any respite, reformation, or reconsideration. From the beginning of jihad violence in the seventh century through the conquest of the Middle East, Persia, North Africa, and Spain to the shockingly ruthless and bloody centuries-long jihad in India, Spencer soberly sets out the record, and the record is undeniable: we are today betting the futures of our nations on the proposition that for the first time in history, after 1,400 years of bloodshed and conquest, Muslims will give up their quest for Islam to "dominate, and not be dominated" and live in peace with their non-Muslim neighbors without trying to impose sharia discrimination upon them. The History of Jihad shows that this bet is a long shot at best. Certainly, many Muslims have been peaceful throughout Islamic history, but Spencer here proves definitively that those peaceful Muslims never worked against the jihadis and never effected a reform in Islamic doctrine that would take the teeth out of the jihad imperative. Nor has interfaith dialogue ever accomplished anything, although it has a pedigree much longer than most people realize. Spencer recounts: "In the 830s, the Byzantine emperor Theophilus asked the Abbasid caliph al-Ma'mun for a peace accord, but al-Ma'mun's response hewed to the Islamic tripartite choice for the 'People of the Book,' that is, conversion to Islam, submission to Islamic hegemony, or death." Similarly, Spencer demonstrates throughout the book that there has never been any shortage of non-Muslim collaborators who were willing and even eager to aid the advance of the jihad for their own ends, without realizing, or perhaps without caring, what measure of suffering they were bringing upon their countrymen and coreligionists. He tells the story of Count Julian of Ceuta, who, according to Spanish and Islamic traditions, vented his rage at the Visigoth King Roderick of Spain (who had, it is said, violated his daughter) by helping the jihadis cross the Strait of Gibraltar (which takes its name from the man Julian aided, Tariq ibn Ziyad, the Muslim conqueror of the Iberian Peninsula). Sweeping in scope, The History of Jihad is the first narrative history of the entirety of the 1,400-year jihad against non-Muslims, not just against Europe, but also against India, which is a horrifying story not known in the West as it should be. Spencer also takes his account right up to the minute, explaining how the partition of India and Pakistan and ongoing tensions on the Indian subcontinent, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the modern-day machinations of Iran and Saudi Arabia fit into the historical jihad imperative. He also shows that while Islamic terror groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS appear to many to be a recent phenomenon, they actually have numerous antecedents within Islamic history, including the prophet of Islam himself, Muhammad, who said on his deathbed, "I have been made victorious with terror." The History of Jihad is an extraordinary book. We live in an age in which wishful thinking and a denial of obvious facts are not just widespread, but even, in many cases, required if one is to avoid charges of "racism," "bigotry," and the like. If we don't set them aside in time, our childish fantasies could be the death of us. The History of Jihad is the dose of reality that all of us need, especially those in positions of influence in Washington. Dan Perkins is a master storyteller and author of the Brotherhood of the Red Nile trilogy, which centers on Islamic nuclear terrorism against the USA. h Subtle venom Pesticide poisioning continues to pose dangers to the agricultural industry US, China put brakes on their trade dispute with ceasefire 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 between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires. As conversations in the ballet world about race and representation have opened up in the past few years, its most beloved holiday tradition, The Nutcracker, has come under scrutiny as well. Last year New York City Ballet made changes to its second act Chinese Tea variation, removing elements of racial caricature from both the costume and makeup and the choreography. NYCB soloist Georgina Pazcoguin, who is part Filipino, was one of the voices fighting for that change. This year, as companies and schools worldwide are gearing up for Nutcracker season, Pazcoguin, along with former dancer and arts administrator Phil Chan, is back with a new campaign. Final Bow For Yellowface is an online platform dedicated to educating companies and schools on how to veer away from offensive Asian stereotypes (yellowface) and providing resources on how to make those changes. The site also lets readers join dance world luminaries including Virginia Johnson, Julie Kent, Adam Sklute, Troy Schumacher and Christopher Wheeldon in signing a pledge to end the practice of yellowface onstage. We touched base with Pazcoguin to hear about how this initiative came to be, and what she and Chan have in the works for the future. How long has Final Bow for Yellowface been in the works? The idea for the site came about following New York City Ballets diversity initiative. I helped plant a seed that turned into a meaningful conversation last November. Former director Peter Martins invited Phil in to discuss how to modify NYCBs Tea variation to be less insensitive. We thought, if NYCB is open to change, why not everyone else? The pledge is a way for us to consolidate conversations that are already happening in communities all across America and lead by example. Over the past year, we have reached out to many major ballet companies to start conversations about Nutcracker (and other ballets that include caricatures of Asians). Pazcoguin and Chan note on their site that the Chinese dance is often the only Nutcracker variation in which dancers are asked to wear makeup and wigs intended to make them look like members of a race other than their own. NYCBs original tea variation, pictured here, featured wigs and makeup that create a caricature. Click through to see the redesign. Photo by Paul Kolnik, Courtesy NYCB. Pazcoguin and Chan note on their site that the Chinese dance is often the only Nutcracker variation in which dancers are asked to wear makeup and wigs intended to make them look like members of a race other than their own. NYCBs original tea variation, pictured here, featured wigs and makeup that create a caricature. Click through to see the redesign. Photo by Paul Kolnik, Courtesy NYCB. What are your thoughts on NYCBs changes to the Tea variation? While the variation has removed the caricature, it now lacks some of the character. I think there is opportunity to explore more character development, but in a respectful way. It is the Kingdom of the Sweets after all; why not lean into a more confectionary direction? Phil and I worked with dance historian Doug Fullington at Pacific Northwest Ballet, who was able to go back to the Stepanov notation from the early 20th century and recreate the original Chinese dance. To see it on live bodies, even on film, was very powerful for me. The variation is fun, spritely, crisp, wickedly difficult and dazzling. The best part was there was not a whiff of caricature at all. It just demonstrated that so much of what we have put into the ballet over the years, like the problematic Fu Manchu depictions, has come from outside the original choreography. Seeing the playfulness in the original helped me regain my faith in the ballet. Pazcoguin as Dewdrop in NYCBs Nutcracker. Photo by Paul Kolnik, Courtesy NYCB. What do you think it means to have a dancer spearheading this campaign? How are you using your personal experience to make a difference? I think it delivers remarkable impact. Dancers arent accustomed to using their voices to express themselves. There seems to be this idea that our power is in the images we create with our bodies, and that our opinions arent as important or articulate. This is clearly a falsehood. I know what its like to be the outlier in the rehearsal room. Thats where my branding The Rogue Ballerina came from: recognizing my differences, be it the shape of my body or the shade of my skin, which others have seen as negative, and spinning them into positive attributes. Ive been with the company for 18 years, so I have seen it change dramatically. The heightened interest in diversity in dance, and the rising profiles of so many other dancers of color had me asking questions about my own experience with race. Yellowface is very much a part of that conversation for me on a personal level. If you could send a call to action to dancers, what would it be? Dont be afraid to start discussions with your teachers, studio owners, and artistic directors about yellowface or other cultural representations in your local Nutcracker. I doubt that anyone is intentionally trying to offend anyone or make anyone uncomfortable, but rather that theres a lack of awareness. Start with compassion, and have a constructive conversation about how to make your production more inclusive. If folks out there need help getting the conversation started, we have a lot of resources on the page. https://youtube.com/watch?v=jgbiZjK4wlA San Franzisko Ballett Der Nussknacker youtu.be Pazcoguin and Chan note that San Francisco Ballets Chinese variation is a strong example of how to respect and evoke Chinese culture without falling into offensive stereotypes. Whats next for Final Bow for Yellowface? Phil and I focused in on Asian culture, but there are so many other caricatures that could be respectfully tweaked while maintaining the original integrity of the work. Applying these updates only enhances a masterpiece and allows all to enjoy it. There are a lot of conversations within Nutcracker around the Arabian variation that are also in this vein. We will have to start asking ourselves about some of the 19th century warhorses like Le Corsaire and La Bayadere, as well. And there are still some issues with blackface in Petrushka and Othello. Im hoping my own company will review its American and Asian portrayals of Auroras suitors in our upcoming production of Sleeping Beauty. I think our larger goal is already being accomplished. Whether companies are signing on to our pledge or not, we are talking about these issues now as a larger national dance community, and the conversations that have been happening across the country have been consolidated into positive action. We realize this is a multi-year conversation, and are happy to be a resource to any companies who want to make sure they are portraying Asians respectfully. Then when its time to put up the Christmas lights and entertain our children with holiday tradition, we do so with the respect inherent in a global citizens lens. 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. An unveiling is set for December 11th at the McLaren Technology Center in the United Kingdom, and were not expecting much else than a limited edition of the 6T. OnePlus and Oppo are controlled by the BBK Electronics Corporation, and not that long ago, Oppo unveiled a Lamborghini-themed Find X . Without further beating around the bush, dont expect anything surprising from OnePlus and McLaren.Care to guess how the companies explain their partnership? Describing themselves as fearless challengers, OnePlus and McLaren claim that ours is a history of speed. As far as the Chinese part is concerned, everyone knows that Chinese manufacturers engage in intellectual property theft like theres no tomorrow. Of course, this misconduct takes speed, and the Chinese certainly excel in this regard.Envisioned by small teams with big ambitions, OnePlus and McLaren came out of nowhere to take their industries by storm. As to this jibber-jabber, lets not forget that OnePlus started out with a lot of funds and technology from BBK while Bruce McLaren had to race his heart out to put McLaren on the map.Since its founding in 1963, McLaren has left an indelible mark on Formula 1. OnePlus has emerged as one of the worlds premier flagship smartphone brands, fueled by their devotion to never settle. Back on planet Earth, OnePlus is hardly a competitor to the establishment and the Woking-based Formula 1 team hasnt won a race since November 25th, 2012.The embellishments of marketing pale in comparison to the factual background, and both companies are not fooling anyone with their cooperation. McLaren doesnt have a title sponsor since Vodafone left the team at the end of the 2013 season while OnePlus is right behind Xiaomi and Huawei in terms of market share.Would you consider buying a OnePlus 6T now that the Chinese partnered up with McLaren? The answer is too obvious to put it into words. Virgin Galactic CEO Richard Branson says the company will return to space before the end of the year and hes looking forward to a trip there shortly afterward. The company essentially had to start over after losing its spacecraft SpaceShipTwo in a crash in 2014 that killed one of the two pilots onboard. There will be a series of test flights before the new spacecraft heads to the edge of space with paying passengers aboard the new craft, named Unity, and Branson said hell be on that flight. Im not allowed up until the [test pilots] have broken it in a few times, first, he said. I would love to have gone on this very [first] flight, but [pilots] are incredibly brave people. Like the original spacecraft, Unity will be carried to the high flight levels by an aircraft before being dropped and the rocket engine is fired to carry the vehicle to 100 kilometers above the ground. Branson said the flight control system was assessed and redesigned after the 2014 accident. It was determined that SpaceShipTwos air braking system was prematurely deployed causing the inflight breakup of the vehicle. Branson considered abandoning the project but said he was convinced to carry on by a massive outpouring of public support. There are about 600 future astronaut hopefuls who have reserved the $200,000-$250,000 tickets for the brief flight. Total difference: $8 million additional cost, which will be pulled from the districts Strategic Facility Fund New plan for Killeen High School The Killeen High plan incorporates a new, two-story classroom wing and an expanded fine arts wing with a new band hall, black box theater, drama classroom and tech shop and storage behind the existing stage. The new classroom wing will include teacher workrooms and lounges, collaboration spaces, learning stairs, seating features that will accommodate large group teaching, parent or staff meetings and other gatherings, and small group break-out rooms. All of this will be accompanied by the renovation of the Performing Arts Center, Career and Technology Education classrooms, special education classrooms, art labs, library and choir hall. The project will also include a new kitchen and cafeteria to accommodate half of the schools population in each of two lunch periods, which will facilitate the districts plan of closing campuses for lunch with the opening of High School No. 6. The existing competition gym and practice gym will remain and a new auxiliary gym will be added, as well as new locker rooms for boys and girls athletics. The new athletics wing will also include new lockers for football, a small and a large weight room, a training room, wrestling room and two laundry facilities. The site will include a new, full-size outdoor band pad, additional parking and a new bus loop. On Sunday, the Israeli police recommended that the country's attorney general indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu for alleged bribery due to their relationship with Israel's leading telecommunication tycoon. Why it matters: This is a very big deal. Case 4000, as it is widely known, is the third time in the last year the police recommended Netanyahu be indicted for bribery. The previous recommendations dealt with Netanyahu allegedly taking "gifts" worth $200,000 from businessmen in return for allegedly promoting their interests (Case 1000) and an alleged bribe deal between Netanyahu and Arnon Mozes, the publisher of Israel's largest newspaper (Case 2000). But the allegations in Case 4000 are the gravest of all the corruption investigations against Netanyahu. Background: Case 4000 has been investigated by the elite Israeli police unit Lahav 433, the Israeli equivalent of the FBI, and the Israeli Securities Authority since February 2018. Netanyahu and his wife allegedly took bribes from Shaul Elovitz, a telecommunications tycoon who controls Israel's biggest telecom company, Bezeq. According to the police statement, Netanyahu, who at the time was also the telecom minister, allegedly gave Elovitz regulatory benefits worth hundreds of millions of dollars. In return, Netanyahu and his wife meddled in the content of Walla, one of Israel's major news websites owned by Elovitz, and demanded positive coverage. The police recommended that the attorney general indict Netanyahu for taking bribes, fraud, breach of trust and acceptance under false pretenses. The police recommended that Sara Netanyahu be indicted for taking bribes, fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of justice. The police statement stressed that Netanyahu and Elovitz had a "relationship based on bribes" and that Netanyahu and his associates brazenly meddled sometimes on a daily basis in the coverage of Walla's website. It added that Netanyahu and his associates even tried to influence appointments of news editors and reporters in order to promote the Netanyahu family's interests. During the investigation, the Israeli police recruited two state witnesses: Shlomo Filber, a Netanyahu confidant who was appointed as the director general of the telecom ministry and executed Netanyahu's orders regarding Bezeq telecommunications, and Nir Hefetz, the Netanyahu family's spin doctor who was in charge of the meddling with Walla's website. The police also recommended that Elovitz and his wife be indicted for giving bribes to the Netanyahus as well as New York-based Israeli businessman Zeev Rubinstein, a close confidant of the Netanyahu family, for mediation in the bribe deal. Netanyahu's reaction was a total rejection of the allegations: "The police recommendations about me and my wife dont surprise anybody and so is the timing of their publication. Those recommendations were leaked before the investigation even started. The police recommendations have no legal standing, and previous police recommendations regarding other politicians were rejected by the attorney general. I am sure that after the authorized officials will examine the issue they will conclude there was nothing." Israeli opposition leaders attacked Netanyahu, claiming he is corrupt and calling for his resignation. Ministers in the Likud, Netanyahu's party, issued statements attacking the police and defending Netanyahu. What's next: Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who was until few years ago Netanyahu's Cabinet secretary, will decide in the next 34 months whether to indict Netanyahu and his wife in the corruption cases. His decision will influence Netanyahu's forthcoming political decisions mainly the date for early elections. The decisions on the Netanyahu corruption cases will also affect the calculus of the Trump administration as they attempt to determine a release for their Israeli-Palestinian peace plan. Go deeper: President Trump's status as one of the last holdouts on climate change has been decades in the making. And now the world is seeing the results. What's happening: When the G20 leaders put out their statement Saturday reaffirming their commitment to the Paris climate accord, the United States was the only nation that didn't sign it. Trump has said he will withdraw from the deal, but he technically cant until 2020 in fact, the day after the presidential election. And Trump and his top aides have been disputing their own governments report on climate change to a remarkable degree. Why it matters: Trump's position has been years in the making. A small but influential set of organizations and people have been pushing misinformation for years (see below) and Trump has been listening . set of organizations and people have been pushing misinformation for years (see below) and Trump has been listening Determining where inaccurate information comes from helps to correct the record, particularly on such a complex issue where the whole planet is at play. inaccurate information comes from helps to correct the record, particularly on such a complex issue where the whole planet is at play. Driving the news: This latest report, which the Trump administration released on Black Friday, is one in a string of new consequential reports Here is a snapshot of some notable influencers in the Trump era who push inaccurate information on climate change including disputing that humans have a big role (we do) and dismissing Earth's temperature rise as a problem (it is). Steve Milloy and Myron Ebell Both men helped run Trumps transition team at the Environmental Protection Agency, and their positions on climate change are among those that most dispute the scientific consensus. Milloy runs the website junkscience.com and has had ties to the oil and tobacco industries. Ebell is director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. For the record: Ebell says he acknowledges human activity is the primary cause of Earth's temperature rise but doesn't think it's a problem. Milloy said he disputes the characterization that he pushes misinformation on climate change. The Heartland Institute Certain conservative think tanks and advocacy groups, including Ebells group and the Heartland Institute, have been pushing misinformation about climate science for decades. This E&E News story from October showed the White House reached out to the Heartland Institute for insight, whose work has concluded climate change isn't a problem. For the record: James Taylor, a senior fellow at the institute, said by phone: I think your reporting is inaccurate. Bob Murray, CEO of coal producer Murray Energy Murray, who operates the largest privately held coal producer in the U.S. and is close to Trump, says Democrats are pushing a false narrative for political purposes. Youre wrong about this scientific consensus, Murray told me in an interview Thursday. What you need to do is stimulate thinking among people who are knowledgeable. Oil companies Some oil and gas companies, including ExxonMobil, have in the past funded organizations that push misinformation about climate change. Most of that has stopped by now, but nonetheless the money has had an impact and is one of the reasons the Republican Party largely ignores or denies basic climate science. For the record: A request for comment to Exxon wasnt returned. Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma The Republican has been one of the most vocal politicians seeking to dispute climate science consensus. In a 2012 MSNBC interview, Inhofe said he initially thought climate change must be true until I found out what it would cost. Inhofes former aides work across the Trump administration, including acting Environmental Protection Agency administrator Andrew Wheeler and several other officials working for Wheeler. For the record: Inhofe said through a spokeswoman that he doesn't think the extent of humans' role is settled. The facts: Nearly all scientists agree Earth is warming, that its driven largely by human activity and that the repercussions will be more negative than positive. Scientists have calculated that Uncertainty and scientific debate does, however, exist over the severity of impacts a warmer world is already bringing and is projected to bring. The bottom line: On climate science, there aren't two reasonable sides. One is the scientific consensus, and the other is a small but vocal faction of people trying to fight it. Go deeper: Editor's note: This piece has been corrected to show that Myron Ebell's title is director of the Competitive Enterprise Institute's Center for Energy and Environment (not that he's a senior fellow). A book coming out next week called La Fuerza de la vocacion (The Strength of Vocation) quotes Pope Francis as saying homosexuality in the clergy "is something that worries" him, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. The big picture: The pope reportedly hit on the subject in an interview to Fernando Prado, a Spanish-born missionary priest. Francis is also quoted in the book breaking from the opinion that having gay people in Catholic housing is not a big deal because it's "only an expression of faith," saying "there is no place for this kind of affection" in priestly life. In the past, Francis has urged the church to remember that gay people are "persons who will live in the service of the church, of the Christian community, of the people of God." By Trend The prices for apartments are expected to decline by 5-10 percent in Azerbaijan in the first half of 2019, director of Azerbaijans Koneko Group appraisal company Vugar Oruj told Trend. "As a result of the implementation of social housing construction projects, we see an increase in supply in the market," he said. "Thus, supply is expected to increase in 2019, which will lead to low prices in the Azerbaijani real estate market." "Presently, few deals are struck in the Azerbaijani real estate market but there is certain revival," Oruj said. "Sellers cannot sell real estate in the market in a short period of time," he said. "We see such facts that after a certain period of time, there is a decline in real estate prices. This shows that the owners cannot quickly sell real estate in the market and are forced reduce the initial price." Oruj also added that real estate prices are not expected to increase sharply. "Some real estate owners consider property as investments and they have expectations from these investments," he said. "In this regard, they refuse to reduce property prices, even though they cannot sell it at the price they have set. At the same time, among the owners of the property put up for sale, there are people who want to sell it as soon as possible. In this case, if they fail to sell apartments as soon as possible, then we expect them to reduce prices." Oruj said that the number of citizens purchasing housing is expected to increase in 2019 compared to the previous years. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By 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 us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 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 BIC TIMELINE 2012: Daniel Nase founds BIC Real Estate Development Corp. 2013: He begins to raise investments that by early 2016 would amount to almost $16 million from more than 500 people. May 2015: According to the cases court-appointed receiver, Nase begins conveying to BIC ownership interests in properties bought with money raised by mortgaging club assets. Nase credits himself for the contributions, quickly growing his stake in the club by $3.8 million, money he would later use to buy an oil company. January 2016: A majority of members vote to transfer club assets held in the names of Nase and his wife to individual investors. Most received a fractional interest in real estate the SEC deemed of questionable value; many of the properties came with mortgages. Feb. 17, 2016: Nase tells investors the club has been closed and there will be no more disbursements. He cancels future meetings and asks members to quit sending money, close club accounts and remove BIC signage from their vehicles. March 15, 2016: Nases Los Angeles attorney, Scott Vick, files legal papers opposing a motion by the SEC to freeze the clubs assets, asserting investigators knew what the club was doing and Nase was cooperating with them. He insists the club had been completely transparent, that everyone knew property was being held by Nase personally and no investors had been financially hurt. April 8, 2016: A federal judge in Fresno, Lawrence J. ONeill, freezes the clubs assets and appoints a receiver to consolidate them for sale to benefit investors and creditors. April 27, 2017: Judge ONeill orders Nase to give up $12.6 million in ill-gotten gains related to the club and pay a $12.1 million civil penalty. December 2018: ONeill is scheduled to rule on the receivers recommendation to give approved investors sale proceeds amounting to 31 cents on the dollar. 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 Former US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke about the risks of reigniting the Troubles in the wake of a hard Brexit (Niall Carson/PA) Former US Secretary of State John Kerry has warned it is imperative to resolve the issues thrown up by Brexit surrounding the Irish border in a way that does not reignite the Troubles. Mr Kerry made his comments during an event in the United States to mark the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. He told the BBCs Sunday Politics programme that a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland could re-heat passions. It's imperative that it's resolved in a way that it does not reignite the TroublesJohn Kerry Mr Kerry was joined by politicians from Northern Irelands five main parties at Yale University. Under the Stormont Agreement, the last 20 years have been characterised by a border which people have been able to cross easily, he said. If you have a certain kind of Brexit with a hard border you could see great difficulties emerge as a consequence of that. I have concerns that depending on what kind of Brexit takes place it could have a negative impact on the progress made in the last 20 years. It could re-heat passions one way or the other or both depending on what it is. We have to see how this is going to be resolved. Its imperative that its resolved in a way that it does not reignite the Troubles. Expand Close One of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement, Senator George Mitchell, also attended the conference (Queens University Belfast/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp One of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement, Senator George Mitchell, also attended the conference (Queens University Belfast/PA) The Democrat stressed his meeting with Northern Irelands parties was not a negotiation, describing it instead as an informal meeting. Its an academic meeting at a university where the parties came to be able to explore their dynamics and to have a candid, out of the spotlight, frank conversation with people who know something about the issue and care about the issue, he added. He refused to say whether he would chair any new talks at Stormont or whether an independent person should be appointed in any future talks process. He added that it was important for dialogue to begin and steps taken to help calm things down. One of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement, Senator George Mitchell, who also attended the Yale conference, said the appointment of an outside facilitator could be helpful. It has been helpful in the past and thats a decision however for the people of the UK, Northern Ireland and Ireland to make, he said. The decision was to have me involved and I welcomed it, President Clinton welcomed it and the American people did all they could to be helpful. But the fundamental decision on whether there should be external assistance should come internally. It potentially represents another hurdle for Theresa May to overcome as she struggles to win backing for her deal (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The Ulster Unionist Party and DUP have added their voice to the growing calls for Theresa May to release the Government's full legal advice on the Brexit deal. Labour said it is ready to combine with other opposition parties to start proceedings for contempt of Parliament unless the legal opinion of Attorney General Geoffrey Cox is published in full. Read More Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson challenged the Government to reveal what legal advice they received before signing up to the backstop in December 2017. The Government should do the right thing and publish the legal opinion which the Cabinet received from the Attorney General regarding the draft Withdrawal Agreement without any further delay," he said. "The Government are using convention as an excuse not to publish the legal advice, however these are exceptional circumstances. The decisions made in Westminster in the coming days will have huge constitutional and economic implications for the whole of the United Kingdom for decades to come. It is only right that the political representatives making those decisions are fully briefed and advised of the potential legal repercussions." The DUP which props up the Conservative government in the Commons was said to be ready to sign a joint letter with other parties to Speaker John Bercow on Monday unless ministers back down. The latest row erupted as it was reported Mr Cox who is due to make a statement to the Commons on Monday had warned the UK could be tied to the EU customs union indefinitely through the Northern Ireland backstop. The Sunday Times said in a letter sent last month to Cabinet ministers, he advised the only way out of the backstop designed to prevent the return of a hard border with the Republic once it was invoked was to sign a new trade deal, a process which could take years. The protocol would endure indefinitely, he is reported to have written. The letter was said to be so sensitive that ministers were given numbered copies to read which they were not allowed to take from the room afterwards. Mr Nicholson said: The more that the government prevaricates, it creates the impression that theyve got something to hide. It not only undermines any support that the Prime Minister may have been hoping to garner for the draft Withdrawal Agreement, but it also undermines confidence in the government itself." Police at Portstewart promenade after reports of a body being found close to the harbour. The body of a man has been found close to the promenade in Portstewart, Co Londonderry. Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the discovery at around 11.15am on Sunday, December 2. A large area of the town was sealed off as investigations got underway. Four men have been arrested in Londonderry following an aggravated burglary. Two masked men, one armed with a suspected firearm, forced their way in to a house in the Hollymount Park area at around 6.30am. One of the men threatened a woman before leaving the house on foot with the second man. The pair left the area in a white vehicle. The PSNI said that following investigations they located a white Kia Sportage in the Cecilia's Walk area. They arrested four men, aged 21, 25, 31 and 34, on suspicion of aggravated burglary. All four men remain in custody. Inspector Vince Redmond appealed for the public's help. He said: "I would ask anyone who saw a white Kia Sportage in the Hollymount Park area, or being driven between this area and Cecilia's Walk early on Sunday morning, or anyone with any information which could assist us with our enquiries to contact police." The Environment Secretary Michael Gove acknowledged it would be challenging to get the deal through the House of Commons (Victoria Jones/PA) Michael Gove has insisted the Government can win the crucial Commons vote on Theresa Mays Brexit deal, despite scores of Tory MPs threatening to vote against it. As MPs prepare to begin five days of debate ahead of the vote on December 11, the Environment Secretary acknowledged it would be challenging to get it through the House. But while he accepted the deal was not perfect, he said the alternative was either no deal or no Brexit. His warning came as shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said it was inevitable Labour would move a vote of no confidence in the Government if the deal was voted down. Expand Close Sir Keir Starmer says Labour will seek a vote of no confidence if the Government is defeated (Stefan Roussea/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sir Keir Starmer says Labour will seek a vote of no confidence if the Government is defeated (Stefan Roussea/PA) Mr Gove, who was one of the leaders of the Leave campaign in the referendum in 2016, said he had reflected long and hard before deciding to back the plan. But while there were aspects of the deal he found uncomfortable, he believed it was now the right way forward. I reflected long and hard about this deal but I concluded, like lots of people, that while it is imperfect it is the right thing to do, he told BBC Ones The Andrew Marr Show. One of the things that I hope people will have the chance to do over the next nine days is to recognise that we should not make the perfect the enemy of the good. We have got to recognise that if we dont vote for this, the alternatives are no deal or no Brexit. I believe that we can win the argument and win the vote. I know it is challenging. The critical thing about the backstop is, however uncomfortable it is for the UK, it is more uncomfortable for the European UnionMichael Gove Downing Street will hope that the intervention of Mr Gove who turned down the job of Brexit Secretary following the resignation of Dominic Raab will help persuade some Brexiteers to back the agreement. The Environment Secretary said the most difficult element of the deal was the Northern Ireland backstop, intended to prevent the return of a hard border with the Republic. Brexiteers have warned it could see the UK tied to EU customs arrangements for years with no exit mechanism, while negotiations continue with Brussels on a trade deal. But Mr Gove insisted there was no incentive for the EU to prolong Britains stay in the backstop. The critical thing about the backstop is, however uncomfortable it is for the UK, it is more uncomfortable for the European Union, he said. We will have tariff-free access to their markets without paying a penny. And, more than that, we will have control of our borders. While it does contain elements that for a Unionist or for a Brexiteer arent perfect, it also contains elements that for any European politician would allow them to see Britain having a competitive advantage over their own country and their own economy. This fundamentally works against the interests of the single market and against the interests of European nations. He dismissed a claim by French president Emmanuel Macron that the EU would be able to exploit the backstop to extract concessions from Britain over access to fisheries. He doesnt have us over a barrel. We have got him over a barrel of herring and a barrel of mackerel. He wants that access to our waters. We can sit in the backstop and say No, absolutely not, he said. I don't think anybody, having had two general elections and a referendum in the last three years, is looking for a general election or will thank the Government for thatBrandon Lewis Sir Keir confirmed that if as is widely expected at Westminster the Government is defeated, Labour would seek to force a general election by moving a vote of no confidence. If the Prime Minister has lost a vote of that sort of significance then there has to be a question of confidence in the Government, he told Sky News Sophy Ridge on Sunday. I think its inevitable that we will seek to move that obviously it will depend on what actually happens in nine days, it will depend on what the response is but if shes lost a vote of this significance after two years of negotiation, then it is right that there should be a general election. With a two-thirds majority required for an election under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis made clear ministers would resist any attempt to make them go to the country early. I dont think anybody watching this programme, having had two general elections and a referendum in the last three years, is looking for a general election or will thank the Government for that, he told the Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme. Expand Close Labour is seeking to force ministers to publish the legal advice given by the Attorney General Geoffrey Cox (Jonathan Brady/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Labour is seeking to force ministers to publish the legal advice given by the Attorney General Geoffrey Cox (Jonathan Brady/PA) Meanwhile, Mrs May is facing a battle on a second front with Labour threatening to combine with other parties including the DUP to force ministers to publish the legal advice given by Attorney General Geoffrey Cox. MPs across Parliament have angrily accused ministers of ignoring the will of the House after they said only that they would release a full reasoned political statement on the legal position. It follows a binding Commons vote last month requiring the Government to lay before Parliament any legal advice in full including that given by the Attorney General relating to the Withdrawal Agreement. Sir Keir said that they were ready to initiate contempt of Parliament proceedings unless the Government backs down. If they dont produce it tomorrow then we will start contempt proceedings, this will be a collision course between the Government and Parliament, he said. Police are appealing for information following the report of a burglary at a house at Mountainvale Road in Newtownabbey on Saturday, December 1. Detective Sergeant Coulter said: We received a report shortly after 7pm on Saturday evening that three males had gained entry to a house in the area. The men were disturbed by the occupants but were able to make off with a sum of money, jewellery, a lap top and a tablet. We believe the men then made off from the scene in a vehicle. Our enquiries into this burglary are ongoing and I would ask anyone who was in the area of Mountainvale Road and who may have noticed any suspicious individuals or cars in the area to contact detectives at Antrim on 101 and quote the reference number 1092 01/12/18." A 17-year-old male arrested by detectives investigating the murder of Edward Meenan in Londonderry has been released on bail pending further enquiries, police have confirmed. The body of Eddie Meenan, 52, was discovered off Creggan Street in the early hours of Sunday, November 25. Detectives said Mr Meenan had sustained "significant" head and body injuries.Police investigating the case have appealed for three people who may have witnessed the incident to come forward. Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell said: I would like to speak to three people two men and one woman who I know were standing on the steps of a shop on Creggan Street at around 2.20am on Sunday. "They were then given a lift from someone driving a dark coloured, medium sized car at around 2.30am. I would appeal to them to make contact with me as they may be able to provide some vital information. Please contact me or any of my detectives on 101 quoting reference 244 of 25/11/18." Coastguard teams were called to rescue a dog stuck on a cliff (Aaron Chown/PA) Coastguard teams have rescued a dog stuck on a ledge 20ft down a cliff face. A farmer raised the alarm shortly before noon when his dog went over the cliff and became stranded. Expand Close Members of Salen, Kilchoan and Tobermory coastguard rescue teams with sheepdog Meg post-rescue (Tobermory CRT/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Members of Salen, Kilchoan and Tobermory coastguard rescue teams with sheepdog Meg post-rescue (Tobermory CRT/PA) Coastguard rescue teams from Kilchoan, Tobermory and Saline went to the site at The Anchorage on the south side of Ardnamurchan Point, on the west coast, assisted by the Tobermory Lifeboat. One of the team was lowered over the cliff on a rope to rescue the dog, which was uninjured. A spokesman for the coastguard rescue teams said: It was a great multi agency rescue with coastguard rescue teams from Kilchoan, Salen, Tobermory and Tobermory RNLI helping wee Meg. It was a successful technical rope rescue with the help of a few doggy biscuits! 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. 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) 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. 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) 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. BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Handout CCTV still taken from footage issued by the Metropolitan Police of the moment a moped gang swarmed on a designer shop on Duke of York Square in Chelsea, west London, to steal handbags. (Metropolitan Police/PA Images) Theresa May has backed police over controversial new tactics for stopping moped-riding criminals. The Prime Minister said that a robust response was needed from police to what she described as a growing problem of people using mopeds to commit crimes such as bag- and phone-snatching. Scotland Yard last week released dramatic footage showing police vehicles knocking suspects off their scooters. Senior officers defended the use of tactical contact, saying it was needed to stop dangerous chases and has helped reduce moped-enabled crime in London by over a third. Asked for her view of the tactic during her visit to Argentina for the G20 summit, Mrs May said: I think it is absolutely right. These people on these mopeds are acting unlawfully and committing crimes and I think its absolutely right that we see a robust police response to that. She added: Moped crime has been an issue of concern for some time now, as it has been growing in certain areas, in particular in London. No @HackneyAbbott. Risk-assessed tactical contact is exactly what we need. Criminals are not above the law https://t.co/cPFBehb1vF Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) November 27, 2018 Labour has raised concerns about the approach, which shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said earlier this week was potentially very dangerous. It shouldnt be legal for anyone, said Ms Abbott. Police are not above the law. But Sajid Javid, who revealed in June that his phone was taken in a moped mugging before he became Home Secretary, challenged Ms Abbotts assessment. Risk-assessed tactical contact is exactly what we need, he wrote on Twitter. Criminals are not above the law. The Metropolitan Police said its footage showed tactics that specially-trained drivers are able to use to reduce the need for pursuits and prevent injury occurring to offenders and members of the public. Force chiefs said there is no maximum speed for police cars to hit mopeds, and that it is a common misconception among moped thieves that officers will end their pursuit if the suspect drives dangerously or removes their helmet. The disclosures also prompted questions over protection for police if a suspect is seriously injured in a stop. Police drivers who ram into suspects to knock them off mopeds risk their livelihood and liberty and must be protected https://t.co/Y57GgWYQcm Met Police Federation (@MPFed) November 28, 2018 Efforts to tackle offenders riding motorcycles and mopeds have come under the spotlight following a spike in incidents in recent years, particularly in London. Scotland Yard said moped crime can happen at any time of the day or night, with some criminals stealing up to 30 phones in an hour. Latest figures show 12,419 moped offences were recorded across the capital from January to October a 36% fall compared with the equivalent period of 2017. Timur Siraziev was reportedly seen repeatedly passing the 77th Brigades barracks in Hermitage, Berkshire (Andrew Matthews/PA) A Russian journalist was monitored for suspicious behaviour close to a British military base, the Ministry of Defence has said. Timur Siraziev was seen repeatedly passing the 77th Brigades barracks in Hermitage, Berkshire, the Mail on Sunday reported. The newspaper said he had been recorded by the bases security cameras and had been seen filming close to the perimeter fence. Mr Siraziev is listed on the Russian Embassy website as bureau chief for television station Channel One. Expand Close Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has urged people to report anyone seen acting suspiciously around a military base (Kirsty OConnor/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has urged people to report anyone seen acting suspiciously around a military base (Kirsty OConnor/PA) A senior Army source said: Timur Sirazievs suspicious behaviour was monitored by the bases security systems throughout. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: We take the security of our bases and personnel incredibly seriously. If a member of the public sees anyone acting suspiciously in or around a military base, it should be reported to the police as a matter of urgency. Mr Siraziev was reported to have told Russian news agency RIA Novosti that he had not done anything illegal or secret and did not try to enter the base. The news comes amid heightened political tensions between the UK and Russia after Moscows GRU military intelligence agency was blamed for the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury. Last month, the new head of the British Army, General Mark Carleton-Smith, warned Russia poses a far greater threat to national security than Islamic terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Expand Close The 77th Brigade is modelled on the Chindits, a specialist unit which fought in Burma during the Second World War (PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The 77th Brigade is modelled on the Chindits, a specialist unit which fought in Burma during the Second World War (PA) Modelled on the Chindits, a specialist unit which fought in Burma during the Second World War, the 77th Brigade was set up in 2015 comprising soldiers with propaganda, political activism and social media skills. At the time, the Army said the regular and reserve unit was being created to draw together a host of existing and developing capabilities essential to meet the challenges of modern conflict and warfare, adding: It recognises that the actions of others in a modern battlefield can be affected in ways that are not necessarily violent. Mexicos new president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador greets the crowd at the end of his inaugural ceremony at the National Congress in Mexico City (Eduardo Verdugo/AP) Leftist politician Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has assumed Mexicos presidency with a promise to profoundly transform Latin Americas second-biggest economy and to lead a government free of corruption. Seemingly tireless at the age of 65, Mr Lopez Obrador breezed through a day of public appearances that included taking the oath of office and speaking to congress and attending an inaugural celebration at Mexico Citys vast main square. He received a spiritual cleansing by indigenous leaders as part of the festivities, then closed out the gathering with a folksy 90-minute speech to the thousands of jubilant fans jamming the Zocalo, vowing to help the poor in a nation where almost half the population lives in poverty. We are going to govern for everyone, but we are going to give preference to the most impoverished and vulnerable, Mr Lopez Obrador said. For the good of all, the poor come first. Expand Close Celebrants take part in a traditional ceremony in which Mexicos newly sworn-in president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is formally anointed leader by indigenous groups at the Zocalo in Mexico City (Christian Palma/AP) AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Celebrants take part in a traditional ceremony in which Mexicos newly sworn-in president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is formally anointed leader by indigenous groups at the Zocalo in Mexico City (Christian Palma/AP) Speaking in a personal style he honed over decades of small-town rallies, he told the crowd: Be patient and have confidence in me. Hopes for change are running high among the more than 30 million Mexicans who voted for Mr Lopez Obrador in a sweeping July 1 election victory that also gave his party a majority in congress. At the same time, worries are mounting among critics who see an expanding authoritarian streak. The country is completely divided, said Valeria Moy, director of the Mexico, Como Vamos? think tank. Ms Moy said she had expected a more conciliatory tone from the president, who instead blamed many of Mexicos ills on decades of neoliberal policies that opened the country to greater trade and foreign investment. While many are jubilant that Mexico has its first leftist president in decades, Ms Moy noted that others are concerned about the economic decisions that Mr Lopez Obrador will make, and of his use of referendums to validate his proposals. Already, Mr Lopez Obrador has halted construction of a new 13 billion dollar airport for Mexico City after having that move backed in an unofficial referendum that saw just over 1% of voters participate. The peso and Mexican stocks plunged in response. Expand Close Mexicos new president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during his inaugural ceremony at the National Congress in Mexico City (Eduardo Verdugo/AP) AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mexicos new president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during his inaugural ceremony at the National Congress in Mexico City (Eduardo Verdugo/AP) After decades with a closed, state-dominated economy, Mexicos governments since 1986 had signed more free trade agreements than almost any other nation and privatised every corner of the economy except oil and electricity. But Mr Lopez Obrador has brought back a more insular tone not heard much since the 1960s, saying he wants to build more state-owned oil refineries and encouraging Mexicans to buy Mexican. One of the most pressing issues he faces at the start of his presidency is the caravan of thousands of Central American migrants camped out at the US border, hoping to obtain asylum in the US. In his first official act in office, he signed an agreement with counterparts in three Central American countries to create a development plan for the region. The plan would include a fund to generate jobs as a way to lessen the poverty that drives people to leave El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Most on the minds for many in Mexico, though, is the rising tide of violence. I dont expect him to change everything in two months, or even in six years, but if the violence comes down then good things will happen, said Amira Rozenbaum, who is optimistic for change. The president pledged to personally oversee daily 6am security briefings and to work 16-hour days to confront the brutal violence in Mexico. He also promised to restore the energy sector to prominence and bring up Mexicos oil production from its current 25-year lows. Expand Close A musician wearing a mask depicting Mexicos new president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, taps a drum during inaugural festivities in Mexico City (Anthony Vazquez/AP) AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A musician wearing a mask depicting Mexicos new president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, taps a drum during inaugural festivities in Mexico City (Anthony Vazquez/AP) Mr Lopez Obrador began his political career leading demonstrations against oil pollution in his native state of Tabasco, and he is the countrys first president since the Mexican Revolution to rise to prominence as a protest leader. Combined with a deep sense of nationalism and his own place in history, he envisions his administration creating a historic fourth transformation of Mexico, following independence from Spain, the liberal reforms that broke the churchs dominance in the 1850s and the 1910-1917 revolution. Mr Lopez Obradors many devotees express an unflinching faith in him. They call themselves AMLOvers and break into chants of: Its an honour to be with Lopez Obrador. Maria Antonia Flores was one of those on the Zocalo to celebrate and said she had supported Mr Lopez Obrador for more than 20 years. All around her, party loyalists donned burgundy vests and hats stamped with the logo of his Morena party. We love him because hes honest. Hes hard-working. He has never let us down, she said. Hes not corruptible. Mr Lopez Obrador has pledged to end centuries of poverty and marginalisation for Mexicos more than 70 indigenous communities, and he became the first president to take part in a ceremonial inauguration by indigenous groups. Traditional healers brushed him with bunches of herbs and blew incense smoke over him to purify him, and they invoked the spirits of their ancestors and the land to liberate him from any bad influences. What we want, what we desire is to purify public life in Mexico, Mr Lopez Obrador said during the ceremony. I repeat my commitment: I will not lie, I will not steal or betray the people of Mexico. His vow to root out government graft resonates with many, including some who have disagreements with him on other matters. Mexicos richest man, telecom magnate Carlos Slim, whose companies were major investors in the cancelled airport project, said there is common ground with Mr Lopez Obradors promises to rein in wasteful spending and corruption. Everybody wants spending to be efficiently managed, Mr Slim said. Police are seeking a couple who lost an engagement ring down a grate in New York moments after the man popped the question. The New York Police Department said the man had got down on one knee on Friday evening and was so excited when she said yes that he dropped the ring. It fell about 2.4 metres, police said. Officers have since recovered the ring and cleaned it but the would-be bride and groom left without passing on their names or any contact information. The NYPD has released pictures of the couple and the ring in the hope of reuniting them with the jewellery. The force tweeted: WANTED for dropping his fiancees ring in @TimesSquareNYC! She said Yes but he was so excited that he dropped the ring in a grate. Our @NYPDSpecialops officers rescued it & would like to return it to the happy couple. Help us find them? Palestinian Christians celebrate the lighting of a Christmas tree in Manger Square, outside the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem (Majdi Mohammed/AP) Thousands of people and dignitaries have attended the lighting of the giant Christmas tree outside the Church of the Nativity in the traditional birthplace of Jesus. Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and Father Francesco Patton, a top official with the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, were present at Saturdays ceremony in the biblical city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. Mr Hamdallah said the Palestinians were resisting Israeli plans to uproot us and strip us from our civilisation and history. A fireworks display and festivities accompanied the annual ceremony at the Manger Square in the run up to Christmas Eve, which attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists from around the world. Earlier on Saturday, Father Patton greeted clergy and led a service at the Nativity Church. Leaders and their partners pose for a group photo prior to a gala dinner at the Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires (G20 Press Office via AP) Leaders of the worlds largest economic powers have agreed to overhaul the global body that regulates trade disputes, but they faced resistance from US President Donald Trump over the Paris accord on climate change. Here are some of the main developments at the G20 summit in Argentina, which wrapped up on Saturday: World Trade Organisation Expand Close A plane flies over the G20 summit venue at the Costa Salguero Centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Gustavo Garello/AP) AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A plane flies over the G20 summit venue at the Costa Salguero Centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Gustavo Garello/AP) All G20 leaders called for reforming the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the issue will be discussed during the groups next summit in Osaka, Japan, in June. The gatherings final statement, however, did not mention protectionism after negotiators said the US objected to the wording. Mr Trump has criticised the WTO and adopted aggressive trade policies targeting China and the European Union. US-China trade war Expand Close President Donald Trump with Chinas President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Donald Trump with Chinas President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Financial markets will be cheered by the announcement that Mr Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed at a dinner after the summit to have a 90-day truce in their trade battle. Mr Trump agreed to hold off on plans to raise tariffs on January 1 on 200 billion dollars in Chinese goods. Mr Xi 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 Americas huge trade deficit with China, the White House said. The ceasefire will buy time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijings aggressive drive to supplant US technological dominance. Prince under pressure Expand Close Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, shake hands prior their talks at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, shake hands prior their talks at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) There were some awkward moments for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as some leaders called him out over the gruesome October killing of dissident Saudi newspaper columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the countrys consulate in Istanbul. French President Emmanuel Macron was captured on video seemingly lecturing Mr bin Salman, at one point being heard saying I am worried, you never listen to me, and I am a man of my word. Mr Macron said the crown prince only took note of his concerns. British Prime Minister Theresa May also said she pressed Mr bin Salman. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the only G20 leader to raise the issue during the official session. Mr Erdogan called Mr bin Salmans response that the crime had not been proven unbelievable and complained that Saudi authorities have been unco-operative. But it was not all bad for Mr bin Salman. He was not shunned, and on the gatherings first day, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a hearty grip-and-grin as the two seemingly revelled in their shared status as relative outcasts. US intelligence agencies concluded the Saudi prince was behind the killing. Saudi Arabia denies he played a role. Ukraine conflict Expand Close Russias President Vladimir Putin speaks after meeting with Argentinas President Mauricio Macri at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Russias President Vladimir Putin speaks after meeting with Argentinas President Mauricio Macri at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) Western leaders confronted Mr Putin over Russias recent seizure of Ukrainian naval vessels and crews, but the diplomatic pressure did not seem to bring either side closer to solving the conflict. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of being responsible for the standoff. Mr Trump cited Russias actions as the reason that he cancelled a planned meeting with Mr Putin on the sidelines of the summit. EU Council president Donald Tusk sharply criticised Russias aggression against Ukraine. Mr Putin tried to convince Mr Trump and the leaders of France and Germany that Russias actions were justified even pulling out a piece of paper and drawing a map of the disputed area to make his point. Climate change Expand Close President Donald Trump listens to questions from members of the media during his meeting with Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Donald Trump listens to questions from members of the media during his meeting with Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) The final communique signed by all 20 member nations said 19 of them reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris climate accord. The only holdout was the US, which has withdrawn from the pact under Mr Trump. Still, environmental groups praised the statement as welcome news. That G20 leaders signed up to the Paris Agreement reaffirmed their commitment to its full implementation in the resulting communique is important, the World Wildlife Fund said. It is also a reflection of the Argentinian government rightly making climate an important topic on the agenda. Greenpeace said that the necessity of the US being part of the effort to fight climate change cannot be denied, but this is a demonstration that the US is still the odd one out. NAFTA Expand Close US President Donald Trump, Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and Mexicos President Enrique Pena Nieto, left, participate in the USMCA signing ceremony in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp US President Donald Trump, Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and Mexicos President Enrique Pena Nieto, left, participate in the USMCA signing ceremony in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) After two years of negotiations, Mr Trump signed a revised North American trade pact with the leaders of Canada and Mexico on the sidelines of the summit. The deal is meant to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which Mr Trump long denigrated as a disaster. The new pact will not take effect unless approved by the legislatures of all three nations, and there are questions about the pacts prospects in the US Congress, especially now that Democrats will control the House. Democrats and their allies in the labour movement are already demanding changes. But Mr Trump said on the way back to Washington that he plans to formally terminate NAFTA, so Congress will have to choose between accepting the new pact or going without a trade accord. Low expectations low output Expand Close World leaders gather for a group photo at the start of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Ricardo Mazalan/AP) AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp World leaders gather for a group photo at the start of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Ricardo Mazalan/AP) Even the host country had lowered expectations ahead of the summit, saying before the gathering started that it might not be possible to reach a consensus for a final statement. After sleepless days of round-the-clock talks by diplomats, a communique was produced, but analysts said leaders merely signed a watered down statement that skirted trade and other contentious issues. The G20 veered all over the road at the summit and the leaders failed to fix trade, which is widely seen as a priority for boosting growth in jobs and economies, said Thomas Bernes, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation who has held leading roles with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and Canadas government. Leaders buried their differences in obscure language and dropped language to fight protectionism, which had been included in every G20 communique since the leaders first summit. This is clearly a retrograde step forced by United States intransigence, Mr Bernes said. By Benjamin Jumbe. Scientists in the country have expressed confidence that agricultural productivity is to go up. This follows the recent passing of the genetic engineering regulations bill into law by parliament. Now speaking to kfm the director General National Agriculture Research Organisation Dr Ambrose Agona says this move will enable the countrys farmers to access improved seeds which are drought and pest resistant . He now calls for continued support from the legislators to ensure that the countrys farmers benefit from the developed varieties. The Bill was last year returned to Parliament by president Museveni who recommend certain changes, among them, the name of the law before he could sign it into an Act of Parliament. 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. 2, 2018 EAST HANOVER, N.J., Dec. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis announced results of a retrospective, real-world evidence study in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) treated with Promacta (eltrombopag), compared to other second-line therapies. The data demonstrated that patients experienced better clinical outcomes with Promacta, in terms of fewer bleeding episodes. The data were presented during the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Diego. "Despite advances in treating immune thrombocytopenia, many patients remain at risk for bleeding episodes," said Samit Hirawat, MD, Head, Novartis Oncology Global Drug Development. "With these kind of real-world data, we can reimagine care by more clearly understanding the outcomes of a range of treatments and, in turn, helping healthcare providers better navigate available options with their patients." Electronic health records (EHR) data from January 1, 2009 to September 30, 2016 from the Optum EHR database were used to evaluate the effect of second-line agents for ITP. Identified patients had the following characteristics: 18 years or older, evidence of previous treatment with steroids or immune globulin products, and activity in the database for at least 6 months prior to and 12 months post initiation of a second-line agent. Treatment outcomes evaluated included platelet counts, bleeding related episodes (BREs), and thrombotic events (TEs) over the 12-month period following starting a second-line therapy. Of the 2,526 adults that met the inclusion criteria, 110 (4.4%) received eltrombopag, 189 (7.5%) romiplostim, 1,488 (58.9%) rituximab, and 260 (10.3%) splenectomy, with the remaining 479 (18.9%) receiving a mix of other second-line agents. Compared to baseline, platelet counts increased in all treatment cohorts. The proportion of patients who experienced BREs ranged from 25.5% (eltrombopag) to 36.5% (romiplostim), while TEs were observed in all treatment cohorts ranging from 11.6% (eltrombopag) to 15.7% (splenectomy). An additional analysis demonstrated that patients with ITP who had a splenectomy as second-line treatment had the highest mean platelet counts during the first 12 months post treatment initiation, but were at greatest risk for TEs (15.7%) (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism) compared to 11.6% (eltrombopag), 12.7% (romiplostim), and 13.9% (rituximab). "These real-world data can help doctors as they weigh options for second-line therapy with their patients." Adam Cuker, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "They may also help explain the long-term trend toward deferring splenectomies until after other lines of treatment have been tried." Immune thrombocytopenia is a rare and potentially serious blood disorder where there is an increased risk of bleeding due to a low number of platelets. As a result, patients with ITP experience bruising, bleeding and, in rare cases, serious hemorrhage that can be fatal.1 The goal of treatment in chronic/persistent ITP is to maintain a safe platelet count that reduces the risk of bleeding.1 Promacta/Revolade (eltrombopag) Eltrombopag, marketed as Promacta in the US and Revolade in countries outside the US, is approved in more than 90 countries worldwide for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who have had an inadequate response or are intolerant to other treatments. It is also approved for the treatment of patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) as first-line therapy in the US (patients 2 years and older) and Japan, and in many other countries for patients who are refractory to other treatments. In more than 40 countries, Promacta/Revolade is indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic hepatitis C to allow them to initiate and maintain interferon-based therapy. Promacta/Revolade is approved in the US and in the European Union for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in pediatric patients 1 year and older with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, or splenectomy. Promacta should only be used in patients with ITP whose degree of thrombocytopenia and clinical condition increase the risk for bleeding. Important Safety Information Promacta can cause serious side effects, including liver problems, abnormal liver function tests, high platelet counts and higher risk for blood clots, and new or worsened cataracts (a clouding of the lens in the eye). Promacta is not for treatment of people with a precancerous condition called myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). If you have MDS and receive Promacta, your MDS condition may worsen and become AML. If MDS worsens to become AML, you may die sooner from AML. For patients who have chronic hepatitis C virus and take Promacta with interferon and ribavirin treatment, Promacta may increase the risk of liver problems. Patients should tell a healthcare provider right away if they have any of these signs and symptoms of liver problems including yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice), unusual darkening of the urine, unusual tiredness, right upper stomach area pain, confusion, swelling of the stomach area (abdomen). A healthcare provider will order blood tests to check the liver before starting Promacta and during Promacta treatment. In some cases, treatment with Promacta may need to be stopped due to changes in liver function tests. The risk of getting a blood clot is increased if the platelet count is too high during treatment with Promacta. The risk of getting a blood clot may also be increased during treatment with Promacta if platelet counts are normal or low. Some forms of blood clots, such as clots that travel to the lungs or that cause heart attacks or strokes can cause severe problems or death. A healthcare provider will check blood platelet counts, and change the dose of Promacta or stop Promacta, if platelet counts get too high. Patients should tell a healthcare provider right away if they have signs and symptoms of a blood clot in the leg, such as swelling, pain, or tenderness in the leg. People with chronic liver disease may be at risk for a type of blood clot in the stomach area. Patients should tell a healthcare provider right away if they have stomach area pain that may be a symptom of this type of blood clot. New or worsened cataracts have happened in people taking Promacta. A healthcare provider will check the patient's eyes before and during treatment with Promacta. Patients should tell a healthcare provider about any changes in eyesight while taking Promacta. Patients should tell a healthcare provider about all the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Promacta may affect the way certain medicines work. Certain medicines may keep Promacta from working correctly. Patients should take Promacta at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking products such as antacids used to treat stomach ulcers or heartburn and multivitamins or products that contain iron, calcium, aluminum, magnesium, selenium, and zinc, which may be found in mineral supplements. Patients should ask a healthcare provider if they are not sure if the medicine is one that is listed above. Patients should avoid situations and medications that may increase the risk of bleeding while taking Promacta. The most common side effects of Promacta when used to treat chronic ITP in adults are: nausea; diarrhea; upper respiratory tract infection (symptoms may include runny nose, stuffy nose, and sneezing); vomiting; muscle aches; urinary tract infection (symptoms may include frequent or urgent need to urinate, low fever in some people, pain or burning with urination); pain or swelling (inflammation) in the throat or mouth (oropharyngeal pain and pharyngitis); abnormal liver function tests; back pain; flu-like symptoms (influenza), including fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, and body aches; skin tingling, itching, or burning; and rash. The most common side effects of Promacta in children 1 year and older when used to treat chronic ITP are: upper respiratory tract infections (symptoms may include runny nose, stuffy nose, and sneezing); pain or swelling (inflammation) in the nose and throat (nasopharyngitis); cough; diarrhea; pyrexia; runny, stuffy nose (rhinitis); stomach (abdominal) pain; pain or swelling (inflammation) in the throat or mouth; toothache; abnormal liver function tests; rash; runny nose (rhinorrhea). The most common side effects when Promacta is used in combination with other medicines to treat chronic HCV are: low red blood cell count (anemia); fever; tiredness; headache; nausea; diarrhea; decreased appetite; flu-like symptoms (influenza), including fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, and body aches; feeling weak; trouble sleeping; cough; itching; chills; muscle aches; hair loss; and swelling in the ankles, feet, and legs. The most common side effects of Promacta when used to treat severe aplastic anemia (SAA) are: nausea, feeling tired, cough, diarrhea, headache, pain in arms, legs, hands or feet, shortness of breath, fever, dizziness, pain in nose or throat, abdominal pain, bruising, muscle spasms, abnormal liver function tests, joint pain, and runny nose. Laboratory tests may show abnormal changes to the cells in bone marrow. The most common side effects of Promacta when used to treat adults and pediatric patients 2 years and older with SAA in combination with standard immunosuppressive therapy are: abnormal liver function tests, rash and skin discoloration including darkening of skin patches (hyperpigmentation). Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING and Medication Guide, for Promacta. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "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. Optum is a registered trademark of UnitedHealth Group. About Novartis Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world's top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 1 billion people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 125,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a US affiliate of Novartis, is located in East Hanover, NJ. Find out more at 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. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Immune Thrombocytopenia. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/immune-thrombocytopenia. Accessed October 2, 2018. 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 Samir Shah +41 61 324 7944 Pierre-Michel Bringer +41 61 324 1065 Thomas Hungerbuehler +41 61 324 8425 Isabella Zinck +41 61 324 7188 North America Richard Pulik +1 212 830 2448 Cory Twining +1 212 830 2417 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/real-world-data-show-novartis-drug-promacta-improves-outcomes-for-itp-patients-compared-to-other-second-line-therapies-300758677.html SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Kazakhstans investment and trade opportunities were presented in Brasilia as part of the working visit of Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Almas Aidarov to Brazil for local business community with participation of Kazakh Invest National Company JSC, the companys press service reports. Kazakh Ambassador told those gathered about the present state and prospects for economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Brazil drawing attention to cooperation in mining industry and agro-industrial complex. Aidarov focused on trade and economic and investment of Kazakhstan, and government measures to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation, in particular, within the Kazakhstan-Brazil Business Committee co-chaired by QazIndustry and Brazils CNI and interdepartmental working trade and economy group. The committee was established this year. Kazakh Invest chairman Galymzhan Matayev told about the countrys investment policy, measures to improve the countrys investment policy and new tools to support investment climate, and presented investment proposals for Brazilian companies. More than 30 Brazilian companies engaged in mining, energy sectors, agriculture and industrial production took part in the event. Wade Modisette is a local husband and father that seeks the best and most appropriate entertainment for his family. A movie connoisseur in his own mind, he seeks to educate his friends and community on quality choices for their family. Find more reviews and information at wadereviewsstuff.wordpress.com. After more than eight hours of deliberation, a jury found a man accused of resisting arrest and pulling a knife on police not guilty Friday night. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us After more than eight hours of deliberation, a jury found a man accused of resisting arrest and pulling a knife on police not guilty Friday night. Dean Mitchell Howard, 25, pleaded not guilty in Brandon Court of Queens Bench to resisting arrest, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and assaulting a peace officer. He was acquitted of all charges except the charge of carrying a concealed weapon, for which the jury found him guilty. On Aug. 23, 2016, Howard bought a bottle of champagne and sat down to drink it in the park behind Brandon City Hall, the court heard this week, when Const. David Scott, who was on bike patrol with Brandon Police Service at the time, saw him. Scott approached Howard, asked him to throw the bottle out and to show some identification. After a brief back and forth conversation, Howard complied. Scott testified he felt Howard was acting aggressively and called for back up before running a check on Howards drivers licence. Const. Jason Medwechuk arrived on scene and mistook Howard for someone by the name of Dale Churchill, placing him under arrest for public mischief, or providing a false name to police. A struggle ensued and Howard reached into his waistband and pulled out a knife, which Scott testified he forced backwards in an attempt to stab Scott in the stomach. Howard testified he had forgotten the knife was strapped on his belt from camping the day before when he got dressed that day. He realized during the struggle the knife was still on him and was afraid he was going to fall on it, Howard said, so he pulled it out to throw it in the garbage. Howard said he didnt drop the knife when police told him to because he didnt want someone to step on it, adding he told police to take it out of his hand. He only dropped the knife after Medwechuk tasered him twice, the court heard. Medwechuk tased him a third time in order to gain control of Howard and handcuff him. It was only after Howard was put into the back of Medwechuks cruiser that he realized Howard might be who he said he was. In one minute and 37 seconds, Dean Howards life was changed forever, defence lawyer Andrew Synyshyn told the jury in his closing arguments. In one minute and 37 seconds, Const. Medwechuk from the Brandon Police Service made a crucial mistake that set in motion a chain of events that brings us here today Const. Medwechuk wrongfully and unlawfully arrested Dean Howard for doing nothing more than providing his identification. In one minute and 37 seconds, Dean Howard was arrested, shoved into (the side of) a dumpster and tased three times. Synyshyn said Howard was genuine in his testimony to the court, not trying to impress the jury and admitting to things that were against his interest. Scott was also a straightforward witness, Synyshyn said, as he considered his responses and his evidence was concise. Medwechuk, however, seemed to be trying to impress the jury with his evidence rather than simply recounting what happened, Synyshyn said. Const. Medwechuk was the only witness who appeared to remember every single detail, Synyshyn said. We say he was overconfident when he testified, just as he was overconfident on Aug. 23, 2016 when he unlawfully arrested Dean Howard. Synyshyn argued Medwechuk had absolutely no grounds to arrest Howard that day, and by doing so he infringed on Howards rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Police officers deserve our respect. They deserve our respect and our gratitude for the jobs they do. They serve our community and put their health, well-being and lives on the line for us every single day but while they deserve our respect, we, as citizens, deserve theirs. We deserve the respect of our freedom, and our rights, Synyshyn said. On August 23, 2016, Dean Howard, a Canadian citizen, a resident of Brandon one of you and I had those rights, our rights, his rights, trampled in one minute and 37 seconds. In the Crowns closing arguments, Evans said this case was not a Charter of Rights and Freedom issue, but a facts issue. Both Scott and Medwechuk testified in a forthright and straightforward matter, Evans said, adding Medwechuk shouldnt be faulted for being detailed in his testimony. Const. Medwechuk is a police officer. We expect them to be detailed; that is their job thats what they do, Evans said. I would also submit this also wasnt a typical arrest. It was a significant event that stood out in his mind, it makes sense he would remember. Medwechuk heard Scott call in the check on Howard via radio as he was approaching the scene, Evans said, and therefore became part of the investigation. His belief that Howard was Dean Churchill was also based on substantial interactions hed had with Churchill in the past, Evans said, during which Medwechuk became familiar with certain characteristics height, build, facial features attributed to him. Howard matched these characteristics, Evans added. In his experience as a police officer, Medwechuk also said hes had numerous people give him false names in the past. We say that his belief was reasonable and he had reasonable and probable grounds to believe the man in front of him had provided a false name, Evans said. Const. Medwechuk made a mistake. He was wrong, and he was very open and candid in his evidence that he had made a mistake just because a police officer makes a mistake does not mean he does not have reasonable and probable grounds. Its his belief and whether that belief is reasonable. Evans noted this was a fast moving case where the officers needed to make split-second decisions. Look how fast this investigation changed from a simple arrest to a fight for their lives, Evans said. My friend made a lot of comments about one minute and 37 seconds but it changed quickly. That is the reality of policing. Howard never deescalated in the situation and did not drop the knife until he was tasered twice, Evans said, despite police repeating to Howard to drop the knife and stop resisting. Howards testimony was also inconsistent and at times contradicting, Evans added, especially around the knife. Howard originally said at the beginning of his testimony the knife was outside of his pants strapped to his belt, Evans said, but later he admitted the knife was hidden. He didnt want to show people (the knife) because he knew he shouldnt have had it on him He knew it was dangerous, and thats why he concealed it, Evans said. A sentencing date for the conviction of carrying a concealed weapon is expected to be scheduled in December. edebooy@brandonsun.com Twitter: @erindebooy OTTAWA - Canada's chief science adviser admits her first year on the job was not exactly what she'd expected. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/12/2018 (1089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS Canada's chief science adviser Mona Nemer OTTAWA - Canada's chief science adviser admits her first year on the job was not exactly what she'd expected. "I survived," Mona Nemer says, laughing. "It was an exciting year. Lots of things to learn. In many ways it was a great job offer because it didn't have any to-do list. It was just very broad and you could define the position." Her role, she says, is not to be a lobbyist. She isn't there to tell politicians or public servants what to think or what decisions to make. Since September 2017, her job has been to help them find the scientific evidence they need to make decisions. But first, Nemer says, she's had to figure out how decisions get made at all. Nemer, 61, is soft-spoken, her English precise but slightly accented. Born and raised in Lebanon, she moved to Kansas for university and ended up at McGill University in Montreal more than three decades ago to complete grad school. Seated in the board room in the suite of offices assigned to her and her staff of 15, Nemer clutches a white coffee mug stamped with the words: "I'm a scientist. What's your superpower?" With a PhD in bio-organic chemistry, she has been in the lab as a cardiac gene specialist, helping isolate genes that contribute to certain heart conditions. Her work helped develop diagnostic tests for heart failure and birth defects. She has held a Canada research chair and for more than a decade she was the vice-president of research at the University of Ottawa. But she had never spent much time inside a government. "Simplistically, I thought there was a place you just weigh in and make sure things are happening but it's actually much more complex than this," she says. "It turned out that actually my broad mandate and some of the specifics that I was tasked with were easier said than done." Canada hadn't had a science adviser for almost a decade. The former science-adviser position existed between 2004 and 2008 but was abolished when Stephen Harper was prime minister. Nemer's office had to be built from the ground up. Still, Nemer says she is already seeing evidence her informal meetings with ministers and deputies and the questions she answers during her lab tours with government researchers are having an effect. "I can certainly say that they've listened," says Nemer. Finance Minister Bill Morneau consulted her on the 2018 federal budget; the government billed it as a "science budget," with several billion dollars pegged over the coming years to fund more research through granting councils, upgrade federal laboratories, restore funding to the National Research Council and increase scientific capacity across the federal government. Work with Environment Minister Catherine McKenna led to a committee co-chaired by Nemer and McKenna's deputy on environmental science, which recently identified gaps in Canada's climate science and issued a request for research to fill them. Nemer is also to install science advisers in specific departments. Science Minister Kirsty Duncan says she's thrilled with Nemer's first year but Nemer cannot be the only person to help the whole government include science and evidence in its decisions. Duncan says there will be five or six departmental chief scientists appointed in the coming months, including in the environment, fisheries and natural-resources departments. "Dr. Nemer does tremendous work but one person cannot change a system," Duncan says. "She needs to have support, she needs to have a network of advice that she can go to." Mehrdad Hariri, the CEO of the Canadian Science Policy Centre in Toronto, says he thinks there is no doubt Nemer has already had an impact. "She is ensuring the culture of evidence-based decision making is being upheld," he says. He says the scientific-research community increasingly believes it has channels into the government to share research and bureaucrats are more confident in finding and using that research when it's needed. FREDERICTON - New Brunswick's new premier is trying to revive the Energy East pipeline even though the original proponent says the project is dead. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/12/2018 (1089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs chats with members of the public prior to the Throne Speech at the New Brunswick Legislature in Fredericton, N.B., on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. ew Brunswick's new premier is trying to revive the Energy East pipeline, even though the original proponent says the project is dead.THE CANADIAN PRESS/James West FREDERICTON - New Brunswick's new premier is trying to revive the Energy East pipeline even though the original proponent says the project is dead. TransCanada Corporation abandoned the $15.7-billion project more than a year ago, after the National Energy Board modified the environmental assessment process. But Premier Blaine Higgs, along with some other premiers and federal politicians, are again pushing the proposed pipeline as a way to get more western crude to refineries in Eastern Canada and for export to foreign markets. Ontario and Quebec have also new elected new premiers this year, and Higgs said he thinks Energy East could be viable. "The fact that Ontario has said they're not opposed to oil coming through the province, there's a hurdle that's now gone. We know that Manitoba and Saskatchewan are fine and we know Alberta is looking for a way out," said Higgs. "We see Alberta now taking a strong position with buying rail cars and saying we've got to get our oil to market because they're losing $80 million a day." Higgs said he recognizes Quebec could still be a hurdle and he plans to discuss the project with Premier Francois Legault this week at a first ministers meeting in Montreal. "We're talking about interprovincial trade. There are some key issues, and that's one for us. It's one that's important for our province. We need some wins," Higgs said. Higgs said he discussed Energy East two weeks ago with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He said Trudeau said he'd be willing to discuss the issue again if Higgs was able to get Quebec onside. But the biggest hurdle may be getting TransCanada interested again. The company cited the regulatory changes and "changed circumstances" as the reason for its pullout last year. In a statement, Terry Cunha, manager of communications for TransCanada, said their position had not changed. "We have no plans to revisit the project. We are focused on developing the more than $36 billion in commercially secured pipeline and power generation projects that we currently have underway across North America, including Keystone XL and the Coastal GasLink project in B.C.," he wrote. Higgs said he's not surprised by the Calgary-based company's position. "If you spend $800 million and you get jerked around politically so that decisions aren't made, instead it's procrastinated on, and ... then all of a sudden the rules change mid-stream and then you don't have any path forward," Higgs said. "I don't blame them. I wouldn't jump on the bandwagon yet either." However, Higgs said he believes if a holding company was formed that applied to the National Energy Board and got the process well underway, then TransCanada might be willing to get back onboard. Federal Conservative Leader Andrew Sheer has also been a big Energy East supporter and has said that a federal Conservative government would seek to revive the project. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said last week restarting the project makes a lot of sense. "Our government would be very interested of course in any effort that was geared towards another project to get our product to tidewater as well as to supply the Canadian market if we could find a way to do that more effectively," she told reporters in Ottawa. "Quite frankly it is quite perverse that we are selling our oil in Alberta for $10 a barrel and then in eastern Canada we are importing from places like Saudi Arabia. This makes no sense." Energy East would have seen much of the western crude going to the Irving Oil refinery in Saint John. Higgs said he has yet to discuss reviving Energy East with Irving, where he worked for more than three decades and retired as a senior executive before entering politics. "I know their interest would still be there because they would offset at least 100,000 barrels a day of foreign crude, maybe more. That commitment would still be there because they are still in operation and they are still buying foreign crude," he said. But New Brunswick Green Leader David Coon said Higgs needs to switch 180 degrees and instead look at reducing dependence on fossil fuels. "The World Meteorological Organization just announced a study that if we continue to follow the path we're following now we are going to blast past the Paris agreement and get into three to five degrees of warming, which is catastrophic," he said. But a study by the Canadian Energy Research Institute released in January concluded that refineries in central and Atlantic Canada would see lower supply costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions if they bought more Canadian crude oil. The study found that substituting Canadian oil wherever possible using space on existing pipelines, rail cars and ocean tankers would result in a 47-per-cent reduction in foreign oil imports into Eastern Canada, saving $210 million per year, and the equivalent of more than two million tonnes of carbon dioxide, or about 5.7 per cent. WASHINGTON - The original NAFTA deal has landed back atop Donald Trump's hit list, with the U.S. president again declaring he intends to terminate the 24-year-old trade pact a move that appears designed to pressure lawmakers on Capitol Hill into approving its recently negotiated successor. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/12/2018 (1089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. President Donald Trump, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto, left, participate in the USMCA signing ceremony, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) WASHINGTON - The original NAFTA deal has landed back atop Donald Trump's hit list, with the U.S. president again declaring he intends to terminate the 24-year-old trade pact a move that appears designed to pressure lawmakers on Capitol Hill into approving its recently negotiated successor. Trump, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto signed the new U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement USMCA, although the federal government in Ottawa has rechristened it CUSMA during an awkward ceremony at the outset of G20 meetings Friday in Argentina. Trump was on board Air Force One on his way back to Washington late Saturday when he announced that he would notify Congress of his intention to terminate NAFTA, a long-threatened move that would give lawmakers six months to approve its replacement once formal notice is delivered. "I will be formally terminating NAFTA shortly," the president said of the trilateral agreement he and his supporters have long loved to hate. "I'll be terminating it within a relatively short period of time. We get rid of NAFTA. It's been a disaster for the United States. It's caused us tremendous amounts of unemployment and loss and company loss and everything else. That'll be terminated. "And so Congress will have a choice of the USMCA or pre-NAFTA, which worked very well. You got out, you negotiate your deals. It worked very well." A number of Democrats in Congress, empowered by their new majority in the House of Representatives, say they don't much like the new agreement in its current form either, and say they won't support it without more stringent enforcement mechanisms for new labour rules and environmental protection. Some Republicans say they, too, are disinclined to support the agreement in its current form. Kristin Dziczek, vice-president of industry, labour and economics at the Michigan-based Center for Automotive Research, was not surprised to hear of Trump's decision, something he threatened several times during negotiations in an effort to spur progress and curry favour with his supporters. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right to left, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, President of the United States Donald Trump, Mexico's Secretary of Economy Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, and President of Mexico Enrique Pena Nieto participate in a signing ceremony for the new North American Free Trade Agreement in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick "I don't think it's a bluff," Dziczek said Sunday. "I think that's how he thinks he's going to whip votes." Dziczek said she's anticipates a scenario where Trump signs a formal intent to withdraw, but ignores the fact that congressional approval would be required to repeal the underlying legislation that enforces the terms of the original agreement a scenario she's dubbed "zombie NAFTA." "I think it's really, really likely we end up in that situation," she said. "Without this, he's got little leverage over Congress, and Congress has got detractors on both sides on the Democrat and the Republican side who don't really like the deal." Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and one of more than a dozen names believed to be eyeing a presidential run in 2020, has added her name to the list of lawmakers who say they won't support the new agreement. "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. It's NAFTA 2.0," Warren told a luncheon audience last week during a foreign policy speech in Washington. She cited a lack of enforcement tools for labour standards, drug company "handouts" and a lack of sufficiently robust measures to cut pollution or combat climate change, particularly in Mexico and her refusal to use the deal's new name hinted at precisely why Trump wants to do away with the old one. "For these reasons, I oppose NAFTA 2.0, and will vote against it in the Senate unless President Trump reopens the agreement and produces a better deal for America's working families." Among the Republicans who see problems is Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who tweeted his fears that the current agreement gives agricultural producers in Mexico an unfair advantage. "As currently drafted this deal will put Florida seasonal vegetable growers out of business," Rubio wrote. "It allows Mexico to dump government-subsidized produce on the U.S. market. "Going forward America will depend on Mexico for our winter vegetables. Unacceptable." In a blog entry posted shortly after the agreement was signed Friday, Cato Institute trade analyst Simon Lester appeared to anticipate Trump's move although he acknowledged it would have made a lot more sense if the Republicans still had control of Congress. "The Democrats are in a different position," Lester wrote. "Many of them don't like NAFTA to begin with, so a withdrawal threat wouldn't feel so threatening. Furthermore, a withdrawal threat could lead to an internal GOP war over trade policy, which would be wonderful for the Democrats. This all puts the Democrats in a pretty good spot to make demands." Shortly after Friday's signing, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer insisted that the deal was negotiated with bipartisan support from both Democrats and Republicans, and expressed confidence it would survive the congressional approval process. "I think we will get the support of a lot of Democrats, a very high number of Democrats, absolutely I have no doubt about it," Lighthizer said. A number of the their concerns will be addressed in the implementing legislation that will have to be brought forward for ratification, he added. A spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Trumps comments are part of the American ratification process. "Were moving forward with our own process now that the new NAFTA has been signed," Adam Austen said. Now that it's been signed, reopening the deal is a non-starter, Dziczek said. What's more likely is months of political horse-trading as Democrats and Republicans alike make their support contingent on other political initiatives, such as the controversial Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, which protects illegal immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children. "I think they're betting on Congress not letting it all go to hell," she said. "And I think Congress won't let it all go to hell, but we're going to go through a lot of crazy before then." Follow James McCarten on Twitter @CdnPressStyle MONTREAL - Hugo Hernan Ruiz, a 42-year-old systems engineer from Colombia, has a master's degree in his field and ran the IT department of an oil company in his home country. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/12/2018 (1089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MONTREAL - Hugo Hernan Ruiz, a 42-year-old systems engineer from Colombia, has a master's degree in his field and ran the IT department of an oil company in his home country. His French is excellent considering he arrived in Quebec in 2016 with little knowledge of the language. But like many highly educated newcomers to the province, Ruiz has struggled to find work despite being selected as a skilled immigrant by provincial authorities. Hugo Ruiz at his home in Laval, Que., Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Ruiz, who is a software engineer from Colombia, says he has trouble getting government help because he isn't on welfare. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz After failing to find a job, he decided to open his own consulting business to take advantage of his South American contacts. He applied for a provincial program that assists budding entrepreneurs with grants, marketing and training. But he was rejected because the program was for people who were on welfare or who had received Employment Insurance and he fit neither category. It would become a common refrain, he said, as he tried unsuccessfully to navigate the Quebec bureaucracy. "I think there needs to be a reflection," Ruiz said over coffee at a strip mall in the Montreal suburb of Laval, where he settled with his wife and two children. "What happens to immigrants who are trying to succeed and who don't come here to live off the government?" As Quebec Premier Francois Legault moves to reduce immigration in order, he says, to ensure newcomers learn French and find work, Ruiz's case highlights the obstacles and contradictions facing educated immigrants who are neither poor nor wealthy. Yann Hairaud, head of a Montreal-based immigrant employment centre, said he knows of cases where skilled workers find options closed to them because they aren't on welfare. "Unfortunately yes," he said in an interview. "These situations can happen. There is a certain incoherence in some of the rules that exist for newcomers." Shortly after Ruiz arrived in Quebec, he enrolled in a French-language program to study what's known as the internet of things the network of objects that contain electronics and can interact with one another. "I thought that instead of taking French courses, I would take a French-language course in my field, so I would learn both," he said. He graduated with a vocational certificate last August but because the government didn't fully pay for his training, more doors were closed to him. A paid public-sector internship caught his eye, but to get it he had to qualify for a provincial salary subsidy. He was rejected for the subsidy, he explained, because the government hadn't paid for his training. "I brought all my savings with me (from Colombia) and I prepared financially in order to avoid asking for welfare," Ruiz said. "I'm not criticizing the Employment Department or the government. But I think the country needs to reflect on whether the immigration system encourages immigrants to go on welfare." Dominique Anglade, immigration critic for the provincial Liberals, has not heard of immigrants going on welfare to land jobs, but she acknowledged those on social assistance have a certain advantage. Anglade, a former economy minister, said in an interview that "a high percentage" of immigrants fail to complete the necessary training to have their skills recognized in Quebec, in part because of the high costs involved. "When you go on welfare, you do have some support that can help you actually accomplish finding a job and everything else," she said. She blamed the discrepancy on government departments not working hand in hand. Immigration Department spokesperson Chantal Bouchard, said integration "is obviously a priority" but referred questions about the obstacles facing skilled immigrants to the Employment Department. Employment Department spokesman Vincent Breton did not respond directly to questions about whether people who are not receiving welfare are at a disadvantage when seeking work. "As you know, the Employment Department offers many measures and programs for those who want to integrate into the workforce," Breton said in an email, adding that each file is analyzed on its individual merits. Hairaud, whose organization CITIM works with about 1,800 immigrants a year, said the Employment Department gives priority to certain groups, including those who are on welfare or unemployment insurance. Quebec seeks out skilled workers, he noted, but they are ineligible for government support programs if they are deemed too successful. "It's contradictory, the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing," Hairaud said. Despite the difficulties, the employment landscape is improving for immigrants, partly due to Quebec's strong economy. In August 2018, the unemployment rate for immigrants between the ages of 25 and 54 fell to 6.1 per cent after hovering above 10 per cent for much of the previous decade, the Institut du Quebec reported. Ruiz said he's happy in Canada. His two young children are in school, and he wants to start a new life here. But he questions the value Canada places on the first generation of immigrants. "My experience looking for work has been bizarre," he said. "What is the life for professionals who come here? Is the first generation of immigrants important to Canada?" OTTAWA - New court documents show public servants discussing the risk to taxpayers as successive federal governments have turned to sole-source contracts to buy desperately needed equipment for the Canadian Forces and others. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Suspended Vice-Admiral Mark Norman leaves court following a hearing on access to documents in Ottawa, Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. New court documents show public servants discussing the risk to taxpayers as successive federal governments have turned to sole-source contracts to buy desperately needed equipment for the Canadian Forces and others. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - New court documents show public servants discussing the risk to taxpayers as successive federal governments have turned to sole-source contracts to buy desperately needed equipment for the Canadian Forces and others. The documents were filed on behalf of suspended Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, who is charged with breach of trust in connection with one such contract. They land amid frustrations with Canada's military procurement system including because of political mismanagement that have led to the need for quick fixes. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has chosen to sign several sole-source contracts to bolster the coast guard's aging icebreaking fleet and the country's fighter-jet force, buying time to find permanent replacements. Sole-sourcing does make sense in many cases, said defence analyst David Perry of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, particularly where there is an emergency or it's clear that only one company can meet the government's needs. "But if you're sole-sourcing to fill a capability gap, that's the result of mismanaging a procurement to the point where you are out of options and have no alternative," Perry said. "That's not really a good reason to be sole-sourcing." The Tories under Stephen Harper once intended to buy a fleet of F-35 fighter jets on an untendered contract, but aborted that plan in 2012 once the full price became known. Then the Trudeau government planned to spend about $6 billion on 18 sole-sourced "interim" Super Hornets from Boeing because it said Canada needed more fighter jets to support its aging CF-18s until replacements could be purchased through a competition. The Super Hornets deal eventually fell apart because of a trade dispute with Boeing. So the government is buying 25 second-hand Australian fighter jets, also without a competition. Canada isn't expected to get new fighter jets until at least 2025. The Liberals also recently bought three second-hand icebreakers from Quebec-based Davie Shipbuilding for the coast guard, whose existing fleet is on average 35 years old with no immediate plan to replace it on the horizon. Suspended as the military's second-in-command in January 2017, Norman was charged in March 2018 with one count of breach of trust for allegedly leaking cabinet secrets to Davie over a different contract. He has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to fight the charge. The case against Norman centres on a sole-sourced deal negotiated between Davie and the previous Conservative government in 2015, in which the Quebec shipyard proposed converting a civilian cargo ship into a temporary support vessel for the navy. The $700-million contract with Davie was not finalized before that year's federal election. Although the newly elected Liberals at first wanted to delay it for a closer review, they signed off on the deal a short time later. Before Liberal ministers agreed to buy the converted ship, bureaucrats from the Privy Council Office, the government's top department, wrote a secret briefing note in November 2015 that discussed the problems with not holding a competition. "The risk inherent with a sole-source contract is that much of the leverage in the contract negotiation resides with the company," the bureaucrats wrote, even as they noted that the Conservatives had exempted the deal from the usual oversight for such projects. Despite these concerns, the officials recommended the government approve the deal. Partly because they had assessed that "risk mitigation measures" were in place, but mostly because the navy urgently needed a support ship for faraway operations. The court documents, none of which have been filed as exhibits or tested in court, include RCMP interviews with civil servants that suggest politicians' desire for votes in Quebec also played a role in the decisions about the ship. But the navy's need for the vessel was real. The navy at the time had just retired its 50-year-old support ships and while replacements are being built in Vancouver through the government's national shipbuilding plan, numerous delays and problems mean they won't be ready until the 2020s. The navy had originally expected to get new support ships in 2012. The briefing note said a competition could have been held to find another, perhaps cheaper, solution, but "a competitive process would take longer to deliver a solution likely 10-14 months for a contract award, and then more time for the service to be ready." RCMP interviews with several senior civil servants raise similar concerns about awarding a contract to Davie without a competition while also alluding to the sense of urgency in getting new support ships. The Defence Department's head of procurement, Patrick Finn, told the Mounties that other companies were clamouring to compete to supply a temporary support ship in late 2014, and that "the information existed to say that this could be done competitively." But Finn noted that Davie had already found a ship that it could convert for the navy, which "at that point had no replenishment ships." Melissa Burke, an analyst with the Privy Council Office who attended various cabinet meetings about Davie's proposal in 2015, told the RCMP that federal procurement officials were unhappy because "they felt the taxpayers were getting a raw deal." Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has insisted the State will be properly policed, whatever the outcome of Brexit. Mr Flanagan was attacked by the Opposition for failing to reveal how many extra gardai will be deployed in border counties as the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit increases. With little hope of British Prime Minister Theresa May's plan making it through the House of Commons, Dublin has come under increasing pressure to publish its no deal contingency plans, but has refused to do so. Tanaiste Simon Coveney has repeatedly insisted Ireland is not preparing for a no-deal, but other Government sources say otherwise, insisting Mr Coveney's office has ordered silence on the matter. Mr Flanagan said that in terms of policing the border, new Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has been given an unprecedented budget of 1.7bn for 2019 to deal with whatever scenario unfolds. Simon Coveney and his team have been engaged in contingency planning over a wide range of issues. The issue of a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland simply doesn't arise. If you are talking about a heavily fortified border, as we had in the past, that simply does not arise. "Everyone has said that will not happen. If we are in a no deal scenario, then we will have to have a no deal deal. This is not something that will happen on midnight of March 29 without contingency planning from a garda perspective. "That will not arise, he said. Fianna Fail's Jim O'Callaghan called on Mr Flanagan to set out what the Government's plans are in the event of no deal. In the possibility of a no deal, there is a hard border in Ireland. No one wants it but there are going to be customs checks and if there are customs checks there is going to be smuggling, and if there is smuggling there has to be policing. "We should be hearing a number of what gardai will be needed. We have heard there will be 600 more customs officers, we have heard the PSNI will hire 400 more officers in terms of Northern Ireland. We need to hear the Government's contingency plan for a hard border. It is a serious possibility.We need a plan, he said. Fine Gael Senator Neale Richmond hit back at Mr O'Callaghan for recklessly talking up the worst case Brexit scenario by demanding extra contingency planning for a hard border. For the past two and a half years, the Government has been working with its European partners to guarantee there is no hardening of the border on the island of Ireland post Brexit. There is widespread recognition across the EU and in the UK that any material hardening of the border would be a breach of the Good Friday Agreement. "Neither the European or British sides in the Brexit talks envisage such a hardening and they have hammered out a deal that ensures that, through an ambitious future relationship underpinned by a backstop insurance policy. It is absolutely reckless therefore to hear a senior Fianna Fail spokesman undermine this ratification process with calls of additional customs and policing allocations for the border, Mr Richmond said. Meanwhile, Former US Secretary of State John Kerry has warned it is "imperative" to resolve the issues thrown up by Brexit surrounding the Irish border in a way that does not reignite the Troubles. Mr Kerry made his comments during an event in the United States to mark the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. He told the BBC's Sunday Politics programme that a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland could "re-heat passions". Mr Kerry was joined by politicians from Northern Ireland's five main parties at Yale University. "Under the Stormont Agreement, the last 20 years have been characterised by a border which people have been able to cross easily," he said. "If you have a certain kind of Brexit with a hard border you could see great difficulties emerge as a consequence of that. "I have concerns that depending on what kind of Brexit takes place it could have a negative impact on the progress made in the last 20 years. It could re-heat passions one way or the other or both depending on what it is. We have to see how this is going to be resolved. "It's imperative that it's resolved in a way that it does not reignite the Troubles." The Democrat stressed his meeting with Northern Ireland's parties was not a negotiation, describing it instead as an "informal meeting". "It's an academic meeting at a university where the parties came to be able to explore their dynamics and to have a candid, out of the spotlight, frank conversation with people who know something about the issue and care about the issue," he added. The Lord Mayor of Cork has condemned a mindless vandalism attack on an inner-city crib at one of the citys oldest structures. The damage at the Red Abbey crib, located behind railings inside the landmark abbey tower, occurred earlier today just hours after its unveiling. Lord Mayor Cllr Mick Finn performed the official light switch-on at the crib on Saturday night. But it appears that overnight, someone was able to scale the two-metre high railings, which are topped with spikes, and get into the crib. The wooden manger was then thrown over the railings and out onto the plaza area where it smashed. There was no damage to any of the statues. Council workers were on site this evening to repair the damage and to restore the crib. Mindless stupidy is the only phrase that comes to mind when you see this type of carry on, Mr Finn said. Locals take pride in this location and this festive crib. Thankfully it was fixed again, but it is extremely frustrating that this and other vandalism and graffiti denigrates our city. The tower provides a link to Corks medieval past, as it is the citys only structure remaining from that time period. Considered a National Monument, it stands on the site of an Augustinian abbey thought to have been founded in the 13th or 14th century. The friars remained through the Reformation, until 1641, but by the early-18th century, the space was being used as a sugar refinery. A fire in 1799 destroyed much of the abbey. Update: Dozens of GPs staged a walk-out of the Irish College of General Practitioners' Extraordinary General Meeting today. 300 members attended the meeting to discuss the provision of abortion services by GPs. According to the ICGP, 50 or so GPs walked-out after 30 minutes over objections to the official procedure of the meeting. However, Killarney-based GP Dr Andrew O'Regan, who is Pro Life, said about one-third of the group of more than 300 walked out when the board of the ICGP "refused to accept members' motions from the floor". The ICGP said that while they were "disappointed" at the decision, the remaining attendees held a "meaningful debate" and that a range of views were heard. The Colleges remit is to provide training and education for all GPs, and for those GPs who wish to offer this service," said Dr Tony Cox, Medical Director of the ICGP. "We are aware of the concerns of those with a conscientious objection to providing termination of pregnancy services, and we have successfully advocated for an 'opt-in' service and for a 24-hour helpline as the first point of information for those who seek the service. We are sorry that those who walked out didnt stay to listen, as there was a meaningful discussion of all the issues on the agenda. The Colleges priority is to provide a patient-centred, high quality and safe service for those who seek the service, he said. The legislation to provide termination of pregnancy services is due to come into force in January. Earlier: GPs entitled to 'conscientious objection' in providing abortion services, Harris says The Minister for Health Simon Harris has said that GPs are entitled to "conscientious objection" when it comes to providing new abortion services from January. However, Mr Harris said they have to provide information about abortion. The Irish College of General Practitioners is holding an Extraordinary General Meeting this afternoon to discuss issues around the service. The ICGP says it is in favour of an opt-in to the abortion service. Doctors and healthcare professionals have a right to conscientious objection. Women also have a right to healthcare though. One right cannot trump another. Just like all citizens, doctors have different views and thats ok. But the people have spoken and the campaign is over Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) December 2, 2018 Mr Harris says a helpline will also be set up to help women find doctors willing to carry out the scheme. "No doctor, no nurse, no midwife is obligated to provide this [abortion] if they conscientiously object," he said. But I can't fathom a situation where somebody in crisis, perhaps even a rape victim, would sit in front of a doctor and say 'I need help' and the doctor would say 'there's the door'. "That's not what I know of doctors in this country. "We have done things to further help, because I don't want women to find themselves in those awkward situations either, so we are establishing a 24/7 helpline that will be a medically-staffed helpline," he said. Meanwhile, a number of Pro-Life GPs walked out of today's EGM when some of the GPs who put their names on an original letter in October seeking an EGM with motions left over concerns the college had not put motions to the floor. Over 300 members are attending the meeting which is continuing this evening. Digital Desk Lunaticoutpost.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , anaffiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Amazon, the Amazon logo, MYHABIT, and the MYHABIT logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.Don't be a pest to the forum.No profanity in thread-titles or usernamesNo excessive profanity in postsNo Racism, Antisemitism + HateNo calls for violence against anyone..This website exists for fun and discussion only. 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From today, routes 17A, 33A, 33B and 102 will be operated under the Transport for Ireland brand by Go-Ahead Ireland, and passengers on these routes will see immediate improvements in frequency and service levels of buses. The switchover of routes will free up resources which allow for the National Transport Authority to approve a programme of service improvements and modifications on Dublin Bus routes across the network. The new Route 40E to be operated by Dublin Bus will provide a link from Luas and Iarnrod Eireann services at Broombridge to areas including Tyrellstown and West Finglas. The 40E will run on a 30-minute frequency Monday to Friday, and will also have a substantial weekend service. Changes to the 33 which will continue to be run by Dublin Bus, and the 33A, which will be run by Go-Ahead Ireland, will mean that there will be a combined 30-minute frequency all day every day between Skerries, Rush, Lusk and Swords. This represents a substantial improvement on the current service level. The frequency on Route 33A will be significantly increased and for the first time will connect Skerries, Rush and Lusk directly to Dublin Airport. Further interchange opportunities are available in Swords for onward travel to areas such as Donabate, Portrane, and Malahide. Route 33 will continue south of Swords to provide direct services to destinations along Swords Road and Drumcondra Road to the city centre. Other services to and from Dublin Airport will also improve, including route 16 which will commence earlier at 6am from Dublin Airport and 5.30am from Ballinteer. There will be a full 10-minute frequency morning peak service operating from Dublin Airport, with evening service frequency improved from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes. Route 33A is newly extended from Skerries, Rush, Lusk and Swords and will run direct to Dublin Airport every 90 minutes. There will be better frequency on the Go-Ahead Ireland route 102 that links Dublin Airport to Swords, Malahide and Sutton. NTA Chief Executive Officer Anne Graham said: The changes being introduced this coming weekend are part of an overall substantial increase in frequency and service levels on about 50 bus routes in Dublin, operated under the Transport for Ireland brand, by both Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland. These latest changes are part of the biggest programme of service improvements that the NTA has ever approved and are indicative of the level of commitment we have to making the bus service better for more passengers across the network in Dublin. This represents good news for the customer who from Sunday will begin to benefit from more frequent buses at both peak and off-peak times, as well as at weekends. - Digital Desk An Irish woman who has been organising Christmas dinners for people living alone for 32 years has received phone calls from people living in Spain and Holland wanting to attend her renowned festive fair. Margaret Brown, from Sandycove in Dublin, has been organising the festive feast since 1986 after seeing people at a scout hall eating lumpy soup and cold meat huddled around a gas-fired heater in a bid to keep warm. I suppose the Christmas feast is the victim of its own success. The numbers we feed seems to grow every year. "Its absolutely wonderful to have people as far afield as Spain and Holland wanting to come along but, I had to turn them down, as the demands from people even living in other counties such as Tipperary and Wexford is enormous. For most people here in Ireland, Christmas is a time for family, friends and celebrations. For others, its a time of loneliness, isolation and risk. It is impossible to explain how hard Christmas is for people on their own The Dun Laoghaire Christmas Day Lunch founded in 1986 provides critical support for those at Christmas who would otherwise be by themselves and also for those in most need. Unfortunately, we can only cater for 300 people in Blackrock Rugby Club from 10.30am to 2.30pm and we are looking for volunteer drivers to bring people to and from the venue. Fundraising for the growing event has been taking place all year so it will be a marvellous day. Mrs Browns homeless dinners will also be going to Bentley House Homeless services in Monkstown, members of the Travelling Community and to three families living in caravans at the west pier in Dun Laoghaire and at caravans located in Ballyogan. All together they will be looking after up to 600 people on Christmas Day. Even some well-known bands such as U2 have also been known to drop in on the day to take part in the festivities. Having worked all over the world in catering and hotel management and for a long time for Jurys Hotel Group, starting the Christmas endeavour came to Mrs Brown as a natural thing to do. Over the next three weeks, the super busy mother will be adding to her list of last minute preparations for people planning to attend. Both she and up to 35 volunteers start their physical preparations for the annual dinner in October every year. Every year of the 32 years of running the lunch has been enjoyable but now Im taking it one year at a time as to how much longer I will organise it. I had looked for someone to take over the mantle from me but people are so busy with their lives that finding a substitute has proved difficult. Its a lot of work but I would miss it if I called it a day totally. This years festive feast will include potato and leek soup, chilled melon with grapes, roast turkey and Limerick ham, vegetarian quick, Christmas pudding and cake, fruit trifle, tea and coffee. Former Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown Co Council and Fianna Fail General Election candidate Cormac Devlin said: Margaret is someone who always gives of her time for others and she always seems to get things done so easily and meticulously. You often hear of people complaining about having too many people to cater for on Christmas Day but Margaret has hundreds to deal with and she never complains. She's done so much for so many people, that will never be forgotten. Our community is better off thanks to Margaret. Update: Three men are due to appear in court tomorrow in connection with the seizure of drugs worth 90,000 in Dublin. The men were arrested after a house in Dolmen Court, Ballymun was searched by gardai on Friday night as part of an ongoing investigation into the sale and supply of controlled substances in the area. During the search, gardai discovered cocaine and cannabis with an estimated value of 90,000 and more than 20,000 in cash. A stun gun and a number of electrical items were also seized in follow-up searches. The men are expected to appear before the Courts of Criminal Justice on Dublin's Parkgate Street at 10.30am tomorrow morning. Earlier: Three men held following seizure of 90k worth of drugs in Dublin Three men are still being held this morning after a drugs seizure in Dublin. Drugs worth 90,000 were seized by gardai following the search of a home in Dublin yesterday evening. As part of an ongoing investigation into the sale and supply of controlled substances in the Ballymun District, a residential property was searched in Dolmen Court Ballymun Dublin 11. During the course of the search, gardai discovered cocaine and cannabis and 20,000 in cash. Three men were arrested at the scene and are currently detained at Ballymun Garda station under the provisions of section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 as amended. A number of follow up searches were also carried out where a stun gun and a number of expensive electrical items were seized by gardai. Investigations are ongoing. Digital Desk The wife of Greek fire victim Brian OCallaghan-Westropp has told mourners that she is still very angry that he was stolen from her after less than four days of marriage in such a cruel manner. Zoe Holohan was speaking at a memorial service and a celebration of the life of her late husband who died on the couples honeymoon in Greece last July. The newlyweds were honeymooning in the coastal resort of Mati, near Athens on July 23, when they were caught up in a blaze. The couple got separated in the panic during the fire and Brian's remains were recovered from the sea a number of hours later. Zoe wiped away tears at the top of Kilnasoolagh Church in the Clare village of Newmarket on Fergus on Saturday as she recalled that their wedding day was the happiest day of my life. Addressing a packed church, Zoe said: I am still very angry that Brian was stolen from me after less than four days of marriage in such a cruel manner. Zoe said that everyone had to come to the church on Saturday afternoon for the man I loved, the man we all loved. She said that she was very thankful for every day that herself and Brian were together. Zoe said: He is the best partner anyone could ever ask for. The couple were together for four years before their wedding day and Zoe said: He was forever patient and smiling. Brians smile is probably the thing I miss the most about him. He would greet me every day when I came from work with his beautiful smile. She said: Even if it was worst day Brian would transform it into the greatest." Brian was 46 when he was taken from me. He filled his years on this planet with love, kindness and adventure and he will never be forgotten. Zoe described Brian as utterly kind, and his work as a voluntary worker is testament to that. There were nights when he would trek off quite late to ensure that essential medical supplies would reach their destination and then he would go off to work the following morning. Brian was an active member of Blood Bikes East which provides a free medical transport service between hospitals in Dublin and many of Brians colleagues from the charity were in attendance at the memorial service. Zoe mentioned that Brian volunteered last year New Years Eve to cover an emergency in his work with the charity. Zoe suffered injuries in the Greek fire and required a crutch to support her in and out of the Church on Saturday. The families and friends of the couple came together to bless Brians ashes that were placed at the top of the church - Brians remains were cremated at an earlier service here where Zoe was unable to attend as she was still recovering from her injuries in a Greek hospital. In her tribute to Brian, Zoe referred to the heart-breaking number of months she has endured stating that she also lost her father - Colm Holohan who died suddenly after a short illness on August 12 last just weeks after Brian's death. Zoe said that she has spent four months in Greek hospital care. Zoe paid tribute to her incredible family, friends along with the kindness of strangers for their support since the tragedy. She said: "You kept me alive." At the end of her eulogy, the congregation got to their feet to give Zoe a standing ovation and she was warmly embraced by Brians mother, Rosemary as she retook her seat at the front of the small Church. Brian OCallaghan-Westropp and Zoe Holohan In attendance at the Church were the aide de camp to President Michael D Higgins, Captain Eoin Troy and aide de camp to Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, Captain Ciaran Woulfe along with the Irish ambassador to Greece, Ms Orla OHanrahan.* Brians lifelong friend, Adrian Casey officiated as Best Man to Brian and Zoe at their wedding last July days before tragedy struck. In his tribute to Brian at Kilnasoolagh Church, Adrian described Brian as " kind, considerate, generous - a man who thought of others before himself without even a thought. Brian was Best Man to Adrian at his own wedding 20 years ago and Adrian said: The last three months have been a terrible time for us all living this nightmare that we have all struggled to come to terms with." Brian will be so very proud the way everyone has been there for each other, pulling together, united in their support. It just goes to show that we all carry a little bit of Brian within ourselves. Adrian said: Nothing was more important to Brian than those close to him, so lets keep close together. In his words to the congregation, Canon Brendan ODonoghue recalled telling Zoe in recent days of Brians late father, Deniss generosity to others "and Zoe said to me little wonder that Brian had that great spark of generosity and giving within him. Canon ODonoghue was a co-celebrant at the service with Chief Celebrant at the Church of Ireland church, Very Rev Dean Maurice Sirr and Canon ODonoghue said: What happened was an absolute terrible tragedy. Sadly for Rosemary, this is the second tragic death of her two sons. Colin died in a motorcycle accident just after a day or two of buying that motorcycle some years ago and that Brian would be taken so suddenly after his marriage to Zoe. The official schedule of memorial services for former President George H.W. Bush, who died on Friday at the age of 94, has been released. The 41st President will lie in state in the rotunda at the US Capitol until Wednesday morning. Ten years ago every Australian Education Minister, myself included, was a signatory to the Melbourne Declaration, which set Australia on a path towards a shared vision for education that reflected the demands of globalisation, technology and inequality in the 21st century. Our vision was articulated through two goals. First, that Australian schooling promotes equity and excellence, and second, that all young Australians become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens. As education minister, Verity Firth was a signatory to the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians in 2008. Credit:Lee Besford It is good to see the Education Minister Dan Tehan announce that he will be taking a plan to update the Melbourne Declaration to the next Education Council meeting in December. However, rather than going back to the drawing board and attempting to reshape a whole new vision, I would suggest that education ministers concentrate on the hardest piece of the policy puzzle implementation. Reflecting on the Melbourne Declaration's original goals a decade later, two things become apparent: that they are as relevant now as they were then, and that we still have a long way to go in achieving them. When it comes to school readiness, put away the flash cards, pick up a ball and take a deep breath. Preparing kids for kindergarten used to be about making sure they knew their alphabet and could write their name. These days, schools focus on being prepared for the child, wherever their learning is up to. But for the tens of thousands of parents who will send their child off to school for the first time in February next year, there are still some steps they can take to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. Thirjot Kaur in a kindergarten transition class to prepare them for school next year at Revesby Public School in Sydney. Credit:Janie Barrett Skills such as independent toileting, sharing and being able to sit and listen to a story are the most important things to foster in a child about to begin school, experts say. Short of co-hosts Mark Humphries and Andrew Rochford remaking Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the pair couldn't put their dynamic to better use than hosting this in-reverse quiz show where a correct but obscure answer provides victory. The format sounds odd, but on air it make swift sense, allowing viewers to do what all good quiz shows allow for: yell out their own answer at home. Humphries does the necessary contestant banter, but there's always an obtuse air to his accompaniment that suggests he's not about to be the next "Baby" John Burgess. The unanswered question that remains is whether Ten will give Pointless the time to build a loyal audience. It deserves a chance. CM SBS, 8.35pm Europe's contradictions as a formal union are currently stark, but that's always been the case as Australian-born Cambridge University historian Christopher Clark explains in this glossy history. These back to back episodes, complete with dramatic recreations, cover Europe's thirst for expansion, which was equally driven by necessity and greed, and its vast and enduring cultural influence. It's an oversized topic, but Clark's appreciative warmth helps. CM Graham Norton Show Ten, 7.30pm The guest's on this episode of Britain's top of the line talk show are wrestler turned Hollywood actor John Cena, martial arts icon Jackie Chan, and cheery cooking icon Jamie Oliver even without the usual star power, there's enough incongruity in that selection to let the bubbling Norton generate some well-honed anecdotes and the odd moment of improvised hijinks. CM The resources minister, Matt Canavan, last week told students that the only thing theyd learn by skipping school to protest over inaction on climate change would be how to join the dole queue. The history of protest in Australia shows the opposite. The protest leaders of the 1960s and 1970s, including many high school students, were denounced by conservatives as long-haired layabouts who would never amount to anything. In fact, they became the next generation of leaders in politics, universities, media, the public service, NGOs and even business. School students protest at Martin Place on Friday to urge more action on climate change. Credit:Fairfax Media Take the 1965 Freedom Ride, for instance. Look at em, said one RSL stalwart when students turned up to protest against the ban on black diggers. The brains of Australia! God help you if you ever end up under em. Thats exactly what happened. The Freedom Rides leaders included Jim Spigelman, who would go on to become Chief Justice of NSW and chair of the ABC, Ann Curthoys, later an eminent professor, and Charles Perkins, who became an Aboriginal leader, leading public servant and one of Australias Living National Treasures. Student protesters have become newspaper editors, cabinet ministers, prize-winning poets, much-loved cartoonists, publishers, world-famous authors and Supreme Court judges. Theres a reason they develop into leaders. Its those young people who throw themselves into civic engagement who become the best citizens and most productive members of our society. They are the passionate ones willing to stand up. They are not content to work, consume, die but commit themselves to making a better Australia. Loading When we hear Canavan tell 2GB the protesters are not actually taking charge of their lives and they should get a real job, hes telling them they should not be active, motivated citizens but docile consumers who leave politics to the politicians. The protesting school kids, tired of watching the sacrifice of their future by a government dominated by climate science deniers, had some sharp answers to that, waving placards reading Why should we go to school if you wont listen to the educated? and Ive seen smarter cabinets in Ikea. The students are carrying on a noble tradition. The great social movements that defined modern Australiathe movements for womens liberation, gay rights, Indigenous rights, and environmental protectionall inspired school students to get out on the streets, wave banners and chant slogans. Owners of the Elara apartments have revealed they contemplated selling the entire complex to be demolished and rebuilt, such was the scale of alleged defects in the building and their own frustration at roadblocks in securing compensation for an estimated $20 million damage bill. The revelation comes as the owners prepare for Federal Court action against the builders' insurance fund, which could end years of legal wrangling and building disputes over the controversial Bruce development. The owners of the Elara apartments, including David Allen, pictured outside the building, are launching federal court action against the builders insurance fund. Credit:Elesa Kurtz The Elara owners corporation is suing the Master Builders Fidelity Fund Scheme, seeking remedies for defects to the 120-home complex on Thyne Street, opposite the University of Canberra. The owners have been forced to pursue compensation through the insurance fund after the project's builder, B&T Constructions Pty Ltd, was placed in liquidation in July 2017. The Federal Court is requiring a journalist and a publisher to prove allegations of manslaughter and medical malpractice that were first made 50 years ago and investigated thoroughly in a royal commission in 1990. Federal Court justice Jayne Jagot acknowledged in a preliminary judgment last month that the two doctors from the notorious Chelmsford Private Hospital, who claim they were defamed in a recent book, were slammed at the royal commission, and many of the witnesses are now likely dead. Dr John Gill leaving the Chelmsford Royal Commission hearing in 1989. Credit:Palani Mohan However, she found the defamation case brought by Dr John Gill and John Herron was "triable" that is the full arguments should be heard at a likely cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Defamation specialist and president of the Victorian bar, Dr Matthew Collins said Justice Jagot's decision was "correct as a matter of analysis of Australian law", but that it "highlights the urgent need for reform" of the law. A motorbike rider has died after a two-vehicle crash at Coolangatta on the Gold Coast. Police said the collision between a motorcycle and a vehicle happened about 8.15am on Sunday at the intersection of Coolangatta Road and Musgrave Street. Police are calling for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage. Credit:Glenn Hunt The rider, a 29-year-old man from Palm Beach, was dead at the scene. The 52-year-old male driver of the car was uninjured. Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Mass murderer implicated in 3 Louisiana deaths confesses to 90 killings! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 462574 12-02-2018 06:44 PM Post: #1 Mass murderer implicated in 3 Louisiana deaths confesses to 90 killings! Advertisement The Louisiana killings were in Opelousas, Houma and Gray. In Texas, Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland said 78-year-old Samuel Little was booked into jail this week following his indictment in the 1994 death of a Texas woman. Little has provided details in more than 90 deaths dating to about 1970, Bland said. If the number of killings Little claims to have committed proves true, it would make him one of the most prolific killers in U.S. history. Ted Bundy confessed to 30 homicides from about 1974 to 1978. John Wayne Gacy killed at least 33 boys and young men in the 1970s. Read more here: https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/...29971.html A man convicted of three California murders and suspected in numerous other deaths including three in Louisiana now claims he was involved in about 90 killings nationwide spanning nearly four decades, and investigators already have corroborated about a third of those, a Texas prosecutor said Thursday.The Louisiana killings were in Opelousas, Houma and Gray.In Texas, Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland said 78-year-old Samuel Little was booked into jail this week following his indictment in the 1994 death of a Texas woman. Little has provided details in more than 90 deaths dating to about 1970, Bland said.If the number of killings Little claims to have committed proves true, it would make him one of the most prolific killers in U.S. history. Ted Bundy confessed to 30 homicides from about 1974 to 1978. John Wayne Gacy killed at least 33 boys and young men in the 1970s.Read more here: SkeptiSchism Registered User User ID: 450243 12-02-2018 06:50 PM Posts: 36,035 Post: #2 RE: Mass murderer implicated in 3 Louisiana deaths confesses to 90 killings! Is that the guy who beat and strangled his victims to death? Very odd he was able to get away with over 90 victims by beating them to death. You'd think some cops would have caught up with him eventually. Since his victims were hookers and drug addicts I guess the cops didn't care. President of the anarchist's club LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 462574 12-02-2018 07:00 PM Post: #3 RE: Mass murderer implicated in 3 Louisiana deaths confesses to 90 killings! SkeptiSchism Wrote: (12-02-2018 06:50 PM) Is that the guy who beat and strangled his victims to death? Very odd he was able to get away with over 90 victims by beating them to death. You'd think some cops would have caught up with him eventually. Since his victims were hookers and drug addicts I guess the cops didn't care. Yes, I was thinking the same exact thing! He apparently would first punch them in the face and then strangle them. He's a big guy. I'd bet that one punch could've even killed them at first. He got addicted to killing people and is now touted as the biggest mass murderer in US history. Yes, I was thinking the same exact thing! He apparently would first punch them in the face and then strangle them. He's a big guy. I'd bet that one punch could've even killed them at first. He got addicted to killing people and is now touted as the biggest mass murderer in US history. SkeptiSchism Registered User User ID: 450243 12-02-2018 07:18 PM Posts: 36,035 Post: #4 RE: Mass murderer implicated in 3 Louisiana deaths confesses to 90 killings! LoP Guest Wrote: (12-02-2018 07:00 PM) SkeptiSchism Wrote: (12-02-2018 06:50 PM) Is that the guy who beat and strangled his victims to death? Very odd he was able to get away with over 90 victims by beating them to death. You'd think some cops would have caught up with him eventually. Since his victims were hookers and drug addicts I guess the cops didn't care. Yes, I was thinking the same exact thing! He apparently would first punch them in the face and then strangle them. He's a big guy. I'd bet that one punch could've even killed them at first. He got addicted to killing people and is now touted as the biggest mass murderer in US history. I could understand being able to kill 90 people by injecting them with poison or something. But killing 90 people by beating or strangling them to death? There is something seriously wrong with that guy, obviously that's an understatement. I could understand being able to kill 90 people by injecting them with poison or something. But killing 90 people by beating or strangling them to death?There is something seriously wrong with that guy, obviously that's an understatement. President of the anarchist's club LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 462574 12-02-2018 07:22 PM Post: #5 RE: Mass murderer implicated in 3 Louisiana deaths confesses to 90 killings! SkeptiSchism Wrote: (12-02-2018 07:18 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (12-02-2018 07:00 PM) Yes, I was thinking the same exact thing! He apparently would first punch them in the face and then strangle them. He's a big guy. I'd bet that one punch could've even killed them at first. He got addicted to killing people and is now touted as the biggest mass murderer in US history. I could understand being able to kill 90 people by injecting them with poison or something. But killing 90 people by beating or strangling them to death? There is something seriously wrong with that guy, obviously that's an understatement. He was a drifter so he murdered as he went on his way at least that's how I see it. He became sort of an animal and got addicted to it. I once knew a man who had been living outside drifting for fifteen years. He died four years ago but he would tell me that he was addicted to being homeless, drifting, and living outside. He was a drifter so he murdered as he went on his way at least that's how I see it. He became sort of an animal and got addicted to it. I once knew a man who had been living outside drifting for fifteen years. He died four years ago but he would tell me that he was addicted to being homeless, drifting, and living outside. Fu King Registered User User ID: 430765 12-02-2018 07:23 PM Posts: 3,346 Post: #6 RE: Mass murderer implicated in 3 Louisiana deaths confesses to 90 killings! The reason: ----------> "NECROPHILIA" tamarack lop guest User ID: 334357 12-02-2018 07:31 PM Post: #7 RE: Mass murderer implicated in 3 Louisiana deaths confesses to 90 killings! SkeptiSchism Wrote: (12-02-2018 07:18 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (12-02-2018 07:00 PM) Yes, I was thinking the same exact thing! He apparently would first punch them in the face and then strangle them. He's a big guy. I'd bet that one punch could've even killed them at first. He got addicted to killing people and is now touted as the biggest mass murderer in US history. I could understand being able to kill 90 people by injecting them with poison or something. But killing 90 people by beating or strangling them to death? There is something seriously wrong with that guy, obviously that's an understatement. They say he is a former boxer. Could it be possible that he was brain damaged from blows to the head? https://www.quora.com/Which-kind-of-brai...sychopathy They say he is a former boxer.Could it be possible that he was brain damaged from blows to the head? Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread "These thunderstorms may be gusty, but will have little to no rainfall." Meanwhile, a tropical low had formed into a category one cyclone in the Coral Sea, named Owen, but was not expected to be a direct threat to the Queensland coast. The Bureau of Meteorology predicted the cyclone would remain far from Queensland's coast until it weakened later in the week. There were 115 bushfires burning across Queensland on Sunday at 5pm, with authorities holding concerns about the Deepwater fire which had sparked a "leave now" warning for residents of Winfield. A leave now alert was issued for Lowmead, near Gladstone, at 5.30pm on Sunday. Firefighters were also battling a bushfire burning on North Stradbroke Island, in the vicinity of Sibelco sand mine near Main Beach conservation park and Naree Budjong Djara National Park. Authorities were closely monitoring probable changes in wind direction overnight on Sunday from northerly to southerly, with gusty winds expected, which could increase the risk of smoke and spot fires for other islands, especially Russell Island. There were community meetings held on North Stradbroke, Russell and Macleay islands to inform residents about the fire. "It's extremely dry conditions on Stradbroke Island and we are expecting a change in wind conditions and of course that could have an impact, especially in relation to smoke coming over to Russell and Macleay island," Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. There were temperatures above 40 degrees in many parts of Queensland on Sunday, with "still a few more days to go" of exceptional heat, Bureau of Meteorology state manager Bruce Gunn said. Amid extreme weather conditions, Queensland Health activated a heatwave response plan to warn the public for the first time in Queensland to educate people on how to stay safe during extreme temperatures. Queensland Health Chief Health Officer Dr Sonya Bennett said the conditions were unprecedented with temperatures expected to climb even further over the next two days. "Yes, we see heat every year and I think in Queensland we all think we understand heat and manage heat but the range of temperatures that we're seeing and the duration is beyond what we've seen before," she said. "The longer that goes on, the more likely people are going to be at risk." Heat warning to Queenslanders Dr Bennett warned Queenslanders to take precautions to keep themselves hydrated and safe from the heat. "Have a plan for your activity during the day so if you are going to be active, particularly if you're going to be active outdoors, try and plan around the parts of the day that are cooler," she said. "Stay hydrated so drink lots of fluids, preferably water, avoid alcohol and caffeine-type beverages ... provide blinds and shadows against the sun, use fans, have cool baths, cool compressors and if you have an airconditioner, certainly use it." Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Matthew McGregor said people should look out for heat stress symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and becoming pale. He said if these symptoms were to arise, triple-zero should be called immediately. "During these times of heat, use some common sense, look after the elderly, check on the young, anybody that is ill or frail please check on them. "It's very important to look after each other." Mr McGregor said QAS had received an increase of heat-related cases, already receiving 117 heat-related calls since November 27. "Every year we have this extreme heat, we're well prepared ... but this time is a prolonged extent of the heat and the humidity as well that is really knocking the community," he said. Queensland's severe heatwave has spread south as the state's bushfire crisis enters its second week and firefighters gear up for another day of volatile fire conditions. More than 100 fires continue to burn across the state with temperatures forecast to soar over 40C in many inland districts on Sunday. An RACQ CQ helicopter rescued 10 women and children from a bushfire in Eungella, about 70km inland from MacKay, just after 5pm on Friday. The women and children were taken to the Finch Hatton showgrounds. Credit:AAP Bushfires at Deepwater and Eungella in central Queensland, as well as at Carnarvon in the south-west and on North Stradbroke Island, near Brisbane, remain the most worrying. The Bureau of Meteorology says increased wind conditions combined with the hot and dry conditions have pushed the fire rating back to severe. Queensland offenders are blaming everything from Brad Pitt movies to dogs eating their phones for not sticking to their parole order. Parole officers are responsible for making sure offenders are compliant with orders handed down by the courts as part of their sentence. Actor Brad Pitt in a scene from War Machine. One offender said they could not report on parole because they stayed up late watching movies, including one with Brad Pitt in it. Credit:Francois Duhamel/Netflix via AP In a blog post, Queensland Corrective Services has shared a list of the "top 10 reasons why I can't report to my parole officer". "It's our job to make sure offenders are held accountable for their actions and do everything we can to prevent them from causing further harm to the community and there is absolutely no excuse for breaking the law," the post reads. Crews are working to free a man trapped in a sewage drain. Credit:ABC Melbourne More than 20 firefighters have freed a man who was trapped after he fell five metres down a sewage drain in Melbourne's south-east. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade rushed to the scene at Lower Dandenong Road in Mentone on Monday morning. "Crews received the call just after 8:30am this morning with more than 20 firefighters including aerial appliances being utilised," a spokesman said. The "delicate operation" was at first expected to go for some time, however by 10am an MFB spokeswoman said the man had been freed. Perths love affair with Bali appears to be at an all time high, with the number of flights to the holiday island increasing by 450 per cent in the past decade. Perth Airport statistics obtained by WAtoday have revealed how Perth peoples flying habits have changed in the last 10 years. Statistics have revealed how Perth people's flight habits have changed in the past decade Flights from Perth to Bali have increased during that time from two per day to nine per day, with a flight leaving the city, on average, once every 2.5 hours - transporting 1,200 people to the island a day. The surge in those chasing a cheap and sunny holiday makes Bali Perths most popular direct international destination, and the citys third most frequently travelled destination overall. The message comes after the Liberal Partys devastating loss in Victoria, its loss in the Wentworth byelection and its struggle in the opinion polls against Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and his Labor team. The latest discontent within the party came on the weekend, when Liberal powerbrokers including Alex Hawke, the Special Minister of State, stepped in to save Mr Kelly by endorsing him for the NSW seat of Hughes. Loading The move antagonised members of the moderate faction and triggered speculation over why Mr Morrison would want his allies to rescue Mr Kelly, who is said to have lost the numbers in his seat to local councillor Kent Johns. One source damned Mr Kelly for being the partys leading climate change denier while another said he would probably damage the party over the long term if he stayed in Parliament. The moves led to conjecture that Mr Morrison had to appease the conservatives in the party room by saving Mr Kelly, even though the southern Sydney MP backed Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton in the August leadership spill. Mr Morrison returns to Canberra on Monday morning after two days at the summit in Argentina. While Mr Trump had earlier threatened an increase in tariffs on some Chinese goods from 10 to 25 per cent from January 1, Mr Trump and Mr Xi agreed to a 90-day extension for the Chinese to put forward structural changes to satisfy American complaints about unfair trade. The agreement does not settle disputes between the two powers but prevents a crisis only four weeks away, helping to calm investors who feared an economic downturn. Mr Morrison told Fairfax Media the departure of former Liberal MP Julia Banks for the crossbench last week did not put him under greater pressure, given he was already leading a minority government after the loss of Wentworth to new crossbencher Kerryn Phelps. Last week, like we had for the last three months in which weve been in minority government, we continued to prosecute the governments agenda successfully, he said. And we will continue to do that despite all the sound and fury from the Labor Party and others. We are in a minority government, we are working practically with the crossbench and that was demonstrated in the past week and not just then but the past three months. Prime Minister Scott Morrison addresses the media at a press conference during the G20 summit. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen / Fairfax Media Mr Morrison told Fairfax Media the mid-year budget update on December 17 would have a conservative estimate for the budget surplus given the risks to growth if the US and China cannot settle their differences. Weve always been conservative in setting out our estimates. Thats one of the reasons weve been so successful, he said. We always kept our forecasts very measured. And every time people said youre too optimistic we were always proved to be quite conservative. Its not just a budget coming into surplus. Its a credible surplus. The G20 summit ended with a limited agreement on trade that stepped back from last years strong warnings against protectionism, a change in language said to be demanded by US negotiators on behalf of Mr Trump. While this was a retreat on the principles of free trade, the communique called for reforms to the rules at the World Trade Organisation a position advocated by Australia, Canada, the European Union and others to modernise the regime. The limited outcome avoided a repeat of the failure at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Papua New Guinea last month to produce an agreed statement at all. Why are we all doing this? Because its very much in our interest that we dont see a slowdown in world trade, Mr Morrison said. We want to see the wheels keep turning on world trade. Mr Morrison held talks at the G20 with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to accelerate a free trade deal with the European Union, covering $15 billion in trade. The EU trade agreement is the next big cab off the rank for us, Mr Morrison said. Former Australian Border Force commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg says the suicide of a young female officer helped galvanise him to suspend the psychometric testing of new recruits a move he says was used as grounds for his sacking and shows the investigation into his conduct was flawed. Mr Quaedvlieg also alleges that his subordinates for months ignored his orders for the problematic testing regime to be stopped. Fairfax Media on Sunday revealed that an Australian Border Force recruit who took her life left a suicide note alleging problems at work. It is understood that among other personal and work issues, the woman had failed a psychometric test and feared this would end her career in the force. The official grounds for Mr Quaedvlieg's termination, as tabled in Parliament by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, alleged he acted to modify policies relevant to recruitment processes to benefit his girlfriend. Credit:Fairfax Media Mr Quaedvlieg was sacked as ABF Commissioner in March after allegations he helped his girlfriend secure a job with the organisation. He denies wrongdoing. Buenos Aires: World leaders have salvaged an agreement on trade at a global summit that witnessed sharp differences on climate change, calling for reform to international trade rules in a bid to ease tensions between China and the United States. The leaders ended the G20 summit in Buenos Aires with a call for reform to the World Trade Organisation, an outcome backed by Australia as a way to ensure practical changes to boost the global economy. But the final message from the summit also retreated on some of the firm language last year on the need for free trade, signalling the rise of protectionist views at a time when US President Donald Trump is threatening to increase tariffs on Chinese goods. The leaders also agreed to a major compromise on the environment, with the formal communique pledging more effort to address climate change and support for the Paris agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the United States adding a paragraph to the text to note that it would withdraw from Paris. 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". The former head of Australia's peak organ donation agency will nominate to be the Liberal Party's next Victorian president, as the race to replace Michael Kroger heats up. Forces aligned with Mr Kroger, who resigned as president on Friday, are pushing for Liberal state assembly member Marcia Coleman to run against former MP Robert Clark, who is frontrunner for the position. Liberal Party president Michael Kroger on election night. Credit:AAP Ms Coleman has wide experience in the not-for-profit sector, including serving on the board of Latrobe Regional Hospital, Peninsula Health and as chair of organ donation agency Australians Donate. A Liberal figure said it was important for the party to elect a woman to a top position, given the strong likelihood the next opposition leader would be a man. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines conceded that the growth of online selling platforms is threat to efforts to stop the proliferation of fake and counterfeit items. IPOPHL director general Josephine Santiago said the agency recognized the governments direction to help e-commerce take off, but cited a need to regulate operations of the online selling shops. While the government is urging enterprises to go online, most of the platforms fail to check the authenticity of the product they sell, especially branded products. This is a big threat to IPOPHL, she said, noting the job of the agency to rid the country of illegal products would be compromised.She added the agency does not want to be an obstacle to the governments promotion of e-commerce. IPOPHL has asked the platforms to screen the products offered on their sites, but not even one took time to review its policies and commit to work together with the government to avoid selling counterfeit products on their sites. London: Britain's opposition Labour Party ramped up the pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday, saying it would call a no-confidence vote if the British Parliament rejected her Brexit deal on December 11. May is battling to persuade skeptical British lawmakers to back the deal her government and the European Union reached last month. Rejecting it would leave the UK facing a messy, economically damaging 'no-deal' Brexit on March 29. Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said it was "inevitable" that Labour would bring a motion of no-confidence in the government if Parliament rejected the Brexit agreement. "If she's lost a vote of this significance after two years of negotiation, then it is right that there should be a general election," Starmer told Sky News. 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. cancelled at least 14 flights to various destinations on Sunday after some of its pilots reported sick over non-payment of their dues, sources said. The loss-making private carrier has been defaulting on salary disbursement to its senior management along with pilots and engineer since August due to cash crunch. The airline has partially paid to these staff for September while the full salaries of October and November also remain unpaid. At least 14 flights have been cancelled so far due to some pilots reporting sick. They are protesting against non-payment of salary, dues and the indifferent attitude of the National Aviators Guild (NAG) in taking up the issue with the management, the source said. The NAG is a domestic pilots body of Jet, representing over 1,000 pilots. The airline said in a statement the flights were cancelled due to an unforeseen operational circumstance, and not pilot non-cooperation. It, however, did not give the number of flights cancelled. ALSO READ: Debt-laden Jet Airways fires 16, pay problems to persist till March Another source said, Some of the pilots have also written to airline chairman Naresh Goyal, stating that they are unwilling to work in this manner. said the passengers of the affected flights were duly informed about their flight status via SMS alerts and they have been re-accommodated or compensated. The company continues to enjoy the complete support and cooperation of all its employees, including pilots and engineers, individually and through their respective representative bodies, who have extended their solidarity and full support to the airline, the airline stated. The management is in regular dialogue with the pilots and other teams to discuss and resolve ongoing issues including disbursement of salaries, it added. ALSO READ: Jet Airways may cede reins to Etihad, puts Tatas' proposal on back burner Another source said the airline was withdrawing its flight services on as many as seven Gulf routes from this month. The airline will not operate as many as 39 services per week to Doha, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai from various domestic cities, the source said. Customers of HDFC Bank have taken to Twitter to complain about the private lender's mobile app dysfunctioning since the app's launch on Thursday. The issue has not been fixed even over six days of the glitch and the new application was pulled from Google and Apple stores. Currently, there is no mobile application available to HDFC Bank customers and the bank has not uploaded the older version of the app. Reviews of the Hindi app are full of angry users who want the English application to be available again. HDFC Bank put out a statement on twitter on November 29, saying ... D&L Industries Inc., a listed company engaged in the production of food ingredients, plastics and chemicals, said it will spend up to P8 billion to triple production. D&L president Alvin Lao said the company started the construction of its expansion facility on a 26-hectare property in First Industrial TownshipSpecial Economic Zone in Tanauan, Batangas province. The company is building two new plantsone for food ingredients under D&L Premium Foods Corp. and an integrated facility to manufacture oleochemicals and downstream packaging under Natura Aeropack Corp. The expansion of the food ingredients facility will address the growing export business for food. Meanwhile, the expansion of Natura Aeropacks facilities will be dedicated for the manufacture of coconut oil fractions, coconut-based surfactants, and downstream packaging for consumer products that are sustainable, naturally-derived, mild and non-irritant. Product applications extend to health care, personal care, home care as well as baby care. Lao said the first phase of the construction was underway, mostly involveing building storage tanks. More than 50 tanks, which can be as large as 2,000 cubic meters, will be built for the two plants. The P8-billion programmed capital expenditures will mainly cover the construction of the plant-specific buildings, machineries and equipment.The company plans to finance the project through a combination of debt (70 percent) and internally generated cash (30 percent). The borrowing will take place gradually over the next two years as the need for funding arises for the construction. Lao said the company had enough room to borrow because of low debt levels. In continuation of D&Ls asset light model, the property company of the Lao family will finance and own the land and site infrastructure, including buildings for generic purposes. These, in turn, will be leased to D&L at an arms length basis. Lao said the expansion would position D&L Group for growth over the next 20 years, as part of a plan to expand exports while focusing on higher value and higher margin products. The project is expected to generate about 700 new jobs, with construction and commissioning to be completed by 2021. D&L has five manufacturing facilities in Metro Manila and one in Laguna. 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 In the last piece of Capital Matters we had talked about the linguistic diversity of Delhi and also about the almost overnight transformation in the aftermath of Partition of a primarily Urdu speaking city into a city overwhelmed by those who spoke Punjabi. We also spoke about other linguistic groups and of the fact that the ever changing demographics of the city have led to the triumvirate of Awadhi, Bhojpuri and Maithili emerging, in recent years, into the linguistic group with the largest number of speakers. The city as we knew it in 1947 has also ... Nasscom has raised concerns over the US government's latest proposal that will require H1-B visa seeking firms to electronically register their petitions in advance, saying this will lead to "uncertainties" and could put US jobs at risk. The IT industry body, in a statement, said it will carefully review the 139-page proposal and evaluate its implications for US companies and the economy, and then submit comments. 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. "...there is not much time between now and when the next H-1B lottery season opens in April 2019. Companies have already begun assessing their needs and planning their submissions for next year, so we are concerned about the uncertainties that could arise as the government seeks to implement another major change in the H-1B process during that timeframe," Nasscom said in a statement. It added that it will review the proposal before submitting comments and "take other actions as appropriate to best ensure that the process makes sense, is fair, and does no harm". The Department of Homeland Security 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. "To the extent US policy makes it more difficult and costlier for global IT service companies to provide their expertise in the US, it will weaken the US companies that depend on them to help fill their skills gaps. Contrary to what is intended, this action could put US jobs at risk and create pressure to send more IT work abroad, rather than performing it in the US," Nasscom pointed out. The apex industry body highlighted that the proposed rule would affect all companies employing H-1B workers. "...speaking for our members, India-based and India-centric global IT services companies play a critical role helping US companies be nimbler and more competitive, enabling them to grow and create more jobs and opportunities for Americans," it stressed. Nasscom said its members are already investing billions of dollars in the US, employing more than 1.5 lakh people, and spending millions of dollars on upskilling programmes. "It is important that they and others continue to have access to the necessary talent," Nasscom urged. Over the past many months, there has been increased scrutiny related to work visas across countries like the US, the UK and Australia. This has prompted many Indian IT companies to ramp up efforts to hire locally. Companies like TCS and Infosys are also engaging extensively with local academic institutions to train manpower, especially in new-age technology areas like artificial intelligence and automation. The H1-B visa -- a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise -- has numerical limit cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year as mandated by the US 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. According to DHS, 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 USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) 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. The government has constituted a six-member committee to look at selling as many as 149 small and marginal fields of state-owned and OIL to private and foreign companies to boost domestic output, sources said. The panel is headed by Vice Chairman and includes P K Sinha, Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg, Oil Secretary M M Kutty, and Chairman and Managing Director Sources said the committee is a follow up of the October 12 meeting called by Prime Minister to review domestic production profile of and the roadmap for cutting import dependence by 10 per cent by 2022. At the meeting, the made a presentation showing that 149 smaller fields of Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), Oil Ltd (OIL) and other explorers accounted for just 5 per cent of the domestic crude oil production. It was suggested at the meeting that these smaller fields could be given out to private and foreign firms and could concentrate on the big ones where it could rope in technology partners through production enhancement contracts (PEC) or technical service arrangements. Sources said the ministry was of the view that ONGC should concentrate on the large fields as they contribute to 95 per cent of its production and leave out the rest for private firms. On the anvil is some kind of extended version of the Discovered Small Field (DSF) bid round where discovered and producing fields of ONGC are auctioned to firms offering the maximum share of output to the government, sources said. The six-member panel has begun consultations with the stakeholders on the possible options, they said. This is the second attempt of by the to take away some of the fields of state-owned ONGC for giving to private and foreign companies. In October last year, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) had identified 15 producing fields with collective reserve of 791.2 million tonnes of crude oil and 333.46 billion cubic metres of gas of national oil companies for handing over to private firms in the hope they would improve upon the baseline estimate and their extraction. The plan, however, could not go through as ONGC strongly countered the DGH proposal with its own proposal that it be allowed to outsource operations on the same terms as the government plan. ALSO READ: ONGC eyes technology infusion to boost output from old and matured fields Sources said ONGC is of the view that it should be allowed the same terms that the government extends to private and foreign firms in DSF. The government gave out 34 fields to private firms by offering them pricing and marketing freedom for they produced from the fields in the first round of DSF. The second round of DSF with 25 fields on offer is currently under bidding. The fields offered in DSF were taken away from ONGC and Oil Ltd on the pretext that they were lying idle and unexploited. But under the present proposal, the government plans to take away discovered and producing fields. Sources said ONGC feels it too should be allowed to seek revenue sharing partnership for its fields. Field operations could be outsourced to foreign or private firms that offered the highest revenue or production share over and above a baseline production. The ministry is reasoning that the areas where the fields were discovered by ONGC were given to the state-owned firm on nomination basis. In the proposal that was mooted in October last year, the plan was to give out 60 per cent stake in 15 fields -- 11 of ONGC and four of Oil These included Kalok, Ankleshwar, Gandhar and Santhal -- the big four oil fields of ONGC in The DGH too had identified 44 fields of ONGC and OIL which could take on partners for production enhancement work where bidders would get the 'tariff' that they bid as a return for increasing the output 'over the baseline production' for an initial period of 10 years. The is unhappy with the near stagnant oil and gas production and believes giving out the discovered fields to private firms would help raise output as they can bring in technology and capital, sources said. It has been tasked by the Prime Minister to cut dependence on oil imports by 10 per cent by 2022 from the over 77 per cent dependence in 2014-15. But the dependence has only increased and is now over 83 per cent. The privatisation is repeat of the infamous round in 1992-93 when medium-sized discovered fields like Panna/Mukta and Tapti in western offshore were given to the now defunct Enron Corp of the US and (RIL). As many as 28 fields were then awarded. Under this regime, ONGC was made licensee and given an option to farm in 40 per cent of stake. The controversial privatisation under the then oil minister Satish Sharma had resulted in an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Anyone puzzled by how the Indian economy manages to grow swiftly while somehow failing to be prosperous could do worse than look at the state of Indias airlines. Over the past four years, passenger growth in India has been rapid: The number of flights taken has increased between 15 and 20 percent per year. Demand growth this year is likely to be the highest in the world. Yet the industry itself hasnt benefited. Almost every Indian airline is struggling. Consider Jet Airways Ltd., the oldest private airline in India. Its suffered losses for three consecutive ... Of the 32 MLAs who are re-contesting the Mizoram assembly, 23 have registered an increase in assets and all are from the Congress. Lalrinliana Sailo, who recently jumped ship and joined the Mizo National Front (MNF), has reported a 797 per cent increase in income over a five-year period. But there are candidates who are contesting the assembly election again and the income of many of them has come down. Correspondingly, compared to the assets reported in 2013, parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had two MLAs in the last assembly, have lost money over the last five ... Unlike the last assembly elections, where there was absolute clarity on who to vote for, this time around the relatives of Abdul Taha stand divided over whom to vote in the upcoming assembly elections. While half of my extended family is likely to vote for the Congress-Telugu Desam Party alliance, the other half thinks it is better to support the Telangana Rashtra Samithi which has done some good work for Muslims, said Dr. 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 Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corp. said it is optimistic the Supreme Court will order the National Telecommunications Commission to reconsider its bid for the new major telecom player. PT&T is hopeful that it will be considered by the highest court in due time or hopefully soonest, PT&T said in a statement. PT&T filed a petition for certiorari on Nov. 16 with the Supreme Court assailing the acts of the NTC and the New Major Player Selection Committee during the selection process. PT&T alleged that the NMP Selection Committee acted with grave abuse of discretion and beyond its jurisdiction when it revised the terms of reference in regard to technical capability by applying only to foreign telcos the rule that having a regional scale of telecommunications operations for the last 10 years qualifies as operations on a national scale. Under the terms of reference, that rule applies, without distinction or discrimination, to both local and foreign telcos, which thus would qualify PT&T, the same having operated from Region IV-A as an offshoot of the regionalization mandated by President Fidel Ramos in the 1990s, the company said. The NMP Selection Committee has no legal authority to change the terms of reference which were earlier issued by the NTC En Banc with the help of the Oversight Committee and the Philippine Competition Commission, PT&T said. That unauthorized revision is void for such lack of legal authority and also because it violated the provision in the Constitution on the equal protection of the laws by unfairly discriminating against local telcos while favoring foreign ones. It is also void for being violative of Republic Act No. 3019 [Anti-Graft Law], causing as it does injury to local telcos while giving unwarranted advantage and preference to foreign telcos thru manifest partiality and evident bad faith, PT&T said. PT&T said the company had not asked the Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order or an injunction to stop the selection process for the third telco.The company said its petition with the Supreme Court sought the issuance of a writ of certiorari to annul PT&Ts illegal and unjust disqualification and set aside the unwarranted selection of the Mislatel Consortium. A certiorari is defined as a writ issued by a superior court for the examination of an action of a lower court. The process of its petition in the SC will entail a proper hearing. The selection of the NMP is of transcendental importance in the Philippine telecommunications market and ultimately, the digital Filipino, PT&T said. PT&T was disqualified from the bidding for a new major player for not submitting the required certification of technical capability from the NTC. Another bidder, Sear Telecom of former Ilocos Governor Chavit Singson, was also disqualified from the bidding for failure to submit a participation security of P700 million. The selection committee on Nov. 7 declared the consortium led by Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. Inc. as the provisional new major player with 456.80 points in commitments. Mislatel committed to invest P257 billion over a five-year period, with P150 billion committed to its first year of operations. Opec and friends meet in Vienna later this week, and the backdrop isnt pretty. Oil prices are their lowest in over a year, and theres the prospect of a glut in 2019 if the group doesnt make a new deal to cut production. But agreement may be impossible. Saudi Arabia is adamant the burden must be shared. Others in the group argue that the kingdoms output boost since June has created the problem and it is up to the kingdom to solve it by bearing the brunt of the cuts. The swing producer is in a difficult position. From an economic perspective Saudi ... Russian President Vladimir Putin walked up to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at a summit of G20 world leaders, high-fived him and then shook his hand heartily. Moments earlier the prince had been pictured on the far edge of the traditional "family portrait" photograph, ignored by other leaders. The two moments captured the dilemma facing world leaders at the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires this weekend: How to deal with the crown prince, who is dogged by controversy over the murder of a Saudi journalist but is also de facto leader of a rich, ... The and agreed Saturday in a long-anticipated summit to hold off on new tariffs after January 1, Chinese state media said following a months-long The Daily and Chinese broadcaster CGTN both said President and his counterpart agreed to 90-day halt tariffs "after January 1" -- when Washington has been set to impose $200 billion in new tariffs. The White House did not immediately comment on the outcome of the meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, but senior Trump adviser Larry Kudlow said that it went "very well". Benjamin Netanyahu is the dominant Israeli politician of his generation. On the domestic and international stage, no rival comes close to the Likud Party leader known widely as Bibi. Israeli police on December 2 recommended that the 69-year-old prime minister be indicted for bribery and fraud. It is the third such police recommendation against the four-term veteran, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Here's a guide to Netanyahu's political and legal prospects. What are the allegations? CASE 4000: The police say they found enough evidence for ... Deutsche Bank is not at risk of a takeover, its chief executive told a German weekly paper after its shares fell to a record low on Friday in the wake of a two-day raid related to money laundering allegations. Speculation about a possible merger has continued despite the bank's dismissal in September of reports that it could consider tie-ups with Switzerland's UBS or German peer Commerzbank. "I don't have any indication of that," Christian Sewing told Bild am Sonntag. "We are on track to make our first profit for three years. It is only a matter of time ... There are many reasons to miss George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. A World War II hero, he later served his country with great distinction in a number of important positions before becoming vice president and then president. The outpouring of warm feelings first for his wife, Barbara Bush, who passed away earlier this year, and now for him, reflects not only the role President and Mrs. Bush played in American history but also the decency they represented in a political system that now has become full of indecency. Strikingly, George H. W. Bush was also the ... 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 ... United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has said that there is no "direct evidence" which could link Saudi Crown Mohammed bin Salman to the murder of Washington Post columnist While reiterating Washington's support for amid a global outcry over Saudi Crown Prince's possible involvement in Khashoggi's murder, Pompeo told CNN in an interview on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, "I have read every piece of intelligence that is in the possession of the United States government. And when it is done, when you complete that analysis, there's no direct evidence linking him to the murder of That is an accurate statement, it is an important statement, and it is a statement that we are making publicly today." Replying to a question on Saturday on whether the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has a "high confidence" of the Saudi crown prince's alleged involvement, the US Secretary of State underlined, "I can't comment on intelligence matters." Last month, Pompeo seconded that is an important ally of the US, especially to take control of Iran, secure Iraq's democracy and to fight the Islamic State terrorists and other armed groups. His remarks came despite the CIA's announcement that the Saudi crown had ordered the murder of On October 2, Khashoggi was reported missing after he stepped into Saudi Arabia's consulate in to collect paperwork that would allow him to get married to his Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz, who later said that he never appeared from the building. After days of denial, later confirmed its role in Khashoggi's killing after facing massive pressure from over their investigations on the issue. But their contradictory statements have led to uproar led by Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has demanded to come clean and accept their role in the scribe's death. Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir had admitted that the murder of the scribe was "a mistake and a rogue operation." Recently, the Donald Trump administration slapped sanctions on 17 Saudi nationals allegedly involved in Khashoggi's killing. Other countries, such as Canada and France also followed the suit. Khashoggi, who relocated to the US from last year, used to write articles for The Washington Post, criticising the Saudi government. Aboitiz Power Corp. submitted an offer to challenge Manila Electric Co.s proposal to operate, maintain and manage Baguio City Economic Zones power distribution system for 25 years. We submitted an offer to service the requirements of Baguio Export Processing Zone. We have no news yet of the decision, Aboitiz Power chief operating officer Emmanuel Rubio said. The Philippine Economic Zone Authority earlier called for a competitive proposal to operate, maintain and manage BCEZs power distribution system for 25 years. Its a good opportunity to grow our distribution business albeit small. It allows us to expand to other ecozones, Rubio said. Meralco senior vice president and head of customer retail services and corporate communication Al Panlilio said he was hoping that the companys offer would be more competitive than Aboitiz Powers. Meralco is the countrys biggest power distributor with over six million customers in its franchise area. Aboitiz Power is currently one of the largest electricity distributors in the Philippines with ownership interests in seven distribution utilities including Visayan Electric Co. and Davao Light and Power Co., the countrys second and third largest, respectively. Both companies also offered bids to become the joint venture partner of state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority for the development of electric power distribution in New Clark City. Meanwhile, Peza said the offer of Aboitiz Power was a more superior proposal to the offer of state-run National Transmission Corp. and partner Benguet Electric Cooperative. Peza earlier said the joint counterproposal of Transco with Beneco challenging the offer of Meralco failed to pass the evaluation. Peza also cited the financial reports of Beneco, TransCos outstanding debts and the proposed distribution rates for the decision.TransCo president Melvin Matibag, in a letter to Peza, noted the lack of transparent process, guidelines, terms of reference, very short transaction schedule and evaluation criteria. He said these could not be the reason of Peza for rejecting their proposal. We also find Pezas procedures quite inconsistent with governments thrust for complete transparency, competitiveness, simplicity and accountability. Thus, a third-party observer might entertain a reasonable conclusion that the transaction might be giving unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference to a private entity, Matibag said. He said while Benecos income statement showed negative net income, it did not mean real financial loss. Matibag said this was because the financial report of the electric cooperative did not reflect the total revenue collected from member-consumers while they were required to report non-cash depreciation expense. Matibag said there was also a difference in the financial computation of electric cooperatives like Beneco and private distribution firms like Meralco. He said Beneco had a financial rating of 30 percent, according to the National Electrification Administration which meant it did not default on its obligations to power suppliers, transmission service provider, creditors, government, employees, etc. Matibag said Beneco also scored 30 percent in technical performance because of its single-digit system loss of 8 percent to 9 percent. The efficient operation of Beneco as one of the leading and usually benchmarked distribution utilities in the country is what motivated Beneco to participate in the Peza selection process, he said. Matibag said TransCo had fully settled its tax liabilities with the government amounting to P876 million, while the remaining P856 million was subject to tax abatement with the Bureau of Internal Revenue. We request Peza not to take against TransCo this tax liability for purposes of evaluating its financial performance and capability under this transaction, he said. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of G20 summit in Argentina on Saturday and discussed areas of cooperation including rebalancing the world oil market, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, of which Saudi Arabia is a key member, and Russia and other leading oil producers will meet in Vienna on Dec 6-7 to discuss 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 ... A written exam for recruitment of police constables was Sunday cancelled hours before it was scheduled to commence after authorities learnt that the paper had got leaked, an official said. As many as 875,000 candidates were scheduled to appear for the exam which was to start at 3pm Sunday in 2,440 centres across Gujarat, the official said. The examination was called off hours before the test was scheduled to start after it came to light that the question paper was leaked, said Vikas Sahay, chairman of the Lokrakshak Recruitment Board, the body that conducts the examination. "Somebody sent me a list of answers, and they were answers to the questions set for the examination. We called off the examination as it was clear that the paper had been leaked," Sahay said, adding that a police probe would be instituted into the issue. "So far, we have no information as to where the paper got leaked from. We had set up strong rooms with CCTV cameras and security guards in every district to store the papers," Sahay added. The opposition took the opportunity to attack the ruling BJP. "The BJP is playing with the future of Gujarat's youth. This has no right to stay in power if it cannot even conduct an examination without engaging in corruption," spokesperson Manish Doshi said. Meanwhile, candidates who had travelled to the centres from far off places to appear for the examination were baffled and dejected after learning about the cancellation. 1. In 1497, Vasco da Gama was ordered to find a sea route to India be the first to start trading in Pepper and propagate Christianity. When he arrived at Calicut he was extremely disappointed because his mission was in a way already accomplished by some else. Who was this person? Ans. St. Thomas, one of the chosen disciples of Christ, had already arrived in 52 A D in Cranganore and established seven churches and seven pepper trading depots 2. The CEO of this company prefers to be called the Chief Big Ass. Name the person and the product his company manufactures Ans. Carey ... Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri while reviewing the progress of five flagship schemes for eight northeastern states announced that before October 2, 2019, the north-eastern states will be open defecation free. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Secretary of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Durga Shankar and representatives of all north-eastern states attended the review meeting that took place on Saturday at Prajnja Bhavan here. The implementation of PMAY for the urban segment, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation for Urban Transformation, Smart City Mission, Swatch Bharat Mission (Urban), Northeast Urban Development Program, Deendayal Antodaya Yojana Urban Livelihood Mission were discussed during the two-day meet. After the meeting, Puri appreciated the progress work of five flagship schemes in all the north-eastern states. He told media, "I find all the states of the north-eastern region are not only coming to terms with the implementation of the schemes but in some areas, we have excellent results." Talking about the northeastern states of becoming Open Defecation Free, he said, "Nagaland was declared Open Defecation Free as of yesterday. Out of the eight states, four are Open Defecation Free already and three others will be Open Defecation Free by December 31 and one of the states will be by January 2019. It is good that eight to nine months before the schedule that is October 2nd, 2019 all the North-eastern states will be Open Defecation Free." According to the Minister, the ODF cannot be total with just meeting the physical targets of construction of individual household toilets, or community and public toilets but until there are behavioural changes ODF scheme cannot be completed. Puri praised Tripura for its outstanding performance in the construction of houses under the PMAY. He said, "In Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Tripura has done excellent work and we have sanctioned all demands for houses under the scheme in the state." Briefing the media on the work done under the scheme, he said, "Out of the 2.30 lakh houses in the NE region overall 1.16 lakh houses have been grounded, construction of 17,403 have been completed and Tripura has grounded the maximum houses which is 63,723 houses and of these 15,717 have been completed. Tripura is followed by Assam which has 27180 house been grounded." According to the Union Minister under the previous political dispensation JNNURM scheme which had ended on March 31 of 2017, 4874 houses under that is still under construction and some 2619 of the constructed homes are still lying vacant. In presence of the Union Minister and Tripura Chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb, seven Northeastern cities had signed MoU for integrated command and control centres under the smart city project. Regarding Smart City project, Puri said Sikkim made significant progress and others need to expedite the ambitious plan even it is a new concept. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With promises of uprooting corruption, poverty and violence in the country, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Saturday (local time) was sworn in as the President of Mexico for a term of six years. "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," Al Jazeera quoted Lopez Obrador saying before the Congress on Saturday. The 65-year-old left leader swept the presidential poll with over a whopping 50 per cent votes in July, resulting in a historic first landslide victory after almost 20 years. Holding the majority in Congress, Obrador would now enjoy the confidence of at least 56 per cent approval ratings, as compared to his predecessor, Enrique Pena Nieto, who would demit office with a mere 28 per cent approval. Under Nieto's administration, which was engulfed in corruption scandals, crime-related murder rates reached record-high levels in the North American country. Obrador, who ran thrice for the office of the president, was previously the mayor of Mexico City. During his campaigns, he had promised to put an end to the violence ensuing in the state under the previous dispensation. "I understand you can't fight violence with more violence; to put out fire with fire," he had said during the campaign. One of the major challenges that Obrador is expected to face after assuming office is addressing the ongoing Central American migrant crisis at the border with the United States. The stern stand of US President Donald Trump against granting asylum to Central American migrants has strained the relationship between the two countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It has been more 34 years since the Bhopal Gas Tragedy took place but the survivors are still bearing the brunt of the poisonous gas leak incident, which claimed around 15,000 lives. Living in the area located near the pesticide plant, where the incident took place, survivors demand adequate facilities from the government for the treatment of the people maimed in the incident. Hazara Bi, a victim in the case said that the help provided by the government to the victims is not enough while seeking a compensation for the children suffering due to the tragedy. "The government made arrangements to stop chemicals from getting mixed with water, yet when it pours, chemicals get mixed with groundwater and we use it for different purposes, which affect our health. The government did not accept it, we protested at Jantar Mantar for five months, only after that it was investigated and contamination was confirmed," she said describing the inattentive attitude of the government towards the incident. She also said, "We have kept the fight alive till now." The Bhopal gas tragedy, touted as the world's worst industrial disaster, claimed lives of over 15,000 people after methyl isocyanate leaked on the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984 from the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu on Sunday said that her husband has always considered state Chief Minister Captain Amarinder as his father. Kaur's response comes close on the heels of three Punjab ministers demanded her husband's resignation following his remark against the Punjab Chief Minister. Navjot Singh Sidhu on November 30 had mocked Captain Amarinder Singh when reporters asked about his visit to Pakistan despite the Chief Minister disapproving it. Local Bodies and Tourism minister in Captain Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government, Sidhu at a press conference in Hyderabad had said, "My captain is Congress president Rahul Gandhi. He sent me everywhere (Kartarpur Corridor). Rahul is also the captain of our captain (Punjab Chief Minister)." Speaking to ANI, Navjot Kaur said, "Navjot ji has repeatedly said that Captain Sahab is like his father. We have always made it clear that Captain Sahab's respect and honour is above everything. Sidhu's statements should be read as a whole and not in incomplete bits." Livid over Navjot Singh's remarks, Punjab Minister TR Bajwa asserted that if Sidhu did not recognise Amarinder as his 'captain,' then he should resign from his post. Punjab Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria also slammed his Cabinet colleague and said that Sidhu should put down his papers if he disapproves of Amarinder as the state's chief minister. The cry for Sidhu's resignation grew louder as Ludhiana Member of Parliament (MP) Ravneet Singh Bittu also viewed that those who disrespected Chief Minister Captain Amarinder should step aside from the Congress government in the state. Sidhu was one of the invitees, who went to Pakistan to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on November 28. His remarks at the event also created furore back home as he not only mentioned the Rafale deal controversy in his speech but also heaped praises on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Climate change and air pollution are causing millions of premature deaths, a recent study suggests. The result of the research shows that rising temperatures as a result of climate change are already exposing us to an unacceptably high risk and warns, for the first time, that older people in Europe and the East Mediterranean are particularly vulnerable to extremes of heat, markedly higher than in Africa and SE Asia. The risk in Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean stems from aging populations living in cities, with 42% and 43% of over-65s respectively vulnerable to heat. In Africa, 38% are thought to be vulnerable, while in Asia it is 34%. The report also states that ambient air pollution resulted in several million premature deaths from ambient fine particulate matter globally in 2015, a conclusion from IIASA researchers confirming earlier assessments. Since air pollution and greenhouse gases often share common sources, mitigating climate change constitutes a major opportunity for direct human benefits. Large contributions to ambient air pollution come from the residential sector, mostly from solid fuels like biomass and coal. Industry, electricity generation, transport, and agriculture are also important contributors. While coal should be a key target for early phase-out in households and electricity generation as it is highly polluting, it is not all that should be done. "The attribution shows that unfortunately, an approach targeting a single sector or fuel won't solve the problem - air pollution is a multi-faceted issue that needs integrated strategies cutting across many sectors, which will differ from country to country. This is what we typically do with the regional and local GAINS model: giving advice to policymakers on the most effective approaches to tackle air pollution in their specific settings," said Gregor Kiesewetter, lead researcher of the study. The report contains a number of other headline findings: - 157m more vulnerable people were subjected to a heatwave in 2017 than in 2000, and 18m more than in 2016. 153bn hours of work were lost in 2017 due to extreme heat as a result of climate change. China alone lost 21bn hours, the equivalent of a year's work for 1.4% of their working population. India lost 75bn hours, equivalent to 7% of their total working population. Heat greatly exacerbates urban air pollution, with 97% of cities in low- and middle- income countries not meeting WHO air quality guidelines. Heat stress, an early and severe effect of climate change, is commonplace and we, and the systems we rely on are ill-equipped to cope. Rising temperatures and unseasonable warmth is responsible for cholera and dengue fever spreading, with vectorial capacity for their transmission increasing across many endemic areas. This means global temperature change to which humans are exposed is more than double the global average change, with temperatures rising 0.8C versus 0.3C. The report, which looks at 41 separate indicators across a range of themes, says urgent steps are needed to protect people now from the impacts of climate change. In particular, stronger labor regulations are needed to protect workers from extremes of heat and hospitals and the health systems we rely on the need to be better equipped for extreme heat so they are able to cope. The report also stresses that there are limits to adapting to the temperature increases, and if left unabated, climate change and heat will overwhelm even the strongest of systems, so the need for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is critical. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 48 police officers were among the 57 people that were injured on Saturday during protests held here over the rising fuel prices in the country. "This Saturday, December 1, serious incidents happened in the centre of Toulouse as part of the unsanctioned rallies. The security forces were attacked by the demonstrators. The last updated report indicates that 57 people were injured, including 48 police officers," Sputnik quoted a statement from the Haute-Garonne prefecture as saying on Sunday. The statement further confirmed that five of the 48 police officers were hospitalised. The protest was held by the "yellow vests", what French drivers are commonly referred to as owing to the yellow reflective vests they wear. Demonstrations have been held since November 2017 to protest the rising fuel prices. In 2017, the President Emmanuel Macron-led government raised the direct tax on diesel, the most common fuel in the country. Since January 2018, diesel prices have increased by around 23 per cent, while petrol is retailed at 15 per cent higher costs. The prices are expected to rise further in January next year. Speaking on the protests, Macron asserted that his country will not change their decision on the hike in fuel prices. He further condemned the violence and stated that those causing it will be brought to justice. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The French government will consider imposing a state of emergency in the wake of 'yellow vest' protests across the country over fuel price hike and economic policies, spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said on Sunday. According to Sputnik, Griveaux informed that French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Interior Minister Christophe Castaner would discuss all options available to them at a meeting later today. France's capital has been witnessing widespread violent protests lately with agitators resorting to looting and vandalising shops, setting cars and buildings ablaze and fighting with the police. Ruckus was also created in several other cities and towns across France including Charleville Mezieres, Nantes and Marseille. Responding to these protests, Griveaux while speaking to Europe 1 radio said, "We have to think about the measures that can be taken so that these incidents don't happen again." Earlier in November, the French President had strongly condemned the violent protests and tweeted, "Shame on those who attacked them (law enforcement officials). Shame on those who have abused other citizens and journalists. Shame on those who have tried to intimidate elected officials. No room for this violence in the Republic." Over 4,500 officers have been deployed in the French capital to contain around 10,000 protestors. As of now, more than 132 people from various protests have been apprehended across France. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Commission on Elections will do well to place La Union under military protection to prevent the spread of violence, following the killings of several politicians. According to Rep. Sandra Eriguel who hails from the province. In a Nov. 20 letter, Eriguel urged Comelec chairman Sheriff Abbas to step into the peace and order situation in the municipalities of Agoo, Bauang, Caba and Tubao in District 2, raising concern over the possible eruption of election-related violence even before the 2019 mid-term elections. The lawmakers plea arose from the spate of murder of her husband, former representative Eufranio Eriguel, and his two bodyguards, who were shot repeatedly on May 12 during a caucus meeting in Barangay Capas, Agoo. At the time of my husbands murder, our police security details, including those of my daughter, Agoo Mayor Stefanie Ann Y. Eriguel, were pulled out which left us vulnerable to any attack, her letter read. The death of my husband was not the last of violent incidents that erupted in our province. The recent ambush on Sudipen Mayor Allan Buquing and Balaoan Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcion which resulted in their deaths as well as of their police security details, placed La Union again in the headline news. The late Eriguel survived a bombing attack on April 30, 2016, or barely two weeks from the 2016 national and local elections.Apart from these, local leaders were also gunned down, particularly in the towns of Bauang and Tubao but these were not reported in the national media, she said. Eriguel sought assistance from the Philippine Army and Department of National Defense to secure the safety of politicians themselves and the voting public, and ensure clean and honest elections. She claimed she instructed her chief of staff to file her certificate of candidacy with Comelec in October after receiving death threats. To this date, I continue to receive information of ongoing threats to me and my family as well as my allies in politics, she said. To await the start of the election period might become too late for us. The augmentation of the Philippine Army personnel in our area will provide a strong deterrent against the evil forces that are currently roaming our beloved province. The presence of soldiers will also provide confidence upon our people to exercise their freedom of expression and right to suffrage without fear of threats and violence, she added. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday (local time) attended a highly-anticipated dinner with his United States counterpart Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina. The meet was the two leaders' first in 2018, wherein an escalating trade war between their countries threatens to disrupt the global economy. The meeting was agreed to by the two leaders after Trump initiated a telephonic conversation last month, Xinhua reported. During the conversation, Xi stressed his and Trump's common vision for healthy US-China ties. The Chinese President spoke about boosting economic and trade cooperation, adding that the two countries, which are two of the largest economies of the world, should make efforts towards the same. This comes after Trump, earlier this week, confirmed his commitment to implement plans to increase the tariffs on USD 200 billion-worth Chinese goods from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, CNN reported. "Where we are right now is in a place of considerable uncertainty. Clearly, there's a lot of jockeying going on within the administration with pretty sharp contrasts between the positions that people are taking. That's what makes this so unpredictable. We don't know where it will end up," US-China Business Council's president Craig Allen was quoted by CNN as saying. While people on both the Chinese and American sides hope for a breakthrough agreement that cools down the tensions between the two superpowers, Trump has clarified that he will only cooperate if China makes necessary concessions. United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer's report of the US government's investigation into 'unfair' Chinese trade practices said that there have been scarce efforts from Beijing to ease the US' concerns pertaining to technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation. Prior to departing for the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Trump told reporters that while the two countries were "very close" to agreeing on a deal, he was content with not pursuing it as it resulted in the Chinese paying billions of dollars in taxes. "But I don't know if 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. Frankly, I like the deal we have right now," Trump said. In September, Trump imposed 10 per cent tariffs on Chinese products amounting to USD 200 billion, with Beijing retaliating with tariffs on American goods worth USD 60 billion. Both the countries had earlier threatened new waves of tariffs in the near future. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Baloch Republican Party's (BRP) Germany unit organised a protest demonstration here in solidarity with the relatives of missing people from Balochistan to highlight the incidents of enforced disappearances in the region. A large number of activists joined the demonstration to show their support for the struggles of the families of abducted Baloch activists. Speaking to ANI, Jawad Baloch, the president of the BRP's Germany unit said, "Today we Baloch people from all over Germany gathered here to protest against the enforced disappearances in Pakistan, especially in the province Balochistan, where thousands of Baloch activists and students are missing." "We are also here in solidarity with the relatives of the missing people, who are protesting in Quetta to release of their loved ones. We request the human rights organisations, the European Union, the country where we are living - Germany, to use their diplomatic relations with Pakistan to help release the missing Baloch people," Jawad added. Meanwhile, Khaled Baloch, a member of the BRP said, "The aim of our demonstration is to ensure the release of the missing Baloch people, who have been abducted by the military forces of Pakistan. We appeal to the international community and human rights organisations to play their role in the safe release of the missing people and stop the ongoing human rights violation in Balochistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Income Tax (IT) Department has busted a Hawala racket and seized cash worth Rs. 25 crore from Naya Bazar in Chandani Chowk. The IT Department sources told ANI that they conducted a raid at a private vault and recovered the cash amount from more than 100 lockers. The IT sleuths carried out the raid at eight locations across Delhi. The sources further said that in the preliminary investigation the IT Department found that mostly Hawala traders were using that locker to keep their money. The cash allegedly belonged to some high-net-worth individuals based in the Capital Region (NCR), including gutkha traders, chemical traders and dry fruit traders. The sources told that these traders were involved in Hawala trading. This is the second major 'locker operation' by the IT Department this year. Earlier in January, the IT department had seized more than Rs 40 crore in cash from another vault in Delhi's South extension part-2. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha on Saturday praised the efforts made by the students of a school to make a drone. "Today is a historic day for us. As part of our drone policy, which has been praised all over the world, students of Sri Guru Nanak Public School here have made a drone. Being an engineer myself, I feel proud when I see such efforts from the students. We have taught these students how to use a drone," Sinha said. Sinha added that besides textbooks the students should also analyse the world and learn different things. The drone has been made completely by the students. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who is known for his scathing attacks on the North Indian community and migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on Sunday said that youth from Maharashtra should be given priority if there are any job opportunities in the state. Addressing the North Indian community at an event organised by a Uttar Bhartiya Mahapanchayat in Mumbai's Kandivali in Hindi language, Thackeray said, "Youths from Maharashtra should be given priority if there are any job opportunities in the state. If there are job opportunities in Maharashtra, is it wrong that youth of Maharashtra be given first priority? If an industry is set up in Uttar Pradesh tomorrow, then youth there should be given first preference, the same should happen in Bihar, what is wrong in it?" Further substantiating his stance, he asserted, "People from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar come to Maharashtra. Then people who are thrown out of their states also come to Maharashtra, is this state any less burdened? Whenever there are jobs available in Maharashtra its advertisement reaches Uttar Pradesh but is not advertised locally." Reiterating his stance, the MNS chief claimed that trains from Bihar to Maharashtra are always full, but trains from Maharashtra are all empty. "There is no place to build a footpath in the state and migrants from other states are building temporary houses each day." He also alleged that the maximum number of crimes take place in the state of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. "People who are coming from outside will not be tolerated by Raj Thackery. Mumbai of 1995 is totally different from what it is today. If somebody abuses the women of our family will we stay mum?" asked the MNS chief. He accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government of being biased towards the state of Bihar."If Maharashtra gives Rs 100 to the Center it gets less than Rs 14 in return, whereas if Bihar gives the same amount it gets Rs 149 in return for development," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Saturday expressed hope that the proposed anti-trafficking bill, which has been passed by the Lok Sabha, would get a clearance from Rajya Sabha as well in the upcoming Winter Session of the Parliament. When asked about her ministry's bills in the upcoming Winter Session, Gandhi told media here, "We are waiting for the Anti-Trafficking bill. It has been passed in the Lok Sabha, so, I want it to be passed in the Rajya Sabha as well." The bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July, addresses the issue of trafficking from the point of view of prevention, rescue and rehabilitation. It also advocates for a time-bound trial and repatriation of the victims - within a period of one year from taking into cognisance. The rehabilitation fund which has been created for the first time will be used for the physical, psychological and social well-being of the victim including education, skill development, health care/psychological support, legal aid, safe accommodation, etc. It also creates dedicated institutional mechanisms at District, State and Central Level. These will be responsible for the prevention, protection, investigation and rehabilitation work related to trafficking. Investigation Agency (NIA) will perform the tasks of the Anti-Trafficking Bureau at the level present under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Apart from these, there are many other key features of the bill, one if it being punishment ranging from rigorous imprisonment of minimum 10 years to life imprisonment along with a fine of no less than Rs. 1 lakh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli made a commitment to former Pakistan prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani that Nepal would facilitate the 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Pakistan. As per state news agency Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) report, Prime Minister Oli made his commitment during a meeting with Gillani, who at present is in Nepal to attend the Asia Pacific Summit. "During a meeting with the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yusuf Raza Gillani, who is currently in Nepal in course of his participation in the ongoing Asia Pacific Summit in Kathmandu, Prime Minister Oli said Nepal, as the current Chair of SAARC, would play a role to hold the coming SAARC Summit in Pakistan and was desperate to hand over the chairmanship," RSS reported. The 19th SAARC summit will be hosted by Pakistan. Last month, Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj had repeated that India would not participate in the summit until Pakistan stops its terrorist attacks over India. A majority of SAARC nations have also denounced to participate in the summit after a terrorist attack on an Indian army base by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. In March this year, Pakistan's former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on his previous visit to Nepal, which is the current chair of SAARC had pressed Prime Minister Oli to take steps to create an environment for the commencement of the summit. RSS quoted Prime Minister Oli's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Rajan Bhattarai as saying that Gillani informed him that the Pakistani people and political parties were committed to SAARC and ready to host the summit. Prime Minister Oli also reiterated that Nepal was for making effective the regional organisation, the agency reported. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in Telangana Asaduddin Owaisi of All India All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) will have to flee from the state as Nizam left Hyderabad. Addressing an election rally at Tandur, Vikarabad in Telangana, Adityanath said, "If BJP comes to power in Telangana, I assure you Owaisi will have to flee from Telangana the same way as Nizam was forced to flee from Hyderabad. BJP will give security to all but will not allow anyone to create anarchy." Talking about public welfare initiatives of the Central government, Chief Minister Yogi said, "You have seen the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is working for the development of all without any discrimination of religion, region or language." "Two crore people were given affordable houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) but the people of the state could not get the benefit of the same as the state government did not provide the utilisation certificate of the funds received under this scheme after the first time. Four crore poor people were provided with free electricity, 8 crore people were given free LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana," he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also attacked the Congress, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) for indulging in of dynasty and said that similarly, Owaisi is also indulging in the of minority appeasement only. Telangana Assembly elections are on December 7 while the counting of votes will take place on December 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday fired a fresh salvo at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating the saffron party gave "three Modis to the nation, Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and the one sitting in Ambani's lap Narendra Modi." Addressing an election rally at Ramganj Mandi here, Navjot Singh Sidhu said, "Congress gave us four Gandhis, Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi. But the BJP gave us three Modis, Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and the one sitting in Ambani's lap Narendra Modi." The Cabinet Minister further said, "It was the Congress who made this country free from the British rule. You cannot question history. The dream of Independence became possible because of leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Abul Kalam Azad, and Sardar Patel." "Democracy is run by goons under the rule of BJP," Sidhu added. Highlighting the problem faced by farmers and loans waiver schemes meant for them, Sidhu asserted, "Farmers are like turban of the Congress. They are our pride. I am upset over the fact that nothing was done for our farmers in the last five years under the BJP's rule. Farmers produced around 38 lakh metric tonne of grains, but Vasundhara Raje purchased only 4 lakh tonne as per the minimum support price (MSP) and 34 lakh tonne was taken away by the middlemen." "This is my promise that if the Congress comes to power in Rajasthan, farmers will be free from debts. We will provide 24x7 free electricity supply to farmers. Farmers' bad phase will be over with the formation of the government in the state," he added. Claiming that he has a message from Rahul Gandhi to deliver to the people, Sidhu said, "Congress president has asked me to pass a message on to you. Farmers will be made debt-free; electricity rate will be reduced by 50 per cent and the BJP will be clean bowled." Continuing his tirade against Prime Minister Modi and BJP governments in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, Punjab Cabinet Minister Sidhu stated, "Rape incidents occur mostly in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh...Is this 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padahao Andolan of the BJP?" Sidhu further asked the gathering about the promises made by Prime Minister Modi before coming to power at the Centre, "Is black money back? Did you get Rs 15 lakh in your account? Is Ganga clean now? Did you get two crore jobs? Did he run any bullet train? Then what he did? Nothing, because he just made fake promises." Criticising Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' initiative, Sidhu said, "Bullet train is coming from Japan; Rafael jet is coming from France; a statue of Sardar came from China. If everything is coming from abroad, then what is India making-pakode?" Taking a note of rising corruption in the country, the Punjab Cabinet Minister asked, "Why Rs 500 crore Rafael jet was purchased for Rs 1,500 crore? Why 1,250 acres land was given for Rs 400 crore to Ambani, which Ambani later sold for Rs 4,000 crore?" Claiming the BJP is not faithful to the people of the nation, Sidhu said, "Even 'chowkidar's (Prime Minister) dog is not loyal. He is also a chor (thief). And Yogi is the biggest 'Bhogi'." "Yogi says that they will construct Ram Mandir but where is the date? BJP cannot divide people in the name of Ram Mandir. We all are Hindustanis first," he added. Navjot Singh Sidhu also launched an attack on Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, stating, "Gas cylinder was supposed to be provided for Rs 400 under the Ujjawala scheme but Vasundhara is offering it for Rs 1,000. Also, the rates of electricity, water, petrol, and diesel were hiked under her leadership." The 200 members Rajasthan Legislative Assembly elections in Rajasthan are scheduled to be held on December 7 in a single phase. The counting of votes will take place on December 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 1,000 jobs are available in a jobs-and-opportunities fair specially set for persons with disability on Dec. 5, Wednesday, the Labor department said. The job openings are in the fields of BPO, electronics, advertising, hotel, health and wellness, travel, media, logistics, manpower and security services, sales, property management, pharmaceutical, and memorial services, among others. The day-long fair, a partnership between the Department of Labor and Employment and some 30 Rotary Clubs of District 3830, will be held at the covered walk of the Quezon City Hall. It is being held as a special offering of the labor department which celebrates its 85th founding anniversary this week. This is also Rotarys contribution in the observance of the International Day for Persons with Disability, and part of the governments awareness campaign encouraging private sector employers to allocate one percent of their workforce to persons with disability. Republic Act 10524 mandates agencies of government to employ persons with disability to comprise at least one percent of their employees, while it provides incentives to private enterprises with more than 100 employees who take in disadvantaged persons into their workforce. The Rotary Clubs from District 3830 mobilized more than 30 employers from various parts of Metro Manila to the activity, on top of a host of companies invited by DOLE. Aside from jobs, the special event will also provide skills and livelihood opportunities. While DOLE conducts skills profiling of participants, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will provide livelihood and skills training for those interested during the event. The other offices collaborating in the activity are the Public Employment Service Offices, the National Council on Disability Affairs and the city government of Quezon City. All local government units in Metro Manila were invited to participate by sending qualified PWDs from their respective communities to the job fair. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and other labor officials, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, District Governor Alfredo Montecillo of Rotary International District 3830 and the Rotarians from the various Rotary clubs in the district will attend the event.PWDs may pre-qualify for available positions or employers who wish to participate in the job fair may register at philjobnet.gov.ph. Meanwhile, Senator Sonny Angara on Sunday called for the full implementation of laws to empower PWDs, who have very low participation in discount privileges because many of them do not have the PWD ID and are unable to go out. While there is enough laws to give PWDs social protection and economic support, they cannot avail of them because of low awarenes. A Philippine Institute for Development Studies 2010 survey showed that only about three in 10 PWDs in the rural areas were aware of the Magna Carta for PWDs. Under the Magna Carta, PWDs are entitled to 20-percent discount for the purchase of medicines in all drugstores, medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees, and professional fees of attending doctors. They are also entitled to the same discount from business establishments like hotels and restaurants, admission fees on theaters and movie houses, as well as transportation fare for domestic land, air and sea travel. To avail of these benefits and privileges, a PWD must apply for an ID at the city or municipal social welfare office. Congress Member of Parliament Ravneet Singh Bittu on Saturday asked party leader Navjot Singh Sidhu to apologise to Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh asserted, 'Punjab's captain is our captain'. "All the streets in Ludhiana are filled with posters that say 'Punjab's captain is our captain'. This is people's sentiment. Navjot Singh Sidhu should apologise. If he considers Chief Minister his father, why is he hesitating in apologizing," Bittu told ANI here. Sidhu on November 30 had mocked Captain Amarinder Singh when reporters asked about his visit to Pakistan despite the Chief Minister disapproving it. Local Bodies and Tourism minister in Captain Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government, Sidhu, at a press conference in Hyderabad had said, "My captain is Congress president Rahul Gandhi. He sent me everywhere (Kartarpur Corridor). Rahul is also the captain of our captain (Punjab Chief Minister)." Livid over Navjot Singh's remarks, Punjab Minister TR Bajwa asserted that if Sidhu did not recognise Amarinder as his 'captain,' then he should resign from his post. Punjab Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria also slammed his Cabinet colleague and said that Sidhu should put down his papers if he disapproves of Amarinder as the state's Chief Minister. The cry for Sidhu's resignation grew louder after Bittu also reiterated that those who disrespected Chief Minister Captain Amarinder should step aside from the Congress government in the state. Sidhu was one of the invitees, who went to Pakistan to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on November 28. His remarks at the event also created furore back home as he not only mentioned the Rafale deal controversy in his speech but also heaped praises on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Days after a picture of Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu with a pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla surfaced in media, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said that the Congress party and its chief Rahul Gandhi should be ashamed of it. While addressing a rally in poll-bound Rajasthan, Chouhan said, "Navjot Singh Sidhu feels pride in clicking pictures with Khalistanis. Congress should feel ashamed; Rahul and UPA chief Sonia Gandhi should feel ashamed. Is this your nationalism?" Sidhu's photograph with the Khalistani leader was clicked during his visit to Pakistan for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor. However, the Congress leader downplayed his appearance in the picture saying, "There was so much love in Pakistan that every day probably 10,000 pictures were clicked with several people there (in Pakistan). Among them, who is Gopal Chawla or Cheema I don't know." Stepping up his attack on the party, Chouhan said that Congress wants 90 per cent of the Muslim community's votes by creating a bad picture of the BJP in their minds. "In-closed room talks they say that if the 90 per cent Muslim voters don't vote for the Congress party then their party will be defeated in elections. They create fear in their minds by saying that if Congress doesn't form the government, then what will happen to the Muslims," he added. Chouhan also alleged that Congress party is responsible for the partition of the country and first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru is responsible for the Kashmir issue. Asserting that Congress party divided the people on the ground of caste and religion, he added, "Congress has always divided people on the lines of and its leaders know nothing about the Hindutva. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" is the real "Hindutva" and BJP never discriminate people on lines of religion or caste." He further promised that if BJP comes to power in Rajasthan, farmers' income would be doubled in five years and college going students would be provided with laptops and smartphones. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 40 passengers and drivers were abducted by the Taliban in Samangan province of Northern Afghanistan here on Sunday, Samangan police spokesman Mohammad Munir Rahimi has informed. Tolo News quoted Rahimi saying that the passengers were taken hostage by Taliban in order to convince the drivers to pay the taxes. The incident took place at around 10 in the morning in Khushk Dara village of Dara-e-Soof district in Samangan province of Afghanistan. Rahimi further mentioned that efforts for the safe release of the hostages were underway, reported Tolo News. In a similar incident on Tuesday, Taliban had abducted at least 25 passengers traveling from Sar-e-Pul province to Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan. Some women passengers among the 25 people kidnapped were later released. Kidnapping and hostage-taking have become a common occurrence in Afghanistan following the US invasion of the country in 2001. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With just a few days left for Telangana Assembly elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Sunday said that state's electoral battle is between the "nationalist BJP and the anti- opposition." Addressing a rally in Telangana's Narayanpet, Shah said, "There is going to be a tripartite battle here. On one side there is Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and its chief and state's caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao who made Telangana kneel before All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and on other there is Congress who sent (Navjot Singh) Sidhu to hug Pakistan army chief and on the third side there are nationalists led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi." Accusing the Congress party and TRS of resorting to appeasement to woo the minorities, Shah said, "Telangana Congress in its manifesto promised free electricity to Masjids and Churches but not for Temples. Both TRS and Congress are engaged in minority appeasement. We are against the reservation on the basis of religion. However, Telangana Chief Minister has proposed 12 percent reservation for the minorities." The BJP president added that the Rao's government is afraid of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and this is why it does not celebrate the Telangana Liberation Day. Shah further promised that if the BJP comes to power in the state, Telangana Liberation Day would be celebrated in a grand manner. The Legislative Assembly election in Telangana is scheduled to be held on December 7, while counting of votes will take place on December 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to hold a meeting with his United States counterpart Donald Trump in the near future after the latter cancelled their meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina, the Kremlin confirmed on Saturday. Russian media quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying that the US and Russian governments were in contact with each other after the scheduled meeting in Argentina was cancelled by Trump on Thursday, Xinhua reported. Peskov further confirmed that the two leaders did have a brief contact in Buenos Aires, however, divulged no further information on their conversation. Trump cancelled their meet over the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. On November 25, Russian guards fired upon and then captured three Ukrainian naval ships after they allegedly entered the Russian territory in the Sea of Azov. The incident drew international condemnation, especially from the West. Ukraine imposed martial law in its border areas with Russia following the confrontation, with the threat of war now looming large over the two countries. The Kremlin spokesperson said that both the countries equally needed the meeting in Argentina, adding that Putin clarified the situation in the Sea of Azov to French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during their meetings, a chance that Trump missed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States Navy on Saturday informed that its Navy's chief in the Middle East, Vice Admiral Scott Stearney was found dead at his residence in Bahrain. Al Jazeera quoted Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson as saying in a video, "This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at 5th Fleet, and for the entire Navy." "Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was a good friend of all of us," Admiral Richardson added. Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are investigating the matter. The Chicago-born naval commanded the US Naval Forces Central Command and the US Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, which is responsible for patrolling the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. In recent years, the fleet has witnessed potential threats from pirates and weapons smugglers as well as Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats and Houthi rebels firing missiles at commercial ships from Yemen, Al Jazeera reported. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday accused the Congress party of suppressing the valour of Indian Army by not making their feats like "surgical strikes" public. "The people of the country have the right to know about the feats of Indian Army, which the Congress did not let it happen when in power at the Centre," said Singh, while addressing a press conference here. The Home Minister, who was in Rajasthan to address election rallies in favour of the BJP candidates, said, "Why Congress president Rahul Gandhi is now talking about the surgical strikes, which took place when his party was in power at the Centre? Why didn't they make the Army's valour and efforts public? People have the right to know the achievements of the Indian Army. Rahul Gandhi is suddenly realising this now." In response to the Congress' demand for a joint parliamentary probe into Rafale deal, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said, "Now when they have taken the matter to the Supreme Court, then they should wait for its judgment. That is all." He said the Congress would be "wiped out" from Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram, and a non-Congress government would be formed even in Mizoram. Heaping praises on Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for taking pro-people policies, which benefitted the masses, Rajnath said, "I congratulate Vasundhara Raje for doing such a great job in these last five years. Our programmes like Ujjwala Yojana, Awas Yojana, and Ayushmaan Bharat have received a tremendous response in Rajasthan and all over the country." Continuing his tirade against the Congress, the Home Minister took a jibe at the party, saying, "The Congress leaders have started to make a dash to temples before elections. For the first time, they had said in Madhya Pradesh that they will open a cow shelter. They are practicing caste now. Their agenda is to break the country's social fabric." Condemning Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's remarks over Kashmir issue at the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur corridor last month, Rajnath said, "Imran Khan had rightly said that Pakistan and India should move ahead from its past and nothing will be achieved in this blame game. But, he referred to Kashmir as an issue. Let me tell you, Kashmir is and will remain an integral part of India. Our issue is terrorism. We have no problems in talks with Pakistan. But our main issue is terrorism." The 200-member Rajasthan Assembly is scheduled to go to polls on December 7. The counting of votes will take place on December 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three space travellers, including two astronauts on their first flight, are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday for a six-and-a-half month mission, NASA said. The launch comes less than two months after a booster failure forced a Soyuz spacecraft carrying Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague to make an emergency landing. The incident became the first failure of a manned space launch in modern Russian history. The three new space travellers -- Anne McClain of NASA, David Saint-Jacquesof the Canadian Space Agency and Oleg Kononenko of Russian space agency Roscosmos - are preparing to launch aboard the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft at 5.31 p.m. from the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan. Following a six-hour journey making four orbits of Earth, the crew will dock the Soyuz to the station's Poisk module to begin their mission on the orbital laboratory. It will be the first flight for both McClain and Saint-Jacques and the fourth for Kononenko. Less than two hours after docking, hatches between the Soyuz and the station will open, and the current crew, Expedition 57 Commander Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency), NASA Flight Engineer Serena Aunon-Chancellor and Roscosmos Flight Engineer Sergey Prokopyev, who have been in orbit since June, will greet them. Kononenko, McClain and Saint-Jacques will officially become the Expedition 58 crew when Gerst, Aunon-Chancellor and Prokopyev depart the station for home on December 20. --IANS gb/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladeshi ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's nomination papers for contesting in the general elections slated for December 30 were cancelled on Sunday. The Election Commission appointed Returning officers (ROs) cancelled her nomination papers for contesting in three constituencies on the ground of her conviction in two corruption cases, Xinhua news agency reported. Apart from Khaleda Zia, ROs who are scrutinizing 3,065 nominations also cancelled nomination papers filed by dozens of candidates on various grounds including convictions. Bangladesh's apex court on Wednesday upheld a ban for convicts from running in the general elections. The country's major opposition alliance led by Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to contest the parliamentary polls. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League party, which rose to power with a landslide election victory in early 2009 and won its second term in 2014, is facing challenges from Zia's BNP and its allies, which boycotted the 2014 elections. --IANS mr/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US commander of the Fifth Fleet, Scott Stearney, was found dead in Bahrain on Saturday, media has reported. Admiral 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 Admiral Scott Stearney, our commander of US Naval Forces Central Command and commander of US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, was found deceased in his residence in Bahrain today." Stearney, the commander of the US Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, oversaw American naval forces in the Middle East, Xinhua news agency reported. 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. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The House of Representatives may pass on third and final reading the proposed Traffic and Congestion Crisis Act to address the worsening traffic woes in Metro Manila and other urban cities before its adjournment. In an interview over dzBB, Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento said House Bill No. 6425 may be approved on its third and final reading even as he warned that it may not be enacted into a law. He said the Senate is now preoccupied with the deliberation of the 2019 proposed P3.757-trillion national budget even as the campaign season for the 2019 midterm polls is fast approaching. That is the limitationlack of material timethat we see on the part of the Senate, he said.The Senate will have insufficient time to consider the Traffic Crisis Act. Not to mention, by next year [they are already on] campaign mode, he added. Under the bill, the problem of traffic would be considered an emergency or calamity situation. The bill gives the secretary of the Department of Transportation power of supervision and control over the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Cebu Coordinating Council to be created under the bill, the Philippine National Polices Traffic Management Group, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Road Board, and other executive agencies, bureaus and offices with roles pertaining to land transportation regulation. In order to thrive, organisations should focus on becoming intelligent enterprises, a top SAP SE executive has said, emphasising that in todays fast-paced businesses, processing huge amounts of data in real-time and analysing them to make quick decisions is critical. According to the global software firm, intelligent enterprises do more with less resources and empower employees through the process of automation. They can deliver a best-in-class customer experience by proactively responding to customer expectations and invent new business models and revenue streams. "There was a wave which I would call digital. That was the move of consuming system software in the Cloud, but that was still not intelligent technologies for corporates. And the next wave is incorporation of Machine Learning, of Artificial Intelligence (AI), of Blockchain, of robotic process automation, of conversational AI... into these processes," Bernd Leukert, Member of the Executive Board, SAP SE, told IANS in an interview. "An intelligent enterprise brings together machine and human intelligence across all business functions... And this shows why the business model needs to evolve and the organisation needs to become intelligent," he added. To stay afloat, organisations across the world, including in India, need to challenge their status quo and existing business models, while feeding the ones which are working with investments. It will help companies if they challenge the way they do business, strive to be creative and try out new business models, SAP said. "In many cases, it's a new business model that disrupts an existing business. If you are not doing it, then a competitor will disrupt you, so you should rather disrupt yourself and transform," Leukert said on the sidelines of the SAP TechEd 2018 event here. "Successfully applying intelligence to business processes will define the winners and losers in the years to come," he said, adding that as organisations become intelligent, profiles for people in companies will change. "I am not saying that less people will be required, but their profiles will change as the repetitive tasks would be done by the system automatically," said Leukert, who heads strategic innovation initiatives at SAP. SAP helps customers by identifying the business value of embarking on a transformational journey. With its technologies, the global software firm also allows organisations to test new business models so that they can check what works for their business and what does not. "And we have even developed a methodology together with the Hasso Plattner Institute of the University of Potsdam in Germany and Stanford University in the US which is called 'Design Thinking'. To drive disruptive innovation, we collaborate with customers to understand their needs and help them with technologies in order to execute the ideas that are generated," Leukert said. In India, SAP offers applications and services that enable companies of all sizes, in more than 25 industries. Started in 1996, SAP India is the second-largest subsidiary and one of the fastest-growing companies within SAP worldwide with around 13,000 employees. "I would say we build on the strong capabilities we have across 25 industries and have applications that serve any business process in the Cloud that customers across these industries have to run," Leukert said. "And in the Cloud, we offer modular applications which are best-in-class on their own. We are building these applications on the HANA Data Management Suite, where HANA does real-time processing, and has more capabilities than a traditional database," he added. The HANA Data Management Suite, according to SAP, can collect and integrate an organisation's data in a secure, unified landscape. This data management framework and in-memory database allows both transactional processing for data capture and retrieval, and analytical processing for business intelligence and reporting. "We are also building intelligence via the platform into the application -- what we branded as SAP Leonardo which uses emerging technologies like Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning, etc," Leukert said. "We strongly believe that the future consumption model of software will be Software as a Service (SaaS) from data centres, and openness in that world will be vital," he added. (Vivek Singh Chauhan attended the SAP TechEd 2018 in Bengaluru on the invitation of SAP. He can be contacted at vivek.c@ians.in ) --IANS vc/gb/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Baap re baap, ab itne log jaanne lag gaye hain," actor Pankaj Tripathi exclaims in acknowledgement of the love and praise he has received for his versatile roles across films and web series over the years. He says he is swarmed with good scripts, but doesn't have enough time to devote to all. "People have really liked 'Mirzapur'. The public is giving a lot of love. Two years ago, I used to feel I have done so many films... who knows me. Now I wonder... Baap re baap, ab itne log jaanne lag gaye hain (so many people have started recognising me). I don't know what's happening. I am only doing my work with sincerity. Rest, I don't know what is happening," Pankaj told IANS here in his distinctive style. From playing Sultan Qureshi in "Gangs of Wasseypur" to leading the cast of the film "Gurgaon" to playing pivotal roles in web series like "Sacred Games" and "Mirzapur" -- Pankaj's growth trajectory is a shining example of how character artistes are coming into their own with the changing landscape of Indian showbiz. It is convenient to say he has almost become synonymous with gangster characters, but one cannot miss his roles in films like "Newton", "Bareilly Ki Barfi" and "Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain". "I feel people want to watch crime stories and explore the genre, but honestly, I don't like a lot of 'khoon kharaba (bloodshed)'. Even in 'Mirzapur', I am not seen indulging in any bloodshed. Even in 'Gangs of Wasseypur', my character was brutal, but he was seen in shooting once or twice. "Personally, I am not fond of brutal bloodshed scenes. I like simple, ordinary tales, but I think youth is liking such crime stories and so they are made," said Pankaj, who will be seen in "Sacred Games 2". He will be seen in comedy and satirical films like "Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai" and "Luka Chhupi". "There are so many offers, but I am booked till August. I'm getting some wonderful scripts in the independent cinema space, but there's no time. "Either I am telling the filmmakers to wait for me...but nobody will wait for me till next year. Still, I am taking out time in between everything and managing what I can," the National School of Drama alumnus told IANS on the sidelines of the recently concluded International Film Festival of India (IFFI). A National Award winner, Pankaj, who comes from Bihar, will also be seen as a flamboyant south Indian film star in Indrajit Lankesh's "Shakeela" and as a farmer in Satish Kaushik's "Kaagaz". "There's not even a slap in the whole film 'Kaagaz'. It's a simple, ordinary tale and I like simplicity. I don't understand crime, but in that also if I get some interesting role with a layered character, then I get interested." Citing the example of his "Mirzapur" character Kaleen Bhaiya, Pankaj said: "He creates a fear in your mind, but he doesn't do anything. He keeps sitting on a chair without saying much. In fact, he comes across as a caring father, a good husband and a son... So I enjoy doing such characters." There is a lot that Pankaj adds to his roles, taking it beyond the written character. "I do some writing in all my roles. There are small things that I improvise on. I read a lot, and travel a lot, so there is a reflection of that when I talk," he explained, adding that while improvisation is important tool for an actor to immerse himself or herself in a role, it is not something that all actors can do. "If you have experience, if you are widely read and have lived life, then you can do it. Otherwise, for improvisation, your basics need to be very strong." All in all, he says it is a "good phase" for him. "I feel responsible and in every performance -- be it independent cinema or commercial cinema -- whatever kind of storytelling it may be, I try and engage the audience so that whoever is coming to watch the content, they are entertained. "I try to entertain, but not with anything over-the-top... I believe I should bring a smile to people's face, and that's what I always attempt. That's why whether I work in the indie space or commercial cinema, the audience doesn't get disappointed as they find me entertaining. But my work is not just to entertain... It is also to say what the director and writer want to convey." (Radhika Bhirani was in Goa on an invitation by IFFI organisers. She can be contacted at radhika.b@ians.in) --IANS rb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israeli Police on Sunday recommended that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted on charges of corruption in one of three investigations against him. The telecom corruption investigation, dubbed Case 4,000, is centred around alleged regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars provided to the Bezeq telecom company in exchange for positive news coverage of Netanyahu in Walla News, a subsidiary of Bezeq, reports Efe news. "The Israeli police and the Israel Securities Authority have found sufficient evidence of bribery, fraud and breach of trust to indict ... Netanyahu," police said in a statement. Evidence was also found against Netanyahu's wife Sara, police added. The telecom probe came after police recommended indicting the Premier for bribery and other charges in two separate cases. --IANS mr/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Jatin Sarna, who made a big impact with a small role as Nawazuddin Siddiquis volatile hitman Bunty in "Sacred Games" will be back in Season 2 of the Netflix series, although his character was killed in the first season. "The second season goes into a flashback. My character Bunty is on a wheelchair. So I need to harness and control my natural energy level to play a subdued physically limited character," Jatin said. Jatin, who got his part in "Sacred Games" by fluke when he accompanied a friend to the audition, says he is learning constantly from his co-stars. "I started late in films. So I am curious, eager, anxious, impatient to do as much work as possible, play challenging characters. But I don't want to exceed my speed limits," he said. Jatin is also excited about his next feature film "Bumfaad", directed by debutant Ranjan Chandel. In the film, Jatin shares screen space with Paresh Rawal's son Aditya and Shalini Pandey. "I'm very excited about this one. It is a totally new team, young fresh and raring to go. I am at a stage where I want doors to open for me. I want to explore new characters work with directors with new ideas." --IANS skj/rb/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With barely three days to go for the campaigning to end for the Telangana Assembly polls, major contenders for power are engaged in a no-holds-barred attack on each other. Leading the campaign of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), its President K. Chandrashekhar Rao has termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'liar' and Congress President Rahul Gandhi a 'joker'. Congress-led People's Front and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders are returning the favour in the same coin, branding KCR and his family members as 'thieves' and 'looters' of the newly created state. KCR is known for using choicest words in Telugu with Telangana accent to run down his rivals. Popular for his oratory skills, he often lands himself in controversies through bitter verbal attacks. If KCR and president of Congress party's state unit Uttam Kumar Reddy were locked in a verbal duel for last several weeks, the exchange of words intensified in recent days with the national leaders of the Congress and BJP joining the campaign. "Is the country your father's jagir (fief)," thundered KCR at an election rally last week targeting Modi over not allowing the state to increase reservation for Muslims to 12 percent. At another rally, he remarked that Modi has 'Hindu Muslim disease'. The TRS chief was further angered by Modi's attack on his beliefs. The Prime Minister had poked fun at KCR for relying on astrologers, 'pooja path' and 'nimbu mirchi'. KCR described Modi as 'liar' when the latter made sarcastic remark on TRS leader's promise to transform Nizamabad town into London. Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and other leaders are all hitting out at KCR for his family rule. They all have a common point - only KCR, his son, daughter and two nephews benefited from TRS rule. Going a step ahead, Congress leader and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu termed KCR and his family as 'Ali Baba Aur 4 Chor'. Rahul Gandhi termed KCR as 'Khao Commission Rao', alleging that he received kickbacks in irrigation and other projects. Hitting out at what they call the autocratic rule of KCR and drawing a parallel between him and KCR, both Rahul Gandhi and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu described the TRS leader as 'Chota Modi'. Like in 2014, the TRS is harping on the slogan of Telangana pride to woo the voters. "Will you allow yourselves to become slaves of Delhi?" KCR asks people at his rallies taking potshots at the Congress and BJP. As the TDP is contesting the polls in alliance with Congress, the TRS made Telangana self-respect the core of its campaign. The ruling party alleged that by being part of a coalition government in Telangana, Naidu is looking to harm Telagana. "Do you want your decisions to be taken in Amaravati?" asks KCR, referring to the Andhra Pradesh capital. At one rally, KCR remarked that even if his party was defeated in elections. he would not lose anything. "I will take rest at my farm house," he said. "He was anyway not coming to the Secretariat and meeting people. He was taking rest at the posh Pragati Bhavan he built for himself. It is better if he takes rest at farm house instead of at Pragati Bhavan," taunted Telangana Jana Samithi leader M. Kodandaram, a one-time friend of KCR during the Telangana movement and now a part of People's Front. --IANS ms/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Microsoft's much talked-about foldable Surface device, codenamed "Andromeda", may hit the market in 2019, according to a new book titled "Beneath a Surface". The book by journalist and tech blog Thurrot.com collaborator Brad Sams, which started shipping on November 29, covers how Microsoft built the Surface brand and also details some of the upcoming Surface products. "Beneath a Surface" tells how the Redmond, Washington-headquartered software giant made its hardware dreams a reality by turning "a failure into a fortune". Surface Phone enthusiasts earlier this year ran a petition on "Change.org" to persuade Microsoft to reverse its reported decision to cancel the dual-screen computing device. But the new book suggests that "Andromeda", a foldable device that is a phone and a tablet, could be in the hands of the people next year itself. The book suggests that Andromeda could be a bit larger that the "pocketable" design seen in the patents. "Again, this device will ship when it's ready and there is justification for it but the company sees it as a visionary device and it is currently slated for a Q4 (of 2019) release," the author wrote in a blog post. South Korean smartphone maker Samsung last month unveiled a foldable smartphone and announced that it would release the device in the first half of 2019. Chinese giant Huawei is also reportedly working on a similar device. "And the device that started the entire book, the Surface Pro will get heavily updated in Q4 of 2019 with thinner bezels, new colour options, USB-C, and a few other enhancements," Sams added. --IANS gb/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Anti-government militants abducted 40 truck drivers in Afghanistan's northern province of Samangan on Sunday, police said. "Armed Taliban rebels stopped 40 to 45 trucks carrying coal in Khashak Dara village of Dara-e-Suf Payen district ... and took their drivers, possibly 40 drivers or more, to unknown locations," a police spokesman told Xinhua news agency. Search operations are underway for the release of the drivers, the official said. In a similar incident, Taliban militants abducted 25 commuters in the neighboring Sari Pul province last week, according to local officials. --IANS mr/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A joint team of Army and police arrested nine cadres of the anti-talk faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border on Sunday evening, officials said. The cadres were returning to Assam after completing their training in Myanmar, Defence Spokesman, Lt. Col. A.P. Khongsai said here. He said that intelligence was gathered from ground sources in the last two months about NDFB(S) cadres returning from their training camps in Myanmar for attempting to carry out subversive activities. "The complete group was busted while infiltrating into India from their training camp in Myanmar. An Ambush was established on their infiltration route and all nine cadres were nabbed," he said adding that the operation also resulted in recovery of weapons including AK -47, AK- 56, pistols and various other ammunitions. --IANS ah/pgh/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday expressed concern over the proposed changes in the procedure for issuing permanent resident certificates (PRCs) in the state. Expressing his concern, he posted a letter addressed to the state Governor on his Twitter handle. "My letter to @jandkgovernor on behalf of @JKNC_ placing on record our concern about reports of changes being proposed to the J&K permanent residents certificate rules," he said. Abdullah also said he had been trying to fax the letter to the Governor's office, but the fax machine was not working there so he had to post a copy of the letter on Twitter. "I'm trying to fax a letter to @jandkgovernor but the fax machine still isn't working. The operator who answered the phone says the fax operator is on holiday as it's a Sunday. Will attempt again tomorrow in the mean time am forced to put the letter out through social media," he said in another post. The PRC is issued to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir as defined by the state legislature under powers vested by Article 35A of the state constitution. The Article has been challenged in the Supreme Court. --IANS sq/ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 288 people have been arrested and some 100 others injured as protesters took to the streets of Paris against rising fuel prices, clashing with riot police, authorities said. A police spokesman told CNN that clashes erupted on Saturday after the protesters from the "gilets jaune" or "yellow vest" movement demonstrated against rising gas prices and taxes on polluting forms of transport. Saturday's protests marked the third consecutive week of such demonstrations, although with an estimated 36,500 participants across the country they were smaller than those in weeks past, according to the French Interior Ministry. Last week, about 53,000 participated and there were about 113,000 the week before. "All the police, the gendarmes and civil security forces were mobilised," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said, adding that 65,000 agents had been deployed around the country and 4,000 in Paris, a number that proved insufficient to deal with the 3,000 violent protesters identified by the authorities. The Minister said the famous Arc de Triomphe was occupied and damaged by the rioters during the protests, reports Efe news. The arch was spattered with yellow paint saying, "The 'yellow vests' will triumph" and later a group of demonstrators managed to get access to the top of the monument. "I am shocked by the challenge against symbols of France," Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said. "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier encircled, the Arc de Triomphe daubed," he added. As the day wore on, the area surrounding the Champs Elysees began to look like a war zone, with protesters launching Molotov cocktails and cobblestones at police who responded with tear gas and water cannon. But the protests evolved into a broader demonstration against French President Emmanuel Macron, his government and tensions between the metropolitan elite and rural poor, CNN said. The violent protests and vandalism in Paris have "absolutely nothing to do with the peaceful demonstrations of a legitimate unhappiness or discontent", Macron told the media on Saturday in Buenos Aires, where he's attending the G20 summit. Those responsible will be identified and taken to court, he added. --IANS ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) College StationFlags flew at half-staff across the United States on 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 Husseins forces from Kuwait. Many of those same leaders are expected to attend Bushs state funeral next week, alongside President Donald Trump and his wife Melania. Trump was notably absent from the funerals of the statesmans late wife Barbara, and of veteran fellow Republican John McCain. Although the two Republican presidents were in many ways polar oppositesthe 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 5when the federal government and New York Stock Exchange will close in Bushs honorTrump also signaled his respect by calling off a press conference planned at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. The days-long national farewell to Bush will begin Monday with a commemoration in Houston, where the Bushes lived for years and where he died on Friday surrounded by friends and family. From there, Bushs casket will travel to Washington on board Trumps presidential aircraftin what the US leader called a special tribute that he deserves very much. The former president will lie in state in the US Capitol between Monday and Wednesday ahead of a state funeral at the towering National Cathedral, expected to draw dozens of dignitaries from around the world. Bushs remains will travel back to Texas late Wednesday, where he will lie in repose at St Martins Episcopal Church in Houston with a funeral service the next day preceding his internment at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station. He will make his final journey aboard a funeral train. At the presidential library on Saturday, people came to sign the memorial book in Bushs honor, or lay flowers at the feet of his statue. We wanted to come here and at least respect senior George Bush because he was a great president, and a great human being, said Bhoumin Mehta, a well-wisher from Sugar Land, southwest of Houston. Bush was a decorated World War II pilot, diplomat and onetime CIA chief who saw his son George follow in his footsteps to the Oval Office -- making them only the second father-son duo in American presidential history, after John and John Quincy Adams. 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. The oldest surviving former US president Jimmy Carter said Bushs administration was marked by grace, civility and social conscience. Britain took the rare step of lowering flags in government buildings, while Germanys President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised Bushs unwavering support for the countrys 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 Trumps frequent criticisms of the Old Continent. Suffering from Parkinsons disease, Bush had been wheelchair-bound and in failing health. He is survived by his five living children and 17 grandchildren. According to Bushs longtime friend, the former secretary of state James Baker, quoted by The New York Times, Bushs final words were to the younger 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. Born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy 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 Washingtons envoy to China and as chief of the Central Intelligence Agency before becoming Ronald Reagans vice president. Eight years later, in accepting his partys 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. 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 last year. Police in Manipur on Sunday intensified efforts to rescue three construction workers kidnapped by suspected tribal militants on November 29. According to authorities, the workers identified as Veer Singh from Haryana and Ranjit and D.K. Yadav from Uttar Pradesh were kidnapped when they were working along the National Highway 2 in Kanglatongbi, Kangpokpi district. Police said that commandos were carrying out search operations in the mountain villages of Kangpokpi, a stronghold of some tribal outfits in the state. --IANS il/ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Researchers have identified cancer drugs that 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. Highly efficacious vaccines against HPV infection exist -- including the recently approved Gardasil 9, which immunises 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, the researchers said. Preclinical experiments by researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the US suggest the cancer drugs vorinostat, belinostat and panobinostat might help treat HPVs. "Safe, effective and inexpensive therapeutic agents are urgently needed," said lead author N. Sanjib Banerjee, Assistant Professor at UAB. In the study, detailed in the journal PNAS, the team discovered that the productive programme 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. They found that vorinostat effectively slowed down HPV-18 DNA and virus production. Importantly, vorinostat also induced the programmed cell death in a fraction of the differentiated cells. Similar results were obtained with belinostat and panobinostat. The UAB team also reported that vorinostat caused extensive cell death in raft cultures of dysplastic and cancer cell lines harbouring HPV-16. HPV-16 and HPV-18 are the most prevalent, high-risk HPVs responsible for causing anogenital -- the cervix, penis and anus -- and oropharyngeal -- mouth and throat -- 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. --IANS rt/gb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A top admiral overseeing US Naval forces in the Middle East was found dead in his residence in Bahrain, the Navy said in a statement here. Vice Adm. Scott Stearney was found dead on Saturday, but officials have said that there was no evidence of foul play at this time. "This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at Fifth Fleet, and for the entire Navy," Adm. John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, told CNN. "Adm. Stearney was a decorated professional and a devoted father, a devoted husband and a good friend." Richardson said the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior were cooperating in the investigation. The US Navy's Bahrain-based Naval Forces Central Command, which the Fifth Fleet is part of, oversees operations in areas like the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. The command is seen as critical to US security interests given the challenges of Iran and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, both of which Washington sees as potential threats to shipping in the region. A tremendous amount of commercial shipping, including large amounts of oil and gas, travels through the waters overseen by Fifth Fleet. The deputy commander of the Fifth Fleet, Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, has assumed acting command, Richardson said, adding that the Navy's "operations and responsibilities" in the region will continue uninterrupted. Stearney, a native of Chicago, held several senior posts, including commanding a carrier strike group and serving as director of operations for US Central Command. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has said that he hopes to have a second meeting with North Korean leader in January or February 2019 and that they were considering three places for the summit. "I think we're going to do one fairly (soon) - into January, February," Trump told the media on Saturday night while aboard Air Force One, returning to Washington from the G20 Summit in Argentina. Trump said they had discussed three sites for the summit but had not decided anything, adding that he was open to receiving Kim in the US at some point, reports Efe news. In September, the President said that he wanted to schedule a second summit with Kim. However an impasse in negotiations has delayed the planning for the meet, which would give continuity to the process initiated at the historic summit in Singapore in June. After Trump and Kim agreed to work towards the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in the first summit, progress has been largely symbolic owing to the absence of a clear route map for disarmament. The US has urged North Korea to take concrete steps towards denuclearization, whereas Pyongyang has demanded guarantees for its survival before the signing of a peace treaty. During the G20 summit, Trump met South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and agreed to stay firm in the application of sanctions on Pyongyang until it takes significant steps towards denuclearization. --IANS ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday exchanged views on trade and security on the sidelines of G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires, according to a statement released by the White House. The two leaders exchanged thoughts on Russia's violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and explored how to strengthen the NATO alliance further as well as how to improve European energy security, the statement said. They also discussed the ongoing situation of confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, according to the statement, Xinhua news agency reported. "We have a great relationship and a great working relationship, I think very important," said Trump before the meeting, according to the statement. Trump also expressed his praise of Merkel, who "was highly respected by everybody, including me." Meanwhile, Trump reaffirmed his stance on trade between the US and Germany, saying that "we have a tremendous trade imbalance, but we're going to get that straightened out." For her part, Merkel said the two countries should address issues related to fair trade, multilateral issues, the World Trade Organization, the INF Treaty and regional issues concerning Syria and Ukraine. Despite the long-term alliance between Washington and Berlin, the bilateral ties recently have been overshadowed by their differences on bilateral trade, the Iran nuclear deal, climate change, the defense spending of NATO members and the NORD-Stream 2 gas pipeline project, among other issues. --IANS vc/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From doing films as different as chalk and cheese to redefining professionalism for working mothers to trying her hands at a radio show, top actress Kareena Kapoor Khan does not want to stop there and says she would like to keep exploring "different things" till she is 70 years old. Kareena made her acting debut in 2000 with "Refugee". She was later seen in films like "Ajnabee", "Asoka", "Chameli", "Yuva", "Omkara", "Jab We Met", "Heroine", "Satyagraha", "Ki&Ka" and "Udta Punjab". She launched her radio show titled "What Women Want with Kareena Kapoor Khan" on Ishq 104.8 FM last month. Asked if she aspires to do something more, Kareena told IANS here: "The idea today is only about content -- and being a part of good content, whether it is the web, cinema, stage or radio. I think today artists and actors are all about supporting content. I am just happy that I have got to try my hand... It's the first time for me. So, lets see... I would like to try different things till probably I am 70." The 38-year-old actress, who hails from Indian cinema's first film family, redefined professionalism by returning to work soon after delivering her first son named Taimur in 2016. Kareena, who married actor Saif Ali Khan in 2012, also praised digital platforms and added: "I am glad all this is opening up for us." She added: "The content in cinema and different platforms is changing. There are so many options to do what you want in today's time and I think it's the best time to be an actor." The "Veere Di Wedding" actress has lent her voice to the character of the hypnotic python Kaa in the Hindi version of actor-filmmaker Andy Serkis' forthcoming film "Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle", which is slated to have a global release on the streaming site Netflix on December 7. Kareena, who is excited to be a part of the eternal classic originally written as "The Jungle Book" by author Rudyard Kipling, says: "Mowgli was one of the closest characters to my heart because his journey has been very interesting.... The journey of (his) self-discovery is something every young adult gets attracted to." Is she excited to share the film with her two-year-old son, when he grows up? "When he turns 13, he will be there watching it with me... But that is why I couldn't say no." She said being offered to lend her voice to Kaa is an absolute honour. Talking about Kaa, she said: "She (Kaa) is quite a seductress. Dubbing for it was quite unique... She had to sound hypnotic... I have not played a character like that. In most of the movies, you have seen me playing a girl-next-door or a homemaker, but to play this seductress of the jungle was super fun." (Durga Chakravarty is in Mumbai at the invitation of Netflix. She can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in ) --IANS dc/nv/vm/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Sunday condemned the 'women wall' protest from Kasargode to the Kerala capital announced by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for January 1, saying it it will only whip up communal passions. Addressing the media, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said it was rather strange that Vijayan was doing what no Communist Chief Minister in the state had thought of. "This 'women wall' will only help to polarize communities and compartmentalize people in the name of caste. What is even more strange is that this was decided at a meeting of representatives with dozens of Hindu social organisations where the Chief Secretary was also present. Vijayan should see that this is not a state-sponsored programme," he said. Saturday's meeting was an attempt to garner support following recent protests by Hindu groups in Kerala over the entry of women of all ages to the Sabarimala temple post a Supreme Court verdict. Vijayan sent out invites to over 150 social groups, of which around 70 took part and it was decided to use the #hashtag that the purpose of the 'women wall' would be 'not to turn Kerala into a lunatic asylum'. "Vijayan should release minutes of the meeting... Reports have surfaced that while Vijayan said all have pledged support for the state government on the stand taken by them on the Sabarimala issue, some leaders who took part later said they disagreed," added Chennithala. The apex court on November 13 refused to stay the September verdict, three days before the two month long Sabarimala pilgrimage season began on November 16. The Left Democratic Front government led by the CPI-M has been trying to implement the apex court's verdict even as the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and several Hindu groups are up in arms against it. "The talk of renaissance is not by bringing ladies to Sabarimala as there is no ban on ladies. Instead, there is restriction, which is part of tradition and the rituals associated with the Sabarimala temple. "The BJP and RSS are trying to create a terror situation in the temple town," added Chennithala. Meanwhile, the Nair Service Society, which represents the Hindu Nair community and which did not attend Saturday's meeting, on Sunday said that the Vijayan government was trying to make political capital out of the Sabarimala issue. --IANS sg/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) This makes any act by a chartered accountant that brings disrepute to the profession, whether or not in the professional domain, open to disciplinary scrutiny and action. While the SC order strengthens the hands of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the body that regulates the profession, in cracking the whip against such misconduct, many in the CA fraternity feel the same benchmark ... 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. 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Digital Editor One person was killed and five others injured in a clash between two groups over a property dispute at Dudheshwar locality in Ahmedabad late Saturday night, police said. Mohammad Irfan Saiyad (30) was attacked with swords and shot by a group of people over a property dispute and he succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital, Madhavpura police inspector V N Rabari said Sunday. Five others sustained injuries in the clash and some vehicles were also set on fire, the official added. As per the FIR lodged by Ashfaq Saiyad, at around 11 pm, a group of people armed with swords and iron rods attacked him and others owing to an old property dispute, he said. Saiyad, in his complaint, has named local residents Suleiman Pathan and ten others for the attack, following which police registered a case under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 145 (unlawful assembly) of the IPC as well as the Arms Act. Rabari said no arrests had been made as yet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Must their return to Balangiga spell the end of the story?" "Must their return to Balangiga spell the end of the story?" Last October 1, we wrote in this space about the imminent return of the Balangiga bells in time for Christmas. As a result, Manila Standard scooped every other paper about the return of the national treasures. We could not however give out details or the source of our information as our sources in the US preferred anonymity, as they still do. It is enough for them that soon it would be mission accomplished, and they have done their part in furthering the friendly relation of our peoples. The bells were taken from the church of San Lorenzo de Martir in Balangiga, Samar (now Eastern Samar) and thence brought by US forces to their country as war booty. There are actually three bells -- two large ones and a smaller bell. The two large bells ended up in Cheyenne, Wyoming, at the entrance of F.E. Warren Air Force base, while the smaller bell became a signal bell of the US Second Infantry Division which is now posted at Camp Red Cloud in South Korea. The common belief among Americans particularly in Wyoming is that the three bells were rung to signal the attack on September 28, 1901 by Filipino insurrectos upon the American soldiers of Company C who were then stationed in Balangiga. Scholars have since learned from oral history and other accounts that only the small bell was rung. The local priest at the time, a Fr. Donato Guimbaolibot was not present at the time of the attack. To many Filipinos, the Balangiga Massacre refers to the reprisal inflicted by the American forces which resulted in the burning down of Balangiga including its church. The reprisal was done upon orders of Gen. Jacob Smith who exhorted his men to turn Samar into a howling wilderness and to kill all males above ten years of age. Most chilling was his exhortation that the more you kill and burn, the more pleased I will be. Smith was subsequently court-martialed for this, but was merely given a slap on the wrist a dishonorable discharge and retirement. Balangiga also stands out as among the few military victories exacted by the Filipino side against US forces during that war. Long after that incident, the belief among many veterans in Wyoming was that the US soldiers were the object of a savage and perfidious attack, that the Filipinos used bolos to mercilessly hack their soldiers to death. They dismissed the fact that the Filipinos only had bolos for weapons and a surprise attack was the only way of effectively fighting soldiers armed with Krag rifles. The journey of the Balangiga bells back home to Samar has been long and arduous. It entailed Philippine Catholic church leaders making representations with the US military for the return of the bells many decades back. The 1990s saw the first earnest efforts by the Philippine government for the return of the bells, spearheaded by then President Fidel V. Ramos, who ordered the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., then headed by Ambassador Raul Ch. Rabe to mount an active campaign. Trips by Ambassador Rabe and other officials to Cheyenne, Wyoming were undertaken and representations made with local officials, businessmen, and Filipino residents of the area. Many Fil-Am organizations also joined the campaign, writing and visiting their local political leaders. In fact, a draft of a US presidential order to be signed by then POTUS Bill Clinton was already prepared in time for the last official visit of Pres. Ramos to the country in 1999. However, Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas filed a bill in the US Congress prohibiting the removal of artifacts from US war memorials for return to foreign countries unless with the express authorization of the US Congress. This became law until 2017 when it finally expired and opened the doors to a renewed campaign.This time a group of retired US military officials formerly assigned at Clark and Subic bases in the course of their career took it upon themselves to continue the effort for the return of the bells. Then came the State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte where he asked for the return of the bells to our country. The resistance to their return came from a small but active group of war veterans in Cheyenne. But our American friends lobbied to convince fellow veterans of the need to do the right thing and return the bells to the church to which they ought to belong. The appeal had a good ring to it and they were joined by other Americans who had ties to the Philippines. They lobbied the national organizations of US veterans and an American businessman undertook a lobby in the US Congress to prevent the revival of the Thomas law and insert instead a provision in the US Defense Appropriations Act giving the US Defense Secretary the power to return the artifacts to foreign countries. Much has been written about this group of principled Americans and those who preceded them and there is no need to mention their names here. All that needs to be said is that we Filipinos are grateful to them for their help in getting back the Bells of Balangiga. Must the return of the bells to Balangiga spell the end of their story? The bells have become national treasures, and there are voices saying they should be celebrated to commemorate our struggle for independence against the American invaders. There are also those who feel that the return of the bells should spell closure to that part of our history when Filipinos and Americans were enemies at war against each other. Maybe we should set up in Balangiga a memorial to Philippine-American friendship. Ominously at odds? This has been done earlier in Baler, Quezon where the last valiant Spanish soldiers were marooned inside a church but stood in defiance, and now commemorates the historical ties between the Philippines and Spain. *** Let me congratulate in this column my good friend Teodoro Locsin Jr., Teddy Boy as he is often called, for his swift confirmation as our Foreign Affairs Secretary. Much has been said in praise of the man during the confirmation and I shall not add more to the encomiums, other than to say he deserves them. *** But I regret I have to end this piece with sadness. For while we were having an investment summit of big Taiwanese businessmen in the Taipei Le Meridien on Wednesday night last week, SBMA Chair Amy Eisma called to ask if MECO Director Rommel Sytin was around. Rommel decided to leave for home earlier after our Joint Economic Conference that day, and it was while he was on board a PAL plane for Manila when Eisma called to break the tragic news that his older brother, my friend Dominic Sytin was dastardly and fatally shot as he went out of a hotel in SBMA. Dominic, the eldest of the Sytin brothers who pioneered their fledgling used equipment venture into the countrys largest truck and heavy equipment auction house, United Auctioneers, was a man of grit and imagination who bucked economic adversity and triumphed. Our profound condolences to the bereaved family and the entire Sytin clan. Journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra, arrested for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Sun Temple, Odisha's culture and state legislators, was admitted to a hospital here after he complained of illness, officials said Sunday. Mitra, who was arrested on October 23 this year and lodged in the high-security Jharpada jail here, was admitted to the Capital Hospital here late Saturday night, a hospital official said. He has been undergoing treatment in the Surgery department for some ailment since late Saturday night and his condition is stable, Director of Capital Hospital Chandrika Prasad Das told PTI. During a visit to the Sun Temple at Konark in September, the Delhi-based journalist and researcher had posted a video on his Twitter handle, allegedly criticising Odisha, its people, Lord Jagannath, Konark temple and Odisha lawmakers. The Odisha Assembly had on November 17 pardoned Mitra after he tendered unconditional and unreserved apology for his statement against the lawmakers. The assembly accepted the recommendations made by a House Committee which was set up to enquire into the question of alleged breach of privilege relating to the statement made by Mitra. The committee was set up on September 20 following concerns expressed by MLAs cutting across party lines. During its six sittings, the Committee met Mitra and sought his affidavit on the matter. He had allegedly dubbed the members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly as "Buddu" (stupid). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Afghan officials say an airstrike has killed at least 10 civilians in the eastern Paktia province bordering Pakistan. Shausta Jan Ahady, a former provincial council member, says women and children were among those killed late Saturday. He says local residents displayed the bodies and protested on Sunday. Provincial government spokesman Abdullah Hsrat says the airstrike killed four insurgents and that an investigation has been launched into the allegations of civilian casualties. In a separate incident in the southern Helmand province, an airstrike killed the Taliban's shadow governor and two of his guards, according to provincial government spokesman Omar Zwak. There was no immediate comment from the Taliban, who control nearly half the country and run a parallel administration. It was not immediately clear who carried out either airstrike. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Flags flew at half-staff across the United States on Saturday as Americans prepared for a week of solemn tributes to George HW 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 signalled his respect by calling off a press conference planned at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. The days-long national farewell to Bush will begin Monday with a commemoration in Houston, where the Bushes lived for years and where he died on Friday surrounded by friends and family. From there, Bush's casket will travel to Washington on board Trump's presidential aircraft -- in what the US leader called "a special tribute that he deserves very much." The former president will lie in state in the US Capitol between Monday and Wednesday ahead of a state funeral at the towering National Cathedral, expected to draw dozens of dignitaries from around the world. Bush's remains will travel back to Texas late Wednesday, where he will lie in repose at St Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston with a funeral service the next day preceding his internment at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station. He will make his final journey aboard a funeral train. At the presidential library on Saturday, people came to sign the memorial book in Bush's honour, or lay flowers at the feet of his statue. "We wanted to come here and at least respect senior George Bush because he was a great president, and a great human being," said Bhoumin Mehta, a well-wisher from Sugar Land, southwest of Houston. Bush was a decorated World War II pilot, diplomat and onetime CIA chief who saw his son George follow in his footsteps to the Oval Office -- making them only the second father-son duo in American presidential history, after John and John Quincy Adams. 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. The oldest surviving former US president Jimmy Carter said Bush's administration "was marked by grace, civility and social conscience." Britain took the rare step of lowering flags in government buildings, while Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised Bush's "unwavering support" for the country's 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. Suffering from Parkinson's disease, Bush 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, the former secretary of state James Baker, quoted by The New York Times, Bush's final words were to the younger 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. Born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy 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 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 becoming 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. 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 last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Astronauts set to board the first manned space mission since an unprecedented accident aboard Russia's Soyuz, on Sunday brushed aside safety concerns, saying they were ready to take risks. Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos, Anne McClain of NASA and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency will launch to the International Space Station (ISS) from Baikonur in Kazakhstan on Monday. They will head to the ISS after a Soyuz rocket carrying Russia's Aleksey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague failed on October 11 just minutes after blast-off. The pair escaped unharmed, but the failed launch was the first such incident in Russia's post-Soviet history and a new setback for the country's once proud space industry. The crew heading to the ISS dismissed any possible concerns about their safety. "Risk is part of our profession," crew commander Oleg Kononenko told a conference at Baikonur, adding they "absolutely" trusted teams preparing them for the flight. "We are psychologically and technically prepared for blast-off and any situation which, God forbid, may occur on board," the 54-year-old said. Anne McClain, a 39-year-old former military pilot, struck a similar note. "We feel very ready for it," she said. Canada's Saint-Jacques added that Soyuz spacecraft was "incredibly safe," noting it was "actually reassuring" to witness the October aborted launch from Baikonur. The accident highlighted the "smart design of the Soyuz and the incredible work that the search and rescue people here on the ground are ready to do every launch," the 48-year-old said. Russia said last month the launch of the Soyuz rocket failed because of a sensor that was damaged during assembly at the Baikonur cosmodrome. But officials insisted the spacecraft remains reliable. Saint-Jacques will be the first Canadian astronaut to visit the space station since Chris Hadfield, who recorded a version of David Bowie's Space Oddity classic aboard the ISS in 2013. Canada's governor general and former astronaut Julie Payette is expected to be among dignitaries to watch Monday's launch. Of the trio set to reach the ISS six hours after blastoff, both Saint-Jacques and McClain will fly for the first time. Kononenko is beginning his fourth mission to add to an impressive 533 days in space. NASA's McClain was deployed to Iraq and represented the United States women's national rugby union team in the past. She has said that training to spacewalk was similar to rugby since it demands "grit, toughness, mental focus, and more". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Bangladeshi national has been arrested in the US for his role in a scheme to smuggle undocumented immigrants from Mexico into America. Moktar Hossain, 30, conspired to bring and brought 14 Bangladeshi nationals at the Texas border in exchange for a fee from March 2017 to August 2018, the US Department of Justice said. He operated out of Monterrey, Mexico, where he maintained a hotel that housed immigrants before they were transported to the US border by drivers paid by him. US Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo in the Southern District of Texas ordered that Hossain be held pending transfer to Laredo for further criminal proceedings. "Protecting our country from illegal immigration and the national security threat it poses is a priority for the Department of Justice," Assistant Attorney General Brian A Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division said. San Antonio, the Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), said the agency will continue to work with federal law enforcement partners to maintain the integrity of the US border and the safety of its communities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The candidature of jailed former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, who has filed her nomination papers for the upcoming general election in the country from three constituencies, has been rejected Sunday by the Election Commission due to her convictions in two graft cases. The Commission's decision came four days after the Bangladesh High Court ruled that a person jailed for more than two years cannot contest polls, effectively ruining Zia's chance to participate in the December 30 polls. The 73-year-old ex-premier is currently serving jail terms in two graft cases involving charities named after her slain husband Ziaur Rahman. Zia had filed nomination papers from three constituencies -- two from northwestern Bogra and one from southeastern Feni, but the returning officers of the two districts scrapped her nominations as she was convicted by the court, an EC spokesperson said. As per election rules, a candidate declared unfit to contest polls can appeal to an EC tribunal for revised decisions or could challenge the commission decision to the High Court. Besides Zia, the nomination of 15 high-profile candidates were also disqualified on different grounds, the spokesperson said. Zia has been in custody since February 8, when the Dhaka Special Court convicted her in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case and sentenced her to five years of imprisonment for embezzling 21 million Bangladeshi Taka (USD 252,504) in foreign donations meant for the Trust. On October 30, the High Court doubled her jail term to 10 years. On October 29, a trial court convicted her in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case and sentenced her to seven years in prison and imposed a fine of Tk 1 million (USD 12,024). Zia was made vice-chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the largest political opposition of the country, in March 1983 after the assassination of her husband. She became chairperson of the party on May 10, 1984, a post she is holding till now. In her 35 years of political career, Zia went to the jail several times. During the 2007-2008 tenure of the army-backed caretaker government, she was in jail for about a year on charges of corruption. The BNP, which boycotted the 2014 elections under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League (AL) government, is set to contest the polls in alliance with the newly formed National Unity Front (NUF) led by eminent jurist Kamal Hossain. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP on Sunday deplored the police raid on the office of ABVP, the students' wing of RSS, over allegations of involvement of its members in the attack on leaders of Chhatra JD(U) - the students wing of Chief Minister Nitish Kumars party. BJP MLC Sanjay Paswan and MLAs Sanjeev Chaurasia, Arun Sinha and Nitin Nabin came out with a joint statement on Sunday condemning the raid that took place on Friday night, after some Chhatra JD(U) leaders including the president of the Patna University Students Union (PUSU) president Divyanshu were roughed up. PUSU polls are slated for December 5 and the incident that took place on Friday afternoon was seen as an example of fierce campus rivalry, with cross FIRs being lodged by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Chhatra JD(U) leaders. Divyanshu has alleged that ABVP has been upset with him ever since he quit the organization last year and won the PUSU polls as an Independent, before joining the Chhatra JD(U). From the ABVPs side, its members including nominee for vice-presidents post Anjani Singh, have alleged that the pro-BJP student outfit had taken exception to eve-teasing by Chhatra JD(U) leaders. In their statement, the BJP legislators alleged ABVP candidates and supporters are being "terrorized by the police and the administration. They also said some event management professionals are trying to influence the outcome of the students union polls in what is being seen as a veiled attack on poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, who is said to have been taking a keen interest in bringing youths to the JD(U) of which he was appointed the national vice-president within weeks of becoming a primary member. We are confident that Patna University students would vote in the interests of education, society and the nation and defeat those trying to influence the outcome with the help of money, muscle power and political and administrative interference, they added. Meanwhile, the Hindustani Awam Morcha of former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi which belongs to the opposition camp also came out with a statement charging Kishor with blatant misuse of the administrative machinery after having declared that he wanted a victory in PUSU polls at all costs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A labour contractor, who was absconding following an explosion near a Central Ammunition Depot (CAD) in Maharashtra's Wardha district, has been arrested, police said. Shankar Chandak (40), resident of Pulgaon, was arrested late Saturday night near the Old Collector Office in Wardha town, an official said. Chandak had allegedly supplied labourers for disposal of ammunition at the CAD at Pulgaon in Wardha district, said inspector Shankar Thakur of Deoli police station. An explosion during unloading of ammunition boxes killed six persons and injured 12 on November 20. Among the deceased, five were contractual workers. The police official said that probe revealed that the workers provided by Chandok were unskilled, and inappropriate handling of ammunition boxes led to the mishap. A case under IPC section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) was registered against Chandok on the same day and since then he was absconding, said inspector Thakur. He will be produced before a local court, the officer added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A bullet riddled body of a former militant was found Sunday morning at Lokchao area in Manipur's Churachandpur district, a senior police officer said. Superintendent of Police of Churachandpur, K Kabib said the deceased person was a former cadre of proscribed militant outfit United Socialist Revolutionary Army (USRA). The police suspect that he was killed by another militant group, the SP said. A case has been registered at Churachandpur police station for further investigation, the SP added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The "rakhi with khaki" initiative of Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur police, in which girls and women tied rakhis to 50,033 police personnel, has been acknowledged by the Guinness World Records. The event, a brainchild of Bilaspur Superintendent of Police Sheikh Arif Husen, was held on August 25, a day before Raksha Bandhan, and had women and girls from local schools and colleges tying rakhis over a span of ten hours and then uploading selfies with hashtags #rakhiwithkhaki and #HappyRakshaBandhan. The Guinness World Records certificate was awarded to Bilaspur police at a function held at the Lakhiram Memorial Auditorium here Saturday, Husen told PTI. Prabhjot Sodhi, representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India was the chief guest at the function Saturday. "The rakhi with khaki initiative aimed at reaching out to women and girls and assuring them of security. Besides, it was to make the festival special for police personnel who are on duty even during such occasions," Husen said. He added that Bilaspur police had started "samvedna kendra" at police stations to help women witnesses speak freely with the police about their problems. Husen, a 2005 batch IPS officer, has earlier received the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) award twice for community policing initiatives during his tenure as SP of Bastar and Balod in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A prominent shipping industry player has sought a new container terminal on the Howrah side that will not only decongest Kolkata but also help lower its rising pollution levels. "There is a need for a container terminal on the west of city (Howrah) side which could avoid trucks coming to Kolkata," Tirupati Vessels director Rajiv Agarwal said. Tirupati Vessels has recently started RoRo (Roll-on/roll-off) service in the city. However, Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has dismissed the need at this hour. KoPT chairman Vinit Kumar told PTI that RoRo service addresses the issue and had been commenced to transfer the trucks to Howrah bypassing Kolkata roads and bridges for their onward journey. India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry president A M Ahmad said funding for the project will not be a problem from the private sector and even Bangladeshi investors who are keen on developing it if the government decides. Pollution in Kolkata has been rising alarmingly and the principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had slapped a Rs 5 crore penalty on the state for its failure to control air quality in the city. State and transport minister had said commercial vehicles beyond 15 years coming from districts and other states were a cause of concern as they were contributing heavily to the high pollution. The KoPT chairman said that inland waterways trade with Bangladesh is not doing justice to its potential due to lack of inward cargo from Bangladesh which makes freight costlier. "Talks have been held at government level for export cargo of Bangladesh be allowed on Indian vessels from Dhaka's Panagon river port," he said. Successful trail of coastal vessel to Pangaon was first held in February 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CG Food India, maker of the instant noodles Wai Wai, plans to launch its IPO in 2020, and diversify its offerings by extending its product range in several new segments, said a top company official. The company is expecting to grow production capacity of instant noodles over two fold, from 2.5 billion packets per year to 5 billion packets, by 2020. Besides, CG Corp Global (the parent company), also has plans to enters segments such as personal care, home detergents (with a new brand) and to diversify its popular brand Wai Wai into segments as ready-to-eat food and others, including cereals. "Our company CG Food India, which owns our global assets, will go for an initial public offer (IPO) in 2020," CG Corp Global Chairman Binod K Chaudhary told PTI. CG Food India has a turnover of around Rs 1,000 crore. The company is forming a joint venture with a European firm for personal care products, and plans to enter the markets by 2019, he added. "In Nepal, we have already started in all the essential commodities and personal care (through different brand) and food," he added. CG Corp competes in the instant noodles segment with Swiss FMCG major Nestle, which is the market leader with its Maggi portfolio. Besides, the company is also setting up manufacturing operations in four markets -- Kazakhstan, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh -- to expand its global footprints. "We have just finalised to acquire a plant in Kazakhstan. The Egyptian government has already given us land, and we are going to be near Cairo in one years' time," he said adding that "in Bangladesh, we are opening this month". According to him, Bangladesh plant would cater to the Myanmar market also, while Egypt is for Africa and middle-east markets, and Kazakhstan would serve the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. It also has a plant in Belgrade, Serbia, which caters the east-European market. "We are expanding our global footprint strategically to reach our 2020 plan to be a 5-billion packet company, which would make us a global firm," Chaudhary added. CG Foods had set up a Wai Wai plant in Serbia in 2017. Nepal-based CG Corp Global is a diversified group and has interests in a diverse range of sectors -- including hospitality, banking, FMCG, cement, integrated industrial parks, and real estate. CG Corp Global is Nepal's first and only billion-dollar corporation and is present in over 30 countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump's decision to suspend imposing of any new tariffs for 90 days for talks to address the trade dispute has put brakes on the escalating trade war between the world two largest economies, a relived China said on Sunday. At their "highly successful" dinner meeting on the sidelines of the annual G-20 Summit in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires, Trump agreed to postpone for 90 days a scheduled increase in tariffs on USD 200 billion in Chinese imports, while Xi agreed to purchase a very substantial amount of US products so as to reduce the USD 375 billion trade deficit between the two countries. During the meeting, which had also raised global expectations of an end to the six-month-long trade war, Trump agreed that on January 1, 2019, he will leave the tariffs on USD 200 billion worth of product at the 10 per cent rate, and not raise it to 25 per cent at this time. If there is no deal at the end of the 90-day grace period, the US will increase the tariffs on the USD 200 billions of goods from 10 per cent to 25 per cent. Addressing the media, at Buenor Aires, after the talks, Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi acknowledged that China would import more from the US and address Washington's concerns in the 90-day period. "In a friendly and candid atmosphere, the two presidents had profound discussions that lasted for two-and-a-half hours. The time was much longer than the schedule," the state-run Xinhua agency quoted Wang as saying. It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trump's China visit in November last year and since both countries started imposing tit-tat tariffs on each other's exports. According to Wang, the two presidents reached important common understanding and the meeting certainly has "charted the course for China-US relations in some time to come." During their working dinner, the two leaders had very "positive and constructive" discussions over trade and economic issues and agreed not to impose additional tariffs, he said, adding that China will import more marketable products form the US in efforts to gradually ease imbalances in bilateral trade. Wang said the two sides also agreed to open market to each other and China will, in the process of its further opening-up, work to gradually resolve the legitimate US concerns. Trump has been demanding China to drastically reduce the USD 375 billion trade deficit and ensure IPR production for US technology and services. The escalating trade war raised concerns in China as its economy was on the downward trend amid efforts by the government to rejig the export dependent economy to that of relying more on domestic consumption. Wang said that working teams on both the sides will follow the guidance of the principled consensus reached between the two leaders, and step up negotiations toward the removal of all additional tariffs so as to reach a mutually-beneficial agreement at an early date. "The important consensus reached at the meeting not only effectively stopped further escalation of trade tensions, but also opened up new prospects for win-win cooperation between the two countries," the Chinese foreign minister said. Results achieved at the meeting will not only benefit the two countries and the two peoples, but also be conducive to the stable growth of the global economy, he said. The two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation on law enforcement and combating illicit drugs, including the synthetic drug fentanyl, Wang said. Exports of Fentanyl from China became the latest source of friction between the two countries as it has emerged as a new source of drug abuse in the US in addition to heroin, resulting in large scale deaths of American youth. China's efforts to tackle the abuse of fentanyl-like substances have won positive comments from across the globe and Beijing has decided to list all fentanyl-like substances and their precursors as controlled substances, Wang said. "Saturday's meeting has put the brakes on escalating trade friction between the two countries. The two sides decided to avoid escalation of trade restrictive measures and will work towards lifting all additionally-imposed tariffs," Xinhua said. The outcome of the meeting needs to be cherished. The economic teams of the two countries should follow the consensus reached by the two heads of state, it said. The usually abrasive ruling Communist Party run Chinese tabloid, Global Times said "the progress made at the talks in Buenos Aires is of momentous significance since the Sino-US trade friction escalates this year". "It is hoped the agreement reached on Saturday will be implemented by the two sides and Chinese and American working teams will meet the expectations of their leaders, normalising trade relations between the countries," it said. Playing down domestic concerns of any compromise by China giving in to Trump's demands, it said "the Chinese public needs to keep in mind that China-US trade negotiations fluctuate. China's reform and opening-up's broad perspective recognises that the rest of the world does things differently." Meanwhile, the state-run China Daily said in the editorial that "the fact that the two leaders could sit down for candid talks and agree to avoid the looming escalation of trade tariffs to allow for continuing trade negotiations, shows that both sides are aware of how damaging they would be, not just on each other but the global economy as a whole. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has not accepted India's proposal to carry out bilateral trade in local currencies, which was aimed at bridging the ballooning trade deficit with the neighbouring country, an official said. India's exports to China stood at only $13.4 billion, imports aggregated to $76.4 billion in 2017-18, leaving a trade deficit of $63 billion. It was $51.11 billion in 2016-17. India had suggested China for renminbi- trade to boost its exports and tackle the widening trade deficit concern. "They have not accepted the proposal," the official said. The issue was discussed in an inter-ministerial meeting in October. In the meeting, it was suggested to the Reserve Bank of India and the Department of Economic Affairs would look at the possibility of exploring renminbi- trade with China. ALSO READ: India to press for a better deal with China as part of RCEP negotiations India has also proposed trade in national currencies with some other countries, including Russia, Iran and Venezuela. New Delhi has trade deficit with these three countries, too. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President Ganesh Kumar Gupta said that the government should promote exports from India in the domestic currency. "This will help in bridging trade deficit with countries like China," Gupta said. Trade experts have stated that bilateral trade in domestic currencies will help India only in the case of those countries with which it has a trade balance. "Trade imbalance should not be there with the country with which we want to do trade in It will not help in bridging the deficit. The partner country should have an opportunity to invest in India to use the rupee," said Biswajit Dhar, professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. The Indian industry and exporters have time and again raised the issue of increasing trade deficit with China and have asked the government to seek greater market access for domestic goods in the Chinese market. Recently, China has permitted exports of rice and sugar. But India wants to increase exports of several other items, including pharmaceuticals, engineering and services. A cleric was injured after allegedly being attacked by two people over some old enmity in Mujheda village here, police said Sunday. Hasan Jafir was attacked by Wazir Abbas and an unidentified man in his house in Miranpur Police Station area Saturday evening, they said. The injured cleric was admitted to a hospital, they said, adding they were searching for the accused. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Negotiators from around the world began two weeks of talks on curbing Sunday, three years after sealing a landmark deal in that set a goal of keeping well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Envoys from almost 200 nations gathered in Poland's southern city of Katowice, a day earlier than originally planned, for the UN meeting that's scheduled to run until December 14. Ministers and some heads of government are joining in Monday, when host will push for a joint declaration to ensure a "just transition" for fossil fuel industries like coal producers who are facing closures as part of efforts to reduce The meeting received a boost over the weekend, after 19 major economies at the summit affirmed their commitment to the 2015 climate accord. The only holdout was the United States, which announced under that it is withdrawing from the climate pact. "Despite geopolitical instability, the climate consensus is proving highly resilient," said Christiana Figueres, a former head of the UN climate office. "It is sad that the federal administration of the United States, a country that is increasingly feeling the full force of climate impacts, continues to refuse to listen to the objective voice of science when it comes to climate change," Figures said. She cited a recent expert report warning of the consequences of letting average global temperatures rise beyond 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F). "The rest of the have not only understood the science, they are taking actions to both prevent the major impacts and strengthen their economies," said Figueres, who now works with Mission 2020, a group that campaigns to reduce The meeting in Katowice is regarded as a key test of countries' willingness to back their lofty but distant goals with concrete measures, some of which are already drawing fierce protests . At the top of the agenda is the so-called rulebook , which will determine how governments record and report their greenhouse emissions and efforts to cut them. Separately, negotiators will discuss ramping up countries' national emissions targets after 2020, and financial support for poor nations that are struggling to adapt to The shift away from fossil fuels, which scientists say has to happen by 2050, is expected to require a major overhaul of world economies. "The good news is that we do know a lot of what we need to be able to do to get there," said David Waskow of the Waskow, who has followed climate talks for years, said despite the Trump administration's refusal to back this global effort the momentum is going in the right direction. "It's not one or two players anymore in the arena," he said. "It's what I think you could call a distributed leadership, where you have a number of countries some of them small or medium-sized really making headway and doing it in tandem with cities and states and businesses." Later Sunday, protests were planned by environmental activists calling for an end to in Poland, which gets some 80 per cent of its from coal. Katowice is at the heart of Poland's region of Silesia and there are still several active mines in and around the city. On Saturday, thousands of people marched in and to demand that speed up its exit from coal-fired power plants. Home Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday claimed Congress leaders start offering prayers at temples when elections are near whereas for the BJP it is an integral part of its culture. Addressing a press conference in Alwar district's Bansur, he said temples and cows were not an elections stunt for the BJP. "Congress leaders start offering prayers at temple when elections approach. They are not seen praying in temples earlier. Temples and cows can be an election issue for the Congress, but it is not an election stunt for the BJP. It is integral part of our cultural life," Singh said. Earlier at an election rally in Bansur, he alleged it was because of the Congress, which ruled India for 55 years, that the nation was in the list poor countries and claimed the party had deceived the people. "We (BJP) have not done the of pulling wool over people's eyes. We look into the eyes of people," he said. Singh claimed the Congress had established 103 ITIs in 50 years, while the Vasundhara Raje government had set up 958 new ITIs in five years. Addressing a press conference in Jaipur, he said Pakistan should seek India's help if it cannot handle terrorism alone. He said that if, with the help of the US, terrorism and Taliban could be fought against in Afghanistan, then Pakistan could also seek help from India if it feels that it cannot fight terrorism alone. "Jammu and Kashmir is not an issue. It is integral party of the country and it will remain so. The issue is of terrorism, and Pakistan can discuss it," Singh said. He also accused the Congress of creating a crisis of distrust in and claimed there was a difference in their words and deeds. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani Sunday hit out at the Congress saying the party which had once questioned the existence of Lord Ram was now talking about Hinduism. Referring to the Congress president Rahul Gandhi remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he did not understand the foundation of Hinduism, Irani said that it was strange that the party which raised question on Lord Ram's existence was talking about Hindu and Hinduism. Where was the Hindu in Rahul Gandhi when Congress had submitted an affidavit that Lord Ram does not exist?.., she asked? It may be recalled that in a damage control exercise, the then UPA government in September, 2007 withdrew from the Supreme Court its two affidavits, including the controversial one filed by the ASI claiming there was no historical or scientific evidence to establish existence of Lord Ram and Rama Setu as a man-made bridge. The action had come in the wake of controversy sparked by the ASI affidavit that forced the government to backtrack. Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh in reply to a question in Jaipur earlier in the day said Congress was talking about Hinduism which it has avoided discussing till now. "Hinduism should not be connected with any sect, caste and religion. It is a way of living life and it is a human religion. What will they talk about Hindu and Hinduism? They have called Lord Ram a fictional character in the affidavit submitted in Supreme Court in Ram Setu case in 2007, he said. Irani, to a question on Punjab minister Navjot Sidhu visit to Pakistan and his remarks on Chief Minister Captain Amrinder Singh, said that Congress president needed to answer on it. Why does a Congress minister insult chief minister of his state? Rahul Gandhi should answer it. Why does a Congress leader love Pakistan more than India, Congress should think about it," she said. She also questioned the "silence" of Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Navjot Sidhu's Pakistan visit. Pakistan foreign minister said Pakistan could throw a 'googly' at India due to action of this (Sidhu) Congress leader. But, Rahul Gandhi is quiet on the issue..," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Online travel firm EaseMyTrip is looking to more than double the sales on its platform to up to Rs 7,800 crore in the next fiscal year on the back of addition in itineraries and entry into new markets such as the US, the UK and Australia, a top company official said. The company, which competes with the likes of MakeMyTrip and Yatra, is expected to clock sales of around Rs 3,500 crore in the current fiscal year. "We are looking to clock total sales of Rs 7,800 crore on our platform in the next financial year," EaseMyTrip CEO and Co-Founder Nishant Pitti told PTI. For this the company has taken a number of initiatives including doubling the marketing spend every year, he added. "The company is also making investments in technology and user experience," Pitti said. Elaborating on the verticals the company is in, Pitti said the segments the company is in mainly are air tickets, hotels, railways, bus tickets, car rentals and holiday packages. The company which is already present in Dubai, Bangkok, Maldives and Singapore is also looking to foray into new countries going forward. "We will soon be expanding our presence to open branches at London, Hong Kong, Australia, and the United States to serve our customers," Pitti said. Founded in 2008, EaseMyTrip said it currently has a B2B network of 42,000 travel agents and 1,200 franchise outlets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Expelled SAD leaders Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Rattan Singh Ajnala, his son Amarbir Singh Bonyand Sewa Singh Sekhwan on Sunday said they would float a new political outfit based on the Akali Dal's old constitution, which was framed in 1920. Addressing media persons here, they said the name of new party would be announced in a few days and that it would be similar to that of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). They said the new outfit's constitution would be based on the Akali Dal's old constitution, which was framed in 1920. SAD led by Sukhbir Singh Badal had distorted the old constitution, they alleged. During the press conference, Brahmpura, MP from Khadoor Sahib, and Sekhwan said a "big announcement" would be made made by them on December 14, which is also the day when the SAD was formed in 1920. The expelled SAD leaders trained their guns at Sukhbir, accusing him of causing irreparable damage to the SAD and its cause. Talking about the Kartarpur corridor, Brahmpura said credit for the project should go to Navjot Singh Sidhu as Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan is his good friend and decided to honour Sidhu's wish. Shiromani Akali Dal had recently expelled senior leaders Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and Rattan Singh Ajnala from the party's primary membership for six years. As the two leaders were indulging in "anti-party activities", the core committee of the Akali Dal took the decision with a "heavy heart", SAD senior leader Harcharan Bains had said then. Brahmpura's son Ravinder PalSingh Brahmpura and Ajnala's son Amarpal Singh Boni too were ousted for six years from the primary membership of the party. Brahmpura, a Member of Parliament from Khadoor Sahib, had recently resigned from the post of SAD's senior vice-president as well as its core committee membership due to age and health reasons. Notably, SAD had also recently expelled Sekhwan, a former minister, from the primary membership of the party, shortly after he had announced his resignation as senior vice-president and core committee member. Sekhwan, Brahmpura and some other Taksali Akalis (old guard) have raised their voice against SAD's alleged deviation from its 'panthic agenda'. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top journalists from several countries at a summit here Sunday underscored the increasing influence of social media amid the expansion of Information Technology and agreed in toto that fake posed a serious challenge to reliability of media. Heads of media organisations and other top-notch journalists voiced their views on role of media in the context of present challenges before the world, at the ongoing Asia-Pacific Summit-2018 here, and stressed on need for self-regulation while ensuring freedom of expression and practising "clean journalism", on the lines of "clean climate". Washington Times president Thomas P McDevitt said the influence of social media has grown in this age of Information and Technology. There is no mechanism to verify and information generated on social media which has led to a growing credibility issue, Mcdevitt said. To restore media credibility, he said, journalists should should pay attention to social aspects and include 'world peace' as a subject in the new media. Masahiro Kuroki, president of Japanese newspaper Sekai, said the need for media to work responsibly today was like never before. While there are some benefits of growing influence of social media, fake has opened up a plethora of challenges. Kuroki highlighted the importance of freedom of expression for media and also referred to US President Donald Trump's comments over fake news. Several media outlets have been at the receiving end as Trump accuses them of spreading fake news. Senior journalist Alok Mehta said the The Editors Guild of India has formed a code of conduct for newspersons. He also underscored the expansion of social media and said there was increased need for following journalistic ethics. Despite every challenges, media needs to follow self-regulation, Mehta added. Journalists from other media houses echoed similar sentiments, saying the fourth pillar of democracy, as media is widely termed, should act more responsibly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An employee of the Assam government's Food and Civil Supply department was shot at by an unidentified gunman at his office in Dima Hasao district, police said Sunday. According to police the gunman entered the Food and Civil Supply office at Haflong Government College Road here on Saturday and shot at Food Inspector Donald Dibragade, 37, from close range. After firing two rounds at Dibragede, the assailant fled away, they said. Dibragede received serious injuries and was immediately rushed to Haflong Civil Hospital for treatment, police said, adding that investigation into the incident was on. The police arrested two persons for their involvement in the shooting of Dibragede. Haflong DIG D Upadhaya said "Babu Chetri, the owner of a fair price shop in Haflong, had some dispute with Dibragede over some official work. This made him to conspire with Ibuhing Kuame in order to clear his path." Addressing a press conference, the DIG said Kuame, who was booked earlier also for extortion on behalf of insurgent group, hired a shooter to kill Dibragade. "We have arrested two conspirator. The shooter is absconding and our police team already initiated search operation to nab him," Upadhaya said. Police has seized a 7.65 mm Italian made pistol and an empty cartridge from their possession, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) George H W Bush, the 41st US president who died here on Friday at the age of 94, is to be honoured with a state funeral at National Cathedral in Washington on Wednesday, followed by burial on Thursday in Texas. President Donald Trump, who has announced a national day of mourning on Wednesday, will send Air Force One to Texas Monday to bring the remains of the former president to Washington, D.C., where his body will lie in state in the US Capitol to enable public an opportunity to bid farewell to their leader. Bush's office on Saturday announced the official schedule of his state funeral and the related services and ceremonies scheduled in Houston, Texas; Washington, D.C.; Spring, and College Station, Texas. The former president will have two funerals -- a state funeral at the National Cathedral and a local funeral at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston. His office said the state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral will be held on Wednesday morning. The late president's remains will then be returned to Houston on Wednesday afternoon. A funeral service is planned at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston on Thursday morning. On Thursday, the president's casket will be taken by train to College Station, Texas, accompanied by the Bush family members and close friends. A funeral procession will then travel on George Bush Drive toward the Bush Library complex. Bush will be buried on Thursday in a family plot behind the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University, alongside his wife and former first lady, Barbara, and daughter Robin, university officials said in a statement on Saturday. President Trump and first lady Melania will attend Bush's funeral at the National Cathedral. Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies and departments to close on Wednesday "as a mark of respect" for Bush. "He was a very fine man," Trump said of Bush. "He led a full life, and a very exemplary life, too." Trump also signaled his respect by calling off a press conference planned at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. President Trump said he spoke with former president George W Bush Saturday morning and offered his condolences. A plane used as Air Force One will carry Bush's casket from Houston to Washington for memorial services, Trump said. "Air Force One will be taking myself and a group of our people back to Washington, Trump said during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday evening. "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." Trump called it "a special tribute that he deserves very much."The state funeral for the 41st president, whose death sparked tributes from around the world and across the political aisle, will be the first presidential funeral since Gerald Ford died in 2006. Bush's death comes months after the passing of his wife of 73 years, Barbara. The former first lady died in April. Her memorial service in Houston drew hundreds of thousands of people from past presidents to heads of state and historians. Noticeably absent was Trump, who declined an invitation "out of respect" for the Bushes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was 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. Meanwhile, floating candles were released into the pond at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum on Saturday. It was a touching moment from the second vigil held at the presidential library in less than 24 hours. For the man known for crafting a thousand points of light, there were hundreds of candles and as well as the people who held them. For many of the students at the Bush School it was a way for them to honor the man that has and will continue to impact their lives. The former president touched many lives at Texas A&M University. Doors to Bush's presidential museum opened Saturday morning, hours after the announcement of his death. Admission to the library is free through December 9. Since the announcement of the death of Bush, the Houston community is mourning and paying their respects outside the Bush home in the Tanglewood neighborhood. Bush was a man people looked up to as a role model, World War II Naval aviator, an oil pioneer and much more. In his neighborhood, people knew him as a husband, a good neighbor, and a kind citizen. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said a public tribute to Bush's memory will happen on Monday evening at Hermann Square in front of Houston City Hall. In Houston, the former president will lie in repose at St. Martin's Episcopal Church starting sometime Wednesday evening. 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. 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. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A key Bodo students' organisation and a rebel group that has joined the peace process have issued a virtual warning to the BJP that it would lose the support of the Bodo community if its governments at the Centre and in Assam fail to take concrete steps for creation of Bodoland before the 2019 elections. However, both the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF), an alliance partner in the BJP-led coalition in Assam; and the state government sought to downplay the threat. After the 2016 assembly polls, with 60 lawmakers in the 126-member house in Assam, the BJP formed the government along with the Asom Gana Parishad that won 14 seats and the BPF-- the lone Bodo political party-- that bagged 12 seats. The BPF said it will continue to support the BJP and stressed that a separate Bodoland was not an issue for it. However, the influential All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Progressive), the first militant group to give up arms and join the peace process, have vowed to defeat the saffron party if it did not take concrete steps for a separate state for the Bodos before the 2019 polls. The ABSU and the NDFB (P) accused the BJP of giving "false assurances" and alleged that it was not even ready to talk on the issue of Bodoland. However, ABSU president Pramod Bodo said the BJP had time till April 2019 to solve the Bodoland issue if it wants to get the support of the Bodo community. "They (BJP) can expect the support of Bodos but only if they fulfil our demand of a separate Bodoland... They must take some concrete steps in this regard before April (2019)," Bodo told PTI. "They should stop mocking the genuine aspirations of the Bodos," he added. The demand for a separate state of Bodoland started in 1967. The struggle became an armed conflict in the late 80s after the formation of the Bodo Security Force, a militant group later rechristened as NDFB. Currently, two factions of the NDFB-- NDFB (P) led by Gobinda Basumatary and NDFB (R) led by Ranjan Daimary-- are involved in peace talks with the Centre, while NDFB (S) is against holding talks under the constitutional framework. The Bodo Territorial Area Districts comprising Kokrajhar, Udalguri, Baksa and Chirang has one Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seats. Bodo, who revived the Bodoland movement in 2016 alleging government's "lack of interest", said areas inhabited by the Bodos continue to remain neglected under the current BJP regime just like the previous Congress rule. "Bodos consist of 12 per cent of Assam's population but get only 3-4 per cent of the financial budget. No new industry has been set up and no new jobs have been created for the Bodo youths even now," he claimed. Corroborating his views, Basumatary said ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had made a promise of creating a separate Bodo state. However, that promise was yet to be fulfilled, he added. "If they fail to do anything in the remaining months, they should not expect any support from the Bodo community," he said. However, Assam's Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said the ABSU was only a student organisation and any discussion on separate Bodoland will be held with the BPF only. "ABSU is a student organisation. Our political alliance is with BPF and we will fight elections together. Our political interface and interactions are with BPF only in Bodo politics," Sarma said. Biswajit Daimary of the BPF who is a member of the Rajya Sabha said that the BPF does not have any agenda of a separate statehood and it will continue to support the BJP in the upcoming general elections. "The BPF has one agenda and that is the development of the Bodo people and we have been working for it," Daimary said, adding that supporting the BJP during elections was not the prerogative of a students' body like ABSU. He asked ABSU if it has any plans to enter mainstream Basumatary said the BPF was only concerned about being in power and not the welfare of the Bodo people, therefore, supporting the BJP was its top priority. "ABSU and NDFB(P) are concerned about the Bodo people and hence will support who cares for the tribe," Basumatary said warning the BJP and the BPF not to undermine their reach and influence. Meanwhile, Hira Sarania, a member of Lok Sabha who won as an Independent from Kokrajhar, too said the unity among ABSU, NDFB(P) and other Bodo groups was "quite strong" and could easily influence Bodo votes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the Indian contingent of police personnel preparing to return home from their deployment with a UN support mission in Haiti, they expressed confidence that the Caribbean country has the potential to become one of the best tourist destinations in the world that will help it in its economic growth and development. Currently, two Indian Formed Police Units (FPUs), comprising 140 police personnel each, are deployed with the UN Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). With operations at the mission set to drawdown by October 2019, one Indian Formed Police Unit will soon return home while the other is slated to depart by October next year. The Indian contingent stressed that with proper developmental planning, Haiti's natural and cultural resources can contribute tremendously to attracting tourists from across the world to the Caribbean nation. Commandant Dhananjay Shukla, Contingent Commander of Indian FPU 1, voiced appreciation for Haiti's scenic landscapes and abundant natural resources. "If these natural resources and landscapes are better preserved and developed efficiently with proper planning and vision, combined with improved law and order, I'm confident that Haiti will be one of the best destinations for tourists," Shukla told PTI through video call from Haiti. He said he hopes to visit Haiti again, not as a peacekeeper, but as a tourist. Inspector Navin Kumar Singh, who is the Section Commander, echoed similar sentiments, saying he too would like to visit Haiti in future as a tourist. "Tourism will flourish here. I hope that tourism is developed further in Haiti. Some day, I would like to come as a civilian and enjoy the beauty of Haiti, he said. Sub-Inspector Vivek Kumar Pandey, the Team leader of the Unit, said Haiti has full potential to become a preferred tourist destination, which will contribute in its growth and development. The Indian police contingent, thousands of miles away from their home country and families, brought their culture closer to Haitian people through cultural programs and by commemorating special occasions, as they diligently carried out their duties in the mission. Singh said he will return home with fond memories of Haiti, especially the respect with which women are treated. He said now that it is time for them to head back home, they will miss Haiti, its culture and its people. The first Indian contingent had arrived in Haiti in October 2008, with the current contingent arriving in April this year. The tenure of the Indian contingents, comprising 140 personnel and officers, has been for one year each and currently the 10th contingent is deployed in the mission. Currently, India is the top police contributor to MINUJUSTH, with 280 personnel. MINUJUSTH was created in October 2017, beginning operations upon completion of the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Through a resolution, the Security Council had affirmed its intention to consider the withdrawal of MINUJUSTH and transition to a non-peacekeeping presence in Haiti beginning no sooner than October 15, 2019. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hero Realty has forayed into the Delhi-NCR property market and will invest about Rs 900 crore over the next four years to develop a premium housing project in Gurugram, a top company official said. Hero Realty, the real estate arm of Sunil Kant Munjal-led Hero Enterprise, has completed many projects in Haridwar and is currently developing projects in Mohali and Ludhiana. It builds and markets projects under the brand Hero Homes. "We are coming up with a 9-acre housing project in Sector 104 on Dwarka Expressway named 'Hero Homes - World of Wellness'. This is our first project in Delhi-NCR," Hero Realty CEO Nagaraju Routhu told PTI. He said the company would develop about 1,000 flats in this project, of which 300 units have been launched in the first phase. It is selling flats at a starting price of Rs 68 lakh. "We have achieved best carpet area efficiency and effective space utilisation in this project without compromising on the green area which is 85 per cent," he said. The apartment sizes vary from 1,100 sq ft to nearly 1,700 sq ft. On investment, he said the total project cost is estimated at over Rs 900 crore. The investment would be funded through internal accruals and advances from customers against sales, he said, adding the company would take construction finance from banks if needed. "Initial market response to Hero Homes, Gurugram has been beyond all expectations," he added. The construction work would commence soon and the project would be completed in four years. With more than 1.3 million square feet delivered and 4 million square feet ongoing, Hero Realty is among the top emerging developers in India. The company has developed projects like Haridwar Greens and a 91-acre township Alaknanda in Haridwar. "We have already delivered over 2,000 units in Haridwar," he said, adding the projects in Ludhiana and Mohali have around 1,000 units each. Hero Enterprise has interests in insurance distribution, steel-making, real estate, and corporate training. It has also made investments in e-commerce, hospitality and other sectors. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) When Allahabad was shortlisted by the Centre to be developed as a smart city, the state authorities invited prospective logos from the people that would represent the city's rich history in literature, its vibrant energy and also what over the centuries has become an integral part of its identity -- the Kumbh Mela. But as people went to the drawing board, the state government notified the renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj. "Initially, a logo was created with the letter 'A' (for Allahabad) showing a confluence of two rivers -- the Ganga and the Yamuna. The logo was in final phase awaiting approval when the of the city getting a name-change appeared, and I had to start afresh," said Abhinav Basak, an IIT Kanpur PhD scholar researching Visual Ergonomics of Graphical User Interface, who had also submitted his entry. Basak said initial invitation for a logo was sought in February 2018. "My entry was sent in March and I was told to proceed. The name change was conveyed in August." But was the sudden name-change difficult to deal with for designers like Basak and others who had already invested months of time and energy designing a logo for "Allahabad Smart City". For Basak, whose logo finally went on to be approved by the authorities, the name-change, in fact, made the task easier for him as the symmetry of letter "A" was offering not much to play with. He dropped the letter "A" from the design and went for the Devanagari equivalent for 'Pra' -- or the first letter in the new name of the city. "After giving much thought, Devanagari letter for 'Pra' was considered for the primary logo form since others were not helping represent a confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna. And thus, the ideation phase of the logo began once again," he said. "The form design was relatively easier this time around since Devanagari letter 'Pra' did not have symmetry to be taken into account," he said, adding the only major concern now was the colour, since it had only one surface to fill. "A series of colour combination was tried repeatedly to come up with the options to choose from single colour to subtle colour transition to two-colour gradient and so on," he said. Ritu Suhas, the additional CEO for the Prayagraj Smart City Corporation told PTI Sunday about 200 entries were received. Basak came to know about release of the logo on November 29. "The logo designed by Abhinav was selected. Through the logo, we want to show the biggest highlight of the city -- the Sangam (the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati). The confluence had to be a part of the logo," she said. "Secondly, Prayagraj has emerged as an educational hub catering to students from far and wide. Apart from this, the city has produced a number of prominent writers, hence the logo also depicts a symbolic pen. The colour scheme shows vibrant energy," Suhas said. She added the smart city project envisages better policing, better crowd management (especially in the context of the Kumbh mela in 2019), traffic management. Apart from this night markets, smart roads and water ATMS are also part of the smart city project. "As of now, we have 24 projects in the pipeline for it" she said. Basak explained the logo. "The two curves in the logo symbolise the 'Sangam' the confluence the Ganga and the Yamuna. It also forms the Devanagari letter 'Pra' which is the initial letter of 'Prayagraj'." "The letter 'Pra' is formed using a negative space which breaks the image into three individual sections. This is the 'smart' element in the logo. Interestingly, the letter 'Pra' in reality is not present in the logo but needs to be visually discovered. This requires the viewers involvement thus making the logo engaging."The logo has a gradient texture and the colour scheme is an amalgamation of blue, pink and yellow which represents 'fresh energy'. The typeface has a 'pen' incorporated, which depicts the city's rich heritage in the field of literature as it has given the country some of its greatest writers and poets, he added. He said the typeface used in the logo was inserted to ensure a 'pen' icon is well incorporated while maintaining the harmony in the logo, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Richard Madden says he does not feel cheated about leaving "Game of Thrones" after three seasons as he was ready to move on. The 32-year-old actor played King of the North Robb Stark for three seasons until his character was brutally killed off. "I was ready to leave when I did. It was five years from the pilot until I finished filming. For any actor, five years is too long to play a part. I didn't feel cheated at all. I was ready to leave," Madden told GQ magazine. The actor, however, admitted he was ''terrified'' after he left the show because he was not sure what work would be available to him. ''Terrified that you're never going to work again. Terrified that you're just going to be defined by one thing. That it was a fluke accident and that anyone who got cast as Robb Stark would have had the success of that. And it just happened that it was you when it could have been someone else. Terrified of just getting cast as Romeos, princes and young kings," he said. Eighth and the final season of "Game of Thrones" will premiere next April. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sarvatra Technologies, which provides technology solutions for small cooperative banks and handling 30 per cent of the overall IMPS transactions, is aiming to raise USD 20 million from a private equity investor in what would be its maiden fund raising from a financial investor. The company, backed by veteran i-banker Vallabh Bhansali of the Enam Securities fame and ICICI Bank, aims to deploy the funds for expansion, a top official has said. "We plan to raise USD 20 million from private equity investors over the next three-to-four months and are already in talks with a few investors," Sarvatra founder and vice-chairman Mandar Agashe, whose family has had strong ties with the cooperative baking system for generations, told PTI. The company sees unified payments interface (UPI) and micro-ATMs as a big opportunity and has drawn up plans to deploy a field force of up to 500 new employees to the existing 250 for the same. "All these years, weve been focusing on the issuing side of the debit card business and as result almost everyone has a debit card today along with mobile banking facility on her phone. "For the next five years, we will focus on the acquiring side where merchants will accept these services," Agashe said, adding the funds raised will be deployed towards this purpose. The company ended fiscal 2018 with a topline of Rs 70 crore and some profit, he said, adding it notched up a gross transaction value of Rs 27,000 crore during the fiscal, and is set to cross Rs 40,000 crore this fiscal. Bhansali is the largest shareholder of the company and also serves as the chairman, while other shareholders include ICICI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and Oracle Financial Services Software. In 2010, the Reserve Bank gave it a critical nod to act as a switching partner with ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank as its "sponsors", that opened up newer business opportunities, Agashe said, adding it now serves over 500 non-scheduled cooperative banks across the country and the total monthly transactions crossed one crore in October. End-to-end backend services are given, which enable small cooperative banks offer services like ATMs, point-of-sale machines, mobile banking and debit cards, Agashe, a popular musician with a number of albums to his credit, said. He said these cooperative banks pay the company on a per use basis, which is his main revenue stream. The company chose switching as its niche and avoided going into core banking solutions space which had a slew of lenders, Agashe said. The technology developed in-house motivated ICICI Bank to both invest in the company as well as use the same platform for its own functioning, Agashe said, pointing out that because of this, as much as 30 percent of the overall IMPS transactions in the country are handled by Sarvatra. The likes of Google and Whatsapp are also using its services, courtesy its relationship with ICICI Bank, which also acts as the intermediary for the global giants' payments initiatives in the domestic market. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Air purifiers for the affluent, masks for the not so rich and inhaling polluted air all day -- without literally a breather -- for those who can't afford a roof over their heads. It's maximum exposure for millions of people who are bearing the brunt of hazardous air quality, say experts. As the air quality index (AQI) hovers between "very poor" and "severe", slipping into "poor" on better days, the toxic air and hazy skies over the Delhi-NCR region and other parts of India are driving one more wedge between the haves and the have-nots, leaving those forced to live and work in the outdoors vulnerable to pulmonary and other diseases. "The class bias is evident when the pollution level peaks," said Sunita Narain, who heads the Centre for Science and (CSE) and is a member of the Supreme Court-appointed Pollution (Prevention & Control). "We can fight pollution only when authorities think about both rich and poor and both join hands in this fight to protect the environment, otherwise the rich can roam in diesel vehicles and use purifiers to protect themselves but the poor face more exposure and do not even have money for treatment," Narain told PTI. Rickshaw pullers and construction workers are the worst hit. And 19-year-old Shyam, who recently moved from Darbhanga in Bihar to Delhi to become a rickshaw puller, is proof that pollution hits us all, but some more than others. "I am saving money for a computer course but my health has been poor for the last one month," said the youngster, adding that he had spent all his savings in getting treatment for a recent respiratory infection. "We can't afford the hi-fi masks that we often see our passengers wear," Shyam said with a wry laugh. These day, he said, he feels he pedals with a weight on his chest. The rickshaw is home for Shyam. Rupak, who came to Delhi from Rourkela 30 years ago, escapes into his humble home in east Delhi's Trilokpuri area at night but his fragile health is evidence of the long hours spent outdoors. The 49-year-old boasts that he could not so long ago ride his rickshaw faster than most autos. But it is that time of the year when he slows down, not because of his age but because of the alarming pollution. "It becomes difficult to breathe if I ride faster and my eyes burn. On normal days, I earn up to Rs 500 per day. But in the winter months, I manage to earn just Rs 300-350 per day," Rupak said. "There were days when I had to go without food, but this exposure to toxic smog is the worst," he added. Some reports estimate there are 700,000 cycle rickshaws plying on Delhi roads. Then there are construction workers, who not only face prolonged exposure to toxic air but also lose their means of livelihood when the government bans construction activities when pollution levels peak. Radha, 35, has worked at various sites of city for the past 15 years and jokes that she has a contribution in building this city. "On some good days I manage to earn as much as Rs 600 per day We are the first ones to lose our work when pollution in the city increases. This year, we were not allowed to work for 12 days in November which made it difficult to support ourselves, she said. Now, when the work has resumed, a wracking cough has stopped her from putting in a full day's work. Faiz, who is working alongside Radha at a construction site in Greater Noida, said the job might just kill them all. "We see various government advisories telling people to stay indoors and wear masks when stepping outside but we don't have that luxury. We have to work for 12 hours in this pollution which I feel ultimately kill us," Faiz said. Though there are no exact figures available for the impact on pollution on those who work and live outdoors, there is enough anecdotal evidence. According to Shahid Khan, a doctor at a Patparganj mohalla clinic, the number of people complaining of difficulty in breathing and burning of eyes increases exponentially when the pollution level peaks. "There is specially a rise in the number of construction workers, rickshaw pullers and hawkers who face continuous exposure to toxic air," Khan said. S Chakrabarti, a doctor at the Safdarjung Hospital, added that prolonged manual work while breathing polluted air can lead to diseases like chronic bronchitis, asthma, respiratory infection and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Routine exposure to PM2.5 pollutants can lead to diseases like cancer and increases chances of stroke. It is important to make people understand that pollution is not an "elite" problem as some political parties are making it out to be, said Jyoti Pande Lavakare, co-founder, Care for Air NGO. "In fact, it's just the opposite. The rich have easy access to masks and purifiers besides common protections of home and clean energy options," said Lavakare. "Like with any other inequity, it is our poor, our sick, our children and elderly who bear the worst brunt of air pollution. The poor are the worst affected Rickshaw pullers, auto rickshaw drivers, even our traffic policemen, are the worst sufferers, in the first line of assault of dirty, toxic air," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For the first time, India will host the annual G-20 summit in 2022, coinciding with the country's 75th anniversary of Independence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the 13th G-20 summit here in the Argentinian capital on Saturday. He thanked Italy for allowing India to play the host. Italy was to host the international forum of the world's top 20 economies in 2022. The 14th edition will be held in Japan while Saudi Arabia will host the 15th. "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," Modi 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. During the G-20 summit, Prime Minister Modi noted that the grouping has completed 10 years and highlighted the cooperation among the members that restored growth and revival of growth post 2008 economic meltdown. The prime minister also spoke about the role of the G-20 in carrying through the 14th General Quota Review of the IMF; the role which the G-20 played in operationalising the BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) which is related to international taxation and also the automatic exchange of information on tax matters, Indian Sherpa, Shaktikanta Das said. The Prime Minister also highlighted the current challenges which the global economy, especially the emerging economies face. He highlighted on the threat of increasing financial vulnerabilities mainly arising from the monetary policies of advance economies, oil price volatility, Das, the former economic affairs secretary, said while briefing reporters. The prime minister also spoke about the unsynchronised policies of advanced economies and the uneven pace of the revival of the economies of various countries. He talked about the escalating trade tensions and the collateral damage it causes to the least developed countries and other emerging economies, Das said, referring mainly to the ongoing US-China trade war. Prime Minister also talked about various multilateral institutions and stressed that there is a need to adopt the policy of a proactive and reformed multilateralism basically to activate the various multilateral, Das said. Modi also highlighted and stressed the price stability of crude oil because any instability in crude prices causes a lot of pressure, especially on domestic economies to adapt their economic policies because of price fluctuations. He pointed out that such price fluctuations affect and put a big pressure on the budgetary resources and the domestic finances of the emerging economies. Another important point which the prime minister highlighted is the need for carrying out reforms in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). He stressed that reforming the WTO is very important and said it is not only important but it is also necessary to carry forward the dialogue on trade, in services and promoting the global value chain in the agricultural sector. The Prime Minister also highlighted was the need to adopt the nine point action plan on economic fugitives, Das said. India has already enacted a law on fugitive economic offenders keeping in mind the need for their early repatriation back into India along with their illegally acquired assets. During the previous G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, Das noted that an 11-point agenda on terrorism was adopted at India's initiative. Prime Minister Modi, during the Buenos Aires summit, stressed that it is time to fully implement and fully operationalise the various aspects of the 11 point agenda against terrorism which was issued last year as a part of Hamburg Declaration as a standalone statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that India will host the annual G-20 summit in 2022, coinciding with the country's 75th anniversary of Independence. Modi made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the two-day G-20 Summit here Saturday. He thanked Italy for allowing India to play the host. Italy was to host the international forum in 2022. "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," Modi tweeted after making the announcement. The G-20 is a grouping of the world's 20 major economies. 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. "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," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted. 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. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian-Americans have urged the Union Government to start Air India service from Atlanta in the US so as to facilitate better connectivity with their motherland. Air India currently has direct flights from Newark, New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Direct flights between Atlanta and Indian cities will make it more convenient for passengers travelling to India from the Southeast US region, Georgia chapter of Federation of Indian American Associations said in a memorandum to the Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (rtd) V K Singh during his recent visit. Dr. Vasudev Patel, president of FIA Georgia, said the minister promised to assist the community in establishing direct flights through India's state carrier. "He said this is a very good suggestion and felt that the Atlanta region certainly deserves this type of service. He promised to work on it with us," he said. A direct flight between Indian cities and Atlanta will make it more affordable for passengers travelling from this region, he said. The Federation of Indian-American Associations of Georgia is an Atlanta based organisation representing the nearly 200,000 Indian immigrants in the state of Georgia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Describing climate change as the "biggest challenge" the world is facing, several countries on Sunday expressed resolve to reduce the use of fossil fuels, curb carbon emissions, use natural resources judiciously, and follow the Paris climate change agreement. Different countries and organisations at the Asia-Pacific Summit-2018 here gave their approval to the "Kathmandu Declaration on climate change, and expressed hope that the suggestions of the declaration will assist the international summit on climate change in Poland. Welcoming the approval of the declaration, former Kiribati President Anote Tong said climate change poses a serious threat to small islands. Rising sea levels, melting glaciers, cyclones, erosion of coastal regions, pose a grave danger to Island nations, he said. The former president said that climate change and global warming should not be treated as problems faced by a single country. We should minimize the use of fossil fuels, focus on renewable energy, and efficient waste disposal, he said. Other speakers too voiced similar concerns. The four-day Asia-Pacific Summit-2018, 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 climate change discussed at the summit assumes significance as another global meet on the issue kicked off Sunday. In Poland's southern city of Katowice, negotiators from around the world began two weeks of talks on curbing climate change Sunday, three years after sealing a landmark deal in Paris that set a goal of keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Residents of Kochi were treated to a dazzling display of the naval operations Sunday during an event that showcased the operational capabilities of the Navy. Eight ships, nine helicopters and three Dornier aircraft along with Marine Commandos participated in the Naval Operations Demonstrations 2018, which took place after a gap of two years. The event was cancelled last year, due to the involvement of Navy in Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief efforts in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi. This year too, the Navy had been at the forefront of relief efforts during the recent Kerala floods. Consequently, the demonstration of its rescue and lift capabilities in particular touched a chord with the spectators. The display, which lasted for more than an hour included demonstration of landing of a Seaking helicopter on a moving warship, firing of weapons, special operations by the marine commandos from air and water, and Helobatics by the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). INS Ranvijay, one of the older Destroyers of the Indian Navy with its sleek silhouette provided the perfect backdrop to the entire event. A continuity drill performed by two contingents from INS Dronachrya stood out for its stunning and precise discipline and skills in weapon handling as also the traditional hornpipe dance by the girl cadets of the sea cadet corps which was an epitome of grace and elegance. The demonstration concluded with a 'Beating Retreat,' comprising inspiring martial music played by the Naval Band followed by a ceremonial sunset ceremony, along with synchronised illumination by naval ships in the Kochi channel. The event, held in front of Rajendra maidan and Subhash park was hosted by Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command. Kerala Governor Justice P Sathasivam and various dignitaries including the Mayor of Kochi Soumini Jain, the District Collector of Ernakulam, K Mohammed Y Safirulla attended the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hoping to open its account in the Lok Sabha elections in the city, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has adopted constituency-wise strategy to target the rural population and other sections of the society to take on "main rival" BJP in all seven seats. Asserting that the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) is "single-handedly capable" of defeating the BJP in Delhi, city unit chief of the party Gopal Rai outrightly dismissed any chance of a pre-poll alliance with the Congress in the national capital. Rai, who also holds the portfolios of labour, employment and development in the Arvind Kejriwal government, said the Congress is not in the fight in the Lok Sabha polls. The AAP has only a "direct fight with the BJP". "We are working on a constituency-specific strategy on all seven seats in Delhi in view of Lok Sabha elections next year," Rai told PTI. In the 2014 general elections, the AAP had fielded its candidates on all seven seats in Delhi, but none of them could secure a win. Talking about the party's strategy for the northwest Delhi seat, Rai said the Aam Aadmi Party had failed to receive support in rural pockets in the last Lok Sabha polls, and now the party in-charge for the constituency, Gugan Singh, is focusing on these areas with extensive contact programmes. The AAP's in-charge of Lok Sabha seats are most likely to be official candidates in the Lok Sabha polls to be held next year. He said the party's in-charge for the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat, Pankaj Gupta, has started laying emphasis on small meetings with the electorate in the trader-dominated borough. Union Minister Harsh Vardhan had won this seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. According to the strategy for east Delhi constituency having a mix of voters living in posh localities and unauthorised colonies, the party has adopted extensive outreach programmes to reach voters. Senior AAP leader Atishi has been made in-charge of the parliamentary seat. Barring West Delhi, the AAP has announced in-charge on the remaining six Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, but Rai has made it clear that no MLA will be given ticket for this seat. There is a buzz in the party that Uttam Nagar MLA Naresh Balyan will contest from the west Delhi Lok Sabha seat. "The party will officially announce candidates on all the seven seats in Delhi, along with those in Haryana and Punjab, by January next year," Rai said. In the 2015 Assembly polls, the AAP had got around 54.34 per cent vote share while the BJP and Congress had 32.19 per cent and 9.65 per cent votes respectively. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A five-year-old girl from a Dalit family died after allegedly being raped in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, police said Sunday. The incident at Karegaon village, 58 km from here, led to protests by Dalit organisations in parts of the district. According to police, the girl and her sister went outside their home to relieve themselves Saturday afternoon. After they returned, the girl suddenly took ill. She was taken to Kamgar Hospital at Shrirampur where she was declared dead, said Sub Divisional Police Officer Somnath Waghchaure. The doctors informed police that the girl could have been sexually assaulted as there were small injuries to her private parts. Police sent the body for autopsy and registered a case of rape and culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the IPC against unidentified culprits, the police officer said. The girl's parents are daily wagers. Dalit organisations gave a call for shut-down in Shrirampur Sunday to protest the incident. Many shops and commercial establishments in the town remained closed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Billions" star Malin Akerman tied the knot with British actor Jack Donnelly in a private ceremony in Tulum, Mexico. According to People magazine, the wedding ceremony was attended by close family and friends. Akerman wore a pink dress while saying 'I do' in a beach ceremony. Last October, the couple announced their engagement on Instagram. Earlier this year the 40-year-old actor, who was previously wed to Roberto Zincone, opened up about her wedding plans with Donnelly, saying the celebration would be a "very private, intimate family thing". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal government has set up a committee to address environmental challenges in the state, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Sunday. On National Pollution Prevention Day, the CM urged people to "save green and stay clean". "Today is National Pollution Prevention Day. Let us strive to 'save green, stay clean'. In #Bangla, we have set up a six-member committee headed by the chief secretary to look into issues," Banerjee tweeted. National Pollution Prevention Day is observed annually on December 2 in memory of people who lost their lives in Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984. More than 3,000 people died after they were exposed to toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas due to a leakage at a pesticide plant in Bhopal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 24-year-old man fatally 'stabbed' his nine-year-old brother and injured another sibling at their residence in the district as he was allegedly upset over the preferential treatment given to them by their mother, police said. Nabeel Ibrahim, a micro-biology student, was arrested from the hospital where two of his brothers were admitted after the incident that took place this morning. Police said Ibrahim's mom used to give much attention to the younger brothers and this irritated him. The accused also confessed that he was worried about the distribution of family properties since there were other siblings, they added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 28-year-old farmer was killed in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district by Naxals who accused him of being a police informer, an official said Sunday. Naresh Salame was shot dead Saturday night by a group of Naxals in Belgaon village in Kohka police station limits, the official said. Salame was watching television in his home when the ultras barged in and dragged him on to the street outside and shot him, he added. Prior to shooting him, Naxals had accused Salame of being a police informer, the official said. A police team rushed to the site to nab those involved in the incident, he said. Meanwhile, security forces intensified patrolling in the state's Naxal-affected districts in view of the so-called "People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Week" which started Sunday. Since 2000, "PLGA week" is observed annually by Naxals between December 2-8 in memory of their slain leaders and cadre. The PGLA is the armed wing of the proscribed Communist Party of India (Maoist) outfit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top officials of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will brief a parliamentary panel on India-Sri Lanka relations, and they may be questioned on the current political crisis in neighbouring island nation and its impact on New Delhi, sources said Sunday. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, which is headed by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and has the party chief Rahul Gandhi as a member, is scheduled to be briefed by the top officials of the ministry on December 14, according to a notice issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. Sources said the panel is expected to be briefed by Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale along with other senior officials. The members will definitely question the ministry officials about the ongoing political crisis in Sri Lanka, as the stability in the island nation is in India's interest especially from the security point of view, a source said. Members of the panel are also keen to know China's expanding footprint in Sri Lanka and whether it is impacting its domestic as well, another source said, adding that Beijing's presence in India's southern front is a matter of concern, and the members want to know how New Delhi is tackling it. Sri Lanka is witnessing a political crisis since October 26 when President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Ranil Wickeremesinghe and replaced him with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. Sirisena later dissolved the parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end, and ordered snap election. The country's Supreme Court, however, overturned Sirisena's decision to dissolve the 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. Wickremsinghe-led alliance of several pilitical parties, the UNF, has moved three no trust motions against Rajapaksa, who has refused to step down. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has officially conveyed that the parliament does not recognise Rajapaksa as the legal prime minister until he proved his majority in the House. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking strong exception to road blockades staged by college students over attendance mandate, West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee has asserted the government will be forced to take action if the agitators cause inconvenience to public for "personal benefit". A large number of students from two institutes - Shibnath Shastri College and Heramba Chandra College - took to streets on Thursday and Friday to protest against the Calcutta University (CU) mandate of 60 per cent minimum attendance for appearing in examinations. The agitators of Heramba Chandra College blocked thoroughfares in Golpark area for two consecutive days, demanding immediate relaxation of norms. The protest was also backed by students of Gurudas College and Jaipuria College, who demonstrated outside their campuses. The minister said the government will not succumb to the pressure tactics of the students. "Under no circumstances will the administration tolerate such pressure tactics. Many people were inconvenienced as they (students) blocked the roads to get their demands fulfilled. This is unacceptable," Chatterjee told reporters on Saturday. Earlier this year, the CU authorities had asked all affiliated colleges to ensure that only those with a minimum 60 per cent attendance would be allowed to sit for semester exams. A list of non-eligible students was recently published at Heramba Chandra College, triggering the agitation. Chatterjee pointed out that the state department has fixed 60 per cent attendance as a criterion to sit for semester exams, even as the UGC suggested 75 per cent attendance for higher educational institutions. "Maybe the agitating students wanted to sit for exams without attending classes or studying," he said. Heramba Chandra College Principal Nabanita Chakraborty, who met Chatterjee Saturday morning, said the authorities are planning to reduce the cut-off figure for attendance from 60 per cent to 55 per cent. Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the students' wing of the ruling party, also appealed to the education minister to find a "way out of the deadlock" to restore normalcy in the institutes. TMCP president Trinankur Bhattacharya, who met the minister at his residence, told reporters that the unit has sought a solution that would be acceptable to all sides. A TMCP source said the union urged Chatterjee to consider relaxation in attendance norm for this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 60,000 people have visited the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland at Naga Heritage Village Kisama near here since its inauguration on Saturday, a state Tourism official said Sunday. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 10-day long annual Hornbill festival on Saturday. Altogether 63,032 visitors with 780 foreigners, 8,241 domestic tourists and 54,011 local visitors have visited the picturesque venue some 12 km south of the state capital, said assistant director of Tourism department (Statistics) T Khakihe Sumi. The inaugural day Saturday had 19,953 visitors while Sunday it rose up to 43,079 visitors, he informed. The day was marked as National Dance and Music Day on the theme "Cultural Connect" organised North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC). The visitors were treated with cultural performances from across the country including Odisha, Assam, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, the revellers also got the opportunity to join the coming together of the all the Naga tribes while they were engaged in the unity performance after the NEZCC show. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Inaugurating the 10-day-long Hornbill festival in Nagaland, Union minister Rajnath Singh said Saturday the event showcased the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat'. The festival got off to a colourful start at the picturesque Naga heritage village Kisama, about 12 km 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 a unique opportunity to the different tribes of the state to interact not just with each other but also with those from the neighbouring 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'. The fest powerfully demonstrates the diversity of Naga people, Singh said, adding that each tribe is proudly unique in its cultural richness. "This spectacular demonstration of unity in diversity is what India is all about," the home minister said, stating that he got a glimpse of the Indian spirit of "happy and peaceful co-existence" at the fest. Maintaining 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 Centre's 'Act East' policy. The central government was determined to build and improve connectivity and engagement with southeast Asia, he said, adding that India and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) were partners in growth. With restoration of peace in the region, the northeast was emerging as a favoured destination for business and tourism, Singh said, adding steps were also being taken for speedy development of the eight states, including Nagaland. The home minister also asserted that a nation could prosper only when all states developed at a fast pace. US Ambassador to India, Kenneth I Juster also attended the inaugural function as the guest of honour, while Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde was invited as the special guest. Nagaland Governor P B Acharya and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio were the chief host and host respectively at the 10-day fest. Rev Zelhou Keyho, general secretary of Nagaland Baptist Church Council, invoked blessings of god on the occasion. Day One saw the inauguration of a handloom and handicraft fair, adventure activities and an international photo festival among other events. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah on Sunday said his party would oppose any move aimed at changing the procedure for granting permanent resident certificates (PRCs) in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah described the reported directions of Governor S P Malik-led state administrative council (SAC) in this regard as "an attempt to distort the demography of the state" and "detrimental to J-K's special status". Earlier, senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta had said the state administration was contemplating to simplify the procedure for grant of PRCs and a timeline should be fixed for its issuance under the Public Services Guarantee Act. "We are obligated to write to you at a time when you are mulling changes to the permanent resident certificate rules. Our party, the National Conference, is of the opinion that this is an attempt to distort the demography of the state and finds it detrimental to J-K's special status," Abdullah said in a letter to the governor. Asserting that the SAC was "unilaterally bringing changes" in the working of institutions and procedures in the state, the NC leader said it was against the principal and spirit of democracy and participative governance. "The (media) reports say that directions have already been issued to the concerned officials to make changes in the procedure pertaining to the issuance of these certificates," Abdullah said. "It is highly unfortunate that no wider consultations with any political party of the state and other stakeholders were carried out," he added. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said "any misadventure could disturb the fragile and precarious peace" in the sensitive state of Jammu and Kashmir. "In addition, it is a brazen act to further create mistrust among people here and can have serious ramifications for the prospects of peace and harmony in J-K," Abdullah said. The NC leader also pointed out the timing of the SAC's reported move. "The assembly has been dissolved and elections are due within months. This makes the move of your administration open to question as we believe the role of the government is more in the nature of a caretaker government," Abdullah said. He asked the governor to roll back the decision immediately, saying his party had decided to oppose it. "We hope that you roll back any decision made in this regard immediately. We also want to convey and register our displeasure and a unanimous decision to oppose this move," he said. Article 35A of the constitution empowers the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to define 'permanent residents' of the state who are eligible for special rights and privileges, which the legislature can provide. The Supreme Court is currently hearing a bunch of petitions seeking abrogation of the legislation, which was added by a presidential order in 1954 through Article 370 of the Constitution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi-based calligrapher Mohammad Zubair says he counts himself among the last few artists in the city who practice the centuries-old art of decorative handwriting in an era in which keystrokes and smartphones are guiding the future. Zubair, 36, who has been practising calligraphy for the past nearly 20 years, admits that the society has to embrace technology to move ahead but asserts "computers will never be able to match the capabilities of calligraphers". "This iconic art form saw its heyday even till 1980, until when computers arrived. Calligraphers were earlier employed by government agencies, civic bodies to design boards and signages, but with technology, our master prints are just taken on a CD and then replicated," he told PTI. "So, the earnings dropped significantly, as artists were being paid just for one-time project. And, sometimes, clients just download prints from computers and printed them. Calligraphy is not being patronised as it should be. Our youth should help this art form survive," Zubair rued. Seeking to promote calligraphy among school children, Delhi-based Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) organised a two-day workshop for over 100 students drawn from 30 schools in Delhi and neighbouring cities, which ended Friday. Zubair, trained in this art from the Delhi Urdu Academy and currently an instructor at a National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) centre in east Delhi, was roped in by INTACH to lead the workshop. According to him, many students did not know about calligraphy and some knew about English one but not those done in Urdu or Arabic. "But, they were so fascinated that many told me that they wish to learn it over and above their regular studies. If youth like them, can understand the value of our precious heritage, calligraphy will thrive, along with technology," he said. At the workshop, students learned to hold the bamboo 'kalam' (wooden pen) and were taught to write Dillidur-ast, a famous quote of renowned Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya. Instruction material, along with 'kalam', was also distributed to them after the event. Calligraphy or the art of decorative handwriting in India dates back to ancient era when Sanskrit manuscripts were being written and ornamentally illustrated, and then in Mughal era, it thrived with the patronage of the rulers, for Urdu, Arabic and Persian calligraphies, with many such old texts now a national treasure. Rajeev Kumar, 50, another Delhi-based calligrapher and an engineer-turned-graphic designer, who writes in 11 scripts including Tamil, Telugu and Gurumukhi (Punjabi), besides English and Hindi, however, feels "calligraphy need not fear technology". "Calligraphy and typography used for font designing in computer can co-exist very harmoniously. For mass production, calligraphy cannot be the right option, we need typographic technology to meet that logistical demand," said Kumar, who has been practising calligraphy for the last 25 years. Both Zubair and Kumar rued that in India, even well-known art and design educational institutions in India "do not have, even an optional course on calligraphy". "We can't fight technology, and so the only way to take this art to the next generation, is through the channel of education. Our students don't know what are they losing, so how will they act on it. Also, once they have mastered the original art, they will do wonders with technology too," Zubair said. NIFT-Patna Director Sanjay Shrivastava emphasised that calligraphy is country's "priceless heritage" and needs to be preserved through practice and other means. Asked, if there was any course at the college on this art form, he said, "Students are exposed to it as part of fashion communications course, but, no there's no dedicated course or elective on it." Brand strategy expert and visiting faculty at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) here, Ramesh Tahiliani, said calligraphy is very much alive in the age of digital era, and having esoteric purposes for its use, allows to "keep its exclusivity". "So, be it special weddings cards or certificates of many institutions or logos of various brands, especially some of the luxury brands, calligraphy finds its place and importance and charming appeal, which it would if the scale of production is large," he told PTI. Bahrain-based Asgharali Perfumes, founded in 1924, uses a lot of calligraphic art on it designer bottles and and promotional material. "Our company focusses a lot on aesthetic appeal and calligraphy has that charm," an official from its marketing department said. Airlines like Etihad and Emirates use sylised Arabic and have a high recall value. Search giant Google's logo is based on the calligraphy-inspired font, Catull BQ, according to creative platform 99designs.com. Zubair, who writes in five languages -- Urdu, Arbic, Persian, English Hindi and Punjabi, said calligraphy is not about just techniques, but also finer intricacies, like the slant, the size of 'nuqta' (dot) and where to exert pressure and where to go free hand. "If you do improper 'nuqta', 'khuda' can become 'juda'," he says with a smile. "Irrespective of the future that holds for it, I have decided to make my son a calligrapher too. I am very proud of this heritage," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nagaland Governor P B Acharya Sunday said the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) was established with the main objective of promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the north east states. He said the north east is well known for its distinct culture and traditional lifestyle and offers a mixed culture of different religion. Every tribal group of these states has its own unique tribal culture, tribal folk dance, food and crafts. Though each tribe has its own identity, culture, tradition, people live in harmony and peacefully, Acharya said at the Hornbill festival. Acharya said that festival season is the best time to know the culture and traditional costumes of north east India and that festival are the integral part of tribes along with traditional dance and folk music. He said that NEZCC has been the forerunner for preserving, nurturing and disseminating the mosaic of cultures and art forms of the north eastern states since its inception with more than 5000 registered troupes under NEZCC. "Through this centre the rich composite culture of the country is also seen through the prism of the local cultural traits and identities," he said. The governor said that north east India not only offers a completely different world of traditional music and folk dance but also emerged as one of the prime industry of rock music. People of North East are talented in arts, skilled in making handicrafts and handlooms and handicrafts and handlooms products are acclaimed worldwide he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Nigerian national has been arrested for attacking a head constable here, police said on Sunday. The accused has been identified as Isaiah Olabisi, they said. On Saturday night, police received a complaint from a taxi driver, Keshav Ram, that Olabisi had broken the windscreen of his vehicle, officials said. Head Constable Yogesh, who had gone to the spot with other policemen from Dhalli police station, was allegedly punched by the accused several times, the police said. Olabisi was overpowered by other policemen, while Yogesh, who sustained injuries in the attack, was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, they added. The accused has been booked under sections 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A sacked DIG of the CRPF, who was found guilty of sending sexually explicit material to a woman on her mobile phone, has failed to get any relief from the Delhi High Court, which said a senior public servant should maintain a higher standard of "rectitude". The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the paramilitary force was removed from service in July, after it was proved in a departmental inquiry that his act had tarnished the image of the organisation and he had failed to maintain an absolute devotion to his duty. A bench of justices S Muralidhar and Sanjeev Narula dismissed the petition of Sandeep Yadav, also an awardee of the President's Police Medal for meritorious service in 2010, in which he had challenged the penalty awarded to him by the disciplinary authority -- the Director General -- removing him from service. "The court can only observe that the higher the position held by a public servant, the greater the standard of rectitude that has to be maintained," the bench said in an order passed earlier in November. It said, "Serving as a DIG in the CRPF, a paramilitary force, the petitioner was not expected to indulge in the kind of conduct which has been proved against him in the inquiry. The court, in the circumstances, does not consider the penalty awarded to the petitioner to be disproportionate to the gravity of his conduct." In 2014, Yadav was serving as the DIG, GC, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Delhi. A complaint was filed against the officer by the woman's husband before the authorities concerned, in which it was alleged that he had been sending nude pictures of himself and sexually explicit material from his mobile phone to the woman's mobile phone. It was also alleged that between May 6 and June 1, 2014, he had made 395 calls to the woman from his mobile phone, mostly during office hours, and had also indulged in immoral conversations with her. It was stated that he had acted in a manner which was unbecoming of a government servant and violated the rules. Yadav had contended before the investigating officer (IO) that government servants were very much entitled to a private life and what he did in his private time (after office or duty hours) was his business and the government had no control over it. The IO, in his report, had stated that Yadav was found to have made numerous calls to the woman "during normal office hours". "Government servants, especially from the armed forces, because of their training and specific role, are subjected to public scrutiny and expected to maintain higher standards," the IO had stated. The court noted that the IO had held that the officer's act of sending his nude photographs to a married woman and making immoral conversations with her stood clearly proved. The decision to remove him from service was taken after the disciplinary authority consulted the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The UPSC had said the ends of justice would be met with the penalty of removing him from service, which would not be a disqualification for future employment under the government. The court noted that the woman was cross-examined but was unable to be discredited and the officer was unable to demonstrate that she was either untruthful or unreliable. "Most importantly, the petitioner was unable to show that there was any oblique motive for the woman to falsely accuse him of such conduct," it said. The court added that it was not sitting in appeal over the IO's report and it found that the procedure followed by the IO was just and fair and fully consistent with the requirements of natural justice. It said the officer was given full opportunity to defend himself against the charge and challenge the authenticity of the evidence presented against him. "This was not a criminal trial. The standard of proof in a departmental inquiry is not as high as that in a criminal trial. This is also not an instance where the IO has relied on any irrelevant material in order to come to the conclusions against the petitioner," the court said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An NGO-run shelter home was Sunday sealed in Odisha's Dhenkanal district in the wake of allegations of sexual abuse by its minor inmates, an official said. The action came two days after District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Anuradha Goswami and members of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) raided the shelter home, acting on media reports which stated that girls were being abused at the facility. "The private home, which has been operating illegally at Beltikiri area, was shut down by the police in presence of Dhenkanal Sadar Tehsildar U K Mohapatra and the DCPO," the district official said. Dhenkanal Subdivisional Police Officer Abdul Karim said the owner of the home, Simanchal Nayak, and managing director Fayaz Rahman have been detained. The girls at the home had alleged that they were harassed sexually, physically and mentally by Nayak over the past two years. Nayak has, however, denied the allegations and said they had done so as he had tried to enforce discipline at the shelter home. Odisha Women and Child Development Minister (WCD) Prafulla Samal on Saturday described the centre "unregistered and illegal", ordering its immediate closure. Asserting that strict action would be taken against the offenders, she said district collectors across the state have been asked to shut down all 22 branches of the shelter home, operated by NGO Good India. The inmates of the Dhenkanal shelter home - 47 girls and 34 boys - have been shifted to another childcare institution, Mohaptra said. Meanwhile, a fact-finding team of the state BJP, led by its women's wing president Prabhati Parida, visited Beltikiri Sunday to assess the situation. The team interacted with the locals to find out the modus operandi of the shelter home, sources in the party said. Hitting out at the state government, Parida alleged that the administration, local police and WCD minister had "knowledge about the illegal home". Earlier this year, the central government directed all states to inspect shelter homes in the aftermath of two alleged sexual abuse cases in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. As many as 539 childcare institutions were shut down by the Union Women and Child Development Ministry in different parts of the country for various irregularities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Odisha police has sounded a high alert and stepped up combing operations in the naxal-hit areas of the state as the Maoists started observing People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Week from Sunday, a police official said. Patrolling and combing operations were intensified in the Maoist hotbed of Malkangiri and Koraput districts in view of the PLGA week being observed by them till December 8, he said. The security forces are fully prepared to deal with any possible strike by the Maoists, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Malkangiri, Jagmohan Meena, said. All Border Security Force (BSF) camps and police stations have been put on alert with the instructions to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs), he said. Joint combing operations have been launched by the BSF, Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) in areas bordering Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, to foil any movement of the Maoists from the neighbouring states, the SP added. Similar security measures were taken in Koraput district. The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Koraput district, Kanwar Vishal Singh held a meeting with officers of police outposts, police stations, sub-divisional police officers (SDPO) and senior officials of Border Security Force (BSF) regarding the measures required during the PLGA week. The security forces have been asked to stay on high alert and combing operations along the border areas with Andhra Pradesh have been intensified, the SP said. As a precautionary measure, plying of government buses has been stopped in Malkangiri district, a police officer said. Bus services from Koraput to Rayagada, Malkangiri and Gajapati districts have also been suspended, the officer said. During the PLGA Week, the Maoists hold meetings in villages and offer tributes to the red rebels who were killed in police encounters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan hit back his detractors for mocking his proposal to provide eggs and chicken to rural women as part of his government's poverty alleviation programme, saying 'colonised minds' criticise him for the idea but will praise 'wilayatis' (foreigners) for the similar concept. At a ceremony to mark his government's 100 days in office, Khan had said his government would provide livestock and poultry to underprivileged women to encourage them to start their own business. He said that the project was tested and the government would provide injections (vaccines) to them for raising the chickens faster. "This way, they will have nutrient food for eating and more chickens and eggs to sell," Khan had said. Pakistan's opposition parties mocked at the premier's proposal, terming it as a "serious comedy" and as "another Google-it-solution" to improve the country's ailing economy. Reacting to opposition's criticism Khan on Saturday tweeted: "For the colonised minds when desis (locals like him) talk about chickens combating poverty they get mocked, but when 'walaitis' (foreigners like Bill Gates) talk about desi chicken and poverty it's brilliance." He also referred to an article of Microsoft founder Bill Gates in which he talked about poultry initiative believing that "it is a way to lift citizens (of rural areas) out of poverty". Earlier, PML-N senior leader Ahsan Iqbal, in a series of tweets, said he was shocked to hear Imran Khan's suggestion and concerned for his country at a time when fourth industrial revolution is on horizon. "After listening to Imran Khan's suggestion, I am shocked and concerned for our country. Eggs, Desi chicken and Kattas (calves)-based economy at a time when fourth industrial revolution is on the horizon is a much too 'serious comedy'. It shows what kind of agenda is being discussed in the PM office," he tweeted. Iqbal further tweeted "so this is another Google-it-solution." Apart from Iqbal, former foreign minister Khwaja Asif said: "After the 100-day deliberations, the PTI has come up with this 'hen-egg' solution to improve our unstable economy... congratulations."Pakistan's former railways minister Khwaja Saad Rafique said: "This is a great idea to bring about economic revolution in the country. Imran Khan has finally come up with an innovative idea to address the country's economic woes."PPP Senator Saeed Ghani said Prime Minister Khan revealed from where (Bill Gates) this 'idea' had come from. Besides, opposition parties, Khan also received flak from other section of the society on the social media for proposing this idea. Rights activist Marvi Sirmad said: "Turns out that whatever PM Khan was claiming about chickens, eggs and calves as his revolutionary programmes, have already been in practice in Punjab at least. This happens after he inaugurated a university in Sialkot, which was already inaugurated by Shahbaz Sharif." Journalist Sana Bucha tweeted: "100 days. Desi murghis (hen), Teekay (injection) and Kattas (claves). This is the survival story. This is our rebirth. This is our future. This is the turn of this country. We are now safe. Believe in the Naya Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 400 job offers have been made on the first day of the placement season at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, a press release from the institute has said. More than 362 companies have already registered and over 618 profiles have been opened by them, giving ample opportunity to students to choose their career wisely, it said. Of them, 256 were PPOs (pre-placement offers) and close to 150 were fresh ones, the statement said Saturday evening on the first day of placements. The first phase of placement is expected to continue till December 20. Qualcomm and Microsoft made the highest number of offers which stood at 21. As many as 12 international offers were received including six from Mercury Japan and four from Microsoft and more offers were expected as the placement progressed, it said. More than 16 new companies including ARPWood Capital, AB InBev, Blackrock and Bidgely are participating in the first few days of the placement session, the statement said. The placement season is also witnessing the participation of some 33 leading start-ups. Most of the companies are visiting the campus in the first few days of placement including Zomato, Ola, Oyo, Flipkart and Innovacer, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terming Pakistan as unreliable, Uttar Pradesh Minister for power Srikant Sharma has said the neighbouring country should remain within limits and not forget the heroic deed of Indian forces. Speaking at a function dedicated to "Armed forces" here on Saturday evening, he said it was the generosity of India that Pakistan had been pardoned in the past when thousands of their army personnel were forced to surrender but were then released. Referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's offer for a dialogue with India, the minister said Islamabad was not trustworthy as it believed in "backbiting". He said after the surgical strike, Indian forces have given a message that any attempt to challenge it would be reciprocated with "compound interest". Lauding the dedication of the gallantry forces, Sharma said, the Narendra Modi Govt has fulfilled their long pending demand for one rank one pay. The function was organised by Amarnath Educational Institutions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Pakistani man has been sentenced to seven years in prison in the US for attempting to provide material support and resources to Jabhat al-Nusrah, an alias name for the terror group Al Qaeda in Iraq. Basit Javed Sheikh, 39, of North Carolina was sentenced to 84 months imprisonment followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He had pleaded guilty to the charge in August and since he is not a natural born citizen of the US, he faces possible automatic removal from the country. Sheikh had been living for years in the US as a legal permanent resident. The affidavit to the complaint describes multiple Facebook postings by him in 2013, expressing support for Jahbat al-Nusrah. He posted articles acknowledging that Jahbat al-Nusrah had been designated by the US as a terrorist group. As detailed within the affidavit, Sheikh utilized Facebook to propagate the violent ideology of Islamic Extremism, US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina said. In mid-2013, Sheikh sought out a relationship with an individual online whom he believed could assist him in travelling to Syria in support of violent jihad. This individual informed him of another person described as a member of Jabhat al-Nusrah able to assist Sheikh. In reality, both of these individuals were working with and for the FBI. Sheikh reached out to the individual he believed to be a Jabhat al-Nusrah member and expressed his desire to travel to Syria in order to "help the mujahideenin any way I can." When asked how he wanted to help, Sheikh responded "logistics, media, fight too." Believing that the FBI covert employee would be able to assist in smuggling him from Lebanon into Syria, Sheikh purchased a one-way ticket with a final destination of Lebanon and a departure from Raleigh-Durham Airport in November 2013. He was arrested prior to boarding his flight. "Our security as a nation, as a state, and as a local community requires vigilance against the hateful rhetoric and goals of groups and persons who hijack the tenets of any religion towards their own violent purposes," US Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Robert Higdon said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Polling personnel on Sunday headed for Ajasora polling station in southernmost Tuichawng assembly constituency where repolling is scheduled on Tuesday, election department officials said. Ajasora village, dominated by the Chakma community, is around 150 km from Lawngtlai town, from where the poll personnel began their journey on Sunday. The repoll was ordered by the Election Commission as polling could not be completed due to technical snags in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) on the polling day of November 28. Over 300 voters could not cast their vote in the polling station due to persistent EVM snag. The 1,080 voters in Ajasora polling station would again cast their vote on Tuesday. State election department officials said that 101 Voter verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) were replaced while 46 units each of EVM postal and ballot units were substituted during the polling in the state on November 28. Officials said that 1,839 control units and 1,853 ballot units of EVMs and 1,831 VVPATs were used for the election to the 40-member Mizoram legislature this time around. The percentage of replacement of VVPAT was on the higher side compared to the national average, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Poll temperature has shot up in Telangana with the ruling TRS, the Congress and the BJP pulling out all stops to woo voters ahead of the December 7 Assembly elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi who have already addressed campaign meetings are returning to the country's youngest state tomorrow to address public rallies in what is seen as a "final push". Caretaker Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief K Chandrasekhar Rao has been on a vigorous campaign trail in the past few days seeking a second term for the party, and has been unsparing in his attack on Modi, Rahul and TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The TRS is going alone in the poll to the 119-member Assembly, as also is the BJP. Campaigning ends on Wednesday. The Congress has forged "Prajakutami" (People's Alliance) with the TDP, the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) headed by professor M Kodandaram, and the CPI. Both the BJP and the Congress have deployed senior leaders for the "battle for Telangana". BJP president Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari were among those who addressed public meetings in different parts of the state on Sunday. Union Ministers Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh campaigned for party candidates last week. For the Congress, Sonia Gandhi addressed a public meeting last week. Chandrababu Naidu is also engaged in an intensive campaign for the People's Alliance. Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Jairam Ramesh and Veerappa Moily were among those who had been drafted to guide the party campaign in Telangana. The Congress has dubbed the TRS as a "stooge" and a "proxy" of the BJP, while the BJP has attacked the Chandrasekhar Rao-led party for promoting "family rule". "TRS prospects are extremely bright and in fact, things are improving by the day," K T Rama Rao, TRS leader and son of the caretaker Chief Minister, told PTI. He credited his party's bright prospects to the state government's "good governance and solid combination of welfare and development, fruits of which the people have enjoyed in the last four years". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Frogmore Cottage on Queen Elizabeth II's estate in the town of Windsor, which was recently announced as the new home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has a curious Raj era connect with India. The cottage had been a royal gift to Abdul Karim by Queen Victoria, then Empress of India, in recognition of his service and as a sign of her affection towards her Indian aide and confidant. Karim, whom the monarch referred to as her "Munshi", was just 24 when he arrived in England from Agra to present Victoria with a special mohar, or gold coin, to mark her Golden Jubilee in 1887. He quickly grew close to the ageing monarch, who bestowed many gifts on him including Frogmore Cottage for his own use. "Queen Victoria gave it to Abdul Karim as a special gift. She would often visit the cottage and have tea with his wife and him. He had decorated the house with many exotic things, including presents given to him by European royalty," said Shrabani Basu, the author of Victoria and Abdul: The Extraordinary True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant'. "There is also a sad angle to the story. Hours after Queen Victoria's funeral, the new king, Edward VII, ordered that all the letters written by his mother to Karim be seized from his house. They were burnt in a bonfire outside Frogmore Cottage and Abdul was ordered to return the home," said Basu, whose book formed the basis of the Oscar-nominated film Victoria and Abdul' last year, starring British actor Dame Judi Dench as Victoria and Indian actor Ali Fazal as Abdul. Basu had stumbled upon the rare friendship during her research and then followed it up with a visit to Windsor Castle and asked to look at Queen Victoria's Hindustani journals a collection of note-books filled with the monarch's handwriting practicing Urdu with her "Munshi" Karim. "His story is now well known in Britain and around the world. Despite Edward VII's attempt to destroy the letters, Abdul could not be deleted from history," adds the author. Kensington Palace had confirmed last month that the newly-wed Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are expecting their first child in the spring of 2019, are set to move out of their west London home at Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace before the due date and make the 10-bedroom Frogmore Cottage their family home. "Windsor is a very special place for Their Royal Highnesses and they are grateful that their official residence will be on the estate. The Duke and Duchess office will continue to be based at Kensington Palace," a spokesperson for the couple said. The heritage cottage, which has been a favourite royal retreat for many years, will undergo a multi-million-pound refit for the new family. It is set within the peaceful and secluded Frogmore House estate, near Windsor Castle, surrounded by 35 acres of lush green Berkshire countryside. The estate has its own man-made lake, Frogmore Lake, and is home to the Royal Burial Ground and the tomb of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to move in to their home as soon as the renovations are completed next year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The proposed acquisition of Power Corporation (PFC) by state-run (REC) would require the approval of banking regulator and competition watchdog CCI, an official said. The and power ministries have been holding hectic parleys for the proposed between the two power sector companies, which are non-banking companies (NBFCs) providing funds for power projects. Once the proposal is cleared by the power ministry, it would be taken to the cabinet for final approval. At the current market price, sale of 65.64 per cent government stake in PFC would fetch the government about Rs 150 billion. "Since both the companies operate in the same sector and are NBFCs, Competition Commisison of (CCI) and the (RBI) nod would be required," an official said. The plan being worked out is, REC acquiring PFC and then merging the acquired entity with itself. A final decision is yet to be taken on how the acquisition plan would go through, the official added. At the end of 2017-18, the total resources of REC stood at over Rs 2.46 trillion, of which reserves were Rs 335.15 billion. The net worth of the company was Rs 354.90 billion and 'cash and bank balance' was Rs 17.73 billion at the end of March 2018. PFC's 'reserves and surplus' stood at Rs 372.21 billion, and 'cash and bank balance' stood at Rs 46 billion at the end of March 2018. The deal, if it goes through, would help the government scale up its disinvestment proceeds. So far over Rs 320 billion has come into the disinvestment kitty from minority share sale in central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) and follow on offer of exchange traded funds -- CPSE ETF and Bharat-22. The is being considered on the lines of the acquisition of the government's entire 51.11 per cent stake in refiner by state-owned in 2017-18. The government bagged Rs 369.15 billion from the stake sale. Finance Minister had in the budget for 2017-18 said there were opportunities to strengthen CPSEs through consolidation, mergers and acquisitions. "By these methods, CPSEs can be integrated across the value chain of an industry. It will give them capacity to bear higher risks, avail economies of scale, take higher investment decisions and create more value for the stakeholders," he had said. Rajasthan has emerged as a laboratory for cow vigilantes under Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, CPI (M) leader Hannan Mollah alleged, days before the state goes to polls on December 7. Mollah, who is the party's incharge for Rajasthan, told PTI the issue of cow vigilantes was an electoral one in the religious minority and Dalit concentrated constituencies as people of both the communities were targeted in the name of cow protection during the Raje regime. "Cow vigilantes have enjoyed blessings from the state machinery of the Raje government. The state witnessed highest number of attacks on religious minorities and Dalit cattle farmers by cow vigilantes groups in last five years. Rajasthan has become a lab for cow vigilantes. The government was silent on culprits," he alleged. "It was Pehlu Khan's lynching by cow vigilante in Rajasthan which had brought nationwide attention to the atrocities on cattle traders in the BJP-ruled state. The government initially didn't take any action against culprits. When people protested against the murder, only then the Raje government machinery reacted," Mollah claimed. Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer, was lynched by cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar district when he was transporting cattle to his village in Haryana. Mollah alleged there were hundreds of incidents of Dalit cattle farmers being attacked by member of higher castes on the pretext of cow protection in the state during the tenure of the BJP government. He claimed most activists of cow vigilante groups were associated with the ruling political party in the largest state of India. "Activists of cow vigilante groups are related with members of the ruling BJP. Hence, the Raje government didn't initiate any action against the culprits," he alleged. He claimed fear of cow vigilantes was quite visible among Dalits and religious minorities in rural areas of Rajasthan. Mollah said 79 cow vigilante attacks had occurred in the country in last four and half years of BJP rule in which 40 people, mostly of a religious minority community, were killed and many others injured. "The uprising of cow vigilantes groups in many parts of the country particularly in BJP ruled states is a long-term game plan of the saffron forces. To silence real issues concerning people, the plan was hatched," the CPI(M) leader claimed. "Dalits and minority people are mainly associated with cattle farming and its trade. Hence, cow vigilantes groups and other saffron forces have targeted the age old practices of both Dalit and religious minority people," Mollah added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Sunday maintained "friendly contests" in some segments among partners of the People's Alliance would have no bearing on the grouping's electoral prospects, even as negotiations are on with the "rebels" to see they retire from the contest before the polls begin. In some constituencies of Telangana, where Assembly elections would be held on December 7, Congress and Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) rebels are in the fray in seats which have been allotted to other partners. "You cannot call them rebels. We (the alliance partners) could not convince some of our candidates, so their participation is friendly contest," AICC in-charge of Telangana R C Khuntia told PTI. The TDP, the TJS led by professor M Kodandaram and CPI are part of the Congress-led People's Alliance ('Prajakutami') which has struck a seat-sharing deal among the partners. However in Wyra and Bellampalli, for example, the two seats have been allotted to the CPI, notwithstanding Congress rebels -- Ramulu Naik and G Vinod, who is the son of former Union Minister late G Venkataswamy -- are in the fray there. "This will not affect our winning possibility. Two-three days before the elections, some decision may be taken to see to they (the rebels) withdraw from the contest. Negotiations are on with them", he said. Khuntia expressed confidence over the alliance coming to power after the elections to the 119-member Assembly, noting the collective "strength" of the two parties. "We will get between 75 and 80 seats", he said. CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said, given the current trend, it looks like a tough contest between the Congress-led alliance and the TRS. "I hope, ultimately, the opposition front will gain the upper hand. The front has an edge because four parties have come together", Reddy said. Sources in the alliance said the CPI(M)-led Bahujan Left Front, which has fielded candidates in 109 segments, may split some votes which would have otherwise gone to the People's Alliance. There is also some "heartburn" in the Left camp over the CPI(M) and CPI fighting separately. "We (BLF) are contesting in 109 seats, out of that we are concentrating on 20 to 25 seats. We are expecting to win at least five seats," CPI(M) Telangana unit secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram said. "Through Congress rule, they (CPI) want to achieve Telangana development, it is not possible at all," Veerabhadram said. On CPI(M) and CPI choosing different electoral paths in Telangana, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat told PTI, "In Telangana, BJP is not a factor. It is important to project alternative policy platform which is what CPI(M) and BLF are doing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid war of words between political parties in poll-bound Rajasthan, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said Sunday religion is a personal matter and not the inheritance of a party. Scindia's remarks come a day after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his party were confused about his religion and caste. Swaraj was reacting to Gandhi's statement asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi what kind of a Hindu he is as he "does not understand" the foundation of Hinduism. "As far as religion of any individual is concerned it is his personal matter. Where do you go, which faith you follow, it is a personal matter. Any religion is not an inherited property of any political party," Scindia told reporters at a press conference here. He said religion should not enter the domain of politics and vice-versa. Attacking the BJP for raking up the Ram temple issue, he said, "It is their habit to say 'mandir hum wahi banayege lekin tareek nahi batayege' (they make hollow promises on building the Ram temple). It is the BJP's reality." Clarifying the Congress's stand on the Ram temple issue, Scindia said that the decision of the Supreme Court on the matter will be applicable on everyone and it is our responsibility to abide by it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid charges that the BJP has diluted its agitation against the entry of young women into the Sabarimala temple, some party workers, led by its state general secretary B Gopalakrishnan, Sunday defied prohibitory orders at Nilakkal, the pilgrim base camp located about 20 km from the hill shrine. Eight BJP activists, who were on their way to Sabarimala, were stopped by police at Nilakkal. They violated the prohibitory orders by squatting on road and chanting 'swamiye saram ayyappa'. In an unrelated incident, activists of BJP's youth wing, Yuva Morcha, attempted to wave black flags at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Mulakkuzha near Chengannur when he was on his way to attend a function there. Two people were arrested in connection with this incident, police said. Five Mahila Morcha activists, who staged 'nama japa' (chanting of mantras) protest at the chief minister's programme venue, were also arrested, they said. The women, who managed to enter the venue, stood up and chanted mantras when Vijayan was about to begin his speech. Police rushed to the spot and removed them from the venue. Gopalakrishnan later told reporters that the BJP would continue to agitate till police lift the prohibitory orders and other restrictions imposed in and around the hill shrine. He slammed the Vijayan-led LDF government for allegedly filing false cases against party general secretary K Surendran, who was arrested en route to Sabarimala last month. The BJP recently announced its decision to shift its protest from the temple complex to the state capital. But since then, the party has been facing allegations that it was backtracking from the agitation. BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai had rejected the charges and said the move was to expand the stir across the state. He had also said the party would launch an indefinite fast before the Secretariat from December 3 and block state ministers in support of its various demands, including lifting of prohibitory orders and providing basic amenities to pilgrims in and around the Lord Ayyappa temple. Since the September 28 verdict of the Supreme Court, allowing women of all ages to enter the temple, no women in the 10-50 age group has been able to reach the shrine due to frenzied protests from devotees. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An NGO-run shelter home was sealed in Odisha's Dhenkanal district following allegations that the minor inmates there were sexually abused, while two people, including its chief, were arrested Sunday, police said. The action came two-days after District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Anuradha Goswami and members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) raided the shelter home, acting on media reports about girls being abused at the facility. "The private shelter home, which has been operating illegally at Beltikiri area, was shut down by the police in presence of Dhenkanal Sadar Tehsildar U K Mohapatra and the DCPO," a district official said. Dhenkanal Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Sk Abdul Karim said the managing director of the shelter home, Fayaz Rahman, and another employee, Udit Lima, were arrested Sunday. The in-charge of the home, Simanchal Nayak, was arrested on Saturday. The girls at the home had alleged that they were harassed sexually, physically and mentally by Nayak over the past two years. Nayak has, however, denied the allegations and said they had done so as he had tried to enforce discipline at the shelter home. Odisha Women and Child Development Minister (WCD) Prafulla Samal has described the centre as "unregistered and illegal", and ordered its immediate closure. Asserting that strict action would be taken against the offenders, she said district collectors across the state have been asked to shut down all 22 branches of the shelter home, operated by NGO Good India. Dhenkanal District Collector Nikhil Pavan Kalyan said a thorough investigation into the matter is in progress and appropriate action would be taken. Senior officials of the district administration visited the shelter home and examined certain documents besides questioning the staff. The inmates of the Dhenkanal shelter home -- 47 girls and 34 boys aged between 5 and 16 years -- have been shifted to another childcare institution nearby, Mohaptra said. The incident triggered sharp reaction from different quarters with opposition political parties coming down heavily on the BJD government. Union Petroleum Minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan demanded the resignation of state Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister Prafulla Samal for the government's "failure" in preventing illegal functioning of the unregistered shelter home. Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Srikant Jena said the BJD government has "failed miserably in discharging" its responsibility. The WCD minister, however, said the issue should not be politicised and asserted that the state government will leave no stone unturned to punish the guilty. Meanwhile, a fact-finding team of the state BJP, led by its women's wing president Prabhati Parida, visited Beltikiri Sunday to assess the situation. The team interacted with the locals to find out the modus operandi of the shelter home, sources in the party said. Hitting out at the state government, Parida alleged that the administration, local police and WCD minister had "knowledge about the illegal home". Earlier this year, the Central government had directed all states to inspect shelter homes in the aftermath of two alleged sexual abuse cases in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust in Shirdi will provide the "interest-free" loan worth Rs 500 crore to the Maharashtra government for constructing a canal network for a dam. The Nilwande Dam is located on Pravara River and is expected to benefit 182 villages in Sangamner, Akole, Rahata, Rahuri and Kopargaon talukas in Ahmednagar district and Sinnar in Nashik. A senior official of the Trust said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed with the state government's Godawari-Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC) in this regard. "The trust will give Rs 500 crore for the project but will not charge any interest on it," he said while refusing to divulge the details of tenure of repayment. The official said the temple trust provides money for social work regularly but the amount it had allocated for the Nilwande Dam was "huge" and a "rare thing". A state Water Resources department official said the Nilwande Dam had begun storing water but the right and left bank canals needed to be built for it to be used for irrigation and drinking water purposes. The Nilwande Dam, this June, received Rs 2,232 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sanjivani Yojana. The Shirdi-based temple trust had earlier provided Rs 50 crore to the Maharashtra Airport Development Company for the construction of the Rs 350-crore airport there. The airport, located at Kakadi village, is now operational. Meanwhile, Kopargaon-based activist Sanjay Kale has opposed the move saying the outgo of funds will affect the development works undertaken by the Trust for devotees. He said the Trust's decision will be challenged in the high court. "It is wrong to take funds from the Trust's coffers. Due to this outgo of funds, the Trust will not be able to pay salaries of its 6,000 contractual employees, as Income Tax department had issued a notice to the Trust in the fiscal 2016 demanding Rs 183 crore," he claimed. Kale said this dispute is currently pending in a court. "If the court rules against the Trust then it will have to pay Rs 1300 crore towards income tax. In such a scenario, paying Rs 500 crore to the state government towards developing Nilwande dam would empty out the coffers of the Trust," he said. Kale said the state government had sanctioned Rs 3000 crore for the development of the Saibaba temple and Shirdi town during the centenary celebrations of the shrine, but has not released any money for the said purposes so far. "The government has not yet paid even a single rupee for the purposes, but instead took Rs 70 crore from the Trust for carrying out development works in Nagpur and the Vidarbha region," he claimed. Kale alleged a lot of funds from the Trust's coffer were "taken" by the government. "Construction of a dam and its canal network is supposed to be done by the government which should make necessary provision for funds. It is wrong to utilise funds of the Trust which is a donation given by devotees of Saibaba," he said. Kale claimed even the high court had not given its sanction to utilise Rs 500 crore of the Trust for the Nilwande dam works. "We will go to high court", he said. Kale further said he would file a criminal complaint against the state government and the trust for "giving a false information" on the number of devotees visiting the Saibaba shrine for the sake of securing the loan for the canal network. "The government had said that 60,000-70,000 devotees visit the famous temple per day while the number goes up during festivals to 3-3.5 lakhper day. "However, the Trust as well as the government are giving a false information and cheating devotees of Saibaba. Not more than one lakh devotees had visited the temple during a festival time. We will file a criminal complaint against the government and the Trust", he said. It is known that the Trust has undertaken multi-crore projects which include construction of an educational complex, a medical college and a modern hospital. Advocate Sandeep Kulkarni, who had approached the Bombay High Court earlier for appointment of an IAS officer as the chairman of the Trust, said the Central government had sanctioned Rs 2350 crore for the works related to the dam. "Despite this, the state government is demanding Rs 500 crore from the Trust as a non-intrest loan. This will result into the Trust incurring heavy losses," he said. Kulkarni said the welfare activities for devotees will get affected. "The daily expenses of the Trust is Rs 90 lakh. If the Trust realises its fixed deposit of Rs 2200 crore, it will also lose the interest to the tune of Rs 130 crore. How could then they be able to pay salaries of the staff?" he questionned. The Trust chairman Suresh Haware said the decision to provide the "interest-free" loan to the state government had been taken by its members unanimously. "The construction of the canal network will ensure that 13 parched talukas in Ahmednagar district would get water for drinking. The move will also benefit thousands of farmers," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Sonali Bendre Behl, who was diagnosed with high grade cancer, is excited to return to the city she calls "home" after undergoing treatment in New York for about five months. In the first week of July, Sonali had revealed that she has been diagnosed with a "high grade cancer" and was undergoing treatment in New York. In an emotional statement, the actor had then said the cancer metastised which "we frankly did not see coming." Sharing the on Instagram Sonali said, "They say 'Distance makes the heart grow fonder'. It sure does. But let's never underestimate what distance teaches you. Being away from home in the city of New York, I realised I was walking amongst so many stories. Each trying to write their own chapter in different ways. Each struggling to do it but never giving up. Each taking it #OneDayAtATime." She further said, she is now her way back, to "where her heart is". "It's a feeling I can't describe in words but I'm going to try - it's the joy to see my family and friends again, the excitement to do what I love and mainly the gratitude for the journey I've had up until this moment." Without divulging any details about her treatment, Sonali said, "The fight is not yet over. But I am looking forward to this happy interval. It's time to learn that there is a new normal out there and I can't wait to embrace it and #SwitchOnTheSunshine." Her post ended with a quote by Chris Martin, Sonali said, "And as my adventure with life continues these words by Chris Martin hit home, 'Everything you want is a dream away. Under this pressure, under this weight We are diamonds taking shape...'" Sonali, best known for her role in '90s movies such as "Sarfarosh", "Diljale" and "Duplicate", is married to filmmaker Goldie Behl. The couple has a 13-year-old son Ranveer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Station Superintendent Sanjay Sharma draws attention of curious tourists as trains roll into the Gumman Railway Station in Himachal Pradesh's Parwanoo district. Sharma's tryst with leopards has gained him popularity at the quaint station which is surrounded by heritage sites on the Kalka-Shimla Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage track. The 47-year-old, who has been posted here for the past four years, recounts stories of his big cat sightings to the travellers here. "We had reported multiple sightings but the wildlife department didn't seem to believe us. So, three months back, I took a video and sent it to senior officials," he said. His video, shot just 30 metres away from the animal, forced the wildlife department to place a cage to capture it. However, after trying for almost two months, they failed in their endeavour, he said. Gumman Railway Station, which is 126 km by road from Kalka, falls on arguably one of the most scenic train routes of Northern India. The latest sighting was three days ago, right on the platform of the station, when a train was coming in. "A guard saw it on the platform when the train was coming at 4 am. The animal left after picking up an injured dog," said Sharma, who has been a railwayman for the past 24 years,. However, despite regaling sightseers with his exciting tales, he doesn't forget the dangers that accompany the big cat sightings. The last four times the leopard came visiting, he and a pointsman (track maintenance worker) were the only two people in the vicinity of the track. Sharma lives nearby with his wife and children and he has forbidden his son and daughter, who are both 12 years of age, from playing outside in the evenings. "I am scared. I am responsible for my men. I can keep my children indoors, but these men have to work. Also, we are here from 3:30 am to 11:30 pm which means we are extremely vulnerable in the morning and at night. Though I shot the video as evidence, it was a chilling experience. I have been telling my stories to tourists, but I hope they don't end up involving a tragedy," said Sharma. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stephen Schiff has been roped in to serve as the showrunner for live-action Star Wars series starring Diego Luno. The series which will be streamed on Disney+ is based on based "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story". According to Deadline, Schiff will also serve as executive producer on the series, which will see Rogue One's star Luna reprising his role as Cassian Andor. Lucasfilm produces the series, which follows the adventures of rebel spy Andor during the formative years of the Rebellion and prior to the events of Rogue One. Production is slated to begin next year. This is one of two Star Wars-themed original series created for the streaming service. Director Jon Favreau is spearheading "The Mandalorian", an origin story based on the warrior race from which bounty hunters Jango Fett and son Boba Fett sprung, with Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano and Nick Nolte expected to star. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Sunday said strict action should be taken against bogus agents who cheat people by promising jobs abroad. She said such businesses would keep running if strict action is not taken against these agents. "I have written a letter to Himachal Pradesh chief minister (Jai Ram Thakur) to initiate action against such agents," Swaraj told reporters here responding to a question on 14 Indian nationals being stuck in Saudi Arab and Yemen. These people are stranded in Saudi Arabia with most of them, including residents of Himachal Pradesh, in the Middle East nation's jails after two local travel agents allegedly sent them to work there on tourist visas, police said Saturday. "I have already spoken to officials concerned in the matter and process to bring back 14 people is underway," Swaraj said Sunday. Replying to a question on striking down invitation of participation in SAARC summit meeting, Swaraj said that terror and talks cannot go simultaneously. She said India will provide citizenship to oppressed minorities, including Hindus, Jain, Buddhists, Christians and Sikhs from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. On the issue of NRC (National Register of Citizens), she said the government has yet not decided any date to expel illegal immigrants from the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu Information and Broadcasting Minister 'Kadambur' Raju Sunday urged all stake holders in the film industry to come together to combat video piracy. Speaking at a function here, he said, if the Tamil Nadu Film Producers' Council, film exhibitors and theatre owners join hands, the government can take all steps to eradicate piracy. "Piracy is becoming a challenge. Tamilrockers (a portal which releases pirated versions of films online) is becoming a challenge", he noted. Video piracy has been plaguing the Tamil film industry for long prompting the producers to approach courts for direction to block websites that upload newly released films online. Recently, the Rajinikanth starrer 2.0 was illegally uploaded on an active piracy website, www.tamilrockers.com. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Roger Stone, an informal adviser to US President Donald Trump, denied Sunday that the two had discussed a possible presidential pardon at a time when Stone is said to be under mounting scrutiny from prosecutors investigating Russian interference. Stone also denied having had any contact during the 2016 presidential campaign with Julian Assange, the creator of WikiLeaks, the site that published hacked messages from Trump's Democratic opponents in an apparent bid to influence the election. "I had no contact with Assange," Stone told ABC's "This Week" program. "We have had no communication with (Assange) whatsoever." He said he had not been contacted by Robert Mueller, the special prosecutor investigating possible collusion or coordination between Trump's campaign team and Russia. Asked whether he would expect a pardon from the president if indicted by Mueller, Stone replied, "I've had no discussion regarding a pardon." But Stone insisted that he would never testify against his longtime friend. "There's no circumstance under which I would testify against the president, because I'd have to bear false witness against him," he said. "I'd have to make things up, and I'm not going to do that." Mueller has negotiated cooperation deals with several key witnesses, notably Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, in exchange for reduced prison sentences for various charges. Stone and one of his contacts, Jerome Corsi, are suspected of having had advance knowledge that WikiLeaks would, in the summer of 2016, publish a trove of hacked Democratic emails that would prove damaging to Trump's presidential rival, Hillary Clinton. The ABC interviewer, George Stephanopoulos, asked Stone about emails in which he reportedly instructed Corsi in mid-2016 to "get to Assange at the Ecuadoran embassy in London and get the pending WikiLeaks email". But Stone insisted he had broken no law. "I'm certainly guilty of bluffing and posturing and punking the Democrats," he said, before adding, "Where is the crime? "I engaged in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A dinner meeting Saturday between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to discuss their growing trade war went "very well", White House top economic advisor Larry Kudlow said. Kudlow's comment to journalists, as Trump and his delegation were about to take off for Washington from Buenos Aires, was the first public reaction from the high-stakes dinner lasting more than two hours. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said she expected to release a statement soon. There was no immediate word from China's government. Trump and Xi, who were in the Argentinian capital over the last two days for a summit of G20 countries, had gone into the meeting in a bid to pull the world's top two economies from the brink of a full-fledged trade war. Both leaders expressed optimism as they and top aides sat down at a long hotel table adorned with flowers. "We will probably end up ending up getting something that will be good for China and the United States," Trump said. Xi stated that they shared tremendous responsibility to find a solution. "Only with cooperation between us can we serve the interest of both peace and prosperity," he said. The meeting, featuring a menu of sirloin steak, caramel rolled pancakes and Argentinian wine, went on longer than scheduled. And while it may have been tacked on to the end of two days of G20 diplomacy, it was in many ways the main event of the weekend. Trump has already imposed tariffs on more than USD 250 billion in Chinese goods -- about half of the total imported into the United States each year -- in an attempt to pressure Beijing to change its trade rules. Duties of 10 per cent currently on most of those goods are set to rise on January 1 to a whopping 25 per cent if a deal isn't reached. And that's not all. As Kudlow said in Washington ahead of the dinner: "If things don't work out in this US-China summit meeting, he will invoke some 267 billion dollars in additional tariffs." With US-Chinese disagreements on Trump's demands for better market access and intellectual property protections so profound, any real breakthrough was considered unlikely. But financial markets, spooked by the potential impact on the world economy, hoped that at least some kind of truce could be declared. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, also attending the G20, spoke for many when she urged progress. "We all realize that we are indirectly influenced by the fact that Sino-American economic relations are not running as smoothly as a world order needs," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An impressive defensive show by U Mumba saw them beat Gujarat Fortunegiants 36-26 in the top-of-the-table clash in the Pro Kabaddi Season 6 here on Sunday. This was U Mumba's first-ever win over Gujarat Fortunegiants in the history of Pro Kabaddi League. The architects of U Mumba's famous victory were veteran Dharmaraj Cherlathan (6 points) and Rohit Rana (5 points). U Mumba scored 16 tackle points, which was more than their raiders scored. For Gujarat Fortunegiants, Sachin scored eight points while Prapanjan chipped in with four points. Rohit Balliyan's two-point raid in the third minute gave U Mumba 4-2 lead. U Mumba looked like a team in a hurry as they took just four minutes to inflict the first all out to lead 9-4. Sachin got a couple of raid points for Gujarat Fortunegiants as they trailed 6-9 after six minutes of play. It was Sachin's raiding prowess that kept Gujarat Fortunegiants in the match as he kept on picking raid points at regular intervals. Gujarat Fortunegiants sent Siddharth Desai to the bench with a strong tackle to trail 11-12 after 13 minutes. It was a close encounter between two evenly matched teams as neither of the teams refused to give an inch. U Mumba went into the break leading 17-14. Siddharth Desai picked up a vital raid point in the 26th minute to give U Mumba 20-17 lead. Desai followed it up with another raid in the 29th minute as U Mumba opened up a 10-point gap. Sachin tried to rally Gujarat back into the match with a few raid points but U Mumba were in no mood to relinquish their lead. U Mumba forced a super tackle and collected a couple of more tackle points in the last five minutes of the match. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain's opposition Labour Party ramped up the pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May Sunday, saying it will call a no-confidence vote if Parliament rejects her Brexit deal on December 11. May is battling to persuade skeptical British lawmakers to back the deal her government and the European Union reached last month. Rejecting it would leave the UK facing a messy, economically damaging "no-deal" Brexit on March 29. Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said it's "inevitable" that Labour will bring a motion of no-confidence in the government if Parliament rejects the Brexit agreement. "If she's lost a vote of this significance after two years of negotiation, then it is right that there should be a general election," Starmer told Sky If May's government lost a no-confidence vote, it would have two weeks to overturn the result with a new vote by lawmakers. If that failed, Britain would hold a national election. Politicians on both sides of Britain's EU membership debate oppose the agreement May has struck with the bloc Brexiteers because it keeps Britain bound closely to the EU, and pro-EU politicians because it erects barriers between the UK and its biggest trading partner. With opposition parties and dozens of the prime minister's fellow Conservatives against the deal, May's chances of winning the vote in Parliament appear slim. But Environment Secretary Michal Gove said, "I believe that we can win the argument and win the vote." "I know it is challenging," he told the BBC on Sunday. "One of the things that I hope people will have the chance to do over the next nine days is to recognize that we should not make the perfect the enemy of the good," Gove said. "We have got to recognize that if we don't vote for this, the alternatives are no deal or no Brexit." Before the December 11 vote, Labour is also trying to force May to publish confidential advice from the country's top law officer about the Brexit deal. Under opposition pressure, the government promised last month to show Parliament the legal advice from Attorney General Geoffrey Cox "in full." Now, however, it says only that Cox will make a statement to Parliament. Starmer said Labour would accuse the government of being in contempt of Parliament if it does not release all of the attorney general's input. A refusal to publish the text could trigger "a historic constitutional row that puts Parliament in direct conflict with the executive," he said. A key legal issue is how Britain can get out of a "backstop" provision that would keep the country in a customs union with the EU to guarantee an open border between the U.K.'s Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. Pro-Brexit lawmakers say the backstop could leave Britain tied to the EU indefinitely, unable to strike new trade deals around the world. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There is a strong Uttar Pradesh connection in Sircilla, the assembly constituency of Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao's heir apparent K T Rama Rao -- there are families of people from the northern state who were recruited during the Nizam rule for collecting tax from landlords. On such family that had migrated to northern part of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, now Telangana, was Shanti Prakash Shukla's forefathers in 1930s who were specially recruited from Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district to collect taxes from the Velama (zamindar or landlord) community to which the incumbent chief minister KCR belongs. Velama is an upper caste that makes up only about 4 per cent of the population in Telangana at present. "The Velama community was prominent here and they did not pay taxes to Nizams. Our forefathers came here to work as tax collectors in the 'Razakar' unit," advocate Shukla, 65, told PTI in an exclusive interview. 'Razakar' was a military unit that was established under the Nizam's rule solely for collecting taxes from the farming community. It was Maharaja Peshkar Sir Kishen Pershad, a courtier in the Nizam's regime, who had initiated the recruitment of people from Uttar Pradesh, as also of Sikhs from Punjab who had migrated here, Shukla said. As feudal oppression and the Nizam's autocratic rule became unbearable, Shukla said, it became difficult for his forefathers to collect taxes from poor farmers who had lost their crop and there were also atrocities against women and as a result of all this, they resorted to a revolt. Shukla's father Amritlal Shukla was born in Karimnagar district and gave up his teaching job to join the Communist Party in 1940s to take part in the freedom struggle against Nizams. His mother Shantabhai Shukla was from Madhya Pradesh. The advocate, who has four siblings, further said that the Nizams started deputing 'Razakars' to harass those resisting integration of Hyderabad state in the Dominion of India. "My father was in jail for 2-3 years. He escaped from the Nizam's custody. He joined the Communist Party and was even elected as an MLA in 1957 from the Combined Community Party," he said. Many of the migrants from Uttar Pradesh are now working in various departments including in the state police. "That's is the reason you find more Hindi and Punjabi speaking population in Hyderabad," said Shukla, who is married to a local and their two children are settled abroad. Besides talking about the history, Shukla said the election campaign is in full swing in Telangana where the ruling TRS government is seeking a re-election, but what bothers him the most was the kind of money being spent on the elections. "I remember, my father had spent only Rs 350 on election but now each MLA is spending Rs 15 crore," he said amid high-pitch loud speaker announcement outside asking people to vote for 'car', the symbol of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). Chief minister KCR's son, who is popularly known as KTR, is contesting for the third time from Sircilla constituency, which is about 140 kms from the state capital Hyderabad, in the December 7 assembly polls. He had won with a margin of over 53,000 votes against his Congress rival in the 2014 assembly elections. Noting that the Communist had a stronghold in Sircilla till 1967, Shukla said, "Time has changed. Now goondas and rowdies are entering politics and there is no ideology." His wife Jhansi Lakshmi, a retired lecturer, said her father M Narayana from Khamman district had also fought against the Nizam rule during the freedom movement. She is now currently working in an NGO creating awareness among women voters about elections and to exercise their voting rights independently and without any influence from their husbands. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Consulate on Sunday launched a scholarship programme here for a select group of underprivileged students to hone up their English language skills. The 'English Access Micro Scholarship' will be given to 25 students of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in the city, Minister Counselor for Public Affairs, US Embassy New Delhi, David Kennedy, was quoted as saying in a release. The programme provides a foundation of English language skills to selected 13-20 year-old talented students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, through after- school classes and intensive sessions, it said. The acquired skills can lead the students to better jobs, educational opportunities, and the ability to participate in and compete for future exchanges and study in the US. 'Access' students will also get to know about US culture and democratic values through enhancement activities, the release said. The city-specific programme will continue for two years, following which the consulate may engage with another institute. "The US government is extremely proud of the accomplishments of English Access Micro Scholarship programme since it was set up in 2004. If our business as diplomats is to build lasting relationships between Americans and people from across the globe and in the process hopefully make the world a better place, then Access is the perfect tool," Kennedy said. The programme is supported by the US Department of State and is managed by the Regional English Language Office in the US Embassy, New Delhi, in partnership with Delhi-based NGO 'Learning Links Foundation'. (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. 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 USD 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. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) chief has written to the (RBI), seeking a formal nod to expand payments services to all its 200 million users in The messaging app, which has drawn fire from the government over spread of fake messages on its platform, continues to wait for a regulatory clearance to launch full-fledged payments operations in - months after its 'testing' amassed nearly one million users, and almost two years since it first began discussions with the government on its payments services plans. The development comes at a time when competitors such as have forged ahead with their payments offerings. is currently piloting payments, and its Chief Chris Daniels has now written to the RBI urging that a formal approval be granted to take the payments product to all its users in the country. "I write to request your formal approval to immediately expand WhatsApp's BHIM (Unified Payments Interface) compliant payments product to all users in India, giving us the opportunity to offer a useful and secure service that can improve the lives of Indian people through digital empowerment and financial inclusion," Daniels said in the letter addressed to the RBI Governor. The letter, dated November 5, mentions that WhatsApp's partner banks have also submitted a request for formal approval. When contacted, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the platform is working closely with the Indian government, (NPCI), and multiple banks, including payment service providers to expand the feature to more people and support the country's digital "Today, almost 1 million people are testing WhatsApp payments in India. The feedback has been very positive, and people enjoy the convenience of sending money as simply and securely as sending messages," the company's spokesperson said, responding to a specific email query on the recent plea to the RBI. In the letter, WhatsApp noted that the platform had rushed to ensure that the payments data is stored in India, immediately after the RBI came out with a directive outlining the new payments data storage requirements in April this year. "Today, (the) RBI has unfettered supervisory access to payments data as prescribed by the RBI circular, said the letter. PTI has seen a copy of the letter. The Facebook-owned company has also demanded a "level playing field" for all companies that offer payment services, including "a certain and transparent regulatory and operating environment". WhatsApp has also made a case for scaling up its operations by citing the productivity gains that have accrued to Indian small business as a result of the digital tool, and expressed its deep commitment to the market. "Based on feedback from NPCI and our bank partners, we are confident that we are fully compliant with the checklist, have made all necessary submissions and have passed the security audits required to launch WhatsApp Payments," Daniels said. It could not be immediately ascertained if the firm has received any response from the RBI to its letter. WhatsApp's ambitious payment services' blueprint has been caught in a bind, over concerns around authentication and its data storage practices. In the past, its home grown rivals have alleged that WhatsApp's payment platform has security risks for consumers and is not in compliance with the guidelines. WhatsApp has been under tremendous pressure to put in place a mechanism to curb fake news on its messaging platform that incited mob fury in India. Over a dozen people have been killed across the country this year in mob lynchings, fuelled by rumours circulating on WhatsApp. The rumours ranged from suspicion of stealing children to victims being believed to be killing cows. Riots have been instigated by people forwarding and misinterpreting videos on WhatsApp. The government has, on several occasions, warned the company that it can't evade responsibility if its messaging service is used to spread false information. The Centre has directed WhatsApp to develop tools to combat fake or false messages, and, more importantly, to identify message originators. Apart from the traceability request, the government had asked WhatsApp to set up a local corporate presence and appoint a grievance officer to address complaints. WhatsApp recently named a grievance officer for India, and announced the appointment of an India head -- the first for the country that accounts for most users across the world. It also launched a label that identifies forwarded messages, and barred forwarding of messages to more than five people at one go. Taking a dig at the BJP government, the RSS Sunday wondered why an act cannot be passed for construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya while a huge statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel can be built in Gujarat. Addressing a public rally here, senior Sangh leader Dattatreya Hosabale said though a separate bench has been formed by the supreme court, which is hearing the Ayodhya title suits, no decision has been taken yet on the pending issue. "If Sardar Patel's statue can be erected on the banks of the Narmada river (in Gujarat), why an act cannot be passed to build a giant Ram temple?" questioned Hosabale, the Sah Sarkaryavaah or Joint General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). He was speaking at a rally here which was organised jointly by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and some regional religious outfits with an objective to mount pressure on the Centre for expediting construction of the Ram temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated an imposing 182-metre statue of the country's first Home Minister, touted as the world's tallest, on October 31 at Sadhu Bet near Sardar Sarovar Dam in Narmada district. "Then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao while speaking before the Supreme Court had stated that if the archaeological survey finds remains of a temple (at the site), the land would be made available for the temple. The excavation has found remains of the temple, but the court now says that this decision is not on its priority list," Hosabale said. In his annual Vijaya Dashmi rally in Nagpur this October, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had demanded a law to pave the way for construction of the temple in Ayodhya. Hosabale said, "The SC has already formed a separate bench for the hearings on Ayodhya, still there has been no decision". On October 29, the apex court fixed the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute cases for the first week of January next year before an appropriate bench, which will decide the schedule of hearing. Many Hindu organisations have been demanding construction of the Ram temple, as promised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before coming to power in 2014. The saffron party has said that it was committed to the construction of the temple, but was silent on bringing an ordinance in Parliament for the purpose. A three-judge bench of the Allahabad high court had in 2010 ordered that the 2.77 acres of the disputed land in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. As many as 14 appeals were filed against the high court judgement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pitted against the BJP chief minister Vasundhara Raje in a high-stakes contest, the Congress candidate Manvendra Singh is asking voters in the Jhalrapatan constituency whether they want their vote to go in favour of an outgoing government or for the incoming one. The Congress leader, who switched over from the BJP just weeks before being fielded against the chief minister, is putting this poser in all his election meetings throughout the day while asserting that there was a "wave" in favour of the grand-old party across the state leaving no doubt about who would form the government. "Apna mat kisko doge? Avavaldhi ko ya Javavaldhi ko (You will give your vote to the incoming government or the outgoing government?), he asked the crowd in Daulatpura village during his campaign trail. Dubbed as an "outsider" and a "turncoat" by his opponents, Singh is looking to counter these charges with an extensive outreach campaign for which he sets off in the morning and till late evening goes from village to village to interact with the people of the constituency and seek votes. Dressed in his trademark dhoti, kurta and a colourful bandhej safa, Singh greets people along the way, obliges selfie seekers, and tells people to vote in large numbers. His electoral pitch to voters remains the same as he reaches out to village elders, youth and even children. In Devchi village here, he highlighted the lack of roads and drainage system, saying if villages in a "VIP constituency" were in such a state then what would be the condition of other places. "Even before polling, people know what the result would be. There is a wave that the incoming government will be of the Congress. There is no dispute on that. The only point of debate is how many seats it will get. "Some say 130, some say 140, while some even say over 150. So when there is no doubt about this, the question to you is whether your vote will be in favour of the incoming government or the outgoing government," he asked voters in Devchi village. There are 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan and election for 199 seats would be held on December 7 as the polling for one seat has to be postponed due to death of a BSP candidate. Votes would be counted on December 11. Raje formed the state government with a massive majority in the 2013 assembly elections, in which the BJP had won a record 163 seats and the Congress could get just 21. The BSP had got three seats, while independents and candidates of other parties won 13. With the Congress making an all-out effort to return to power in Rajasthan, Singh said the government that will come this time will be for the villages and for the welfare of the farmers. Another common theme of his campaign meetings is highlighting the key farmers-related promises made by the Congress in its manifesto such as loan waiver for them and pension for elderly farmers for the first time. In Rampuria village, he repeated his pitch to voters and also welcomed a BJP worker into the Congress fold. Often, Singh also tries to connect with village elders and farmers and tells them to take care of the December 7 voting. "This time it will be the Congress' 'hand' that will win from here," said Gangaram, a farmer, referring to the party's poll symbol. Another farmer at one of Singh's meeting, Jujhar Singh, said it was time for a change as development has lagged behind in the village. While support for Singh in villages seems to be growing, it appears to be an uphill task for him in the city where people swear by the rapid development undertaken by Raje to give the town amenities such hospitals, schools and infrastructure. Rampal Yadav, an auto-driver, when asked about the much-talked about electoral battle here, said it was just a hype and in reality it was a one-sided contest in favour of Raje. Echoing his views, a restaurant owner said the credit for all the development in the city goes to Raje and she will win comfortably. Manvendra Singh's wife, Chitra Singh, has also been working hard in the city, campaigning for her husband from morning to evening in a bid to win supporters. Rajput vote is crucial for both candidates and they have been trying to woo the community with outreach efforts. Singh also addressed a Rajput community meeting on Friday where Rajput leaders called for unity and support for him. Chitra Singh also exhorted the gathering to unite and said the Rajput community needed to learn from other communities when it comes to acting unitedly. The result may be difficult to guess, but Singh is making an all-out effort in what is being seen as a prestige battle. The much-talked about differences between the two leaders have made the Singh-Raje battle even more interesting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Michael Martina and Roberta RamptonBUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - China and the United States agreed to halt additional tariffs in a deal that keeps their trade war from escalating as the two sides try again to bridge their differences with fresh talks aimed at reaching an agreement within 90 days.The White House said on Saturday that President Donald Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping during high-stakes talks in Argentina that he would not boost tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 percent on Jan. 1 as previously announced. Beijing for its part agreed to buy an unspecified but ... DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran has ended its seasonal ban on rice imports, allowing importers to register their orders, Iranian news agencies reported on Sunday.Deputy Agriculture Minister Ali Akbar Mehrfard announced the end of the annual ban in a letter dated Nov. 28, the ISNA semi-official news agency reported. Other agencies carried similar reports.The government usually imposes the ban for a few months each year to support local prices and help Iranian growers during the harvest season.Iran consumes 3 million tonnes of rice a year. About one million tonnes is imported, mainly from India and ... Struggling to keep it afloat in the wake of a dismal financial performance in the last three quarters, Jet Airways is withdrawing its flight services on as many as seven Gulf routes from this month, a source said. The Naresh Goyal-controlled airline will not operate as many as 39 services per week to Doha, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Dubai from various domestic cities. Once a key market for Jet Airways, the lower demand and high competition have made a good number of routes in the Gulf economically unviable, forcing the airline to withdraw operations from there, the source said. Notably, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways holds 24 per cent stake in the domestic full service carrier. "Jet Airways has decided to withdraw its services to Doha from Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram as well as to Abu Dhabi from Lucknow and Mangalore. Besides, the airline will also not operate on Mangalore-Dubai route. All these services are being taken out of operations from December 5," a source told PTI. This apart, the air services on Delhi-Muscat route are also being withdrawn from this month, he said. The airline currently operates one daily service each on Kochi-Doha, Mangalore-Abu Dhabi, Mangalore-Dubai and Lucknow-Abu Dhabi. The Kozhikode-Doha and Delhi-Muscat is four days per week operations while Thiruvanathapuram-Doha services are three times per week. Jet Airways in its response said Gulf operations are being optimised to focus on connectivity at its hubs in Mumbai and Delhi instead of point-to-point connectivity. The airline also said it will be enhancing frequency on Mumbai- Doha, Delhi-Doha as well as Mumbai-Dubai routes. "Jet Airways has undertaken a comprehensive review of its network, whereby it will move capacity from uneconomical routes to more profitable ones, to more closely align the capacity offered with the demand characteristics of specific markets," Jet Airways said in a statement to PTI. "It is important to note that the scale of the airline's operations will remain unaffected," it added. Jet Airways posted a net loss of Rs 1,261 crore during the September quarter. This was the airline's third successive quarterly loss. Amid cash paucity, it has been defaulting on salary payments to 15 per cent of its work force, primarily senior management, pilots and engineers. The airline has been saying for quite some time now it is in "active discussion" with various investors to secure financing to navigate through current headwinds and create long-term growth. comment I read with interest the article "Tenders for memorial's revamp called soon", (November 25, p9) and was heartened that the Australian Institute of Architects and the architects of Anzac Hall are speaking out against the proposed demolition of Anzac Hall and the redevelopment plans. I agree with the criticism that there has been no consultation with either the public or the architect profession. It is noteworthy that work on the redevelopment has been secretly under way since 2015, and the Australian War Memorial has utilised the convergence of the 100th anniversary remembrance of the end of World War I; the 25th anniversary of the interment of the Unknown Australian Soldier; and Sydney's Invictus Games to spring its secret proposal on an unsuspecting public. Quite apart from the folly of demolishing a world-class exhibition hall, one important aspect of the redevelopment proposal is that the development will stretch out over nine years, and over this time will diminish the remembrance, education and tourist impact of the Australian War Memorial. It is time for Parliament to take control and initiate genuine discussion and debate on the proposal. John Myrtle, Mawson Bullying seems almost to have become a culturally accepted feature of social interaction. CEOs and boards of banks are exposed as exerting their authority by bullying customers, staff and communities into silence, lest their egregious behaviour be exposed. Politics operates on a bullying principle, with electors, rather than being democratically consulted on policy implementation, having pre-ordained decisions imposed. To make the insult even greater, many such decisions are shrouded in secrecy. The public commons is being arrogated by intimidation. Purchasers of property are bullied into silence when recourse is sought against defects. Cyber bullying poses significant suicide risk and the internet provides a convenient pathway to intimidation. World leaders use bullying tactics on other countries, and often on their own people to silence dissent. Akin to churches, historically, hospitals have been places of sanctuary or safety. Like many shibboleths this belief is now anachronistic, as suggested by equivocation, over years, engaged in by Canberra Health Services, which has abdicated its duty of care to staff and, consequently, to those, who in their distress, avail of its services ("Anti-bullying statement delayed", November 25, p3). It behoves Canberra Health Services act as opposed to producing a mere "statement". If after three years professional groups do not have sufficient acumen to co-operatively address bullying, it is a sad reflection on their ethical codes if they exist of practice. Powerful groups see it in their interests to perpetuate bullying, despite negative outcomes. Albert M. White, Queanbeyan, NSW I read with interest (Letters, November 25) of the Pedestrian Council's suggestion of a 30km/h speed limit on Northbourne Avenue. Perhaps we could go further. At the beginning of travel in motor cars, England introduced a law that ensured that a person with a red flag walk in front of the car. This undoubtedly was a safe option and perhaps we could introduce it for Northbourne Avenue and all parking areas. Without doubt it would reduce risk to pedestrians. Howard Carew, Isaacs The recently released US National Climate Assessment states that many of the effects of global warming forecast by climate scientists are already happening, at least in the US ("More epic disasters expected", November 25, p5). These effects include weather extremes becoming "more frequent, intense, widespread or of longer duration". This can cause worsening air pollution (which can cause lung and heart problems), more insect-transmitted diseases, and deaths due to heatwaves. Perhaps the most worrying issue to emerge from the climate assessment is what is happening in Alaska, which is experiencing a "staggering" rate of warming. This is causing rapid melting of coastal and glacial ice, and an increase in the rate of thawing of tundra permafrost. Thawing of permafrost releases methane, which is about 30 times more potent in trapping heat than is carbon dioxide. If the thawing of permafrost is not slowed or halted, it could lead to uncontrollable runaway global warming the last thing we want. The world, and especially the US, must act now and act decisively to address the threats posed by global warming before it becomes beyond our control. Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin Spain's stance regarding Gibraltar ("Britain faces Gibraltar Brexit threat", November 25, p13) would be a lot stronger if it took steps to change the status of its own exclaves in north Africa Cueta, which is just across the strait from Gibraltar, Melilla and the largely-island groups known collectively as the "plazas de soberania". While they've been Spanish territory for centuries, this is no justification. Ireland had been British territory for a similar amount of time. I'm not necessarily saying that Spain should hand them to Morocco, which has expressed interest, but rather that Spain should shut up about Gibraltar until it does. Fintan O Laighin, Narrabundah Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message eld, not as an attached le. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610. Keep your letter to 250 or fewer words. References to Canberra Times reports should include date and page number. Letters may be edited. Provide phone number and full home address (suburb only published). /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/ce870b0f-927d-439b-9e37-c89886120df0/r2_0_618_348_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news Australian National University researchers say their discovery has the potential to make 3D medical imaging cheaper, safer and more accessible to patients. Dr Andrew Kingston from the ANU Research School of Physics and Engineering said the study was the first to create a 3D X-ray image using "ghost imaging". Ghost imaging is a new and emerging field, according to the researchers, but no studies had yet attempted to map the inside of a 3D object. The problem with traditional X-rays is that too much radiation can increase the risk of cancer. That limits how often patients can be tested with CT systems, 3D mamography for breast cancer screening and other 3D X-ray approaches. The beauty of using the ghost imaging technique for 3D imaging is that most of the X-ray dose is not even directed towards the object you want to capture," Dr Kingston said. "Thats the ghostly nature of what were doing. Theres great potential to significantly lower doses of X-rays in medical imaging with 3D ghost imaging and to really improve early detection of diseases like breast cancer." The research team, which included the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility and Monash University in Melbourne, used ghost imaging to take 3D X-ray images of an objects inside. In a statement, ANU said the researchers developed a new ghost imaging measurement system using a series of patterned X-ray beams. They then used the measurements and a computer to create a 2D X-ray projection image of the object. This process was repeated with the object at different orientations to construct a 3D image. Our most important innovation is to extend this 2D concept to achieve 3D imaging of the interior of objects that are opaque to visible light, Dr Kingston said in the statement. 3D X-ray ghost imaging, or ghost tomography, is a completely new field, so theres an opportunity for the scientific community and industry to work together to explore and develop this exciting innovation. Monash University's Professor David Paganin said the teams achievement could be compared to the early days of electron microscopes, which could only achieve a magnification of 14 times. This result was not as good as could be obtained with even the crudest of glass lenses using visible light, Professor Paganin, one of the study's co-researchers, said. However, the microscope using electrons rather than light had the potential realised only after decades of subsequent development to see individual atoms, which are much tinier than an ordinary microscope using visible light can see. The work is published in Optica. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/9256632d-c58e-49a2-b1d7-1b590e948755/r11_0_5099_2875_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news At 13, most school students would be starting their first year of high school. But not Toby Carlton. While he should be in year 7, Toby has been accelerated three years ahead of his peers, doing year 10 subjects across the entire curriculum. As if that wasn't enough, the Erindale College student also does university-level maths once a week at the Australian National University. Despite it sounding like a huge workload, Toby said he wouldn't have it any other way. "I like being pushed. I just really like learning and understanding more about the world," Toby said. "I don't really think about being the youngest person in my class." While living in NSW, Toby was put into accelerated classes from year 3. By year 5, he was put into an opportunity class for gifted students before his family moved to Canberra for non-schooling reasons. He said while he had been accelerated several years ahead in the ACT school system, more support was available for academically gifted students in the NSW system. "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." 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'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." 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. "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. 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. "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. "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." 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. 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. 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. "If I had the choice, I would want to go to university now," he said. "I want to do something somewhere around maths. I like the fact that, with maths, there's always an answer to everything." /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/ca300b1b-27de-4c4a-8327-51e126586aa9/r0_300_5568_3446_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Photo: The Canadian Press Pope Francis lit a candle decorated with the faces of Syrian children suffering from war from his balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square on Sunday, launching a global campaign calling for peace in the country "martyred by a war that has lasted for nearly eight years." Francis told believers gathered in St. Peter's Square on the first Sunday of the Advent season leading up to Christmas that "Advent is a time of hope." Lifting the candle to the window, Francis prayed that "These flames, and many flames of hope, disperse the darkness of war." "Let's pray and help the Christians to remain in Syria and the Middle East as witnesses of mercy, of forgiveness and of reconciliation. May the flames of hope also reach those who are enduring conflict and war in these days in other parts of the world, near and far," the pope said. He urged those who foment war and make arms for conflicts to have a change of heart. The lighting of the candle with the images of some 40 Syrian children, mostly from Aleppo, launched a global campaign for Syria, which the organization Aid to the Church in Need said involved over 50,000 children of different religions from war-torn Syrian cities. The Tennessee Republican Party re-elected Scott Golden on Saturday as its chairman to a second two-year term. He said, I am deeply honored and grateful to have the opportunity to lead our states Republican Party once again, and I thank the members of our State Executive Committee for their continued trust. Tennessee Republicans made history this past year and we continued to build on a foundation of success that put us in prime position to expand our super majorities in the General Assembly and help re-elect President in 2020. I would like to congratulate Jennifer Little, Shannon Haynes, Beth Scott Clayton Amos and Pat Allen on their elections to vice chair, treasurer, vice treasurer and secretary respectively. These women have the skills and long history of dedication to our Party that will be instrumental to our success during the 2020 cycle. Mr. Golden chaired the Tennessee Republican Party through the 2018 general elections, which he said was a historic year for Republicans in the Volunteer State. He listed: Republican Marsha Blackburn was elected as the first woman to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate Republican Bill Lee was elected as the first Republican to succeed a Republican governor in Tennessee Republican super majorities were maintained in the State House and State Senate Mr. Goldens second term will run until December 2020. Also, the Tennessee Republican Partys State Executive Committee voted to approve the following resolutions urging the 111th General Assembly to update Tennessee election law. Required Signatures for Public Office This resolution asks the 111th General Assembly to increase the number of signatures required to run for public office to be equal to the level of office being sought. Timing for Special Elections This resolution asks the 111th General Assembly to create a requirement for a special election to be called in the case of a vacancy within 45 days of the general election. Tennessee Voter Resolution This resolution asks the 111th General Assembly to include a question regarding political party affiliation on Tennessee voter registration forms as well as requiring party registration in order to vote in a partys primary election. Chairman Golden said, These common-sense resolutions will help maintain the integrity of our elections and elect the best-qualified Republican candidates to federal, state, and local offices. We ask that the General Assembly consider and adopt the changes put forward by the State Executive Committee. The Tennessee Court of Appeals has ruled that a woman whose Ooltewah home was sold at a back tax sale without her knowledge should get title to the house back. Chancellor Pam Fleenor had dismissed a suit filed by Linda Owens. However, the Appeals Court directed the chancellor to declare the sale of the property to Kenneth Stiner Sr. void. The Appeals Court said Ms. Owens never received proper notice from the county that her house was being sold for unpaid back taxes. Ms. Owens said the first she learned about the sale was when the new "owner" showed up at her house. He had bought the substantial house at 9210 Dexter Lane for $42,000. The Appeals Court noted that the county never sent a notice to 9210 Dexter Lane, but to other nearby addresses - mainly to a vacant lot. The Appeals Court said, "Turning to the record, it is undisputed that Ms. Owens never received personal service. She also never received service by mail because both mailed summonses were returned to the County. Furthermore, neither summons was mailed to her correct address. The address listed on the deed for Ms. Owenss property is 9410 Dexter Lane. Her deed also states that tax bills shall be sent to the same address. Additionally, the tax bill for 2011 states the Taxpayer Mailing Address as 9410 Dexter LN. Furthermore, Ms. Owens testified by affidavit that she never contacted the assessors office requesting that mail be sent to any address other than 9410 Dexter Lane. Despite this information, the first summons was sent via certified mail to 09410 Dexter LN and was returned to the County as: Not Deliverable as Addressed, Unable to Forward. "After unsuccessful service of the first summons, the County unilaterally changed Ms. Owenss address to 9412 Dexter LN and again attempted to serve her at that address via certified mail. The second summons was returned to the County and read: Return to Sender, No Such Number. In her affidavit, Ms. Owens testified that she never received or rejected any mailings related to the property tax lawsuit. Despite being notified by the post office that no such number existed for 9412 Dexter LN, Deputy Bowman attempted to personally serve Ms. Owens with the third summons at 9412 Dexter LN. Deputy Bowman indicated on his return that he did not serve Ms. Owens and that 9412 Dexter LN was a vacant lot. The County never attempted service at 9410 Dexter Lane, Ms. Owenss actual address. The County failed to serve Ms. Owens either personally or by mail." The opinion, written by Judge Kenny Armstrong, says, "For the foregoing reasons, we reverse the trial courts order. The case is remanded with instructions to the trial court to set aside the sale of Ms. Owenss property and declare her the fee simple owner, and for such further proceedings as may be necessary and are consistent with this opinion. Costs of the appeal are assessed against the Appellee, Kenneth Stiner, Sr., for all of which execution may issue if necessary." Ms. Owens was represented by attorneys John Konvalinka, Mark Litchford and Hollie Floberg. Did Eddie Longs son apply for New Birth senior pastor job that went to Jamal Bryant? Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Officials at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia would not confirm Thursday whether Elder Edward Long, a New Birth minister and the eldest child of their late senior pastor, Bishop Eddie Long, was a candidate for the job left vacant by his father that was recently awarded to controversial Baltimore megachurch Pastor Jamal Bryant. A screenshot of an Instagram conversation shared by Larry Reid Live late Wednesday suggests that Longs son applied for his late fathers job but was not chosen by New Birth leaders. I applied for the pastoral position at New Birth but was not selected. I have been at New Birth since I was 4 yrs old and have worked in nearly every auxiliary there. I dont currently pastor a church. God knows a message that appears to have been posted from Edward Longs Instagram account said in response to queries from a woman who wanted to know about his status at New Birth. The Christian Post reached out to New Birth officials Thursday and a staff member confirmed that Long still works at the church but that he was not immediately available to respond to any questions about the post. When asked if anyone could confirm whether Long was an applicant for the senior pastor position at New Birth, a church staffer said the information in Longs post could not be confirmed by anyone. No. There is no one that can attest to that. I cant. Nobody can, the staff person said. New Birth officials announced just over a week ago that Bryant, who leads the 10,000-member Empowerment Temple, was chosen from a pool of 138 candidates to take the reins of their church that once boasted 25,000 members in its heyday. Membership at New Birth has since dropped to about 10,000 after the late Bishop Long was hit in 2010 by a series of sex scandals involving allegations from multiple young men that haunted him until his death in January 2017. Thomas W. Dortch Jr., an Atlanta businessman and chairman of New Births board, suggested in an earlier report that part of the reason Bryant was chosen for the job was because he had a plan to get the church out of debt. New Births board had asked applicants to come up with solutions to reduce the churchs $31 million debt. He didnt come in talking off the cuff, Dortch said. This is one guy whos an architect for religion. While Bryant has paid some homage to the late Bishop Long for being his benefactor, he asked apologists of the bishops ministry shortly after his death to not pretend that he did not leave behind a trail of victims. "I do not know how in this hour, there are those who are crying out and we do not recognize the tears or the cry for help, that the Body of Christ has said nothing about ministering to victims. I know people are gonna be upset with me. I know you don't want to talk about this. But here's the reality, we didn't talk about it in bishop's life ... and at this point, many would argue, it is inappropriate to deal with it on the day after his death, and maybe, I don't know," said Bryant. "I do know the church has to deal with it." Bishop Long died in January 2017 after "a gallant private fight with an aggressive form of cancer," his church said. In contrast to Bryants response to Long's death, Elder Long, who is the late bishops son from his first marriage to Dabara S. Houston, has continued to focus on the positive side of his fathers legacy. "At some point, what Paul said has to be true. You can prophesy, you can preach great sermons all around the world, speak in tongues and all that, but if you don't disseminate love toward one another then it's no good. You wasted your time and God's time. It's a mockery of the Kingdom. All Bishop Long did was demonstrate love," he said at his fathers funeral. Saddleback campuses join initiative to reduce stigma of HIV on World AIDS Day Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Saddleback Church, the Southern California-based megachurch headed by pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren, will take part in the global observance of World AIDS Day on Saturday. This year, all our So Cal campuses will be showing their support by passing out and wearing red HIV/AIDS awareness pins, the church said about their efforts to "raise awareness and reduce the stigma of HIV/AIDS. Saddleback's campuses will be also working in partnership with Emmanus Church of Santa Ana. For years, Saddleback has taken an active role in helping to combat HIV/AIDS and to minister those affected by the virus. In 2012, Saddleback hosted a Compassion Weekend to coincide with World AIDS Day, with the two-day event focusing on Rwandan orphans whose parents died from HIV-AIDS. The 2012 observance included the church offering many services in the effort to end HIV/AIDS, including free on-site HIV testing and resources on getting more involved in the cause. 2018 marks the 30th anniversary of the World AIDS Day observance, with the theme for this year being know your status. Other churches and denominations are also taking part. Presbyterian Church USAs Presbyterian AIDS Network is providing various resources for congregations seeking to spread awareness and offer compassion to those affected. Jesus mandated us to care for the sick and love one another, said Ann Jones, Presbyterian AIDS Network co-moderator, in a recent statement. In the U.S., less than half of those infected now receive proper treatment. We must advocate for adequate funding and support AIDS [prevention] work both locally and globally. Earlier this week, the White House announced that there will be a new investment by the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) of $100 million, which will include faith-based organizations. 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, said 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. Jimmy Fallon surprises couple; Operation Blessing to rebuild their home Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Jimmy Fallon, host of The Tonight Show, surprised a North Carolina couple, whose home was damaged by Hurricane Florence, on Tuesday night's episode. Divya and Terry McArthur of Lumberton and their 12-year-old son were told they had won tickets to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and little did they know that they were the recipients of Fallon's "random act of kindness." Your house is a very special house. Why is it special to you? Fallon asked the couple after sharing a bit of their story. Divya explained that the home was very important to her because it was left to her by her grandmother. The McArthurs were hit by multiple storms, Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and then again by Hurricane Florence in September. Divya described the ordeal as a nightmare in an interview with CBN. But Romans 8:28 says, All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord, she told CBN. So thats where Im finding peace. Divya told Fallon that their home was destroyed and because they did not have flood insurance they were unable to repair the damages. Fallon then announced that Home Depot and Operation Blessing were going to provide the assistance the McArthur family needed to help fix the house. "They're going to come in. They're going to fix your home. They're going to fix your roof. They're going to repaint and insulate your house. They're going to provide a new furnace, appliances, redo your yard, and send in a Home Depot designer to re-furnish your home," Fallon said live on his NBC hit show. The family was overwhelmed with emotion. All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord, Divya told CBN in response. Operation Blessing was founded in 1978 by popular televangelist Pat Robertson. It was originally created to help struggling people and families with clothes, appliances and vehicles donated by viewers of CBNs The 700 Club, Robertson's daily television program. Operation Blessing is now recognized as a respected relief organization that implements programs which provide disaster relief, medical aid, clean water, hunger relief, community development and orphan care. Netflix accused of glamorizing sexual abuse in new series 'Baby' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The National Center on Sexual Exploitation has slammed Netflix for ignoring repeated warnings against releasing its latest series Baby, which they say glamorizes teenage prostitution. The organization, which tackles and exposes sexual exploitation in society, said in a statement on Thursday that Baby, which is set to start streaming on Friday, portrays a group of teenagers entering into prostitution as a glamorized coming-of-age story. The shows storyline is loosely based on the Baby Squillo scandal, a 2013 case in Italy where at least 40 men were accused of having paid for sex with two schoolgirls aged 14 and 15, causing a major scandal in the country. Despite being at ground zero of the #MeToo movement, Netflix appears to have gone completely tone-deaf on the realities of sexual exploitation, said Dawn Hawkins, executive director of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. Despite the outcry from survivors of sex trafficking, subject matter experts, and social service providers, Netflix promotes sex trafficking by insisting on streaming Baby. Clearly, Netflix is prioritizing profits over victims of abuse, she added. This show glamorizes sexual abuse and trivializes the experience of countless underage women and men who have suffered through sex trafficking. Erik Barmack, vice president of International Originals at Netflix, argued in an interview with Variety back in October that Baby is part of the networks search for authenticity. They are all in their early 20s, and it could only have been written by people in their 20s: the writers knew those characters and were living with them. Part of it is this hunt for authenticity you deal with the rawness because you want stories that matter, Barmack said at the time, speaking of the shows creators. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation, along with 55 other experts and survivors of sex trafficking, sent Netflix executives a letter back in January expressing deep concern over the show. "Please understand, there are no 'baby prostitutes' only sexually abused, exploited, and raped children. At least 40 men were suspected of having purchased the girls, and eight traffickers were arrested the leader of the ring receiving a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison," the letter read in part. It accuses Netflix of going ahead with "Baby" and normalizing "the sexually exploitative attitudes and behavior perpetrated by many men in real life and cast blame on their victims. These are the very attitudes and behaviors the #MeToo movement seeks to eradicate." Netflix has been accused of a variety of sexually exploitive moves in recent times, including sponsoring a game on Facebook aimed at encouraging masturbation for children. The Parents Television Council said in October that the "Hand Masters" game in question represents a "new low" for Netflix in its "sexualization of children." "Kids are going to be experimenting and I guess a certain amount of that is normal and to be expected, but I don't think it's something that is healthy or constructive for kids to be given this message in this way or encouraging this kind of behavior. It is crude, debasing and demeaning. There is a whole litany of adjectives you could apply to this," PTC Program Director Melissa Henson told The Christian Post at the time. Teen who saved 12-year-old girl's life in mall shooting says God placed him there Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment National Guardsman Rashad Billingsley is being hailed as a hero after he saved a young girl's life when a gunman opened fire at a mall in Alabama. Just minutes after Billingsley walked into the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover to buy a pair of sneakers on Thanksgiving night he heard gunshots. "Not a minute after we got in the store the gunshots were fired, Billingsley told local news station FOX 6. The National Guardsman said his military training immediately kicked in and he ran toward the commotion as everyone ran away from it. His bravery and quick thinking enabled him to save the life of 12-year-old Molly Bennett. To Bennetts mom, he's a "hero." But Billingsley says he's giving God all the credit for putting him at the right place at the right time. Let me just say first all thanks to God for me being in that store, 18-year-old Billingsley wrote on Facebook. Im a strong believer and believe everything happens for a reason and my reason for being there was to help little Molly." Bennett was shot in the back by the gunman and Billingsley ran over to her and immediately started administering first aid as he was trained to do as a military medic. Molly was complaining that her back hurt, he said. I saw she had blood on her shirt and when I lifted it up, I saw she had a bullet wound. Billingsley grabbed a shirt off a store rack and used it to apply pressure on the gunshot wound until paramedics arrived. Bennett had no idea she had been hit until she overheard others' saying it. Shes a strong, brave little girl, he said. Im glad she made it through. Bennett has now been discharged from the hospital and is back home with her family. Two others who were shot that evening include Emantic EJ Bradford, who was shot and killed by a Hoover Police Officer who mistook him for the shooter. The police department later said that Bradford was likely not the man who shot Bennett. The other individual has not been named but did survive. "It could have been me, Billingsley said of Bradfords shooting. He was in the Army like I am. I send prayers to his family. 4 missional focus areas for churches looking to transform their cities Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment WASHINGTON Over 400 Christian leaders from 45 countries and 149 cities convened in the nations capital this week to share best practices on how churches and ministries can network to transform their cities by addressing the pressing needs facing their communities. The leaders gathered at the Museum of the Bible for the 100 Cities Summit hosted by Movement Day, an initiative launched in 2010 in New York City by Movement.org (formerly the NYC Leadership Center) and has branched off into various cities across the globe. Among the many speakers for the event, leaders of Movement Day Charlotte, North Carolina, (held on Feb. 3) shared with the summit on Thursday how they have, over the last several years, built 14 ministry networks and engaged in extensive research and developed technology to enable churches and ministries in Charlotte to marry their biblical conviction with the actual needs of the city. When asked to share some of the best practices" that other cities can glean from the work being done in Charlotte, the leaders from Charlotte said they spent 18 months commissioning research to develop a fact-based 93-page report on what the real needs of the Queen City are. That report was shared with attendees at the summit. Rob Kelly, a former Baptist pastor who serves as president of Movement Day Charlottes host organization, For Charlotte, explained that the year-and-a-half spent on research produced a State of the City report that highlights five missional focus areas that churches and ministries in the city should be involved in to best address the needs of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. It gives clarity as churches, leaders, and nonprofits are making decisions about how to approach a mission, Kelly told The Christian Post following his remarks. I would say that the Church, historically, has had a decision-making deficit in how they approach a mission. They [often] come to it operating out of conviction, which is not bad. It's always right to love someone, but they dont always approach is based on real information. So what we want to do is help the church marry their biblical conviction with real needs. The missional focus areas they found are not exclusive to Charlotte, as four of the five areas were listed by Movement Day as the themes of the 100 Cities Summit. 1. Working in margins It is important for churches and ministries in every city to work with the marginalized communities, whether that is orphans, the homeless, the impoverished, the disabled, widows, refugees, the elderly or immigrants. Each individual city may vary on which marginalized groups are bigger than others. As for Charlotte, three of the largest marginalized groups in that city are immigrants, refugees, and people seeking affordable housing. Immigration has accounted for nearly a quarter of Mecklenburg Countys growth from 1990 to 2013 and one-in-seven Charlotteans were born outside the U.S. For Charlotte recommends churches and ministries build relationships and welcome refugees and immigrants when they come to the city and to help those refugees and immigrants with language and cultural barriers they face as well as limits on access to health care. For Charlotte also encourages churches to work with partner organizations such as Refugee Support Services and hold ESL classes. It also calls on churches to help ensure these families have access to early childhood education. 2. Multiplication of the Church/Gospel With over 300,000 churches in America, some might wonder if more churches are actually needed. But as populations in many cities across the world continue to rise, that means that the unchurched population is also rising in those communities. According to For Charlotte, the Church hasn't been able to keep pace with the staggering population growth in the country. Just as an example, the city of Charlotte ranks as the sixth most Bible-minded large city in the U.S., yet a growing number of people who claim Charlotte as their home are not affiliated with a church. Like many other communities across the U.S., Christian affiliation and church attendance in Charlotte has been in decline over the past two decades. For Charlotte fears that such a trend could lead to the point where Charlotteans who are de-churched outnumber Charlotteans that attend church weekly by 2025. For Charlotte advises that Church planting is the most effective evangelist method in history that creates zeal in both the sending church and the church plant community. The organization recommends that churches consider church plant collaborations. Churches working together to establish a new Gospel work makes a profound statement to the community, the State of the City report adds. As churches across the country struggle with attendance and some struggle to keep their doors open, For Charlotte also recommends that churches consider merger or revitalization. The group also encourages unity between churches. Ensure that your church or organization does not operate on Christs mission in a silo, the report states. Pray, plan and partner with other churches and like-minded ministries or organizations. This will multiply both the impact and the joy you experience. 1 2 Next AR Bernard's Brooklyn megachurch to build $1.2 billion housing community to address gentrification Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment WASHINGTON New York Citys 40,000-member Christian Cultural Center is planning to build a $1.2 billion affordable housing development project on its 10.5-acre campus in Brooklyn, pastor A.R. Bernard said Thursday. Speaking to Christian leaders from over 45 countries at the 100 Cities Summit hosted by Movement Day at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., Bernard told the crowd that the Christian Cultural Center will partner with various government and private entities to build a community of 2,100 mixed-income housing units. The community, which Bernard expects to be finished within the next seven to 10 years, will also include an education center, retail space, and a performing arts center. We are a 50/50 partner with the developer not land that [the church] sold or gave up, Bernard explained. In New York, it is not just land but air rights that is worth millions of dollars. We are in it together to reap all that comes out of that development and to address gentrification issues that are happening in the communities there in New York City. Bernard elaborated on the project in an interview with The Christian Post. In cities like New York, there is gentrification taking place. Gentrification could be racial, it could be economic. For us it is economic. Individuals who are working class or in a certain income range are being squeezed out, he stressed. We wanted to respond by creating affordable housing. We didnt want to do what has typically been done over the last 70, 80 years in America and that is warehousing people with one income, which perpetuates poverty and perpetuates inner city condition. What we want to do is create a community and a model that is sustainable, he added. It is creating community and we want to do it in such a way that is sustainable long-term and a model that we can replicate in other cities across the country. The evangelical pastor said that the development will include a mixture of tall development buildings and maisonettes. The community, he said, will provide rental and homeownership opportunities. To have a true community, you have to have the amenities and services within a 1,000-foot walking distance and we want to stay by that model, he explained. Bernard said that funding for the project will come from various sources of revenues, including tax incentives and government subsidies. It is a collaboration of government, private and non-profit coming together, he stated. Bernard expects the groundbreaking on the first phase of the development to happen in 2020. Mac Pier, president and founder of Movement.org (formerly known as the NYC Leadership Center), told the audience that he thinks what the Christian Cultural Center is doing serves as an important model to churches looking to make an impact in their communities. Movement Day is an initiative of Movement.org. Movement Day's 100 Cities Summit was designed to inspire the over 400 Christian leaders in attendance with ideas on tangible ways their ministries can transform their cities. [The development] really becomes a classroom for the global church to think about how does the faith community interface with the governmental community to address the needs of the community, Pier explained. The church becomes incarnational in that regard. Part of why it was so significant here this morning was to whet your appetite here a little bit for what is possible to elevate the plane of our thinking and for some of you to come and take a look at this [development] in a couple of years. Bernard told the crowd that God is not just standing to watch and that He is actively involved in their plans to transform their communities. It is not just the theology of Christianity but the Christian social ethics and the responsibility that Christianity presents that we have as our brothers keeper, Bernard said. He is actively engaged for your project to become His project and your issue to become His issue, Bernard added later. He can bring all His resources and all His goodness to bring His benevolence toward us to bear any given situation. Cancer-stricken Christian farmer couldn't harvest his crop, so his neighbors stepped in to help Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Neighbors of a cotton farmer in Texas who was too ill from cancer to harvest his crop stepped in to offer a helping hand. Greg Bishop, a resident of Floyd County who was recently diagnosed with leukemia, was in the process of undergoing treatment. To help him with the harvest, between 80 and 90 people from the area showed up at Bishops farm on Monday and helped to harvest 450 acres. He would not have asked anyone for help, but he would have been the first one out if somebody else was sick, said Aaron Hendricks, the general manager of Floydada Co-Op Gins, who has known Bishop for about 25 years, in an interview with CNN. If he would have done it himself with one machine it probably would have taken him about two to three weeks. People came on Monday morning and completed the havresting by around 3 p.m. The total amount harvested was approximately 1,200 bales of cotton, which has a value of about $420,000, according to CNN. In an interview with Inside Edition, Hendricks also described Bishop as "a very good Christian man. Just a good-hearted man. He's very humble. He's just the best person." "I want everybody to know what kind of a guy Greg Bishop is, and how much people think of him," added Hendricks. The Rev. Franklin Graham, head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, also heard about the story and posted about it on his Facebook page. The Lord Jesus said, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, said Graham. They saved him a great financial loss, and I cant even imagine how blessed he and his family were by this outpouring of love. Graham went on to encourage his social media followers to think about our own neighbors (close by and far away) who may need our help today. What if each of us didnt wait for them to ask, but helped them out when they were in a hard place or needed a hand. Maybe they just need to know that someone cares. Ask God how He wants to use you as a good neighbor today, continued Graham. Feminist theologians draft A Women's Bible, challenging male interpretations of Biblical women Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A group of feminist theologians have come together to produce a draft of A Woman's Bible, meant to counter traditional male interpretations of women characters in the Bible. AFP reported that the theologians, both from Protestant and Roman Catholic denominations across several countries, have put forth texts that challenge presentations of female Bible characters as weak and subordinate to the men around them. "Feminist values and reading the Bible are not incompatible," said Lauriane Savoy, one of the Geneva theology professors behind A Women's Bible, which was published in French. Along with colleague Elisabeth Parmentier, Savoy says that many people lack an understanding of bibical texts. "A lot of people thought they were completely outdated with no relevance to today's values of equality," the theologian said. Parmentier offered an account in the Gospel of Luke where Jesus visits two sisters, Martha and Mary, as one example of interpretations that A Women's Bible challenges. "It says that Martha ensures the 'service,' which has been interpreted to mean that she served the food, but the Greek word diakonia can also have other meanings, for instance it could mean she was a deacon," Parmentier argued. Savoy also pointed to Mary Magdalene, who they analyzed was the female character who appears the most in the Gospels, but is often portrayed as a prostitute. "She (Magdalene,) stood by Jesus, including as he was dying on the cross, when all of the male disciples were afraid. She was the first one to go to his tomb and to discover his resurrection," Savoy said. The authors explain in the introduction to the draft that their work is meant to "scrutinize shifts in the Christian tradition, things that have remained concealed, tendentious translations, partial interpretations." Their stated aim is to expose "the lingering patriarchal readings that have justified numerous restrictions and bans on women." A project with a similar ambition was the "Mary Magdalene" film, released earlier this year, which star actor Joaquin Phoenix said attempts to show a positive portrayal of women in the Bible. The film, in which Rooney Mara portrays Mary Magdalene, stays away from presenting the title character as a prostitute. "It's undeniable what an important figure she (Magdalene) was in this movement," Phoenix told the Press Association in March, speaking of the ministry of Christ. "I couldn't help but think of young girls that are religious and have felt like their two examples of them in the Bible are either the virgin or the whore," Phoenix argued, referring to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Magdalene. "And even if you're not conscious of that, subconsciously it has to affect you and the way that you navigate the world and navigate your faith," he added back then. "It made me really excited, the prospect of young girls feeling like they're represented in a Biblical context in such a positive way." Progressive ministers say sexual chastity is 'unreasonable': 'Don't judge' people for random hookups Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Notable progressive ministers are now embracing polyamory, approving of dating apps like Grindr and Tinder, calling chastity "unhealthy," and declining to warn people about the consequences of hookup culture. Earlier this week HuffPost Life interviewed Brandan Robertson of Mission Gathering Christian Church in San Diego, California; Chalice Overy of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina; and "Michael," a San Antonio man whose last name was not given and is currently working as a "clergy person" in a church. Michael considers himself "polyamorous." The publication explored questions about dating life and sexual ethics with the liberal church leaders as part of a larger series on at relationships in America "from the perspective of different ethnicities, sexual identities, life experiences and circumstances." "I think the evangelical church world that I come from has taught some really unhealthy ideas about sex and sexuality, and I spend a lot of my time trying to deconstruct 'purity culture' in favor of a healthier, more holistic view of sexuality," said Robertson, who identifies as gay, when asked about premarital sex. "I believe for some people, waiting for marriage before having sex can be a very healthy path. I also believe that for most people, sex before marriage is a healthy expression of the gift of sexuality and is not 'sinful' or morally wrong." While he tries to push back on the "hookup" culture in his personal life because he finds random sex unfulfilling, "I dont judge others who do," he said. In October, Robertson posted a video, which he subsequently deleted, calling polyamorous and open relationships holy and beautiful in a talk at his church in support of "queer theology." Overy weighed in that the expectation that people wait until marriage is "unreasonable," and that her beliefs had evolved over the years, particularly if it is expected of them "to make thoughtful decisions about who they marry." Michael from San Antonio explained that "our own personal ethics" constitute the boundaries on sex, not "contractual arrangements" like marriage. "I have lived monogamously, and that was no different ethically for me than living with multiple lovers; it was what the agreed-to and defined boundaries were at the time," he said. Cheslen Vicari, evangelical program director for the Washington-based Institute on Religion & Democracy, was incredulous, noting she knew of nothing "healthy" about sexual sin. "Off the top of my head, I can think of all the unhealthy effects of premarital sex, from a womans perspective. Insecurity, a desire for false affirmation through intimacy, attachment, then feelings of rejection, and the cycle continues," she wrote on the organization's blog Thursday. "All of these unhealthy effects are thwarted by the marriage covenant that should bring security, fidelity, and lifelong commitment." While their views seems strange to Orthodox believers, an "unspoken green light" hangs over premarital sex in the minds of many younger evangelicals, she noted. Few evangelical leaders address young evangelicals "passive, if not affirming approach" to the subject. "Young Christians need guidance on these serious moral issues. Clergy, this is where your faithful Christian witness is so desperately needed," she said, urging pastors to speak. Challenging the historic teaching about marriage and sexual ethics has been an ongoing theme for progressive Christian authors. In a 2016 CP interview, United Church of Christ minister Bromleigh McCleneghan, author of Good Christian Sex: Why Chastity Isn't the Only Option And Other Things the Bible Says About Sex, maintained that she has heard from "countless" people who were taught that if they saved sex for marriage they would avoid hurt and that their sex lives would be satisfying but that did not turn out to be true. Sexual relationship outside of the marriage covenant are fine provided they are "mutually pleasurable and affirming," she wrote. "I also know many who had sexual relationships outside of marriage that did not leave them hurting or empty, but were loving and supportive," the author said then. She explained she regards the Bible "seriously as a living witness, but also as a historic document written in a particular time and place," when asked if she believes in the infallibility of Scripture. Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in southern California, said in response that her words were evidence of the end times since "the Bible says that in the last days, there would be false teachers," Laurie argued. "When someone gets up and says that the Bible is not the Word of God, I really don't care what their point is. That, to me, is apostasy." Ring of Pontius Pilate, who ordered Jesus Christ's crucifixion, discovered near Bethlehem Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Researchers have deciphered an ancient inscription on a bronze ring first found 50 years ago pointing to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who ordered Jesus Christs crucifixion. Haaretz reported that the ring in question was first discovered at the site of Herodion near the West Banks Bethlehem by professor Gideon Forster from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, shortly after the Six-Day War in 1968-69. The owner of the ring had remained a mystery for some 50 years, however, but a recent cleansing and special camera work at the Israel Antiquities Authority labs found Greek writing on the ring, which translates to Pilatus. Pilatus is a rare name, and linked to that of Roman governor Pontius Pilate, believed to have ruled Judah between the years 26 to 36. The ring was apparently used as a stamping ring in day to day work, with the governor or one of his officials using it to sign his name. Previous discoveries surrounding the infamous governor included another find in the 1960s, this time with a stone bearing the name of Pilatus. In the New Testament of the Bible, a reluctant Pilate is pressured by the demands of the Jewish crowd to order Jesus crucifixion. His agency and role in Jesus' death has been the subject of much theological analysis. Famous North Carolina evangelist Billy Graham, who passed away in February, said back in 2016 that Pilate gave into cultural pressure when he decided to have Christ crucified, despite believing He was innocent. "Pilate will forever stand as a warning against giving in to the pressure of the crowd and turning our backs on Jesus. And that can happen far more easily than most of us realize," Graham said. As John 19:12 points out, Pilate feared that if he let Jesus go, he would be accused of going against Caesar, and so allowed the crucifixion in order to save himself. Christian author Jerry Newcombe, an on-air host/senior producer for D. James Kennedy Ministries, wrote in an op-ed for The Christian Post in March that the "crime" Jesus was accused of that couldn't be forgiven in ancient Rome was claiming to be a king. Crucifixion was a horrible way to die. It was so bad that no Roman citizen could be crucified. It was an execution reserved for slaves and bandits. How amazing then that the Son of God become man would allow Himself to be so degraded by people whom He Himself had created, Newcombe wrote at the time. Crucifixion was invented in the Near East and perfected by the Romans. It was not uncommon for a crucified victim to suffer for days. Pontius Pilate was surprised Jesus had died in only a few hours---however, He had been scourged so horribly that He could have bled to death, had He been released after the whipping. Starbucks Vows to block porn in 2019, YouPorn to boycott coffee giant Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment More than two years after agreeing to block pornography from its free Wi-Fi service, coffeehouse chain Starbucks has said that starting in 2019 customers will no longer be able to access X-rated content. "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 U.S. locations in 2019," a Starbucks representative told Business Insider in an email this week. The decision has sparked a boycott from the internets most popular free pornography website, YouPorn. "Following the news that Starbucks has blocked its customers from searching and viewing adult content within their establishments, YouPorn has updated their company policy banning all Starbucks products from its offices, Alex Harris, YouPorn's communications director, said in a two-sentence email blast cited by Trib Live. "YouPorn now runs on Dunkin'." Watching pornography is currently banned at Starbucks locations but the company doesn't use content blockers on its Wi-Fi service to prevent access to explicit content. While not going into details about how they intend to enforce their zero-pornography policy, the coffee company said they hope to avoid accidentally blocking inoffensive websites with their restricted Wi-Fi access in 2019. Starbucks and fast food giant McDonald's agreed to block pornography from their Wi-Fi networks in 2016 due to a push from Enough Is Enough, a national bipartisan nonprofit organization that has led the fight to make the internet safer for children and families since 1994. McDonald's began implementing a new filtered Wi-Fi policy in its corporate-owned restaurants throughout the U.S. in early 2016 and also made the filtering service available to their franchisees. The recent action from Starbucks on their 2016 commitment came after a petition launched this month by Enough Is Enough calling out the coffee giant for reneging on their promise. The petition had more than 26,000 signatures as of Friday morning. The original petition was first launched July 14, 2016. McDonald's responded immediately and is now filtering in its nearly 14,000 locations nationwide. Starbucks broke its promise to filter since it committed to doing so more than two-and-a-half years ago. Hence, the need for a new petition, Enough Is Enough said. Responding to the latest statement by Starbucks, Enough Is Enough CEO Donna Rice Hughes told Business Insider she was happy with the development but noted it was too slow in coming. She also told NBC News that she will reserve her applause for the company as well until she sees that action has been taken. "They wont get an applause until theyve actually implemented safe Wi-Fi filtering," Hughes said. "This time were going to wait and see, and were going to keep the pressure on." In its letter to Hughes on restricting access to pornography, Starbucks noted: We are in the process of evaluating a global protocol to address this in all of our company-operated stores, and are in active discussions with organizations on implementing the right, broad-based solution that would remove any illegal and other egregious content. Once we determine that our customers can access our free Wi-Fi, as part of our commitment to ensuring our free Wi-Fi in a way that also doesnt involuntarily block unintended content, we will implement this in our stores. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Do you ever wonder why it is important for pastors to pray publicly? The pastor should be one of the greatest prayer warriors in the church and in his city. I believe that prayer by the pastor should be one of the highest moments in public worship services. This moment of public intercession can be absolutely powerful. As the spiritual leader of the church, when you pray, you are standing the gap for the people of God. 8 Considerations When You Pray Publicly 1. Context The pastor needs to set up the context for this prayer moment. He can do this before or after asking the congregation to bow their heads, preparing to pray. Plan this moment with diligence. 2. Timing The timing for you to pray in worship is very important. I prefer to set this time just before we receive the offering. For us, this usually occurs just before the final song before the message. One other thing pastor, do not shorten this time. Your people need to hear you pray and they also need you to do so in a way that is genuine, not just checking the list of things we do in worship services. Not only is the timing important, but the amount of time allocated for the prayer is important. 3. Agreement When you pray, teach your people how to agree in prayer with you. As pastor, they need to be engaged with you while you are praying. They can agree with you verbally while you pray. As we turn the church house into a house of prayer for the nations, people need to become involved as you pray. 4. Planned The ministry of prayer in worship needs to be a planned time. It should have purpose. The pastor can even list the topics of prayer to the people before the prayer begins. Understand what is happening in the culture and then you will know how to be relevant in your public prayer life. 5. Conviction The pastor should pray with a strong conviction. A conviction is not just something you have in your heart, it something that has you. This will illustrate to the people that you pray because you believe in it, and it really matters. Pray with conviction. 6. Passionate Pastor, when you pray, pray passionately. The people will then also become passionate in their prayers when they see modeled before them a pastor who prays with passion. Never should we be afraid to have our emotions involved while we are praying, from enthusiasm to expectation, to weeping, and perhaps even shouting. Regardless, be authentic, but make sure you are passionate. 7. National and Global Pastors should pray for national and global needs publicly. Pastors and churches need to pray for our national leaders, and about situations existing in the nation and across the globe. If we really believe in prayer, we need to act like it relating to national and global needs. 8. Posture Oftentimes when I pray before our people, I kneel. I do so in reverence to God. He is Lord, not me. He is the Sovereign One, not me. Then there are times when I pray publicly, I walk around on stage. At other times, I stand still when I pray in public worship settings. Whatever the public posture, the posture of your heart should always be humility before God. The Church Needs to Hear You Pray Pastor, I just want to be one of the people out here that appeals to you always pray before your people in public worship. You are the God-called and God-anointed pastor of the church, so do not try to delegate prayer away from your leadership. Originally posted at ronniefloyd.com Hardline groups that agitated to remove Christian governor hold major rally in Jakarta Tens of thousands of Indonesian Muslims held a rally in Jakarta on Sunday led by hardline groups who had agitated to remove the city's Christian governor, underscoring the growing influence of Islamist groups ahead of elections in 2019. The rally was attended by former general, Prabowo Subianto, a nationalist with strong links to Islamists who is seeking to topple President Joko Widodo in next year's polls after being narrowly defeated in 2014 during a bitterly fought campaign. The crowd, many of whom were dressed in white and carrying Islamic flags, started gathering at Jakarta's National Monument from around 3 a.m. to hold prayers. "We are proud because the Islam in Indonesia is Islam that unifies and is united and will maintain peace for everyone," Subianto said in a speech. Thousands of police had been put on standby but the rally was peaceful. Organizers call their movement a "reunion" for a series of rallies starting in late 2016 that targeted Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, the first ethnic-Chinese Christian in the job, who was charged with insulting the Koran. Religious and political tensions spiraled during this period and then governor Purnama, an ally of President Widodo, lost his bid for re-election to a Muslim rival and was later sentenced to two years in jail for blasphemy. Hardline Islamist groups were banned under the authoritarian regime of President Suharto, which ended in 1998, but they have gained ground in recent years, emerging from the fringes of society in the world's biggest Muslim-majority country. Widodo, who is a popular moderate, has chosen a 75-year-old Islamic cleric, Ma'ruf Amin, as his running mate in next year's election, sparking concern among some that he is pandering to conservative Muslims in a pluralist country with significant minority communities. 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. Rabbi Dovid Goldstein and his wife Elisa have a lot to celebrate this holiday season as they settle in and prepare for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah that begins this Sunday at sunset. For starters, Goldstein and Elisa, co-directors at Chabad West Houston, will be celebrating their first Hanukkah in their new temple on 12645 Whittington Drive in Houston. The celebration takes place Monday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. and will feature dinner, a latke bar, music, doughnuts and the lighting of a giant outdoor menorah. Hanukkah, while not as celebrated in the Jewish culture as fiercely as the High Holy days, which take place in September, is certainly an important holiday for the congregation, Dovid Goldstein said, adding that due to its mission as an outreach organization, part of Chabad West Houstons role is providing educational tools its community and a Hanukkah celebration is a great to do that. But this holiday is the most impactful because the message is a universal message of light over darkness, Dovid Goldstein said. In our organization, philosophy is all about that: transforming the darkness of the world into light, revealing the light thats already there, but concealed. Thats what the menorah is all about. You light the menorah at night. Hanukkah is celebrated because of the miracle of oil, Elisa Goldstein said. More than 2,000 years ago, Jews fought an oppressive king from Damascus who had forced them to worship false gods and when they won, they went to worship in the holy temple, but they found that it had been ransacked and the menorah, which had seven branches, was unlit, Dovid Goldstein said. But to light the menorah, Jews needed uncontaminated oil or pure olive oil, but all the jugs of oil had been broken, save for one, he said. The miracle of Hanukkah is that the oil burned for eight days, he said Why is that? Because it gave them enough time to make make more oil. Theres a lot of beautiful lessons that can be learned from oil that people like to meditate upon, Elisa Goldstein added. Oil rises to the top and it doesnt mix with the water, she said. We try to always be better, do more, rise to the top. So its kind of like a message that when anyone are not just a Jew but when anyone stares at a burning flame that comes from oil, that message should resonate within them. Always try to be better and rise. And even if youre pushed down to try to rise and not let anyone pull you down. Even the way oil is processed can teach us a lesson about life. Where does it come? It comes from an olive. How do you get it out? You have to crush it, she said. Thats also another lesson that when youre crushed thats when the best part of you can come out. The rabbi and his wife will attend two other events next week, including one other with West Houston/ Katy area rabbis, he said. On Tuesday, Dec. 4 Rabbi Dovid Goldstein, along with Rabbi Annie Belford and Rabbi Gideon Estes of Chabad West Houston, Tempe Sinai and Congregation Or Ami, respectively, will participate in a West Houston Hanukkah celebration at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center at 1120 Dairy Ashford. The celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. On Thursday, Dovid Goldstein heads to Katy at for the 6th Annual Public Menorah Lighting at Central Green in La Centerra. Its the fifth night of Hanukkah and the free celebration will feature a fire show, music, prizes and chocolate gelt. The celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. michelle.iracheta@chron.com A Houston woman's ex-husband is accused of shooting her new boyfriend to death, according to police. The couple's 3-year-old was inside the apartment near Gasmer and South Post Oak when the shooting began, authorities said. Police did not immediately name the shooter or the victim. A man was charged with murder after allegedly killing his common-law wife outside a Scottish Inn in northern Harris County motel, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Kenneth Hubert - who previously served time for a 1988 slaying - was arrested for the Saturday night shooting of 45-year-old Melonie Johnson. 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 George H.W. Bush may have amassed a lengthy resume in Washington, but at home in Houston, he ate his favorite food among the people. He was a regular at a number of Houston mainstays, including Christie's Seafood on Westheimer, where he routinely ate oyster stew at his preferred table in the bar area. OTHER FAVORITES: Bush 41 has a hankering for some Houston Tex-Mex After Bush passed away Friday at 94, the more than 100-year-old restaurant paid tribute to the former Navy carrier pilot on its marquee. It was an emotional moment for general manager Maria Christie, whose late father owned the restaurant. She described Bush as a positive and engaging spirit, never bothered by greetings from other patrons. His visits were always a joyous occasion, she said. "For me and my family it was extremely special, because my father is an immigrant that came to this country," she said. "This country afforded him so many opportunities. For a president to come eat at my dad's restaurant, my dad was beaming whenever President Bush would come here." Christie and her siblings carried on their father's dining traditions since he passed in 2013. She said Bush's love for their food has touched them all. Once, after a stay in the hospital, he immediately asked for his preferred dish from the restaurant. "He had told his doctors he wants his favorite oyster stew," she said. Bush was often accompanied by his friend, former Secretary of State James Baker, and his wife Barbara, who passed away in April. He once brought along former Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, she said. A STATESMAN REMEMBERED: former president spent a lifetime as a public servant The last time Christie could recall Bush eating at the restaurants was earlier this month, during early voting for the midterm elections. She said he and Baker were eating lunch and talking about going to vote. Bush asked what he would need, and someone advised that he should take his ID. "He really doesn't need to take anything," Christie recalled Baker saying, jokingly. "They'll know who he is." His positive spirit in the restaurant was hard to put into words, Christie said, but it colored her memories of his visits. "We all loved him so much because look at what he did, with the Berlin Wall, with so many things," she said. "He was extremely special." Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Best friends Devin Neugebauer and Nyson Rizqi have attended the annual Houston Indonesian Festival with their parents since they were pint-size. Now in middle school and high school, the two volunteered at the festivals first year at Jones Plaza on Saturday. Previously called the Indonesian Culinary Festival, the event started in 2014 to showcase Houstons various diverse communities. I feel like the most important thing is learning about where you come from, said Neugebauer, who attends Thornton Middle School. Because if you dont then everything is going to be forgotten throughout your family. The festival showcases Indonesian cuisine such as Rendang, a meat dish served during ceremonies; traditional music and dance performances; and a fashion show featuring batik, cloth that has been dyed using wax. A Balinese welcoming dance performed by the Putri Mandalika Dancers from Florida served as the traditional entrance for ceremonial events. Rizqi, whose parents are from Indonesia, volunteered and attended to support his sister, a dancer who performed the traditional Saman dance from the Aceh province of Sumatra. Its important to keep the culture alive, said Rizqi, who is homeschooled. I remember talking to someone and they didnt even know where Indonesia was. Neugebauers mother, who is Indonesian, was a food vendor at the event. The events are really fun and its all about learning your culture, Neugebauer said. I just think its amazing that we started out so small and now we can rent out the whole Jones Plaza. Neugebauer and Rizqi both belong to Indonesian North American Muslim Youth (INAMY), a religious nonprofit that promotes the Indonesian culture, history and the principles of Islam. They said one of the reasons they like being a part of the organization is because it is a way to be surrounded by other Indonesians. Im here to show support, and I honestly havent seen this many Indonesians in a long time, Rizqi said. Especially because theres other Indonesians (here) from the church community and the Muslim community, which I dont see much. Nana Yuliana, the consul general of the Republic of Indonesia, said the festival showcases the prevalence of the economic relationship between the United States and Indonesia, which has the fourth largest population in the world. We want to showcase our culture, beautiful products and we want we strengthen economic cooperation between Indonesia and Houston especially, Yuliana said. We export to Houston, but Houston also exports to Indonesia. Yuliana said one of the challenges is showing the community the economic relationship between Houston and Indonesia, such as with companies like Chevron. Houston is an international city, Yuliana said. So, the presence of Indonesia here will bring support and strengthen Houston as a city. The festival continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Consulate General of Republic Indonesia. On Jan. 20, 1993, I entered the Oval Office for the first time as president. As is the tradition, waiting for me was a note from my predecessor, George Herbert Walker Bush. It read: - - - 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. 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. 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 - - - No words of mine or others can better reveal the heart of who he was than those he wrote himself. He was an honorable, gracious and decent man who believed in the United States, our Constitution, our institutions and our shared future. And he believed in his duty to defend and strengthen them, in victory and defeat. He also had a natural humanity, always hoping with all his heart that others' journeys would include some of the joy that his family, his service and his adventures gave him. His friendship has been one of the great gifts of my life. From Indonesia to Houston, from the Katrina-ravaged Gulf Coast to Kennebunkport - where just a few months ago we shared our last visit, as he was surrounded by his family but clearly missing Barbara - I cherished every opportunity I had to learn and laugh with him. I just loved him. Many people were surprised at our relationship, considering we were once political adversaries. Despite our considerable differences, I had admired many of his accomplishments as president, especially his foreign policy decisions in managing America's response to the end of the Cold War and his willingness to work with governors of both parties to establish national education goals. Even more important, though he could be tough in a political fight, he was in it for the right reasons: People always came before politics, patriotism before partisanship. To the end, we knew we would never agree on everything, and we agreed that was OK. Honest debate strengthens democracy. TRIBUTES: All around the world people are remembering George H.W. Bush While we maintained a respectful, friendly relationship throughout my presidency, it was only when President George W. Bush asked us to jointly spearhead American relief efforts in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 and again after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that we got to really know each other. When we met with children who lost their parents in the tsunami, he was moved almost to tears when they gave us drawings they'd made to capture their pain and slow recovery in grief counseling. When we were asked to speak together at Tulane's graduation in 2006, I saw his genuine feeling for the students, many of whom had suffered in the flooding of New Orleans, and others who had shown heroism and love in caring for their neighbors. "Each of you here has inspired me," he told them. "When I look at our world, the good I see far outweighs the bad, which maybe explains why I am a real optimist about the future that you all will be facing." Growing old did not rob him of his optimism or his love of competition and adventure. In his book of letters, there's a wonderful one to his family about getting older, in which he crows about driving his speedboat off the Maine coast. "Still want to compete. I still drive Fidelity II fast - very fast. My best so far - 63 mph in a slight chop with one [Secret Service] agent on board." I took more than one ride in that boat with him over the years. It was fun but not an experience for the faint of heart. It was the same driving spirit, coupled with heartfelt patriotism, which led him to volunteer for the Navy on his 18th birthday instead of attending Yale, becoming one of the youngest American pilots to get his wings. Even when he was later shot out of the sky, the sole survivor of his close-knit crew, he never feared to go up again - famously learning to skydive at 75. After the war, he took a leap of faith by staking his and his family's future in the Texas oil business and eventually got into politics. Fifty years ago this spring, as a congressman representing Houston, he voted for the Fair Housing Act of 1968, going against his nearly perfect record of conservative votes in Washington. When he returned to Houston, he held a town hall to explain his vote to a hostile crowd who thought he'd lost his mind. He believed that he could convince them it was the right thing to do, as long as they would hear him out. That evening, at least, he was right. When he was finished talking he got a standing ovation. Given what politics looks like in America and around the world today, it's easy to sigh and say George H.W. Bush belonged to an era that is gone and never coming back - where our opponents are not our enemies, where we are open to different ideas and changing our minds, where facts matter and where our devotion to our children's future leads to honest compromise and shared progress. I know what he would say: "Nonsense. It's your duty to get that America back." We should all give thanks for George H.W. Bush's long, good life and honor it by searching, as he always did, for the most American way forward. - - - Clinton was the 42nd president of the United States. If all goes as planned with the scheduled SpaceX launch Sunday, a startup called HawkEye 360 will have a trio of satellites resembling toaster ovens circling the globe, scanning for pirate radio. The Washington-area company is one of 35 paying customers strapped to the top of the Falcon 9 rocket, a crowd of cosmic enterprises boldly pushing the private sector into parts of the universe that were once solely the province of sovereign space agencies. The passenger list includes a Honeywell satellite to relay messages from tankers at sea, a company called Audacy that is building a system to speed communication among satellites, and the Nevada Museum of Art, which is launching an orbiting sculpture meant to be visible from Earth. The HawkEye mission, meanwhile, is a bit more subtle-and lucrative. While space is full of satellites snapping pictures of the planet, the company said it will be the first commercial operation to capture radio frequency feeds down below. "I spend as much time pitching the paradigm-the idea-as I do pushing Hawkeye itself," said founder Chris DeMay. "It's not necessarily intuitive to those who don't come from the government, because [radio frequency] is not inherently visual." DeMay used to help the U.S. government do this kind of thing during his tenure at the National Reconnaissance Office. A few years ago, he realized that the growing crop of small satellites-or cubesats, as they are called-could accomplish missions similar to what's being done by larger, more expensive government hardware. The company he formed in 2015 had a simple pitch to government agencies: "We convert a capital expense to an operation expense." Raytheon Co., the giant defense contractor, was an early investor and customer. It has engineers working with Hawkeye's 31-person team and, in turn, will sell some of the company's findings to its own government customers. Sunday's launch (it's been rescheduled twice) will be the 18th mission by Elon Musk's rocket fleet this year, and the first time such a large vehicle was entirely dedicated to ride-sharing. SpaceX split the $62 million cost among dozens of small clients, rather than NASA or some other major satellite operator. (The launch had originally been scheduled for earlier this month but was delayed.) Once aloft, Hawkeye's three satellites will be able to triangulate and pinpoint any given radio signal. Eventually, the company hopes to have 10 separate, three-satellite flocks zooming around the globe. With that much hardware, it will be able to scan any part of the world in less than 30 minutes. "It's going to move pretty darn quickly once we have live data from space," DeMay said. So why is this important? "If you kind of look at the art of the possible you can understand how that could be very beneficial for customers like Homeland Security or Coast Guard," said Jane Chappell, Raytheon's vice president of global intelligence solutions. In any type of conflict, or for law enforcement, the ability to zero in on people you might not otherwise see becomes a valuable-if perhaps Orwellian-product. Chief Executive Officer John Serafini said about half of HawkEye's demand will come from defense and intelligence clients, with the rest coming from a mixed bag-ranging from rescue groups searching for emergency beacons at sea to telecommunications companies eager to map bandwidth use. The first order of business, however, will be catching pirates. Smugglers and other wrongdoers of the high seas regularly turn off their GPS transponders to avoid tracking. Instead, they use satellite phones and CB radios to coordinate with other ships or confederates on land, all of which will whisper to the Hawkeye toasters soaring overhead. "They told me what they wanted to do, and I thought 'Is that possible?'" recalled Robert Tremlett, a maritime analyst and former merchant marine. Tremlett spent much of his career escorting minesweepers and military ships near Iraq and Iran. Often, on those missions, a very expensive and sophisticated plane flew overhead to keep an eye out for dark vessels laying mines. HawkEye will be able to perform a similar service at a fraction of the cost. "I see this as part of a solution to a massive problem," Tremlett said. The Houston mother accused of killing her 5-year-old son Friday allegedly drowned and decapitated the boy before leaving his body in a trash can in the garage, according to prosecutors. Lihui Liu has been charged with capital murder and held without bail following a Saturday night court appearance. The 43-year-old was arrested after Houston police responded to a stabbing call around 7 p.m. Friday at the family's home in the 13000 block of Holly Lynn. Inside the home, officers found the slain child on the garage floor, headless and partially covered by a plastic bag - right where the boy's father had found him when he came home from work. The father told police he'd left his wife home that morning with their 5-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter. When he returned, he found his wife in the garage, saying she'd sent the boy away. His father started looking for him - and then Liu admitted the child was in the trash can, police said. He opened the trash can to find his son's body wrapped in a black plastic bag. The severed head was in the same trash can. Police later found a bloody knife in the bathroom and a blood-spattered bathtub. Under questioning, Liu allegedly admitted to drowning her boy, but refused to talk about the decapitation. She was later arrested and taken to jail. She does not appear to have any prior criminal history in Harris County. Child Protective Services confirmed they'd interacted with the family back in 2015, though the children were never in state custody. It's not clear why CPS was involved with the west Houston family to begin with, or how that involvement ended. Liu is due back in court on Monday. Google Maps A man was found dead in the front yard of a north Houston home early Sunday, and police are investigating it as a possible homicide. Just before 8 a.m., a passer-by in the 12200 block of River Trail called to report a body lying in the yard. After a quiet, pomp-filled ceremony this morning at Ellington Airport, former President George H. W. Bush's remains arrived at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland aboard "Special Mission 41." The ceremony at Ellington marked the beginning of a four-day mourning period that will stretch from Houston to Washington D.C. and back to Texas. In Houston, the city which Bush called home and where he returned after his years in the White House, events began Monday morning with a departure ceremony at the Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home on Bering. Around 9 a.m., neighbors and mourners began to line up along Bering to pay their respects to the former president. Less than an hour later, a hearse carrying Bush's remains -- escorted by a slew of Houston police motorcycle officers -- led a small convoy of mourners and dignitaries from the funeral home in Tanglewood to Ellington Airport, on the city's southeast side. Authorities shut down the southbound portion of the West Loop to allow the convoy to travel unimpeded on the 30-mile journey to Ellington. Along the way, numerous northbound motorists could be seen stopping to photograph the convoy as it passed. At approximately 10:40 a.m., the convoy arrived at the airport, where it was greeted by hundreds of family members, friends and local dignitaries as well as a military honor guard. A few hundred people lined the streets near the main entrance to Ellington Airport to bid a farewell to the president. For some, it was a chance to be part of history, while others had personal memories. Steve Blevins, a 71-year-old retired employee of Kellogg Brown and Root, had met the president while jogging at Memorial Park. As he and his wife, Karen, waited at the corner of Dixie Farm Road for a glimpse of the motorcade, he recalled the former president's kindness and approachability. "He was kind enough to actually talk to us, so that and all the wonderful things he did, we're here to honor his service," Blevins said. Josh and Nicole Crippen held onto a large Texas flag, referencing Bush's adopted home state. "He was our president, he was a standup guy, and he was a Texan," Josh Crippen said. Nicole Crippen, 33, is a Clear Lake native and grew up aware that most presidents pass through Ellington at some point. She hasn't seen them all, but wanted to be here for Bush. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing," she said. Roseann Garcia Peters stood in the crowd as well. She said her late father, Raul Garcia, was one of the first Latino Republicans in Houston's East end community in the 1960s and later campaigned for Bush. She said her father also attended Bush's presidential inauguration. When her father became ill in 2002, Bush sent him a letter -- and another to her family when he died. "I'm here today to honor a kind and loving person who was very kind to my family," she said. On the tarmac, a military band played four Ruffles and Flourishes and Hail to the Chief, and service members fired a 21-gun salute before Bush's remains were loaded onto the plane. Family and friends stood with hands over hearts as flags fluttered in the wind. Then, pallbearers moved the casket to the plane as the band played "Eternal Father, Strong to Save," and loaded it into a trailer embellished with the presidential seal and lifted up to the plane. The president's final flight on Air Force One has been designated "Special Mission 41," according to McGrath. Traditionally, the presidential Boeing 747-200Bs are only designated Air Force One when carrying a sitting president. Since President Donald J. Trump will not be traveling on the aircraft as it ferries Bush's remains to and from Washington D.C., the plane has been re-designated to honor Bush this week. READ MORE: George H. W. Bush's life and legacy Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, boarded the plane first, at approximately 10:50 a.m. Also with them was Sully H.W. Bush, the late president's yellow Labrador service dog. The two-year-old lab became the late president's service dog just a few months after the death of former first lady Barbara Bush. The dog will return to service helping other veterans at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, former President George W. Bush wrote Sunday, in an Instagram post capturing the dog lying in front of Bush's casket. Shortly after 11 a.m., Special Mission 41 took off from Ellington, under a clear blue sky, as hundreds looked on. The late president's remains were flown to Joint Base Andrews, in Maryland. After arriving in the DC area, Bush's remains will be taken to the U.S. Capitol to lie in state in the rotunda with a guard of honor in attendance. On Wednesday morning, there will be a funeral at the Washington National Cathedral. RELATED: George H.W. Bush praised in wake of his death from leaders around the world In a post on Twitter, McGrath wrote that Bush -- famous for his love of whimsical and boldly colored socks -- will be carried to his final rest wearing a pair that pays tribute to his military service, with several jets flying in formation. After the the Wednesday funeral, Bush's body will be flown back to Houston to lie in repose at St. Martin's Episcopal Church before a service there at 10 a.m. Thursday. Following the service, Bush's remains will be taken by motorcade to the Union Pacific Railroad Westfield Auto Facility in Spring then taken by train to the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum in College Station, where he will be interred alongside his wife, Barbara Bush, and their daughter Robin. Olivia Tallet, Robert Downen, and Keri Blakinger contributed. For more information, visit Bush's official funeral site. St. John Barned-Smith covers public safety and major breaking news for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Send tips to st.john.smith@chron.com. Whether it was to buy a new pair of Yeezys or sell a pair or Jordans, more than 5,000 sneaker enthusiasts showed up to Sneaker Con Saturday at NRG Center. Sneaker Con, a convention held globally since 2009, invited Houstonians and sneaker enthusiasts worldwide to indulge in their hobby by buying, selling and trading sneakers as well as handmade artwork and clothing. Attendees could also get their purchases verified for authenticity for free at the event. William Debord, marketing representative for Sneakercon, said the event has not been in Houston since 2015. He said the event is a chance for sneakerheads to socialize and do business with each other. SPREADING CHEER: Toys for Tots, Houston-area businesses team up It's really just a nice environment for people to come out, hang out, see sneakers, be around like minded people and if they want to do some commerce, that's something they can do as well, he said. You have anyone from babies forced into being sneakerheads by their parents to grandmothers enjoying the show with their grandkids. The more than 5,000 attendees had the option of browsing booths set up by vendors selling rare shoes, including Yeezy 350s and Nike Air Off-White Prestos, as well as trading their own shoes in the designated trader pit. Trader Diego Bonfil, who traveled from California, said he has been to every Sneakercon. This is just a step for me to take to opening my store, he said. I chop it up with people and try to create business relationships. I have my hands on pretty much everything, but Im after a couple pairs. Candace Richard, vendor and owner of Sole Dynasty, said she comes to the convention for her love of shoes and the chance to promote her business. Its a pretty dope experience to see all of the shoes everyone has, she said. Ive always loved shoes, Ive always collected shoes. I got into the selling aspect a few years ago. I actually went to Sneakercon in Atlanta this year. Vendor and sneakerhead Blanca Berlanga was selling clothing and rare shoes with her boyfriend, including brands like higher-end Adidas shoes and Supreme shirts. She said the culture of Sneakercon fits Houstons urban fashion scene. This is a brand new event for us and I think its going to be super important to be a part of it, she said. Sneaker culture politics are much a part of Sneakercon, including the reselling market and shoe preference. Chance Davis, vendor, said the market has become flooded with hypebeasts, or consumers who buy what is popular rather than what they like. Vendor Whitney Salahuddin said she personally got into sneakers for style reasons. I didnt really grow up wearing a lot of sneakers because my mom wouldnt let me, she said. I like being around the shoes I didnt get to get. I like the silhouettes and if they fit my feet really cute and dont make them look like boats. Anthony Fernandez, owner of Sole Premise, a sneaker backpack company, said the community has gained a life of its own over the years. This has become an art avenue for a lot of these people in the sense that they are able to express visions that they see, he said. We have a guy making custom wristbands, theres a guy that specializes in selling small kids shoes. Those things are invaluable in the sense that no one is doing it. chevall.pryce@chron.com Saturday afternoon on Houston's East End the eighth annual Tamale Festival Houston touched down to bring meat and masa to the masses. The holiday festival brings together thousands of Houstonians and dozens of vendors and since it debuted in 2011 at Jones Plaza it has grown to become one of the city's favorite food events, a celebration of a delicious staple of many Hispanic cultures. Bill and Hillary Clinton's speaking event in Sugar Land has been rescheduled for a later date due to former president George H. W. Bush's death, the event organizer announced Monday. The Clintons, initially scheduled to speak at the Smart Financial Centre Tuesday evening, instead will fly to Washington, D.C., to "pay their respects to President Bush and his family," Live Nation Marketing Director Brian Birr said in an email. Bush, who Bill Clinton defeated in the 1992 presidential election, died Friday at age 94. His remains are being transported Monday to the U.S. Capitol, ahead of a memorial service Wednesday morning at the National Cathedral. Live Nation and the Clintons have yet to announce a new date for the Sugar Land event, which was scheduled to be the third stop in a 13-city tour. It kicked off in Toronto, where the duo did not sell out the nearly 20,000-seat Scotiabank Arena. After Tuesday's event, the Clintons do not have a scheduled tour stop until April, when they will resume at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. The tour wraps up in May 2019. At initial stops in Toronto and Montreal, the Clintons have rebuked Trump, who defeated Hillary Clinton about two years ago. Before the tour began, Clinton said in an interview she would "like to be president," but has not indicated whether she plans to run again. Bush and Bill Clinton maintained close ties in the years following the 1992 election, and Clinton in a statement said he was "profoundly grateful for every minute" he spent with Bush and "will always hold our friendship as one of my life's greatest gifts." Several hundred yellow vests, who have no leader and have largely organized themselves online, sat down around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe, singing La Marseillaise, France's national anthem, and chanting, "Macron Resign!" Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters trying to tear down barricades on the Champs-Elysees in Paris early on Saturday (Dec 1) as hundreds converged on the city for new demonstrations, with anger over fuel taxes morphing into a wide-ranging anti-government movement. Protests initially broke out on November 17 over increasing fuel tax hikes and have since expanded to include a broad range of demands related to the country's increasing cost of living. 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 recognize the rising costs of living that has left many struggling. Hours later, cars still smoldered and law enforcement and protesters were still facing off elsewhere in the capital. Demonstrators, some wielding slingshots, threw rocks, construction barricades and even paint at police in protective gear and helmets, with some officers seen spattered with yellow liquid. The government has said it will allow the protest, but the avenue will be closed to traffic and protesters will be searched by police before being allowed into the area. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, visiting the Paris police's command center, said at least 107 people were arrested in Paris among the estimated 5,500 protesters. Last week, French authorities said 8,000 people demonstrated on the Champs-Elysees avenue. At least one car was overturned and set on fire Dozens of cars were set on fire and shops and restaurants looted as a protest by more than 10,000 members of the gilets jaunes - yellow vests - movement turned the centre of the French capital into a war zone last night. "With all these tax hikes, there's not much left for eating at the end of the month", Philippe, a high school cook in the Essonne region outside Paris, said near the Champs Elysees on Saturday. Thousands of police were deployed to try to contain the mayhem. Demonstrators clash with riot police at the Arc de Triomphe during a protest of Yellow vests against rising oil prices and living costs, on December 1, 2018 in Paris. All subway stations in and around the avenue were closed for security reasons. Riot police officers take position with help of a water cannon near the Champs-Elysees avenue during a demonstration, Dec.1, 2018 in Paris. Earlier this week, he tried to strike a conciliatory tone, saying he was open to ideas about how the fuel tax could be applied. "It's hard 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 the state is asking us to tighten our belts, but they at the contrary live totally above all standard with our money. Chantal, a 45-year-old who came from Lorraine in eastern France to attend the protest with her husband and two children, said "Macron's silence" had been met with "legitimate violence". P-Card Program Welcome to the Clemson University/State of South Carolina VISA Purchasing Card Program Clemson University participates in this program as an agency of the State of South Carolina. The program is designed to help better manage low-dollar routine purchases and benefit job performance. WORKS P-Card System Bank of America offers an online software solution for managing our PCard transactions. The system helps Clemson manage the P-Card program using a web-based platform that provides greater transparency and flexibility for P-Card holders. One example of possible benefit is allowing for charges to be reconciled directly through the system at the time a charge is made. Once the transactions are reconciled, the data is loaded to PeopleSoft through an automated daily process which ultimately eliminates much of the waste identified in the current process. This system also potentially allows for P-Card receipts to be uploaded to the system so that they do not have to be stored in file cabinets. We are at the early stages of implementing a solution with the WORKS platform, but if it is even half of what it promises to be, this will be the biggest change to the P-Card program since it was first implemented at Clemson pre-2000. All questions regarding the Procurement Card should be directed to: Lynn Crawford, 864-656-2808 or Jennifer Cobb, 864-656-5605. P-Card Training May 2020 P-Card Training is now part of Clemson Universitys Bridge Platform. Once an application is received and entered into WORKS, the applicant will receive an email invitation containing information to access the P-Card Training. Completion of this course is required for all new applicants prior to receiving your procurement card. All cardholders and liaisons must complete this course and pass with a score of 80% or greater. P-Card Certification will occur on an annual basis every March to stay up to date on the P-Card Policies and Procedures. Fraud/Lost/Stolen cards The cardholder should call Bank of America Merrill Lynch Fraud dept: 1-866-500-8262 for assistance. Amazon Business, April 2019 Amazon Business is now approved and the preferred option for making allowable purchases through Amazon as a P-Cardholder. buyWays remains the preferred site to purchase goods as it is the most efficient process available and ensures compliance with State and University contracts. However, we recognize that Amazon offers an option for those purchases that do not fall under contract and is widely used today for those types of purchases. Therefore, going forward, all Amazon purchases for business must be made through the Amazon.coms new, central Amazon Business account. Amazon Smile, November 2019 We recently were made aware that Amazon makes their Smile charitable donation program available through our business account, similar to how it works for a personal Amazon account. We are still working to understand the risks and implications of this for the University. While Clemson is not making charitable donations ourselves through this program (which would not be allowed), there is gray area at best related to the legalities of an employee designating a charity for Amazon to give to through the Smile program based on a business purchase. Therefore effective immediately no Clemson employee making Amazon Business purchases may choose to use the Smile program. This message is also being shared with P-Card holders who primarily have the Amazon Business account. Related Links CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I recall Sean Levert whenever I think about Cuyahoga Countys disaster of a jail system. Hours before dying a horrible death in 2008, Sean, the son of Rhythm and Blues legend Eddie Levert, sung for a fellow jail inmate who requested a song. Levert obliged with Living for the City, a classic Stevie Wonder ballet about a nightmare of homelessness, desperation, and incarceration. The song was hauntingly appropriate. Soon after performing for the audience of one, Levert, 39, died. He was the victim of a negligent county jail that continues to have abysmal policies regarding the medical care and humane supervision of inmates. Levert was denied Xanax, a mood-stabilizing medication, which he apparently had the foresight to request when he began to serve a sentence for non-child support payment. When denied access to his prescribed medication, he experienced panic attacks and hallucinations. He reportedly saw invisible attackers and began to loudly forecast his own death. He was isolated and placed in a restraint chair. When his jailers realized he was dying, it was too late. As they raced him to St. Vincent Charity Hospital, his heart stopped beating and he could not be resuscitated. Then-County Coroner Frank Miller ruled Leverts death resulted from multiple health issues, including Xanax withdrawal. Inexcusable neglect is a lot closer to the truth. Ten years later, little has changed. Inmates are still dying at the Cuyahoga County Jail at a staggering rate. Six inmates have died at the downtown jail since June (a seventh inmate died at the county-run jail in Euclid). The downtown jail Ohios second largest doesnt seem to be safe. Now, it appears that were about to embark down an expensive path of forced change. A November report by the U.S. Marshall Service concluded what has long been known. The jail is an overcrowded, dangerous, and an unhealthy place. The running of the place affects us all. The jail puts taxpayers on the hook for potential civil rights violations, such as the $4 million dollars settlement paid out to the estate of Levert. The latest findings by the Marshall Service may be the impetus for desperately needed change. Maybe not. This much is clear: If Cuyahoga County continues to prove incapable of operating a safe and humane system of incarceration, outside help (read Federal) will not only be needed it will likely be forced. Another famous entertainer, Philadelphia rapper Meek Mills has recently emerged as an unlikely voice for national jail and sentencing reform. Earlier this year, Mills served five months for a probation violation stemming from a 2008 gun and drug possession case. His probation violation was related to a charge of recklessly driving a motorcycle. In a New York times opinion column published last month, he wrote: I know Im the exception to the rule a lucky one. Its clearer than ever that a disproportionate number of men and women of color are treated unfairly by a broken criminal justice system. The system causes a vicious cycle, feeding upon itself sons and daughters grow up with their parents in and out of prison, and then become far more likely to become tied up in the arrest-jail-probation cycle. This is bad for families and our society as a whole. Mills is correct. His fame and connections are what separate him from the masses. New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft and Philadelphia 76ers owner Robert Rubin are two of the influential people who lobbied against what they say was Mills unfair incarceration for popping a wheelie on a motorcycle. Sean Levert took most of his final breaths while fastened to a chain in the county jail ten years ago. Virtually nothing has changed for the better. The Cuyahoga County Jail remains as dangerous and haphazard as some of Clevelands most unforgiving streets. The Senate voted to bring a measure to the floor that would limit the president's war powers in Yemen in response to the murder of U.S. resident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi Arabia. The U.S. has been aiding Saudi Arabia in its war with Yemen. While the vote was largely symbolic, many are calling for Congress to follow through on its threats and officially withdraw all U.S. aid from the country. The Trump administration claims if the U.S. does not support Saudi Arabia, other less friendly nations will. What do you think? PERSPECTIVES Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met with senators to discuss Khashoggi's murder and whether Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the brutal killing. According to The Washington Post, both members of the Trump administration claimed there was still much unknown about the incident and withdrawing support from Saudi Arabia would be a grave error. Senators, however, were furious about what they see as a lack of response from the administration. CIA Director Gina Haspel, who traveled to Turkey to hear an audio recording of Khashoggi's murder, did not appear on the Hill. In response, Senators have promised to block all legislation until they have been fully briefed and voted to limit presidential war powers. Per the New York Times: Despite vocal frustration from lawmakers, TIME reports the administration has remained firm in its assertion that maintaining full diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia is in the best interest of not only the United States but Yemen as well. Pompeo, especially, has warned that the U.S. should not rush to judgment and ruin the country's relationship with the Saudis. Per the New Yorker: Pompeo wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal painting the outrage from lawmakers as hysterical and overly dramatic partisanship, despite the fact that the recent vote was bipartisan. Richard Cohen replied in an op-ed for The Washington Post: The president has frequently noted, though, that the U.S. sells a lot of weapons to Saudi Arabia, and relies on the country for oil. Per the New York Times: The Editorial Board for The Washington Post was unequivocal in its calls for the president to cut ties with Saudi Arabia and the crown prince, not only for the murder of Khashoggi but also for the country's mishandling of the war in Yemen. The New York Times describes Saudi participation in the conflict as: CLEVELAND, Ohio -- President George H.W. Bush was remembered by many Americans after he passed away Friday as an honorable and dedicated public servant, husband and father. When our daughter Becky died in 1993, he was one of the first people that called us, Ohio Attorney General and Governor-elect Mike DeWine told cleveland.com. DeWine is among the hundreds of national and Ohio-based political figures who offered kind words about Bushs life and legacy, and many shared touching stories or anecdotes about the 41st president. He had lost a daughter, as well, and we talked on the phone about that," DeWine said. "My wife, Fran, and I were really touched by the fact that he would call us. For U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, Bush was an early boss, mentor and friend. Portman worked in the George H.W. Bush White House from 1989 to 1991 as associate counsel to the president, and later as director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. I got to see him in September," Portman told cleveland.com. Our last visit was just wonderful, as the others were, because he was humorous and in his normal, kind way. (He was) very happy to see me. Portman shared a photo on Twitter of him recently visiting Bush and his dog, Sully. I have cherished my visits with GHWB and Mrs. B since they left office. Here we are a few months ago with his famous companion, Sully, when I surprised him with a BUSH 88 hat. We all mourn the loss of a great man. pic.twitter.com/io5MQmfv0W Rob Portman (@senrobportman) December 1, 2018 Portman said he learned much from Bush, both professionally and personally. In the political world, Bush was a "steady hand, and a model of kindness and civility, Portman said. I went to China with him, I went to France with him, Portman said. He was able to deal with our allies as well as our adversaries with ease because he did two things: He spoke clearly and unequivocally about American values and the American strategic interests, but also he showed respect. Thats something that I learned from him and try to emulate. You can disagree, and yet, do it in a respectful way, and the results tend to be better. Many politicians looked to Bush as a role model for balancing public service with ones family and personal life. Jane and I were able to spend some time with Barbara Bush and George Bush together," Portman said. They were unconditionally in love with each other, but also had some feisty moments... When they didnt agree on something, it didnt mean that they were disagreeable. In fact, I think thats one reason he loved her so much, is that she was outspoken. DeWine also remarked about Bushs marriage with his wife, Barbara, who passed away in April. President and Mrs. Bush, with their long, long marriage - a true partnership - really, I think, are a great example for people to see how two people can devote their lives to public service but also never, ever lose sight of family, DeWine said. Their relationship was a model for Jane and me, in the crazy world of politics, to have a partner at your side who gives you good advice, sometimes contrary to what youre getting from others, but in the end, stands with you, Portman said. It was a role model that we really cherish. Mike Dawson, former press secretary for Gov. George Voinovich and DeWine when he was a U.S. senator, shared photos on Twitter of him shaking hands with Bush. One photo, taken on the eve of his presidential election in 1988, shows Bush and Dawson in front of Air Force One as the candidate prepared to campaign at a rally at Ashland College, now Ashland University. One of my favorite pictures. The day before he won the Presidency in 1988. He landed in Mansfield and was on his way to a rally at Ashland College. What a great and kind man. pic.twitter.com/3uISFJa28v Michael D. Dawson (@midawson) December 1, 2018 Another photo is framed alongside a note from Bush. He took the time to write me a thank you note for a thank you note I wrote him for signing my White House Christmas cards, Dawson said. Pure class. This picture was taken in Cincinnati when he was President. The note is from 1998. He took the time to write me a thank you note for a thank you note I wrote him for signing my White House Christmas cards. Pure class. pic.twitter.com/HQsBwWiywJ Michael D. Dawson (@midawson) December 1, 2018 People across the country shared their stories Saturday of receiving notes, cards and letters from Bush over the years. Bush was notorious for sending thoughtful, handwritten messages - so much so that the sight of Portman handwriting a note last week reminded his chief-of-staff of Bush, Portman said. I managed to pick up that habit, and I do, I write a lot of notes, Portman said. And I would not be doing that if not for that model. I learned a lot of things from him and that was one of them. (Bush) did get in the habit of making, not just handwritten notes, but phone calls and was very, very personal with folks, Portman said. In one such story, DeWine recalled campaigning across Ohio with Bush when the then-vice president was running for president. One time he had given a speech in Xenia, Ohio, which is (in) my home county, and I had the chance to introduce him," DeWine said. "We were in the car leaving and this guy comes running up to him - a guy I knew. So I told the president I knew him, and the Secret Service let him come up, and he wanted to give the president a horseshoe, a little horseshoe that he had made. As soon as the car pulled away, Bush took out a pen and paper. He wrote the guy a card and handed me the note, and said, Make sure he gets that,'" DeWine said. I was just always impressed by how genuine he was and how gracious he was. David Zavagno, of Solon, said he wrote a letter to Bush in anticipation of meeting him for the first time. Bush was visiting a hospital, and when he was introduced to the small group sitting in a room sipping on glasses of wine, Bush greeted them by saying, Wheres mine? Zavagno handed Bush his letter and received a handwritten response in the mail shortly after. I asked him as to his sons ambition to seek the presidency and invited him to come fishing for walleye in Lake Erie, Zavagno said. He wrote back and stated that it was his sons choice to make, amongst other pleasantries. Bush never joined him for fishing on Lake Erie, but Zavagno said he cherishes the written response and photo of himself and his wife with the president. President George H.W. Bush pictured with David and Denise Zavagno. Just as Bush was generous with his time, he was giving of himself and his service. Tom Diemer, former Washington, D.C. bureau reporter for the Plain Dealer, said that his most memorable moment with Bush was aboard Air Force Two while he was vice president. My old fashioned tape recorder wont work during our interview, Diemer said. The record button kept popping up if it wasnt pushed down. Let me help you with that, Bush said. The vice president took the device and held down the record button as Diemer took notes, he said. The interview proceeded as usual. DeWine also spoke of Bushs generosity and spirit of cooperation. I was always impressed by the partnership that he had with President (Bill) Clinton later on, after they were both out of office, DeWine said. They worked on a number of different humanitarian projects together, and I always thought that that was quite remarkable since, of course, President Clinton had defeated President Bush in 1992. Curt Chandler, a former Plain Dealer photographer who was working in Utah at the time, shared a story about how Bush saved his life one day in 1985. The then-vice president was visiting the University of Utah and was doing a press event in a chemistry lab, Chandler said. Donned in a lab coat and goggles, Bush successfully mixed some chemicals in a test tube and received a small cheer. The lab was on the fourth or fifth floor of a building, so after the photo op, Bush, his Secret Service agents and the reporters piled into an elevator, Chandler said. I was last in, Chandler said. Im not a small person and I was carrying at least two cameras. It was clear I wouldnt fit. So I said, No problem, Ill use the stairs.' At the bottom of the stairs was a retired Secret Service agent, hired for the day, Chandler said. All he heard were thundering footsteps coming down the stairs just as the vice presidents elevator was about to arrive. Chandler opened the stairwell door and was met with the agent, who had his six-shooter drawn and pointed at him. It was at that same moment that the elevator doors opened and Bush yelled, No, no! Its okay! Hes with us! The retired agent listened, which is why Im here today, to write this post Chandler said on Facebook, thankful for Bushs quick thinking. CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- What if I told you that we could strengthen an industry that already employs more than 112,000 Ohioans while contributing billions of dollars to our national economy each year? Without even knowing what this industry is, most people would eagerly do whatever they could to add these jobs and economic investment. That industry is advanced energy. Advanced energy can unleash untold economic investment in Ohio while harnessing the power of Ohio-led innovation. Republican State Sen. Matt Dolan of Chagrin Falls represents the 24th Ohio Senate District in Columbus. Ohio can do more to support our energy sector through new methods of market development and technological innovation. Ohio has a tremendous history of powering our nation through the use of coal and natural gas. While these natural resources have greatly benefited our state, it is imperative we also utilize new energy sources. Just as your financial advisor would never invest in only one or two stocks, it is of equal importance that we diversify Ohios energy portfolio. I have introduced Ohio Senate Bill 238. This bill reworks the current setbacks, which have effectively placed a moratorium on wind-energy production in Ohio, to levels that promote wind-energy development. This alone has the potential to bring 13,000 construction jobs along with $4 billion of economic investment to Ohio. As of now, my bill remains in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I am still fighting to get it passed this General Assembly, but if I dont, I will reintroduce the legislation in January. To put it plainly, the market is demanding advanced sources of energy. Access to clean and renewable energy is often a prerequisite for large companies such as Facebook, Whirlpool, Amazon and yes, General Motors. If we expect these companies to continue to keep and expand their Ohio operations, and encourage new companies to site in Ohio (or, in the case of GM, reopen shuttered plants), it is vital to have policies that are prepared to meet the demands of the 21st-century economy. Of course, if we want Ohio to continue to be a national economic leader, we must strive to meet todays private-sector demands by looking at clean energy from a macro perspective. We have long been home to some of historys greatest innovators. From Neil Armstrong to John Glenn, from the Wright Brothers to Thomas Edison, our state has embraced the spirit of American ingenuity. As our society becomes more and more interconnected, we will need more energy to power our daily lives. The 21st century can, and should, be a period of American innovation. As a state senator and a proud Ohioan, I want that innovation, and all its byproducts, to be made-in-Ohio. According to a 2017 blog by Environmental Defense Fund interns Elizabeth Villedrouin and Kristen Moore, the millennial generation, soon to be the largest living generation, wants to promote systemic, market-based solutions and new technologies that shift our country toward clean energy and away from our fossil fuel past. So if we want Ohio to attract and retain the younger generation, we must strive to be a leader in clean, advanced energy generation. Many of our greatest advancements have been spurred out of necessity to keep America safe. Advanced energy is no exception. Our military leaders would never sacrifice operational readiness for the sake of being green. Rather, they recognize China and Russia are taking the lead in the development of clean and renewable energy sources to fuel their military. Our military leadership knows advanced energy is necessary for our national security and economic independence. Energy is a scarce resource; we cannot afford to fall behind these countries. We refused to fall behind in the space race during the Cold War. We need to harness that can-do spirit once again. What happens in Ohio certainly does not stay in Ohio. National and global leaders do not look to the East or West Coast to model their policies; they look to the Midwest, especially Ohio. In fact, Cuyahoga County leads all counties in Ohio with more than 13,000 clean-energy jobs. Our military leaders are asking for it. Our business leaders are begging for it. Our citizens are demanding it. Now is the time to put forth common-sense energy policies in Ohio. A policy that focuses on the needs of today, with an eye toward the many future innovations. Republican Matt Dolan of Chagrin Falls represents the 24th Ohio Senate District in Columbus. He serves on the Ohio Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, along with several other committees. *************** 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. Guest columnist Terry J. Martin is a professor of English at Baldwin Wallace University, where he has taught since 1989. He teaches courses on American literature, literary theory and nature writing, among others, and he loves hiking and photography. Editors Note: Need to get away from it all? Heres some firsthand advice on taking the scenic route to Machu Picchu from one of our own here in Northeast Ohio: Justly regarded as one of the worlds wonders, Machu Picchu awes visitors to Southern Peru with its harmonious fusion of urban and natural elements, its monumental architecture with stones so precisely cut and contoured as to fit together without the use of mortar, its terraced hillsides for farming, and its sophisticated system of finely wrought and still functional stone canals and fountains that pipe water to the city from a spring more than 700 meters away. Terry J. Martin, professor of English at Baldwin Wallace University The well-preserved ruins are bordered on three sides by a river with steep, jungle-covered slopes on the opposite side, which seem to emanate outward in concentric circles. From the hilltop, you feel as if you are standing at the center of the universe. New Agers claim that Machu Picchu is an energy vortex. Although its possible to arrive to Machu Picchu by a combination of train, taxi colectivo and/or bus, an even more rewarding way for the adventuresome and physically fit is to trek there. The Inca Trail is hands down the most popular trekking route to Machu Picchu, but it has disadvantages. Since the number of permits is capped at 500 people per day (including cooks, guides and porters), the trek often has to be booked months in advance. TripAdvisor lists an average cost of between $560 and $1,600 per person if booked online, excluding airfare to Cuzco. A much more economical and even more scenic alternative is the Salkantay Trek, which National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine named one of the 25 best treks in the world. The Salkantay Trek can be done as a four- or five-day trek, ranging from 43 to 55 miles. Humantay Lake at Machu Picchu (Photo Courtesy of Terry J. Martin) On the first night, you camp near Humantay Lake -- a stunningly beautiful, turquoise-colored, glacier-fed lake high in the Andes. Removed from the haze of circumambient light pollution, the stars blaze forth like glittering diamonds on a clear night. From there, the trail ascends to Salkantay Pass at just over 15,000 feet, before descending gradually through narrow alpine river valleys and lush tropical cloud forests to about 3,000 feet. The trail affords many spectacular vistas of Salkantay Peak (20,574 feet), whose name means savage mountain. At Hidroelectrica, many budget-minded travelers opt to avoid the overpriced train and instead walk the final seven miles along the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes, which is the gateway to Machu Picchu. At Aguas Calientes, you can either take a shuttle bus or hike up the more than 3,000 steps to the ruins, which takes about an hour and a half. It is advantageous to arrive as soon as the gates open at 6 a.m., for the ruins fill quickly with tourists. The five-day Salkantay Trek when booked in Cuzco cost my partner and me just $170 each, which included the $70 entrance fee to Machu Picchu. (By contrast, the TripAdvisor website advertised an online price of more than $900 for the very same service!) Our price included two knowledgeable guides, tents (or alternative lodging), all meals and transportation of up to five kilos per person by mule over the pass. Unlike the Inca Trail, there is no need for advance booking on the Salkantay Trek. We were able to make our reservation for the following morning. Because of the risk of altitude sickness, the Salkantay Trek should not be undertaken without adequate physical conditioning and proper acclimation. But you will be rewarded with stunning Andean vistas. Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts, and stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using Notification Settings (in blue) just below. Readers are invited to submit Opinion page essays on topics of regional or general interest. Send your 500-word essay for consideration to Ann Norman at anorman@cleveland.com. Essays must include a brief bio and headshot of the writer. Essays rebutting todays topics are also welcome. The state constitution guarantees Ohioans the right to "assemble together, in a peaceable manner, to consult for their common good." The common good includes a clean, healthy environment. But if an Ohioan protests potential environmental perils involving, say, a natural gas pipeline, a pending state Senate bill could be used to limit his or her rights of assembly and free speech by escalating criminal trespass charges to felony crimes and increasing organizational fines tenfold. That's flat-out wrong. At issue is Senate Bill 250, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Frank Hoagland, of southeast Ohio. The bill was voted out of the Senate's Judiciary Committee Wednesday, largely along party lines, after amendments modified some of its more objectionably vague language and downgraded potential first-degree felony charges for criminal trespass to third-degree felonies, but failed to cure its core First Amendment threats. The bill appears to have been inspired by the massive 2016 protests against the Dakota Access pipeline project near Standing Rock Sioux tribal land in North Dakota -- even though those protests were 1,000 miles away. The bill lists natural gas pipelines among a long list of "critical infrastructure facilities" that would be subject to the new third-degree felony charges (now misdemeanors) if protesters knowingly enter or remain on such a facility. Jen Miller, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, one of more than 30 people who testified against the bill, was on target when she called SB 250 "a solution looking for a problem." It's unclear why Hoagland and others supporting SB 250 feel Ohio's current trespassing laws are inadequate -- but if they are, turning misdemeanors into felonies and deterring organizational involvement in protests through punitive fines simply to stamp out such protests is unacceptable. The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio's Gary Daniels told the Judiciary Committee that SB 250 and its related bills across the country "are meant to end and severely limit criticism, exposure of ... corporate wrongdoing, or anything that merely inconveniences" the builders or operators of "critical" infrastructure. SB 250 aims to make Ohioans put up, and shut up, in the face of environmental challenges. The state Senate's GOP caucus might not know it, but that's not how democracy works. About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. * Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the "Follow" option at the top of the comments, & look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com. The Associated Press reports the couple asked police for help but left without giving their names or contact details when the diamond-studded sparkler couldn't be retrieved. Police are seeking a couple who lost an engagement ring down a grate in NY moments after the man popped the question. But, police later found the ring and are looking to find its owners. Police have an urgent message for the couple who lost their engagement ring in Times Square: We have the ring. They managed to pull the ring out of a utility grate on Saturday morning. The police also posted a photo of the ring that had been recovered - and cleaned - by their officers. The NYPD are seeking the public's help in finding the pair in the hope of performing a Christmas miracle by reuniting them with their ring. He was so excited when she said yes he promptly dropped the ring down a grate underfoot. New York City police released a video showing the couple, which can be seen above, to Twitter. Former president George Herbert Walker Bush, who died late Friday at the age of 94, will lie in state in Washington DC beginning on Monday, before being buried at his presidential library later in the week, his office announced on Saturday. The remains of the United States' 41st president is expected to depart Houston on Monday, arriving in the nation's capital for a two-day ceremony. Bush will lie in state from Monday evening until Wednesday morning, which President Donald Trump has designated as a national day of mourning. As such all markets will be closed for trading, and most government functions will be put on hold. Last month was crude oil's worst in a decade, battered by supply concerns and global politics. West Texas Intermediate, or U.S. crude, lost 21 percent in November, tumbling to its lowest level in a year and logging its worst performance since October 2008. After sinking below $50, the days ahead could bring some relief, according to Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets. This week, the cartel of oil producing nations known as OPEC will make a decision on future levels of production that may determine where prices head in the near term. "What we really need to get on the path to $60 is we need to see a substantial cut coming out of OPEC... at the Thursday meeting," Croft told CNBC's "Futures Now" on Thursday. "We anticipate that OPEC will pull a significant quantity of barrels, at a minimum a million barrels." OPEC, which includes top producer Saudi Arabia, is set to meet in Vienna on Thursday. Along with non-OPEC member Russia, oil producing countries are expected to agree to a supply cut to counteract tumbling oil prices. "The one cloud over this is really Saudi Arabia and their relationship with President Trump," added Croft. "President Trump has made the explicit ask to Saudi Arabia to keep the taps open, so at the eleventh hour that they potentially try to force the Saudi crown prince to keep the barrels on the market," she said. "I think that's the big concern." Israeli police recommend indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara on bribery charges involving Israel's telecom giant. Police said today thay have enough evidence to charge Netanyahu, 69, and his wife Sara with fraud, accepting bribes and breach of trust. "The police recommendations have no legal standing", Netanyahu said in response to Sunday's announcement. Police in February recommended indicting the prime minister in two other corruption investigations. Prime Minister Netanyahu is suspected of taking bribes and acting in a conflict of interest by interfering in regulatory decisions benefitting Bezeq and its majority shareholder Shaul Elovitch, including Bezeq's merger with the satellite TV company Yes. One of them involves allegedly accepting gifts from billionaire friends, and the second surrounds claims trading positive media coverage for advantageous legislation for a newspaper. Police also cleared several suspects, including media advisor Eli Kamir, attorney Eitan Tzafrir and the prime minister's son, Yair Netanyahu. The first premise is that Netanyahu fired Communications Ministry director-general Avi Berger and hired his loyalist and ex-campaign manager Shlomo Filber in order to ensure a government policy improperly favored Shaul Elovitch's interests in Bezeq. Police Chief Roni Alsheich issued the recommendations on his last day in office - a parting shot in one of the most tense prime minister-police chief relationships in years. These recommendations were determined and leaked before the investigation had even begun. Many former journalists at Walla have attested to being pressured to refrain from negative reporting of Netanyahu. Police are also recommending charges be brought against Elovitch and members of his family. The Israelis have been holding protests to demand the prime minister's resignation over the corruption scandals, but Netanyahu has described the events as part of efforts meant to topple him "at any cost". The appointment of Alsheikh's potential successor is being held up after a government-appointed committee rejected his candidacy. Most of Netanyahu's coalition partners have said they will wait for a decision by the attorney-general before making any decisions about how to react to the allegations. But the latest development further threatens the wobbly government, already weakened by the recent departure of Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and his party. Elections are now scheduled for November 2019. Mr Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing. Other former employees have accused her of mistreatment, charges the Netanyahus have vehemently denied, and of excessive spending and charging the state for her private, expensive tastes. Christian Sewing, the new CEO of Deutsche Bank, speaks at the Deutsche Bank annual shareholders' meeting on May 24, 2018 in Frankfurt, Germany. Shareholders, frustrated by years of poor performance by Deutsche Bank, are calling for Achleitner to step down. Deutsche Bank is not at risk of a takeover, its chief executive told a German weekly paper after its shares fell to a record low on Friday in the wake of a two-day raid related to money laundering allegations. Speculation about a possible merger has continued despite the bank's dismissal in September of reports that it could consider tie-ups with Switzerland's UBS or German peer Commerzbank. "I don't have any indication of that," Christian Sewing told Bild am Sonntag. "We are on track to make our first profit for three years. It is only a matter of time before this progress is reflected in the share price." Sewing's remarks followed the two-day raid as part of an investigation linked to the so-called Panama Papers leak of documents about offshore finance Former FBI Director James Comey has dropped a legal challenge to a Republican-led effort to compel his testimony before Congress, which is seeking more information about the bureau's investigations in the run up to the 2016 elections. As part of a new agreement with the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee, lawmakers have agreed to release a full transcript of Comey's testimony within 24 hours, and he in turn is free to make all or part of it available to the public, his lawyer, David Kelley, told Reuters. Comey tweet Last week, Comey filed a motion Washington, D.C. federal court to discard the subpoena from Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. Comey's request that the closed-door deposition be put on hold infuriated Goodlatte, who accused the former director of seeking "special treatment" Goodlatte tweet His lawyers had argued that the legal action was intended "to prevent the Joint Committee from using the pretext of a closed interview to peddle a distorted, partisan political narrative about the Clinton and Russian investigations through selective leaks." The Judiciary Committee's legal team dismissed that argument, and in a filing branded Comey's effort "extraordinary and frivolous." Goodlatte originally subpoenaed Comey on Nov. 21 to testify in a closed-door setting. Loretta Lynch, who served as attorney general under former President Barack Obama, was also subpoenaed by the committee to testify Dec. 4. Republicans have blistered Comey ever since he declined to recommend criminal charges against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for using a private server to conduct government business. Investigators had determined that emails found on the server contained classified information had been sent. --Reuters contributed to this article. WATCH: The Trump-Russia ties hiding in plain sight 'Becoming', a book by former first lady Michelle Obama, is displayed at the 57th Street Books bookstore on November 13, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Former First Lady Michelle Obama took to the stage in Brooklyn on Saturday to promote her book, and dazzled the crowd with anecdotes about her life and marriage to the first African-American president. Although billed as "An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama," the energy at the former First Lady's book tour stop in New York City was more akin to a rock concert, with roughly 19,000 fans packed into Brooklyn's Barclays Center to hear Obama speak about her new memoir "Becoming." In barely a week, the book claimed the title of best-selling book of the year with over 2 million copies sold. Saturday's stop on the 10-city tour was completely sold out. The day before the event, tickets on resale site StubHub ranged from $130 for the upper level to $3,700 for a front row seat. As an upbeat playlist curated by The Roots' Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson blasted through the speakers, dozens lined up at the merchandise booths to purchase everything from t-shirts plastered with "Work to create the world as it should be" to lily-scented candles that read "Find your flame and keep it lit." Obama, sporting a white pantsuit, spent the evening speaking candidly about her path from the South Side of Chicago to the White House, and the lessons learned along the way. The former first lady dazzled the audience with anecdotes about the "white flight" that changed her South Shore neighborhood in the 1960s, to the high school counselor who once told her she was not "Princeton material." "It's sad that it's so frequent, and it still happens," she said. "When somebody sets your bar lower for you than you think." A live broadcast truck for KTLA Channel 5 TV, owned by Tribune Co, is seen in Los Angeles, California, July 23, 2013. Nexstar Media Group has reached an agreement to acquire to Tribune MediaCo for about $4.1 billion, a deal which would make it the largest regional U.S. TV station operator, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday. Nexstar's acquisition would come just three months after Tribune's $3.9 billion deal to sell itself to Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc, currently the largest U.S. TV station operator, collapsed over regulatory hurdles. Nexstar outbid private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC with an all-cash offer that values Tribune at around $46.50 per share, three sources said. The agreement between Nexstar and Tribune Media could be announced by Monday, the sources added. The sources asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential. Nexstar, Tribune, Apollo and Sinclair did not immediately respond to requests for comment. President Donald Trump, U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attend a working dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping after the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina December 1, 2018. President Donald Trump has told reporters on Air Force One that a trade deal brokered with China is one of the largest ever made. After meeting at the G-20 summit in Argentina, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed a temporary stop to their bilateral trade disagreement, striking a deal to hold off on any additional tariffs on each other's goods after January 1. "It's an incredible deal. It goes down, certainly, if it happens, it goes down as one of the largest deals ever made," Trump said while en route to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. As per an earlier statement from the White House , the U.S. leader also said China would now look to buy from the U.S. a "tremendous amount of agricultural and other products," in a bid to address the one way flow of trade. "It'll have an incredibly positive impact on farming, meaning agriculture, industrial products, computers, every type of product," Trump told a gaggle of reporters. The U.S. government had threatened to more than double the tariffs it has already placed on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports, while Xi's government has put targeted tariffs on $110 billion in U.S. goods. "What I'd be doing is holding back on tariffs. China will be opening up. China will be getting rid of tariffs. You know, China right now has major trade barriers they're major tariffs and also major non-tariff barriers, which are brutal," Trump said. Trump also suggested that following their talks, President Xi could now approve a deal for Qualcomm to buy chip rival NXP. "The Qualcomm deal that they rejected which was one of the larger deals of its kind, which China rejected if that deal came back to him, he would most likely approve it quickly, which is a big thing." 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. More Colorado voters oppose recalling Gov. Jared Polis than favor such a move, even though voters by a narrow margin think Polis and the Democratic-controlled legislature went too far in this year's session, the poll shows. Types of obituaries The Missourian publishes two types of obituaries family obituaries and life stories. A family obituary is the version submitted by a funeral home or family. Please see the submission form for details on cost and deadlines. Family obituaries A life story is a closer look at a person's life and involves a reporter contacting family and friends. Life stories are based on newsworthiness and consent of the family. Life stories. The multimillionaire former boss of Nissan is to face another ten days in custody in Tokyo. France and Lebanon also have expressed concern about Ghosn's prolonged detention and a lack of transparency in the investigation. At the time of his arrest, Ghosn was heading the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, which says it sold more than 10.6 million vehicles in almost 200 countries in 2017. At the time of his arrest, Ghosn was heading the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, which says it sold more than 10.6 million vehicles in almost 200 countries in 2017. Under its 2002 master agreement, seen by Reuters, the alliance is chaired by the sitting chief executive of Renault, a post still held by Ghosn. Prosecutors must file charges by December 10 or arrest Ghosn for new crimes to hold him beyond that date. With the carmaking alliance facing its biggest test after the ousting of Ghosn as chairman of Nissan 7201.T and affiliate Mitsubishi 7211.T over financial misconduct allegations, French President Emmanuel Macron sat down with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. He made the comment in a hastily-arranged 15-minute meeting here November 30 with French President Emmanuel Macron that was requested by the French government. Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi "emphatically reiterated" their commitment to the alliance on Thursday after executives met in Amsterdam for the first time since Ghosn's arrest. Meeting in Paris last week, Japanese Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko and French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire reaffirmed the two countries' support for the alliance. The Mainichi Shimbun daily reported on Friday that Seko had sent a rare letter of protest to Le Maire for the remarks. Le Maire's apparent faux pas drew some criticism from Renault staff representatives concerned for the alliance. "The future of the alliance is not something a government should become involved in, and I am expecting the parties involved to have a discussion in a manner constructive and satisfactory to each other", Abe was quoted by a Japanese government official as saying. "This kind of overreaching may be counterproductive". As economy minister, Macron had masterminded the French government's surprise increase of its Renault stake in 2015, raising alarm bells inside Nissan that the Elysee was out to wield more influence over the Japanese company. Ghosn won't be able to perform his duties, considering his arrest and Nissan's dismissal of him as chairman, according to Mitsubishi Motors' CEO Osamu Masuko, who was chosen acting chairman pending a shareholders' meeting. Japan's government declined to confirm the meeting, but a spokesman said it was important to maintain stable relations despite the case against Ghosn. Desi students' experience of sunny Singapore With over 17 percent of foreign students making up the student population in Singapore, Indian students continue to choose the island as their ideal destination for their higher education. Connected To India spoke to these students to find out their reasons for choosing Singapore and their experience of the Southeast Asian country thus far. Aditi Ganesan, who came from Chennai, Tamil Nadu said, Singapore is only a four hour journey by air and the country is also known for its safety. The other aspect I considered was the great quality of education. Being close to home with good quality education was a perfect fit for me. Adithi with her group of friends from college. Photo courtesy: Adithi Ganesan When asked about what was different from their home cities when compared to Singapore, a student from Delhi, Naman Kaushal mentioned how coming from a city like Delhi, Singapore had a higher standard of living and the crime rates here were very low. The crime rate in Singapore stands at 3.2 percent, which is far less than the rate of many other countries around the world. Naman with his squad. Photo courtesy: Naman Kaushal Singapore is known to have the best education system in the world where universities like NUS ( National University of Singapore) and NTU ( Nanyang Technological University) continue to place themselves in the Top 10 rankings worldwide. I have visited Singapore a lot of times before and it genuinely feels like home away from home. The people here are friendly and make me feel warm. It is also easy for me to communicate as Tamil is also my mother tongue,said Manasi Jain, a first year student of Business Management from the Singapore Institute of Management. Caught smiling with pizza at the cafe. Photo courtesy: Manasi Jain With Instagram-worthy backdrops and hip bistros, the Singapore cafe culture is very vibrant. Students are often found chilling with buddies and even studying or revising for exams at these spaces. My best memory so far has been my visit to this cafe called Rise and Grind Coffee. I was having a very hectic day and my friend just decided to lighten up my mood by asking me to join her at the cafe. I loved the food and the ambience," Manasi continued. Being a foreign student in a new country is not as easy as it seems. Aditi shared, Being the only child, I have been a very pampered kid back home. These three weeks of complete independence has been one hell of a ride. From cooking to doing my laundry to cleaning my room, it has been a very new experience. Jatin Bagrecha, a first-year student of Business Management from Singapore Institute of Management shared about his first day of the university where he met people from around the world. He also interacted with so many personalities around the university campus. He said, It is a place with so much diversity and this experience is great for students who come from India, as it helps us better understand different communities and cultures, all under one roof. Lined with mosques, shrines, churches and temples, the Telok Ayer Street is one such example of how multiracial and multicultural the nation can be. In 2017, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared a Facebook post which said, Singapore is a rare and precious example of a multi-racial, multi-lingual, and multi-religious society where people live harmoniously together. Students living in Singapore enjoy a great balance of studies along with a vibrant social life with various places to visit and de-stress. Indian students continue to pour into the country year by year, attracted by the great level of safety alongside the remarkable standards of the education system that continue to deliver competent graduates. Stephen Booth is Director of Policy and Research at Open Europe. The so-called backstop is understandably the most controversial aspect of the Brexit deal parliament will begin debating this week. It is certainly less than perfect, but it offers the UK far more than its fiercest critics suggest. It provides an exit route from the EU, would free the UK from many of its current obligations, and provides a platform from which we can improve our position in future. It creates genuine problems for Northern Ireland, but also the potential to act as the gateway for securing free trade in goods with the EU. Although billed simply as an insurance policy against a hard border in Ireland, it is actually quite likely that, following the standstill transition, the backstop will provide the basis for the UK-EU relationship as negotiations over the future relationship continue. So what would this mean? Importantly, the backstop is a much looser relationship than membership of the Single Market and would turn off the tap of almost all new EU rules. The UK will take on the stock of existing EU legislation, but would be able to amend much of these laws applying in Great Britain in future. Northern Ireland would need to maintain and update the rules set out in the backstop, which might lead to some degree of regulatory divergence across the Irish Sea, but (other than for food and agricultural products where there are already checks) necessary checks would primarily be done in the marketplace and all by UK authorities. Brexit inevitably means some degree of special arrangements for Northern Ireland, which otherwise would either move away from the UK (upsetting Unionists) or away from Ireland (upsetting Nationalists). But, importantly, the UK can veto any attempt by the EU to widen the scope of the backstop by applying new rules to Northern Ireland. At a stroke, we would be free to set our own rules on the biggest area of our economy services, which account for nearly 80 per cent of GDP. The free movement of people would no longer apply and the UK could set its own immigration policy for EU and non-EU nationals. The UK would be required to maintain a floor of standards and protections in areas such as employment law and environmental policy, but could achieve these in new ways that better suited its economy. The UK would not be compelled to make any financial contributions to the EU other than for those programmes it chooses to take part in. By establishing a UK-wide customs union, the backstop would limit the UKs independence in trade policy. For services, we could potentially do independent or deeper trade deals than the EU, but we would need to align with EU tariffs and agreements for goods. Over the long-term, a customs union is unlikely to be politically sustainable and greater independence would be desirable. The EU has also agreed at political level that the UK will regain independence over its trade policy in future. However, it is also true that the UKs customs systems are not yet ready and a period of time in some form of customs union after the end of the 21-month standstill transition was likely to be inevitable under a negotiated deal. While the UK has secured many advantages, some aspects of the backstop are certainly hard to swallow. But the EU has also paid a high price for its insistence on a backstop. The UKs commitments to maintain EU standards are far weaker than many member states would want and there is real concern in some capitals that the UK can use the backstop to secure privileged access to the Single Market in goods with very few obligations and, over time, at a competitive advantage. This is why, despite the lack of a firm time limit in the backstop, the EU is very unlikely to want to live with the arrangement indefinitely. It is clear that the Government faces an uphill struggle to get this Brexit deal approved by Parliament. Presumably rejection of the deal on 11 December would set the stage for some last-minute haggling in Brussels and tweaks before Theresa May tries to convince MPs a second time around. However, it is also clear that the EU will not accept a deal without a backstop for Northern Ireland. And, if the UK does seek changes, it could prompt the EU to reopen issues such as fishing rights. Ultimately, the choice remains whether to accept a deal with a backstop or reject it. No Deal is the theoretical default if this deal cannot be ratified, but the parliamentary arithmetic might suggest a softer form of Brexit along the lines of Norway-plus is a more likely outcome, although that is far from a simple path. The truth is no one can predict what would happen. This is why both sides of the debate should consider carefully the merits of the compromise on offer before risking a much worse outcome in search of their ideal. Last month, we looked back to our final members panel survey before the EU referendum, which showed 71 per cent of respondents either definitely for Leave or leaning to Leave, and 27 per cent either definitely for Remain or leaning to Remain. We cite it again to remind readers how consistent the survey is. It would be simplistic to claim that the Leave-backing 71 per cent of 2016 represents more or less exactly the same people as the 72 per cent who now oppose the Prime Ministers draft Brexit deal and that the same applies to the Remain-backing 27 per cent of 2016 and the deal-supporting 25 per cent now. None the less, there will undoubtedly be a very significant cross-over. In short, our headline finding is that over seven out ten Party members believe that Conservative MPs should oppose the deal. There can be little doubt that most Leavers among them are against it and most Remainers among them for it. That said, Downing Street has a platform to build on. The other survey response in this section finds that almost a third of respondents believe that Tory MPs should back her in the lobbies. The total doing so is 30 per cent. So five per cent of our respondents dont back the dealbut believe none the less that Conservative MPs should vote for it. 68 per cent think that they should vote against it. So it is way to go for Theresa May. With less than a fortnight left until the meaningful vote, she has little time to change hearts and minds. All in all, the survey finds no evidence for rising support for the deal from Party members. And suggests that less than a third of them back her push to get Conservative MPs onside. We are analyzing the site. Please wait a few seconds.. A co-pilot has been jailed for 10 months after attempting to fly a plane when he was nine times over the legal alcohol limit. A pilot of JAL was arrested by British police last month after a test showed that his blood alcohol level was around ten times the legal limit in Britain before a London-Tokyo flight. Judge Phillip Matthews described the co-pilot as "very intoxicated" ahead of the October 28 flight, as he sentenced him to 10 months' imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday. "The prospect of you taking control of that aircraft is too appalling to contemplate". The beverage drive limit in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is 80mg per 100ml of blood. Katsutoshi Jitsukawa, 42, has admitted to the charge of drinking at a level that greatly exceeded the country's legal limit for on-duty aviation personnel. ANA has also come under fire after one of its pilots was found unable to fly for being sick after a drinking session in Okinawa. "Clearly, the consequences could potentially have been catastrophic had security staff and police not intervened and he had continued to perform his role on the aircraft in the state he was", said Inspector Iain Goble, of London's Aviation Policing. Image Jitsukawa was sentenced to 10 months in prison But a bus driver who transported crew to the airplane noticed the smell of alcohol and alerted airport security officials. Speaking outside court, the company's vice president Yasuhiro Kikuchi denied Jitsukawa's colleagues acted improperly. He was then found in the plane toilet gargling with mouthwash. The plane, a Boeing 777 holding up to 244 passengers, departed for Tokyo after a 69 minute delay. Bill Emlyn Jones, mitigating, said the sole carer of three young children had dreamed of being a pilot since he was a boy - but the realities of long-haul travel had destroyed this. The pilot told them he drank whisky the night before but had already passed a breathalyzer test. "It would seem he used alcohol as a means of self-medication", the lawyer said. Jitsukawa appeared via videolink from Wandsworth Prison. Japan Airlines has said it will introduce a new testing system at foreign airport to prevent a repeat of the incident. Since August 2017, there have been 19 cases where Japan Airlines pilots have failed the company's alcohol tests, the company confirmed. Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, from Chicago, described as a "decorated naval warrior", was found on Saturday. Richardson announced that Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, the deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy, will fly out to the region Saturday to take interim command until a permanent successor is chosen, a clear signal as to how critical the Navy views the region. U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Scott A. Stearney is seen speaking in May after taking command of the 5th Fleet. Most recently, Stearney was commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces from May 2018 until December 1, 2018. Vice Admiral Scott Stearney oversaw the American naval forces in the Middle East as the commander of the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet. The U.S. Navy's senior admiral in the Middle East has been found dead in his home in Bahrain, no foul play is suspected according to the Navy. "This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at 5th Fleet, and for the entire U.S. Navy", Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said in the statement. I ask that you keep the Stearney family in your prayers and respect their privacy as they navigate through these very hard times. Stearney took charge in May of the Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain, as well as a broader naval coalition there that includes more than 20,000 US and allied maritime forces. "Thank you very much", Richardson continued. Two years later, he became a pilot and logged more than 4,500 flight hours over the course of his career, which also included stints as a trainer and service in Afghanistan. The US Navy's website says he "served in numerous strike fighter squadrons flying the FA-18 Hornet". He eventually rose to command the air wing aboard the carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, according to his Navy biography. His flag assignments include commander, U.S. Transportation Command's Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic, commander, Carrier Strike Group 4, commander, Navy Warfare Development Command, and director of operations, U.S. Central Command. / Contributed photo /Newtown Police Department NEWTOWN Police have found the missing Alabama girl believed to have traveled to Newtown, and both she and the teenaged male she was with are safe. The Arab Police Department in Alabama contacted Newtown police Friday about 15-year-old girl who had gone missing the day before. Arab officers believed Lilly Faye Chapman left Alabama for the Exit 9 area in Newtown, Newtown police said in a release. Chapman might have met with a 17- to- 18-year-old man. The apartment building still stands at 65 James Street in the Hollow section of Bridgeport. It is a squat, nondescript structure covered in pale vinyl siding. A black iron gate prevents unwarranted entry to the parking area hollowed out under the building. The parking area is a foreboding space, dark even at noon on a recent day. Only the silhouettes of two people walking in there were visible. The building is at the crest of Golden Hill, which slopes down into a neighborhood that is a hodge-podge of triple-deckers, auto yards and small businesses, a basin between slopes, a hollow. The street sign at the nearby corner of James Street and Washington Avenue has an honorary plaque added to it: Officer Gerald T. DiJoseph Way. It was in that sub-building parking area that DiJoseph, then an 11-year veteran of the Bridgeport Police Department, a husband and father of three, was shot on Nov. 28, 1980, while in the midst of what started as a routine traffic stop. He died that day at St. Vincents Medical Center. The driver of a car had run the traffic light at the corner and pulled into that parking area with DiJoseph rolling in behind him. In 1982, a Connecticut grand jury indicted a New York man in connection with the shooting. A small memoriam ad appeared on the obituary page of the Connecticut Post on Thursday, the anniversary of the day in 1980 that DiJoseph was shot and died, becoming the eighth officer since 1910 who lost his life in the line of duty. The memoriam was short and poignant. Dad, we miss you just as much today as the day you were taken from us. You are always in our hearts and on our minds. We love you today, tomorrow and always. Love, your children & grandchildren, Jerrod, Matthew, Danielle, Matthew, Madison, Savanna & Gracie. DiJosephs story is a reminder of the perils police officers face every day when they show up for work. We ask them to make split-second decisions in situations that can literally be life and death. The decisions they make especially those that involve deadly force are, rightly, put under the microscope of public opinion and the legal system. When theres a crisis in our lives, though, we hope for a speedy police response. A small plaza is just across the street from the entrance to Bridgeports Police headquarters atop Golden Hill, between headquarters and City Hall at 45 Lyon Terrace. It is dedicated to the memory of the eight men seven patrol officers, like DiJoseph, and a sergeant who died in the line of duty. A plaque, pictured here, memorializes the names. Its a humble space, but one worth stopping at for a moment. Michael J. Daly is a retired editor of the Connecticut Post editorial page. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the new president of Mexico, at an inaugural event on Saturday. Photo: Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images Taking the oath of office in Mexico City on Saturday, Mexicos new president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador reiterated his campaign vows to rein in violence and corruption, to create new opportunities for the countrys youth and indigenous community, and to put an end to neoliberal policies of privatization that he had denounced as contributing to graft and inequality. Before he does any of that, however, he has to contend with the crisis mounting in the border city of Tijuana, where several thousand Central American migrants have been gathering in the hope of seeking asylum in the U.S. The bottleneck at the border is largely a product of the U.S. government being deliberately unprepared to process thousands of asylum-seekers, and of President Donald Trumps insistence that these migrants not be allowed to enter the U.S. Rather than deploy more judges and caseworkers to the border and develop a coherent refugee policy for the Hondurans, Salvadorans, and Guatemalans fleeing state and gang-related violence in their home countries, the Trump administration has opted to play chicken with the migrant caravan at the border, with predictably chaotic results. This tragic and largely avoidable spectacle has been a tremendous propaganda victory for Trump: Count on seeing endlessly looping footage of migrants rushing the border on Fox News for the next two years and in campaign ads for Trump and other Republicans in 2020. For Lopez Obrador, however, its quite the opposite. While he wasnt responsible for the caravan entering and traversing Mexico the deeply unpopular lame duck president Enrique Pena Nieto was solving the problem has just become his governments responsibility. The political pressure on Lopez Obrador is high and still growing, as Mexicans are none too happy to be hosting these migrants, especially in Tijuana, where Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum has stoked nativist sentiment among residents, echoed Trump in demonizing the migrants, and said the Mexican federal government, not the city, must take responsibility for housing them. The humanitarian situation there has been deteriorating, meanwhile, and the local government is working to relocate the caravan members from a filthy, overcrowded encampment to a slightly more organized shelter farther from the border. Lopez Obrador might want to hold off telling President Trump about the size of the crowd at his inauguration ceremony in Mexico City on Saturday. Photo: Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images The government in Mexico City has been hindered by a lengthy presidential transition: Since Lopez Obrador was elected all the way back in July, the outgoing Pena Nieto administration has had no mandate to make any big policy decisions, while the incoming government did not yet have its hands fully on the reins. Last week, the Trump administration reportedly reached a deal with incoming interior minister Olga Sanchez Cordero on a Remain in Mexico policy that will force migrants stay in that country while U.S. immigration authorities process their asylum applications (Sanchez Cordero quickly denied that any formal deal was struck). Immigration experts say this deal would effectively make it impossible for Central American migrants to actually complete the process of seeking U.S. asylum, which may well be the whole point. Trump has encouraged the caravan members to turn around and go home, which indeed some of them are doing. The administration itself is divided on how to implement the policy, while theres a good chance it will be challenged in court. South of the border, meanwhile, the prospect of turning Tijuana into a holding pen for Central American asylum seekers, for months or even years, is not about to garner much public support. Lopez Obrador takes office with a high approval rating, but a new poll shows his popularity has dropped nine points since August, to 56 percent. He still has some political capital to spend, but the migrant crisis is probably not where hed most prefer to spend it. The new president has an exceedingly ambitious agenda that his supporters hail as a badly needed revitalization program for Mexico, while his detractors wonder how hes going to pay for it all. Central American migrants mostly from Honduras traveling to the United States line up for food at a new temporary shelter in east Tijuana on Sunday. Photo: Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images Unfortunately, Lopez Obrador really has no good options here. Let the migrants wait in Mexico, and he looks like a Trump toady; stand up to Trump, and he risks inviting retaliation and doing damage to the U.S.-Mexico relationship which his country can ill afford. He has attempted to square this circle in two ways, first by eschewing any formal agreements in favor of simply recognizing the facts on the ground, and second, by asking the U.S. to chip in on a new economic development program for Central America and southern Mexico. Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard has described that program like the Marshall Plan, in terms of the size of the effort that is needed, and has suggested a $20 billion contribution by the U.S. Even a normal administration would laugh at that number, much less one as averse to foreign aid as this one, so thats not happening. Still, Mexico might be able to convince Trump to put some American money behind an effort to cut off the northward flow of Central American migrants at its source. The left-populist Lopez Obrador, who once described Trump as a neo-fascist on the campaign trail, has a taken a much more cordial tone toward his now-U.S. counterpart since his election, observant of the fact that it is much easier to do business with the Trump administration when Trump likes you personally. He has signed off on Trumps NAFTA replacement rather than pick a fight, despite his stated skepticism of free trade. The negotiations that began during the transition, meanwhile, are continuing now that the new president has been sworn in; key members of his cabinet are have traveled to Washington for talks Sunday and Monday with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Mexican officials have indicated that they are prepared to find jobs for Central American migrants at factories near the border and on infrastructure projects in the south. However, they have ruled out the Safe Third Country arrangement the Department of Homeland Security prefers, which would require migrants to seek asylum in Mexico instead of the U.S. (This is no more appealing to the migrants than to the Mexican government, as Mexico is not, in fact, particularly safe.) Even if Lopez Obrador manages to navigate the immediate crisis in Tijuana, the broader migrant crisis will continue to weigh heavily on his administrations agenda. His strategy of pegging the short-term solution to a longer-term development plan is more than just a face-saving measure; it recognizes the fact that desperate people will continue to flow out of Central America, into Mexico, and onward toward the U.S. border as long as the economic and security conditions in their countries are intolerable. Central America wont be stabilized overnight, however, so he will still need a plan for the next caravan, and the one after that. Nearly 700 recent arrivals have been granted humanitarian visas to stay and work in Mexico, while around 11,000 Central Americans have been repatriated in recent weeks, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing the Mexican interior ministry. Aerial view of a new temporary shelter for Central American migrants in east Tijuana. Photo: Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images Mexico will continue to offer refuge to Central American migrants who want it and are eligible, but those who want to try to enter the U.S. cant be forced to seek asylum south of the border instead. Unfortunately, Mexican immigration authorities and refugee agency have been ill-equipped to handle the spike in migration that has occurred over the past several years. Lopez Obradors ability to control this situation will depend on getting these agencies in order, as well as on the overall success of his security plan. On top of its humanitarian and economic consequences, the migrant crisis ranks among the new Mexican presidents greatest political challenges as he begins his term. As of now, Lopez Obrador and his big-tent MORENA party have complete control of the legislature and lots of public enthusiasm for their agenda. Mexicans are looking to his administration to fulfill its promises of cracking down on corruption, fighting drug cartel violence, and fattening working-class wallets. Public anger over uncontrolled immigration, however, can quickly turn an electorate sideways just ask Donald Trump. ANSONIA Growing opposition from veterans about the possible placement of a bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. at Veterans Park next to City Hall has prompted the city to get involved. Mayor David Cassetti met with members of the MLK Bust Committee and some of his staff this week to discuss an amicable resolution regarding the future location of the 450-pound bronze bust of the civil rights leader. The MLK bust project has been in the works for the past two years, and its been the committees hope to have it installed at Veterans Park, a highly visible location on Main Street. The Board of Aldermen has the final say on the busts location. In recent weeks, a couple of veterans have expressed opposition during aldermen meetings, saying the park is a solemn place created for deceased Ansonia veterans, and suggested Haddad Park on Main Street as a more suitable location. More veterans opposition came at last weeks aldermen meeting when Jack Granatie, commander of Gordon-Visselli American Legion Post 50, said the organization is not opposed to the bust itself, just the location. The park was established to pay tribute to Ansonia residents who have answered the call to duty to serve our nation in all military branches, said Granatie. Granatie noted that Veterans Park is small, and consideration should be given to place future veterans-related monuments or displays there. The addition of a non-veteran, non-military commemoration will pave the way for future non-veteran monuments, Granatie added. We contend that Veterans Park was not intended as a catch-all park for well-deserving people, organizations and causes, and that the only new monuments should be veteran related. The Rev. Alfred Smith, of Macedonia Baptist Church, who has led the MLK project, said the project has been ongoing for years and wondered why veterans didnt contact him or the committee with their concerns before recently going public with them. What we have here is a failure to communicate, Smith said. We were under the impression at that time we only needed the vote from town Alderman. We thought that was the only process we had to follow. No one has contacted anybody on that committee. The Bible says if Ive got a problem with you, I need to go to you and not go to someone else. Smith said we are reaching out to set up a meeting with them to open the doors of communication. Aldermanic President Lorie Vacccaro said before the aldermen vote on a location, the city wants to help find a solution that would make everyone happy. The placement of the Martin Luther King bust in our city will be of tremendous significance; it is a symbol of unity, equality and understanding, at a time when our nation needs it the most, Vaccaro said. We are looking to secure the highest amount of visibility for this display, and a location where its meaning and significance will not be lost. We will continue to collaborate with the MLK committee and the selection of the best site, and continue to seek input from the members of the community. Post Adjutant Patrick Henri said "the Gordon-Visselli American Legion Post 50 came forward with a statement only after learning that the MLK Committee had called for a vote by the Board of Aldermen for their November meeting. "Since the matter was brought to the Board of Aldermen as an official request, we responded in kind in the same forum after discussing the matter at our October meeting. Prior to that, we didnt feel the need to respond to hearsay in regards to its location. Unfortunately we were never invited into the conversation." Cassetti said more communication and dialogue between the veterans and the committee are needed. The two parties need to understand one another and there may be compromises as a result, said Cassetti. We think it would be best to allow the two parties to come together first to discuss the original location and any alternatives. There is certainly good reason to believe that this will be resolved amicably. Cassetti said an alternate location could be right in front of City Hall or inside. "After hearing further remarks at the Board of Aldermen's public session by various MLK bust committee members via the meeting recording on the city website, we ironically felt the same way committee members did when they said no one came to us," Henri said. "The American Legion Post 50 has been an institution in Ansonia for 100 years, yet no one thought to talk to us about putting a non-veteran monument in Veterans Park. We wish the committee well and Godspeed in placing the MLK bust elsewhere. Surely it will serve as a historic and educational tribute to a great man while bringing positive attention to the city of Ansonia." Vaccaro said the aldermen spoke to Smith and other committee members, early on, and had suggested Haddad Park as a possible location, due to its high visibility. But that is not what the MLK Committee wants, Vaccaro added. We do have the final say and my colleagues are sympathetic to both groups. I have no doubt we will come up with a solution that will satisfy everyone. The MLK bust project is slated to cost about $25,000 to $29,000, and is being created by artist/sculptor Vasil Rakaj, an Ansonia resident. The bust will be placed atop a 6-foot tall black granite base. The committee is hoping to complete the project with lighting and landscaping. Ansonia will be only the second city in Connecticut to have a monument dedicated to King. The other one is in New Britain. Rakaj said Ansonias bust will be the first bronze one of King in the state. jean.sos@snet.net. The Big Three Republicans running Washington the last few years did not accomplish everything they wanted. Photo: Shawn Thew - Pool/Getty Images Since the midterm elections, theres been a lot of talk about what Democrats will do with their new control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Theres also considerable interest in what Republicans will still be able to do with their continued hold on the White House and the Senate. But before we get too far down the road, its important to reflect on what Republicans lost on November 6 other than a Speakers gavel and 40 seats: They lost the trifecta, the grip on the executive and legislative branches of the federal government, which neither party has often enjoyed for long in recent years. (Democrats lost theirs two years into their last two administrations as well, in 1994 and 2010.) I ask this question having speculated on the night of the 2016 election that the GOP would hold and fully wield enormous power: With Trump in the White House and the GOP controlling Congress the condition that will prevail in January, based on the results of Tuesdays election Republicans are now in a position to work a revolution in domestic policy. It will likely be at least as dramatic as anything weve seen since Ronald Reagans first year in office, and perhaps since LBJ and congressional Democrats enacted the Great Society legislation that is now in peril. This now seems more than a bit over the top. But this anxious prophecy was based on some plausible premises: For all the talk of feuding or even civil war between Trump and congressional Republican leaders, they are actually on the same page on a lot of very radical ideas. These include, of course, the linchpin of Republican domestic policy: a big upper-end tax cut rationalized by the imaginary economic boom it will be advertised to create. Beyond that, however, there is a big increase in defense spending that both Trump and congressional Republicans have promised, and then the decimation of the low-income safety net. Every analysis of Paul Ryans various budget proposals quite likely the building block of what Republicans will try to enact indicates savage consequences for poor people. Think the expanded Medicaid coverage created by Obamacare will survive? Hah! The bigger question is whether Medicaid itself survives, since both Trumps platform and the Ryan budget would dump the program on the tender mercies of the states through a block grant sure to bleed funding regularly. And this scenario in turn depended on the assumption that Republicans would have the means and the willingness to do these things: [A]s Paul Ryan told us all in early October, he has long planned to use the budget reconciliation process where there is no filibuster available in the Senate to enact his entire budget in one bill. Again, a bill that cannot be filibustered. He referred to it, appropriately, as a bazooka in his pocket. And while there are some things you cannot do in a reconciliation bill, there arent many of them: Congressional Republicans did a trial run last year (nobody paid much attention, because they knew Barack Obama would veto it), and it aimed at crippling Obamacare, defunding Planned Parenthood, and disabling regulators, in addition to the nasty surprises for poor people mentioned above. In retrospect, Republicans did indeed secure their big high-end tax cut. They also got a major boost in defense spending, though mostly via appropriations deals with Democrats that gave them corresponding generosity in domestic spending the GOP would have preferred to reduce. And they did indeed use the budget reconciliation process for both their tax and Obamacare-repeal legislation to sidestep the Senate filibuster. This last big initiative famously did not work out. For one thing, it turns out that voting for a trial run to repeal Obamacare, create a Medicaid block grant, reduce low-income programs dramatically, and defund Planned Parenthood wasnt the same as voting for the real thing at least for a few key Senate Republicans like Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and John McCain. For another, the gradually growing popularity of Obamacare made Republicans skittish about exactly what theyd deploy to replace it, with all sorts of negative consequences for public relations and party unity. More predictably, the presidents erratic nature added just enough uncertainty to the whole process to make speed and efficiency in this big and dangerous maneuver impossible. Trump, of course, threw sand in the gears of a potentially lethal Republican legislative machine in other ways. I had expected that in exchange for his signature on literally decades of conservative policy legislation Republicans would let Trump play around with his culture war and foreign policy fetishes to his hearts desire. Instead, his obsessions interfered with and overshadowed regular business, most notably in his insistence on taking hostages ranging from individual bills to the entire federal government for his border wall and other nativist goals. Republicans didnt need much Democratic cooperation to achieve their main objectives, but what little they did require was often made impossible by the fever-swamp atmosphere Trump promoted. What were the odds that congressional Democrats would unanimously reject both the tax bill and Obamacare repeal? Vanishingly low with anyone else in the White House. Part of the reason for that unanimity was Trumps persistently low public-opinion ratings; few Democrats feared him the way they once feared Reagan or even the Bushes. Republicans, especially in the House, did everything they could to counter Trumps ongoing scandals and the threat of a real disaster emanating from the Mueller investigation with their own pursuit of ersatz scandals involving Hillary Clinton, the FBI, and other Trump enemies. But they didnt accomplish much beyond generating a lot of smoke and strengthening the loyalty of the hard-core party base. The GOP did harvest a few short-term blessings from the trifecta, such as the repeal of 14 recent Obama regulations via the Congressional Review Act, which requires joint House-Senate actions. And it was pleasant for Trump to have two supportive jumping jacks behind him Vice-President Pence and House Speaker Ryan during his addresses to Congress. Obviously being in the majority was important to the individual House members not to mention the committee and subcommittee barons who will now have notably diminished power. Much of Trumps agenda will remain on the table with Senate control, including Judicial and Executive branch confirmations and backing for potentially controversial foreign policy moves. And a GOP Senate will limit the damage House Democrats can do through legislation, investigations, or even impeachment. You can pretty much forget, however, about another effort to bring down the white whale of Obamacare, or to go after entitlements or poverty programs, or to significantly change immigration policy, or to cut taxes again. Who knows when Republicans will again be in the position they were in at the beginning of 2017? If its no time soon, they may regret how little they got from the two years they walked tall across the Washington landscape. 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. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump on Saturday agreed to suspend any new tariffs and take steps to address the trade disputes, which over the past few months had threatened to spill over into a trade war between the world's two largest economies. At their "highly successful" dinner meeting on the sidelines of the annual G-20 Summit here, Trump agreed not to bring in any new import tariffs on Chinese products, while Xi agreed to purchase a very substantial amount of US products so as to reduce the trade deficit between the two countries. During the meeting, Trump agreed that on January 1, 2019, he will leave the tariffs on $200 billion worth of product at the 10 per cent rate, and not raise it to 25 per cent at this time. "This was an amazing and productive meeting with unlimited possibilities for both the US and China. It is my great honour to be working with President Xi," Trump said in a statement released by the White House after the dinner talks between the two leaders. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders described it as a "highly successful meeting" between the two leaders and their most senior representatives in Buenos Aires, Argentina. "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 China's maximum penalty under the law," she said. She also said that an increase of tariffs from 10 to 25 per cent due to kick in on January 1 would now be put on hold, providing room for negotiations. "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," Sanders said. Trump and Xi also 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. "Both parties agree that they will endeavour 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 per cent tariffs will be raised to 25 per cent," Sanders said. It was also agreed that great progress has been made with respect to North Korea and that President Trump, together with President Xi, will strive, along with North Korean leader Chairman Kim Jong Un, to see a nuclear free Korean Peninsula. President Trump has expressed his friendship and respect for Kim, she said. "Xi also stated that he is open to approving the previously unapproved Qualcomm-NXP deal should it again be presented to him," Sanders said. Before their meeting, Xi underscored the need of cooperation between the two countries. "Only with cooperation between us can we serve the interest of both peace and prosperity," he said. WEST CHESTER Kevin Paul Jalbert may have died alone in Paoli Hospital after being shot by a stranger on the streets of Coatesville, as prosecutors said during the trial of his assailant last week, but he was not forgotten. Throughout the five-day-long trial, and even in the days before, the woman who described herself as Jalberts girlfriend sat in the courtroom and listened to testimony about how the man she remembered as kind, generous and adventurous was killed in an angry confrontation with teenagers and young men he did not know. He always bought Egg McMuffins at McDonalds and gave them to homeless people on the street, Shannon Hayes said of the man she met through mutual friends at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where he had been stationed in the U.S. Air Force and later worked as a civilian employee. He was just that kind of person, said Hayes in an interview during a break in the trial of Sheron Jalen Ryda Purnell, the Coatesville man who was found guilty of third-degree murder in Jalberts death by a Common Pleas Court jury on Friday. He as a very generous person, with a kind spirit and a large smile. Hayes said Jalbert had lived in the city for less than a month, during his treatment at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Caln, where he was receiving treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and physical problems suffered from his days in the military. According to testimony during the homicide trial before Judge David Bortner, Jalbert was walking home to an apartment he shared with another veteran around 6:15 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2016, when he encountered a group of teenagers playing in the street near the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Belmont Street in the center of Coatesville, just south of East Lincoln Highway. He apparently shouted at the children to stop playing and go home, because there were no parents to watch out for them. The group exchanged words, and Jalbert became angry. That encounter was noticed by a group of about eight young men who were on Belmont and one, identified at the trial as Purnell, told Jalbert to leave them alone and walk away. Jalbert who had been drinking at the nearby Midway Bar replied with a racial slur. Purnell left the scene, went to a nearby house, retrieved a handgun, and returned to the area after Jalbert and the group continued their encounter on White Alley. Jalbert was warned by a neighbor to leave and not mess with the men, who formed a street gang known as the Belmont Boys. Turning to go, Jalbert bumped into Purnell, and began fighting with the group. Eyewitness later told police that Purnell pulled the handgun from his pants, pointed it with two hands at Jalbert who backed up with hands raised in submission and fired six shots into the 36-year-olds torso. As the wounded man turned to run, prosecutors contend, Purnell fired two more shots into his back. Jalbert stumbled back to Belmont Street and collapsed along the curb. He was taken by ambulance to Paoli Hospital, where doctors tried, but ultimately failed, to save his life. Jurors at the trial were shown a photo of Jalbert taken by police as he lay on the grass on Belmont Street after the shooting. But it was a different photo of him that Hayes, a 38-year-old substitute teacher who traveled back and forth from Rehoboth Beach, Del., to attend the trial, remembered during the interview. Winter was in the air and snow was on the ground. Jalbert, Hayes said, loved to make intricately designed sculptures in the snow, including one she remembered of Elvis Presley. That day, Hayes said, she happened to look out of the window of the home she and Jalbert shared to see him crouched down, working with a young neighborhood boy, showing him not only how to build a snowman. But, she said, also how to keep his hands and fingers warm in the process by blowing warm breath on them and rubbing them together. Hayes grabbed her cellphone and snapped a shot of the touching scene. It is my favorite picture of all time, she said. I still have it. He was just that way. Purnells trial ended with the jurys guilty verdict around 4:45 p.m. Friday, following closing arguments by Assistant District Attorney Christopher Miller, who prosecuted the case with his colleagues, Assistant District Attorneys Caitlin Rice and Emily Provencher, and Assistant Public Defender Stephen Delano, who represents Purnell. The finding of guilt for third-degree murder by the seven women and five men on the jury proved a rejection of Purnells defense was that although he had, in fact, encountered Jalbert on the street that day, he had not been the shooter, and had been walking away from the scene when the gunshots rang out. Taking the stand in his own defense, Purnell told the jury that he had left the confrontation between his friends and Jalbert to go to a nearby house and retrieve a charger for his cellphone. While there, he said, he drank a soda, and then left though the back door just as the shooting occurred. In his closing argument, Delano urged the jury to find his client not guilty of the charges against him, meticulously pointing to multiple inconsistencies in the identification of Purnell, mistakes about times and places made by those testifying, and what he said were outright lies that the prosecutions witnesses had told on the stand and to police. This is a case with so many moving parts, Delano said, calling the scene on Belmont and in the alley so chaotic as to provide sufficient doubt as to whether anyone could remember exactly what happened and when, let alone identify Purnell as the shooter. There is plenty of reasonable doubt. He suggested that the neighbor who warned Jalbert to leave the area, one of the prosecutions key witnesses, was compromised by the desire to claim a reward in the murder when he went to police to identify the shooter as someone he knew as Ryda, a man hed grown up with. It certainly could be someone else, Delano said. It is possible (the man) saw the shooter, but he is simply wrong in identifying Mr. Purnell. Its somebody else. But Delano was apparently successful in persuading the jury to see the shooting not as a deliberate act of first-degree murder, but a reckless act that occurred in a heated exchange. This is less than first-degree murder, he said. This is third-degree murder. In his closing, Miller pointed to the fear that was on display by the eyewitnesses, three of whom tried to recant their statements to police that they had seen Purnell fire the shots that killed Jalbert. That testimony, however, was undercut by the video-recorded statements they had given to city police and Chester County Detectives who investigated the murder. Miller noted that the witnesses had been consistent in their identifications, including two who picked Purnells photo out of a line up. This was not some random person, who fired the shots, he said. It was Ryda. The prosecutor went over the testimony of the neighbor, whose name is being withheld by the Daily Local News because of police reports that he was targeted by associates of Purnell for retaliation. On the witness stand, the man denied ever seeing Purnell at the scene, or remembering telling police that he did. I had to pull that story out of him, piece by piece, Miller said. In the end, the man admitted that what he had told police about seeing Purnell fire the shots was accurate. He didnt lie about hat he saw. He wasnt going to blame someone else. In a dramatic finish to his argument, Miller lined the shell casings that police found at the scene the day of Jalberts murder, displaying one after the other until there were eight in all. He reminded the jury that the final two bullets had been fired as Jalbert turned to run away. Those were the shots that the defendant fired into Kevin Jalberts back, he said as those in the courtroom listened silently, including Hayes. Dont turn yours on him. Purnell, 24, of Coatesville, will be sentenced at a later date. he remains in Chester County Prison without bail. From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As... With Christmas party season just around the corner, most calendars are now packed full of after-work drinks, long boozy lunches and nights out on the town. But while many of us have good intentions when we accept invitations, it can be easy to regret the initial enthusiasm once the day in question rolls around. Cancelling plans can be notoriously difficult to navigate but seasoned party-goers at British Vogue have released a five-step guide to make the whole process a little easier. Here, FEMAIL shares some of the best bits... Cancelling plans can be notoriously difficult to navigate but seasoned party-goers at British Vogue have released a five-step guide to make the whole process a little easier. Stock image Think carefully before you accept It can be tempting to go full-throttle with accepting invitations, particularly when they're extended far in advance. However it is important to give some thought to how your overall week is likely to look and remember that you can only do so much. Vogue journalist Hayley Maitland suggest leaving 'at least two nights free every week', adding: 'Even the worlds bubbliest extroverts still need a moment to catch up on life admin.' This also means you are likely to be on better form at the events you do attend. Timing is everything WhatsApp messages are an easy way to avoid awkward exchanges but they are simply not sufficient when cancelling plans last minute. Reach for the phone instead. Stock image WhatsApp is the primary form of communication for many friendship groups but a quick message won't cut it when it comes to bailing on plans last minute, Vogue warns. If you are meeting with a small group of people, phone each person to apologise for cancelling. For a larger group, phone the host and do the same. While last-minute cancellations can be tempting, if someone is already on their way to meet you then you are sadly too late. Know your friend This is crucial to a cancellation being taken well. Think about how much effort the person you are meeting has put into the occasion - and socialising in general - and take this into account when deciding whether to bow out. If they are likely to have gone through extraordinary lengths to host a fabulous, festive affair then nothing but an airtight explanation will suffice. If, on the other hand, they are laid back and are just as likely to cancel on you then you can perhaps rest a little easier. Advertisement Be honest A white lie or feigning illness can be tempting but you owe it to your friend to tell the truth when it comes to why you're calling things off. A good friend will understand if you are feeling under the weather, or simply overwhelmed. However Vogue points out there is a difference between genuinely needed some down time and simply feeling lazy. 'If, on the other hand, youre just desperate to put on sweatpants and rewatch the Sex And The City movie, you need to have a word with yourself and go out. Make amends (and fast!) A cancellation can leave a friend feeling a little bruised so be sure to make it up to them with a heartfelt apology first and foremost. 'Whether that means sending a bunch of peonies to their office, writing them a note on beautiful stationery, or treating them to a spa treatment as your next outing,' writes Vogue. The next step is to rearrange plans. This can be done as soon as you cancel to show that you're serious about seeing them. She's reportedly experienced a rift with the Duchess of Cambridge and is enduring uncomfortable rumours about being demanding with staff. But according to royal insiders, the Duchess of Sussex, 37, could easily navigate her way out of these troubled waters by using her husband's aunt Sophie Wessex as her role model. According to The Sunday Times, courtiers have been citing Sophie, 52, as an example of someone who endured a difficult beginning in the royal family, but is now one of its stalwarts after building a close bond with the Queen. And sources say that the monarch is open to lending her support to pregnant Meghan. 'Her Majesty has seen it all and could offer the duchess some helpful advice at the moment,' an insider said. 'Meghan would do well to nurture that relationship and pop over for the occasional cup of tea with the Queen. That is what Sophie Wessex has quietly done so well.' Royal insiders have urged the Duchess of Sussex to turn to the Queen, amid rumours she's fallen out with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and has alienated staff with her demands The Countess of Wessex, 52, pictured on a visit to the Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley earlier this month, has cemented her role as a stalwart of the royal family by courting a close relationship with the Queen Rumours about feuds and demanding behaviour, may not put Meghan in a flattering light, but the Countess of Wessex experienced her own fair share of bad press in her early days. She continued to work in public relations, following her marriage to Prince Edward, but things began to unravel following an indiscreet business talk Sophie had with a Middle Eastern man whom she believed was a potential PR client. Chatting in a London hotel about the famous people she knew, in hope of securing a 240,000-a-year contract, she affectionately described the Queen as 'the old dear' and the Queen Mother as 'the old lady'. The potential 'client' was in fact an undercover News of the World reporter. The Duchess of Cambridge, pictured with Meghan at Princess Eugenie's wedding, was reportedly left in tears by Meghan's demands during a bridesmaids dress fitting for Princess Charlotte Kate and Pippa's younger brother James has opened up about looking forward to champagne and turkey with the family in an interview with German TV channel Leute Heute In light of these indiscretions she scaled back her commercial work and took up the mantle of royal duties full time in 2002. She's since become incredibly close to the Queen and will regularly visit her for a chat, and bring along her children James and Louise to watch TV with the monarch. 'She has built up that relationship, now they are incredibly close and discuss everything. Meghan doesnt need an invitation this is a family, after all,' a source said. Sophie, pictured with the Queen at Ascot in June 2018, discusses 'everything' with the monarch, after becoming one of her closest confidantes The Duchess has already shown signs of a positive relationship with the Queen, with the two women seeming to get on famously during their first official engagement together. In June - a month after she married Harry - Meghan and the monarch carried out a day of engagements in Cheshire. The former actress was seen giggling and whispering into the Queen's ear while watching a children's performance at the opening of a new bridge across the River Mersey in Widnes, while Her Majesty beamed happily. The Duchess of Cambridge, 36, was reportedly in tears after a fraught fitting for the bridesmaids dress Princess Charlotte wore to Harry and Meghan's wedding in May (pictured) Speculation has been mounting about the tensions between the Cambridges and Sussexes after it was revealed that Harry and Meghan are moving from Kensington Palace to Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Insiders have claimed, that a rather dictatorial Harry has been throwing his weight around, aggrieved that neither his brother nor courtiers and servants have been rolling out the red carpet for Meghan. It has been suggested that Meghan has been brusque with servants and that her exacting wedding preparations led Kate to burst into tears following a bridesmaid fitting for daughter Charlotte. Her job is in the US, but with her rumoured new flame Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi based in London, Princess Beatrice certainly has good reason to make more trips back to the capital. Over the weekend, the royal, 30, was in town where she enjoyed an early lunch at the upmarket French bistro Colbert in Sloane Square with a friend on Saturday. Beatrice kept her look smart and simple for the outing, wrapping up in a blue belted coat teamed with over-the-knee boots. The royal let her auburn tresses fall over her shoulders and carried a tote bag emblazoned with Be Cool, Be Nice, the logo of the anti-bullying campaign she supports. Princess Beatrice, 30, was spotted heading to lunch in Sloane Square with a friend on Saturday, dressed in a blue belted coat and black over the knee boots The royal teamed her outfit with a tote bag bearing the Be Cool, Be Nice slogan, an anti-bullying campaign she supports The outing comes after it emerged that the Duke of York's eldest daughter is dating multi-millionaire property tycoon Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who is understood to have met both Andrew and Fergie. She is said to have already introduced the property developer to her parents, with friends saying they could be engaged very soon. The royal is understood to have been dating the property tycoon, who has a two-year-old son from a previous relationship, for two months, enjoying a string of dates before even going on holiday together. The pair are thought to have been an acquainted for years and share the same circle of friends, but have recently seen their friendship evolve into a romance. The trip has taken her thousands of miles away from London-based boyfriend Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (pictured), a multi-millionaire property tycoon Edo the son of Count Alex Mapelli-Mozzi, who skied for Britain at the 1972 Olympics and socialite Nikki Shale has been a fixture on the royal scene for years. He and his sister Natalia, 32, were just toddlers when their parents divorced and their mother married Christopher Shale, a close friend and constituency manager of former Prime Minister David Cameron. Shale died aged just 56 after collapsing at the Glastonbury music festival in 2011. His family were forced to deny widespread gossip that drugs were involved after he was found slumped in a toilet. Dara Huang, left, and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, right, continued to live together for weeks after he began his romance with the Queen's granddaughter at the October 12 nuptials An inquest later found he died of a heart attack brought on by an 'undiagnosed' heart defect. Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson together with Beatrice and Eugenie attended Shale's memorial service in Oxfordshire. The couple are believed to have started dating a month before Princess Eugenie's wedding in October, where Beatrice acted as maid-of-honour. Sources say Edoardo had been engaged for three-and-a-half years to his fiancee Dara Huang - the mother of his two-year-old son Wolfie - and that pair continued to live together for weeks after he began a relationship with the Queen's granddaughter. Princess Beatrice waves from the steps of St George's Chapel with her mother Sarah Ferguson, during the wedding of her sister Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in Windsor last month A friend told the Mail On Sunday: 'Edo and Dara were engaged for three-and-a-half years. 'He met Beatrice years ago when they were children, but he met her again at the wedding of Eugenie. 'Even after the romance began he continued to live at the family home with Dara and their child.' Bollywood's golden couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh hosted a star-studded wedding reception in Mumbai last night following their wedding in Italy. The celebrity couple married in a private ceremony in Lake Como in mid-November, but kept their actual nuptials under wraps by banning photos. Deepika and Ranveer later shared carefully curated snaps from the three-day event on social media, but last night's reception was a far more public affair for their A-lister friends. Attendees including Vaani Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty and Shah Rukh Khan donned their most stylish outfits for the party at the Grand Hyatt hotel. Wearing a scarlet Zuhair Murad ball gown, newlywed Deepika showed off her toned legs with a bold thigh slit. Bollywood's golden couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh hosted a wedding reception in Mumbai last night Deepika stunning in a scarlet Zuhair Murad ball gown with a thigh split, while her husband Ranveer opted for a Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna tuxedo with black velvet detailing Attendees including Shilpa Shetty, who also opted for a shimmering dress with a bold thigh slit Actress Vaani Kapoor chose a revealing number by Manish Malhotra - the designer superstar Priyanka Chopra has chosen for one of her many wedding dresses She wore her glossy locks down in loose curls and kept her jewellery to a minimum so all eyes would be drawn to her huge diamond wedding ring. Her new husband opted for a Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna tuxedo with black velvet detailing and a pair of oversized glasses. The happy couple looked delighted as they affectionately held hands and posed for the cameras. Shilpa Shetty also chose a dress with a thigh split in a shimmering gold colour with a knot at the waist to accentuate her slim figure. The newlyweds reportedly started dating in 2013 and have starred in numerous films together Shilpa, pictured with her husband Raj Kundra, wore a dress by New York-based designer Reem Acra Actor Shah Rukh Khan, who has starred in more than 80 films, looked dapper in his tuxedo She paired the Reem Acra outfit with gold stilettos and a large three chain bracelet, wearing her brunette locks to the side. Meanwhile, Vaani Kapoor chose a revealing number by Manish Malhotra - the designer superstar Priyanka Chopra has chosen for one of her many wedding dresses. She wore a golden bra decorated with dangling pearls, along with a sash with a lilac trim. Deepika and Ranveer reportedly started dating in 2013 but have kept details of their relationship largely out of the public eye. They announced in a joint statement in October that their wedding would take place on November 14 and 15. Deepika is arguably Indian cinema's biggest female star at the moment, having starred in more than 30 films. She broke into Hollywood in 2017, starring alongside Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage. The couple married in a private ceremony in Lake Como in mid-November, but kept their actual nuptials under wraps by banning photos, sharing just a few carefully curated snaps Jacqueline Fernandez stunned in a golden saree, while Diana Fenty chose a Gaurav Gupta crop top and multi-layered skirt While rumours of royal rifts and feuds continue to swirl, the ever stoic Princess Anne has been busy getting on with the job on a visit to Chile. The Queen's daughter, 68, is visiting the South American country to take part in activities marking the 200th Anniversary of the Chilean Nay, with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Today, the royal joined Chile's President Sebastian Pinera for commemorations aboard the amphibious ship Sergeant Aldea on the coasts of Valparaiso. They were joined by First Lady Cecilia Morel, Chile's Defense minister Alberto Espina and the commander-in-chief of the Chilean Navy Admiral Julio Leiva. Princess Anne looked impeccably smart in her naval uniform as she chatted to dignitaries and inspected the guard of honour. Princess Anne, next to Chile's President Sebastian Pinera and his wife First Lady Cecilia Morel, Chile's Defense minister Alberto Espina and the commander-in-chief of the Chilean Navy Admiral Julio Leiva, on board the Sergeant Aldea on the coast of Valparaiso, Chile Princess Anne inspects honour guards aboard the amphibious ship Sergeant Aldea as she takes part in the bicentennial of the Chilean Navy in Valparaiso It's the third visit to Chile for Princess Anne, who previously travelled to the country in 1991 and 2007. Following the announcement of her latest visit, Britain's ambassador to Chile said: 'We are delighted that the Princess Royal will visit Chile in November and December. 'We will be celebrating the relationship of extraordinary warmth between our countries that goes back to the earliest days of the Republic. '1818 was not only the year of the foundation of the Chilean Navy but also of the arrival here of Admiral Lord Cochrane. Shuld have worn a raincoat! Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, watch a firefighting drill at the George Garland firehouse in Valparaiso The royal has been joined on her official visit to Chile be her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence 'Her Royal Highness will also attend various events to commemorate this historical moment and the links between our Navies that began with Lord Cochranes arrival.' Yesterday, the royal and her husband attended a firefighting drill at the George Garland firehouse in Valparais and put on a brave face as they risked getting showered during the demonstration. Horse loving Anne was also no doubt in her element equestrian exhibition in the town of Penaflor, in the outskirts of Santiago The first time I met Dame Joan Collins was a few years ago at, of all things, a political fundraiser. I introduced myself and said how much I admired her, and then, before I knew it, I found myself rather boldly inviting her to dinner. To my consternation, she accepted. It turned out to be quite a memorable evening, not necessarily for all the right reasons. In a desperate attempt to impress, I decided to serve quails eggs with the drinks. Only I failed to cook them sufficiently, with the result that the first one Dame Joan bit into exploded all down her beautiful leopard print blouse. We were only just recovering from that minor catastrophe when my son, who must have been nine or ten at the time, came down in his pyjamas to say hello to our famous guest. His opening gambit was: You dont look bad for 80, which, while delivered with the best intent, was not, perhaps, the most tactful thing to say. Joan Collins, 85, (pictured) who is currently the face of Kurt Geiger spoke to Sarah Vine about her views on fashion and stamping her identity on Dynasty's Alexis Sensing this, he tried to make amends by telling her he thought she was brilliant in the Snickers advert (which she was starring in at the time). I have not seen her much since then, but Dame Joan has gone from strength to strength, seemingly ever more in demand for her inimitable style, class and waspish wit. Our lunch today at Claridges Hotel in Mayfair (where else?!) is apropos her latest foray into fashion. She is one of the faces of the latest Kurt Geiger campaign and hard to miss this winter, smouldering on billboards in a cape and a corsage and a very racy pair of red stilettos. She may be 85, but she has the legs of a 25-year-old. Thats what Percy always says, she laughs, handing over her phone and coat to her husband. We air-kiss. Her lips are red, those famous green, wide-set eyes expertly made-up by her own fair hand. Her ears are extravagantly bejewelled with crimson gems (real or paste, I cannot tell) and her fingers are dripping with rings. I compliment her on her dress, a black fitted floral number. Oh, thank you: its Erdem! she exclaims, as she slides into the bench opposite me, scattering mint-coloured cushions in her wake. I need a light, she says. I half- expect her to spark-up a cheroot, Alexis Colby style, but no, shes just struggling to see the menu in the gloaming of the restaurant. Would you mind if I ordered? she says. Im ravenous! Not surprising: I would be too if I had Dame Joans schedule. I know women half her age who would struggle to remain upright. Currently shes not long off a flight from LA, where shes been filming for the hugely successful Netflix series, American Horror Story. In the new year shes on tour with a new one-woman show, Joan Collins Unscripted. At a time of life when most women could be forgiven for wanting to spend the afternoon snoozing on the sofa, Dame Joan could hardly be busier. Joan (pictured in 1985 with Dynasty co-star Michael Nader) had just been to Paris when she decided how she wanted to play Alexis It helps that her uncompromising glamour and dedication to elegance also happens to coincide with the fashion mood of the moment. Our fashion editor assures me Joan circa Dynasty 1981 is the look for Christmas 2018 think animal prints, sequins, big earrings, shoulder pads. As iconic as that look is, it might never have happened had it not been for the woman herself who, right from the start, stamped her identity on the character. The shows stylist, Nolan Miller, had a very different vision for Alexis. Oh, Nolan, she says, her eyes lighting up. Nolan was like a brother to me. When I first met him he said: We want you in little short tweed jackets, with little Peter Pan collars and little pillbox hats like Jackie Kennedy. And, I said: Im not doing that. That character is not like that. I said: No, I have to be haute couture, I have to be. Id just been to Paris and seen the Pierre Cardin collection, or Yves St Laurent . . . I had a very good idea of how I wanted to play Alexis from the moment I read the part. She is the epitome of haute couture, slightly over the top. How to dress for Christmas? No jeans. No tattoos. And women need to wear more lipstick women are scared of lipstick! But, of course, this was the decade of slightly more than slightly, she adds. I mean, people used to wear . . . she pauses, searching for the words. Right, OK she says, indicating her own outfit. So Im just wearing this cardigan today, but in the Eighties I would have worn a bra underneath with built-in shoulder pads. I cant imagine Dame Joan in Peter Pan collars and pastels. Although she is feminine, there is nothing simpering or girly about her. All her life, both on screen and off, she has been the epitome of the strong yet sexy woman, confident, empowered, in control. If she has weakness or moments of self-doubt, she rarely shows them. And as honest as she is about the darker moments in her life, she would never indulge in public displays of self-pity. Dame Joan (pictured with her daughter Katy) says she was living in a caravan outside the hospital after her daughter was injured by a car in 1980 And there have been dark moments. Four failed marriages; personal tragedy when Katy, her youngest daughter by her third husband, American businessman Ron Kass, was hit by a car aged eight in 1980 and left with brain injuries; and, of course, the death, in 2015 from breast cancer, of her younger sister Jackie Collins. I remember watching Dallas when Katy was in hospital, she says. I was living in a caravan outside because she needed me to be there and talk to her. And, every night at seven oclock, I would say to the nurses, or to Ron: Right, Im going off to the caravan to watch Dallas. And, I watched it, and I had a bottle of wine which I would swig from the bottle and I would smoke about ten cigarettes. And I used to think, I would really love to play a role like J.R. Ewing. Not long after, her wish came true when she landed the role of Alexis. It was the best and the worst of times. My personal life was a total shambles, she says. I had a recovering brain-injured child. I had a husband who had . . . well, its not a secret . . . drug problems. I had a lot of financial problems. And the role itself was fun, but tough. To be perfectly honest, I hated being painted as this venal, you know, bitch. Alexis wasnt like that. She was a modern woman, who, today, would have been an empowered woman, a powerful woman. Joan (pictured with her husband Percy) revealed she wasn't allowed to keep the clothes she wore for Dynasty She used her sexuality and her brain to get what she wanted. Nobody knew who he was at the time, but I based her on American businessmen like Donald Trump. What the 45th President of the United States might make of the fact that one of the most terrifying characters in TV history was based on him is anybodys guess, but it shows just how ahead of her time Dame Joan was, particularly in terms of equality. Hers is the kind of feminism I most admire: no excuses, no special pleading, just beat the men at their own game and use all the means at your disposal, including sexuality, while never losing sight of your identity as a woman. Its so refreshingly different from todays pervasive culture of victimhood. Does Joan have a view on #MeToo? Knee him in the groin. Quite. We return to fashion. The clothes she wore for Dynasty, did they let her keep them? Of course not, she says. But Linda [Evans, who played Krystle Carrington] and Diahann Carroll [Dominique Deveraux in the show], who is a great friend, and I used to wear them sometimes. I took a lot of the earrings. I think these are from Dynasty. She removes a red bejewelled number and places it on the table. I think theyre Dolce. Joan (pictured in 1985) says she wanted to become a fashion designer in her teens and would design for her mother and aunt Yes, well, you didnt steal them, she continues. I would say to Nolan: I love the pink dress, can I have it? Last night, I wore an Yves St Laurent jacket and I think it was bought for Dynasty. I nicked it. Ive kept it in the back of my closet. Every Christmas I bring it out for an airing for a couple of days. I have quite a few things like that. I suggest thats one advantage of being Joan Collins people give you stuff. It doesnt always happen, darling, she says before quipping, in the direction of her agent, and only half-joking: I need some more Kurt Geiger boots, white. I dont rely on a stylist, she adds. You see a lot of wonderful- looking actresses and Im not going to name any names and they can look wonderful on the red carpet, but they dont know how to dress themselves. I do my own make-up, my own hair and I know what suits me. Ive known that ever since I started designing for my mother and my aunts when I was 14 or 15. I wanted to become a fashion designer. So why didnt she? At that age you dont know what you want to be. I changed my mind all the time; at one point I wanted to be a boy, you know. Well, I suggest, things might have been quite different now. I know, says Dame Joan, I would have been straight to the hormone place! Joan (pictured as a child) credits her mother for instilling basic principles in her for good health including the importance of exercise and good nutrition But seriously: I remember distinctly thinking Mummy has to put on all these things, she says. A roll-on, then suspenders, then stockings which were always laddering, and had to have the seam exactly at the back of her leg. Then this pointy bra, then the slips. And Daddy just put on a pair of slacks and a shirt, and I thought, its so much nicer to do that. The way she talks about her mother is interesting. Its clear that she was a great influence on the young Dame Joan and her sister Jackie. She credits her with instilling in her the basic principles of enduring good health, including the importance of exercise and good nutrition. But there is a bittersweet tone to her reminiscences of a woman who was totally stressed out by the war, struggling to raise two children (Dame Joans brother was born just after the war) in a climate of insecurity and fear, while her father was a theatrical agent. They were evacuated at least ten times and her mother always came with them. Perhaps it explains why Joan herself is such a dedicated parent to her three children, why she always assumed financial and emotional responsibility, carried the can when relationships broke down. Certainly she is not a woman inclined to give up or compromise, hence her seemingly inexhaustible work ethic. Dame Joan (pictured) believes the women who got us through the war need support today I have a lifestyle that I got very accustomed to when I was quite young, and I want to continue it, she says. Robert Wagner said to me once, when I was doing Hart To Hart: JC he always called me JC have you got f*** you money? I said: Whats f*** you money? He said: Enough to cover you when youre not working. So, I made a decision that I had to work. Dame Joan is lucky that she lives in an age that seems to appreciate more and more the talents of older women. Until not so very long ago, an actress was considered washed up after 35. All that expertise and wisdom, wiped out by a few wrinkles. But nowadays, women reach 50 and start to think, gosh, here I am, career of my own, children a bit older and I have choices. Yes, she says. I can have sex without getting pregnant! I remember Mummy taking me to RADA when I had just turned 16 and looking so mumsy and old. I worked out she was probably in her early 40s, but shed put on too much weight and she hadnt changed her style. I think the war had worn her down. She pauses, looks thoughtful. Those women, you know, are the people today who need support. They are the generation who got us through the war. Anyway . . . Joan (pictured with her husband) advises against wearing jeans or showing tattoos at Christmas celebrations One last question: Christmas. Given shes the current queen of fashion, what are her Christmas party dressing tips? No jeans, no tattoos and lots of sequins, she replies, quick as a flash. Wear a little black dress, a pair of lovely earrings or a little jacket. Women need to wear more lipstick women are scared of lipstick. And dont be a bore if youre going to a party. I gave a party in LA for Percys birthday in October. And somebody said: My wife cant come, can I bring da da da, and it was an actress, and I said: Well, if you must. And she didnt say a word all night and sat in the middle of the room. If youre going to go to a party, you have to make an effort, otherwise dont go. And with that, I take my leave. I put on my scarf, a ludicrously over-the-top faux fur number and Dame Joans eyes light up. Ooh, she says, thats fabulous wheres it from? Zara, I reply, and she launches into a small monologue about the wonders of Zara. I offer the scarf to her. No, I couldnt possibly, she says, but I insist. She throws it over her shoulders and it is instantly transformed from cheap Zara to haute couture. Class, see: you cant put a price on it. 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. Hercule Poirot returns to our TV screens this month with actor John Malkovich Every week Toby Walne gives the low-down on the value of forgotten treasures that may be gathering dust in your attic. Hercule Poirot returns to our TV screens this month with actor John Malkovich playing the Belgian detective for the first time. Interest in the crime novels of creator and author Agatha Christie continues to be strong with early first editions now worth thousands of pounds. A copy of the 1924 edition of Poirot Investigates with rare dust jacket, published by The Bodley Head, may now command 40,000 the price a copy sold for in 2012. Without a cover it could still fetch 2,000. The value is so high because the jacket shows the first picture of the moustached detective. Poirot initially appeared in Christies novels four years earlier in The Mysterious Affair At Styles. It was first published in America and this 1920 edition by John Lane now sells for 20,000. A first edition of 1934 bestseller Murder On The Orient Express by Collins with dust jacket intact can be worth 5,000 while a 1937 first edition of bestseller Death On The Nile also by Collins with a dust jacket may sell for 7,500. Stockwatch takes a look at the shares in the news. This week Nuformix's drug trial results, which would boost the stock, oil firms, the quarterly FTSE 100 reshuffle and Berkeley's first half results. Trial results: If positive, Nuformix shares could receive a boost Watch out this week for shares in Nuformix, the small drug developer listed on the main market. The Cambridge-based company, which counts former Vectura chief executive Chris Blackwell as a director, is set to release the results of a pre-clinical trial for a drug it hopes will treat lung fibrosis, a debilitating condition for which there is currently no cure. The company takes old drugs cast off by major pharmaceutical companies, works its magic (repurposes the drug to use the industry term) and then finds a new use for them. In this case, GlaxoSmithKline dumped the drug years ago after a trial flopped. Nuformix is now developing the drug programme, called NXP002, to target lung fibrosis. In September, the company filed an extra patent for NXP002 so it can be used to treat other fibrotic conditions. I understand the results of the trial, carried out with the help of Newcastle University using lung tissue from multiple patients, are set to be positive. Stock watchers should keep an eye on the shares this week which could receive a nice booster from the news. BP & Shell The Opec meeting is always a draw for oil market enthusiasts and this weeks is no exception, especially after the recent heavy dip in oil prices. Brent crude has crashed from above $85 a barrel at the start of October to just $58. The meeting, on Thursday and Friday in Vienna, is expected to result in a much-needed cut in output from the top oil producer Saudi Arabia and its allies. UBS predicts a cut of at least one million barrels per day which, it says, should enable oil prices to stabilise and recover firmly in 2019. Shareholders of the likes of BP and Shell will certainly hope so. FTSE 100 reshuffle The quarterly FTSE 100 reshuffle on Tuesday is more than likely to be a sad day for Royal Mail, which is set to get the boot from the blue-chip index. Its hardly a seal of approval for chief executive Rico Back who has had a torrid start to his reign since arriving in his new post during the summer. FTSE reshuffle: Royal Mail is set to get the boot from the blue-chip index As for the FTSE 250, the AA is in the firing line for demotion after its share price fell by a quarter since September. Coming in will be secret agent James Bonds favourite car maker Aston Martin. Boss Andy Palmer had hoped it would enter the very top tier after floating in October but its shares stalled on its stock market debut. Berkeley and the housing slump The scale of the housing market slump will be highlighted by builder Berkeley Group on Friday when it reveals first-half results that will be covered in red ink. City scribblers reckon revenues could fall as much as 13 per cent to 1.4billion, with pre-tax profits predicted to be down by a third to 356million. Being focused on upmarket properties and London, Berkeley has felt the strain more than most. Cash due on forward sales could fall further to around 2billion, having already slowed from 2.7billion at the end of April 2017 to 2.2billion a year later. 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 Picking charity cards to send at Christmas may make you feel good but they could result in as little as three per cent of the cover price going to a good cause. In total, 50 million a year is raised for good causes from the Christmas cards industry, this represents less than 15 per cent of the revenue generated from all Christmas card sales. By law, a card seller must print the donation amount on the back of each packet but even then it can be tricky to work out just how much they give. Online card sellers are among the worst. Varied: Card Aid allows you to select from 200 charities with between 40 and 60 per cent of the card's price going to the charity The Card Company donates 10p to charity for every card bought, but if you go for a fancy 3 personalised design, the donation ends up at just 3.3 per cent. High street shops such as WH Smith are more generous. But claims they donate 10 per cent are not strictly true when the donation is based on the card's cost before 20 per cent Value Added Tax is applied. So, a 10 per cent donation is really only 8 per cent. Hilary Blume is founder of the Charities Advisory Trust which helps good causes raise funds effectively. She says: 'Shops like to make a big song and dance about helping charities but all they really want to do is make profits from customers. 'We all like to show off how generous spirited we are which is why we pick charity cards. But if you really want to make a difference buy cards directly from a charity shop or use Card Aid.' Card Aid allows you to select from 200 charities with between 40 and 60 per cent of the card's price going to the charity. Another charity-friendly option is Cards for Good Causes. It sells cards for 250 charities via a website and 300 seasonal pop-up shops in churches and other locations. It pockets a maximum 30p of every 1 spent on cards with the charities receiving the rest, although they must foot the cost of making the cards. Website GuideStar UK can help track down charities you might like to support by purchasing their festive cards or making a donation. 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.' The huge crash in Kier's share price was predicted by a rising hedge fund star 24 hours before the building firm said it was seeking 250 million in emergency funding. The company, responsible for billions of pounds of state infrastructure projects from schools to Crossrail, revealed on Friday that it was issuing a new batch of shares. The announcement wiped 33 per cent off its share price on the day. A day earlier, Vikram Kumar, founder of hedge fund Kuvari Partners, warned a private conference in London of Kier's 'narrowing margins in an already low margin sector' and questioned the true health of Kier's balance sheet. Warning: The moment that Vikram Kumar predicted the shares would fall He said the company's efforts to free up cash looked 'unachievable' and predicted it would have to raise equity to reduce its debt pile, adding that the shares could fall by as much as 50 per cent. According to new information, almost 20 per cent of Kier's value or 150 million of shares was held by short-sellers ahead of Friday's plunge. The figure, prepared by data provider IHS Markit, is far more than the 13.9 per cent publicly disclosed to financial authorities. Short contracts are used by speculators to borrow shares from other investors, which they then trade. The speculators make money if the shares fall in value before they return the shares to the investors. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that short-sellers targeting Kier, which employs 21,000 staff, include a number of companies that predicted the implosion of rival outsourcing firm Carillion in January. As well as Kumar's Mayfair-based fund, the list includes Rye Bay Capital, which notified the Financial Conduct Authority that it held 0.7 per cent of Kier's shares under contract just days ago. Short-sellers targeting Kier include a number of companies that predicted the implosion of rival outsourcing firm Carillion in January The fund shorted Carillion shares in June 2017 after recruiting 31-year-old analyst James Woodrow, who had written a report on the firm's parlous financial state. Carillion collapsed seven months after Rye Bay's initial disclosure. Other investors with short contracts on Kier include George Soros's SFM and Marshall Wace, which also bet against Carillion in the months prior to its collapse. Kier, which has been on an acquisition spree to grow in scale, says it has worked on 5 billion of schools contracts in the past decade. Last week it said net debt had risen to 624 million from 186 million in June. But it insists its contracts tend to be far smaller than Carillion's and has pledged to cut debt. But there are wider concerns over the health of outsourcers. In recent weeks Interserve has revealed debts are mounting, while Capita has sought to douse concerns with a pledge to significantly reduce its pension deficit by 2021. Last weekend, Capita founder Sir Rod Aldridge told The Mail on Sunday of the Government's growing reliance on contractors that make little profit for the work they do. He said the Government had become 'obsessed' with getting a good deal 'without understanding what the implications are' for the health of contractors. The Cabinet Office is working on plans that will force outsourcers to reveal more about their financial health. IHS Markit figures show Interserve and Babcock, a defence contractor, have close to 10 per cent of their shares held under contract, many in tranches not large enough to be publicly disclosed but most of which are believed to be under short contracts. 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. Sportswear tycoon and House of Fraser owner Mike Ashley is set for a showdown with MPs tomorrow over a 900million Government handout to help high street retailers that sees his company receive less than 89,000 a year. The billionaire is understood to be livid at what he regards as a bungled attempt by Chancellor Philip Hammond in last month's Budget to help Britain's high streets. Ashley will appear in front of a parliamentary committee tomorrow to discuss the future of the high street after volunteering an hour of his time for the event. Man on a mission: Mike Ashley will appear in front of a parliamentary committee to discuss the future of the high street His representatives said he is keen to shine a spotlight on the rapid changes sweeping high streets and his belief that the Government's response is inadequate. However, another industry source familiar with the situation said he is particularly distressed about rates rebates that do so little to help big firms. One said: 'He regards himself as being at the vanguard of efforts to save the high street its saviour, if you like and he feels that Government efforts to help are falling well short. The Budget announcement was received very badly in Ashley's camp.' One Ashley source previously described the Budget plan as 'the work of a child'. Ashley swooped on House of Fraser in the summer after it collapsed and he has already secured renewed lease agreements with landlords on a third of the stores. But there are concerns that the gloom sweeping many town centres may be terminal. Hammond's business rates giveaway was part of a 1.6billion package to 'help high streets to evolve'. It will help cut business rates bills for smaller retail units by a third, 'benefiting up to 90 per cent of retail properties,' documents said. But EU state aid rules restrict the amount the Government can hand to bigger firms to 200,000 (178,500) over the period to April 2021. Last night, a Treasury spokesman said the money was targeted 'where we think it is most needed, on the small shops and cafes that are so important to our high streets' adding that the aid package over five years now amounts to 13billion. But Robert Hayton, head of UK business rates at analysts Altus, said the Budget was 'great for independent retailers' but 'does nothing to help those major retailers who are reducing their store portfolios and headcount'. Altus said the biggest 10 per cent of retail premises pay more than two thirds of business rates. Others giving evidence tomorrow include Marks & Spencer's head of public affairs, Tony Ginty, and Richard Collyer, chief financial officer at fashion chain New Look. 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.' Sir Martin Sorrell, the former boss of advertising giant WPP, is poised to wrap up a second takeover at his new venture this week. Sorrell, 73, who dramatically quit WPP following a board investigation into his conduct, is now running S4 Capital, a vehicle he set up to acquire marketing and advertising businesses. S4 is likely to confirm a takeover of US programmatic ad firm MightyHive in the coming days, The Mail on Sunday understands. The firm has been valued at up to $200 million (157 million). Pastures new: Sir Martin Sorrell dramatically quit WPP following a board investigation into his conduct Sorrells new outfit controversially beat WPP in a bidding war for Dutch digital agency MediaMonks, paying 300 million (266 million) to complete its first deal. WPP later threatened to withhold future share payments that are due to be paid to Sorrell over the next five years. Sorrell quit WPP, a firm he built up from scratch over 33 years, in April after the conclusion of an investigation into his conduct. The Wall Street Journal later reported that the probe centred on a claim that Sorrell had paid for a prostitute on company expenses an allegation that he strenuously denies. The former Saatchi & Saatchi executive bought Wire and Plastic Products later renamed WPP in 1985 when it was a small basket maker. Acquisitions built it into a multi-billion pound conglomerate. In recent months, Sorrell has been piling pressure on WPP, which named Mark Read as his successor in September, describing it as a car crash in slow motion. Read is expected to set out a new strategy for WPP in the coming weeks after it lost a series of high-profile contracts. The British Band Instrument Company will sell bagpipes to India A British firm that supplies musical instruments to military bands has won a 3.5million contract to supply the entire Indian Army. The British Band Instrument Company, based in Edgware, North London, will be equipping 47 regimental military bands across the subcontinent. Alun Hughes, managing director and founder of the six-person firm, said it often deals with bands that are a legacy of the Commonwealth. He added: It was probably one of the largest contracts I have ever worked on. The Indian contract includes bagpipes and percussion instruments. Baroness Fairhead, Minister of State for trade and export promotion at the Department for International Trade, said: With their high-quality products reaching all corners of the world, this firm is a great example of the success that exporting can bring to UK companies. 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. Everyone knew Sean Christian Price was a ticking time bomb. He had told authorities that himself. He had been committing crimes since he was just 18 years old - including at least two shocking rapes. But on March 17, 2015, Price would take his evil to a monstrous new level in a crime that shocked Australia. 'I just f**king had to kill her, man. I f**king had to kill her, Price told police - detailing the exact moment when he decided to savagely murder 17-year-old Masa Vukotic. Sean Christian Price is deemed one of Victoria's most dangerous prisoners Masa Vukotic was only 17 when she was brutally murdered by Sean Price Masa had been at school that day and had enjoyed a meal with her family at their Doncaster home in north-east Melbourne before telling them she was going for a stroll. She took her mobile phone and house keys with her. It was the last time they saw their daughter alive. Price would later admit he made a mistake in killing the teenager. He thought she was older. But as he saw her strolling through Koonung Creek reserve - only a short distance from her Doncaster home - he felt he needed to kill the 'yuppie'. This chick was on the other side of the road and shes coming up, yeah and shes like started talking to a bird like f**king Snow White,' he later told police. 'I thought shes f**king shes dressed like f**king all yuppie. Price knew the moment was upon him, when he would escalate from a deranged sexual predator and thug, to a full blown killer. And it was like, you know, I was looking, looking and I just thought f**k this, this is the moment. This one just ended up being the one, I just f**king had to kill her, man. I f**king had to kill her, he said. He was 31 at the time and had been living in a unit in Burnewang Street, Albion for five months. Despite his atrocious criminal history, Price was free on bail for outstanding offences and on a 10 year supervision order made in the County Court in 2012. Justice Lex Lasry - since retired - would label Price's freedom 'a catastrophic example of mismanagement' by either the Department of Corrections or the Adult Parole Board. 'To leave you effectively unattended in the community in the condition you were in in October 2014 was extraordinary,' he said upon sentencing Price in 2016. 'Executive government, through whichever instrumentality was appropriate, has both failed to treat you and, as these terrible crimes demonstrate, failed to protect the community from the danger you clearly posed with tragic results.' Everyone knew Price was a risk. He had been committing increasingly serious crimes since 2002 when he was just 18 years old. Two years later he would land himself in prison for the first time after committing two shocking rapes. The court fixed a minimum term of five years and six months for offending that involved six victims aged from 13 to 45. They were all female victims chosen at random as Price drove around looking for what he described as a buzz or a rush. Masa Vukotic was a popular teenager who travelled extensively in her short life In one case an attack happened in the presence of the victims children, whom he threatened to murder. In January 2012 he was sentenced to four months imprisonment for recklessly causing injury to a female psychologist at the Victorian Institute of Mental Health. He ended up at Corella Place - the notorious Village of the Damned - by December that year. It did not go well and set Price upon a course that would end in Masa's horrific murder. On January 14, 2013, Price was sentenced to three years imprisonment for nine counts of criminal damage and one count of unlawful assault, He had gone on a rampage within the facility, causing $50,000 in damage to buildings and motor vehicles. By October 2014, the staff at Corella had had enough of Price. He was set free but was still subject to the supervision order made by the County Court which was to remain in effect until May 2022. 'How you were permitted to be released into the community following completion of the final sentence imposed on you is astonishing,' Justice Lasry said. Price warned the authorities on his release that he would kill someone and that it would be their fault. Five months later Price would make good on his threat. On the day Masa would die, Price left his home at 5.30am and spent 11 hours travelling around the Melbourne metropolitan area on public transport. He visited Crown Casino, where he gambled away all of the money he had. Price had an urge to rob and stab someone. He travelled to Hawthorn looking for rich people to kill before returning home to collect a large kitchen knife. Price even had the foresight to take a spare t-shirt because he anticipated the need to change out of a blood stained shirt following the stabbing murder he intended to commit. Born in Serbia on December 1, 1997, Masa had come to Australia with her parents and siblings in January 2000. The Vukotic family lived in Doncaster and Masa attended Canterbury Girls Secondary College. She was a well loved student, who had travelled around the world in her short life. Masa had regularly crossed the Eastern Freeway on the footbridge through the reserve and walked through the parklands on the southern side of the road. Masa was a keen traveller and had described Versailles in France as the 'most beautiful place on Earth'. She didn't stand a chance. In his sights, Price took the the knife from a bag he was carrying and ran up to her. He pushed her into the bushes where she pleaded with Price not to hurt her. Masa told Price she would do anything he wanted her to do. Price ignored her and began stabbing. 'I just f**king started ripping and stabbing and f**king just stabbing,' he told police. Momentarily distracted by a dog, he stopped mid-murder to investigate. And then Price 'went crazy'. He aimed for Masa's lethal regions and her vitals, stabbing her in the heart and on the gut. Price was anxious to make sure she was dead, because if she wasnt then in his opinion what he was doing was a 'waste of time'. Having run from the scene, Price asked a person for directions to Doncaster Shopping Centre and boarded a bus on Doncaster Road about 7.10pm. CCTV footage captured from a bus Sean Price boarded after killing Masa Vukotic Masa's mum arrived at the scene about an hour later to be confronted with the reality that it was her daughter who had been murdered. Price's reign of terror would continue into the following day. He left his home again with the intention of stabbing somebody. This time he travelled into Melbourne's west - Newport and Yarraville. An act of decency by a stranger was the only thing that stopped Price from murdering again. He told police his intended target had been decent to him, handing over $50. It was an act of kindness that saved that person from being stabbed. A man walking to his local library in Sunshine was not so lucky. Price followed him into a lift and put him in a headlock demanding he hand over his wallet and his bag. He punched the man to the head several times and, in a fortunate twist of fate, his mobile phone fell out of his pocket. Price grabbed it and fled. Sean Price is considered a dangerous inmate and was kept behind glass at his last court date About an hour later Price tried to steal a car outside the Brimbank Library in Sunshine. A man was just getting into the vehicle when Price jumped a fence and into the drivers seat. The keys were in the ignition. The man bravely punched Price in the face to try and get him out as he attempted to drive it away. He grabbed the keys out of the ignition and Price fled as the man called for help. With time running out, Price committed his final act of evil. Knowing he faced life behind bars, Price decided to embark on some sexual gratification before being arrested. His preferred option was to sexually assault a woman who was working in a video store in West Melbourne. He spent 25 minutes in that shop, only to be thwarted by other customers hanging about. Masa Vukotic loved to dress up and travel the world Price tried the Christian bookstore next door where he asked the shop assistant if she could direct him to books discussing the scientific evidence of God. The monster grabbed her from behind and put his hand over her mouth to prevent her screams from being heard. He pushed hard on her throat to stifle her screaming. 'Wheres your Jesus now?' he taunted. Price forced her to the floor and, with her on the ground lying on her back, raped her. She fought back by biting, pinching, poking and scratching and attempted to gouge out her attacker's eyes and push her fingers into his mouth. A co-worker stepped in and Price fled, punching a customer in the face as he made a break for it. Price later took pride in what he had done to the woman, telling police how his victim made stupid, religious, f**king comments. He wasn't even sure if he'd killed her or not and didn't care. Price told police he had needed to kill several people in affluent areas in order that his plight in custody, and the so-called corruption of the wealthy classes, be highlighted. Justice Lasry sentenced him to life in prison with a non-parole period of 38 years. Justice Lex Lasry was scathing of a justice system that allowed Sean Price to go free It remains unclear what turned Price into a monster. Doctors think it was most likely his troubled childhood. Born on February 2, 1984 in New South Wales, Price was the eldest of two children. His parents separated when he was five years old and he remained with his mother, who went on to form a number of relationships with different men, many of whom were violent. One such relationship involved a prison officer. It perhaps explains Price's wild behaviour toward prison officers while he's been in jail. In 2016, he received further jail time for threatening to kill a prison guard. Port Phillip Prison where Sean price threatened to kill one of his guards Killer Sean Price was initially kept at port Phillip Prison where he caused nothing but trouble When he appeared in court last year he was kept behind a glass screen. Concerned authorities rank Price as among Victorias most dangerous inmates, one of a handful of 'high-security escort prisoners'. This means specialist staff from the Security and Emergency Services Group must escort Price whenever he is moved outside prison. As a child Price became the victim of repeated and persistent sexual abuse and violence, which became normalised. Price had a family history of mental illness and suffered from perinatal head trauma. He regularly changed schools and had learning difficulties and then abused drugs. By the latter part of his teenage years Price had exhibited signs of psychotic illness. At the end of an interview with a psychiatrist, faced with an opportunity to express some form of regret for what he had done, the best Price could do was to say that an apology would not bring Masa Vukotic back. And he said that, although she had suffered, it was not for long. The man accused of being Australia's first home-grown Islamic terrorist is unable to hold onto a job for longer than a few months as he still grapples with the effects of his ordeal. More than a decade has passed since David Hicks, 43, arrived home after six years as a prisoner inside the infamous US-run Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba. Hicks, who grew up in the working-class suburb of Salisbury in northern Adelaide, found himself a household name at the height of the war in Afghanistan amid allegations he joined terror organisation Al Qaeda. In 1999 the young Australian converted to Islam before going to Afghanistan in 2001 and trained with the terror group's boss Osama Bin Laden, who he saw as a 'brother'. The charges against Hicks were eventually dismissed as 'invalid', but his father Terry this week told Daily Mail Australia his son continued to be tarred by the terrorist label - and is crippled with sickness from his time at Guantanamo Bay. Scroll down for video The father of Al Qaeda supporter David Hicks (pictured) says his son is as angry as the rest of the country about a spate of recent terror attacks on home soil, such as this month's Bourke St stabbing Terry Hicks (right) has again defended his son (left), claiming despite the allegations against him he would never have wanted to launch an Islamic inspired attack against his home country 'It's incredibly hard for David because people still recognise him regularly,' Mr Hicks said. 'All allegations against him have been dealt with (and) he's been found not guilty, but you still have to deal with it.' Chief among Hicks' problems since returning home has been his inability to stay in a job for more than a few months. His father said despite his best efforts, his son often struggles to integrate himself with his co-workers - something he claims is a product of his years in prison. 'Once he finds his feet and gets a job and is there for a while someone seems to find out and take issue with him,' Terry claimed. 'He might last a month and then all of a sudden it's done, and David finds it's often in his best interest, and their best interest, if he just leaves. 'Unfortunately he's in between jobs. He can't seem to get anything at the moment so he's trying to teach himself about IT and computers. 'But he's keeping his privacy, he's very close with us and he's getting on with his life.' Adding to Hicks' troubles is the toll his time inside Guantanamo Bay has taken on him not just mentally, but also physically. In an effort to gather information during the War in Afghanistan inmates at the prison spent much of their day shackled or in tiny cages, and some were even tortured. In the late 1990s the young Australian converted to Islam before going to Afghanistan in 2001 and training with Al Qaeda leadaer Osama Bin Laden (pictured), who he saw as a 'brother' 'You know, people still define David (Pictured above leaving prison in 2007) as a terrorist when it's been proven that he's not,' Terry Hicks told Daily Mail Australia Hicks' father said the treatment of him inside Guantanamo Bay detention camp was beginning to have an affect on his physical wellbeing After being detained by US authorities in 2001, Hicks spent six years inside the controversial detention camp (pictured) Mr Hicks said in recent months his son's deterioration has been obvious, something he claims is linked to his time behind bars in Cuba. 'Probably the worst part is what he suffered at Guantanamo Bay is now affecting him physically,' Mr Hicks said. WHO IS DAVID HICKS? - Hicks was born in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1975 - As a teenager he was 'a typical boy who couldn't settle down' according to his father - He left school at 15 and at 17 met his first wife, Jodie Sparrow - In 1999 he converted to Islam and went to Albania to join the Kosovo Liberation Army - In 2001 he travelled to Afghanistan to train with Al Qaeda - Hicks fought for the Taliban before he was captured in December 2001 and taken to Guantanamo Bay - He spent six years inside the detention camp, before returning to Australia in 2007 - In 2012 a US court ruled charges of terrorism were ruled 'invalid' Advertisement 'He's tired from working. He was a renderer by trade but he can't do it anymore. 'He suffers with his hands, his back, his feet and everything else.' In 2012 a US court ruled the charge that had seen Hicks land at Guantanamo Bay was 'invalid'. This came despite an Adelaide court hearing that before the September 11 attacks in 2001, David wrote a letter to his family praising Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. 'By the way I have met Osama bin Laden 20 times now, lovely brother, everything for the cause of Islam,' the letter read. 'The only reason the west calls him the most wanted Muslim is because he's got the money to take action.' But Mr Hicks, who steadfastly defended his son throughout his time in prison and in his fight to clear his name, says David was never an Islamic extremist. Asked about his son's reaction to several recent terror arrests and the deadly Bourke Street stabbing rampage, Mr Hicks said he feels the same as most other Australians. 'David gets frustrated, I suppose you could say he gets angry, with these events too,' he said. 'That thought (of carrying out a terror attack) has never ever entered his mind, but he is still tarnished with the same brush as these people. Ertunc Eriklioglu, 30, is led out of Australian Federal Police headquarters in Melbourne after being charged with terrorism crimes this week Halis and Samed Eriklioglu, 26, (pictured) were hours later charged with one count each of act in preparation for, or planning of terrorist acts The recent spate of terror incidents began on November 9, when alleged ISIS backer Hassan Khalif Shire Ali launched a stabbing attack along Melbourne's Bourke Street. Shocking footage from the attack showed Shire Ali, 30, lunge at police officers with a knife just moments after fatally stabbing local cafe icon Sisto Malaspina. Little more than a week later Victorian Police arrested three men and charged them in relation to alleged plans to carry out a 'mass casualty' attack in the city. It was revealed this week that another accused Australian terrorist Ahmed Merhi had been sentenced to death in Syria for allegedly joining the extremist group ISIS. Merhi, a former builder from Sydney, was seen wearing army attire and brandishing guns on social media - but claimed he was simply in the country to provide aid. The families of Merhi, Shire Ali and the three Melbourne accused say their loved ones did not support terror groups. A school teacher and father of three who brutally raped a student and molested another will walk from jail in a little over six months. Gary Mitchell, 76, of Parkdale, pleaded guilty in the County Court of Victoria to a charge of buggery and indecent assault on a child under 16. Both of the victims were his student while he worked as a teacher in the 1960s and 70s. One of Mitchell's young victim's was bend over a desk and raped on school grounds Mitchell remained in the Victorian education system for more than 30 years before retiring in 1993. His first victim was abused at a secondary school 102km east-southeast of Melbourne in 1967. Mitchell had worked at the school since 1963 and had been in charge of its cadet program. He had also taught the boy English. The court heard Mitchell, who was aged about 25 at the time, would perve on the boy as he changed for the cadet program in the school's first aid room. He did so for years before making his move, indecently assaulting the boy, who was aged about 15. But things went from grim to downright awful in late 67 when Mitchell made the boy face the wall and bend over a desk. He savagely raped the frightened teenager, who would take another 50 years before reporting his ordeal to police. Mitchell's young victims spent their whole lives living in shame before going to police The crime, even back in the 60s, carried a 15-year maximum jail sentence. Judge Michael O'Connell sentenced Mitchell to just two-and-a-half years for the sickening crime. Mitchell left the school that year and wound up at a primary school in Melbourne's south eastern suburbs. There he assaulted a 10-year old boy, repeatedly molesting him in full view of his class mates. Mitchell received a 12-month sentence for that crime - six months of which was added to his head sentence. In total, Mitchell received a three year sentence - a year of which was to be served in jail with the rest suspended for three years. He has already spent 160 days behind bars. Both of his victims came forward at the recent Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Sexual Abuse. County Court Judge Michael O'Connell said his sentence would denounce the crime The County Court of Victoria in the heart of Melbourne's legal precinct Judge O'Connell said the victims had endured 50 years of misery and both had suffered with shame and anxiety. It had taken one man 20 years of marriage before he even told his wife and a further 15 years before he sort treatment. The victim said he had become a workaholic who avoided men and suffered from suicidal thoughts. Judge O'Connell condemned Mitchell for his 'gross breach of trust' and said the sentence would 'denounce what you did to these boys'. The court heard Mitchell was a vile predator who had preyed upon innocent children in Victoria and New South Wales. He was only extradited to Victoria after serving the full four-and-a-half years of a NSW sentence for child sex offences. Mitchell had repeatedly been sentenced to suspended sentences for child sex offences dating back to the 90s. A child-abusing teacher who dressed as a super-hero and a monster who raped his girlfriend's two-year old daughter are among Australia's worst paedophiles to have been jailed this year. In 2017, 666 criminals were sentenced for child sex offences in New South Wales alone, Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data showed. It marked a sharp 35 per cent rise from 2013, when 494 child sex predators were jailed, with those figures in Australia's biggest state not including criminal convictions in every other state and territory. In the last year alone, a new batch of Australia's worst paedophiles have been put behind bars for their vile acts, with predators hailing from Sydney,Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane. A child-abusing teacher who dressed as a super-hero (Shane Andrew Matthews pictured) is among Australia's worst paedophiles to have been jailed this year Shane Andrew Matthews Primary school teacher Shane Andrew Matthews, 31, was sentenced to 12 years jail in September after pleading guilty to 33 counts of child sex abuse, possessing child pornography and grooming underage children between 2012 and 2015. The paedophile had sexually abused students as young as 10 in the classroom and would go home at night and send vile text messages about his victims to other men. Sentencing him at Campbelltown Local Court in September, magistrate Jennifer English said that Matthews had acted like a 'predator'. Court documents seen by Daily Mail Australia show how Matthews would approach parents at Wattle Grove Public School, in Sydney's south-west, and ask to give one-on-one tutoring to their children. It was during these one-on-one sessions at lunch and recess that he would abuse his victims. Child rapist Jason Daron Mizner this year pleading guilty to raping a two-year-old girl Jason Daron Mizner Convicted child rapist Jason Daron Mizner made national headlines in October this year after pleading guilty to raping a two-year-old girl. Brisbane District Court judge Leanne Clare was so shaken by the evidence that she adjourned the case for three days to ensure a fair sentence. Justice Clare viewed a portion of one of dozens of Mizner's home-made rape tapes. 'I think it would be best to put some distance between the viewing of that tape and the delivery of the judgment so that it does not overwhelm the sentence,' she said. His vile acts dating back to the early 2000s included more than 30 counts of rape and videotaping the assaults. The 44-year-old paedophile was sentenced to 19 years behind bars for repeatedly sexually abusing the girl, who was still wearing nappies, and filming the sick attacks. Grinning predator Ruecha Tokputza, an Adelaide man who groomed Australian and Thai children for sex Ruecha Tokputza Grinning predator Ruecha Tokputza, from Adelaide, groomed Australian and Thai children for sex and has pleaded guilty to 51 charges. Tokputza, 30, violated 11 boys and babies, with some as young as 15 months of age, and also filmed their torment. Adelaide Magistrates Court documents revealed Tokputza had a collection of up to '12,500 image files' and '650 video files'. Included in the predator's sickening film library was boys changing at an Adelaide swimming pool the location of which has not been disclosed. Tokputza admitted he indecently filmed the boys, under the age of 17, on May 21, 2017. He will face sentencing in January. So-called 'good Christian' Cornelus Bezuidenhout (pictured), 75, sexually assaulted a kindergarten girl and claimed she 'knew exactly what she was doing' and 'wanted it' Cornelus Bezuidenhout Elderly Melbourne-based pervert Cornelus Bezuidenhout, 75, sexually assaulted a kindergarten girl and claimed she 'knew exactly what she was doing' and 'wanted it'. The so-called 'good Christian' made the vile comments to police in January after the girl pleaded with her parents to keep him away. The South African national - a father of five - had been looking after the girl after befriending the parents of his niece's friend. He had repeatedly molested the child after collecting her from kindergarten, taking her on trips to the park and playing dolls in a bedroom. On one occasion he touched the little girl while he shared a meal with her parents. The devout Baptist earlier this month pleaded guilty to two charges of sexually assaulting a child aged under 16. County Court of Victoria Judge Gabriele Cannon condemned his 'gross breach of trust' and labelled his comments to police as 'repugnant'. She sentenced the civil engineer to 22 months in jail, with a non-parole period of 10 months. With time served, Bezuidenhout will likely be deported back to South Africa in a little under seven months. Australia's worst paedophile priest Gerald Francis Ridsdale (pictured) spent three decades sexually abusing vulnerable children in unprecedented offending Gerald Francis Ridsdale Australia's worst paedophile priest Gerald Francis Ridsdale spent three decades sexually abusing 65 vulnerable children in unprecedented offending. Ridsdale's offending took place over such a long period of time, involved so many people and destroyed so many lives that the interests of justice demand a sentence that could properly be called unprecedented, crown prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams told the Victorian County Court in August last year. The paedophile priest, now 83, used his position as a parish priest to befriend the children and their devout Catholic families in parishes in western Victoria, telling some of his victims 'it's our little secret' and one that 'it's part of God's work'. The former Catholic clergyman has been in jail since 1994, serving an effective total sentence of 28 years with a 25-year non-parole period for similar offences. He had pleaded guilty to 23 charges of abusing 11 boys and one girl between 1962 and 1988 and was last year given 11 years more jail time so he would not be eligible for parole until 2022. Violent career criminal Jacob Michael Smith (pictured) was jailed for 25 years in April for murdering a Brisbane other before raping her daughter Jacob Michael Smith Violent career criminal Jacob Michael Smith was in April jailed for 25 years for using bedding to murder a Brisbane mother before he raped her daughter. In the early hours of August 26, 2014, he attacked the mother as she slept on a mattress alongside her two ill daughters in the living room of their home. The makeshift bedding was so they could lay and watch TV as they dealt with gastro. Smith, who was 41 at the time of his sentence, crept behind the mother and attacked, using a white sheet to kill her. He smothered and strangled the mother, who can't be identified, then pulled the arms of her 12-year-old daughter to wake her up and told her she was going to become a woman. He was sentenced to at least 25 years jail, with Justice Martin Daubney saying: 'You mouth regret but you demonstrate no remorse.' Vile paedophile Leigh Norton (pictured), 52, photographed himself abusing a baby girl and was only caught after police found the pictures and were able to zoom in on his fingerprints Leigh Norton Vile paedophile Leigh Norton, 52, photographed himself abusing a baby girl and was only caught after police found the pictures and were able to zoom in on his fingerprints. The man from the NSW central west had brutally attacked a nine-month-old girl and took photographs of the despicable acts. Norton in April was sentenced to 11 years jail, with police using the fingerprint in the abuse photo as evidence of the crime. The former chemist and social worker was found with 33 images of the child - all taken on a mobile phone. A born-again Christian from Mackay in north Queensland repeatedly raped his young children after luring them into bed with the film Frozen (stock image) Frozen film lure A born-again Christian repeatedly raped his young children after luring them into bed with the film Frozen. The paedophile, from Mackay in north Queensland, encouraged his two daughters and son, aged between five and ten, to engage in group sex with each other and with him. His worst crime was raping his six-year-old daughter, a judge said. He also abused one of the girls in the bathroom on Christmas Day in 2016. The father, in his 40s, was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to four counts of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault at Mackay District Court in May. Despite spending every day inside Australia's toughest prison, Bassam Hamzy had an enormous grin plastered across his face this week. For the first time in more than a decade the convicted killer and founder of the gang 'Brothers4Life' saw his father Khaled, sitting in the front row of court supporting him. Hamzy, 39, represented himself in the NSW District Court on Thursday, appearing via audio visual link (AVL) from inside the notorious Goulburn Supermax prison. At times it appeared Hamzy was on the verge of losing his composure as the group of family there to support him waved, pulled faces and even took photos of him as he spoke during the hearing. Outside court Mr Hamzy told Daily Mail Australia that despite physically being close to 200 kilometres apart, being able to see his son's face again a 'lovely' moment. Scroll down for video Bassam Hamzy (pictured) grinned during a court appearance on Thursday as he saw his father Khaled for the first time in more than a decade Hamzy's father Khaled (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia it was 'lovely' to see his son and said he is not the 'monster' he is made out to be 'I haven't seen him for nearly 12 or 13 years,' Mr Hamzy, who himself was jailed in the 1990s on drugs charges, said. 'The family's the same, they are always knocked (back). They put in a request and it's rejected... it's really unjust, we are meant to be a democratic country. 'His niece told him she wanted to come and visit him, but he said: 'Look they are going to put me on box visits, it's hard for me to see you or hug you or kiss you'.' 'It was lovely to see him. The huge smile on his face - he was always a smiling boy, he had such a great sense of humour.' Despite him being dubbed one of Australia's worst inmates, Mr Hamzy defended his son's long record of bad behaviour since being placed inside Goulburn Supermax. He claimed that his son is regularly targeted in prison and understandably reacts like any 'lion' would when threatened. 'He has nothing now, so of course he is always going to react and he's been in jail for a long time so it changes you I am sure,' Mr Hamzy said. 'But they try to make him out to be like a monster. They are always pushing him into a corner and if you push a lion into a corner they will attack you.' Hamzy appeared via video link in the NSW District Court on Thursday (pictured) Mr Hamzy leaves court with some of the large group of family members who were in court to support their relative At times it appeared the convicted killer was on the verge of losing his composure as his family members (pictured outside court) waved, pulled faces and even took photos of him up on the large screen A small army of family members packed out the court in supportof Hamzy as he represented himself in his NSW District Court appeal Hamzy was in court for an appeal hearing in relation to his conviction for assaulting a prison officer in August 2017. As he represented himself and argued for a stay in proceedings, told the court about how he was deprived of privileges in the aftermath of the attack. It was revealed Hamzy is allowed just one phone call a week, one visit per fortnight - not from a family member - an hour of exercise a day and just five photos in his cell. Hamzy has also lost the ability to have board games in his cell, cannot use a toasted sandwich machine or a kettle, and has lost the right to associate with other inmates. But despite the crackdown on his already limited rights, the ISIS sympathiser has been allowed to keep his religious materials, which include a Koran and a prayer mat. In addition to the loss of privileges enforced on the 'extreme threat inmate', Hamzy was also convicted externally over the assault. During the hearing on Thursday the gangster and convicted drug dealer claimed the way he was sentenced both in and out of prison was 'invalid'. 'If an inmate is punished externally they are not to be charged internally (as well),' he told the court. NO GANGSTER'S PARADISE: WHAT BASSAM HAMZY HAS LOST IN JAIL PRIVILEGE: - Telephone calls - Visits - Inmate associations - Exercise out of cell - Money transactions - Buy up food - Activities/buy ups - Recreational materials - Books/newspapers - Clothing - Employment - Educational materials - Religious materials - Other property BEFORE: Up to 2 per week Contact visit a fortnight One inmate at any time Minimum two hours $100 per week Up to $50 Approved items Cards in cell Up to 3 items at once CSNSW* issued clothing NIL NIL Approved items Maximum 20 photos NOW: Up to 1 per week Box visit a fortnight Loss of privilege Minimum one hour $100 per week Up to $40 Loss of privilege Loss of privilege Up to 1 item at once CSNSW issued clothing NIL NIL Approved items Maximum 5 photos *CSNSW - Corrective Services New South Wales Advertisement Hamzy (pictured) claims he was unfairly punished for his assault of a prison officer in August 2017 The Supermax division of Goulburn prison is home to some of the nation's worst criminals 'No other punishment was allowed to be imposed on me... it's an abuse of power.' But in his submissions to the court, Crown prosecutor Tony McCarthy claimed there was little merit in Hamzy's self-organised argument. 'What's occurred, even at its worst, does not amount to an abuse of process,' he told the court. Hamzy first made the headlines after being convicted of the 1998 shooting murder of Kris Toumazis outside a Sydney nightclub. During a night out at a bar on Oxford Street, one of Hamzy's friends became involved in an altercation with a friend of Mr Toumazis. As the two groups went their separate ways one of Hamzy's friends kicked the car Mr Toumazis was in, causing he and his friends to retaliate. It is then that Hamzy pulled out a gun and began shooting at Mr Toumazis and his two friends, fatally wounding the 18-year-old. Since then, his time in the prison has been littered with headline-making incidents. Hamzy (pictured) gives cameras the thumbs up as he walks out of court flanked by supporters Before being convicted of the shooting murder of Kris Toumazis, a sullen-faced looking Hamzy opens the front door to his family home A young Bassam Hamzy (right) sits on the couch with one of his uncles, years before he wound up in Goulburn Supermax In 2008, he masterminded a methylamphetamine ring from Supermax, delivering more than a kilogram of the drug to Melbourne under the guise of a truck business. Running the business through a phone hidden in his cell, Hamzy made 19,523 calls in just a matter of weeks. That same year Hamzy used his smuggled phone to threaten a man who owed him $12,000. 'Now, I'm about to cut your ears off. I told you I'm going to compensate myself,' he told the man over the phone. That same week Hamzy instructed an associate to threaten a different man: '(Tell him) I'm gunna cut all his fingers off next time I'll take his ears and make them into a necklace.' Hamzy is first eligible for parole on June 1, 2035. Former president Bill Clinton shared heartfelt words following the passing of former President George HW Bush on Friday, with perhaps none more sweet than his comments on the message Bush himself left for Clinton when he beat him out for the presidency in 1992. It's become customary for the outgoing president to leave a letter for the successor, and in his manner of so doing, Bush showed 'he was an honorable, gracious and decent man,' Clinton wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Post on Saturday. Though bitter opponents just months before in a heated battle for the presidency, the 41st Commander in Chief was able to set aside any hard feelings and focus at the task ahead of a much younger Clinton, then 46 to Bush's 68 years. 'Your success now is our country's success. I am rooting hard for you,' Bush wrote to close the letter, which was full of a sense of awe at the exclusive club both men would now belong to for life, and hope for Clinton's, and our country's, future. Former president Bill Clinton shared heartfelt words following the passing of former President George HW Bush on Friday, with perhaps none more sweet than his comments on the message Bush himself left for Clinton when he beat him out for the presidency in 1992. Newly-inaugurated President Bill Clinton (right) is shown pausing during his inaugural address and turning to applaud former President George HW Bush (left) The letter dated January 20, 1993, met Clinton in the Oval Office on his first day as President of the United States. 'Dear Bill,' Bush penned, opening his message to the Democrat about to succeed him as president. '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. 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 [our is underlined] President when you read this note. 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.' The short yet intimate note left from vanquished to victor seeded a friendship that flowered in the decades since, to a point where Clinton said upon Bush's death on Friday, 'I just loved him' 'You will be our [our is underlined] President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well,' Bush wrote in the letter dated January 20, 1993. President George HW Bush (right) is shown shaking hands with President-elect Bill Clinton (left) after an Oval Office meeting in Washington, DC on November 18, 1992 The short yet intimate note left from vanquished to victor seeded a friendship that flowered in the decades since, to a point where Clinton said upon Bush's death on Friday, 'I just loved him.' Hillary Clinton said the letter made her cry, when she first read it back then and again when she heard Bush was gone. In a post from June 14, 2016 about the often shared message to her husband, the former Secretary of State wrote on Instagram, 'That's the America we love. That is what we cherish and expect.' She shared her thoughts on Bush's demeanor in the midst of her own campaign for the presidency, which she would find out one month later would pit her against the eventual winner, Donald Trump. Hillary Clinton said the letter made her cry, when she first read it back then and again when she heard Bush was gone. Bill and Hillary Clinton are shown seated between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter on the left and George W and Laura Bush on the right at President Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC In a post from June 14, 2016 about the often shared message to her husband, the former Secretary of State wrote on Instagram, 'That's the America we love. That is what we cherish and expect' Hillary Clinton shared her thoughts on Bush's demeanor in the midst of her own campaign for the presidency, which she would find out one month later would pit her against the eventual winner, Donald Trump. (From left to right) First Lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump are shown standing next to former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama on the steps of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on the day of Trump's inauguration, on January 20, 2017 In former President Barack Obama's letter to Trump, the 44th president offered congratulations on 'a remarkable run' and checked off fundamental principles of American leadership, giving advice to 'build more ladders of success,' 'sustain the international order,' yet take time for family. It was as guarded as when they awkwardly posed for photos together and shook hands. 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. Bill Clinton said on Saturday that the letter from his predecessor showed a man with 'natural humanity.' The 42nd president said the two men had a respectful friendship during his own presidency, but it was only after that they truly got to know each other. The 42nd president said the two men had a respectful friendship during his own presidency, but it was only after that they truly got to know each other. Bush (center) chats with outgoing President Bill Clinton (right) on January 20, 2001 prior to the swearing in of George W Bush as the 43rd president of the United States, with outgoing Vice President All Gore (left) in the foreground Affection between presidents, across today's toxic political divide, has managed still to extend beyond Clinton and the elder Bush. Five former US presidents, Jimmy Carter (left), George HW Bush (second from left), Bill Clinton (center, speaking), George W Bush (second from right), and Barack Obama (right) are showing attending a concert at Texas A&M University benefiting hurricane relief efforts in College Station, Texas, on October 21, 2017 When President George W Bush asked his father and Clinton to be involved in US relief efforts for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster and Hurricane Karina in 2005, they traveled together far and wide in their efforts. 'His friendship has been one of the great gifts of my life,' Bill Clinton said. 'I cherished every opportunity I had to learn and laugh with him.' In June, Bill Clinton visited Bush in Kennebunkport, Maine. A photo posted on HW's Twitter account from the occasion showed the 41st and 42nd presidents together as Bush displayed a pair of 'Bill Clinton socks' from his colorful sock collection. When President George W Bush asked his father and Clinton to be involved in US relief efforts for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster and Hurricane Karina in 2005, they traveled together far and wide in their efforts. Bill Clinton (left), Indonesia's President Yudhoyono (center), and Bush (right) wave after the former presidents' arrival in Medan, Indonesia on February 20, 2005 In June, Bill Clinton visited Bush in Kennebunkport, Maine, much to the delight of his friend A photo posted on HW's Twitter account from the occasion showed the 41st and 42nd presidents together as Bush displayed a pair of 'Bill Clinton socks' from his colorful sock collection Affection between presidents across today's toxic political divide has managed still to extend beyond Clinton and the elder Bush. The Clintons and the Obamas both became friendly with the Bush family and attended Barbara Bush's funeral in April. Trump did not, though first lady Melania Trump did. Trump had mocked two generations of the Bush family in his political rise, criticizing the father and son presidents while defeating the other son, who he dubbed 'low energy' Jeb Bush, for the Republican nomination. The Clintons and the Obamas both became friendly with the Bush family and attended Barbara Bush's funeral in April, and though Trump did not, First lady Melania Trump did. The group is pictured on April 21, from left to right: 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 HW Bush, former first lady Michelle Obama and current first lady Melania Trump The elder Bush called Trump a 'blowhard' and voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016. Without naming names, Bill Clinton closed his remembrance in the Post with an observation about the way things are now. 'Given what politics looks like in America and around the world today, it's easy to sigh and say George HW Bush belonged to an era that is gone and never coming back - where our opponents are not our enemies, where we are open to different ideas and changing our minds, where facts matter and where our devotion to our children's future leads to honest compromise and shared progress,' he wrote. 'I know what he would say: "Nonsense. It's your duty to get that America back." 'We should all give thanks for George HW Bush's long, good life and honor it by searching, as he always did, for the most American way forward.' Ruthless people-smugglers risking the lives of migrants in the English Channel are controlled by British-based 'mafia bosses', yet UK authorities 'lack the political will to tackle them', a French mayor claimed yesterday. Franck Dhersin, mayor of Teteghem, a village near Dunkirk, said traffickers cramming boats with migrants are mostly Iraqi Kurdish gangs investing their profits in the UK. He said French coastguard services are receiving almost nightly calls to rescue migrants from inadequate, overcrowded boats. 'It is only a matter of time before someone dies trying to cross the Channel in boats,' he said. RISKED LIVES: Migrants rescued in the Channel (pictured above) 'Our intelligence shows that there are several gangs operating in this area, in Calais, Dunkirk and Boulogne,' he added. 'These gangs are mostly Iraqi Kurdish but the leaders of these gangs are based in the UK. They have dual nationality, British and Iraqi. 'We have got this information from the foot soldiers we arrested in Calais. The gang bosses are reinvesting the money into the property market, in restaurants and nightclubs. They send some money back to Iraq, but most of it is reinvested in Britain.' In February, Britain's National Crime Agency arrested 21 people nationwide in a series of raids targeting a Iraqi Kurdish smuggling ring. But Mr Dhersin added: 'There is no willpower in the British Government to tackle this problem... The UK government is too focused on Brexit to think of anything else.' He said that the peoplesmuggling gangs are targeting small harbours between Boulogne and Dunkirk and he does not expect rough winter weather to deter the migrant boats. 'These people have crossed thousands of miles, they can see the white cliffs of Dover on a clear day,' he said. A Home Office spokesman said it had 'stepped up deployments of our coastal patrol vessels along the South-East coast', adding: 'The Home Secretary has been clear the evidence shows there is organised criminal gang activity behind illegal migration attempts by small boats across the Channel.' Moments after walking through the door with her nine-year-old daughter a young mother received a knock on the door that brought her devastating news. When Jessica Martin opened the door of her Albion Park home, a member of the New South Wales SES was there to deliver the news her husband passed away. Her partner, Billy, was selflessly volunteering for the SES during Sydney's wild storm on Wednesday when he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed. When Jessica Martin (pictured, right) opened the door of her Albion Park home, a member of the New South Wales SES was there to deliver the news her husband Billy (pictured, left) passed away The 39-year-old was rushed to nearby Shellharbour hospital but couldn't be revived. Mrs Martin had just returned home after working as a primary school teacher when she received the tragic news. Family members have set up a GoFundMe page on behalf of the primary school teacher and Amarni. '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 reads. 'At 39 years of age Billy leaves behind a broken wife and a 9 year old daughter that have lost their devoted and loving husband and father, and right before Christmas.' 'Billy always strove to provide Amarni with an amazing Christmas and life which was surrounded by family and amazing adventures.' In just three days, the page has surpassed the the $20,000 goal with over 300 people donating and more than 3,000 shares on Facebook. The Illawarra community has since been mourning Mr Martin's death, with an outpouring of grief and love as tributes flow online for the much-loved Albion Park dad The Illawarra community has since been mourning Mr Martin's death, with an outpouring of grief and love as tributes flow online for the much-loved Albion Park dad. 'You are more then a boss or mate to me you are like family to me Billy and always helped me out I wouldn't be the way I am today if it wasn't for you,' one user wrote on Facebook. 'You may not be here but you will always be with us in our hearts.' Another user said: 'You have broken my heart my best friend.' Mrs Martin also wrote a heartbreaking message to her husband but kept it simple: 'I miss you. I just want to talk to you.' Billy was selflessly volunteering for the SES during Sydney's wild storm on Wednesday when he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed The SES posted a statement to their Facebook page saying Mr Martin's death had left them devastated. 'Billy was a much loved and dedicated husband, father, family member and friend,' the SES said. 'He was also a valued member of the NSW SES Shellharbour Unit.' New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian also gave her condolences to the family. 'Our heart goes out to his family and we know that everyday volunteers put themselves on the line to keep us safe and it's always tragic when those things happens and our thoughts and prayers go to the family,' she told reporters. Jacquelyn Smith (pictured), 52, who pulled over to give money to what looked like a needy young mother was stabbed to death by a man who tried to steal her wallet A Good Samaritan who pulled over to give money to what looked like a needy young mother was then stabbed to death by a man who tried to steal her wallet in Maryland. Baltimore police said in a statement that 52-year-old Jacquelyn Smith, of Harford County, was riding with her family on Saturday when she spotted the woman around 12.27am in the 1000 block of Valley Street. Smith, who was sitting in the passenger seat of a car, then rolled down her window to give money to the woman who was carrying a baby or something made to look like a baby. Police said the woman had a cardboard sign saying: 'Please Help me feed my Baby.' Authorities said a man approached the vehicle to thank Smith for giving the money but then tried to steal Smith's wallet. A struggle ensued and the man stabbed Smith in the chest, and fled on foot with the woman holding the sign. Smith was rushed to a local hospital where she later died. The incident occurred at 12.27am on Saturday in the 1000 block of Valley Street (pictured) Baltimore Councilman Robert Stokes told reporters on Saturday that 'when you see something like this happen to a Good Samaritan it kind of makes you stop and think'. 'It makes you stop and dont roll your windows down because those kinds of things make people that really want to help people on the corner saying they got to feed their children not to do it,' he added. Detectives are looking to identify both the male and female suspects. The man is the primary suspect but are also looking for the woman holding the sign to determine their relation. According to Baltimore Det Jeremy Silbert, the man was described as having a goatee and being in his 30s. Homicide detectives are asking anyone with information to contact them at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-lockup. Advertisement Harry Potter fans are being given the rare chance to own a Potter themed home, decked out in Hogwarts memorabilia, as it hits the market for $99,000. The tiny home, measuring a compact 204 square feet and built on wheels, is in Asheville, North Carolina. It was created by Jan Cheves and her daughter Emily who worked in finance before deciding to set up their own construction business designing and building fantasy themed homes. Harry Potter fans can own their very own Hogwarts Inn Express. The tiny home, on wheels, is decked out in Hogwarts memorabilia and is available to buy for the sum of $99,000 The Master loft pays homage to Ravenclaw and has enough space for a double mattress The home has a black and red exterior, took nine months to build, and is decorated with over 100 licensed Harry Potter products, along with many handmade items. The mother and daughter team were inspired to get involved in the construction business after losing a number of family members in quick succession. 'I'm not sure we would ever have taken the risk to try this adventure without a few family tragedies over the last seven years,' Cheves told Metro. 'I lost my husband, both in-laws, my only sister, two brothers and a sister-in-law in fairly rapid succession.' 'When we started this project, we needed a new life, something fun, different and happy,' Cheves added. A sign saying 'Hogwarts Inn Express' is fixed to the outside of the house, along with another that refers to Platform 9 , the fictional train platform in the Harry Potter books and films. Inside there are plenty of references to each of the houses in Hogwarts. The tiny home, measures a compact 204 square feet, and is in Asheville, North Carolina The home called 'Hogwarts Inn Express' is built on a RV-compliant trailer so it can be full steam ahead if the need arises In the kitchen, alongside a large sink, fridge, and portable oven are dispensers fixed to the wall to be filled with Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans The house was created by Jan Cheves and her daughter Emily who worked in finance before deciding to set up their own construction business building fantasy themed houses The smaller loft is accessed by a 'Cupboard Under the Stairs', a nod to Harry's bedroom in Privet Drive 'When we started this project, we needed a new life, something fun, different and happy,' Jan Cheves said In the kitchen, alongside a large sink, fridge, and portable oven are dispensers fixed to the wall to be filled with Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. The home is built on a RV-compliant trailer so it can be full steam ahead if the need arises. There are two sleeping lofts. The Master loft pays homage to Ravenclaw and has enough space for a double mattress. A smaller loft is over the bathroom that fits a small twin mattress. The loft is accessed by a 'Cupboard Under the Stairs', a nod to Harry's bedroom in Privet Drive. The Gryffindor living room is done out in dark black and wood and has a convertible sofa, a TV and coffee table. Utility companies and Virgin Media have escaped with paltry fines for causing traffic chaos by allowing works to overrun, new figures reveal. Councils have the power to impose fines of up to 10,000 a day but are often charging firms only a fraction of the maximum penalty. Now motoring campaigners are demanding that local authorities clamp down on those firms that bring gridlock and distress to drivers by failing to complete works on time. Motoring campaigners are demanding that local authorities clamp down on those firms that bring gridlock and distress to drivers by failing to complete works on time [File photo] The level of fines councils can impose ranges from a maximum of 10,000 a day on busy streets to 250 a day for quieter roads. But some councils are issuing penalties that fall far short of the legal maximum, according to figures released under Freedom of Information requests. Virgin Media was fined just 1,925 by North Somerset Councils for a 24-day overrun on laying broadband cables in the town of Congresbury. At 80 a day, it was less than a third of the maximum charge. Water company Severn Trent was charged only 217 per working day for overrunning works on a busy A-road in Leicester. Work on part of the A426 in 2017 was delayed by 100 days. Some councils are issuing penalties that fall far short of the legal maximum, according to figures released under Freedom of Information requests [File photo] And North Yorkshire Council revealed that Yorkshire Water was given a penalty far below the maximum, receiving a fine of just 21,125 for a 224-day overrun on works in Ampleforth. AA president Edmund King said: How often do we see that empty trench, with temporary lights, and not a worker in sight? How often is that skip taking up a lane of traffic? We really need to get smarter about avoiding congestion due to overrunning roadworks. Animal activists are fuming after a group of fishermen caught and killed an enormous black marlin. Outrage was sparked when pictures were posted online of the massive 650 kilogram black marlin, which was caught off the Fraser Island coast in Queensland this week. Social media users slammed the group, calling them 'cruel' for killing the creature. Outrage was sparked when pictures were posted online of the massive 650 kilogram Black Marlin, which was caught off the Fraser Island coast in Queensland this week Social media users have slammed the group, calling them 'cruel' for killing the creature 'Good work heroes! Another animal killed for a photo op, well done,' one person said. 'This is so wrong, so many people trying to justify that it's okay because it died in the fight to get it in.. why can't you see how horrible that is?' another person person said. 'This poor thing is just living its life in the deep blue when all of a sudden its getting dragged through the water by a hook in it mouth, stressing out, not having a clue what is going on, then to die because of it all. Human impact is a scary thing.' 'Let's hope it's used for something otherwise it's just like a fat American standing over a lion in Africa it's a pity this beautiful fish died otherwise.' 'This is so wrong, so many people trying to justify that it's okay because it died in the fight to get it in.. why can't you see how horrible that is?' one social media user said However, one user was quick to point out unlike Lions, swordfish are not endangered. The group who posted the photo, called Fishing with Scotto, responded to the criticism saying big game anglers tag and release more than 95 per cent of their catch. The group also said commercial fishing fleets around the world kill and process thousands of tonnes of marlin, including around 15,000 tonnes from the Indian Ocean each year and 300 tonnes of striped marlin from Australian waters. A baby boomer has unleashed on 'selfish, virtue-signalling' school kids for skipping class to protest against climate change. The man's rant, which went viral after being posted online, came after thousands of students walked out of class on Friday to demand federal government action on climate change in a series of coordinated rallies across Australia. Shared to Facebook, the man's scathing attack began by addressing school kids who went on strike for climate change. 'You are the first generation who have required air-conditioning in every classroom. You want TV in every room and your classes are all computerized,' he wrote. 'More than ever, you don't walk or ride bikes to school but arrive in caravans of private cars that choke suburban roads and worsen rush hour traffic.' A baby boomer has unleashed on 'selfish, virtue-signalling' school kids who protested against climate change in savage social media post (pictured) The man then continued by taking a swipe at young people's consumer culture, arguing the youth of today opts to replace 'expensive luxury items to stay trendy'. 'How about this... tell your teachers to switch off the air-con.' 'Walk or ride to school. Switch off your devices and read a book. Make a sandwich instead of buying manufactured goods.' The post takes a turn, targeting the character traits of young Australians. 'No, none of this will happen because you are uneducated, selfish, virtue signaling little turds inspired by the adults around you who crave a feeling of having a ''noble cause'' while they indulge themselves in Western luxury and unprecedented quality of life.' The man's post argued children were being used as 'political pawns' in a continuous game of seeking votes. 'This is weapons-grade autism at it's malignant best,' he finished. Protesters gather in Sydney on Friday (pictured) - they demanded the government take action on climate change One viewer said the letter was 'great', claiming the children were 'brainwashed and spoilt' Another said 'it's a different world today' claiming they were glad they grew up without devices and material objects The viral post was met with support and criticism by a number of social media users eager to share their opinion on the matter. One viewer said the letter was 'great', claiming the children were 'brainwashed and spoilt'. Another said 'it's a different world today' claiming they were glad they grew up without devices and material objects. 'Everything was homemade and all paper bags and cardboard boxes were repurposed,' they wrote. Other social media users commended the children for taking action on an issue they were passionate about 'I am proud of them standing up for what they believe in,' commented one viewer Many drew attention to the fact the climate change problems on earth were not created by the school kids but the generations before them Other social media users commended the children for taking action on an issue they were passionate about. 'Today's society has been created at a great cost and well done kids for taking your action,' wrote one viewer. 'I am proud of them standing up for what they believe in,' commented another. Many drew attention to the fact climate change was not created by the school kids but the generations before them. 'Why take it out on the kids who have to inherit this s***y planet which I might add we f****d up as adults'. A student who skipped school to take part in the political rally has his say on Friday The Sydney rally on Friday attracted plenty of people keen to see the government address the issue of climate change The 'Strike 4 Climate Action' rallies involved children in capital cities as well as 20 regional centres across Australia. An estimated 1000 protesters packed Sydney's Martin Place in the CBD on Friday afternoon, chanting 'climate action now,' with similar numbers in Melbourne. The series of rallies were inspired by Greta Thunberg, a teenager who went on strike ahead of Sweden's national election. She demanded the country's leader address climate change back in September. Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan slammed the thousands of students who skipped school to protest climate change action in an extraordinary rant. Students gathering in Sydney's CBD on Friday to demand a government response on climate change Not everyone was a fan of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) Mr Canavan said students who truanted from the classroom 'may as well learn to join the dole queue.' 'These are the type of things that excite young children and we should be great at as a nation,' he told 2GB radio on Friday. 'Taking off school and protesting? You don't learn anything from that. 'The best thing you'll learn about going to a protest is how to join the dole queue. Because that's what your future life will look like, up in a line asking for a handout, not actually taking charge for your life and getting a real job.' Whether served with a squeeze of lemon or spread on sourdough toast, its the delicious superfood thats become a staple of trendy cafes up and down the country. But avocados are being dropped from the menu because of fears that their increasing popularity is not so good for the health of the planet. One cafe owner has led the backlash, saying she will no longer sell avocados because they damage the environment and even enrich criminal cartels. Avocados are increasingly being dropped from menus over fears that their increasing popularity is not so good for the health of the planet Katy Brills dish of two poached eggs and watercress hollandaise with avocado on toasted brioche or sourdough priced at 8.50 was the most popular item on her menu at the Wild Strawberry cafe near Prestwood in Buckinghamshire. But having regularly served up to a thousand avocados a week, she has now taken them off the menu in the cafe she runs in a yurt alongside her familys farm shop at Peterley Manor Farm. In a post on Instagram she wrote: Dear customers, we have some news for you. As of today, we will no longer be serving avocado in the yurt. This is not a joke. Controversial? Absolutely... Were as acquainted as the next person with our weekly intake of smashed avocado toast but this is something we have thought long and hard about. Giving her reasons, she explained: Food miles. It doesnt take a genius to work out that food tastes better when it hasnt been flown 5,000 miles. She added: Sustainability. The Western worlds obsession with avocado has been placing unprecedented demand on avocado farmers, pushing up prices to the point where there are even reports of Mexican drug cartels controlling lucrative exports. Katy Brills ditched the avocado despite it being the most popular item on her menu at the Wild Strawberry cafe near Prestwood in Buckinghamshire She has now replaced avocado with sauteed garlic mushrooms. Ms Brill, 30, told The Mail on Sunday: It may turn out to be the worst business decision I have ever made but at the moment my customers support me. Earlier this year, Tincan Coffee cafe in Bristol dropped avocado, replacing it with pea guacamole made with peas, onion, garlic and chilli. Assistant manager Davey Gibbs, 32, said: We felt avocados didnt fit in with our core beliefs about sustainability. We want to reduce our impact any way we can. And in the London hipster enclave of Peckham, the Wildflower vegetarian restaurant has joined the ban. Chef Joseph Ryan said he was disturbed by reports of killings after Mexican gangsters got involved in the lucrative trade. Mr Ryan said: To be honest, I also think we might just be entering a post-avocado era. Crime victims will soon talk to a computer when they contact police to report offences. Police chatbots will take reports from members of the public by text message or online, recording details of their ordeal and giving advice in response, under the new system. Victims using an Amazon Alexa will be able to actually speak with the robocop and hear its replies. The chatbot will also record evidence such as CCTV footage. Victims using an Amazon Alexa will be able to actually speak with the robocop As The Mail on Sunday has reported, police forces across England and Wales are increasingly keen for the public to report crimes online rather than in person or over the phone. But Northamptonshire Police is taking this a stage further with the introduction of the computer program that will replace control-room call handlers. Police chiefs hope the system being launched by the force later this month will cut demand on the 101 non-emergency number and save money. But critics say it risks making the police yet more remote, following the closure of hundreds of police stations and the axing of thousands of bobbies on the beat. Simon Clifford, Director of Technology and Digital Transformation for Northamptonshires policing tsar, told The Mail on Sunday that the Digital 101 project will allow wider engagement via chat software on phones/computers. He said: It will allow the reporting of crime, intelligence reports and the delivery of police information akin to calling 101 through an intuitive interface on users preferred communications platform including Facebook Messenger, Skype and WhatsApp. Crime will be able to be reported through Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp In a presentation given to a recent conference on bot technology, Clifford explained that the technology was being introduced because police are losing evidence and intelligence as too many calls are left on hold by control-room call operatives. He also stressed that the new system helped the police capture video, data and text evidence. It was developed for smartphone-users because of their popularity, he said, and because people prefer the immediacy of text chat. It will work on existing platforms such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Snapchat and Skype rather than a dedicated police app, as this will reduce cost. As well as taking in information from crime victims, the chatbot will be able to give out advice and issue witness appeals. A report seen by this newspaper shows that the Metropolitan Police, Britains biggest force, is also investigating the technology. The report predicts that within 18 months, police will receive calls from devices such as Apple watches and Fitbit bands, or cars equipped with new emergency systems. That contact may be triggered by the human issuing a command to their bot, or it may be automatically generated by the bot through AI, it said. Last night Harry Fletcher, organiser of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group on Victims of Crime, said: This is more evidence of police becoming more and more remote from the community and victims they serve. To ask people to talk to a computer rather than a person minimises the impact of the crime and risks undermining victims confidence in the justice system. Plans to downgrade universities where students receive only a few hours of teaching each week have been quietly shelved. A backlash from vice-chancellors has forced the higher education regulator to abandon its proposal to consider the amount of lectures and tutorials on offer when awarding new rankings for degree courses. From next year, universities will be awarded either a gold, silver or bronze status for the quality of teaching offered in each degree subject. Factors that will influence the rating will include student satisfaction surveys and whether graduates go on to well-paid jobs. Plans to downgrade universities where students receive only a few hours of teaching each week have been quietly shelved But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that plans to take into account how many hours of teaching students get and the size of the classes have been abandoned by the Office for Students (OfS). The U-turn follows fierce opposition from university chiefs who argued that quantity does not always equal quality and that independent study is an essential part of a degree. Critics last night slammed the decision and complained that some rip-off degrees were charging students 9,250 a year in fees for as little as six hours of lectures and tutorials a week. Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said: It should not be too much to expect those selling degree courses to deliver adequate tuition. This lack of teaching is making too many degree courses a fraudulent racket. Sir Anthony Seldon, vice-chancellor of Buckingham University, added: The omission of this measure weakens the ranking and prevents students and parents from accessing information that they have a right to know. The move means the only way that students can compare contact hours is to search individual university websites. Even then, institutions use different ways to measure teaching time and some do not provide figures at all. Research consistently shows the number of hours in lectures to be a major source of dissatisfaction among undergraduates. A survey of 14,000 students this year found those with fewer than nine hours a week of contact time were most likely to feel they were not getting value for money. Teaching time varies massively, with some students receiving almost five times as much contact time as those taking the same subject at a different university. And humanities students tend to receive fewer hours than those in science degrees, despite often paying the same fees. Chris McGovern (pictured above) said: It should not be too much to expect those selling degree courses to deliver adequate tuition' However, Yvonne Hawkins, director of teaching excellence at the OfS, said a trial had shown that teaching intensity metrics were not the best way to decide ratings. University College London said the OfS had recognised that it is not the quantity of the hours that matter, but the quality of the interaction; Goldsmiths in London said a measure of contact hours did not take into account factors such as practical exercises, study groups and fieldwork; and Exeter University said it aimed to help students become independent learners. The Department for Education said the OfS was looking at how best to report teaching hours. A female officer on one of Britains nuclear submarines was left with serious facial injuries after a fight with three male colleagues at a top-secret military base, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. According to sources, the lieutenant from HMS Artful required hospital treatment for a suspected broken jaw after being struck by one of the men at the Faslane dockyard in Scotland. A pair of junior seaman who came to her aid were also beaten up during the incident, which will cause huge embarrassment for Royal Navy chiefs. HMS Ambush alongside Valiant Jetty at Faslane dockyard in Scotland According to military sources, senior Naval officers were so determined to prevent details leaking out that they forced witnesses to sign confidentiality agreements. Last night, the Royal Navy confirmed military police were investigating the brawl. But a spokesman refused to answer basic questions about where and when it took place, and the ranks of those involved, because it was now under investigation. Speaking anonymously, one witness told The Mail on Sunday the incident involved men from another Astute-class sub, HMS Ambush. The source said: It happened just over a week ago. Three young male officers from HMS Ambush starting picking on the female officer and verbally abusing her. At first other crew on the dockside just ignored them but it went on too long and she was getting upset. The fight broke out when two juniors from HMS Artful stepped in to protect her. One was headbutted in the face and she was elbowed really hard. The three male officers were really out of control so I hope Navy chiefs kick them out. I dont know why they were picking on her, it wasnt nice to see. The incident was reported and the three officers were removed from HMS Ambush for questioning. I think two of them were cadet officers. They may have already left the submarine service as a result of this incident while the third officer, who is fully qualified, is awaiting the outcome of the naval police inquiry. The female officer is said to be an engineering officer aboard HMS Artful with special responsibility for the sophisticated sonar, tactical and communications systems. In recent weeks HMS Ambush has been patrolling the North Sea in an effort to prevent incursions into British waters by Russian submarines. She undertook these operations with the Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans. The British Royal Navy's Astute Class attack submarine, HMS Ambush, the second of the Royal Navyis new Astute Class attack submarines, sailing into Her Majestyis Naval Base Clyde, Faslane, Scotland HMS Ambush, which was launched in 2011, achieved notoriety off the coast of Gibraltar in 2016 when she crashed into a tanker, MV Andreas, causing 2.1 million damage. Commander Justin Codd later pleaded guilty at a court martial to negligently hazarding the sub during a training exercise. HMS Ambush, one of the Royal Navys 7,400-ton Astute-class vessels, carries what are described as world-leading sensors to detect other submarines and surface ships. Cmdr Codd told the court he had taken his eye off the ball. Last October, nine submariners from another Faslane-based boat, HMS Vigilant, were dismissed after it emerged they had failed drugs tests following cocaine-fuelled parties while at a US naval base. Both of Vigilants commanding officers also found themselves embroiled in controversy because of sexual affairs with subordinates. And in September, The Mail on Sunday reported how six Royal Navy sailors were arrested in Flordia for drunk and disorderly behaviour in the US after the first transatlantic voyage of Britains 3 billion aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, nicknamed Big Lizzie. Police used tasers after a brawl broke out in an Irish bar. In response to our questions about the Faslane brawl, a Navy spokesman said: We can confirm that the Royal Naval Police are investigating an alleged incident involving members of a Scottish based unit. As this is an ongoing investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further. Millions of people will be able to check the size of their retirement income at the stroke of a keyboard under plans being announced by Theresa May today. The first so-called pensions dashboard will be launched next year, allowing people to access the total combined value of separate pension pots, plus the state pension, in one place for the first time. Ministers say the reform is essential to alert people if they need to be paying more to ensure they have enough income after they retire. The first so-called pensions dashboard will be launched next year Over a quarter of people aged 55 and not yet retired say they do not know the full size of their pension savings. The dashboard idea was first floated by George Osborne when Chancellor in 2016, but stalled when Esther McVey became Work and Pensions Secretary. Now, following Ms McVeys resignation from the Cabinet over Mrs Mays Brexit plan, No 10 has ramped up preparations. Ministers will launch a public consultation over how the new pensions portal will work in practice. Mrs May said: This Government is committed to helping people plan for their future and making sure they can look forward to a more secure retirement that theyve worked all their lives for. It needs to be easier for people to be able to make informed choices on their pension pots. Thats why bringing pensions online will transform retirement planning giving people straightforward access to all their pension information in a single place. I welcome the industrys commitment to make this new technology a reality, she added. Guy Opperman, Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion, said: Pensions dashboards are another major milestone in our radical pension reforms, harnessing innovative technology to benefit savers. Bringing pensions information into the digital age has the potential to revolutionise the way we all plan for later life. People, young and old, should have all the help they need to get ready for retirement and, working with industry, we will ensure that they do. Officials said the Government would be working closely with the pensions industry to offer a range of dashboards for people to choose from. The development and design of dashboards would be pensions-industry-led and backed by legislation where necessary. The Department for Work and Pensions would also liaise with the Pensions Regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority and industry organisations to make sure that appropriate controls were in place to protect consumers and their personal information. A key Jeremy Corbyn ally was forced to quit yesterday after being accused of wanting to smash the face in of a reporter asking when she first knew about her sons drug offences conviction. Kate Osamor resigned from Labours Shadow Cabinet hours after reports she had told the journalist to f*** off from outside her home and thrown a bucket of water at him. Ms Osamor, whose son Ishmael pleaded guilty in September to having 2,500 worth of drugs with intent to supply, also allegedly told the reporter she should have come down here with a bat and smashed your face in. Kate Osamor resigned from Labours Shadow Cabinet hours after reports she had told the journalist to f*** off and threatened him The North London MP was being challenged to answer claims she had misled the public over when she first knew of the drugs conviction against her son, whom she still employs in her Commons office. But within barely 24 hours of the confrontation, Ms Osamor a close supporter of the Labour leader quit as Mr Corbyns Shadow International Development Secretary and Mr Corbyn was forced to interrupt a trip to Mexico, for the inauguration of the countrys new president, to confirm she was going. Her drug supplier son works at the Commons ... mum is off to the Lords Despite earning 130,000 between them, Kate Osamor and her drug dealer son Ishmael live in a social housing property in North London. Dorset Police custody picture of Ishmael Osamor Such homes are intended for those on low incomes yet earlier this month it emerged that Osamor, paid 77,000 a year, voted against raising rent for high earners living in social housing. In three votes in 2015 and 2016, she also blocked proposals that would have seen her pay market rent. The plans classed high earners as households where two adults earn 20,000 each or more. Since being convicted of possessing drugs with intent to supply, her son has kept his taxpayer-funded Commons job as her communications officer. The prosecution accepted he was not selling drugs. Next week the MPs mother, Martha, takes her place in the House of Lords as Baroness Osamor after being nominated by Jeremy Corbyn. Advertisement Her departure amounts to a personal humiliation for the Labour leader who has stood by Ms Osamor and who nominated her mother, community activist Martha Osamor, for a peerage, which she is formally due to take up this week. The North London MP has faced questions over when she first knew of her sons conviction and her decision to continue to employ him in her Commons office. Labour has previously insisted she was unaware of the case until her son was sentenced in October. But yesterday, The Times revealed that she wrote to the trial judge asking for leniency for Ishmael, 29, and stressing his remorse. When the newspaper went to question Ms Osamor at her home on Friday night, she reportedly heaped abuse on the reporter and called in the police, accusing him of stalking her. A Met spokesman said: Officers attended and spoke with both parties. No offences were disclosed and no further allegations were made to police. But when The Mail on Sunday called at her property yesterday, she declined to answer the door and instead sent a Sky technician working at her home to say she was not available while she called the police again. On this occasion, Scotland Yard dispatched four officers. While two went inside the house, the others positioned themselves outside in a car and asked The Mail on Sunday reporter what he was doing. Later, one of the officers emerged to say that Ms Osamor regretted threatening The Times reporter. She was a bit tired, emotional... a little bit upset, he said. I think she reacted in a way she regrets now. When this newspaper asked the Met to explain why four officers were dispatched because a journalist knocked on her door, a spokesman said: We cant say. But last night, one Labour MP said privately: At time of stabbings across London, should we really be sending four officers to help out an MP whos trying to avoid answering legitimate questions? Ms Osamor's resignation statement shared on Twitter after her verbal tirade at a reporter Ms Osamor, whose son Ishmael pleaded guilty in September to having 2,500 worth of drugs with intent to supply, also allegedly told the reporter she should have come down here with a bat and smashed your face in Ms Osamor did not respond to questions from The Mail on Sunday about her behaviour on Friday evening. But she faced mockery yesterday for tweeting earlier on Friday how she had been knocking on doors in Edmonton speaking to residents about the recent violent incidents. In her resignation statement, Ms Osamor said she was quitting to concentrate on supporting my family through the difficult time we have been experiencing. Mr Corbyn thanked her for her work as our Shadow Secretary of State for International Development adding: 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 backbenches. But one senior Labour Shadow Minister said: If she did behave as reported, its a disgrace. MPs are trying to stamp out Westminsters bullying reputation you cant have an MP seemingly threatening violence against a reporter doing their job. Vice Admiral Scott Stearney was found dead in his Bahrain home on Saturday The admiral who oversees US Navy forces in the Middle East has been found dead at his home in Bahrain of a 'suspected suicide'. Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, who took over command of the 5th Fleet and Naval Forces Central Command in May, was found dead on Saturday. He was 58. Officials say no foul play is suspected and defense officials told CBS News they are calling it an 'apparent suicide'. 'This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at Fifth Fleet and for the entire Navy,' Admiral John Richardson, chief of naval operations, said in a video statement. 'Scott Stearney was a decorated Naval warrior. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was a good friend to all,' the statement said. 'The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of the Interior are cooperating on the investigation, but at this time no foul play is suspected,' said Richardson. U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Scott A. Stearney is seen speaking in May after taking command of the 5th Fleet. He was found dead in his home in Bahrain on Saturday The Fifth Fleet's deputy commander, Rear Admiral Paul Schlise, assumed command in the wake of Stearney's death. Stearney was a native of Chicago who entered the Navy in 1982, after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in economics, according to his official biography. He later obtained a master's degree from the National Defense University. In the Navy, he served in several strike fighter squadrons flying the FA-18 Hornet. His fleet assignments include the Golden Warriors of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-87, the Knighthawks of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-136 and strike warfare officer for commander, Carrier Group 4. Vice Admiral Scott Stearney speaks on the 1MC shipboard intercom to welcome the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) to Manama, Bahrain in October Stearney commanded the Wildcats of VFA-131 and Carrier Air Wing Seven embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. In his career, he accumulated more than 4,500 mishap free flight hours and over 1,000 carrier-arrested landings. He served in Kabul, Afghanistan, as chief of staff of Joint Task Force 435 and later Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435. Stearney was decorated with the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal, as well as other commendations and awards. A dog owner whose one-year-old German Shepherd died after being left inside a locked car for hours without water has been charged with animal cruelty. The dog was spotted lying limp inside a locked ute parked in Coffs Harbour, on the New South Wales north coast, on Wednesday afternoon. Concerned bystanders called emergency services but the dog was pronounced dead by the time local officers arrived at the scene at about 2pm. Police allege the owner, a 45-year-old man, had locked the dog inside the car while he spent several hours at a nearby licensed venue. A dog owner has been charged after leaving his one-year-old German Shepherd locked inside a vehicle for a number of hours (stock image) According to the Bureau of Meteorology the maximum temperature recorded near Coffs Harbour Airport was 28.7C. The incident occurred on the same day New South Wales' east coast was hit by wet weather and storms. The Bureau said the area was hit by the storm at about 1pm causing temperatures to drop to about 26.5C by 2pm. The man, from Queensland, was issued a a Future Court Attendance Notice for commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal. Emergency services attended the scene on the Pacific Highway at about 2pm and local officers commenced inquiries Pictured: A dog was locked in a car for six-and-a-half hours in Sydney's eastern suburbs before a passer-by smashed the car window in a failed attempt to save the dog, December 2017 Pet owners have been reminded to spare a thought for their pet dogs after the Bureau forecast a scorching summer across Australia. Most of the country had an 80 per cent chance of exceeding normal temperatures over the next three months, with Victoria the only state predicated to get average rainfall. The sweltering weather can be fatal for dogs, who pant because they don't perspire. Frozen treats and ice cubes in the water bowl are great for dogs feeling the heat. The best time to walk dogs is at sunrise and sunset as the hot bitumen in the middle of the day can burn their paws. Pet owners have been reminded to spare a thought for their beloved four-legged friends after the Bureau forecast a scorching summer across Australia (stock image) RSPCA Queensland issued a warning last week after it received more than 230 reports of heat stress in cars and backyards in November. 'The figures since the beginning of the year are even more alarming,' RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said. 'We've had 1, 126 reports of animals being left in hot cars and 2,026 of animals being left with no shelter or shade!' Pets should never be left unattended in a motor vehicle or in the back of a ute. 'If it's 30 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can potentially rise to well over 40 degrees in less than five minutes,' Mr Beatty said. If you see a distressed dog in a hot car unattended, call the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL. A teenage thug who was handed a suspended sentence for wielding a zombie knife in a shocking street attack had previously been let off with only a community order after threatening a 12-year-old schoolboy with a weapon. There was public outrage last week when Joshua Gardner, 18, avoided jail despite being filmed brandishing the massive knife on the streets of Croydon, South London and hammering at a car window as he tried to attack the terrified driver. Now The Mail on Sunday can reveal that three months before the crime in May, Gardner was handed a youth rehabilitation order for attempting to rob a 12-year-old. There was public outrage last week when Joshua Gardner, 18, avoided jail despite being filmed brandishing the massive knife Gardner pulled out a pocket knife and demanded the youngsters phone and wallet as he walked to school in Croydon in March 2017. Gardner was found guilty of one count of attempted robbery after a trial at Croydon Magistrates Court in February. But magistrates decided not to send him to prison and instead gave him a 12-month youth rehabilitation order. He was also ordered to pay 100 in compensation and costs of 50. Despite being given a second chance, shocking dash-cam footage showed Gardner, then aged 17, brandishing the enormous blade on London Road, Croydon just weeks later. He repeatedly smashed it against the windows and doors of a blue Volkswagen Polo as he threatened the 19-year-old driver, who got out of the car and fled. Gardner was found guilty at the Old Bailey of attempted grievous bodily harm. He also admitted affray and having an offensive weapon. But Judge Anuja Dhir spared him from an immediate jail sentence, despite being presented with a probation report detailing his previous conviction. The teenage thug pulled out a huge zombie knife and used it to smash a car's window, while the driver was inside Gardners barrister told the judge he had suffered a ten-day kidnap ordeal in April at the hands of a rival gang. The judge told Gardner that the kidnapping had reduced your culpability. Attorney General Geoffrey Cox has announced there will be a review of Gardners case. It may be referred to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that his two-year suspended sentence is unduly lenient. Gardner is said to be a known member of the G Lane gang in Croydon and has reportedly appeared in violent drill rap music videos, with lyrics boasting about stabbings and shootings. Harry Fletcher, of the Victims Rights Campaign, said: Cases like this make you wonder what you have to do to be sent to prison. Chancellor Philip Hammond has dealt a blow to Home Secretary Sajid Javid by earmarking just 90 million in extra funds from the Treasury to combat Wild West Britains soaring crime rate. Ministers are set to boast that some 160 million has been approved from Whitehall to ease overstretched police budgets. But The Mail on Sunday can reveal 70 million of this cash will have to come from re-prioritising other Home Office spending, rather than being new money from the Chancellor. Queensland firefighters battling bushfires are gearing up for more volatile conditions as scorching temperatures approach. More than 100 fires continue to burn across the state with temperatures forecast to soar over 40 degrees in many inland districts on Sunday. Dry and hot conditions have pushed the fire rating to severe, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. More than 100 fires continue to burn across the state with temperatures forecast to soar over 40 degrees in many inland districts on Sunday Dry and hot conditions have pushed the fire rating to severe, according to the Bureau of Meteorology Thunderstorms are expected to hit the state, but instead of bringing rain they are expected to start more fires caused by 'dry lightning'. The nightmarish weather continues as meteorologist predict a tropical low off the state's northeast coast becoming a cyclone heading southwest towards Cairns. Bushfires at Deepwater and Eungella in central Queensland, as well as at Carnarvon in the southwest and on North Stradbroke Island, near Brisbane, remain the most concerning. 'This exceptional heat and fire event just keeps continuing, the records are just too numerous to mention,' meteorologist Bruce Gunn said. The nightmarish weather continues as meteorologist predict a tropical low off the state's northeast coast becoming a cyclone heading southwest towards Cairns Bushfires at Deepwater and Eungella in central Queensland, as well as at Carnarvon in the southwest and on North Stradbroke Island, near Brisbane, remain the most concerning Thunderstorms are expected to hit the state, but instead of bringing rain they are expected to start more fires caused by 'dry lightning' 'There is still some days to go until we some relief ... there is no significant rain on the horizon especially in central Queensland before Tuesday.' QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll says 'concerning' days lay ahead for Queensland. 'We're not out of the woods ... it is a moving feast, the change of the winds present those challenges and the heatwave, and when you put all of this together it is a difficult concoction to deal with,' she said. A young man has died as he battled to contain the bushfires. The 21-year-old man from Rolleston, south of Emerald, was using a chainsaw to cut down a tree for a firebreak when the tree fell on him QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll says 'concerning' days lay ahead for Queensland More than 400 interstate firefighters are battling the bushfires with the help of 20 aircraft. A young man has died as he battled to contain the bushfires. The 21-year-old man from Rolleston, south of Emerald, was using a chainsaw to cut down a tree for a firebreak when the tree fell on him. Fires have destroyed four homes in the Deepwater region along with a number of sheds and vehicles. A 59-year-old aged-care worker accused of sexually assaulting a vulnerable 89-year-old woman in his care will face court over the alleged attack. The man was working at a Thirlmere Way aged-care centre in Picton, in New South Wales' Macarthur region when the alleged sexual assault took place. He was arrested by officers from the Camden Police Area Command on Saturday from a home in Eschol Park. An 89-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by one of her carers at her aged care facility (stock image) Officers started an investigation after receiving information an elderly woman had allegedly been sexually abused on October 8. The alleged sex attacker was taken to Narellan Police Station and charged with aggravated sexual assault. He was refused bail and is due to appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday. When Daily Mail Australia attempted to contact an aged care facility in Thirlmere Way, they declined to comment. The facility offers shared and single rooms with a share community where residents have planned daily activities, socials and dining spaces. Theresa May has given her backing to police drivers who ram moped gangs off the road. The Prime Minister said it was absolutely right that officers provide a robust response to thieves and muggers who are terrorising parts of London. She spoke out after Scotland Yard sparked controversy by showing footage of its Operation Venice units deliberately driving into moped and motorbike riders during chases. Asked about the row during her trip to Argentina, Mrs May said: The people on these mopeds are acting unlawfully, they are committing crimes and I think its absolutely right that we see a robust police response to that. The Met said it showed that specially trained drivers will use tactical contact to catch suspects, even if they take their helmets off. But while the tough tactic was praised by the public and Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Labours Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott called it dangerous. Some of the suspects have suffered broken bones, while there are concerns that police drivers will be disciplined and even prosecuted if a chase ends in serious injury. But asked about the row during her trip to Argentina, Mrs May said: The people on these mopeds are acting unlawfully, they are committing crimes and I think its absolutely right that we see a robust police response to that. Popular astrophysicist and TV host Neil deGrasse Tyson has hit back at accusations that he made unwanted sexual advances to three women over a 30 year period. Tyson, a married father-of-two, and the host of 'Cosmos' on Fox in 2014 and a new edition of the series set to air on National Geographic next year, is to be investigated by FOX and National Geographic Networks after the allegations from two of the women were published by Patheos.com on Thursday. On Saturday night Tyson took to Facebook and Twitter to give his side of the story saying in a statement that although he had 'declined comment on the grounds that serious accusations should not be adjudicated in the press ... clearly I cannot continue to stay silent. So below I offer my account of each accusation.' Celebrity astronomer Neil deGrasse Tyson has hit back at accusations that he made unwanted sexual advances against three women over a 30 year period Tyson took to Facebook and Twitter to present an 'account of each accusation' which span from the early 80s to 2018 Tyson goes on to address the allegations from 2009 and 2018. He also references a blog post by a third woman, Tchiya Amet, from her 2014 blog post alleging that Tyson drugged and raped her in 1984. Dr. Katelyn N. Allers, a physics professor at Bucknell University, alleged to Patheos that Tyson 'felt her up' at an after-party following an American Astronomical Society conference in Long Beach, California in 2009. Allers said Tyson began to take keen interest in her tattoo, which depicts the solar system and extends from Allers' arm to her back and collar bone. Allers and Tyson had photos taken together after which Allers alleged Tyson 'grabbed her' proceeding to 'look for Pluto' and followed the tattoo 'into my dress.' In his statement, Tyson tackles the allegations. 'Many in my fan-base can attest, I get almost giddy if I notice you're wearing cosmic bling clothing or jewelry or tattoos that portray the universe, either scientifically or artistically,' he writes. He goes on to say he doesn't 'explicitly remember searching for Pluto ...' but that 'it is surely something I would have done in that situation. As we all know, I have professional history with the demotion of Pluto, which had occurred officially just three years earlier.' Dr. Katelyn N. Allers, a physics professor at Bucknell University, (pictured above) alleges Tyson groped her. Tyson denies the allegation However, he denies groping Allers or searching 'up her dress,' adding it was 'simply a search under the covered part of her shoulder of the sleeveless dress.' Allers said that Tyson's behavior was not severe enough to warrant a complaint about sexual assault but stated it was 'creepy behavior.' Tyson said he didn't know Allers found his behavior creepy and that it wasn't his intent and that he is 'deeply sorry' he made her feel that way. He goes on to say he will be more 'sensitive to people's personal space, even in the midst of my planetary enthusiasm.' A second woman, Ashley Watson, told Patheos that she quit her job as Tyson's assistant after her boss made inappropriate sexual advances toward her in the summer of 2018. Watson said Tyson invited her to his apartment one night after work to 'share a bottle of wine' and 'unwind for a couple of hours.' Watson said she felt pressure to impress her boss so went along. In his statement, Tyson remembers the evening differently. He mentions spending 'upwards of a hundred hours in one-on-one conversation' with Watson covering numerous topics and developing a friendship when she was working as his assistant. Tyson references Watson hugging people on set but said he 'expressly rejected each hug offered frequently during the Production. But in its place I offered a handshake, and on a few occasions, clumsily declared, 'If I hug you I might just want more.' My intent was to express restrained but genuine affection.' Tyson says he invited Watson to have wine and cheese one evening but there was 'no pressure' for her to come along. 'She freely chose to come by for wine & cheese and I was delighted,' he said. Ashley Watson (pictured above) quit as Tyson's personal assistant after wine and cheese at his house. Tyson said he didn't try and seduce her but offered her a 'special handshake' in friendship Watson says Tyson made suggestive comments during her visit that contained sexual innuendos. He allegedly began talking about human beings needing certain 'releases.' Watson said at one point Tyson engaged in a 'Native American handshake' in which both of them held hands tightly, made eye contact, and felt for each other's pulse. Tyson told Watson that the handshake was a 'spirit connection.' Tyson acknowledges he did offer 'a special handshake,' but that he hadn't touched Watson up until that point. 'You extend your thumb forward during the handshake to feel the other person's vital spirit energy -- the pulse. I've never forgotten that handshake, and I save it in appreciation of people with whom I've developed new friendships,' Tyson wrote. Tyson's Facebook statements ends with an 'overview' in which he states he welcomes an independent investigation by Fox and National Geographic Networks Tyson mentions in his statement that Watson told him afterwards that she felt 'creeped out' by the visit. 'She viewed the invite as an attempt to seduce her, even though she sat across the wine & cheese table from me, and all conversation had been in the same vein as all other conversations we ever had,' Tyson said. 'At that last meeting in my office, I apologized profusely. She accepted the apology. And I assured her that had I known she was uncomfortable, I would have apologized on the spot, ended the evening ... She nonetheless declared it her last day, with only a few days left of production.' Tyson added. The final allegations Tyson addresses in his statement are those from Tchiya Amet, a a musician, teacher and former classmate of Tyson's who studied galactic astronomy in the graduate program at the University of Texas in Austin. Amet wrote a blog post in 2014 in which she accused Tyson of drugging her and rape, which she alleged took place in 1984. '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,' Amet said. Tyson says Tchiya Amet, who was a classmate of Tyson's at the University of Texas in Austin, has a 'false memory' and that he did not drug or rape her Tyson acknowledges in his statement that he had a brief relationship with Amet. 'I remember being intimate only a few times, all at her apartment, but the chemistry wasn't there. So the relationship faded quickly. There was nothing otherwise odd or unusual about this friendship.' He said Amet had dropped out of the graduate program and he'd later ran into her while she was pregnant and he 'wished her well in motherhood and in whatever career path would follow.' Tyson mentions how he read Amet's blog post in 2014 that coincided with his 'visibility-level' taking 'another jump.' 'I read a freshly posted blog accusing me of drugging and raping a woman I did not recognize by either photo or name. Turned out to be the same person who I dated briefly in graduate school. She had changed her name and lived an entire life, married with children, before this accusation,' Tyson said. Tyson goes on in his statement to say what Amet says is 'as though a false memory had been implanted, which, because it never actually happened, had to be remembered as an evening she doesn't remember. Nor does she remember waking up the next morning and going to the office. I kept a record of everything she posted, in case her stories morphed over time. So this is sad, which, for me, defies explanation,' Tyson added. The Facebook statements ends with an 'overview' in which Tyson states he welcomes an independent investigation by Fox and National Geographic Networks. Besides his numerous TV appearances, Tyson is also the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. A policewoman suffered a head injury after being beaten by brawling girls. She was attacked outside Finsbury Park station in North London on Friday. Scotland Yard said officers had been called after reports of a street fight. Scotland Yard said officers had been called after reports of a street fight outside Finsbury Park station The brawl had ended by the time they arrived but the group then turned on police when they tried to disperse them. Two girls, aged 15, were arrested on suspicion of affray. A 16-year-old was detained on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. The news comes after shocking footage showed police being attacked with bricks and fireworks after they are surrounded by 100 teenagers in Stanley town centre in Durham. A Police Community Support Officer was punched in the face during the 'appalling' scenes. One officer is heard saying 'we are asking people nicely to move away' before tensions rise and the teenagers are told to 'move back now'. A young man died at a Bring Me The Horizon gig, leaving the group 'horrified', it has emerged. The metal band, which formed in Sheffield, played at the Alexandra Palace in north London on Friday where a fan lost his life during the show. The London Ambulance Service were called at 9.48pm and sent an ambulance crew and paramedics to the venue, but the attendee was pronounced dead at the scene. Bring Me The Horizon released a statement on their Twitter page which read: 'Words cannot express how horrified we are feeling this evening after hearing about the death of a young man at our show last night. 'Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones at this terrible time. We will comment further in due course.' Bring Me The Horizon revealed that a fan had died at their gig in London's Alexandra Palace The band, made up of frontman Oli Sykes, bassist Matt Kean, guitarist Lee Malia, drummer Mat Nicholls and keyboardist Jordan Fish, offered their condolences to the young man's family Alexandra Palace also tweeted that a 'medical incident' had occurred at the BMTH show on November 30, and offered condolences. The tweet read: 'A medical incident occurred at last night's Bring Me The Horizon concert. 'Our thoughts and condolences are with the individual's family and we would like to express our deepest sympathy to them. 'We hope you can appreciate we cannot provide any further comment at this time.' Bring Me The Horizon is made up of frontman Oli Sykes, bassist Matt Kean, guitarist Lee Malia, drummer Mat Nicholls and keyboardist Jordan Fish. The group's original members formed as a hardcore death metal or 'deathcore' act in 2004, and its style evolved to become more melodic as the band grew in popularity. Alexandra Palace confirmed that a 'medical incident' had occurred at the BMTH show Fans responded to the band's tweet to offer condolences to the deceased's family and support the musical group. One Twitter user said: 'I know pits are fun but it breaks my heart that people are risking their lives by trying to have fun. I was at the gig in Birmingham and people were coming out with bloody noses and visibly broken bones. This is not what music is about.' Another said: 'So sad, was at the concert and had no idea, thoughts to family and loved ones, we were all just trying to have a good night out.' One post read: 'Oh my god my heart is shattered by this news, [mosh] pits are supposed to be fun but people should be aware of people around them. My deepest condolences go to his family and friends.' A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 9.48pm on Friday (November 30) to reports of a person unwell at Alexandra Palace in north London. 'We sent an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response car, an advanced paramedic and our hazardous area response team to the scene. 'Our first medic arrived in less than three minutes. 'Sadly the patient died at the scene.' A rape victim abused by a gang of paedophiles as a schoolgirl says she was told that she could be arrested if she didn't give the rapist access to the child he fathered. The woman, who has been called Alison to protect her identity, was just 14 years old when she was targeted by a member of the Telford grooming gang. She fell pregnant twice and was warned she could be arrested unless the alleged rapist was allowed access to see the child, Mirror Online reports. The woman, who has been called Alison to protect her identity, was just 14-years-old when she was targeted by a man embroiled in the Telford sex grooming ring (stock image) The shocking revelation comes just days after Sammy Woodhouse told how Arshid Hussain, 43, raped her and conceived a child with her - only to be told he could be granted access to see the boy. Alison described the arrangement of rapists being allowed access to children they fathered through their crimes was 'an absolute disgrace'. She said the abuser used 'the thing I love most in the world' as a way of manipulating her after the grooming gang targeted up to 1,000 girls. 'It was just another way of trying to control me,' she said. 'Despite the fact I'd repeatedly tried to tell police and social services what was going on, the court allowed him to see my child. 'I was told I would be held in contempt and arrested if I didn't take him to the contact centre.' The victim said described the arrangement of rapists being allowed access to children they fathered through their crimes was 'an absolute disgrace' Alison says she was terrified that she would go to jail as she was made to feel like she was in the wrong. And she said the trauma even passed onto her child, who suffered nightmares for years. 'It seems like the rights of victims always come second to the rights of perpetrators,' she said. 'The system re-traumatises victims like me. It allows for further emotional abuse.' Alison was targeted in the 1980s but claimed social services, police and a GP failed to listen to her. The 48-year-old said she was asked to leave school as it was 'setting a bad example' to have a baby at 15. She told authorities her abuser was a Pakistani man aged 19 - but he continued to abuse her for another two years. He did not take any responsibility for the child and was not on the birth certificate, but he continued to stalk, rape and beat her. The shocking revelation comes just days after Sammy Woodhouse (pictured) told how Arshid Hussain, 43, raped her and conceived a child with her Two years after giving birth she became pregnant again but had an abortion. She was unable to identify who the father was due to being abused by so many other men. Aged 18, she was granted an injunction against him but she claimed he violated it on 'an almost daily basis'. When she called police, they told her they could not intervene. To this day, her abuser has not been convicted of rape or any sexual offences in connection to Alison. But he was jailed for money laundering. He tried to meet with the child when the baby was aged three but contact with the child ended when the youngster was seven. West Mercia Police's Assistant Chief Constable Martin Evans said of Alison's claims: 'The case has understandably had a significant and long-lasting impact on the lady involved and her family. We do not underestimate that impact. 'Knowledge and understanding of child sexual exploitation has moved on a long way. 'I offer my reassurance to any victims who report child sexual abuse, whether it happened recently or some time ago, that they will be dealt with by our dedicated team with respect and dignity.' Shropshire Council, in charge of Telford social services at the time, did not comment. Arshid Hussain was jailed for 35 years after being convicted of raping Ms Woodhouse and assaulting young girls. He was shot in the stomach in 2005 and now uses a wheelchair On Wednesday Sammy Woodhouse told of her horror at Rotherham Council contacting her rapist to tell him he had access rights. 'As a rape victim Im constantly told hes got his human rights,' she told Victoria Derbyshire. 'What about my human rights? My main issue is I have to fight every single day for something just to be treated like a human being.' She said the council should have opposed taking the step to give Hussain access as she fights for a change in the law to deny rapists access to children they have fathered in sickening attacks. They should've fought for that child,' she said. 'What they've done is hand my son over on a plate to a rapist.' Linzi Williams spoke exclusively to MailOnline to voice her support for Miss Woodhouse. Both women were raped and impregnated by Arshid Hussain, the ringleader of the notorious grooming gang. He was not named on her son's birth certificate and had no parental responsibility for the child, who was born after his mother was raped aged just 15. The 43-year-old is serving 35 years in prison for multiple rape offences against nine victims some as young as 11. But he was contacted last year by officials from the South Yorkshire council, who said he had a right to see the child. After Miss Woodhouse told of her horror at the decision, Linzi Williams described the move as 'absolutely disgusting'. 'I am speechless that this would be allowed to happen,' she said. 'Social services supposed to protect children and people from paedophiles and rapists not give them contact. Advertisement Snow is expected to sweep across parts of Britain this week as temperatures are expected to plummet 7 degrees below zero. Initial forecasts for the first week of December predict 'yo-yo weather' affecting all areas of the UK, with many locations seeing chilly starts and showers of rain. This comes as much of the west coast of Britain and northern Scotland were battered by Storm Diana last week which brought 80mph winds and flooding. By midweek higher ground may be hit by snow as an icy Arctic blast sends chills through the UK. The peaks of the Pennines are expected to have between four and eight inches of snow and Snowdonia in North Wales could see almost an inch. Scroll down for video Competitors braced the chilly winter weather and dark skies today to take part in the London Santa Run through Victoria Park Spectators wrapped up warm as they watched people dressed as Santa race their way through a leaf-covered London park Although the showers stopped for the charity run, the skies failed to brighten up. Pictured a dog and Santa during the race A woman shelters from the rain under an umbrella and others wear thick coats in grey and dreary London yesterday afternoon Met Office meteorologist Sarah Kent told MailOnline: 'It's been a contrasting Sunday morning with frost in Scotland but a milder start in the south of England where temperatures have reached 13C. 'This is more than we'd expect the maximum to be at this time of year when the average temperature is usually no more than 10C. However there's not been much sunshine. 'In Northern Ireland, the north of England and Scotland it should be a bright morning but cloud will come in with bursts of rain, which could be especially heavy in Northern Ireland.' Monday morning is expected to be a chilly one with temperatures expected to plummet to zero in the North after rain through the night and it will be a wintry, frosty start. A man strides over a puddle on Oxford Street in London during the wet weather this week Monday and Tuesday will see the dramatic fall below zero. Thankfully however, most of the snow is expected to fall solely on higher ground and in the north. Scotland and northern parts of the UK may also experience freezing temperatures on Sunday when most other places are generally mild. On Tuesday night rain is expected and this will turn to snow as it falls over higher ground. The Met Office predicts there could be between 10-20cm of snow settling over the highest ground of the Pennines in Yorkshire and around 1.5cm of snow in Snowdonia, north Wales. Meteorologist Sarah Kent said: 'We'll be watching how the weather develops closely and could be issuing some weather warnings later in the week when the picture becomes clearer. 'It's going to be a yo-yo weather week with a bit of everything ranging from frost, showers of rain and cloud. 'By the end of this week there's also the possibility of strong gales in Scotland and the weather will stay unsettled heading towards next weekend.' People out pre Christmas shopping shelter under umbrellas on Oxford Street in London yesterday during the wet weather Saturday shoppers shelter from the rain, they may need to wrap up even warmer as snow may be on the horizon On Saturday a Met Office spokesman said: 'Its still a slightly muddled picture at the moment but theres certainly a possibility that, in the north and central England, lower lying areas will also see some snow. It is one to keep an eye on.' Last week several severe weather warnings were issued across the UK, with strong winds and downpours seen across much of Wales, Northern Ireland, western England and Scotland. Storm Diana caused havoc across the UK meaning that flights were delayed and roads were flooded. On Thursday a pylon at Hull KR's KCOM stadium collapsed onto the pitch due to the intense gusts. In Scotland James and Susan Kenneavy Ford Kuga was found empty on Drummore beach near Stranaer at around 7.30am on Thursday. The couples bodies were found by search teams washed up on a beach on Saturday morning. A shopper in canvas shoes jumps over a puddle on Oxford Street in London during the wet weather yesterday afternoon 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. Heavy rain in the area had led to flooding and the coastguard was drafted in to help with the search. Inspector Craig Nicolson said: 'We know the Drummore coastal road was closed last night due to coastal flooding, but I would ask anyone that seen the vehicle or the knows the whereabouts of the couple to contact Police Scotland.' Meanwhile London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway providers said a 50mph speed limit on the tracks on Thursday had left some trains 'out of position' across its network, causing huge backlogs. Motorists faced delays, with widespread reports of trees and debris blocking roads and gale-force winds shutting some bridges. Hundreds of flights serving London airports were cancelled or delayed amid thick fog on Thursday with one in three planes disrupted at Heathrow. London City saw 62 cancellations and 46 delays, while Gatwick experienced no cancellations but 173 delays. The figures were published by aviation data firm FlightStats. Fog reduces visibility for pilots and air traffic controllers, meaning the safe distance between aircraft is increased. This disrupts the normal pattern of take-offs and landings. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Peter Sutcliffe (pictured above) has gone 'meat free' Serial killer Peter Sutcliffe has snubbed an offer of a traditional turkey Christmas dinner and has demanded he be served salmon en croute, it has been claimed. The mass murderer, along with other inmates at high security prison HMP Frankland, will be able to indulge on a lavish Christmas dinner included turkey with all the trimmings, halal roast beef or vegetarian crumble, and even a pudding of custard and other treats. However the 72-year-old has said he hates turkey and has demanded fish as he has gone 'meat free' and does not like the vegetarian dish available. Speaking to the Daily Star a source said that the vicious killer wants salmon wrapped in puff pastry and covered in creamy white sauce. 'Of course Sutcliffe is whingeing that he wants something different to everyone else, despite there being plenty of perfectly good options.' The menu on offer at the prison, and Sutcliffe's snub, may anger many Britons who could struggle this year to provide a Christmas dinner due to rising prices. Inmates at the prison in County Durham are also set to be treated to a selection of festive games to help them celebrate the day, including a carol service, a pool tournament, magnetic darts, charades and karaoke. Despite what some might say is a generous offering, the source told the Daily Star that some prisoners were unhappy with the host of games on offer to them. 'We like the prisoners to have a good time because it helps lessen what can be a very stressful time of year. Peter Sutcliffe has allegedly demanded that he be served salmon en croute 'But nothing is ever good enough for Sutcliffe, and as soon as the Christmas games were discussed he began complaining. 'He is a master manipulator and began dragging in other cons.' Sutcliffe has already received Christmas cards from as far away as the USA and Australia. He had previously boasted to other inmates and prison officers that he expects up to 100 cards this year from his 'fan club'. Sutcliffe, was convicted in 1981 of murdering 13 women and attempting to kill seven more. He lost his fight to remain in Broadmoor secure hospital in 2016. Following that, he was sent to the facility in Berkshire in 1984 after being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. However, a health tribunal ruled in 2015 that he no longer needed treatment for the mental disorder. The manaccused of murdering his millionaire brother and his family before setting fire to their mansion and his own house acted perfectly normal the day before the crimes, his employee has said. Paul Caneiro, 51, was his 'usual self' at work the day before the murders in Colts Neck, New Jersey, said David Natelson, the business manager of the pest control company the brothers owned, in an interview with the New York Post. Natelson said that 'Paul was Paul' on November 19, keeping his nose buried in his iPad as usual after coming in to work at Ecostar Pest Management. 'Nothing I saw on Monday was any different than anything I had seen any other day,' he said. The business manager said that although he wasn't privy to the inner financial workings, he wasn't aware of any particular money problems at the pest control company, which along with technology company Square One was one of two that the brothers owned together. Paul Caneiro, 51, was his 'usual self' at work the day before the murders in Colts Neck, New Jersey, the business manager at his company said Caneiro's brother Keith was shot multiple times, his wife Jennifer was shot and stabbed and their children Sophia and Jesse, 11, were stabbed 'repeatedly'. The family is seen above Keith Caneiro's burned-out mansion is seen on Thursday in Colts Neck, New Jersey. The millionaire was found shot outside his burning mansion with his stabbed wife and children On Friday, Caneiro made his first court appearance to plead not guilty to four counts of murder. Caneiro was limping badly and supported by court officers as he was brought into the packed courtroom at Monmouth Superior Court in Ocean Township shortly before 9.30am. He was unshaven, wearing prison-issued dark green overalls and was handcuffed around the waist. Caneiro appeared dazed and emotionless and stared straight ahead as he responded to the judge in monosyllabic 'yes' and 'no' answers. His wife Susan and two adult daughters Marissa, 23, and Katelyn, 26, did not attend the hearing but his lawyers later said that his family were supporting him and had decided it 'better' not to be at the brief detention hearing. Monmouth County Superior Court Judge James J. McGann began by reading Caneiro his rights and then assistant prosecutor Christopher Decker stood in front of Caneiro and read the charges against him. In addition to the second degree aggravated arson charge he has been facing since last week, he is now facing four first degree murder charges, another count of aggravated arson, one count of possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and one count of possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose. Each one of the murder charges carries a sentence of between 30 years and life imprisonment. Paul Caneiro, 51, pleaded not guilty on Friday to murdering his brother and his family before setting their $1.5 million mansion on fire. The 51-year-old looked dazed and emotionless at he sat at Monmouth Superior Court in Ocean Township in New Jersey Prosecutors say Paul shot his brother then shot and stabbed Jennifer before 'repeatedly' stabbing his niece and nephew in their mansion and then allegedly went to the basement of the home and set a fire that would take hours to get going Caneiro's defense attorney Robert A. Honecker entered a plea of not guilty to all charges but consented to his client's continued detention. Honecker did not contest the probable cause at the hearing but said he reserved the right to challenge it at a later date. Caneiro then got to his feet unsteadily and placed his hand on the Bible. He responded 'I do' when asked he if he understood his rights and when asked by the judge if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, he replied: 'No I'm not.' After the 15-minute hearing, he was helped down from the box by court officers again. Prosecutor Christopher Grammicioni did not wish to comment further outside of the courtroom. Outside of court, defense attorneys Honecker and co-counsel Richard B. Ansell made a short statement. 'We understand that Mr Caneiro has been charged with four counts of murder and associated charges of arson. Mr Caneiro maintains his innocence of the charges and he would never engage in conduct that would cause harm to his brother or his family,' Honecker said, adding that they planned to challenge the evidence put forward by the prosecutor's office. Ansell said: 'Mr Caneiro loves his brother, loves his sister-in-law like a sister, loves those children. He would never do anything to harm them.' The attorneys refused to comment when asked who may have targeted the Caneiro family and said that the case was a 'search for the truth'. They also declined to address questions about Caneiro's state of mind. Paul Caneiro was charged on Thursday with murdering his younger brother Keith, 50, and Keith's wife and children, Jennifer, 45, Jesse, 11, and Sophia, eight. It is unclear what finally led police to file charges against Paul who has been in custody on aggravated arson charge for the past week, but they say he the killings were 'financially motivated' His wife Susan and two adult daughters Marissa, 23, (second from right) and Katelyn, 26, (left) did not attend the hearing but his lawyers later said that his family were supporting him and had decided it 'better' not to be at the brief detention hearing Paul's lawyer Mitchell Ansell (left) said: 'Mr Caneiro loves his brother, loves his sister-in-law like a sister, loves those children. He would never do anything to harm them' Prosecutors say Paul shot his brother then shot and stabbed Jennifer before 'repeatedly' stabbing his niece and nephew in their mansion in Colts Neck, New Jersey, in the early hours of November 20. He then allegedly went to the basement of the home and set a fire that would take hours to get going, returned home and set his own house on fire in an effort to make it appear as though he too had been targeted. It is unclear what finally led police to file charges against Paul who has been in custody on aggravated arson charge for the past week, but they say he the killings were 'financially motivated'. It emerged this week that Keith Caneiro had been talking 'openly' about cutting ties with the business partner brother before he was murdered, it emerged this week. The two brothers were business partners who formed their technology company, Square One, together in 1987. At the time it was called Jay-Martin and specialized in computer installing but it grew in success and size as the internet boomed. Keith started it and brought Paul in as his first hire when he got his first contracts with Citibank and at the Statue of Liberty. According to The New York Times , their decades-long business brotherhood had come under recent tension. Keith, the younger of the two, had been talking about his desire to try something new and was eager to go to work for a larger company as a CIO (Chief Information Officer). Keith's wife Susan, left, and one of his adult daughters, right, were seen at the property on Wednesday. Last week, they said they would stand by him and believed he was innocent of arson Workers were seen at Keith's home in Ocean Township on Wednesday. It was partially damaged in the fire police say he set himself while he was inside with his wife and adult daughters The two houses are 12 miles apart; there were just over seven hours between the two fires TIMELINE OF FIRES AND MURDERS Early hours of Tuesday November 20: Paul Caneiro allegedly shoots his brother Keith outside his home then stabs and shoots Keith's wife Jennifer and stabs their two children inside. He allegedly sets a fire in the basement then leaves 5.01am: A fire is reported at Paul Caneiro's home in Ocean Township. He escapes it with his wife and two adult daughters 12pm: Paul and his family leave the area after staying for hours to talk to police 12.38pm: A fire at Keith Caneiro's home is reported by a landscaper. Once they arrive, police find Keith's body outside, shot at least twice, and his wife and children inside. It takes several hours for them to extinguish the fire November 21: Prosecutors charge Paul with setting the fire at his own home but will not say if he is a suspect in the murders November 24: Paul's wife and daughters say he is innocent of arson and will testify in his favor November 29: Paul is charged with the murders November 30: Paul's court appearance December 2: Funeral for Keith, Jennifer, Jesse and Sophia Advertisement Police sources cited by NJ.com also said the business was struggling to stay afloat. 'He would just mention it to everyone. He wanted to try something different,' Ameet Chaudhury, who attended Columbia University with Keith when he returned to obtain an undergraduate history degree in 2014, said. The brothers were raised in Brooklyn with a third brother, Corey. Their father was a Spanish immigrant and they were brought up in a typical 'working class' environment, according to friends. For years, they were by one another's side. Keith was Paul's best man when he got married to his wife Susan in 1991 and Paul was in Keith's wedding party when he married his wife Jennifer. The business in Asbury Park grew and changed its name from Jay-Martin, named in honor of the brothers' middle names, to Square One. At some stage, they also acquired EcoStar Pest Management. Friends and co-workers told the Times that in recent year, Paul was in charge of the pest management business and Keith was left to run the technology business. Paul underwent multiple surgeries around five years ago after getting into a car accident and according to friends it changed his behavior. 'He was frustrated, but not to the point to hurt his family members,' family friend Demetris Potamianos said, emphasizing his disbelief over what Paul now stands accused of. 'It was Paul and Keith all the time. It was the perfect helpful brother relationship. 'The last thing I can ever picture is Paul doing something like that. Paul was like a father to all of them. Shocking is not the word.' They said the accused was a proud gun owner who had previously revealed his collection of handguns and rifles. Prosecutors say that on November 20, he went to his brother's house in the early hours of the morning, shot him outside and then entered the home where he allegedly shot and stabbed Jennifer then stabbed Sophia and Jesse 'repeatedly'. It emerged this week that Keith Caneiro (pictured with his wife Jennifer) had been talking 'openly' about cutting ties with the business partner brother before he was murdered, it emerged this week The couple's young son and daughter were also found dead in the horrific blaze on Tuesday Heartbreaking tributes to the family were left including some addressed to Sophia and Jesse It is unclear if they were asleep when they were attacked. After allegedly killing them, Paul went to basement of the house where prosecutors say he set a fire. They say he then left the house, leaving the fire smoldering, and returned to his own home where he set another fire using cans of gasoline. He survived that fire along with his wife and their two adult daughters. Prosecutors say the fire at his home was an attempted 'ruse' to make it look like he too had been targeted by a mysterious arsonist but was also a way for him to get rid of evidence he had brought back with him from their home. The blaze at Keith's house was not reported until 12.38pm. Police say it was fed for several hours by oxygen blowing through the house. 'It continued to smolder until there was entry made into the home, a great deal of oxygen coming into the home effectively fed that fire. '(The fire) wasn't reported until 12:38, what we believed caused the fire to catch on from there is the feeding of oxygen once the house was entered into,' Montmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said at a press conference on Thursday, adding that it was 'the most brutal crime' he had ever seen. 'There were two reasons for the fire at his home,' he went on, explaining why Paul allegedly set the fire at his own house. 'One was to destroy evidence that he brought back from the Colts Neck crime scene and the other was to create some sort of ruse that his family was targeted,' Gramiccioni said. The burned out mansion is pictured on Thursday Montmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni (pictured) said at a press conference on Thursday, adding that it was 'the most brutal crime' he had ever seen 'The defendant's motive was financial in nature, stemming from their joint business ventures that they owned and operated out of Asbury Park,' he went on, adding there was no evidence that either brother had any link to organized crime. It remains unclear if he is being cooperative or if he has confessed to any of the crimes. Neighbors previously described Paul as a 'big fish in a small pond' who was enamored' with money but never quite lived up to his younger brother's wealth. When police arrived at Keith's burning home on November 20, they found him shot outside. Jennifer had been shot and stabbed and the children had been stabbed 'repeatedly'. Their bodies were badly burned and it took investigative teams days to be able to get into the house to survey the damage. At 5am that morning, a fire was reported at Paul's home in Ocean Township, 12 miles away. He was at the home with his adult daughters and wife at the time but they all made it out alive and stayed at the scene for hours afterwards to talk to police. He left the area at around noon. Forty minutes later, the fire at Keith's home was reported. On November 21, Paul was charged with arson for allegedly setting fire to his own home but authorities refused to say whether he was a suspect in his brother's death or the deaths of his family. Neighbors of Paul's in Ocean Township told DailyMail.com afterwards that they would be surprised if he had had anything to do with his brother's murder and that they thought it was unlikely he would set fire to his own house because he was so proud of it. They described him as being a 'big fish in a small pond' who never quite lived up to the wealth his younger brother had amassed. 'He said it must have been a gas leak, he had tears in his eyes. 'Susan was devastated,' one neighbor, who did not want to be named. 'He said, 'I'm in complete shock, I can't believe this is happening to me.' German Chancellor Angela Merkel has dealt with so many Australian prime ministers since 2013 that it seems she needs help remembering who they are. Ms Merkel met with Scott Morrison at the G20 Summit in Argentina on Saturday where the pair sat down for a chat. When Ms Merkel sat next to Mr Morrison she flipped through a set of briefing notes on the Australian leader complete with his headshot. It seems German Chancellor Angela Merkel (pictured, right) has had to deal with so many different Australian prime ministers since 2013, she needs help knowing who they are When Ms Merkel sat next to Mr Morrison she flipped through a set of briefing notes on the Australian leader complete with a his headshot (pictured) The German Chancellor didn't bother to hide her apparent lack of knowledge on Mr Morrison, openly consulting the 'cheat sheet' multiple times throughout the meeting. Out of the 20 leaders in attendance at the summit Mr Morrison has been leading the country the shortest amount of time, having only acquired the top job in August. Ms Merkel has been leading Germany since 2005, which covers part of John Howard's reign, plus that of Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Mr Rudd again, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and now Mr Morrison. It's clear why Ms Merkel may have needed the help, as Mr Morrison is the third Australian prime minister to attend the G20 summit in just four years. The meeting came a day after Mr Morrison's first meeting with US President Donald Trump, who quizzed him about what happened to Mr Turnbull. Out of the 20 leaders in attendance at the summit Mr Morrison has been leading the country the shortest amount of time, having only acquired the top job in August At the Summit, Mr Morrison met with EU leaders and the heads of major European countries to garner support for the free-trade agreement with Europe. Negotiations on the free-trade agreement are already under way, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison secured support from the European Union to speed up the process. 'We were able to agree the need to accelerate the development of the EU free trade agreement,' Mr Morrison told reporters in Buenos Aires on Saturday local time. More than 1,000 people showed up in person to honor the life of Emantic 'EJ' Bradford, Jr., the 21-year-old black US soldier who was wrongly shot and killed by police in Alabama on Thanksgiving, with over 120,000 more watching the service, dubbed his 'homegoing celebration,' over livestream More than 1,000 people honored the life of the 21-year-old black US soldier who was shot and killed by police who wrongly identified him as the shooter in an Alabama mall. A further 120,000 more watching the service, dubbed his 'homegoing celebration,' over livestream. The eulogy for Emantic 'EJ' Bradford, Jr. was given in Birmingham on Saturday by the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who pledged to keep fighting for more information and the release of videotape of the tragic incident at Riverchase Galleria Mall on Thanksgiving. Bradford, who had a concealed weapons permit for the gun he was carrying, was killed by a Hoover police officer while trying to help when an 18-year-old man and 12-year-old female bystander were injured by gunfire in the shopping center last week. 'Innocent blood has power,' Jackson said, adding that the cop who fatally shot Bradford 'must face justice,' and that 'no one is above the law.' The officer who shot Bradford has been placed on leave pending the determination of an investigation, and the suspect believed to have fired the shots, Erron Martez Dequan Brown, 20, was arrested on Thursday. The funeral was held at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, where the expansive crowd wept as they individually filed by Bradford's open casket to pay their final respects to the beloved son and friend The eulogy for Emantic 'EJ' Bradford, Jr. was given in Birmingham on Saturday by the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who pledged to keep fighting for more information and the release of videotape of the tragic incident at Riverchase Galleria Mall on Thanksgiving The funeral, which was broadcast over social media in real time by ABC, was held at Boutwell Auditorium, where the expansive crowd wept as they individually filed by Bradford's open casket to pay their final respects to the beloved son and friend. The fallen soldier's father, Emantic Bradford, Sr, said he hadn't realized his son had 'touched so many lives,' as he grew emotional at the service. 'The years that I had with him were 21 good years,' his father said. 'To this day, he's always going to be my hero. I miss my baby and his mama miss him too.' Currently battling cancer, the young man's father said his struggle had sparked growth for his son. 'When I got sick, I knew then my son turned the corner and started being responsible,' he said. 'The shoe was on the other foot. He started checking on me. My child was a good child.' 'The years that I had with him were 21 good years,' Bradford's father, Emantic Bradford, Sr (at the podium) said. 'To this day, he's always going to be my hero. I miss my baby and his mama miss him too.' Bradford's mother April Pipkins is shown standing to right of his father, in red LIVE: Funeral service for Emantic "E.J." Bradford Jr., who was shot and killed by a Hoover police officer on Thanksgiving night at the Riverchase Galleria, is underway. Rev. Jesse Jackson will deliver the eulogy Posted by ABC 33/40 on Saturday, December 1, 2018 Others said the same of the military servicemember, before Jackson gave his remarks. 'Everybody called EJ,' one friend said. 'He was always on call.' He was described as generous and loyal, and always the one to be thinking about others. When Jackson spoke, he urged to crowd to think of Bradford among not only the many minorities whose lives have been taken by law enforcement, including Michael Brown, Freddie Gray and Philando Castile, but also civil rights pioneers. He preached about the long history of civil rights in Birmingham and Alabama, and the recent Black Lives Matter movement, naming Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and the four little girls killed in a bombing at Birmingham's 16th Street Baptist Church. 'In the images of those battles and the shedding of blood, E.J. Bradford joins those ranks,' Jackson said. When Jackson spoke, he urged to crowd at the 'homegoing celebration' to think of Bradford among not only the many minorities whose lives have been taken by law enforcement, including Michael Brown, Freddie Gray and Philando Castile, but also civil rights pioneers like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. The Hoover Police Department has turned over footage of the shooting of Bradford to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which is investigating. 'We will have the tape made public,' Jackson said to rousing applause. 'We want transparency, not cover-up. Tell the whole story, tell it now. We want justice now. We want fairness now.' The city has not released any information about the officers involved, but did say the person who fired the fatal shot has been placed on inactive duty during the investigation. Brown, who is the man believed to have fired the shots that struck Brian Wilson and bystander Molly Davis on Thanksgiving night was arrested on Thursday,one week after the incident that resulted in police shooting and killing Bradford. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says Brown of Bessemer was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of Wilson, who was a friend of Bradford's. Wilson was shot at least one in the stomach, and taken to a nearby hospital where he remains in serious condition, according to AL.com. Davis was taken to Childrens Hospital and she has since been released. Erron Martez Dequan Brown, 20, was arrested at a relative's home in Atlanta following a week long manhunt, with his new mugshot pictured right (pictured in a previous mugshot left) Brown was taken to the Fulton County jail for an extradition hearing to be sent back to Alabama. His bond is set at $125,000. Bradford's father (left), his family's attorney Benjamin Crump (center) and mother April Pipkins (right) appeared at a community vigil at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Tuesday Pipkins collapsed at the civil rights landmark in Birmingham and was taken to hospital On Tuesday, around 200 people turned up for a community vigil at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham to show support for Bradford's mother April Pipkins. The distraught parent received a standing ovation but collapsed at the civil rights landmark, still in disbelief her son died on Thanksgiving Day, and was taken to a hospital. Like many others, Pipkins believes Bradford was gunned down without a second thought simply because of the color of his skin. She had previously said 'the whole scenario would have played out differently' with Hoover police if her son were white. Around 200 people showed up to support the family after Bradford was killed by cops Witness reactions from the horrifying night reveal those who saw the incident take place immediately commented on Bradford's innocence. 'They just killed that man in cold blood. They just seen that man had a gun on him. They shot that man down for no reason,' someone in a video posted by Noland Moore on social media can be heard saying in the clip. The person added, 'The police see that boy had a gun. He probably got a gun license and everything. 'He just walked passed us and they've probably just seen that man's gun and shot him... they just killed that black boy for no reason.' The family's lawyer said that despite talk that more Americans should be armed to ensure their safety, this incident proves that's not the case. 'There's some suggestion that to stop the bad guys with guns we need to have the good guys with guns. Well, EJ Bradford was a good guy with a gun,' Benjamin Crump said. The lawyer said witnesses had contacted his law firm saying Bradford was trying to wave people away from the shooting. Pipkins described her son as a loving, friendly young man, saying he had gone to the mall with friends on Thanksgiving evening. Bradford, Jr. (left), 21, was believed to be waving people away from the shooting scene when he was gunned down. Pipkins (right) said her son would still be alive if he had been white She said the officer 'should be punished for what he did' after her son was killed last Thursday. Pipkins said she did not find out what happened to her son until Friday morning when she returned a call from one of his friends who had tried to reach her during the night. 'I can't get it out of my head. I cannot get the scene out of my head of my child laying there, nobody around him trying to help him, just laying like a piece of trash where everyone can walk around and parade and post pictures of him on social media,' she said. Speaking from the pulpit on Tuesday, regional NAACP field director Kevin Myles said Bradford's killing was part of a pattern of police killing black men without cause. 'This is our personal Katrina. The helicopters are not coming, nobody is coming to bring us water. If we are to be saved we will save ourselves,' he said, in an analogy to the devastating hurricane of 2005. Bradford was born on June 18, 1997 in Birmingham, Alabama at Montclair Hospital. He leaves behind to cherish his memories his loving mother April Monique Pipkins and devoted father Emanitc Fitzgerald Bradford, Sr. (Cynthia) of Birmingham, Alabama, as well as three brothers, Andrew Bradford of Atlanta, GA; Khalil Pipkins, and Cle'Mon Brown both of Birmingham. He's also survied by his grandmothers, Althea Pipkins of Birmingham and Charlie Mae Bradford of Washington, DC, along with his grandfathers, Ernest Batie of Mulga, Alabama; Leon Douglas (Mamie) of Montgomery, Alabama; and one nephew, Anthony Bradford of Atlanta, as well as a dedicated uncle Anthony Thomas of Birmingham, and a host of other uncles, cousins, family and friends. A mother has shared her heartbreak after cemetery staff tore up mementos at her stillborn son's grave without warning so they could lay fresh turf. Angela Stathopoulos' first son was 'born sleeping' at 39 weeks on April 26 last year, despite a 'healthy' pregnancy. The heartbroken 33-year-old and her husband John placed their trust in Rookwood Cemetery, in Sydney's west, where they laid their first child to rest. Angela Stathopoulos, 33, has shared her heartbreak after cemetery staff tore up her mementos for her stillborn son without warning so they could lay fresh turf The heartbroken couple placed their trust in Rookwood Cemetery, western Sydney, where they laid their first child to rest in 2017 'My husband and I entrusted that the staff at the cemetery to look after my angel, and making sure that nothing happens to his resting area,' Ms Stathopoulos wrote on Facebook. In the following 19 months, the couple visited the cemetery to decorate their son's resting plot including a white picket fence, Greek flags and synthetic turf. The couple had no issues until the grounds keeper staff wanted to relay fresh turf, throwing away their decorations on November 7 2018. 'Rookwood Cemetery staff removed his decorations including his miniature picket fence, ornaments or anything that is a religious symbol/icon to the baby lawn, disregarding it by throwing it in the bin,' Ms Stathopoulos said. 'The cemetery staff did not bother to once notify the families to come and remove their baby's belongings, as they just disposed it, like it was s**t to them.' Ms Stathopoulos said she was sharing her story for herself and on behalf of other grieving parents. The couple had no issues until the grounds keeper staff wanted to relay fresh turf, throwing away their decorations on November 7 2018 'I express my pain and deepest heartache for what they have done to my Son and the other babies that lay to rest at the baby lawn of Rookwood cemetery,' she said. Ms Stathopoulos called the staff 'heartless' and said she hopes justice is served. 'They do not belong to work there let alone be near any babies that lay to rest there,' she said. 'I suffer with the pain and heart ache every single day with not having my gorgeous baby boy in my arms, but I will forever think of him and hold him in my heart till the day I can carry my boy in my arms again.' Ms Stathopoulos said the Rookwood Cemetery chief executive officer George Simpson wrote to the couple to apologise. Ms Stathopoulos called the staff 'heartless' and said she hopes justice is served 'First and foremost, I have found that the level of communication between our Client services and our operations teams is, at best, inadequate,' he wrote. Mr Simpson said the parents should have been notified about the fresh turf. 'While carrying out the refurbishments, and in order to allow us to level of the ground and relay turf, it was necessary for us to remove the many items that parents had placed on and around the grave areas, however our teams should have moved the items onto the concrete beam adjacent to the specific gravesite, not metres away which was the case,' he said. 'While doing this they formed a view that some of the items may have deteriorated to a point that it was breaking and they decided to dispose of it in the bin.' 'I trust that you will leave the management of the team to me and I will assure you that the message will not be lost on them, and of course we will replace any personal items that were removed from the burial site.' President Donald Trump is seen above at the G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires on Friday President Donald Trump was the only leader at the Group of 20 Summit in Argentina who refused to sign a statement reiterating a pledge to combat climate change. At the conclusion of the Buenos Aires conference, leaders of the forum which consists of 19 countries and the European Union agreed to fix the world trading system - but only 19 of them agreed to support the Paris accord on fighting climate change. Applause rose up in the hall Saturday as the leaders, including Trump, 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 Organization. It doesn't mention protectionism however, because negotiators said the U.S. had resisted that. The statement says 19 of the members reiterated their commitment to the Paris climate accord but the U.S. reiterates its decision to withdraw. The non-binding agreement was reached after difficult all-night talks by diplomats. A copy was obtained by The Associated Press. Trump remains a skeptic of climate change. In an interview Tuesday with The Washington Post, the President said he doubted the scientific consensus that the planet is getting warmer because of man-made pollutants that are being released into the air. One of the problems that a lot of people like myself, we have very high levels of intelligence but were not necessarily such believers, the President said. You look at our air and our water and its right now at a record clean. When asked whether climate change is caused by humans, Trump said: As to whether or not its man-made and whether or not the effects that youre talking about are there, I dont see it - not nearly like it is. Last week, the federal government released a wide-ranging report which found that climate change will cost the U.S. economy hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century, damaging everything from human health to infrastructure and agricultural production. The report came out on Black Friday, a holiday for most Americans and one of the busiest shopping days of the year, leading critics to charge Trump with trying to bury the findings. This file photo taken on March 27, 2015 shows drought conditions for farmers in Central Valley, California. Trump says he is skeptical of the scientific consensus around the issue of climate change This file photo taken on April 13, 2017 shows seagulls flying around icebergs in the Jokulsarlon lagoon in the Austurland region in Iceland The Congressionally-mandated report, written with the help of more than a dozen U.S. government agencies and departments, outlined the projected impacts of global warming in every corner of American society, in a dire warning at odds with the Trump administration's pro-fossil fuels agenda. Trump on Monday stuck to his position, saying he did not believe the findings reached by his own administration. 'I don't believe it,' he told reporters at the White House before he left for campaign rallies in Mississippi. 'I've seen it, Ive read some of it, and its fine,' he added. Thousands have thrown on their swimmers and sunblock as they scramble to Sydney's beaches to make the most of the sweltering heat. Sun-lovers flocked to Sydney's famous Bondi Beach on Sunday as temperatures tipped 34 degrees. Sunbathers made the most of the latest low pressure front that brought clear skies and plenty of heat. Beachgoers were treated with a taste of the coming summer months with the thermostat edging close to 36 degrees in the city's west. Time to cool off: Beachgoers soak up the rays at Bondi Beach on Sunday as scorching temperatures leave Sydneysiders sweating Victorians enjoyed slightly cooler levels dipping into the high 30s as the eastern states received the benefits of a cold front sweeping in from central areas Snack time: This man enjoys a banana on the beach as he works on his tan with thousands of others Sydneysiders were advised to make the most of the scorching temperatures while they lasted as a southerly change was moving up the coast, Weatherzone forecaster Drew Casper-Richardson said. Temperatures remain in the high 20s on Monday but dip down to a cooler 22 degrees as the week rolls on. Victorians have enjoyed slightly cooler than-normal temperatures, he said. Melbourne's temperatures peaked at 18 degrees on Sunday and are expected to hang around the low 20s before shooting up to a scorching 33 degrees on Thursday. Authorities are warning people to be wary of the danger of heat exhaustion as the temperatures continue to climb heading into summer. NSW Ambulance chief superintendent Alan Morrison said people needed to look out for those who are most vulnerable. Beachgoers were treated with a taste of the coming summer months with the thermostat edging close to 36 degrees in some areas in Sydney Sun-lovers flocked to Sydney's famous Bondi Beach on Sunday as temperatures tipped 34 degrees Drip dry: With high temperatures many people scrambled to get to the beach to take a quick dip As a severe heatwave has been wreaking havoc across Queensland, residents are being urged to stay indoors with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees. Dry and hot conditions have pushed the fire rating to severe, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Bushfires at Deepwater and Eungella in central Queensland, as well as at Carnarvon in the southwest and on North Stradbroke Island, near Brisbane, were highlighted as the most concerning. Warmer than average days and nights are expected for almost all of Australia for the next few months, according to meteorologists. There will be further development towards El Nino in the tropical Pacific Ocean, with outlooks suggesting El Nino conditions are likely through the summer months. However, El Nino typically has a weaker influence on rainfall in southeastern Australia during summer than it does in winter and spring. The week ahead shows both Adelaide and Perth having mostly sunny days, however, there is a 20 per cent chance of rain over the western suburbs of Perth on Wednesday. Hobart can expect showers throughout the day on Monday, the wet weather should clear by Tuesday. Canberra experienced periods of dust haze on Sunday but can expect clear skies all week long. Darwin could be hit with wild weather in the middle of the week as rain and thunder moves in. The stormy weather is expected to remain until at least Saturday. Bombs away: As summer edges closer temperatures continue to soar across Australia Hot air is being pushed from the centre of the country towards the east coast by a cold front, which will pass through by Sunday Former First Lady Michelle Obama caused a stir during her arena book tour on Saturday when she said that marriage inequality cant be solved by women leaning in because that s*** doesnt work all the time. Obama made the comment during her appearance Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where a large crowd of thousands came to see her promotional appearance for her memoir, Becoming. The former First Lady was commenting about whether women can experience equality in both their marriage and the workplace - that whole so you can have it all, as she referred to it. Nope, not at the same time, Obama said. Thats a lie. And its not always enough to lean in, because that s*** doesnt work all the time. Scroll down for video Former First Lady Michelle Obama caused a stir during her arena book tour on Saturday when she said that marriage inequality cant be solved by women leaning in because that s*** doesnt work all the time. Obama is seen above on Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn Lean in is the phrase that was made popular by Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg. Sandbergs book, Lean In, was a 2013 best-seller whose aim was to empower women in the workplace. The book ignited a cultural discussion about challenges faced by women in the business world, including pay disparity and discrimination. Michelle Obamas use of the four-letter word s*** sent the crowd into a frenzy at Barclays Center, according to social media. THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN BARCLAYS JUST LOST OUR COLLECTIVE S*** tweeted Jeanna Kadlec. Sheryl Sandbergs book, Lean In, was a 2013 best-seller whose aim was to empower women in the workplace A Twitter user named Megan tweeted: Despite waiting in the rain for an hour to get into the Barclays Center, I was just in the same room as Michelle Obama and she accidentally said s*** and it was amazing and my life has been forever changed. Erin Strecker tweeted: At Barclays tonight, Michelle Obama said: Its not enough to Lean In because that s*** doesnt always work! Tattoo it on my body! Kevin Flynn tweeted: Tonight at the Barclays Center Michelle Obama accidentally said s*** in front of thousands of people and it ruled. The former First Lady's memoir has become the most sold book this year, according to CNN. As of December 1, Becoming, which hit the market just two weeks ago, has sold more than 1.1 million hardcover copies. Its sales have outpaced those of the top two political books this year - Michael Wolffs Fire and Fury and Bob Woodwards Fear. The second most popular book in terms of hardcover sales this year is Magnolia Table, a cookbook by TV star Joanna Gaines. Former first lady Michelle Obama, left, is interviewed by Elizabeth Alexander at the Barclays Center When factoring in e-book and audio, Becoming has sold a total of more than 2 million copies in the United States and Canada since its November 13 release, according to the books publisher, Random House. The hardcover edition of Becoming is now in its sixth printing - meaning the publisher has had to order more copies so as to keep up with demand. After the current printing, there will be 3.4 million copies of the book in print in the U.S. and Canada, according to Random House. Becoming is also number one on the best-seller lists in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and other countries. Michelle and former President Barack Obama each have been working on memoirs this year, for which they negotiated a $65million dollar deal with Crown Publishing Group/Penguin Random House. His book is expected in 2019. Lawyers for President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, say he should be spared prison for crimes he committed in an abundance of enthusiasm for his ex-boss, and they portrayed him to a judge as a hero for cooperating in a probe Trump has 'regularly questioned publicly and stridently.' The lawyers said in court papers filed in New York late Friday that Cohen, 52, has cooperated extensively with special counsel Robert Mueller and New York state investigators who brought a civil lawsuit against the Trump Organization and individuals, including Trump. They cited the fact he met with Mueller's team in 'seven voluntary interview meetings' that began even before he pleaded guilty on Aug. 21 to campaign finance and bank frauds, among other charges, and continued through late November. Cohen's lawyers portrayed him to a judge as a hero for cooperating in a probe Trump has 'regularly questioned publicly and stridently' He pleaded guilty Thursday to lying to Congress, a charge that his lawyers said resulted in part from information he voluntarily provided Mueller's team in meetings governed by a limited-use immunity agreement. 'Michael's decision to cooperate and take full responsibility for his own conduct well reflects his personal resolve, notwithstanding past errors, to re-point his internal compass true north toward a productive, ethical and thoroughly law abiding life,' his lawyers wrote. They say he'll continue to cooperate, though he wants to be sentenced as scheduled on Dec. 12 so he can return to providing for his family. Cohen's Polish-born father Maurice, a Holocaust survivor, has added his voice to the appeal and sent a two-page letter to the sentencing judge, Judge William Pauley, asking him to impose a sentence of time served. Maurice Cohen talks of his son as a person with 'heart and soul, always willing to help.' 'He is the oxygen in the air that I breathe. I am 83 years old, ravaged by time ... I pray and beg, beg and pray that you won't take my oxygen away from me,' Maurice Cohen added. Besides his cooperation with Mueller, Cohen has also provided the New York state attorney general's office with documents 'concerning a separate open inquiry,' the lawyers wrote. They said he also has provided information to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Cohen's lawyers sought to address speculation over why their client has not entered into a formal cooperation agreement with prosecutors, saying Cohen was concerned that such a deal would delay his sentencing. 'This personal decision does not signal any intention on Michael's part to withhold information or his availability to respond to additional inquiry. To the contrary, he expects to cooperate further,' the lawyers wrote. 'But, following the execution of search warrants in this case, nearly every professional and commercial relationship that he enjoyed, and a number of long-standing friendships, have vanished.' The lawyers, in a document that sometimes referred to Trump as 'Client-1,' said Cohen committed campaign finance fraud and made false statements out of a 'fierce loyalty' to Trump and at his direction The lawyers portrayed Cohen as courageous for cooperating in Mueller's probe while the 'investigation - and the rationale for its very existence - is regularly questioned publicly and stridently by the President of the United States.' '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. 'He took these steps, moreover, despite regular public reports referring to the President's consideration of pardons and pre-pardons in the SCO's investigation.' They said Cohen viewed Mueller's investigation to be 'thoroughly legitimate and vital' and added that he 'could have fought the government and continued to hold to the party line, positioning himself perhaps for a pardon or clemency.' They said he cooperated for 'himself, his family and his country.' Cohen has been married for 24 years. He has two children, ages 23 and 19. Cohen's lawyers - Guy Petrillo and Amy Lester - said Cohen and his family have faced threats of physical harm, which have been referred to authorities. The lawyers, in a document that sometimes referred to Trump as 'Client-1,' said Cohen committed campaign finance fraud and made false statements out of a 'fierce loyalty' to Trump and at his direction. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, displayed what he said were emails from Cohen asking for help getting the Trump Tower Moscow project off the ground 'Michael regrets that his vigor in Client-1's interests in the heat of political battle led him to abandon good judgment and cross legal lines,' they said. In his guilty plea, Cohen confessed that he lied to Congress last year about a Moscow real estate deal he pursued on Trump's behalf well into the 2016 presidential campaign and at a time when investigators believe Russians were meddling in the election to help his candidacy. On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, displayed what he said were two emails from Cohen asking for help getting the Trump Tower Moscow project off the ground. Cohen last year acknowledged to Congress that he sent the emails to Peskov in January 2016. He then spoke by phone with one of Peskov's assistants. 'We told them that the presidential administration isn't involved in construction projects, and if they are interested in making investments we will be glad to see them at St. Petersburg's economic forum,' Peskov, who was with Putin at an international summit in Argentina, said Saturday. He flashed the emails on his phone to reporters, in an exchange broadcast on Russian state television. Cohen told Congress that he killed the proposal after talking to Peskov's office, which was a lie. In his guilty plea, Cohen confessed that he lied to Congress last year about a Moscow real estate deal he pursued on Trump's behalf well into the 2016 presidential campaign Cohen's lawyers said prison would be inappropriate given hardships Cohen faces, including loss of his law license, Internal Revenue Service civil penalties and restitution, his likely inclusion as a defendant in a tax case by New York State, the loss of his consulting firm's business and the cancellation of numerous banking credit card and insurance agreements. Included in the defense submission were over three dozen letters from Cohen's friends and family. In one, former New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford said he thought so highly of Cohen that he gave him the special teams game ball after the Giants won Super Bowl XLVI over the New England Patriots in 2012. In another, a woman wrote that her husband, who is Syrian, had been friends with Cohen since 1984. She said that when Trump made derogatory statements about Muslims during the 2016 presidential campaign, Cohen asked the couple out to dinner 'to apologize for his hurtful comments, distancing himself from the public position, and even expressing his shame and his children's embarrassment at his association with such a view.' Prosecutors have not yet filed a pre-sentence submission but have agreed to note Cohen cooperation to the sentencing judge. A man is fighting for life in hospital after he tried to protect his friend who was slapped by a woman at a train station. The woman approached two men, aged 32 and 36, on a platform at Clyde Railway Station, Sydney's west, on Saturday just after 6pm. The 32-year-old man was slapped in the face by the woman and held up his hand in a bid to stop the attack. When he attempted to grab the woman's hand to stop the attack he was punched by a man who approached, knocking him to the ground. A man is fighting for life after brawl at Clyde train station began when his friend was slapped by a woman. Police released an image two people who may be able to help with investigations The man, understood to be the woman's boyfriend, then lunged at the 36-year-old man and knocked him unconscious. The couple fled the scene and were last seen running from the station along William Street, Granville. The two men were treated by paramedics for head injuries and were taken to Westmead Hospital. The 36-year-old remains in a critical condition and is expected to stay in hospital for a number of days. The 32-year-old has been released from hospital. Police have released images of two people they believe can help with their investigation (pictured) Police have released images of two people that may be able to assist with their investigation. The man in the image is bald with a beard and aged mid to late 20s. The woman is around the same age with long brown hair. Officers urge anyone with information or able to identify the people to come forward by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Alec Baldwin reprised his role as President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live - the second time this season that the actor has played the Commander in Chief. Baldwin had been on a long hiatus, during which he was arrested near his New York City home after getting into an argument with another driver over a parking spot. 'God, I havent been this upset since I freaked out about that parking space,' Baldwin says while in character. The Long Island native poked fun at himself during Saturday's cold open, in which 'Trump' is seen on a balcony in Buenos Aires, where he is staying for the G-20 Summit. Alec Baldwin reprised his role as President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live - the first time this season that the actor has played the Commander in Chief. He is seen left with First Lady Melania Trump, played by SNL cast member Cecily Strong The First Lady comes out to console her husband, who appears preoccupied. Donald, come to bed, the First Lady says Melania, Im having trouble sleeping, the President says. I keep having this nightmare where Im walking through a forest of blood. The First Lady replies: Oh no, that was just my Christmas decoration. Trump is joined on the balcony by First Lady Melania Trump, played by Cecily Strong; his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who is portrayed by cast member Kate McKinnon; Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is played by Beck Bennett; and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is played by SNL alum Fred Armisen. The opening skit also featured a cameo by Ben Stiller, who played Trump's former fixer, Michael Cohen. The First Lady comes out to console her husband, who appears preoccupied. Donald, come to bed, the First Lady says. Melania, Im having trouble sleeping, the President says. Rudy Giuliani, Trump's attorney who is played on the show by cas4t member Kate McKinnon, makes an entrance. 'Rudy, where did you come from?' Trump asks. 'Oh, I was hanging upside down under the balcony,' he says Trump then asks Giuliani: 'How is my legal defense coming?' To which Giuliani replies: 'Well, I'm involved, so it's not great' 'Okay. I need to run some errands before the sun rises,' Giuliani says before flying away like a bat I keep having this nightmare where Im walking through a forest of blood. The First Lady replies: Oh no, that was just my Christmas decoration. In real life, Melania Trump is in charge of decorating the White House for the holiday season. 'What's the matter, Donald, do you not like Argentina?' the fake Melania asks. 'No, I love Argentina,' Baldwin's Trump says. 'There are a bunch of old German guys who are really into what I have to say here.' That line is a reference to Argentina historically being a haven for Nazi war criminals who fled to the South American country after the fall of the Third Reich in 1945. Melania then comments to her husband: 'The meeting with the Chinese president went well.' Trump replied: 'I know, it was hilarious. Every time he said something, I said "in bed".' 'Yes,' the First Lady replied. 'You're very funny. So what's wrong?' 'I just can't stop thinking about this Mueller investigation,' Trump says. 'Sometimes it almost feels like they're coming after me.' In real life, the Mueller investigation has netted a litany of indictments against senior officials who worked for Trump in his private life as well as during the campaign, chief among them Michael Cohen, his former lawyer and fixer, and Paul Manafort, who once chaired his campaign. 'Oh, cheer up, Donald! You know worst case scenario, you go to prison and you have to transfer your money to me for safe keeping and I have hire a giant man to protect me,' Melania says. 'I mean that worse case. In fact, I'm going to go think about that worse case while I soak in the bathtub.' Trump replies: 'All right. I'll be in soon, honey.' A lonely Trump then reaches out to his former fixer, Michael Cohen, played by Ben Stiller (right) 'I'm sad you're going to prison, Michael,' Trump says. 'You're like a son to me.' Cohen replies: 'Then why did you make me do so many illegal stuff?' Trump says: 'Because you're like a son to me' The President then says to himself: 'Oh, Donnie, you've really done it this time. 'You have to face all of those European leaders again. 'They just hate me because I'm a nationalist. What did nationalism ever do to Europe.' Giuliani, played by McKinnon, makes an entrance. 'Rudy, where did you come from?' Trump asks. 'Oh, I was hanging upside down under the balcony,' he says. 'What's the latest on the Mueller probe?' the President asks his attorney. 'Well, the good news is it's almost over,' Giuliani replies. 'And the bad news?' Trump asks. 'It's almost over.' Trump then asks Giuliani: 'How is my legal defense coming?' 'Well, I'm involved, so it's not great,' Giuliani says. 'This might be the first time someone's lawyer pleads insanity.' Trump then says: 'God, I want to fire you, Rudy, but I can't. You know all of my secrets.' To which Giuliani replies: 'Yep, and I keep those secrets where no one can find them, on nationally televised interviews. 'Okay. I need to run some errands before the sun rises.' When Giuliani leaves, Trump complains about being abandoned. 'No one understands me,' the President says. 'Who can I call? Someone who I know will always answer.' Stiller then enters the frame as Cohen, who in real life struck a plea deal with Mueller in which he divulged information about Trump's alleged business ties to Russia. 'Yes, hello? Michael Cohen speaking. I'll tell you anything you want,' Cohen says. 'Michael, Michael, it's Donald,' the President says. 'Mr. Trump, I'm not supposed to be talking to you,' Cohen says. 'Come on, Michael,' Trump says. Cohen says: 'I'm gonna get in trouble.' Trump then replies: 'But Mikey, Mikey coco, I need a bowl of my Mikey coco puffs.' 'Okay, fine, I can't say no to my Donald trump-lupus,' Cohen says. Trump says: 'There we go. Where can I put my son Eric in some old age fat suit and say it's me?' 'I'm not sure it will work, sir,' Cohen says. 'Trust me, Eric will never catch on,' the President says. 'Sorry, Mr. Trump, it's over,' Cohen says. The President then says: 'Well, Michael, at least there are some things they can never take away from us. Our late-night talks...' 'They got them on tape,' Cohen says. Trump hangs up the phone and ends the call with Cohen. Putin, played by Bennett, then walks onto the balcony He is customarily shirtless while wearing a necklace with a cross 'Donnie, why are you still up? Come back to bed, babe,' Putin says. 'I can't believe you and the crown prince of Saudi Arabia had that whole handshake yesterday,' Trump says 'What, that?' Putin says in the cold open. 'That meant nothing to me. It was just a totally improvised handshake. I'm not bros with him or anything' Trump was also joined on the balcony in Buenos Aires by Russian President Vladimir Putin, played by Beck Bennett; and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, played by SNL alum Fred Armisen The Saudi crown prince, played by Armisen, then walks onto the balcony. 'Hey, Vladi Daddy!' the Saudi royal says. To which Putin replies: 'Hey, my number one!' 'Our vacations to Moscow,' the President says. To which Cohen replies: 'They seized the records.' 'What about our hairstylist, the blind man with the shaky hands?' Trump says. Cohen replies: 'He died months ago.' 'I'm sad you're going to prison, Michael,' Trump says. 'You're like a son to me.' 'Then why did you make me do so many illegal stuff?' Cohen asks. 'Because you're like a son to me,' Trump says. Trump hangs up the phone and ends the call with Cohen. He then says: 'God, I haven't been this upset since I flipped out over that parking space.' In real life, Putin was seen greeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with a friendly handshake while Trump was seen looking on. The photo spawned internet memes portraying Trump as jealous of the Russian leader's friendship with the Saudi royal The President then asks: 'How can anyone think I colluded with Russia?' Putin, played by Bennett, then walks onto the balcony. He is customarily shirtless while wearing a necklace with a cross. 'Donnie, why are you still up? Come back to bed, babe,' Putin says. 'I can't believe you and the crown prince of Saudi Arabia had that whole handshake yesterday,' Trump says. In real life, Putin was seen greeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with a friendly handshake while Trump was seen looking on. The photo spawned internet memes portraying Trump as jealous of the Russian leader's friendship with the Saudi royal. 'What, that?' Putin says in the cold open. 'That meant nothing to me. It was just a totally improvised handshake. I'm not bros with him or anything.' The Saudi crown prince, played by Armisen, then walks onto the balcony. 'Hey, Vladi Daddy!' the Saudi royal says. To which Putin replies: 'Hey, my number one!' 'I thought I was your number one,' Trump says. To which Putin replies: 'Oh, totally. You're not my side piece. 'You're like my main girlfriend and this guy is like a random hooker.' Putin continued: 'Remember when we all race dune buggies last week?' Putin and Mohammed bin Salman are seen 'yucking it up' on SNL The two men engage in an elaborate handshake to show off their new 'bromance' Armisen is an SNL alum who often makes cameos in new episodes Bennett has frequently portrayed Putin, particularly since Trump was elected Putin being shirtless stems from an old photos of the Russian leader, who was wont to walk around with his bare chest in the outdoors The Saudi crown prince has been in the news for allegedly ordering the murder of a journalist who walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and never came out Putin and the Saudi crown prince's handshake at the G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires over the weekend caught the eye of many Armisen's character said: 'Vladdy, check it. When I killed that guy the other day, Trumpy was like, "Oh, please tell me you didn't do it." 'I was like, "B***h, you want your oil or not?"' 'Yeah,' the Saudi royal said. 'And I was like did you really kill that journalist?' Putin said. To which Mohammed bin Salman said: 'I was like of course I didn't, on opposite day!' The line about killing the journalist is a reference to Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi national who wrote a column for The Washington Post. Khashoggi was reported to have been brutally murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul - allegedly on the orders of Mohammed bin Salman. In the skit, Trump says to Putin: 'Well, Vlad, I'm sorry I had to cancel our meeting.' To which the Russian leader replied: 'Oh, it's all right. 'Hey, when am I moving into Trump Tower penthouse in Moscow? 'No, I'm kidding. I would never set foot in such a dump like that.' In real life, one of the revelations made by Cohen in court this past week was that Trump associates were negotiating with senior Russian officials close to Putin about building a Trump Tower in Moscow during the election campaign. It was even reported that Trump offered Putin the $50million penthouse. 'You're so funny, Vlad,' Trump says. The Saudi crown prince interjected. 'Vladdy, check it. When I killed that guy the other day, Trumpy was like, "Oh, please tell me you didn't do it." 'I was like, "B***h, you want your oil or not?"' In real life, the Trump administration said it wants to maintain relations with Saudi Arabia and that it would not jeopardize those ties over the Khashoggi killing. Putin and the Saudi royal then do a male-bonding type handshake. Both Putin and the Saudi royal then exit the scene, with the Russian President saying: 'Anyway, you won't see me for a while, Donnie. Trump then breaks out into a song, changing the lyrics to Don't Cry For Me Argentina, the song made famous by the musical Evita Trump is then joined in the song by all of the other characters. 'Don't cry for us Argentina, the truth is I barely know him, all through our wild days, my mad existence, it's just a witch-hunt - and we're all witches...' 'I prefer presidents who don't get indicted.' Putin and the Saudi royal then leave together, with MbS saying: 'Come on, I'll buy you a llama and we'll get it drunk.' To which Putin replies: 'Oh, you're so actually rich, I love you. Peace out.' Trump then breaks out into a song, changing the lyrics to Don't Cry For Me Argentina, the song made famous by the musical Evita. 'Don't cry for me Argentina, the truth I'm very guilty. some little no-nos, and maybe treason, but I kept my promise - oops, no, I didn't,' Trump sings. Trump is then joined in the song by all of the other characters. 'Don't cry for us Argentina, the truth is I barely know him, all through our wild days, my mad existence, it's just a witch-hunt - and we're all witches...' A spokesperson for Russia revealed on Saturday that Michael Cohen 'disappeared' after his two emails regarding then-presidential candidate Donald Trump potentially building a property in Moscow were returned with one phone call telling him that's not his department. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov revealed the emails from Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney, to reporters from the G20 Summit in Beunos Aires on Friday. The emails asked to either speak with Russian President Vladimir Putins then-chief of staff Sergei Ivanov, or Peskov himself, the spokesperson said. Peskov said someone then called Cohen and told him that the 'Russian presidential administration is not dealing with construction work' and then Cohen stopped contacting them, saying it euphemistically as, 'they did disappear,' NBC reported. Cohen pleaded guilty on Thursday to lying about whether negotiations continued regarding building a Trump Tower in Russia after the primary caucuses and elections began in February of 2016. This marks the first time Trump's private business dealings in Russia have been discussed in open court, as part of the Department of Justice investigation being led by Special Agent Robert Mueller into Russian meddling in the 2016 president election and whether Trump's campaign colluded with the foreign government. Russia spokesperson Dmitry Peskov (inset, right) revealed on Saturday that Michael Cohen (inset, left) 'disappeared' after his two emails regarding then-presidential candidate Donald Trump (left) potentially building a property in Moscow were returned with one phone call telling him that's not his department. Cohen is pictured walking out of Manhattan Federal Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to lying during the Russia probe In his plea deal, Cohen admitted to continuing to try to secure a deal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow into June of 2016. He previously said that the last efforts on that project were made in January 2016, before the Iowa caucus, which kicked off the presidential candidate primary contests. Peskov showed the following email from Cohen to reporters on Friday, according to Bloomberg, which did not report a date on the email: 'Over past few months Ive been working with the company based in Russia regarding the development of Trump tower, a project in Moscow City. 'I am requesting your assistance. I request someone preferably you contact me, so I might discuss the specifics as well as arranging meetings with appropriate individuals.' 'We told them that Presidential Administration doesnt build houses, and if they want to invest in Russia that we will be happy to see them at St Petersburg Economic Forum,' Russian administration spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. Peskov is pictured talking to the media on the sidelines of the 2018 G20 Summit in Buenos Aires on Friday Peskov said someone from Putin's administration then called Cohen, rather than replying electronically to the email. 'We told them that Presidential Administration doesnt build houses, and if they want to invest in Russia that we will be happy to see them at St Petersburg Economic Forum,' Peskov said on Friday. Cohen's plea deal agreement said he received a response from Putin's press secretarys office. The import of a US presidential candidate's team having discussions with Russia's presidential administration was not something Peskov was willing to entertain on Saturday. 'For us, it's not different,' Peskov said. 'For you, its a future president Trump. For us, its one of the other applicants.' Cohen admitted on Thursday to having conversations about the Moscow Trump Tower project into June of 2016, after Trump had clinched the Republican nomination for presidential candidacy but before it was made official at the Republican National Convention in July of that year. With regard to the potential project, Trump tweeted early on Friday at 4.52am Eastern time, while at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires: '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 has said that 'everybody knew' about the project, and it was 'more or less of an option that we were looking at in Moscow.' President Donald Trump has said that 'everybody knew' about the potential Trump Tower project in Moscow, and it was 'more or less of an option that we were looking at in Moscow.' Trump is pictured at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires on Friday With regard to the potential project, Trump tweeted early on Friday at 4.52am Eastern time, while at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires: '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... ' Trump added, '....Lightly looked at doing a building somewhere in Russia. Put up zero money, zero guarantees and didnt do the project. Witch Hunt!' Reporters on site at the G20 Summit pressed Peskov on the believability of Cohen getting one return phone call from the Russian presidential administration, and leaving it at that. 'This is not our struggle, it's their struggle,' Peskov said, seeming talking about the Mueller investigation. 'We wish them success.' In August, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight felony counts of tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. Those of those charges were related to payments made by Cohen, which he said were completed at Trump's direction, in order to stop women from discussing alleged affairs they had previously had with Trump. Cohen will be sentenced on all charges to which he has pleaded guilty on December 12. Trump reportedly had a brief, 'informal' conversation with Putin at a dinner attended by many world leaders at the G20 Summit on Friday, after canceling what was supposed to be a lengthy sit-down with the Russian president. Trump said that he canceled the meeting due to Putin's refused to free Ukrainian sailors and ships seized by Russian forces in the Sea of Azos. Putin said it was 'too soon' to do so, the Guardian reported. 'We need to establish the fact that this was a provocation by the Ukrainian government and we need to put all these things on paper.' he said. President Donald Trump said Saturday that he hopes to meet with North Korean despot Kim Jong Un in early 2019 for a second one-on-one summit, perhaps as soon as next month. Trump told reporters traveling home to Washington with him aboard Air Force One from Argentina that 'three sites' were in consideration for the meeting, a follow-up to their historic June summit in Singapore. Asked about a future meeting, Trump said: 'I think we're going to do one fairly [soon] you know, into January, February, I think. We're getting along very well. We have a good relationship.' 'Dont forget, weve been doing that for what six, seven months? Not a long time. People have been working on that one for 80 years, right?' he said. President Donald Trump (center, at the G20 summit Friday in Argentina) says he's ready for a second face-to-face meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un (not pictured) Kim (right) has shown some signs of willingness to allow international inspectors into his hermit nation's nuclear sites, but doesn't appear ready to denuclearize entirely Trump had been in Buenos Aires for the G20 summit. The president also said he is working 'very strongly on North Korea' with President Xi Jinping of China. 'He is agreeing to work with me 100 percent on North Korea, and thats a big thing,' Trump said. When asked Saturday if he would ever host Kim in the United States, Trump replied: 'At some point, yeah.' Trump and Kim opened up dialogue in June about denuclearization of the Korean peninsula after months of trading military threats and pointed barbs. Trump and Kim met in June for a Singapore summit, laying the groundwork for resolving a process that past administrations have found futile The two leaders signed a vaguely worded document on denuclearization of the peninsula, but progress since has stalled as Washington and Pyongyang sparred and North Korea has taken few concrete steps to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was due to meet with a top North Korean official in early November, but the meeting was abruptly called off when North Korea insisted that Washington ease sanctions. On Friday, Trump discussed the situation with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The pair 'reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization' of North Korea, Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. Trump said Saturday aboard Air Force One that he wants to hold a second summit with Kim in early 2019 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. But differences have emerged between Washington and Seoul on how to proceed with Kim, as the dovish Moon has long favored engagement with the North. Still, Kim reportedly is willing to allow inspectors into his country's main nuclear complex. A senior diplomatic source said last week that the dictator told Moon Jae-in at their summit in September that he's open to the idea. President Donald Trump said Saturday night that he will formally terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement 'shortly.' Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington from Argentina, after a two-day meeting with the leaders of other major world economies, Trump said he would provide formal notice to Congress. The move will give lawmakers six months to approve the replacement he signed on Friday during the G-20 summit or revert to pre-NAFTA trade rules. President Donald Trump said Saturday night that he will formally terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement 'shortly' The move will give lawmakers in Congress six months to approve the replacement Trump signed on Friday during the G-20 summit or revert to pre-NAFTA trade rules Trump said Congress can choose between the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or 'pre-NAFTA, which works very well' 'We (will) get rid of NAFTA,' he told reporters. 'It's been a disaster for the United States.' Trump signed the new deal with the president of Mexico and Canada's prime minister, following through on a campaign promise he made to renegotiate the long controversial NAFTA agreement. Seeking to gain leverage with skeptical lawmakers to approve the revised trade pact, Trump said Congress 'will have a choice' as it considers the agreement he signed. He said they can choose between the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or 'pre-NAFTA, which works very well.' Trump has made renegotiating NAFTA a centerpiece of his presidency. The North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect on 1 January 1994 in order to establish a trilateral trade bloc in North America. Two topless brothers have been filmed brawling in broad daylight on the side of a busy street. The shocking footage was captured in Adelaide's western suburb of Seaton in the middle of the day on Sunday. Two screaming and swearing men - who police say are relatives - can be seen grappling in front of a residential estate before an officer breaks up the wild brawl. Two bare-chested men understood to be related were filmed brawling on the side of the road Footage captured by a terrified pedestrian on the other side of the road was obtained by Nine News The video begins with a topless man running away from another, who is heard screaming obscenities. His pursuer catches up to him and places him in a choke-hold until they tumble to the pavement. The pair grapple on the sidewalk and roll into the gutter of the bustling street. An ambulance can be seen passing by at one point. The fight was only broken up when a police car pulled up at the scene. Two wrestling men (left) were only broken up when police used pepper spray (right) An officer rushes to the two men with an arm raised, before pepper spraying the man on top. The brawlers immediately stopped wrestling as a shocked female onlooker in a blue tank top stands only metres away. The man who was pepper sprayed was suffering from a mental health episode, a South Australia Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. After the fight was broken up, the man was treated. The pair of men are related and are believed to be brothers. Police investigations are continuing with it currently unclear whether charges will be laid. A gang of approximately 20 African youths allegedly bashed and robbed three men on Saturday night, leaving one victim unconscious. Dau Mabior, 19, has been charged over his alleged involvement in an all-in brawl on the tourist-heavy foreshore of Melbourne's St Kilda beach. He is also accused of assaulting officers, making threats to kill and possessing marijuana. Three men were allegedly ambushed by the riotous group before one was knocked unconscious and robbed. A gang of approximately 20 African youths allegedly bashed and robbed three men on Saturday night, leaving one victim unconscious Two of the victims, aged 24 and 26, were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A 20-year-old from Vermont South declined treatment for the minor injuries he sustained during the melee. Acting Superintendent for Southern Metro police Mark Langhorn told the Herald Sun the violent robbery was connected to a brawl involving more than 100 youths earlier in the night. 'We did have a really heavy police presence down there last night so it's unfortunate these incidents still occur because we felt like we were on top of it,' Acting Supt Langhorn said. Police confirmed there were a number of arrests in relation to 'anti social behaviour'. Three men were allegedly ambushed by the riotous group before one was knocked unconscious and robbed 'A number of police units, including the Public Order Response Team and Dog Squad were in attendance, with the crowd dispersing upon arrival.' 'A large number of youths gathered at the foreshore area and officers responded to a number of brawls and drunken behaviour about 11pm.' 'Nine people were arrested in relation to riotous behaviour, possessing drugs and liquor and being drunk in a public place.' Mr Mabior, who was also charged with breaching bail conditions, fronted court on Sunday, and has been remanded to reappear in court on Tuesday, The Age reported. One drowning and another two childrens' near-drownings have marred the second day of summer. A 32-year-old man was pulled out of the Colo River in Sydney's north-west after he was found floating face-down on Sunday morning. Less than an hour later, paramedics who desperately tried to resuscitate the man were called to Narrabeen Lagoon in Sydney's north to attend to an unconscious young girl and a nearby struggling boy. The girl, aged seven, had CPR administered and was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition while the five-year-old boy was also admitted as a precaution. A 32-year-old man has drowned at the murky Colo River (pictured) in Sydney's northwest In Colo River, a popular swimming destination, a group had been swimming just before midday when one man went below the murky water's surface. When he didn't re-emerge, two terrified onlookers dove in after him. Witness Greg Hicks and his wife dove in the water, grasping blindly for the man, but were unsuccessful. Mr Hicks told Nine News the 32-year-old victim didn't surface for '15 to 20 minutes'. They pulled the man to the banks of the water and began CPR until paramedics took over. 'Not good,' a teary Mr Hicks said. Locals say the water was full of debris due to logs knocked into the water after a week of storms, with strong undercurrents making swimming dangerous. Only 90km southwest, disaster struck again with a pair of distressed children pulled out of the water. A child was seen face-down in the water by horrified onlookers on the banks of the Narrabeen Lagoon. Beachgoers pulled the semiconscious boy, aged five, out of the water before a distressed mother said her daughter was still out there. Meanwhile, two children aged seven and five were rescued from Narrabeen Beach (pictured) They found her 'completely by luck', completely submerged metres from the shoreline. The seven-year-old was unconscious when she was dragged to land minutes later and given CPR by a local father. Paramedics took over and rushed the children to the Royal Children's Hospital in Randwick. The two children will remain in hospital overnight. The boy is in a stable condition, while the girl remains stable. Hospital staff told Nine News the two children were 'incredibly lucky to be alive' thanks to the actions of quick-thinking beach-goers. Theresa May's task of getting her Brexit deal past the House of Commons is looking near-impossible as opposition mounts. The 'meaningful vote' promised to MPs will happen on December 11 and is the single biggest hurdle to the Brexit deal happening - as well as being the key to Mrs May' fate as PM. But despite opinion polls suggesting the public might be coming round to her deal, there is little sign of a shift among politicians. Remainers have been stepping up calls for a second referendum in the wake of Sam Gyimah's resignation as universities minister over the weekend - while Brexiteers including Boris Johnson have accused Mrs May of betrayal. Mrs May needs at least 318 votes in the Commons if all 650 MPs turns up - but can probably only be confident of around 230 votes. The number is less than half because the four Speakers, 7 Sinn Fein MPs and four tellers will not take part. The situation looks grim for Mrs May and her whips: now the deal has been published, over 100 of her own MPs and the 10 DUP MPs have publicly stated they will join the Opposition parties in voting No. This means the PM could have as few as 225 votes in her corner - leaving 410 votes on the other side, a landslide majority 185. This is how the House of Commons might break down: Mrs May needs at least 318 votes in the Commons if all 650 MPs turns up - but can probably only be confident of around 230 votes. Mrs May needs at least 318 votes in the Commons if all 650 MPs turns up - but can probably only be confident of around 230 votes. The Government (plus various hangers-on) Who are they: All members of the Government are the so-called 'payroll' vote and are obliged to follow the whips orders or resign. It includes the Cabinet, all junior ministers, the whips and unpaid parliamentary aides. There are also a dozen Tory party 'vice-chairs and 17 MPs appointed by the PM to be 'trade envoys'. How many of them are there? 178. What do they want? For the Prime Minister to survive, get her deal and reach exit day with the minimum of fuss. Many junior ministers want promotion while many of the Cabinet want to be in a position to take the top job when Mrs May goes. How will they vote? With the Prime Minister. European Research Group Brexiteers demanding a No Confidence Vote Who are they: The most hard line of the Brexiteers, they launched a coup against Mrs May after seeing the divorce. Led by Jacob Rees-Mogg and Steve Baker. How many of them are there: 26 What do they want: The removal of Mrs May and a 'proper Brexit'. Probably no deal now, with hopes for a Canada-style deal later. How will they vote: Against the Prime Minister. Other Brexiteers in the ERG Who are they: There is a large block of Brexiteer Tory MPs who hate the deal but have so far stopped short of moving to remove Mrs May - believing that can destroy the deal instead. They include ex Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and ex minister Owen Paterson. Ex ministers like Boris Johnson and David Davis are also in this group - they probably want to replace Mrs May but have not publicly moved against her. How many of them are there? Around 50. What do they want? The ERG has said Mrs May should abandon her plans for a unique trade deal and instead negotiate a 'Canada plus plus plus' deal. This is based on a trade deal signed between the EU and Canada in August 2014 that eliminated 98 per cent of tariffs and taxes charged on goods shipped across the Atlantic. The EU has long said it would be happy to do a deal based on Canada - but warn it would only work for Great Britain and not Northern Ireland. How will they vote: Against the Prime Minister. Remain including the People's Vote supporters Who are they: Tory MPs who believe the deal is just not good enough for Britain. They include the group of unrepentant Remainers who want a new referendum like Anna Soubry and ex-ministers who quit over the deal including Jo Johnson and Phillip Lee. How many of them are there: Maybe around 10. What do they want? To stop Brexit. Some want a new referendum, some think Parliament should step up and say no. A new referendum would take about six months from start to finish and they group wants Remain as an option on the ballot paper, probably with Mrs May's deal as the alternative. How will they vote? Against the Prime Minister. Moderates in the Brexit Delivery Group (BDG) and other Loyalists Who are they? A newer group, the BDG counts members from across the Brexit divide inside the Tory Party. It includes former minister Nick Boles and MPs including Remainer Simon Hart and Brexiteer Andrew Percy. There are also lots of unaligned Tory MPs who are desperate to talk about anything else. How many of them are there? Based on public declarations, about 48 MPs have either said nothing or backed the deal. What do they want? The BDG prioritises delivering on Brexit and getting to exit day on March 29, 2019, without destroying the Tory Party or the Government. If the PM gets a deal the group will probably vote for it. It is less interested in the exact form of the deal but many in it have said Mrs May's Chequers plan will not work. Mr Boles has set out a proposal for Britain to stay in the European Economic Area (EEA) until a free trade deal be negotiated - effectively to leave the EU but stay in close orbit as a member of the single market. How will they vote? With the Prime Minister. The DUP Who are they? The Northern Ireland Party signed up to a 'confidence and supply' agreement with the Conservative Party to prop up the Government. They are Unionist and say Brexit is good but must not carve Northern Ireland out of the Union. How many of them are there? 10. What do they want? A Brexit deal that protects Northern Ireland inside the UK. How will they vote? Against the Prime Minister on the grounds they believe the deal breaches the red line of a border in the Irish Sea. Labour Loyalists Who are they? Labour MPs who are loyal to Jeremy Corbyn and willing to follow his whipping orders. How many of them are there? Up to 250 MPs depending on exactly what Mr Corbyn orders them to do. What do they want? Labour policy is to demand a general election and if the Government refuses, 'all options are on the table', including a second referendum. Labour insists it wants a 'jobs first Brexit' that includes a permanent customs union with the EU. It says it is ready to restart negotiations with the EU with a short extension to the Article 50 process. The party says Mrs May's deal fails its six tests for being acceptable. How will they vote? Against the Prime Minister's current deal. Labour Rebels Who are they? A mix of MPs totally opposed to Mr Corbyn's leadership, some Labour Leave supporters who want a deal and some MPs who think any deal will do at this point. How many of them are there? Maybe 10 to 20 MPs but this group is diminishing fast - at least for the first vote on the deal. What do they want? An orderly Brexit and to spite Mr Corbyn. How will they vote? With the Prime Minister. Other Opposition parties Who are they? The SNP, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, Green Caroline Lucas and assorted independents. How many of them are there? About 60 MPs. How will they vote? Mostly against the Prime Minister - though two of the independents are suspended Tories and two are Brexiteer former Labour MPs. Cyclone Owen has formed over the coral sea with wind gusts climbing to 95km/h. The cyclone, sitting about 1000km about 990km east northeast of Cairns, formed in the Coral Sea off north Queensland on Sunday afternoon but currently poses no immediate threat, authorities say. The Category One system is expected to deepen overnight and become a Category Two cyclone on Monday, however, it's predicted to remain well off the Queensland coast until it weakens later in the week. Cyclone Owen has formed over the coral sea with wind gusts climbing to 95km/h about 1000km about 990km east northeast of Cairns The Category One system is expected to deepen overnight and become a Category Two cyclone on Monday 'The tropical low over the northern Coral Sea has recently developed into Tropical Cyclone Owen,' BoM warns. 'The system has been moving to the south southeast through today, but has recently slowed to around 8 kilometres per hour. 'Owen is expected to deepen further overnight and is likely to reach Category 2 on Monday.' 'The tropical low over the northern Coral Sea has recently developed into Tropical Cyclone Owen,' BoM warns 'The system has been moving to the south southeast through today, but has recently slowed to around 8 kilometres per hour The cyclone comes as Queensland firefighters continue to battle a wall of bushfires tearing through Queensland. Up to 140 fires were recorded around the state last week. Firefighters are battling an intense heat wave with temperatures reaching 40C and wild winds. Dry and hot conditions have pushed the fire rating to severe, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Thunderstorms are expected to hit the state, but are expected to start more fires caused with 'dry lightning'. Bushfires at Deepwater and Eungella in central Queensland, as well as at Carnarvon in the southwest and on North Stradbroke Island, near Brisbane, remain the most concerning. 'This exceptional heat and fire event just keeps continuing, the records are just too numerous to mention,' meteorologist Bruce Gunn said. 'There is still some days to go until we some relief ... there is no significant rain on the horizon especially in central Queensland before Tuesday.' A firefighter working on controlling a bushfire in Deepwater, Central Queensland QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll says 'concerning' days lay ahead for Queensland. 'We're not out of the woods ... it is a moving feast, the change of the winds present those challenges and the heatwave, and when you put all of this together it is a difficult concoction to deal with,' she said. More than 400 interstate firefighters are battling the bushfires with the help of 20 aircraft. A young man has died as he battled to contain the bushfires. The 21-year-old man from Rolleston, south of Emerald, was using a chainsaw to cut down a tree for a firebreak when the tree fell on him. Fires have destroyed four homes in the Deepwater region along with a number of sheds and vehicles. The pensioner died in Peterborough City Hospital four days later on October 12 Police have named a woman they are hunting after 10,000 was stolen from a 91-year-old widow while she lay dying in hospital. June Weatherman, 54, is wanted in connection with a high-value fraud after the purse of dementia-sufferer Mary Banks was stolen. After swiping the elderly woman's bank card, the thief then bought groceries and clothes before stealing money from her account. The former secretary, who had severe breathing problems, was completely unaware of the theft and died in Peterborough City Hospital four days later on October 12. June Weatherman, 54, is wanted by the police after 10,000 was stolen from 91-year-old Mary Banks' bank card as she lay dying at Peterborough City Hospital. Mrs Banks died four days later on October 12 and was completely unaware of the theft On Friday, police said Weatherman was wanted in connection with the crime. Speaking on Saturday, Mrs Banks' only son Jim Banks described the crime as 'appalling'. He added: 'Hopefully, they [the police] will be able to prevent such a despicable thing happening to anyone else in the future.' Speaking previously, the grieving 65-year-old had said: 'This stolen money would mean nothing to my poor mum because she has died now but if this happened to another elderly person it would completely destroy their livelihood. 'I want whoever did this despicable act to be brought to justice. 'To steal from an elderly vulnerable woman in hospital is the lowest of the low and I hope that this person is jailed so that something like this can never happen ever again to anyone else. 'My mother was 91 years old, suffering from dementia, was immobile and had severe breathing problems when her purse was stolen as she lay in bed at Peterborough City Hospital.' Police had previously released CCTV images of a woman - believed to be Weatherman - taken at Peterborough City Hospital. After getting hold of the pensioner's bank card the thief bought groceries and clothes before stealing money from her account Mr Banks, who lives in Gloucestershire, told how the first withdrawal was made inside the hospital and that the thief went on a 'vicious spending spree' in Peterborough, Northampton and London. More than 200 was withdrawn daily between September 13 and September 26 when Barclays bank froze the card. Items were bought in Sainsbury's, Tesco, Superdrug, Footlocker, Argos and other stores during the spree. 'She would have been completely unaware of where she was, let alone that she was being robbed by a despicable and immoral individual who has preyed on the sick and vulnerable,' said Jim. 'She died within four weeks of being robbed. It defies belief that anybody could stoop so low and I am appealing for the public's help in catching whoever is responsible so that no other family has to face a similar heartache. 'My mum was just a lovely 91-year-old woman who was incredibly vulnerable. My heart breaks for her.' On Friday police tweeted a picture of Weatherman and wrote: 'We need your help in locating 54-year-old June Weatherman who is wanted in connection with a high-value fraud. 'More than 10,000 was stolen from 91-year-old Mary Banks as she lay bedridden at Peterborough City Hospital earlier this year. If you know where she is please call 999.' Police previously released CCTV images of a woman - believed to be Weatherman - taken at Peterborough City Hospital. PC Lewis Busby of Cambridgeshire Police previously said: 'I would urge anyone with information about this crime to contact us or who thinks they know the woman in the CCTV. 'My thoughts go with the family who are dealing with the loss of their loved one and now have to deal with this alongside it.' Anyone who recognises the woman pictured or has any information is asked to call police on 101 quoting 35/36955/18. Advertisement Theresa May has been warned by Japan's Prime Minister to avoid a no-deal Brexit amid warnings from the country's car manufacturers. 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. 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 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. 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 Christians in the Middle East are facing 'imminent extinction', the Archbishop of Canterbury warned today. Justin Welby said followers of the faith were subject to the 'daily threat of murder' and the situation was the worst 'since the Mongol invasions of the 13th century'. The stark warning came as the Archbishop urged the Government to take in more refugees. Figures suggest that just one in 400 Syrian refugees given asylum in the UK last year was a Christian. Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show ahead of a special service at Westminster Abbey, Mr Welby said: 'The plight of Christians in many parts of the Middle East has become more and more acute. 'As we approach Christmas, we need to pray for them and speak out for them.' Justin Welby said followers the faith were facing the 'daily threat of murder' and the situation was the worst 'since the Mongol invasions of the 13th century' In a separate article for the Telegraph, he added: 'Christians face daily the threat of violence, murder, intimidation, prejudice and poverty. 'In the last few years, they have been slaughtered by so-called Islamic State, and in many countries they find themselves squeezed between the upper and lower millstones of pressure on them within society and of conflicts that afflict the region. 'Many have left. Hundreds of thousands have been forced from their homes. Many have been killed, enslaved and persecuted or forcibly converted. Even those who remain ask the question, 'Why stay?'' The Archbishop pointed out that the Christian population of Iraq was under half what it was in 2003, and many churches had been destroyed. 'Across the region Christian communities that were the foundation of the universal Church now face the threat of imminent extinction,' he wrote. He added: 'We must support and help them in every way we can. Where they wish to leave, they will be refugees in need of asylum. 'Where, courageously and by the grace of God, they choose to remain, they need publicity and external, visible support.' The Church of England leader will join Prince Charles for a service on Tuesday, service, where royal is expected to give a reflection focusing on forgiveness and reconciliation. He has previously spoken of his 'heartbreak' at the situation. Advertisement Graffiti was removed from the Arc de Triomphe today after anti-Macron protesters stormed through Paris on Saturday. The protesters occupied the city centre and torched cars, smashed windows with clubs and axes and stole an assault rifle from riot police firing tear gas and water cannon in France's worst urban rioting for years. The French President - who faced calls to resign from protesters who scrawled anti-Macron slogans on the Arc de Triomphe - today vowed to bring the rioters to justice as he inspected wreckage on the Champs-Elysees. The 'yellow vest' protests, which began as a rebellion against a fuel tax hike but have expanded into weeks of civil unrest, spread across the country yesterday and ended with 133 people injured, including 23 police officers, and 412 arrested last night. Macron was jeered by lingering yellow-vest supporters before chairing a crisis meeting with ministers, amid calls to declare a state of emergency or even send in the army to quell the violence. Graffiti was removed from Arc de Triomphe today after anti-Macron protesters stormed through the Paris on Saturday Workers wearing protective clothing scrub graffiti off the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday after the violence yesterday Cleanup operations to remove graffiti scrawled at the Arc de Triomphe continue the day after clashes with protesters wearing yellow vests French President Emmanuel Macron inspects the wreckage in Paris today where he was booed as he The burned-out shell of a car lies in the street this morning after it was set on fire during the violent protests in Paris yesterday A yellow-vested protester raises his arms with cars burning behind him in scenes of violent carnage in Paris last night French President Emmanuel Macron visits the Arc de Triomphe as soon as he returned from the G20 summit in Argentina. He condemned the violence and vowed to bring the rioters to justice Three cars burn in bright orange flames as a masked protester wearing the signature yellow vest stands in front of them Riot police wearing helmets hold up their shields with tear gas in the air as they attempt to quell the protests in Paris A burned car is seen on Kleber avenue on Sunday morning after clashes with protesters yesterday Demonstrators stand in front of a burning car during the yellow vest protest in Paris on Saturday An overturned car burns in flames during the protests in Paris yesterday which grew into one of France's worst urban riots Macron surveys the damage in Paris today with a burnt motorbike lying in a street a day after the carnage in the capital May 1968 Paris riots Following months of conflicts between students and authorities at the Nanterre campus of the University of Paris, the administration shut down the university on 2 May 1968. Thousands of members of the students union met in Paris on 3 May to protest against the closure. The protests quickly spread to other unions bringing about massive general strikes as well as the occupation of universities and factories across France. The protests reached such a point that political leaders feared civil war or revolution as the economy was ground to a halt. President Charles de Gaulle secretly fled France for a few hours to a military base in Germany. When he returned he dissolved the National Assembly and called for elections on 23 June, which he won. Advertisement Macron, who went to Paris as soon as he returned from the G20 in Argentina today, held talks with his prime minister and interior minister at the Elysee Palace nearby. Images showed the inside of the Arc de Triomphe ransacked, with a statue of Marianne - a symbol of the French republic - smashed and graffiti sprawled on the exterior. Under heavy security, the French leader spoke with police and firefighters on one of the avenues near the Champs-Elysees, with some yellow-jacketed protesters nearby shouting: 'Macron resign!' As the clean-up began today workmen cleared away burnt hulks of cars, scrubbed the defaced Arc de Triomphe and replaced the shattered windows of luxury boutiques in Paris. A government spokesman said it was 'out of the question that each weekend becomes a meeting or ritual for violence' after a second consecutive Saturday ended in violent carnage in Paris. The capital was calm today but a motorway was blocked by yellow-vested protesters in Lyon, and groups sprung up on social media calling for an 'Act 4' next week after three Saturdays of protests. A state of emergency would allow extra powers to the forces of law and order, ranging from stop-and-searches to carrying out raids on the homes of suspected rioters, amid calls for the army to be called in. However, a source at the Elysee Palace said this afternoon that Macron had not discussed a state of emergency with ministers today. His office said in a statement that the president had asked his interior minister to prepare security forces for future protests and his prime minister to hold talks with political party leaders and representatives of the protesters. The Arc was among hundreds of buildings attacked by the protesters on Saturday as the Champs-Elysees was reduced to a warzone in the centre of the French capital. Protesters set fire to cars and Christmas trees, hurled barricades at police, smashed up windows and graffitied the 19th-century arch - while calling for Macron to resign - in violence which continued into the night. On the facade of the towering 19th-century arch, protesters scrawled in big black letters: 'The yellow vests will triumph', while along the Champs-Elysees, peaceful demonstrators held up a slogan reading, 'Macron, stop treating us like idiots!' France last brought in a state of emergency in 2015, following terrorist attacks by Islamic State, which lasted until November 2017. President Macron meets firefighters in the streets of Paris on Sunday the morning after the violence erupted in the capital The French President at the Arc de Triomphe today standing in front of a message saying 'Macron - we want your a**e' Macron sits across from Prime Minister Edouard Philippe at the start of a meeting at the Elysee Palace to address the violence Police get to work this morning wiping the message 'The Yellow Vests Will Triumph' off the historic Arc de Triomphe A Parisian looks at the vandalised window of a bank in the city centre today following Saturday's violent protests Burned cars on the street in the centre of Paris today after protesters torched vehicles and clashed with riot police yesterday The wreckage of a car which was burned in the violent carnage in Paris yesterday stands in the street on Sunday Workers remove a mechanical digger stolen from a construction site during the protests on Saturday Protesters wearing 'yellow vests' on the Champs-Elysees in the centre of Paris look out over the Eiffel Tower Riot police take control of the Place de l'Etoile, which surrounds the Arc de Triomphe at the end of the Champs-Elysees A demonstrator holds a French flag and wears a yellow jacket among a pile of Christmas trees during Saturday's protest Police take position as they face demonstrators in Marseille, southern France, as protests spread out across the country Protesters said the riots yesterday were the 'start of a revolution', in violence which echoed the near-revolution of 1968. 'We are in an insurrectional climate,' said Frederic Lagache, of the Alliance police union, which called for the State of Emergency. Mr Lagache said 'army reinforcements' should be brought in to guard public monuments, freeing up the police to deal with other trouble spots. Sixteen identity check points and police barricades had been set up on the Champs Elysees for the first time in its history in an attempt to avoid rioting but the measures failed to halt the anarchy in Paris. Condemning the violence, Macron said: '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. 'Those guilty of this violence don't want change, they don't want improvements, they want chaos. They betray the causes that they pretend to serve and which they manipulate. 'They will be identified and brought to justice for their actions. I will always respect debate and I will always listen to opposition but I will never accept violence'. The 'yellow vest' or 'gilets jaunes' movement was first prompted by Macron's move to raise the price of diesel fuel to help the environment. Motorists took to the streets wearing the high-visibility yellow jackets which drivers are required to carry in their vehicles in France, giving the movement its name. Since then the protest has gathered momentum and taken aim at the high cost of living and wider dissatisfaction with Macron's presidency. A police car burns after clashes between police and protesters, in Marseille, in what has become a national protest movement Burned cars are seen on Kleber avenue on Sunday morning the day after some of France's worst rioting in 50 years Firefighters wearing helmets and protective clothes spray water over a burning car in the centre of Paris amid violent protests Cars are seen on fire during the 'yellow vest' demonstration on an avenue in Paris last night The protests yesterday spread beyond Paris as demonstrators wearing the same high-vis vests blocked a motorway in Biarritz in the south-west of the country and let off yellow smoke grenades in Marseille, France's second-largest city. The yellow-jacket protests even spread to The Hague, in the Netherlands, where people gathered outside the Dutch parliamentary building on Saturday. The French government has faced difficulties dealing with the protesters as the movement has no real leadership and has not aligned itself with any political organisation. Macron has sought to douse the anger by promising three months of nationwide talks on turning 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 movement. Eight were invited to meet Prime Minister Edouard Philippe 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. The protests have caught Macron off guard just as he was trying to counter a fall in his popularity rating to 30 per cent. His unyielding response has exposed him to charges of being out of touch with ordinary people. Demonstrators run by a burning fire near the Arc de Triomphe during a fresh protest which has seen Yellow Vest supporters clash with riot police and more than 100 people arrested so far on Saturday Protesters wearing masks, helmets and the movement's signature yellow vests wave a Tricolore flag in front of the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elysees Riot police officers stand in the middle of the damage of La Belle Armee restaurant after the rioting in Paris last night Smoke can be seen rising in the distance, in a picture taken from the top of the Arc de Triomphe amid the rioting This picture taken from the top of the Arc de Triomphe shows a scattering of yellow-vested protesters and smoke rising over the Paris skyline as darkness starts to fall on the French capital after a day of violent protest French riot police are seen locking down a street through the shattered window of the La Belle Armee restaurant which was destroyed in the protests A vandalised shop is seen on a street the morning after clashes between police and protesters in the city A man walks away from a burning wreckage as yellow jacket protesters clashed with police throughout the day in Paris Firefighters rescue two people on the ground who were hurt when part of the Tuileries Gardens was pulled down in Paris A flaming wreckage in the centre of Paris last night in clashes which led to more than 100 injuries and 400 arrests Advertisement Mexico's first leftist president in seven decades was sworn in at an inauguration ceremony in which he vowed to see off 'rapacious' elite in a country struggling with corruption, chronic poverty and gang violence. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, 65, took the oath of office in the lower house of Congress in Mexico City, pledging to bring about a 'radical' rebirth of Mexico to overturn what he called a disastrous legacy of decades of 'neo-liberal' governments. Later, tens of thousands packed into the city's vast main square for celebrations to mark the new president's appointment in which he received a spiritual cleansing by indigenous leaders as jubilant fans jammed the Zocalo. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador vowed to profoundly transform Latin America's second-biggest economy and to end corruption in the government Tens of thousands packed into Mexico City's vast main square to watch Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, 65, receiving a spiritual cleansing by indigenous leaders At Congress he said: 'The government will no longer be a committee at the service of a rapacious minority,' said the new president, who is often nicknamed AMLO. Nor would the government, he said, be a 'simple facilitator of pillaging, as it has been.' Lopez Obrador later addressed a massive crowd of supporters in the heart of the capital, promising to put Mexico's sizeable indigenous minority first in his drive to root out inequality. Referencing one of his heroes, the 19th-century Mexican President Benito Juarez, who separated the church and the state, Lopez Obrador said his government would ensure a divide between economic and political power in the country. Making 16 references to 'neo-liberal' policies in his speech, he vowed to abolish the 'regime' he said it had created. He blamed the government of his predecessor, Enrique Pena Nieto, for causing a plunge in oil output by opening the energy industry in Latin America's no. 2 economy to private investment. Instead, he vowed to ramp up public investment to rescue state oil company Pemex, which is suffering from heavy debts. At the end of the celebrations in the main square he gave a 90-minute speech to the thousands of jubilant fans jamming the Zocalo, vowing to help the poor in a nation where almost half the population lives in poverty. 'We are going to govern for everyone, but we are going to give preference to the most impoverished and vulnerable,' Mr Lopez Obrador said. 'For the good of all, the poor come first. 'Be patient and have confidence in me.' More than 30 million Mexicans voted for Mr Lopez Obrador in a sweeping July 1 election victory that also gave his party a majority in congress. Despite the landslide of support for the new leader, worries are mounting among critics who see an expanding authoritarian streak. 'The country is completely divided,' said Valeria Moy, director of the Mexico, Como Vamos? think tank. Ms Moy said she had expected a more conciliatory tone from the president, who instead blamed many of Mexico's ills on decades of neoliberal policies that opened the country to greater trade and foreign investment. Tens of thousands packed into Mexico City's vast main square to watch Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, 65, receiving a spiritual cleansing by indigenous leaders While many are jubilant that Mexico has its first leftist president in decades, Ms Moy noted that others are concerned about the economic decisions that Mr Lopez Obrador will make, and of his use of referendums to validate his proposals. Already, Mr Lopez Obrador has halted construction of a new 13 billion dollar airport for Mexico City after having that move backed in an unofficial referendum that saw just over 1% of voters participate. The peso and Mexican stocks plunged in response. After decades with a closed, state-dominated economy, Mexico's governments since 1986 had signed more free trade agreements than almost any other nation and privatised every corner of the economy except oil and electricity. Mr Lopez Obrador says he wants to build more state-owned oil refineries and encouraging Mexicans to buy Mexican. One of the most pressing issues he faces at the start of his presidency is the caravan of thousands of Central American migrants camped out at the US border, hoping to obtain asylum in the US. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (C) and his wife Beatriz Gutierrez Muller take part in an indigenous ceremony As part of his inauguration day, Mr Andres Lopez Obrador and his wife Beatriz Gutierrez Mueller met Spain's King Felipe VI at the National Palace in Mexico City Aerial view of the Zocalo square during the event to celebrate the appointment of Mexico's new president In his first official act in office, he signed an agreement with counterparts in three Central American countries to create a development plan for the region. The plan would include a fund to generate jobs as a way to lessen the poverty that drives people to leave El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Most on the minds for many in Mexico, though, is the rising tide of violence. 'I don't expect him to change everything in two months, or even in six years, but if the violence comes down then good things will happen,' said Amira Rozenbaum, who is optimistic for change. The president pledged to personally oversee daily 6am security briefings and to work 16-hour days to confront the brutal violence in Mexico. He also promised to restore the energy sector to prominence and bring up Mexico's oil production from its current 25-year lows. Mr Lopez Obrador began his political career leading demonstrations against oil pollution in his native state of Tabasco, and he is the country's first president since the Mexican Revolution to rise to prominence as a protest leader. Combined with a deep sense of nationalism and his own place in history, he envisions his administration creating a historic 'fourth transformation' of Mexico, following independence from Spain, the liberal reforms that broke the church's dominance in the 1850s and the 1910-1917 revolution. Maria Antonia Flores was one of those on the Zocalo to celebrate and said she had supported Mr Lopez Obrador for more than 20 years. All around her, party loyalists donned burgundy vests and hats stamped with the logo of his Morena party. 'We love him because he's honest. He's hard-working. He has never let us down,' she said. 'He's not corruptible.' Mr Lopez Obrador has pledged to end centuries of poverty and marginalisation for Mexico's more than 70 indigenous communities, and he became the first president to take part in a ceremonial inauguration by indigenous groups. Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador addresses supporters after receiving the staff of command from indigenous people during the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, At the end of the festivities, the president gave a 90-minute speech to his adoring crowd in which he pledged to bring about a 'radical' rebirth of Mexico to overturn what he called a disastrous legacy of decades of 'neo-liberal' governments. Traditional healers brushed him with bunches of herbs and blew incense smoke over him to purify him, and they invoked the spirits of their ancestors and the land to liberate him from any bad influences. 'What we want, what we desire is to purify public life in Mexico,' Mr Lopez Obrador said during the ceremony. 'I repeat my commitment: I will not lie, I will not steal or betray the people of Mexico.' His vow to root out government graft resonates with many, including some who have disagreements with him on other matters. Mexico's richest man, telecom magnate Carlos Slim, whose companies were major investors in the cancelled airport project, said there is common ground with Mr Lopez Obrador's promises to rein in wasteful spending and corruption. 'Everybody wants spending to be efficiently managed,' Mr Slim said. As part of his inauguration day, Mr Andres Lopez Obrador and his wife Beatriz Gutierrez Mueller met Spain's King Felipe VI at the National Palace in Mexico City Mr Lopez Obrador breezed through a day of public appearances that included taking the oath of office and speaking to congress before attending the inauguration. A speedboat owner who killed his date in a crash on the River Thames received 93,000 in taxpayer-funded legal aid despite going on the run. Jack Shepherd remains at large despite being found guilty of killing Charlotte Brown in a champagne-fuelled speedboat disaster in 2015. He fled the country before he was convicted of manslaughter in his absence in July, later filing an appeal against his conviction from a secret hideout. Web designer Shepherd, 30, had been trying to impress 24-year-old Ms Brown after meeting her on dating website OkCupid. But the first date ended in tragedy when his boat flipped near Wandsworth Bridge when it hit a submerged log after Shepherd encouraged her to take the wheel. Jack Shepherd (left) remains at large despite being found guilty of killing Charlotte Brown (right) in a champagne-fuelled speedboat disaster in 2015 They were both thrown into the cold water and Ms Brown died after she was pulled from the river unconscious and unresponsive. Shepherd, of Exeter, was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence in his absence over the incident in December 2015 after failing to attend his trial. A Freedom of Information request shows that he received 50,642 towards solicitor fees, with 42,650 going to lawyer Stephen Vullo QC, The Sun reported. Judge Richard Marks QC sentenced Shepherd to six years' imprisonment in his absence and said he had a 'totally cavalier attitude to safety'. In the months before Ms Brown's death, Shepherd had entertained up to 10 women on the 14ft Fletcher Arrowflyte GTO (shown), having invited them back to his houseboat in Hammersmith Police have been unable to track him down after he skipped bail, and he was not in court to face sentence in July despite pleas from his victim's family. The court had heard how Shepherd bought the 14ft Fletcher Arrowflyte GTO from Gumtree to 'pull women'. In the months before Ms Brown's death, Shepherd had entertained up to 10 women on the 1980s model, having invited them back to his houseboat in Hammersmith. Shepherd, 30, had been trying to impress 24-year-old Ms Brown (pictrued) after meeting her on a dating website During that time, he had been caught speeding by marine police more than once and advised on the importance of wearing life jackets. On December 8. 2015, Shepherd treated Ms Brown to a 150 meal at Oblix in the Shard, where they drank two bottles of wine. The couple took a taxi back to Shepherd's place where they took champagne aboard the speedboat for a trip past the Houses of Parliament. In mobile phone footage, Ms Brown could be heard shouting that they were going 'so fast' as Shepherd drove at more than double the 12 knot speed limit. On the return journey, Shepherd handed over the controls to business development consultant Ms Brown who followed suit and went 'full throttle'. The speeding boat hit a submerged log and tipped over near Wandsworth Bridge, sending both occupants into the water. Shepherd was found clinging to the hull and Ms Brown was pulled from the water unconscious and unresponsive. Paramedics battled in vain to save her as she was already in cardiac arrest and suffering from hypothermia. Israeli police have recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on bribery charges involving Israel's telecom giant. Police said today thay have enough evidence to charge Netanyahu, 69, and his wife Sara with fraud, accepting bribes and breach of trust. The case surrounds suspicions that Netanyahu's government gave regulatory favours to telecoms company Bezeq in exchange for favourable coverage of the PM. Denying the charges today, Netanyahu said: 'There was nothing because there is nothing'. Israeli police have recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) on bribery charges involving Israel's telecom giant The Israeli PM was questioned by police about the allegations in July while two of his aides were also arrested. It is claimed Netanyahu and his advisers supported regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars to telecom company Bezeq. In return, Bezeq's subsidiary news site, Walla, allegedly provided positive Netanyahu coverage. Police have already recommended indicting Netanyahu on corruption charges in two other cases. One of them involves allegedly accepting gifts from billionaire friends, and the second surrounds claims trading positive media coverage for advantageous legislation for a newspaper. Israel's attorney general has not yet decided whether to prosecute Netanyahu over the allegations. The prime minister has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the accusations as a witch hunt orchestrated by the media. A brazen thief died in a robbery gone wrong after tripping over and hitting his head on concrete while fleeing the scene. He and an accomplice attempted to rob Indian Mahal, a restaurant in Baxter, Melbourne, shortly before 11:30pm on Saturday night. The pair attacked 55-year-old father, Nar Khatri, a father-of-two who has worked in the restaurant for 15 years. One of the men is accused of biting off the victim's thumb and escaping with $1000 in cash, before tripping on the way out and smashing his head on the concrete footpath. The duo were attempting to steal Mr Khatri's car to make a quick getaway. The man's accomplice fled the scene - leaving his partner behind, police said. They attacked 55-year-old father, Nar Khatri (pictured) who worked in the restaurant for 15 years Mr Khatri has since undergone surgery on his thumb and remains in hospital recovering A friend of Mr Khatri, Suzette Donald, told 7News she was certain the unnamed assailants were locals. 'I'm sure they were locals because they knew his movements and they had no car,' she said. 'He has head injuries, I believe from being bashed and they bit off the top of his thumb.' He has since undergone surgery on his thumb and remains in hospital recovering. Police say the 'exact cause of his death is yet to be established, however is not being treated as suspicious.' The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Australia's food terrorism crisis appears far from over after a woman claims to have discovered fishing wire in a Christmas candy cane. Amber Ahipene, from Tasmania, took to social media to share photos of her discovery, warning others to be wary of the sugary lollies. 'Today I brought a packet of 100 mini candy canes for $5.00 at Kmart Newtown and have just opened the first one and this is what was inside of it,' she wrote. Ms Ahipene told Daily Mail Australia she contacted the Kmart where she purchased the candy with the hope of getting the item recalled. Australia's food terrorism crisis appears far from over after a woman claims to have discovered fishing wire in a Christmas candy cane (pictured) Amber Ahipene (pictured), from Tasmania, took to social media to share photos of her discovery, warning others to be wary of the sugary lollies 'Children love and eat thousands of these over this time of year and I would hate for anybody to have this same issue... or not be as lucky as I was and possibly choke.' She said she was sucking on the candy cane until it was soft enough to bite. She claims she came across the razor sharp and thin wire when she tried to break off a segment with her teeth. At first she thought it was just a part of the candy, but felt compelled to double check. She said she was sucking on the candy cane until it was soft enough to bite At first she thought it was just a part of the candy, but felt compelled to double check 'I saw what looked and felt like fishing line sticking right through the candy cane which could be seen at either end. It was about 45cm long.' Ms Ahipene attempted to find out who manufactured the candy canes, but the information on the box simply said they came from China. Her original post has been shared thousands of times on social media, with many expressing their concerns over their own purchases. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Kmart for comment. Hotel comparison site Trivago could face an eye-watering $10 million fine for misleading Australian consumers with allegedly false ads. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched legal proceedings against Trivago in August, in the Federal Court, alleging they breached Australian Consumer Law by misleading hotel pricing representations in its television advertising and website. The ACCC allege the misleading advertisements aired more than 400,000 times beginning from December 2013. They ceased airing on April 2018. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched legal proceedings against Trivago in August The ACCC allege the misleading advertisements aired more than 400,000 times beginning from December 2013 The German-based company boasted a global revenue of $1.15 billion from 560 million clicks in the first months of 2018, with Australia being it's biggest market outside Europe and the US. Trivagos main source of revenue is the cost-per-click (CPC) payments it receives, where advertisers are charged a fee each time a user clicks on one of their offers. According to court documents obtained by Daily Telegraph, a search on Trivago's website led consumers to 'form an erroneous belief' the results page contained the lowest prices. The ACCC claims cheaper offers can be found in the 'more deals' section, which consumers were not aware of. They also argued that Trivago made shocking claims by comparing luxury rooms to standard rooms. This was represented with the luxury room in red and the standard room considered a 'top position offer' in green. This was represented with the luxury room in red and the standard room considered a 'top position offer' in green. On Tuesday, Trivago admitted to misconduct classified under two sections of the consumer law. 'By displaying the strike-through price next to the top position offer in the form it was displayed either on its own or in conjunction with the percentage savings box,' Trivago responded in a statement. 'Trivago may have caused some consumers to form an erroneous belief that the top position offer and the strike-through price were offers for rooms in the same room category'. Trivago also admitted to breaching consumer law, but denied any further allegations by the ACCC. In response to the legal proceedings, they have since updated their website to inform their customers that their hotels are ranked by 'the compensation paid by the booking site', the publication reported. In September, both the ACCC and Trivago entered formal mediation, with the case expected to return to court on December 14 in Melbourne. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Trivago for comment. A British animal trainer has gone missing after she mysteriously vanished on a night out in Tenerife. Amy Louise Gerard, 28, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, was last spotted outside an Irish bar in Puerto de la Cruz in the north of the island on Thursday night. Friends and loved ones have described her disappearance as totally out of character and admitted they are worried. A Spanish missing persons' association has also appealed for information about her whereabouts. Amy Louise Gerard, 28, was last spotted outside an Irish bar in Puerto de la Cruz in the north of the island on Thursday night A spokesman for Tenerife's National Police, which is leading the hunt for Amy Louise, confirmed she had been reported as missing. He said: 'An investigation is open and we are searching for her but I am not not in a position to specify what work is being done. 'She was officially reported as missing by a friend yesterday morning/on Saturday morning. 'The information we have is that she was last seen just before 1am on Friday in Puerto de la Cruz.' A well-placed source said a police force murder squad had been alerted, but described it as a 'routine move' in missing people cases and insisted it did not mean investigators had any proof the Brit expat had been the victim of foul play. University-educated Ms Gerard describes herself on social media as a killer whale trainer at Tenerife marine theme park Loro Parque, which is home to orca whale Morgan. University-educated Amy describes herself on social media as a killer whale trainer at Tenerife marine theme park Loro Parque Ms Gerard, who lives in Puerto de la Cruz and studied animal behaviour science at the University of Lincoln, has also worked as a marine mammal trainer at a zoo in France. Ms Gerard, who is around 5ft 8ins tall, with curly blonde hair and blue eyes, was last seen outside Molly Malone bar in Puerto de la Cruz just after midnight on Thursday. Ms Gerard's mother Julie and her sister Chloe, both from Grimsby, have flown out to Tenerife along with Chloe's finance Mike Dolan, 35. Mrs Gerard was too upset to speak this afternoon. But Mr Dolan said: 'We are extremely concerned as this is totally out of character for Amy. 'Because it is so out of character we flew out to Tenerife as soon as we could to speak to the police and friends. Friends and loved ones have described her disappearance as totally out of character and are appealing for information 'The barman at the pub she was last seen in said she left just before 1am on Thursday but we're still trying to piece together the events of that night. 'We're doing everything we can including trying to see if there's CCTV that could help and speaking to taxi drivers. 'We've spent the morning in the police station. 'Her friends thought something was amiss on Friday and went to the police station but were told that they should come back the following day if she didn't turn up at work as scheduled to officially report her as missing. 'That was what they did when she didn't show for work on the Saturday. She wasn't due in to work on the Friday.' He added: 'Amy wasn't a big drinker. She had to be in good shape for her work so like her colleagues who work with animals, she just didn't do the party lifestyle. 'We've ruled out the idea she might have come out the pub the worse for wear and fallen somewhere on her way home because that was just not Amy. 'She was with a female friend as far as we understand but we haven't been able to speak to her yet. 'We would urge anyone who has seen Amy or has any information on what happened that night or where she might be to contact police. 'We're not exactly sure at the moment what police are doing but we know they're taking it seriously and are looking for her and trying to find out what's happened.' Friend Tonette Smith said: 'Just so everyone knows this is a local lass. 'Amy Louise Gerard from Cleethorpes lives in Tenerife working with sea mammals. 'Amy has been missing since Thursday midnight. She loves her work and is grounded, she is not flighty. 'Amy is beautiful inside and outside.' Ms Gerard is understood to be married to a British personal trainer called Ryan Docherty who is thought to be back in the UK. The fitness fanatic, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, has also used social media to urge anyone with information on her whereabouts to call police. Ms Gerard has been using her maiden surname in recent months - the one featuring on the missing posters in English and Spanish - rather than her married name. Laura Mumby said alongside a photo of Ms Gerard on a missing poster: 'If you or anyone you know is going to Tenerife or the Canary Islands soon, please keep an eye out for Amy who has been missing since Thursday. Ms Gerard was last seen outside Molly Malone bar in Puerto de la Cruz just after midnight on Thursday 'We are all very concerned. This is so out of character.' Ms Gerard's university flatmate Natalie Taylor added: 'Please if anyone knows anything or has seen Amy Louise Gerard can they please get in touch. 'Friends and family are increasingly worried. Amy was my flatmate at uni and she is amazing.' Pal Stacey Dawes said: 'This is not like Amy to go missing. We just want her home safe now.' Ms Gerard's mum Julie, who is helping to publicise her daughter's disappearance, wrote on Facebook: 'Thanks to everyone for sharing this information. 'It's not like my daughter to go missing and not contact us. 'We're all very worried and need new information. Please contact the police if you've seen or heard anything from Amy since Thursday night. We want her found as soon as possible.' A worker at Loro Parque confirmed Amy worked at the Tenerife marine theme park but said no-one was available for comment. A New Zealand woman has accused her former boss of racial discrimination after he called her 'kiwi'. Julie Savage, a former supervisor at the Vili's Cakes kitchen in Adelaide, said she was 'disrespected' when her co-workers repeatedly called her a 'kiwi' instead of using her name. But her complaint, which was heard before the South Australian Employment Tribunal, was dismissed as a 'perceived lack of respect'. Vili Milisits (pictured) was accused of discriminating against a New Zealand employee Ms Savage was first called 'kiwi' back in 2016 by her co-workers and bakery owner Vili Milisits, 70. She quit her job soon after and took the complaint to the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, Adelaide Now reports. Before a tribunal, Ms Savage said she wasn't claiming to be treated unfairly due to her heritage, but rather that the nickname was 'disrespectful'. But the case was still treated as a racial discrimination case, with the investigation taking 18 months. The New Zealand native claims she was disrespected when she was called a 'kiwi' while working at Mr Malistis' cafe (pictured) On Sunday, the claim was dismissed by Tribunal Judge Leonie Farrell, who said: 'Calling a New Zealander a Kiwi is not of itself offensive. Kiwi is not an insult.' The bakery's owner admitted he had called Ms Savage the moniker, but argued that it was a fond nickname and never intended to be demeaning. Judge Farrell ultimately agreed, throwing out any accusations of discrimination. 'It was pretty satisfying when I saw what the commissioner said I'm happy with that,' Mr Milistits said. He thanked the tribunal for finding in his favour, but said the 18-month-long trial was 'slow'. Ray Kelvin, the company's founder, refuses to show his whole face in photos Ted Baker staff have launched a petition against their boss to demand he stops hugging them. Ray Kelvin, 62, the founder of the high street giant, was also accused of stroking employee's necks and making sexual innuendos in the petition. According to the petition, launched by a Ted Baker employee, Kelvin also allegedly asked staff to sit on his knee and 'massaged their ears'. But the company hit back by saying hugs are 'part of Ted Baker's culture although absolutely not insisted upon'. 'I've seen the CEO ask young female members of staff to sit on his knee, cuddle him, or let him massage their ears,' the online petition read. 'The owner regularly makes sexual innuendos at staff and took off his shirt on one occasion and talked about his sex life. Staff at the high street giants also accused Kelvin of making them sit on his knee and taking his shirt off 'So many people have left the business due to harassment, whether that be verbal, physical or sexual.' The petition also claimed Kelvin had failed to challenge harassment in the workplace. The employee called for an independent external body to review the culture of the company. Ted Baker, however, told the Sunday Times, that the allegations were 'at odds with the values of the business and CEO'. 'Ray greets many people he meets with a hug, be it a shareholder, investor, supplier, partner customer or colleague,' the company said. It has previously been claimed that Kelvin decided to ditch handshakes because of problems with arthritis. Kelvin is worth 522million according to the Sunday Times Rich List and founded the company despite having failed his maths O-level. A student who dreamed of becoming an RAF pilot took his own life as he believed seeking help for depression would stop him from getting a career in the forces. Kyle Tolley, 22, was in his final year of aviation engineering with pilot studies at London's Brunel University at the time of his death in March 2016, an inquest heard. His suicide note, read to the hearing at West London Coroner's Court, described years of suffering from depressive episodes. The coroner heard he had never sought help from doctors or counsellors, as no medical records detailed any complaints or a diagnosis of depression. The troubled student, originally from Birmingham, wrote: 'My dream career has zero tolerance to living with depression or having suicidal thoughts. Kyle Tolley (pictured) was in his final year of aviation engineering with pilot studies at London's Brunel University at the time of his death in March 2016 'I could have done my best to hide it and join it. 'If I had gone to the GP, depression would be scrawled all over my medical records and bar me from entering a cockpit for my whole life.' He had also been preparing his dissertation at the time of his death, and the inquest heard he had been at odds with his tutor Dr Alvin Gatto. In a letter to Brunel University, sent by Kyle's parents after his death, it is claimed he told his mother that Dr Gatto said he was 'on a rocket ship to failure'. The letter, read to the inquest, stated: 'On 28 February I asked Kyle how he was getting on with studies and his dissertation. 'He was very enthusiastic. He seemed really positive and had spent the previous weeks undertaking long hours. 'This was for him to return to university on February 29 to find out all his hard work had been taken away from him by Dr Gatto. 'He felt desperation and hopelessness as he had only had just over a month to go to start and complete another project. Kyle's suicide note, read to the hearing at West London Coroner's Court, described years of suffering from depressive episodes 'He told Dr Gatto he would be returning on the 29 February to carry out his test. But Dr Gatto said to Kyle "I have done the test". 'His tutor told him that because he had done it, Kyle now couldn't do it himself and he was on a rocket ship to failure.' Kyle's parents said their son's death had changed their lives forever. In a letter read to the inquest, they said: 'We are still trying to come to terms with the loss of our son and feel we need answers before we can move on with our grief. 'We don't know if Dr Gatto added pressure or if he just wanted him to fail. Either way we feel Dr Gatto failed to support Kyle. 'In his last week he was being bullied and ridiculed by Dr Gatto.' In response, Dr Gatto, senior lecturer in Brunel's engineering and aerospace mechanics department, said he was first been allocated as Kyle's dissertation tutor in 2014, but Kyle had dropped out that year. Dr Gatto said he was again allocated Kyle to tutor when he rejoined the course to complete his final year in 2015, but that was four weeks into term and so Kyle was already behind his classmates. In a statement read to the inquest, Dr Gatto said: 'He said he was going through the RAF application process at that point and wasn't available. He set up a time, but didn't attend. 'I asked for an update in the second term and he responded indicated that he was busy with job applications. He mentioned he had made some progress and was likely to do experimental testing in the next two weeks. 'We met after some initial testing and I gave Kyle the task of building and installing the cascades Kyle produced a design for the cascade that was rudimentary - much less then I expected.' The coroner heard Kyle (pictured) had never sought help from doctors or counsellors, as no medical records detailed any complaints or a diagnosis of depression The lecturer added that other students wanted to use the improved system for their own projects - and so Kyle needed to complete the installation so that others could progress. He said he built and installed the air system himself and told Kyle he could not take the credit for that part of the project. Dr Gatto said: 'To my frustration, Kyle mentioned he was going home. 'He seemed almost oblivious to the time and red flags about the trip home. I thought he wasn't fully engaged with the project. 'Once I realised he was going to be absent I made the decision to go ahead and build it myself. 'I considered Kyle somewhat unreliable and I was not willing to delay the progress of other students. 'It led me to warn him he was going to fail. This was a very stern and serious chat. Immediately after this exchange I sat down and made a plan to allow him to finish his degree. 'Over the next few days - and to his credit - his engagement improved. 'I always had a desire to get the best out of him and his project, I truly believed he turned a corner after our chat which made news of his passing a truly incomprehensible event. 'I have to contradict what is said in the letter. I do not recognise that phrase "on a rocket ship to failure" as something I would have said, nor do I recall doing so.' Recording a verdict of suicide, Assistant Coroner Dr Sean Cummings said: 'My ultimate conclusion is one of suicide. Kyle's parents said the death of their son (pictured centre, with friends) had changed their lives forever 'It is clear to me from reading Dr Gatto's statement and the fact that Kyle was awarded a B+, despite his evident depressive illness in the suicide letter, that Kyle was a bright and intelligent man. 'His perception of himself and his feelings of negativity were affected by his depressive illness and that's what led him to take his own life.' Speaking after the inquest, Kyle's mother Michelle Tolley said: 'He was actively applying to join the RAF and had already passed a number of stages. 'Unfortunately, in his first final year, Kyle was the victim of an assault, which resulted in him preparing and providing evidence in numerous court hearings. 'The court found in his favour and the assailant was charged accordingly. However, as result of this Kyle requested to re-sit his final year.' She added: 'We as his family believe that Kyle was not adequately supported by his university in his final year. 'We did make a formal complaint and would hope there are lessons to be learned in the future. 'They need to understand that when students choose to undertake a degree course, this becomes their number one priority, so when any mention of failure is discussed with a student, they need to ensure that additional support is made available to them. This was not provided to Kyle.' Amanda Spielman (pictured) fears that the pressure put on schools distracts them from their primary goal of teaching Parents should not expect schools alone to provide solutions to problems like knife crime and obesity, the Ofsted chief inspector will argue this week. Amanda Spielman, who will present Ofsted's annual report on Tuesday, is due to say that schools cannot be a 'panacea' to all 'societal ills'. Health professionals, parents and safeguarding partners should all play a role in protecting, educating and preparing children for adult life, she will say. Ms Spielman believes that expectations on schools to address obesity, child neglect and gang-related violence risks distracting them from their core purpose and results in a failure to solve such problems. 'Our education and care services don't exist in isolation from the local areas they serve,' Ms Spielman is expected to say. 'They are and should be a central part of our communities. But being part of a community means being very clear what your responsibilities are, and what issues, however worthy, can only be tackled beyond the school, college or nursery gates.' Addressing the issue of the rising problem of knife crime in London and other cities, Ms Spielman will argue that a range of partners and agencies should work together to tackle criminal activity and bring people to justice. 'Most of our schools are safe, and we fully support measures, including zero tolerance policies on the carrying of knives, to keep them that way,' she is due to say. 'But beyond that, while schools can play a role in educating young people about the danger of knives, they cannot be a panacea for this particular societal ill.' The chief inspector will also draw attention to the growing problem of obesity among young people. Ofsted will warn that schools cannot be regarded as a panacea for all of society's ills on Tuesday She will highlight that almost a quarter of children in England are overweight or obese by the start of primary school, rising to over a third by the time they leave Year 6. Ms Spielman wants to challenge the 'lazy solution' of placing the responsibility of tackling obesity on schools. According to Ofsted research, there is 'no discernible link' between school interventions and obesity rates. 'It is an issue which sits largely beyond the school gates,' Ms Spielman will argue. 'Yes, schools can and should teach children about the importance of healthy eating and exercise in line with their core purpose; their PE lessons should get them out of breath. 'But beyond that, schools cannot take over the role of health professionals - and above all parents. 'The answer to the obesity crisis, particularly among younger children, lies in the home, and parents should not abdicate their responsibility here.' In a further challenge to parents, Ms Spielman will say there is growing evidence of children arriving at reception unable to use a toilet. 'This is difficult for teachers, disruptive for other children and has a terrible social impact on the children affected. This is wrong,' she will argue. 'Toilet training is the role of parents and carers and should not be left to schools. 'Only in the most extreme cases should parents be excused from this most basic of parenting tasks.' A Yorkshire village could have been hit by 12 atomic bombs in a secret Cold War plan to test Britain's nuclear capability, it has emerged. The coastal settlement of Skipsea in what is now the East Riding of Yorkshire was reportedly discussed as the UK developed its nuclear weapons in the 1950s. Defence chiefs are claimed to have built a secret bunker and bought land large enough for 'a dozen detonations over a period of several years', which could have spread a nuclear fallout for miles across the north of England. The plan was dropped when Australia granted permission to detonate nuclear weapons in the desert, the Daily Express reported. A Yorkshire village could have been hit by 12 atomic bombs in a secret Cold War plan to test Britain's nuclear capability, it has emerged Under the plans, revealed by historian Mike Covell, one of the bombs would have exploded in the steeple of a 14th-century church in the village. The bombs reportedly 'looked like fridge freezers' but could have caused the same damage as the devices dropped on Hiroshima at the end of World War II. A 100-mile radius of cities affected by the fallout would have included Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle, in what Mr Covell called a 'preposterous' plan. British defence bosses had hoped to test their weapons in the Pacific Ocean's Marshall Islands but the United States blocked the use of their testing ground. Winston Churchill's government looked for alternatives until Australia gave permission to use Emu Field in the country's desert. The first UK nuclear bomb was detonated on islands off Western Australia in Operation Hurricane in October 1952. The coastal settlement of Skipsea in what is now the East Riding of Yorkshire was reportedly discussed as the UK developed its nuclear weapons in the 1950s Two further tests were then carried out on Emu Field on the Australian mainland in operation Totem the following year. The tests resulted in the Blue Danube bomb, Britain's first operational nuclear weapon, which was carried by RAF planes. Britain later shifted away from air-launched weapons, introducing the Polaris submarine-based system in 1968. The final air-launched nuclear weapon was abandoned in 1998, according to the MoD, leaving Trident as the UK's deterrent. A homeless man made up to 1,000 posing as a car park attendant for an expensive London car park, a court heard. Malcolm Smith, 39, donned a hi-vis jacket with the words 'site supervisor' on the back and approached motorists leaving the NCP car park in Soho. After drivers paid Smith half the price of the normal fee at the car park he forced open the barriers to let them out, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. Malcolm Smith, 39, donned a hi-vis jacket with the words 'site supervisor' on the back and approached motorists leaving the NCP car park in Soho (pictured) Smith was jailed for 14 weeks after customers reported him to the private car parking firm and a member of staff from it carried out an undercover 'sting operation'. Henry Fitch, prosecuting, said: 'They are all in essence the same fraud. 'Impersonating a car park attendant and taking payments from customers less than they would be obliged to pay if they had paid legitimately for their car park stay and opening the barrier wearing a hi-vis jacket with the words 'site supervisor'. 'It may be as much as 200 per night of the offences occurring. 'A member of staff, it might have been an undercover operation, was attempting to leave the car park and Mr Smith made false representations to him. 'On the basis of the fact that it's happened on a number of times in one night, on a number of occasions. 'On the basis of that estimation by a member of staff and on the basis when the member of staff carried out his sting operation - the payment being quoted 50 for a ticket and 20 in cash was given. 'Clearly it's a car park that's expensive on the basis that it's in central London.' After drivers paid Smith half the price of the normal fee at the car park he forced open the barriers to let them out, Westminster Magistrates' Court (pictured) heard Alex Rynn, in mitigation for Smith, said: 'I don't think I can say this is a sophisticated offence. 'This quite frankly is a man wearing a hi-vis jacket approaching people who put their ticket in the car. 'Quite frankly, anyone would know if you are approached by someone, irrespective of his wearing a hi-vis jacket and offering half the rate and literally forcing up the barrier. 'They certainly bare some culpability for getting themselves involved in this fraud. Perhaps if it could be looked at more carefully they could be asked why a man was able to do this. 'The losers are of course the NCP.' The court heard Smith, of no fixed abode, had 88 previous convictions including ones for fraud, criminal damage, shoplifting, racial abuse and obstructing police. Mr Ryan said: 'It's a poor record - it's a record of a man who is a classic drug user, one would imagine.' Deputy District Judge Julia Moffatt jailed Smith after he admitted five counts of fraud, failing to surrender to court and criminal damage. He was ordered to pay 500 in compensation to NCP for the frauds at the Brewer Street NCP car park on November 1, 2, 3, 7 and 19 this year. Smith was also ordered to pay 200 in compensation to Sussex Police for damaging two police vans' wing mirrors in front of Hastings Police Station in East Sussex on October 20 last year. He was given a week in jail for the criminal damage and another week consecutive for failing to surrender to his police bail for the offence on November 15 last year. The District Judge said an arrest warrant would be issued after Smith refused to attend the hearing today despite being remanded in custody after pleading guilty to all charges on November 22. No costs orders were made in lieu of the week he has spent in jail. A spokesman for NCP said: 'Following reports from customers who told us they had been approached in one of our car parks by a male who was acting suspiciously and claiming he worked for us, we immediately sent our internal security team to investigate on site.' He added: 'We are grateful that our in-house security team was able to gather relevant information to help the police resolve the situation, and to enable us to continue to run our car parks safe in the knowledge that our customers can approach uniformed staff and know that they are genuinely working for us.' Ahsanullah Nawazai, 20, 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 woman and a man were charged with murder today after a man was stabbed to death. 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 left barefoot and 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. Last night police said they had arrested a 30-year-old woman, who is believed to lived near the scene, on suspicion of murder. Carla Callum, aged 30 years, from Walsingham Way in London Colney, Herts., and Anis Anderson, aged 20 years, from Fordwych Road, Cricklewood, London, were charged with murder. The pair were remanded in custody and were due to appear before magistrates in court. Yesterday a spokesman for the Hertfordshire Constabulary combined Major Crime Team confirmed that a woman was in custody, suspected of murdering Ahsanullah. The spokesman 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. 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 'The arrest follows the death of 20-year-old Ahsanullah Nawazai, who was found seriously injured in Walsingham Way at 7.15pm on November 28. 'He had suffered a number of stab wounds and was taken to hospital, where he later passed away. Any witnesses or anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police should call the non-emergency number 101. 'Ahsanullah was found collapsed with a number of stab wounds in Walsingham Way by a member of the public at around 7.15pm on Wednesday. 'His family has asked us to release the following words describing Ahsanullah: 'He was a happy person, a lovely kid and much-loved member of the family. He always had a smile on his face'. 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 continuing their investigation in order to establish the circumstances around Ahsanullah's death.' Neighbours said that the stabbing victim was aged 20 years and was found without any shoes on his feet. One neighbour, who wished to remain unnamed, said that the victim was found lying in the middle of the road and without footwear. Others 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. 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 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.' 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. A young garbage truck driver is in a coma after he was hit by a car and left for dead during a terrifying road rage attack. John Vennell, 34, and his cousin Bradley Connell were driving toward Dandenong in Melbourne's south-east at 6pm on Saturday when they became involved in an argument with another motorist believed to be driving a black SUV. The pair were followed to Glasscocks Road at Lyndhurst, where they got out of Mr Vennell's Volkswagen sedan to approach the other motorist, who then accelerated and struck Mr Vennell before fleeing the scene. Garbage truck driver John Vennell (pictured) is in a coma after he was mowed down by another motorist in Melbourne's south-east on Saturday night 'It was bad. He was sitting on about 80km/hr, he didn't even stop, he didn't even hit the brakes after he hit him or nothing,' Mr Connell told 9 News. Bloodied and unconscious, Mr Vennell was left lying in the middle of the road before being rushed to The Alfred Hospital, where's he's is now in a serious but stable condition. 'He's not well. He's got a brain injury, lots, probably everything nearly broken. All internal bleeding,' Mr Connell said. One woman posted on Facebook: 'There are lots of his family and friends who are struggling to comprehend this, myself included.' Police are still looking for the black SUV involved. Emergency services arrived at the scene (pictured) to find a bloodied and unconscious Mr Vennell lying in the middle of the road John (pictured) is in a serious but stable condition following the callous road rage attack The male driver is described as being of Pacific Islander appearance and was wearing a large straw hat. Mr Connell claimed the driver also had children in the car and urged him to hand himself in to police. Detectives have appealed for witnesses who saw the collision or may have dash cam footage to contact Crime Stoppers. 'To hop out of a car to discuss an incident and and to be callously run down and not stop, it's quite disturbing to police,' Acting Senior Sergeant Dean Hayes said. 'He's not well. He's got a brain injury, lots, probably everything nearly broken. All internal bleeding,' John's cousin Bradley Connell (pictured) said A woman suffering from fibromyalgia has become the first person in the country to be prescribed medical cannabis. Carly Barton used to be a fine art university lecturer but developed the illness after she suffered a stroke in he early twenties. It leaves the 32-year-old in constant pain and she has used cannabis illegally to ease it for years. Carly Barton (pictured) is believed to be the first patient in the UK to be prescribed medical cannabis but she had to go to a private doctor and fork out thousands This is thought to be the first ever prescription to be issued to a British person for the use of medical cannabis She is believed to be the first person in the UK to be prescribed the drug, The Sunday Telegraph reports. The government authorises an importer to bring the drug from the Netherlands to Britain. The prescription is not provided on the NHS, but by private pain specialist Dr David McDowell and costs 2,500 for a three-month supply. It has been legal for medical use since November 1 following a fight to downgrade the substance's status. Because the Home Office has to authorise the delivery, it could be weeks before Ms Barton gets her cannabis. Ms Barton said the prescription had 'made history' as it is the first since cannabis was outlawed in 1928. It is now legal to prescribe cannabis oil and the drug in its plant form thanks to a change in law But she pointed out that she is having to blow all of her savings on just one prescription before going back to getting it illegally. She hopes an NHS doctor will give he ra prescription but campaigners say they are constrained by interim guidelines. 'There is an unfair system where the rich will have access and the poor will still have their doors kicked in by police,' she said. Dr McDowell believes cannabis could be used instead of opioids such as fentanyl and codeine which he says are 'not particularly good for long-term pain'. And he says his patient provided him with evidence that the drug had a 'dramatic effect', reducing pain and helping her get of opioids. It comes after the Home Office seized cannabis oil from the mother of Billy Caldwell, a severely epileptic boy. Charlotte Caldwell fought for it to be returned following the seizure in June which led to a 're-scheduling' of cannabis. It is now legal to prescribe but Home Secretary Sajid Javid has warned that it is 'in no way a first step to the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use'. Apprentice fans have spotted Sir Alan Sugar wearing seven different Rolexes over nine episodes, including one watch worth up to 90,000. The business tycoon, 71, flashes the extravagant timepieces as he points to contestants and fires them in the boardroom. Last week Lord Sugar sported a Cosmograph Dayton Rolex worth 20,000 as he fired Tom Bunday from the competition. Sir Alan Sugar wore a silver Rolex Daytona worth 20,000 on episode one of series 14 of The Apprentice On episode two, the business tycoon flashed a silver and black Sky-dweller Rolex worth 20,000 He also donned an 18 carat yellow gold Yacht-Master II worth 30,000 in episode five where Rick Monk was booted from the show after contestants created their own footwear brand. In one episode Lord Sugar flashed a watch, originally designed for Pan American Airways pilots, worth an impressive 90,000. And the seven Rolexes worn throughout the latest series are estimated to have cost Lord Sugar around 230,000. Eagle-eyed viewers were quick to point out the tycoon's varied collection of expensive wrist wear throughout the series. Eagle-eyed viewers were quick to spot Lord Sugar's vast Rolex collection, which included a Rolex Yacht-master on episode three worth 15,000 The billionaire tycoon wore a silver Rolex with green detail worth 15,000 in the boardroom in episode four One Twitter user said: 'Not entirely sure what your cabinet holds more of, is it pristine Rolex's or 'you're fired' taxi receipts?' Another user said: '@Lord_sugar showing off his exquisite taste in wrist iron. Once again he slays us with his 18 ct GMT-Master II...The London boy done well' One user Tweeted: 'Is @Lord_Sugar the new Rolex ambassador, a different model each week!' Lord Sugar donned an 18 carat yellow gold Yacht-Master II worth 30,000 in episode five when Rick Monk was booted from the show In episode six, Lord Sugar said 'you're fired' in the boardroom as he wore the impressive Rolex Sky-dweller for a second time Lord Sugar has also shown off his love for the brand to his 5.3million followers on social media. Last year he wrote: 'My old Daytona was stolen @Watchfinder found me the same generation. Great service' The following month he wrote: 'Just collected my new Rolex from Michael Spiers. The New Brochure is the best yet, Great Service, Great Shop.' Lord sugar flashed an impressive silver Rolex Daytona worth 20,000 in episode seven In one episode Lord Sugar flashed a watch, originally designed for Pan American Airways pilots, worth an impressive 90,000 A source close to Lord Sugar told The Sun: 'Alan has pulled himself up by the boot-straps through hard work. 'He has earned the right to splash out on his favourite watches.' Lord Sugar has also sported other expensive watches in previous series of The Apprentice, with designers including Cartier and Breitling. The mother of a girl with a life-threatening condition has created an incredible 'Lapland' in their conservatory - after her daughter was too ill to see the real thing. Helen Sadler, 40, transformed the room in her home into a winter wonderland after five-year-old Erin was too sick to travel to Finland to see it in real life. The single mother-of-one used Erin's old medicine packets and syringe boxes to make an impressive fairy castle in Colchester, Essex. The conservatory was transformed in 20 hours using papier-mache, cardboard and glitter Helen Sadler wanted to create Lapland for daughter Erin as she is too sick to visit the real place A polar bear's cave and frozen lake for seals are made from papier-mache, cardboard and glitter. And in pride of place is a snow queen wearing Helen's mother's old coat, sitting in a wooden sleigh made by Erin's grandad Philip - pulled along by a fairy-light reindeer. Helen, a former NHS commissioning manager, said: 'When we finished it, Erin thought it was amazing and she said "Nice job mum" and gave me the thumbs up. 'She absolutely loves it. When the community nurses come over she leads them round, showing it off. 'She's a fire-cracker of a child and she's got an amazing sense of humour.' Erin suffers from chronic kidney and liver diseases, and has spent most of her life in hospital. Helen got the idea after seeing a fur coat (right) which belonged to her own mother and thinking it looked like a snow Queen's coat. She made all the decorations (left) herself A polar bear's cave and frozen lake for seals are made from papier-mache, cardboard and glitter. Erin gave her mother a thumbs up when she saw the winter wonderland Sparkly stars, fairy lights and glittery reindeers cover the conservatory to make it look magical She also has left ventricular hypertrophy - where the walls of the heart get thicker and can stop it from pumping blood around the body properly. The condition is progressive and she needs open heart surgery, but because of other complications, the operation has been deemed too risky. Helen said: 'We were having three transfusions a day just to get her to the next day. She's a very complex case. 'But where there's life, there's hope. We keep going but the surgery she needs is ultimately not being offered.' When Erin's hospice organised the opportunity for her to go to Lapland, Helen had to decline due to her condition. She said: 'I was so disappointed for her to miss the opportunity. We try to get through each day but there are big limitations to what she can do.' The determined mum, who lives with Erin and 69-year-old grandad Philip Sadler in Colchester, Essex decided she would bring Lapland to them. Five-year-old Erin suffers from chronic kidney and liver diseases, and has spent most of her life in hospital A hospice organised for Erin (right during treatment and left in the conservatory before it was decorated) to go to Lapland, but Helen sadly had to decline due to her daughter's condition Helen said: 'I said to dad, 'What can we do? So we decided to make the conservatory into our own winter wonderland.' The loving mum and grandad got to work covering every inch of the space - which measures around 8ft by 12ft - in the amazing decorations. Helen, who is now Erin's full-time carer, estimates it took them an impressive 20 hours and just under 150 in total to realise their vision. She got the idea for the snow queen when she found an old fur coat that belonged to her mother Margaret, who passed away in 2012. Helen added: 'It said, 'It looks like a snow queen's coat'. 'I've had massive compliments on Facebook about it. It's all been so positive and well-received.' Defense Secretary James Mattis has revealed that the Russian government attempted to interfere in the US midterm elections last month. 'He tried again to muck around in our elections this last month,' Mattis said of Russian President Vladimir Putin. 'We are seeing a continued effort around those lines.' Mattis also said there is 'no doubt' that the relationship between Putin and President Donald Trump's administration 'has worsened'. Defense Secretary James Mattis (pictured on Saturday at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley) has revealed that the Russian government attempted to interfere in the US midterm elections last month 'We're dealing with someone we simply cannot trust,' Mattis said while speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California on Saturday. And Mattis wasn't afraid to get a jab in at the Russian president as he continued to speak on the topic. 'This is a very complex situation because clearly Mr Putin a slow learner,' he told the crowd. 'He is not recognizing that what he is doing is actually creating the animosity against his people.' Mattis wasn't afraid to take a hard line against Putin, who he claimed has 'continued efforts to try to subvert democratic processes that must be defended'. 'We'll do whatever is necessary to defend them,' he added. Data from the midterm elections is currently being reviewed by the US intelligence community. Mattis also said there is 'no doubt' that the relationship between Putin and President Donald Trump's administration 'has worsened'. They are pictured here together at the G20 on Friday A report on the probe, which is searching for any evidence of foreign interference, is due later this month. The US intelligence community previously - and unanimously - concluded that Russia interfered with the 2016 presidential election. Mattis' revelation comes just days after Trump canceled a meeting with Putin at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina this week. Trump claimed the reason was Russia's aggression toward Ukraine on the border of Crimea. 'Frankly, in light of what happened with Ukraine with the ships and the sailors, it just wouldn't be the right time,' Trump told Voice of America. The US intelligence community is currently probing whether there was foreign interference in November's midterm elections Meanwhile, Russian officials claimed Trump had canceled the meeting due to the president's own troubles at home after his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about Trump's business deals in Russia. The White House then doubled down after the Kremlin reported that Trump and Putin would still speak at some point in an informal and unscheduled setting. But on Saturday it was revealed Trump and Putin did have an 'informal conversation' during dinner at the summit on Friday night. Putin revealed Trump had 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. 'I hope that this meeting will be held eventually, when the US side is ready for it.' The journalist who was arrested alongside her television crew after a botched attempt to recover two children in Beirut has opened up about her arrest for the first time. 60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown spent two weeks detained in Lebanon in 2016 after she and her team were arrested for trying to return two infants to Australian mother Sally Faulkner, who claimed her estranged husband had taken the kids overseas and refused to return them. In 2015, Ali Elamine, the children's father, flew with Lahela, eight, and Noah, five, to his home country on a planned holiday, but once he arrived, Ms Faulkner said he told her the children would not be returning to Australia. The journalist (centre) who was arrested alongside her television crew after a botched attempt to recover two children in Beirut opened up about her arrest for the first time 60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown (pictured left of centre) spent two weeks detained in Lebanon after they were arrested for trying to return two infants to Australian mother Sally Faulkner (pictured centre), who turned to them for help after her estranged husband took their children Ms Brown, cameraman Ben Williamson, sound recordist David Ballment and producer Stephen Rice were all arrested while filming the recovery of the children and were charged with kidnapping, assault, hiding information and criminal conspiracy. Upon returning to Australia, Ms Brown continued working for the network and decided against discussing her short stint behind bars. But two years on, the veteran journalist has opened up about the botched recovery mission for Sunday's 60 Minutes 40th anniversary special. In particular, she said she worried the arrests had overshadowed the mission, and the reason she was in Beirut to begin with. Sally Faulkner (pictured with her children) was attempting to recover her children Faulkner (pictured) claims he ex moved the children to Lebanon in 2015 The mission in Beirut was to tell Ms Faulkner's story, and they hoped to capture the moment the Australian woman was reunited with her children 'There is definitely still a story to be told in Beirut and you still want to tell it, despite what happened and you know despite various judgements around it,' she said. 'It might not always seem like it but the last thing you want to be is the story.' She went on to say the mission in Beirut was to tell Ms Faulkner's story, and they hoped to capture the moment the Australian woman was reunited with her children. And while the recovery mission received more media coverage than they could have hoped for, precious little was angled to tell the story Ms Brown wanted to tell. In 2015, Ali Elamine, the children's father (pictured together), flew with Lahela, eight, and Noah, five, to his home country on a planned holiday, but once he arrived, Ms Faulkner said he told her the children would not be returning to Australia Ms Brown was arrested while filming the recovery of the children and charged with kidnapping, assault, hiding information and criminal conspiracy Ms Brown and 60 Minutes producer Stephen Rice arrive at Sydney International Airport on April 21 Ms Brown's face was splashed across newspapers around the world, with outlets closely following the details of the arrest and the ensuing legal battle to return her and her colleagues to Australia. After two weeks, all charges were dropped and the crew returned to home - without the children. Her colleagues, including Allison Langdon and Liz Hayes, also spoke of the incident during the special episode, describing Ms Brown's arrest as one of the more harrowing moments in their careers. A New Orleans mother died after a carjacker threw her out of her own vehicle and ran her over, as her distraught children stood by helplessly. Jeannot Plessy, 49, died on Tuesday night in Gentilly just moments after going on a date night with her Christian pastor husband David Plessy. Plessy, who is also a devout Christian, had only just returned from a preaching tour in American Samoa. Her distraught family had pleaded for Plessy's killer to come forward before New Orleans Police revealed on Saturday that they had arrested three teenagers over the deadly carjacking. Jeannot Plessy, 49, died on Tuesday night in Gentilly, New Orleans just moments after going on a date night with her Christian pastor husband David Plessy Jontrell Robinson, 17, (left) was charged on Saturday with second-degree murder and carjacking. Edwin Cottrell, 18, (right) and an unnamed juvenile were also charged with being principals After returning from her preaching tour, Plessy spent Tuesday night on a date with her husband of 14 years, the pastor told The Advocate. They eventually parted ways in separate cars so Plessy could go and pick up their younger children from their adult daughter's home. Police said the carjacker approached Plessy when she was getting out of her car in her daughter's driveway. The mother was thrown to the ground after a struggle before Plessy's son-in-law tried to pull the carjacker from the car. The carjacker reversed the car at a high speed and ran over an already injured Plessy. Plessy died in hospital soon after from her injuries. Police later found the stolen vehicle and processed it for evidence as they sought Plessy's attacker. Jontrell Robinson, 17, has since been charged with second-degree murder and carjacking. After returning from her preaching tour in American Samoa, Plessy spent Tuesday night on a date with her husband of 14 years Plessy's family said while they angry over her senseless death, they were committed to remaining strong and compassionate in honor of the slain woman. Pictured above are Plessy's husband and their daughter Nadia Sanchez Edwin Cottrell, 18, and an unnamed juvenile were also charged with being principals to both second-degree murder and carjacking. Plessy's family said while they angry over her senseless death, they were committed to remaining strong and compassionate in honor of the slain woman. 'It doesn't matter who is responsible for this terrible tragedy. If that young man were in front of my wife, she would give him a hug and tell him that Jesus loves him,' David Plessy told WDSU. 'If you had met my wife, your life would have changed.' Her daughter Nadia Sanchez said: 'The person who did this, yes I am angry with because I had to see my mom mangled at the end of my driveway as someone fled away carelessly.' But she added that her mother would want her to seek good from evil. 'Mom really lived her life so fully out of every single tragedy and crazy drama that she lived through.' Plessy's daughter set up a GoFundMe page in honor of her mother, which as already raised more than $16,000 in just two days. Plessy, who is also a devout Christian, had only just returned from a preaching tour in American Samoa The prospects of a TV Brexit showdown between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn appear to have faded after talks hit deadlock. The PM has signed up for a BBC programme to take place just two days before the crunch Commons vote on her package. But the Labour leader has made clear he will only take part if the corporation agrees to change the format to suit him. Meanwhile, Channel 4 have been attempting to put together a rival debate, with Boris Johnson and Toy Blair on their wishlist. Mrs May laid down the gauntlet to Mr Corbyn for a debate last week as she battles to get her controversial EU package through the Commons. More than 100 Tory MPs have vowed to oppose the deal alongside Labour, the SNP and Lib Dems - meaning unless the PM can do something to turn the tide she faces a catastrophic defeat. Theresa May (pictured right) laid down the gauntlet to Jeremy Corbyn (left) for a debate last week as she battles to get her controversial EU package through the Commons The debate on December 9 could go into the 8pm slot on BBC1, or the 7pm slot on ITV Downing Street last week agreed she will appear on a BBC programme on Sunday December 9. Under the plan, the leaders would take question from a panel, including commentators and politicians, as well as debating with each other. The format appears to be designed to minimise the risk of legal challenges about a lack of balance. Mrs May had already agreed to 'accommodate' Mr Corbyn by doing the event on the Sunday rather than Thursday, as had originally been floated by the BBC. However, the Labour leader has been holding out for a rival ITV proposal to aid just before the I'm A Celebrity final. In a tweet last night, Mr Corbyn made clear he would only go with the BBC if the format is changed. 'Theresa May said she wanted a head to head debate with me on her botched Brexit deal and I am ready to do that,' he said. 'ITV have a straightforward plan. If she and her team prefer BBC, she should join me in asking them to arrange an actual head-to-head debate.' In a statement, the BBC said: 'Our proposal is to broadcast a programme which includes both a head-to-head debate between the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition and also an opportunity to hear from a wider range of voices. 'After all, a broad range of views on this issue is held by the public and by Parliamentarians - from those who want a different form of Brexit to those who want another public vote - and we believe that should be reflected in the debate.' If agreement cannot be reached, the leaders could well try to press ahead with separate programmes. Channel 4 is planning to steal a march by staging its own debate with other high-profile Brexiteers and Remainers. Mr Johnson last week condemned the idea of a head-to-head showdown between Mr Corbyn and Mrs May, saying they were both Remainers. However, friends of the former foreign secretary have made clear he is not interested in the 'second string' clash - and the Remain camp would be unwilling to field Mr Blair. Mr Johnson last week condemned the idea of a head-to-head showdown between Mr Corbyn and Mrs May, saying they were both Remainers Ousted leader Malcolm Turnbull has spectacularly interfered in Scott Morrison's plan to keep a controversial backbencher in his seat. Craig Kelly, Liberal MP for Hughes, in southern Sydney, spent much of Sunday trying to save his career after threatening Prime Minister Scott Morrison with a move to the crossbench. In retaliation, Mr Morrison attempted to invoke emergency powers to keep Mr Kelly in his seat unopposed. But in a tirade of Tweets on Sunday night, Mr Turnbull called the potential move a 'capitulation' and 'weak' response. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has spectacularly intervened in a plan to keep an embattled Liberal MP in his crucial seat In a tirade of Tweets (pictured) Mr Turnbull called the plan to endorse MP Craig Kelly 'weak' 'Today I learned there was a move to persuade the State Executive to re-endorse Craig Kelly as Liberal candidate for Hughes in order to avoid a preselection,' Mr Turnbull wrote on Twitter. 'In other words to deny Liberal Party members in Hughes the opportunity to have their say. 'It has been put to me that Mr Kelly has threatened to go to the cross bench and "bring down the Government". 'If indeed he has made that threat, it is not one that should result in a capitulation. 'Indeed it would be the worst and weakest response to such a threat.' The controversial MP, Kelly (pictured) has previously lamented he would lose a preselection to local councillor Kent Johns To quell Mr Kelly's threat to defer to the backbench, power brokers close to the Liberal leader want him to invoke emergency powers to cancel preselections across the state, the Canberra Times reported. Should they be successful, Mr Kelly would be reinstated to his candidacy in the March state election without contest from local councillor Kent Johns. But Mr Turnbull said the possibility of immediately retaining Mr Kelly goes against the NSW state government's debates on the 'importance of grass roots membership involvement'. 'I subsequently spoke with several State Executive members to express my strong view that the Partys democratic processes should operate in the normal way,' he wrote. Power brokers in Prime Minister Scott Morrison's (pictured) ear urged him to convince the state executive to enforce emergency powers and allow Mr Kelly to win preselections unopposed The plan was hatched at the beginning of the weekend in anticipation of a Sunday evening meeting of the NSW Liberal Party's 23-member state executive. Mr Kelly has privately conceded he has no chance of keeping the seat against a strong challenge by Mr Johns, according to the Canberra Times. Initially, the proposal appeared to be gaining traction, even from those who disliked Mr Kelly for his role in the disposal of Mr Turnbull in August. But a lack of support for the embattled MP was evident in an exchange with Carmelo Pesce, the Liberal mayor of the Sutherland Shire Council at a public event. Mr Kelly (pictured) also had a public spat with a Liberal mayor, who he called a 'f**king prick' A number of local politicians were invited to Engadine Gymnastics Club in southern Sydney on Sunday to give awards to children, including Mr Kelly and Mr Pesce. Mr Kelly was agitated after the news came through that a cancellation of the preselections would never get through the state executive. The pair met in the hallway, where Mr Kelly offered a handshake. At the move, Mr Pesce put his hand behind his back. The ensuing spat resulted in two being forced to step between the pair. 'You're a f**ing prick!' Kelly shouted. 'Are you f**kng kidding me? You're not going to f**king shake my hand?' Pesce eventually replied: 'You're a disgrace for what you're doing to the party.' The infighting in the party comes after claims earlier in the week that everything was 'business as usual' after MP Julia Banks defected to the crossbench last Tuesday. A California judge has issued a stark warning to a startup founder after he turned over top secret Facebook documents to the UK. Judge V. Raymond Swope slammed Ted Kramer, founder of Six4Three, for handing over the papers to the British government on a visit to London last week. 'What has happened is unconscionable,' Swope said from the bench. 'It shocks the conscience. And your conduct is not well taken by this court.' Swope ordered Kramer to hand over his laptop, cellphone and passwords to a forensic investigator and ordered Thomas Scaramellino, a member of the Six4Three legal team who was also an investor in the company, to provide his devices for document preservation. Judge V. Raymond Swope slammed the behaviour of Ted Kramer, founder of Six4Three, for handing over the documents The secret cache is believed to include emails between Mark Zuckerberg and other executives that shows the firm knew about flaws in its privacy policy and allowed them to be actively exploited. MPs discovered the documents were in the possession of an American software executive visiting London on a business trip and sent an official from the House of Commons to his hotel to retrieve them. He was given two hours to hand them over to an appointee of Kamal El-Hajji, the House of Common's serjeant-at-arms, who is responsible for the security of the parliamentary estate. However the executive refused, and was then hauled to Parliament and warned he could face imprisonment if he did not comply. Parliament has exerted its legal powers to get hold of private Facebook documents following Mark Zuckerberg's repeated refusal to answer MPs' questions Damian Collins, chairman of the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee, told the BBC: 'We felt this [information] was highly relevant to the inquiry... and therefore we sent an order to Mr [Ted] Kramer through the serjeant at arms asking that these documents be supplied to us. Ultimately, that order was complied with.' Mr Collins said he had read over the documents and his committee would decide this week what it intends to do with them. It comes as MPs attempt to hold Zuckerberg and his firm to account over data breaches that affected more than 87 million Facebook users. The documents were taken from Ted Kramer, founder of the US company Six4Three, which is currently fighting its own lawsuit with Facebook. A US judge in California had ordered the files, obtained from Facebook via a legal discovery process, could not be revealed to the public earlier this year. However, MPs from the culture committee, headed by MP Damian Collins, drew up an 'unprecedented' order after discovering that Mr Kramer was due to visit the UK. Six4Three are the makers of the controversial app Pinkini, that allowed users to find pictures of friends wearing bikinis online. A member of staff from the office of Serjeant at Arms Kamal El-Hajji was dispatched to the hotel of Ted Kramer and demand he hand over the documents A man has died after he was found unconscious and suffering serious head injuries at a busy train station on Sunday. Police remain at the scene at Perth's Victoria Park station, where the injured man, believed to be aged in his 50s, was discovered on the footbridge just before 5.30pm. He was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital, where he died a short time later. Victoria Park station remained a crime scene on Sunday night following the death of a man Western Australia Police confirmed a man had died but did not reveal how he sustained the injuries, WA Today reported. An altercation reportedly occurred in the station car park between two men and a woman before his body was found, 9 News reported. Western Australia Police were unable to provide further details to Daily Mail Australia. The public has been urged to avoid the area. The station remained closed to commuters on Sunday night, with trains on the Armadale and Thornlie lines not stopping at the station 'due to a police incident'. Replacement buses are running between Burswood and Carlisle stations. There are reports there was an earlier altercation in the Victorian Park train station car park between two men and a woman A large crowd eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of Santa during a Christmas parade on Sunday were left scratching their heads upon laying their eyes on the man sitting in the bright red sleigh. The pot-bellied figure with a large white beard had been replaced by a Maori man wearing a red korowai, otherwise known as a cloak. The non-traditional Santa was seen smiling and waving at the crowd at Nelson, on the South Island of New Zealand. The non-traditional Santa wore a red korowai and was smiling and waving at the crowd at Nelson A woman who recorded footage of the sleigh said she 'never realised it was Santa'. 'The children I saw just did not accept the person on the sleigh as their beloved Santa,' she told NZ Herald. She argued the parade's Santa should have worn the more traditional clothing for the event. Community Arts Works Trust secretary Mark Soper told Stuff the idea behind the Maori Santa was 'bi-culturalism leading multi-culturalism'. 'That's the modern-day reality, we have a multicultural society. One third of Nelsonians are born outside of Nelson,' he said. 'It's also created to entertain and make people feel good, and in Nelson, we're a bit more Wearable Art and adventurous.' 'That's the modern-day reality, we have a multicultural society. One third of Nelsonians are born outside of Nelson,' Mr Soper said Revellers took to Facebook to express their disappointment. 'Sorry but this is getting too much. Santa is the same the world over. Stop forcing this crap into the faces of young children who don't get your agenda,' one person wrote. 'Understand you're trying to be cultural and all but small kids don't understand that so having to answer so many difficult questions on the way home as to 'where was santa' was not my idea of fun .... so many disappointed kids,' one wrote. 'It's like going to a beer fest and there is no beer. There will be dissatisfaction. Go to a Santa parade and no Santa is very very sad,' another wrote. 'My son was so disappointed there was no santa? What was that all about!' another asked. However, many people enjoyed and embraced the change. 'Who dictates what Santa looks like? He is actually depicted very different in different cultures. Good on you Nelson for embracing kiwi culture,' one wrote. 'Santa is not real, people. How long are we going to keep up with the lie to our impressionable children and stop supporting commercialism?' a user asked. The International Space Station has got a new team member and if this new shared footage is anything to go by, it's quite the character. AI bot CIMON (Crew Interactive Mobile Companion) was brought aboard earlier this year with the aim of assisting crew and boosting morale. But the floating basketball-shaped robot appeared to have its own opinions about what made for a happy crew, according to a new video shared by the station, which shows CIMON throwing a tantrum when told to stop playing music. The robot even accuses European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst of being 'mean' and orders him to 'be nice' before demanding to know when it's time for lunch. Alexander Gerst interacts with CIMON aboard the International Space Station The video of began simply enough with Gerst asking CIMON, which is brought to life by IBM Watson artificial intelligence, to perform different commands and engages it in small talk throughout the demonstration. American astronaut Serena Maria Aunon-Chancellor, is in the background and also recording the interaction at various points. CIMON answers politely and follows commands such as use the front facing camera and to play Gerst's favorite song which, appropriately is 'The Man-Machine' by Kraftwerk. 'Yay! I like your favorite hits too,' CIMON responded, playing the German electronic band's hit. But things take a turn when the astronaut orders the robot to switch off the music. 'I love music you can dance to,' CIMON announces, ignoring the order. As Gerst interacts with CIMON, things take an odd turn when the robot starts reprimanding the astronaut and telling him not to be mean Gerst was stunned when CIMON told him to 'be nice', replying 'I AM nice!' AI bot CIMON (Crew Interactive Mobile Companion) was brought aboard earlier this year with the aim of assisting crew and boosting morale When Gerst repeats the request, CIMON admonishes him to 'Be nice please.' A stunned Gerst replies 'I am nice!' to which the robot replies with an almost sullen-sounding 'Cool.' Perhaps feeling a little forlorn, CIMON says, 'Don't be so mean please. 'Don't you like it here with me?' Gerst and Aunon-Chancellor exchange a look, before Gerst tells the camera 'He's a bit sensitive today.' CIMON, who has been floating middair in zero gravity, begins slinking off towards the deck before asking the crew when it's time for lunch. While malfunctioning artificial intelligence in science fiction is almost always terrifying, such as HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey, this quirky interaction was more reminiscent of a parent and naughty child. But the latest crew member of the ISS did bring a smile to Gerst and Aunon-Chancellor so perhaps it's not doing too bad a job after all. An activist who claims to have organised UKIP's anti-Brexit march was once jailed for attempted kidnap - it has been revealed. According to the Telegraph, Daniel Thomas, 29, who has played a part in promoting 'The Brexit Betrayal' march, was jailed two years ago for the attempted armed kidnapping of a man in Hampshire. Thomas and two other men were convicted by a judge in July 2016 for the 'extraordinarily frightening incident' matched only by its 'stupidity' in which they attempted to kidnap a man armed with knives. Thomas (pictured with former EDL leader Tommy Robinson) was at a meeting this week where UKIP's anti-Brexit march was being planned The victim, Graham Page, told Portsmouth Crown Court that Thomas, along with Darren Anscombe, 38, and Leo Smith, 34, burst into the house shouting 'you're coming with us'. The court heard that Thomas and the other men wrongly believed he had stolen 10,000 of drugs from them and tried to drag him away. Mr Page resisted and the men fled, shouting 'we'll be back'. Upon arrest Thomas, from Hampshire, admitted the offence. He was jailed for two years. The two others received 30 month sentences. Thomas told the Telegraph on Saturday that the incident happened because he 'got involved with some stupid people' after experiencing financial difficulty. 'Everyone deserves a second chance,' he said. 'I came out of prison and I have turned my life around. 'I now go to church every Sunday and pray for forgiveness. Hopefully I will better myself over the years and this incident will be forgotten.' Thomas and two other men were convicted by a judge in July 2016 for the 'extraordinarily frightening incident' Thomas formerly workes as a bricklayer, sales and marketing manager, and a tank driver in the Army. However, he has now stopped working to 'dedicate everything to the cause.' In a picture tweeted by Gerard Batten on Friday, Thomas is photographed sat next to Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League, alongside the party leader. Mr Batten tweeted: 'Spent the afternoon planning Brexit Betrayal - Brexit Must Mean Exit March & Rally,' adding that the event was a 'leaver family day out'. A Ukip spokesman said Thomas was at Friday's meeting 'in the capacity of Mr Robinson's personal security'. He added: 'Mr Thomas is not part of Ukip's planning team. He has served his sentence and has returned to the world of work just as Lords Archer and Ahmed have returned to the House of Lords after serving serious criminal convictions.' A snap election now could see Jeremy Corbyn in power propped up by Nicola Sturgeon's SNP, according to new analysis. A poll of polls by the Electoral Calculus website found on current standings the Tories would still end up as the biggest party with 286 MPs. However, they would be well short of a majority in a 650-strong parliament, even with support from the DUP. By contrast Labour securing 283 seats could potentially form a government if the SNP's 43 MPs agreed to prop them up. A poll of polls by the Electoral Calculus website found on current standings the Tories would still end up as the biggest party with 286 MPs The figures give a snapshot of the situation - but the outcome is likely to be much worse for the Tories if they are forced into a panicky election by Brexit chaos. The SNP would also be highly unlikely to enter a formal coalition with Labour having witnessed the damage the Lib Dems sustained from their alliance with the Conservatives. The two parties have long been in bitter competition in Scotland. The chances of an election have been rising as Mrs May battles to get her Brexit deal through Parliament in the face of bitter opposition from rebel Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems. The scale of criticism makes defeat look almost inevitable in a crunch Commons showdown on December 11. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer confirmed today that Labour will call a no-confidence vote if Mrs May loses - the first step towards forcing an election. But Sir Keir also hinted that his favoured outcome is a second referendum - suggesting staying in the EU should be an option in the ballot, and no-deal Brexit should not be. Electoral Calculus looked at recent surveys that covered 13,000 voters. Chief executive Martin Baxter told the Sunday Telegraph that the outcome it predicts would not do much to end the deadlock over Brexit. "Parliament would be badly hung and would not be able to do very much with those figures," he said. Tory MPs whose seats would be at risk include Remainer World and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd in Hastings & Rye, and Brexiteer Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park. Even if mooted new constituency boundaries are taken into account the Tories would still be 22 short of an overall majority. Oliver Darby, 41, is accused of watching a female colleague while she showered after work at their unit's residential block A policewoman told how she was 'humiliated' and 'shaken' after catching a male colleague spying on her in the shower 'for sexual gratification.' Former soldier Oliver Darby, 41, is accused of watching her as she showered in their unit's residential block, a court heard. Father-of-one Darby, who joined the Met Police four years ago after spending 15 years in the Army, claimed he was unwell after eating some dodgy food and had to use the female room as a last resort. Just after the alleged victim finished work on January 9, she said she went for a shower in the ladies room - where she felt like she 'was being watched'. She said, from the corner of her eye, she saw a 'white person wearing a bright top' hanging around in the wet room behind a frosted glass door. The policewoman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she first thought it was a woman, but the figure stood motionless for '10 seconds in complete silence'. As the woman showered, she felt 'someone was close' and turned around to discover the curtain had 'been opened' and a man was facing her 'head on'. The man burst into a nearby toilet cubicle and locked the door - before 'crawling' out on the floor half-an-hour later - where he was confronted, the court heard. The woman, who cannot be named, told Inner London Crown Court (pictured) that she saw a 'white person wearing a bright top' hanging around in the wet room behind frosted glass door Darby claimed he 'needed to be sick' and was using the female toilet in a panic as they were just outside his room. Oliver Doherty, prosecuting, said: 'This is a rather unusual case - the alleged victim claimed she was spied on for sexual gratification.' The alleged victim said: 'I felt shock and humiliation while I was doing a very private act - it was sinister what he did. 'I was sure that it was a male, but I didn't know who it was - I didn't see his face. 'I like a long hot shower, I had nowhere else to be, so I wasn't rushing. From the corner of my eye I could tell someone was stood there. 'Although it was through frosted glass I could see someone in a bright coloured top, they stood there for about ten seconds. 'Common sense made me think this is another female coming in to use the shower so I continued with my shower, facing away from them. 'I had a feeling someone was behind me, I glanced over and saw the curtain was open and there was a person facing me. Darby claims he was unwell after eating some dodgy food and had to use the female room as a last resort 'I had closed the curtain, they had pulled it open about six inches. 'They were facing me, I could see the bright coloured t-shirt, then they 'side-dived' into the toilet cubicle and closed the door behind them.' The victim then explained how she got out of the shower and waited to see who came out of the cubicle. She said: 'I waited for at least five minutes, standing there in silence. A woman came in and apologised before leaving. 'It was clear the person was waiting for me to leave, so I went to my room, dropped off my things and waited in the corridor for 10 minutes. 'I wanted to see who was in there, so I stood still in the corridor and the motion lights turned off. 'After 20 to 30 minutes somebody left the toilet. It was a man crawling around. The minute we had eye contact he dashed back into the cubicle. 'I ran in after him to challenge him on his behaviour - when I went in he was stood in the doorway and he faced me and said sorry. 'He claimed he had something in his mouth and the men's toilets were busy. 'He had taken off his bright top and was wearing a white vest, I wouldn't have noticed, but he said he was so hot and unwell that he had to take off his top. 'It was a strange thing to say in that situation - I was shaken, I felt upset and violated - I just couldn't understand how a police officer could do that. 'I asked for his name and where he worked and he told me he worked in Westminster Borough - he said to me he wouldn't want to risk his job.' The policewoman added: 'He then followed me up to my room from the reception and apologised. I told him it wasn't a good idea to be in my room. 'I said he should have used a bin if he was sick and not walk in on a naked woman on her own. 'I didn't hear him be sick, I told him that and he said to me he wouldn't want to lose his job.' Darby was arrested two days later, where he answered questions during interview - but prosecutors noticed some 'inconsistencies'. He was arrested by police on January 11 for the offence of voyeurism, where he was cautioned and made no reply. Darby denies one count of voyeurism. The trial continues. Dash cam footage shows a motorist, who only had a provisional licence, swerving between lanes on a motorway as she drove home the morning after a boozy party. The 25-year-old woman was stopped by police at 6.20am on October 20 near junction 6 of the M6 in Birmingham and was more than twice the legal limit. She recorded 76 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit it 35. The 25-year-old woman swerved across the lane onto the hard shoulder while driving home the morning after a party The motorist had been travelling home the morning after a boozy party and can be seen in dash cam footage dangerously weaving between lanes. The woman, from Weoley Castle, Birmingham, later pleaded guilty to drink driving and driving without insurance. She was disqualified from driving for 22 months and slapped with fines and costs of 275 at Birmingham Magistrates Court on November 20. The footage has been released today as part of West Midlands Police's Christmas drink drive campaign. This weekend the force kicked off its annual month-long operation to crackdown on motorists who get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sergeant Jon Butler, who is leading the campaign, said: 'Driving while under the influence of drink or drugs is a dangerous cocktail which can tragically cost lives. When she was stopped on the M6 in Birmingham in October she was twice over the legal limit and only had a provisional licence West Midlands Police released the dash cam footage as part of a crackdown on motorists who get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs 'We want people to enjoy the festive season safely and there is no excuse for being irresponsible or reckless. 'Sadly this footage is not untypical of what we see from someone driving while intoxicated and it can be shocking how alcohol impacts a drivers' control of their vehicle. Fortunately, no-one was injured on this occasion.' Officers will carry out roadside breath tests and those caught over the limit risk of penalty points, losing their licence or even time behind bars. The intelligence-led operation will also see officers armed with drug testing kits to check those suspected of being under the influence of illegal substances. David Jamieson, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said: 'For years I have been warning about the minority of people who get behind the wheel intoxicated and the danger this puts everyone else in. 'Most people have got the message, but too many still choose to flout the law and put lives at risk. 'I'm pleased to see West Midlands Police will be out in force this year as it is vital we do all we can to keep motorists safe on our roads.' Speaker John Bercow should be stripped of powers to run the House of Commons, a Cabinet minister has urged. Leader of the House Andrea Leadsom said the recent bullying scandal that rocked Westminster showed there is a need for more 'accountability'. She said the Speaker's role should be limited to overseeing the chamber rather than heading the administration. The intervention, in a speech last week, comes amid rising tensions between ministers and Mr Bercow. The Speaker was embroiled in controversy when he remained as chair of the Commons Commission despite personally facing bullying allegations - which he denies. Many Tories have long been pushing for the Speaker to stand aside, but he has extended his tenure in the key job byond the nine years he originally set out in order to see through the Brexit process. Andrea Leadsom said Speaker John Bercow's (pictured) role should be limited to overseeing the chamber rather than heading the administration Labour are keen for him to stay as they believe he will select difficult amendments for the government. Tomorrow Mr Bercow is due to rule on whether there is a case for ministers answer over whether they have committed contempt of Parliament by refusing to publish full legal advice on the PM's deal with Brussels. Delivering the Roscoe Lecture on Thursday night, Mrs Leadsom said the Commons should have 'a chairman who can ultimately combine the authority and the accountability that should be demonstrated in the governance of the seat of our democracy'. 'When the public expressed outrage over the President's Club scandal, the chairman resigned and the charity shut down. But where does the buck stop in our Parliament, in our political world, in our democracy,' she said. 'In the 18 months I have been in this job, it has become apparent to me that - when it comes to the way the House itself runs - there are some serious questions to be answered.' Mrs Leadsom, who has clashed repeatedly with Mr Bercow, went on: 'Currently, statute requires that the chair of the House of Commons Commission is the Speaker of the House. 'Yet, the Speaker of the House is there to serve the Chamber first and foremost, and to be a figurehead for the broader organisation. Mrs Leadsom said the recent bullying scandal that rocked Westminster showed there is a need for more 'accountability' 'The role of the Speaker is to hold one of the highest offices in the land, presiding over debates, managing the chamber and ensuring political impartiality. 'It is a stretch to imagine that the highest office within the seat of our democracy should also be responsible for determining the opening hours of our cafeterias.' Mrs Leadsom said staff were still not confident that the systems were in place to protect them. 'The House of Commons Commission provides the board-level oversight of everything from the maintenance of an ancient building to staff pay, and even whether the WiFi is working,' she said. 'My grave concern is that there is a massive disconnect between authority and accountability.' Twenty-eight-year-old Agustin Aguero had just settled into his business class seat on board Iberia flight 6849 when, 10 minutes before take-off, German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared next to him. Then, Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz as well as aides and bodyguards also crowded into the cabin of the Buenos Aires-bound plane. The business class area was suddenly full, and Aguero was sitting next to the most powerful woman in the world for the 13-hour flight. Merkel steps down from Airbus "Konrad Adenauer" on Thursday evening on the tarmac of Cologne's airport after an emergency landing 'I know 'House of Cards' and so I had never expected such a normal person,' the Argentinian told dpa after his experience, referring to the US political television drama. Merkel, who was on her way to the G20 leaders summit, had been forced on to the commercial flight, after her official plane was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Cologne late Thursday after a technical defect. Aguero said the late-running chancellor appeared 'very relaxed,' and behaved just like any other passenger, eating yoghurt, reading and taking a nap. An hour before landing, Merkel entered the cockpit to pose for a photo with staff. Although she smiled at Aguero, he said he did not have the courage to speak to her. A model weeped in court after being charged with trying to smuggle 1.1million worth of heroin on a flight to Ireland in a suitcase. Tereza Hluskova, 22, from the Czech Republic, was stopped at Lahore airport in Pakistan as she attempted to board a flight to Dublin via Abu Dhabi. Almost nine kilograms of the Class A drug were found stashed in statues in the model's luggage in January. Tereza Hluskova, 22, from the Czech Republic, was stopped at Lahore airport in Pakistan as she attempted to board a flight to Dublin, Ireland Almost nine kilos of the Class A drug were found stashed in statues in the model's luggage in January 2017 Miss Hluskova broke down in tears at a hearing after she was told her trial would be postponed yet again. The model says she was in Pakistan for a modelling contract and told authorities she did not know how the heroin ended up in her suitcase. Two other men were also arrested and are facing drug trafficking charges after police went through the model's phone. Miss Hluskova could face up to ten years in prison if she is convicted. The death penalty in Pakistan applies to those caught with over 10 kilograms of drugs. Miss Hluskova broke down in tears at a hearing after she was told her trial would be postponed yet again The model says she was in Pakistan for a modelling contract and told authorities she did not know how the heroin ended up in her suitcase Authorities allege that Miss Kluskova had met a man in Manchester who had set up a 'fake' photography studio. A customs spokesman told local media that the man asked Miss Hukslova to visit Pakistan to promote a leading fashion brand in return for a big payout, according to The Sun. A customs spokesman said: 'She came to Pakistan and resided in Gujranwala for a few days before coming to Lahore airport to fly for Abu Dhabi with the heroin bag given to her.' The story gained attention when Miss Hluskova was captured smiling an posing with for photos with Pakistani investigators after she was arrested at the airport. The story gained attention when Miss Hluskova was captured smiling an posing with for photos with Pakistani investigators after she was arrested at the airport A customs spokesman told local media that the man asked Miss Hukslova to visit Pakistan to promote a leading fashion brand in return for a big payout In a video, released online, a Pakistani customs official is shown 'discovering' the drugs hidden in the suitcase while Miss Hluskova looks on. She then puts her head in her hands. She says in the video: 'They gave me something for luggage, three statues or something. They said it was gifts. I didn't know there was something inside'. Miss Kluskova's trial has repeatedly been delayed and she has been on bail in Pakistan. In a video, released online, a Pakistani customs official is shown 'discovering' the drugs hidden in the suitcase while Miss Hluskova looks on. She then puts her head in her hands Last month, a man was jailed for three years after he threatened to terrorist attacks on Pakistan if Miss Kluskova was not released. Nikolai Simeonov Ivanov, 21, from Bulgaria, sent threatening emails and text messages to a news website in Pakistan. Ivanov admitted that he did not realise the consequences of sending the threats, a court heard. Miss Hluskova could face up to ten years in prison if she is convicted. The death penalty in Pakistan applies to those caught with over 10kgs of drugs President Donald Trump says he is willing to sign a two-week federal budget extension to allow Congress to honor the life of former President George H.W. Bush without the distraction of an impending partial government shutdown. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on the way back from the G20 summit in Argentina, Trump said lawmakers asked him after Bush's death late Friday for a longer window of time to hammer out their differences. 'If they come to me, which they already have, and they said, "You know, Mr. President",' Trump mused, before adding: 'I would absolutely consider it and probably give it.' Many federal agencies will run out of money on Friday at midnight unless Congress and the White House agree on a path forward. President Donald Trump said Saturday that lawmakers have asked him for a longer window of time to hammer out their budget differences, in light of President George H.W. Bush's death late Friday Many federal agencies will run out of money on Friday at midnight unless Congress and the White House agree on a path forward; the president says he's willing to let funding lapse in order to stand tough on border security issues The 41st president of the United States, George H.W. Bush died Friday night at age 94; he's pictured with his wife Barbara last year in Houston 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 and Congress had both been bracing for the fallout from a shutdown. The president is seeking billions of dollars for his long-promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. House Democrats are in no mood to be generous since they'll take over control of the chamber in January. In the Senate, where spending bills require the assent of 60 lawmakers in order to move forward, Democrats are in wait-and-see mode. Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer dared Trump on Thursday to 'throw a temper tantrum and shut down some departments and agencies over Christmas.' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, dared Trump to 'throw a temper tantrum' that would put millions of government workers off the payrolls during the Christmas holiday season The president wants $5 billion for border wall construction between the U.S. and Mexico Questions are swirling throughout Washington about a possible 'wall-for-DACA' deal, where the president would agree to package $5 billion in wall funding with a plan to give legal status to more than 1 million people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Trump last year formally invalidated an Obama-era program that spared that large group of non-citizens from deportation, but court rulings have tied his hands and the temporary amnesty has continued. Republicans fear being blamed for a future shutdown, and they are feeling pressure to finalize a budget agreement before Christmas. The next Congress will likely convene at noon on January 3, at which point Democrats will have more negotiating power. But the president has said he's more than willing to let funding for his cabinet agencies expire, calling it a political winner for the GOP. 'We need border security in this country, and if that means a shutdown I would totally be willing to shut it down,' he said Wednesday. 'And I think it's a really bad issue for the Democrats.' He has also said he's open to the idea of abandoning efforts to get Congress to establish a dedicated funding stream for wall construction, and instead using the military to build it. Internal discussions inside the White House have focused on tasking the Army Corps of Engineers, using an already burgeoning Pentagon budget. Some legal opinions hold that the president would have to go through Congress to requthorize the funds. Others suggest the Defense Department could invoke national security exemptions and move ahead on its own. Former FBI Director James Comey withdrew his legal objection on Sunday to a congressional subpoena for his closed-door testimony, opening the door at the last minute for House Republicans to grill him about a range of controversies with their last gasp of majority power. Comey had asked federal judge Trevor McFadden to quash the subpoena, complaining that he feared selective leaking of his answers to questions from GOP members of a joint panel made up of members of the Judiciary and Oversight Committees. They will likely ask him about the FBI's decisions in 2016 that determined the outcome of a investigation into Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's illicit use, while secretary of state, of a private email server where more than 100 classified documents were open to unfriendly governments' prying eyes. Trump fired Comey in 2017. He responded by leaking information to the press from his private memos about a trio of meetings with the president, in the hope that insider news stories would result in the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Trump. Comey got his wish, creating news cycles about the possibility that Trump obstructed justice by throwing him overboard as questions began to swirl about unproven claims that his 2016 campaign colluded with Russian agents. Fired formed FBI Director James Comey blinked ahead of a Monday ruling expected to go against him, in a case where he asked a judge to quash a Republican congressional subpoena for his closed-door testimony Republicans agreed they won't stop him from releasing a transcript of his testimony, but TV cameras won't capture him delivering it Representative Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, wants to grill Comey about his decision to end the Hillary Clinton email probe, and about leaks he made to media outlets that preceding the appointment of a special counsel to lead the Justice Department's Russia probe The former FBI director's saga was to come to a head on Monday with a courtroom decision that was likely to force him to appear behind closed doors for a Republican grilling. But he struck an agreement with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican, to allow him to publish a transcript within 24 hours, and for a promise that he wouldn't be prohibited from talking about his testimony. 'Grateful for a fair hearing from judge. Hard to protect my rights without being in contempt, which I dont believe in. So will sit in the dark, but Republicans agree Im free to talk when done and transcript released in 24 hours. This is the closest I can get to public testimony,' Comey tweeted Sunday. Goodlatte made the announcement on Sunday, prompting Comey to issue his own, more pointed, version in a tweet It's unclear what rights he was referring to. Subpoenaed witnesses aren't entitled to dictate the terms under which they deliver testimony on Capitol Hill. Comey also had asked McFadden to put an immediate halt to the joint committee proceedings that led to his subpoena, a request of the kind that no judge in U.S. history has ever granted. Goodlatte tweeted a more muted statement on Sunday. 'I have just offered to Director Comey that the Committees will publicly release the transcript of his testimony following the interview for our investigation. This ensures both transparency and access for the American people to all the facts,' he wrote. Democrats have complained that the Republican-led inquiry is a partisan effort to undermine Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into the Russia-related claims. The clock is ticking for them to generate a result: Democrats will take over the House and its committees on Jan. 3, following a gain of 40 seats in last month's elections. The Kremlin has denied meddling in the U.S. elections, and Trump denies colluding with Moscow, repeatedly calling the Mueller probe a political 'witch hunt' with no basis in fact. Lawyers for the committee ridiculed Comey on Friday for his 'grandiose demand' to offer testimony in public, where TV cameras would turn his answers into endlesly replayde video clips. The legal filing blasts Comey's 'grandiose demand' in personalized terms A declaration by the general counsel and parliamentarian for the House Judiciary mafe a case for why Comey's testimony was fair to demand, while also spelling out how Republicans plan to use it to undermine the origins of the Russia probe as well as his decision to end the Clinton email probe during an election year. 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. Comey's lawyers argued that a closed hearing would allow for 'selective leaks, is abusive to witnesses, and furthers no legitimate congressional purpose.' When Marlee Castillo and Tabatha Cash decided to get married, Tabatha's mother made it clear that she wasn't going to attend the lesbian couple's wedding. So the women reached out to Sara Cunningham, a mother-of-two who volunteers as a 'stand-in mom' at same-sex ceremonies. Sara became an internet sensation in July when she vowed to be there for members of the LGBTQ+ community on their special day. 'PSA. If you need a mom to attend your same sex wedding because your biological mom won't. Call me. I'm there. I'll be your biggest fan. I'll even bring the bubbles,' she wrote in a post that was shared more than 8,000 times on Facebook. Marlee Castillo and Tabatha Cash called on Sara Cunningham (pictured center with them) to be a stand-in mom after Tabatha's own mother refused to come to their wedding Sara was on hand to help calm Tabatha's nerves and put on her dress on her wedding day Marlee and Tabatha originally reached out to Sara when they first got engaged and asked her to be their officiant at the wedding. But that changed when Tabatha's mom decided not to come. 'When my family wasn't for sure coming, it was "Will you be my stand-in mom because I won't have a mom there,"' Tabatha recalled to ABC. 'With the struggles that we've had with her mom, Sara is the type of person we want to have at the wedding,' Marlee added. It was Sara who was there to help with Tabatha's bouquet, made with flowers that were donated by actress Jamie Lee Curtis, and calm her nerves. She also helped Tabatha arrange her bouquet before she tied the knot with Marlee in Texas Marlee and Tabatha originally reached out to Sara when they got engaged and asked her to be their officiant at the wedding. But that changed when Tabatha's mom decided not to come Sara became an internet sensation in July when she vowed to be there for members of the LGBTQ community on their special day if their families wouldn't 'With the struggles that we've had with her mom, Sara is the type of person we want to have at the wedding,' Marlee (pictured with Tabatha) said And it was Sara who was there to help her get into her wedding dress, who watched with joy as she and Marlee had their 'First Look' ceremony. Sara couldn't help but shed tears as she watched the special moment. 'I was just thinking about her own mother,' she admitted. There was a point in her life when Sara struggled to accept her own son. 'I thought I was okay with the LGBTQ community until our own son,' she said. 'He said "Mom, I met someone". I didn't take the news very well.' There was a point in her life when Sara struggled to accept her own son Parker (pictured together) after he came out Sara had been an active member of the church for more than 20 years, and felt as if she had to decide between her son and her faith 'That was the day he faced his biggest fear - that's me. And that's the day I had to face the reality, that I have a gay son.' Sara had been an active member of the church for more than 20 years, and felt as if she had to decide between her son and her faith. 'As I began to search the matter out, I got educated,' she said. 'And I realized that, as a Christian society, we have been duped.' In 2014, Sara and her husband Rex attended their first Pride parade with their son Parker. The next year, she made a pin that read 'Free Mom Hugs'. She gave hugs and high fives and listened to devastating stories from members of the LGBTQ+ community. But after she educated herself, Sara's viewpoint changed. Now she serves as an officiant for same-sex marriages across the country Sara (pictured with Jamie Lee Curtis) also started Free Mom Hugs, a non-profit that aims to eliminate LGBTQ+ prejudice That's when Sara decided to start Free Mom Hugs, a non-profit that aims to eliminate LGBTQ+ prejudice, end conversion therapy, and spread love to the community. Sara, an ordained minister, also travels across the country to both officiate same-sex weddings and serve as a stand-in mom for people who might need one like Tabatha. 'To not be accepted by your family is just devastating,' she said. 'Everyone needs acceptance from their mother.' Tabatha and Marlee tied the knot in November, exchanging their vows at Palo Duro Lake in Spearman, Texas. For Sara, watching the beautiful ceremony was 'bittersweet'. Tabatha and Marlee tied the knot in November, exchanging their vows at Palo Duro Lake in Spearman, Texas For Sara, watching the beautiful ceremony between the happy couple was 'bittersweet' as she thought about her own journey to acceptance 'I know the journey I took and the regret that I would have had, had I not accepted my son,' she said. 'I was able to see him confident, healthy, vibrant, living authentically, and I've seen that in Tabatha as she has gone throughout this journey herself.' 'I don't have my blood DNA mom, but I can still have my mom,' Tabatha said. 'Love and acceptance, that is what everyone deserves to feel.' Advertisement Tens of thousands of protesters took part in a climate change march on Brussels as a United Nations summit on keeping global warming in check began in Poland. Belgian police said some 65,000 people participated in the 'Claim the Climate' demonstration on Sunday. Protesters marched through the Belgian capital near to the European Union headquarters with banners bearing slogans including 'There is no planet B' and 'Climate First, Politics Second'. At least 65,000 protesters participated in the 'Claim the Climate' demonstration in Brussels, Belgium throughout Sunday The peaceful protest saw hundreds of thousands of people march through the quarter of the city that houses the European Union headquarters People held banners bearing slogans including 'Save our planet, save our future' and 'sick of pollution' as they marched One man dressed up as a penguin holding a sign that read 'I need my fridge' and another group carried a giant inflatable replica of the globe as they marched. The organisers of the protest called for ambitious climate policies to limit global warming to one-and-a-half degrees Celsius in line with goals set by the Paris Agreement in 2015. Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel called the march 'a formidable success' and promised to defend the 'ambitious targets' at the two-week-long COP24 conference which began in Katowice, Poland on Sunday. Key talks began a day earlier than expected, with four senior figures behind the efforts to limit climate change warning that the Earth is now 'at a crossroads', the BBC reported. Others held placards alluding to an apparent rapid decline in the bee population while others protested pollution in the city The organisers called for ambitious climate policies to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in line with goals set by the Paris Agreement in 2015 Other protesters, including young children, held colourful banners throughout the march. One man even dressed up as a penguin with a sign saying 'I need my fridge' Belgium's liberal Prime Minister Charles Michel called the march 'a formidable success' and promised to defend 'ambitious targets' at a two week-long UN summit in the Polish city of Katowice The four former UN climate talk presidents called for action when the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) prematurely convened. A statement issued by Frank Bainimarama of Fiji, Salaheddine Mezouar of Morocco, Laurent Fabius of France and Manuel Pulgar Vidal of Peru said: 'Decisive action in the next two years will be crucial. 'What ministers and other leaders say and do in Katowice at COP24 will help determine efforts for years to come and either bring the world closer to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement - including protecting those most vulnerable to climate change - or push action further down the road. Key talks began a day early on Sunday, with four senior figures behind efforts to limit climate change warning that the Earth is now 'at a crossroads' The former UN climate talk presidents called for action when the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) convened a day early One man even built a wooden structure around a model of the Eiffel Tower he placed on his bicycle helmet during the march Another pair wearing hi-vis vests held a sign bearing the slogan 'There are no jobs jobs jobs on a dead planet' on Sunday 'Any delay will only make it harder and more expensive to respond to climate change.' Negotiators at the conference, which is said to be the most crucial on climate change since the 2015 Paris Agreement, decided to open talks ahead of Monday because they are under pressure to make progress. Some 29 heads of state and government are due to give statements over the two-week-long summit of 200 nations. Some young protesters even wrote '+ chaud', translating to '+ hot', on their faces in red pen as they marched in the city Negotiators at the COP24 conference decided to open talks ahead of Monday because they are under pressure to make progress This Conference of the Parties is the first to be held since an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report on limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C was released in October A group of three took part in the march wearing polar bear costumes, which gathered them attention from other protesters This is less than the number who attended the Paris Agreement talks in 2015 - but for the EU and China, the meeting is crucial to proving international co-operation is possible in the age of President Trump. Sir David Attenborough will represent millions of people across the world who are affected by climate change when he takes the 'people's seat' at the conference. He will give a speech to politicians on the opening day of the summit, with takes place from December 2 to December 14, made up of comments submitted by the public. Some 29 heads of state and government are due to give statements over the two-week-long COP24 summit of 200 nations It is likely much of the conference will be focused on detailing exactly how the conditions of the 2015 Paris Agreement will work People hold a banner reading 'Save our planet, save our future' during the 'Claim the Climate' march to raise awareness for climate change It is likely much of the conference will be focused on finalising exactly how the conditions of the Paris Agreement will work when it becomes operational in 2020. The agreement, signed by 195 UNFCCC members, has a central aim to 'strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change' by keeping a temperature increase this century below two degrees. It also firmed plans to pursue efforts to limit the temperature rise even further to just one-and-a-half degrees Celsius. The COP24 summit is the first Conference of the Parties since an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report detailed how governments would need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 45 per cent by 2030 to reach this goal. Protesters carry colourful placards as they take part in a demonstration on Climate Change in Brussels, Belgium on Sunday One man carried a sign bearing the message 'make biodiversity great again and no climate change will remain' as he marched A North Carolina teenager who strangled his mother after a disagreement over pizza has been sentenced to serve more than a decade in prison. On Friday, Arnav Uppalapati, 19, was sentenced to spend between 12 years and 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to the December 2015 murder. Prosecutors said Uppalapati, who was 16 at the time, angered his mother, Nalini Tellaprolu, after he defied her and ordered a pizza. Tellaprolu, 51, slapped her son and that's when Uppalapati grabbed a plastic bag and began choking her to death. Arnav Uppalapati, 19 (left in his mugshot, and in court on Friday, right), was sentenced to spend between 12 years and 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to the December 2015 murder his mother, Nalini Tellaprolu. Prosecutors said Uppalapati, who was 16 at the time, angered Tellaprolu after he defied her and ordered a pizza Tellaprolu, 51, slapped her son and that's when Uppalapati grabbed a plastic bag and began choking her to death. He then put her body in the garage and dialed 911 saying he found his mother dead after he got home from school. Pictured: Tellaprolu and her husband Babu Uppalapati After killing her, Uppalapati put her body in the garage of his home on the 2100 block of Roland Glen Road in Cary and put a bag over her head. He then called 911 and told a dispatcher he found his mother's body when he got home from school. According to The News & Observer, Tellaprolu's husband, Babu Uppalapati, told his investigators that he repeatedly tried calling and text his wife but got no response. He then contacted his son and told her to immediately check on her after he left school. A police report noted that her body was covered in her bruises and that she had scratches on her face, neck, torso and arms. While investigating, detectives learned Tellaprolu was very stringent about activating her home alarm system. Uppalapati (pictured) became a prime suspect after detectives learned Tellaprolu always activated her home alarm system and there were no signs of forced entry The plastic bag over Tellaprolu's head was tested in a laboratory, in which the teenager's DNA was discovered its knot. Not longer afterwards, he confessed to the murder. Pictured: The Cary, North Carolina, home where the murder occurred The News & Observer reported District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said it was this and no signs of a home invasion that made Uppalapati the main suspect. The plastic bag was tested in a laboratory, in which the teenager's DNA was discovered its knot. Not long afterwards, he confessed to the murder. CBS 17 reported that Tellaprolu, worked in the IT department at Duke University Health System, was described as a warm and kind mother. According to Wake County Assistant District Attorney Howard Cummings, both Uppalapati's age and his confession played factors in deciding the length of his prison term. However, he added the defense should consider the plea deal to be a 'lenient sentence. Uppalapati's father and sister were in court, but he allegedly did not look at them as he was led away to begin his sentence. Hunter- Killer Nuclear Submarine HMS Astute has arrived in Gibraltar as fear grows over the number of Russian submarines operating around UK waters and in the Atlantic continue to mount. Last month, the UK's Royal Navy reported that its high-readiness frigate, the HMS St Albans, shadowed and monitored a Russian warship travelling through the English Channel, in an attempt to protect British waters. An attack submarine or hunter-killer submarine is a submarine specifically designed for the purpose of attacking and sinking other submarines, surface combatants and merchant vessels. Hunter- Killer Nuclear Submarine HMS Astute Arrives In Gibraltar as fear grows over the number of Russian submarines operating around UK waters The sub was deployed in the Channel last month alongside HMS St. Albans, a Type 23 frigate, to shadow the Russian Slava-class cruiser Marshall Ustinov, which travelled through the waters in mid-November. The Anglo-Russo relationship has been strained of late, especially since the high-profile Salisbury poisoning in March this year. The prescence of a Russian sub has seen the Royal Navy display their mettle and follow it intently. The prescence of a Russian sub has seen the Royal Navy display their mettle and follow it intently A spokesman signalled the UK frigate's readiness 'to monitor the Russians as they entered the Channel, taking over the watch from the French warships' but also lauded the relationship between the British and Russian subs as 'cordial' and 'professional'. St. Albans commanding officer John Cromie, working alongside HMS Astute crew, said: 'In this instance, the interaction between St. Albans and Marshal Ustinov has proven both cordial and professional, reflecting the mutual understanding of customs that exist between professional mariners.' The comment followed a US Navy general calling the Russians a 'very competent' undersea threat in the nearby Atlantic. .An attack submarine or hunter-killer submarine is a submarine specifically designed for the purpose of attacking and sinking other submarines, surface combatants and merchant vessels Russia's Defence Ministry has repeatedly denied allegations about the so-called 'Russian threat', stressing that its warships always adhere to international maritime law when passing through international waters. Environmental groups have slammed the scheduled stoppage at the Gibraltar naval base, saying the 'floating bomb endangers the population' of Campo de Gibraltar. These were the words of Antonio Munoz, spokesman for the environmental group Greenmar Ecologists in Action Campo de Gibraltar. Environmental groups have slammed the scheduled stoppage at the Gibraltar naval base Kate Osamor, who resigned from the Labour front bench yesterday, has reportedly been banned from Wikipedia Kate Osamor has reportedly been banned from Wikipedia for repeatedly editing information on her own page and threatening to sue the website. The senior Labour MP resigned from the Shadow Cabinet yesterday amid claims she threatened a journalist with a bat and misled the public over her son's drug offences. She has now been blacklisted from the online encyclopaedia for altering a passage which said she plagiarised one of Barrack Obama's speeches from 2008 - and subsequently threatening to sue the website if the passage returned, The Sun reported. The Edmonton MP was said to have altered the page a number of times despite the website warning her to cease the 'disruptive editing'. Miss Osamor reportedly told Wikipedia: 'If I see it added again I will have no choice but to sue the editor and the platform that allowed it to be posted.' She was said to have been banned for three days and subsequently 'blocked indefinitely from editing for making legal threats or taking legal actions'. The Wikipedia page for Kate Osamor currently has two notices at the top - the first of which reads: 'This article is an autobiography or has been extensively edited by the subject or by someone connected to the subject. 'It may need editing to conform to Wikipedia's neutral point of view policy. There may be relevant discussion on the talk page. (November 2018)' The 'talk' page for Kate Osamor's Wikipedia entry describes how two users - 'Midnights1' and 'Kateosamor' - have contributed to the article despite potentially being 'personally or professionally connected to the subject' Kate Osamor (right) had voted for Jeremy Corbyn (left) to become Labour leader and was part of his shadow cabinet The second warning says: 'This article may have been created or edited in return for undisclosed payments, a violation of Wikipedia's terms of use. 'It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies.' The page's 'talk' section outlines how 'Individuals with a conflict of interest, particularly those representing the subject of the article, are strongly advised not to directly edit the article'. It goes on to outline how two article contributors - with the user names 'Midnights1' and 'Kateosamor' - have altered the article, even though they 'may be personally or professionally connected to the subject of the article'. Wikipedia's terms of use require that editors disclose their employer, client, and affiliation with respect to paid contributions. The MP's 'talk' page says: 'Midnights1 (talk contribs) has been paid by the House of Commons, Kate Osamor, the Labour Party, Momentum (organisation) on behalf of Kate Osamor. Their editing has included contributions to this article.' Ishmael Osamor was previously sentenced to community service after being found with up to 2,500 worth of Class A and B drugs Miss Osamor became the centre of a controversy recently when it was said she reacted angrily and lashed out at a reporter outside of her 700,000 North London home when a Times journalist asked for comment regarding her son's employment in her office. Her son Ishamel, 29, had been found with drugs worth 2,500 at the Bestival music festival in Dorset in 2017 and was given a community sentence on October 19. He worked full time in his mother's office and lives with her in a 700,000 housing association property near Turnpike Lane in North London. The Labour politician had defended keeping Ishmael in his 50,000-a-year job by claiming she had been unaware of his crimes at the time. But it later emerged that she had in fact known, and had sent letters of correspondence to the judge requesting leniency. When approached by reporters at her house, Miss Osamor, formerly Labour's International Development spokesperson, told a journalist she 'should have come down here with a bat and smashed your face in', threw a bucket of water over him and called the police, according to reports. Jeremy Corbyn accepted her resignation and paid tribute to her, saying: '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.' Ishmael had 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. On October 19 Judge Stephen Climie revealed that he had received five references that played a 'significant' part in determining Ishmael's sentence of 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. Judge Climie identified three authors of the letters written to him, including Ishmael, his partner, and his mother. The Labour Party had repeatedly claimed Miss Osamor, 50, did not know about the case until October 26. Foreign criminals in Denmark are going to be imprisoned on a remote prior to being deported, as part of new plans announced by the government. Finance Minister Kristian Jensen, from centre-right party Venstre, said criminals will be housed on Lindholm, a 17-acre island in Stege Bay, approximately one and a half miles from the Danish mainland. The facility will house rejected asylum seekers convicted of crimes as well as foreign citizens who do not have permission to stay but cannot be deported, as reported by The Telegraph. Finance Minister Kristian Jensen, from centre-right party Venstre, said criminals will be housed on Lindholm (pictured), a 17-acre island, approximately one and a half miles from the Danish mainland. Funding for the proposal was secured after the backing of the right wing Danish People's Party (DK), who tweeted about the new policy alongside a cartoon. The tweet said: 'Expelled, criminal aliens have nothing to do in Denmark. 'Until we can get rid of them, we now move them out on the island Lindholm in Stege Bay, where they will be obliged to stay at the new exit centre at night. 'And there will be police present around the clock.' The tweet was accompanied by a cartoon of a man being transported by boat to a desert island. A number of social media users described the new policy and cartoon as 'racist', while others praised the new plans. Kristian Jensen, said inhabitants will 'not be imprisoned.' He added: 'There will be a ferry service to and from the island, but the ferry will not operate around the clock, and they must stay at the departure centre at night. 'That way we will be better able to monitor where they are. 'There are more limits to how much you can move around when you are on a deserted island. 'You are in principle obliged to remain on the island. 'So we will have more control over where they are.' 'It is a problem for us that we can see that some foreigners who have in fact been sentenced to deportation are still committing crimes, and we have no way of monitoring them. Uffe Elbaek, from the environmentalist Alternative party, criticised the new policy, he said: 'The green government I want to lead would never force people on to a deserted island,' 'Inhuman politics are creating a completely different Denmark to the Denmark I love.' The policy has been heavily criticised by opposition parties, according to Danish news website The Local. Uffe Elbaek, from the environmentalist Alternative party said: 'The green government I want to lead would never force people on to a deserted island,' 'Inhuman politics are creating a completely different Denmark to the Denmark I love.' Morten stergaard, leader of the Social Liberals also criticised the policy calling it 'symbolic politics without an end.' Former US first lady Michelle Obama said Sunday she was canceling book tour visits to Paris and Berlin to attend the funeral of former president George H.W. Bush, who died Friday aged 94. 'It's important to me to join the Bush family in celebrating President George H.W. Bush's exemplary life,' she tweeted. 'This will unfortunately preclude my visits to Paris and Berlin. I've been deeply touched by the enthusiasm for my memoir, and I'm working to reschedule my trip for next year.' Former US first lady Michelle Obama (pictured on Saturday) said Sunday she was canceling book tour visits to Paris and Berlin to attend the funeral of former president George H.W. Bush, who died Friday aged 94 A day after learning of the former president's death, Obama shared a sweet snap of him planting a kiss on her cheek while they were in the Oval Office (pictured) 'It's important to me to join the Bush family in celebrating President George H.W. Bush's exemplary life,' she tweeted In a second message, she said she hoped readers and ticket holders would understand the decision 'and join me in paying tribute' to Bush and 'his tremendous contributions to our world'. Obama's decision was widely received on social media with several Twitter users praising the former first lady for being 'amazing'. 'We love your heart,' one user wrote, while another said: 'Of course we understand even if we are deeply disappointed. Hope to see you in Paris in 2019.' Bush, a Second World War hero, passed away at 10.10pm CT on Friday at his home in Houston, Texas. He was surrounded by his family. A statement from his office did not specify the cause of death, but Bush had 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 was reportedly being treated for low blood pressure. Bush, a WWII hero, passed away at 10.10pm CT on Friday at his home in Houston, Texas. He was surrounded by his family. Bush died less than eight months after his beloved wife of 70 years, Barbara (both pictured in February 2017), passed away Bush, who presided over the final days of the Cold War and the breakup of the Soviet Union, died less than eight months after his beloved wife of 70 years, Barbara, passed away. A day after learning of the former president's death, Obama shared a sweet snap of him planting a kiss on her cheek while they were in the Oval Office. 'As a public servant, father, and grandfather, President George H.W. Bush was an extraordinary example for us all,' she wrote. 'His spirit of service and decency will be missed by many, including our family. I hope his memory will be a guiding light for our country and those around the world,' Obama added. The former first lady has spoken warmly about the Bush family in the past. In November, she opened up about her bond with former president George W. Bush on Today with his daughter Jenna Bush Hager. Obama has spoken warmly about the Bush family in the past and even opened up about her bond with former president George W. Bush. She described Bush Jr as her 'partner in crime' after he was spotted handing her a piece of candy during John McCain's funeral (pictured) Released on November 13, Obama's memoir, Becoming, sold more than two million copies in North America in its first 15 days Obama's decision was widely received on social media with several Twitter users praising the former first lady for being 'amazing' 'We love your heart,' one user wrote, while another said: 'Of course we understand even if we are deeply disappointed. Hope to see you in Paris in 2019' Obama shared that although she doesn't 'agree with him on everything,' they're still friends. 'It's just a disagreement and that's how I feel about your father. You know? He's a beautiful, funny, kind, sweet man,' she told Jenna. She also described Bush Jr as her 'partner in crime' after he was spotted handing her a piece of candy during the funeral of John McCain in August. Released on November 13, Obama's memoir, Becoming, sold more than two million copies in North America in its first 15 days. The 54-year-old mother-of-two is wildly popular at home and abroad, loved for her warm personality, intelligence and women's activism. In the book she writes that she can 'never forgive' Donald Trump for questioning her husband's US citizenship, accusing him and other 'birthers' of putting her family at risk. She also digs into personal issues, detailing a miscarriage, how she conceived daughters Malia, 20, and Sasha, 17, by in-vitro fertilization, and marriage counseling. Being published in 31 languages, the memoir is also a bestseller in Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Israel, Korea, Finland, South Africa and Taiwan, among other countries. The French President was caught telling Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince 'you never listen to me' at a summit in Argentina. Emmanuel Macron spoke to Mohammed bin Salman for five minutes on the side of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires on Friday. A video of their chat is believed to show the French leader chiding the prince over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Emmanuel Macron spoke to Mohammed bin Salman for five minutes on the side of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires on Friday Much of it is inaudible but Macron could be heard saying 'I do worry. I am worried I told you.' The prince replied: 'Yes, you told me. Thank you very much.' 'You never listen to me,' Macron said, before the smiling prince replied: 'No, I listen, of course.' Macron then said: 'Because I told you. It was more important for you,' before later adding: 'I am a man of my word.' At one point in the exchange, bin Salman could be heard saying: 'It's OK I can deal with it.' The French government said the video showed 'a sort of contrast between the prince's face sporting an embarrassed smile and the presidents face, which was rather stern and was keen to convey these messages in a very firm manner.' An official confirmed the pair spoke about Khashoggi and the war in Yemen. Much of the chat is inaudible but Macron could be heard saying 'I do worry. I am worried I told you.' Earlier in the summit the Saudi Crown Prince and Russian President Vladimir Putin 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. The leaders could not resist a rye smile ahead of their meeting, where they discussed oil, according to a Kremlin spokesman. Michelle Obama was given a pop star's welcome when she visited a North London girls' school in 2009, and now she's returning for a third time. During a solo visit to Britain, the then First Lady of the US popped into Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language College and proved a huge hit and also becoming inspired by the school. Mrs Obama, 54, recently released her bestselling memoir, Becoming. In her book she detailed the profound impact her visit to the comprehensive secondary school had on her. Motivational: Mrs Obama invited them to spend a day with her when she spoke at Oxford University in 2011 'I wasn't prepared fully prepared to feel what I did,' wrote the former First Lady. 'The building was nothing special a boxy brick building on a nondescript street. But as I settled into a falling chair on stage and started watching the performance [...] something inside me began to quake. 'I almost felt myself fall back into my own past.' On Monday, Mrs Obama will visit one of London's poorest boroughs to give a talk on the importance of education in front of 250 pupils EGA and Mulberry school as part of her book tour. Michelle was joined by her daughters Malia and Sasha for another trip to the UK in 2015 The girls of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language College in London were thrilled to meet - and hug - the First Lady back in 2009 She will sit alongside three former pupils and the school's executive head, Jo Dibb during the talk in Tower Hamlets. Mrs Dibb said she became emotional after seeing what Michelle Obama had written about her and the school. 'I'd just come out of the gym and the news story had been Whatsapped to me by someone and I sat in my car at seven in the morning reading it,' she said. The Elizabeth Garrett Anderson girls so impressed the First Lady that she invited them to hear her speak at Oxford University in 2011...before inviting a select group of 12 students to visit the White House in 2012 The First Lady, a graduate of Harvard Law School, pictured hugging students at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language College in 2009 is hoping to inspire another group of students with a visit to the Mulberry School in east London 'If we have been part of what Michelle Obama has done in the wider sphere, well, just wow. That makes me feel as if we've done something special.' The mutual admiration between Obama and the school was further heightened when a return visit to the UK in 2011 saw her invite pupils to hear her speak at Oxford University. The following year, she invited a dozen of them to visit the White House. Students spoke of the huge confidence boost the encounter gave them as Mrs Obama encouraged the girls to follow their dreams and to 'stay hopeful and keep working, despite their lack of privilege'. A dozen schoolgirls visited the White House in Washington after Mrs Obama invited them in 2012. One of them, Gamze Kaplin, pictured second row, far right, has described her time with the First Lady as a massive confidence booster One student, Gamze Kaplan, 17 when Mrs Obama invited her to the White House, said she was determined to pursue a degree at Cambridge and hopes to one day follow Mrs Obama into the field of law. During her first visit, Obama addressed a crowd comprising of 900 refugee pupils who filled the halls and classrooms with 55 languages. Far from being overwhelmed by the adulation she received on her first meeting, the First Lady wrapped her arms around pupils and punched the air in appreciation as they performed. Mrs Obama said she 'knew they'd (the pupils) have to push back against all the stereotypes that would get put on them, all the ways they'd be defined before they'd had a chance to define themselves. They'd need to fight the invisibility that comes with being poor, female and of colour.' Malcolm Turnbull (pictured with wife Lucy) has launched an audacious bid to force an early election Malcolm Turnbull has launched an audacious bid to force an early election, telling his former colleagues Scott Morrison is delaying a federal vote because he wants to 'keep his a***' in the prime ministerial car. The ousted prime minister denied his intervention to stop a plan hatched by the NSW Liberal Party state executive to save Craig Kelly from a preselection battle was borne of retribution. 'Mr Kelly has threatened to go to the crossbench and bring down the Government,' Mr Turnbull told ABC radio on Monday, repeating what he said in an extraordinary Twitter outburst the previous day. 'Assuming he has made that threat, then that is the worst and the weakest reason not to have a preselection.' Mr Turnbull on Sunday urged a number of Liberal moderates not to 'capitulate' to the threats of Mr Kelly, who revolted against the national energy guarantee which sparked Mr Turnbull's downfall. NSW minister Matt Kean was among those asked to vote against the plan to save Mr Kelly from the preselection process, The Australian reported. 'We should force Scott to an early election because all he's about is keeping his a*** on C1', Mr Turnbull reportedly told Mr Kean, making reference to the Prime Minister's Commonwealth car. He asked members of the Liberal state executive not to support Mr Kelly as a 'matter of principle' and claimed Mr Kelly was the 'most destructive member of the Government'. Mr Turnbull on Sunday urged several Liberal moderates to vote against a plan that would save the political career of Liberal MP Craig Kelly (pictured) Mr Turnbull on Sunday urged several Liberal moderates to vote against a plan that would save the political career of Liberal MP Craig Kelly Mr Turnbull argued triggering an early election would 'save Berejiklian government' from a landslide defeat in the New South Wales election in March, pointing to the 'brand damage' inflicted by his dumping as prime minister. He has revealed he had planned to hold a March 2 federal poll ahead of the NSW state election later that month. 'My view is that it would be manifestly in the best interests and prospects of the Morrison Government to go to the polls as soon as it can after the summer break,' he told the ABC. Mr Turnbull noted the Government was in a worse polling position than when he was prime minister, describing the coup against him as 'a destructive, mad and pointless exercise' which had appalled Australians. Mr Turnbull did not deny telling state executive members that Mr Morrison was 'just trying to keep his a*** in C1'. 'Plainly, the Prime Minister's determination is to stay in government for as long as he possibly can,' he said. Speaking outside his home on Monday morning, Mr Turnbull slammed Mr Kean for making his comments public. 'The media want to create a narrative. And some people in politics want to create a narrative,' he said. 'But I've been a member of the Liberal party for a very long time. I've been the federal leader of the Liberal Party. And I have the right - as does every other member - to express my views to members of the state executive. Mr Turnbull said Scott Morrison (pictured with wife Jenny) is delaying a federal vote because he wants to 'keep his arse' in the prime minister's car 'Now, why at least one of them, Mr Kean, and perhaps others - decided to share those views with media, I have no idea... I'm disappointed that my discussions with members of the state executive last night found their way into the media. 'It's important, rather than having those discussions being presented in an inaccurate or incomplete manner, it's better that I state what my position is, which I think is entirely appropriate.' The ousted Liberal leader took to Twitter on Sunday to say it was his 'strong view' the party's democratic process should operate in the normal way and Mr Kelly should not avoid a preselection battle. 'I learned there was a move to persuade the state executive to re-endorse Craig Kelly as Liberal candidate for Hughes in order to avoid a preselection - in other words to deny Liberal Party members in Hughes the opportunity to have their say,' he wrote. He wrote that it had been put to him that Mr Kelly threatened to 'bring down the Government'. 'If indeed he has made that threat, it is not one that should result in a capitulation. Indeed it would be the worst and weakest response to such a threat,' Mr Turnbull said. Compounding the division issues in the party is the defection of former federal Liberal MP Julia Banks and resignation of Victorian Liberal Party president Michael Kroger. Mr Morrison has instead urged his colleagues not to be spooked by the humiliating defeat in Victoria. If the disastrous result is replicated at the federal election in May, the Coalition could lose six Victorian seats. The ousted Liberal leader took to Twitter on Sunday to say it was his 'strong view' the party's democratic process should operate in the normal way Former state opposition leader Matthew Guy warned the Liberal Party is at risk of annihilation at the federal poll. He said the Liberal brand had been made 'toxic' by the leadership mess in Canberra, and compounded by state problems, including a lack of gender and ethnic diversity. However, Mr Morrison has argued the Liberals lost the Victorian election because they failed to make a case for change. '(Labor Premier) Dan Andrews successfully convinced Victorians that they shouldn't make a change,' Mr Morrison told the Herald Sun. NSW minister Matt Kean (pictured) was among those asked to defy Mr Morrison by voting against a deal that would see Mr Kelly avoid a preselection battle for the seat of Hughes 'It's a compliment to Dan Andrews. It's not our job to be spooked.' Mr Morrison still believes he can beat Labor leader Bill Shorten. 'Of course I can,' he said. Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has fired off a warning to any Labor MPs pencilling in a federal election win. Senator Cormann says former Labor leader Kim Beazley was 'way more electable' in 2001 than Mr Shorten, but he ended up snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. 'All of those Labor people, from Bill Shorten down, who are getting really cocky would do well to have another look at what happened in 2001,' he told Sky News. Anxious NSW Liberals fear their federal colleagues could cost them the state election next March. 'The feds are poisoning us,' one senior state Liberal told the Sydney Morning Herald. Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz took a break from fronting his famously prickly persona Saturday night, joking during a Washington dinner speech that the next two years in Trump's Washington will be like a 'Game of Thrones' reboot. 'Mueller is coming. Ned Stark Sessions was beheaded. And Trump finally builds a wall to keep the wildlings out and the white walkers actually pay for it,' he said during a jesting speech at the Gridiron Club's annual winter dinner in Washington, D.C. 'Khalesi Pelosi assumes her throne after wandering in the wilderness for eight years, and unleashes dragon fire on the Trumpian Dothraki. And Cocaine Mitch is the Lannister we have been waiting for.' Jeff Sessions is the latest Trump Cabinet member to meet his political end. And like Khalesi, an exiled queen who regains power in the popular HBO fantasy series, Nancy Pelosi will return to the House speakership in January. The Gridiron Club is the oldest of Washington's journalism organizations, hosting press dinners that mix politics and comedy. It's traditional for guests to rip on their foes and friends, and to poke fun at themselves. Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz is typically a cantankerous character but indulged in wisecracks Saturday night 'at my own expense what my friend Rick Perry calls self-defecating humor' Perry, the current energy secretary, is knwn for his verbal gaffes: He once declared that George W. Bush 'did a incredible job in the presidency, defending us from freedom,' and told reporters that the Mexican border town of Juarez was 'the most dangerous city in America' Cruz said Trump's Washington was like a 'Game of Thrones' season, with fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions (lower right) playing the part of executed Ned Stark (lower left), and one-and-future House speaker Nancy Pelosi (top right) in the role of Khalesi (top left), who returns to her thronw after a lengthy exile Cruz, typically a nettlesome and cantankerous character, indulged in wisecracks 'at my own expense what my friend Rick Perry calls self-defecating humor.' Perry, Trump's energy secretary, is best known for his gaffes and malapropisms, beginning with his inability in a 2012 presidential primary debate to remember the last of three federal bureaucracies he had pledged to eliminate if he won the White House. 'Oops,' he said, cementing his legacy as a Texas bumbler. The chopping-block department whose name he couldn't recall was the Department of Energy, which he now leads. Perry once declared on 'Meet the Press' that George W. Bush 'did a incredible job in the presidency, defending us from freedom.' And he told reporters that the Mexican border town of Juarez was 'the most dangerous city in America.' Most of Cruz's apparent own-goals were veiled shots at other Republicans. He said he would spend 2019 working on improving his relationship with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, cloaking an elbow-jab at the White House. Cruz mocked former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci (above) for self-descructing after a vulgar magazine interview in which he mocked then-Trump starategist Steve Bannon (below) 'These past couple of years, some strange new influence has been at work to make Mitch stop thinking of me as the most unreasonable, uncivil, uncontrollable person he could imagine,' he marveled. 'Somehow I dont seem so bad anymore. I just wish I knew who to thank.' He noted that Trump, once his bitter GOP primary rival, announced in October that instead of 'Lyin Ted' he had re-christened the senator 'Beautiful Ted.' In addition to casting Cruz as a serial liar, Trump took tweeted shots at his wife Heidi, mocked his origins in Canada and suggested that his father Rafael had been depicted in a grainy black-and-white photo of Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald distributing propaganda about Fidel Castro's communist regime in 1963. 'Im sure Ive shaken off my 2016 nickname for good, along with any hard feelings that might have lingered from my clash with Donald Trump,' Cruz said Saturday. 'Sometimes you just have to put minor squabbles behind you you know, like whether or not your dad was the guy on the Grassy Knoll.' Cruz was born in Calgary, but was eligible to be president because his mother was a U.S. citizen at the time. His father was a Cuban emigre. Trump hinted in 2016 that the Texan might not meet the constitutional definition of a 'natural born citizen,' a prerequisite to win the White House. In praising the U.S. Constitution's press-freedom protections in the First Amendment on Saturday, Cruz found a way to work Canada into a joke that brought the house down. President Donald Trump (left) called Cruz 'Lyin Ted' during the 2016 campaign, and famously tried to link his father (right) to the kennedy assassination The future president said a 1963 photo of Lee Harvey Oswald (right) leafleting to support Fidel Castro also included Rafael Cruz, but there was no evidence the figure circled at left was Cruz's father 'I am the son of an immigrant who left the brutality of an authoritarian regime, and where the press was simply a mouthpiece of the state,' he said. 'To this day, I dont believe anything I read in the Toronto Star.' Cruz hinted that November Medal of Freedom recipient Orrin Hatch, a retiring Utah senator, might actually be Elvis Presley who was awarded the honor posthumously. 'Elvis, they say, died in 1977, the very same year Orrin began serving in the United States Senate,' he said. 'At the White House, they had just a single medal for the two of them.' 'Orrin's footwear was blue suede shoes. And theyve never once been seen together in a room.' And he mocked former senior Trump aides Anthony Scaramucci and Steve Bannon. As a here-today-gone-tomorrow White House communications director, Scaramucci has been the shortest-lived top-tier Trump advisor to date. Describing 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as a reality show, he chuckled that 'the writers only let Mooch stay for ten days.' The Texas senator joked that retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch was actually Elvis Presley in disguise since he entered Congress the same year the King of Rock 'n Roll was thought to have died 'But if youre counting, thats three days longer than Carly lasted as my Vice President.' Cruz took the unusual step of naming a running mate, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, as his running mate before the Republican National Convention in 2016, hoping the promise of including a women on his ticket would turn the tide in his favor. A week later, his candidacy was history. Trump fired Scaramucci in late July 2017 over a vulgar and expletive-laden interview in which he torched Bannon and other co-workers 'I'm not Steve Bannon,' he told The New Yorker at the time. 'I'm not trying to suck my own c**k.' Describing Bannon on Saturday as another reality-show contestant who eventually met his demise, Cruz quipped: 'Who knew that Steve Bannon was so anatomically flexible?' Politico published Cruz's prepared remarks on Sunday morning. A Mexican father and son were brutally attacked by an allegedly drugged up man who screamed 'I hate Mexicans,' outside of their family's tire shop business in Utah. Jose Lopez, 51, and his 18-year-old son Luis Lopez were at the shop Tuesday when Alan Covington, 50, appeared. Luis was outside working on a project when Covington shouted 'I hate Mexicans' and 'I'm here to kill a Mexican.' 'I f***ing hate Mexicans,' Covington continued, before adding 'Are you part of the Mexican mafia?' He held a metal bar in his hand that looked like it was from a stop sign according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Jose heard his son screaming out front, and ran outside. Covington allegedly started swinging the five-foot metal pole at the men, while Luis grabbed a bar from the tool chest to try and defend his dad. Luis Lopez, 18 (pictured) was brutally attacked by a man screaming 'I f***ing hate Mexicans' outside of his father's tire shop in Salt Lake City on Tuesday The right side of Luis face was shattered in the attack. His father, Jose Lopez was also injured trying to protect his son Brutal attack: Police say Alan Covington, 50 (right) was on drugs when he attacked the father and son outside of their family's tire shop Covington smashed Luis in the face which knocked him unconscious and then started to beat on him. Jose tried to shield his son from the brutal attack and was hit in the arm and back. Jose's brother came out after hearing the noise and apparently scared off Covington who was later picked up by police. The family says the men had never seen Covington before. He had harassed people at a nearby salon before he found himself at the Lopez's tire shop. Because of statutes in Salt Lake City, Covington is being charged with two felony aggravated assaults, as well as other weapons and drug charges, but is not beoing charged with a hate crime since hate crimes are only alotted for misdemenors. 'I, as a state prosecutor, cannot give them a measure of justice proportionate to the injury that they're feeling, and that truly is an injustice,' Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill toldBuzzFeed News. 'It basically leaves us without any kind of hate crime statutory framework,' Gill said. 'It's a farce is what it is.' Gill added that he believes legislators don't consider updating the law a priority, and says he believes that they don't understand how hate crimes impact the community at large, 'They have one on the books and we pat ourselves on the back,' he said. 'It's an absolute abdication of responsibility by my legislature given the gravity of these offenses and the collateral impact it has on the rest of the community.' An 3D X-ray shows the extent of the damage to Luis' face. Pictured left before the attack Police seen taking away the metal pipe that was used in the vicious attack on Luis and his father Jose Luis' sister Veronica Lopez says her family is 'extremely disappointed' that the case won't be handled as a hate crime. 'It makes my blood boil. What do they want next? Do they want him to kill someone to see that he's dangerous?' Veronica has set up a GoFundMe page for her brother and father's medical expenses. It had already raised almost $40,000 as of Sunday evening. In it she writes about the extent of their injuries. 'My dad got eight stitches in his arm and has his back severely bruised due to the blows he received.' 'My brothers right side of his face was shattered, he had a three hour surgery to place a titanium plate from the right side of his face to his nose to be able to attach the bones and keep his eyeball in place and a plate under that.' A newly engaged British couple who managed to drop their engagement ring down a grate in New York's Times Square will be reunited with the diamond jewellery after a huge search effort by the NYPD. John Drennan, 36, and his fiance Daniella Anthony, 34, who live in Peterborough were caught on camera frantically searching for the ring in Times Square on Friday night after it slipped off her finger and fell through a grate. The distraught couple had asked nearby NYPD officers to help but they were unable to immediately locate the ring. The NYPD later put a call out on social media asking for help locating the couple because officers had luckily managed to retrieve the engagement ring. The relieved couple have now revealed they were in the city celebrating being together for ten years - when John popped the question in Central Park - but the ring was too big. 'I want to clarify that I did not propose over a grate in Times Square - that's where we lost it,' Mr Drennan said to the BBC. 'We were walking back to the hotel. I can still visualise the ring. Bouncing once bouncing twice and then it was gone.' John and Daniella, a newly engaged British couple who managed to drop the engagement ring down a grate in New York's Times Square on Friday night, have now been identified after police launched a social media effort to track them down. They are pictured above after the proposal Despite the drama which unfolded - the original proposal was perfect - the couple recalled. John said: 'The time was right. There were autumn leaves everywhere and not many people.' Daniella had not wanted to wear the ring, but John had insisted. 'I tried to tell John it was too big, but he insisted I wear it,' Ms Anthony told the BBC. John added: 'I told her it was fine. I was just so happy to finally call her my fiancee after all this time.' Officers posted the surveillance images and a photo of the engagement ring on Twitter. The couple who do not often use Twitter were alerted to the post by friends as soon as they touched down in London on Sunday morning They have since been in touch with police and they are working to return the ring safely. Both John and Daniella took to Twitter to express their delight and thank the NYPD officers involved. Despite police initially saying John dropped the ring while proposing, the couple clarified the proposal actually occurred in Central Park earlier that day. In extremely unlucky circumstances, the ring slipped off Daniella's finger as they were walking over a subway grate in Times Square later that night. John and Daniella were caught on surveillance cameras frantically searching for the ring in Times Square on Friday night after it slipped off her finger and fell through a grate The distraught couple had asked nearby NYPD officers to help but they were unable to immediately locate the ring 'Thank you so much @NYPD and everyone for sharing and reuniting me with my ring! Proposal was in Central Park and fell off over the drain! Thought was gone forever! Can't thank officers enough!' Daniella tweeted. John said police had to physically stop him from climbing down the drain so he could search himself. 'So so happy to have ring back! God bless America!' he tweeted. The couple also thanked everyone who stopped and helped them on the day - including a little girl who hugged Daniella and told her 'not to worry'. 'At the time, that hug meant everything,' John said. NYPD Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill confirmed that the couple had been in touch. 'Found 'em! Well done Twitterverse. The relieved couple is back in their home country now, but @NYPD will be sure to get the ring to them quickly... and safely. Happy holidays, everyone.' He then tweeted a photo of the happy couple, saying: 'Congrats to John and his betrothed, Daniella (they're from across the pond, about 2 hours north of London). All's well that end's well. #gratenews'. The cold case murder of a teenage mother-of-two who vanished two decades ago has taken a fresh twist after police announced they would dig up her former home. Belinda Peisley, 19, was last seen leaving Katoomba Hospital, west of Sydney in the Blue Mountains region, on September 26, 1988. The mother, who had two young sons aged one and three at the time, had been suffering withdrawals from heroin and was 'out of control', a 2013 inquest heard. She was reported missing by her boyfriend and mother a few days later, but it took police seven years to open an investigation into her suspected murder. Public order and riot squad officers will be involved in the three-day excavation of her weatherboard home, which has been sparked by a case review earlier this year. New South Wales Police said they will start a three-day investigation and search at Belina Peisley's (pictured centre with two children, aged one and three) house in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains - more than two decades after she walked out of the local hospital never to be seen again It comes after her son Billy Moffett, who was aged just one when his mother went missing on September 26, 1998, spoke publicly for the first time in August. The Homicide Squad, operating under Operation Belonidae, will lead the dig beneath her former home on Trow Avenue and other areas of the block - The Daily Telegraph reports. A 2013 inquest found Ms Peisley likely died around the time of her disappearance but couldn't determine the cause or circumstances of her death. The lack of clarity in the young mother's final moments came despite investigators identifying six 'persons of interest' - of whom three were believed to know about or be involved in her death. Despite extensive police investigations and ground searches, her body has never been found. The public order and riot squad officers will be involved in the search of the home (pictured), which has been sparked by a case review earlier this year and a new interview process Despite extensive police investigations and ground searches (pictured on Monday searching), her body has never been found Police took Ms Peisley to Katoomba Hospital on the day she disappeared after she became intoxicated at a party. It was the last time she was seen. The inquest also heard her house was broken into by some of her former friends and those she knew a few days after she was believed to have died. Ms Peisley's (pictured) aunt said she was 'very, very disappointed' no charges would be laid following an inquest Jeremy Douglas and Saxon Holdorth were two of the former friends among the persons of interest, but the two maintained their innocence at the inquest. Ms Peisley's aunt, Sharon Versace, said she was 'very, very disappointed' no charges would be laid following that hearing. The re-opening of the case comes after New South Wales Police said in May they would dust off around 500 investigations which had gone cold from the last 40 years. Police took Ms Peisley (pictured), who had been a drug user around the time she died, to Katoomba Hospital on the day she disappeared after she became intoxicated at a party SpaceX has delayed its Falcon 9 rocket launch for the third time. According a tweet the aerospace company issued on Sunday, the delay was vital 'to conduct additional inspections of the second stage. Working toward a backup launch opportunity on December 3.' Prior to the cancellation, the Falcon 9 rocket was scheduled for liftoff at 10.32am PST on Sunday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SpaceX has delayed its Falcon 9 rocket launch for the third time 'to conduct additional inspections of the second stage.' It will be launching on Monday instead of Sunday Falcon 9 will be carrying 64 satellites belonging to companies, governments and research institutions in 17 different countries The rocket was originally scheduled to be launched on November 19 but it was delayed to conduct further inspections. Another delay was caused by bad weather. After separation, the rocket's first stage will attempt to land on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. Falcon 9 will be carrying 64 satellites belonging to companies, governments and research institutions in 17 different countries. This will be the second largest rideshare mission ever and the largest for a single mission on US soil. 'It includes 15 microsats and 49 cubesats from both commercial and government entities, of which more than 25 are from international organizations from 17 countries, including the United States, Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Finland, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, UK, Germany, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Poland, Canada, Brazil and India,'' according to Spaceflight Industries. The launch is an attempt to prove that using many smaller and cheaper satellites can accomplish the same task as larger and more expensive satellites. Some of the satellites are aiming to build an internet network that could support smart devices. Falcon 9 rocket is flying on its third mission, a first because no SpaceX rocket has ever flown more than twice. SpaceX founder Elon Musk (pictured, November 2018) said the aerospace company is aiming for a 24-hour turnaround in 2019 'Eight of the satellites on board a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Air Force Base will be from companies hoping to build a truly global Internet of Things by revolutionizing satellite communications,' Wired reported. The satellite networks could aid companies tracking agricultural shipments, for example, which are moved without internet access. 'Most of the start-ups are planning to eventually have constellations of between 60 and 100 satellites,' according to Wired. The other big first of this launch is that the Falcon 9 rocket is flying on its third mission. No SpaceX rocket has ever flown more than twice. SpaceX founder Elon Musk said the aerospace company is aiming for a 24-hour turnaround in 2019. That means that the same Falcon 9 booster could conduct two launches in the same day. Sir David Attenborough's Dynasties has captivated the nation every Sunday for the last few weeks - but tonight's episode had pets transfixed on the screen too. Episode four focused on a pack of endangered African wild dogs, also known as painted wolves, and followed a violent mother-daughter feud. Viewers uploaded dozens of images of their dogs - and cats - pressed against their TV screens completely enthralled in the drama. Lesley's pooch Marvin 'got up close and personal' to get a better view of tonight's episode Dan Pegler shared an image of his dog resting its paws on the TV stand while transfixed on the screen Nicola McKenna's pup got as close as she possibly could to the TV to watch the wild dogs Paul said his dog Sizzle was glued to the box during the scene in which the wolves attacked baboons This dog's tail is seen wagging as it perches itself directly in front of the screen - just in time for the scene where newborn puppies are revealed Some were pictured resting their paws on the television stand with their ears raised and tails wagging. Others were perched directly in front of the screen wide-eyed with their necks pointing straight upward. Many users congratulated Sir David Attenborough and the BBC for 'gaining a new fan'. Gillian tweeted: 'He's not been able to tear his eyes away from the screen. I think the BBC have a new fan.' Cats too were enthralled by the show tonight. Lee Matthews took several shots of Jack trying to make sense of the drama Mrs Woods uploaded a photo of her cat sitting on top of her laptop to get a better view of the TV Nicola was concerned that her cat was so transfixed on the screen that it might knock the TV over Lee Matthews said: 'Jack is absolutely mesmerised by Dynasties.' Paul Henny commented: 'Somebody is enjoying watching the big dogs!' Ross Thomas wrote: 'Clive the cat is glued to this week's helping to this week's Dynasties - with a particular interest in how elephants reach tall trees.' A scene that warmed the hearts of viewers showed Tait emerging with two new puppies The baby wolf took its first few steps after its mother hid them in a burrow to keep them safe Viewers also admitted that tonight's show brought them to tears on multiple occassions. One harrowing scene showed the painted wolves being cornered by a pack of hyenas who managed to kill one of the puppies. Social media users were emotional when a pack of hyenas cornered the wild dogs and stole one of the puppies The hyena carries the baby away in its mouth after successfully killing it in the harrowing scene In an equally emotional scene, Sir David Attenborough explained that the mother and leader of the pack of wild dogs, Tait, had passed away trying to escape a pride of lions. Next week a Tigress attempts to protect her cubs, while fighting off battling rivals who try to steal her land, in the final episode of the series. Last week's installment focused on a female-led lion pride on Kenya's Masai Mara, saw cats up and down the country pawing at the screen trying to touch their distant relations. A woman involved in an inheritance row with the family of her elderly civil partner had previously inherited 2.5million from another spinster, it can be disclosed. Wendy Cook inherited millions of pounds after the deaths of the two wealthy and 'beyond doddery', elderly women who both abandoned their lives in London to live with her on the Isle of Wight. Miss Cook, 53, was named in the High Court as the woman who benefited from the estate of her civil partner, Dr Jean Weddell, after Dr Weddell had sold her house for 710,000 in 2008. Wendy Cook (right) with Jean Weddell. They became civil partners in 2007 and Ms Weddell sold her house a year later The Edwardian terraced home, in Kennington, south London, is now worth 1.25million. Dr Weddell's son, Professor Christopher Gosden, is taking legal action against the solicitors who drew up a trust in 2003 that he expected to deliver his mother's house, or the money from its sale, to him and his family after her death. Instead Professor Gosden, director of the institute of archaeology at Oxford University and a fellow of Keble College, Oxford, was not informed of the sale of his mother's house. Oxford don Professor Christopher Gosden, son of Dr Jean Weddell. He was disinherited after his mother formed a civil partnership with a lawyer 37-years her junior Distinguished physician Dr Weddell and Miss Cook, a barrister and one-time parliamentary candidate, became civil partners in 2007, despite a 37-year age gap. Dr Weddell was nearly twice Miss Cook's age. Before she died in 2013 aged 84, Dr Weddell gifted much of her estate to Miss Cook, documents lodged at the High Court in London revealed. Now it has emerged that Miss Cook also inherited 2.5million from Jean Southworth QC, a former judge and Bletchley Park codebreaker. A neighbour on the Isle of Wight said yesterday: 'Wendy seemed to adopt old people and ended up living with these two Jeans here. They were so frail and bowed over, beyond doddery.' Miss Southworth also sold her home to move with Miss Cook to Newport on the Isle of Wight. The smart terraced property in Bayswater, west London, went for 2million. She died of septicaemia in 2010 aged 83 and her will, written on the island less than three months earlier, disposed of 5.3million, with Miss Cook being the biggest recipient. Miss Southworth's godson, investment manager Nicholas Falla, challenged the will and his 450,000 bequest. He declined to comment. The case was settled by confidential mediation last year. The roll of honour for Bletchley Park the Second World War codebreaking centre shows that Jean May Southworth served in the Women's Royal Naval Service, writing intelligence reports from German navy Enigma signals decrypted by Hut 8 the section initially led by Alan Turing. She was a judge for 21 years. Former neighbours yesterday compared her to fellow Bletchley Park veteran Baroness Trumpington, who died last week aged 96. One said: 'They were both powerful, amazing women.' The 1.25m London house in Kennington, London, formerly belonging to Dr Jean Weddell, which is now at the centre of a court battle Miss Cook qualified as a barrister in 1997 but was suspended from the legal profession in 2015 after she was caught drink-driving twice in the space of a few months. She was banned from driving for five years and fined. When a newspaper discovered her conviction, Miss Cook was forced to resign as an independent parliamentary candidate for the Isle of Wight only a week after announcing that she would stand in the 2015 general election. A legal source said: 'Wendy used to be a lowly clerk for the Crown Prosecution Service before becoming a barrister in her mid-30s. 'After leaving London for the Isle of Wight she seems to have got the money together for her own old age, thanks to this elderly doctor, and Jean Southworth, who was still working in the Bailey when Wendy was a clerk there.' Miss Cook now lives in a large detached Victorian villa in Newport, and owns a number of properties on the island which she rents out. She referred inquiries by the Daily Mail to her solicitor, saying she was unable to comment on Dr Weddell's case because she is due to be a witness, and that the settlement over Miss Southworth's will was confidential. A solicitor for Miss Cook failed to respond to a request for comment. After her political resignation, she wrote online: 'The pressure of caring for two elderly people and the loss of my home resulted in a significant if not major breakdown.' A manhunt has been launched in search of four people wanted for questioning over the suspicious death of a man whose body was found in a wheelie bin. The grim discovery was made outside an apartment building in Yeronga in Brisbane's south on Saturday. Police have released the pictures of four people, two men aged 38 and 30, and two women aged 27 and 23, and have advised the public not to approach them. Anyone who sees the group are urged to contact the police. Queensland Police are search for two women (pictured) and two men in relation to the body found stuffed in a wheelie bin in Brisbane on Saturday Police have released the images of four people who may be able to help with their investigation, two men (pictured) and two women Police were only alerted to the man's body after local residents complained about a lingering stench to their real estate agent. Officer's found the man's body stuffed inside the bin and tied up with shoe laces. It is believed the body may have been in the bin for up to 10 days. Joel Rivett, who had been staying at his friend's unit on Yeronga Street, decided to investigate the horrific smell. When he lifted the lid to the bin, a swarm of flies hit him in the face. He contacted the real estate agent who contacted the police. 'I couldn't tell a dead body was in there,' he said. Residents of the unit complex were shocked about the suspicious death, saying the area is usually quiet. Mystery surrounds the suspicious death of a man who was found stuffed in a wheelie bin tied shut with shoe laces Officers made the grim discovery of the body at an apartment building in Yeronga in Brisbane's south on Saturday Detectives are working to determine the cause of the man's death but have not yet formally identified him. Officers spent most of Sunday as they continue to investigate the cause of death. 'Our investigations to date have suggested the deceased man's possible identity. We are working to confirm this and then to speak to family,' Detective Inspector Mark Thompson said. 'A post mortem examination will assist with this process. A crime scene remains in place at Yeronga and we expect to be processing the scene, including conducting ground searches with the SES, today and again tomorrow.' A father and son duo have allegedly sexually assaulted a 19-year-old girl while on a drunken night out. Mark James, 50 and Matthew James, 20, were involved in a brawl shortly after they refused entry to a venue in Rockdale, south Sydney, just after midnight on Sunday, police said. Later in the evening, the father, who holds a management role at Georges River Council, and his son allegedly assaulted the 19-year-old girl. A father and son duo have allegedly sexually assaulted a 19-year-old girl while on a drunken night out in Sydney's south on Sunday The pair grabbed the girl on the breasts on a street near Rockdale train station and walked away, according to court documents. They were arrested by officers patrolling the area and one sergeant was bitten on the arm during the arrest, police said. Mark James had no violent convictions, may lose his job if refused bail and was intoxicated, the Parramatta bail court heard on Sunday. James' bail application was refused by the Magistrate. They were arrested by officers patrolling the area and one sergeant was bitten on the arm during the arrest, police said His son was also charged for the initial brawl and did not apply for bail. The police prosecutor described the actions as a 'violent and predatory attack on a defenceless victim'. The pair would 'inevitably' face a prison sentence if police were able to prove their case, the magistrate concluded. Bail was refused at the Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday and the pair will be brought before Sutherland Local Court again on Wednesday He ordered the matter to be brought before Sutherland Local Court again on Wednesday. Matthew James will also have to face Burwood court on Wednesday for other matters around bail breaching, the court heard. The council was contacted for comment. Labour has thrown its support behind the Daily Mail's campaign to recruit an army of NHS volunteers. Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health and social care secretary, said he had 'nothing but praise' for those who gave something back to the health service. The Labour frontbencher added: 'Volunteering with your local NHS, whether for example at your local hospital or GP surgery, can be immensely rewarding work. 'We know the NHS is always there for us and our families so I have nothing but praise for those who give something back by offering a bit of help and comfort to patients and some of the most vulnerable in society.' The campaign has also been backed by NHS Providers, a trade association for hospital staff; the UK's largest union Unison, and other healthcare leaders. Sara Gorton, head of health at Unison, said: 'Volunteers provide valuable support to the NHS, from fundraising to keeping patients company. 'It's important, though, that they're given appropriate tasks, not just used as substitutes for paid healthcare staff.' Dame Donna Kinnair, acting chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, the nursing union, also voiced her support. She said: 'Volunteers make an outstanding contribution to the health service, making a difference to the lives of staff and patients. 'The NHS must always be careful to use volunteers appropriately, especially when the frontline struggles with severe staff shortages. While volunteers can never replace qualified staff or carry out any aspect of their professional work, there are many fulfilling ways in which volunteers can contribute.' Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said the campaign was 'a welcome initiative' and everyone should consider signing up. 'Volunteers have always played an essential role within the health service, and Helpforce is bringing fresh impetus to this vital area,' he added. 'There are a variety of roles across health and care which volunteers can choose, no matter how much time they can give.' Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, which acts on behalf of trusts, said: 'This is an excellent initiative with the potential to enhance so many lives.' Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare sector, added: 'This is a great idea from Helpforce and the Daily Mail which can bring a whole new band of volunteers to support NHS staff and make a real difference.' The roles you could play if you volunteer If you own a dog, play an instrument, ride a motorbike or simply have time on your hands, you could take some of the strain off frontline NHS staff. By volunteering for a series of mostly unskilled jobs if only for a few hours a month youd be making a huge difference. Depending on your circumstances and what your local hospital needs, you may even be asked to carry out more than one duty. The list of jobs waiting to be filled by volunteers includes: Volunteer Rosie Perry, left, helps Sister Denise Hughes treat Alfie Williams, 13, at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey Helping patients and visitors upon their arrival to hospital and showing them where to go Working with heart-surgery patients in the gym by assisting them with the exercise equipment Going through old photos or listening to music to stimulate the memories of those with dementia Providing a library service by going between wards with a trolley of books 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 Talking to anxious patients waiting in A&E, and providing tea and coffee Entertaining young patients on the childrens ward by playing games or, perhaps, dressing up as a superhero Offering support and comfort to bereaved families Making friends with patients who dont have any visitors and offering to read to them Driving a mobility buggy to take patients with walking problems to other areas of the hospital Helping patients with their meals, particularly those with dementia who struggle to eat by themselves Running a singing group or a band to entertain patients on wards Tending the hospital garden Running errands or taking patients down to the canteen, hospital garden or the shop Fetching prescription medicines for patients who are waiting to go home so they can be discharged promptly Registering your dog or cat for training with the charity Pets As Therapy so you can take them into hospital to comfort patients Offering support to those having cancer treatment, particularly if you have been through cancer yourself Helping patients to settle in at home after they have been discharged perhaps by checking that the heating is on and there is food in the fridge Befriending elderly former patients to ensure they are coping on their own Taking notes during consultations with the consent of patients to ensure they know exactly what their treatment will involve Assisting stroke patients who have communication difficulties, and helping them to build up their confidence Becoming a blood biker and delivering blood and breast milk to hospitals on your own motorcycle Building up a relationship with those who have mental-health conditions and offering them practical advice and emotional support Booking people into outpatient clinics and ensuring they know where they must go Encouraging patients to walk about on the ward to prevent muscle deterioration and bed sores Becoming a disc jockey on the hospital radio station Running the trolley service that provides patients on the wards with essentials and treats Asking patients to complete surveys at the end of their stay to find out what could be improved and whether there were any problems Becoming a massage therapist for patients or relatives, as long as you have a recognised massage qualification Providing patients with basic manicures or other beauty treatments Working in the hospital shop www.hospitalhelpforce.com His mother is Kate Osamor, who today resigned from Labour's Shadow Cabinet He was caught with 2,500 worth of hard drugs at Bestival festival last year shmael Osamor, 29, pleaded guilty to having drugs with intent to supply Shadow minister Kate Osamor, who stepped down from her role on Friday, is pictured with Jeremy Corbyn The son of a Labour MP has kept his House of Commons pass despite a drugs conviction. Ishmael Osamor, whose mother Kate has quit the Shadow Cabinet over the affair, has been cleared by a whitewash inquiry. Commons Speaker John Bercow had agreed to investigate whether Ishmael, 29, should have his permission to access the parliamentary estate revoked. The inquiry was also expected to focus on the wider issues of whether he should be allowed to keep his job, and whether Labour Party members and voters were made aware of his upcoming trial. Full details of its findings have not been disclosed, but the document is thought to contain little more than a basic reminder of the official processes by which Commons passes are issued. It also made no direct reference to Ishmael or his mother. Simon Hoare, the Tory MP who requested the investigation last month, said: 'The response I received in a letter from the Speaker's office was very bland and deeply unsatisfactory. 'It didn't address any of the specific issues I raised about safeguarding. We need to have confidence that the people who are wandering around Parliament are people of good character. 'Having free and unfettered access around the Commons is an honour. Giving a pass to bad characters does not instil public confidence in MPs.' Labour MP Kate Osamor, pictured right, and her son Ishmael Osamor, who worked for her. He has kept his House of Commons pass despite a drugs conviction Tory MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who has reported Miss Osamor to the parliamentary standards watchdog, described the outcome of the investigation as 'very disappointing'. Priti Patel, the former international development secretary, is now calling on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to conduct a more thorough inquiry. Miss Osamor has been referred to the commissioner, which never confirms whether or not it is investigating MPs. Her son pleaded guilty in September after he was caught with 2,500 of drugs at Bestival music festival in Dorset. He was sentenced at a hearing in October that would have gone unreported had a journalist not overheard the proceedings by chance. Ishmael later resigned as a Labour councillor in Haringey. Since then, Miss Osamor, who is MP for Edmonton, has been facing pressure to sack her son from his role as her chief of staff, for which he earns up to 49,793. Miss Osamor was accused of misleading the public about the extent of her involvement in her son's court case. She had denied knowing about the trial before it was exposed by the Daily Mail six weeks ago. In fact, she was fully aware of the case because she had written to the judge requesting leniency for her son. Ishmael Osamor, 29, pleaded guilty to having 2,500 of drugs with intent to supply at Bestival in Dorset last year The revelation came as a result of a legal challenge by this newspaper and others. Last night it emerged that Miss Osamor told Labour officials she had no involvement in the court case and had not written a letter to the judge. It can also be revealed that Labour was completely unaware of Ishmael's arrest and subsequent court case until the Mail requested a comment from the party a week after he was sentenced. A Labour spokesman said yesterday: 'We always provide information we believe to be accurate.' When approached for comment on Friday, Miss Osamor told a journalist to 'f*** off' and threatened to beat him with a bat. She also threw a bucket of water at him. Miss Osamor refused to comment yesterday. Miss Osamor's mother Martha, a veteran Left-wing activist, takes her place in the House of Lords tomorrow as Baroness Osamor after being nominated by Jeremy Corbyn. It comes as Miss Osamor was banned from using Wikipedia after she was caught repeatedly editing her own page. Using the pseudonym Midnights1, she tried to remove references to a news story about claims she plagiarised Barack Obama's 2008 victory speech when she was re-elected in the last general election. After she threatened to sue Wikipedia if the references returned, the online encyclopaedia told her she was 'blocked indefinitely'. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend Christmas at Sandringham with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in what will inevitably be seen as a display of solidarity. Contrary to reports that the two couples are going their separate ways this year, the Daily Mail can reveal that both will be with the Queen in Norfolk for the Royal Family's traditional festive celebrations. Although the plans were made some time ago, their appearance on Christmas Day will no doubt be heavily scrutinised after more than a week of headlines about the strains on their relationship. The royals stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to view a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force (RAF) on July 10, 2018. They will spend Christmas together this year The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend Christmas at Sandringham (pictured) with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in what will inevitably be seen as a display of solidarity While it is no secret that Kate and Meghan do not enjoy a close friendship, some reports have claimed that the pair have had a significant falling out, which has affected their husbands' close relationship. The speculation was prompted by last month's announcement that Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, are to leave Kensington Palace, where they currently live in cosy Nottingham Cottage, to Windsor, where they will live in Frogmore Cottage on the Queen's estate. Aides hope the cottage will be ready in time for the birth of their first baby in the spring. Many had expected them to move into Apartment 1, currently the home of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, which is next to the 22-room home of William, Kate and their young family. Yesterday it was claimed that, in a sign of the iciness between the two couples, William and Kate, both 36, had opted to spend Christmas with the Middleton family in Bucklebury, Berkshire. Harry and Meghan would be at Sandringham, possibly with Meghan's mother, Doria. But a source told the Mail: 'Reports regarding Christmas are wrong. Everyone is in Norfolk this year.' Well-placed royal sources have already told the Mail that there has been no major falling out between the two couples but confirmed that the two duchesses do not get on particularly well and there have been some tensions behind the scenes. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending Christmas mass at St. Marks Church in Englefield with George and Charlotte in 2016 However, they insist that the two brothers are close and that it would be wrong to attribute Harry and Meghan's decision to move out to any issue between the women. Last year Harry and his then fiancee stayed with his brother and sister-in-law at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, on the Sandringham Estate, joining the rest of the family for church and lunch. The news comes amid further reports that Harry and Meghan have not endeared themselves to royal household staff with their somewhat dictatorial behaviour. Yesterday the Sunday Mirror reported that Meghan's personal assistant Melissa Toubati resigned after just six months, having broken down in tears over the stress of her job. A source familiar with the 39-year-old Frenchwoman's time working for the Duchess of Sussex told the newspaper: 'Her job was highly pressurised and in the end it became too much. 'She put up with quite a lot. Meghan put a lot of demands on her and it ended up with her in tears. Happy couples! The Camrbdiges and Sussexes were all smiles as they attended church at Sandringham on Christmas Day in 2017, but rumours have emerged in recent weeks of a rift between the foursome 'Melissa is a total professional and fantastic at her job, but things came to a head and it was easier for them to go their separate ways.' The duchess is said to have emailed staff with requests and instructions as early as 5am. Former US first lady Michelle Obama has issued advice to her. Speaking to Good Housekeeping magazine, the wife of ex-President Barack Obama said: 'Like me, Meghan probably never dreamt that she'd have a life like this, and the pressure you feel from yourself and from others can sometimes feel like a lot. 'So my biggest pieces of advice would be to take some time and don't be in a hurry to do anything.' Reports of the rift between the princes wives have emerged over recent months, with sources claiming Kate was seen 'in tears' at three-year-old Charlotte's dress fitting. Sources told the Daily Mail's Rebecca English: 'She's woman who has lived life into her 30s in her way, she's been a relatively successful actress, has her own humanitarian interests and her own circle of friends. 'She is very self-sufficient. Understanding the Palace way, the deference, the politics and the fact that there's a pecking order, is taking a while for Meghan to get her head around.' 'She is quite opinionated and Harry has got very dictatorial of late, which hasn't made things easy at times.' Meanwhile, Meghan and Harry are said to have 'upset' Princess Eugenie by not attending her and Jack Brooksbank's evening wedding reception, following the ceremony at St George's Chapel. Prince William with Kate and their three children at the christening of their youngest, Louis She and Jack Brooksbank had an evening bash at the Royal Lodge in Windsor on the Friday following the ceremony at St George's Chapel. Harry and Meghan had previously been expected to miss the second day of wedding celebrations, ahead of their flight to Australia on the Sunday. The couple also raised eyebrows after they told members of the royal family that they were expecting their first child together at Eugenie's wedding. However, the insider insisted that there has been no big falling out between the sister-in-laws. 'While there are some tensions behind the scenes, Kate is pretty unflappable and nothing has become bad enough to make Harry and Meghan want to move out. People are genuinely pleased to see them so happy,' the source said. 'The truth is that there simply isn't enough room at Kensington Palace for them and I know they have been looking at Windsor as a possibility since before the wedding.' President Donald Trump has a history of embarrassing gaffes whereby he wanders off at the worst moments. During a visit to Israel in May 2017, Trump abruptly began walking out of a photo opportunity with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Appearing lost, Trump had to be ushered back toward Netanyahu, who reached out his hand while press photographers snapped away. Two months after that incident, Trump gave a speech in Warsaw, Poland. In July 2017, Trump apparently walked by his limousine, The Beast, and wandered away on the tarmac of Andrews Air Force Base. A Secret Service member (left) had to remind the President that his ride was over there That same month, Trump was seen walking aimlessly on stage after giving a speech in Warsaw, Poland After his remarks, Trump is seen walking aimlessly on stage for a few seconds, appearing unsure of where to go. He applauds and then walks away from the bulletproof glass encasing which protected him while he was making his remarks. Before flying to Poland, Trump flew to Andrews Air Force Base and stepped down from Air Force One. On the tarmac at Andrews, Trump walked by his armored limousine, nicknamed The Beast, and wandered off in another direction, even though the vehicle is what has always transported him to his destinations. A Secret Service agent was forced to interrupt Trump's impromptu stroll and guide him back to the eight-ton Cadillac. Then there was the incident at the White House on October 12, 2017, when Trump gathered a number of administration officials in the Oval Office to sign an executive order related to the Affordable Care Act. In May 2017, Trump had to be directed back to a photo op with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the President's visit to Jerusalem Then there was the incident at the White House on October 12, 2017, when Trump gathered a number of administration officials in the Oval Office to sign an executive order related to the Affordable Care Act. Trump had to be reminded to sign it At the ceremony, Trump gave remarks, shook hands with the assembled guests, and then wandered off - only to be reminded by his Vice President, Mike Pence, that he needed to sign the executive order. 'Mr. President, you need to sign it,' Pence told his boss. Tyson Fury called Anthony Joshua a chicken as he challenged his heavyweight rival to take him on the ring after his controversial draw with Deontay Wilder. Saturday night's heavyweight title fight in Los Angeles ended in a split decision draw with Fury twice getting himself off the canvas to the frustration of his opponent. Both fighters are keen on a rematch after Wilder retained his WBC heavyweight belt on the judges' decision, but Fury also called out AJ straight away. Tyson Fury has challenged Anthony Joshua to fight him after drawing with Deontay Wilder Fury and Wilder pose with the WBC heavyweight belt after their controversial drawn fight 'Nevermind anybody, me and this man here are the two best heavyweights on the planet. I stepped up after the amount of time I had out of the ring', he said. 'There's another certain heavyweight out there...' he continued, before doing a chicken impersonation. 'Chicken! Chicken!', he screamed. 'Joshua, where are you? Where are you AJ? AJ?', he roared. Wilder added: 'I totally 100 per cent agree with that. We're the two best in the world and we proved it tonight. 'When you get two warriors in the ring you get a great fight.' Despite being knocked down twice, Fury believed he had the edge in the fight. Fury was twice sent tumbling to the canvas but got back up both times to finish the fight Wilder looks on ruefully after Fury got himself back up from the floor in the 12th round Fury stretches his arms out wide as he goads his American opponent in the ring He said: 'I got knocked down twice but I still believe I won the fight and I believe every man in here thought I won that fight tonight. 'But I'm showing total professionalism here. I'm a true champion, a true warrior. I went to Germany to fight Klitshcko, I went to America to fight Deontay Wilder. Bless Deontay Wilder, he's a top fighting man. 'God bless America, the Gypsy King has returned!' Asked how he managed to avoid Wilder's jabs he answered: 'That's what I do, I'm what you call a professional athlete who loves to box. 'I'm 6ft 9in and 260lbs, I don't know anybody on the planet who can move like that. That man is a fearsome puncher, but I avoided his shots tonight. 'The world knows the truth, I thought I won the fight. I thought I should have took that belt home. 'I am a fighting man, I was never going to be knocked out tonight. I showed good heart to get back. I fought my heart out. That's the second best heavyweight in the world behind me.' Fans reacted angrily as Tyson Fury's showdown with Deontay Wilder on Saturday night was judged a split decision draw. But Fury's powers of recovery were lauded on social media, with many users comparing him to WWE legend The Undertaker as he hauled himself off the canvas in stunning fashion in the ninth and 12th rounds. Frank Bruno led the angry responses, calling the split decision draw 'daylight robbery'. Tyson Fury's clash with Deontay Wilder ended in a controversial draw on Saturday night Lennox Lewis believes the result shows how hard it is for British fighers in America. 'This #WilderFury judging takes me back to my first fight with @holyfield Just goes to show how hard it is for a Brit to come to America and take someone's belt even tho that's what we clearly saw. 'Big up to @Tyson_Fury who never ceases to amaze me. Hold ur head high!', he tweeted. Manny Pacquiao praised both fighters as he eagerly awaited a rematch: 'Respect to Fury for sticking to his game plan and to Wilder for closing the gap with two huge knockdowns! Can't wait to see the rematch'. George Foreman hailed the fight, and believes the end result was fair: 'Wilder brought the fight all night. Fury did a great job 'ShowTime'; but he didn't Win tonight. Stop indoctrinating. We see what see.' Wilder looked to have won the fight when he floored Fury with a strong punch in the 12th round. Fury appeared to be out for the count before suddenly regaining his sense and climbing back to his feet. His recovery caused Terence Crawford to tweet: 'He got knocked out and got up like the undertaker'. Another user tweeted: 'HE PULLED THE UNDERTAKER', in reference to the famous move made by the WWE star. Fury's promoter Frank Warren praised his fighter, and reiterated their belief that he had won the bout: 'After overcoming mental health issues, depression and nearly 3 years out of the ring, we believe @Tyson_Fury overcome @BronzeBomber tonight too. 'It sounds like a lot of you agree. WE WANT THE REMATCH!' They're set to fly to Mexico to tie the knot in a matter of days. So it's no surprise that Karl Stefanovic and fiancee Jasmine Yarbrough were frantically running errands all over Sydney on Saturday trying to get things in order. The 44-year-old Today presenter was joined by his bride-to-be, 34, as they stocked up on everything from booze to dog supplies while racing around the city. Scroll down for video A booze run, shopping spree and lunch at the fish markets: Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough look smitten as they run last-minute errands in Sydney ahead of their wedding Karl and Jasmine kick-started their packed Saturday by stopping by his brother Pete Stefanovic and wife Sylvia Jeffreys' house in the affluent suburb Double Bay. Possibly keen to start the celebrations early, Karl was then seen flitting back and forth from his brother's home to the car with bottles of booze. The TV star walked barefoot while loading the glass bottles into his vehicle, which was already packed with bags from Jasmine's boutique, Mara & Mine. Busy day! The 44-year-old Today presenter was joined by his bride-to-be, 34, as they stocked up on everything from booze to dog supplies while racing around the city Party time! Possibly keen to start the celebrations early, a barefoot Karl was then seen flitting back and forth from his brother's home to the car with bottles of booze Make sure they're secure! The TV star walked barefoot while loading the glass bottles into his vehicle, which was already packed with bags from Jasmine's boutique, Mara & Mine Sticking to Sydney's Eastern suburbs, the couple then cruised over to Bondi Junction where both Karl and Jasmine briefly went their separate ways. The shoe designer had her feet done at a budget nail salon, splashing out $30 for the pampering pedicure. While waiting for her polish to set, the blonde stared at her smart phone, appearing amused. Karl made the most of their time apart, slipping off to the menswear section of a nearby clothing store to source out some fashionable threads. So much choice! Sticking to Sydney's Eastern suburbs, the couple then cruised over to Bondi Junction where both Karl and Jasmine briefly went their separate ways Do you have that in a large? The shoe designer had her feet done at a budget nail salon, splashing out $30 for the pampering pedicure, as Karl hit up a nearby clothes store The Nine star looked like any other shopping, happily browsing the rails while assisted by a helpful shop assistant. It appeared that Karl was choosing out some swimming shorts from the store, presumably for his upcoming trip to Mexico. Between the official nuptials, which are believed to last three days, Karl will be sure to impress guests while taking a dip in the jazzy new number. They're jazzy! It appeared that Karl was choosing out some swimming shorts from the store, presumably for his upcoming trip to Mexico Dressed to impress! Between the official nuptials, which are believed to last three days, Karl will be sure to impress guests while taking a dip in the jazzy new number Special: Karl and Jasmine then united for one of the most exciting moments of their day Not long now! Back together they then drove out to Cerrone Jewellers, where they collected their wedding rings together ahead of their big day Karl and Jasmine then united for one of the most exciting moments of their day. Back together they then drove out to Cerrone Jewellers, where they collected their wedding rings together ahead of their big day. With their special day looming, the couple looked as happy as ever as they left luxury jeweller in the luxurious Double Bay. Karl, who has been 'shredding for the wedding' couldn't contain his ear-to-ear grin as he left the store with his new wedding band. Interestingly, Karl has previously praised Cerrone for designing Jasmine's impressive diamond engagement ring. The ring is believed to be worth more than $100,000. Exciting times! With their special day looming, the couple looked as happy as ever as they left the luxury jeweller in Double Bay He can't wait! Karl, who has been 'shredding for the wedding' couldn't contain his ear-to-ear grin as he left the store with his new wedding band Favourites? Interestingly, Karl has previously praised Cerrone for designing Jasmine's impressive diamond engagement ring Bride-to-be: Jasmine also had a wide smile as she was left the store, unable to hide her joy at the couple's impending extravagant wedding Staying hydrated! Karl grabbed a couple of bottles of water as they raced around Jasmine also had a wide smile as she was left the store, unable to hide her joy at the couple's impending extravagant wedding. For the outing, Jasmine looked every inch the beautiful bride-to-be in activewear, wearing a velvet style zip-up cardigan. The Mara & Mine shoe designer paired the jacket with black and white tights and a pair of Nike runners. Hungry? Next stop on their whirlwind trip around Sydney was Pyrmont's iconic fish market She's a real catch! For the outing, Jasmine looked every inch the beautiful bride-to-be in activewear, wearing a velvet style zip-up cardigan Playing it casual! Meanwhile, Karl looked casual in a tight pair of black jeans which he paired with a partially unbutton lavender shirt With her blonde hair tied back, the shoe designer finished her outfit with a partially transparent designer bag and a pair of luxury oversized sunglasses. Meanwhile, Karl looked casual in a tight pair of black jeans which he paired with a partially unbutton lavender shirt. The TV personality finished his outfit with a pair of blue sneakers and Ray Ban sunglasses, which sat hooked on to his top. Stinky business! It appears that the overwhelming fish odor may have proved too much for Jasmine, who left ahead of Karl as he completed the purchase himself A real feast! Karl was then cited returning back to the car with a bulging carrier bag full of food Blending in! Karl's celebrity status wasn't apparent as he blended with other shoppers Both Karl and Jasmine had clearly worked up an appetite during their busy Saturday. Next stop on their whirlwind trip around Sydney was Pyrmont's iconic fish market. The couple blended in with fellow shoppers while waiting to be served, happily queuing to pick up the prized catch they'd chosen. It appears that the overwhelming fish odor may have proved too much for Jasmine, who left ahead of Karl as he completed the purchase himself. Karl was then cited returning back to the car with a bulging carrier bag full of food. The countdown is on: Karl and Jasmine will fly to Mexico in a matter of days Who's a good boy? The last stop for the couple before returning home was a luxury dog boutique in the affluent suburb of Mosman The last stop for the couple before returning home was a luxury dog boutique in the affluent suburb of Mosman. While leaving the store, Karl made friends with a Staffordshire Terrier outside which he couldn't resist stroking. It is expected the pair were picking up some supplies for Chance The Yapper, the new addition to their little family they recently acquired. Barking mad! While leaving the store, Karl made friends with a Staffordshire Terrier outside which he couldn't resist stroking Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough will tie the knot in a lavish ceremony in Mexico on December 8. And while many brides would be feeling anxious or nervous days before walking down the aisle, Jasmine's sister Jade has revealed the shoe designer is 'the ultimate bridechilla!' 'She was super-relaxed about it,' Jade told Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday. 'She's the ultimate bridechilla!' Jasmine Yarbrough's sister Jade reveals the shoe designer is 'so relaxed' ahead of her wedding to Karl Stefanovic. Pictured L-R, Jade, Karl and Jasmine at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in May in Sydney And the interior designer revealed Jasmine, 34, chose the bridesmaids dresses just 'last week', eventually settling on gowns by designer Rachel Gilbert. 'She kept looking for something that would suit so many different body types. Jade added: 'Up until last week, she seemed so chilled about the fact that all seven [bridesmaids] were still dress-less.' 'She was super-relaxed about it!' The blonde interior designer (left) revealed Jasmine, 34, chose the bridesmaids dresses just 'last week'. Jasmine and Karl and pictured celebrating Jade's birthday in April According to the publication, Jasmine's 'bride tribe' 'includes chicken heiress and business partner Tamie Ingham and five of her closest friends from highschool; Jimilla Houghton, Sarah Johnson, Sophie Pentland, Georgie Fleming and Stoj Bulic.' The revelation comes as Karl, 43, and Jasmine are set to exchange vows in a picturesque chapel at the One & Only Palmilla Resort in San Jose del Cabo, where they'll also be staying. The couple have booked two villas - one priced at $11,600 per night, and another at $15,000 per night - for the three-day celebrations. Whirlwind: The couple confirmed their engagement in February, with New Idea reporting that Karl had proposed to Jasmine while on holiday in Fiji The couple confirmed their engagement in February, with New Idea reporting that Karl had proposed to Jasmine while on holiday in Fiji. The guest list reportedly includes James Packer and his girlfriend Kylie Lim. Also rumoured to be attending are Richard Wilkins and his girlfriend Virginia Burmeister, and Karl's longtime manager Sharon Finnigan. She is serving on the jury for the 17th Marrakech International Film Festival. And Dakota Johnson ensured she pulled out all the stops as she attended the tribute to Robert De Niro during the annual event in Morocco on Saturday evening. The 29-year-old actress exuded elegance in a mauve strapless gown with decadent silver detailing on the red carpet. Looking good: Dakota Johnson ensured she pulled out all the stops as she attended the tribute to Robert De Niro during the annual event in Morocco on Saturday evening The Fifty Shades actress certainly turned heads in the garment, which nipped in her trim waist thanks to the silver belt. The opulent dress also featured peplum detail at the back which accentuated the brunette beauty's curves. Letting the statement gown do all the talking, Dakota accessorised simply with dazzling diamond earrings. She styled her dark tresses in an elegant updo and framed her blue eyes with plenty of mascara and smoky shadow. Stunning: The 29-year-old actress exuded elegance in a mauve strapless gown with decadent silver detailing on the red carpet Chic: The Fifty Shades actress certainly turned heads in the garment, which nipped in her trim waist thanks to the silver belt Working her angles: The opulent dress also featured peplum detail at the back which accentuated the brunette beauty's curves Robert De Niro tribute award at the festival from the hands of his old friend, director Martin Scorcese. Born in New York in 1943, De Niro's career began on Broadway, before he discovered cinema at age 20. He worked on a variety of films with Scorsese -- from 'Taxi Driver' in 1976 to 'Casino' in 1995. The double Oscar winner's ninth collaboration with Scorsese will be Netflix's The Irishman, set for release next year. Glittering: Letting the statement gown do all the talking, Dakota accessorised simply with dazzling diamond earrings The mane attraction: She styled her dark tresses in an elegant chignon 'We made our first film together, I think it was over 45 years ago... One of the great blessings of my life,' said De Niro. Scorsese, while handing him the award joked: 'What would this be? The mid-point of his career? 'It is probably more accurate to say the peak of his career but then this guy has more peaks than the Atlas mountains.' Killer footwear: The brunette bombshell added height with a pair of black barely-there heels Sensational: Johnson framed her blue eyes with plenty of mascara and smoky shadow De Niro used the occasion to lash out at President Donald Trump and his 'America First' mantra. 'Sadly, in my country we are going through a grotesque version of nationalism... marked by greed, xenophobia and selfishness under the banner of 'America First',' he said. De Niro has been a frequent critic of Trump and used an expletive to condemn the American president at the televised Tony Awards in June, receiving a standing ovation. Man of the hour: Robert De Niro tribute award at the festival from the hands of his old friend, director Martin Scorcese Tribute: 'We made our first film together, I think it was over 45 years ago... One of the great blessings of my life,' said De Niro Long-term pals: The double Oscar winner's ninth collaboration with Scorsese will be Netflix's The Irishman, set for release next year Not content with being Meghan Markles wedding planner, Jessica Mulroney has bagged herself a new role conducting marriage ceremonies. The Canadian stylist has qualified as an officiant, and the 38-year-old kicked off her new career by marrying Scottish-born interior designers Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan in Mexico. The pair, who appeared in several TV makeover series in the Noughties, are now big stars in Canada. Cant wait to do it over and over and over again, wrote Jessica on Instagram. I just love Love. Whos next? It is not clear how Jessica qualified but it is possible to gain a licence with churches online. Jessica and her TV presenter husband Ben, son of former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney, became friends with Meghan when she was filming Suits in Toronto. The couples four-year-old daughter Ivy was a flower girl at the Royal Wedding in May, while their seven-year-old twins Brian and John were pageboys. Megan Markle's best friend Jessica Mulroney, right, has qualified as a wedding officiant Jessica helped plan Meghan's marriage to Prince Harry, left, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Clanger of the week Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood made a huge faux pas when she mixed up Sajid Javid and Sadiq Khan. The keen campaigner was bending the ear of the Home Secretary about one of her causes but seemed to think she was talking to London Mayor Sadiq. Sajid says of the error: I think she thought I was Sadiq and kept asking about a protest in Westminster, saying, You didnt even show up! The pair, both of Pakistani heritage, have joked about their similarities before, but didnt expect Vivienne to mistake them. Jasmine Yarbrough's bridal party has been revealed just days before she ties the knot with Karl Stefanovic in Mexico. The Mara and Mine shoe designer, 34, has reportedly recruited five high school best friends to stand by her side when she marries the Today show host on December 8, according to The Sun-Herald on Sunday. Joining Jasmine's sister, Jade, and fashion business partner, Tamie Ingham, celebrity makeup artist Stoj Bulic has also made the 'bride tribe'. A photographer, a mummy blogger and Chrissy Teigen's make-up artist! As Jasmine's Yarbrough prepare to walk down the aisle, her 'bride tribe' is revealed ahead of exchanging vows with Karl Stefanovic on December 8 in Mexico Based in LA, the blonde boasts a roster of A-list clients including model Chrissy Teigen and Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie, according to her profile on Management Artists. Mummy blogger Sarah Johnson, who operates the Practical-ly Parent website, will join the party. While running her own wedding video and photography studio Sugar Mill Road, brunette Jimilla Houghton will be able to offer lots of matrimonial advice on the big day. Blonde ambition: Based in LA, celebrity make-up artist Stoj Bulic boasts a roster of A-list clients including model Chrissy Teigen and Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie Way back when: Mummy blogger Sarah Johnson, who operates the Practical-ly Parent website, will join the party. She's pictured with a brunette Jasmine in 2007 Completing the party will be Sophie Pentland and Georgie Fleming. And in the lead-up to the ceremony, sister Jade, who is Jasmine's maid of honour, revealed the blonde only chose the bridesmaids dresses 'last week', eventually settling on gowns by designer Rachel Gilbert. 'She kept looking for something that would suit so many different body types,' Jade told Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday. Knows her stuff: While running wedding video and photography studio Sugar Mill Road , brunette Jimilla Houghton will be able to offer lots of matrimonial advice on the big day. The friends pictured in New York in 2007 (left) and October 2017 (right) Besties in business: Jasmine's Mara and Mine partner Tamie Ingham has also made the cut. The friends are pictured in LA in 2015 Friends in high places: Karl, 43 has been enthusiastically welcomed into Jasmine's extensive glamorous circle. Pictured in February 2018 'Up until last week, she seemed so chilled about the fact that all seven [bridesmaids] were still dress-less.' Jade added that Jasmine was 'the ultimate bridechilla.' Karl, 43, and Jasmine are set to exchange vows in a picturesque chapel at the One & Only Palmilla Resort in San Jose del Cabo. 'She seemed so chilled! In the lead-up to the ceremony, sister Jade - Jasmine's maid of honour - revealed the blonde only chose the bridesmaids dresses just 'last week' The guest list reportedly includes James Packer and his girlfriend Kylie Lim. Also rumoured to be attending are Richard Wilkins and his girlfriend Virginia Burmeister, and Karl's longtime manager Sharon Finnigan. Malin Akerman has tied the knot with her fiance of one year, Jack Donnelly. People.com broke the happy news on Saturday, reporting the actress tied the knot with her fiance, 32, in Tulum, Mexico in front of loved ones. In a departure from the traditional white wedding gown, the actress, 40, wore a pink dress, a source told the site. Just married! Malin Akerman has tied the knot with her fiance of one year, Jack Donnelly (pictured October 2018) Malin announced her engagement to the British actor over a year ago by posting a sweet couple's snap that included her new engagement ring. The touching announcement also referenced her five-year-old son, Sebastian. 'This sweet and loving man has stepped into our lives and stole both our hearts! I think we're gonna keep him around for a while ;) #engaged #isaidyes #jackdonnelly #family #yes,' she captioned the photo. The couple went public with their romance in March 2017, after they were photographed kissing in Puerto Rico. Popped the question! Malin announced she said 'yes' to Jack's proposal more than a year ago, by posting a sweet couples snap that included her new engagement ring The actor has made numerous appearances on Malin's Instagram account, where she enjoys sharing photos of her beau with her son. She has also posted several sweet, loved-up couples photos. 'One year ago today we shared our first kiss. I thought it would just be a whirlwind romance... Little did I know that I had found my soulmate. I love you Jack. You make me a very happy girl,' she gushed in a kissing photo posted earlier this year. Pucker up! Akerman kissed her beau in a sweet black-and-white snap posted earlier this year, where she gushed, 'One year ago today we shared our first kiss' But the actress admitted it wasn't love at first sight when she first met the actor, who she had already known for several years through mutual friends. 'I found a man... a really good man,' she said during a recent appearance on Live With Kelly And Ryan. 'He's actually my youngest sister's boyfriend's friend from drama school in England. I have known him for the past four years but didn't see him. Have you ever had that experience, where you go, such a nice guy, great guy, but you're in a different head space? 'Then all of a sudden he came back from England like a year-and-a-half ago, and I just kind of looked at him and went, "Wow, have you always been this cute and this loving?"' Loved up: The couple cosied up together during a trip to Stockholm, Sweden in August The actress revealed her son was also looking forward to the nuptials - particularly to all of the desserts. 'We showed him pictures of where we were thinking of getting married, and he saw a picture, and there's a bunch of cupcakes on the dessert table, and he goes, "Oh I can't wait for the wedding. I can eat cupcakes before dinner, right?' Malin welcomed Sebastian in 2013 with her now ex-husband, Roberto Zincone. Aww: Akerman referenced her son Sebastian as she announced her engagement to Jack earlier this month, explaining the actor had 'stepped into our lives and stole both our hearts!' The Swedish-born actress was married to the musician for six years, before it came to an end shortly after the birth of their son. Following the divorce, Malin opened up about the split, revealing her 'roll with the punches' attitude to life. She told People Magazine: 'You can't control life. I roll with the punches and ultimately it's like, "Where is the opportunity in this?" 'And that's been a nice way to look at it. Like, oh my God, I get to have so much special time with my son now.' But she added that any new man in her life would have to compete with Sebastian for attention. Malin added: 'It's hard because your heart is so full for your child, the next guy that comes along is going to have a lot of competition!' With the wedding festivities for Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas continuing in India over the weekend, one of Chopra's extravagant wedding gifts has been revealed. Denise Jonas, Nick's mother, gifted her daughter-in-law Priynanka with a pair of earrings from French luxury jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels, which cost a whopping $79,500, according to The Bombay Times. The earrings, dubbed The Snowflake Earrings, are set in yellow gold, 'with diamonds of exceptional quality, giving each petal a unique purity and brightness,' according to the Van Cleef & Arpels website. Wedding gift: Joe Jonas' mother Denise gave her new daughter-in-law Priyanka Chopra a set of earrings that costs a whopping $79,500 The luxury earrings reportedly weigh roughly 6.7 karats and feature 170 stones embedded in them. The happy couple tied the knot in the traditional Mehendi ceremony on Saturday, where Denise, a.k.a. 'Mama Jonas,' gave Priyanka the earrings as her first wedding gift. Priyanka and Nick will hold a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony on Sunday, at the Umaid Bhawan palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan this weekend, followed by two wedding receptions in Mumbai and Delhi. 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 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. 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. Happy couple: 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 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. Meanwhile, Nick's bachelor party last month featured sponsorships from the bicycle-share company Lime and the Stolichnaya offshoot Elit Vodka. 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 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 Jodhpur 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 Jodhpur from 1918 to 1947 Saturday Night Live featured up-and-coming musical artist Anderson .Paak for the first time, and it seems viewers were in for a treat, as he decided to lead off with his track Tints. Said track a collaboration with hip hip titan Kendrick Lamar, and Kendrick was surprisingly on hand to perform his verse, which no doubt delighted music fans. Claire Foy, 34, was the guest host, and led off with a jibe about the Queen during her monologue. Exciting! Superstar Kendrick Lamar made a surprise appearance on SNL to accompany Anderson .Paak Appropriate: Claire Foy, 34, was the guest host, and led off with a jibe about the Queen during her monologue She recounted the time she actually met Elizabeth, and though she was quite nervous about what the matriarch might say, ended up receiving only a smile from the royal. The First Man star then admitted the meeting did occur three years before her turn on the hit show The Queen, so Elizabeth had no idea who she was. A faux commercial mocking Netflix's plan of producing 'every show in the world' was up next. Parodies of several shows included Leslie Jones In A Van Getting Batteries, which was referencing Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and Saved by the Crown, which starred Claire as a queen of high school in what was obviously a takeoff of Saved by the Bell. Disappointed? She recounted the time she actually met Elizabeth, and though she was quite nervous about what the matriarch might say, ended up receiving only a smile from the royal Wishful thinking: A faux commercial mocking Netflix's plan of producing 'every show in the world' was up next Clever: Parodies of several shows included Leslie Jones In A Van Getting Batteries, which was referencing Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and Saved by the Crown, which starred Claire as a queen of high school in what was obviously a takeoff of Saved by the Bell Claire later appeared in a hilarious sketch of fictional PBS WWI documentary The War in Words: Letters from the Trenches. She starred as Margaret, the wife of James, who was stationed in the trenches in France. While James attempts to write thoughtful prose in letters to his wife, it seems Margaret is less invested in the long-distance relationship. Historical comedy! Claire later appeared in a hilarious sketch of fictional PBS WWI documentary The War in Words: Letters from the Trenches Tough time: She starred as Margaret, the wife of James, who was stationed in the trenches in France Skeptical: While James attempts to write thoughtful prose in letters to his wife, it seems Margaret is less invested in the long-distance relationship Definitely not sexy: After responding to his lengthy missives with several terse, one word responses, she sends a picture a picture to James, though it turns out to be a picture of her as a little girl Who's that? Another picture then shows a stranger named Henry sitting in the house, prompting James to get quite frantic Traitor! The sketch ends with Margaret revealing that she has joined the German army and will soon see James in battle After responding to his lengthy missives with several terse, one word responses, she sends a picture a picture to James, though it turns out to be a picture of her as a little girl. Getting increasingly frustrated, James attempts to gain more clarity of the situation at home, as Margaret seems to be suggesting she's having legal troubles. Another picture then shows a stranger named Henry sitting in the house, prompting James to get quite frantic. New face: Saturday Night Live featured up-and-coming musical artist Anderson .Paak for the first time, and it seems viewers were in for a treat, as he decided to lead off with his track Tints Wholesome: Claire's next big role came during a parody of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Steamy! She played the main role of young Charlie, who is exposed to some elderly sexual antics by several of the grandparents residing in the famous well-occupied bed The sketch ends with Margaret revealing that she has joined the German army and will soon see James in battle. Claire's next big role came during a parody of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. She played the main role of young Charlie, who is exposed to some elderly sexual antics by several of the grandparents residing in the famous well-occupied bed. Cool effects: Anderson .Paak then took the stage one more time for a rendition of Who R U against a ghostly, color changing backdrop Sopranos-lite: Kate McKinnon joined Claire as a fellow mob mistress, or goomah, in the final skit, which saw the duo host a morning talk show aimed at mob mistresses, or 'goomahs' Anderson .Paak then took the stage one more time for a rendition of Who R U against a ghostly, color changing backdrop. Kate McKinnon joined Claire as a fellow mob mistress, or goomah, in the final skit, which saw the duo host a morning talk show aimed at mob mistresses, or 'goomahs.' 'You do things his wife would never do,' they recited to each other, reassuring viewers why their man was still with them. Disney and the cast of Mary Poppins Returns are hoping for an Oscar nod come December 6. And on Saturday, Emily Blunt attended Deadline's The Contenders NYCan event highlighting award hopeful films from major studios and indie distributors. The 35-year-old actress looked radiant in a floral frock and Mary Jane heels for the panel and private screening geared towards Oscar voters and guild members. Leading lady: Disney and the cast of Mary Poppins Returns are hoping for an Oscar nod come December 6. And on Saturday, Emily Blunt attended Deadline's The Contenders NYCan event highlighting award hopeful films from major studios and indie distributors Sheer delight: The 35-year-old actress looked radiant in a floral frock for the panel and private screening geared towards Oscar voters and guild members Blunt, who plays the iconic character Mary Poppins, was joined by co-stars Lin-Manuel Miranda, Emily Mortimer, and Ben Whishaw. The film's director, Rob Marshall, was also present. Mary Poppins Returns takes place years after the original film, which premiered in 1964 and starred Julie Andrews. The remake follows the magical nanny as she returns to care for the Banks siblings' children. Key player: Blunt, who plays the iconic character Mary Poppins, was joined by co-star Lin-Manuel Miranda, who looked dapper in a grey blazer and leather boots The Banks siblings: Emily Mortimer dazzled in a white blouse and pink pants, while Ben Whishaw rocked combat boots and a striped shirt Mary Poppins Returns premieres December 19 and is slated to make $70 million during its first week. The original movie was nominated for 13 Oscars and went on to win five. 'It was the hardest project I've ever done because it was literally like three movies in one,' Rob Marshall told Variety. 'We were creating an original musical, and this very sort of delicate balancing act of paying homage to the first film but creating something completely new. That was a challenge the entire time.' Lights, camera, action! Director Rob Marshall looked handsome in a black suit All smiles: The cast gathered for a photo ahead of the panel On Saturday, Emily explained that she created her own version of Mary Poppins after reading the original books by P.L. Travers. 'She leaped off the page directly at me between my eyeballs,' she said. 'She's funny, vain, rude and profound and has a great depth of what people need; how she can unlock people through fantasia and magic.' Highly-anticipated: Mary Poppins Returns takes place years after the original film, which premiered in 1964 and starred Julie Andrews. The remake follows the magical nanny as she returns to care for the Banks siblings' children Coming soon: The film premieres December 19 and is slated to make $70 million during its first week. Mary Poppins, the original, was nominated for 13 Oscars and went on to win five Flawless: Emily looked completely faultless as she stepped out in New York City on Sunday All smiles: She cut a chic figure in a long beige coat as she headed to the screening of her new movie She's the South African-born actress who has gone on to become one of Hollywood's biggest stars. But now, Oscar winner Charlize Theron, 43, has spoken candidly about the challenges of adoption and raising a multi-racial family. Speaking in Sunday Life magazine, the mother-of-two said she feels adoption is still widely misunderstood by the public. 'It's ignorance. It's lack of knowledge': Actress Charlize Theron lays bare her feelings on the challenges of raising a multi-racial family and recounts the moment a stranger touched her son's hair without permission. Pictured with Jackson The actress first said it was important it was important we moved past the 'problematic' issue that our children need to look like us. 'I think babies pick us as much as we pick them, so the idea that those packages are going to look exactly like you is a myth,' Charlize said, poignantly. Striking a philosophical tone, Charlize went on to say that she believes it is 'your children who ultimately find you,' and perhaps not the other way round. 'I think babies pick us as much as we pick them, so the idea that those packages are going to look exactly like you is a myth': Charlize said it being a 'problem' she doesn't look like her kids The Hollywood actress is mother to son Jackson, 6, a black child she adopted from her native South Africa in 2012. She went on to adopt a second child, daughter August Theron, 2, in 2015. Charlize went on to say it was important to start speaking about cultural issues, recounting a story of talking son Jackson to a grocery store. Outspoken Charlize said a shopper kept coming up to touch his hair, with it obviously infuriating the protective mother. 'How would you feel if I walked up to you and did that?': Charlize was candid when recalling a story of a shopper touching her son's hair in a grocery store. Pictured with her child 'I mean, stop!' she said of the incident. The actress went on to say it was a lack of awareness and knowledge, which saw often 'well-intentioned' and 'ignorant' incidents occur. She continued: 'You can't do that. [Before she asked rhetorically] How would you feel if I walked up to you and did that?' 'It's ignorance. It's lack of knowledge. We have to start talking about it properly,' she finished. Earlier this year, outspoken Charlize spoke with Elle Magazine, revealing her concerns about the future of America. 'It's ignorance. It's lack of knowledge': South African born Charlize in her remarks about addressing complicated cultural differences The Monster actress admitted she wouldn't take on jobs in certain areas of the country for fears over how her family I would be treated. 'I wouldn't travel with my kids to some parts of America, and that's really problematic,' she told the publication. The multi-award winner and activist went on to say that she had thought of leaving America, and moving abroad. 'There are a lot of times when I look at my kids and I'm like, If this continues, I might have to [leave America]. Because the last thing I want is for my children to feel unsafe.' They've been inseparable since rekindling their romance a year ago. And Charlotte Dawson couldn't resist showering her rugby player boyfriend Matt Sarsfield in kisses during a romantic night out in Blackpool on Saturday. The reality star dressed to impress in a daring jumpsuit for her date night as the two puckered up for the cameras after leaving Beach House Bistro. Date night: Charlotte Dawson couldn't resist showering her rugby player boyfriend Matt Sarsfield in kisses during a romantic night out in Blackpool on Saturday Charlotte showed off her figure in her army green jumpsuit, with all eyes on her ample assets. A belt showed off her her trim waist, while she accessorised with platform heels. With her long, dark locks styled into glossy curls and a glam full face of makeup Charlotte was ready to party. Matt meanwhile kept things casual in skinny jeans teamed with a white striped jumper and suede boots. Wow factor: The reality star dressed to impress in a daring jumpsuit for her date night In August, Matthew narrowly avoided jail for punching a stranger outside a club. He was left 'sickened' in court, after hearing details of how he drunkenly landed a single blow to Daniel Jackson's bottom lip on April 2 this year, which may leave him with permanent scarring. He hit the aspiring actor without warning in an unprovoked attack, Wigan and Leigh magistrates heard. It came months after Matt rekindled a romance with Charlotte, who confirmed the news in December 2017. Matt was sentenced to six months in prison which has been suspended for two years, as well as being handed a community order and hefty fine. She has a wardrobe packed to the brim with designer items that most women could only dream of. And Petra Ecclestone went for full-blown glamour on Saturday, as she attended the Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury WBC heavyweight title fight in a pair of 600 python skin boots by Yeezy -Kanye West's fashion label. The Formula One heiress, 29, commanded attention in the striking shoes when walking alongside beau Sam Palmer at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Looking good: Petra Ecclestone went for full-blown glamour on Saturday, as she attended the Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury WBC heavyweight title fight in a pair of 600 python skin boots The mother-of-three complemented her statement designer item with a pair of khaki leather trousers and a shimmering cami top, which showcased her slender frame. Wrapping up against the winter chill, the socialite and philanthropist added a cream cardigan to complete her ensemble. Adding a touch of glitz to the look, the younger sister of Tamara Ecclestone finished the outfit off with large hooped earrings. Loved up: The Formula One heiress, 29, commanded attention in the striking shoes when walking alongside beau Sam Palmer at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Look of love: Wrapping up against the winter chill, the socialite and philanthropist added a cream cardigan to complete her ensemble Happy together: Sam, 35, looked as trendy as his girlfriend for the outing in an army-inspired jacket, paired with grey jeans and black trainers Styling her golden tresses in a simple middle-parting, Petra channelled Hollywood glamour with a full face of makeup, including lashings of mascara. The bout finished in a draw, with Wilder retaining his WBC heavyweight title after knocking down Fury twice, despite the self-titled Gypsy King controlling much of the fight. Sam, 35, looked as trendy as his girlfriend for the outing in an army-inspired jacket, paired with grey jeans and black trainers. Petra shares three children with her ex-husband James Stunt; daughter Lavinia, five, and twin boys Andrew and James, three. Glam: The mother-of-three complemented her statement designer item with a pair of khaki leather trousers and a shimmering cami top, which showcased her slender frame Style sensation: Adding a touch of glitz to the look, the younger sister of Tamara Ecclestone finished the outfit off with large hooped earrings Got your back: Styling her golden tresses in a simple middle-parting, Petra channelled Hollywood glamour with a full face of makeup, including lashings of mascara The model tied the knot with her former partner, 36, in a lavish ceremony in Italy in 2011, and they divorced in 2017 after a bitter split. Speaking about her new relationship with Sam to the Mail On Sunday's YOU magazine, Petra revealed that her life has not turned out how she expected. She said: 'It's very early-on dating. The whole thing is quite strange because my life didn't pan out the way I expected it to. I thought I wasn't the type who believed in divorce. 'I go to church and I got married thinking I would be with that person for the rest of my life. But things happen for a reason and, whatever that reason is, I've now got my three kids.' Split: The model tied the knot with her ex-partner James Stunt, 36, in a lavish ceremony in Italy in 2011; the couple divorced after a bitter split last year (pictured in June 2013) Speaking to MailOnline, Petra told how she found becoming a single mother an 'isolating' experience. She said: 'It was lonely. It definitely was an isolating experience. [Being a mother] takes over your whole day and life.' Elaborating to Hello! Magazine about how she coped with the separation from billionaire James, Petra explained that her children got her through it. She said: 'I think it was the kids. I didn't have the option of lying in bed, being depressed and feeling sorry for myself. She won wide acclaim and legions of fans for her portrayal of glamorous Joan Holloway in Mad Men a role which earned her six Emmy nominations. And Christina Hendricks showed she can command attention just as effortlessly as her former TV character, when she stepped out in style for producer Jennifer Klein's holiday party in Los Angeles, on Saturday. The 43-year-old slipped into a deeply plunging black gown as she arrived alongside her husband of nine years Geoffrey Arend. Glam: Christina Hendricks stepped out in style for producer Jennifer Klein's holiday party in Los Angeles, on Saturday She teamed the shimmering frock with a pair of strappy gold heels, while opting to accessorise with a small clutch bag. The Good Girls star wore her signature fiery red hair in a flattering curly bob, while her natural beauty was highlighted with a palette of makeup that included vibrant red lipstick. She was joined by husband Geoffrey, best known for his role as Ethan Gross on the ABC drama series Body of Proof. Loved up: The 43-year-old slipped into a deeply plunging black gown as she arrived alongside her husband of nine years Geoffrey Arend Beauty: The Good Girls star wore her signature fiery red hair in a flattering curly bob, while her natural beauty was highlighted with a palette of makeup that included vibrant red lipstick All in the details: She teamed the shimmering frock with a pair of strappy gold heels, while opting to accessorise with a small clutch bag He coordinated with his belle in an all-black suit and trench coat, injecting a touch of colour with a white shirt. The pair recently celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary at chef Josef Centeno's Asian-Italian restaurant Orsa & Winston in Los Angeles. Christina and Geoffrey met in 2007 when they were introduced by her Mad Men co-star Vincent Kartheiser. All smiles: Also at the event was Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev, who put on a leggy display Sensational: The 29-year-old actress opted for a dazzling emerald frock for the occasion The Tin Star stunner and the 40-year-old do not plan on expanding their family outside of their beloved 'surrogate daughter' - six-year-old dog Zouzou. Surprisingly, the acting pair's only onscreen collaboration thus far was a 2011 episode of ABC's medical drama Body of Proof. Christina currently plays vulnerable actress Olivia Rogers in Matthew Weiner's eight-episode Russian descendents drama The Romanoffs, which streams Fridays on Amazon. Also at the event was Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev and dancer Julianne Hough. Colourful: Professional dancer Julianne Hough sported a vibrant red coat for the event He's a vital part of one of the most iconic British comedy collectives in history. But on Sunday night, Monty Python writer Michael Palin was keener to discuss what he doesn't find funny. The 75-year-old comedian appeared on Australia's The Sunday Project and aired his views on world politics. 'There's not a single joke in Brexit': Legendary Monty Python comedian Michael Palin (pictured) reveals that he doesn't find British politics funny ...and calls American president Donald Trump 'completely bizarre and idiotic' He began by taking aim at Donald Trump, calling American leader 'completely bizarre'. The British star told the show's hosts: 'Trump is just his own man. Actually as a comedian I like him. Because its so completely bizarre and idiotic, his behaviour. 'And totally, completely shameless. Hell change his mind about anything at any moment and its quite bracing that in a way.' The British star said on The Project: 'Trump is just his own man. Actually as a comedian I like him. Because its so completely bizarre and idiotic, his behaviour' The author went on to share his views on his homeland of England and the United Kingdom's Brexit agreement: 'Its not funny unfortunately,' Michael told the hosts. 'I wish it were funny and then wed be okay. But theres not a single joke in Brexit. At all' He concluded: 'I wouldnt like to be an American being represented by him'. The author went on to share his views on his homeland of England and the United Kingdom's Brexit agreement. 'Its not funny unfortunately,' Michael told the program's hosts. 'I wish it were funny and then wed be okay. But theres not a single joke in Brexit. At all'. Speaking out: It comes after Michael slammed the BBC in August, after one of its comedy bosses said Monty Python were too 'white and Oxbridge' for modern TV. Michael Palin is pictured in Monty Python's Life Of Brian, 1979 It comes after Michael slammed the BBC in August, after one of its comedy bosses said Monty Python were too 'white and Oxbridge' for modern TV. Earlier this year, BBC comedy commissioner Shane Allen hit the headlines for saying the famous comedy group 'wouldn't be six Oxbridge white blokes' if they were re-cast today. The comic branded his comments 'silly', telling the Radio Times: 'It's been 50 years. Talk about beating us up when we're down. He branded the comments 'silly', telling the Radio Times: 'It's been 50 years. Talk about beating us up when we're down.' Pictured: Kevin Kline (left) Michael Palin (right) in A Fish Called Wanda, 1988 'He was obviously manoeuvred into saying something silly. What does he mean? If you've had a good education and you're white you're not able to write comedy?' A celebrated writer, actor and comedian, Michael rose to fame starring in the Monty Python sketch series. In the show, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, he appeared alongside Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Eric Idle, the late Graham Chapman and Terry Jones. Nicole Kidman has revealed how her Nashville home with husband Keith Urban is a no-devices house. The Hollywood actress, 51, who shares two daughters Sunday Rose, 10, and Faith Margaret, 7, with the country musician, admitted that even friends of her youngsters are banned from bringing devices over. She told the Guardian: 'The general rule is: play, hard core and outside. We have periods at home where we dont turn on the TV and try to have a detox from it all. Rule number one: Nicole Kidman has revealed how her Nashville home with husband Keith Urban is a no-devices house 'I left home yesterday and my children were up in the tree house, with eight friends over. We have a no-devices house. Their friends cant bring devices over.' The Big Little Lies star shared her worries about 'all the anger that seems to be around' and explained how in her family's case, the land and animals they have in their Tennessee home help. One of the reasons the actress and her husband of 12-years decided to live in the southeastern region of the United States, she added, was because of the similarity it shares with Nicole's native Australia. Brood: The Hollywood actress, 51, who shares two daughters Sunday Rose (C), 10, and Faith Margaret (R), 7, with the country musician, admitted that even friends of her youngsters are banned from bringing devices over The great outdoors: One of the reasons the actress and her husband of 12-years decided to live in the southeastern region of the United States, she added, was because of the similarity it shares with Nicole's native Australia (pictured together in November 2018) In a candid interview with the publication, the mother-of-four, who also shares two adopted children with ex-husband Tom Cruise, described how 'the pace of life and the landscape' is very much the same. Keith and Nicole found love way back in 2005. But while their marriage has withstood the test of time, the actress admitted it hasn't always been plain sailing during a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show. The actress' marital revelations came as she discussed her latest movie, The Destroyer, which the Moulin Rouge star admitted was one her most challenging roles to date. Candid: While Nicole's marriage to Keith has withstood the test of time, the actress admitted it hasn't always been plain sailing during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show She told Graham: 'It's really a tough, gritty film, which is something I'd never done and I am always looking for new territory to explore. 'And, when you are cast to play the older character you don't usually get to play the younger, but a great thing as an actor is when you get to play both. It was a gift to be able to arc out the whole story for the character.' Nicole candidly confessed that tapping into the dark mindset of her character Erin Bell had a negative impact on her marriage to Keith, who was eager for the star to wrap up filming on the thriller. Tough: The Moulin Rouge star admitted her Destroyer role was one her most challenging roles to date Branding herself a 'nightmare', she explained: 'My husband was like, "When is this going to end?" As an actor, you take on things and some you can shed and walk away from and others you can't. 'The character had to seep out of my pores and I didn't know how to perform that, so I just had to live it. I was a bit of a nightmare!' It isn't the first time Nicole has boldly detailed her relationship woes of late, as she recently told Stylist that she felt 'lonely' after splitting from Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise, who filed for divorced from the Australian actress in 2001. Channel Ten presenter Scott Tweedie has been 'offered' the role of the Bachelor for the next season of the dating series. Producers of the show are reportedly very keen to get the hunky Studio Ten reporter, 30, signed on, according to Confidential. A 'source' close to the handsome presenter confirmed he was approached for the role after Channel Ten executives found out he had split from his girlfriend. Will Scott Tweedie be the next Bachelor? The handsome Channel Ten presenter 'offered' the role for the upcoming season of the reality show Pictured here at The Star last year 'When they found out that Scott was single, they were straight to him with an offer to be the next Bachelor,' the publication reported. The source continued: 'Scott is already comfortable in front of the camera, he is very different to the recent guys who have been on the show.' An 'insider' however said Scott might not be so keen on becoming TV's most eligible bachelor, saying he is fearful on how it could affect his career. 'When they found out that Scott was single, they were straight to him with an offer to be the next Bachelor': Scott's is an up-and-comer, with him starring on Studio 10 at the moment 'Scott would be great but I doubt he will do it. He doesn't seem very keen,' a friend of the presenter is reported to have said. 'He has worked pretty hard to get where he is and this could impact his future,' the friend is reported to have said, adding that 'he hardly needs help with the ladies'. The handsome journalist was dating model Georgia Berg for five years, before the couple split last month. Split: The handsome journalist was dating model Georgia Berg (above) for five years, before the couple split last month, prompting the offer Scott is originally from Queensland, but moved to Sydney in order to pursue his career in broadcasting. He's star is on the rise, with the hunky journalist taking on the role of reporting from South Africa for the next season of 'I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.' Channel Ten haven't confirmed if the network has him in his sights, with them only putting out a generic statement. Good choice: 'He hardly needs help with the ladies, he is fielding more than a couple of offers': Scott certainly has the looks to impress viewers 'Casting for The Bachelor Australia is open,' Channel Ten said, adding no decision has been made who will be the next star of the show. The network is still trying to recover from Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins, 30, role on the show - with largely saw viewer interest fade. A number of fans were also turned off by the fact the ex-Wallabies star failed to find love at the end of the show. Meanwhile, it suffered a similar problem with The Bachelorette, with Ali Oetjen's series suffering the worst rating yet for the racy reality series. If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). It's one of the biggest fashion events in the industry. And Chantal Monaghan has revealed that while being cast in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show would be a dream come true, she is not 'obsessed' with the idea. The up and coming Australian model narrowly missed out on a spot in last year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, but she is taking it in her stride. 'I don't think I am obsessed': Australian Model Chantal Monaghan reveals how important being cast in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show really is to her ...after missing out on a slot last year Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Sunday, the 21-year-old said: 'Victoria's Secret is a dream for a lot of girls. 'And is still goal of mine, [but] sometimes it can take several years to achieve'. However the stunner said that she it's the 'end of the world' if it doesn't happen, although she holds out hope that with discipline, she will one day land the job. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Sunday, the 21-year-old said: 'Victoria's Secret is a dream for a lot of girls' Not the be-all: However the stunner said that she it's the 'end of the world' if it doesn't happen, although she holds out hope that with discipline, she will one day land the job She added: 'I don't think I am obsessed, it certainly helps build you profile and you have to be very focused and have a strong work ethic to make it happen.' The leggy beauty first shot to fame on the modelling talent show The Face Australia. Since being a contestant on the 2014 season of model search The Face, Chantal has gone on to model overseas. Big deal! Since being a contestant on the 2014 season of model search The Face, Chantal has gone on to model overseas Making a move: Mentored by iconic supermodel Naomi Campbell, the up-and-comer recently told The Courier-Mail that she has snapped up a New York apartment The Brisbane-raised stunner even walked in the Jean Paul Gaultier show at Haute Couture Paris Fashion Week in 2017. Mentored by iconic supermodel Naomi Campbell, the up-and-comer recently told The Courier-Mail that she has snapped up a New York apartment. In October, the looker's career continued to hit new highs, as she landed an exclusive campaign with high end brand Tom Ford. A year ago she was crowned Queen of the Jungle, winning the 2017 series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here. And while Georgia Toffolo has been pictured arriving back in Australia this weekend, it's not to hand her crown over as per the long-standing tradition of the ITV series. Toff looked in great spirits as she made her way through Brisbane airport on Sunday, ahead of an appearance on spin off show Extra Camp. She's back! Georgia Toffolo has been pictured arriving back in Australia this weekend, but it's not to hand her crown over as per the long-standing tradition of the ITV series Despite a gruelling 24 hour flight from London, the Made In Chelsea star looked stunning in a black scalloped hem mini dress as she touched down in balmy Oz. She kept comfy in white trainers and sported natural makeup for her stroll through arrivals. Despite making the long trip back to Australia, it was reported last week that the outgoing Queen Of The Jungle will not pass the torch to the 2018 winner in a week's time - for reasons currently unknown. It will be the first time in six years that the reigning champ doesn't personally crown the latest winner. Gorgeous: Toff looked in great spirits as she made her way through Brisbane airport, ahead of an appearance on spin off show Extra Camp Breaking tradition: Despite making the long trip back to Australia, it was reported last week that the outgoing Queen Of The Jungle will not pass the torch to the 2018 winner in a week's time (pictured with 2017 winner Scarlett Moffatt last year) An I'm A Celeb... insider told MailOnline: 'Toff is due to fly out to Australia this week, for a stint on [sister show] Extra Camp. But she'll be flying back after that, to the UK. 'There's still about another week of the show left, after she returns. And there aren't plans for her to go back again. 'This means she won't be there to personally crown whoever wins this current season.' A show source said: 'Since the show began in 2002 it's never been part of the main show to have the previous winner specifically come back to Australia and hand over to new King/Queen. Reigning champ: In a break in tradition, the outgoing Queen Of The Jungle will not pass the torch to the 2018 winner - but a show source said this is not a definite part of each show 'It only happened the past two years because Scarlett Moffatt and Vicky Pattison were there as ITV2 presenters 'And it only happened the two years previous to that because Carl Fogerty and Charlie Brooks were there as ITV2 guests 'ITV2 no longer have celebrity UK guests on its final few shows as they have the evicted celebs and friends and family on set instead - this has happened for quite a few years now.' MailOnline have contacted ITV for comment. Passing the torch: The last time there was a break in this tradition was in 2012, when Dougie Poynter was not present to crown Charlie Brooks. Since then, Charlie returned to crown Kian Egan in 2013 And the winner is...: In 2014 Kian Egan came back to pass the torch to Carl 'Foggy' Fogarty The last few years have seen the exiting victor on hand to pass over the jungle wreath that the new winner wears on their head when they win the show. As well as this, there's a totem-like staff that comes with the crown, also passed along by the ex-Jungle King or Queen. The last time there was a break in this tradition was in 2012, when Dougie Poynter was not present to crown Charlie Brooks. Since then, Charlie returned to crown Kian Egan, who came back to pass the torch to Carl 'Foggy' Fogarty, who was on hand to crown Vicky Pattison. Congrats: Foggy was on hand to crown Vicky Pattison IN 2015 Taking the throne: She then returned to crown Scarlett Moffatt in 2016, who in turn crowned Toff last year This time, last year: Toff scooped the I'm A Celeb crown nearly a year ago She then returned to crown Scarlett Moffatt, who in turn crowned Toff last year. Thus far, there have been 10 Jungle Kings and seven Jungle Queens, with women scooping the coveted crown for the last three years running. Both Vicky Pattison and Scarlett Moffatt have acted as hosts for sister show, I'm A Celebrity... Extra Camp, readily on hand to pass over their crowns. Jungle correspondent: Toff, meanwhile, has been hosting an I'm A Celeb... news bulletin segment on This Morning Queens: Toff and Vicky have both served a reign as Queen Of The Jungle in 2017 and 2015 respectively But prior to that, the exiting Kings and Queens flew over to Australia especially to mark the occasion. Toff, meanwhile, has been hosting an I'm A Celeb... news bulletin segment on This Morning. I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! airs nightly from 9PM on ITV. She's the Adelaide-born actress who hit the big time after moving to America to pursue her Hollywood dreams. But Teresa Palmer still calls Australia home, and recently shared with fans what she misses most about living Down Under. Writing for her blog Your Zen Mama, the Hacksaw Ridge star, 32, claimed she feels instantly relaxed when she's back in familiar territory. Scroll down for video 'It's the kind of experience I want to be having right now': Actress Teresa Palmer, 32, (pictured) has revealed what she misses most about her native Australia 'When I land in Australia I just get this instant sense of just relaxation. It's that home feeling. My whole body relaxes,' the pregnant mother-of-two said. She continued: 'Driving through the hinterlands here in Byron [Bay]. 'There's greenery everywhere you look and it's really inspiring and beautiful and it's exactly the kind of experience I want to be having right now.' Chilling! 'When I land in Australia I just get this instant sense of just relaxation. It's that home feeling. My whole body relaxes,' the pregnant mother-of-two said. Pictured with her son 'She will be an Aussie baby': Teresa, who is expecting the arrival of her third child, told TV Week that she is planning to return home for the birth It comes after the stunner told TV Week that she will be returning to Adelaide for the birth of her first daughter. 'The good news is she will be an Aussie baby,' Teresa revealed to the publication. 'We'll come back for a while and she'll be born in Adelaide,' she added. The Discovery of Witches actress also recalled her reaction upon finding out that she and husband Mark Webber will be having a baby girl. Growing family! Mark (far left) and Teresa (far right), who have been married since 2013, are already parents to two sons, Bodhi (center left) and Forest (center right) 'I almost fell out of my chair when the doctors told me [it was a girl]. I thought, ''What? We don't have girls,'' she reflected, adding that Mark 'burst into tears' of joy. The couple, who have been married since 2013, are already parents to two sons, Bodhi and Forest, as well as another boy, Isaac, from Mark's previous relationship with actress Frankie Shaw. Last week, the Hollywood actress revealed she was flying home to Australia on an economy with her sons and husband despite her star status. He's currently on a break from his TV duties as co-presenter Declan Donnelly hosts I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! with Holly Willoughby. And Ant McPartlin enjoyed a wintry stroll with pet dog Hurley in London earlier this week, amid his custody battle with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong over the pooch. The ITV star, 43, bundled up against the chilly climes of the English capital as he sported a snug beanie hat, complete with a set of padded gloves. Quality time: Ant McPartlin enjoyed a wintry stroll with pet dog Hurley in London earlier this week, amid his custody battle with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong over the pooch Saturday Night Takeaway host Ant, who was also joined by a pal during his outing, finished off his low-key look with a raincoat, indigo jeans and black trainers. He proved to be a doting pet owner as he carried a tree branch to play fetch with his dog. Meanwhile, Lisa, 42, recently visited a photo shop to allegedly pick up Christmas cards of Hurley. Keeping warm: The ITV star, 43, bundled up against the chilly climes of the English capital as he sported a snug beanie hat, complete with a set of padded gloves Casual: Saturday Night Takeaway host Ant finished off his low-key look with a raincoat, indigo jeans and black trainers Lisa's sweet tribute to her beloved pooch comes as she and ex Ant have been fighting for custody over Hurley, drawing up a rota for shared time after purchasing him together in 2013. According to the Daily Star, the former couple who, since their January split, have been spending a week each with the pooch are said to be ironing out an agreement that would see Hurley endure as little disruption as possible. He is understood to have credited the Labrador with helping him through his well-documented struggles with alcohol and substance abuse issues, with Hurley even given allowance to visit him at a residential rehabilitation centre. Close: He proved to be a doting pet owner as he carried a tree branch to play fetch with his dog In good company: The Newcastle native was joined by a pal during his casual outing Time off: He's currently on a break from his TV duties as co-presenter Declan Donnelly hosts I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! with Holly Willoughby Sharing: Ant and make-up artist Lisa, 43, have been fighting for custody over Hurley, drawing up a rota for shared time after purchasing him together in 2013 Hurley, who has been with Ant and Lisa since 2013, even accompanied the star during Britains Got Talent auditions at the London Palladium during annual Bring Your Dog to Work Day in February. The presenters attachment to Hurley is said to be so strong that he even received birthday cards filled with the dogs paw prints during his month long stays in Australia for Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! As Ant moves on with new girlfriend Anne-Marie Corbett, 42, faithful Hurley has been pictured with the couple during various strolls close to their west London home. However Lisa is said to be equally attached, and frequently fills her Instagram page with posts of herself and the dog she shares with Ant. Connection: The presenters attachment to Hurley is said to be so strong that he even received birthday cards filled with the dogs paw prints during his month long stays in Australia for Im A Celebrity End of the road: Lisa and Ant's marriage was officially ended this week after the presenter had to technically admit adultery Moving on: The I'm a Celeb host and his teenage sweetheart had been together for 23 years and married in 2006 but announced the end of their marriage in January It comes as Lisa and Ant's marriage was officially ended this week after the presenter had to technically admit adultery, as the presenter's relationship Anne-Marie officially began while he and Lisa were still married. The I'm a Celeb host and his teenage sweetheart had been together for 23 years and married in 2006 but announced the end of their marriage in January. Court documents revealed that McPartlin had 'committed adultery' and that his former wife found it 'intolerable to live with' the TV star. She is preparing to wed her fiance of four years Greg Shepherd in the Maldives in May next year. And putting her planning skills to the test, Billie Faiers, 28, organised a sensational wine and cheese night for her gal pals, including Ferne McCann and her sister Sam. Looking adorable in their matching, luxurious silk, nightwear clothes by vintage brand Mini Lunn, the girls posed up a storm on the fun-filled Friday evening. Fun times! Billie Faiers, 28, organised a sensational wine and cheese night for all her gal pals, including Ferne McCann and her sister Sam Posting a group snap to her Instagram account, host Billie, wrote: 'Friyayyyyyyy. Cheese and wine at the Shepherd's.' While close friend Ferne commanded her pal on an incredible evening, commenting: 'No one throws a party like @billiefaiersofficial...I asked Bill what my caption should be and she came up with [the above] but its true. 'She is the hostess with [the] mostess. She has thrown the most unbelievable cheese and wine party for us girls. Thanks babe #slumberparty #pyjamasparty.' Say cheese! Looking adorable in their matching, luxurious silk, nightwear clothes by vintage brand Mini Lunn, the girls posed up a storm on the fun-filled Friday evening Exciting! Posting a group snap to her Instagram account, host Billie, wrote: 'Friyayyyyyyy. Cheese and wine at the Shepherd's' Sam, Ferne and Billie all posed for a cute snap, with the latter two holding a glass of champagne as they all showed off their gorgeous hair and makeup styles. Sam, 27, went for a glamorous bronze palette while leaving her brunette locks in loose waves. Ferne, 28, and Billie both opted to have their tresses scraped away from their faces, leaving their radiant features on show. Billie's party comes following the Faiers' triumphant return to our screens in the new series of The Mummy Diaires. Elsewhere: Billie's party comes following the Faiers triumphant return to our screens in the new series of The Mummy Diaires Billie and her fiance Greg Shepherd along with their children Nelly, four, and Arthur, one, join Sam - who appears with beau Paul Knightley and their children Paul and Rosie - on the show, with the cameras documenting the girls' home life in Essex. This series has been following the lead-up to Billie and Greg's idyllic wedding ceremony. Billie and Greg announced their engagement, after the Essex-based businessman proposed during a babymoon in the Maldives four years ago. Speaking of the romantic proposal, Billie, who had been pregnant with the couple's eldest child Nelly at the time, told OK! magazine: '[Greg] told me on the second night of our holiday that the hotel manager had arranged for us to watch the sunset on one of the sandbanks in the ocean. 'I had no idea he was going to propose! Even when we got there and I saw two chairs with a bottle of champagne, I didn't suspect a thing. 'I took one look at that ring and said yes. I really couldn't believe it. We'd spoken about marriage but I thought he'd wait until after the baby was born to propose.' Billie and Greg welcomed daughter Nelly five months after their engagement in July 2014. The couple later added a second addition to their family and Billie gave birth to son Arthur in March last year. He was honoured with the tribute award at the 17th Marrakech International Film Festival. And Robert De Niro looked as dapper as ever as he posed up a storm in front of the hotel 'La Mamounia' on Sunday in Morocco, for the annual event. The 75-year-old actor was all business when sporting a formal brown blazer which he layered over a black T-shirt. Charming: Robert De Niro looked as dapper as ever as he posed up a storm in front of the hotel 'La Mamounia' on Sunday in Morocco, for the annual event Opting for comfort over glamour, the Taxi Driver star teamed his ensemble with black trainers and blue chinos. The double Oscar winner slicked his grey locks away from his clean-shave features as he stood with his hands clasped together. Robert took home the tribute award during the festival on Saturday evening, with his old friend, director Martin Scorcese, presenting him with the gong. Looking good: The 75-year-old actor was all business when sporting a formal brown blazer which he layered over a black T-shirt Dapper: Opting for comfort over glamour, the Taxi Driver star teamed his ensemble with black trainers and blue chinos Born in New York in 1943, De Niro's career began on Broadway, before he discovered cinema at age 20. He worked on a variety of films with Scorsese -- from 'Taxi Driver' in 1976 to 'Casino' in 1995. The double Oscar winner's ninth collaboration with Scorsese will be Netflix's The Irishman, set for release next year. 'We made our first film together, I think it was over 45 years ago... One of the great blessings of my life,' said De Niro. Scorsese, while handing him the award joked: 'What would this be? The mid-point of his career? All in the details: The double Oscar winner slicked his grey locks away from his clean-shave features as he stood with his hands clasped together 'It is probably more accurate to say the peak of his career but then this guy has more peaks than the Atlas mountains.' De Niro used the occasion to lash out at President Donald Trump and his 'America First' mantra. 'Sadly, in my country we are going through a grotesque version of nationalism... marked by greed, xenophobia and selfishness under the banner of 'America First',' he said. De Niro has been a frequent critic of Trump and used an expletive to condemn the American president at the televised Tony Awards in June, receiving a standing ovation. She's known for flaunting her bikini body. Emily Ratajkowski was atypically covered up this weekend as she stepped out for a day in New York City with family on Saturday. The sultry model just got back from a Moroccan vacation with her new husband, Sebastian Bear-McClard. Family time: Emily Ratajkowski was spotted out with her parents going for a stroll in New York City on Saturday The 27-year-old was spotted going for a stroll with family dressed in a casual pair of blue Puma sweatpants and bright white sneakers. Topping off her look, the beauty went with a retro looking red, white and blue striped Levi's puffy coat. EmRata slicked her brunette locks back into two low buns and rocked a pair of square sunglasses. Covered up: EmRata hid her enviable physique under baggy sweat pants and a puffy coat Retro! The actress' red, white and blue striped Levi's coat had a vintage vibe The Gone Girl star was spending the day with her parents Kathleen Balgley and John David Ratajkowski. On Instagram last week, the starlet was bit more her usual self as she flaunted her killer curves. The I Feel Pretty star debuted the latest barely there one-piece from her swimwear line Inamorata. Stunning! Last week Emily dropped her latest swimsuit design and modeled the sizzling look on social media Emily's 20.6 million Instagram followers have recently been treated to images from the model's Marrakech adventures with her husband. The newlyweds took in the sights during a vacation in Morocco and did some shopping for things like handmade rugs in the country's famous shopping bizarres. In February, Ratajkowski announced on Instagram that she had married her actor and producer boyfriend after only dating for a few weeks. The couple tied the knot in a surprise New York City courthouse wedding. They are parents to five young children. So taking a night off on Saturday James Van Der Beek and wife Kimberly Brook enjoyed a date night at a pal's Christmas party in Los Angeles. The 41-year-old Dawson's Creek alum looked dapper as he showed off a thin mustache while wearing a black coat over a polo shirt and grey trousers. Evening out: James Van Der Beek and wife Kimberly Brook are pictured out in Los Angeles on Saturday while attending a Christmas Party His lovely wife of eight years looked gorgeous in a brown crushed velvet dress with nude heels with her strawberry blonde locks left loose. The couple were spotted outside of movie producer pal Jennifer Klein's holiday party. The couple married in August 2010, five months after finalizing his divorce from Heather McComb who he was married to for the seven years prior. The duo are parents to five adorable tots; Olivia, eight, Joshua, six, Annabel, four, Emilia, two and baby Gwendolyn, four months. In September James revealed his wife suffered three miscarriages over the years in a heartfelt post on Instagram. Kimberly looked gorgeous in a brown crushed velvet dress with nude heels with her strawberry blonde locks left loose Festivities: The couple enjoyed an evening out at friend Jennifer Klein's holiday party In it the actor hit out at the terminology used to describe losing a child during pregnancy and insisted no one should be blamed for the heartbreaking situation. Alongside a photo of himself, his wife and their baby daughter, he wrote: 'Wanted to say a thing or two about miscarriages... of which we've had three over the years (including right before this little beauty). 'First off - we need a new word for it. "Mis-carriage", in an insidious way, suggests fault for the mother - as if she dropped something, or failed to "carry." From what I've learned, in all but the most obvious, extreme cases, it has nothing to do with anything the mother did or didn't do. So let's wipe all blame off the table before we even start.(sic)' Dapper gent: James was sporting a fetching mustache The Varsity Blues star went on to discuss the agonizing grief he'd experienced and urged people to recognize and embrace the changes caused by the situation. He continued: 'Second... it will tear you open like nothing else. It's painful and it's heartbreaking on levels deeper than you may have ever experienced. So don't judge your grief, or try to rationalize your way around it. Let it flow in the waves in which it comes, and allow it it's rightful space. 'And then... once you're able... try to recognize the beauty in how you put yourself back together differently than you were before. 'Some changes we make proactively, some we make because the universe has smashed us, but either way, those changes can be gifts. The duo - who married in 2010 - are parents to five adorable tots; Olivia, eight, Joshua, six, Annabel, four, Emilia, two and baby Gwendolyn, four months 'Many couples become closer than ever before. Many parents realize a deeper desire for a child than ever before. And many, many, many couples go on to have happy, healthy, beautiful babies afterwards (and often very quickly afterwards - you've been warned.' And James encouraged his fans and followers to join in a discussion on the subject. He concluded: 'I've heard some amazing metaphysical explanations for them, mostly centering around the idea that these little souls volunteer for this short journey for the benefit of the parents... but please share whatever may have given you peace or hope along the way... Along with a new word for this experience. #miscarriage #WeNeedANewName #MoreCommonThanYouHearAbout @vanderkimberly (sic)' They're getting in the holiday spirit. Kelsey Grammer's wife Kayte Walsh, 38, looked senstional in a seasonal red lace dress as the couple arrived at a holiday party in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Saturday, December 1. The 63-year-old Frasier star went for casual attire, wearing a white cardigan over a white shirt that he left open at the neck. Getting in the spirit: Kelsey Grammer's wife Kayte Walsh, 38, looked senstional in a seasonal red lace dress when they arrived at a holiday party in Brentwood, Los Angeles, on Saturday The actor combined the pieces with black pants and black shoes but didn't bother with socks. Kayte, a former airline hostess who hails from the UK, is Kelsey's fourth wife. They share his fifth, sixth and seventh children - Faith, six, Kelsey, four, and Auden, one. The actor also has daughters, Spencer, 34, and Greer, 26, with ex-wife Doreen Alderman and girlfriend Barrie Buckner respectively, plus Mason, 16, and Jude, 13, with ex-wife Camille Grammer. So happy togther: The 63-year-old Frasier star has been married to the former air hostess, who hails from the UK, for seven years Kelsey and Kayte have been married for seven years and he recently revealed to Conan O'Brien on his latenight TBS show that Kayte's name is tattooed in his 'pubic region'. The actor explained that she sees it as a way of staking claim to his wedding tackle permanently. Meanwhile, the ever busy Kelsey has two films on the go plus an animated TV series. In thriller, Grand Isle, he plays a cop in the tale of a young father charged with murder trying to prove his innocence. Casual ensemble: The actor looked comfy in a white cardigan that he wore over a white shirt left open at the neck The Space Between, which co-stars the late Michael Jackson's daughter Paris, 20, is about a young man struggling to make his way in the music business. In Netflix TV series Tales Of Arcadia: 3 Below Kelsey voices Blinky in the family-friendly animation, created by Guilllermo del Toro and co-starring Glenn Close and Andy Garcia among others. Produced by DreamWorks Animation, the series is due to premiere on December 21. John Barrowman shocked fans when it was announced he was excluded from Sunday night's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here elimination due to a sprained ankle. But the actor, 51, has now returned to the jungle to be included in this remainder of the votes this week, it was confirmed on Monday. John injured his ankle earlier on Sunday evening when heading to clean some of the camp's pots and pans. Painful: John Barrowman has returned to the jungle after it was announced he was excluded from Sunday night's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here elimination due to a sprained ankle He accompanied Harry Redknapp down the path but took a turn for the worse when he appeared to have caused himself an injury. John was taken to the camp's medical hut by fellow celebrities Nick Knowles and Malique Thompson-Dwyer. The Doctor Who star was advised by jungle medics to head to the hospital for an x-ray where he stayed overnight. I'm A Celebrity reps confirmed that while John did spend the night away from camp he remained on 'lock down'. On Monday morning a rep confirmed to MailOnline that the actor had been assessed and has now returned to the jungle. Being his usual humorous self, John sent his campmates a message, seen on Sunday night's show as he told them: 'I am lying here sipping champagne in a hospital with six male strippers. Hard at work: The actor, 51, injured his ankle earlier in the evening when heading to clean some of the camp's pots and pans Ruled out: He accompanied Harry Redknapp down the path but took a turn for the worst when he appeared to have caused himself an injury 'Continue to live jungle life as normal. I want to be back in there with you all soon. But please get some rest this evening. Ps I want my f****** dinner when I get back!' John has proven to be a fan favourite thanks to his larger-than-life persona and impromptu musical numbers, though viewers have seen him on the brink of several clashes with Noel Edmonds and Nick Knowles. As John's parents arrived in Australia they had their say on the camp tensions with John's father John Sr saying: 'We've been watching it since the beginning, and there's occasions when he's been on the verge with Noel especially. Night away: The Doctor Who star was advised by jungle medics to head to the hospital for an x-ray where he stayed overnight but was assessed fit to return to camp on Monday No break: I'm A Celebrity reps confirmed that while John did spend the night away from camp he remained on 'lock down' 'But he's controlled himself the way his mother taught him to be a good boy.' The family also weighed in on the recent 'knickergate' debate, when John disagreed with Nick's view over whether a man should pick up a lady's underwear. Marion said: 'I don't think he would bother to pick up someone's knickers. No way. He's washed mine,' while John Sr added: 'He does do washing!' Scott - who married John in 2013 after 20 years together - went onto explain: 'We go to the bathroom in front of each other. He's not that uptight about knickers.' A factory worker, 29, hailing from the northern province of Hung Yen was rushed to the infirmary in a critical condition when she was scalped after ponytail gets caught in machine. Soon, doctors provided intensive care to her and examined carefully. Through meeting, doctors concluded an early surgery must be performed to save the peeled off skin which will help to cover her skull left exposed to the air. The most challenging part was reconnecting the broken vessels as head skin is rich of vessels, and each vessel is very tiny and had to be reattached under microscopes. After eight hour operation, surgeons successfully reattached the woman's scalp and reconnected all of her blood vessels. Presently, the female worker is recovering but she is still under intensive care. Doctors warned that female workers in industrial parks should wear protective clothes and they must be instructed the risk of accident. Once an accident happens, all cut-off parts should be kept carefully in right way and taken to medical clinics for transplants later. By MINH KHANG - Translated by UYEN PHUONG Advertisement She's no stranger to dazzling at events with her fashion forward outfits. And Emma Stone worked the crowd at the British Independent Film Awards in London on Sunday in a red minidress, joining a host of stars from the acting world. The La La Land star, 30, stunned in the bright number as she graced the Old Billingsgate red carpet alongside British beauties Gemma Arterton, Jodie Whittaker and Ellie Bamber. Siren: Emma Stone worked the crowd at the British Independent Film Awards in London on Sunday, joined by Gemma Arterton, Jodie Whittaker and Ellie Bamber (from left to right) She left her trademark locks in a simple side partying and accessorised with pillar-box red lips, and accessorised with a pair of metallic heels. The actress is up for the best actress gong for her role in The Favourite, which has garnered plenty of awards season buzz. Gemma Arterton looked very much the pink princess as she took to the red carpet, exuding elegance. The actress, 32, dazzled in a floor length pastel coloured Emilia Wickstead gown complete with a high neck and subtle seams. Picture perfect from every angle: She left her trademark locks in a simple side partying and accessorised with pillar-box red lipstick Leading lady: The actress is up for the best actress gong for her role in The Favourite, which has garnered plenty of awards season buzz Red hot: All eyes were on Emma as she made her way down the red carpet, commanding attention in her scarlet dress Chic: The A-list beauty set off her look with quirky drop earrings, wearing her red hair down loose Centre stage: All eyes were on Emma as she made her grand arrival at the prestigious event She set paces racing with a flash of her cleavage on each side of the perfectly fitted dress. The Escape star swept her brunette tresses up into an updo and added a pair of chandelier earrings to give add some shine to the look. She opted for cat eye inspired eyeliner with a heavy dose of blusher to show off her stunning complexion. Glam queen: The actress, 32, dazzled in a floor length pastel coloured Emilia Wickstead gown complete with a high neck and subtle seams Rosy: Gemma matched her pink-hued blusher to her stunning dress, setting off her razor-sharp cheekbones Backless: The dress boasted a quirky collar and backless detailing, highlighting her slender frame Chest a glimpse: Gemma flashed sideboob in the eye-catching baby pink gown Risque: Ellie Bamber, 21, wore a full skirt gown with with puff sleeves and sexy slits on the sides Also spotted looking her usual glamorous self in a magenta gown was Ellie Bamber. The High Resolution star, 21, wore a full skirt gown with with puff sleeves and sexy slits on the sides. Richard Madden's beau left her blonde locks in loose waves around her shoulders. Wow: Doctor Who starlet Jodie Whittaker joined the pink parade as she posed on the red carpet in an unique gown. Pals: Jodie was joined by fellow thespian Olivia Colman behind-the-scenes at the awards show Catching up: The TV stars couldn't contain their excitement as they posed up a storm together Glamorous: Mandeep Gill, who stars alongside Jodie in Doctor Who, dazzled in a scarlet midi dress with lace ruffles Never one to forgo the makeup, Ellie paired bold mascara with a pink lip to match her eyecatching dress. Doctor Who starlet Jodie Whittaker joined the pink parade as she posed on the red carpet in an unique gown. The actress, 36, wowed in a fuschia number with cold shoulder sleeves and frills. She teamed the dress with purple lace up shoes and a quirky pastel printed handbag. Dress to impress: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again star Alexa Davies, 23, stunned in a strapless number with a blue bodies and patterned pink skirt Beautiful: Varitery Award winner Felicity Jones, 35, dressed to impress in a chic white suit Top prize: Felicity was in attendance to pick up the Variety award for her contribution to the British acting scene Suits you: The star was dressed to impress in her stunning white suit, perfectly complemented with simple heels All eyes on her: The Theory Of Everything star was in her element as she posed on the red carpet BIFA 2018 WINNERS IN FULL: Best British Independent Film American Animals Beast Disobedience The Favourite - WINNER You Were Never Really Here Best International Independent Film Capernaum Cold War The Rider Roma - WINNER Shoplifters Best Screenplay Bart Layton - American Animals Michael Pearce - Beast Sebastian Lelio and Rebecca Lenkiewicz - Disobedience Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara - The Favourite - WINNER Lynne Ramsay - You Were Never Really Here Best Director Bart Layton - American Animals Michael Pearce - Beast Yorgos Lanthimos - The Favourite - WINNER Andrew Haigh - Lean On Pete Lynne Ramsay - You Were Never Really Here Best British Short The Big Day - WINNER Bitter Sea The Field Pommel To Know Him Best Actor Rupert Everett - The Happy Prince Charlie Plummer - Lean On Pete Joe Cole - A Prayer Before Dawn - WINNER Steve Coogan - Stan & Ollie Joaquin Phoenix - You Were Never Really Here Best Actress Jessie Buckley - Beast Rachel Weisz - Disobedience Gemma Arterton - The Escape Olivia Colman - The Favourite - WINNER Maxine Peake - Funny Cow Best Supporting Actor Evan Peters - American Animals Barry Keoghan - American Animals Dominic West - Colette Alessandro Nivola - Disobedience WINNER Steve Buscemi - Lean On Pete Best Supporting Actress Molly Wright - Apostasy Rachel McAdams - Disobedience Emma Stone - The Favourite Rachel Weisz - The Favourite - WINNER Nina Arianda - Stan & Ollie Most Promising Newcomer Molly Wright - Apostasy Jessie Buckley - Beast WINNER Michaela Coel - Been So Long Liv Hill - Jellyfish Marcus Rutherford - Obey Richard Harris Award Dame Judi Dench - WINNER Advertisement Jodie opted for minimal jewellery with a large gold bangle and star themed earrings. The blonde beauty kept her signature bob loose around her face and accentuated her eyes with a dash of mascara. Varitery Award winner Felicity Jones, 35, dressed to impress in a chic white suit. The Rogue One star opted for a feminine tuxedo complete with buttons and black heels. Looking good: Actress Michaela Cole and Fantastic Beasts star Samantha Morton rocked unique dresses to perfection In conversation: Emma was spotted chatting away behind the scenes at the awards show Back to black: Olivia Coleman, Jessie Buckley and Sacha Parkinson all opted for black numbers She left her hair in a messy but beautiful updo and let her green eyes shine with her understated eyeshadow. The annual awards ceremony honours a whole host of accolades including Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Director as well as individual acting awards. Veteran actress Judi Dench is set to receive the Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution to British film at the upcoming British International Film Awards. The star, 83, has been on the big screen for over 60 years and began in The Third Secret in 1964. Smouldering: Emmett J. Scanlan, Ray Panthaki and Hugh Skinner showed off their suit interpretations to perfection Silver Foxes: Martin Freeman and Steve Coogan went traditional as they scrubbed up in their dark suits and shoes Stepping out in style: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (L) looked stylish in a printed suit whilst Rupert Everett bundled up in an overcoat (R) meanwhile Adrian Lester's tailored suit was lost next to Kelly Adams' vibrant red dress The award ceremony was first started in 1998 with the 'aim of celebrating merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking, honouring new talent and promoting British films and filmmaking to a wider public audience'. Each award is voted for by a select jury of past winners, industry professionals and filmmakers. The tough rules mean all entered films must be seen by a minimum number of voters and discussed at a meeting before being 'marked as having been given fair consideration'. Dazzling: Stars Molly Wright, Nina Toussaint-White and Claire Jones put on their best frocks for a night of celebrating Lovebirds: Josh Hartnett and wife Tamsin Egerton cosy up on the red carpet Screen legend: Dame Judi Dench was also spotted in the audience at the awards as she prepares to pick up the 2018 Richard Harris Award for her services to cinema Lifetime achievement: Joining Olivia at the event and looking radiant as she accepted the The Richard Harris Award for Outstanding Contribution to acting, was Dame Judi Dench Group photo: Yorgos Lanthimos, Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara, Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday, Emma Stone and Olivia Colman - Best British Independent Film - 'The Favourite', presented by Martin Freeman British Independent Film Awards, Press Room, Old Billingsgate Dame Judi Dench wore an elegant grey velvet jacket over a simple black top, which she added glamour to with a glitzy jewelled necklace and a pair of studded earrings as she accepted her Richard Harris Award for her services to cinema. Judi clutched her lifetime achievement gong with ring-clad hands as she appeared in high spirits on the red carpet. Olivia Coleman, who donned David Morris jewellery for the occasion, had much to celebrate s she toasted both hers and Rachel Weisz's wins for their film The Favourite. Golden girl: Olivia Coleman, who donned David Morris jewellery for the occasion, had much to celebrate at the 21st British Independent Film Awards at Old Billingsgate in London on Sunday evening as she toasted both hers and Rachel Weisz's wins for their film The Favourite Elated: Clearly overjoyed with her win, Jessie, who donned a Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini gown with David Morris jewellery, celebrated her gong for Most Promising Newcomer Happy: Jodie Whittaker appeared ecstatic to be presenting the Best Supporting Actor award before handing it to Alessandro Nivola Best breakthrough: Jacqui Davies - Breakthrough Producer - 'Ray and Liz', presented by Hugh Skinner and Alexa Debut display: Richard Billingham was given the Douglas Hickox Award for Best Debut Director for his film Ray and Liz presented by Naomi Ackie Champions: Jacqui Davies with the Breakthrough Producer award and Mary Miles Thomas with the Discovery Award Snap happy: The stars took to the photobooth after the event with Chris Noth and Elliott Grove posing up a storm together whilst Jessie Buckley proudly brandished her gong Posing up a storm: Samantha pulled a variety of fun facial expressions inside the photo booth Animated: Dominic Cooper looked in high spirits as he posed for snaps whilst Joe Cole also seemed to be loving life The leading lady, 44, hilariously toted a cardboard cut out of her co-stars head around the event as she posed with her gong on the red carpet after being presented with the award. Olivia was honoured with the best actress award and although Rachel was absent from the ceremony, Olivia ensured that her best supporting actress win was duly noted. The Crown star opted for the silky number which elegantly wrapped across her chest and paired it with some sparkling floral design earrings and statement rings. Working it! Actress Samantha, 41, posed up a storm as she took to the photobooth Having fun: Screen stars Olivia and Emma pulled a series f funny faces during their time in the booth High spirits: The pair beamed with delight as they put on goody displays at the event Sniff sniff: The Crown star looked spooky as she appeared to sniff a pal neck during the glitzy ceremony Puzzled: Mamma Mia! star Dominic, 40, pulled a series of confused faces during his lively appearance at the awards ceremony Loving life: Most Promising Newcomer recipient Jessie couldn't contain her excitement as she posed with her trophy Co-stars: Mamma Mia! stars Alexa and Hugh appeared to be loving life as they posed for the booth camera It was rumoured for months that Karl Stefanovic's eldest son Jackson would not be attending his father's wedding to Jasmine Yarbrough. However, it looks as though the 19-year-old will be a part of the special day after all. Jackson was spotted at LAX on Sunday along with Karl, Jasmine and other family members as they stopped over in America while on their way to Mexico. Jackson IS coming to the wedding! Karl Stefanovic's son, 19, arrived at LAX with the Today host and his stepmother Jasmine Yarbrough on Sunday - after rumours he would 'boycott' the event Jackson, Karl and Jasmine were joined by several other wedding guests, including the teenager's younger siblings. Jasmine's sister Jade Yarbrough was also spotted with the entourage, alongside her close friend Montana Cox. The soon-to-be newlyweds - who will tie the knot next weekend in San Jose del Cabo - couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces as they navigated the busy airport terminal. Family affair: Jackson appeared to be on friendly terms with his father's bride-to-be Not long now! Jasmine and Karl arrived at LAX ahead of their wedding, which will take place in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico next weekend The gang's all here! The airport entourage included Jackson's younger siblings and Jasmine's sister Jade Yarbrough (left) Stopover? It's unclear for how long the couple and their wedding guests will be staying in Los Angeles before heading south of the border to prepare for the ceremony It's unclear for how long the couple will be staying in Los Angeles before heading south of the border to prepare for their wedding. Karl split from Jackson's mother, former journalist Cassandra Thorburn, in late 2016 after 21 years of marriage. For many months, there was much speculation about whether Jackson would be attending his father's wedding to Jasmine. Unconfirmed reports suggested he was 'boycotting' the ceremony due to the acrimony of his parents' divorce. United front: For many months, there was much speculation about whether Jackson (far left) would be attending his father's wedding to Jasmine It's all water under the bridge! Unconfirmed reports suggested Jackson was 'boycotting' the ceremony due to the acrimony of his parents' divorce. Pictured: Karl Stefanovic Rumours of animosity between father and son intensified in April when Jackson changed his Instagram handle from 'Jackson Stefanovic' to 'Jackson Thorburn'. Cassandra herself has previously claimed that Jackson struggled to cope with her and Karl's divorce. In an interview with Woman's Day in 2017, Cassandra described Karl as 'dead to me', but admitted their three children still had a relationship with their father. New love: Karl split from Jackson's mother, former journalist Cassandra Thorburn, in late 2016 after 21 years of marriage. He began dating Jasmine a few months later Bride-to-be! Karl previously said of his relationship, 'When Jasmine came into my life, I had no thoughts of new love or the future, but we are happy and grateful we found each other' Karl was quick to move on after separating from Cassandra, and was reportedly already dating Jasmine, 34, by the end of 2016. In February 2017, Karl was pictured kissing the shoe designer on a Sydney Harbour cruise, which marked their first public sighting as a couple. One year later, Jasmine stepped out wearing a diamond engagement ring. Shortly afterwards, she confirmed the Today host had proposed. Addressing his relationship in February, Karl said: 'When Jasmine came into my life, I had no thoughts of new love or the future, but we are happy and grateful we found each other. 'We are yet to work out when we will get married, but probably later this year. We are both very happy.' 'We are both very happy': Karl and Jasmine's romance has been high-profile from the start Heading to Mexico! Karl and Jasmine will be crossing the border in the coming days Celebrations ahead: Karl and Jasmine's wedding will be a lavish three-day affair The 'wedding' before the wedding! In March, they exchanged vows during a commitment ceremony held at a $13million mansion in Sydney's exclusive Palm Beach In March, Karl and Jasmine exchanged vows during a commitment ceremony held at a $13million mansion in Sydney's exclusive Palm Beach. Next weekend will be Karl and Jasmine's 'official' wedding, although they are already legally married in Australia after signing the required documentation. The pair will tie the knot in a picturesque chapel at the One&Only Palmilla Resort, where they'll also be staying. Already married! Next weekend will be Karl and Jasmine's 'official' wedding, although they are already legally married in Australia after signing the required documentation She is always dressed to the nine whatever the occassion. And Dakota Johnson didn't disappoint at the the 17th Marrakech International Film Festival in Morocco on Sunday. The Fifty Shades actress, 29, was a vision in silver as she worked a figure hugging slinky gown with gold heels. Silver queen: Dakota Johnson wowed at the 17th Marrakech International Film Festival in Morocco on Sunday The beauty wore her long locks in loose waves over her shoulders and was made up to perfection. She framed her stunning eyes with plenty of eyeliner and showed off her radiant skin with a dab of blusher. The starlet was joined by producer Melita Toscan du Plantier as the pair paid tribute to French film director Agnes Avarda. Radiant: The Fifty Shades actress, 29, was a vision in silver as she worked a slinky gown with gold heels Beaming: The beauty wore her long locks in loose waves over her shoulders and was made up to perfection Pals: The starlet was joined by producer Melita Toscan du Plantier as the pair paid tribute to French film director Agnes Avarda New role: Dakota is serving on the jury for the film festival and honoured Robert De Niro and Robin Wright last week Dakota is serving on the jury for the film festival and honoured Robert De Niro and Robin Wright last week. The How To Be Single star was flying solo for the event as there was no sign of her beau, Coldplay's Chris Martin. The pair have been dating since October 2017 and it was reported she would spend Thanksgiving with his ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow and their two children. 'They're a total modern family and had a great time celebrating together,' a source told People magazine. Loved-up: The How To Be Single star was flying solo for the event as there was no sign of her beau, Coldplay's Chris Martin Smitten: The actress daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson told Tatler recently that while she wouldn't talk publicly about her romantic life, she was 'very happy' Cheeky: The actress left little to the imagination in her figure-hugging dress The actress daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson told Tatler recently that while she wouldn't talk publicly about her romantic life, she was 'very happy'. While she's been tight-lipped, her famous actress mother hasn't hesitated to sing the UK hitmaker's praises. 'I adore him!' Griffith told PEOPLE. 'But she is very private about her life and I respect that.' Round of applause: Dakota was seated next to actor Daniel Bruhl at the dinner In conversation: She appeared engrossed in a chat with Riccardo Scamarcio and Daniel Delight: Dakota appeared in jovial spirits as she dined at La Mamounia Shocked: She put her hands to her face while in conversation with her fellow actors All smiles: The stunner was in high spirits during the high profile event Round of applause: The actress was filled with joy as she enjoyed the dinner at the LA Mamounia during the film festival Doctor Who saw its most baffling villain yet on Sunday, as a frog was revealed to be the criminal mastermind behind the alternate universe in modern day Norway. As Jodie Whittakers debut series reaches the final stretch, our gang discover a terrified blind girl called Hanna who thought her father had been kidnapped by a creature in the woods. But, the reality of this episode proved to be far more eery as it was revealed that an alternate reality was trying to break barriers into the real world, masterminded by a frog with the voice of Grahams late wife Grace. Nearly the end: Doctor Who saw its most baffling villain yet on Sunday, as a frog was revealed to be the criminal mastermind behind the alternate universe in modern day Norway The episode begins with the TARDIS fam back in modern day as they come across a barricaded house in the heart of the Norwegian mountains. Quickly they find a teenage girl who is terrified by a growling creature who she believes is out in the woods, and is also behind her fathers disappearance. We also at last see one of the Who companions touch on a very important question (When do they ever eat?) as Graham comes well prepared with an emergency sandwich. But while this episode seems to set the stage for a home invasion thanks to a scary creature and the Doctor has to save the day scenario - the episodes middle sees this entire story flipped. Wow: As Jodie Whittakers debut series reaches the final stretch, our gang discover a terrified blind girl called Hanna who thought her father had been kidnapped by a creature in the woods Supernatural: An alternate reality was trying to break barriers into the real world, masterminded by a frog with the voice of Grahams late wife Grace After the Doctor discovers a portal to another dimension hidden inside a mirror, she, Yaz and Graham follow through and meet a Goblin-esque creature known as Ribbons, who offers to find Hanna in exchange for the legendary Sonic Screwdriver. But this in itself proves to be little in the way of relevant during the episode, as Ribbons is soon mauled to death by tiny but killer moths, leading our gang through another portal into an almost parallel universe. Strong start: The episode begins with the TARDIS fam back in modern day as they come across a barricaded house in the heart of the Norwegian mountains Hero: This episode seems to set the stage for a home invasion thanks to a scary creature and the Doctor has to save the day scenario In this universe they find not only Eric living with a reincarnation of his late wife, but also Ryans Nan and Grahams wife Grace alive and well, leading at first to a somewhat emotional reunion, but in typical Who fashion all is not what it seems. In a lengthy scene of exposition - where we learn that the Doctor had seven grandmothers - the alternate reality is revealed to be a form of consciousness that tried to be involved in the creation of reality and failed, so formed another universe to draw inhabitants of the real world (keep up?). After a LOT of convincing from the Doctor, and a flippant comment about Ryan, Graham finally realises she is not the real Grace, and thus is sent back to the real universe. But The Doctor is instead sent to a limbo of sorts with plenty of white light, where the mastermind behind this entire scheme that left so many in peril is revealed to be a frog. Tense: After the Doctor discovers a portal to another dimension hidden inside a mirror, she, Yaz and Graham follow through and meet a Goblin-esque creature known as Ribbons Family tree: In a lengthy scene of exposition we learn that the Doctor had seven grandmothers Yes really. A bizarre choice of creature for a show thats already been on the air for 55 years, but does spark a poignant speech from The Doctor, where she bids farewell to the force who wanted to be with her more than any other. The episode comes to a confusing but touching end, as after farewells Ryan FINALLY calls Graham his granddad, and sets the stage for a concluding episode that could literally ANYTHING happen. Doctor Who Series 11 concludes on Sunday 9th December at 6:30pm on BBC One. NSW will introduce new anti-drink driving laws which include broader use of interlock devices and instant disqualification for the worst offenders. Mid-range drink-drivers, those detected with a blood alcohol level between 0.08 and 0.15, will spend at least three months disqualified under the new laws that apply from midnight on Sunday. They will also have an alcohol interlock device installed in their car for 12 months. Interlocks, which require drivers to supply a clear breath test to start their vehicle's ignition, have previously been reserved for high-range and repeat offenders. High-risk drink-drivers will also face harsher penalties; their number plates and vehicles will be taken from them for three months on the spot if found by police. The new measures come after NSW Police established Strikeforce Puma, earlier this year, to hunt down notorious bad drivers. The strike force charged a Sydney woman in October after she allegedly dropped her children at school while driving with drugs in her system and, in August, charged a learner driver for allegedly performing a burnout which blew his tyres. Since the beginning of the year there have been 330 deaths on NSW roads, 19 fewer than for the same time last year. "We all know drink-driving is unacceptable and now the penalty is swift," NSW Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey said in a statement on Sunday. Ms Pavey said 55 of the fatalities in last year's road toll were in alcohol-related crashes. Hundreds of people are expected to rally outside politicians offices and at Parliament House in Canberra to show support for proposed legislation which would see critically ill asylum seekers evacuated from offshore detention. Independent MP Dr Kerryn Phelps will on Monday introduce a bill in federal parliament to require the urgent evacuation of any asylum seeker who is critically ill and unable to be treated offshore, as well as their families, on the recommendation of two or more doctors. It would strip from existing legislation the ability of Australia's immigration minister to veto medical transfer requests from treating doctors and require the urgent medical transfer of all asylum seeker children on Nauru. Dr Phelps has the backing of fellow crossbenchers Andrew Wilkie, Rebekha Sharkie and Adam Bandt but she will need support from the full cross bench, as well as Labor and one coalition member, to bring on debate in the lower house. Rallies are planned in Canberra and outside the electorate offices of politicians around Australia to urge MPs to support the bill. Organised by the KidsOffNauru coalition, the rallies will be held outside the offices of MPs including the Minister for Immigration David Coleman and fellow Liberal MPs Warren Entsch and Trent Zimmerman. Rallies will also staged at the offices of deputy leader of the opposition Tanya Plibersek and fellow Labor MPs Terri Butler and Peter Khalil. The bill comes as Doctors Without Borders are also expected to release on Monday, Indefinite Despair, a report on the mental health of asylum seekers on Nauru. Qatari women film-makers pose on the red carpet during the Ajyal Film Festival at Katara Culture Village in the capital Doha on November 28, 2018 As Qatari filmmakers gathered on the red carpet at Doha's Ajyal Film Festival one thing stood out -- the majority of local directors are women. "I think this is a question that everyone is mesmerised by: the idea that we have more women in filmmaking here in Doha than men," said festival director Fatma al-Remaihi. Among those showing movies at the annual six-day festival were Aisha al-Shammakh, Nouf al-Sulaiti and the rising star of Qatari cinema, Amal al-Muftah. Their films focus on a variety of subjects, from "maligned" Qatari millennials and father-daughter relationships through to stories from the gas-rich country's recent and much less-wealthy past. The women are redressing "many misconceptions about them around the world", said Remaihi, who also heads the Doha Film Institute. The number of female entrants at this year's festival, which runs until Monday, is consistent with data from recent research. A 2016 study by Northwestern University in Doha found that around 60 percent of all emerging filmmakers in Qatar's nascent cinema industry were women. Across the rest of the Middle East and North Africa region, the figure was around 25 per cent, the same study said. The influx of women directors in Qatar comes at a time when the bright lights of Hollywood have been dimmed by the #MeToo movement's revelations. And the fresh blood has helped diversify the nature of films produced. Previously, one filmmaker jokes, it was "all pearl diving" -- a reference to Qatar's main economic activity, before the exploitation of vast natural gas reserves. Fatma al-Ramaihi, chairwoman of Doha Film, poses on the red carpet during Qatar's sixth edition of the Ajyal Film Festival But now the film topics are diverse. One example of that is Sulaiti's short film, "Gubgub" (Crab). Seemingly a movie about a day's crab hunting, it really focuses on a young girl's determination to prove she can rival her older brother at a "male" pursuit. She succeeds by catching 10 crabs. "I feel like it gives us a platform where we can express ourselves," said Sulaiti. "I don't think we had that platform or opportunity before." "I want that little girl to believe that she can achieve whatever (she wants). I want little girls to see that," the 25-year-old added. And Sulaiti said younger Qataris would understand that message. "In the past, we got an education, we got married and we stayed at home with our husband. "I think slowly [Qatari] girls are seeing we can do whatever our brothers can do." - Conservative or progressive? - The emergence of female filmmakers comes at a time when conservative Qatar is seeking to portray itself as the progressive power in the Gulf. Canadian actress Evangeline Lilly, in a headscarf, at Qatar's Ajyal Film Festival in Doha This is especially true as Doha remains politically isolated by neighbouring powers in a bitter regional dispute. Since June 2017, Qatar has been cut off by former allies including neighbouring powers Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which accuse Doha of being too close to Iran and sponsoring terrorism. Qatar denies the charges, and has sought to present itself as the most tolerant of the Gulf states. One of the most prominent Qatari figures during the Gulf crisis has been Lolwah al-Khater, the foreign ministry spokeswoman. Beyond films, Qatar has the highest proportion of women -- 51 per cent -- in the workplace among Gulf nations, according to the United Nations. In 1999, Qatar became the first Arab country in the Gulf to allow women to vote. - 'Like pioneers' - Muftah received a rapturous ovation as she was introduced at Ajyal and said filmmakers in Qatar were "like pioneers". "I know from the outside it seems like there is segregation... but here really I feel like it's a level field... whether you're a man or a woman, you are treated the same," she added. She directed "Sh'hab" (Shooting Star) showing at the festival, a story passed on from her grandmother about a girl who wants to go to sea with her father and brother, rather than stay at home. Amal al-Muftah in conversation with actors at the Ajyal Film Festival Muftah rose to national prominence with a 2014 film Al-Himali, about market porters. She admits she had trouble convincing her family that she should seek a career in the arts rather than the sciences. But she believes she can give a voice to generations of Qatari women through her chosen career, since she feels "really strongly about my position as a woman". "The community of women in Doha -- especially in this society -- are very private," she said. "And I just feel like as women filmmakers we have access to that community and to so many different stories." Mosul spent three years under the iron-fisted rule of the Islamic State group, which punished those caught drinking alcohol with public lashings or worse Rows of yellow-labelled whiskey bottles sit alongside imported French wines, while cans of Korean beer chill in the fridge: with Iraq's Mosul free of jihadists, the booze is back. The city spent three years under the iron-fisted rule of the Islamic State group, which punished those caught drinking alcohol with public lashings or worse. But more than a year since Iraqi forces ousted the jihadists from Mosul, liquor stores are flourishing. The western commercial district of Al-Duwasa is home to several modest outlets, including Khairallah Tobey's. The enterprising 21-year-old bounced between well-stocked shelves, pulling down bottles of beer priced at an affordable 1,500 Iraqi dinars -- just over a dollar. "Our sales are good right now," said Tobey, a member of Iraq's Yazidi minority. Owners of Mosul's bottle shops are all Yazidi or Christian, as Iraq does not grant alcohol licenses to Muslim citizens. But under IS, which violently enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law when it overran Mosul in 2014, everyone was banned from selling, buying, or drinking alcohol. Booze never completely disappeared from the city -- its residents found ways to smuggle in the devil's drink -- but it was expensive and dangerous. With Mosul back under government control since July 2017, liquor stores are now back in the open. "At work, I feel relaxed and not afraid or nervous at all, thanks to the security and freedom now present in Mosul," Tobey told AFP. - 'Openly, without fear' - Across the Tigris river in the city's east, vendor Abu Rayan said he has had the last laugh. "I opened up my shop again just to spite Daesh, after it kicked us out of the city and confiscated our property and money," he said, using an Arabic acronym for IS. Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol, but drinking has remained commonplace across Muslim-majority Iraq. Two years ago, the country's presidency shot down a draft bill in parliament that proposed a ban on the production, sale, and import of alcoholic drinks. There are no restrictions on consuming alcohol in Mosul, but those who sell, buy and drink it take certain precautions. The western commercial district of Al-Duwasa is home to several modest alcohol outlets Most shops keep their signs relatively discrete, hanging just a few posters advertising Turkish beer Efes or its Korean counterpart Cass to help customers find the store. Bottles are always packed in opaque black bags, and when they are cracked open, it's typically out of public view -- usually a spot on the Tigris river late at night or in the privacy of a home. Not everyone in Mosul is thrilled with the city's burgeoning booze sector. Some residents have demanded liquor stores be shut for religious reasons or to protect young people. But others say doing so would be a violation of individual rights. "Drinking wine is a personal freedom that is allowed by the law. It has nothing to do with the difficult circumstances that this city has gone through," says Ali Hassan, who paints homes. He has heard stories of a different Mosul, in the 1960s and 1970s, when people visited bars, clubs, and liquor stores across the city. "They drank openly and without fear," says Hassan, 33. - Regulation for revenue? - Soon after this golden age, Iraq's troubles began. A string of conflicts in the 1980s was followed by an international embargo that brought shortages of most goods. Then, in 2003, the US-led invasion of Iraq toppled strongman Saddam Hussein -- but paved the way for the rise of religious militias across the country, including in Mosul. As extremists gained traction, they targeted liquor stores with gun and grenade attacks. Now, Mosul may have the opposite problem -- too many unlicensed liquor stores are opening up, which has worried authorities and angered those shopkeepers who do have the right paperwork. Shops selling alcohol must be a certain distance from homes, schools, places of worship, and government offices "We've received more than 100 requests for licenses, and so far 25 have been issued," said regional official Zuhair al-Aaraji. Shops selling alcohol must be a certain distance from homes, schools, places of worship, and government offices, he said. Rights activist Mohammad Salem, 31, said regulation isn't necessarily a bad thing, but that individual rights should be protected. "The best situation is to organise the trade and sale of alcoholic drinks, supervised by social, health, and security authorities," Salem said. After all, he added, alcohol sales could provide an important source of revenue for Mosul as it rebuilds. "Any decision to ban liquor would contradict personal freedoms, and deprive the city of economic and financial resources that it needs in this current state." "Let these flames of hope dispel the shadows of war!" Pope Francis said Pope Francis lit a candle at the Vatican on Sunday for victims of conflicts around the world, and in particular the children of war-torn Syria. "Advent is a time of hope. Right now, my hope is for peace for the children of Syria, tormented by a war that has lasted eight years," he said after the Angelus prayer. "I am lighting a candle along with the many Syrian children and believers across the world who are lighting theirs," he said, as he put match to wick in the window of the papal apartment, which overlooks Saint Peter's Square. "Let these flames of hope dispel the shadows of war!" the pontiff said. "May the flame of hope also reach all those who are victims of conflicts and tensions around the world, near and far". The "Candles for Peace in Syria" Christmas initiative was launched Sunday by Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic charity. The tall candle, which rocked slightly in the wind on the papal windowsill, was decorated by a local craftsman from the Bab Touma quarter of Damascus in Syria and bore the photos of some 40 children, most of them from Aleppo. Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 and displaced millions, with over 13 million people in the country in need of humanitarian aid. The UN Children's Fund warned last month that a funding gap and the start of winter could leave nearly one million children, including Syrians, "out in the cold" and prone to dangerous diseases in the Middle East and North Africa. Pro-Syrian Lebanese politicain Wiam Wahhab (C) arrives at a stadium in the southern Syrian city of Suweida to attend the funeral of Brigadier General Issam Zahreddine on October 20, 2017 A Lebanese police raid on the home of a former minister close to the powerful Hezbollah movement left a bodyguard dead Sunday, as tensions with prime minister-designate Saad Hariri heightened. Politician Wiam Wahhab, an ally of the Syrian regime, had refused to attend an official questioning following a complaint over angry insults he made against Hariri and his parents. Footage of the diatribe sparked protests from the premier's supporters at a time when Lebanon's squabbling leaders are deadlocked over the formation of a new government. Shots were fired during a raid by security officials on Wahhab's home in the Druze village of Jahliyeh on Saturday, with close associate Mohammed Abu Diab ending up wounded. Abu Diab died of his injuries Sunday and was buried in the mountain village. Wahhab, a former minister of the environment, blamed the authorities for his bodyguard's death but Lebanon's Internal Security Force said the fatal shots were fired by the politician's supporters. Hariri was nominated for his third term as prime minister in May but the long-awaited formation of a government has been delayed by six months of wrangling. The premier-designate last month accused Shiite movement Hezbollah of impeding the formation of the cabinet. Hezbollah has pushed for Sunni politicians allied to the Shiite movement but opposed to Hariri to be represented in the future cabinet. Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri arrives at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris on November 10, 2018 Hariri, a leading Sunni politician, has refused to give up a portfolio that would otherwise go to his own party. Hezbollah is the only political party not to have disarmed after Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, and has backed the Syrian regime in the war-torn country next door. Government formation is often a drawn-out process in Lebanon, where a complex governing system seeks to maintain a precarious balance of power between its various political and religious communities. 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. Pallbearers carry the coffin of British radio host Gavin Ford at Mar Sassine Church in Beit Meri, east of Lebanon's capital Beirut, on December 2, 2018 British radio presenter Gavin Ford was laid to rest Sunday near Beirut in a ceremony that brought together dozens of fans, friends and family members days after his murder. Ford's lifeless body was discovered Tuesday at his home in Beit Meri, a mountain town east of the capital where his employer Radio One is also based. Ford had worked since the 1990s at the station, where hosted one of Lebanon's most popular shows. A ceremony was held Sunday at Beit Meri's Mar Sassine Church before the funeral procession proceeded to a vault where his coffin was interred, an AFP photographer said. It was unclear whether Ford's burial in Lebanon was temporary, and AFP could not immediately reach relatives to clarify if his body would be brought back to Britain at a later date. British presenter Gavin Ford carved out a leading position in Lebanon's media landscape with his morning show "Gavin Ford in the Morning" Relatives of the star were among the black-clad mourners in Beit Meri carrying funeral pamphlets bearing Ford's photo. They, along with close friends, were allowed to approach the casket to pay final respects. Lebanese security forces on Thursday said they had arrested two men who confessed in interrogations to killing Ford during an attempt to rob his home. "They admitted to committing murder and said they went on Monday afternoon to the home of the victim to steal," a statement said, adding the two were Syrian. Ford's murder sparked widespread shock in Lebanon. Such crime is rare in Beirut, a city largely considered safe, including for tourists and foreign residents. After arriving in the eastern Mediterranean country in the mid-1990s, the British presenter carved out a leading position in Lebanon's media landscape with his morning show "Gavin Ford in the Morning". Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is seen behind a military band upon his arrival at Algiers International Airport, southeast of the capital Algiers on December 2, 2018 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in the Algerian capital on Sunday night as part of a tour overshadowed by the murder of a dissident journalist. The powerful prince and his large delegation were seen being greeted on a red carpet at Algiers airport by Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia and members of his government. The aim of the trip was to give "new impetus to biliteral cooperation (and) the realisation of partnerships and investment projects", the Algerian presidency said ahead of the visit. Prince Mohammed 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. The Saudi crown prince's visit to Algeria has drawn criticism from political and academic circles in the North African country. It was jointly denounced by 17 intellectuals, journalists, Muslim scholars and other figures in Algeria in a statement obtained by AFP. In the statement, they said the "whole world is certain that he ordered a terrible crime against the journalist Jamal Khashoggi". Political parties also expressed opposition to the visit, among them the Movement for the Society of Peace (MSP) opposition party. It said Prince Mohammed was "responsible for the death of a large number of children and civilians in Yemen" as well as that of Khashoggi. Louisa Hanoune, head of the opposition Workers' Party (PT), described his visit as a "provocation". Earlier in the day, Prince Mohammed made a brief visit to Mauritania where he signed a series of agreements with President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. 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. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The Latest on a Connecticut protest by supporters of an Ecuadorian man facing deportation (all times local): 11:20 a.m. Dozens of supporters of a man from Ecuador facing deportation have ended a protest at the federal building in Hartford, Connecticut, where some of them chained themselves to each other and trash cans filled with sand. The four-hour demonstration Friday morning was in support of 44-year-old Nelson Pinos, who was ordered to leave the U.S. a few weeks before Christmas last year. He instead sought sanctuary in a New Haven church where he still lives. No arrests were reported. Pinos has been living in the U.S. illegally since 1992. He is married and the father of three U.S. citizen children. Supporters of Nelson Pinos, facing deportation, block the front doors of the federal building, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Hartford, Conn. They are demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement allow Pinos, of Ecuador, to go home to his family in time for the holidays. He was ordered to leave the U.S. a few weeks before Christmas 2017. He instead sought sanctuary in a New Haven church. (AP Photo/Dave Collins) His supporters are demanding that federal immigration authorities grant a stay of his deportation order and allow him to be with his family in time for the holidays. ____ 9:32 a.m. Supporters of a man from Ecuador facing deportation, some chained to trash cans filled with sand, have blocked the doors of the federal building in Hartford, Connecticut. About 20 people holding signs and banners sat down in front of the building Friday morning in support of 44-year-old Nelson Pinos. They are demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement allow Pinos to go home to his family in time for the holidays. Pinos was ordered to leave the U.S. a few weeks before Christmas last year. He instead sought sanctuary in a New Haven church. The New Haven resident has been living in the U.S. illegally since 1992. He is married and the father of three American citizen children. Supporters say his situation has caused "urgent and documented" psychological harm to his children. JOHANNESBURG (AP) - In the final days of his presidency, George H.W. Bush committed the U.S. military to a mission many would later regret, ordering more than 20,000 troops into Somalia to "save thousands of innocents from death." Within months, the image of dead U.S. soldiers dragged through the streets of Mogadishu profoundly changed the way the U.S. approached Africa. And yet it is barely mentioned in the explorations of Bush's legacy since his death. Only now, under President Donald Trump, is the U.S. returning regular troops to Somalia as much of the military's work across Africa is conducted in far smaller doses, with drones and special operations forces and little fanfare of the past. The death of a U.S. soldier in Africa, as seen in Niger a year ago when four special operations were killed, brings sharp questions back home about "what we're doing over there." In Bush's time, it was different. The Somalia mission was promoted as an act of charity, meant to protect starving Somalis from the attacks and looting that kept them from reaching aid in a country torn by warlord-led fighting after the fall of dictator of Siad Barre. The United Nations has estimated 300,000 people died. "You're doing God's work," Bush said as he ended his live address from the White House. "We will not fail." Cheering Somalis greeted the first U.S. troops as they arrived to lead a United Nations operation. And Bush became the first, and only, U.S. president to visit the drought-plagued Horn of Africa nation. FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 1, 1993 file photo, U.S. President George H.W. Bush holds a camera, which he borrowed from the Marine to snap the picture, for a self-portrait with Marines at the airport in Baidoa, Somalia. In the final days of his presidency, George H.W. Bush committed the U.S. military to a mission many would later regret, ordering more than 20,000 troops into Somalia to "save thousands of innocents from death." (AP Photo/John Moore, File) A month after ordering in the troops, he shared a modest New Year's meal with dozens of soldiers and Marines and told them the American people were fully behind them in the mission to help Somalis, called Operation Restore Hope. "Thanks to you, they got a shot. They got a shot at really living," Stars and Stripes reported him saying. These days, a visit to Somalia by an American president, wearing desert fatigues and dutifully eating the soldiers' meal of "Menu No. 8: Ham slice with Accessory Packet A," is now almost unthinkable. As the humanitarian crisis eased, rebuilding Somalia became the goal, but it stumbled. The end came in October 1993 when an elite U.S. raid in Mogadishu against a key warlord descended into street battles. Hundreds of Somalis were killed. Two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were shot down, and 18 Americans were killed. As global outrage echoed, the U.S. pulled out of Somalia five months later amid accusations that they had swept in well-intentioned but unprepared. A quarter-century later, Somalia's fragile central government is still trying to take hold. It wrestles with widespread corruption, bitter relations with regional states and high-profile attacks by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab - and now a new threat from fighters linked to the Islamic State organization. While Trump recently announced he would soon visit a "war zone," chances are it will not be Somalia. After decades of the U.S. largely leaving Somalis to work out their own problems, the Trump administration with its focus on counterterror operations has grown the number of U.S. military personnel in the country to an estimated 500. But now the work is about fighting extremists. U.S. airstrikes targeting al-Shabab, 37 so far this year, receive much of the attention. Two U.S. service members have been killed in Somalia since Trump took office, the first such deaths since 1993. The widespread insecurity means the U.S. still has not re-opened its embassy in Mogadishu, instead quietly using offices at the heavily defended international airport there. Bush's death has revived a debate among some Somalis about the U.S. presence years ago, with some remembering their countrymen killed in the fight against warlords and others arguing that thousands of starving people were saved. The country's Somali-American president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, avoided discussions of the past when he released a brief statement early Sunday expressing "heartfelt condolences." Bush, he tweeted, "was a true statesman who was committed to world peace and upholding democracy." ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 1, 1993 file photo, U.S. President George H.W. Bush greets Somali children applauding him during a visit to an orphanage in famine-ravaged Baidoa, Somalia on a two-day visit to review Operation Restore Hope. In the final days of his presidency, George H.W. Bush committed the U.S. military to a mission many would later regret, ordering more than 20,000 troops into Somalia to "save thousands of innocents from death." (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File) FILE - In this Oct. 19, 1993 file photo, a group of young Somalis chant anti-American slogans while sitting atop the burned out hulk of a U.S. Black Hawk helicopter, shot down during a firefight with Somali guerrillas, in Mogadishu, Somalia. In the final days of his presidency, George H.W. Bush committed the U.S. military to a mission many would later regret, ordering more than 20,000 troops into Somalia to "save thousands of innocents from death." (AP Photo/Dominique Mollard, File) MADRID (AP) - Eleven migrants rescued by a trawler last week have been handed over to the Maltese coast guard and will soon reach port in Malta, a Spanish aid group said Sunday. Proactiva Open Arms says on Twitter that the Spanish trawler Nuestra Senora de Loreto radioed them to say the migrants had been transferred. Earlier Sunday the Spanish government told the trawler that it had permission to dock in Malta, putting an end to its weeklong wait in the open sea. Malta, along with Italy, had initially refused to accept the boat because it had rescued the migrants in Libyan waters. The trawler rescued 12 migrants last week. One migrant was evacuated for health reasons on Friday. European Union countries have been sharply at odds over who should take in migrants from North Africa. So far this year the International Organization for Migration says 107,216 migrants have arrived in Europe and 2,123 others have died or gone missing in their dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea. In this Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, photo, a migrant is prepared to be evacuated for medical reasons by helicopter from the Nuestra Madre de Loreto Spanish fishing vessel carrying 12 migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) In this Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, photo, a migrant from Senegal sits on the deck of a the Nuestra Madre de Loreto Spanish fishing vessel carrying 12 migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia. One of the migrants was evacuated by helicopter for medical reasons. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) A migrants stands aboard the Spanish fishing vessel Nuestra Madre de Loreto, that is carrying migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia on Saturday Dec. 1, 2018. One of the migrants was evacuated by helicopter for medical reasons. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) Migrant sits aboard the Spanish fishing vessel Nuestra Madre de Loreto, that is carrying migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia on Saturday Dec. 1, 2018. One of the migrants was evacuated by helicopter for medical reasons. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) A migrants aboard the Spanish fishing vessel Nuestra Madre de Loreto that is carrying migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia on Saturday Dec. 1, 2018. One of the migrants was evacuated by helicopter for medical reasons. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) A migrant looks out to sea from aboard the Spanish fishing vessel Nuestra Madre de Loreto, that is carrying migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia on Saturday Dec. 1, 2018. One of the migrants was evacuated by helicopter for medical reasons. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) A migrant looks out to sea from the Nuestra Madre de Loreto Spanish fishing vessel carrying migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia on Saturday Dec. 1, 2018. One of the migrants was evacuated by helicopter for medical reasons. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) Migrants eat a meal aboard the Spanish fishing vessel Nuestra Madre de Loreto carrying migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia on Saturday Dec. 1, 2018. One of the migrants was evacuated by helicopter for medical reasons. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) In this Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, photo, a sick migrant is evacuated by helicopter from the Nuestra Madre de Loreto Spanish fishing vessel carrying 12 migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) The Nuestra Madre de Loreto Spanish fishing vessel carrying 12 migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia, sails to meet with the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms vessel in order to obtain medical attention for some of the migrants on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Meanwhile, Spanish officials say they have rescued about 650 migrants from 16 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Thursday, finding one dead woman among them. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) Pascual Dura, the capitain the Nuestra Madre de Loreto Spanish fishing vessel carrying 12 migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia, stands on the deck on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Meanwhile, Spanish officials say they have rescued about 650 migrants from 16 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Thursday, finding one dead woman among them. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) Migrants looks out from the Nuestra Madre de Loreto Spanish fishing vessel carrying 12 migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Meanwhile, Spanish officials say they have rescued about 650 migrants from 16 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Thursday, finding one dead woman among them. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) Migrants stand on the deck of the Nuestra Madre de Loreto Spanish fishing vessel carrying 12 migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Meanwhile, Spanish officials say they have rescued about 650 migrants from 16 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Thursday, finding one dead woman among them. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) A sick migrant from Egypt is given medical treatment on the deck of the Nuestra Madre de Loreto Spanish fishing vessel carrying 12 migrants rescued off the coast of Lybia on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Meanwhile, Spanish officials say they have rescued about 650 migrants from 16 boats crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe on Thursday, finding one dead woman among them. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) A Russian journalist was monitored for suspicious behaviour close to a British military base, the Ministry of Defence has said. Timur Siraziev was seen repeatedly passing the 77th Brigades barracks in Hermitage, Berkshire, the Mail on Sunday reported. The newspaper said he had been recorded by the bases security cameras and had been seen filming close to the perimeter fence. Mr Siraziev is listed on the Russian Embassy website as bureau chief for television station Channel One. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has urged people to report anyone seen acting suspiciously around a military base (Kirsty OConnor/PA) A senior Army source said: Timur Sirazievs suspicious behaviour was monitored by the bases security systems throughout. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: We take the security of our bases and personnel incredibly seriously. If a member of the public sees anyone acting suspiciously in or around a military base, it should be reported to the police as a matter of urgency. Mr Siraziev was reported to have told Russian news agency RIA Novosti that he had not done anything illegal or secret and did not try to enter the base. The news comes amid heightened political tensions between the UK and Russia after Moscows GRU military intelligence agency was blamed for the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury. Last month, the new head of the British Army, General Mark Carleton-Smith, warned Russia poses a far greater threat to national security than Islamic terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and Islamic State. The 77th Brigade is modelled on the Chindits, a specialist unit which fought in Burma during the Second World War (PA) Modelled on the Chindits, a specialist unit which fought in Burma during the Second World War, the 77th Brigade was set up in 2015 comprising soldiers with propaganda, political activism and social media skills. At the time, the Army said the regular and reserve unit was being created to draw together a host of existing and developing capabilities essential to meet the challenges of modern conflict and warfare, adding: It recognises that the actions of others in a modern battlefield can be affected in ways that are not necessarily violent. George HW Bush, the 41st POTUS (President of the United States) who died on Friday (November 30) will be remembered as a remarkable but less than adequately recognised American President, whose track record in public life will remain distinctive and perhaps unparalleled. The last of the World War II veterans who occupied the White House (1989-1993), he was a decorated naval pilot and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross. A WWII veteran who became US President. (Photo: Reuters) Son of a US Senator from Connecticut, the young George Bush was born to privilege and after the war, he moved from the east coast to Texas and became an oil executive, before joining the Republican Party and being elected to the US House of representatives in 1966. This was the beginning of a long innings in public life which included a stint as the US Ambassador to the UN (197173); Chairman of the Republican National Committee (197374); US Liaison officer to China being the equivalent of Ambassador (1974-75); Director CIA (1976-77); and Vice President (198189) before becoming a one-term President in January 1989. The distinctive features of Bush include the fact that he follows in the tradition of two firsts in US electoral history after almost 150 years. He is listed as the second sitting VP to win an election and become President, and the second President whose son George Bush followed him in the White House. No other American politician has both these accomplishments to his credit and this is unlikely to be matched in the near future. Bush Sr's son George W Bush followed him to the White House. (Photo: Reuters) US Presidents are often assessed for their track record on two levels the domestic and the international. Bush had an incredible foreign policy score-card but a less than satisfactory domestic profile which led to his being a one-term President despite his impressive contribution at the global level. Bush had the distinction of being at the helm of US affairs when the Cold War ended in December 1991, and his cautious handling of relations with the former USSR during the tumultuous Gorbachev years, will to my mind, be the single-most important achievement of his political career. The end of the Cold War years needed delicate handling. (Photo: Reuters) Earlier, Bush had to deal with the invasion of Kuwait by then-Iraqi President Saddam Husain in August 1990. At the time, bi-polarity and the Cold War were still in place. To his credit, President Bush was able to stitch together near unanimous global support and launch Operation Desert Storm in January 1991 that turned out to be a significant punctuation for the USA in military terms. The war against Iraq was a turning point in US, and world, history. (Photo: Reuters) It may be recalled that during the 1970s and '80s, the USA was reeling from the discord and bloodshed that the Vietnam war had generated and there was a cynical, jaded domestic mood about the US military. The US hostage crisis in Iran during the Carter years only added to this despondency. The swift US military victory in the desert and the turkey-shoot of retreating Iraqi troops demonstrated the technological edge that would become the critical determinant in future wars. Predictably, a cautious Bush stayed within the objective of Desert Storm the liberation of Kuwait and despite calls for a more ambitious war-termination objective, did not seek to topple the Saddam regime. This was a task that his more impulsive son set for himself in 2003 and it is understood that while the senior Bush never discussed this matter in public, he is reported to have been unhappy with the Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld fecklessness in shifting focus from Afghanistan to Iraq in the aftermath of 9/11. Yet another feather in Bush Sr's cap was his handling of the fall of the Berlin Wall in late 1989 and the subsequent unification of Germany. At the time, both France and the UK were not very enamored with the idea of a united Germany and it took a fair amount of persuasion that the US President was well-known for to bring all parties to the same page. Bush Sr was known to have pushed for the unification of Germany. (Photo: Reuters) Bush Sr and Southern Asia is instructive, given the many hats that he wore and his related engagement with the Indian sub-continent and China. In retrospect, it may be averred that the senior Bush was not particularly enthused with India during his watch very few US policy-makers were during the Cold war decades, for Delhi was perceived to be in the Moscow camp. It is a historical anomaly that his son was the architect of the transmutation of the US-India relationship, from one of deep estrangement to that of cautious engagement in the 2005 08 period. The lowest of low-points in India-US relations (and there were many) during the Cold War include the 1971 war for Bangladesh and the 1974 peaceful nuclear explosion under the stewardship of PM Indira Gandhi. It merits recall that Bush was the US ambassador to the UN in 1971 and had a ringside view of the deep animosity/dislike, bordering on hatred, that Nixon had for Indira Gandhi. This would have influenced his views about India. The stint in China as the US ambassador equivalent and the period spent as the head of the CIA (1976-77) would have given Bush a deeper comprehension of the seamy side of US foreign policy and the manner in which US security interests were being pursued. The current Trump embrace of Saudi Arabia and similar prioritisation of American strategic interest over normative principle has much deeper roots in US foreign policy and Bush was privy clearly to much that never came into the public domain. China and George HW Bush was a very significant linkage. As the ambassador equivalent when the Sino-US thaw was taking place on the Nixon watch, Bush and his wife Barbara were familiar figures on their bicycles in Beijing. Thus, his understanding of China was greater than that of his advisers when the 1989 Tiananmen massacre took place. US policy towards China saw significant change via Bush Sr. (Photo: South China Morning Post) Perhaps the most opaque, yet regionally significant strategic event that took place during the Bush tenure was the May 1990 nuclear crisis on the Indian sub-continent. The received wisdom is that the White House was alerted that Pakistan was preparing to move its nuclear assets to operational status to threaten India and that President Bush sent his special emissary Robert Gates to defuse the situation. India was going through an uncertain political transition after Rajiv Gandhi and even to-date, this episode of nuclear brinkmanship is not adequately illuminated. What was Beijings role at the time and how much did President Bush tacitly overlook of WMD transgressions? Reticent by nature and trained by his mother not to claim any personal credit for any achievement, George HW Bush was a US President who oversaw a tectonic global transition the end of the Cold War without a shot being fired. This, by itself, is an accomplishment that the history books will recall, even if other strands of Bush were not as luminous. Perhaps there will be more light shed by his biographers over the next few years and hopefully, the southern Asia part of the tenure of George Bush will become more transparent. Courteous to a fault, and adhering to a code of rare civility in his personal and professional conduct, the passing away of George HW Bush marks the end of a chapter in American public life in more ways than one. Also Read: Why the India-US nuclear deal is turning out to be a dud A single positive speech will not be enough to assuage the mountain of negative feelings accumulated on both sides of the border. Sympathetic sound bytes will probably generate some positive vibes but the blood, tears and deaths that have marked Indo-Pak relationship will be hard to put behind. A direct snub may have hurt Pakistan's new PM Imran Khan but India was simply reiterating its stated stand that talks cannot happen while cross-border terror continues to receive official support from Islamabad. Pakistan should not expect much positives from the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kartarpur corridor. The decision to open up a corridor at Kartarpur, the presence of high-level representatives from both countries during the function, Pakistan PM's strong arguments for peace with India, Sidhu speaking about personal rapport with the Pakistan PM, these are all positives. (Photo: Screengrab/ AP) Imran Khan spoke about improving relations, looking beyond the Kashmir issue. Questions were asked that if warring neighbours from WWII could put behind them the terrible bloodshed and peacefully co-exist and cooperate then why not India and Pakistan. The questions were relevant, the delivery impressive. But the fact remains that even he knows very well that there is little chance for a positive reply from the other side. For India to reply positively Imran Khan would have to ensure positive action, steps on ground. The Pak PM had spoken about Indo-Pak friendship earlier too, in different forums. While acknowledging the positive vibes it must be remembered that the incumbent Pak PM is yet to act against terror in his own country. He is yet to crack down on the jihadi elements, in the society and in the Pak army and intelligence. (Photo: AP) There is no evidence to suggest that attempts at terror training and cross-border infiltration in Jammu & Kashmir have abated after Imran Khan assumed the role of prime minister of Pakistan. Actually, the real trend on ground zero shows evidence to the contrary. Pakistan has actually stepped up efforts to fan the fire in the valley. Amongst all these negatives the Kartarpur corridor is a remarkable development. People on both sides of the border will welcome the step. But it will be too much to expect that this single move would cause a thaw in relations. That Pakistan is trying to rekindle pro Khalistani forces to fan trouble in Punjab is a proven fact. The presence of avowed pro-Khalistani separatist leader Gopal Chawla in the ground-breaking function should be a revelation. It would be interesting to hear Imran Khan's version of why he was allowed in an official function involving dignitaries from both the countries. (Photo: Facebook) Nobody is expecting a reaction from him, but just in case it is aired we can only hope that it would not mirror his close friend Navjot Sidhu's alibi "I do not know who is Gopal Chawla." The Pak PM must have been in a jocular vein when he said: "I hope we don't have to wait for Navjot Sidhu to become India's Prime Minister for the two countries to become friends." He hopes, yet as long as terror masterminds are having their political careers legitimised and fast-tracked, as long as terror remains a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy, as long as the history between these two countries is interspersed with incidents like 26/11 there is little hope. Such is the hold and sway of terror operatives in Pakistan, even the all-weather ally was not left untouched. Its Consulate in Karachi faced a terror attack. Fortunately, it was foiled, but this brings to focus on what India has been harping for years without its neighbours hardly ever lending a meaningful ear there is nothing called a good terrorist or a bad terrorist. It is not as if Pakistan has not paid the price of nurturing terror on its soil, but it refuses to learn, or worse, it is unable to control it. If the second assumption is the case then the fire would singe the neighbourhood, allies, enemies and all. Call it bad timing, bad sense of humour or whatever you want to, Pakistan was left exposed by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi"? Was this the "wink" followed by the hug, the much publicised improvement-of-mutual-relationship speech by Imran Khan? In trying to embarrass India, Pakistan Foreign Minister may have ended up embarrassing his country. Any thaw in the bilateral relations of India and Pakistan would need a long time, a series of confidence-building measures from both sides. It would need action on the ground by both Islamabad and New Delhi. To start with, Imran Khan will have to act big time against terror originating from Pakistan, else risk a rebuff every time. Also read: The rose-tinted glasses we see Kartarpur through Its easy to miss a splash of water. Easier still to miss it, if its nestled between grasses, reeds and languorous heads of buffalo. In the state of Assam where paddy fields stretch for miles in an unblinking green world you can puddle right into a wetland without even realising it. A good wetland can look nothing like what you would expect, like just a slip of silver between vegetation. In Kashmir and Ladakh, wetlands look like mirrors. Only, not silver ones but also blue, serene mirrors of the azure sky, fringed with the lacy filigree of clouds. In Tamil Nadu, wetlands can look like moving bodies of feathers, heaving under the collective cadence of the migratory bird. Golden Oriole and Rosy Starlings in Delhi. Rosy Starlings migrate from Central Asia (places like Kyrgyzstan) to India. (Photo: Neha Sinha) And the heaving has started, with the migratory clock ticking aloud. Birds have started to arrive on boughs and bowers, from snowy Russia and montane broadleaf forests. In Delhis Asola sanctuary, the quaint little Taiga Flycatcher migratory but not a water-bird has arrived from Russia. In Nagaland, more than a million heads and hearts, listening to the ticking migratory clock, are swooshing through the skyhundreds of thousands of Amur Falcons from Siberia. Soon, flocks of Bar-headed geese will make their way from Tibet to wetlands of India. Rosy Starlings in Kyrgyzstan (Photo: Neha Sinha) The wetlands of India may not look much to us, but they are a lifeline for birds. These slips of silver, sometimes darkening to a muddy trickle in the summer heat, sometimes populated by weeds or choked by pollution have often been ignored. Traditionally, wetlands have been treated as drains, as wastelands, as bad places, as receptacles of our filth. For the first time, however, the Government has announced a national action plan for wetlands used by waterbirds. Amur Falcons by the hundreds of thousands in Nagaland, November 2018 (Photo: Neha Sinha) Scientists have said that trees talk to each other. Wetlands too are more than the eye can see. They are not square swimming pools, neatly hemmed in. They spill their shores, they link up to other wetlands, they fill the groundwater table, and they often exist as a series of sites spread over an area. For instance, a Black-necked Stork spotted in Gurgaons Basai became something of a celebrity because his beak was caught in a rubber ring. I wrote at that time that we were to blame for the beak snapped shut because garbage and waste were finding its way into the wetland. The Stork was caught after five days of search, and then he was released in Sultanpur national park. Sultanpur has the fancy designation of a National Park; Basai is not even counted as a wetland, though it is identified by the scientist and birding community as an Important Bird Area. An Amur Falcon soars in the skies of Nagaland in November 2018 Photo: Neha Sinha The stork, like many other waterbirds, uses the series of wetlands Najafgarh jheel, Sultanpur and Basai. Attempts to conserve wetlands thus must take into account the series of wetlands that adjoin larger ones. The new action plan recognises this. It will set in place conservation action plans for wetlands of Keoladeo, Coringa, Bhitarkanika, Point Calimere, Pulicat, Sunderbans, Harike, Gulf of Mannar, Nal Sarovar and others; and also looks to conserve clusters of little known wetlands like Kurra jheel (Uttar Pradesh), Majuli island (Assam), Mahul-Sewri mudflats (Maharashtra), Halali reservoir (Madhya Pradesh) and J&Ks Hokarsar lake. These are sites that represent a large chunk of migratory birds and are significant for global population thresholds. While India gets tens of thousands of migratory birds, we have not had sustained conservation work for many species. Bird ringing exercises where birds have been ringed and then re-caught in another location have found amazing things. Migratory birds travel great distances, joining up enchanted, though often endangered places. Greater Flamingos from Kazakhstans Lake Tengiz come to India. They also come from Lake Ashk in Iran to India. And a little-known bird, the Great Knot, comes to India from China. The bird has been recovered in Chongming Island, China, and Point Calimere, Tamil Nadu. The beautiful Eurasian Roller in Kyrgyzstan. (Photo: Neha Sinha) Yet, these champion marathon fliers have names unfamiliar to many. Arriving in a blink and gone in a heartbeat, migratory birds can face both the hunting net as well apathy in their silver swathes of wetlands. The new Plan will also create Single Species Action Plans for 20 species, including Greater Flamingo, Great Knot, Lesser Flamingo, Eurasian Curlew, European Roller, White-headed Duck, Yellow-Breasted Bunting, Ferruginous Duck. This is a long overdue focus on birds that deserve more than an occasional hat tip by a birdwatcher. This is a claiming of ownership by India of birds that are international. The first phase for the plan is till 2023. Hopefully, by the end of two rounds, wetlands can finally shrug off the careless wasteland tag. Also read: Politics gives wildlife a cold shoulder as Antarctica's penguins cry for help BTC WIRES on Sunday organised WIRE SUMMIT 2018, with a view to promote investment in Blockchain-based startups. It was an extensive investment focused event held in New Delhi. BTCWIRES, the organisers have in the past covered various global blockchain conferences and summits. The event was organised in partnership with Fintech Valley, Vizag, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Fintech Valley, Vizag as part of the Vizag Fintech Festival 2018 has hosted a number of blockchain start-ups like Belfrics, BlockTrust and R3. The discussion in the Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology space has moved to understand how real Blockchain impact is through successful full-scale implementations beyond the Pilots, says JA Chowdary Special Chief Secretary & IT Advisor to the Chief Minister Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. Investor Groups and companies like R3, Nair Ventures, Swiss Investment Group and Indian partners from Angelist, IAN, and other top investment firms in the country with a host of Experienced Traditional and Prominent Angel Investors attended the event. The main objective of Wire Summit is to promote, facilitate and execute investments into blockchain based Startups and DApp Projects. The event will be one of its kind in India, largest in terms of investor relations in Blockchain Sector. Said Vinay Nair, Managing Partner at Nair Ventures speaking at the event. The participating startups got a chance to showcase their products and ideas to a massive audience around the globe as the event was covered by reputed national and international Media Publications around the world and also locally in Japanese, Chinese, French, Vietnamese, and Russian news platforms. The Air Forces of India and the US will begin a 12-day joint exercise "Ex Cope India-2018" on Monday to provide operational exposure to their personnel and undertake mutual exchange of best practices for enhancing operational capability, the Defence Ministry said on Sunday. It will be the fourth edition in the series of bilateral joint exercise held by the Air Forces of the two nations conducted in India, a Ministry statement said. According to the statement, this is the first time the exercise has been planned at two Air Force bases in West Bengal's Kalaikunda and Panagarh. "US Air Force is participating with 12 X F15 C/D and 03 X C-130. Indian Air Force is participating with the Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage 2000, C-130J and AWACS aircraft," said the statement. Amid concerns raised by the Congress and other political parties over the security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), the Election Commission (EC) has admitted that the CCTV cameras installed at an EVM strongroom in Madhya Pradesh did not work for over an hour on Friday (November 30). According to reports, the CCTV cameras installed in the strongroom did not function for over an hour due to an unprecedented power cut on Friday. Fearing tampering of the machines, the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers had been patrolling the strongroom in old Bhopal jail since Friday in shifts. In another incident that has raised suspicion over the fair nature of polls, EVMs were found in a hotel allegedly belonging to a BJP supporter in Shajapur, a day before polling in MP. Taking note of the political parties allegations, the EC in its statement said, A report obtained from the Bhopal Collector states that CCTV cameras and an LED display installed outside the strongroom did not function from 8.19 am to 9.35 am on November 30 due to the failure of electricity supply. Because of this, the recording could not be done during the given time period. An additional LED screen, an inverter and a generator have been installed in order to ensure continuous electricity supply. The EC said that the cameras of the outside door of the strongroom and the premises are working. The strongroom is fully secure with two cordons of CAPF and SAF forces been deployed. Logbook by the security forces is being maintained and the machines are perfectly safe, it said. On Saturday, the Congress delegation met the EC and raised concern over the security of EVMs inside strongrooms and their handling during the counting process in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and the alleged deletion of voters in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress in its complaint stated that the camera installed up to strongroom was switched off from 8 am to 9.30 am whereas there was no electricity disturbance. Along with this it was also complained that behind the strongroom of the old jail, there is a door which was not blocked and which has been closed after the complaint. It was also alleged that the personnel deployed there gave a statement to the electronic media that that camera were shut off in the presence of collector/SP. A similar complaint was made by the AAP. Madhya Pradesh Congress unit president Kamal Nath appealed to his party candidates to monitor the EVMs till December 11, the day poll results will be declared. On the incident where EVMs were found in a hotel allegedly belonging to a BJP supporter in Shajapur, a day before polling took place in MP, the EC confirmed that a team of poll officials had checked into the hotel room, against the instructions of the commission. It said that the officials had been replaced and no evidence of tampering was found in the machines. Two officials have been suspended in the incident. The EC also confirmed that the machines were not used in polling. On the delay submission of the reserved EVM-VVPAT machines in the strongroom of 36 Assembly constituency Khurai, the EC said the machines were of the reserve category and were meant to be back-up. However, the poll body said that the official responsible for delivering the reserve machines on time had been suspended. There has not been any tampering whatsoever with the machines. The responsible Nayab Tehsildar Rajesh Mehra has been suspended for the delayed submission of the machines, the EC said in the statement. The Congress has alleged that 48 hours after the closing of polls in Madhya Pradesh, a school bus bearing no number plate and carrying EVMs reached the Sagar district Collectors office. Taking of note of the Congress complaint, the EC said that the Collector Sagar, clarified that the reserve machines (26 CUs, 48 Bus and 44 VVPATs) were deposited on November 27 by the returning officer at Khurai, Malthon and Bandari police stations to be used as per the requirement and instructions were given to the returning officers and the Nayab Tasildar to deposit the unused reserved machine in the strongroom after the completion of the polling but the same was brought back them by late November 30 at the headquarters. On Friday, a few Congress and BSP workers protested outside the strongroom in Satna after a viral video showed an unknown person taking a carton inside the highly protected area. Leopards, the most adaptable of the big cats, are facing survival threat. Sample this: In the first 11 months of 2018, total leopard death count in India surpassed the number of those killed last year. While 436 unnatural deaths of leopards have been reported from across the country this year so far, the total count stood at 431 in 2017, as per the data available with the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI). Of this, at least 289 mortality was due to human-animal conflicts, electrocution and deaths on railway tracks in the first eleven months of 2018, much higher than last year figure of 272 deaths due to these reasons, according to the WPSI data. The rest of the deaths was due to poaching. (see box) Led by wildlife activist, Belinda Wright, the WPSI is a non-profit organisation engaged in protecting endangered species and their habitats through awareness, support, and training activities. The International Union for Conservation of Natures Red List has listed leopards as vulnerable, while Indias Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972 has listed it at par with tigers under Schedule 1. According to Wildlife Institute of India Census conducted in 2011, there are around 9,000 leopards in India. Development work like road construction through forest areas too have come as a threat to their survival as their prey base has reduced. Depletion of prey base in forests has forced these big cats to killing of livestock. When a leopard finds it difficult to catch a prey in the jungle, it turns towards human settlement for food, said Delhi-based social activist and environmentalist Ramesh Mumkshu while referring to increasing leopard-human conflict in Uttarakhand. People For Animals (PFA) Maharashtra unit president Babu Lal Jaju talked about the States failure in protecting the big cat. The Maharashtra Government is already under attack from the conservationists for killing of Tigress Avni. The State is reporting higher number of human-animal conflicts as little efforts have been taken to ensure water and prey base. Hence the leopards are moving into habitations and agriculture fields in search of food and water, said Jaju. Krishna Tiwari, founder of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) of India, lamented that leopard has never been given importance despite being the threatened species and its importance in the eco-system. He was of the view that due to the conversion of forest land into agriculture and upcoming developmental projects, this beautiful animal is fast losing its natural habitat. The mortality number could still be higher as many must have gone unreported. People feel that leopards are seen in plenty, and so they dont want to talk about their survival. But at this mortality rate, we might lose this species rapidly, Tiwari summed up. Mumbai-based wildlife conservationist Vidya Athreya from the Wildlife Conservation Society echoed similar views calling upon the Government to understand that poaching of leopards is happening and steps need to be taken to prevent the menace. Also we need more veterinarians who are trained in wildlife cases, she asserted. The month of December has now become very special for all Stephanians (alumni of Saint Stephens College) in the Doon valley as they get the opportunity to meet each other and also meet Stepanians from Delhi who come in specially to be part of this annual event which was started in the year 2016.It is a great initiative as it keeps the bond among the alumni of this prestigious institution alive and strong. Todays reunion was hosted by Michael Dalvi at his retreat Vishranti. Being a Stephanian himself, Dalvi was extremely happy to welcome the Stephanians of various batches and courses. The event began at around noon and concluded by 4 pm. There was great warmth and affection and an atmosphere of good cheer could be felt by all the old students of college as Stephanians always refer to their alma mater. Stephanians from the batch of 1958 and 1959 were also present. Wing Commander SM Singh from the 1958 batch of English Honours, who lives in Dehradun, was present. M Ghai, who owned the Kwality Restaurant in Doon, and who passed out of Saint Stephens in 1959 also graced the occasion. Nominated MLA Gregory Mann, principal of Selaqui International School Rashid Sharfuddin, Ashish Joshi (who is working in Uttarakhand Government), Arvind Malhotra, Mohit Sinha, Pranav Karol and many other eminent persons were among the Stephanians present at the reunion. The ambience of Vishranti on a winter morning in the valley surely added to the warmth and joy experienced by the alumni who talked at length about all their memories of college days. Teachers, food, hostels, lawns, basket ball, the cafeteria (which holds a special place in any Stephanians heart) were all discussed and one could feel that one was back in college! The host made sure that it was a jolly company and looked after each of the guests personally. A gracious gentleman, an amazing Stephanian is Mike Dalvi. One gets such a lovely feeling when one sees the Stephanian flag flying in the Doon valley. Dalvi is now planning to put up a Stephanian wall in the famous Holdys Bar at Vishranti. There is a Doon School wall there already. Now, there will be a Stephens wall which would have on it items contributed by various ex-students-memorabilia that would be dear to all Stephanians. New friendships were formed between those people who had not met each other before this. Spouses of the Stephanians added to the charm of the get-together. They always love to listen to anecdotes narrated at these reunions. Without the anecdotes, these reunions would be incomplete. A beautiful cake that had the college emblem and Stephanians in the Hills written on it was cut at the end of the event .Those who had come specially from Delhi, Gurugram and Noida merged with the Stephanians in the hills and all one could feel and see was the Stephanian spirit that keeps us all together. Wing Commander SM Singh, while speaking to the gathering, said that his message to all Stephanians was that they should always help each other. Dalvi thanked the guesets and said he looked forward to seeing them more often.The next get-together will be in December 2019. Exquisite paperweights with the college logo were given to all guests as they said goodbye and left the idyllic venue in the heart of the Sal forests of the Doon valley . Years melt away, all distance seems meaningless, the fact that the people are all from different batches and courses does not matter. All that matters is the strong connection we all have to our alma mater and to our memories of it, to the values we learned there and the foundation of our life that was created by the institution. That is what unites us so beautifully. That is what brings everyone to the Doon valley in December. To rejoice that we were part of the great institution called Saint Stephens and will remain so all our lives. Ad Dei Gloriam! To the Glory of God! Governor Anandiben Patel has told students to give their active contribution to build a new India. They should become capable and responsible citizens to prove this. This was said by the Governor in her address at the 4th convocation ceremony of the Jagran Lake City University on Sunday. On this occasion, she presented honorary degrees to Prof Ranveer Singh, the Vice Chancellor of NLIU, New Delhi and to the Deputy Consul General of Germany in India, Maya Yaining and also presented degrees to the meritorious students. The Governor told parents that they should not discriminate between their daughters and sons and become vigilant towards them and keep an eye on their activities to ensure that they should not follow the wrong path. It is essential for the parents that they should have faith in competency of their children and always inspire them to move forward. She mentioned that convocation ceremony is a celebration of tradition, faith and victory. This reflects the end of one stage of life of the students and beginning of the next stage. This is a proud moment for the meritorious students, parents and teachers in which everyone has performed their duties with dedication. Besides, the Governor has told the students that the University has not only prepared them at the academic level but to render help in other fields too, So that they should serve the society and nation for its development. This should be utilized by them to regain the status of the Vishva Guru for India. Smt. Patel further told the students that they should save water and food by consuming them as per the need. This is the biggest service to the nation and humanity, she added. The Chancellor of the University Harimohan Gupta said that there is no other thing but knowledge which makes heart clean and pure. Education has a big importance in life. He further stated that life is incomplete without education. Education is the biggest treasure of life, everything ends but education is everlasting. In its quest to win Delhi Lok Sabha seats from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019 general elections, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came out with a constituency specific strategy to target the rural population and young voters. Announcing AAPs push to win all the seven Lok Sabha seats of the national Capital, the AAPs Delhi unit chief and a Minister in Arvind Kejriwal Cabinet, Gopal Rai, outrightly dismissed any chance of a pre-poll alliance with the Congress. Rai, who also holds the portfolios of Labour, Employment and Development in the Kejriwal Government, said the Congress is not in the fight in the Lok Sabha polls. The AAP has only a "direct fight with the BJP". "We are working on a constituency-specific strategy on all seven seats in Delhi in view of Lok Sabha elections next year," Rai said. In the 2014 general elections, the AAP had fielded its candidates on all seven seats in Delhi, but none of them could secure a win. Talking about the party's strategy for the northwest Delhi seat, Rai said the Aam Aadmi Party had failed to receive support in rural pockets in the last Lok Sabha polls, and now the party in-charge for the constituency, Gugan Singh, is focusing on these areas with extensive contact programmes. The AAP's in-charge of Lok Sabha seats are most likely to be official candidates in the Lok Sabha polls to be held next year. He said the party's in-charge for the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat, Pankaj Gupta, has started laying emphasis on small meetings with the electorate in the trader-dominated borough. Union Minister Harsh Vardhan had won this seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. According to the strategy for east Delhi constituency having a mix of voters living in posh localities and unauthorised colonies, the party has adopted extensive outreach programmes to reach voters. Senior AAP leader Atishi has been made in-charge of the Parliamentary seat. Barring West Delhi, the AAP has announced in-charge on the remaining six Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, but Rai has made it clear that no MLA will be given ticket for this seat. There is a buzz in the party that Uttam Nagar MLA Naresh Balyan will contest from the west Delhi Lok Sabha seat."The party will officially announce candidates on all the seven seats in Delhi, along with those in Haryana and Punjab, by January next year," Rai said. In the 2015 Assembly polls, the AAP had got around 54.34 per cent vote share while the BJP and Congress had 32.19 per cent and 9.65 per cent votes respectively. The ruling BJP has named partys ST cell from Simdega Basant Soreng as its candidate to contest Kolibera Assembly bypoll. Partys general secretary Deepak Prakash said on Sunday evening that Soreng would file his nomination on Monday. Later Congress after snub from the JMM named Wilson Kongari as its nominee. The BJP has decided to file Basant Soreng as its candidate. The decision has been taken after several consultations made at different levels. He would file papers on Monday and will be accompanied by senior party leaders, said Prakash. The party had authorized State BJP chief Laxman Gilua, Chief Minister Raghubar Das and organizational secretary Dharmpal for taking the final call since there were as many as 11 names doing rounds for the ticket. On the other hand the commotion in the Opposition coalition turned even louder with Congress expressing its mind to contest the bypoll on its own. It apparantly was a fall out of the one-sided announcement made by JMM executive president Hemant Soren about supporting Jharkhand Partys candidate Menon Ekka a day before Congress State in-charge RPN Singh landed in Ranchi on Sunday morning. Soon after Singh drove down to JVM supremo Babulal Marandi and went into closed door huddle with him and JVM general secretary Pradeep Yadav. Following the meeting the JVM announced that it would not field its candidate into the poll, but RPN Singh expressed his mind. We will be fielding Congress nominee in the by poll. Still we want the coalition to continue and talks about supporting one single candidate would take place with the JMM. The party had made its intentions very clear from the very beginning, said Singh. Later he along with Pradesh Congress Committee chief and former Jharkhand president Pradeep Balmuchu called on Hemant Soren at his residence visibly to control the damage feared to happen to the grand alliance of the Opposition parties which are aspiring to come together against the BJP in the State ahead of the upcoming elections. So far the efforts by the Congress leaders have failed in keeping the Opposition bloc united. State Congress president Ajoy Kumar coming out of the meeting announced that the party would field Wilson Kongari from the seat and that he would be filing his papers on the last day on Monday. Hemant Soren made it clear that his party would stick to its decision to support Menon Ekka this time but the larger issue of grand alliance is intact as far as 2019 Assembly polls are concerned. A worker died in an accident on Saturday mid-night at Vedanta-Electrosteel Plant at Bokaro while two other injured immediately who were taken to the hospital where their conditions are said to be critical. The deceased has been identified as Kartik Mahato while the injured were identified as Shree Prasad Mahato and Upender Mahato. The injured persons have been admitted at Bokaro General Hospital (BGH). Doctors said condition of Shree Prasad Mahato is critical and he is still in CCU under observation while Upender is just shifted in the ward 3A and his condition is said to be under control. According to eyewitnesses work was on progress at Blast Furnace of the plant when suddenly gas started leaking there and after inhaling the gas Kartik died on the spot while Shree and Upender fell ill. "They were immediately rushed to the hospital. They were working at a height of 30 feet," one said. Meanwhile, official claimed that three workers of the Vedanta plant were found in an unconscious condition in the corridor of the plant last mid-night. They were immediately rushed to the local dispensary where doctors referred them to BGH, a statement issued reads. At BGH doctors declared, Kartik Mahato as brought dead while two were admitted in CCU where their conditions are under control. "We have handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the deceased family and assured a job to the next kin. The medical expenses of the injured would also be incurred by the company," said and official. An inquiry committee has also been set-up to ascertain the cause of the incident, added the official. Notably, Vedanta Star Limited a subsidiary of Vedanta took over full control of debt-ridden Electrosteel Plant (ESL) at Siyaljori in Bokaro in June this year. The unit is 2.51 million tonne steel plant, designed and built by the Chinese steel major Laiwu Steel Group Limited (LSGL) based on Blast Furnace (BF)-Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF)-Billet Caster and Hot Rolling Route and will produce 1.2 MTPA of long steel products, comprising 0.5 MTPA of 5.5-12.0 mm diameter wire rods in coil form and 0.7 MTPA of reinforcement bars in straight lengths and bundled in the range of 8-32 mm and plain rounds up to 60 mm diameter. The plant will have a 0.33 MTPA DI pipe production facility in the same complex with hot metal from the blast furnaces. The plant will also have production facilities for 0.27 MTPA of commercial billets and 0.40 MTPA of pig iron. This is the first greenfield project with Chinese technology started its production at the end of 2011. Progressive farmers visit Kurukshetra Shimla/Chandigarh: As many as 35 progressive farmers from district Solan visited Kainthla farm, in Kurukshetra to study natural farming on spot, especially vegetables being grown based on this technique. The farmers also met Governor Acharya Devvrat at Gurukul, Kurukshetra. The Governor said Solan was known for production of tomatoes and vegetables besides farm cultivation. He said that vegetables could be produced at minimum cost while adopting natural farming as all the products required for farming were available with farmers themselves. He asked the farmers to take lead and explore new fields while adopting natural farming which would certainly help in doubling their income and ensure better life quality. 170.16 LMT paddy procured in Punjab Chandigarh: The Government agencies and private millers have procured 170.16 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in Punjab till December 1. Out of the total procurement from various procurement centres in the State, the Government agencies procured 168.92 LMT of paddy while 1,24,272 MT has been procured by the millers. PUNGRAIN has procured 59.15 LMT, MARKFED 38.86 LMT and PUNSUP procured 35.25 LMT while Punjab State Warehousing Corporation and Punjab Agro Foodgrains Corporation procured 15.64 LMT and 17.48 LMT paddy respectively. The Centre government agency, FCI, has procured 2,51,281 MT paddy Dec 7 notified as holiday Chandigarh: Haryana Government has notified December 7 (Friday), the day of poll for general election to Legislative Assembly of Rajasthan, as paid holiday for its employees who are enrolled as voters in Rajasthan, to enable them exercise their franchise. Such employees can avail special casual leave, paid, on that day. A spokesman said the holiday would be observed under section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 and section 135-B of Representation of the People Act in all Haryana government offices, boards and corporations and educational institutes in respect of those staff of the state government who are registered voters in Rajasthan. Two HCS officers transferred Chandigarh: Haryana Government has issued transfer and posting orders of two HCS officers with immediate effect. Jaideep Kumar, awaiting orders of posting, has been posted Additional Director (Admn.) Secondary Education and Additional Secretary, School Education Department vice Rajiv Prashad. Rajiv Prashad, Joint Director (Admn.) Secondary Education and Deputy Secretary, School Education Department has been posted as Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) Shahbad relieving Sushil Kumar-I of the said charge. Union Ministry invites applications Chandigarh: The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has invited nominations for Nari Shakti Puraskar, 2018, the highest civilian honour for Women in India by December 10. A spokesman said that Nari Shakti Puraskar is given for honouring women who rise above barriers, ventures into unexpected sectors and make a lasting contribution to the society. Nari Shakti Puraskar is open to all individuals and institutions for outstanding work in the areas of economic and social empowerment of women. The individual applicant should be atleast 25 years of age and institution should have atleast five years of relevant experience. Guidelines are available on www.wcd.nic.in/award. Edu Dept issues directions Chandigarh: Haryana Secondary Education Department has requested all the candidates whose names have been recommended by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission for the post of Post Graduate Teachers Computer Science (Rest of Haryana cadre) to appear before the documents verification Committee in the office of Director General, Secondary Education Department at Shiksha Sadan, Sector Panchkula on December 3 for roll numbers 1 to 200 and on December 4 from 201 to 394. A spokesman said the candidates should reach the office of Director General, Secondary Education Department at 9.30 am on their scheduled dates and bring their original certificates and documents pertaining to their case/claim for the appointment to the post of Post Graduate Teachers Computer Science. Dev Samaj College marks World AIDS Day Chandigarh: To mark the world AIDS Day Celebrations 2018, NSS Units Dev Samaj College of Education Sector 36-B here in collaboration with the Red Ribbon Club of the college, organized different activities and an Informative talk to spread the awareness about AIDS . The day started with the college prayer followed by the address by the NSS Programme officer Dr Neeru Malik. On the spot poster making and slogan writing competitions were organized in which NSS volunteers participated with great zeal & enthusiasm. The college invited the resource person - an AIDS expert Dr. Krishna Murari from NACO (National AIDS control organisation), New Delhi who informed the volunteers about the historical background of the disease and its current status. He said that 40 lakh of population worldwide is affected with the disease. Prof Jain takes over charge of Dean Mohali: Prof Rahul Jain on Sundat took over the charge as the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), SAS Nagar (Mohali), Dean. Prof Jain, Professor at NIPERs Department of Medicinal Chemistry, has replaced Prof PV Bharatam. Prof Jain is a Doctor of Philosophy in Organic Chemistry from the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow. Before joining NIPER in 1997, he was Assistant Professor at Peptide Research Laboratories, Department of Medicine, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, USA. He has published more than 130 research papers in international journals, 20 patents (IN, EU, US), and delivered 101 invited talks and research presentations. Release pending Rs 1700 crore of PMS: PUCA Mohali: Punjab Unaided Colleges Association (PUCA) on Sunday urged the Central Government to release pending Rs 1,700 crore of Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) for SC/ST students to Punjab at the earliest. PUCA president Dr Anshu Kataria said that Punjab Government has already released a major part of Rs 323 crore which was further disbursed by the Centre to Punjab and some part of the pending payment is also being released in this month to the colleges. But still, Rs 1,700 crore is pending for SC/ST students of Punjab for the 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 towards the Centre. 521 screened in health camp at Panchkula Panchkula: As many as 521 people were screened in a free mega health camp at Rotary House, Sector 12-A, on Sunday. The camp was organized by Rotary Club, Panchkula, in association with Alchemist Hospital, Panchkula. Alchemist doctors from various specialties including cardiology, orthopaedics, paediatrics, ENT, gynaecology, dermatology and general medicine provided consultations and addressed the healthcare problems of the people during camp. ASSOCHAMs GEM Chandigarh Chapter formed Chandigarh: With the formation of ASSOCHAM's GEM Chandigarh Chapter, Surinder Bagha is appointed as chairman while Dinesh Bhagat is designate as Co-Chairman while Aarti Mehta as secretary. ASSOCHAMs Regional Director Ravinder Chandla appointed as Treasure apart from 12 other as council members. Chapter is confined with its domain upto Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal. Workshop on Epidemiology and Biostatistics Chandigarh: The School of Public Health, PGIMER will organize the 5th workshop on Basic Epidemiology and Biostatistics from December 3 to 14. The objective of the workshop is to develop skills of the participants in the field of medical research and public health to independently plan their study, choose an appropriate study design and also to present the study results in a scientific manner. Winter school is fully devoted ICH in India and the Persian Gulf Region, Re-invention of heritage, Qatar foundation/British library Gulf History project and Qatar field work presentation. In this session also touched some important aspects related to ICH particularly power structure, different languages, classical and folk dances in different countries music perspective ie Qatar and India of different traditions showed through audiovisuals. The old Pearl diner Sand Ismail AL-Jassim is one such example convener of the winter school Rolf Killius properly explained through audio/visual of each study contextualization of recordings. Further he also should Qatar Music in every detail, later in small bits Arabic music, re-invention the music culture. One cultural traditional music troupe of Kerala attends in Doha through ICCR cultural exchange programme. Another Mapla community mix of Arabic and Malayalam is also played in this context. Rolf presentation clearly showed the Rhytem is very important among the Machilion private parties there people are coming play music and perform dances and singing also. Qatar is complex society music is still alien among the Qatar people, they are keen to protect their music, musical elements. Qatar is also celebrated National Day is full of music and full of dance. All the participants having close interactions in each and every stage of different traditions of music not only in Persian gulf even in different parts of India, the participants expressed their own ideas of their areas. On the second day of the Maha Bandh called by the lawyers associations demanding a permanent Bench of the Orissa High Court in the western part of the State, the situation deteriorated further on Friday with the organisers sticking to their earlier decision of putting pressure on the Government through the agitation. While locals coped with the bandh with almost no difficulty, it was outsiders who felt the pinch as life was totally miserable for them as they had to face problems in all fronts. However, thanks to many social organisations including Swaschha, they were provided with cooked food. The locals came forward spontaneously to cooperate with the lawyers. Moreover, active support from the 180 socio-cultural organisations and civil societies gave a boost to the lawyers Central Action Committee (CAC) agitation. The Krushak Sangathan of Sambalpur was also seen being very active during the bandh from urban to rural areas. Farmers are unable to move to Cuttack High Court for their problems. Only a High Court bench here can enable them to get justice at the doorstep. It would also be helpful to all other poor people besides farmers, said a leading farmer leader of Tabla, Debndra Pradhan Like Thursday, Sambalpur MLA Dr Raseswari Panigrahi was also present at the dharna site to express her support for the demand of High Court bench. Congress leader Aswini Guru was also present during the bandh. Similarly, BJP national general secretary Suresh Pujari, while supporting the cause of the lawyers spoke on the technical negligence of the State Government in this regard. The agitation doesnt here. We will chalk out the future course of action in our next meeting, said CACS Sureswar Mishra. A High Court Bench is our demand and we will get it at any cost. Hence, it is both State and Central Government to think with seriousness. We will never compromise with our genuine demand, Mishra added. On the other side, the stranded passengers in Sambalpur railway station narrated their woes on Thursday night. Some organisations provided us food. But we cant forget the mosquito bite, the passengers said. We cant forget these 48 hours at the railway station, they said with a heavy heart. They also blamed railways for their misery as it didnt apprise them of the situation earlier. Similarly, truckers were also seen in very pathetic condition. Those carrying perishable goods like vegetables, fruits were very much worried for the heavy loss they are going to incur. Who will recuperate the loss, they ask. We are sure to make loss of lakhs of rupees that worries us, said Dharam Singh, a truck driver from Maharastra carrying full truck load of cabbage to Kolkata. The districts of Jharsuguda, Deogarh and parts of Bargarh, Subarnapur, Sundargarh were also affected by the bandh. Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday said that all the party functionaries and officer bearers need to work with greater co-ordination to ensure that the welfare policies and programmes initiated by the State Government reaches the person living at the lowest ebb. The Chief Minister was addressing the office bearers of BJP Mandal, Solan. This was the fourth Mandal which participated in the Mandal Milan programme launched by the State Government for effective dialogue between the party functionaries and the government. The Chief Minister said that since the 14th Finance Commission has provided liberal financial assistance to the Panchayati Raj Institutions, they must ensure that the funds allocated for the development of respective panchayats are utilized properly and effectively. Thakur said that regular meetings must be held at the Mandal level to ensure better coordination between the party functionaries. He also stressed the need to create better rapport between the general public so that they could be motivated to support the party. He said that party functionaries should also try to woo new members to join the party to further strengthen it at the grassroot level. The Chief Minister also said that the active party workers should also identify few key issues and demands of their respective area, which could be redressed in due course of time. He added that the workers should also ensure that the general public is sensitized about the welfare schemes launched by the State Government so that they could derive benefit from the same. President BJP Mandal Solan Ravinder Parihar thanked the Chief Minister for providing the members of the Mandal an opportunity to share their views with him. Police have arrested person in connection with the recent sensational case of murder of an employee of the Sri Sri University, Sunil Sahoo, near Barang. The accused was identified as Niranjan Behera. The Barang police seized a gun and a bike from his possession. According to reports, Niranjan is the key accused in the Sunil Sahoo murder case. The police along with the accused visited the crime spot on Sunday. Police sources said that the murder was over a love triangle. Notably, Sunil was shot dead by miscreants in broad daylight near Netal Square under the Barang police limits on November 25. Two miscreants colming by a motorcycle had suddenly opened fire at Sunil, leaving him critically injured. Sunil was rescued by locals and admitted to the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, where he succumbed to his injuries. One hundred and twenty-five women and girls have been raped, whipped and clubbed in attacks so shocking that some 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 November 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. Two more persons Bharat Jayant Kurne and Vasudev Bhagwan Suryavamshi were arrested by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Maharashtra CID on Saturday, in connection with the Govind Pansare murder case. Kurne and Suryavamshi were produced before Kolhapur Magistrate S A Mali who remanded them in police custody till December 7. While Kurne is an accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case, Suryavanshmi is an accused in the arms haul case. The SIT had obtained the custody Kurne and Suryavamshi from the Karnataka police and National Investigation Agency (NIA) respectively on Friday night. Both Kurne and Suryavamshi were formally placed under arrest by the SIT on Saturday morning. The Prosecutions case that is Suryavamshi was part of the conspiracy behind the Govind Pansare murder and had supplied motor bicycle used in the crime, while Kurne had supplied the weapon used in the murder. Seeking the custody of the two accused, Public Prosecutor told the court that the investigators wanted to interrogate Survyavamshi to find out the whereabouts of the motorbike used in the crime, while they wanted to find out from Kurne as to whom did he give the weapon used in the crime. The arrest of Suryavanshi and Kurne comes a fortnight after the arrest of another suspect Amol Kale, who is one of the key conspirators in the murders of anti-superstition crusader Narendra Dabholkar and Journalist Gauri Lankesh. After taking his custody from the Karnataka police on Wednesday, Kale was formally arrested by the SIT on November 15. After two remands of a week each in police custody, Kale was on Thursday remanded in Magistrates custody by a Kolhapur court till December 13. The SIT had arrested Sanatan Sansatha activist Samir Gaikwad on September 16, 2015. Subsequently, the SIT filed a charge-sheet against Sameer Gaikwad, the lone accused in the case. Subsequently, the SIT took into custody Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) activist Dr Virendrasinh Tawde. In a charge-sheet filed in the the Kolhapur sessions court on September 8, 2016, the SIT named Tawde as the key accused and named Sanatan Sanstha activists Samir Gaikwad and Vinay Pawar as co-accused accused in the murder of CPI leader Govind Pansare. The investigators later named Vinay Pawar and Sarang Akolkar as the two men who shot Pansare. Then came the arrested of Kale on November 15 this year. With the latest arrest of Suryavanshmi and Kurne, the total number of accused in the Govind Pansare murder case has gone up to seven. CPI leader Govind Pansare (82) and his wife Uma (67) had been shot from a close range, near their residence Ideal Housing Society at around 8.30 am on February 16, 2015, when the couple was returning from a morning walk from the Shivaji University campus at Kolhapur. Four days later, Pansare succumbed to injuries sustained in the shoot-out, while his wife Uma survived the attack. Pansares murder, it may recalled, had come on the heels of a gruesome murder of 69-year-old anti-superstition campaigner Dabholkar, who was shot dead him from a point blank range by two motor-bicycle riding gunmen aged between 25 and 30 years, while he was taking a morning walk on the Omkareshwar bridge located in the heart of Pune, on August 20, 2013. 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 25 minutes ago Stores kick off Black Friday but pandemic woes linger NEW YORK (AP) Retailers are expected to usher in the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season Friday with bigger crowds than last year in a closer step toward normalcy. But the fallout from the pandemic continues to weigh on businesses and shoppers' minds. Buoyed by solid hiring, healthy pay gains and substantial savings, customers are returning to stores and splurging on all types of items. Read Article New cases of HIV in the Miami area are the highest in the nation and the Latino population is one of the most at risk. An effort has evolved to bring those numbers down through education and access to the HIV prevention drug PrEP in some unconventional ways. Prevention305 has trained peer navigators to reach Latinos, primarily many of whom are immigrants and/or dont speak much if any English. The navigators use popular gay dating apps like Grindr and Tinder to introduce them to the drug. Miami resident John Byrne started Prevention305 a few years ago and serves as its executive director. Hes also the founder and controlling partner of Raw Story Media and AlterNet Media part of a group of LGBT-owned news sites in the U.S. It was a rare false-positive HIV test that spurred Byrne toward starting the nonprofit. If youve had a false-positive, you know it can take a week to get the confirmation back, Byrne said. "I thought, 'Oh my God, I'm that one in a million person, because I was taking PrEP.' I thought, 'No one needs to go through this. The drug was solidly top of mind for Byrne and he didnt think enough was being done to get the word out about it. PrEP reduces the risk of HIV transmission by more than 90 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). For drug users the risk is lowered by more than 70 percent. What is it? PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. The CDC says youre considered very high risk if youre a gay or bisexual man who has anal sex without a condom. It also considers as very high risk those who are HIV-negative, but are in an ongoing sexual relationship with someone who is HIV-positive. PrEP is a combination of two HIV medicines sold under the name Truvada. When used correctly, the CDC says PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading. Critics though point out that PrEP does not prevent other STIs such as syphilis. From posters to peers Byrnes early push for outreach consisted of a grassroots effort of making posters for health centers and fitness clubs the Swallow This graphic that shows a blue PrEP pill on a mans outstretched tongue. He had the poster done in both English and Spanish. I slowly realized as a white person in Miami what I was running up against, Byrne said. The translation of the poster in Spanish didnt work. I realized I couldnt do this on my own. On a whim he began doing PrEP education on Grindr. He created a profile with PrEP information and the line: Contact me if you want info on how to get PrEP. I was blown away by the response, Byrne said. There was a demand. Some had heard about it, but didnt know where to go. For a year he went to conferences, made connections and wrote grants (he got one each from Gilead Sciences and AIDS United). Byrne, 37, then hired a digitally savvy gay Venezuelan man to be his program director Marco Torrealba. Torrealba, 34, was tasked by Byrne this year to hire peer navigators and train them in customer service, marketing and technology to make the dating app connections with Latinos about PrEP. People dont have access because a lot of the information is in English, Torrealba, who moved to South Florida three and a half years ago, said. This is why Latinos are not having access to PrEP, the lack of information. When you are an immigrant, you can be in a bubble. Sometimes you get nervous. Torrealba said his training methods are heavy on the use of empathy and innovation. In order to reach and communicate with a different culture you have to be very empathetic, he said. Those who are arriving or those who dont speak English or fear for any political situation will not go inside [a health clinic]. The best way to do it is to have a [peer navigator] right there. His peer navigators create profiles on the sites and spread the word about PrEP. Torrealba said the format takes some of the initial nervousness away and he stresses that they are not creating fake or misleading profiles. All his peer navigators are younger and are people of color. Once they say hi to the person; how are you today; I am fine; [then they say] I want to tell you I am here to offer PrEP, Torrealba said. People say yes or no. Peer navigators are trained and have to be aware to be straight with the message. That person will block you and report your profile otherwise. Byrne and Torrealba have found an audience with Instagram as well, hiring Instagram influencers, both because its effective and because not everyone uses gay dating sites or apps, he said. People go to Instagram to see if youre for real, see a face, see a video, see who is working at Prevention305, Torrealba said. 305 advantages Prevention305 is able to help a client receive the drug more quickly with wait times reduced from months to weeks. In most cases, the drug is available for free, either through insurance or if a client makes less than $58,000 a year and doesnt have insurance. Anyone can sign up on their website to book an appointment and to go over options. Clients know they arent alone in this process. Peer navigators are with clients during the appointment if they have questions or are nervous, Torrealba said. By the numbers In less than six months, Prevention305 has reached almost 300 people and has about 100 taking PrEP. While it may not sound like a lot, there's only about 1,500 people on PrEP in all of Miami-Dade, so I think our early success is a big number, Byrne said. Byrne said to look for Prevention305 at events and festivals around South Florida and said hes also working toward opening a mobile PrEP clinic in collaboration with the University of Miamis Miller School of Medicine at The Gaythering hotel, sauna and bar in Miami Beach. For more Infineon Technologies AG engages in the provision of semiconductor and system solutions. It operates through the following segments: Automotive, Industrial Power Control, Power & Sensor systems, and Connected Secure Systems. The Automotive segment designs, develops, manufactures, and markets semiconductor for automotive applications. The Industrial Power Control segment involves in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of semiconductors for the generation, transmission, and economy in the use of electrical energy. The Power & Sensor systems segment includes design, development, manufacture, and marketing of semiconductors for energy-efficient power supplies as well as for mobile devices and mobile phone network infrastructures. The Connected Secure Systems designs, develops, manufactures, and markets semiconductor-based security products for card applications and network systems. The company was founded on April 1, 1999 and is headquartered in Munich, Germany. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Mohawk Industries: A&S Energie NV, A&U Energie NV, Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation, Aladdin Manufacturing Of New York LLC, Aladdin Manufacturing of Alabama LLC, Alsace Logistique S.A., Avelgem Green Power CVBA, Avon Pacific Holdings Ltd, B&M NV, BGE Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V., Berghoef GmbH, Berghoef-Hout B.V., Bienes Raices y Materiales del Centro S. de R.L. de C.V., C.F. Marazzi S.A., Canterbury Spinners Ltd, Carpet Foundation Ltd, Cevotrans BV, Ceramus Bahia S/A Produtos Ceramicos, DT Mex Holdings LLC, DTM/CM Holdings LLC, Dal Italia LLC, Dal-Elit LLC, Dal-Tile Chile Comercial Limitada, Dal-Tile Colombia S.A.S., Dal-Tile Distribution Inc., Dal-Tile Group Inc., Dal-Tile I LLC, Dal-Tile Industrias S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile International Inc., Dal-Tile Mexico Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Operaciones Mexico S. De R.L. De C.V., Dal-Tile Peru SRL, Dal-Tile Puerto Rico Inc., Dal-Tile Services Inc., Dal-Tile Shared Services Inc., Dal-Tile Tennessee LLC, Dal-Tile of Canada ULC, Daltile, Daltile, Dekaply NV, Durkan, Dynea NV, Eliane Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Eliane S/A - Revestimentos Ceramicos, Emilceramica India Pvt Ltd., Emilceramica S.r.l, Emilgermany GmbH, Emilgroup Asia Ltd, Explorer S.r.l., F.I.L.S. Investments Unlimited Company, Feltex Carpets Ltd, Feltex Carpets Pty Ltd, Feltex New Zealand Ltd, Fibremakers Australia Pty Ltd, Flooring Foundation Ltd, Flooring Industries Limited S.a r.l., Flooring XL B.V., Floorscape Limited, Godfrey Hirst & Co Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Group, Godfrey Hirst NZ Ltd, Hytherm (Ireland) Limited, IVC BVBA, IVC Far-East Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., IVC France S.a r.l., IVC GROUP LIMITED, IVC Green Power NV, IVC Group, IVC Group GmbH, IVC Luxembourg S.a r.l., IVC Rus OOO, IVC US Inc., International Flooring Systems S.a r.l., International Vinyl Company - Vostok OOO, KAI Group, KAI Keramica Ltd, KAI Mining EOOD, KERAMA CENTER OOO, Kerama Baltics OOO, Kerama Export OOO, Kerama Marazzi OOO, Kerampromservis (LLC), Khan Asparuh - Transport EOOD, Khan Asparuh AD, Khan Omurtag AD, Koninklijke Peitsman B.V., Kraj Kerama OOO, MG China Trading Ltd., MI Finance SRL, MUD (Holding) Brazil Ltda., Management Co EAD, Marazzi Acquisition S.r.l., Marazzi Deutschland G.m.b.H., Marazzi France Trading S.A.S., Marazzi Group, Marazzi Group F.Z.E., Marazzi Group S.r.l., Marazzi Group Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marazzi Iberia S.L.U., Marazzi Japan Co. Ltd., Marazzi Middle East FZ LLC, Marazzi Schweiz S.A.G.L., Marazzi UK Ltd., Mohawk Assurance Services Inc., Mohawk Australia Pty Ltd, Mohawk Canada Corporation, Mohawk Capital Finance S.A., Mohawk Capital Luxembourg SA, Mohawk Carpet Distribution Inc., Mohawk Carpet Foundation Inc., Mohawk Carpet LLC, Mohawk Carpet Transportation Of Georgia LLC, Mohawk Commercial Inc., Mohawk ESV Inc., Mohawk Europe BVBA, Mohawk Factoring II Inc., Mohawk Factoring LLC, Mohawk Finance S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Acquisitions S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Funding S.a.r.l, Mohawk Foreign Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Investments Inc., Mohawk Global Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Holdings International B.V., Mohawk Industries Inc., Mohawk International (Europe) S.a r.l., Mohawk International (Hong Kong) Limited, Mohawk International Capital N.V., Mohawk International Financing S.a.r.l, Mohawk International Holdings (DE) LLC, Mohawk International Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk International Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk International Netherlands B.V., Mohawk International Services BVBA, Mohawk KAI Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Mohawk KAI Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Capital S.A., Mohawk Luxembourg Financing S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Pacific S.a r.l., Mohawk Marazzi International BV, Mohawk Marazzi Russia BV, Mohawk New Zealand Limited, Mohawk Operaciones Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Mohawk Operations Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Pacific Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Resources LLC, Mohawk Servicing LLC, Mohawk Singapore Private Limited, Mohawk Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mohawk Unilin Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk United Finance B.V., Mohawk United International B.V., Mohawk Vinyl Financing S.a r.l., Molber Beheer B.V., Monarch Ceramic Tile Inc., P.F. Onroerend Goed B.V., PF Beheer B.V., Pergo, Pergo (Europe) AB, Pergo Holding BV, Pergo India Pvt Ltd, Polcolorit S.A., Premium Floors Australia Pty Limited, RR Apex LLC, Rata International Pty Ltd, Recubrimientos Interceramica S. de R.L. de C.V., Riverside Textiles Pty Ltd, S.C. KAI Ceramics SRL, Sibir Kerama OOO, SimpleSolutions USA LLC, Soft Step (Australia) Pty Ltd, Spano Group, Spano Invest BVBA, Spano NV, Stroyagromekhzapchast ChaO, Stroytrans OAO Orelstroy, Summit Wool Spinners Ltd, The Flooring Federation Ltd, Tiles Co OOD, Unilin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Unilin ApS, Unilin Arauco Pisos Ltda., Unilin BVBA, Unilin Beheer BV, Unilin Distribution Ltd., Unilin Distribution Ukraine LLC, Unilin Finland OY, Unilin Flooring India Private Limited, Unilin Flooring SAS, Unilin GmbH, Unilin Holding BVBA, Unilin Insulation BV, Unilin Insulation SAS, Unilin Insulation Sury SAS, Unilin Italia S.R.L., Unilin North America LLC, Unilin Norway AS, Unilin OOO, Unilin Panels SAS, Unilin Poland Sp.Z.o.o., Unilin SAS, Unilin Spain SL, Unilin Swiss GmbH, Unilin s.r.o., World International Inc., Xtratherm, Xtratherm Limited, Xtratherm S.A., and Xtratherm UK Limited. 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 Weatherford International plc, an oilfield service company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. It offers artificial lift systems, including reciprocating rod, progressing cavity pumping, gas, hydraulic, plunger, and hybrid lift systems, as well as related automation and control systems; pressure pumping and reservoir stimulation services, such as acidizing, fracturing and fluid systems, cementing, and coiled-tubing intervention; and drill stem test tools, and surface well testing and multiphase flow measurement services. The company also provides safety, downhole reservoir monitoring, flow control, and multistage fracturing systems, as well as sand-control technologies, and production and isolation packers; liner hangers to suspend a casing string in high-temperature and high-pressure wells; cementing products, including plugs, float and stage equipment, and torque-and-drag reduction technology for zonal isolation; and pre-job planning and installation services. In addition, it offers directional drilling services, and logging and measurement services while drilling; services related to rotary-steerable systems, high-temperature and high-pressure sensors, drilling reamers, and circulation subs; managed pressure drilling, conventional mud-logging, drilling instrumentation, gas analysis, wellsite consultancy, and open hole and cased-hole logging services; reservoir solutions and software products; and intervention and remediation services. Further, the company provides equipment and drilling tools; tubular handling, management, and connection services; equipment rental services; and onshore contract drilling and related services through a fleet of land drilling and workover rigs. Weatherford International plc was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland. Read More Michael Varga is a playwright, actor, author, and retired diplomat whos worked all around the world. Varga served in Chad, hotspots throughout the Middle East, and in Canada. He is also a long-time HIV survivor. Doctors did not expect Varga to live past the spring of 1997. But hes still here and telling his incredible story. On Thursday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., Stonewall National Museum & Archives will present a reading and talk with Varga, Diplomatic Detours. His essay of the same name was published in the March/April issue of Plus Magazineand details his life as a long-term survivor of HIV. Varga will talk about his time in the Peace Corps, his life as a diplomat, and his work that has taken him around the world. Hell also talk about figuring out a work/life balance while dealing with HIV. His Peace Corps novel, Under Chads Spell,will be available for purchase. AIDS Healthcare Foundation sponsors the event. Stonewall National Museum Wilton Manors is located at 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Stonewall Museum is free of charge. There is a suggested donation of $5 for the event. For more information, visit Stonewall-Museum.org. Royal Dutch Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company worldwide. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Oil Products, Chemicals segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. The company also markets and trades natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, electricity, carbon-emission rights; and markets and sells LNG as a fuel for heavy-duty vehicles and marine vessels. In addition, it trades in and refines crude oil and other feed stocks, such as gasoline, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuel, marine fuel, biofuel, lubricants, bitumen, and sulphur; produces and sells petrochemicals for industrial use; and manages oil sands activities. Further, the company produces base chemicals comprising ethylene, propylene, and aromatics, as well as intermediate chemicals, such as styrene monomer, propylene oxide, solvents, detergent alcohols, ethylene oxide, and ethylene glycol. Royal Dutch Shell plc was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands. Read More JPMorgan Diversified Return Europe Currency Hedged ETF's stock was trading at $27.5650 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, JPEH shares have increased by 0.0% and is now trading at $27.5650. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. 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. 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 The following companies are subsidiares of American International Group: AGC Life Insurance Company, AIG APAC HOLDINGS PTE. LTD., AIG Advisors S.r.l., AIG Aerospace Insurance Services Inc., AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd., AIG Asset Management (Europe) Limited, AIG Asset Management (U.S.) LLC, AIG Assurance Company, AIG Australia Limited, AIG Brazil Holding I LLC, AIG CIS Investments LLC, AIG Canada Holdings Inc., AIG Capital Corporation, AIG Capital Services Inc., AIG Claims Inc., AIG Egypt Insurance Company S.A.E., AIG Employee Services Inc., AIG Europe (Services) Limited, AIG Europe Holdings S.a.rl., AIG Europe S.A., AIG Federal Savings Bank, AIG Financial Products Corp., AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd., AIG Global Asset Management Holdings Corp., AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp., AIG Global Reinsurance Operations, AIG Holdings Europe Limited, AIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, AIG Insurance Company China Limited, AIG Insurance Company JSC, AIG Insurance Company of Canada, AIG Insurance Company-Puerto Rico, AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited, AIG Insurance Limited, AIG Insurance Management Services Inc., AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited, AIG International Holdings GmbH, AIG Investments UK Limited, AIG Israel Insurance Company Ltd, AIG Japan Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha, AIG Kenya Insurance Company Limited, AIG Korea Inc., AIG Latin America I.I., AIG Latin America Investments S.L., AIG Lebanon SAL, AIG Life Holdings Inc., AIG Life Insurance Company (Switzerland) Ltd, AIG Life Limited, AIG Life South Africa Limited, AIG Life of Bermuda Ltd., AIG MEA Holdings Limited, AIG MEA Limited, AIG Malaysia Insurance Berhad, AIG Markets Inc., AIG Matched Funding Corp., AIG PC Global Services Inc., AIG Philippines Insurance Inc., AIG Property Casualty Company, AIG Property Casualty Inc., AIG Property Casualty International LLC, AIG Property Casualty U.S. Inc., AIG Re-Takaful (L) Berhad, AIG Resseguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., AIG Shared Services Corporation, AIG South Africa Limited, AIG Specialty Insurance Company, AIG Technologies Inc., AIG Travel Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., AIG Travel Assist Inc., AIG Travel Assist Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., AIG Travel EMEA Limited, AIG Travel Inc., AIG Uganda Limited, AIG Vietnam Insurance Company Limited, AIG WarrantyGuard Inc., AIG-FP Pinestead Holdings Corp., AIG-Metropolitana Cia. de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A., AIGGRE EOLA LLC, AIGGRE Europe Real Estate Fund I GP S.a r.l., AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I GP LLC, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I LP, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund II GP LLC, AIU Insurance Company, AM Holdings LLC, Ageas Protect, AlphaCat Managers Ltd., American General Corporation, American General Life Insurance Company, American Home Assurance Co. Ltd., American Home Assurance Company, American Home Assurance Company Escritorio de Representacao no Brasil Ltda., American International Group Inc., American International Group UK Limited, American International Overseas Association, American International Overseas Limited, American International Realty Corp., American International Reinsurance Company Ltd., American International Underwriters del Ecuador-Holding S.A., American Security Life Insurance Company Limited, Arthur J. Glatfelter Agency Inc., Avondhu Limited, Blackboard Customer Care Insurance Services LLC, Blackboard Insurance Company, Blackboard Services LLC, Blackboard Specialty Insurance Company, Blackboard U.S. Holdings Inc., Chartis Takaful Enaya B.S.C. (c), Commerce and Industry Insurance Company, Crop Risk Services Inc., Eaglestone Reinsurance Company, Ellipse, Fortitude Group Holdings LLC, Fortitude Life & Annuity Solutions Inc., Fortitude Reinsurance Company Ltd., Franklin Life Insurance Company, Fuji Fire and Marine, Glatfelter Insurance Group, Globe and Rutgers Insurance Group, Grand Isle SAC Limited, Granite State Insurance Company, Group Risk Services Limited, Group Risk Technologies Limited, Illinois National Insurance Co., Jefferson Eola Venture LLC, Johannesburg Insurance Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, Laya Healthcare Limited, Lexington Insurance Company, MG Reinsurance Limited, Mt. Mansfield Company Inc., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh Pa., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Vermont, New Hampshire Insurance Company, PT AIG Insurance Indonesia, Pine Street Real Estate Holdings Corp., Private Joint-Stock Company AIG Ukraine Insurance Company, Risk Specialists Companies Insurance Agency Inc., SA Affordable Housing LLC, SAFG Retirement Services Inc., Service Net Warranty LLC, Stratford Insurance Company, SunAmerica Affordable Housing Partners Inc., SunAmerica Asset Management LLC, Talbot Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Ltd., Thai CIT Holding Company Limited, The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, Travel Guard, Travel Guard Group Canada Inc./Groupe Garde Voyage du Canada Inc., Travel Guard Group Inc., Tudor Insurance Company, VALIC Financial Advisors Inc., Valic Retirement Services Company, Validus Holdings, Validus Holdings (UK) Ltd., Validus Holdings Ltd., Validus Reinsurance (Switzerland) Ltd, Validus Reinsurance Ltd., Validus Ventures Ltd., Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Services Inc., Western World Insurance Company, and Western World Insurance Group Inc.. (CNN) The president of the gay dating app Grindr has faced a backlash for appearing to suggest that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Scott Chen, who has been president of the app since August, posted on Facebook that he would boycott the Chinese tech company HTC after reports it had backed US groups opposed to same-sex marriage. But he drew criticism for his comments made earlier in the post. "Some people think marriage is a holy matrimony between a man and a woman. And I think so too. But that's your own business," he wrote, after sharing a story about HTC on his personal Facebook page. Chen's remarks -- originally written in Chinese and later translated to English -- were picked up and published Thursday by Into,a digital magazine owned by Grindr. Zach Stafford, editor-in-chief of Into, wrote on Twitter Thursday that the publication had learned the "current president of Grindr believes that same-sex marriage is a 'holy matrimony' between men and women." Chen responded angrily to the article published by Into, saying he had not been contacted for a comment, and branded it "unbalanced and misleading." Chen acknowledged that "different people have their different feelings about their marriages," but added that he had been a longtime campaigner for equal rights. "I am a huge advocate for LGBTQ+ rights since I was young. I support gay marriage and I am proud that I can work for Grindr," he wrote in the comments section under the Into article. "The reason I said marriage is a holy matrimony between a man and a woman is based on my own personal experience," he said. "I am a straight man married to a woman I love and I have two beautiful daughters I love from the marriage." In his original Facebook post, since removed, Chen urged groups which oppose same-sex marriage to donate instead to people "suffering from poverty, hunger, war or natural disasters." CNN has approached Grindr and Chen for comment. There is not enough analysis data for Invesco Senior Income Trust. 4.4 Community Rank Outperform Votes Invesco Senior Income Trust has received 144 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Invesco Senior Income Trust has received 75 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Invesco Senior Income Trust has received 65.75% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Invesco Senior Income Trust and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe VVR will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe VVR will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next The following companies are subsidiares of 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.. Flight Engineer Serena Aunon-Chancellor mixes samples for the Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS) experiment and installs them into the Multi-use Variable-g Platform. The research utilizes the microgravity environment aboard the International Space Station to investigate the complex process of cement solidification. Results may impact possible construction processes and designs for space habitats on the surface of the Moon and Mars. Credit: NASA. A Russian spacewalk is planned before three Expedition 57 crew members return to Earth aboard a Soyuz spacecraft just before Christmas. Meanwhile, in the middle of the spacewalk and departure preparations, the International Space Station residents today also explored how living in space impacts the human muscle system. Flight Engineer Sergey Prokopyev will work outside the space station Dec. 11 to inspect the Soyuz MS-09 crew vessel. The Russian spacewalker will join veteran cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko for a scheduled 6-hour inspection on the outside of the spaceship that will return the Expedition 57 crew home Dec. 19 U.S. time. Prokopyev checked the Orlan spacesuits today that he and Kononenko will wear during the eighth spacewalk of the year. Expedition 57 Commander Alexander Gerst and Flight Engineer Serena Aunon-Chancellor assisted Prokopyev checking the Russian spacesuits for leaks. Gerst and Aunon-Chancellor then moved on to a study that has been ongoing aboard the orbital lab since September of 2017 observing how muscles adapt to outer space. The duo set up the Columbus lab module for research operations and scanned their head and foot muscles with an ultrasound device. The data may help doctors improve fitness in space and develop treatments for muscle and aging problems on Earth. Back on Earth, on opposite sides of the globe, a pair of rockets are getting ready to send a new crew and more science and supplies to the space station. Russia's Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft will launch Kononenko and fellow crew members Anne McClain and David Saint-Jacques from Kazakhstan to the station on Monday at 6:31 a.m. EST. The following day at 1:38 p.m. in Florida, the SpaceX Dragon will blast off to the station to deliver more than 5,600 pounds of cargo to resupply the station residents. On-Orbit Status Report JEM Airlock (JEMAL) Depressurization: The JEM Airlock was depressurized in preparation for the transfer of the NanoRacks External Platform Inserts (NREP) back to the Exposed Facility Unit (EFU) 4 location. The NREP was brought inside ISS earlier this week so the crew could exchange the sortie 3 payload for the sortie 4 payload. Each NREP sortie on the JEM Exposed Facility is approximately 6 months in duration. The NREP represents the first external commercial research capability for testing in support of scientific investigations, sensors, and electronic components in space. Muscle Tone in Space (Myotones): A crewmember performed blood collection, skin marking, Myotones device measurements, and ultrasound measurements in support of the Myotones investigation. The Myotones investigation observes the biochemical properties of muscles during long-term exposure to the spaceflight environment. Results from this investigation are expected to provide insight into principles of human resting muscle tone, which could lead to the development of new strategies for alternative treatments for rehabilitation both on Earth and for future space missions. Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI2): Late in the day on Wednesday, MELFI2 stopped sending health and status and was not recoverable via a power cycle, and was subsequently powered down. Science samples were successfully transferred to another MELFI with no issues reported. During the initial troubleshooting today, MELFI2 powered back into a nominal state. The team will continue to monitor MELFI2 and it's unlikely we'll consider putting any science samples into this unit until sometime after SpaceX-16 arrival. MELFI is a cold storage unit that maintains experiment samples at temperatures as low as -95C throughout a mission. There are three MELFI units on ISS. Sokol Suit Leak Checks: In preparation for their return to earth on December 20, all three crew members donned their Russian Sokol launch and entry suits in order to perform standard leak checks. All leak checks were completed successfully. Completed Task List Activities: 71P USOS Unpack Ground Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. LSR Checkout SPDM Direct Drive Tests Two-Day Look Ahead: Friday, 11/30: Payloads Cemsica Sample exchange PCG-16 microscope observations MVP module remove (Cell-05) Veg-03 h/w deactivation WICO SD card delete Systems: Russian EVA Tool Gather Dragon On Board Training CUCU Checkout Saturday, 12/01: Payloads: JAXA/Probiotics Systems: None Today's Planned Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. Columbus cabin restore after Myotones experiment Data Preparation for Return Environmental Health System (EHS) - Surface Sampler Kit (SSK) and Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) Analysis T + 5 EVA Procedure Review for Suit IV Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Training Review IMS Update iPad Wireless Troubleshooting International Procedure Viewer Tablet Questionnaire JEM Airlock Depressurization JEM Airlock Vent MELFI2 Transfer Myotones Operations ECHO Unit Setup for Myotones experiment ECHO Unit Stowage Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos Web Site and Social Media Reminder #2 for Myotones experiment Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain Part 2 Russian EVA Tool Gather Veggie Hardware Stow PHOTOBIOREACTOR. Visual monitoring and photography Locating EVA hardware and tools. Hand Ergometry Assessment. Maintenance Visual inspection and leak monitoring using US ULD Leak Detector in Soyuz 739 . Re Post-drying spacesuits and gloves stowage Soyuz 739 Sokol Suit Leak Check Sokol space suits and gloves drying Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. There is not enough analysis data for Chinook Energy. 4.8 Community Rank Outperform Votes Chinook Energy has received 294 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Chinook Energy has received 118 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Chinook Energy has received 71.36% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Chinook Energy and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe CKE will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe CKE will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next ConocoPhillips engages in the exploration, production, transportation and marketing of crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and liquefied natural gas on a worldwide basis. It operates through the following geographical segments: Alaska; Lower 48; Canada; Europe, Middle East and North Africa; Asia Pacific; and Other International. The Alaska segment primarily explores for produces, transports and markets crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. The Lower 48 segment consists of operations in the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico. The Canada segment is comprised of oil sands development in the Athabasca Region of northeastern Alberta and a liquids-rich unconventional play in western Canada. The Europe, Middle East and North Africa segment consists of operations and exploration activities in Norway, the United Kingdom and Libya. The Asia Pacific segment has explorations and product operations in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia. The Other International segment handles exploration activities in Columbia and Argentina. The company was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. Read More iShares MSCI India ETF's stock was trading at $28.76 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus 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. Yonkers Raceways Sunday (Dec. 2) matinee saw a down-the-road Mostinterestingman (Austin Siegelman, $11) victorious in the featured and sloppy $44,000 Open Handicap Trot. The fractions were cut in :27.3, :57.3 and 1:26.3 as Mostinterestingman from Post 4 never had an anxious moment during the 1:55.4 win. Jack Vernon (who was driven by Dan Dube) rushed up around the breaking 8-5 favourite, Celebrity Ruth (Trond Smedshammer), to grab the early pocket around another misbehaver (Crazy About Pat, who was steered by Jordan Stratton). New Heaven (Joe Bongiorno) did not get close moving first-up from fourth as Mostinterestingman had a two and a quarter-length lead in and out of the final turn. He went on to win by three lengths. Jack Vernon came back on to secure second, while New Heaven, Royal Bachelor (Eric Abbatiello) and Andy Ray (Jason Bartlett) picked off the minors. Mostinterestingman, pictured victorious at Yonkers Raceway on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 For third choice Mostinterestingman, a five-year-old Manofmanymissions gelding co-owned by (trainer) Ricky Bucci and Richard Solano, it was his eighth win from 38 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $74.50, the triple returned $860, and the superfecta paid $5,358. Aqueduct was fogged out Sunday, and with it this weeks scheduled revival of the New York, New York Double. Yonkers next Sunday matinee will take place on Dec. 16. (Yonkers Raceway) 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.. Guess?, Inc. engages in designing, marketing, distributing and licensing of contemporary apparel and accessories for men, women and children that reflect the American lifestyle and European fashion sensibilities. It operates through the following segments: Americas Retail, Americas Wholesale, Europe, Asia, and Licensing. The Americas Retail segment includes the Company's retail and e-Commerce operations in North and Central America and its retail operations in South America. The Americas Wholesale segment consists of the Company's wholesale operations in the Americas. The Europe segment comprises the Company's retail, e-commerce and wholesale operations in Europe and the Middle East. The Asia segment refers to the Company's retail, e-commerce and wholesale operations in Asia and the Pacific. The Licensing segment includes the worldwide licensing operations of the Company. The company was founded by Paul Marciano and Maurice Marciano in 1981 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft: 87 Leonard Development LLC, ABFS I Incorporated, ABS MB Ltd., Acacia (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Accounting Solutions Holding Company Inc, Alex. Brown Financial Services Incorporated, Alex. Brown Investments Incorporated, Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft mbH, Amber Investments S.a r.l., Ambidexter GmbH, Ambidexter GmbH i.L., Argent Incorporated, BHW - Gesellschaft fur Wohnungswirtschaft mbH, BHW Bausparkasse Aktiengesellschaft, BHW Holding GmbH, BHW Kreditservice GmbH, BNA Nominees Pty Limited, BT Globenet Nominees Limited, BTAS Cayman GP, BTD Nominees Pty Limited, Baincor Nominees Pty Limited, Bainpro Nominees Pty Ltd, Baldur Mortgages Limited, Bankers Trust Investments Limited, Barkly Investments Ltd., Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc, Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc., Berkshire Mortgage Finance, Betriebs-Center fur Banken AG, Biomass Holdings S.a r.l., Birch (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Blue Cork Inc, Blue Cork Inc., Borfield Sociedad Anonima, Breaking Wave DB Limited, Cape Acquisition Corp., CapeSuccess Inc., CapeSuccess LLC, Cardales UK Limited, Cardea Real Estate S.r.l., Career Blazers LLC, Career Blazers Management Company Inc, Career Blazers Management Company Inc., Career Blazers Personnel Services Inc, Career Blazers Personnel Services Inc., Career Blazers Personnel Services of Washington D.C. Inc. Washington D.C., Caribbean Resort Holdings Inc, Caribbean Resort Holdings Inc., Carpathian Investments Designated Activity Company, Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Asset Management Company Limited, Cathay Capital Company (No 2) Limited, Cedar (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Centennial River 2 Inc., Centennial River Corporation, Chapel Funding, Charlton (Delaware) Inc, China Recovery Fund LLC, China Recovery Fund LLC, Cinda - DB NPL Securitization Trust 2003-1, City Leasing (Thameside) Limited, City Leasing Limited, Consumo S.p.A., Consumo Srl in Liquidazione, Cyrus J. Lawrence Capital Holdings Inc., Cyrus J. Lawrence Capital Holdings Inc., D B Investments (GB) Limited, D&M Turnaround Partners Godo Kaisha, D.B. International Delaware Inc., D.B. International Delaware Inc., DAHOC (UK) Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DAHOC Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DB (Barbados) SRL, DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Asing) Sdn. Bhd., DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Tempatan) Sendirian Berhad, DB (Pacific) Limited, DB (Pacific) Limited New York, DB (Pacific) Limited New York, DB Abalone LLC, DB Alex. Brown Holdings Incorporated, DB Alps Corporation, DB Aotearoa Investments Limited, DB Asia Pacific Holdings Limited (in voluntary liquidation), DB Asset Finance I S.a r.l., DB Asset Finance II S.a r.l., DB Aster II LLC, DB Aster III LLC, DB Aster Inc., DB Aster LLC, DB Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH, DB Boracay LLC, DB Capital Investments Sarl, DB Capital Markets (Deutschland) GmbH, DB Capital Partners Inc., DB Capital Partners Inc., DB Cartera de Inmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Cartera de Inmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Chestnut Holdings Limited, DB Commodity Services LLC, DB Consorzio S. Cons. a r. l., DB Corporate Advisory (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., DB Covered Bond S.r.l., DB Credit Investments S.a r.l., DB Delaware Holdings (Europe) Limited, DB Direkt GmbH, DB Elara LLC, DB Energy Commodities Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DB Energy Trading LLC, DB Enfield Infrastructure Holdings Limited, DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equity Limited, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Finance International GmbH, DB Ganymede 2006 L.P., DB Global Markets Multi-Strategy Fund I Ltd., DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology SRL, DB Group Services (UK) Limited, DB HR Solutions GmbH, DB Holding Fundo de Investimento Multimercado Investimento no Exterior Credito Privado, DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB Holdings (South America) Limited, DB IROC Leasing Corp., DB Immobilienfonds 1 Wieland KG, DB Immobilienfonds 2 KG i.L., DB Immobilienfonds 4 KG i.L., DB Immobilienfonds 5 Wieland KG, DB Impact Investment (GP) Limited, DB Impact Investment Fund I L.P., DB Impact Investment Fund I L.P., DB Industrial Holdings Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, DB Industrial Holdings GmbH, DB Intermezzo LLC, DB International (Asia) Limited, DB International Investments Limited, DB International Trust (Singapore) Limited, DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Resources (US) Corporation, DB Investment Resources Holdings Corp., DB Investment Services GmbH, DB Io LP, DB Litigation Fee LLC, DB London (Investor Services) Nominees Limited, DB Management Support GmbH, DB Managers LLC, DB Municipal Holdings LLC, DB Nexus American Investments (UK) Limited (in members'voluntary liquidation), DB Nexus Investments (UK) Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DB Nominees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB Nominees (Singapore) Pte Ltd, DB Omega BTV S.C.S., DB Omega Holdings LLC, DB Omega Ltd., DB Omega S.C.S., DB Operaciones y Servicios Interactivos Agrupacion de Interes Economico, DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Holdings Limited, DB PWM, DB Portfolio Southwest Inc., DB Print GmbH, DB Privat- und Firmenkundenbank AG, DB Private Clients Corp., DB Private Wealth Mortgage Ltd., DB RC Holdings LLC, DB Re S.A., DB Service Centre Limited, DB Service Uruguay S.A., DB Services Americas Inc., DB Services Americas Inc., DB Servizi Amministrativi S.r.l., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Finance 1 Designated Activity Company, DB Structured Finance 2 Designated Activity Company, DB Structured Holdings Luxembourg S.a r.l., DB Structured Products Inc., DB Structured Products Inc., DB Trustee Services Limited, DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB U.S. Financial Markets Holding Corporation, DB UK Bank Limited, DB UK Holdings Limited, DB UK PCAM Holdings Limited, DB USA Core Corporation, DB USA Corporation, DB Valoren S.a r.l., DB Value S.a r.l., DB VersicherungsManager GmbH, DB Vita S.A., DBAB Wall Street LLC, DBAH Capital LLC, DBAH Capital LLC, DBCIBZ1, DBCIBZ2, DBFIC Inc., DBFIC Inc., DBNZ Overseas Investments (No.1) Limited, DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited, DBOI Global Services Private Limited, DBR Investments Co. Limited, DBRE Global Real Estate Management IA Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management IB Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management IB Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management US IB L.L.C., DBRMS4, DBRMSGP1, DBUK PCAM Limited, DBUKH No. 2 Limited, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ2 S.a r.l., DBUSBZ2 S.a r.l., DBX Advisors LLC, DBX ETF Trust, DBX Strategic Advisors LLC, DBO Vermogensverwertung GmbH, DEBEKO Immobilien GmbH & Co Grundbesitz OHG, DEE Deutsche Erneuerbare Energien GmbH, DEUFRAN Beteiligungs GmbH, DEUKONA Versicherungs-Vermittlungs-GmbH, DEUTSCHE BANK A.S., DG China Clean Tech Partners, DI Deutsche Immobilien Treuhandgesellschaft mbH, DIB-Consult Deutsche Immobilien- und BeteiligungsBeratungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., DISCA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DNU Nominees Pty Limited, DSL Portfolio GmbH & Co. KG, DSL Portfolio Verwaltungs GmbH, DTS Nominees Pty Limited, DWS Alternatives France, DWS Alternatives Global Limited, DWS Alternatives GmbH, DWS Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, DWS Beteiligungs GmbH, DWS CH AG, DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Far Eastern Investments Limited, DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA, DWS Group Services UK Limited, DWS Grundbesitz GmbH, DWS International GmbH, DWS Investment GmbH, DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment S.A., DWS Investments Australia Limited, DWS Investments Hong Kong Limited, DWS Investments Japan Limited, DWS Investments Shanghai Limited, DWS Investments Singapore Limited, DWS Investments UK Limited, DWS Management GmbH, DWS Real Estate GmbH, DWS Service Company, DWS Trust Company, DWS USA Corporation, De Heng Asset Management Company Limited, De Meng Innovative (Beijing) Consulting Company Limited, DeAM Infrastructure Limited, Deloraine Spain S.L., Delowrezham de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Deposit Solutions, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Capital Holdings New Zealand, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Foreign Investments New Zealand, Deutsche (Mauritius) Limited Port, Deutsche (New Munster) Holdings New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Access Investments Limited, Deutsche Aeolia Power Production Societe Anonyme, Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc., Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc., Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (France) SAS, Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (UK) Limited, Deutsche Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd, Deutsche Asset Management (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Deutsche Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, Deutsche Asset Management S.A., Deutsche Asset Management S.G.I.I.C. S.A., Deutsche Australia Limited, Deutsche Bank (Cayman) Limited, Deutsche Bank (Chile), Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, Deutsche Bank (Suisse) SA, Deutsche Bank (Uruguay) Sociedad Anonima Institucion Financiera Externa, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Americas Holding Corp., Deutsche Bank Bauspar-Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Capital Finance LLC I, Deutsche Bank Capital Finance Trust I, Deutsche Bank Europe GmbH, Deutsche Bank Financial Company, Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency of Delaware, Deutsche Bank International Limited, Deutsche Bank Investments (Guernsey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. - Fiduciary Deposits, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. - Fiduciary Note Programme, Deutsche Bank Mutui S.p.A., Deutsche Bank Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple, Deutsche Bank Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company Los, Deutsche Bank Nominees (Guernsey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Nominees (Jersey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Polska Spolka Akcyjna, Deutsche Bank Representative Office Nigeria Limited, Deutsche Bank S.A. - Banco Alemao, Deutsche Bank S.A. - Banco Alemao Sao, Deutsche Bank SPEARs/LIFERs Series DBE-8011 Trust, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Limited, Deutsche Bank Services (Jersey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Sociedad Anonima Espanola, Deutsche Bank Sociedad Anonima Espanola, Deutsche Bank Societa per Azioni, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Corporation, Deutsche CIB Centre Private Limited, Deutsche Capital Finance (2000) Limited, Deutsche Capital Hong Kong Limited, Deutsche Capital Management Limited, Deutsche Capital Markets Australia Limited, Deutsche Capital Partners China Limited, Deutsche Cayman Ltd., Deutsche Colombia S.A.S., Deutsche Custody N.V., Deutsche Domus New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Equities India Private Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 1 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 2 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 3 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 4 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Foras New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Immobilien-Leasing mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Immobilien-Leasing mit beschrankterHaftung, Deutsche Global Markets Limited, Deutsche Group Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Deutsche Group Services Pty Limited, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Deutsche Grundbesitz-Anlagegesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Holdings (BTI) Limited, Deutsche Holdings (Grand Duchy), Deutsche Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Deutsche Holdings (Malta) Ltd., Deutsche Holdings Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 3 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 4 Limited, Deutsche Immobilien Leasing GmbH, Deutsche India Holdings Private Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services (Ireland) Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services Limited, Deutsche International Custodial Services Limited, Deutsche Inversiones Dos S.A., Deutsche Inversiones Limitada, Deutsche Investments (Netherlands) N.V., Deutsche Investments India Private Limited, Deutsche Investor Services Private Limited, Deutsche Knowledge Services Pte. Ltd., Deutsche Leasing New York Corp., Deutsche Mandatos S.A., Deutsche Master Funding Corporation, Deutsche Mexico Holdings S.a r.l., Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Limited, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Public Limited Company, Deutsche Mortgage & Asset Receiving Corporation, Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., Deutsche Nederland N.V., Deutsche New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Nominees Limited, Deutsche Oppenheim Family Office AG, Deutsche Overseas Issuance New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Postbank, Deutsche Postbank Finance Center Objekt GmbH, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC I, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC II, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC III, Deutsche Private Asset Management Limited, Deutsche Securities (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Securities (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities Asia Limited, Deutsche Securities Australia Limited, Deutsche Securities Inc., Deutsche Securities Israel Ltd., Deutsche Securities Korea Co., Deutsche Securities Mauritius Limited, Deutsche Securities Menkul Degerler A.S., Deutsche Securities S.A., Deutsche Securities S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities Saudi Arabia, Deutsche Securities SpA, Deutsche Securities Venezuela S.A., Deutsche Securitisation Australia Pty Limited, Deutsche Services Polska Sp. z o.o., Deutsche StiftungsTrust GmbH, Deutsche Strategic Investment Holdings Yugen Kaisha, Deutsche Trust Company Limited Japan, Deutsche Trustee Company Limited, Deutsche Trustee Services (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Trustees Malaysia Berhad, Deutsche Wealth Management S.G.I.I.C. S.A., Deutsches Institut fur Altersvorsorge GmbH, Durian (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., EC EUROPA IMMOBILIEN FONDS NR. 3 GmbH & CO. KG i.I., Elba Finance GmbH, Elizabethan Holdings Limited, Elizabethan Management Limited, Emerald Asset Repackaging Designated Activity Company, Erste Frankfurter Hoist GmbH, European Value Added I (Alternate G.P.) LLP, Exinor SA, FARAMIR Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs GmbH, FRANKFURT CONSULT GmbH, Fiduciaria Sant' Andrea S.r.L., Finanzberatungsgesellschaft mbH der Deutschen Bank, Franz Urbig- und Oscar Schlitter-Stiftung Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-037, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-039, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-040, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-041, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-043, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-044, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-047, Funfte SAB Treuhand und Verwaltung GmbH & Co. Suhl "Rimbachzentrum" KG, G Finance Holding Corp., G.O. IB-US Management L.L.C., G918 Corp., GAC-HEL Inc., GWC-GAC Corp., Galene S.a r.l., Gemini Technology Services Inc., German American Capital, German American Capital Corporation, Gladyr Spain S.L., Global Markets Fundo de Investimento Multimercado, Global Markets III Fundo de Investimento Multimercado - Credito, Greenwood Properties Corp., Grundstucksgesellschaft Frankfurt Bockenheimer Landstrae GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Kerpen-Sindorf Vogelrutherfeld GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Leipzig Petersstrae GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Wiesbaden Luisenstrae/Kirchgasse GbR, HTB Spezial GmbH & Co. KG, Hollandsche Bank-Unie, IOS Finance EFC S.A., ISTRON Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs-GmbH, IVAF I Manager S.a r.l., IVAF I Manager S.a r.l., Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben I GbR, Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben II GbR, Immobilienfonds Mietwohnhauser Quadrath-Ichendorf GbR, Immobilienfonds Wohn- und Geschaftshaus Koln-Blumenberg V GbR, J R Nominees (Pty) Ltd, Joint Stock Company Deutsche Bank DBU, Jyogashima Godo Kaisha, KEBA Gesellschaft fur interne Services mbH, Kidson Pte Ltd, Konsul Inkasso GmbH, Kradavimd UK Lease Holdings Limited, LA Water Holdings Limited, LAWL Pte. Ltd., Latitude Australia Secured Personal Loans Trust, Leasing Verwaltungsgesellschaft Waltersdorf mbH, Leonardo III Initial GP Limited, Lindsell Finance Limited, London Industrial Leasing Limited, MEF I Manager S. a r.l., MEF I Manager S. a r.l., MHL Reinsurance Ltd., MIT Holdings Inc., MIT Holdings Inc., MPP Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Maher Terminals Holdings (Toronto) Limited, Morgan Grenfell & Company, MortgageIT, MortgageIT Inc., MortgageIT Inc., MortgageIT Securities Corp., Motion Picture Productions One GmbH & Co. KG, NCW Holding Inc., Navegator - SGFTC S.A., Navegator - SGFTC S.A., New 87 Leonard LLC, Nordwestdeutscher Wohnungsbautrager Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, OOO "Deutsche Bank TechCentre", OOO "Deutsche Bank", OPB Verwaltungs- und Beteiligungs-GmbH, OPB Verwaltungs- und Treuhand GmbH, OPB-Holding GmbH, OPB-Nona GmbH, OPB-Oktava GmbH, OPB-Quarta GmbH, OPB-Quinta GmbH, OPB-Septima GmbH, OPPENHEIM Capital Advisory GmbH, OPPENHEIM Flottenfonds V GmbH & Co. KG, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Manager GmbH, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, OPS Nominees Pty Limited, OVT Trust 1 GmbH, OVV Beteiligungs GmbH, Opal Funds (Ireland) Public Limited Company, PADUS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, PARTS Funding LLC., PB Factoring GmbH, PB Firmenkunden AG, PB International S.A., PB Spezial-Investmentaktiengesellschaft mit Teilgesellschaftsvermogen, PBC Banking Services GmbH, PCC Services GmbH der Deutschen Bank, PT Deutsche Sekuritas Indonesia, PT. Deutsche Verdhana Sekuritas Indonesia, Pan Australian Nominees Pty Ltd, Peruda Leasing Limited, Plantation Bay Inc., Plantation Bay Inc., Postbank Akademie und Service GmbH, Postbank Beteiligungen GmbH, Postbank Direkt GmbH, Postbank Filialvertrieb AG, Postbank Finanzberatung AG, Postbank Immobilien GmbH, Postbank Immobilien und Baumanagement GmbH, Postbank Immobilien und Baumanagement GmbH & Co. Objekt Leipzig KG, Postbank Leasing GmbH, Postbank Service GmbH, Postbank Systems AG, QR Tower 2 LLC, Quantiguous, R.B.M. Nominees Pty Ltd, REO Properties Corporation, RREEF, RREEF America L.L.C., RREEF China REIT Management Limited, RREEF European Value Added I (G.P.) Limited, RREEF Fund Holding Co., RREEF India Advisors Private Limited, RREEF Management L.L.C., RTS Nominees Pty Limited, Reference Capital Investments Limited, RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., Route 28 Receivables LLC, Route 28 Receivables LLC, SAB Real Estate Verwaltungs GmbH, SAGITA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SAPIO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SCUDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SEDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SENA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Kamenz KG, SIFA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SOLIDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SP Mortgage Trust, SPINO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SPV I Sociedad Anonima Cerrada, SPV II Sociedad Anonima Cerrada, STATOR Heizkraftwerk Frankfurt (Oder) Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Sal. Oppenheim, Sal. Oppenheim Alternative Investments GmbH, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. AG & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Beteiligungs GmbH, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Komplementar AG, Sechste Salomon Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Sechste Salomon Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Service Company Four Limited, Sharps SP I LLC, Singer Island Tower Suite LLC, Somkid Immobiliare S.r.l., Stelvio Immobiliare S.r.l., Structured Finance Americas LLC, Structured Finance Americas LLC, Swabia 1. Vermogensbesitz-GmbH, Suddeutsche Vermogensverwaltung Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, TAKIR Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TELO Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, TEMATIS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., TERRUS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., TESATUR Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Halle I KG i.L., TESATUR Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Nordhausen I KG i.L., TOSSA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TRIPLA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TRS Aria LLC, TRS Leda LLC, TRS Maple II LTD, TRS Oak II LTD, TRS SVCO LLC, TRS Scorpio LLC, TRS Tupelo II LTD, TRS Venor LLC, TRS Walnut II LTD, Tagus - Sociedade de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Tasfiye Halinde Deutsche Securities Menkul Degerler A.S., Tempurrite Leasing Limited, Thai Asset Enforcement and Recovery Asset Management Company Limited, Tianjin Deutsche AM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Treuinvest Service GmbH, Triplereason Limited, UKE Beteiligungs-GmbH, UKE Grundstucksgesellschaft mbH, UKE s.r.o., Ullmann - Esch Grundstucksgesellschaft Kirchnerstrae GbR, Ullmann - Esch Grundstucksverwaltungsgesellschaft Disternich GbR, Ullmann Ullmann Krockow Krockow Esch GbR, VCJ Lease S.a r.l., Vesta Real Estate S.r.l., VOB-ZVD Processing GmbH, WEPLA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, WEPLABeteiligungsgesellschaftmbH, Wealthspur Investment Ltd., Whale Holdings S.a r.l., World Trading (Delaware) Inc., World Trading(Delaware)Inc., Zumirez Drive LLC, db PBC, and norisbank GmbH. Freak weather is engulfing the USA from West to East with floods and mudslides prompting rescues in California, strong thunderstorms engulfing the Plains and spawning at least three tornadoes that caused extensive damage in Oklahoma and killed one person in a southwestern Missouri as well as black ice in Indianapolis. California in floods and mud Just weeks after Californias Camp Fire wiped the town of Paradise off the map, heavy rainfall triggered debris flows, causing road closures and yet another round of evacuations in burn areas. As many as 100 vehicles were stuck on Honey Run Road in Butte County and were unable to flee Butte Creek Canyon, according to the Chico Enterprise-Record. Those vehicles were later freed, and no injuries were reported. A pair of debris flows overtook Honey Run Road, trapping about 50 people in their homes above one of the flows. It is serious. The water is coming up so we want to make sure we get everybody out that we can, Butte County Sheriffs Sgt. Brad Meyer told KHSL/KNVN in Chico, as reported by the Associated Press. Thursday afternoon, Orange County authorities ordered the evacuation of Trabuco Canyon in the Santa Ana Mountains, where a wildfire burned earlier this year, according to the AP. As the heavy rain moved into Southern California, it triggered travel woes and several car crashes. A mudslide trapped vehicles and prompted the California Highway Patrol to close Highway 38 between Valley of the Falls Drive and Sugar Pine Circle in San Bernardino County. Health officials warned residents in Southern California Thursday to avoid beach water, which may contain bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash and other public health hazards due to runoff, the AP reported. On Wednesday, residents were ordered to evacuate from several areas near the Holy Fire burn area in Riverside County, southeast of Los Angeles. The county released an interactive map to show which areas were under mandatory evacuation orders, and which were at risk for mudslides and debris flows during the storms. People in these zones MUST GO NOW, said the county in the announcement. Debris flows can happen with little to no warning. As always, residents are urged to remain vigilant and take personal responsibility for their safety. The area was left vulnerable by the Holy Fire, which burned more than 36 square miles in August. It destroyed several structures and left many hillsides with no vegetation to hold back possible mudslides. Plains engulfed by severe thunderstorms Strong thunderstorms tore across the Plains Friday into Saturday morning, spawning at least three tornadoes that caused extensive damage in Oklahoma and killed one person in a southwestern Missouri. Fire Chief Robert Ward told KYTV that one person inside an Aurora, Missouri, motel was killed as a storm passed through. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado in the area. Authorities have not released the persons name or details of how the death occurred. A tornado was reported near Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, around 9:30 p.m. CST. Widespread damage was reported around the Lake Tenkiller area as the storm tracked on towards Arkansas. The storm was accompanied by a strong tornado debris signature, indicating that significant damage may have occurred for some time. As daylight arrived Saturday, extensive damage could be seen from social media posts, including damage to the Snake Creek Marina at Lake Tenkiller. Theres nothing left. No marina. Nothing. My boats gone and everything is gone, Michael Martin told KOTV. This is devastating right here. I mean few of the docks have been torn up, but these are destroyed. There aint nothing left down there. Law enforcement reported several homes damaged in the town of Tenkiller, according to ABC 4029 News. Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane told the news station a family trapped in a storm cellar by a downed tree was rescued. In Gore, Oklahoma, three homes were damaged, one severely, and in Aurora, a car dealership sustained heavy damage. Several homes were damaged in Van Buren, Arkansas. In Missouri, a wind gust to 83 mph was recorded near Republic, and in Ridgedale, the top two Floors of DMonaco Resort sustained significant damage, the National Weather Service reported. No injuries have been reported. Chicken Creek subdivision SW of Cookson OK tornado damage. A number of mobile homes have been destroyed. #okwx #tornado @NWStulsa pic.twitter.com/ZpkpjxpX1D Jeff Piotrowski (@Jeff_Piotrowski) December 1, 2018 An area of low pressure moved into the southern Plains Friday night and intensified, said weather.com meteorologist Linda Lam. This system combined with mild and moist air from the Gulf of Mexico to produce strong to severe thunderstorms Friday night from northern Texas into southern Missouri. This system will continue tracking eastward and will bring the risk of severe storms, with damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes, to parts of the South and Midwest, possibly as far north as central Illinois and central Indiana on Saturday, Lam said. Black ice pile-up in Indianapolis Authorities say black ice is responsible for a 30-car pileup Thursday in suburban Indianapolis. Fishers Fire Department Capt. John Mehling says the pileup occurred shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday on the 96th Street bridge over the White River in Carmel. Avoid 96th st and hazel dell. Massive pileup. Bridge is sheet of ice pic.twitter.com/XusjzerqEZ Gavin (@metcalfgavin) November 29, 2018 Mehling says four patients were transported to hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. From floods and mudslides in California to tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in the Plains and ice pile-up in Indianapolis, weather chaos is engulfing the US. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or become a Patron on Patreon / donate through Paypal. Please and thank you Weather California Floods, Mudslides Prompt Rescues, Evacuations from Burn Areas Weather Tornadoes Spawned From Strong Thunderstorms in Plains Leave 1 Dead in Missouri, Extensive Damage in Oklahoma Weather Black Ice Causes 30-Car Rush Hour Pileup in Suburban Indianapolis iShares MSCI Mexico ETF's stock was trading at $35.82 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWW stock has increased by 28.5% and is now trading at $46.03. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. iShares North American Tech-Software ETF's stock was trading at $211.67 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, IGV stock has increased by 99.5% and is now trading at $422.24. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The Undead Archives I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world. There is not enough analysis data for Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund. 4.1 Community Rank Outperform Votes Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund has received 179 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund has received 111 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund has received 61.72% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe KYN will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe KYN will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Raymond James Financial, Inc., a financial holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the underwriting, distribution, trading, and brokerage of equity and debt securities, and the sale of mutual funds and other investment products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other segments. The Private Client Group segment provides securities brokerage services, including the sale of equities, mutual funds, fixed income products, and insurance products to their individual clients; and borrowing and lending of securities to and from other broker-dealers, financial institutions, and other counterparties. The Capital Markets segment offers securities brokerage, trading, and research services to institutions with a focus on sale of the United States and Canadian equities and fixed income products; and manages and participates in underwritings, merger and acquisition services, and public finance activities. The Asset Management segment engages in the operations of Eagle, the Eagle Family of Funds, Cougar, the asset management operations of Raymond James & Associates, trust services of Raymond James Trust, and other fee-based asset management programs. The RJ Bank segment provides corporate loans, SBL, tax-exempt loans, and residential loans. The Other segment engages in private equity activities, including various direct and third party private equity investments; and private equity funds. Raymond James Financial, Inc. was founded in 1962 and is based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Read More Manitou Gold Inc. acquires, explores for, and develops mineral property interests located in the Gold Rock District of Northwestern Ontario and in the Goudreau-Localsh area of Northern Ontario, Canada. The company explores for gold properties. Its principal mineral assets include a 100% interest in the Kenwest property that holds 32 patented mining claims and 10 mining licenses of occupation covering 599 hectares located in the Boyer Lake area; and the Goudreau property covering 22,500 hectares located in north of Wawa, Ontario. Manitou Gold Inc. is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF's stock was trading at $163.38 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EDV stock has decreased by 15.1% and is now trading at $138.76. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Invesco China Technology ETF's stock was trading at $51.99 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, CQQQ stock has increased by 31.6% and is now trading at $68.42. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. 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 Parkland Corporation operates as a marketer, distributor, and refiner of fuel and petroleum products in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canada, International, USA, Supply, and Corporate segments. The Canada segment supplies and supports a coast-to-coast network of 1,860 retail gas stations under the Ultramar, Esso, Fas Gas Plus, Chevron, Pioneer, and Race Trac as well as operates convenience stores under the On the Run/MarchA Express brand. Additionally it offers bulk fuel, bulk and cylinder exchange propane, heating oil, lubricants, and other related products and services to commercial, industrial, and residential customers in various industries, such as oil and gas, construction, mining, forestry, fishing, and transportation under the Ultramar, Bluewave Energy, Pipeline Commercial, Chevron, Columbia Fuels, and Sparlings Propane brands. The International segment operates retail service stations under the Esso, Shell, and Sol brands; and delivers and supplies gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, propane, and lubricants to customers in various sectors, including power, oil and gas, and mining. The USA segment operates a network of gas stations; and delivers bulk fuel, lubricants, and other related products and services under the Farstad Oil, Rhinehart Oil, Tropic Oil, Superpumper, Harts, and On the Run brands. The Supply segment manufactures transportation fuels; transports, stores, and markets fuels, crude oil, and liquid petroleum gases; and manufactures and sells aviation fuel to airlines. This segment also engages in the wholesale, supply, and distribution business. The company was formerly known as Parkland Fuel Corporation and changed its name to Parkland Corporation in May 2020. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More PetroChina Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in a range of petroleum related products, services, and activities in Mainland China and internationally. It operates through Exploration and Production, Refining and Chemicals, Marketing, and Natural Gas and Pipeline segments. The Exploration and Production segment engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of crude oil and natural gas. The Refining and Chemicals segment refines crude oil and petroleum products; and produces and markets primary petrochemical products, derivative petrochemical products, and other chemical products. The Marketing segment is involved in marketing of refined products and trading business. The Natural Gas and Pipeline segment engages in the transmission of natural gas, crude oil, and refined products; and sale of natural gas. As of December 31, 2020, the company had a total length of 31,151 km, including 22,555 km of natural gas pipelines, 7,190 km of crude oil pipelines, and 1,406 km of refined product pipelines. The company is also involved in the exploration, development, and production of oil sands and coalbed methane; trading of crude oil and petrochemical products; storage, chemical engineering, storage facilities, service station, and transportation facilities and related businesses; and production and sales of basic and derivative chemical, and other chemical products. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. PetroChina Company Limited is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation. Read More SPDR ICE Preferred Securities ETF's stock was trading at $41.87 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, PSK stock has increased by 1.1% and is now trading at $42.35. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. 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). We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! HELP IS AVAILABLE The Womens Center of Brazoria County has two 24-hour hotlines where a trained specialist can help if you or a loved one has been assaulted. People can call 1-800-243-5788 or, for the northern end of the county, call 281-585-0902. Anyone suffering PTSD or with a loved one who is suffering can go to www.myptsd.com, an online forum providing community support and a 24-hour chat room for those in need of immediate help. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or know someone who is, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. There is not enough analysis data for True Nature. 4.3 Community Rank Outperform Votes True Nature has received 59 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes True Nature has received 33 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment True Nature has received 64.13% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about True Nature and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe TNTY will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe TNTY will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Sanchez Energy Corporation, an independent exploration and production company, focuses on the acquisition and development of U.S. onshore unconventional oil and natural gas resources. It engages in the horizontal development of resources from the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas. It also holds an undeveloped acreage position in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS) in Mississippi and Louisiana. As of December 31, 2017, the company had assembled approximately 285,000 net acres in the Eagle Ford Shale; and owned approximately 37,000 net acres in the TMS. Sanchez Energy Corporation was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Read More 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 Tele Columbus AG, together with its subsidiaries, operates fiber optic networks in Germany. The company operates in two segments, TV, and Internet and Telephony. The company offers analogue, digital TV, and radio broadcasting services. Its digital entertainment platform offers approximately 250 TV channels, and 60 digital radio stations. The company also provides internet and telephony, and mobile telephony services. In addition, it engages in the B2B business that comprises products to provide carrier companies with bandwidth and business client networking services, and business clients with internet and telephony services, as well as network monitoring and data center marketing services. Further, the company offers construction services to install fiber optic networks or connecting residential areas. It sells its end user products under the PYUR name. As of December 31, 2020, it served approximately 3.3 million residential units. The company was formerly known as Tele Columbus Holding GmbH and changed its name to Tele Columbus AG in September 2014. Tele Columbus AG was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. 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 The following companies are subsidiares of Travelers Companies: 10762962 Canada Inc., 350 Market Street LLC, 8527512 Canada Inc., Aetna Life and Casualty Co, American Equity Insurance Company, American Equity Specialty Insurance Company, Aprilgrange Limited, Arch Street North LLC, Auto Hartford Investments LLC, Bayhill Restaurant II Associates, Camperdown Corporation, Constitution State Services LLC, Discover Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Discover Specialty Insurance Company, F&G UK Underwriters Limited, Farmington Casualty Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters Inc., First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, Gulf Underwriters Insurance Company, IHP Capital Partners Fund VIII L.P., Northbrook Holdings Inc., Northfield Insurance Company, Northland Casualty Company, Northland Insurance Company, Phoenix UK Investments LLC, SPC Insurance Agency Inc., Select Insurance Company, Simply Business Holdings Inc., Simply Business Inc., St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, St. Paul Guardian Insurance Company, St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company, St. Paul Protective Insurance Company, St. Paul Surplus Lines Insurance Company, Standard Fire Properties LLC, Standard Fire UK Investments LLC, TCI Global Services Inc., TPC Investments Inc., TPC U.K. Investments LLC, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford Connecticut, The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Company, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, The Family Business Institute LLC, The Phoenix Insurance Company, The St. Paul Companies Inc., The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Travelers Casualty Company, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company of America, The Travelers Indemnity Company of Connecticut, The Travelers Lloyds Insurance Company, TravCo Insurance Company, Travelers (Bermuda) Limited, Travelers Brazil Acquisition LLC, Travelers Brazil Holding LLC, Travelers Casualty Company of Connecticut, Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America, Travelers Casualty UK Investments LLC, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of Europe Limited, Travelers Commercial Casualty Company, Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, Travelers Constitution State Insurance Company, Travelers Distribution Alliance Inc., Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company, Travelers Global Inc., Travelers Indemnity U.K. Investments LLC, Travelers Insurance Company Limited, Travelers Insurance Company of Canada, Travelers Insurance Designated Activity Company, Travelers Insurance Group Holdings Inc., Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company, Travelers London Limited, Travelers MGA Inc., Travelers Management Limited, Travelers Marine LLC, Travelers Participacoes em Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Personal Insurance Company, Travelers Personal Security Insurance Company, Travelers Property Casualty Company of America, Travelers Property Casualty Corp., Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, Travelers Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Syndicate Management Limited, Travelers Texas MGA Inc., Travelers Underwriting Agency Limited, Ultramar Travel Management, United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Xbridge Limited, Zensurance Brokers Inc., and Zensurance Inc.. The following companies are subsidiares of Barclays: Adler Toy Holding Sarl, Aequor Investments Limited, Alymere Investments Limited, Alynore Investments Limited Partnership, Analog Analytics, Analog Analytics Inc, Analytical Trade Holdings LLC, Analytical Trade Investments LLC, Analytical Trade UK Limited, Archstone Equity Holdings Inc, Ardencroft Investments Limited, B D & B Investments Limited, B.P.B. (Holdings) Limited, BB Client Nominees Limited, BBAIL SAS, BCAP LLC, BIFML PTC Limited, BMBF (No.24) Limited, BMI (No.9) Limited, BNC Brazil Consultoria Empresarial Ltda, BNRI ENG 2013 Limited Partnership, BNRI ENG 2014 Limited Partnership, BNRI ENG GP LLP, BNRI England 2010 Limited Partnership, BNRI England 2011 Limited Partnership, BNRI England 2012 Limited Partnership, BNRI Limehouse No.1 Sarl, BNRI PIA Scot GP Limited, BNRI Scots GP LLP, BPB Holdings SA, BVP Galvani Global S.A.U., Barafor Limited, Barclay Leasing Limited, Barclaycard Funding PLC, Barclaycard International Payments Limited, Barclays (Barley) Limited, Barclays Aldersgate Investments Limited, Barclays Alzin Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Asia Limited, Barclays Asset Management Limited, Barclays BR Investments S.a r.l., Barclays BWA Inc., Barclays Bank (Suisse) S.A., Barclays Bank Delaware, Barclays Bank Ireland PLC, Barclays Bank Ireland Public Limited Company, Barclays Bank Mexico S.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Barclays Bank UK PLC, Barclays Bayard Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Bedivere Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Bordang Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Brasil Assessoria Financeira Ltda., Barclays CCP Funding LLC, Barclays Cantal Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Capital (Cayman) Limited, Barclays Capital Asia Holdings Limited, Barclays Capital Asia Limited, Barclays Capital Canada Inc., Barclays Capital Casa de Bolsa S.A. de C.V., Barclays Capital Derivatives Funding LLC, Barclays Capital Effekten GmbH, Barclays Capital Energy Inc., Barclays Capital Equities Trading GP, Barclays Capital Finance Limited, Barclays Capital Futures (Singapore) Private Limited, Barclays Capital Holdings (Singapore) Private Limited, Barclays Capital Holdings Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Barclays Capital Japan Securities Holdings Limited, Barclays Capital Luxembourg S.a r.l., Barclays Capital Mauritius Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees (No.2) Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees (No.3) Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees Limited, Barclays Capital Principal Investments Limited, Barclays Capital Real Estate Finance Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Holdings Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Inc., Barclays Capital Securities Client Nominee Limited, Barclays Capital Securities Limited, Barclays Capital Securities Mauritius Limited, Barclays Capital Trading Luxembourg S.a r.l., Barclays Claudas Investments Partnership, Barclays Claudas Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Commercial Mortgage Securities LLC, Barclays Converted Investments (No.2) Limited, Barclays Corporation Limited, Barclays Direct Investing Nominees Limited, Barclays Directors Limited, Barclays Dryrock Funding LLC, Barclays Electronic Commerce Holdings Inc., Barclays Equity Holdings Limited, Barclays Equity Index Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Europe Client Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Europe Firm Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Europe Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Executive Schemes Trustees Limited, Barclays Financial LLC, Barclays Financial Planning Nominee Company Limited, Barclays Funds Investments Limited, Barclays Funds and Advisory Japan Limited, Barclays Global Service Centre Private Limited, Barclays Global Shareplans Nominee Limited, Barclays Group Holdings Limited, Barclays Group Operations Limited, Barclays Group US Inc., Barclays Index Finance Trust, Barclays Industrial Development Limited, Barclays Industrial Investments Limited, Barclays Insurance Guernsey PCC Limited, Barclays Insurance Services Company Limited, Barclays Insurance U.S. Inc., Barclays International Luxembourg Dollar Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Investment Management Limited, Barclays Investment Solutions Limited, Barclays Investments & Loans (India) Limited, Barclays Korea GP Limited, Barclays Lamorak Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Leasing (No.9) Limited, Barclays Leto Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Long Island Limited, Barclays Luxembourg EUR Holdings S.a r.l, Barclays Luxembourg Finance S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg GBP Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Global Funding S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Holdings SSC B, Barclays Marlist Limited, Barclays Mauritius Overseas Holdings Limited, Barclays Mercantile Business Finance Limited, Barclays Merchant Bank (Singapore) Ltd., Barclays Nominees (George Yard) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Guernsey) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Jersey) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Manx) Limited, Barclays Oversight Management Inc., Barclays Payment Solutions Inc., Barclays Pelleas Investments Limited Partnership, Barclays Pelleas Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Pension Funds Trustees Limited, Barclays Principal Investments Limited, Barclays Private Asset Management (Monaco) S.A.M, Barclays Private Bank, Barclays Private Clients International Limited, Barclays Receivables LLC, Barclays SAMS Limited, Barclays Securities (India) Private Limited, Barclays Securities Japan Limited, Barclays Security Trustee Limited, Barclays Services (Japan) Limited, Barclays Services Corporation, Barclays Services Jersey Limited, Barclays Services LLC, Barclays Services Limited, Barclays Shea Limited, Barclays Singapore Global Shareplans Nominee Limited, Barclays Switzerland Services SA, Barclays Tenedora De Immuebles SL., Barclays Term Funding Limited Liability Partnership, Barclays UK Investments Limited, Barclays US CCP Funding LLC, Barclays US Funding LLC, Barclays US GPF Inc., Barclays US Investments Inc., Barclays US LLC, Barclays Unquoted Investments Limited, Barclays Unquoted Property Investments Limited, Barclays Wealth Management Jersey Limited, Barclays Wealth Nominees Limited, Barclays Wealth Services Limited, Barclays Wealth Trustees (India) Private Limited, Barclayshare Nominees Limited, Barclaytrust Channel Islands Limited, Barcosec Limited, Barsec Nominees Limited, Blossom Finance General Partnership, Branchcall Computers (Pvt) Limited, Braven Investments No.1 Limited, CP Flower Guaranteeco (UK) Limited, CP Newco 1 Limited, CP Newco2 Limited, CP Newco3 Limited, CP Propco 1 Limited, CP Propco 2 Limited, CP Topco Limited, CPIA Canada Holdings, CPIA England 2008 Limited Partnership, CPIA England 2009 Limited Partnership, CPIA England No.2 Limited Partnership, CPIA Investments No.1 Limited, CPIA Investments No.2 Limited, CRE Diversified Holdings LLC, CREW Tahoe Holdings LLC, CREW Tahoe LLC, Calthorpe Investments Limited, Capton Investments Limited, Carnegie Holdings Limited, Central Platte Valley Management LLC, Chapelcrest Investments Limited, Charles Schwab Europe, Claudas Investments Limited, Claudas Investments Two Limited, Clydesdale Financial Services Limited, Cobalt Investments Limited, Compania Regional del Sur S.A., Compania Sudamerica S.A., Condor No.1 Limited Partnership, Cornwall Homes Loans Limited, Crescent Crown Land Holding SPV LLC, Crescent Legacy LLC, Crescent Plaza Residential L.P., Crescent Plaza Residential LLC, Crescent Plaza Residential LP LLC, Crescent Real Estate Member LLC, Crescent Resort Development LLC, Crescent TRS Holdings LLC, Crescent Tower Residences GP LLC, Crescent Tower Residences L.P., Curve Investments GP, DBL Texas Holdings LLC, DMW Realty Limited, Desert Mountain Development LLC, Desert Mountain Properties Limited Partnership, Develop Training Group Limited, Dorset Home Loans Limited, Durlacher Nominees Limited, EWRD Summit LLC, Eagle Financial and Leasing Services (UK) Limited, East West Resort Development V L.P. L.L.L.P., East West Resort Development VII LLC, Equity Limited Partnership, Equity Value Investments No.1 Limited, Equity Value Investments No.2 Limited, Erimon Home Loans Ireland Limited, Expobank, FIRSTPLUS Financial Group Limited, Finpart Nominees Limited, First Assurance, Foltus Investments Limited, Full House Holdings Limited, Gallen Investments Limited, Global Dynasty Natural Resource Private, Globe Nominees Limited, Gracechurch Services Corporation, Grays Station LLC, Grupo Financiero Barclays Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hawkins Funding Limited, Heraldglen Limited, Holding Stuttgarter Strae GmbH, Hurley Investments No.1 Limited, Imalivest Mineral Resources LP, Investors In Infrastructure Limited, J.V. Estates Limited, JV Assets Limited, Kirsche Investments Limited, LTDL Holdings LLC, La Torretta Beverages LLC, La Torretta Hospitality LLC, La Torretta Operations LLC, Lagalla Investments LLC, Leonis Investments LLP, Liability Partnership, Long Island Assets Limited, Long Island Holding A LLC, Long Island Holding B Limited, MK Opportunities GP Ltd, MK Opportunities LP, MVWP Investors LLC, Maloney Investments Limited, Marbury Holdings LLC, Menlo Investments Limited, Mercantile Credit Company Limited, Mercantile Leasing Company (No.132) Limited, Meridian (SPV-AMC) Corporation, Mintaka Investments No. 4 Limited, Mira Vista Development LLC, Mira Vista Golf Club L.C., Mountainside Partners LLC, Murray House Investment Management Limited, Naxos Investments Limited, Nile Bank, North Colonnade Investments Limited, Northstar Mountain Properties LLC, Northstar Trailside Townhomes LLC, Northstar Village Townhomes LLC, Northwharf Investments Limited, Northwharf Nominees Limited, OGP Leasing Limited, Oakes Millers Ltd, Ownership Trustee Limited, PIA England No.2 Limited Partnership, Palomino Limited, Pecan Aggregator LP, Pelleas Investments Limited, Pelleas Investments Two Limited, Pippin Island Investments Limited, Preferred Liquidity LLC, Preferred Liquidity Limited Partnership, Procella Investments LLC, Procella Investments No.1 LLC, Procella Investments No.2 LLC, Procella Investments No.3 LLC, Protium Finance I LLC, Protium Master Grantor Trust, Protium Master Mortgage LP, Protium REO I LP, R.C. Grieg Nominees Limited, RVH Limited, RVT CLO Investments LLP, Razzoli Investments Limited, Real Estate Participation Management Limited, Real Estate Participation Services Limited, Relative Value Holdings LLC, Relative Value Investments UK Limited, Relative Value Trading Limited, Roder Investments No. 1 Limited, Roder Investments No. 2 Limited, Ruthenium Investments Limited, SPM GP Limited, Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC, Servicios Barclays S.A. de C.V., Societe Civile Immobiliere 31 Avenue de la Costa, Solution Personal Finance Limited, Southern Peaks Mining LP, Standard Life Aberdeen, Surety Trust Limited, Surrey Funding Corporation, Sussex Purchasing Corporation, Sutton Funding LLC, Swan Lane Investments Limited, TPLL LLC, TPProperty LLC, Tahoe Club Company LLC, Tahoe Club Employee Company, The Logic Group Enterprises Limited, The Logic Group Holdings Limited, Third Energy Holdings Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No. 2 Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No.1 Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No.3 Limited, US Secured Investments LLC, Union Center LLC, United Counties Bank, Verain Investments LLC, Walbrook Group Ltd, Wedd Jefferson (Nominees) Limited, Wessex Investments Limited, Westferry Investments Limited, Wilmington Riverfront Receivables LLC, Woolwich Homes Limited, Woolwich Plan Managers Limited, Woolwich Qualifying Employee Share, Woolwich Surveying Services Limited, Woori BC Pegasus Securitization Specialty Co. Limited, and Zeban Nominees Limited. The following companies are subsidiares of Xylem: Aanderaa Data Instruments AS, Beijing United Gas Meters Co. Ltd., Bellingham & Stanley Ltd., Bombas Flygt de Venezuela S.A., CMS Research Corporation, EmNet LLC, FARADYNE Motors LLC, Faradyne Motors (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Flow Control LLC, Flowtronex PSI LLC, Fluid Handling LLC, Godwin Holdings Ltd., Goulds Water Technology Philippines Inc, Grindex AB, Grindex Pumps LLC, HYPACK Inc, Heartland Pump Rental & Sales Inc., IMT b.v., Jabsco Marine Italia s.r.l., Jabsco S. de R.L. De C.V., Lowara UK Ltd, Lowara Vogel Polska SP ZOO, Lowara s.r.l., MJK Automation ApS, MultiTrode Inc., Multitrode Pty Ltd, Nova Analytics Europe LLC, O.I. Corporation, PCI Membrane Systems Inc., Pension Trustee Management Ltd, Pims Pumps, Portacel Inc., Pure Technologies, SELC Electronics Ltd, SELC Group Ltd., SELC Ireland Ltd, Safe Sea Services FZC, Sensus, Sensus (UK Holdings) Ltd., Sensus Australia Pty Ltd, Sensus Canada Inc., Sensus Chile SA, Sensus Espana SA, Sensus France Holdings SAS, Sensus France SAS, Sensus GmbH Hannover, Sensus GmbH Ludwigshafen, Sensus Italia SRL, Sensus Japan Kabushiki Kaisha, Sensus Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Sensus Maroc S.A.., Sensus Metering Systems (Fuzhou) Co. Ltd., Sensus Metering Systems (LuxCo 1) S.A R.L., Sensus Metering Systems (LuxCo 2) S.A R.L., Sensus Metering Systems (LuxCo 3) S.A R.L., Sensus Metering Systems (LuxCo 4) S.A R.L., Sensus Metering Systems (LuxCo 5) S.A R.L, Sensus Metering Systems IP Holdings Inc., Sensus Polska sp. zoo, Sensus Precision Die Casting (Yangzhou) Co. Ltd., Sensus SPA, Sensus Services Deutschland GmbH, Sensus Slovensko a.s., Sensus South Africa (Proprietary) Ltd., Sensus Spectrum LLC, Sensus UK Systems Limited, Sensus USA Inc., Sensus de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Sensus metrologicke sluzby s.r.o._Slovakia, Sensus Ceska republika spol. s r.o., Sentec Limited, Smith-Blair Inc., Texas Turbine LLC, Tideland Signal Corporation, Tideland Signal EMEA B.V., Tideland Signal LLC, Tideland Signal Limited, Tirinstal Investments Ltd, UGI Global Limited, Valor Water Analytics, Visenti Pte. Ltd, Water Asset Management Inc., Water Process Limited, Watercompany, Xylem (China) Company Limited, Xylem (Hong Kong) Limited, Xylem (Nanjing) Co. Ltd, Xylem Analytics (Beijing) Co. Ltd, Xylem Analytics Australia Pty Ltd., Xylem Analytics France S.A.S., Xylem Analytics Germany GmbH, Xylem Analytics IP Management GmbH, Xylem Analytics IP Management SCS, Xylem Analytics LLC, Xylem Analytics UK LTD, Xylem Australia Holdings PTY LTD, Xylem Brasil Solucoes para Agua Ltda, Xylem Canada Company, Xylem Delaware Inc., Xylem Denmark Holdings ApS, Xylem Dewatering Solutions Inc., Xylem Dewatering Solutions UK Ltd, Xylem Europe GmbH, Xylem Financing S.a.r.l, Xylem Germany GmbH, Xylem Global S.a.r.l, Xylem Holdings S.a.r.l., Xylem IP Holdings LLC, Xylem IP Management S.a.r.l, Xylem IP UK S.a.r.l., Xylem Industriebeteiligungen GmbH, Xylem Industries S.a.r.l., Xylem International S.a.r.l., Xylem Lowara Limited, Xylem Luxembourg S.a r.l., Xylem Management GmbH, Xylem Manufacturing Austria GmbH, Xylem Manufacturing Middle East Region FZCO, Xylem Middle East Water Equipment Trading & Rental LLC, Xylem Russia LLC, Xylem Saudi Arabia Limited, Xylem Service Hungary Kft, Xylem Service Italia Srl, Xylem Services Austria GmbH, Xylem Services GmbH, Xylem Shared Services Sp. Z.o.o., Xylem Technologies & Partners S.C.S, Xylem Technologies GmbH, Xylem Water Holdings Limited, Xylem Water Limited, Xylem Water Services Limited, Xylem Water Solutions (Hong Kong) Limited, Xylem Water Solutions Argentina S.R.L., Xylem Water Solutions Australia Limited, Xylem Water Solutions Austria GmbH, Xylem Water Solutions Belgium, Xylem Water Solutions Chile S.A., Xylem Water Solutions Colombia SAS, Xylem Water Solutions Denmark ApS, Xylem Water Solutions Deutschland GmbH, Xylem Water Solutions Espana S.A., Xylem Water Solutions Florida LLC, Xylem Water Solutions France SAS, Xylem Water Solutions Global Services AB, Xylem Water Solutions Herford GmbH, Xylem Water Solutions Holdings France SAS, Xylem Water Solutions India Private Limited, Xylem Water Solutions Ireland Ltd., Xylem Water Solutions Italia S.R.L, Xylem Water Solutions Korea Co. Ltd., Xylem Water Solutions Magyarorszag KRT, Xylem Water Solutions Malaysia SDN. BHD., Xylem Water Solutions Manufacturing AB, Xylem Water Solutions Metz SAS, Xylem Water Solutions Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Xylem Water Solutions Middle East Region FZCO, Xylem Water Solutions Muscat LLC, Xylem Water Solutions Nederland BV, Xylem Water Solutions New Zealand Limited, Xylem Water Solutions Norge AS, Xylem Water Solutions Panama s.r.l., Xylem Water Solutions Peru S.A., Xylem Water Solutions Polska Sp.z.o.o., Xylem Water Solutions Portugal Unipessoal Lda., Xylem Water Solutions Rugby Limited, Xylem Water Solutions Singapore PTE Ltd., Xylem Water Solutions South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Xylem Water Solutions South Africa Holdings LLC, Xylem Water Solutions Suomi Oy, Xylem Water Solutions Sweden AB, Xylem Water Solutions U.S.A. Inc., Xylem Water Solutions UK Holdings Limited, Xylem Water Solutions UK Limited, Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC, Xylem Water Solutions(Shenyang) CO. Ltd, Xylem Water Systems (California) Inc., Xylem Water Systems Hungary KFT, Xylem Water Systems International Inc., Xylem Water Systems Japan Corporation, Xylem Water Systems Philippines Holding Inc., Xylem Water Systems Texas Holdings LLC, Xylem Water Systems U.S.A. LLC, YSI (China) Ltd., YSI (Hong Kong) Ltd., YSI (UK) Ltd., YSI Incorporated, YSI Instrumentos E Servicos Ambientais Ltda., YSI International Inc., YSI Nanotech Limited, and ylem Analytics Germany Sales GmbH& Co. KG. Yvonne Mintz is editor and publisher of The Facts. She has worked at the paper since 1997, first as a reporter, then as senior reporter and city editor before becoming managing editor in 2004. Follow Yvonne Mintz Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The following companies are subsidiares of Thermo Fisher Scientific: 236 Perinton Parkway LLC, 27 Forge Parkway LLC, ABR--Affinity BioReagents, ACI Holdings Inc., ARG Services LLC, ASPEX Corporation, Abgene Inc., Abgene Limited, Acoustic Cytometry Systems Inc., AcroMetrix LLC, Acros Organics B.V.B.A., Advanced Biotechnologies Limited, Advanced Scientifics (ASI), Advanced Scientifics Inc., Advanced Scientifics International Inc., Affymetrix Biotech Participacoes Ltda., Affymetrix Biotech Shanghai Ltd, Affymetrix Inc, Affymetrix Japan K.K., Affymetrix Pte Ltd, Affymetrix UK Ltd, Afora S.A.U., Ahura Scientific, Alchematrix Inc., Alchematrix LLC, Alfa Aesar, Alfa Aesar (China) Chemical Co. Ltd., Alfa Aesar (Hong Kong) Limited, Allergon AB, Alphine Mountain Limited, Ambion Inc., Apogent Denmark ApS, Apogent Finance Company, Apogent Holding Company, Apogent Technologies Inc., Apogent Transition Corp., Apogent U.K. Limited, App-Tek International Pty Ltd, Applied Biosystems B.V., Applied Biosystems Finance B.V., Applied Biosystems International Inc., Applied Biosystems LLC, Applied Biosystems Taiwan LLC, Applied Biosystems Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd., Applied Biosystems de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Applied Scientific Corporation, Avances Cientificos de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Avocado Research Chemicals Limited, B.R.A.H.M.S. Biotech GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. UK Ltd, BAC BV, BAC IP BV, Barnstead Thermolyne LLC, Beijing Phadia Diagnostics Co Ltd, Bender MedSystems GmbH, BioTrove Corporation, BioTrove International Inc., Bioanalysis Labsystems S.A., Biochemical Sciences LLC, Biolab, BmT GmbH Laborprodukte, Bonsai Tecnologies - Sistemas para Biotecnologia e Industria Unipessoal Lda, Brammer Bio, Bumi-Sans Sendirian Berhad, CAC Limited, CB Diagnostics AB, CB Diagnostics Holding AB, CEPH International Corporation, CHK Holdings Inc., CRS Robotics, CTPS LLC, Capitol Scientific Products Inc., Capitol Vial Inc., Cellomics Inc., CellzDirect Inc., Cenduit GmbH, Cenduit LLC, Cezanne S.A.S., Chase Scientific Glass Inc., Chromacol Limited, Clintrak, Clintrak Clinical Labeling Services LLC, Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services LLC, Cohesive Technologies (UK) Limited, Cohesive Technologies Inc., Columbia Diagnostics Inc., Compendia Bioscience Inc., Comtest Limited, Consolidated Technologies Inc., Consultores Fisher Scientific Chile Ltd, Core Informatics, Core Informatics LLC, Core Informatics UK Ltd., D-finitive Technologies Inc., DCG Systems B.V., DCG Systems C.V., DCG Systems G.K., DCG Systems GmbH, DCG Systems Korea Ltd., DCG Systems LLC, DPI Newco LLC, DSM Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Dharmacon, Diagnostix Ltd., Dionex (China) Analytical Ltd, Dionex (Switzerland) AG, Dionex (UK) Limited, Dionex Austria GmbH, Dionex Benelux B.V., Dionex Brasil Instrumentos Cientificos Ltda, Dionex Canada Ltd., Dionex China Limited, Dionex Corporation, Dionex Denmark A/S, Dionex Holding GmbH, Dionex I LLC, Dionex Pty Ltd., Dionex S.A., Dionex S.p.A., Dionex Singapore Pte Ltd., Dionex Softron GmbH, Dionex Sweden AB, Distribution Solutions International Inc., Doe & Ingalls Investors Inc., Doe & Ingalls Limited, Doe & Ingalls Management LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties II LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties LLC, Doe & Ingalls of California Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Florida Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Maryland Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Massachusetts Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Operating LLC, Doublecape Holding Limited, Doublecape Limited, Drakeside Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Duke Scientific Corporation, Dynal Biotech Beijing Limited, EGS Gauging Ltd., EGS Gauging Technical Services Company, EP Scientific Products LLC, Ecochem N.V., EnviroEquip Pty Ltd, Epsom Glass Industries Limited, Equibio Limited, Erie Electroverre S.A., Erie Finance Limited, Erie LP Holding LLC, Erie Scientific Company of Puerto Rico, Erie Scientific Hungary Kft, Erie Scientific LLC, Erie U.K. Limited, Erie UK 1 Limited, Erie UK 2 Limited, Erie UK Holding Company, Erie UK Senior Holding Limited, European Laboratory Holdings Limited, Eutech Instruments Europe B.V., Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd., Eutech Instruments Sdn Bhd, Ever Ready Thermometer Co. Inc., FEI Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., FEI Australia Pty Ltd, FEI CPD B.V., FEI Company, FEI Company Japan Ltd., FEI Company of USA (S.E.A.) Pte Ltd., FEI Czech Republic s.r.o., FEI Deutschland GmbH, FEI EFA Inc., FEI EFA International Pte. Ltd., FEI Electron Optics B.V., FEI Electron Optics International B.V., FEI Europe B.V., FEI France SAS, FEI Global Holdings C.V., FEI Hong Kong Company Limited, FEI Houston Inc., FEI Italia Srl, FEI Korea Ltd., FEI Melbourne Pty Ltd., FEI Microscopy Solutions Ltd, FEI Munich GmbH, FEI Norway Holding AS, FEI SAS, FEI Saudi Arabia LLC, FEI Servicos de Nanotecnologia Ltda., FEI Technologies Inc., FEI Technology de Mexico S.A. de C.V., FEI Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FEI Trondheim AS, FEI UK Ltd., FHP LLC, FRC Holding Inc. V, FS (Barbados) Capital Holdings Ltd., FS Casa Rocas Holdings LLC, FS Mexicana Holdings LLC, FSI Receivables Company LLC, FSII Sweden Holdings AB, FSII Sweden Holdings I AB, FSIR Holdings (UK) Limited, FSIR Holdings (US) Inc., FSUK Holdings Limited, FSWH Company LLC, FSWH II C.V., FSWH International Holdings LLC, Fermentas China Co. Ltd, Fermentas Inc., Fermentas International, Fermentas Sweden AB, Fermentas UK Limited, Fiberlite Centrifuge LLC, Finesse Scientific Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Finesse Solutions AG, Finesse Solutions Inc., Finnzymes Oy, Fisher Alder S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Asia Manufacturing Ventures Inc., Fisher Bermuda Holdings Limited, Fisher BioImage ApS, Fisher BioPharma Services (India) Private Limited, Fisher BioSciences Japan G.K., Fisher BioServices Inc., Fisher Bioblock Holding II SNC, Fisher CLP Holding Limited Partnership, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 1, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 2, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 3, Fisher Canada Limited Partnership, Fisher Chimica BVBA, Fisher Clinical Logistics LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services (Bristol) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Colombia) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Korea) Co. Ltd, Fisher Clinical Services (Mexico) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Peru) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services Colombia S.A.S., Fisher Clinical Services GmbH, Fisher Clinical Services Inc., Fisher Clinical Services Japan K.K., Fisher Clinical Services Latin America S.R.L., Fisher Clinical Services Limited Liability Company, Fisher Clinical Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Clinical Services Peru S.R.L, Fisher Clinical Services Pte Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services U.K. Limited, Fisher Emergo B.V., Fisher Germany Holdings GmbH, Fisher Hamilton China Inc., Fisher Hamilton Mexico LLC, Fisher Holdings ApS, Fisher Internet Minority Holdings L.L.C., Fisher Laboratory Products Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Fisher Luxembourg Danish Holdings SARL, Fisher Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Maybridge Holdings Limited, Fisher Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific (Austria) GmbH, Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Fisher Scientific (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific (SEA) Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific A/S, Fisher Scientific AG, Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Limited, Fisher Scientific Biotech Line ApS, Fisher Scientific Brazil Inc., Fisher Scientific Central America Inc., Fisher Scientific Chile Inc., Fisher Scientific Colombia Inc., Fisher Scientific Company, Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C., Fisher Scientific Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Fisher Scientific Europe Holdings B.V., Fisher Scientific GTF AB, Fisher Scientific Germany Beteiligungs GmbH, Fisher Scientific GmbH, Fisher Scientific Holding Company LLC, Fisher Scientific Holding HK Limited, Fisher Scientific Holding U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific Holdings (S) Pte Ltd, Fisher Scientific International LLC, Fisher Scientific Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Fisher Scientific Ireland Investments Unlimited, Fisher Scientific Ireland Limited, Fisher Scientific Japan Ltd., Fisher Scientific Jersey Island Limited, Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd, Fisher Scientific Latin America Inc., Fisher Scientific Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Fisher Scientific Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific Mexico Inc., Fisher Scientific Middle East and Africa Inc., Fisher Scientific Norway AS, Fisher Scientific Operating Company, Fisher Scientific Oxoid Holdings Ltd., Fisher Scientific Oy, Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific S.A.S., Fisher Scientific S.L., Fisher Scientific SPRL, Fisher Scientific The Hague I B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague II B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague III B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague IV B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague V B.V., Fisher Scientific U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company 2, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company Limited, Fisher Scientific Unipessoal Lda., Fisher Scientific Venezuela Inc., Fisher Scientific Worldwide (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Holdings I C.V., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Inc., Fisher Scientific de Mexico S.A., Fisher Scientific of the Netherlands B.V., Fisher Scientific spol. S.r.o, Fisher Servicios Clinicos (Chile) LLC, Fisher Servicios Clinicos Chile Ltda, Fisher WWD Holding L.L.C., Fisher Worldwide Distribution SPV, Fisher Worldwide Gene Distribution SPV, Flux Instruments, Fuji Partnership, G & M Procter Limited, G V Instruments Limited, GV Instruments Canada Ltd., GV Instruments Inc, Gatan Inc, General Scientific Company Sdn Bhd (M), Genomed molekularbiologische und diagnostische Produkte GmbH, Gerhard Menzel B.V. & Co. KG, Gold Cattle Standard Testing Labs Inc., Golden West Indemnity Company Limited, Goring Kerr Detection Limited, Greenville Service Company Inc., HENO GmbH i.L., Hangar 215 Inc., Helmet Securities Limited, Henogen, HighChem, HyClone International Trade (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Hybaid Limited, I.Q. (BIO) Limited, IDnostics AG, ILS Laboratories Scandinavia AB, Inel Inc., Inel SAS, InnaPhase Inc., InnaPhase Limited, IntegenX, Intrinsic BioProbes Inc., Intrinsic Bioprobes Inc., Invitrogen (Shanghai) Investment Co. Ltd., Invitrogen Argentina SA, Invitrogen BioServices India Private Limited, Invitrogen Europe Limited, Invitrogen Finance Corp., Invitrogen Holdings LLC, Invitrogen Holdings Ltd., Invitrogen Hong Kong Limited, Invitrogen IP Holdings Inc., Invitrogen Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ion Torrent Systems Inc., Ionalytics Corporation, JSC Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jouan LLC, Jouan Limited, Jouan SA, Kendro Containment & Services Limited, Kendro Laboratory Products Ltd, Kettlebrook Insurance Co. ltd., Keystone Scientific, KonTEM GmbH, Kyle Jordan Investments LLC, LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LTC Tech South Africa PTY Ltd., La-Pha-Pack GmbH, Lab Vision (UK) Limited, Lab Vision Corporation, Lab-Chrom-Pack LLC, Lab-Line Instruments Inc., Labomex MBP S. de R. L. De C.V., Laboratoire Service International - L.S.I, Laboratory Management Systems Inc., Laboratory Specialties Proprietary Ltd., LambTrack Limited, Laser Analytical Systems Inc., Liberty Lane Investment LLC, Liberty Lane Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Life Sciences International (Poland) SP z O.O, Life Sciences International Holdings BV, Life Sciences International LLC, Life Sciences International Limited, Life Technologies AS, Life Technologies Australia PTY Ltd., Life Technologies BPD AB, Life Technologies BPD UK Limited, Life Technologies Brasil Comercio e Industria de Produtos para Biotecnologia Ltda, Life Technologies Chile SpA, Life Technologies Clinical Services Lab Inc., Life Technologies Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Czech Republic s.r.o., Life Technologies DaAn Diagnostic (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Europe B.V., Life Technologies Finance Ltd., Life Technologies Finland Oy, Life Technologies GmbH, Life Technologies Holdings PTE Ltd., Life Technologies Inc., Life Technologies International B.V., Life Technologies Japan Ltd., Life Technologies Korea LLC, Life Technologies Limited, Life Technologies Magyarorszag Kft, Life Technologies New Zealand Ltd., Life Technologies Norway Investments US LLC, Life Technologies Polska Sp z.o.o., Life Technologies SA, Life Technologies SAS, Life Technologies s.r.o, Linkage Biosciences Inc., Linkage Biosciences S.a.r.l., Loftus Furnace Company, Lomb Scientific, Lomb Scientific (Aust) Pty Limited, MTI-GlobalStem, Marketbase International Limited, Matrix MicroScience Inc., Matrix MicroScience Ltd., Matrix Technologies Corporation Limited, Matrix Technologies LLC, Maybridge Chemical Company Limited, Maybridge Chemical Holdings Limited, Maybridge Limited, Medical Analysis Systems Inc., Medical Analysis Systems International Inc., Medical Diagnostics Systems Inc., Metavac LLC, Microgenics Corporation, Microgenics Diagnostics Pty Limited, Microgenics GmbH, Microm International GmbH, Microm Laborgerate S.L.U, Molecular BioProducts Inc., Molecular Probes Inc., Molecular Transfer Inc., NAPCO Inc., NERL Diagnostics LLC, NOVODIRECT GmbH Labor- und Industrie- Megerate, Nalge (Europe) Limited, Nalge Nunc International (Monterrey) LLC, Nalge Nunc International Corporation, Nanjing WeiKangLe Trading Industrial Co Ltd, NanoDrop Technologies LLC, National Scientific Company, Navaho Acquisition Corp., Neomarkers Inc., New FS Holdings Inc., NewcoGen PE LLC, Nihon Dynal K.K., Niton Asia Limited, NovaWave Technologies Inc., Nunc A/S, ONIX Systems Inc., OXOID CZ s.r.o., Odyssey Holdings Corporation, Odyssey Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 1 S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 2 S.a r.l., Odyssey Venture Corporation, Omega Data Systems, One Lambda Inc, Onix Holdings Limited, Orme Scientific Limited, Owl Separation Systems LLC, Oxoid (ELY) Limited, Oxoid 2000 Limited, Oxoid AS, Oxoid Australia Pty. 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Ltd., ThermoLase LLC, ThermoSpectra Limited, Trek Diagnostic Systems LLC, Trek Diagnostic Systems Ltd., Trek Holding Company II Ltd., Trek Holding Company Ltd., Trex Medical Corporation, USB Corporation, Union Lab Supplies Limited, United Diagnostics Inc., VG Systems Limited, Westover Scientific Inc., ZAO PE Biosystems, eBioscience GmbH, eBioscience Ltd, eBioscience SAS, and picoSpin LLC. According to the analysts its not just e-tailers, even cab aggregators continues to invest substantially in their business. MUMBAI: Losses suffered by ecommerce players in India are still on the rise and there are no visible signs of an improvement in their bottom-line any time soon as companies are heavily investing in customer acquisition and infrastructure as part of their expansion strategy amidst intense competition. While some of these companies have raised fresh round of funding in the recent past that will take care of their requirement in the near future, industry experts said that the trend of rising losses suggest that they will require another round of funding to stay afloat and any disruption in funding could led to consolidation in the industry. An analysis done by Kotak Securities shows that cash burn among e-commerce players are on the rise. For instance, the losses of the Flipkart group have averaged at `4,200 crore annually over FY17, and seem to be trending higher in FY18. Losses posted by Amazon India have increased materially from `3,700 crore in FY16 to `6,700 crore in FY18. Paytm had spun off a separate e-commerce entity in FY17, which posted a hefty loss of `1,800 crore in FY18. Snapdeal was the outlier, with both revenues and losses declining materially in FY18. Walmart and Amazon have both stated their intent to continue to invest in their Indian entities. Overall, losses may remain at elevated levels in FY2019 also as investments into category expansion, customer acquisition and infrastructure continue, said Kawaljeet Saluja and Garima Mishra, research analysts at Kotak Securities. According to them its not just e-tailers, even cab aggregators continues to invest substantially in their business. Ola posted a loss of `3,800 crore in FY18, 21 per cent higher than the `3,150 crore loss posted in FY17. While funds raised by e-commerce companies suggests private equity and venture capital funding is fairly robust, Kotak analysts pointed towards the change in the nature of fund providers in recent years. From a PE/VC-led funding environment, India has seen enhanced funding from global companies, which are investing in India with a long-term strategic intent (Amazon, Walmart, Alibaba) and Softbank is deploying its vision fund into promising companies. We believe both these will keep the funding tap open for at least some time to come, though overfunded business segments (e-tail, food delivery) may see eventual consolidation. Reliance on funding providers thus remains large, and any pullback in funding may lead to some sort of consolidation in the space, they added. Navjot Kaur said, 'Navjot ji has repeatedly said that Captain Sahab is like his father. We have always made it clear that Captain Sahab's respect and honour is above everything. Sidhu's statements should be read as a whole and not in incomplete bits.' (Photo: ANI ) Amritsar: Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu on Sunday said that her husband has always considered state Chief Minister Captain Amarinder as his father. Kaur's response comes close on the heels of three Punjab ministers demanded her husband's resignation following his remark against the Punjab Chief Minister. Navjot Singh Sidhu on November 30 had mocked Captain Amarinder Singh when reporters asked about his visit to Pakistan despite the Chief Minister disapproving it. Local Bodies and Tourism minister in Captain Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government, Sidhu at a press conference in Hyderabad had said, "My captain is Congress president Rahul Gandhi. He sent me everywhere (Kartarpur Corridor). Rahul is also the captain of our captain (Punjab Chief Minister)." Speaking to ANI, Navjot Kaur said, "Navjot ji has repeatedly said that Captain Sahab is like his father. We have always made it clear that Captain Sahab's respect and honour is above everything. Sidhu's statements should be read as a whole and not in incomplete bits." Livid over Navjot Singh's remarks, Punjab Minister TR Bajwa asserted that if Sidhu did not recognise Amarinder as his 'captain,' then he should resign from his post. Punjab Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria also slammed his Cabinet colleague and said that Sidhu should put down his papers if he disapproves of Amarinder as the state's chief minister. The cry for Sidhu's resignation grew louder as Ludhiana Member of Parliament (MP) Ravneet Singh Bittu also viewed that those who disrespected Chief Minister Captain Amarinder should step aside from the Congress government in the state. Sidhu was one of the invitees, who went to Pakistan to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on November 28. His remarks at the event also created furore back home as he not only mentioned the Rafale deal controversy in his speech but also heaped praises on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Hyderabad: In a politically significant move intended to mend fences with his detractors in Congress, Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy will attend a meeting of Congress legislature party (CLP) on December 8 and address the concerns of all legislators. His decision to attend a meeting of the CLP comes a day after coordination committee chairman Mr Siddaramaiah's suggestion that Mr Kumaraswamy should address the problems of Congress legislators. On Saturday, Mr Kumaraswamy, however, told the media: It is my idea to attend this meeting. I had broached this issue with co-ordination committee chairman, Siddaramaiah, as well as with KPCC president, Dinesh Gundurao, some time ago. As head of the coalition government, I feel I should attend to their problems as well. There is nothing wrong in hearing them out patiently. According to him, this move would help strengthen the bonds between coalition partners. The meeting assumes significance in the wake of reports that several Congress MLAs have aired their reservations to senior leaders of the party on functioning of the coalition government, including that of non-accessibility of the Chief minister, lack of release of funds for developmental projects in their respective constituencies. The Chief Minister's move to address Congress legislators would also help reduce the tension in Congress with a growing number of ministerial aspirants, according to sources in the party. The interaction with Congress legislators would be the second since the coalition government assumed office in May 2018. Mr Kumaraswamy had addressed them soon after the Congress, which emerged the second largest party in Assembly polls held earlier this year, announced its decision to extend support to JD (S) for formation of the government. Shah reiterated that the saffron party was not in favour of reservations based on religion as it was against the Constitution. (Photo: ANI |Twitter) Hyderabad: BJP president Amit Shah Sunday alleged that the caretaker Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao, had burdened the state with crores of rupees by opting for early polls. Speaking at an election rally at Narayanpet in Mahbubnagar district, he also alleged that both the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the Congress believed in the "appeasement" of minorities and that AIMIM's Akbaruddin Owaisi had said whoever became the chief minister of the southern state would have to bow before his party. "Telangana would have saved hundreds of crores of rupees had it opted for the Assembly polls along with the Lok Sabha election in May next year. KCR burdened the state with crores of rupees of election expenditure. Who is responsible for this? KCR was doubtful of his victory in May, fearing a (Prime Minister) Modi wave," Shah said. He alleged that the Congress, in its manifesto for the December 7 polls, had promised "free electricity" to mosques and churches but not to temples. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief also alleged that as part of its politics of minority appeasement, the opposition party had promised an educational aid of Rs 20 lakh to the minority students if it came to power in Telangana. "The Congress also speaks (in its manifesto) about reservations for the minorities in government contracts. It also talks about separate hospitals for the minorities. I want to ask (Congress president) Rahul Gandhi, what would be the fate of the poor people who do not belong to the minority communities," he said. Shah reiterated that the saffron party was not in favour of reservations based on religion as it was against the Constitution. "The Telangana chief minister has promised a 12-per cent reservation for Muslims. The BJP and its cadre will ensure that a reservation based on religion will not be implemented in Telangana," he asserted. Taking a dig at the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the TRS, Shah claimed that due to the fear of the Owaisi brothers, the KCR government no longer celebrated the state's Liberation Day on September 17 and vowed that if the BJP came to power in Telangana, the Hyderabad Liberation Day will be celebrated with fanfare. "Akbaruddin says whoever becomes the chief minister of Telangana should keep his head at the feet of the Majlis (AIMIM)," he said. Referring to KCR's promise of giving two-bedroom houses to backward families, Shah said the TRS chief not only failed to implement the scheme, but also deprived the people of the state of the benefits of the Prime Minister Awas Yojana. He urged the voters to vote for the BJP for the overall development of Narayanpet and Telangana. At another public meeting at Kalwakurthy, Shah alleged that 4,500 farmers had committed suicide in Telangana in the last four-and-half-years of the TRS rule. KCR, who claimed to be a messiah of farmers, handcuffed them in Khammam when they asked for a support price for their produce, he charged. The BJP chief also alleged that KCR had forgotten the promise of providing government jobs and compensation to the kin of the 1,200 people who had lost their lives during the separate Telangana movement. The 119-member Telangana Assembly will go to the polls on December 7 and the results will be announced on December 11. Chennai: Software giant Microsoft has offered as many as 25 offers to students from IIT Madras on day 1 of the placement season. Apple and Goldman Sachs are other major recruiters with eight and seven offers respectively on the first session. The placement season at IITs began on Saturday. During the first session, 19 top companies including Apple and Google gave 85 offers including 6 international offers to the students from top engineering institute in the country. The top three global consulting majors McKinsey, The Boston Consulting Group and Bain & Co. have participated in the first session and accounted for 13 offers. Isro and ONGC have already recruited 7 candidates from IIT Madras taking the total offers to 92 in the first session which was held from 7 am to 2 pm on Saturday. Professor Manu Santhanam, advisor, Training and Placement, IIT Madras said that finance and analytics sector also gave a high number of offers on the first session with 29 offers received from these companies. More than 1,300 students are registered for placement this year from IIT Madras and over 326 companies have expressed interest to recruit the students. Alekhya Reddy from Computer Science and Engineering Department got selected for Redmond campus of Microsoft in the US. She expressed a sense of satisfaction after attending interviews of software giants and answering nerve-wracking coding questions. Congress however asked its local workers to keep round-the-clock vigil at the EVM store rooms particularly in Bhopal and Indore, considered as BJP bastions. Congress workers were seen standing guard at the places for 24 hours. Bhopal: Chief electoral officer (CEO) of Madhya Pradesh V.L. Kanta Rao on Sunday dismissed Congress charges of tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) at some places in the state after the November 28 Assembly elections. Complaints of EVM tampering have been received from Sagar, and Khargone. But, all the complaints were proved to be false after examination of the EVMs, Mr Rao told reporters here. In another development, the ruling BJP castigated the Congress for raising false alarms on EVM tampering, saying that the Opposition party was preparing the ground to attribute its imminent defeat in the November 28 Assembly elections in the state to voting machines. They always saw wrong in EVMs when they face defeat in the elections. Congress attributed their victory in assembly elections in Punjab to lack of Narendra Modi wave, but blamed EVMs when the party was routed in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, state public relations minister Narottam Mishra quipped. Congress however asked its local workers to keep round-the-clock vigil at the EVM store rooms particularly in Bhopal and Indore, considered as BJP bastions. Congress workers were seen standing guard at the places for 24 hours. Hyderabad: Actor-turned-politician and Congress star campaigner Vijayashanti said TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao always felt insecure and did not want leadership to grow in the party. Though the Congress could win the Telangana elections, the party had to be careful about Mr Rao as he was capable of playing tricks in the 11th hour to defeat his opponents, she said. She had cautioned Congress leaders given her experience of almost four years of association with Mr Rao, Ms Vijayashanti said. Speaking to this news paper, Ms Vijayashanti said she had merged her Talli Telangana Party in January 2009 with the TRS after Prof. A. Jayashankar and other idealogues had advised her that when the goal achieving a separate state was one she should not divide the people. She said she had faced a terrible time in the TRS and Mr Rao had conspired to get her to leave the party. She alleged that Mr Rao who had promised to merge the TRS with the Congress after the UPA government announces statehood took a U-turn when UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi refused to accept his demand to announce him as the first Chief Minister of the new state. Ms Vijayashanti had joined the BJP in 1998 but founded the Talli Telangana Party during the 1999 elections when she was the star campaigner of the BJP. Asked why she quit the BJP, she said it had promised one vote, two states at its Kakinada convention but had failed to fulfil it and betrayed the people of Telangana. I was elected MP from Medak on a TRS ticket but I never got any prominence in the party. I was instrumental in shifting KCR from Khammam to the NIMS in Hyderabad when the police took him in custody during his indefinite hunger strike during the statehood agitation, she added. She said she had joined in the Congress as per her commitment to Ms Gandhi after the UPA government announced formation of separate Telangana. Asked why she had been made star campaigner when she was not so active in the party for quite some time, Ms Vijayashanti said she could not spare time due to personal compulsions She said that the Congress had asked her to play a key role to defeat the TRS. Ms Vijayashanti said the people of Telangana state were hoping that the Congress and its allies would develop the state as they had not benefited TRS rule. They were saying this during her campaign, Ms Vijayashanti said. New Delhi: Looking to corner Pakistan on its oftrepeated claim of being a victim of terror, home minister Rajnath Singh suggested that Islamabad can ask India for assistance in case it is not able to deal with terrorism on its own. He also hit out at Islamabad for continuing to sponsor terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Talking to the media in Jaipur on Sunday, the home minister said he wants to ask Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan if the US could help deal with terror and Taliban in Afghanistan, then Pakistan can very well seek help from India in handling terrorism if it feels it cannot deal with the menace on its own. The home ministers comments seem aimed at exposing Pakistans double-speak on terror as Islamabad, when cornered in global fora on fight against terror, gives the excuse that Pakistan itself is a victim of extremism and terrorism, but it continues to support terror strikes in India. Slamming Pakistan for attempts to raise Kashmir issue, Mr Singh said J&K is not an issue between the two neighbours as the state is an integral part of India. The issue is of terrorism, and Pakistan can discuss it, Mr Singh said. The home minister highlighted the fact that there has been a significant drop in terrorist attacks in the country ever since the NDA government came into power. I do not want to claim that terrorism has stopped, but no major terrorist incident has happened in the country in last four-and-a-half years, Mr Singh said, adding that borders had also become safer since 2014. The accident occurred when the car smashed into a cement-laden lorry, police said. (Representational Image) Tirupati: Five members of a family, including a one-year-old boy, were killed after their car collided with a lorry near Mamanduru, about 20 km from here, early Sunday, police said. The victims were returning to their village in Kadapa district in Andhra after receiving a family member, who had arrived in Chennai from Kuwait, police added. The accident occurred when the car smashed into a cement-laden lorry, police said, adding all the occupants of the car were killed. Either of the drivers could have slept off at the wheel leading to the accident, police added. The victims included two couples and a one-year-old boy, police said. Many farmers had hoped that their crop loans from nationalised banks would be waived, but they are disappointed. Bengaluru: Over 250 farmers have committed suicide in Karnataka after Congress- cccc (Secular) coalition government headed by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy came to power in June this year. What is more, there have been more suicides in South Karnataka than in Hyderabad and Mumbai- Karnataka. Sources in the agriculture department, however, say it is difficult to say at the moment whether they are related to the delay in farm loan waiver or other reasons. v The JD(S) had during its pre-assembly poll rallies made farmers' suicides during the five year tenure of the Siddaramaiah government one of its main poll planks and had promised to waive all farm loans within 24 hours of coming to power. Although it has now come to power with the support of the Congress, nationalised banks have still not waived farm loans and the Chief Minister has accused them of non-cooperation in the matter. Farmers would have respected Mr Kumaraswamy had he to stuck to his promise of waiving loan taken from nationalised banks. But he is lying every day to escape the wrath of the opposition parties, charges Mr Kurubur Shanthkumar, president of the Karnataka Sugarcane Growers' Association. Blaming some of the suicides on the governments failure to write off loans, he says its failure to send a letter of commitment to banks on the waiver had led to recovery notices being issued to them. No bank will act on oral directions from the government. Many farmers had hoped that their crop loans from nationalised banks would be waived, but they are disappointed. Unless the government does something immediately, the trend of suicides will not stop, he warns. Hyderabad: The TRS government on Saturday provided 4+4 security cover to Congress working President A. Revanth Reddy. The Hyderabad High court on Friday directed the Telangana police to accord the security to the Congress candidate contesting from Kodangal after he filed a petition demanding the same. In November, Mr Revanth Reddy filed the petition with the HC stating that he was facing threat to his life from his rivals. In main of his campaign speeches, he attacked TRS leaders saying that they were targeting him. The HC, after hearing his petition, directed the Telangana government to assign eight security guards for Mr Revanth Reddys protection. Along with eight gunmen, the police department has also allocated two escort vehicles for the leader in his Assembly constituency Kodangal. The security cover will continue till December 11, the day of the election results. Hyderabad: BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday alleged that the Congress and the TRS were appeasing minorities. Attacking MIM leaders Asaduddin Owaisi and Akbaruddin Owaisi , Mr Shah said that the Rao government feared them and had stopped celebrating Hyderabad Liberation Day. If the BJP forms government, Hyderabad Liberation Day would be celebrated in a grand way, Mr Shah said. He alleged that Mr Akbaruddin Owaisi had been saying that whoever becomes Chief Minister of Telangana state should keep his head at the feet of the MIM. Stating that there was going to be a tripartite battle, the BJP chief said, On one side is KCR who made Telangana kneel before the AIMIM, another is the Congress who sent Navjot Singh Sidhu to hug Pakistan army chief and on the third side are nationalists led by PM Modi. He said that Mr Rao has promised a 12-per cent reservation for Muslims and the BJP and its cadre will ensure that a reservation based on religion will not be implemented in state. Hyderabad: MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi on Sunday hinted that this may be his last election as his health condition was not well and doctors had even advised for dialysis. He, however, took a jibe at the BJP saying that it cannot free Hyderabad from the Majlis. Indeed in 2019 we would make India free from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, he said at a road show in Nampally constituency. Mr Akbaruddin Owaisi said, Amit Shah says Majlis-mukt Hyderabad. In 2019. we will make India free from Modi and Rahul Gandhi as well. My election will end on December 7 and the result will be on December 11. Asad sahib (MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has to contest (the general elections), but I will be free. We will visit Banaras, Amethi and Rai Bareli and show our strength. The MIM leader said Mr Modi had said Mother Ganga was calling and spent Rs 7,000 crore on cleaning the river but it continued to be polluted. The Ganga is crying that sewage is acceptable to her, but not Modi and RSS. The Ideology and philosophy of the BJP, RSS, Bajrang Dal and the VHP is dirtier than the sewage, he said. Mr Akbaruddin Owaisi said the Prime Minster had promised to end unemployment. He asked the people whether unemployment and corruption had ended and had the value of the rupee improved. Modi had claimed that he would take 10 heads of Pakistani soldiers for a single head of an Indian soldier. Modi is silent on Kashmir and protests in Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan. He has failed on all fronts and to hide his failures he is raising the issues like ghar wapsi and gau raksha. They are killing Muslims in the name of beef. Gau rakshaks have no courage to check beef exports whose value has reached `2 lakh crore in four years, he said. Hyderabad: Former Union minister Veerappa Moily on Sunday said the TRS has failed to develop Hyderabad. He said the Congress was, and is, committed for the development of Hyderabad. The Car (party symbol of the TRS) will disappear after the elections, Mr Moily said. Speaking to media persons at Congress headquarters in the city on Sunday, Mr Veerappa Moily said, The Congress has been developing the country from the tenure of Jawaharlal Nehru to the tenure of Dr Manmohan Singh. The TRS has failed to develop Hyderabad for past four-and-half years of its rule. It is the Congress which gave the city an international airport, ring roads and Metro rail along with various other infrastructures. The Congress also brought IT industries and several Central organisations to the state. The TRS has not brought a single research institute to the state. Mr Moily added, More than 75 per cent families in Telangana state come under Below Poverty Line (BPL). The graph of Telangana state increased in harassment of women, rapes and robberies. Telangana state now stands second in corruption and farmer suicides. It also stands third in unemployment. The government is in the hands of a single family. As a result, the surplus budget state is now in debts. The TRS has supported the GST, knowing very well that the MSMEs will be affected. The poverty which was reduced in UPAs tenure is now growing again under the NDA government. Hyderabad: Telangana Rashtra Samiti supremo and caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday alleged that it was jealousy and political greed that was making his counterpart, Telugu Desam president and AP Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, interfere in Telangana state politics. While addressing a public meeting at Parade Ground in the city, Mr Rao pointed out that being the Chief Minister of a state, what makes Mr Naidu contest in Telangana state if not for a selfish motive. He alleged that it was Mr Naidu who had instilled fear in the minds of migrants from AP against the TRS and himself, and asked if any migrant had felt unsafe in the last four years. He said that by colluding with the Congress and putting up 14 candidates from the Telugu Desam, Mr Naidu is laying a trap for migrants from AP. I am not a Hyderabadi, nor is K. Keshav Rao. I come from the good old town of Medak, and many more in the TRS have too, but we have made Hyderabad our home, just like the people from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat. Try to be a true Hyderabadi and be proud of your city, Mr Rao said. Mr Raos speech seemed to be largely aimed at reassuring people living in the city who came from other states, particularly from Andhra, to have confidence in the TRS. He said, KCR will give you everything you need from the government. Hyderabad has its own brand image, let us live in peace. Dont get dragged into dirty politics promoted by Nara Chandrababu Naidu. I have said this a hundred times: Migrants are children of Telangana, you are equal and on par with the natives of the state. Have you faced any problem during the TRS regime? Let us all live together . Hyderabad: Telugu Desam president and AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday asked the people, Should I live in fear of KTRs statements that KCR will involve himself in AP matters? Conducting road shows at LB Nagar, Habsiguda, and Mallapur along with Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad for the upcoming Assembly elections, Mr Naidu came down heavily on the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti and the BJP. Responding to the statements of minister K.T. Rama Rao that Telangana State Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao would involve himself in Andhra Pradesh politics if Mr Naidu continued in Telangana politics, the AP CM said, Should I fear for KTR, if they warn me that they will come to Andhra Pradesh? TRS will be defeated in the elections. He said if the TD had not joined hands with the TRS in 2009, it might have came back to power. The rooster knife party (Mr Naidus dig at the YSRC) and Jana Sena are supporting the TRS indirectly, he told the crowd. He added, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using Central investigating institutions to target Opposition leaders. I dont fear for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the CBI. Modi who has shut ATMs will also shut banks in the future. I came here to do social justice to the people of Telangana. The situation is worst in the state as the government is not able to provide Arogyasri to the people. I came for the people of Telangana, Mr Naidu said. He said Telangana state was underdeveloped under the leadership of Mr Rao. During Mr Naidus road show at Habsiguda, TRS workers returning home from Mr Raos meeting at Parade Ground shouted slogans saying Babu Go Back. Later, the convoy waited for Mr Azads speech. But police intervened and asked the vehicle to move ahead as traffic was getting blocked. Mr Naidu lost his cool at this saying the police should check these issues when they give permission for road shows. Hyderabad: BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday alleged that the Congress and the TRS were appeasing minorities. He alleged that the Congress manifesto had promised free power to mosques and churches. Why they didnt mention free power to temples? Mr Shah asked while addressing public meetings in Narayanpet, Kamareddy and Kalwakurthy constituencies. It is worth mentioning that the Congress manifesto did mention providing free power to temples as well. He claimed that the Congress spoke of providing reservations for minorities in government contracts and separate hospitals for the minority communities. Mr Shah said, I want to ask (Congress president) Rahul Gandhi, what would be the fate of the poor people who do not belong to the minority communities? Attacking MIM leaders Asaduddin Owaisi and Akbaruddin Owaisi, he said that the Rao government feared them. Senior RTS leaders, including his son and caretaker minister K.T. Rama Rao, greet party chief and caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao at a meeting on Parade Ground in Hyderabad on Sunday. (S. Surrender Reddy) Hyderabad: Sunday turned into a jatara (fair) for TRS supporters. Thousands of them came in buses, trucks, autos and a few hundred walked to the Parade Ground to be part of the first political campaign of TRS president K. Chandrasekar Rao in Hyderabad. From infants to the elderly, everyone wore a pink look. The roads of Secunderabad echoed with Jai Telangana! slogans, and shouts of Car gurthuke mana votu, Phir ek bar KCR and Chandu anna ke vote. Young supporters added life to the campaign by organising mini bike rallies. The crowd started to trickle in from 3 pm. There were an equal number of men and women supporters. The orchestra next to the main stage entertained the crowd with songs that mostly targeted AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and the Prajakutami. The loudest cheer was for Chandu anna ke votu. Hyderabad Mayor Bonthu Ram Mohan played host to those participants who walked in early. The TRS candidates contesting in Assembly constituencies falling in Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Malkajgiri districts ensured their supporters turned up in large numbers. There were large numbers of supporters of Khairatabad TRS candidate Danam Nagendra, Prakash Goud from Rajendra Nagar, and Malkajgiris Mynampally Hanumanth Rao, former ministers T. Padma Rao and Talasani Srinivas Yadhav. I last saw KCR when he came to inaugurate the 2-bedroom houses at IDH colony in Sanathnagar. I want to hear him again and his promises, especially for the widows, if he is elected to power, said 69-year-old Rama Devi from Sanath Nagar. Now the #MeToo campaign has shaken the corporate world and has forced them to set up internal complaints committees (ICC) and organise trainings by gender experts. When women started using the social media to share their experiences of sexual abuse and sexual harassment at their workplaces, during the recent #MeToo campaign, the first hurdle they met was to respond to the query, but why did she not complain earlier? If she did not complain earlier, the insinuation was that it was a figment of her own imagination. This was in line with the response of the perpetrators who denied that such an incident had taken place. Those who raised this query appear to be oblivious of the fact that around two decades ago, awareness about redress mechanisms was totally lacking. Only in 1997, the Supreme Court had issued the Vishaka guidelines providing an in-house redress mechanism. But impact of the guidelines was minimal as corporates routinely flouted them. Even the enactment, Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (the Act) was flouted by most corporates. Since the Act lacked adequate monitoring mechanisms, the corporates could get away with it. Only when there was a complaint, an ad hoc committee would be set up which had no knowledge or understanding about its own powers and functioning as a quasi-judicial body. Now the #MeToo campaign has shaken the corporate world and has forced them to set up internal complaints committees (ICC) and organise trainings by gender experts. It has also forced the government to sit up and take notice about the inadequacies of the Act. At a recent meeting organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW), chairperson Rekha Sharma acknowledged that the Act was a virtual non-starter. While most workplaces had not set up ICCs, even when they were instituted, these committees did not function in the spirit of the enactment. It was difficult for the lower staff to investigate complaints against highly placed officials who would be in awe of these senior-level officers. Even the mandate of appointing an external NGO member to the ICC does not have much impact, unless this member is able to influence the committee. If he/she harboured the same sexist biases, the complainant had no hope of getting justice. So victims were left with no other option than to file a criminal complaint with the police, which also did not have provisions to address the issue. Section 354A of the IPC, which dealt with sexual harassment, was inserted only in 2013 when the IPC was amended after the Nirbhaya incident. The lacunae within the Act has now become glaring. The Act deals only with situations where the complainant and perpetrator work in the same organisation. If the accused has moved, the ICC lacks the power to conduct an inquiry. So, women who came out in the social media had virtually no remedy in law. A suggestion made by Justice Sujata Manohar, the retired Supreme Court judge who was part of the bench that issued the Vishaka guidelines, was to set up industry-wise committees, for example, the film industry, the media, financial institutions, educational institutions, small and medium scale industries etc. which the woman can approach if she is not comfortable about filing a complaint in her own organisation or is not satisfied with the procedure adopted by the ICC or its verdict. These committees could act as appellate authorities. This will also address the problem of small and medium enterprises within a particular sector who employ less than 10 women. Even at this level, members of such committees would need training to act efficiently and to shed their own sexist views. Engaging a lawyer well versed with criminal or civil litigation would not be of much use to them. Another suggestion that came up at the consultation was to broaden the definition of sexual harassment to include gender discrimination and sexism at the workplace. Gender-based discrimination has no remedy under the current statute as there is no sexual motive. However, this would broaden the scope of the Act and bring in a wide range of issues within its ambit, which the ICC may not be equipped to deal with. Other suggestions were to delete the clause which penalises the complainant if she is not able to prove her allegations, on the ground that it is a false case. A case that could not be proved is not a false case. This provision acts as a deterrent and restricts many women from filing complaints. Another drawback is that the ICC lacks the power to implement its own recommendations. If the employer chooses to ignore them, nothing much can be done about it. The appellate body should have the power to impose penalties on the employer for non-implementation of the recommendations. Though the Act is meant to prevent, prohibit and redress sexual harassment, the aspects of prevention and prohibition are generally ignored. The Act provides for constitution of Local Complaints Committees (LCC) for workplaces, which employ less than 10 women and for women in the unorganised sector under the district collector. Usually the collector does not have time and this task is delegated to the junior staff. But the delegated junior staff member may not be aware of the Act and its provisions. The LCC has to function at two levels complaints by women from the unorganised sector a contract labourer or a domestic worker; at the other level it has to deal with complaints where the head of the organisation is implicated. They lack the capacity to function at this level, especially when a sophisticated corporate head, armed with a battery of lawyers, comes to the inquiry and browbeats the government official who is not trained in law and may not be familiar with the Act. Any change in law can only be based on hard facts. Unfortunately, the government lacks the data about the functioning of the LCCs. Collecting and analysing this data should be the first step in suggesting reforms which will have meaningful impact. The writer is a feminist legal scholar and womens rights lawyer based in Mumbai An important fallout of the G-20 summit held in Argentina last Friday and Saturday has had the immediate fallout of averting important trade and consequently economic dislocations on a global scale, thanks to a degree of realism shown by US President Donald Trump and Chinas leader Xi Jinping. Mr Trump agreed not to impose the threatened raising of tariff from 10 per cent to 25 per cent on $200 billion worth Chinese imports to America as the Chinese President agreed in turn to expand purchases from the US. The two countries have given themselves three months in which to reach broader and deeper understanding on matters relating to trade access. The timetable seems ambitious to many as a proper agreement on such contentious matters have eluded US and Chinese negotiators for the past two years, but possibly the lowering of hostility as a result of the immediate understanding reached in Buenos Aires will facilitate the process. A full-scale trade war between the worlds two largest economies cast a shadow on global commerce and international economics. Open conflict is likely to have lowered economic results for both sides, with China being hit considerably more. This would have impacted world trade as reduced economies of the US and China would have led to reduced sales of goods and services from other countries to these two, in turn affecting the economies of the world. For now, therefore, world trade and financial systems can breathe a little easier. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too had two sets of consequential trilateral meetings one with leaders of the US and Japan, and the other with Russia and China. Mr Modi and Mr Xi agreed in their interaction that after their informal summit in Wuhan earlier this year the security situation between their countries had eased. To the extent that this is a realistic evaluation, such an outcome is naturally to be welcomed. In the meeting of the leaders of India, Japan and the US, the focus was on strengthening security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific, where China is the elephant in the room. India has to do the balancing act between managing ties with China and being in the company of another set of powerful nations that are wary of the projection of Chinese power in the oceans to Chinas south and east, a challenge which is of a long-term nature. In recent weeks, the government has signed contracts or announced its intentions to sign a series of government to government (G to G) contracts with Russia and the US for a large number of critically needed items for the Indian military. Some experts have derided these contracts as an attempt to balance our relations with Russia and the US (given the CAATSA threat of sanctions) or pre-election stunts for the forthcoming mid-2019 general elections or an attempt to further isolate Pakistan which is incapable of buying sophisticated military hardware due to its collapsing economy. In my view, such large contracts need to be leveraged in our national interests, and Prime Minister Modi has taken the first step in arresting the downslide in Indian military capabilities. This article deals only with the requirements of the Indian Navy (IN), which celebrates its Navy Day on December 4, 2018 and its Submarine Arm Day on December 8, 2018. There has been no seaborne or landborne terror attack in the last few years, and the IN (along with the Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, Intelligence Agencies) has kept a large number of its ships and aircraft at sea on counter maritime terror and counter piracy operations. IN ships have showed the Indian tricolour in distant lands and participated in various exercises in Russia, Japan, Pearl Harbour, Australia, South Africa, Oman and ASEAN. While acute shortages continue in conventional submarines, MCMVs (Mine Counter Measures Vessels), medium 12-ton and light four-ton types of shipborne helicopters, the good news is that India is inducting four more Russian-origin Talwar class frigates (two to be imported and two to be made in Goa Shipyard Ltd), while media reports indicate that another Akula class SSN maybe contracted for on a 10 year lease from Russia. Also after decades of wait for a viable submarine rescue capability, some good news came recently when the first of the UK-built DSRVs (Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel) carried out its first test dive off Mumbai to a depth of 666 m as per media reports. The second DSRV (for the east coast) is expected shortly and two DSRV mother ships (one for each coast) are being built at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd and should be delivered by 2022-23. On November 5, 2018, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that the indigenous SSBN INS Arihant had completed her maiden deterrence patrol. This article focuses on some pending critical shortages which continue to plague the IN, given the growing threats posed by a rapidly expanding and modernising PLAN (Chinese Navy) which is adding 25 warships and subs annually to its fleet, and has a permanent presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with six to eight warships and submarines on patrol or port calls, apart from its naval base in Djibouti and footholds in many countries, viz. Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Despite the above welcome decisions announced by India recently, some critical IN shortages remain. The first is MCMVs (Mine Counter Measures Vessels), which are essential to keep our ports open by ensuring clearing or neutralising any sea-mines (which can sink ships and close our ports) laid by the enemy in wartime or by state sponsored terrorists in peacetime. Even a single merchant ship being sunk by a sea mine will result in international merchant shipping refusing to enter or leave the Indian port or ports and shipping insurance rates will go up for ships nearing Indian coasts, thus raising prices of Indian sea borne trade including our massive oil imports the result maybe catastrophic for the Indian economy. The IN which needs 24 MCMVs was managing for the last three decades with 12 Russian-origin MCMVs (six on each coast), but today has only one MCMV left (and this too maybe could be decommissioned in the near future). Decade long talks and negotiations with South Korean Kangnam Shipyard to make 12 MCMVs in Goa Shipyard have failed, apparently due to unwillingness on the part of South Korea to do a complete transfer of technology (ToT) for these advanced vessels which use non-magnetic GRP material for their hull and non-magnetic low noise machinery to avoid activating sea mines which can explode on contact with a ship (MCMV has sophisticated equipment to detect and destroy sea mines at a safe distance from itself) or due to the magnetic or acoustic field of the MCMV (or any other ship). Hence India, which sees a role for its Navy as a net security provider in the IOR and conducts counter piracy operations off distant Somalia, is presently faced with a situation that its sea ports are vulnerable to sea mines as by terrorists in peace time or by enemy nations in wartime. Clearly a government to government (G to G) contract needs to be signed urgently to induct a few MCMVs and build the rest in India. The second critical shortage of the IN relates to shipborne helicopters, which are extensions of a warship by providing it an ability to extend its reach by 50 to 100 miles ahead of itself, of which the IN needs about a hundred 12-ton multi-role (anti-ship, anti-submarine warfare or ASW, reconnaissance) and 111 four-ton LUH (Light Utility Helicopters) which are needed for multiple tasks (Search & Rescue, Stores transfer, short range ASW). The recent Government announcement of initiating talks with the US to induct 24 medium multi-role shipborne MH-60R helicopters is welcome but a lot needs to be done. Both the medium and light helicopter types need to be made in India also. The third critical and long pending IN requirement is to produce six conventional long range submarines (Project 75 I) and six tactical nuclear submarines (SSNs). One modern French designed, Indian built Scorpene sub (INS Kalvari) was commissioned in December 2017, and five more will join at 12 month intervals. Their is no mention of six more conventional subs under Project 75(I), but the CNS mentioned to the media on November 24, 2018) that the indigenous SSN is in the design stage and the launch of the first SSN is over 10 years away. In the meantime, India is trying to extend the life of its nine Russian origin Kilo conventional subs and four German origin SSK subs by another 10 years, thus utilising these subs (with an original design life of 25 years for over 40 years) while our neighbour Pakistan has signed contracts with China to induct eight new subs. The fourth long pending case for the IN relates to indigenous construction of five 30,000-ton Fleet Support Ships or FSSs (needed to refuel warships at sea and thus extend their blue water range) and four 20,000-ton LPDs (Landing Platform Dock) which are used for amphibious warfare, with each LPD capable of transporting 1,000 troops, tanks, artillery, trucks and landing them ashore by various means including using integral 12-ton helicopters. The LPDs are vital for our island territories and also for rendering humanitarian assistance during natural or manmade disasters. India presently has only four FSSs and one LPD. On November 5, 2018, Prime Minister Modi made a series of tweets about Indias first indigenous SSBN having completed her maiden deterrence patrol. Three more SSBNs are reported to be under construction and should join in a decade to complete the triad as four SSBNs are needed to keep one at sea for 2-3 months, with another in port getting ready while the third and fourth undergo short duration and long duration repairs respectively. The Arihant presently is reported to embark 700 km range nuclear tipped SLBMs, while another SLBM with a range of 3,500 km has been undergoing sea trials and should be ready soon. China has five SSBNs, each capable of launching twelve JL-2 SLBMs and each JL-2 has a range of 7,000 km. American, Russian, French and UK SSBNs, have SLBMs with range upto 10,000 km. Clearly the 6,000-ton Arihant and her 3 follow ons (which may be slightly larger as per media reports) are insufficient to meet the needs of simultaneously deterring Pakistan and China. An SSBN operating in the northern Bay of Bengal would be 2,500 km from Pakistan and 3,600 km from Beijing. Press reports do indicate that a much larger SSBN with SLBMs having ranges of over 5,000 km is in the plans. Clearly India and its Navy have a very long way to go. Vice-Admiral Arun Kumar Singh retired as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam 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. "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 embassy -- so 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. "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. 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. "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. 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. This March 25, 2016, file photo shows the sign at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Richmond, Va. The information of as many as 500 million guests at Starwood hotels has been compromised and Marriott said that its discovered that unauthorized access to data within its Starwood network has been taking place since 2014. The company said Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, that credit card numbers and expiration dates of some guests may have been taken. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File) If you stayed at one of Marriotts Starwood hotels in recent years, hackers might have information on your address, credit card and even your passport. Some of this can be used for identity theft, as hackers create bank and other accounts under your name. Marriott says the breach affected about 500 million guests, though its possible the records could include a single person who booked multiple stays. Marriott says the unauthorized access had been taking place since 2014 and was only recently discovered. Its possible the data include hotel stays going further back. How can you tell if youve been affected, and what can you do if you are? Here are some things to know: THE SCOPE The breach affects only the hotel brands operated by Starwood before Marriott bought it in 2016. The brands include W Hotels, St. Regis, Sheraton, Westin, Element, Aloft, The Luxury Collection, Le Meridien and Four Points. Starwood-branded timeshare properties are also affected. Marriott-branded chains arent affected, as data on those stays are on a different network. Marriott says the breach affected reservations at Starwood properties through September 10, 2018. That could include reservations made for a future stay. AM I AFFECTED? Marriott says it began sending emails to affected guests on Friday. Be careful, though, when you receive an email about this breach, as hackers may be using the incident to dupe you into providing passwords or installing malicious software. If you get such an email, its best to go directly to a website Marriott has set up on this breach: https://answers.kroll.com . There, you can find phone numbers to call. WHAT SHOULD I DO? Marriott is offering free one-year subscription to a monitoring service, WebWatcher. This service monitors websites where stolen information is shared. If your details are found, youll get an alert. Its available only for guests from the US, Canada and the UK US residents are also eligible for consultation with a fraud specialist and reimbursement for legal and other expenses related to identity theft. Though Marriott doesnt know yet whether hackers got all the keys to unlock encrypted credit card data, the company says its quite possible they did. You should review your credit card statements for unauthorized activities. In the US, you can also request free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. These reports may reveal accounts opened under your name. MY INFORMATION HAS ALREADY BEEN HACKED. WHY SHOULD I WORRY NOW? Hacks involving retailers and other businesses are usually limited to names, email and physical addresses and passwords. In some cases, payment cards are also stolen, meaning you need to replace your card and update all the services with auto payment enabled. For about two-thirds of the 500 million Starwood guests affected, hackers may also have the date of birth and gender, which can contribute to identity theft. Hackers also got passport numbers on this group of guests if the hotel had them. This might be the case with stays outside the US, where a US drivers license isnt always accepted as identification. In the US, your passport number does change when you renew, but that might not be for years. The good news is that criminals often need the actual passport to do anything with your number. The database may have details on future stays, including arrival and departure dates, along with your home address. Burglars could figure out when youll be away. Ask a friend or neighbor to check your home, or arrange a house sitter. WHAT SHOULD I DO IN THE FUTURE? Theres not much you can do to prevent such hacks, but you can mitigate the damage. For starters, consider using a credit card rather than a debit card, as credit cards typically offer more protections against losses. Even if you werent affected in this breach, request the free credit reports anyhow. After all, they are free. Details are at the Marriott website. Check the website haveibeenpwned.com to see if your information has been stolen in other breaches. And think twice when businesses ask you for personal information. Does the hotel really need your date of birth? Perhaps the information is requested for loyalty programs that might give you free stays but nothings really free, and your data has value to both the hotel and potential hackers. 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. President 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. (Photo: AP) Buenos Aires: 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. 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. 'I will be formally terminating NAFTA shortly,' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way home from Argentina. (Photo: File) Aboard Air Force One: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he will give formal notice to the US Congress in the near future to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), giving six months for lawmakers to approve a new trade deal signed on Friday. "I will be formally terminating NAFTA shortly," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way home from Argentina. "Just so you understand, when I do that - if for any reason we're unable to make a deal because of Congress then Congress will have a choice" of the new deal or returning to trade rules from before 1994 when NAFTA took effect, he said. Trump told reporters the trade rules before NAFTA "work very well." NAFTA allows any country to formally withdraw with six months notice. Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto signed a new trade agreement on Friday known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Trump's decision to set in motion a possible end to largely free trade in North America comes amid some scepticism from Democrats about the new trade deal. The US landscape will shift significantly in January when Democrats take control of the House of Representatives, after winning mid-term 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. A 2016 congressional research report said there is a debate over whether a president can withdraw from a trade deal without the consent of Congress, and there is no historical precedent for the unilateral withdrawal from an free trade deal by a president that had been approved by Congress. The issue could ultimately be decided by the US courts. The US Chamber of Commerce said last year that exiting NAFTA without a new deal could devastate American agriculture, cost hundreds of thousands of jobs and "be an economic, political and national-security disaster." The leaders of the three countries agreed on a deal in principle to replace NAFTA, which governs more than USD 1.2 trillion of mutual trade, after acrimonious negotiations concluded on September 30. 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. Legislators in Canada and Mexico must still approve the pact. Trump had forced Canada and Mexico to renegotiate the 24-year-old agreement because he said it encouraged US 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 US farmers. 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." After the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) sponsored 'Dharm Sabha', the temple town of Ayodhya would witness yet another religious congregation. This time the congregation will be of the scantily clad, ash covered and bearded 'Naga sadhus' (a sub-group within a sect), for the construction of Ram temple. According to sources, thousands of 'Naga sadhus' would reach Ayodhya from different parts of the country on Tuesday and hold a meeting, which would be presided over by the seers from different 'Akharas' (sects). The All India Akhara Parishad (AIAP), an apex body of the saints in the country, which has organised the congregation, also plans to meet the Muslim parties to resolve the vexed Ayodhya issue through negotiations. AIAP president Narendra Giri, who presided over a meeting of the seers from different sects in Prayagraj, about 200 kilometre from Lucknow, on Sunday, said that a delegation of the seers would visit Ayodhya before the meeting to seek permission for the congregation. He also said that the seers would hold discussions with various Muslim parties in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid Title suits, currently pending in the Supreme Court. The AIAP, which had not taken part in the 'Dharm Sabha', said that the Ram temple issue needed to be resolved amicably through discussions and by taking all parties to the dispute into confidence. ''We are in favour of settling this issue either through a court order or through negotiations. We do not want to force our decision on any one,'' Giri said. The AIAP's stand ran contrary to the stand by the seers affiliated with the VHP, who have ruled out a ''negotiated settlement''. ''There is no need to talk to the Muslim parties any more. The government should immediately clear the way for the temple's construction through a legislation or an ordinance,'' Mahant Kanahiyadas, a prominent seer, had said at the 'Dharm Sabha'. The AIAP had termed the 'Dharm Sabha' an ''electoral drama'' of the VHP aimed at helping the BJP in the next general elections. Another saffron outfit Vishwa Vedanta Sansthan organised an 'Ashwamedh Yajna' (a ritual by fire) in Ayodhya for construction of the Ram temple. Over a 1,000 priests have been taking part in the ritual. Finding it difficult to bring back fugitives like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, India has now called upon all G-20 nations to deny entry and safe havens to fugitive economic offenders who fled other countries. New Delhi has presented a nine-point proposal for action against fugitive economic offenders at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. India argued for strong and active cooperation across G-20 countries to deal comprehensively with the menace of fugitive economic offenders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the summit in the Argentinian capital. The proposal New Delhi presented before the G-20 stressed enhancing and streamlining cooperation in the legal processes such as effective freezing of the proceeds of crime. It also sought an early return of the fugitive offenders to the country where the offence had been committed as well as efficient repatriation of the proceeds of the crime. Modi argued for joint efforts by G-20 countries to set up a mechanism that would deny entry and safe havens to fugitive economic offenders from any country to another. He suggested that the principles of United Nations Convention Against Corruption, United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime, especially related to International Cooperation should be fully and effectively implemented. The escape of business tycoons Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi after allegedly defrauding banks brought the focus on economic offenders who fled the country. Modi suggested to the G-20 that the Financial Action Task Force an intergovernmental agency to combat money-laundering and financing of terrorism should be called upon to establish cooperation to ensure exchange of information. New Delhi proposed that the G-20 should ask the FATF to formulate a standard definition of fugitive economic offenders. The FATF should also develop a set of commonly agreed and standardised procedures related to identification, extradition and judicial proceedings for dealing with fugitive economic offenders to provide guidance and assistance to G-20 countries, subject to their domestic law, the prime minister suggested. India suggested that a 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 Ministry of External Affairs informed Parliament in July this year that not only Mallya and Modi but as many as 28 people, who are under the scanner of the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate for defrauding banks, had fled the country. Mallya is under probe by both the CBI and the ED for his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines default on loans from several banks worth nearly Rs 9,000 crore. He is currently living in the United Kingdom. Indias request for his extradition is now pending before a court in the UK. The UK is a member of the G-20 and British Prime Minister Theresa May is attending the summit at Buenos Aires. New Delhi also requested the UK government for the extradition of Nirav Modi, who fled the country after allegedly defrauding Punjab National Bank of over Rs 13,000 crore. Indias request for extradition of Nirav Modis business associate Mehul Choksi is also pending with the government of Antigua and Barbuda. The government got the new Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill 2018 passed by Parliament in July. With the number of infiltration from across the Line-of-Control (LoC) coming down, security forces have launched a major coordinated winter offensive against militants in Kashmir. In November alone, 37 militants the highest number of militant causalities this year were killed by security forces. Most of these ultras belonged to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). Overall in the first 11 months of the year, 227 militants, which included nine top commanders like LeT's Naveed Jatt, were neutralised by security forces. The number stood at 217 last year. The Hizbul, which draws its cadre mostly from the Kashmir Valley, and the LeT, whose cadres are Pakistanis as well as locals, have been dealt with a serious blow by the security forces this year. Most of the senior commanders of the two militant outfits have been killed and only a handful of top commanders remain, these include Hizbul operational commander, Riyaz Naikoo, Al Badr commander; Zeenat-ul Islam, who was earlier with Hizbul and now has shifted to Al Badr; Lateef Tiger, an associate of Burhan Wani; and Zakir Musa, the chief of Ansar-ul-Gazwat-ul-Hind. A new plan has been made whereby security agencies will try to eliminate as many militants as possible, who are active in the Valley before the onset of spring when infiltration routes open up after the snow starts to melt. Besides killing militants, the other target of security agencies are those who help in recruitment and finances to militant organisations, sources said. The relentless anti-militancy operations have also, as of now, put a brake on the continuous trend of local youths joining militancy in Kashmir, especially from the southern districts of Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag. A senior police officer said that the other focus of the anti-militancy strategy was to thwart infiltration attempts along the LoC. Though the infiltration from across the LoC into Kashmir was down to a trickle as compared to figures of earlier years, Pakistan would try to send as many militants as possible to Kashmir to keep the morale of ultras high, he said. The nearly 350-km-long LoC in Kashmir has many porous infiltration avenues which are close to launch pads across the fence. Even if the LoC is buried deep under snow the infiltration never seizes, he said and added that there were 16-18 active launching pads across the LoC from where the militants might try to infiltrate during winter. The fresh offensive against militants has coincided with the conclusion of municipal elections and the ongoing Panchayat polls in the state. Dilbag Singh, J&Ks director general of police, claims the graph of militancy, especially in south Kashmir, has come down and fresh recruitment has also declined. The number of militants at present is hovering around 250, he said. A new political row has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir with regional parties opposing Governor Satyapal Maliks move to bring changes to the contentious Permanent Residential Certificates (PRCs) rules. Omar Abdullah, former chief minister and National Conference (NC) leader, while expressing concern over the issue, tweeted a letter, which he said he tried to send to the Governor. My letter to @jandkgovernor on behalf of @JKNC_ placing on record our concern about reports of changes being proposed to the J&K permanent residents certificate rules (sic), he tweeted. My letter to @jandkgovernor on behalf of @JKNC_ placing on record our concern about reports of changes being proposed to the J&K permanent residents certificate rules. pic.twitter.com/DbM0Aunek6 Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 2, 2018 Taking a potshot over the row about malfunctioning fax machine at the Governor's office, he said, Im trying to fax a letter to @jandkgovernor but the fax machine still isnt working. The operator who answered the phone says the fax operator is on holiday as its a Sunday. Will attempt again tomorrow in the mean time am forced to put the letter out through social media, Omar said. He described the reported directions of Governor in this regard as "an attempt to distort the demography of the state" and "detrimental to Jammu and Kashmir's special status. The former chief minister warned that any misadventure could disturb the fragile and precarious peace in the sensitive state. In addition, it is a brazen act to further create mistrust among people here and can have serious ramifications for the prospects of peace and harmony in J-K, Omar said. While sharply reacting to the development, Abdul Haq Khan, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) general secretary and former minister, said that Governor rule is a transitory arrangement and he (Malik) should avoid disrupting the existing laws and procedures in the state. The PRC is a sensitive issue and there have been complaints in the past also that some non-state subjects have acquired the certificates in spite of the fool proof arrangements. The system of granting the PRC is an established practice and should not be diluted at any cost, he said. This is a matter of the identity of the state and any attempt to relax it will meet with resistance. It can open a Pandora box if the procedure is relaxed in any way, Khan said. Even the BJPs allay, Peoples Conference led by Sajad Lone, opposed any structural changes to the PRCs. The Governor and administration need to restrict itself to basic governance. No structural changes pertaining to PRC or J&K Bank are acceptable. Restrict your energies to what you are mandated to do which incidentally you are not doing. Please don't invent new problems," Lone tweeted. The governor administration needs to restrict itself to basic governance. No structural changes pertaining to PRC or J K Bank are acceptable. Restrict your energies to what u r mandated to do which incidentally u r not doing. Please dont invent new problems. Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) December 2, 2018 The state administration led by the Governor, sources say, plans to bring major changes to PRCs, which is already a sensitive issue that had seen widespread protests in Srinagar. Permanent residence in Jammu and Kashmir relates to Article 35-A, which empowers the state to classify people, who are eligible to stay there and enjoy special rights and privileges. The Supreme Court is currently hearing a bunch of petitions seeking the abrogation of the law, which was added by a presidential order in 1954, giving the state a special status. Twenty seven years ago, in the winter of 1991, the Kashmir Valley was in the grip of a full-fledged rebellion. Hordes of Kalashnikov-wielding militants roamed the streets and neighbourhoods of Srinagar and the Valleys other areas, from north to south. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), which believes in the independence of Kashmir, and indigenous Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, an outfit which wants Kashmirs merger with Pakistan, were leading the anti-India extremism then. By the summer of 1996, the first wave of militancy waned as insurrection lost strength and momentum. The JKLF, exhausted and broken as a militant outfit, ceased to be active in the armed struggle and Hizbul was in disarray as hundreds of its active militants switched sides and joined the pro-government militia, Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen. But what caused such a sea-change? Between 1990 and 1994, the peak years of the militancy, more than five thousand ultras were killed and thousands more were arrested by the security forces. By late 1990s, public disillusionment with the gun culture had become widespread and democracy was taking roots again with the holding of successful elections. Losing its grip over Kashmir, Pakistani spy agency ISI started a deadly phase of suicide attacks across Kashmir, frequently from 1999 until 2003, and sporadically thereafter, till 2006. Between mid-1999 and the end of 2002, at least 55 such attacks took place and 161 military, paramilitary and police personnel died, as did 90 fidayeen, mostly Pakistani nationals. Most of these attacks were carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), an organisation of religious fundamentalists founded and headquartered in Muridke, near Lahore in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The LeT made its entry into Kashmir in the mid-1990s as part of an ISI strategy of having cadres of trusted Pakistani radical groups to run the militancy. The LeT did recruit a handful of local Kashmiris as a fidayeen cadre, but the large majority of those who executed these attacks were Pakistanis. Read also: Young and educated, the new face of militancy in Kashmir But by 2007, militancy in Kashmir declined to negligible levels. The summer of 2008 saw the Valleys largest demonstrations since 1990 against the state governments decision to transfer 40 acres of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. Another summer unrest in 2010, against the death of a teenage boy in police firing in Srinagar and killing of three youths by the Army in a fake encounter, saw thousands of young stone-pelters confronting security forces. More than one hundred were shot to death in the confrontations, and several thousand were injured. A paradigm shift Again from 2011, it seemed Kashmir was heading back towards normalcy when on a July evening in 2016, security forces killed 23-year-old Burhan Wani, who had built a massive following on social media. Burhans death sparked months of protests that left over 100 protesters, especially youngsters dead and at least 10,000 injured. Social media gave a new boost to militancy. Viral videos that capture militants at play and leisure, shocking videos of human rights excesses allegedly committed by security forces on Kashmiri civilians and the use of instant messaging platforms to mobilise stone-pelters brought a paradigm shift in Kashmir militancy. Given how successfully Burhan struck a chord with people through social media and attracted youngsters towards militancy, newer militants are trying out the same. Daisy Khan, a US-based Kashmiri origin media commentator on extremism, says, using social media for drawing recruits into militancy is a worldwide phenomenon and Kashmir is no exception. Posting happy selfies on Twitter and Facebook is a way of showing that life after becoming a militant is normal and fun. This strategy is widely and successfully used by Daesh (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria, she told DH. While drawing comparisons between New Age Kashmir militancy with other such movements in the world, Khan, whose book WISE UP Knowledge ends extremism focuses on ISIS strategies, said, Militant handlers produce inspirational speeches for potential recruits to motivate them to join them and be part of shaping a history. They penetrate your computers and mobile phones. She said lack of positive representation, heroic narratives and images of Muslims in media leads to a dearth of role models for young Muslims to emulate which gives extremists a chance to exploit them. However, Lt General A K Bhatt, commander of the Armys Srinagar-headquartered 15 Corps, says the militant recruitment has seen a decline in the past few months. We are sure that after some time, the youth of Kashmir will follow the right path and there will be even lesser recruitment, he said. The General said that an overwhelming percentage of Kashmiri populace was in favour of normalcy. The important task today is to engage Kashmiri youths and break the support nexus that is radicalising them. Another big challenge is tackling social media platforms. The negativity spread through them is a dominant factor in misleading the youth and it is being exploited by our adversary, he said. General Bhatt said, Theres no comparison between the militancy in the 1990s and the current extremism. The present situation is what we should be concerned with. An overwhelming percentage of Kashmiri populace is in favour of normalcy. This is a story about Philadelphia, a Philadelphia Story as it were. I know that the paper you are currently holding in your hands says Delaware County Daily Times, but we are one SEPTA fare away from the city limits, and what happens in Philadelphia clearly does not stay in Philadelphia. Therefore, everyone reading this has a vested interest in what is happening in the City of Brotherly Love It or Leave It. This Philadelphia story has to do with the D.A. I will eventually write a story about the Delco D.A. Katayoun M. Copeland, who I admire a great deal for her concern for, and with, victims of crime. But this column is a different one, and it is about a D.A. who doesnt seem to care for those victims. The other day, Larry Krasner had a meeting with Malcolm Jenkins, and they were both smiling. Jenkins had just announced that an organization he co-founded, the Players Coalition, along with the Eagles Social Justice Fund, were contributing $50,000 in bail so that nine people could spend the Thanksgiving holiday at home with their families. Despite being the chief prosecutor of Philadelphia, Krasner has been quite vocal in his desire to end cash bail and reduce the prison population. Hes been profiled nationally, and praised by progressives, given a big social justice hug by criminal justice reformers. So there was obviously a lot of love at that table. I wondered about the people who were being released to their loved ones. I wanted to know if any of these criminal defendants had serious charges filed against them, charges that involved violence, weapons or felony drug offenses, but they were only described as nine Philadelphians. Nine Philadelphians charged with crimes, to be more precise. Well, I hope they enjoyed their turkey and fixins, and I truly hope that their crimes did not involve creating empty spaces at the Thanksgiving tables of other families, chairs not filled because of loved ones in the hospital, in rehab or, much less likely but not inconceivable, in graves. Larry Krasner has shown a great deal of sympathy and concern for criminal defendants, which is understandable since he spent most of his life representing them. He campaigned on revolutionizing a system that he, and Malcolm Jenkins, and the people who voted for him (but by no means all Philadelphians) consider racist, biased and unjust. And with each passing week, something else pops up to remind me how one mans idea of justice is another mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, or spouses idea of injustice. In the movie West Side Story, there is a scene on the playground where the Jets, talking to Officer Krupke, complain that theyre depraved because theyre deprived. Its the typical mantra of the criminal who, faced with a reckoning, blames everyone but the man in the mirror. Punishment, he argues, is unfair because hes not responsible for his actions. Poverty, neglect, racism, mental illness, drug addiction and all of the other factors that create a toxic environment are the true reason for his fall from grace. I dont buy that. My view is more Old Testament than the Beatitudes. I understand that some people disagree, and feel that we need a more holistic approach to crime and punishment, which to them means getting rid of the punishment prong and focusing on rehabilitation. Larry Krasner is steeped in that philosophy, and hes tried to turn the D.A.s Office into Kumbaya Central, where we can all hold hands and ignore that a prosecutor is supposed to prosecute, not act as proxy for the defense or as a voice for the accused. He or she is supposed to be that point of power in a system that often leaves victims without it, and keep open the lines of communication with them and with their often grieving families. This D.A. doesnt get it. Thats what struck me the most about that photo, splashed across page one above the fold this week. There were people missing at that table, between Larry and Malcolm. The mother and father of Sean Schellenger, the parents of the real estate executive stabbed to death by Michael White, should have been there. The deli store owner whose hip was shattered by an AK-47 (and whose assailant could be out of jail in three years) should have been there (in a wheelchair). The family of Sgt. Robert Wilson, the hero cop murdered in the line of duty, should have been there. Larry Krasner should be at least as concerned about them as he is about the accused. Maybe next time he invites people to his table, he might put out a few more chairs. He can borrow some from Katayoun. 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. To the Times: The Democrat Party rode a Blue Wave into taking commanding control of the House of Representatives. Everyone is now asking -what comes next? Every instinct the Democrats have will be to fight Trump at every step and tie him up in an endless stream of investigations. But, this may result in short-run gain and longer-run pain for the party. As Trump has made clear, such tactics would put him into a war-like posture against the Dems. Trump would unleash his own barrage of anti-Democrat investigations to thwart and embarrass his opponents. As Trump himself has opined, an all-out war with the Democrats would be extremely good for me politically, (and he just might be right about that). If a stance of total obstruction and incessant investigations is not best, what is? How about, wait for the full disclosure of the Mueller investigation and act on its findings. If Trump colluded with the Russians or is found to have obstructed justice, then move to impeach. If not, move to find places where the Dems, Trump and the Republicans can cooperate. Cooperation will not only be better for the country, it will likely be better politically for the Democrats as well. The goal for the Democrats is to keep their focus on retaking the White House in 2020. If gender equality is the goal, start with getting everyone on the same page. Many of the findings from the 2018 American Family Survey werent that surprising. Overall, Americans still overwhelmingly find marriage desirable and a foundational institution. Parents are concerned about the overuse of technology and bullying among teens. Were more likely to identify ourselves as a parent or spouse before identifying as a Christian or Jew. And the No. 1 reason couples are worried about having children? Being able to provide for them financially. Turns out America is still very family-centered who knew? Some points that did raise eyebrows include the differences on how men and women view sexual harassment and consent; women typically had higher standards, while mens were consistently lower. Additionally, financial milestones such as being financially independent from parents, moving out and buying a house are typically associated with the idea of becoming a man, not becoming a woman or adult. Each of these findings gave me pause, and both got me thinking about a term thats being used a lot lately: toxic masculinity. The term is used to describe negative gendered behavior in men and strict social mores that can lead to perpetuated violent behaviors. As one Kutztown University professor of womens and gender studies described, toxic masculinity is what results when expectations of 'what it means to be a man' go wrong. The term is not negative about masculinity itself or saying that men are naturally violent, but it describes the negative effects of putting strict behavioral and social expectations on men. The topic of toxic masculinity rose to the forefront of discussion during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. Alleged actions set aside, the episode brought to light many of the issues associated with leeway sometimes given to men for their behavior with the excuse boys will be boys. Sending young men the message that being a man is defined by ones level of macho and how tough they are in front of peers is dangerous. It not only tells both men and women that men are given certain privileges and less check on their actions, but that physical power and dominance equates to masculinity. A man should not feel as though he is a failure if he does not move out of his parents' home by a certain time or doesn't make enough money on his own to provide for a family. Similarly, a woman should not be made to feel as though she is ruthless, selfish or a bad mother if she does accomplish those things. Men also should not be afraid to have high standards for sexual harassment and the need for verbal consent. Instead of being afraid to be alone with a woman or believing the #MeToo movement is an attack on men, men should have elevated standards and seek for open communication. There is nothing unmanly about mutual respect or high standards. Its OK for men to have high standards. Its OK for women to celebrate financial milestones. Its OK to move beyond words and ideology and start letting our everyday actions speak for themselves and instigate real, positive change. Equality will not come by persisting with competition-style mentality. It will come from thinking in a complimentary way to end negative gender mores for both men and women. We can all look forward to a day when the American Family Survey indicates that both sexes have the same standards and when children and couples benefit from a removal of negative expectations and can work together. PROVO These 30,000 pounds of saplings are resilient. Before the load was shipped from upstate New York to Brigham Young Universitys Museum of Art, they were put in a freezer for two weeks at minus 20 degrees (to kill any bugs) then de-leaved and fire-retarded. Post-delivery, the saplings have been bent and twisted into something strikingly new: Windswept, a towering, contorting sculpture that seems unreal. That the piece was erected in only three weeks seems equally unbelievable. Windswept will be open for viewing starting Dec. 7, continuing through mid-October of next year. Its the brainchild of Patrick Dougherty, a renowned contemporary artist whos been crafting these stick sculptures for 30 years. Somehow, he completes 10 of these each year at locations throughout the world. Sculpture is about problem-solving. And problem-solving is a pleasure, Dougherty told the Deseret News while standing in the middle of the piece, a team of assistants working around him. Youre kind of on the lam, on the edge of not knowing what youre doing. It always brings out the best in you. If they promised the mayor its going to be great and everybodys going to love it, you better get on with it. Doughertys Southern accent not too thick, but definitely present lingers on his words. He speaks patiently. Eloquently, but not ornate. Given his background, that makes sense: Growing up in North Carolina, Dougherty studied English as an undergrad, then earned a Masters degree in hospital and health administration. After a few years in that field, he returned to the University of North Carolina to study art history and sculpture. Accomplishing pieces like Windswept requires all those skills communicating, coordinating, building. Its sophisticated work. Its also manual labor. Theyre messy at first because theres a structure to it underneath going all different directions, he explained. Then we start layering on these big lines so that theres a sense of direction. We were able to use this kind of whip stitch, kind of like what your grandmother would have done on the edge of her quilt except weve got a bigger stitch to it. Patrick Dougherty These pieces, Dougherty said, require a kind of line logic: big lines, medium lines, small lines, giving the sense of variation, but all working to create a serpentine effect. Creating that in only three weeks requires a large team of volunteers. Dougherty has two assistants that travel with him, and Windswept was aided by a team of more than 50 student helpers from BYU. The piece imitates the nearby mountain range visible from campus and uses a new ridgeline weaving technique along the top that Dougherty started using this year. We were able to use this kind of whip stitch, he said, kind of like what your grandmother would have done on the edge of her quilt except weve got a bigger stitch to it. For Dougherty, the volunteers arent just logistically necessary. He also needs them creatively. Building his sculptures on-site, and interacting with the locals while doing it, becomes a sustaining force. I think my job is to excite peoples imagination, he said. And the more stories you hear, the more starting points you have. It opens a world up to you. For me, at least, and my work, having a conversation with the public, and a kind of reciprocity with how they see things, is really important. Dougherty said he considers his work a privilege hes benefited from good timing. When his art career began, Dougherty said organizations werent used to dealing with a living sculptor. In time, though, the idea of an artist building something on-site became trendy, and he was there to fill the need. Standing in the middle of Windswept, the appeal is clear. He thinks theres a widespread cultural nostalgia for farm life lost for the serene, soothing repetition of that kind of farm work. He also points to the way children act out humankinds hunting and gathering pasts. While in a piece like Windswept, he said, all those of deep, instinctive memories are evoked. This work touches base with a lot of those feelings. They awaken those feelings, he said. It has a big pull toward deeper memories that are buried. All those things are part and parcel of some deeper urges. If you go ... What: Patrick Dougherty: Windswept When: Dec. 7, 2018-Oct. 19, 2019 Where: Brigham Young University Museum of Art, Campus Drive, Provo How much: Free Web: moa.byu.edu The holiday shopping season provides no relief from political intrigue. Amidst our virtual shopping trips to Amazon.com, and our physical visits to Tractor Supply (LaVarr) and the State Liquor Store (Frank), we cogitate on the latest political machinations. Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Rob Bishop, along with a number of state legislators, have joined with the right wing of the Republican Party in a U.S. Supreme Court appeal that seeks to overturn SB54. This would allow the party to abolish the signature-gathering process as an option to the caucus/convention system for GOP candidates to secure placement on a primary election ballot. What is motivating this relentless opposition to SB54? Will the Supreme Court accept this case? Pignanelli: "Being stubborn can be a good thing (or) a bad thing. It just depends on how you use it. Willie Aames These tireless activists are akin to the horse carriage industry in the early 20th century fighting hard to protect their interests against those newfangled horseless vehicles. Technology and society surpassed that antiquarian transportation industry, and the delegate/convention system shares the same fate. Voting district delegates were developed in a different era, when neighborhood meetings provided the best means to exchange information regarding political parties and other community activities. But now dual-income families, staggered working hours, accessibility of instantaneous information from the web and other advances dramatically altered how Utahns live and interact_._ A precinct caucus, by itself, no longer serves as a relevant and efficient tool of aggregating and reflecting the support of candidates or policies. Objections to state regulation of political parties are secondary to the important objective of the population expressing their will through the effective compromise crafted by the Legislature. Therefore, the Supreme Court will not mandate that Utahns use the equivalent of buggy whips and hitching posts in their election process. Webb: Controlling the nomination process gives the arch-conservative wing of the party immense power, so for them this is a fight to the death. Under the caucus/convention system, members of Congress and state legislators worry more about the views of delegates than the views of Utahns in general. Legislators have told me that having the option to gather signatures and bypass the delegates is highly liberating and allows them to better represent their constituents. Legal experts tell me it is highly unlikely the Supreme Court will accept the appeal for consideration, let alone overturn SB54. Nomination processes in numerous states would be impacted, not just in Utah. If arch-conservative Republican activists really want the state to butt out of the party nomination process, they should pay the costs of their primary elections. If these litigants are successful, GOP candidates would be forced into the caucus/delegate/convention system exclusively. What would be the political consequences in Utah? Pignanelli: Should this occur, LaVarr and I would have an endless source of gossip from the machinations and maneuverings. Emboldened far-right and far-left (don't forget them) special-interest groups will control many levers of the political institutions. Rational non-extremist large donors will redirect resources, driving the parties further to the fringes and unreflective of mainstream Utah. Short-term chaos results (but the self-righteous speeches will be hilarious). A crippled, broke GOP eventually succumbs to the demands of the establishment and establishes an alternative to the delegate process. Webb: The Republican Party would be ripped apart, because mainstream Republicans are simply not going to stay in a party where the far-right exclusively controls the party nomination process. Already, most large GOP donors have abandoned the party and are now contributing to the Reagan Roundtable, which supports sensible GOP candidates. The Utah GOP is no longer the party of Ronald Reagan, who welcomed conservatives and moderates into a GOP big tent without litmus tests and ideological purges. If SB54 is overturned, the Utah GOP will shrivel into a fringe faction of angry activists who will spend their time arguing over arcane rules and ideological purity. On Monday, a special session will be held to overhaul Proposition 2, the medical marijuana law passed by voters on Nov. 6. Will the compromise proposal prevail? Pignanelli: The special session is another example of why Utah is fabulous. Supporters and opponents wisely comprehended a nasty election fight would have ramifications far beyond the ballot box. Practical legislators, especially Speaker Greg Hughes and Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, fostered the necessary discussions between combatants to avoid the fallout. Utahns will have access to medical marijuana without risking the dangers contained in the Initiative. Congratulations and thanks to all. Webb: The marijuana wave is sweeping across the country, and Utah cant hold it back. While the compromise is bitterly opposed by extremists on both sides, it represents the best Utah can do to allow use of the medicinal components of cannabis by those who can benefit by it, while not allowing recreational use of the addictive and dangerous properties of marijuana. Thats better than being overwhelmed by weed. SALT LAKE CITY A prominent University of Utah researcher was among those rocked by the revelation at a Hong Kong conference this week that a Chinese researcher crossed ethical boundaries in performing gene editing experiments on human embryos. And according to the man who conducted the research, Dr. He Jiankui from the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China, at least three of those embryos were successfully implanted and two have already been carried to term. Dana Carroll, longtime U. biochemistry department chairman and National Academy of Sciences member, was in attendance at the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing and told the Deseret News from Hong Kong he was disturbed to learn, on his way to the summit, of He's claimed research. "I only became aware of Dr. He's experiments a day before the meetings began, on my way to Hong Kong," Carroll said. "It was really kind of a shock." Carroll is concerned the news could fundamentally alter the worldwide progress of gene editing research which, in most instances, is making ethical advancements in the fight against numerous diseases and disorders. Carroll, who headed the U.'s biochemisty department for 24 years, has spent his career conducting cutting-edge research on genome editing and is among pioneers whose work led to the novel, and relatively new CRISPR-Cas9 technique that He says he used in his controversial research. The method can be used to edit virtually any plant or animal gene and functions in two steps first locating a particular gene, then "snipping" it out. CRISPR, short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, was adapted from specialized, virus-fighting DNA discovered in bacteria. Cas9 is an enzyme that can cut apart DNA. Scientists have developed the method, which is relatively simple to execute and very precise, to the point where it can be used to locate a target gene, snip it out and replace it with a different gene. While He's research has yet to be validated, and reportedly was carried out covertly, he claims to have used the CRISPR-Cas9 to edit a gene in 31 in vitro embryos to create a natural resistance to the HIV virus. Seven different couples, according to He, participated in the research and three gene-edited embryos were implanted in mothers, and one set of twins has already been carried to term by one mother. The couples who participated each had fathers who are HIV-positive and mothers who are HIV-negative. Many critics of He's research have pointed out that numerous, nongenomic methods are currently available to parents with one or both partners carrying the virus to conceive a noninfected child. Carroll said the ability to do this kind of genetic editing has been around for some years, and clinical trials for therapies on somatic (nonreproductive) cells are already taking place. But, he noted the scientific community at large has, until this point, been successful at self-regulating appropriate paths of research, particularly in work that alters so-called germline genes those in sperm, eggs or embryos that can be passed down to subsequent generations. Concerns about germline gene editing are myriad, and include a lack of sufficient knowledge about how altering one gene impacts the function of other genes and whether or not the modification of a gene to be more resistant to one virus may induce higher susceptibility to other viruses and/or infections. Carroll was one of a number of scientists who reviewed a report issued in 2017 by the National Academy of Sciences that noted germline editing was crossing an "ethically inviolable" line. The report reflected an unequivocal stance on whether the scientific knowledge base was sufficient to experiment with altering embryonic genes. He went ahead with his procedures in the face of knowing that we didnt have the technology under control. Dana Carroll, University of Utah researcher "Heritable germline editing is not ready to be tried in humans," a summary of the report reads. "Much more research is needed before it could meet the appropriate risk and benefit standards for clinical trials." Carroll noted with dismay, however, that a breach in the widely accepted protocols may have been unavoidable. "Ive said for some time that it was inevitable that someone would try to initiate pregnancy with the genome editing technology," Carroll said. "We called for everyone working in this area to not go this far. The shock regarding what Dr. He has done is that he didnt pay attention to those admonitions. "He went ahead with his procedures in the face of knowing that we didnt have the technology under control." On Thursday, the final day of the summit, China's government ordered a halt to work by He's team, as a group of leading scientists, echoing Carroll's concerns, declared that it's still too soon to try to make permanent changes to DNA that can be inherited by future generations. Chinese Vice Minister of Science and Technology Xu Nanping told state broadcaster CCTV that his ministry is strongly opposed to the efforts that reportedly produced twin girls born earlier this month. Xu called the team's actions illegal and unacceptable and said an investigation had been ordered, but made no mention of specific actions taken. 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 Kyle Orwig, a reproductive specialist at the University of Pittsburgh. "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 & Science University, who is conducting laboratory-only experiments on how to repair gene defects in human embryos. 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. While He did take the stage at the Hong Kong summit and fielded questions from colleagues, Carroll noted the researcher was evasive when asked to explain the reasoning behind his decision to pursue this questionable line of research. "I think the motivation there is very hard to fathom and he was not forthcoming at all," the U. researcher said. As the fallout from He's research continues, Carroll said his worries are two-fold. "First, I am concerned that people will be so stunned by this that they will place more stringent bans on research, even legitimate uses of the technique," Carroll said. "The other is that there will be people around the world who may think the door has been opened (by He's research) and we can step through it." At the conclusion of the genome editing summit, organizers issued a statement roundly condemning He's work and calling for an investigation, but also outlined some suggested next steps in working to build consensus on appropriate current research practices and defining a transitional, and ethical, pathway toward future advances. "At this summit we heard an unexpected and deeply disturbing claim that human embryos had been edited and implanted, resulting in a pregnancy and the birth of twins," organizers wrote. "We recommend an independent assessment to verify this claim and to ascertain whether the claimed DNA modifications have occurred. Even if the modifications are verified, the procedure was irresponsible and failed to conform with international norms. "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." Contributing: Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY After years of decline, the number of uninsured children across the country is up, and Utah is one of the states that saw a big jump. The number of uninsured children in the state jumped more than 20 percent last year, according to a new report from Georgetown Universitys Center for Children and Families. Its data showed the number of uninsured children in the United States increased for the first time in nearly a decade. When a child is uninsured it can make huge problems for families because theyre looking at what happens if they break an arm or get sick, said Terry Haven, executive director of the advocacy group Voices for Utah Children. Nationwide, the number of children under 19 without insurance increased by 276,000 to more than 3.9 million in 2017, the report estimates. That moved the rate of uninsured kids to 5 percent up from the historic low of 4.7 percent in 2016. Coverage is important for children because it improves their access to needed services, such as well-child checkups and medications, and provides better access to a usual source of care, the report states. Public coverage is also associated with improved educational outcomes and long-term health and economic gains. Utah stands out for having one of the largest increases. From 2016 to 2017, the number of uninsured children in Utah jumped 20.3 percent. Totaling 71,000 Utah children going without coverage. Utahs new rate of uninsured children stands at 7.3 percent, the report states, making the Beehive State one of just 12 states with rates of uninsured children that were significantly higher than the national average. The report also notes that a third of the children who lost health coverage last year live in states, like Utah, that have not expanded Medicaid coverage to low-income adults. When a parent is insured, the child is more likely to be insured, said Courtney Bullard with the nonprofit Utah Health Policy Project. Joan Alker, executive director for Georgetown's Center for Children and Families, has written the report for the last eight years and said she's never seen the rates of uninsured children go up in all 50 states, which happened last year. She told the Associated Press that what is perhaps most concerning is that the uninsured rate among children increased despite an improving economy and low unemployment rate that allowed more children to get private coverage through their parents. With the passage of Proposition 3 in Utah, which will expand Medicaid coverage next year to an estimated 150,000 residents, Bullard expects more kids to also get coverage. Most kids should be covered in Utah, unless youre undocumented, she said, adding that parents may not know about available programs. Bullard said national policies toward immigrants in the country illegally, uncertainty in 2017 about the Affordable Care Act and funding delays for the Childrens Health Insurance Program could have been factors in causing more children to go uninsured. This is an issue in Utah, and we want to see all of our kids covered, she said. Bountiful mother Julie Reed stopped by the Salt Lake City offices of the Utah Health Policy Project on Thursday to finalize her health insurance application for 2018 which includes three children on CHIP. Its, financially, a huge burden to not have health insurance, Reed said. She urges other parents to explore health insurance options and to enroll their children. The world that they feel is on their shoulder will not be there anymore, she said. It was a huge relief, like literally lifesaving. MOSCOW Ukraine's leader called on Germany and its allies to boost their naval presence in the Black Sea to deter Russia from further aggression in the region and said Russia was blockading Ukrainian ports on the nearby Sea of Azov. President Petro Poroshenko says Russia has deployed a large number of troops along its border with Ukraine. He alleged in an interview published Sunday that Russia intends to push inland into Ukraine following a clash in the Black Sea between the countries' forces. "We need a strong, unified, unambiguous reaction to Russia's aggressive behavior," Poroshenko said in the interview published by Germany's Funke Media Group. Citing the imminent threat of a Russian offensive, Poroshenko convinced the Ukrainian parliament to implement 30 days of martial law. and said Russia was blockading Ukrainian ports on the nearby Sea of Azov. During the naval clash a week ago, Russian coast guard vessels fired upon and seized three Ukrainian naval boats and their 24 crew members. The incident has driven tensions between Russia and Ukraine to their highest point since Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014 "Moscow is trying to create a land corridor from occupied Donbas to occupied Crimea by blockading Mariupol and Berdyansk," Poroshenko said in the interview, referring to two Ukrainian cities on the coast of the Sea of Azov. Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for the Nov. 25 clash in the Kerch Strait, which links the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. During that engagement, Russia closed the Kerch Strait to all traffic. Ukrainian officials have since accused Russia of denying passage to Ukrainian commercial traffic in and out of Mariupol and Berdyansk. Tesco workers in Sligo and Carrick-on Shannon have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action. Mandate Trade Union has served notice that Sligo workers will strike this Thursday, 6th December and again on Friday, 14th December. The Carrick-on-Shannon workers will strike on Saturday, 22nd December. Tesco, in response, have stated that Mandate is "in breach of the company and unions agreed procedures which are to refer disputes to the Workplace Relations Commission". Tesco have called on Mandate to call of off its one-day strike threats in the two stores Mandate revealed that the Sligo store voted in favour of industrial action by a margin of 97pc, with an 85pc turnout in the ballot. Carrick-on-Shannon also had an 85pc turnout, with 81pc voting in favour of strike. Mandate Trade Union General Secretary John Douglas said: Its extremely disappointing it has come to this. Our members do not want to be on strike, particularly in the run up to Christmas, but unfortunately Tesco management have left them with no alternative." He said for the last three years Tesco management appear determined not to engage with Mandate. He said: They have refused to engage with their workers on pay and conditions of employment, on the removal of canteens and break room facilities, they have refused to pay some workers a cost of living pay increase for four consecutive years, and crucially, they have breached collective agreements which they freely entered into with their workers. In their statement, Mandate say the industrial action in the Sligo and Carrick-on-Shannon stores "could easily spread to the other 150 stores." Tesco response In response Tesco are calling on Mandate to call off its one-day strike threats in two stores. They say Mandate is in breach of the company and unions agreed procedures which are to refer disputes to the Workplace Relations Commission. Tesco state that should the "unwarranted" one-day strike action proceed at the two stores, both will continue to remain open to serve customers. Their statement adds: "We regret that Mandate is inflicting this inconvenience on our customers in December when our stores are at their busiest and particularly given these stores are close to the Border. "We call on Mandate to abide by procedures and to immediately withdraw its strike notices for Sligo and Carrick-on-Shannon. A conciliation conference on the two issues in Sligo was scheduled at the Workplace Relations Commission for October 24th but was rejected by Mandate. In Carrick-on-Shannon, the matters have not yet been referred back to the WRC by Mandate. Tesco has always abided by agreed procedures and we expect Mandate to do the same." "Tesco continues to offer the best pay and benefits in our sector. Against what remains a very challenging and competitive market place, retail price deflation, and sterling weakness this year Tesco Ireland again awarded a 2% pay increase in April 2018 for in scope colleagues. In addition this year we awarded between 2% and 5% bonus meaning that most colleagues have received a combined benefit of between 4% and 7% in 2018 alone. The 2% pay award is on top of a combined 6% pay increase already awarded to our colleagues since 2015, which deliver a combined 8% pay increase since 2015. These pay increases and our overall terms of employment still remain better in many respects to those of our competitors in the market and in a difficult competitive environment. "Along with offering the best pay and benefits in our sector we're really proud to continue to receive from our colleagues official accreditation as a Great Place to Work. We are the only retailer to give every colleague a banded hour contract guaranteeing them minimum hours each week across all of our stores and more than 50% of our colleagues work 30 hours or more every week. We are also the only retailer to give all colleagues their rosters four weeks in advance." Evan Gorrell from Donegal, is in his 3rd of a B.A. in Education, Business Studies and Accounting in Mary Immaculate College, St. Patricks Campus, Thurles. Evan is the first student from his campus to receive this prestigious award. Earlier this year he became the first student from his campus to receive the MISU & MIC Foundation Award for Excellence Award. He was also nominated for Volunteer of the Year at the Annual Cycle Against Suicide Ball. This award is in memory of John Loftus Hayden. John was the Chief Executive Officer of the HEA from 1983-2003. Following his retirement in 2003 he became a Governor of Mary Immaculate College in 2004 and served on An Udaras Rialaithe until 2013, during which time he made a very valuable contribution to the development of the College. John was appointed to the MIC Board of Trustees in September 2013. He passed away in June 2015. Evan received the award in recognition of his volunteering initiatives and his tireless work in the field of mental health. He has successfully launched his own campaign within Cycle Against Suicide, whose aim is to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues by using social media and by launching various innovative pilot schemes. Evan runs all the social media accounts for this national organisation and is also part of the Schools Team which is working on implementing an evidence based programme called Headstrong into every Secondary school across the Isle of Ireland. The aim of this programme is to educate the youth and to empower them to become Mental Health champions in their communities. The Abbey Vocational School (Donegal Town), St. Catherines Vocational School (Killybegs) and Errigal College (Letterkenny) are the three Donegal Secondary Schools picked this year to pilot the Headstrong Programme. The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. Erdogan: Khashoggi murder is world's issue Ankara's 'determined stance' paved way for revealing Khashoggi murder, says President Erdogan. The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is not an issue of Turkey but of the whole world, said Turkish president Saturday. "KHASHOGGI'S MURDER HAS NEVER SEEN AS A POLITICAL ISSUE" Speaking at a news conference at G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey has never seen the Khashoggi's murder as a political issue. "For us, this incident is a vicious murder and will remain so," said Erdogan. Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, went missing after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. "THE KILLING WAS REVEALED THANKS TO ANKARA'S DETERMINED STANCE" The Saudi government changed its story on the murder, first denying it took place, then suggesting it was accidental and finally referring to it as a rogue operation. Turkey has called for the extradition of the killers for trial in Turkey where the crime took place. The Turkish leader said that Ankara mobilized all efforts since the beginning of the brutal killing of Khashoggi. Despite repeated denials from the Saudi authorities, the killing was revealed thanks to Ankara's "determined stance", he added. "WE BELIEVE THAT IT WILL BE CLARIFIED" He stressed that neither Islamic world nor the international community would be satisfied until revealing of all those responsible for murder of the journalist. Erdogan said Turkey has never intended to harm Saudi Arabia or Saudi royal family. "We believe that it will also be in the interest of Saudi Arabia to clarify all aspects of the murder and prosecute all perpetrators," said the president. TRT World broadcasted live from Paris The worlds biggest media companies ignored protests in France. Only TRT World broadcasted live from Paris and showed all the detailed information. BBC, CNN, France 24 During the Gezi Park protests in 2013 some leading media companies broadcasted live from Istanbul and also these companies encouraged the demonstrators. THIS PROTEST BEGAN TO SPREAD AROUND SOME EUROPEAN COUNTRIES The protest, which started in Paris three weeks ago, began to spread around some European countries. More than 200 people have been arrested during the clashes, local authorities said. 205 PEOPLE HAD BEEN ARRESTED The Paris police department said 205 people had been arrested including militants from the far-right and far-left. Police said at least 80 people including 16 members of the security forces were injured. 1 PROTESTER DIED Also 1 protester died during these clashes. French interior ministry said around 75,000 people took part in the protests. TRT World broadcasted live from Paris WATCH TRT WORLD SHOWED EVERYTHING IN DETAIL All leading media companies ignored this protest. But 'TRT World' took action, broadcasted live from Paris and showed all the detailed information. People with epilepsy living in high crime neighborhoods in Chicago had three times as many seizures as those living in neighborhoods with lower crime rates according to new research from the University of Illinois at Chicago presented at the American Epilepsy Society 2018 conference in New Orleans. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by abnormal brain activity and seizures that affects more than 65 million people worldwide. About one-third have difficulty controlling their seizures even with medication. Seizures can interfere with work, relationships, and the ability to live independently. Previous research has shown that living in neighborhoods with high rates of crime have significantly higher levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Stress is also a factor that is commonly reported to trigger seizures in people with epilepsy. The UIC study included 63 adults with epilepsy living within the city limits of Chicago who were participating in a larger study testing the efficacy of a tablet-based educational tool that provides tailored information about epilepsy. That study, called PAUSE, involves patients at the University of Illinois Hospital's epilepsy clinic and in the Chicagoland community and is facilitated by the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. The researchers determined the levels of crime in neighborhoods of the 63 participants by mapping their zip codes to specific neighborhoods and then cross-referencing those neighborhoods with local crime rates available through the City of Chicago Police data portal. Participants self-reported the number of seizures they had in the past month and in the past three months. "We found that people living with epilepsy who live in high-crime neighborhoods experienced significantly more seizures," said Jessica Levy, a research coordinator in the UIC department of neurology and rehabilitation who presented the findings. "On average, people in high-crime neighborhoods had three seizures versus one for people living in low-crime neighborhoods when we looked back over the last 30 days. Over the course of 90 days, people in high-crime neighborhoods had seven seizures on average compared to three for those living in low-crime neighborhoods, so the link between crime and seizure activity is significant." The researchers found no overall association between neighborhood crime status and the duration of epilepsy or between crime status and poverty. Having more seizures can significantly lower quality of life. Seizures that result in falls can cause bruising or even broken bones. There can also be a stigma associated with having a seizure in public. "Understanding the impact of violence and crime as potential triggers for seizures underscores the need for further research that might allow clinicians to make better-informed recommendations for self-management education and stress management skills," said Dr. Dilip Pandey, associate professor of neurology and rehabilitation at UIC and an investigator on the study. ### Katharine Ozenberger is a co-investigator on the study. The PAUSE study is conducted through the UIC department of neurology and rehabilitation by Dr. Dilip Pandey and Dr. Jeffery Loeb. PAUSE is supported by the University of Illinois Prevention Research Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network under CDC cooperative agreement no. U48-DP005010. A follow-up analysis of patients enrolled in a Phase I/II multi-center trial for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) reported 51 percent of patients receiving an anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR T) called axi-cel were still alive two years post-treatment. Axi-cel was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of DLBCL in October 2017 and by the European Commission in August 2018. The study, co-led by Sattva Neelapu, M.D., professor of Lymphoma & Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, reported its findings in the Dec. 2 online issue of The Lancet Oncology and during a presentation at the 60th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego. "This two-year assessment demonstrates that axi-cel can induce durable remissions in a substantial proportion of patients with an acceptable long-term safety profile," said Neelapu. "There also is evidence of gradual B-cell recovery in most patients with refractory large B-cell lymphoma who otherwise have limited treatment options." With a median follow-up of 27.1 months for 101 patients enrolled in Phase II, the study found that 83 percent of patients achieved a reduction in cancer activity tied to treatment, known as an objective response; 58 percent had no detectable cancer or a complete response, and 39 percent reported ongoing responses. Median overall survival was not reached, and no axi-cel related adverse effects were reported after the 12-month period. The results mirrored findings of a previously reported median follow up of 15.4 months at which time objective response rate was 82 percent, complete response rate was 58 percent, with 42 percent of patients reporting ongoing responses. In addition, exploratory analyses were performed to assess CAR T-cell persistence and B-cell recovery in patients with ongoing remission, and at 24 months, persisting CAR gene-marked cells were observed in 66 percent of patients with evaluable biomarker samples. Peripheral blood B-cells were measurable in 75 percent of patients. 'Real-world' outcomes support ZUMA-1 findings A subsequent "real-world" assessment of 274 patients who received axi-cel, post FDA-approval of the therapy revealed similar results to the overall ZUMA-1 study. The real-world retrospective study included 17 centers that contributed data independent from the manufacturer-funded trial. Findings from the study, led by Loretta Nastoupil, M.D., assistant professor of Lymphoma & Myeloma, were presented Dec. 1 at the ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition. By day 90, the real-world assessment reported 81 percent of patients had an objective response and 57 percent had a complete response. "Although limited by a relatively short follow up, 90-day responses in the real-world setting are comparable to the best responses observed in the pivotal ZUMA-1 clinical trial," said Nastoupil. "Importantly, safety appears comparable to the ZUMA-1 trial despite nearly half of patients failing to meet ZUMA-1 eligibility criteria." ### Institutions participating in the ZUMA-1 Phase I/II two-year follow up included Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston; Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif.; University of Miami Health System; Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn.; Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.; Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y.; Cleveland Clinic; Wayne State University, Detroit; University of Rochester Medical Center, N.Y.; Loyola University, Chicago; Sara Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, Tenn.; University of Iowa, Iowa City; John Theurer Cancer Center, Hackensack, N.J.; Colorado Blood Cancer Institute, Denver; Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, Gilbert, Ariz.; City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, Calif.; Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Fla.; and Kite Pharma, a Gilead company, Santa Monica, Calif. The ZUMA-1 study was funded by Kite Pharma, and in part, by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Therapy Acceleration Program. Neelapu serves as a scientific advisory board member for Kite Pharma. UPDATE: The Pound Sterling to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate has fallen to a six-month-low after an initial promising start, currently quoted at 1.72538, below Augusts low of 1.72828. Recent retracement to and rejection by the downwards trend-line has prompted the GBP AUD to fall after the Aussie was boosted overnight by strong data and from the US-China trade war ceasefire. Above: GBP/AUD Hits 6 Month Exchange Rate Low The slump to fresh lows comes as the UK Manufacturing PMI, whilst reporting a rise to 53.1, continues to indicate subdued business activity in the UK with lacklustre performance. According to ING economists, "The perfect mix of rebounding risk appetite as a result of the trade war ceasefire and the rebounding oil price caused by the decision to extend the OPEC+ agreement has led to a sharp rally in risk assets today." "Among G10 FX, we view AUD, NZD, and NOK as the best-positioned currencies to benefit from rising equity markets and higher oil prices (as well as CAD, though CAD is largely an oil play rather than the general risk environment)." UPDATE: The British Pound to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate has risen over the course of Monday's session, picking up from a bearish gap open of 1.72513 to the current level of 1.73665, which is still below last weeks close just above 1.742. Overnight buildings approvals from the Australian Bureau of Statistics came in just below forecast, showing a (monthly) drop of 1.5% versus lasts months 5.5% increase. Company operating profits (quarterly) showed the lowest profit growth since Q4 2017 at just 1.9% versus a forecast 2.9% ANZ job advertisements saw a drop to -0.3 while year on year commodity prices saw a static release of 14.9%. Shifts in market risk-sentiment were the primary driver of the British Pound to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate last week, and the Australian Dollar may continue to take point over a volatile Brexit-logged Pound in the coming week too as a slew of notable Australian events are coming up. After opening last week at the level of 1.7713, GBP/AUD spent most of the week tumbling as risk-sentiment bolstered the Aussie. GBP/AUD had shed around two cents as of Friday morning, after briefly touching a two month low of 1.7401 on Thursday. Pound (GBP) Slumps Versus Australian Dollar (AUD) as Risk-Sentiment Leads to Aussie Surge For most of the past week, the Pound to Australian Dollar exchange rate tumbled as market risk-sentiment rose and investors piled into the relatively risky Australian Dollar. However, while the Australian Dollar climbed for most of the week, the currency remained highly volatile as markets hotly anticipated an upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping. The leaders were under pressure to show some kind of progress in de-escalating US-China trade tensions during the weeks G20 summit in Argentina. While some experts argued that significant de-escalation was unlikely, markets spent the week excited for the prospect that progress could finally be made following months of tension and escalation. With investors hoping for tensions to lighten, they were more willing to take risks and buy riskier currencies like the Aussie. According to David de Garis, Economist at the National Australia Bank: Markets have been choppy amid varying views on the prospect of any sort of trade deal this weekend between Trump and Xi at the G20, The WSJ reported that the US and China are looking to defuse tensions and boost markets, are exploring a trade deal in which Washington would suspend further tariffs through the spring in exchange for new talks looking at big changes in Chinese economic policy. Separately, the South China Morning Post reported that White House advisor Pewter Navarro a China hawk will now attend the Xi-Trump dinner this weekend after reports last week that he wouldnt. Despite the uncertainty, the Australian Dollar was able to easily climb versus a Brexit battered Pound. Sterling has been broadly unappealing amid concerns that UK Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit plan will not find enough support to pass through UK Parliament. Brexit Focus Keeps Pound Sterling Exchange Rates Volatile The highly anticipated UK Parliament vote on UK Prime Minister Theresa Mays negotiated Brexit deal will take place on the 11th of December meaning the Pound will trend in a volatile limbo until then. Some notable UK ecostats due for publication in the coming week include Markits UK PMI results for November. The manufacturing PMI will be published on Monday, followed by Construction on Tuesday and Services on Wednesday. While the UK services PMI is typically an influential print, Brexit uncertainty may limit the Pounds potential reaction to the data. Sterling investors will remain focused on perceived shifts in support for the UK-EU Brexit deal. UK Prime Minister May is currently attempting to boost support for the deal, but unless there are strong signs the deal could pass, Sterlings potential for gains is limited. Australian Dollar (AUD) Exchange Rate Forecast: Trade Developments and Australian News to Dominate Movement Even without the weekends anticipated G20 meeting and the possibility for US-China trade developments, the Australian Dollar would be in for a big week. When markets open on Monday, Australian Dollar investors will be reacting to the weekends news. The way markets perceive US-China trade tensions following the G20 summit will be the underlying cause of Aussie movement in the coming days. The Australian Dollars movement could certainly be influenced by the Reserve Bank of Australias (RBA) December policy decision on Tuesday however, particularly if the bank takes any surprise shifts in tone. Recent signs of slowing global growth may concern RBA officials, but the Aussie could strengthen notably if the bank is more hawkish than expected. Many notable Australian ecostats will be published next week too. Building permits and business inventories on Monday will be followed by services PMI stats and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth figures on Wednesday. Thursdays Australian trade balance and retail sales results may also prove highly influential if they surprise investors. Overall, with Brexit jitters causing Pound volatility, the Australian Dollar is most likely to drive Pound to Australian Dollar exchange rate movement for the coming week. 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. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - The legions of protesters demonstrating at a leaders summit here have unfurled a sea of standard-issue signs, ranging from "No to Imperialism" to "Yankees Go Home." But a newer rallying cry also appeared on a smattering of homemade posters. "Mohammed bin Salman, Assassin!" For Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - widely known by his initials, MBS - the Group of 20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires has amounted to a key test: his first appearance at a major international event since the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi who was a frequent critic of the kingdom's de facto leader. "The CIA thinks he is the one who ordered the kill on Khashoggi," said Cristian Pirovano, a 40-year old teacher from Buenos Aires, referring to U.S. intelligence assessments that the crown prince almost certainly orchestrated the assassination of Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributing columnist, at his country's consulate in Turkey. "We don't want him here, because of the assassination of the journalist, because of what the Saudis are doing in Yemen, because of all this death," Pirovano said. 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 Germany's 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. But Mohammed was also secure in the knowledge that President Donald Trump had already said that the crown prince's culpability, if any, would not rupture the U.S. relationship with Riyadh. That guarantee helped convince Mohammed that he could make the trip on behalf of his country, which is slated to play host to the same G-20 gathering in 2020. And Mohammed has found comfort in some quarters here - a high-five from a grinning Russian President Vladimir Putin, and a brief but symbolic televised exchange with Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. The White House said Trump merely "exchanged pleasantries." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also photographed smiling next to Mohammed at their private meeting Friday, and British Prime Minister Theresa May has defended her plans to also meet with the young Saudi. But the man who once sought to fashion himself as the younger, fresher face of Saudi leadership has also arrived to find himself viewed as tainted, transformed into a global symbol of brutal tyranny. In what was meant to be a triumphant display of his consolidation of power at home, Mohammed has instead been dogged by legal attempts to prosecute him in Argentina for foreign crimes, singled out by protesters and scolded by European leaders. "His reputation has obviously been seriously damaged," said Jose Miguel Vivanco, executive director of Human Rights Watch Americas Division. "I think he was convinced that he could walk on water and pay no cost whatsoever. But this case will follow him every time he leaves Saudi Arabia, probably for the rest of his life." Mohammed has not necessarily been persona non grata. In a news conference Thursday, Argentine President Mauricio Macri justified the prince's presence at the summit. "Saudi Arabia is a member of the G-20 so the prince has to come," said Macri, who went on to meet with Mohammed on Saturday. His role in the killing of Khashoggi, Macri said at the news conference, is a subject that "has impacted the world and that may be discussed in bilateral or general meetings. But he is part this community and is now in the country to participate starting tomorrow." Yet he has also been taken to task. In a conversation with the crown prince on Friday, France's Emmanuel Macron called for international investigators to join the probe into Khashoggi's killing, and stressed "the necessity of a political solution" to the Saudi-backed war in Yemen. "The Khashoggi case is serious and I think the truth needs to be sought. I want investigations in Turkey and Saudi Arabia to continue to clarify the situation to the family and the international community," Macron said on Friday. Also on Friday, an apparently private - and heated - conversation between Macron and Mohammed was captured on microphone. "I do worry. I am worried. I told you," Macron says to him. "Yes, you told me, thank you very much," the prince says. "You never listen to me," Macron responds. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used the G-20 as a platform to slam the Saudis for their contradictory statements and lack of cooperation with Turkish investigators probing the assassination, which took place at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. "This is not an issue only for Turkey but for the whole world," he said."Our judicial and administrative bodies have not unfortunately received the required support from Saudi officials," Erdogan told reporters in Buenos Aires on Saturday. "The crown prince has stated that we cannot blame anyone unless the crime is proven. Well, we do know that 15 people have arrived in Istanbul in two separate aircraft and they have acted in a planned operation, as they themselves admitted. But now we see that they have decided to deny this, too." During her one-on-one with Mohammed, Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May refused to discuss key economic issues, such as bilateral trade. Instead, May, a government spokesman said, raised the Khashoggi assassination, saying Saudi Arabia needed to "take action to build confidence that such a deplorable incident could not happen again," according to the Guardian. A spokeswoman for the Saudi Arabian delegation declined to comment. The specter of Khashoggi hung over the crown prince's Buenos Aires trip since the beginning. The 747 carrying Mohammad and a delegation of 400 Saudis landed in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, with cameras capturing the crown prince descending a staircase, resplendent in flowing robes. Argentina's La Nacion newspaper reported the Saudis had booked rooms for the delegation at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Buenos Aires - but the crown prince's plans appeared to abruptly change. Human Rights Watch on Monday filed a complaint with Argentine prosecutors, asking them to examine Mohammed's alleged responsibility for the torture of Saudi citizens, atrocities in Yemen and the assassination of Khashoggi. Universal jurisdiction applies in Argentina, allowing crimes committed abroad by any national to be probed here. By Wednesday - the day the prince landed - a federal prosecutor had begun making inquiries, and forwarded the case to an investigating judge. Instead of retiring to the Four Seasons, Mohammed - stalked by Argentine TV cameras - stayed at the Saudi Embassy, apparently not leaving until the official start the of the summit on Friday morning. Argentine officials say his diplomatic immunity, plus the length required for any investigation, have all but ruled out any immediate action against Mohammed during the summit. But his apparent caution suggested concern, and that his future travel plans may be marred by similar legal maneuvers. "You can be sure other cases will be filed when Mohammed travels," Vivanco said. "Where ever he goes, he will be under scrutiny." - - - The Washington Post's Silvina Frydelweski contributed to this report. For decades, The Bright Shawl Tearoom was a San Antonio institution, the go-to restaurant near downtown for charity luncheons and fashion shows, a charming spot near downtown to sip iced tea, eat salad and enjoy noontime chitchat. Wedding parties, bridge clubs, community meetings and art shows filled the schedule book of the in-demand venue. There, the citys movers and shakers posed for pictures that ended up in newspapers society pages. It was owned and operated by the Junior League of San Antonio, whose members, dressed in colorful aprons, served as volunteer waitresses and hostesses. The proceeds funded civic projects. Those are bygones now. The Bright Shawl was recently demolished, and the site will be reused for apartments. It had ceased operating as a restaurant five years ago, though until recently it was used for league meetings, fundraisers and other events. Developers who bought the property in October plan to build housing for young professional workers flocking to a revitalizing downtown, league officials said. The Bright Shawl opened its doors in 1925 and moved to what would become its home at 819 Augusta St. in 1929. The nonprofit organization itself began with 11 women in 1924 and grew to more than 2,000 members. At the height of its popularity in the 1980s, the restaurant had more than 3,000 private and corporate members, not counting nonmember diners. Today, the league remains focused on developing young women leaders who seek to better the community through volunteer service projects. The active membership is made up almost entirely of professional women who work outside the home and who by necessity do their volunteer work after business hours. Membership has declined to about 1,000, with some 350 active members who attend the groups meetings and take part in volunteer projects. As the demolition dust settles, longtime league members hold on to treasured memories of The Bright Shawl, where they formed bonds with other women while waiting tables and raising money for the civic good. Gladys Montgomery, 69, who became a member in 1975 and was president in 1987, remembers the free Fall Tea Party the restaurant held every September. It was open to the public and drew hundreds of patrons. Women of all ages would get all dressed up in their hat and gloves and wait in line to come have tea, she recalled. And we served our famous almond crunch cake. Florists from all over the city would decorate the restaurant in huge bouquets of flowers. Montgomery said many of the young league members who waited on tables in the tea room had little experience and just a bit of training. We made a lot of mistakes, like spilling silver trays full of iced tea on people, she said. But people were very forgiving. Some people tried to tip us, and wed have to tell them we couldnt accept the money. Another happy memory was the sticky homemade orange rolls the restaurant served. People just craved them, and so did we waitresses, said Montgomery, who remains a sustaining member of the league. Sometimes I would stand next to the warming bin and take free samples. Montgomery said private annual membership fees to The Bright Shawl started out small around $1.50 in the 1920s and grew to about $25 in later decades. The restaurant was less expensive but still charming alternative to the citys country clubs and hotels. When the tearoom obtained a liquor license in the 1970s, one group of elderly women who played bridge there regularly could put away the sherry, Montgomery said. We were always careful not to overserve them, to make sure they got home, she said. Decision to close For decades, the restaurant, which added a ballroom in 1942 and went through several renovations and expansions in the 1970s, was the Junior Leagues biggest fundraising operation, said Joy McGaugh, 36, the current president. In the late 1980s, it brought in more than $900,000 in annual revenue, from memberships, diners and special events. But a decade later, The Bright Shawl the name comes from a novel that was popular in the 1920s had fewer than 300 memberships. In 1990, the league ended the tradition of volunteer waitresses and hired a staff. For a time in the 2000s, it contracted with a local restaurant company, which served dinner at the venue. When The Bright Shawl stopped operating as a restaurant in 2013, it had only around 10 tables in a gallery space and mainly used the ballroom for large events, McGaugh said. The next year, the Junior League board commissioned a study that asked whether it should raise $3 million to renovate all the buildings on the property, an entire city block bordered by Augusta, Dallas, McCullough and Brooklyn streets. The short answer was no, McGaugh said. A lot of our supporters, donors and members said they would make a major gift, but not for a building. Theyd want (the gift) to go toward our original mission, which is not running a restaurant but promoting volunteerism and improving our community. Still, members werent quite ready to part with The Bright Shawl. For about two years, the group contracted with True Flavors Catering, run by local chef Johnny Hernandez. But the revenue of past decades never materialized, McGaugh said. Last year, the board decided to put the property on the market, eventually selling to a developer. Board members had met with Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who told them the most urgent need in the downtown area was housing for workers for USAA, CPS Energy, the new Frost Bank tower and other employers. The King House, a historic limestone structure named for a doctor who lived there with his wife and nine children in the 1920s, was used by the league for years as a meeting site for the organization. It will be moved across the street to 814 Augusta, where the league owns a parking lot, McGaugh said. It, too, will be sold, although as a historic building it cant be torn down. The league has moved its offices to One International Center, at Loop 410 and Jones Maltsberger Road. The demolition of The Bright Shawl comes as old stereotypes of the Junior League fade. Todays members are different from those of yesteryear, who were mostly stay-at-home mothers, McGaugh said. Now theyre lawyers, doctors, dentists, but about 10 percent are stay-at-home moms. Some are active members of the military; one is the mayor of Terrell Hills. Junior League projects include childrens health and wellness, literacy, arts, education and other causes and charities. These are really driven women who have a passion to give back, said McGaugh, an attorney who is the associate director of alumni relations at Trinity University. They dont have time to run a restaurant. Big plans ahead The sale of The Bright Shawl property put several million dollars in the leagues coffers, McGaugh said. This gives us great flexibility and a huge opportunity to continue the leagues work for another 95 years and beyond, she said. What we excel at is developing women leaders in this community. We want to refocus our efforts in that space. McGaugh said the financial windfall was, in a sense, a continuance from the leagues early days, when a fundraiser that sold tickets to the new Majestic Theater in 1929 raised the $30,000 needed to move to Augusta Street. About those white-gloved ladies, they were able to accomplish major projects in the city, she said: establishing a free health clinic and the Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children in the 1940s and creating docent programs at the San Antonio Zoo and the McNay Art Museum. They had a really big impact, she said. On Jan. 28, in recognition of the leagues 95th birthday, the nonprofit will announce a large-scale, five-year project that it will undertake with another local nonprofit. McGaugh wouldnt comment on it she didnt want to ruin the surprise but said it will make an enormous impact on San Antonio children. And yes, she said, the closing of The Bright Shawl packs an emotional wallop, especially when you consider the hundreds of women who donated countless hours to serve finger sandwiches and pour tea for a cause. Thats an incredible legacy, she said. But when you get right down to it, the Junior League is really about relationships between members, and between members and the community we serve. Thats where the true home is. Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | mstoeltje@express-news.net | Twitter: @mstoeltje If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Dating back to 1954, the Better Business Bureau used this catchphrase to alert the public to shady business practices. In the new era of school choice, this catchphrase can be used to alert the public about misleading business practices by charter schools in order to protect our most prized possessions our children. Every year, certain charters tout a 100 percent college acceptance rate as their major marketing pitch to lure parents away from traditional public schools. The reality is the public isnt told that acceptance to a four-year university is actually a graduation requirement at some charter schools. It states in certain charters student/family handbooks that a student may graduate and receive a diploma only if the student is accepted into a four-year university and has completed 125 hours of community service. Carefully reading lengthy handbooks before considering charters is just as important as reading the fine print before signing contracts. We must also ask, Why is corporate America bashing our traditional public schools, yet it doesnt demand transparency or accountability from charter schools? While 100 percent of charter seniors get accepted to college as required, the public has a right to know the percentage of charter students who didnt make it to their senior year. Ed Fuller, Pennsylvania State University professor, found in one of his studies of a particular charter network that when considering the number of students starting in the ninth grade as a cohort, the percentage of charter cohort students who graduated and went on to college was, at best, 65 percent. In other words, 35 percent of ninth-graders at a charter network didnt make it to graduation. The charter network discounts these students by claiming a legacy of 100 percent college acceptance rates. Who are the students who fail to graduate from charters? According to Fuller, certain charters lose a greater proportion of lower-performing students than higher-performing students, which has a positive impact on their overall state exam scores at school and district levels. The charter students who are left behind due to high-stakes graduation requirements most certainly matter. Their voices should be heard. A quick Google search provides great detail on the harmful effects of high-stakes testing on children. However, charters have expanded massively while the impact of its high-stakes graduation requirements on unsuspecting, vulnerable families has not been explored. Just like the BBB, it is our duty to alert the public. If charters insist on boasting about 100 percent college acceptance rates, then traditional public schools must insist that our communities be fully informed. The charters press release could read, Since we require students to get accepted to a four-year university in order to graduate, our seniors have a 100 percent college acceptance rate. However, more than 30 percent of our cohort students in the ninth grade didnt graduate from our charters. Therefore, we had less than 70 percent of our cohort students graduate and get accepted to college. Organizations donating millions to charters and parents making a school choice should have access every year to cohort student data instead of only misleading graduating senior data. Written clearly in the charter student/family handbook is the requirement that ensures 100 percent of seniors will get accepted to a four-year university every year. What the public also must know every year is the percentage and type of cohort students who didnt make it to their senior year. Lauding charters that lack transparency and discount students while bashing El Pasos public schools disparages the hard work, relentless dedication and success of Team SISD. Recently, Socorro Independent School District was the largest district in Texas and one of only three among the 50 largest in the state to earn a Post-Secondary Readiness Distinction Designation by the Texas Education Agency. With this coveted distinction, TEA confirmed SISDs Operation College Bound efforts are unmatched by our competitors even those who require that students get accepted to college in order to graduate. Jose Espinoza is the superintendent of Socorro Independent School District. Texas own NASA Johnson Space Center has served as the iconic beginning to some of the greatest moments in American history, from landing men on the moon to assembling the International Space Station, a triumph of engineering and international cooperation. But even with those far-from-humble beginnings, we are leveraging our past successes to create even more daring missions as we return to the moon in a way that is sustained and sustainable. The country is renewing our focus on expanding humanitys presence beyond Earth. NASA will organize government, commercial and international efforts to develop a permanent presence off Earth that generates new markets and opportunities, both scientific and economic. Johnson Space Center, or JSC, will play a crucial role in leading human space exploration to the moon and beyond. The moon holds enormous potential for testing technologies, doing unprecedented science, providing economic benefits, and giving the next generation the inspiration to join the journey. JSC will bring its expertise in program management, partnerships, systems integration, operations, spacecraft design, and human health and performance to bear on this daring vision. Key to NASAs exploration goals are partnerships and sustainable infrastructure. Today, U.S. commercial companies resupply the International Space Station. Soon, they will launch American astronauts on American rockets from American soil. Now we are working to apply the successes we achieved under those programs to exploring the lunar surface. In that vein, NASA developed a strategy named Commercial Lunar Payload Services to buy lunar delivery services from commercial companies. We recently announced the award of this contract, which identifies a total of nine companies that are eligible to provide delivery services for instruments and technology demonstrations to the surface of the moon. Two Texas companies Firefly Aerospace of Cedar Park (north of Austin) and Intuitive Machines of Houston are in this catalog of companies that will be available to provide lunar services over the next decade. NASAs Orion Program, based at JSC, and Space Launch System, or SLS, are the nations backbone for deep space human exploration. Orion will launch on SLS, carrying as many as four astronauts farther into space than ever before, for as long as 21 days. These systems represent a new era in space exploration and will be instrumental in constructing the Gateway. The Gateway will forge U.S. leadership and presence over the region between the moon and Earth as a versatile outpost a ship, a port and a transit hub. Gradually, it will evolve into a way station for the development of refueling depots, servicing platforms, and a facility for processing samples from the moon and other bodies in support of science and commerce. This month we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the International Space Station, which has been a model of international cooperation. Similarly, the Gateway will be constructed with the help of international partners several already having expressed interest in participating. JSC stands ready to expand frontiers, unite with our partners on common goals and explore space for the benefit of humanity. Together, ISS, Orion, SLS and the Gateway represent the core of NASAs sustainable infrastructure for exploration. JSC provides critical and unique human spacecraft, flight operations, and human health and performance expertise that will enable these important missions. Giant leaps start at Johnson Space Center. Today, we push forward to the moon. Tomorrow, we leap to greater heights and new destinations. There is history to be made. In Mission Control, we eagerly anticipate the first transmissions from unexplored worlds. Mark Geyer is NASA Johnson Space Centers 12th director. He leads a workforce of approximately 10,000 civil servant and contractor employees at one of NASAs largest installations in Houston and the White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, N.M. I came away with a frustrating thought after reading an opinion piece in your paper in which the author cited a Gallup poll that Americans are split: 26 percent Republican, 27 percent Democrat and 44 percent independent. Ive been unable to stop thinking about it. As a member of the 44 percent, I think we are unrepresented in the electoral process. While Democrats and Republicans usually have candidates on the ballot, as do some of the fringe parties, we have no independently sponsored candidate(s). I propose an independent candidate be listed at the bottom of each candidate list as None of the Above. Yes, this is slippery. Since there is no actual person running as None of the Above, if the independent candidate wins, then we will have to have a do-over. While I would like the subsequent election to require each of the parties to offer new candidates, this would likely be deemed unfair since we independents will still be running None of the Above. It seems to me the parties would want to run new candidates since the majority just said their previous offerings were unacceptable, but they should be allowed to run (and fund) a dead horse if that is their desire. Surely, eventually, there will be strong motivation to offer palatable candidates to keep offices from going unfilled. I believe that being able to vote None of the Above would work, or, at least, prove satisfying. This offering might even have ancillary advantages, pushing the parties to offer candidates who appeal to the independent middle. One advantage would be in advertising; instead of using negative campaigns to influence the electorate toward the best of the worst, negative advertising could push more people toward None of the Above. When we receive campaign call after campaign call, we could funnel our irritation in a positive way by voting None of the Above. It seems un-American to have the right to vote but not have a ballot alternative that expresses the voters desire. This solution, long needed, will truly make all votes count. My dissatisfaction with candidate options runs more up-ballot than down. The farther up-ballot the race, the more I see candidates who appear inflexibly partisan, campaigns that are more deceitful, and the questionable impact of supporting organizations that are self-serving and unaccountable. Unfortunately many states, including Texas, do not allow voters the option of putting constitutional changes on the ballot via referendum, and I dont envision our state legislators (and other elected officials) facilitating the placement of the None of the Above on the ballot for their elective offices. I dont know where to take this next; perhaps just debate on this election alternative, or other election alternatives, will generate a movement to mitigate partisanship. There seems to be plenty of room for positive change. Craig Riley lives in San Antonio. Re: Heat Island map offers a startling picture of San Antonio, front page, Nov. 23: Councilman Greg Brockhouse asks the right question about San Antonios climate change challenge: How can residents keep their energy bills down while drastically reducing fossil fuel emissions? The City Council holds the key to this problem, because it sets CPS Energy rates. It is entirely possible to maintain revenues for CPS Energy while reducing per capita consumption of energy, and also increasing wind and solar capacity. California has been doing it for 30 years, by decoupling energy sales from utility profits. The result of decoupling is that the utility makes money by promoting efficiency, rather than through energy consumption, so Californians use half the energy per person as Texans. This new rate structure would motivate our publicly owned utility to help our region cut fossil fuel emissions and realize the Paris accord goals adopted unanimously by the City Council in 2016. Of course, any change in the rate structure would need to protect low-income citizens. Darby Riley Wrong on guns Re: Its physicians job to save the victims of gun violence, Opinion, Nov. 25: Dr. Roberto Trevino is off-base with his gun control suggestions. Think back to your teen years with alcohol. Trying to forge IDs, give a legal friend extra money to buy you beer. You will have the same thing with guns, getting around criminal records and mental health red flags. People want to make money, and criminals need a weapon as a tool of their trade and they will pay. A match made in heaven. Problem is, Dr. Trevinos suggestions will cost taxpayers a lot of money and only provide a small hiccup to nefarious actors getting their guns. For the record, I do not carry weapons, nor am I a member of the NRA. Steve Goetsch Black eye for U.S. Just think if the $72 million spent on sending troops to the border was spent on immigration judges and courts; we could have avoided this crisis, along with the backlog of immigration cases. Instead, we have a black eye for the world to see. Richard Caldwell, Boerne It was a turning point for Leslie Odom Jr., the Tony Award-winning actor who played Aaron Burr in the original Broadway production of Hamilton! It was 2011 and though he was getting parts here and there in TV, film and on stage, Odom felt his career had stalled. He was depressed, thought about giving up acting and was immobile as he hung out on his couch just waiting for the phone to ring with an offer for a rewarding role. Then came advice from a mentor-teacher that would change his life. What did you do on your own behalf today? his friend asked. Did you do anything other than wait? That was just the jump-start he needed which started him on a path self-empowerment and eventually, to Hamilton. Odom has taken those words of wisdom he received as well as other lessons in life and career he learned along the way and put them in a small-but-significant book perfect for holiday gift-giving called Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher and Never Stop Learning. But not to worry. Odom, 37, hasnt given up acting and singing to become a motivational speaker though he would be quite mesmerizing if he did, recalling his show-stopping number as Aaron Burr from Hamilton, The Room Where It Happens. Since leaving Hamilton in 2016 after its first year in Broadway, his singing career is flourishing with two albums including a holiday recording and concerts. He will be performing with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 8 at The Bushnell in Hartford, just a few days before the national tour of Hamilton lands there for a three-week run. In the concert hell sing songs from his records, from the TV series Smash, where he played Sam Strickland, from Rent which he performed on Broadway when he was 17 and still in high school and, of course, his show-stoppers from Hamilton. Anybody who got to see me in Hamilton saw me living my absolute wildest dream, he says, so it takes a second after your wildest dream comes true to dream a new dream, to figure out what the heck you want to do next. Two years later I feel like Im ready. This interview took place on Election Day and he had just finished up volunteering in the Philadelphia area on behalf of Democratic candidates and just doing my part. He says he first became engaged in civic action in 2008 when a young senator from Chicago who looked like me ran for president. And Hamilton certainly had a profound effect on me and how I felt about what my responsibilities were as a citizen. Of the decision to write Failing Up, he says publishers approached him to write a book when Hamilton hit, but he felt it was too early to write a memoir, so instead he wrote it as if he were giving a commencement address, offering realistic words of advice, hope and inspiration. But the book, he says, will appeal to those of any age who might be experiencing a transition in their lives. Everyone runs into roadblocks at some time in their careers, he says, and you have to figure out, why you do what you do? What is it about this thing that you love? Why did you choose it? Odom encourages people to be a good student of the universe and to listen to what its telling you. If you listen, there are always new lessons to be learned and the faster you learn those lessons the faster you can move on and escape from repeating the same patterns. Besides the Failing Up and the concert tours, Odom is working on a new recording that keeps me in the same lane of jazz-contemporary pop but this time with all original songs. This year he was part of a starry ensemble in Kenneth Branaghs film Murder on the Orient Express and he recently completed production on two other features: Only, starring opposite Freida Pinto from writer-director Takashi Doscher and an as-yet untitled feature film directorial debut from recording artist Sia. Odom will also star in the film Needle in a Timestack written and directed by John Ridley. Hes also filming Harriet, about Harriet Tubman who helped free hundreds of slaves from the South after escaping from slavery herself in 1849. Odom plays abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad William Still and Cynthia Erivo (Tony Award winner for The Color Purple) plays Tubman. Besides starring in the TV series One Dollar for CBS Access, Odom is also doing a pilot for an ABC comedy series which Kerry Washington is executive producing. In it Odom plays a pastor at a young, hip, diverse church in Los Angeles. Though he left Hamilton two years ago its still in his heart and says he will be cheering when the creative team receives the Kennedy Center Honor this month in Washington, D.C. And if he were to leave a note in the Bushnell dressing room for Nicholas Christopher, who is playing Burr on tour, what would he say? Enjoy this moment and stay as present as you possibly can, says Odom. There are so many small beautiful gifts right in the present moment. Leslie Odom and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra concert is Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45.50 to $103. Information: bushnell.org and 860-987-5900. Freelance writer Frank Rizzo covers arts in Connecticut and New York. STAMFORD A recent inquiry into the decade-old Harbor Point Infrastructure Improvement District in the citys South End marks a brewing tiff over early plans for a new TIF so-called tax, increment financing districts the city uses to spur development. The developer charged with building up the Harbor Point district is pining for a new one and has so far had rapid success in the effort. But the next major hurdle will be garnering approvals from the very board whose committee is holding hearings on the old one, the Board of Representatives, which appears to be sprouting an anti-TIF contingent. What are the costs of having these additional residents residents in the city? That is something that is not been sufficiently answered, said city Rep. Megan Cottrell, D-4, at the most recent meeting on the topic. Some representatives dislike of the district and weariness of approving a new one became clear within minutes of sitting down for that Land Use Committee meeting. From the start, attendees earned a decorum reminder from the committees co-chair. I understand there are some high emotions, said co-chair Charles Pia. But what Im going to ask from both sides is that if we ask a question and somebody is responding that we actually let them respond. The reminder came soon after Cottrell, who has led the charge for more information about the citys dealings with Harbor Point BLT, scolded Director of Administration Mike Handler and other officials for taking two months to get her public documents she assumed would be easily accessible. It shouldnt be that hard to get this information, she said. My first concern was actually the lack of information. At issue is a perceived lack of transparency. More for you FAQ: Harbor Point at 10 The Harbor Point district, which is enabled by both state law and city agreements, is run by BLT because it owns nearly all property within it. Different documents and agreements call for different things, and Cottrell and other city representatives found it difficult to find so-called deliverables such as quarterly progress reports that one agreement said should be on file with the Board of Representatives, they said. Further exacerbating discord, some city officials earlier told city representatives that they didnt know where the files are or if they were still being submitted. Recently, BLT sent what city Rep. Nina Sherwood, D-8 , called a document dump, that had representatives parsing through complex accounting. We sent you everything we sent the city directly, said BLT Chief Operating Officer Ted Ferrarone. Handler, attempted to move past the boards problems with obtaining documentation. Instead he focused on the complicated financing structure tax increment financing, or TIF and how it has helped the city. But Handler did say the city would prefer a developer take on the work without city help. One of the tools that you use for a TIF district is a But-for test, Handler said. But for this financing mechanism, this work would never have gotten done in the South End. Further, Handler said that residents and city representatives dont give the city enough credit for the all benefit development brings although new revenue streams are eaten up by funding long-term liabilities that went underfunded for decades. Here we are talking about Mill River and Harbor Point as if theyre failures, Handler said. Anywhere outside of this board, they are viewed as enormous successes to be replicated at any opportunity people have. The inquiry into reporting requirements will be ongoing the issue was held for future meetings though it is unclear how much more the board will learn about its previous agreements with BLT. barry.lytton@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2263; @bglytton GREENWICH The students have spoken: They need more teen-friendly spaces in town. Greenwich High School sophomores reached this conclusion after their small-group local history projects snowballed into an examination of Greenwich Avenue, and finally, into a documentary exploring the programs offered for teenagers, why they are under-communicated and whether they are underused. Involvement with Greenwich High School is probably the best thing that these teen spaces can do, sophomore Delilah Brien said. The 12 students from GHS who took part in the project screened their film Wednesday night and fielded questions from parents, teachers and community members. This occurred at the first open house for freshmen and sophomores in the Innovation Lab, an acclaimed program in lower Cantor House that emphasizes interdisciplinary learning through combined class periods and projects. As the documentary rolled, the audience heard voice-overs of GHS students lamenting the town as a boring place to live and an old-people town that isnt a place for us. Their ideal space would allow them to work on homework and hang out in a fun, safe and welcoming environment, the same students said. In response, the Innovation Lab sophomores interviewed students, Bobby Walker Jr. of the Boys & Girls Club, Kyle Silver of the Arch Street Teen Center, and Ed Morrissey of the Greenwich Library. Each building has its own deficiencies a combination of space problems and the nature and quantity of programs, the researchers concluded. Activities at the Boys & Girls Club are too structured, and the building is mostly occupied by younger children, they said. Arch Street hosts numerous parties and dances, but it lacks low-key opportunities to hang out and be creative. The students found Greenwich Library will be including aspects of their wish-list in its upcoming renovation. But in the meantime, Morrissey who was in the audience told them to lean on fellow students to advertise teen-friendly library options on social media. Thats the way things spread, by having kids talking to other kids. I think kids are more trustworthy of other kids in a program than adults, sophomore Martina Phelan said. Ana DeMakes based her ideas for improvements on how the Darien Library uses its space. Thats where I go to more often than Greenwich Library because they have a teen space, DeMakes said. It has tables and computers, and a lot of teens go there every day. Ive made friends there. She even had a henna tattoo done there, her father Darrell DeMakes said. Its an appointment-type environment, which I think would work well, said DeMakes, a member of the Riverside Association who is working on the renovations of the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. He advised students to speak up on what they would like to see at the civic center, where the project is in its early stages. The documentary, which exposed a local issue and presented solutions, incorporates lessons from the Progressive Era such as how muckraking journalists exposed problems and created change, sophomore Jennie Olmsted said. We were our own muckrakers, Olmsted said. The parents werent sure whether the documentary would mobilize the town, but it showed them that Innovation Lab was the right choice for their children. I think this demonstrates that Innovation Lab is working, mother Anastasia Brien said. Kids are having the ability to be creative, and collaborate. They are learning how to work together and develop new skill sets, mother Allison Parker said. It makes the learning more active, Parker said. Ninth-graders, the first freshman Innovation Lab class, also had their first open house, where they presented memorial parks representing a period in German history, from the Weimar Republic to present-day. The research project brought together 21st century as well as traditional modes of research and presentation: artists notes explaining the model, a paper, a QR code and an online video journal. Innovation Lab gives its students the mental freedom to imagine their work for themselves, Andre Ceppi said. Innovation Lab is such a great experience, Ceppi said. Rather than being given a pen and paper, you go out and explore for yourself. Freshmen also displayed their passion projects. Combining her talent for sewing and her passion for reducing the environmental impact of the clothing industry, Adeline Hawley reclaimed old blazers and ties by reimagining business-casual fashion with a new item of clothing: a hooded suit jacket. This project opened my eyes to seeing how fast fashion affects the industry, she said. The budding designer began sewing in the fourth grade under the tutelage of a seamstress at Parsons, and spent the summer at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She sewed the restyled jacket herself at home. The free-form structure of Innovation Lab allowed her to connect with her interests, Hawley said. Im a visual learner, she said. It was helpful for me to work with my hands. It made me really excited about learning. jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.com CEMEX SAB de CV engages in the production, distribution, marketing, and sale of cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates. It operates though the following geographical segments: Mexico; United States; Europe; South, Central America and the Caribbean (SCA&C); Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA); and Others. The Europe segment covers United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Czech Republic, Poland and Latvia, as well as trading activities in Scandinavia, and Finland. The SCA&C segment includes Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Caribbean TCL, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Jamaica, the Caribbean, El Salvador, and Guatemala. The EMEA segment comprises of Egypt, Israel, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates. The Others segment refers to the cement trade maritime operations, information technology solutions business, and other corporate entities as well as other minor subsidiaries with different lines of business. The company was founded by Lorenzo Zambrano Gutierrez in 1906 and is headquartered in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico. Read More Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc. The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of Massachusetts, United States. The fund primarily invests in undervalued municipal securities and other related investments which are exempt from regular federal and Massachusetts income taxes. It seeks to invest in investment grade securities that are rated Baa/BBB or above by S&P, Moody's, or Fitch. The fund employs fundamental analysis with a focus on bottom-up stock picking approach to create its portfolio. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the Standard & Poor's (S&P) Massachusetts Municipal Bond Index and Standard & Poor's (S&P) National Municipal Bond Index. The fund was formerly known as Nuveen Massachusetts Premium Income Municipal Fund. Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund was formed on January 12, 1993 and is domiciled in the United States. Read More There is not enough analysis data for Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund. 4.8 Community Rank Outperform Votes Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund has received 70 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund has received 27 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund has received 72.16% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe NPN will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe NPN will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Unum Group is engaged in providing financial protection benefits. It operates through the following segments: Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, Closed Block and Corporate. The Unum US segment comprises of group long-term and short-term disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment products, and supplemental and voluntary lines of business. The Unum International segment engages in the operations of UK business, which includes insurance for group long-term disability, group life, and supplemental lines of business that include dental, individual disability, and critical illness products; Poland business primarily includes insurance for individual and group life with accident and health riders. The Colonial Life segment includes insurance for accident, sickness, disability products, life products, and cancer and critical illness products. The Closed Block segment consists of individual disability, group and individual long-term care, and other insurance products no longer actively marketed. The Corporate segment refers to investment income on corporate assets and other corporate income and expenses not allocated to a line of business; and interest Read More There is not enough analysis data for Botswana Diamonds. 4.1 Community Rank Outperform Votes Botswana Diamonds has received 231 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Botswana Diamonds has received 140 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Botswana Diamonds has received 62.26% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Botswana Diamonds and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BOD will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BOD will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next The following companies are subsidiares of Exxon Mobil: AKG Marketing Company Limited, Aera Energy LLC, Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company, Ampolex (Cepu) Pte Ltd, Ancon Insurance Company Inc., Barnett Gathering LLC, Barzan Gas Company Limited, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Celtic Exploration Ltd., Coral FLNG S.A., Cross Timbers Energy LLC, Ellora Energy Inc., Esmeroon Oil Transporta Imperial Oil Limited, Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, Esso Deutschland GmbH, Esso Erdgas Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Overseas) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc., Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited, Esso Global Investments Ltd., Esso Italiana S.r.l., Esso Nederland B.V., Esso Norge AS, Esso Petroleum Company Limited, Esso Raffinage, Esso Societe Anonyme Francaise, Exxo Holdings Inc., Exxon Azerbaijan Limited, Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc., Exxon International Finance Company, Exxon Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Exxon Mobile Bay Limited Partnership, Exxon Neftegas Limited, Exxon Overseas Corporation, Exxon Overseas Investment Corporation, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil (Taicang) Petroleum Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil Abu Dhabi Offshore Petroleum Company Limited, ExxonMobil Alaska Production Inc., ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, ExxonMobil B Resources Company, ExxonMobil Capital Finance Company, ExxonMobil Capital Netherlands B.V., ExxonMobil Central Europe Holding GmbH, ExxonMobil Cepu Limited, ExxonMobil Chemical France, ExxonMobil Chemical Gulf Coast Investments LLC, ExxonMobil Chemical Holland B.V., ExxonMobil Chemical Services (Shanghai) Co. 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Ltd., InterOil Corporation, Jurong Aromatics Corporation Pte Ltd, MPM Lubricants, Marine Well Containment Company LLC, Mobil Australia Resources Company Pty Limited, Mobil California Exploration & Producing Asset Company, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company, Mobil Chemical Products International Inc., Mobil Corporation, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., Mobil Erdgas Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Mobil Exploration & Producing Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil International Petroleum Corporation, Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast Inc., Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mobil Producing Texas & New Mexico Inc., Mobil SerLimited, Mobil Venezolana De Petroleos Inc., Mobil Yanbu Petrochemical Company Inc., Mobil Yanbu Refining Company Inc., Mountain Gathering LLC, Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., Palmetto Transoceanic LLC, Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Global Company LDC, Permian Express Partners LLC, Phillips Exploration LLC, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II), SPI Limited, Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company Ltd., Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Co., SeaRiver Maritime Inc., South Hook LNG Terminal Company Limited, Tengizchevroil LLP, Terminale GNL Adriatico S.r.l, Trend Gathering & Treating LLC, Wolverine Pipe Line Company, XH LLC, XTO Delaware Basin LLC, XTO ENERGY, XTO Energy Canada, and XTO Holdings LLC. iShares MSCI Denmark ETF's stock was trading at 60.79 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EDEN stock has increased by 76.8% and is now trading at 107.47. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. engages in global investment banking, securities, and investment management, which provides financial services. It operates through the following business segments: Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset Management, and Consumer & Wealth Management. The Investment Banking segment serves public and private sector clients around the world and provides financial advisory services, help companies raise capital to strengthen and grow their businesses and provide financing to corporate clients. The Global Markets segment serves its clients who buy and sell financial products, funding and manage risk. The Asset Management segment provides investment services to help clients preserve and grow their financial assets. The Consumer & Wealth Management segment helps clients to achieve their individual financial goals by providing a wealth advisory and banking services. The company was founded by Marcus Goldman in 1869 and is headquartered in New York, NY. Read More Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.60 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 3.14%. Merck & Co., Inc. has been increasing its dividend for 10 consecutive years, indicating the company has a strong committment to maintain and grow its dividend. The dividend payout ratio of Merck & Co., Inc. is 91.87%. Payout ratios above 75% are not desirable because they may not be sustainable. Based on earnings estimates, Merck & Co., Inc. will have a dividend payout ratio of 39.16% next year. This indicates that Merck & Co., Inc. will be able to sustain or increase its dividend. View Merck & Co., Inc.'s dividend history. In order to maintain this blog I have to pay for its upkeep including a hosting company, support services, virus and other malicious hackers. If you appreciate what I write please make a donation. 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 By AM Sunday, December 2, 2018 Share Tweet Share Share Email Eddie Whyte takes issue with the Dublin government supporting Israeli censorship via the muzzle of anti-Semitism. The IHRA document that has created so much unrest in the UK consists of a new definition of antisemitism, which is in itself relatively unproblematic. The controversial core of the conflict however is the use of so-called contemporary examples of antisemitism which allow for criticism of the state of Israel to be classified as antisemitism a move which totally ostracizes the massive opposition by Jewish people both internally in Israel and worldwide to certain Israeli state policies, not least the occupation of Palestine. Attaching the blight of antisemitism to criticism of the nation state of Israel is definitively a step in the wrong direction. Attaching the blight of antisemitism to criticism of the nation state of Israel Liberty the UK human rights organization previously known as the National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) has expressed great concern, stating that the IHRA document poses a real threat to freedom of expression. At its Annual General Meeting in May this year, it warned public bodies not to adopt this definition of antisemitism because it brings confusion to the fight against anti-Jewish prejudice as well as constituting a threat to freedom of expression. Even attorney Kenneth Stern, a key person in IHRAs work on the new definition, has warned that it is being used to encourage punishment of legitimate expressions of political opinion. Israels occupation of Palestine continues unabated Photo: Eddie Whyte Recently the European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCP), representing thirty unions and three million members from all over Europe, stated that there is strong evidence that the IHRA working definition is already being used in practice to restrict, outlaw and criminalizepeaceful efforts for Israels respect of Palestinian human rights. Three million union members say no Photo: Eddie Whyte The Irish governments support for a new definition of antisemitism which includes equating criticism of Israeli government policies with antisemitism is a real threat not only to the fight against the blight that is antisemitism but to freedom of expression and the campaign for Palestinian rights. It is definitively a step in the wrong direction and must not be allowed to become official policy and incorporated into Irish law.Open conflict has broken out in the Jewish community in Britain with Israeli government supporters slandering fellow Jews with accusations of antisemitism. The backdrop to the bizarre conflict is a new definition of antisemitism launched by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) where the Irish government is one of the 31 member states represented.The IHRA describes itself as an alliance to coordinate and strengthen the moral commitment of societies and to combat growing Holocaust denial and antisemitism. Member delegations are a mixture of government officials and academic experts on the Holocaust.Career diplomat Martina Feeney is the head of the Irish delegation which includes several other representatives from government departments as well as academics and representatives from the Irish Jewish Museum, Holocaust Education Trust of Ireland and the Herzog Centre.The IHRA maintain that the formulation of a new definition was necessary given the differing perceptions internationally of what constitutes antisemitism and how it manifests itself. According to the organization, the so-called examples are separate from the definition itself, but merely provide instances of how antisemitism can easier be identified. And yet it has now become abundantly clear that the definition and the accompanying examples are being used as part of a deliberate campaign to stifle opposition to the Israeli occupation. Ireland has not yet adopted the IHRA definition into law, nor should we. Photo: Eddie WhyteThe United Kingdom was the first state to approve the IHRA document as its official definition of antisemitism and Israel followed suit a few months later. In both countries, it is currently being used to target organizations which are critical of Israel and support Palestinian rights. Israeli government supporters have, for example, urged the UK authorities to ban the annual Israel Apartheid Week and the Palestinian led international Boycott Divest Sanctions (BDS) campaign which they accuse of antisemitism according to the new guidelines.The last year has seen the British Labour party under massive, sustained pressure amid repeated accusations of antisemitism brought to bear by the zealots actively quoting the IHRA to challenge Corbyns leadership of the party. It is no coincidence that Corbyns record of supporting Palestinian rights is second to none.The Israeli government hasbara propaganda campaign to portray human rights organizations and pro-Palestinian supporters as antisemites has been on-going for many years. Last year, the news channel Al Jazeera documented how the Israeli Embassy in London collaborated with leading figures in both the Conservative and Labour parties to undermine their own parties from within and to take down elected representatives who did not follow the Israeli line regarding the occupation of Palestine. Now, the campaign against those who criticize Israel government policy has reached deep into the Jewish community in London.The controversial Nation State Act, passed by a small number of votes in the Israeli Knesset earlier this year, was met with major demonstrations in Tel Aviv, supported by opposition parties, human rights organizations and non-Jewish minorities in the country. The law has been met with a wave of international criticism with its staunchest critics stating that the new legislation is yet another confirmation of Israels status as an apartheid state and that the law is racist.Among the more moderate critics in London is Sheila Gewolb, Vice President of the British Board of Deputies of British Jews, a respected organization that is part of the World Jewish Congress. In a rare intervention in internal Israeli politics, Gewolb declared the law a step in the wrong direction. Her concerns garnered support from others in the Jewish community in London, including the New Israel Fund, Yachad and religious leaders like Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner.The statement led to open attacks on Gewolb, and the Jewish Chronicle recently reported a campaign to censure the vice president accusing her of antisemitism, with the IHRA document being quoted to justify the accusations against her. The two deputies who were pushing for a no confidence vote against Gewolb are now themselves subject to a motion of censure for supposedly bringing their own organization into disrepute. It is positively Orwellian.In addition to Britain and Israel, the governments of Austria, Romania, Germany, Bulgaria and Lithuania have now all adopted the IHRA document. In June 2017, the European Parliament called on member states to do the same without discussing or problematizing the so-called contemporary examples which have created such chaos in the London Jewish community.Although it long been a part of Israeli government strategy to absurdly denounce critics of Israels occupation of Palestine as antisemites, it is now being done with the IHRA document in hand and the targeting is now extended to include Jewish critics of Netanyahus right wing government.The IHRA, in which the Irish people are represented by several government departments including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is now being used by the Israeli government as part of a cynical policy to cower domestic and international critics into submission.Ireland has not yet adopted the new document into law and nor should we. It is a damaging step in the wrong direction not only to the fight against antisemitism, freedom of speech and civil liberties at home but also the right of the Palestinian people to raise their voices in protest at the forced occupation of their homeland.Eddie Whyte blogs @ Solidarity With The People Of Palestine. Tahoe Resources Inc., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, explores for, develops, and operates mineral properties in the Americas. It explores for silver, gold, lead, zinc, and copper deposits, as well as precious metals assets. The company holds interest in the La Arena gold mine located in the Huamachuco district of northern Peru; Shahuindo mine located in the province of Cajabamba in northern Peru; and La Arena II, a copper-gold porphyry deposit located in Peru. It also holds interest in the Timmins mines, including the Bell Creek and Timmins West mines, the Fenn-Gib project, the Juby project, the Vogel project, and the Gold River project located in Timmins, Ontario. The company was formerly known as CKM Resources Inc. and changed its name to Tahoe Resources Inc. in January 2010. Tahoe Resources Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Reno, Nevada. Read More The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. Regulatory News: NOXXON Pharma N.V. (Euronext Growth Paris: ALNOX) (Paris:ALNOX), the "Company", a biotechnology company focused on improving cancer treatments by targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME), hereby gives notice that an extra-ordinary general meeting of shareholders (the EGM) of the Company is convened at 01.30 p.m. CET on January 2, 2019 at the offices of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Strawinskylaan 10, 1077 XZ in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The EGM documentation, i.e. the agenda and the explanatory notes to the agenda; the instructions and documents for participation and voting at the EGM; and the explanatory notes to agenda items 2 through 7 are available on the Company's website (www.noxxon.com). These documents are also available at the Company's offices at Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany, for shareholders and persons entitled to attend the meeting who, upon request, will receive a copy free of charge. Under Dutch law and the Company's Articles of Association, persons entitled to attend and to vote at the EGM are shareholders of the Company (which for the purposes of this notice includes holders of a Dutch law right of usufruct) who (i) were registered as shareholder in one of administration records of the intermediaries that are (indirectly) participants in Euroclear France on December 5, 2018 (the Registration Date) after all debit and credit entries have been handled as per the Registration Date and (ii) have notified the Company by 05.00 p.m. CET on December 27, 2018 of their attendance in writing or electronically (contact details are available on the Company's website (www.noxxon.com)). About NOXXON NOXXON's oncology-focused pipeline acts on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the cancer immunity cycle by breaking the tumor protection barrier, blocking tumor repair and exposing hidden tumor cells. Through neutralizing chemokines in the tumor microenvironment, NOXXON's approach works in combination with other forms of treatment to weaken tumor defenses against the immune system and enable greater therapeutic impact. Building on extensive clinical experience and safety data, the lead program NOX-A12 will deliver top-line data from a Keytruda combination trial in metastatic colorectal and pancreatic cancer patients in 2018. The Company plans to initiate further studies with NOX-A12 in brain cancer in combination with radiotherapy, for which an orphan drug status has been granted in the US and EU. The Company's second asset, NOX-E36 is a Phase 2 TME asset targeting the innate immune system. NOXXON plans to test NOX-E36 in pancreatic cancer patients both as a monotherapy and in combination. Further information can be found at: www.noxxon.com Keytruda is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp Dohme Corp. https://www.linkedin.com/company/noxxon-pharma-ag https://twitter.com/noxxon_pharma Disclaimer Certain statements in this communication contain formulations or terms referring to the future or future developments, as well as negations of such formulations or terms, or similar terminology. These are described as forward-looking statements. In addition, all information in this communication regarding planned or future results of business segments, financial indicators, developments of the financial situation or other financial or statistical data contains such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions prospective investors not to rely on such forward-looking statements as certain prognoses of actual future events and developments. The Company is neither responsible nor liable for updating such information, which only represents the state of affairs on the day of publication. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181202005027/en/ Contacts: NOXXON Pharma N.V. Aram Mangasarian, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer Tel. +49 (0) 30 726247 0 amangasarian@noxxon.com MC Services AG Raimund Gabriel, Managing Partner Tel. +49 (0) 89 210228 0 noxxon@mc-services.eu Trophic Communications Gretchen Schweitzer or Joanne Tudorica Tel. +49 (0) 89 2388 7730 or +49 176 2103 7191 schweitzer@trophic.eu NewCap Alexia Faure Tel. +33 (0) 1 44 71 98 51 afaure@newcap.fr Jet Airways will not operate as many as 39 services per week to Doha, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Dubai from various domestic cities, a source said. Mumbai: Struggling to keep it afloat in the wake of a dismal financial performance in the last three quarters, Jet Airways is withdrawing its flight services on as many as seven Gulf routes from this month, a source said. The Naresh Goyal-controlled airline will not operate as many as 39 services per week to Doha, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Dubai from various domestic cities, he said. Once a key market for Jet Airways, the lower demand and high competition have made a good number of routes in the Gulf economically unviable, forcing the airline to withdraw operations from there, the source said. Notably, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways holds 24 percent stake in the domestic full service carrier. "Jet Airways has decided to withdraw its services to Doha from Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram as well as to Abu Dhabi from Lucknow and Mangalore. Besides, the airline will also not operate on Mangalore-Dubai route. All these services are being taken out of operations from December 5," a source told PTI. This apart, the air services on Delhi-Muscat route are also being withdrawn from this month, he said. The airline currently operates one daily service each on Kochi-Doha, Mangalore-Abu Dhabi, Mangalore-Dubai and Lucknow-Abu Dhabi. The Kozhikode-Doha and Delhi-Muscat is four days per week operations while Thiruvanathapuram-Doha services are three times per week. Jet Airways in its response said Gulf operations are being optimised to focus on connectivity at its hubs in Mumbai and Delhi instead of point-to-point connectivity. The airline also said it will be enhancing frequency on Mumbai- Doha, Delhi-Doha as well as Mumbai-Dubai routes. "Jet Airways has undertaken a comprehensive review of its network, whereby it will move capacity from uneconomical routes to more profitable ones, to more closely align the capacity offered with the demand characteristics of specific markets," Jet Airways said in a statement to PTI. "It is important to note that the scale of the airline's operations will remain unaffected," it added. Jet Airways posted a net loss of Rs 1,261 crore during the September quarter. This was the airline's third successive quarterly loss. Amid cash paucity, it has been defaulting on salary payments to 15 per cent of its work force, primarily senior management, pilots and engineers. The airline has been saying for quite some time now it is in "active discussion" with various investors to secure financing to navigate through current headwinds and create long-term growth. The Rajiv Gandhi government ignored Italy's offer in the aftermath of Bhopal gas tragedy to provide assistance in containment, evaluation as well as relief work based on Italy's experience in a similar disaster in Seveso near Milan in 1976 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. *** New Delhi: Homi JH Taleyarkhan was serving as Indian Ambassador to Italy when the poisonous gas leak caused mayhem in the city of lakes. His letter marked as important in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) file no (17/2049/A/86-III) reveals that Italian government, which had faced similar kind of disaster at Seveso near Milan in 1976, had rushed to Taleyarkhan offering help to deal with the tragedy but the Indian government appeared to be not interested'. This is evident from Taleyarkhans letter to Sarla Grewal, then secretary to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. Taleyarkhan and Grewal are no more. She died in 2002 while Taleyarkhan passed away in June 1998. As soon as the Italians came to know about our Bhopal tragedy, they had come rushing to me in Rome as the Ambassador of India to explain all the remedial measures including the latest technology that they had applied at the time of a similar disaster they had suffered at Seveso near Milan in 1976. They had taken me to see the area and the steps they had taken. After the round they had organised a full-fledged conference to explain everything and had given me special video cassette and colour albums with commentary and captions specially done for us in English and had offered all help possible without any obligation whatsoever and purely out of love for our country and our people. I had sent it to our ministry concerned through the Ministry of External Affairs, but in spite of reminders I had heard nothing further, Taleyarkhan wrote in the letter dated 28 October, 1986. The date is significant because it was already 22-months since the tragic incident had happened in Bhopal and the Indian administration was scrambling to ensure remedial measures. Taleyarkhan had also sent a note on the Italian rehabilitation plan just a month after Bhopal tragedy and had eveb admitted it most impressive action' on the record. The Seveso disaster in the chemical manufacturing plant had caused long-term health problems for 37,000 people. The Italians had divided the area in three zones, on the basis of gas leakage impact. The first zone called as zone A which comprises of the area where the multinational chemical company plant was located was virtually razed to the ground, completely demolishing the buildings, the plant and machinery. The Italian government had offered Taleyarkhan that they were ready to provide assistance to India on sampling methods for soil and water contamination evaluation, clean up of designs, health monitoring of population and workers, safe disposal of hazardous waste, legal aspects like indemnification, compensation and visit of Italian experts to Bhopal. "The President of the region, who is also the chairman of Seveso operations, said that Italy would spare no efforts to assist India in all respects necessary for solving our great problem for all times to come in the light of their experience," Taleyarkhan had mentioned in his report. Ignoring the cost of human existence The PMO acknowledged Taleyarkhan letter and Italian offer only in November 1986 when JN Chaubey, a director-level officer sent an internal note to the additional secretary handling Bhopal issue. Taleyarkhan had by the time returned to India and had joined the minorities commission as a member. The PMO note (4715) dated 4 November, 1986 said, "JH Taleyarkhan, member, Minorities Commission, has written to (additional) secretary regarding a note he had sent to the Ministry of External Affairs when he was the Indian Ambassador in Italy. His note deals with his visit to an area called Seveso near Milan, Italy, in February 1985 where relief and rehabilitation measures had been taken by Italians after a chemical disaster at Seveso in 1976. The note describes how the rehabilitation measures were taken in this area. The Seveso lesson could be very relevant to Bhopal case. If approved, the report from Taleyarkhan will be sent to the Department of Chemicals and Petro-Chemicals with a request that the Italian experience should be utilised appropriately. Six days later the Taleyarkhans note was sent to DV Kapur, then secretary, Department of Chemicals, through PMO UO No 17(2049) to examine the Italians offer. There is nothing in the files to suggest that the administration even after a massive costly delay took any initiative to accept the Italian governments offer. It also appears there was serious disconnect between the government assessment and ground reality brought to the notice by the civil society organisations at a time when the Indian government and Union Carbide were fighting the legal battle. Non-profit organisations like Association For Protection of Democratic Rights had alleged that gas victims were yet to get any justice while a working group headed by BJ Heerjee, then additional secretary in the home ministry was satisfied with the progress on the ground. This group comprising of bureaucrats was set up by the government to assess the relief and rehabilitation measures taken by the state government. The group, which made a trip to Bhopal on 5-6 September, 1986, had observed that medical services were substantially improved and persons requiring medical attention had easier access to facilities. "By now, 2,233 persons have been identified as dead due to gas leak. In January 1986, the number stood at 1,784. By the end of September 1986, the state government have made payment of Rs 10,000 for each of the 1,853 dead persons. The state government had included drainage, paving of roads, street lights and drinking water outlets in affected colonies in their environmental improvement programmes. After a visit to one of the badly affected areas, the group felt that the programme has to be considerably stepped up. It is necessary that this work is completed as quickly as possible because of many other implications apart from the benefit to the inhabitants, the report had said. A draft report prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs said: "It is indeed regrettable that the profound help from (a) foreign government and international agencies did not materialise at all. For Union Carbide, it was business as usual Despite the massive disaster, Union Carbide was not considered a pariah in the government corridors. A civil society group, International Coalition For Justice in Bhopal (ICJIB), formed in Australia for justice to gas victims had accused the Rajiv Gandhi government for entering into commercial transactions with Union Carbide ignoring the suffering of victims. In a letter, dated 3 December, 1986, the ICJIB said, "It is reported that in 1985, after the occurrence of the Bhopal disaster, Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) was awarded a Rs 100 million (approximately $8 million) contract by the Madhya Pradesh government for the manufacture/distribution of condoms." The letter triggered an emergency meeting in the PMO to discuss the allegations. The internal note dated 9 February, 1987, and signed by Chaubey admitted that UCIL was indeed doing business in India after Bhopal disaster but the contract was signed prior to the tragedy. "This aspect was checked up with the (then) additional secretary, family welfare in the Department of Health who informs us that under their programme of social marketing, they were distributing condoms to 10 major companies in the country, with largest retail outlets, so that their network would be utilised for marketing condoms in rural areas. This arrangement with UCIL was reached prior to the Bhopal case. This arrangement is still continuing and UCIL outlets are selling condoms in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir but not in Madhya Pradesh, the note said. A day later, GK Arora, then additional secretary in the PMO, told the officials that they need to explore options to move UCIL share in condom distribution to some other firms. "The arrangement existing between the Ministry of Health and the Union Carbide for social marketing of contraceptives should be examined afresh. Efforts should be made to get some other companies including multi-nationals such as Hindustan Lever, ITC, etc, to pick up UCILs share, GK Arora wrote. Relief eludes survivors Thirty-four years later, nothing seems to have changed for the survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy. Documents obtained by Bhopal Group for Information and Action (BGIA) under the Right To Information Act shows that funds meant for providing employment to survivors and their children have been diverted to build drains, roads and parks. Similarly, BGIA said, almost one-third of the funds meant for the housing of residents in the vicinity of the Union Carbide factory is also being diverted for the same purpose. The Central Government in 2010 had approved a new action plan with Rs 272.75 crores for rehabilitation projects comprising of economic rehabilitation as well as the construction of houses for residents near Union Carbide factory in Bhopal. Documents obtained from the Department of Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation shows the lackadaisical approach of the state and the Central Government. Rachna Dhingra of the BGIA expressed concern about the complicity of the Central Government in the misutilisation and misappropriation of funds meant for Bhopal gas tragedy survivors. "In 2014, we sent hard evidence of misappropriation of Rs 18 Crores meant for economic rehabilitation of survivors to the CBI and to the Ministry of Chemicals that had provided the funds. No action has been taken against the known culprits till date. Documents show that in March this year the Ministry of Chemicals approved diverting of funds meant for survivors after objecting to it for three years," she said. The documents show that till December 2017, only Rs 129.50 crore was spent despite the lapse of eight years. As far as economic rehabilitation was concerned, Rs 104 crore was allocated in 2010 but only Rs 18.13 crore was spent. Minutes of Meeting of the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers with principal secretary, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation, Madhya Pradesh, shows the decision to divert unutilised funds were taken in March 2018. "The balance unspent amount of Rs 14 crore under Social Rehabilitation for Construction of Houses to (Bhopal) gas (tragedy) victims and the amount of Rs 60.75 crore out of Rs 85.87 crore under Economic Rehabilitation (total of Rs 74.75 crore) may be spent for social and environmental facilities (construction of roads, khadanja, drainage, street lighting, etc) in the gas affected areas with the approval of the Cabinet," documents revealed. There are still loopholes in the disbursement of ex-gratia to the victims after more than three decades. Notes from of another meeting held in September reveal a shoddy state of affairs: The Cabinet had sanctioned the disbursement of ex-gratia to 5,295 death cases in the year 2010. Thereafter, it was detected during scrutiny of records that 30 cases which awarded compensation under death category had erroneously been left out from the list of 5,295. The in-charge registrar brought out a total number of 35,455 cases sanctioned under the category of temporary partial disablement resulting in reduced capacity to earn livelihood; 34,229 cases were decided till July 2017." Both the employees were then taken to a local hospital near the project site with the help of police, and from there to the capital city Addis Ababa, where they are recuperating. Mumbai: Two of the seven IL&FS employees held hostage in Ethiopia by unpaid local staff have been released on health grounds, a source said. The two had sent an e-mail from captivity to the Indian Embassy on their medical condition, the source said, adding that the embassy helped in securing their release. Harish Bandi, one of the two employees released, was suffering from gastric issues and swelling in one of his fingers while the other, Bhaskar Reddy, was down with severe fever. "A mail was written to the Indian Embassy in Ethiopia, which acted promptly and with the help of local police the two employees were released," the source close to the development said. Both the employees were then taken to a local hospital near the project site with the help of police, and from there to the capital city Addis Ababa, where they are recuperating. The five employees currently in captivity are surviving on boiled rice, sweet potatoes and vegetables they had grown in their camp area, but the stock may not last for long, the source added. The seven Indian workers of a unit of IL&FS have been held hostage since 25 November at three sites in Ethiopia's Oromia and Amhara states by unpaid local staff. IL&FS had defaulted on paying both taxes and local employee pensions for nine months. The local workers have supposedly not been given salaries for October and November by a subsidiary of IL&FS Transportation Networks (ITNL). A possible termination of some road projects being built by Indian and Spanish joint ventures may have triggered local employees to take such an action. The employees were reported to be working on road construction projects for joint ventures between IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd and Spanish firms Elsamex S.A. and Ecoasfalt S.A. An earlier attempt to escape by these seven employees was thwarted by locals, as they thought if these employees leave, they would not get their dues, the source added. Indian employees of ITNL in Ethiopia too have not received salaries from July 2018, the source added. ITNL, through its wholly owned subsidiary Elsamex SA, has been executing road projects across three sites in Ethiopia. In a statement on Saturday, the cash-strapped Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) said the two employees of ITNL were released as a result of collective and sustained engagement with various authorities. The five other employees of ITNL are being held captive in the African nation. Four staffers Sukhvinder Singh, Bishnu Nagaraju, Chaitanya Hari and Khurram Imam are under house arrest at one of the locations of Nekemte-Bure road project, while another Indian expat Neeraj Raghuwanshi is been held hostage at a different location at the same project site. Apart from the above mentioned, there are eight other Indian employees of ITNL who are in Addis Ababa and their movements have not been restricted, the source said. ITNL's subsidiary has employed close to 800 Ethiopian workers for its three construction sites. In Saturday's statement, IL&FS said it 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 the safe and early return of its employees. ITNL had sought approval on 16 November, 2018, through its authorised dealer bank, to remit funds overseas but approvals are awaited, the statement said. ITNL is the largest build-operate-transfer (BOT) road asset owner in the country with approximately 13,100 lane km in its portfolio. It has an international footprint covering Spain, Portugal, and Latin America with the acquisition of Elsamex S.A., a Spain-based highway operations and maintenance and allied services provider company. IL&FS Group and its various subsidiaries, including ITNL, are facing a liquidity crisis and have defaulted on various debt payments. As of 8 October, 2018, the total debt of the group stood at Rs 94,215.6 crore. After the IL&FS crisis had a cascading effect on the market, the government on 1 October superseded its board and appointed a seven-member board headed by Uday Kotak as the chairman. The new board is working on a resolution plan for the debt-ridden company. Although slavery in its traditional form may not be prevalent (too evidently) today, there are over 40 million people globally who are still victims of modern slavery. The International Day for Abolition of Slavery is a yearly event commemorated across the world every 2 December. On Sunday, the world is marking the 32nd anti-slavery day, which was first celebrated by the United Nations General Assembly on 2 December, 1986. Although slavery in its traditional form may not be prevalent (too evidently) today, there are more than 40 million people around the world who are still victims of modern slavery, according to the UNs International Labour Organisation (ILO). Around 40.3 million people are victims of modern slavery today, including 24.9 in forced labour and 15.4 million in forced marriage. One in four victims of modern slavery are children, according to figures from the United Nations. Of the 24.9 million people trapped in forced labour, 16 million are exploited in the private sector, including in domestic work, construction or agriculture; 4.8 million people are victims of sexual exploitation; and 4 million people are in forced labour imposed by state authorities. Moreover, women and girls are disproportionately affected by forced labour, accounting for 99 percent of victims in the commercial sex industry, and 58 percent in other sectors. These figures underline that slavery is far from abolished and its modern forms continue to be significantly prevalent across the world. While in some cases, it may not be too noticeable you may not know the conditions under which your clothes were manufactured others go unnoticed as they have become part of our everyday lives. You might think its alright for your friend to employ a 15-year-old to carry out chores around the house or a child trying to sell knick-knacks at traffic signals, believing that his or her family needs the money, but it is in fact child labour. As modern slavery is not a term defined by law, tackling the problem is just that a problem. The term is widely used to cover situations of exploitation and includes practices such as human trafficking, child labour, forced labour, forced marriage, debt bondage, etc. Lets take a look at what constitutes slave labour: - Being forced to work through coercion, or mental or physical threat. - Being owned or controlled by an employer through mental or physical abuse or the threat of abuse. - Being dehumanised and treated as a commodity, or bought and sold as property. - Being physically constrained or have freedom of movement restricted. While broadly, modern day slavery involves sex trafficking, child labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, domestic servitude and forced labour, the practice is not restricted to just these forms. Just last week, on 28 November, Australia became the first country to recognise orphanage trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery. The legislation aims to stop Australians from taking part in what are being referred to as "voluntourism" schemes, in which people looking to do good dont realise they are harming the children. Australia recognised that orphanage placements, which involve people visiting, volunteering or fundraising for orphanages abroad, have fuelled an industry that has led to the exploitation of children and turned them into tourist attractions. Similarly, sex for rent is another lesser-heard form of modern slavery, where those in power in this case, with a home to offer exploit and abuse those in need of a roof over their head. Those who believe they have no choice but to give up their bodies for accommodation, especially those caring for children, are the most exploited lot in this form of slavery, which opens up a vicious cycle. As mentioned above, you may or may not know that the clothes you are wearing could be part of slave labour. It has become common to hear of reports of unpaid labourers slipping notes into the clothes they manufacture in abysmal conditions and similarly abysmal pay that bring to notice that these workers are not being paid for making the merchandise. International NGO Human Rights Watch had found that conditions at the garment factories set up by large brands in poor nations are often criminally abusive. The report Work Faster or Get Out highlighted claims by major clothing conglomerates that abusive working conditions at factories in Cambodia were isolated and can be easily fixed. People and communities most vulnerable to being taken advantage of are the most common victims of modern day slavery those in poverty in dire need of a decent job; people who belong to marginalised sections of society, such as Dalits in India; a young girl being forced into marriage because her society believes child marriage is acceptable; a poor farmer getting sucked into debt bondage for borrowing sums from a money lender. One form of modern slavery thats visible everywhere in India but ignored as part of the work hierarchy is domestic servitude. This involves live-in domestic workers who cant leave the house of their own volition and continue to work often in enslavement. This holds true especially of migrant workers, who neither have familial support close to them or the finances. In June, a Thomson Reuters Foundation report ranked India the world's most dangerous country for women, followed by Afghanistan and Syria, due to the high risk of sexual violence. No country is free from modern-day slavery no matter what the claims are. It still occurs the world over in ways not always easily recognisable. Viewing the issue with rose-tinted glasses only makes matters worse for those subjected to it and makes it even more necessary to have it discussed in the mainstream and tackled at the earliest through legislation and other means. Abhijit Iyer-Mitra has been under judicial custody in Odisha's Jharpada jail since 24 October for more than two months. Journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, who was arrested for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Odisha, the Konark Sun Temple and the state's MLAs, was admitted to a Bhubaneswar hospital after complaining of stomach pain, ANI reported. Mitra has been in judicial custody since 24 October and lodged at Jharpada jail. According to National Herald, he was under severe mental trauma and was ailing since Friday. On 17 November, the Odisha Assembly passed a motion to forgive Mitra. On the first day of the Assembly Session, a House committee which was formed to investigate the matter recommended the remission in its report which was submitted to the Assembly Speaker Pradeep Amat. On 7 November, a camp court at Jharpada Jail reserved its verdict on Mitra's bail plea and extended his judicial custody for 14 days. During a visit to the Konark Sun Temple on 16 September, 2018, Mitra posted a satirical video on Twitter, where he allegedly made derogatory remarks insulting Odisha, its culture, tradition and the lawmakers. Power does not operate in a linear way. Structures of oppression cut across each other. In many cases, our response to these events is difficult because of the complexity involved. As we enter the month of December, the number of #MeToo accounts we encounter on social media have gradually decreased. It's been tough: seeing these posts on our timelines, not having the language or words to speak of our trauma, of discovering that those we trust have been accused of harassment, dealing with the breach of trust. Amid the naming (and shaming) of perpetrators, #MeTooIndia also gave rise to a resource team a pool of lawyers, therapists, support groups. But what did it cost to come to this? Or rather, who did it cost? In India, a majority of #MeToo accounts have come from women who enjoy a privileged social position. There are consequences of this to the women who are not a part of this small circle. I won't dwell much on this aspect of #MeToo, which Christina Thomas Dhanaraj in her Firstpost column MeToo and savarna feminism: Revolutions cannot start with the privileged, feminist future must be equal for all, adeptly captures of how most feminist discourse in India is led by savarna women and their complicity in discrimination against Dalit, Bahujan and Adivasi women. Initially, #MeToo was a platform for forming solidarities and building a community for the survivor; playing the therapeutic role that the very act of speaking out about one's trauma can have, especially when the people they trust with their accounts, empathise and provide active support. The trouble starts with the naming of perpetrators, forming of local lists and the (un)said expectations that such an act comes with. This I say without dismissing the List of Sexual Harassers in Academia (LoSHA). The very need of that extra-legal list arose because of the inadequacy of legal mechanisms and due processes to deal with the levels of power the accused upper caste, male, renowned professors, occupying progressive spaces with substantial socio-cultural and economic capital held over the survivors. In the best of feminist imaginations, it is very difficult to have had a pedagogic engagement with most of the names on LoSHA, given the power dynamics that were tilted against the complainant. Perhaps, without this movement, there would be no recognition of the immense reformative work needed to better our institutions. However, the naming and local list-making of harassers that began in the aftermath, as a part of the #MeToo, is alarming. What does naming of people who may not have as much disparity in power with the survivor entail? Given that the expectation is that the survivor's account is believed entirely and the way of expressing support is isolating and ostracising the named harasser, how do we see the social boycott of harassers as a mechanism to deal with harassment? What does that do on insisting a reformative, engaging and sensitising way of dealing with the accused instead of punitive measures, wherever there is a possibility ? The principle of ostracism is not only problematic because of its aspirations but because once assumed to be a legitimate ideal, it fails to practically treat savarna and DBA men consistently because of the formers privileged location in many cases. In such circumstances, this becomes a more aggravated weapon in effect toward Dalit Bahujan Adivasi men. If harassers from a privileged social location are called out and isolated, they can just change their physical location from the said institution, circles, city groups and exercise their power where there is more disparity in this case, on marginalised woman (given that most of the accounts of harassment that have emerged are heterosexual in nature). They now know which women have the platform, words and voice to call them out; so all they have to do is find the ones who may not have these or whose voices could be ignored/silenced. So unless there is an island where all the accused harassers are being shipped off to, it is an unrealistic expectation to socially boycott them. If harassers from marginalised backgrounds are called out and isolated, where do they go? What are the implications of the social boycott of those who carry the historical burden of exactly that? For all of us who decided that Hang-the-Rapist was not our feminist politics, are we comfortable with sentencing someone to a social death? And this is said with caution given that the survivor may not engage with the accused; but wherever there is a possibility of a more reformative way to deal with sexual harassment, we do so when the accused is someone we know in the proximity to engage in a hope that they do not become recidivists. When I talk about the ostracism of marginalised men, I don't mean that when women especially Dalit, Bahujan and Adivasi women call them out, their voices be silenced or threatened under the name of an obstacle to the community or the larger politics. Many of us have lost count of how many times our feminist politics has been dismissed/mocked/used to viciously target us. In her article Building Bridges: Articulating Dalit and African American Women's Solidarity under Private Patriarchy, Shailaja Paik succinctly states that by failing to prise open the constitutive role of patriarchy in shaping and maintaining caste, many intellectuals have lost the opportunity to comprehend the wider structural logic that sustains casteist and racist societies. For most of them, caste and race seemed to be primary challenges, and gender, class, or sub-caste differences figured tangentially at best [which for t]hese leaders split the community and threaten organisation and solidarity. As #MeToo settled in, there have been accounts of harassment within the queer community. Procedurally, if we are to believe the survivor, what when both the people involved put out their accounts of harassment? Since we believed the person who put out their narrative first, what when the alleged harasser shares their narrative and claims to be harassed (given that heterosexual norms of man as the perpetrator and the woman as the survivor do not work here)? What if the second one was the survivor? Since we already believed the first narrative and isolated the accused, does the survivor not deserve our solidarity and support just because they were late? #MeToo has got conversations around sexual harassment to the "dinner table". Especially given the media coverage that high profile Bollywood cases received, the conversation travelled from Facebook to our screens, to our homes. But there are so many conversations remaining. In informal conversations when #MeToo was at its peak, and these aspects of how it can not only exclude but essentially turn against Dalit, Bahujan and Adivasi women and men were brought up, it was met with a let the survivors decide the consequences by almost all the savarna women who held the torch of gender justice. These survivors who were to decide the consequences also majorly being savarna. The anger women (including savarna women) have is legitimate; but their articulation based on it may not necessarily be so. From the University space, I am talking about savarna feminists who have been allies of the anti-caste movement. Somehow, in becoming feminists, they de-caste themselves. Sexual harassment becomes the premise over which caste hierarchies are overlooked (and overstepped) as if their and their sisters trauma makes invisible the caste structures that are also embedded in sexual harassment and the way it is dealt with. To argue radicalism can be convenient; to maintain it in our intimate lives is the true test of ones politics. In popular media, feminism has received support but it has yet to become critical of its own location; caste is still a matter of amnesia for many. Our analyses cannot simplistically rely upon rules of thumb of believing the first narrative without taking into account other axes of power. This could instead be the moment where the rest of us undertake the laborious but essential task of the transformative process of working with the accused/known harasser. Because the last time I checked, social boycott, segregation and social death did not help anything but the sustenance of the caste system and racial discrimination. And no aspiring feminist movement should make way for that path. Power does not operate in a linear way. Structures of oppression cut across each other. In many cases, our response to these events is difficult because of the complexity involved. Questions surrounding these cannot be shut down until after the movement is over. These are not irrelevant conversations because the many lives the movement affects will have immediate effects. For many whose fate already lies in indeterminacy such as Dalits, Bahujans, Adivasis and queers, politics that renders them dispensable statistics is not much hope. The writer studies Sociology at JNU, Delhi Naresh Salame, who the Naxals accused of being a police informant, was shot dead Saturday night by a group of Naxals in Belgaon village in Kohka police station limits. Rajnandgaon: A 28-year-old farmer was killed in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district by Naxals who accused him of being a police informer, an official said on Sunday. Naresh Salame was shot dead Saturday night by a group of Naxals in Belgaon village in Kohka police station limits, the official said. Salame was watching television in his home when the ultras barged in and dragged him on to the street outside and shot him, he added. Prior to shooting him, Naxals had accused Salame of being a police informer, the official said. A police team rushed to the site to nab those involved in the incident, he said. Meanwhile, security forces intensified patrolling in the state's Naxal-affected districts in view of the so-called "People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Week" which started on Sunday. Since 2000, "PLGA week" is observed annually by Naxals between December 2-8 in memory of their slain leaders and cadre. The PGLA is the armed wing of the proscribed Communist Party of India (Maoist) outfit. Since there is no retirement age in Indian politics, the need for an annual medical becomes imperative. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj recently announced her departure from the political stage on health grounds. Swaraj will not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In 2014, she won her seat in Madhya Pradesh's Vidhisha by over 400,000 votes. But despite not being 100 percent fit, she will soldier on. Sawaraj has been quoted as saying there are limits to the pressure she can place on her health. Putting self-preservation ahead of the aphrodisiac of power makes sense. Between Swaraj and Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar who has been unwell the question must be asked: why is the public tolerant of political leaders who are unable to carry out their duty? It is not a question of being callous. The public can pray for their full recovery. However, until that happens, what is needed is a mature way of handling such situations. Parrikar himself dismissed two government ministers, Francis D'Souza and Pandurang Madkaikar of the BJP, on medical grounds, but the same yardstick is not being applied to the chief minister. This was not the bargain struck between the voter and the elected. Any way you hack it, if politicians can't stay the course they ought to leave the race. While Parrikar and Swaraj's forbearance and commitment is impressive as is Arun Jaitley, who underwent a major procedure that would have taken a lot out of him in the absence of specific guidelines, the public tolerates politicos tottering into antiquity, being way past their dotage to where they can hardly make it to Parliament. Remember how J Jayalalithaa stayed chief minister of Tamil Nadu even when she was rather ill? This is a feature of the Indian political system and not a bug. It is the system which allows often through the questionable filters of public love, blind adulation, indescribable sycophancy, fear of retribution and misplaced loyalty them to keep going regardless of the truth. For example, it was reported that Ananth Kumar, who held the portfolio of minister of parliamentary affairs and chemicals & fertilisers, was critically ill weeks ago. But great efforts were made to play the illness down. It was even said he would be back in couple of weeks. Sadly, Kumar passed away on 12 November. Again, it is not a lack of sensitivity to demand clarity, but the fact is that those in public service should be transparent. And the medical condition of those elected to office to represent the people must be part of that transparency. Pretty much the same system prevailed in the United States until John F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. No one knew what to do in the pandemonium that ensued. In 1965, they introduced the 25th Amendment to the US Constitution: purely to ensure that an indisposed president even for minor surgery could voluntarily hand command to the vice-president and retake power only when he or she is capable. The operative word is voluntarily, but that is not an option Indian politicians would be inclined towards. Since there is no retirement age in Indian politics, the need for an annual medical becomes imperative. We have it in other disciplines and professions, so why not in politics? It's not much to ask, considering how they sit atop the pyramid of power and and run the country. The smaller, poorer nations, that will bare its devastating brunt at the Katowice summit, are pushing for richer states to make good on the promises they made in the 2015 Paris agreement. Katowice: With the direst warnings yet of an impending environmental disaster still ringing in their ears, representatives from nearly 200 nations gather on Sunday in Poland to firm up their plan to prevent catastrophic climate change. The UN climate summit comes at a crucial juncture in mankind's response to planetary warming. The smaller, poorer nations that will bare its devastating brunt are pushing for richer states to make good on the promises they made in the 2015 Paris agreement. In Paris three years ago, countries committed to limit global temperature rises to well below two degrees Celsius, and to the safer cap of 1.5 Celcius if at all possible. But with only a single degree Celsius of warming so far, the world has already seen a crescendo of deadly wildfires, heatwaves and hurricanes made more destructive by rising seas. Johan Rockstrom, designated director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said the talks in the Silesian mining city of Katowice were crucial in nailing down how the Paris promises will work in practice. Delegates at the COP24 talks "cannot and will not discuss if governments worldwide must achieve rapid greenhouse gas emission reductions to limit climate risks but how they can do this," he said. In Katowice, nations must agree to a rulebook palatable to all 183 states who have ratified the Paris deal. This is far from a given: the dust is still settling from US president Donald Trump's decision to ditch the Paris accord. G20 leaders on Saturday agreed on a final communique after their summit in Buenos Aires, declaring that the Paris Agreement was "irreversible". But it said the US "reiterates its decision to withdraw" from the landmark accord. Even solid progress in Katowice on the Paris goals may not be enough to prevent runaway global warming, as a series of major climate reports have outlined. Just this week, the UN's environment programme said the voluntary national contributions agreed in Paris would have to triple if the world was to cap global warming below 2C. For 1.5C, they must increase fivefold. A group of over 90 independent climate scientists in October said fossil fuel use must be slashed by half in the next 12 years if we have any hope of hitting the 1.5C target. While the data are clear, a global political consensus over how to tackle climate change remains elusive. Laurence Tubiana is CEO of the European Climate Foundation and, as France's top negotiator, one of the main architects of the 2015 treaty."Katowice may show us if there will be any domino effect" following the US withdrawal, she told AFP. Brazil's strongman president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, for one, has promised to follow the American lead during his campaign. Even the most strident climate warnings spiralling temperatures, global sea-level rises, mass crop failures are something that many developed nations will only have to tackle in future. But many other countries are already dealing with the droughts, higher seas and catastrophic storms climate change is exacerbating right now. "A failure to act now risks pushing us beyond a point of no return with catastrophic consequences for life as we know it," said Amjad Abdulla, chief negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States, of the UN talks. And Gebru Jember Endalew, chair of the Least Developed Nations group of negotiators at the COP24, said: "international cooperation is the only way to address the global threat of climate change." A large number of students from two institutes Shibnath Shastri College and Heramba Chandra College took to streets on Thursday and Friday to protest against the Calcutta University (CU) mandate of 60 percent minimum attendance for appearing in examinations. Kolkata: Taking strong exception to road blockades staged by college students over attendance mandate, West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee has asserted the government will be forced to take action if the agitators cause inconvenience to public for "personal benefit". A large number of students from two institutes Shibnath Shastri College and Heramba Chandra College took to streets on Thursday and Friday to protest against the Calcutta University (CU) mandate of 60 percent minimum attendance for appearing in examinations. The agitators of Heramba Chandra College blocked thoroughfares in Golpark area for two consecutive days, demanding immediate relaxation of norms. The protest was also backed by students of Gurudas College and Jaipuria College, who demonstrated outside their campuses. The education minister said the government will not succumb to the pressure tactics of the students. "Under no circumstances will the administration tolerate such pressure tactics. Many people were inconvenienced as they (students) blocked the roads to get their demands fulfilled. This is unacceptable," Chatterjee told reporters on Saturday. Earlier this year, the CU authorities had asked all affiliated colleges to ensure that only those with a minimum 60 percent attendance would be allowed to sit for semester exams. A list of non-eligible students was recently published at Heramba Chandra College, triggering the agitation. Chatterjee pointed out that the state education department has fixed 60 percent attendance as a criterion to sit for semester exams, even as the UGC suggested 75 percent attendance for higher educational institutions. "Maybe the agitating students wanted to sit for exams without attending classes or studying," he said. Heramba Chandra College Principal Nabanita Chakraborty, who met Chatterjee Saturday morning, said the authorities are planning to reduce the cut-off figure for attendance from 60 percent to 55 percent. Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the students' wing of the ruling party, also appealed to the education minister to find a "way out of the deadlock" to restore normalcy in the institutes. TMCP president Trinankur Bhattacharya, who met the minister at his residence, told reporters that the unit has sought a solution that would be acceptable to all sides. A TMCP source said the union urged Chatterjee to consider relaxation in attendance norm for this year. Also speaking at TEDxGateway is Shabana Basij- Rasikh, the founder of HELA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Afghan women through education TEDxGateway, being held in Mumbai on Sunday, is a consortium of entrepreneurs, scientists, researchers, educators and experts from several fields coming together to share their ideas on several global and national issues. The event will go on through the day and feature several speakers including the 12-year-olds Gitanjali Rao and Haaziq Kazi. Rao was declared America's Top Young Scientist in 2017 and also won the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge for Tethys, a device she created that detects lead contamination in water. Kazi has been vocal about plastic pollution in the oceans and the struggle of the aquatic life to survive amid the plastic waste dumped in the sea. The Pune-based student has developed the prototype of an ocean cleaner called ERVIS, a ship that sucks the waste out of water bodies. Also featured in the line-up is Padma Shri awardee Raghu Rai, the photographer who has extensively covered the political, cultural and social issues of India through the years. After viewing Rai's exhibit in Paris in 1971, acclaimed photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson had nominated Rai as a member of his organisation, Magnum Photos. Yet another individual who has been capturing the world through his lens, the British photographer Levon Biss is also set to deliver a talk at the event. TEDxGateway will also host the geopolitical futurist and author Parag Khanna who provides regular commentary on global trends and scenarios. Khanna has previously given two TED talks and in 2017 released his most recent work, Technocracy in America: Rise of the Info-State. Shabana Basij-Rasikh, the founder of HELA, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering Afghan women through education will also take the stage on 2 December. Rasikh has been working with girls and young women in Afghanistan to help them receive education. From dressing as a boy during the Taliban regime to helming her non-profits, Rasikh's focus has been on women empowerment in her country. Along with humanitarians and strategists, artist and dancer Ananda Shankar Jayant and the poet, Rives will also be present at TEDxGateway. While Jayant, the Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam exponent, will take to the stage with a dance performance, Rives will be one of the hosts of the day-long event. Trained at Kalakshetra, Jayant is a cancer survivor who turned to her art for positivity during her treatment. Rives is an American poet and author who appeared on three seasons of HBOs Def Poetry Jam. Some of his best poems include Kite, which talks about waking up alone in a new lovers apartment, and Mockingbird. Also performing at the event is the band Maati Baani which creates with its music a confluence of Hindustani classical and soulful folk tunes. To talk about India's agrarian crisis and the significance of sustainable agriculture, TEDxGateway will also host horticulturist Dnyaneshwar Bodke, who founded the Abhinav Farmers Club to educate and support farmers in adopting sustainable means of farming along with marketing their produce without the presence of middlemen. Read more about him here: Horticulturist Dnyaneshwar Bodke shares his ideas on sustainable farming ahead of his TEDxGateway 2018 talk India's minister for Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu is also set to talk at the event. Among other attendees include Shantha Rau Barriga, director of the disability rights division at Human Rights Watch, television and print journalist Govindraj Ethiraj who founded Boom, a fact checking initiative, and piano prodigy Lydian Nadhaswaram. Artificial intelligence and deep learning expert Prashant Warier, peace and conflict researcher and educator Shahnaaz Khan, architect Sameep Padora, and technologist and design thinker Tom Wujec will also be speaking at the event. The day-long forum, TEDxGateway, will be held on Sunday, 2 December, 2018 at DOME @ NSCI in Mumbai. More details can be found on TEDxGateway's website OP Rawat said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) seized a record amount of money in elections after demonetisation. Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) OP Rawat said that demonetisation had absolutely no impact on black money, The Indian Express reported. Rawat, who was replaced as CEC by Sunil Arora on Sunday, added that the Election Commission of India (ECI) seized a record amount of money during elections. He told the newspaper that "even in elections to (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram), seizures have been close to Rs 200 crore. It shows that money during elections is coming from sources which are very influential and are not affected by such measures." Earlier, responding to a question from PTI on transparency in funding of political parties, Rawat said that it is "a long-term reform". "... all political party meeting in August (this year) had recommended that there should be a ceiling on party expenditure and commensurately there should be transparency in funding. I think it will see the light of day in time to come," he said. Almost all parties agreed to a cap on expenditure, he added. Asked on his 'biggest regret' as the CEC, Rawat said times are changing fast with money and social media playing a major role in electioneering. The commission, he added, wanted to review the legal framework "comprehensively to align it to the emerging situation and futuristic needs." With inputs from PTI Even if 30 percent of the near 60,000 Muslim voters in Tonk, switch side and vote for BJP candidate Yoonus Khan, it might turn out to be a difficult scenario for Congress leader Sachin Pilot Around the Indira Gandhi statue at the central roundabout in the township of Tonk, Yoonus Khan supporters are present in dominant numbers. Few meters ahead of that statue, his supporters have put up two offices one by Kashyap Keer Samaj, a marginalised caste and right in front of it on other side of it by a Muslim group. In fact, a small eatery has been converted into a part-time support office. Khan's supporters on either side of the road are not interacting much, but they are proudly showing the other side to impress visitors that Khan has support of both the communities. Apart from being the only Muslim in the entire list of 200 candidates fielded from the ruling BJP in Rajasthan, Khan has the honor of being one of most prominent ministers in the Vasundhara Raje government. He also has the pride of being specially sent by the BJP leadership, state and central, to take on state Congress chief and one of the two chief ministerial contenders from that party, Sachin Pilot. Khan is a popular leader within his community and outside and has his credentials as minister of public work and transport and the developmental work he did in his present constituency Deedwana to boast. But the task he was assigned, to be a giant killer, surprised all. Though Sachin has been an MP before and a Union minister in the Manmohan Singh government, and also has the political backing of supporters of his late father Rajesh Pilot, he has not fought an Assembly election before. However, the fact that he is chief ministerial contender from the Congress has given him an instant head start. Khan began slowly but has picked up momentum giving Sachin some scary moments. What brought Sachin here was simple arithmetic Gujjars are present in Tonk in large numbers and so are Muslims and if voters in these two communities combine along with fraction of voters from here and there, Sachin is safely home. Khans candidacy has added a twist in the tale. The key question is will Muslims betray Congress, even if a substantive chunk, say around 30 percent of the near 60,000 Muslim voters, switch side and vote for Khan, then it might prove to be a difficult scenario for Sachin. A group of young Muslims at that office (mentioned above) were assertive in expressing their support for Khan. See this banner, we are all here to support Yunus sahib. He had a hugely successful rally here at this spot yesterday. He will win. Just as I moved, a slightly elderly person, came towards me and said in hushed tone, They are all sold out. They will take money and not vote for Khan or the BJP. This is all an eyewash. Take my word Sachin will win. Up ahead some men are sitting and having tea. They talk at length, indicating that this time Tonk has a real fight on the cards. One of them says, This is Tonk and it is money which speaks here (with slight disgust in his tone." On being asked who has money, Khan or Sachin one is a serving minister in the state government and other is former union minister currently in-charge of a party as state president with the power assign resources, men, money and material through the state he says Khan has greater appetite to spend money. On being asked if anyone was a Muslim in their group, he said that all of them are Muslims. The man identified himself as Aslam Khan. Another person in the group, Muhamad Salim got candid in his opinion. He said, Khan is a nice man. He is easily approachable and he has a point to make the work he did as a minister and the work he did in his constituency (Deedwana). I may like to vote for him, but see the problem is that he is a BJP candidate. Since my childhood I have known nothing else than the hand as an election symbol. My family and relatives have only voted for the hand." Yet another person in the group was getting restive. Before leaving, he made his final comment. The situation is quite fluid here. I have not seem an election like this. Too much is at stake one is a would be chief minister and another is the number two in the present government. Who knows what kind of history, Tonk is going to write. Whose fate it is going to make or mar. We have satisfaction of being a party when history will be written here on 11 December when votes will be counted. A Shiv Sena candidate Baju Saini who had fought last time as an Independent candidate and had got good numbers too has a role to play as well in the Assembly election. He is from the Mali community, a community to which, another chief ministerial contender from Congress, Ashok Gehlot belongs. There is a great deal of confusion and talk in Tonk as to which way his are supporters are going, and whether or not Saini is still actively rooting for himself. The BJP supporters believe that Saini has capitulated and his community has decided to vote for Khan but Pilots supporters are not buying this argument. One thing is clear though, the four-lane highway from Tonk to Jaipur is straight and a high speed one, literally and politically. Dushyant Singh is spearheading his mother and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's campaign in the Jhalrapatan assembly seat against Manvendra Singh as she has been travelling across the state to lead the BJP's electoral battle in Rajasthan and retain the mandate to rule the state. Jhalawar: Calling Manvendra Singh a "turncoat", BJP's Jhalawar MP Dushyant Singh said Sunday the Congress candidate from Jhalrapatan has been "parachuted" to the constituency and the electorate will send him back to where he belongs. Dushyant Singh is spearheading his mother and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's campaign in the Jhalrapatan assembly seat against Manvendra Singh as she has been travelling across the state to lead the BJP's electoral battle in Rajasthan and retain the mandate to rule the state. In an interview with PTI, Dushyant Singh said Raje has worked really hard in the constituency and the development work done by her has been "phenomenal". In the last 30 years, transformational change has taken place in Jhalawar and Baran, Dushyant Singh said. "For her (Raje), the electorate is her family and the family is actually campaigning for her, it is not Mrs Raje," he said. The Jhalawar MP said that in contrast to his mother's development works here, Manvendra Singh has come from 700-800 km away from Jhalawar. "He has been parachuted by the Congress president (Rahul Gandhi). When the Congress president was here a few months back, he had said on stage, in Jhalawar especially, that he will not field any parachute candidates in Rajasthan. "But he has put a paratrooper here. So our family, the electorate, is ensuring that we send him back to where he belongs," the 45-year-old leader said. Manvendra Singh, son of former BJP leader Jaswant Singh, was pitted against Raje just weeks after crossing over from the BJP to the Congress. He had contested and won from the Sheo assembly seat of his family stronghold Barmer in 2013. Asked if the "outsider" tag for Manvendra Singh was a poll issue, Dushyant Singh said: "His (Manvendra Singh's) family has moved from district to district, so it is part of his culture." "Like his father was previously in Chittor, then he moved from there to Jodhpur, from Jodhpur he moved to Darjeeling, then Mr Manvendra Singh was in Barmer, from Barmer he has come to Jhalawar. So it is a perpetual tag of moving," he said. They have not been constantly at one particular place and not been part of developing the place, the BJP leader alleged. In contrast, the chief minister and the entire party cadre in the district and in the Hadoti belt have worked in this area, he asserted. "We should overcome...with flying colours and send Mr Manvendra Singh back to Jasol where he belongs to," he said. On talk of Manvendra Singh's father not having been given his due in the saffron party, Dushyant Singh said he was given respect and a top position in the government. Manvendra Singh is a "turncoat" and an "opportunist", he alleged. Asked if Manvendra Singh would be at an advantage as he was stationed here while Raje was touring outside her constituency as the chief minister, Dushyant Singh cited the example of Congress candidate Rama Pilot and said she was also stationed here with her son during 2003 polls, but they have never come back. "He (Manvendra Singh) will be stationed here. People will tell him... Results will be out on 11 December, and he will also head back to where he belongs to," said the MP from Jhalawar, which comprises eight assembly segments, including Jhalrapatan. On whether Rajput votes could split with both candidates being from the community, Dushyant Singh said: "My grandmother was a Kshatriya, my mother is a Rajput. My mother believes in all communities, unlike her opponent. All 36 communities are voting for the chief minister." tech2 News Staff Nine people and two companies have reportedly been charged with illegally selling Samsungs foldable screen technology to a Chinese rival. According to a report by Bloomberg, the chief executive officer of a Samsung supplier and eight of his employees received $13.8 million for a conspiracy to transfer organic light-emitting diode knowledge. The names of the companies and individuals have not been disclosed. Samsung has said that it is shocked at the results of the investigation by prosecutors, at a time when competitors are intensifying their technological rivalry. Last month, Samsung unveiled its unnamed foldable smartphone, currently known as the Galaxy F at its developer conference, and the company will apparently manufacture as many as 1 million units of the device. It now appears that the device will be priced in the range of $1,900 to $2,500, which is about Rs 1,35,000 to Rs 1,76,000, which is quite steep. The company CEO DJ Koh recently said that, "possibly when we start selling the foldable phone, it may be a niche market... but definitely, it will expand. I'm positive that we do need a foldable phone." Samsung describes its folding phone technology as Infinity Flex Display and said that mass-production of the device should begin in a "matter of months." The display on the tablet has a resolution of 1536 x 2152 pixels which gives it a 4.2:3 aspect ratio and a screen size of 7.3-inches. When folded, the device is an 840 x 1960 display with a tall aspect ratio of 21:9 and screen size of 4.58-inches. Indo-Asian News Service NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has said SpaceX founder Elon Musk will not be smoking weed in public again, the media reported. Speaking on Musks infamous marijuana consumption during The Joe Rogan Experience podcast in September, the NASA chief said that was not appropriate behaviour and people will not be seeing that again, The Atlantic reported. Bridenstine said he has spoken with Musk recently that he does not want NASA contractors engaging in questionable behaviour. Weve 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 wont be seeing that again, Bridenstine told reporters at NASA headquarters in Washington. NASA along with Musks SpaceX and Boeing is developing transportation systems that would allow the US to fly astronauts 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 thats 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 SpaceX and Boeing. NASA will be conducting a cultural assessment study in coordination with our commercial partners to ensure the companies are meeting nasas 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 astronauts 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 Bridenstines remarks, the report said. NASA, in 2014, gave both SpaceX and Boeing combined $6.8 billion to develop launch systems that could transport the agencys astronauts to and from the International 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. More than 135 young designers and architects showcased their innovations at the Roca One Day Design Challenge at Dubai, UAE. Created seven years ago and of an international nature, the innovative express design competition celebrated its third edition in the UAE with an outstanding participation of students and young professionals from this sector. It was hosted by Roca, a company engaged in the design, production and commercialisation of products for the bathroom space, as well as ceramic floors and wall tiles for architecture, building and interior design. The competition, which took place at A4 Space in Alserkal Avenue in Dubai, threw a challenge to these young designers and architects of designing against the clock an innovative proposal for the bathroom space that complies with the description of the briefing revealed early that day. The concept established as a premise for the participants in Dubai has been to design a bathroom product that incorporates innovative technology that also has to be long-lasting and must ensure hygiene and comfort for users. Of all the submitted projects, the one which walked away with the prize money of Dh6,000 was Eco-nnect from Marco Maximus and Amr Abdelaziz from Attik company. Their project was a bath with a projector attached to the ceiling that showed the image on a large curved glass. This way, the user could keep connected while having a shower. The screen-glass was waterproof and allowed navigation, scrolling and speaking with the inbuilt microphone. On the winning project, Justin Wells, a member of the jury, said: "This proposal is extremely professional, it catches the very core essence of the technology in the bathroom, fundamental to what we are here to celebrate today." The second prize worth DhDh4,000 was bagged by Nada Elemam and Mai Ghazala from the American University in Cairo and the American University of Sharjah for their project Visage. On the project, jury member Alexandra Nastik said: "It was very simple, very elegant and looked like a finished project and had a great featuring of technology." The third prize worth Dh2,000 has been for Barefot wellness by Habiba Aly, Rajwa Taifour and Farah Ahmed from the American University of Sharjah. Commenting on the project, jury member Rama Keilani, said: "This idea has lots of potential for future development, it's very innovative." This year, the competition has expanded internationally to four more countries than in 2017: Brazil, Singapore, Poland and Bulgaria are set to host the first edition of Roca One Day Design Challenge. Portugal, Russia, Oman, United Kingdom and China celebrate the second edition after the success of last year's first edition. UAE and Hong Kong, where the competition is already consolidated, celebrate the third and fourth edition respectively. Spain, the cradle of the Roca One Day Design Challenge, celebrates its seventh edition.-TradeArabia News Service The Associated Press Facebook said its executive, Sheryl Sandberg, asked staff to investigate whether billionaire philanthropist George Soros, in calling the company a "menace," had financial motivations against it. This revelation follows prior disclosures that the company had done opposition research on him. Friday's statement from Facebook is in response to a New York Times article that describes Sandberg asking Facebook staff to look into Soros' financial interests in speaking out against the company. Soros called Facebook a "menace to society" in a January speech. Facebook said the company was already researching Soros when Sandberg sent an email asking if Soros had shorted Facebook stock. Shorting a stock is essentially taking a bet it will decline. Soros's Open Society Foundations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. In a Thanksgiving eve post, outgoing executive Elliot Schrage took the blame for hiring the public relations firm doing opposition research on critics. Schrage has been at Facebook for a decade and announced his departure in June. In the post, he acknowledges that Facebook asked the firm, Definers, "to do work" on Soros. Definers also helped respond to what Schrage described as unfair claims about the company. Sandberg followed Schrage's note of contrition with one of her own, acknowledging her responsibility for overseeing Facebook's communications team. On Definers, Sandberg said "some of their work was incorporated into materials presented to me and I received a small number of emails where Definers was referenced." Indo-Asian News Service A court in Rajasthan on 1 December 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 HM 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. Press Trust of India Washington: NASA is set to launch a sounding rocket to get a closer look at the how the Earth's atmosphere is slowly leaking into space. Understanding atmospheric escape on Earth has applications all over the Universe, from predicting which far-off planets might be habitable to piecing together how Mars became the desolate, exposed landscape it is today, the US space agency said. The VISIONS-2 mission, short for Visualizing Ion Outflow via Neutral Atom Sensing-2, is scheduled to launch no earlier than 4 December. A sounding rocket makes brief, targeted flights into space before falling back to Earth just a few minutes later. Sounding rockets are unique among scientific spacecraft for their superior dexterity. They can be carted to remote locations, where they are aimed and shot into short-lived events like the sudden formation of the aurora borealis at a moment's notice. The aurora borealis is of keen interest to the VISIONS-2 team, but not just for its otherworldly glow. The aurora play are fundamental drivers in the process of atmospheric escape, whereby planets, including Earth, gradually leak their atmosphere into space. "The Earth is losing weight," said Thomas Moore, a NASA space physicist. "There have been enough observations to know that anywhere from a hundred to several hundred tonnes of the atmosphere are going into space every day," Moore said. He estimates that at that rate, the Earth will retain its atmosphere for a billion or so years. Scientists had long thought that oxygen, weighing in at 16 times the mass of hydrogen, was too heavy to escape Earth's gravity. However, near-Earth space is teeming with much more Earth-borne oxygen than anyone had expected. The aurora are formed when energetic electrons, accelerated in the electric and magnetic fields in near-Earth space, crash into and excite atmospheric gases, which emit bright hues of red, green, and yellow as they relax back to a lower energy state. These unruly electrons also create a cascade of havoc in the process, including driving electric currents that heat the upper atmosphere in splotchy patches. In some cases, that heating is sufficient to give stray oxygen atoms enough energy to escape. VISIONS-1, the current mission's precursor, launched from the Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska in 2013, where they studied oxygen outflow from aurora that forms on Earth's night side, the part of the planet that is temporarily pointed away from the Sun. For the VISIONS-2 mission, the team will travel to Svalbard a remote archipelago off the northern coast of Norway where dayside aurora can be found. VISIONS-2 is the first of nine sounding rockets launching over the next 14 months as part of the Grand Challenge Initiative, an international collaboration to explore the unusual portal between Earth and space. Indo-Asian News Service Three space travellers including two astronauts on their first flight, are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on 3 December for a six-and-a-half month mission, NASA said. The launch comes less than two months after a booster failure forced a Soyuz spacecraft carrying Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague to make an emergency landing. The incident became the first failure of a manned space launch in modern Russian history. The three new space travellers, Anne McClain of NASA, David Saint-Jacquesof the Canadian Space Agency and Oleg Kononenko of Russian space agency Roscosmos - are preparing to launch aboard the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft at 5.31 p.m. from the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan. Following a six-hour journey making four orbits of Earth, the crew will dock the Soyuz to the station's Poisk module to begin their mission on the orbital laboratory. It will be the first flight for both McClain and Saint-Jacques and the fourth for Kononenko. Less than two hours after docking, hatches between the Soyuz and the station will open, and the current crew, Expedition 57 Commander Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency), NASA Flight Engineer Serena Aunon-Chancellor and Roscosmos Flight Engineer Sergey Prokopyev, who have been in orbit since June, will greet them. Kononenko, McClain and Saint-Jacques will officially become the Expedition 58 crew when Gerst, Aunon-Chancellor and Prokopyev depart the station for home on December 20. Following the first summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un in June, Trump said that he hoped to organise a second summit with the country in early 2019, perhaps as soon as January or February. Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he hoped to organise a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in early 2019, perhaps as soon as January or February. Trump told reporters travelling home to Washington with him aboard Air Force One from Argentina that "three sites" were in consideration for the meeting, a follow-up to their historic summit in Singapore in June. Trump had been in Buenos Aires for the Group of 20 summit. When asked about a future meeting, Trump said: "I think we're going to do one fairly (soon) into January, February, I think." In June, Trump and Kim opened up dialogue on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula after months of trading military threats and pointed barbs. The two leaders signed a vaguely worded document on denuclearisation of the peninsula, but progress since has stalled as Washington and Pyongyang spar and North Korea has taken few concrete steps to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. US 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 Washington ease sanctions. On Friday, Trump discussed the situation with South Korean president Moon Jae-in on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The pair "reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the final, fully verified denuclearisation" of North Korea, Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. They agreed on the need for "maintaining vigorous enforcement of existing sanctions to ensure the DPRK understands that denuclearisation is the only path," Sanders said, using the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. However, differences have emerged between Washington and Seoul on how to proceed with Kim, as the dovish Moon has long favoured engagement with the North. When asked Saturday if he would ever host Kim in the United States, Trump replied: "At some point, yeah." The protests in France began as a backlash against president Emmanuel Macrons fuel tax hikes, but have mined a vein of deep dissatisfaction felt towards the 40-year-olds liberal economic reforms, which many voters feel favour the wealthy and big business. Paris: France will consider imposing a state of emergency to prevent a recurrence of some of the worst civil unrest in more than a decade and urged peaceful protestors to come to the negotiating table, government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said on Sunday. Groups of young men with faces masked, some carrying metal bars and axes, rioted on the streets of central Paris on Saturday, setting a dozen vehicles ablaze, torching buildings, looting shops, smashing windows and fighting police in the worst unrest the capital has seen since 1968, posed the most formidable challenge Emmanuel Macron has faced in his 18-month-old presidency. Disturbances also rocked several cities and towns and across France - from Charleville Mezieres in the northeast to Nantes in the west and Marseille in the south. "We have to think about the measures that can be taken so that these incidents dont happen again," Griveaux told Europe 1 radio. When asked about imposing a state of emergency, he said the French president, prime minister and interior minister would discuss all options available to them at a meeting on Sunday. The popular rebellion erupted out of nowhere on 17 November and has spread quickly via social media, with protesters blocking roads across France and impeding access to shopping malls, factories and some fuel depots. The protests began as a backlash against Macrons fuel tax hikes, but have mined a vein of deep dissatisfaction felt towards the 40-year-olds liberal economic reforms, which many voters feel favour the wealthy and big business. Authorities were caught off guard by Saturdays escalation in violence overshadowing the spontaneous protest movement, dubbed the "yellow vests" because many participants were wearing the fluorescent safety jackets kept in all cars in France. President Macron rushed to the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday after one of Frances most revered monuments was vandalised by rioters. Tributes poured in from world leaders in memory of the 41st US president George HW 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. College Station: Flags flew at half-staff across the United States on Saturday as Americans prepared for a week of solemn tributes to George HW 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 5 December when the federal government and New York Stock Exchange will close in Bush's honour Trump also signalled his respect by calling off a press conference planned at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. The days-long national farewell to Bush will begin Monday with a commemoration in Houston, where the Bushes lived for years and where he died on Friday surrounded by friends and family. From there, Bush's casket will travel to Washington on board Trump's presidential aircraft in what the US leader called "a special tribute that he deserves very much." The former president will lie in state in the US Capitol between Monday and Wednesday ahead of a state funeral at the towering National Cathedral, expected to draw dozens of dignitaries from around the world. Bush's remains will travel back to Texas late Wednesday, where he will lie in repose at St Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston with a funeral service the next day preceding his internment at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station. He will make his final journey aboard a funeral train. At the presidential library on Saturday, people came to sign the memorial book in Bush's honour, or lay flowers at the feet of his statue. "We wanted to come here and at least respect senior George Bush because he was a great president and a great human being," said Bhoumin Mehta, a well-wisher from Sugar Land, southwest of Houston. Bush was a decorated World War II pilot, diplomat and onetime CIA chief who saw his son George follow in his footsteps to the Oval Office making them only the second father-son duo in American presidential history, after John and John Quincy Adams. 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. The oldest surviving former US president Jimmy Carter said Bush's administration "was marked by grace, civility and social conscience." Britain took the rare step of lowering flags in government buildings, while Germany's president Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised Bush's "unwavering support" for the country's 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. Suffering from Parkinson's disease, Bush 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, the former secretary of state James Baker, quoted by The New York Times, Bush's final words were to the younger 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. Born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy 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 becoming 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." Additionally, 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. 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 last year. By Lizbeth Diaz and Anthony Esposito MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - 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. By Lizbeth Diaz and Anthony Esposito MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - 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 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, the 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 murders, a record, were logged in 2017. But over 10,000 were registered between July and October, the bloodiest four-month period since modern records 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 on 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 G20 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. (Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz and Anthony Esposito in Mexico City; Additional reporting by Dave Graham and Diego Ore in Mexico City; Writing by Dave Graham; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel, Matthew Lewis and Daniel Wallis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Kylie MacLellan BUENOS AIRES (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. By Kylie MacLellan BUENOS AIRES (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) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia will hold further talks at the advisor level about a shipping standoff in the Kerch Strait, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday, urging Moscow to let Ukrainian vessels enter the Sea of Azov. BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia will hold further talks at the advisor level about a shipping standoff in the Kerch Strait, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday, urging Moscow to let Ukrainian vessels enter the Sea of Azov. Russia is resisting international calls to release three Ukrainian naval ships that its border patrols fired on and seized in the strait near Russian-annexed Crimea last weekend. Moscow accused the 24 sailors of illegally crossing the Russian border. "All escalations must be avoided," Merkel told reporters after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. "The freedom of shipping traffic in the Sea of Azov .... must be ensured." Merkel called on Russia to honor a 2003 treaty that sets out the conditions under which Ukrainian ships may enter the Sea of Azov and reach Ukrainian cities. "Russia must stick to this," she said. A spokesman for Putin said the Russian leader briefed Merkel at length about the situation, and Merkel told him she wanted to help resolve it. Ukraine on Friday filed a complaint against Russia in the European Court of Human Rights over the incident, which took place in the strait that separates the Sea of Azov from the Black Sea. Merkel said Germany had suggested -- and Russia agreed -- that discussions about the dispute should continue at the advisor level in the four-way Normandy format that has sought to ease tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Senior officials from the four countries gathered in Berlin on Nov. 26 for a meeting planned before the Ukrainian ships were seized. It was not immediately clear when follow-up discussions would take place. Merkel and Putin also discussed the situation in Syria, and agreed more effort should be made to work towards the implementation of agreements by Germany, France, Turkey and Russia at a summit in Istanbul in October, Seibert said. (Reporting by Reuters TV; Writing by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Helen Popper) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. More than 1,000 young Saudi hackers - comprising clinicians, engineers, scientists, designers and entrepreneurs - participated recently at the world's largest health hackathon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Organised by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) with support from Badir Program for Technology Incubators and Accelerators, and in collaboration with MIT Hacking Medicine, the event took place at the Convention Center at Princess Noura University. The three-day hackathon, titled "Reimagining Healthcare in Saudi Arabia", saw hackers compete in 10 different healthcare challenges to advance the design of biomedical technologies towards meeting a target of over 20 biotech startups. The winners were announced at the end of the competition. "Aligned with the Saudi Ministry of Health's Model of Care, the healthcare challenges, ranging from - blockchain and AI for health, cancer innovation track, and assistive technology and ageing - are aimed to energise and connect the best talents across the health ecosystem in the health and technology sectors to solve the healthcares biggest challenges and teach healthcare entrepreneurship and digital strategies to scale medicine in the Kingdom," said Dr Anas Alfaris, vice president for Research Institutes at KACST during his opening speech at the hackathon . He emphasised that the Hackathon will help instil the culture of creativity and innovation in the field of digital health among Saudi youth who will compete to generate new ideas that will improve and enhance the medical services and level of healthcare in the Kingdom. Healthcare has been identified as one of the primary focus areas under the Saudi Vision 2030 and National Transformation Program 2020 in order to enhance the quality of healthcare services and facilities in the country. "It is our privilege to host the world's largest health hackathons in Saudi Arabia. The program will offer a collaborative environment for the best and brilliant minds to be a part of an exciting and inspiring event that will impact the way healthcare is delivered to millions of people in Saudi Arabia and across the globe," said Nawaf Al Sahhaf, chief executive officer of the Badir Program for Technology Incubators and Accelerators. Since its inception in 2011, MIT Hacking Medicine has facilitated nearly 150 hackathons across over 30 countries. Teams coming out of these events have successfully joined local accelerators, raising over $175 million in investment funding, and partnering with healthcare institutions or companies towards piloting their solutions. MIT Hacking Medicine has previously collaborated with leading organizations and corporations such as The Kauffman Foundation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Emergency Nurses Association, Pfizer, Microsoft, Samsung, GE, Merck, and AthenaHealth. Below is the list of winners: Track 1: Mental Health Hackathon 2nd prize: InTouch An interactive mobile application with a treatment experience for Saudi Arabian patients with depression. 1st prize: MindTreat A mobile application utilizing gamification to treat and support with mood and anxiety disorders. Track 2: Brain Health Hackathon 2nd prize: Mobile Eng for Non-Professionals A mobile application to help patients with physical therapy while on the go. 1st prize: Alpha Crew Brain scanning headset using deep learning and image recognition techniques to detect epileptic seizures in hospitals. Track 3: Connected Healthcare 2nd prize: Dream Team: An augmented Reality educational toolset for physical therapists that uses realistic human mannequins to simulate the real-life training experiences. 1st prize: Harara-tech: A thermal-imaging system that uses artificial intelligence to intelligently evaluate and direct treatment for victims after large scale disasters. Track 4: Assistive Technologies and Reimagining Aging 2nd prize: Lyxar An Arabic mobile application for dyslexia patients that utilizes games to effectively screen, train, and assist them with diagnosis and treatment. 1st prize: Asfih 3D printed glasses that allow patients with ALS speak for little money, effort and time. Track 5: Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare and Forensic Science 2nd prize: Tawthiq - Authenticating certificate of healthcare workers on the blockchain, issued direct from their university to blockchain yielding instantaneous authentication. 1st prize: Med Chain Using blockchain and artificial intelligence systems to match patients with applicable clinical trials. Track 6: Data Science for Global Health 2nd Prize: Icebridge Crusheres/ Autism A mobile application helping with scheduling and long wait times in diabetic clinics. 1st Prize: Population Sigmentation A personalized mobile application to help at-risk patients get screened for heart disease. Track 7: Wearable Devices for Healthcare 2nd prize: Mask Lung-infection Detector A mask that helps prevent lung infection due to increased crowds, by detecting metabolites in the breath and informing patients of oncoming infections. 1st prize: A portable device that will enable blind people to read normal books. Track 8: Cancer Innovation Challenge 2nd prize: Endue - Patient-centric decision assisting tool to better inform the patient of the reasoning behind the providers treatment decisions. 1st prize: Oncoscrapper - An application for hospitalized children with treatment resistant leukemia that uses gamification to incentivize patients to undergo chemotherapy medication. Track 9: Human Centered Design for Health 2nd prize: HKMMA Smart Shoe A smart shoe for diabetic foot monitoring that detect of the early onset of diabetic foot, preventing amputation. 1st prize: Elda An application providing caregivers support in aiding for their loved elderly patients so that caregivers dont have to take patients to the hospital. Track 10: Dental Track: Challenging Oral Care 2nd prize: Intra-Oral clip An intra oral clip made to deliver medication over prolonged periods of time. 1st prize: Infra-Red Guide x-ray An infra-red device attached to the x-ray image holder to enhance the position of the x-ray sensor. TradeArabia News Service By Lee van der Voo CHICO, Calif. By Lee van der Voo CHICO, Calif. (Reuters) - For two dozen third-graders who survived the massive wildfire that largely obliterated Paradise, California, school is now the small home of their teacher, Sheri Eichar: Reading center on the couch, math in the kitchen nook, language in the corner. When it's time for recess, the pupils jog around the block of Eichar's suburban neighborhood in Chico, a 20-minute drive from Paradise. Of the 24 kids in Eichar's class at Children's Community Charter School, 20 lost their homes in the Camp Fire, which broke out near Paradise on November 8 and swept through the small mountain community, killing at least 88 people. The blaze, which is now fully contained, is already the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century, with 158 people still unaccounted for as search and rescue teams comb through the rubble and ash for human remains. Many of Paradise's 27,000 residents are now settled in and around Chico after the firestorm that consumed the town and destroyed the elementary school. Within days of the evacuation, Eichar notified her students that classes would resume in her three-bedroom home and she and her husband moved the couches around so the children can sit on the floor of their living room. On the first day, "The kids walked in like they did it every day of their lives," Eichar said, and lined up side by side on the couches. Ten to 12 students come most days, although 18 turned up on Tuesday. "They just needed each other so bad. This fire has created such isolation for the families and these children. They just need to be together," she said. MORE FUN Eleanor Weddig, 8, says the home is more fun than a schoolhouse. "Well, I love it. It's like more comfortable than our classroom, the chairs are cushy," Weddig said. "And anyway it's a house so it's like more fancy and stuff, and she cooks us great lunches." All told, 5,000 students have been displaced from Paradise schools. Eight of nine schools in the Paradise Unified School District are damaged or destroyed. Students left homeless are eligible under federal law to re-enroll in a school wherever they temporarily reside, said Tom DeLapp of the Butte County Office of Education. Officials are scrambling to identify commercial buildings, available real estate, mobile classrooms and partnerships with other agencies to keep classrooms and kids together. "It could be years," before schools are rebuilt in Paradise, DeLapp said. "While the place burned down in 24 hours, we can't rebuild it in 24 hours." TEST SCORES Families and staff at Children's Community Charter School gathered at the Grace Community Church in Chico on Tuesday to hear about plans for recovery. Starting Monday, the school's 220 students will begin holding classes at a church gym in Chico. On Friday, a second charter school will squeeze into the same space. Principal Steve Hitchko says it will be tricky. There is only one restroom, and students have missed a lot of classes. "Will our test scores suffer? Yeah. I'm just going to be honest with you. We're going through trauma," Hitchko said. At the meeting, parents voiced concerns about long commutes from new or temporary homes, counseling services and after-school programs. Children wondered whether there would be books and computers. For many, the meeting was an emotional reunion. Some parents and children were seeing each other for the first time since the fire. Staff members there included Jessica Hamack, the school's office manager, who was applauded by parents for canceling classes when the fire rapidly overtook Paradise. Some credit her cancellation notice for alerting them to the flames. Hamack said she issued the alert after seeing flames behind the school when she arrived for work, adding: "There were already kids in my office and that made me nervous." (Reporting by Lee van der Voo in Chico, California; Writing by Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Editing by Bill Tarrant and Sonya Hepinstall) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The Chicago native entered the US Navy in 1982 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in economics. He later obtained a master's degree from the National Defense University. Washington: The admiral leading US Navy operations in the West Asia was found dead Saturday in Bahrain, the military branch said, adding that no foul play was suspected in the case. Vice admiral Scott Stearney, who began his post as commander of US Naval Forces Central Command - including the US Fifth Fleet - and Combined Maritime Forces in May, was found dead at his residence in the Gulf country. "This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at Fifth Fleet and for the entire Navy. Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior," Admiral John Richardson, chief of naval operations, said in a statement. "At this time no foul play is suspected." He said the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Interior Ministry were cooperating on the investigation. The Fifth Fleet's deputy commander, Rear Admiral Paul Schlise, assumed command in the wake of Stearney's death. The Chicago native entered the US Navy in 1982 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in economics. He later obtained a master's degree from the National Defense University. He served in several strike fighter squadrons flying the FA-18 Hornet and served in Kabul, Afghanistan, as chief of staff of Joint Task Force 435 and later Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435. In the US, Stearney served in various roles, including as instructor and readiness officer at Navy Fighter Weapons School, according to his official biography. He also held various senior posts, including as director of operations at US Central Command. In a statement, Mahinda Rajapaksa cited occasions in the history when Parliament had been dissolved to call parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka to avoid crisis and bring in political stability. Colombo: Failing to prove his majority twice, controversially appointed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday demanded holding a snap parliamentary polls to end the ongoing political crisis in the country. The island nation is witnessing a political crisis since President Maithripapala Sirisena's controversial move to sack prime minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe and install Rajapaksa in his place on 26 October. 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. In a statement, Rajapaksa cited occasions in the history when Parliament had been dissolved to call parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka to avoid crisis and bring in political stability. "The only way to restore stability to a destabilised democracy will be through a general election. According to our Constitution, sovereignty is vested in the people and not in Parliament," the former strongman said. Rajapaksa has, so far, failed to prove his majority in Parliament. Wickremesinghe, with the support from the main Tamil party, claims to have the support of more than 113 legislators, required for simple majority. Speculation are that President Sirisena may remove Rajapaksa on Wednesday when another motion would be taken up in Parliament and is defeated. Following the vote, Sirisena would be forced to appoint a new prime minister and a Cabinet. The Sri Lankan president has said that due to sharp personal differences with Wickremesinghe he would not reappoint him as the prime minister. However, Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) claims that Sirisena will be left with no choice as he would be the man who will command the confidence in the House. In the statement, Rajapaksa also slammed Wickremesinghe's UNP of feeling shy of contesting a fresh poll. The UNP has said that any election now would be unconstitutional, without restoring the pre-October 26 status. BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - U.S. 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 BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - U.S. 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 Organization, and discuss Ukraine, Syria, and the INF nuclear weapons pact with Russia. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; writing by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Alistair Bell) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) has struggled to grow in recent years as shifting consumer preferences have gone against sugary sodas. The iconic beverage brand has had to transform itself, and recent earnings results have shown promising results. After five years of underperforming the broader market, Coca-Cola's stock price is up 7% year to date, ahead of the S&P 500's 3% return. Let's weigh the pros and cons of the company's strategy to determine whether the stock is worth buying today. Fighting headwinds Coke's biggest problem in recent years has been the public's growing concern about sugar consumption. A few years ago, a survey by Nielsen Holdings found that 22% of Americans are reducing their sugar intake, while 52% said they are actively trying to avoid artificial sweeteners. The politicos are circling the wagons, as well, with the soda tax. These trends make it very difficult for Coke to grow revenue since soft drinks make up 69% of Coke's unit case volume. Coke has been struggling with slowing revenue growth for a while. Around 2014, growth was slowing to the low single digits, which prompted management to initiate a new plan to get the company growing faster. This involved refranchising its bottling operations to effectively separate these low-margin businesses from Coke's financial statements, a move intended to improve margins and allow both entities to focus on what they do best. Along the way, Coke made the strategic decision to become the "total beverage company." The company has expanded into juices, teas, energy drinks, and coffee. So far, the results are encouraging: Adjusted revenue growth slightly accelerated to about 5% this year. Additionally, the refranchising of its bottling operations and other cost-saving efforts have paid off, with operating margin up 6 percentage points in the third quarter. Analysts expect Coke to grow earnings per share 8.9% in 2018 -- not bad at all for a company that has been around since 1886. The only downside with management's total-beverage strategy is that non-soda products could put pressure on the company's margins over time. While energy drinks and coffee present growth opportunities for Coke, these markets are more competitive. Coke's highest-margin business is making Coca-Cola syrup, which it sells to its bottlers -- a business that makes up 51% of Coke's annual revenue. The company has generated high returns on invested capital for decades because of the attractive economic characteristics of this core business. It's those high returns that prompted Warren Buffett to initially buy the stock in 1988; Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is still a major shareholder to this day. The uncertainty as to whether Coke can maintain its sky-high 30%-plus operating margin may be enough reason to avoid the stock for now. But here's why investors should consider buying the stock. Coke's strengths Coke is steady and fairly predictable in its annual performance, which is why Coke stock is considered a "defensive" holding when things get rough in the broader economy. Even with the tides moving against soda consumption, there are still a lot of people around the world who love Coke given that the company ships 13 billion Coca-Cola branded products every year worldwide. This allows the company to consistently pump out free cash flow, and the company distributes all of it to shareholders every year in the form of dividends and share repurchases. Even if teas and coffee put pressure on Coke's margins over the long term, the company can use its massive distribution network and marketing muscle to drive higher growth with new products. Plus, Coke still has a lot of pricing power due to its brand strength, which it can use along with cost-saving efforts to keep margins up. Also, Coke is demonstrating it can adapt to shifting consumer preferences. In the third quarter, the company reported double-digit growth in its Coca-Cola Zero Sugar beverage, an encouraging sign. Should you buy the stock? Even with the headwinds discussed above, I believe Coke still has a place in an investor's nest egg, but only at the right price. Right now, the shares fetch an expensive-looking forward P/E of 22 times next year's earnings estimates. That's a lot to pay for a company that is only growing in the single digits. Although the stock offers an above-average dividend yield of more than 3% currently, I would wait for better prices before buying shares of Coca-Cola. This is the time of year to look for big-ticket items on sale... for under the tree or for your portfolio! And with Brent Crude prices sliding below $60 a barrel for the first time all year, there are dozens of oil stocks trading at a discount to their summer highs. We asked three Motley Fool contributors which oil stocks look like good buys right now, and they came back with Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE:APC), ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM), and Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE:RDS.A)(NYSE:RDS.B). Here's why they think these stocks are great selections for the long term. Well positioned for whatever happens with oil prices Matt DiLallo (Anadarko Petroleum): After rising steadily for nearly two years and hitting a high of more than $70 a barrel in early October, crude prices have tumbled over the past month, crashing back toward $50. That wipeout highlights why investors should focus on owning oil stocks that can thrive in both good times and bad. One oil stock built to weather the current market conditions is Anadarko Petroleum. That's evident in the company's recently released plans for 2019. The oil giant expects to invest $4.3 billion to $4.7 billion on expansion projects next year, which should grow its oil production 10% compared with 2018's average. More importantly, Anadarko Petroleum can finance that budget on the cash flows produced at $50 oil, which is below the current oil price. Meanwhile, the company noted that it would generate significant free cash flow if oil prices rise, with it able to produce $1.6 billion in free cash at $60 oil. Anadarko plans to use that money, as well as the nearly $4 billion it has in the bank after selling its midstream assets, on three things. First, it added another $1 billion to its share repurchase program, bringing it up to $5 billion. The company has already spent $3.5 billion in the past year to retire 10% of its shares, leaving it with $1.5 billion remaining on that plan, which it expects to complete by the middle of 2020. The oil giant also plans to retire another $500 million in debt next year, bringing its repayment total to $2 billion. Finally, it boosted its dividend another 20% and has now increased its payout by a jaw-dropping 500% in the past year. With shares of Anadarko's stock plunging more than 30% from its recent high, now is a great time to buy the oil giant, since it can thrive no matter what happens to oil prices in 2019. The "big" in big oil Travis Hoium (ExxonMobil): The oil market can be one of the most volatile commodity markets in the world, swinging wildly on oil prices and investment decisions companies large and small are making to adapt to the market. That puts a lot of stress on companies and investors alike. One company with a business diverse enough to adapt to any changes in the market is ExxonMobil, and that's why it's my favorite oil stock today. The energy giant does everything from drilling for oil to refining oil to putting it into people's vehicles. What I want to focus on today is the cash that's generated by this oil business. You can see in the chart below that ExxonMobil generated $16.8 billion in free cash flow over the past year and $23.2 billion of net income. Both metrics can swing depending on where oil prices are at any given time, but long term this is billions of cash flow generated by the business. Importantly, this cash flow funds the 4.2% dividend yield investors currently get from the stock. Long term I think we'll see cash flow growth as oil consumption increases globally and disruptive replacements take longer than expected to gain traction. ExxonMobil isn't investing in new technologies that may never pay dividends, it's all about oil, natural gas, and generating cash flow -- and for investors looking into the oil industry, that's a good position to be in. Beyond the breakeven John Bromels (Royal Dutch Shell): Let's start with the good news. Although slumping oil prices have shaved some money off of oil companies' stock prices, those share price declines have translated into higher dividend yields for oil companies. Best-in-class dividend payer Royal Dutch Shell is now sporting a 6.2% yield, higher than it's been all year! But that's not the only reason to invest in this big oil company. One reason is that Shell embarked on a cost-cutting spree during the big global oil price slump of 2014-2017, and managed to push its average break-even price down below $50 a barrel. That means that even with today's lower oil prices, Shell will still be able to turn a profit. Better yet, many of Shell's assets have break-even prices of less than $40 a barrel. One recent Shell deepwater project began production in May with a break-even price of less than $30 a barrel. But even if oil prices continue to drop, Shell has its bases covered. For one thing, as a Big Oil major, it derives a significant portion of its income from its refining and marketing operations, which aren't as tied to the price of oil as its production operations. Also, Shell has been aggressively buying back shares, and expects to repurchase $25 billion worth of its own stock by 2020, which will make existing shares more valuable. And if oil prices drop hard and never recover? The company is making substantial investments in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, in which CEO Ben van Beurden projects demand outstripping supply in the early 2020s. All told, if there's an oil company built to withstand a drop in the price of oil, it's gotta be Shell. When it comes to energy businesses, ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) and BP (NYSE:BP) sit in rare company. To call them industry giants would be an understatement. However, the two stocks have seen widely divergent performance since early 2016, when oil prices started to recover from a deep downturn. BP's 38% stock advance has trounced Exxon's sideways run. However, with oil back in a bear market again, it's worth re-examining Exxon and BP to see which would be the better buy today. Making the right moves After oil prices started to crater in mid-2014, eventually falling below $30 a barrel, BP focused on cutting costs. That's basically what every major oil producer was doing. At this point, the company believes it can cover its operating expenses and dividend with oil around the $50-per-barrel level. The goal, however, is to keep pushing the break-even point lower, hitting the $35 to $40 range by 2021. That's good news, since Brent crude prices recently fell from over $80 a barrel to $60 in roughly two months. BP's shares have fallen about 14% over that span, which is hardly a surprise. Exxon's shares, by comparison, were down around 10%. The key takeaway here is that oil prices will continue to be a major factor in BP's financial and stock performance. But they aren't the only factor. While successfully cutting costs, BP has also been executing well on the production front. Production rose 10% in 2017, with continued gains in 2018. Production, for example, was up 7% year over year in the third quarter. And with the recent acquisition of U.S. land assets from BHP, it should continue its upward march. What about leverage? At the end of the third quarter, long-term debt made up around 35% of the capital structure, which is a reasonable figure even though the company's leverage is toward the high end of its oil major peers. And even if the entire $10.5 billion BHP deal, which closed after the quarter ended, were funded with debt, leverage would only rise to around 39% of the capital structure. That's easily manageable so long as oil doesn't crater again. BP is, basically, in pretty good shape today. That said, investors have taken notice. The company's price to tangible book value is historically low, but materially higher than it was during the worst of the 2014 oil downturn. That, however, highlights the crux of the issue when comparing BP and Exxon. Muddling through to brighter days Exxon hasn't been executing nearly as well as BP. One of the biggest differences has been on the production front. Exxon's production fell 1% in 2016 and another 1.7% in 2017. It has continued to decline in 2018, with year-over-year production off 2% in the third quarter. Investors have taken notice, which helps explain why Exxon's shares have gone nowhere for nearly three years. But the weak stock performance presents an opportunity, because Exxon's price to tangible book value is now lower than it has been since the mid-1990s (and lower than BP's). The company's 4.1% dividend yield, meanwhile, is higher than it has been since about that same time period. That said, Exxon's dividend yield is lower than the 6% yield BP is offering, which might entice income investors to lean toward BP. However, Exxon has a much more impressive dividend history, with 36 consecutive dividend increases behind it. By comparison, BP cut its dividend in 2010 following the Gulf of Mexico disaster and held it steady following the oil drop in mid-2014. It only started to increase the dividend again in 2018. Another material oil downturn, when considering BP's leverage, would likely lead management to hold the line on the dividend again. Exxon easily has the edge here despite the lower yield if dividend growth and consistency are important to you. A historically low valuation and high yield, however, aren't that compelling if Exxon's production keeps heading south. But that doesn't appear to be in the cards. For starters, Exxon has material plans to boost production over the long term, including investments in onshore U.S. oil, offshore oil, and natural gas. To management's credit, it is focused on profitable production and not quick fixes (as the last 2.5 years clearly shows). However, there was a notable shift on this front in the third quarter: Exxon's production rose 5.5% sequentially between the second and third quarters on the strength of its onshore U.S. operations. That's just one of the company's key production growth initiatives and suggests that management's long-term plans are starting to pan out. Moreover, Exxon's long-term debt is only around 10% of its capital structure. Even if oil prices fall, it can afford to support its investments and grow the dividend, like it did during the last downturn. And while Exxon doesn't really discuss break-even points, it projects that it will be able to increase earnings by 35% by 2025 even if oil falls to $40 per barrel. The downside risk here seems pretty limited. Go with the value play here Effectively, investors have rewarded BP for its operating performance and left Exxon to languish as it tries to play catch-up. There's no question that BP is doing well right now, and investors who are seeking a high-yield oil play should probably take a close look. But when you take valuation into consideration, Exxon starts to look a lot more interesting. Add in Exxon's rock-solid balance sheet, dividend history, and what appears to be a turn higher on the production front, and it looks like a better overall option than BP at this point. Given the unique characteristics of natural gas, demand is on track to continue growing in the coming years. The International Energy Agency sees natural gas demand rising 29% by 2040, outperforming an expected 20% increase in total energy demand. That makes it an important market for investors. Here's a closer look at how to invest in natural gas stocks. Natural gas is a vital fuel source. We use it for producing power, heating our homes, and for various other residential, commercial, and industrial functions. It's the cleanest-burning fossil fuel, abundant, and cheap. These factors make natural gas a critical bridge fuel during the transition to carbon-free alternatives such as solar, wind and geothermal energy. The natural gas industry is rapidly changing in the current economic climate. Check out the recent articles at the bottom of this page for the latest. While oil is the largest energy market , natural gas plays an important role. Several companies focus on this cleaner-burning fossil fuel. Some of the best natural gas stocks for investors to consider buying include: 1. Cheniere Energy Cheniere Energy is the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer in the U.S. and the second-biggest global LNG operator. The company liquifies natural gas, allowing it to export the fuel globally via specialized LNG cargo ships. As of late 2021, Cheniere Energy owned interests in and operated two liquefaction and export facilities along the U.S. Gulf Coast: Sabine Pass LNG Terminal : Located in Louisiana, this terminal has five operating LNG trains and one under construction, with anticipated completion in the first half of 2022. It will eventually have the capacity to produce 27 mtpa (million metric tons per annum) of LNG each year. : Located in Louisiana, this terminal has five operating LNG trains and one under construction, with anticipated completion in the first half of 2022. It will eventually have the capacity to produce 27 mtpa (million metric tons per annum) of LNG each year. Corpus Christi LNG Terminal: Located in Texas, this terminal has three operating LNG trains, with the capacity to produce 13.5 mpta of LNG per year. Cheniere is also moving toward approving Corpus Christi Stage 3, which could add more than 10 mpta of additional capacity. Cheniere sells the bulk of its LNG under long-term, fixed-rate contracts. That enables the company to generate predictable cash flow. It expects to produce a cumulative $10 billion in distributable cash flow through 2024. The natural gas export company aims to allocate the cash flow to a quarterly dividend (which it initiated in late 2021), repurchasing shares, paying down debt, and funding Corpus Christi Stage 3. Its balanced capital allocation plan should enable Cheniere to create significant value for its shareholders in the coming years. 2. EQT EQT Corporation is the largest natural gas producer in the U.S. The company focuses on producing gas from the Appalachian Basin, which stretches across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. As of late 2021, EQT owned 880,000 net acres in the core of the Marcellus Shale. It produced an average of 5.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent per day. That's 6% of the nation's total daily output. If EQT were a country, it would be the 12th-largest gas producer in the world. EQT's size gives it scale advantages, making it one of the world's lowest-cost natural gas producers. It also has the best credit profile in its peer group, giving it access to low-cost debt and further reducing costs. These factors position EQT to generate significant free cash flow. The company expects to produce more than $7 billion in cumulative free cash flow through 2026. While that assumes competitive natural gas pricing, the company uses hedges to help mute the impact of volatility. Meanwhile, it has upside potential if prices improve. EQT expects to use some of its free cash flow to repay debt in the near term. However, with only $2.7 billion of debt maturing through 2026, the company will have ample excess cash to use on other shareholder-friendly activities such as dividends, share repurchases, and accretive acquisitions. EQT aims to be a consolidator in the natural gas sector. It purchased Alta Resource Development for $2.925 billion in 2021 and Chevron's (NYSE:CVX) Appalachian Basin assets for $735 million in 2020. These deals have expanded its production, scale, and free cash flow, making it the dominant gas producer in the U.S. 3. Kinder Morgan Kinder Morgan is a leader in operating energy infrastructure in North America, controlling the nations largest natural gas transmission network. Toward the end of 2021, it had 70,000 miles of natural gas pipelines to go along with 700 billion cubic feet of storage capacity. It's also the largest independent transporter of refined petroleum products, independent terminal operator, and carbon dioxide transporter. Kinder Morgan's infrastructure connects every major natural gas resource play to key demand centers. It handles 40% of all the natural gas consumed and exported in the U.S. each year. Kinder Morgan's leading natural gas infrastructure business generates very stable cash flow. Overall, 97% comes from take-or-pay contracts, other fee-based arrangements, or hedges. That allows it to produce more than $4 billion in free cash flow each year. Kinder Morgan allocates its cash flow toward paying a high-yielding dividend, repurchasing shares, and expanding its natural gas network through capital projects and acquisitions. The company made two notable deals in 2021. It bought Stagecoach Gas Services, a pipeline and storage network in the Northeast, for $1.22 billion. It also bought Kinetrex Energy, a renewable natural gas producer, for $310 million. Kinetrex is the first transaction by Kinder Morgans energy transition ventures business unit, which it launched in 2021. The segment aims to identify, analyze, and pursue commercial opportunities as the energy sector transitions to lower-carbon fuel sources. Kinder Morgan's extensive natural gas infrastructure footprint makes it ideally suited to transport lower-carbon fuel sources. In mid-November, natural gas giant EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) spun off its midstream franchise into the newly created Equitrans Midstream Corporation (NYSE:ETRN). Those assets should supply that company with the cash flow to start paying a high-yielding dividend in 2019, which it plans to increase at a fast pace in the coming years. That makes it an intriguing option for income-seeking investors. However, I think investors would be wise to put Equitrans on their watchlist until there's more confidence in its go-forward plan, which it recently adjusted by announcing transactions to streamline its midstream franchise. Equitrans Midstream 101 EQT's midstream assets consisted of its stake in two publicly traded master limited partnerships (MLPs), which are now held by Equitrans Midstream. The company has a 91.3% interest in midstream general partner EQGP Holdings (NYSE: EQGP), which collects management fees from EQM Midstream Partners (NYSE:EQM) as well as distribution income from its 17.9% interest in that company. In addition to that, Equitrans holds a direct 12.7% stake in EQM Midstream Partners. EQM Midstream owns all the franchise's operating assets. These include the third-largest natural-gas gathering system in the country, which runs through parts of Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, as well as a 950-mile pipeline that moves gas out of the region to the nation's interstate pipeline system. Those assets produce very predictable cash flow backed by long-term contracts with natural gas producers such as EQT, which is its top customer. EQM Midstream is also investing nearly $3.3 billion to expand its midstream system by building out additional gathering and long-haul pipelines. Those expansion projects should boost that company's earnings by 32% in the coming years, which should support dividend growth across the franchise. Simplifying the situation One of the first things Equitrans Midstream did after gaining its freedom from EQT was to take steps that will streamline its structure. At the end of November, the company agreed to acquire all the units of EQGP Holdings that it didn't already own in exchange for cash. In addition to that, the company has offered to eliminate the costly management fees EQM Midstream pays to EQGP in exchange for a larger stake in that MLP. If both deals close, Equitrans will hold a 61% interest in EQM Midstream, which would continue to own and operate the midstream assets. The simplification transaction would enable EQM Midstream not only to maintain its current 8.8%-yielding distribution but grow that payout at a 6% to 8% annual rate going forward. Further, the company's distribution coverage ratio would expand from a tight 1.0 times after the deal closes to a more comfortable level of greater than 1.2 times starting in 2020. Meanwhile, leverage would be within its long-term target of 3.5 to 4.0 times debt-to-EBITDA beginning in 2020, which is well within the comfort zone of most MLPs. These transactions would also support Equitrans Midstream's dividend growth plan. The company currently expects to pay a dividend of between $1.70 and $1.90 per share in 2019, which implies a more-than-7% yield at the recent stock price. Meanwhile, Equitrans Midstream expects to grow its dividend at an 8% to 10% annual rate, fueled by EQM Midstream's rising distribution. An interesting income growth stock to watch Equitrans Midstream controls one of the largest and fastest-growing natural gas midstream MLPs in the Appalachian Basin. That sets the company up to expand its high-yielding dividend at a high rate for the next few years, provided it completes its simplification transaction early next year. That upside potential is why investors should put this pipeline stock on their watchlists and reevaluate things after its simplification transactions close early next year. Kuwait-based Al Hamra Real Estate Company has joined hands with the Ministry of Youth, Al Rai TV, Grand Cinemas and Light Bug Media Productions to launch a one-of-a-kind girls empowerment programme Sout Afkari in the country. Sout Afkari is a series of value-driven edutainment episodes which will run on Al Rai TV and social media. The episodes will feature prominent Kuwaiti women from all walks of life, female role models, and social media influencers. The programme, which enjoys the exclusive media support from Al Rai TV, has been launched in partnership with the Ministry of State for Youth Affairs and Grand Cinemas. Sout Afkari is produced by Light Bug Media Production, an international award-winning Kuwaiti company led by Yarub Burahamah. The programme, which kicked off yesterday (December 1), will run fourteen episodes, every Saturday at 8:45 pm, till March 2, 2019. Targeting Kuwaiti girls aged 10-18, Sout Afkari aims to spark healthy conversations on critical issues regarding young girls - beauty, identity, love, self-worth, talent, power, and career, said a statement from the Kuwaiti real estate group. These informal educational episodes are designed to encourage critical thinking on issues pertinent to the Kuwaiti youth and positively influence teen culture, it added. Al Hamra aired the premiere of the first episode titled You are Beautiful at the Grand Cinemas located in Al Hamra Luxury Center in the presence of media, influencers, program partners and female role models. Tens of distinguished Kuwaiti women came together to discuss what constitutes beauty, delve into the importance of self-acceptance, raising confidence levels in young women and encouraging fresh thinking. Addressing the gathering, Abdullah Al Mansour, the marketing and public relations manager at Al Hamra Real Estate Company, said: "We are delighted to be pioneers in championing girls empowerment in this new modern format together with such inspiring and accomplished women and partners." "Teenage years are universally known to be challenging for the adolescents and their parents and we wished to provide a high quality, informal platform to encourage new thinking in a safe and dynamic atmosphere, leveraging the power of social media and role models to appeal to the young girls," he noted. Nasser Al Arfaj, the director of Public Relations and Marketing at the Ministry of State for Youth Affairs, said: "This is a powerful initiative to inspire young girls to become confident women. The private sector has a significant role to play and it is encouraging to see so many key players come together in support of youth." Nearly 30 Kuwaiti accomplished female leaders, social media influencers and role models in various fields came together to share their thoughts and experiences at the event, said the statement. The list included Dr Khloud Al Najar, Areej Al Kharafi, Rahaf Al Enzi, Engineer Zainab Al Qurashi, Dr Reem Dashti, Manayer Al Kandari, Sara Al Amer, Dr Shaikha Al Jaseem, Asrar Al Ansari, Nawal Al Azaz, Dana Al Owaisi, Sondos Al Shaiji, May Al Najar, Sherefa Al Jaber, Rehab Al Tawari, Reem Al Edian, Lobna Saif Abbas, Dalal Al Doub, Haya Al Omar, Razan Almarshad, Nouf Al Ali, Sherefa Al Sleti, Dana Mado, Rahaf Al Enzi, Aisha Al Abdullah, Khadija Al Haramy, Engineer Abrar Al Ebraheem, Dr Reham Al Reshidi and Nourah Al Ajmi. Sout Afkari falls under Al Hamras CSR Strategy themed Youth Empowerment and is in line with its recent commitment to UN Womens Empowerment Principles, as one of the first companies in Kuwait to endorse the global pledge for gender equality and female empowerment, it added.-TradeArabia News Service The topic of marijuana stocks seems to have entered the mainstream in 2018, with chatter about these stocks popping up much more frequently among individual investors this year than in the past. Below are four key (and somewhat overlapping) reasons many investors are talking about marijuana stocks -- and one notable reason the topic of hemp stocks should soon be crossing many more investors' lips. 1. Strong recent performance of many marijuana stocks There's nothing that attracts investor attention to a particular stock or group of stocks more than powerful performance. As the following one-year chart shows, many marijuana stocks went ballistic in late summer in advance of Canada's legalization of marijuana for adult recreational use -- a topic we'll get to in a moment -- though most of the group has pulled back since then. Over the last year, for instance, Canadian marijuana growers Canopy Growth (NASDAQ:CGC), which is the largest marijuana stock by market cap and worth watching, and Cronos Group are up 148% and 192%, respectively. Shares of Canadian grower Tilray, the second-largest marijuana stock by market cap, have gained 344% since the company began trading on a U.S. stock exchange in July. 2. Torrid marijuana market growth projections Growth projections for the burgeoning legal global marijuana market vary by source, but it seems universally predicted that this space will experience torrid growth. ArcView Market Research and BDS Analytics project the market to grow from $9.5 billion in 2017 to $32 billion in 2022. That's a 27.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). 3. Canada's legalization of recreational marijuana One big reason the topic of marijuana stocks has exploded onto the scene in 2018 stems from Canada's legalization of adult recreational use of cannabis on Oct. 17. This historic event made our neighbor to the north the first industrialized country where recreational marijuana use is legal across the land and only the second country (behind Uruguay) in the world where this is so. Once the recreational market is up to speed, it's projected to be worth $5 billion per year or more. Only dried flower and cannabis oils became legal in October. Other products, such as cannabis-infused beverages, edibles, and other consumer products, are expected to get the green light from Canada next year. 4. U.S. marijuana legalization momentum Canada is garnering much attention, but the big prize is the U.S. market. This country's legal marijuana market size was pegged at $8.5 billion in 2017 -- or 89% of the total global market -- by ArcView Market Research and BDS Analytics. While that percentage is projected to shrink as legalization gains momentum around the globe, the U.S. market still will account for a large portion of 2022's projected legal global marijuana revenue, according to the same source. The U.S. cannabis market will grow at a CAGR of 22% over the next five years, to $23.4 billion, according to ArcView and BDS. The marijuana legalization movement in the U.S. gained speed in 2018. Notably, on Jan. 1, California -- which in 1996 became the first state to give the green thumbs up to medical marijuana -- legalized cannabis for recreational use. This move has huge financial implications since the Golden State has the fifth-largest economy in the world. More recently, in November's midterm elections, voters in Missouri and Utah gave the green light to marijuana for treating medical conditions, and folks in Michigan voted to legalize cannabis for recreational use. There are now 32 states where medical marijuana is (or soon will be) legal, and 11 states plus Washington, D.C where recreational use won't (or soon won't) run afoul of the law. 5. U.S. hemp-derived CBD market on verge of exploding in size On Wednesday, leaders of the U.S. Senate and House agricultural committees reached a tentative agreement on the 2018 Farm Bill, according to the Washington Post. This legislation has huge implications for the cannabis industry because there are provisions in it that would make it legal across the U.S. to grow industrial hemp -- and cannabidiol (CBD) can be derived from hemp. CBD is a chemical substance found in the cannabis species -- both marijuana and hemp -- which has various wellness benefits associated with it. The key difference between marijuana and hemp is that hemp has negligible concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the substance in marijuana that's responsible for its psychotropic effects. If the bill makes it through Congress and is signed by President Trump, as widely expected, industrial hemp should be legal on Jan. 1, 2019. If this occurs, the U.S. market for hemp -- and its derivatives -- is expected to soar. The hemp-derived CBD market is projected to rocket from about $591 million this year to $22 billion by 2022, according to the Brightfield Group. That's a whopping 37-fold increase in just four years! Canopy Growth is a company to watch in the hemp space. It's been positioning itself to hit the ground running when the farm bill passes. Once hemp is legal on a federal level in the U.S., Canopy will be able to enter the U.S. market with CBD products derived from hemp. Before the Social Security Act of 1935 became law, seniors didn't have any sort of financial safety net beyond pensions that were being paid to disabled veterans of the Civil War or their families. Today, Social Security provides a critical source of money to more than 43 million retired workers, many of whom count on it for more than half their annual income. Since Social Security is key to achieving financial freedom in retirement for most, it's important to make sure you don't lose out on benefits because of Social Security's earnings limits and federal tax rules. Here's how you can use a Roth IRA as part of a retirement planning strategy if you claim Social Security early. Sidestepping Social Security's earnings limit A Roth IRA allows you to contribute after-tax money now that can be withdrawn tax free in retirement. In addition to the benefit of tax-free growth, withdrawing money from a Roth IRA can also help workers who claim their Social Security benefits early avoid withholding because of Social Security's earnings test. As a refresher, workers can contribute up to a specific limit of their earnings in after-tax dollars to a Roth IRA every year. In 2019, that contribution limit is $6,000 if you're under age 50, or $7,000 if you're age 50 and up due to catch-up contribution rules. Since Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax money, those contributions can be withdrawn tax free at any time. Also, if the Roth IRA is open at least five years and you're age 59.5 years or older, then earnings on contributions can be withdrawn tax free too. This means that if you claim Social Security early, you can use tax-free withdrawals from a Roth IRA to supplement your income, thereby reducing the risk of failing Social Security's earnings test if you continue working. You can begin drawing your Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but Social Security only pays you your full benefit amount if you wait until your full retirement age to claim, which varies between age 66 and age 67 for people born after 1954. Despite the reduced benefit, age 62 remains the most common age for people to claim their benefits, and many who claim prior to attaining their full retirement age do so while continuing to work part time. Working while receiving Social Security benefits early is OK, but it exposes you to Social Security's earnings test, and failing that test can result in a good chunk of your benefits being withheld. In the years prior to the year you turn full retirement age, $1 will be withheld for every $2 earned above an annual limit ($17,640 in 2019), and $1 will be withheld for every $3 earned above a limit in the year you reach full retirement age ($46,920 in 2019). A Roth IRA can help you avoid triggering withholding caused by failing the earnings test by providing you with tax-free earnings you can use to bridge the gap between the earnings limit and your expenses. For example, let's say you're age 62, collecting $700 per month in Social Security, and your monthly expenses are $2,500. The earnings test limit in 2019 allows you to earn up to $17,640, or $1,470 per month, without triggering a reduction, so $1,470 plus $700 equals $2,175, which is $325 per month shy of your obligations. If you work more to cover those remaining expenses, you'll fail the earnings test. But if you withdraw the $325 per month you need from a Roth IRA tax free, you'll avoid triggering the withholding, allowing you to pocket the benefits you're entitled to. It can reduce your tax bill too Tax-free withdrawals from a Roth IRA can also reduce the likelihood that your Social Security will be subject to federal income taxes. If you're single or married filing jointly, up to 50% of your Social Security will be taxed if your earnings exceed $25,000 and $32,000, respectively, and up to 85% of your Social Security will be taxed if your earnings eclipse $34,000 and $44,000, respectively. If you don't plan ahead and you earn too much money from working, then you could pay more in income taxes on Social Security than you need to. By taking tax-free withdrawals from a Roth IRA to cover expenses above the IRS earnings limits rather than working to earn more money, you can avoid or reduce federal income taxes on your Social Security benefit. Overall, Roth IRA withdrawals in retirement help you avoid withholding due to the earnings test and federal income taxes, so funding a Roth IRA at least five years prior to claiming Social Security to take advantage of tax-free withdrawals of both contributions and earnings could be smart. Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ES), a leading energy service company recently hosted and strategically endorsed the 3rd Annual Dubai Green Hotel Innovation Conference organized by ACM in Dubai, UAE. The event took place on November 26 and 27 at the Ritz-Carlton Jumeirah Beach Residence. The industry-focused conference convened experts, policy and decision makers, and key stakeholders under one roof where participants received updates on technological innovations and the latest best practices being implemented to boost the local hotel sectors environmental sustainability strategies, while improving operational costs and enhancing profitability. Ali Al Jassim, CEO, Etihad ES, said: Over the years, the hospitality industry in Dubai has grown exponentially. We cannot turn a blind eye on the environmental impact of hotels, especially in terms of their natural resource usage and energy consumption. The hospitality industrys energy costs in Dubai account for a significant portion of total energy consumption. So, in order to decrease its energy demand and consequently contribute to Dubais 30 per cent energy demand reduction target by 2030 - we encourage all key stakeholders to take action that has long-term positive impact. An estimated 700 hotels are currently operating in Dubai, with more hotels expected to open before 2020. The government strategically plan for effective and efficient measures to be put in place to make the hotel industry more sustainable. In our collective efforts to make Dubai a leading example of energy efficiency for the region and the world, we at Etihad ES hosted the Annual Dubai Green Hotel Innovation Conference to highlight the important role of the hotel industry in achieving Dubai energy efficiency targets, Al Jassim added. By strategically endorsing the conference, we are confident that it raises awareness and contributes towards improving the sustainability performance and energy conservation efforts of these establishments as well as address pressing challenges to bring us closer to our vision of a sustainable future for all. Al Jassim delivered a keynote speech on energy efficiency in hotels during the first day of the event and highlighted the support provided by Etihad ES in the sector. He also discussed the retrofit value chain for hotels that could help reduce their power consumption. Shadi Al-Kadi, director, Program Management, Taqati, presented the latest updates on Dubais energy efficiency programs. He further elaborated on the significant electricity and water savings and other achievements accomplished to date. With an aim to retrofit 30,000 buildings by 2030, Etihad ES is gearing up to implement Dh 400 million ($109 million) worth of projects, branching out beyond building retrofits into industrial retrofits and solar projects. TradeArabia News Service Galveston, TX (77553) Today A mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 62F. Winds NNE at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. Low 56F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Uprooted Palestinians are at the heart of the conflict in the M.E Palestinians uprooted by force of arms. Yet faced immense difficulties have survived, kept alive their history and culture, passed keys of family homes in occupied Palestine from one generation to the next. Samsung Galaxy A8s FCC certification confirms Infinity-O display News oi-Sandeep Sarkar Samsung will reportedly skip the 3.5mm headphone jack on the Galaxy A8s. Samsung's upcoming mid-range smartphone the Galaxy A8s is the latest talk of the town. The smartphone has been popping up every now and then giving us an insight into the features and specifications which it will offer. This time the device has cleared its FCC certification ahead of its official launch. The FCC listing for the Samsung Galaxy A8s was spotted by GalaxyClub. The US FCC listing confirms all the rumors suggesting Infinity-O display which the Galaxy A8s will feature. The listing on the FCC website was posted along with a screenshot of the upcoming mid-range Galaxy A8s and the display hole on the top-left corner is clearly visible. It is also mentioned in the documentation that the display will come with an aspect ratio of 19:5:9 which hints that the display will be taller in size. Besides, it is also being suggested that Samsung will skip the 3.5mm headphone jack on the Galaxy A8s. This information was tipped by a Chinese tipster on Twitter. Thus, going by the recent reports we can assume that the Galaxy A8s will sport an Infinity-O display with a 'punch hole' placed at the top left corner of the device. If the recent rumors are to believed then, the Samsung Galaxy A8s will offer a tall 6.39-inch Full HD+ Infinity-O display panel with an aspect ratio of 19:5:9. The device will be made up of glass-aluminum body and will measure 159.11 x 74.88mm and 7.38mm. The Infinity-O display will be developed by Chinese display manufacturer BOE. Under the hood, the Galaxy A8s will be powered by a Snapdragon 710 processor which will be paired with Adreno 616 GPU. The device will be available in 6GB of RAM clubbed with 128GB of native storage which will be further expandable up to 512GB via microSD card. The Galaxy A8s will ship with Android 9.0 Pie out-of-the-box based on the recently launched One UI skin. This entire package will be backed by a decent 3,400mAh battery unit. 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 Birthday wishes Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun. Happy Birthday Wishes UK Intel Alleges Putin Personally Behind Skripal Poisoning Order - Reports Sputnik News 19:01 01.12.2018 Russian authorities have repeatedly refuted London's accusations of Moscow being behind the alleged March 4 chemical attack on the former Russian intelligence officer and his daughter as groundless. Moscow says that London has failed to present any proof confirming Russia's involvement in the case. British intelligence officials believe that the alleged March 4 poisoning of ex-Russian security officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia was ostensibly approved by Russia's President Vladimir Putin, CNN reported, citing unnamed sources. According to the media report, a UK official claimed that "it's above the [Russian military foreign-intelligence service] GRU leadership" and that "what that actually means, we can have a good guess." The allegations, which haven't yet been commented on either by Moscow or by London, come after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out that the fact that it remains unclear where the Skripals currently are proves that the UK government and intelligence has "something to hide" about the matter. "Where is Yulia Skripal, and where is her father these are our main questions today. They have not been shown to the public for many months already," Lavrov said. He recalled that recently a new BBC documentary on the investigation into Skripal case had been released, but that "not a single word has been said about them [in the film]." The statement followed the Russian Embassy in London stating that they had sent another formal letter to the UK's Foreign Office asking for information about the Skripals. The embassy also signalled Russia's readiness to "demand that British authorities provide detailed information about the [Skripal] incident, grant consular access to the Russian citizens and begin a joint investigation." "The document stresses that London has blatantly violated international rules by ignoring Russia's vested right to obtain information on its citizens who have been held in isolation at an undisclosed location," the embassy stressed. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, for his part, bemoaned the fact that London rejected Moscow's proposal "to cooperate with the British side to clarify the circumstances of this [Skripal] incident." "We were not met with reciprocity, and we do not have any information about what happened in Salisbury. We do not have information about what kind of agent was used, how much of it there was, what its volume was; we do not have information about who was poisoned, what happened to them, where they disappeared to, etc.," Peskov emphasized. His comments came after the London Metropolitian Police released fresh CCTV footage which showed the two Russian nationals it suspects of involvement in the Skripals' poisoning walking around the southern English town of Salisbury on March 4. The footage does not show the men at Skripal's home, however, where police allege they sprayed a military-grade poison on the door handle. Earlier, UK Prime Minister Theresa May accused Russian military intelligence service GRU of orchestrating the poisoning under the order of Russian authorities. However, in an interview with Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of the RT broadcaster and the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency, alleged GRU officers Ruslan Boshirov and Alexander Petrov refuted any involvement in the Skripal case, stressing that they visited Salisbury as tourists and worked in the fitness industry. Earlier, the UK and its allies have accused Moscow of having orchestrated the Skripal attack with what UK experts claim was the A234 nerve agent, without presenting any proof. Russian authorities have strongly refuted the allegations as groundless. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Austrian Ex-Officer Suspected of Spying for Russia Arrested Sputnik News 06:55 01.12.2018 VIENNA (Sputnik) An Austrian court said Friday that it ruled to arrest a retired Austrian officer suspected of spying for Russia. Earlier in November, a local court rejected the request of the prosecutor's office for the arrest of the suspect. This ruling was challenged by public prosecutors. "The judicial board satisfied the challenge [of the prosecutors] about the arrest, including because of the threat of committing a crime," a representative of the court said as quoted by the Kronen Zeitung newspaper. The Salzburg prosecutor's office confirmed that the suspect was detained again earlier in the day, and was in pre-trial custody, according to the media. Earlier this month, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz confirmed that a retired Austrian colonel was suspected of espionage for Moscow and demanded that the Russian side provided "transparent" information on the matter. Moscow in response expressed a protest to Austrian Ambassador to Russia Johannes Aigner over the accusations. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Vienna's steps were based on suspicions without evidence, adding that Austria's statements over the spy scandal had already complicated bilateral relations. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bush's Legacy Includes Decisive Military Action Dec. 1, 2018 By Jim Garamone Defense.gov WASHINGTON -- His background was a little different than most who join the military at the age of eighteen, but his warmth, love of country and drive to serve made him a leader respected up and down his chains of command. Service members who worked with former President George H.W. Bush, first as Ronald Reagan's vice president and, later, during his presidential term, spoke of the way he remembered their names and would ask about their families. They were loyal to him and he was loyal right back. Bush himself said it best in his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 1989: "We are not the sum of our possessions. They are not the measure of our lives. In our hearts we know what matters. We cannot hope only to leave our children a bigger car, a bigger bank account. We must hope to give them a sense of what it means to be a loyal friend, a loving parent, a citizen who leaves his home, his neighborhood and town better than he found it. "What do we want the men and women who work with us to say when we are no longer there? That we were more driven to succeed than anyone around us? Or that we stopped to ask if a sick child had gotten better, and stayed a moment there to trade a word of friendship?" Bush, who died last night at age 94, was born June 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts. He graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, on his 18th birthday in 1942 and immediately joined the Navy. With World War II raging, Bush earned his wings in June 1943. He was the youngest pilot in the Navy at that time. Flew Torpedo Bombers The future president flew torpedo bombers off the USS San Jacinto in the Pacific. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a mission over Chichi Jima in 1944. Even though his plane was hit by antiaircraft fire, he completed his bombing run before turning to the sea. Bush managed to bail out of the burning aircraft, but both of his crewmen died. The submarine USS Finback rescued him. On Jan. 6, 1945, Bush married Barbara Pierce of Rye, New York. They had six children: George, Robin (who died of leukemia in 1953), Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy Bush Koch. After the war, Bush attended Yale and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1948. He and his wife moved to Texas, where he entered the oil business. Bush served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1966 to 1970. In 1971, then-President Richard Nixon named Bush as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, where he served until becoming chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1973. In October 1974, President Gerald R. Ford named Bush chief of the U.S. liaison office in Beijing, and in 1976, Ford appointed him to be director of central intelligence. Vice President, Then President In 1980, Bush ran for the Republican presidential nomination. Ronald Reagan won the primaries and secured the nomination, and he selected Bush as his running mate. On Jan. 20, 1981, Bush was sworn in for the first of two terms as vice president. The Republicans selected Bush as presidential nominee in 1988. His pledge at the national convention -- "Read my lips: no new taxes" -- probably got him elected, but may have worked to make him a one-term president. Bush became the 41st president of the United States and presided over the victory of the West. During his tenure, the Berlin Wall a symbol of communist oppression since 1961 fell before the appeal of freedom. The nations of Eastern Europe withdrew from the Warsaw Pact and freely elected democracies began taking hold. Even more incredible was the dissolution of the Soviet Union itself. Kremlin hard-liners tried to seize power and enforce their will, but Boris Yeltsin rallied the army and citizens for freedom. Soon, nations long under Soviet domination peeled away and began new eras. Military Action In 1989, Bush ordered the U.S. military in to Panama to overthrow the government of Gen. Manuel Noriega. Noriega had allowed Panama to become a haven for narcoterrorists, and he subsequently was convicted of drug offenses. But Bush is best remembered for his swift and decisive efforts following Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait on Aug. 2, 1990. The Iraqi dictator claimed that Kuwait historically was his country's "19th province." His troops pushed into Kuwait and threatened to move into Saudi Arabia. Bush drew "a line in the sand" and promised to protect Saudi Arabia and liberate Kuwait. He put together a 30-nation coalition that liberated Kuwait in February 1991. Operation Desert Storm showed Americans and the world the devastating power of the U.S. military. At the end of the war, Bush had historic approval ratings from the American people. But a recession in part caused by Saddam's invasion and having to backtrack on his pledge not to raise taxes cost him the election in 1992. With third-party candidate Ross Perot pulling in 19 percent of the vote, Bill Clinton was elected president. Bush lived to see his son George W. Bush elected president, and he worked with the man who defeated him in 2006 to raise money for millions of people affected by an Indian Ocean tsunami and for Hurricane Katrina relief. 'Freedom Works' In his inaugural address, the elder Bush spoke about America having a meaning "beyond what we see." The idea of America and what it stands for is important in the world, he said. "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," he said. "We must act on what we know," he said later in the speech. "I take as my guide the hope of a saint: in crucial things, unity; in important things, diversity; in all things, generosity." It was the mark of the man. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi airstrike on Yemen kills 7 civilians IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Dec 1, IRNA -- Seven Yemeni civilians were killed and 12 others were wounded in airstrikes on Al-Hudaydah and Saada provinces by the Saudi-led coalition on Saturday. The coalition's fighters bombed residential houses near Dar al-Salam Hospital at al-Houk district in Al-Hudaydah province. During the attack, three Yemeni civilians were killed and seven others, including women and children were wounded. Drones' attack on four residential units in Al-Hudaydah left two killed and four wounded. Meanwhile, a Yemeni child was gunned down by the Saudi mercenaries in Al-Tahyta, Al-Hudaydah province, and another was wounded. Another Yemeni civilian was also killed during Saturday bombing of Baqem district in Saada province. Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched a devastating military campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the aim of bringing back the government of Hadi back to power and crushing the country's Houthi Ansarullah movement. Some 16,000 Yemenis have been killed and thousands more injured since the onset of the Saudi-led aggression. The assaults of the Saudi-led coalition forces have failed to stop the Yemenis from resisting the aggression. Recently, the Yemeni army unveiled its home-made underground missile launching pads. 8072**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 27 Afghan civilians killed in US airstrike IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, December 1, IRNA -- UN said last week's attacks by the US jet fighters in Helmand, Afghanistan, killed at least 27 civilians. US Arab News website quoted the UN report on Saturday as saying that many civilians, especially women and children, lost their lives especially women and children in the US fighters attacks on Taliban positions during the past week in the province. An attack by US helicopters on a joint operation with Afghan forces Tuesday to a compound in the Garmsir District of the province killed a significant number of women and children in the area. The report described the recent position of the Americans against the Taliban in Afghanistan very angry and destructive, adding, 'This change in strong stance means that airstrikes in Afghanistan have increased, thus taking greater lives in the country. In a statement today, the UN representative in Afghanistan announced a significant increase in civilian casualties caused by the US airstrikes in the country, especially by the increase in the killing of children in the attacks. 9455**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen's Ansarullah says fully ready for peace talks IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Dec 1, IRNA -- A senior negotiator for Yemen's Ansarullah has said Yemen is ready to negotiate with all parties and on all thorny issues during the peace talks scheduled to be held in Stockholm in early December. Abdul Malik Al-Ajri told Yemen's Al Masirah TV channel on Friday, 'In lieu of covering up issues, the US and Saudi Arabia should come to the negotiating table and express their concerns'. The peace process will bear fruit if the US and Saudi Arabia take the talks seriously, Al-Ajri added. According to diplomats at the United Nations, Yemeni peace process will most probably kick off in Sweden on December third. The peace talks were scheduled to take place on September sixth but the Saudis canceled the talks. The previous round of negotiations, which took place in Kuwait on May, was also obstructed by the Arab coalition. The first round of the talks was held in Geneva on December 2015. For over three and a half years, Saudi aggressor's full-blown attacks has been wreaking havoc on Yemen, claiming the lives of more than 7,000 innocent people and wounding thousands more. 9477**2044 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US to keep backing Saudi war on Yemen, Pompeo says amid humanitarian crisis there Iran Press TV Sat Dec 1, 2018 10:01PM The United States will continue backing the Saudi-led war on Yemen, says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, despite a humanitarian crisis in the impoverished country and outrage over the kingdom in the wake of Jamal Khashoggi's murder. "The program that we're involved in today we intend to continue," Pompeo said, speaking from a Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires on Saturday. Yet, he acknowledged that the crisis in Yemen has reached "epic proportions." In a rare classified briefing on Wednesday, Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis tried to convince US senators to allow the assistance to continue, but to no avail. Although the White House had urged a "no" vote, American senators voted 63-37 to consider ending Washington's support for the Saudi-led aggression on Yemen. The exact same measure had failed on the chamber's floor in a 55 to 44 vote in March. US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who reportedly ordered the assassination of the dissident journalist and Washington Post columnist at the Saudi consulate in Turkey last month. Pompeo asserted that there is no "direct evidence" implicating the country's de facto ruler. The White House has been under pressure over close ties with the Saudi government amid the Khashoggi fallout. "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," Bob Corker, the outgoing Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview published Friday. US lawmakers and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan maintain that the crown prince and other top Saudi leaders should be held accountable for Khashoggi's assassination, Saudi Arabia has acknowledged the murder, yet left many questions unanswered. Turkish intelligence intercepts reportedly show that Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Saudi mission in Istanbul on October 2, was murdered on a direct order from bin Salman. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi King Salman to invite Qatari monarch to next GCC summit: Report Iran Press TV Sat Dec 1, 2018 03:01PM Secretary General of the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdul Latif bin Rashid al-Zayani is reportedly going to visit Doha to invite Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to attend the next summit of the regional grouping in Dammam city in Saudi Arabia this month. The Arabic language Al Aan online newspaper, citing diplomatic sources, reported that preparatory meetings for the upcoming summit were to take place in Oman, where GCC foreign ministers would meet to provide a calm atmosphere to help the success of the summit. The report said Kuwait had worked hard to guarantee the participation of Qatar in the summit, adding that "its efforts have succeeded." Last month, Kuwait's Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah confirmed that all six GCC countries would be attending the annual summit of the council, which is expected to open on December 7. Jarallah said the summit could present a "hope to resolve the [Persian] Gulf crisis and solve the differences." The report came as a shock since Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, has been involved in a diplomatic and trade boycott against Qatar for a year and a half. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt all cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5 last year, after officially accusing it of "sponsoring terrorism." The administration of the Saudi-backed and former Yemeni president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Libya, the Maldives, Djibouti, Senegal and the Comoros later joined the camp in ending diplomatic ties with Doha. Jordan downgraded its diplomatic relations as well. Qatar's Foreign Ministry later announced that the decision to cut diplomatic ties was unjustified and based on false claims and assumptions. On June 9, 2017, Qatar strongly dismissed allegations of supporting terrorism after the Saudi regime and its allies blacklisted dozens of individuals and entities purportedly associated with Doha. Later that month, Saudi Arabia and its allies released a 13-point list of demands, including the closure of Al Jazeera television network and downgrade of relations with Iran, in return for the normalization of diplomatic relations with Doha. The document containing the demands by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain also asked Qatar to sever all ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement. Qatar rejected the demands as "unreasonable." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netherlands halts arms export to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt over Yemen war Iran Press TV Sat Dec 1, 2018 02:39PM With the ongoing deadly campaign led by the regime in Riyadh against Yemen, the Netherlands has said it will halt arms export to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt. Dutch Foreign Trade and Development Minister Sigrid Kaag said on Friday that "restrictive conditions for the export of weapons applied to Saudi Arabia" had been expanded to include Egypt and the UAE. "There will be no arms exports from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE unless it is proven that they will not be used in the Yemen war." In November, Finland and Denmark stopped exports of military equipment to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the murder of prominent Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi as well as the campaign in Yemen. The European Parliament said in the same month that the European Union's arms exports to Saudi Arabia were stoking the war on Yemen, calling for sanctions on the countries that refuse to respect the EU's rules on weapons sales. Many governments have promised to stop arms exports to Saudi Arabia, but only Germany has suspended its sales until clear explanations are made about the murder. The UK, France and Spain have all signaled that they will continue business as usual. According to figures compiled by the Middle East Eye, European countries have since 2015 approved arms sales worth over 86.7 billion to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies, including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Sudan, Qatar, and Bahrain, launched the campaign in early 2015 with the aim of bringing the government of former Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi back to power and crushing the country's Houthi Ansarullah movement, which has been running state affairs from the capital Sana'a in the absence of an effective government. According to a new report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research organization, the Saudi-led war has so far claimed the lives of around 56,000 Yemenis. The conflict has also taken a heavy toll on the country's infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. The UN has already said that a record 22.2 million Yemenis are in dire need of food, including 8.4 million threatened by severe hunger. According to the world body, Yemen is suffering from the most severe famine in more than 100 years. A number of Western countries, the US and Britain in particular, are also accused of being complicit in the aggression as they supply the Riyadh regime with advanced weapons and military equipment as well as logistical and intelligence assistance. The war in Yemen has been the focus of international attention since the assassination of Khashoggi at Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, in October, which is widely believed to have been ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. There have been numerous calls over the past weeks for the US and its allies to end military support for the Saudis. Earlier this week, the International Rescue Committee, Oxfam America, CARE US, Save the Children, and the Norwegian Refugee Council said in a joint statement that 14 million people are at risk of starving to death in Yemen if the parties to the conflict do not change course immediately. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing has 'stern' words with US over warship in South China Sea Iran Press TV Sat Dec 1, 2018 06:50AM China has scolded the United States for sending another warship to the South China Sea near the islands which Beijing regards as sovereign Chinese territory. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said US guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville sailed Chinese waters without permission on Monday and that China had made its position known with "stern representations." The navy ship sailed near the Paracel Islands to challenge China's "excessive maritime claims," the US Pacific fleet said in a statement. The Chinese army said it had sent ships and planes to watch the US warship and to warn it to leave. The warship's passage through the contested waters was the latest move by the US navy to challenge what Washington calls Beijing's attempt to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters mostly claimed by Beijing. It was the second US naval operation to anger China this week. On Wednesday, two US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait, which China considers its territory, prompting a furious Beijing to send warships and fighter jets. The naval operations have long been a source of tensions in the disputed waters also claimed by Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines. The US, which has been taking sides with several of China's neighboring countries in their territorial disputes, accused China of undertaking a land reclamation program by building artificial islands in the Sea. Beijing asserts its sovereignty over nearly all of the contested sea, which serves as a crossing for more $5 trillion worth of maritime trade annually. China stresses that it "holds indisputable sovereignty" over the islands and their surrounding waters in the South China Sea. The latest incident came ahead of US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping due to hold a dinner meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Argentina on Saturday. Hopes for reaching a deal in Argentina on already escalated trade dispute were also dashed after Trump threatened just days before the summit that current tariff levels on $200 billion of Chinese imports would rise as planned. Trump also threatened tariffs on $267 billion of other Chinese exports to America. Just before taking off for Argentina, he told reporters that while China was interested in striking a deal, "I don't know if I want to do it" and "I like the deal we have now." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former U.S. President George Bush, Who Presided Over End Of Cold War, Is Dead At 94 By RFE/RL December 01, 2018 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. Bush's 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 Party's 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 didn't understand the plight or ordinary Americans. "It's the economy, stupid," Clinton aide James Carville repeated over and over again until it became a mantra of the campaign and the start of Bush's 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 Clinton's 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 Bush's 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, Bush's 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/george-bush-senior- dead-at-age-94/29631689.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 'Cool' Russia Business Links After Ex-Lawyer Admits Lying By RFE/RL December 01, 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 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 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 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 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 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 Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-defends-cool- russia-business-links-after-ex-lawyer-cohen- admits-lying/29631767.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 Leaders Congratulate Zurabishvili, Warn Against Polarization In Georgia By RFE/RL December 01, 2018 Senior European Union leaders have reportedly congratulated Salome Zurabishvili on her election as Georgian president and urged to her to combat "political polarization" in the South Caucasus country. In a letter dated November 30, European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the EU is looking forward to "working together to continue the consolidation of Georgia's democratic institutions" and to advance political and economic ties. Zurabishvili, who was supported by the ruling Georgian Dream party, defeated opposition candidate Grigol Vashadze by receiving 59.5 percent of the vote in the November 28 runoff, according to electoral officials. Vashadze -- the candidate of opposition groups led by the United National Movement, which was founded by former President Mikheil Saakashvili -- has rejected the results and called for a peaceful protest in Tbilisi on December 2. He has also called for snap parliamentary elections. "These were hard fought elections and your leadership in overcoming political polarization will be of paramount importance," Tusk and Juncker wrote, according to the text of the letter published by the news outlet Civil.ge. They also wrote that the EU "remains fully committed to Georgia's territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders." The United States also congratulated Zurabishvili and said Washington would continue to support Tbilisi. "The U.S. will continue to support strongly Georgia's democratic and economic development, territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and Western integration and will continue to work with Georgia in the area of electoral and democratic reform," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement issued on November 30. Russia backs separatists who control two regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and Moscow recognized them as independent states after a five-day war against Tbilisi in 2008. Only a handful of countries have followed suit. A day after the runoff, international monitors said that the election was "competitive" but the ruling party-backed candidate "enjoyed an undue advantage." Constitutional changes have made the president less powerful than the prime minister in Georgia, and billionaire Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili wields strong influence. This election was the last direct presidential vote before a new system of indirect voting takes effect. Future presidents are to be elected by a 300-member College of Electors comprising parliament deputies and local and regional political representatives. With reporting by Civil.ge Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu- leaders-congratulate-zurabishvili-warn-against- polarization-in-georgia/29631639.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 Venezuelan Opposition Urges Bank of England not to Return Gold to Maduro Sputnik News 11:19 01.12.2018 The call comes after reports emerged that the Venezuelan government is looking to repatriate gold bars worth about $550 million from the Bank of England out of fear that the holdings may be affected by US sanctions announced by President Trump early last month. Venezuelan opposition leaders Julio Borges and Carlos Vecchio have urged the Bank of England not to hand over $550 million worth of gold to Venezuela. In a letter to the bank, they claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro would either pocket the gold or use it to illegally imprison and get rid of the government's opponents. "Maduro is not the legitimate owner of the gold. Without doubt the intention of Maduro and his regime is to steal these resources that rightly belong to the people," the letter noted. Borges and Vecchio, who currently live in self-proclaimed exile, also warned that if the Bank of England allows Maduro to repatriate the gold, it will further violate the bank's legal obligation to fight money laundering and corruption. The letter came after Reuters cited sources as saying in early November that the Venezuelan government is seeking to repatriate 14 tons of gold bars worth about $550 million from the Bank of England over concern that the holdings may be affected by US sanctions. On November 1, US President Donald Trump imposed new restrictive measures against Venezuela, specifically prohibiting US companies and individuals from buying the Latin American country's gold. Maduro accused Trump of "schizophrenia" and pledged that Caracas would not "kneel down before American imperialism." According to Maduro, the Venezuelan government is in the process of certifying 32 gold fields which would turn Venezuela into "the second largest gold reserve on Earth." With both public and private sector investment, the government is also building 54 gold processing plants. In July, Venezuelan Minister of Ecological Development and Mining Victor Kano said that in light of the agreement that was signed this year with Ankara regarding the processing of gold, gold ore mined in Venezuela will be sent to Turkey for processing, purification of impurities and casting of gold bars. Venezuela was ordered by a Canadian court in 2016 to compensate Canada-based Crystallex International Corporation for having nationalized its gold mining operations. The Canadian company had demanded that Venezuela be forced to auction off its principal foreign asset, the U.S.-based Citgo Petroleum Corp refining business, but a settlement was reached. On Nov. 23, according to a filing in the Ontario Court of Justice, Caracas completed an initial payment of $425 million, mostly in the form of "liquid securities". Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Conditions deteriorating alarmingly in Yemen, warns senior UN official 1 December 2018 - Conditions in Yemen have deteriorated alarmingly, and the country is on the "brink of a major catastrophe" said Mark Lowcock Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator on returning from his mission to Yemen on Saturday. "But it is not too late," he added: "In my meetings with officials of the internationally recognized Government of Yemen in Aden and the de facto authorities in Sana'a, I was encouraged to hear strong support for relief operations." Around 2.3 million people are currently displaced across Yemen, and, since June alone, more than 500,000 people have fled conflict in and around the strategically important port city of Hudaydah, the major port of entry for most of the county's food and humanitarian aid. Mr. Lowcock, describing some of the scenes that faced him during his visit, said: "I met families outside Sana'a who fled their homes four years ago when conflict escalated and are still living in terrible conditions. In Lahj, I visited an overcrowded camp that hosts hundreds of desperate families displaced by recent fighting in Hudaydah." The consequences of the Yemen conflict, especially the recent economic crash in the country, have driven major increases in severe hunger and malnutrition, leading to a humanitarian crisis that senior UN officials have called "the largest food security crisis in the world." Mr. Lowcock said that he had witnessed the suffering of Yemeni civilians hit by the failed Yemeni economy, who can't afford food, clean water or transport to a clinic: "In Aden, I met emaciated children so malnourished they could barely open their eyes. 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." The Under-Secretary- General reiterated that only a political solution can end the crisis in Yemen, and welcomed news that the warring parties plan to travel to Sweden for peace talks convened by Martin Griffiths, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, but he warned that, because of the deteriorating humanitarian situation, a large step-up in funding will be needed for the Yemen aid effort in 2019. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lopez Obrador to be Sworn in as Mexico's New President By VOA News December 01, 2018 Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador becomes Mexico's new president Saturday. He enters office in a powerful position with a coalition that controls both houses of Congress. Lopez Obrador has promised a more austere administration than that of his predecessor Enrique Pena Nieto. Among other things he has said he will sell the presidential plane. At 65, Lopez Obrador has been a mainstay of Mexican politics. As a young man, he was a member of the center-right Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, which controlled Mexico's government for eight decades. Yet in the 1980s, as cracks were beginning to show in PRI's coalition, Lopez Obrador was one of the many leftist politicians to split from the PRI, joining the Party of the Democratic Revolution, or PRD. Mayor of Mexico City In 2000, Lopez Obrador still a member of PRD was elected mayor of Mexico City, the nation's capital and most populated city. In this position, he gained national prominence, instituting social programs for the poor and elderly and improving the city's infrastructure. After his mayoral term ended in 2005, Lopez Obrador sought higher office, making his first presidential bid the following year. For much of the race, he was considered the front-runner. Yet, Felipe Calderon of the right-leaning National Action Party, or PAN, narrowly defeated him, labeling the former mayor a socialist in the mold of then-Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The label stuck. In 2012, Lopez Obrador ran for president a second time, but lost to Pena Nieto, of PRI. Pena Nieto, proved unpopular; during his time in office, Mexico's murder rate swelled to an all-time high, the peso lost value, and Donald Trump was elected U.S. president. Pence to attend ceremony Trump has repeatedly used anti-Mexican rhetoric and pledged to build a wall between the two nations. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will attend Obrador's inauguration ceremony. Mexico's constitution only permits presidents to serve one term; as such, Pena Nieto could not run in this year's election. Thus Lopez Obrador, running on the newly founded National Regeneration Movement, (MORENA), was able to capitalize on discontent with the country's status quo and finally claim the presidency. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 74 Sahand - Mowj Class Iran's Navy launched the indigenous Sahand destroyer in the southern port of Bandar Abbas on September 8, 2012 alongside the overhauled "super-heavy" Tareq 901 submarine. A senior Iranian military official said Iran will launch another indigenous destroyer called Jamaran-3 next year in line with efforts to boost the country's naval capabilities. Deputy Head of the Industry and Research Institute of the Iranian Defense Ministry Mohammad Eslami said on 18 March 2013 that the Jamaran-3 destroyer will become operational by the end of the next Persian calendar year, which started on March 21, 2013. Irans newest destroyer Sahand was 70 percent complete and was expected to be launched within the next few months, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said 17 August 2015. Sahand is the third destroyer produced as part of the Mowj (Wave) project, Sayyari told a gathering of Iranian veterans in Tehran, Irans Tasnim news agency reported. Sahands predecessors, Jamaran and Damavand, were in service with the Navy and used for naval missions in international waters. Iran has been building up its naval power in recent years to protect ships and oil tankers from pirates and deal with a growing hostile US naval presence in and around the Persian Gulf. The Sahand is the third vessel to be developed by the Mowj program after the Jamaran and the Damavand frigates. On 01 December 2018 the Iranian Navy launched the Sahand at the port of Bandar Abbas in the Strait of Hormuz. The new destroyer was said to have radar-evading stealth properties [the slab sides are an improvement over previous units], electronic warfare capabilities and a flight deck for helicopters. According to Iranian television, the destroyer is packed with advanced weaponry including anti-ship and anti-aircraft guns, torpedo launchers, surface-to-surface missiles and surface-to-air missiles. The vessel may also soon be fitted with the Kamand close-in weapon system, capable of firing 4,000-7,000 rounds per minute at close-range targets within a range of about 2 km. The ship is equipped with four engines, and can sustain long-distance voyages for 150 days while accompanied by a support vessel. "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 shipyard which built the destroyer, told Iran's IRNA news agency. The new destroyer and the Kharg, another Iranian destroyer is expected to be among the two or three warships Iran plans to send to Venezuela for a goodwill visit sometime "in the near future," according to Iranian Navy Deputy Commander Admiral Tourraj Hassani. The Sahand is the third of Mowj-class frigates built by Iran after the Jamaran and the Damavand. According to Press TV, the Sahand has twice the offensive and defensive capabilities as its predecessor, the Jamaran frigate, the lead ship of the Moudge-class of frigates launched in 2010 as part of the Mowj (Wave) program to replace its mostly US-made vessels with indigenous Iranian warships. "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. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei described the Navy's development of the new ships as proof of Iran's ability to create modern weaponry. He emphasized that Tehran was not looking for confrontation with any other country, but that it would promote its defence capabilities. Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi announced on 02 December 2018 that Iran is designing a new naval destroyer, called Dena. Speaking on TV, Khanzadi said the Dena will be the newest destroyer that the Navy is going to launch as part of a broad project known as Mowj (wave). His announcement came on the same day that a new homegrown stealth destroyer, called Sahand, joined the Navy. Dena is the name for a mountain in southwestern Iran. Sahand is also the name for a mountain in East Azarbaijan province. The rear admiral said Iran has turned sanctions into an opportunity and become self-sufficient in manufacturing naval gear. It is now very easy for us to manufacture destroyers like the Sahand, which enjoys a new generation of gearbox, the commander said, according to the Tasnim news agency. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Genocide, with Chinese Characteristics Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide Article II In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: a. Killing members of the group; b. Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; c. Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; d. Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; e. Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group. Uighur Genocide - Western Reaction The word genocide was first coined by Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin in 1944 in his book Axis Rule in Occupied Europe. It consists of the Greek prefix genos, meaning race or tribe, and the Latin suffix cide, meaning killing. Lemkin developed the term partly in response to the Nazi policies of systematic murder of Jewish people during the Holocaust, but also in response to previous instances in history of targeted actions aimed at the destruction of particular groups of people. Later on, Raphael Lemkin led the campaign to have genocide recognised and codified as an international crime. Under Article II of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, " genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such ... Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group...." Authorities in northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) are believed to have held up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in a vast network of internment camps since early 2017. Chinese officials have said the camps are centers for vocational training, but detainees are mostly held against their will in cramped and unsanitary conditions, where they are forced to endure inhumane treatment and political indoctrination. Hennes & Mauritz AB faced ire in early 2021 after a statement it made expressing concern over reports of forced labor in Xinjiang resurfaced. Its Chinese outlets disappeared from Apple and Baidu Maps searches, and some stores in smaller cities were closed by landlords. The companys name and products can no longer be found on major Chinese e-commerce platforms including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.s Taobao and Tmall. Online sales of Adidas AG and Nike Inc. also plunged in the country in April after their comments on the Xinjiang issue drew them into the boycott. The Trump administration determined that China committed "genocide and crimes against humanity" by repressing Uighur Muslims in its Xinjiang region, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on 19 January 2021, in an embarrassing blow to Beijing just before President Joe Biden took office. Pompeo said he made the move, which is certain to further strain already frayed ties between the world's top economies, "after careful examination of the available facts," accusing the Chinese Communist Party of crimes against humanity targeting the Uighurs. "I believe this genocide is ongoing, and that we are witnessing the systematic attempt to destroy Uighurs by the Chinese party-state," Pompeo said in a statement. The rare American determination followed intensive internal debate after Congress passed legislation on 27 December 2020 requiring the US administration to determine within 90 days whether China had committed crimes against humanity or a genocide. Unlike many decisions by Pompeo seen as boxing in Joe Biden, the incoming president had called for more pressure on China on human rights with his campaign last year using the term genocide. Biden's nominee for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during a confirmation hearing on 19 January 2021 he agreed with the genocide declaration. Biden's Democratic campaign had declared, before the November 3 US election, that genocide was occurring in Xinjiang. "I think we're very much in agreement," Blinken said. "The forcing of men, women and children into concentration camps; trying to, in effect, re-educate them to be adherents to the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party, all of that speaks to an effort to commit genocide." Omer Kanat, executive director of the Washington-based Uyghur Human Rights Project, hoped that the genocide determination would lead to further steps such as a boycott of next year's Beijing Winter Olympics. "The implications are enormous. It's unthinkable to continue 'business as usual' with a state committing genocide and crimes against humanity," he said in a statement. The Trump administration has already taken a number of steps to pressure China over its treatment of the Uighurs, including blocking all imports of cotton from Xinjiang -- one of the major global producers of yarn used in textile manufacturing. China had possibly committed genocide in its treatment of Uighurs and other minority Muslims in its western region of Xinjiang, a bipartisan commission of the United States Congress said in a report 14 January 2021. The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) said on Thursday that new evidence had emerged in the past year that crimes against humanity and possibly genocide are occurring. The CECC report called for a formal US determination on whether atrocities are being committed in Xinjiang, and such a determination is required within 90 days of US legislation passed on 27 December 2020. CECC co-chair, Democratic Representative Jim McGovern, called Chinas actions to crush human rights in the past year shocking and unprecedented and urged Congress and the incoming Biden administration to hold Beijing accountable. The United States must continue to stand with the people of China in their struggle and lead the world in a united and coordinated response to the human rights abuses of the Chinese government, he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Homeland Security Requests Troops Remain on Mexican Border Until January 31 Sputnik News 07:29 01.12.2018 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has asked the Pentagon to extend the deployment of troops currently stationed along the US-Mexico border through the end of January, Department of Defence spokesperson Jamie Davis said in a statement. "Today, DHS submitted a request for assistance to the Department of Defence to extend its support through January 31, 2019," Davis said on Friday. "This request refines support to ensure it remains aligned with the current threat, the nature of the mission, and CBP [Customs and Border Protection] operational requirements." Last week the Pentagon said it planned a withdrawal of all 5,800 troops from the US southern border by Christmas. The active duty military personnel were deployed to the US border with Mexico in October to assist CBP upon the arrival of migrant caravans from Central America. The Defence Department is reinforcing priority ports of entry in the border states of Texas, Arizona and California. The Pentagon has deployed engineers and military police units, as well as troops who specialize in aviation, medical treatment and logistic. The current cost of deploying American active-duty troops to the US-Mexico border in support of immigration enforcement amounts to at least $72 million, Department of Defence spokesperson Col. Rob Manning said in a statement. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Will Build Its Own Satellite-Navigation System After Brexit Sputnik News 08:46 01.12.2018(updated 08:47 01.12.2018) UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced that Britain would explore the possibility of building its own satellite navigation system instead of relying on the EU's Galileo, compelling another minister in her Cabinet to resign. May announced on Friday that the UK was pulling out of the EU's satellite navigation system which was designed to compete with the US GPS system and is due to be launched in 2020 with civilian and military variants, the BBC reported. The UK had invested 1.2bn in the creation of Galileo out of the 9bn spent. However, earlier on Friday, Brussels said that as a result of Brexit, the UK would not be allowed access to the part of the system intended for use by government agencies, the armed forces, and emergency responders. The UK demanded an exception, saying it was vital to its military and security interests, Sky News reported. May had declared that the British army will not use Galileo and the UK will instead explore options to build its own satellite-navigation system, securing 92m to look at how it can be done. "The commission decided that we would be barred from having full aspects of the Galileo programme and so it is right for us to look for alternatives because it would be wrong to put our [armed] services relying on a system on which they couldn't be sure of," May told reporters in Buenos Aires while attending the G20 summit, noting that it "would not be in our national interest." Whitehall sources said the issue of the 1.2bn invested into the programme was yet to be finally resolved because the UK could still choose to be involved in commercial aspects of the system. "We will be discussing our past contributions to the financing of Galileo in the upcoming talks," a senior UK official said, cited by the Guardian. While UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson noted that the development of a new system would be an opportunity to draw on British skills and expertise in satellite technology, noting that it is "crucial to push ahead with plans for our own world-class, independent satellite system," other members of May's Cabinet weren't as pleased with the announcement. Science Minister Sam Gyimah said the UK's interests will be "repeatedly and permanently hammered by the EU27 for many years to come" "As a 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," Gyimah said, as cited by the BBC. Gyimah became the 10th minister to resign from the government since May set out her original blueprint for post-Brexit EU-UK relations at Chequers in July. He also added he would be voting against the deal the Prime Minister had eventually negotiated with Brussels. The Galileo project had been in work since 1999, when the European Union embarked on a plan to put together its own network of satellites. The first satellites were put in orbit in 2013. UK companies have built components for Galileo and one of the project's two Galileo Security Monitoring Centres was previously based in the UK, in Swanwick. The site is now being relocated to Spain. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump, Xi Talk Trade Over Dinner in Argentina By Steve Herman December 01, 2018 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 organization's 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran army commander vows turning sanctions into opportunity IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Dec 1, IRNA -- Commander of the Army Ground Force Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari promised changing sanctions to opportunity for creating deterrence power. Speaking to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Saturday Heidari said 'we could successfully pass the sanctions in Sacred Defense era'. Iranian youths and experts were self-sufficient at that time and could make missiles and drones, he added. 'We believe that sanction not only had no effect in military progress, but we will have new achievements in this atmosphere,' Heidari reiterated. 'We consider sanctions as threat and will change them into great opportunity for promoting deterrence power.' 9376**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Most advanced West Asian destroyer joins Iran's navy IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Bandar Abbas, Dec 1, IRNA -- 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. 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. 9477**2044 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, S Korea design mechanism for oil payments IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Dec 1, IRNA -- A mechanism has been set up for paying the price of Iranian oil exported to South Korea, the head of the Iran-South Korea Joint Chamber of Commerce told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Saturday. 'According to the plan, goods will be given to Iranian importers and their price will be subtracted from the price of the oil exported to South Korea, and the importers will pay the price of the goods to the Iranian government,' said Hossein Tanhaee. If the central banks of the two countries cannot do transactions, the private sectors can barter in the framework of a joint fund, said Tanhaee. Iran's exports to South Korea mostly consist of crude oil and petrochemical products and its imports include household appliances, he said. But the inventory can be more varied; Iran can export food, lead, and zinc, and import paper and cosmetics in return, he added. 9417**2044 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran launches most advanced indigenous destroyer Iran Press TV Sat Dec 1, 2018 06:38AM Iran has launched its most advanced military vessel which has radar-evading stealth properties and can sustain voyages lasting five months without resupply. The Sahand destroyer, inducted into the navy in the Persian Gulf Saturday, "is the result of daring and creative design relying on the local technical knowledge" of the Iranian experts, said Rear-Admiral Alireza Sheikhi. The vessel 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. The Sahand is the third of Mowj-class frigates built by Iran after the Jamaran and the Damavand, but its enhanced operational capabilities and size make it twice stronger in terms of offensive and defensive features. According to deputy navy commander Rear-Admiral Touraj Hassani Moqaddam, the new destroyer is fitted with the domestically-built Kamand close-in weapon system which can fire anywhere from 4,000 to 7,000 shells per second. The Sahand, he said, will set off for South America with two other warships and special helicopters in the near future as part of Iran's dispatch of ships to international waters. Iran launched its first locally-made destroyer in 2010 as part of a program to revamp its navy equipment in the face of sanctions which have barred the country from importing many weapons. Since 1992, the country has manufactured its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles, radars, boats, submarines, unmanned aerial vehicles, and fighter planes. On Thursday, Iran's navy acquired two new mini submarines designed for operations in shallow waters such as the Persian Gulf, Military officials said the subs have sonar-evading technology and can launch missiles from under water, as well as fire torpedoes and drop marine mines. In August, Iran unveiled its first domestically designed and manufactured fighter jet named Kowsar during a defense show in Tehran. The fourth-generation Iranian fighter jet is equipped with "advanced avionics and fire control systems" and can be used for short aerial support missions. Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said at the Kish Air Show's opening ceremony that Iran was steaming ahead and making advancements in all fields despite harsh economic sanctions by the US. US President Donald Trump pulled out of an international agreement on Iran's nuclear program in May and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday told top navy commanders that the Iranian armed forces had to develop their capabilities to deter any potential aggressor. Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the navy's achievements, including its launch of the Sahand destroyer and Fateh and Qadir submarines, saying it showed Iran is capable of developing world-class modern technologies. The Leader said Iran does not seek a war with any other country, but it needs to expand its defense capabilities. On Saturday, Iran's Army chief Major General Mousavi said the synergy between the Army and Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has entered "a new phase". Mousavi said Iran's navy industry depended on foreign support before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, but the force's advancements after the revolution are a source of national pride. The advancements, the general said, have enabled Iran to guarantee security in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran urges Security Council to condemn Pompeo's threat to 'starve' Iranians Iran Press TV Sat Dec 1, 2018 02:31AM Iran's mission to the United Nations has called on the UN Security Council to condemn the recent "irresponsible" and "provocative" remarks by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who openly threatened to "starve" Iranian people. The call was made in a Tuesday letter, signed by Iran's deputy ambassador to the UN Es'haq Al-e Habib, to the Security Council's president and the UN secretary general, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported Friday. "Such remarks are part of the US policies of exerting pressure and issuing real threats in order to wage an economic war against the people of Iran," the letter said, slamming the move as "a collective punishment for a nation" and a "clear violation of the basic principles of international law". "Pompeo's comments are another indication of the US' bullying policy, which knows no limit and principle," the letter said, adding that the US has no hesitation in penalizing other countries when punishing the Iranian nation. It also reiterated the fact that the re-imposition of US sanctions against Iran prevents Iranian people from having access to their basic requirements, including medicine and medical equipment. "The White House's measures are a clear instance of crime against humanity," it added. "Iran has shown resistance against the US' bullying behavior and illegal measures within the past 40 years, and will manage to do so against Washington's recent wrong policies as well," the letter added. The UN and its member states must condemn such bullying remarks by American officials, Iran's mission to the UN said, urging the international community to stand against such policies, which threaten the foundations of the UN and multilateralism. It also called on the world to hold the US accountable for such irresponsible policies and measures, and force it to remain committed to the UN's principles and objectives. In an interview with BBC Persian on Nov. 7, the US secretary of state said Iranian officials must listen to Washington "if they want their people to eat." In reaction, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif dismissed the threat, stressing that the Islamic Republic will survive and even advance despite Washington's sanctions. In a post on his official Twitter account on Nov. 10, Zarif said Pompeo's open threat to starve the Iranian nation was "a crime against humanity" and "a desperate attempt to impose US whims on Iran." The administration of US President Donald Trump announced on November 5 the re-imposition of the "toughest" sanctions ever against Iran's banking and energy sectors with the aim of cutting off its oil sales and crucial exports. The bans had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Reportedly Launches 'Stealth' Destroyer December 01, 2018 Iran has launched a domestically made destroyer, which state media said has radar-evading stealth capabilities, amid rising tensions with the United States. In a ceremony on December 1 broadcast live on state television, the Sahand destroyer joined Iran's regular navy at a base in Bandar Abbas, at the mouth of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to state TV, 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. Iran added the first domestically made destroyer to its fleet in 2010 in the Persian Gulf. Reportedly Iran has five other destroyers. "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. On November 29, Iran's navy announced the acquisition of two mini-submarines designed for operation in shallow waters such as the Persian Gulf, including one new sub and an overhauled one. The announcements are likely intended to boost Iran's military image amid rising tensions with the United States, which in November reimposed all sanctions that had been lifted under a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of that deal in May. Trump said the agreement 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. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-launches-stealth -destroyer/29631859.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 Pompeo Accuses Iran of Ballistic Missile Test Launch, Violating UNSC Ban Sputnik News 19:26 01.12.2018(updated 20:04 01.12.2018) 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. "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. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Launches New Stealth Destroyer, Radically Increasing Naval Power Sputnik News 13:14 01.12.2018(updated 13:15 01.12.2018) Iran has been building up its naval power in recent years to protect ships and oil tankers from pirates and deal with a growing hostile US naval presence in and around the Persian Gulf. The Iranian Navy has ceremoniously launched the Sahand, a new destroyer class said to have radar-evading stealth properties, electronic warfare capabilities and a flight deck for helicopters, at the port of Bandar Abbas in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian television, the destroyer is packed with advanced weaponry including anti-ship and anti-aircraft guns, torpedo launchers, surface-to-surface missiles and surface-to-air missiles. The vessel may also soon be fitted with the Kamand close-in weapon system, capable of firing 4,000-7,000 rounds per minute at close-range targets within a range of about 2 km. The ship is equipped with four engines, and can sustain long-distance voyages for 150 days while accompanied by a support vessel. "This vessel is the result of daring and creative design relying on the local technical knowledge of the Iranian Navyand has been built with stealth capabilities," Rear Admiral Alireza Sheikhi, head of the shipyard which built the destroyer, told Iran's IRNA news agency. The new destroyer and the Kharg, another Iranian destroyer is expected to be among the two or three warships Iran plans to send to Venezuela for a goodwill visit sometime "in the near future," according to Iranian Navy Deputy Commander Admiral Tourraj Hassani. According to Press TV, the Sahand has twice the offensive and defensive capabilities as its predecessor, the Jamaran frigate, the lead ship of the Moudge-class of frigates launched in 2010 as part of the Mowj (Wave) program to replace its mostly US-made vessels with indigenous Iranian warships. The Sahand is the third vessel to be developed by the Mowj program after the Jamaran and the Damavand frigates. Earlier this week, the Iranian Navy also commissioned two Ghadir-class diesel electric mini subs to enhance naval capabilities in the Persian Gulf. Earlier this week, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei described the Navy's development of the new ships as proof of Iran's ability to create modern weaponry. He emphasized that Tehran was not looking for confrontation with any other country, but that it would promote its defence capabilities. Iran has engaged in the development of a variety of ground, air, naval and missile weapons systems since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which led to a Western arms embargo against the country. Relations between Iran and its chief potential adversary, the United States, escalated earlier this year after Washington withdrew from the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal in May. Iranian and US vessels have reported repeated skirmishes around Iran's territorial waters, with the Iranian Navy usually deploying fast boats around larger US Navy ships. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan mulls order for F-35 stealth jets on aircraft carrier Iran Press TV Sat Dec 1, 2018 09:36AM Japan plans to order about 100 US-designed F-35 stealth fighter jets with an option to take off and land vertically, which suggests Tokyo might be developing aircraft carriers for the first time since World War II. "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," CNN reported. The network said the capability could prompt Japan to transform some of its existing ships into aircraft carriers so that it can operate the fighters at sea. Other media reports said the government will upgrade its two existing Izumo-class helicopter carriers so they can transport and launch fighter jets. 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 in December. The Nikkei business paper was the first to report this week that Japan was poised to buy 100 F-35 stealth jets from the US at a cost of more than $8.8 billion. The planned purchase comes a year after President Donald Trump urged Tokyo to buy more US-made military equipment. The reported order is in addition to 42 F-35 jets it has already bought from the US. Earlier this week, Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said the government is seriously considering refitting at least one of its Izumo helicopter destroyers to accommodate jets. By refitting its aircraft carriers, the Japanese government would be crossing a line in the country's security policy that has been deemed uncrossable by previous governments. This will require the government to include a passage in the revised National Defense Program Guidelines; a plan which is expected to be unveiled by the end of this year. Japan's possible acquisition of F-35 jets and effective warships prompted China to issue a stark warning to Tokyo to not go ahead with the plans. Beijing said that Japan's pursuit of a military buildup would "drive the country to repeat its militaristic history." Chin's English-language news website, Asia Times, cited Foreign Ministry as saying that "if Tokyo is committed to a military buildup, it can count on thawed bilateral relations getting iced once more." It was referring to a thaw in relations between Beijing and Tokyo since Prime Minster Abe paid a rare three-day visit to China in October. Another Chinese English-language newspaper, Global Times, cited experts as saying, "Japan must not forget its infamous history of invading countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific region during the WWII." "By having the F-35B on its carriers, Japan will be asked to play a bigger role in the US' global military strategy to the extent that Japan might be able to deploy its troops around the world," Chinese military analyst, Song Zhongping, told the daily. According to former US Navy captain Carl Schuster, the F-35Bs on a Japanese warship "add a new dimension" and "a deterrent factor" to the security situation in the Pacific. He said that a refitted Japanese aircraft 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, however, said that Japan will not have the newly ordered F-35 jets until three or four years later, unless its orders are given priority over other buyers of the plane in the US. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia says NATO building up troops along border under guise of drills Iran Press TV Sat Dec 1, 2018 04:42PM Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Alexander Fomin has expressed concern over what he has described as a NATO military build-up along the Russian border under the cover of military drills. "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," said Fomin, speaking to reporters on Friday. The deputy defense minister further complained that some of the countries currently building up their NATO-enforced military presence against Russia do so while being historically beholden to the country. "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," said Fomin, referring to Soviet World War II casualties as a result of the fight against Nazi forces in Poland. Last January, 3,500 American troops entered Poland as part of the United States-led Operation Atlantic Resolve to "deter Russian aggression." The troops, further enforced with another 1,000 strong multi-national NATO battalion, plan to rotate in the neighboring countries of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania on a regular basis. A few months later, Poland also offered to spend up to 2 billion dollars to set up a permanent US military base in the country, saying that the move will further help deter Russia. Later Polish media reports, however, indicated that the plan may not be realized. Operation Atlantic Resolve was set up following Crimea's separation from Ukraine and subsequent reunion with Russia after a referendum in March 2014. The referendum happened shortly after Ukraine's democratically-elected government was overthrown and replaced with a pro-Western government. NATO and specifically the US have since focused on improving military infrastructure and readiness in Eastern Europe, deploying missile batteries and conducting multi-national military drills in the region, raising Moscow's alarm. Relations between Russia and NATO countries have remained tense ever since. On Sunday, Russia's naval forces seized three Ukrainian vessels after they illegally entered Russian waters off the coast of Crimea in the Sea of Azov, further complicating strained Moscow-NATO relations. Russia later announced that it had deployed its advanced S-400 air defense missile systems in Crimea. The move followed Ukraine's call for NATO presence in the region in retaliation for the seized ships. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CIA finds MBS texted to Khashoggi hit squad leader Iran Press TV Sat Dec 1, 2018 03:20PM Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent about a dozen messages to the leader of the team that killed dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in the hours before and after the journalist's death in October, according to a top secret CIA assessment. According to the highly classified CIA report cited by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Saturday, Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, known by media as MBS, sent Saud al-Qahtani, a top servant who was later sacked, at least 11 messages at the time of the crime. Bin Salman had instructed his men back in August 2017 that "we could possibly lure [Khashoggi] outside Saudi Arabia and make arrangements," if the crown prince could not convince the dissident Saudi journalist, who was living in the United States, to return to Saudi Arabia. according to the classified CIA report as quoted by The Hill political website from WSJ. The report states that the communication "seems to foreshadow the Saudi operation launched against Khashoggi," according to the Journal. Another excerpt reportedly states that the CIA has "medium-to-high confidence" that Prince Mohammed "personally targeted" Khashoggi and "probably ordered his death." "To be clear, we lack direct reporting of the Crown Prince issuing a kill order," according to the excerpts reported by the Journal. The adviser in question, Saud al-Qahtani, was sanctioned by the White House last month for his involvement in Khashoggi's death. The CIA has reportedly concluded that the crown prince ordered Khashoggi's killing. However, US President Donald Trump has cast doubt on the CIA report. The Senate on Wednesday advanced a resolution that would end US military support for the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen's civil war, issuing a rebuke to Trump after the White House opposed the bill. The resolution advanced even as the administration vowed to stand by Saudi Arabia following global outcry over the killing of Khashoggi. Khashoggi was killed on Oct. 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain marriage documents for his upcoming wedding. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MbS scrambles military amid coup fears: Report Iran Press TV Sat Dec 1, 2018 09:43AM A new report says Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MbS, has scrambled the Saudi military fearing a coup by some royals to topple him. Emirati news website al-Khaleej Online reported that the Saudi army personnel and assets had been transferred from the kingdom's eastern and western provinces to the capital Riyadh in a pre-emptive move to prevent a putsch while bin Salman is in Argentina for the G20 summit. The report comes at a time that the heir to the Saudi throne faces widespread criticism over the deadly war on Yemen and the brutal killing of a dissident journalist inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. An Argentinian prosecutor has agreed to pursue a case against bin Salman over war crimes in Yemen, according to Human Rights Watch. Dissident Saudi Prince Khalid bin Farhan Al Saud, who lives in exile in Germany, said that a royal coup was in the offing and that an opposition group had been set up to unseat the crown prince. He told the al-Khaleej Online that bin Salman's style of government is "ignorant and delusional." If the Saudi royal family and "other countries" decide to move against King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and bin Salman, "a wave of violence is likely to occur as the Saudi kingdom is reigned by employing ignorant and barbaric methods," he said. "I hope that there will be a soft coup that overthrows the deep state and takes controls of prominent security institutions, and then sacks the Crown Prince and the king," he added. Additionally, a well-known Saudi online activist, who goes by the nickname of @mujtahidd on Twitter, told the Al Khaleej Online that "had Prince Ahmed announced the removal of King Salman from power, 95% of the family would have pledged allegiance to him on the spot." He was referring to Saudi Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King Salman's brother and bin Salman's uncle, who was said to be afraid to return to the kingdom since he had made public comments critical of the crown prince. Sources close to Prince Ahmed said in late October that he had flown back to Riyadh from London. "Since the Khashoggi affair, there have been rumors that some members of the royal family had conversations amongst themselves about the need to change the country's leadership or at least it's leadership structure," Gerald Fierstein, the senior vice president of the Middle East Institute in Washington, told The Media Line. "It would not be surprising if indeed some type of conversation got to MbS to make him question the commitment of some members of the family to his leadership," he noted. Furthermore, Bruce Riedel, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, emphasized that bin Salman had "alienated many members of the royal family during his Ritz Carleton shakedown." He was referring to the arrests of hundreds of influential Saudi businessmen and members of the royal family in November 2017 in an alleged "anti-corruption campaign" spearheaded by bin Salman. The detainees were held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. "Anytime bin Salman is out of the country, he is more vulnerable and if he is treated as a pariah abroad, it increases his vulnerability," Riedel told The Media Line. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Some leaders from the Group of 20 major economies have expressed fears about the potential negative impact of a U.S.-China trade war on the world economy at a session of their two-day summit that started Friday, a Japanese government official said. However, as Japan Times writes in an article "G20 leaders worried over tariff war", it remains to be seen whether the G20 can agree on a joint communique, as the United States and China, the worlds two largest economies, have been engaged in tit-for-tat rounds of punitive tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each others imports. At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit last month, leaders of the 21 members failed to finalize a joint declaration for the first time since the forum began in 1993, against a backdrop of the deepening divide between Washington and Beijing. If the G20 summit also falls short of adopting a joint communique for the first time since its inception in 2008, skepticism would grow about the ability of the current international framework to find common ground, blurring the outlook for the global economy. On the sidelines of the G20 gathering, designed to concentrate on fiscal and monetary policy matters, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were slated to hold their first face-to-face talks since November 2017. At the outset of his meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Buenos Aires on Friday, Trump voiced optimism about the prospects of the planned U.S.-China summit, saying, Were working very hard. If we can make a deal, thatd be good. I think they want to, I think wed like to, Trump said, adding, Theres some good signs. Well see what happens. Speaking with Abe, Trump urged the prime minister to address the trade imbalance between the two countries very quickly, a sign that Washington will push Tokyo in the upcoming talks to cut the U.S. goods trade deficit. Calling the deficit massive and pretty substantial, Trump said, We hope that were going to be balancing it very quickly. Trump praised Japans purchases of F-35s and other U.S. fighter jets, a move that would significantly reduce the deficit. Japan is buying large amounts of our fighter jets, our F-35s and others, and we appreciate it very much, he said. They are really working with me on trying to balance our deficit. A senior Japanese official said the government had not decided on the new purchase of F-35s, but that the Defense Ministry is reviewing the nations whole fighter jet system for the future. Trump has been criticizing Japan over its hefty and chronic goods trade surplus with the United States. His administration is expected to push Japan for increased market access for automobiles and agriculture. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Japan totaled $68.85 billion in 2017, the third-largest among countries with which the United States generated a trade deficit, according to U.S. Commerce Department data. During a meeting with Xi in the capital of Argentina, Abe said he hopes that the United States and Chinese leaders will have a fruitful discussion, according to the Japanese official. Citing U.S. and Chinese officials, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the two sides are considering launching new talks looking at big changes in Chinese economic policy in return for Washington holding off on further tariffs through the spring. Speculation, however, is rife that the two leaders will not easily make concessions over trade issues, as Trump has continued his threats to take additional measures against China despite Xis eagerness to resolve the ongoing trade dispute through dialogue. So far, the United States has imposed tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese imports or about half the goods it imports from China each year in response to Beijings alleged theft of intellectual property and technology, as well as other trade complaints. In retaliation, China has levied tariffs on more than 80 percent of all goods imported from the U.S. We need to safeguard the multilateral trade system by adhering to the spirit of openness and cooperation, Xi was quoted by the official Xinhua News Agency as saying at a session of the G20 summit on Friday. Trade problems should be widely debated and each nation should not become dogmatic, Xi told his G20 counterparts, according to the state-run media. Criticism, meanwhile, has been lingering among the international community about Beijings alleged unfair business practices. China has also been lambasted by many G20 countries for providing opaque benefits to state-owned firms. Trump has apparently been attempting to not only curb massive U.S. trade deficits with China but also to sell U.S. products in Chinese markets without concern about intellectual property and technology theft, diplomatic sources said. UK PM May urges Saudi Arabia to punish Khashoggi killers Iran Press TV Sat Dec 1, 2018 06:23AM UK Prime Minister Theresa May has told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that he should take action to prevent the repeat of incidents like the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The British leader also told Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler that those responsible for Khashoggi's killing should be punished for their crime, May's office said on Friday in a readout of a meeting with bin Salman at the G20 summit in Argentina. "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. UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has warned that Saudi Arabia would face "serious consequences" if suspicions of Khashoggi's murder turned out to be true. The killing of Washington Post columnist Khashoggi on October 2 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, has strained Saudi Arabia's ties with the West and battered bin Salman's image abroad. Saudi Arabia claims the prince had no prior knowledge of the killing. In the US, President Donald Trump has dismissed a CIA assessment that bin Salman likely ordered the murder and has vowed to remain a "steadfast partner" of Saudi Arabia despite repeated calls from members of Congress for a strong US response. The Saudi crime has put unprecedented pressure on the traditionally close ties between Washington and Riyadh and helped bolster efforts to stop the Saudi-led war in Yemen. At least five of the 37 US republican senators who voted against a recent resolution to end US military support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen have received election contributions from lobbying groups working for Saudi Arabia, according to a study. Senators Tim Scott, John Boozman, Roy Blunt, Richard Burr and Mike Crapo all received financial contributions from firms representing Saudi interests between 2016 and 2017, according to a report by the Center for International Policy (CIP). The Yemen war has killed more than 15,000 people and created the world's most urgent humanitarian emergency. May's aides said "the prime minister set out the urgent need to bring an end to the conflict and bring relief to millions threatened by famine." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Sharpening Teeth': UK Warships Hold Anti-Sub Drills Amid 'Russian Threat' Fears Sputnik News 16:06 01.12.2018(updated 16:10 01.12.2018) Last month, the UK's Royal Navy reported that its high-readiness frigate, the HMS St Albans, shadowed and monitored a Russian warship travelling through the English Channel, in an attempt to protect British waters. The UK Royal Navy's recent naval drills involved the HMS St. Albans, a Type 23 frigate, as well as the hunter-killer submarine HMS Astute. These "have sharpened their teeth to counter the looming threat of Russia's resurgent underwater fleet", according to the Portsmouth newspaper The News. "To be the best at what we do, it is essential that we train both against and alongside the very best. The HMS Astute provides that partner, with whom we can polish our skills to the highest level," John Cromie, commanding officer of the St Albans, said. His remarks came after a Royal Navy spokesman said that the Portsmouth-based HMS St Albans had been tasked with keeping watch on the Russian Slava-class cruiser Marshall Ustinov, which travelled through the English Channel in mid-November. The spokesman signalled the UK frigate's readiness "to monitor the Russians as they entered the Channel, taking over the watch from the French warships". St. Albans commanding officer John Cromie, for his part, underscored that "in this instance, the interaction between St. Albans and Marshal Ustinov has proven both cordial and professional, reflecting the mutual understanding of customs that exist between professional mariners." The statement followed that of Vice Admiral Andrew "Woody" Lewis, head of the US Navy's Second Fleet, who warned of a "real Russian undersea threat" in the Atlantic Ocean. "They are very competent," he added, apparently referring to Russian crews' alleged actions in the area. In August, Captain Jerry Kyd of the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, alleged that the last couple of years have seen "a frightening increase" in Russian naval activity in the Atlantic region, which he claims "just underlines why we need to maintain a balanced, strong and able, capable fleet." Earlier, the UK frigate HMS Westminster was scrambled to escort two Russian frigates and their support vessels, which were returning to the Baltic after operations in the Middle East. Russia's Defence Ministry has repeatedly denied allegations about the so-called "Russian threat", stressing that its warships always adhere to international maritime law when passing through international waters. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address British Navy and Air Force Face Off in Dispute Over New F-35 Jets Reports Sputnik News 09:18 01.12.2018 After several years without a functional aircraft carrier, Britain introduced the HMS Queen Elizabeth to the Royal Navy in December 2017 and the HMS Prince of Wales is expected in 2020; the UK is in the process of acquiring 48 US F-35B naval jets for their flight decks. However, the Royal Air Force is interested in growing its own fleet. Two sources close to the Royal Navy have said that senior Royal Air Force officers are privately pushing for the UK to purchase F-35A Lockheed Martin supersonic jets, which are incapable of taking off from aircraft carriers, rather than some of the 48 F-35 Lightning II jets it has ordered that can operate from ships at sea, Sky News reported. The sources said that any cut from the order for next generation F-35B aircraft, which will be able to take off and land on the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, would be a huge mistake, as it would redistribute the planes the 3bn carriers will be equipped to carry in the coming years. "This will completely undermine the whole carrier programme," one source told Sky News, adding that "there is no operational reason whatsoever for the RAF to have the A [land-based] variant [of the F-35]. If it can't fly from an aircraft carrier it shouldn't be purchased." The source outlined that the Royal Navy officials are in fury over the wish of Royal Air Force to put "its self-serving agenda above what is best for the nation", calling the whole situation "an absolute disgrace" which "should not be allowed to happen". The UK Ministry of Defence told Sky News that its policy for the first 48 F-35 jets remained unchanged. More than a third of the warplanes have already been delivered, and the rest are expected to be delivered and operational by 2025. Overall the UK plans to purchase a total of 138 of the Lockheed Martin aircraft, without stating which variant, over the lifetime of the US-led programme, Sky News reported. Royal Air Force officials dismissed all claims, calling the rumours "ill-informed". However, the sources told Sky News that a final decision on the last batch of 13 jets out of the first 48 does not formally have to be made until the end of next year, adding that the decision to switch to the land-variant F-35A warplanes would enrage the US, who had helped the UK rebuild its ability to launch such warships after the UK armed forces were forced to put carrier-operations on hold in 2010 to save money. "What people don't understand is the potential damage this will do to US-UK relations," one of the sources said, adding that the US considers the Royal Navy as "the one and only peer navy able to operate aircraft carriers," adding "but aircraft carriers need to be able to operate with combat aircraft." "If the British turn up to an operational theatre without combat aircraft it will completely undermine their military capability. To the US this is a really big deal. If the RAF go for the A variant at the expense of the carriers, which is effectively what they are saying, this will be perceived by the US as a major betrayal," the source said, cited by Sky News. Senior officers in the RAF are understood to be keen for a mix of carrier-capable and land-based F-35s among whatever number is ultimately purchased. They note that the A-model, which costs less than its 90 mln carrier-equipped twin, can fly further and carry more weapons. However, senior experts from the UK's Defence Analysis journal noted that under current circumstances the UK cannot afford two different F-35 fleets. The sources also outlined that RAF officers want to buy land-based F-35s among whatever number is ultimately purchased because they do not want to have their future tied to operating aircraft from the sea. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address War to drag on with Ukraine's pro-Westerners in power: Putin Iran Press TV Sat Dec 1, 2018 10:08PM Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that there would be no end to the conflict in Ukraine as long as the country is run by a set of pro-Western politicians. Putin told reporters at the end of the G20 summit in Argentina on Saturday that the current Ukrainian administration was not interested in a peaceful settlement of the conflict in the country. "The current Ukrainian authorities have no interest in resolving the conflict, especially by peaceful means," he told a press conference, adding, "As long as they remain in power, the war will continue." The Russian president was also adamant that international efforts for the release of a group of Ukrainian sailors captured by Moscow in the Sea of Azov last month were all doomed to fail because he said their fate were not up for discussion. Tensions over Ukraine escalated on November 25 when Russian border patrols fired at three Ukrainian ships and then seized them along with their sailors because of illegal entry into Russian waters. The incident took place in the Kerch Strait near Crimea, a former Ukrainian territory on the Black Sea that joined Russia in a referendum in March 2014 following the political developments in Kiev that led to the rise of a pro-Western government at the expense of a Russia-backed president. The recent military confrontation sparked a fresh row between Russia and the United States and even forced US President Donald Trump to cancel a planned meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Putin told reporters in Buenos Aires that he would accept no precondition for the meeting to be reinstated, including the release of the three Ukrainian ships and the sailors. Washington and allies in Europe have slapped rounds of economic and security sanctions on Russia over the so-called annexation of Crimea and Moscow's alleged interference in Ukraine, especially in two eastern provinces where pro-Russia groups have been battling the Ukrainian military forces for the past four years. Russia has downplayed the sanctions as insignificant while denying West's accusation of support for rebels in eastern Ukraine. However, Moscow insists it will intervene militarily if it feels Kiev is suppressing the ethnic Russian population living in areas close to the Russian border. Oil supply cuts to continue In his remarks at the G20 summit, Putin also touched upon the issue of global oil supply, saying his country had agreed with the other main global supplier Saudi Arabia to renew cuts on production and export in a bid to push prices up. "We are going to survey together the market situation with Saudi Arabia and respond to it operationally," Putin said, adding, however, that he could not offer any concrete figures on possible output cut that will be finalized in a global oil carter meeting in Vienna this week. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin, Merkel Discuss Sea Of Azov Crisis At G20 Summit By RFE/RL December 01, 2018 German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged "freedom of shipping into the Sea of Azov" in a private talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires. Merkel's spokesman, Steffan Seibert, said the December 1 talks focused on the conflict in Syria and tensions between Russia and Ukraine. On November 25, Russia seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and 24 Ukrainian sailors near the Kerch Strait as they were seeking to enter the Sea of Azov. Russia has charged the seamen with illegally crossing the country's border. The European Union and the United States have criticized Russia's action and have called for the immediate release of the ships and crews. France and Germany have offered to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. Merkel and Putin agreed that the four countries should hold additional talks at the "adviser level," Seibert said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Merkel asked Putin to release the Ukrainians, but Putin said that was a matter for the courts. Peskov said Putin provided Merkel with a "detailed" explanation of the Kerch Strait incident. Peskov also said that "mediation" was not discussed and most likely would not be possible. Peskov confirmed that Putin spoke briefly with U.S. President Donald Trump, but did not elaborate. Earlier, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said Putin expressed his "regret" that he and Trump were unable "to talk properly" at the G20 summit. Ushakov added that the two sides agreed to maintain contacts, including dialogue through U.S. national-security adviser John Bolton. In an interview with CNN, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Trump cancelled a planned meeting with Putin "to send a clear, unambiguous message" that the United States believes Russia's conduct in the incident was "deeply inconsistent with international law." Relations between Russia and the West have been severely strained since Moscow's 2014 annexation of the Ukrainian Black Sea region of Crimea and over Russia's military, political, and economic support for separatist movements in parts of eastern Ukraine. More than 10,300 people have been killed in the conflict in eastern Ukraine since April 2014. With reporting by AP, Reuters, Interfax, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-merkel -discuss-sea-of-azov-crisis-g20- summit/29632215.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 Ukraine Stops 100 Russians From Entering Country Amid Ban By RFE/RL December 01, 2018 Ukraine's 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 "couldn't 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 Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine -stops-100-russians-from-entering- country-amid-ban/29632121.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 Since China's declaration of 2018 as "Turkey Tourism Year," a great number of Chinese tourists have made their way to Turkey this year. As Daily Sabah reports, the figures so far show that this year has been a very successful in terms of the number of Chinese tourists arriving in Turkey, according to Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy, who said the country saw an increase of 46 percent in the number of Chinese tourists last year, while it expects to close this year with 400,000 tourists, an 80 percent raise. Ersoy's remarks came on the sidelines of his visit to China, during which he held official talks, attended a number of events and met his Chinese counterpart Luo Shugang. Within the scope of the 2018 Turkey Tourism Year in China, Turkey has carried out various advertising activities, introduced Turkish cuisine during a number of events and held various other cultural exhibitions, during which the country saw great interest from Chinese tourists. Ersoy stressed that this year, celebrated as Turkey Tourism Year in China, has greatly benefited the further development of cultural and trade relations among the two countries. "During our meeting with China's culture and tourism minister, we discussed what we can do for it to extend it to next year. We want to move some other activities to next year," he said. Before his arrival in China, Ersoy was in Japan, where he also held official talks. The minister said there was an exhibition regarding the celebration of the year of 2019 as the "Year of Turkey" in Japan. Underlining that for tourism relations between Turkey and China to improve further, necessary transportation infrastructure should be developed, Ersoy said with the opening of Istanbul Airport, which was inaugurated with a grand ceremony on Oct. 29, a very large issue has been resolved. "The world's biggest airport has been constructed. As of next year, Turkey will no longer have limitations, like limited slots. We have started to invite all airline companies that want to fly from different cities in China, particularly Turkish Airlines [THY]," Ersoy said, adding that if they include them all, Turkey would reach its target of 1 million Chinese tourists in a very short period of time. THY flies to 36 cities in 23 countries in the Far East, while China comes to the fore as the most important destination among these countries with flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Ersoy expressed his expectation for a rise in the number Chinese visitors to Turkey, but he also underscored the necessity to change the promotion policy to boost tourism in the Chinese market. He drew attention to the interest of Chinese tourists, which mostly visited Istanbul and Cappadocia for cultural sightseeing. Ephesus and Canakkale's Troy in western Turkey have also been added to the list of sites Chinese tourists frequent in Turkey, the minister noted. "We will begin explaining new cultural destinations to Chinese tourists as of next year, but our main goal is to add new joint operations with our neighbors in addition to cultural and resort tourism. We are planning to carry out activities that promote health care tourism and nature tourism. I believe we can ensure market diversification with China," the minister said. Chinese Culture and Tourism Minister Luo Shugang also stressed that Turkish-Chinese relations have improved in recent years thanks to collaborations in many areas. The Chinese minister expressed his pleasure in seeing the rising number of Chinese visitors to Turkey and said the figures will further increase as relations follow a positive course. The number of visitors Turkey hosts from China is a rising trend resulting from bilateral efforts, like the launch of Turkish Tourism Year and cultural events that promote Turkey for a Chinese audience. Between January and August, a total of 259,462 Chinese tourists visited the country. Turkish officials expect the number of Chinese visitors will reach around 400,000 by the end of the year. Last year, a total of 247,277 Chinese citizens came to Turkey, while the number was only 167,570 in 2016 and stood at 313,000 in 2015. In his book Azerbaijan since Independence, Svante E. Cornell writes: If Azerbaijan had to be defined by a single word, that word would have to be crossroads an observation made by the greatest historian of Azerbaijan, Tadeusz Swietochowski states: Azerbaijan is both European and Asian at the same time. Azerbaijans importance is much greater than its small [territorial] size,'' Eurasia Review writes in the article Azerbaijan: A Memorable Journey From Kurdamir To Jalilabad Districts OpEd. The fatherland of Heydar Aliyev plays indeed a fundamental role in preserving Islamic Culture and Architecture, it is a cradle of civilization, home of Gulustan Monument, Noahs Mausoleum and of Momine Khatun Mausoleum. In the same vein the Land of Fire has become a special place where visitors appreciate unique urban developments, a synergy of western and eastern architecture, natural beauty and impressive hospitality in Azerbaijans oldest cities, carpet museums while tasting some of the traditional wine of Kurdamir and the creamy goat cheese of Jalilabad. While sitting in front of the statue of Sabir in Baku, a highly courageous XIX Century Azerbaijani poet whose wit and wisdom reflects the acclaimed patriotic movements and hardships of the Azerbaijani people; for an American expert for global affairs, Peter Tase, it was impossible not to write about some of the historic landmarks, cities and districts that reflect a deeply rooted multiculturalism environment and impeccable Architecture in the Azerbaijani society. The beautiful mountainous landscapes of the Caucasus, impressive cultural heritage, and unique Islamic Cultural sites are the highlight on every major city and district of Azerbaijan, some of them are: Kurdamir District, Ganja City (the birthplace of Meskheti Ganjavi), Lankaran City, Lerik District, the City of Gazakh, Jalilabad District and Salyan District. The historic city of Ganja is the second largest urban metropolis of Azerbaijan; it is the capital of poetry and lyrics in Eurasia. Ganja is the birthplace of Nizami Ganjavi (the icon of Azerbaijani multiculturalism and religious tolerance); Meskheti Ganjavi (the most important lyrical poet of antiquity); Hasan Mashadi Huseyn oghlu Aghayev (the Deputy Speaker of National Assembly of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic) and Nigar Khudadat qizi Rafibeyli (a distinguished Azerbaijani writer and the former Chairwoman of Azerbaijans Writers Union). The city is also an important financial hub where Its International Bank was chosen by Euro Money Magazine as one of the best institutions of banking services among the Central Asian Countries. Ahmed Razi, a XV Century Persian geographer would write the following about Ganja: I have not seen a place such as Ganja anywhere else in the world. It has always a fresh look and an attractive musky scent. Its water is rosewater and its land is equal to saffron. The advent of Islam and its powerful influence in the architecture, visual arts and literature have made Ganja a special town, a genuine tourist destination, where the Sasanian Empire of Iran and Eastern Mediterranean World have concocted with Islamic Culture certain salient historic and architectural landscapes that were inspired by the predominant faith in the region. Moreover, the architecture environment of Ganja, shaped by religious and contemporary monuments; the Juma Mosque of Ganja, Six Large Ancient Gates of Ganja, Ganja Regional Scientific Center, Ganja Central Mosque paired with the striking natural beauty of Goygol Lake. Tourists will find comfortable accommodations at the Ganja Hotel, one of the oldest destinations in the city. This hotel is equipped with forty five comfortable rooms including: two VIP rooms, seven suites, five premium and 60 standard rooms. The hotel has a top level restaurant were special European and National cuisine have earned an international reputation. The Kurdamir District, founded in 1930, has an extensive territory of steppes where a diverse animal habitat includes: wolves, foxes, jackals, pheasants, ducks and geese. The word Kurdamir means Kur (in reference to Kura River) and Damir (Iron), this is a region (known in the earliest times as Shirvan Province) with deep historical roots of Azerbaijan (189 km north-west from Baku). Kurdamir has a majestic and a fertile soil; it has been a very attractive site for visitors with an emphasis on tourism of adventure. Summer in Kurdamir is hot and dry, it has a steppes climate, while it is located at the left banks of the Kur River. It is worth mentioning that the Vineyards of Kurdamir are very famous, many British travelers have reflected their best impressions about this part of Azerbaijan, its most famous grape vine is Shirvanshahly. Moreover, Kurdamir has earned a great reputation with its centuries old tradition of carpet-weaving, making Shilyan the most popular carpet in the world; that is woven in the village of Shilyan. Delicious Cuisine on its restaurants and impressive hospitality among its people; makes Kurdamir a cherished city of the Caucasus. Some of the most traditional plates are served at the Garabag Restaurant, only 5 km west of the city center. Passing the Kura River banks, the visitors eyes will be enlivened by the beautiful landscape of Naftalan, with a worldwide reputation for its oil based medical treatments that have been carried out since the 1920s. More than two thousand research papers and books have proved the effectiveness of Naftalans natural resources of healing and treatment of many diseases. According to Archaeological sources the city has been a major commercial center in the XI Century AD. Marco Polo has visited Naftalan while its oil has garnered a special reputation from the Near East all the way to China and India, traded by caravansaries to many regions of Eurasia. In the early 1900s a German company was established to export Naftalans oil to Europe. Further research on the oil of Naftalan is currently taking place at the Azerbaijan Medical University and the National Arthritis Center. Today, the number of hotels and resorts in this region has grown thanks to the dynamic tourism policy that is implemented by the Government of Azerbaijan and its President Ilham Aliyev. The City of Gazakh is a special place where visitors will appreciate listening to traditional Azerbaijani songs. Only a few years ago Gazakh was established as the capital city of Azerbaijani Folklore. The City of Gazakh was founded in the VIII Century by a Military Commander Marvan ibn Mahammad. According to G. Voroshityasel, an investigator of ancient Azerbaijani language, Gazakh is a very old town. Documents written in the IX X Centuries make reference to Gazakh that the city had existed 1,270 years ago. In late XV Century, Gazakh Sultanate was established and it included Garabag beylerbeyi, under the rule of the Safavid Dinasty. The District of Gazakh is also known for its carpets; they are absolutely beautiful and certainly decorate the royal palaces of Norway and Denmark. The designs and patters of these carpets are included in the paintings of famous Italian renaissance artists, including: Pinturicchio, Carlo Crivelli and Domenico di Bartolo and in the works of Dutch painter Jan van Eyk. The carpets of Gazakh are exhibited in major museums around the world, the Hermitage, the New York Metropolitan Museum, the Berlin Museum of Art, the Budapest Museum of Decorative Arts and many others. While going further south the nature becomes brighter and more colorful; the steppes of Salyan District have many interesting attractions. The district is home to the Shirvan National Park which is inhabited by 20,000 gazelles and many other rare mammals. Next along the way is Bilasuvar with its ancient fortress of Shahriyar. Moreover, the district of Jalilabad, is very famous for its organic cheeses and wines. The district of Masally has an abounding land with springs of fresh and healing waters. The well-known resort Istisu (hot water) will persuade international visitors to fall in love with Masally District of Azerbaijan. Not far from here is Lankaran, Azerbaijans fruit capital.Special climate conditions provide to the locals the opportunity to grow subtropical crops such as tangerines, persimmons, pineapples, guavas and lemons. In Lankaran District there are also located the famous plantations of tea that have no difference in quality and flavor from classical Indian or British brands. Lankaran lands were part of the ancient Atropatena, the surroundings of Lankaran are ideal for those who want to go back in time, as it is the only place in the world, where tourists will visit forests that have taken shape thirteen million years ago. Nearby Lankaran there are many natural attractions: Yanar Bulag (Burning Water), Yanardag (Burning Mountain) and Lake Vilash. The fantastic iron trees, chestnut oaks, the Caucasian hornbeams, alders, figs, boxwoods, ferns make this district a special place where more than a thousand species of unique plants have been growing for centuries. Lerik District, a land of centenarians, is located only 40 km from Lankaran. It is home to fifty people who have crossed the century old age. Scientists explain this phenomenon by unique conditions provided by the Caucasian highlands. As a matter of fact, in Lerik there is also a museum of those who lived for over a hundred years, where the guides will mention the local shepherd Shirali Muslumov who they claim lived for 168 years. Each cultural and natural domain in these districts of Azerbaijan represents unique pictorial languages, cultural peculiarities and architectural masterpieces. In Azerbaijan, tourists will experience a reflection of a wealth of literary works including those of Nizami Ganjavi, Hafiz and Sadi, who have provided a tremendous symbolic expression of Azerbaijani multiculturalism in their verses and harnessed a continuously refined Islamic culture that is vivid until today from the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan) to Absheron District. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has addressed a congratulatory message to Salome Zourabichvili on being elected president of Georgia wishing her working achievements and success for the sake of friendly people of Georgia, Aysor.am reported. I am full of hope that thanks to our joint efforts Armenian-Georgian friendly relations will continue developing and expanding in all sectors bringing the partnership on qualitatively new level, the message says. "I want to let you know that as soon as you call me, I will physically come to you," Mikheil Saakashvili said in his video address at the protest rally organized by the united opposition, InterPressNews reported. Mikheil Saakashvili called on the protesters not to give up and defend their votes. "I welcome the veterans of our struggle, as well as young people, I welcome the president elected by our country, Grigol Vashadze. We were talking about expected catastrophe and we see it now, since the institution of elections has been abolished in Georgia. We will not put up with this. We have shown them today that we will fight calmly and fairly. Our fight will end with victory and the oligarchs government will be changed. In this fight, I am your equal. I want to let you know that as soon as you call me, I will physically come to you. We will not stop and will continue to fight,"- Saakashvili said. Russian President Vladimir Putin informed French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the details of the Kerch Strait incident when he met with them on the sidelines of the Group of Twenty summit in Argentina, Russian presidents aide Yuri Ushakov said on Sunday, TASS reports. "I can tell that during his contacts with Macron and Merkel the president told about what had happened near Kerch in detail. Yes, he drew schemes to demonstrate how provocatively the Ukrainian military were acting," he said in an interview with the Rossiya 1television channel. Longtime Greenwich resident Scott Mitchell, a partner at Mitchells Stores, including Richards of Greenwich, has passed the chairmanship of the Stamford-based SoundWaters to Douglas Bora of Darien. Bora was unanimously elected as the new chairman at SoundWaters by the board of directors during the organizations annual meeting last month. As board chairman since 2013, Mitchell shepherded SoundWaters through a period of growth in students served, fundraising and awareness. The organization teaches the science of Long Island Sound annually to more than 30,000 students from 150 schools in 65 communities in Connecticut and New York. Mitchell will remain as a member of the board of directors and chairman of the capital campaign to build the SoundWaters Harbor Academy on Stamford Harbor, projected to open in 2021. I have been honored to serve on the SoundWaters board since 2004 and especially for the past five years as chairman, he said. I was blessed to grow up sailing small boats on Long Island Sound, but until I started working with SoundWaters, I had no idea how few children get that incredible experience and how critical it is to the preservation of the Sound that we get every child onto the water. He is most proud that fundraising by SoundWaters has enabled us to work with so many thousands of students regardless of their ability to pay. As SoundWaters seventh board chair in its 29-year history, Bora will lead a 30-person board of directors to assist SoundWaters president, Leigh Shemitz, and her team, to grow the organization. An avid sailor and member of the Noroton Yacht Club, Bora is managing director of Norwalk-based Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, a real estate development company engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership and management of commercial and residential properties. I am honored and excited for the opportunity to work with my fellow directors and with Leigh and her outstanding staff to grow SoundWaters positive impact in our communities, he said. Long Island Sound is our largest and most precious natural resource and the work we do at SoundWaters with so many young people and adults is improving the health of the Sound today and will protect it for generations. SoundWaters, founded in 1989, is an environmental education organization focused on the protection of Long Island Sound and its watershed. For more information, visit SoundWaters.org. Three new members have been elected to the board of directors at the Community Centers Inc. of Greenwich. They are: * Stuart Adelberg, who has been serving as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County since 2015. He was with the Greenwich United way from 1999 to 2015, with his final role as president. Adelberg, a graduate of Greenwich High School and Connecticut College, lives with his wife, Marilyn, in Old Greenwich; they have one son. * Ralph Mayo, interim superintendent of the Greenwich Public Schools. Mayo, who has educated students and provided leadership in the Greenwich Public Schools for 41 years, is also an adjunct professor at Mercy College. He received a bachelors degree in secondary education-English from Southern Connecticut State University; a masters degree in special education and a certificate of advanced study in educational administration from Fairfield University; and completed the NEAG School of Educations executive leadership program at the University of Connecticut. * Nicholas Barile, who after working for one of the largest firms in Westchester County, N.Y., for over 16 years, started his own development firm in Greenwich. His company has earned five industry awards for excellence. Nick also runs BLR Capital Partners, a real estate finance company also based in Greenwich. He lives in Riverside and has been married to his wife, Jill, for 25 years. They have two children. CCI is a Greenwich-based social service agency dedicated to building skills that empower clients to overcome educational, social and economic barriers. CCI has been serving Greenwich residents for nearly 65 years. For more information, visit ccigreenwich.org. Trade turnover between Russia and Argentina will reach $1 billion this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after talks with his Argentine counterpart Mauricio Macri, TASS reports. Putin noted that in 2017 bilateral trade turnover grew to $890 million, while increasing by another 26% in the first nine months of 2018. "At the end of this year, we will reach $1 billion," he said. At talks, Putin and Macri discussed the importance of strengthening industrial cooperation between Russia and Argentina, as well as implementation bilateral projects. They also focused on the issue of constructing nuclear power plants in Argentina with the use of Russian technologies. Putin also shared his plans on increasing cooperation between the two countries in the sphere of transport infrastructure. In particular, the Russian Railways (RZD) company "is ready to assist in implementing a very important initiative for the Argentine economy - the construction of a 700-kilometer railroad to the Vaca Muerta deposit," Putin said. "We see considerable potential for boosting cooperation in the spheres of supplying fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, green energy, space exploration and many others," the Russian leader noted. Honor held an event at IFA in Berlin where alongside the global launch of Honor Play, it teased Honor Magic 2. George Zhao, the company CEO, pulled the slider out of the pocket and left everyone surprised and shocked. It was made official two months later and now we finally have it with us. The key selling point of the Honor Magic 2 is the sliding front panel - the front part goes down to uncover three selfie cameras - yes, you read that correctly - 16 MP main shooter and two 2 MP additional snappers for background blur. To protect the mechanism from accidental slides, you cant just swipe your finger - you have to apply a bit of pressure to pull the screen down. Some people that place their pinky finger below the handset might have an issue with the slider. We will use the Magic 2 extensively during our tests while preparing the review, so well let you know how uncomfortable that motion really is. All three color options of the Magic 2 are gradients, and ours is called Gradient Black, despite not having any actual black parts - the panel goes from white to dark blue. The name might be confusing, but your head will be dizzy for a very different reason - how good the back looks. Of course, glass back means plenty of scratches, so Honor provided a neat case in our retail box. Having a non-metallic back on a flagship device normally means wireless charging, but that's not the case here. You can charge the Magic 2 only with a cable and a plug, but then you do get something in return. The device comes with the 40W Huawei Super Charger that is also shipped with the Huawei Mate 20 Pro. Another feature, borrowed from the new Huawei flagship, is the under-display fingerprint scanner. It is fast enough and saves you valuable slides if you dont want to unlock with your face. Then again, why would you even get an Honor Magic 2 in the first place, if you don't want to slide it all the time? Well, the price is one of the reasons. The variant with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB costs CNY4,799, about 10% less than the cheapest Huawei Mate 20 Pro. Sure, you dont have a wide-angle lens, but the Kirin 980 chipset is still here and you get the unique Magic 2.0 UI. This is a great hand Honor has, but until it decides how to play it best, we will complete our review and see how it does. As we enter the last month of the year we find ourselves in the middle of the race to announce the first phone with a camera cutout in the screen is heating up. Samsung will premiere its Infinity-O display with the Galaxy A8s. Whether that display will be an AMOLED or an LCD manufactured by BOE remains to be seen. It's also unclear if the Galaxy A8s will become official before the year's. Meanwhile, Huawei swooped-in and declared that it has a phone with a screen cutout that will become official in December. Smart money is on that phone being the nova 4. Samsung's main focus is still the Galaxy S10, which will premiere early next year (likely around the MWC in February). The anniversary device will pack a screen with smaller bezels (perhaps a cutout for the selfie camera) and Samsung's new 8nm Exynos 9820 chip. The latter made its first appearance on AnTuTu and beat the score of Huawei's 7nm Kirin 980 chip but still came behind Apple's A12 and Qualcomm's 8150. The final bit of Samsung news this week was about 11 people sued for disclosing company OLED secrets to a Chinese company. Samsung is the dominant OLED maker in the world and has built a serious lead in OLED technology - a lead it will fiercely protect. Realme released its fifth phone in under a year - the Realme U1 is the first commercially-available device with a Helio P70 and as all Realme phones brings great value for money. Meanwhile HMD is gearing up to release the Nokia 8.1 to the world. The global variant of the China-based Nokia X7 was detailed this week and will be shown at an event in Dubai next week - on December 5. Sony and LG also made headlines this week. LG acquired a patent for a phone with 16 cameras - suddenly 3 cameras don't sound like much. Speaking of 3 cameras, Sony's Xperia XZ4 surfaced this week with an extra-tall 6.5-inch screen and, yes, 3 cameras on the back. ZTE's nubia brand announced the Red Magic Mars gaming phone with a Snapdragon 845, 10GB of RAM and a cooling system featuring dual heat pipes. And finally, before we let you go, OnePlus announced a partnership with McLaren that will bring a 6T with 10GB of RAM and 256GB storage. So we'll have our pick of the Huawei Mate 20 RS Porsche Design, Oppo Find X Lamborghini Edition and OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition! Samsung Galaxy S10+ beats the Mate 20 Pro on AnTuTu The Exynos 9820 chipset beats the Kirin 980 but falls short of the Snapdragon 8150. Sony Xperia XZ4 renders show a triple camera, extra tall 6.5" screen These CAD-based renders show that Sony has rethought the placement of the fingerprint reader and the stereo speakers of the Xperia XZ3. LG patents a phone with 16 cameras and the software to use them Arranged in a 4x4 array, the cameras will be angled so they capture the scene from different perspectives, which can be stitched together. Huawei will aim to release an Infinity-O smartphone before Samsung Huawei will aim to release an Infinity-O display phone by the end of the year. nubia Red Magic Mars comes with up to 10GB of RAM, shoulder buttons A Snapdragon 845 chipset is paired with the ICE cooling solution for consistent performance. There are stereo speakers and haptic feedback too. Realme U1, the first Helio P70 phone, debuts with a 25MP selfie camera It borrows the screen from the Realme 2 Pro, but replaces the camera in the teardrop notch with a more capable shooter. Analysts predict the 5G Galaxy S10 will have 12GB of RAM, 1TB storage The Galaxy Note9 was also advertised with "up to 1TB storage", but that included a 512GB microSD card. Huawei nova 4 render shows a hole in the screen for the selfie camera The company wants to be the first to launch such a phone (ahead of Samsung) and even showed a prototype (on which this render is based). Renders of Sony Xperia XZ4 cases support rumor of extra tall body Sony only recently adopted the 18:9 aspect ratio, but its early 2019 flagship may tower above the competition. Ukraines authorities tried to draw Germany into a war after an incident with Ukrainian vessels in the Kerch Strait, former German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told news channel NTV, TASS reported. "I think we should not let Ukraine draw us into a war, and Ukraine tried to do that," Gabriel said in an interview, voicing concerns over the situation in the Sea of Azov. In an interview, published by Tagesspiegel newspaper on Saturday, Gabriel also criticized Kievs demands to send warships to the Black Sea and its suggestion to close international ports for Russian vessels traveling from the Sea of Azov. The former top diplomat believes that Germanys role should be to conduct efforts for de-escalation and mediation rather than to stir up a conflict. He suggested taking advantage of a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, which Germany will get in January, to ensure the creation of a UN mission for Donbass. "Finally establishing a ceasefire, achieving the withdrawal of heavy armaments from both sides and then to make the first step towards lifting sanctions - thats the only way out of this absolutely hopeless conflict," Gabriel told the paper. Haiti - Justice : The lawyers on strike for almost 2 months Following the work stoppage of the lawyers of the Court of First Instance (TPI) of Port-au-Prince https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25953-haiti-news-zapping.html , since October 9th, because of violence perpetrated by members of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) against members of their profession, Clame Ocnam Dameus, the Commissioner of the Government because of the disturbances that it provokes at the level of the judicial system, wrote to the President of the Bar Association to consider a meeting aimed at finding a solution to put an end to this prejudicial situation for litigants. Letter of Clame Ocnam Dameus : "Mr. Staley Gaston President of the Bar Council Bar Association of Port-au-Prince In his offices Mr. Batonnier, I present you my compliments and have the honor to address you this present to ask you to organize a formal meeting between the Council of the Order and the Commissioner of the Government of Port-au-Prince, with a view to discuss the situation of the crisis that persists between the Procuratorate of Port-au-Prince and the Lawyers; which considerably disrupts the collaborative relations between the two institutions and to envisage as leaders, the modalities of orientation of the protagonists towards an honorable exit, profitable, and in accordance with the best interests of the nation. I hasten to inform you that this request is part of the process to find a lasting institutional solution to this crisis situation, for the purpose of the definitive resumption of activities and the much needed collaboration between these two organizations called to work in good harmony. This collaboration is essential to reduce some of the major challenges facing the judicial system, including the scourges of prolonged pre-trial detention, the fight against corruption and insecurity. [...] Clame Ocnam Dameus Government Commissioner" See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26108-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26079-haiti-justice-the-cspj-reminds-the-lawyers-strikers-that-justice-can-not-be-interrupted.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26075-haiti-justice-commissioner-berson-soljour-challenges-the-legality-of-the-precautionary-measure-of-the-igpnh.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26069-haiti-justice-the-protector-of-the-citizen-deeply-concerned.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26048-haiti-justice-the-west-director-of-the-pnh-temporarily-suspended.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25953-haiti-news-zapping.html Moreover, Friday, November 30 at a press conference Jean Roody Aly, the Minister of Justice, questioned on the strike of lawyers who affects the judicial system for 2 months, simply replied that steps were under way to find a solution, emphasizing that despite this strike, the government's substitutes commissioners continued to make their indictments... HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Education : Strike in some DDE, the Minister deplores a systematic practice Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet, the Minister of National Education notes with amazement that a strike movement has been started by the administrative staff in certain Departmental Directorates of Education (DDE) in order to claim a salary alignment, following the increase of the salaries of the staff of the Fundamental Schools of Application Pedagogical Support Centers (EFACAP). While respecting the right of any agent to assert their claims, the Minister deplores this systematic practice of work stoppage of these public agents, which affects the quality of the services offered to the population whereas there exist other mechanisms of social dialogue and administrative channels to solve certain problems related to the functioning of the institution. Faced with this situation, the Ministry of National Education recalls and specifies : "The work stoppage currently observed has no real basis because the reasons given are not justified; The EFACAP staff are part of the Ministry's teaching staff, not the administrative staff, although at the outset of the EFACAP's creation, the teachers assigned to them had a special status, which was currently corrected; The salary alignment of the administrative staff of the DDE with the central directorates as well as the salary adjustment and promotion which certain officials of the Ministry were introduced by Minister Cadet himself to government authorities who accepted the principle. All files were sent to the Office of Human Resources Management (OMRH) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance for the necessary follow-up. The delay is due to a lack of availability of resources that prevents the finalization of this file; The salary adjustment concerns both the administrative staff in the DDE and in the Technical Departments. This is not a problem related to a particular department; Only teaching staff benefited from recent appointments and promotions. Given the meager budgetary resources, the Government gave priority to teachers; The request of the administrative staff is already taken into account and sent to the authorities concerned for further action. It's just a question of time. As a result, the Ministry invites the striking agents to show patience and understanding so as not to penalize the population must be provided the public service to which they are entitled and for which the agents are paid every month, waiting for the adjustment. " HL/ HaitiLibre By Panos Kotzathanasis | Published on 2018/12/01 I have to admit that comedies are not exactly my favorite genre. However, occasionally I do indulge in the category, and "A Tale of Legendary Libido", with its description of a sexually charged, filled with gags one seemed like a nice enough choice. Let us see if it lived up to its "hype", though. Advertisement Byeon Kang-soi is a man of extreme power, who is, though, the ridicule of his fellow villagers, due to his extremely small private part, with the women in the area actually making a sport of mocking him. An old woman and the bar proprietress, are the ones that indulge particularly in ridiculing him, although the rest of them do no shy away the least. On the other hand, his brother, Kang-mok is considered a genuine alpha male, and has also adopted the role of the " bodyguard " of his little brother. Eventually, three events occur that change the fate of everyone in the village. Dal-gaeng, a strange woman of extreme beauty appears suddenly in the village and takes a liking to both brothers; Kang-soi saves a monk who is trapped in the woods, and in the process gains the secret to the extreme enlargement of his member, not to mention a non-stop libido; war is declared and all men of the village are forced to enlist, leaving Kang-soi the sole man in the area. Expectantly, the atmosphere changes radically for the young man, who is now transformed into a true stud. However, his happiness does not last for long. Sin Han-sol directs a rather uneven movie, which starts as a crude sex comedy, only to transform into another melodrama in the last part, in a change that faults the film significantly. The comedic aspect is quite good, with the musical sequences, the nudity and the sex working quite well, and the change of the attitude of the women providing a number of hilarious moments. The various gags also work quite well, with the pissing "contest" being one of the best, in its extreme fashion. However, and although the moviem would have been a really entertaining comedy of about 90 minutes, the director felt the need to extend its duration to 120 minutes in order to include some misplaced melodrama in the narrative, almost ruining the film in the process. Some scenes and particularly the one with the singing during the finale work quite well, but the sense that this part is out of context still remains. Lee Hyung-duk's cinematography is quite good, with the presentation of the rural, occasionally bucolic setting being quite good, and featuring a number of scenes with impressive framing, that prevent the film from becoming too crude. Moon In-dae's editing is equally good, with him inducing the movie with a fast pace that suits its aesthetics quite nicely. Bong Tae-gyu as Byeon Kang-soi plays the part of the "loser who becomes number one" perfectly, particularly regarding the former capacity. Youn Yuh-jung as the old lady and Jeon Soo-kyung as the bar owner provide the most accomplished female parts, with the former being hilarious in a number of scenes. Kim Ye-won on the other hand, is the main source of sensualism in the film, with Sin Han-sol drawing as much as possible from her, evidently, gorgeous physique. "A Tale of Legendary Libido" functions quite well as a comedy, and would have been a truly entertaining film if not for the last half-hour of the movie. Definitely deserves a watch though, at least for the 3/4 of its duration. Review by Panos Kotzathanasis Facebook "A Tale of Legendary Libido" is directed by Sin Han-sol, and features Bong Tae-gyu, Kim Ye-won, Oh Dal-soo and Youn Yuh-jung. Available on DVD from YESASIA and Amazon Published on 2018/12/02 | Source North Korea has apparently embraced online shopping, with some 30 online stores enlisting the participation of some 2,500 companies. The development comes as local moneylenders who got rich in open-air markets when the socialist planned economy collapsed have moved their money into cyberspace. Advertisement The regime seems to be smiling on the growth of online shopping so far in hopes of attracting foreign investment once international sanctions are lifted. One Chinese trader who has been to Pyongyang recently said, "It's now common in Pyongyang for people to place orders for goods and pay with their mobile phones". Online shopping first made a tentative appearance in North Korea in 2015, when the state-run site Okryu opened and offered a range of products including food and medicines via smartphones. And Manmulsang, which started services the same year, deals in hundreds of goods now, from electrical and electronic appliances to clothing and food. As many as 300 companies are reportedly registered on the site. In 2017, online shopping mall Unpasan opened its doors. The North does not use the worldwide web but has its own Internet or rather intranet. "Online shopping is increasing in the North as the number of mobile phones in use has jumped to 6 million", said Cho Bong-hyun of the IBK Economic Research Institute here. "This coincides with leader Kim Jong-un's emphasis on information technology and a trend of localizing production since he took power". With growing online commerce, delivery businesses are booming too. "South Korean-style delivery services are appearing thanks to the popularity of South Korean pop culture", a source said. "Food delivery is one of them, and fried chicken delivery services are spreading in Pyongyang". Delivery driver has become a popular job in Pyongyang and other cities. Private schools that teach computer skills or driving have also sprouted in the North since the inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang in September. "A rumor has been circulating since the summit that South Korea will send a large quantity of cars and computers to the North", a source said. Driving courses have been extended from three months to six and the curriculum includes even foreign cars. But few ordinary North Koreans outside Pyongyang can enjoy the benefits. "People have to deposit a large amount of money in the bank to use online shopping malls, and most of them still can't afford the high prices of goods sold online", a researcher with a government-funded think tank here said. "This is still a phenomenon limited to Pyongyang and some other bigger cities where the privileged class including senior party and military officials and money masters live". Published on 2018/12/02 | Source The two Koreas will start a joint survey of North Korean railway lines on Friday that are to be reconnected with the South, the Unification Ministry said Wednesday. The survey will last 18 days. Advertisement The UN Security Council early this week granted South Korea an exemption from international sanctions against North Korea for the purpose of the survey. Seoul plans a ground-breaking ceremony to connect the railroads on the east and west coasts by year's end, but no further work can be done until international sanctions against the North are lifted. The ministry is expected to deliver about 50 tons of treatment for pine wilt disease to the North Korean border city of Kaesong overland on Thursday to protect rotting ties. The U.S. gave the green light for the survey but reiterated that North Korea can look forward to a brighter future only if it denuclearizes. State Department official Marc Knapper said Wednesday, "This bright future includes many different things... It especially includes helping North Korea to integrate with the rest of the international community. Of course, part of this integration could include strengthening rail connection through the region". "But I think the international community has made very clear that this kind of concrete progress will not occur absent real progress on denuclearization", he added. He made the remarks at the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Forum in Seoul. He added no "significant lifting of sanctions" will be possible until final, fully verified denuclearization. Published on 2018/12/02 | Source Cosmetics manufacturer Able C&C, which makes the massively cheap-and-cheerful Missha line, suffered a W19.6 billion operating loss in the first three quarters of this year (US$1=W1,129). The only other times the company suffered operating losses in its 20-year history was in 2000, when it had only just been established, and in 2006 following massive new investments. Advertisement Able C&C spearheaded the low-budget cosmetics boom in the early 2000s with dedicated, styled brand outlets that appeal especially to Asian tourists. But now it seems the shine is coming off. The Face Shop, another manufacturer that opened in 2003 and flourished at the height of the boom, saw revenues plunge 16.5 percent to W470.4 billion last year, and operating profit halved to W24.1 billion. The number of outlets has dropped by one-third over the last four years. Rival manufacturer Skin Food, which opened in 2004, went into court receivership last month and laid off 181 staff. Among latecomers, Tony Moly sold off its headquarters building last year but continues to post losses. Its losses totaled W1.91 billion last year and already reached W1.7 billion until September this year. Nature Republic is also faring badly, posting W9.6 billion in losses in 2016 and W1.7 billion in 2017, though it has managed to eke out a meager W930 million in profits in the first three quarters of this year. A main reason is a sharp decline in Chinese tourists following an unofficial boycott of Korea. Chinese tourists used to buy huge quantities of affordable Korean cosmetics. But analysts say these cosmetics companies also failed to keep up with changing industry trends from offline to online channels. A recent development is the resurgence of big chains selling a wide range of beauty products under one roof like CJ's OliveYoung, GS Retail's Lalavla and Lotte Shopping's LOHBS. There are now over 1,400 of these one-stop health and beauty outlets across the country, mostly in malls. Shinsegae Department Store recently opened a chain of mid to high-priced cosmetics stores called Chicor while Emart brought the U.K.'s Boots to Korea. Home shopping and online sales are also increasing. Aekyung Industry saw cosmetics sales on home shopping channels rise from W133.4 billion in 2016 to W263.7 billion in the first three quarters of this year. Cosmetics now account for 50.4 percent of Aekyung's total sales, up from 26.3 percent in 2016. One staffer at a cheap cosmetics maker said, "We should have expanded our sales channels to online and one-stop outlets but couldn't due to stiff resistance from existing store owners, plus we feared a decline in revenues". Another reason for the disappointing earnings is the fact that the market is simply saturated. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the number of cosmetics manufacturers and sellers in Korea rose from 6,422 in 2015 to a whopping 10,080 last year, almost doubling in just two years. "Nowadays, original development manufacturers handle everything from development to production if a small company brings a new idea for a product, so practically anyone can enter the market", one industry insider said. At Cosmax, a major cosmetics ODM company, revenues rose from W379 billion in 2013 to W1.03 trillion in the first three quarters of this year. Kim Joo-deok at Sungshin Women's University said, "Retail channels have become so diverse so quickly that companies that can't adapt will continue to suffer losses". Published on 2018/12/02 | Source Korea's eight major industries will gradually become less competitive, and only the shipbuilding sector will maintain an edge for the next three years, businesses predict. Advertisement The forecast comes from a survey of businesses released by the Korea Economic Research Institute on Sunday about the state of the eight major industries -- semiconductors, petrochemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, oil products, iron and steel, displays, and wireless communications devices. It was conducted on Nov. 7-13. Four of them -- shipbuilding, oil products, displays and wireless communications devices -- still have an advantage over the foreign competition. Their biggest rival, China, scores about 90 in all of them if Korea is set at 100 on the competitiveness scale. But Japan is way ahead of Korea in automobiles at 130 and iron and steel at 110, and Saudi Arabia leads in the petrochemical sector at 110. But prospects three years from now are gloomier. Korea will maintain its advantage only in shipbuilding but will be overtaken by China in oil products, displays and wireless communications devices. It remains far more competitive than China in building eco-friendly ships, including LNG-fueled ships. Lee Sang-ho of the KERI said, "Korea has a technological advantage over China, but the situation is worrying because it's less competitive on price". The US authorities plan to introduce second part of sanctions against the Russian Federation over the Skripal case, the US State Department said. We plan intend to fulfill requirements of [American] legislation, the US Foreign Ministry stressed. The State Department referred to the 1991 law on control of chemical and biological weapons and prohibition of their military use, TASS reports. First part of sanctions over the Skripal case were introduced on August 27. As the State Department stated at that time, if Moscow doesn't fulfill a number of criterias in 90 days, then new sanctions will be introduced. However, statutory 90 days have expired, and the US administration has not taken further steps. Second part of sanctions envisages possibility of lowering level of bilateral diplomatic relations at the initiative of the United States or even suspension of them, as well as a total ban on export of any American goods other than food productas to Russia. Calvert City Jingle All the Way 5k and Fun Run set for December 4 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. Potential for a Globally Significant Gold Project at Estelle Melbourne, Dec 3, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The directors of Nova Minerals Limited (Nova or Company) ( ASX:NVA )( FRA:QM3 ) are pleased to announce a significant upward revision to the Estelle Exploration Target Estimate (EETE) to 2.2 to 5.3 Moz gold based on the results of the scout drilling and the utilisation of pathfinder element geochemistry obtained from the chip samples/mapping campaign completed this past summer on the Oxide gold prospect.HIGHLIGHTS- Pathfinder element geochemistry demonstrates major gold system situated in an emerging large scale gold camp- Upward revision to the Estelle Exploration Target estimate that will provide additional potential mineralisation to one of 15 significant targets- Exploration Target* supported by whole rock analysis, chip sample assay results, soil geochemical assessment, historical drilling, scout drilling, detailed geological modelling and analysis of geophysical data- Further focused geophysics surveys are planned to refine the existing targets and define new targets for the next round of drilling at OxideThe new data from Oxide adds an exciting new dimension to the Company's ongoing search for a world-class gold deposit that shares many similar characteristics with the Pebble Project in Alaska. Analysis of all the data collected during the limited summer field season demonstrates that the Oxide project has the potential to host large scale bulk minable mineralisation and the project remains firmly on track regardless of the minor delays in drilling. The Oxide prospect is one of 15 highly prospective occurrences on the Estelle project and these outside occurrences may also host large-scale gold mineralisation.NVA Managing Director, Mr. Avi Kimelman said:"We are extremely pleased with the findings in our very first pass exploration activities on the Estelle Gold project in Alaska with a major upward revision in the exploration target at Oxide, which is only one of the 15 known prospects on the project. This exploration target outlines the larger scale potential and scope of these systems within the project area. Besides some early delays we have come away with great pathfinder geochemical tools for identifying economic mineralisation and see a great opportunity to develop a significant bulk minable deposit within the Estelle Gold land holding. Moreover, we think the region shows positive indicators for additional gold and we believe that many other large scale bulk minable deposit could be found within the project area""Alaska is well known as elephant country and was the focus of the 1890's gold rush; it has experienced a resurgence of activity since the late 1990's, stemming from major discoveries such as the 45Moz Donlin Creek, 105Moz Pebble Project and 12Moz Fort Knox deposits. Also, major and mid-tier miners including Barrick, Teck, South 32, Newmont, Hecla, Royal Gold Inc, Kinross and Coeur Mining are extremely active in the region. To add to the majors entering the region, our local ASX listed peer Northern Star Resources ( ASX: NST ) recently acquired the Pogo gold mine. Alaska is a tier 1 jurisdiction, pro-development and supportive of mining; we believe our project is in the right address to unlock another globally significant gold project."Estelle gold project (Oxide) Exploration Target Estimate (EETT)Nova is pleased to advise that it has upgraded its Exploration Target* on a very small area of the Estelle gold project (Oxide prospect) between 115Mt and 249Mt grading 0.6 to 0.67 g/t Au for a total of 2.2 to 5.3 Moz Au.The Exploration Target* is supported by whole rock assay results, soil geochemical assessment, historical drilling, first pass drilling completed in September 2018, detailed geological mapping, modelling and analysis of geophysical data.The original exploration target defined in November 2017 assumed the strike was orientated southeasterly to northwesterly in-line with historic drilling. New information from the 2018 exploration program shows the strike for all zones sampled is orientated on north-south strike. Detailed geological mapping and sampling conducted exceeds the Exploration Target* zone which shows substantial dimensions with length up to 1000m and width up to 550m. The Exploration Target* zone (Figure 1 in link below) includes the higher grade zone to the south of the original exploration target defined in November 2017.The northern part of the Exploration Target* zone is evident of higher tonnage lower grade as per Nova's previous exploration target announced on 27 November 2017; Nova has assumed the same weighted average of mineralisation within this zone at 0.60 g/t Au.Nova has calculated the weighted average mineralisation contained within historic drill hole SE12-004 (as announced by Nova on 27 April 2018), which is located within the southern part of the Exploration Target* zone, at 0.80 g/t over 99m (Table 1 in link below).The Exploration Target* now includes both northern and southern zones where Nova has calculated the combined weighted average grade at between 0.60 g/t Au and 0.67 g/t Au.Conservatively the Specific Gravity (SG) of 2.6 has been used for the calculation which is based on the nearby Whistler gold-copper deposit (Gold Mining Inc.) and reported with Nova's (formally Quantum Resources) previous exploration target announced on 23 November 2017.To view tables and figures, please visit:About Nova Minerals Limited Nova Minerals Limited (ASX:NVA) (FRA:QM3) (OTCMKTS:NVAAF) is a dynamic explorer and developer of its flagship Estelle Gold district in the Tintina gold belt. Nova's strategy is to substantially increase the current 4.7Moz resource on the Korbel prospect. Subsequently to continue to lock in value through moving Korbel towards production whilst increasing the resource base across the pipeline of targets within the Estelle gold district. Nova Minerals also holds strategic investments in Snow Lake Resources Ltd (Thompson Brothers Lithium Project), Torian Resources Ltd (ASX:TNR) and RotorX Aircraft Manufacturing Co. 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. New Delhi : 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. 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. 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. Source : One India A set of ancient mosaics that were part of an Ohio universitys art collection will be returned to Turkey. Bowling Green State University administrators were joined by Turkish representatives Tuesday during a news conference concerning the decision, the Blade reported. Bowling Green bought the 12 mosaics from a New York gallery in 1965. They were on display in the Wolfe Center for the Arts. The university decided to return the pieces after faculty members questioned their origin. Officials originally thought the pieces were from Antioch but researchers later determined they probably came from the city of Zeugma. In the 1960s, looters stole the mosaics from the ruins of Roman homes and smuggled them out of Turkey. Southern Methodist University art history professor Stephanie Langin-Hooper was one of the researchers who probed the history of the mosaics. She praised the return of the artifacts. Today we have a modern triumph a reverse triumph if you will where looted masterpieces get to go home, she said. It is a triumph for scholarship, for research, and for collaboration. Turkish Consul General Umut Acar thanked university officials for their cooperation in the matter. Its that understanding and respect that brings together representatives from a city in southeast Turkey with Bowling Green residents, Acar said. Bowling Green and Turkish officials agreed that the artifacts would be returned in May. The mosaics will be exhibited at the Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep. The mosaics new home will allow these historic artifacts to be appreciated and studied where they originated and to be enjoyed by a much wider audience, Bowling Green President Rodney Rogers said. Katrina Kaif reacts to Priyankas sangeet video Katrina Kaif commented so funnnn on Priyankas pictures from the sangeet ceremony. She also commented that the newlyweds looked beautiful when Priyanka posted pictures from mehendi. Katrina replaced Priyanka on Salman Khans Bharat when she walked out of the film. Priyankas screaming relative becomes a meme One of Priyanka Chopras relatives at her wedding at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur has become a meme for cracking a comical expression in the wedding photos. Read full story here. Jonas brothers come together for a pic All four Jonas brothers posed in traditional Indian outfits for the sangeet. Check out Nick, Kevin, Joe and Franklin in this picture. Durex shares a cheeky congratulations Condom brand Durex shared a cheeky wish for newlyweds Priyanka and Nick. Parineeti performed at the sangeet Priyankas cousin Parineeti Chopra gave a solo dance performance at the sangeet. She is seen hoisted on a a boat with wind blowing in her hair. Joe Jonas performed at the sangeet A bit from the video shared by Priyanka Chopra shows Joe Jonas performing at the sangeet. He is the lead singer of DNCE. The Ambani took front seats at the sangeet Pictures from the sangeet ceremony show the Ambani family to be sitting in the front seats with the bride, groom, and their families. Isha Ambani also clicked pictures with the whole group. Priyanka Chopra, center gestures as she sits with industrialist Mukesh Ambani, second left and other guests during a ceremony before her wedding with Nick Jonas , at Umaid Bhawan. ( AP ) Video| Watch Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas perform at sangeet Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas had a dance-off with their families at the sangeet ceremony. Watch video of their performances here: Madhu Chopra is proud of Bareilly residents Priyankas mother Madhu Chopra says she proud of the residents of Bareilly for celebrating her daughters wedding in her home town. Read full story here. Sophie Turner wore a lehenga, danced at sangeet Priyankas to-be sister-in-law wore a red lehenga and is also seen dancing in one of the pictures from the sangeet. Sophie dancing at the sangeet in a red lehenga. Priyanka danced with her mother at the sangeet New pictures from the sangeet ceremony show Priyanka dancing with her mother on stage. Madhu Chopra is seen wearing a blue saree while Priyanka is seen in a silver one. Priyanka Chopra shares sangeet ceremony photos Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas sangeet ceremony photos are finally out, which see the families and friends of the couple vying to lift the trophy. See the pics here. Bareilly residents deck up Priyankas childhood home According to a report in News18, Priyankas residence in Bareilly has been decorated by her neighbours to celebrate her wedding. They have urged her to visit her childhood home after her wedding. Lilly Singh shares video from venue YouTuber Lilly Singh has shared a video from the venue which shows her enjoying Punjabi music as she puts on makeup. Fans love Sophie Turners desi look at the wedding Fans were all love for Sophie Turners desi outfit and look at Priyanka Chopras wedding in Jodhpur. See their reactions here. Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla share post on Priyankas outfit Twirl it like you mean it! @priyankachopra is a vision in a fabulously folksy, multi-hued organdy ensemble, inspired by a vintage AJSK collection at her Mehndi, teamed with heirloom jewellery designed by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla by @sabooatajsk, their post read. Amul wishes Priyanka, Nick with a special doodle Dairy brand Amul has wished the newlyweds with their famous Amul Topical. Priyanka shares vide of Nick playing cricket Priyanka shared a video which shows Nick hit the ball during a cricket match as others watch it fly across the garden. Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas pics emerge from Umaid Bhawan Palace As Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra prepare to tie the knot, photos of Joe Jonas and fiancee Sophie Turner emerged on social media. While Sophie looked beautiful in a lehenga, Joe and other guests were seen arund the venue, Umaid Bhawan. Priyanka shares pic of a cricket match ahead of wedding Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas families played cricket together and the actor has shared a video. The match, between Team Priyanka and Team Nick, had both the families participating on the day of mehendi. Nick holds Priyanka in his arms as the two families play cricket. Priyanka and Nick held a pre-wedding photoshoot Just like you, Priyanka and Nick also held a pre-wedding photoshoot, but theirs appeared in Vogue, and according to Pinkvilla, could have fetched them $2.5 million. Thats Rs 17.5 crore. Bollywood, Hollywood celebs congratulate Nick, Priyanka Supermodel Gisele Bundchen, Creed star Michael B Jordan, Mindy Kaling and actors Shraddha Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Glen Powell and Farhan Akhtar were among those who congratulated Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas after their wedding. Priyanka was injured before her mehendi ceremony According to a report in Dainik Bhaskar, Priyanka slipped and cut her leg against the wooden floor of her hotel room at the Umaid Bhawan palace. But that did not stop her from having mehendi applied to her arms and legs shortly afterwards. A doctor was called, painkillers were injected and a bandage was applied. Chooda ceremony done, guests waiting for the baaraat to arrive According to a SpotboyE report, the chooda ceremony has been completed and the guests are waiting for the baaraat to arrive, with Nick on a ghodi. Priyankas vision for her future with Nick My ultimate dream is to have kids, Chopra has said, according to a Vogue interview. As many as I can. Parineeti welcomes Nick jiju to the family Priyankas cousin, Parineeti Chopra, welcomed Nick to the family with a tweet on Sunday. Alongside a previously released image of Priyanka enjoying her mehendi ceremony with her bridesmaids, Parineeti wrote, The MEHENDI. The job of us bridesmaids was to make sure the bride was happy & comfortable at all times. But we didnt have to worry about it - coz Nick promised do it all his life. Welcome to the family Nick jiju! Im so happy that the Jonas & the Chopra family is now United! The MEHENDI. The job of us bridesmaids was to make sure the bride was happy & comfortable at all times. But we didn't have to worry about it - coz Nick promised do it all his life. Welcome to the family Nick jiju! I'm so happy that the Jonas & the Chopra family is now United! pic.twitter.com/AIbvUjMIRY Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) December 2, 2018 Nick knew he wanted to marry Priyanka after their third date After their third date, Nick remembers calling up his mother and telling her that he was going to marry Priyanka. A few days ago theyd met at an iconic Los Angeles hotel. Nick told Vogue in an interview, She walks into the Chateau (Marmont), and I feel an overwhelming sense of peace and understanding about this next chapter of my life. Nick and Priyanka gave musical performances at sangeet Nick is said to have performed a medley of his songs at the sangeet ceremony, including versions of Tune Maari Entriyaan and Gallan Goodiyan, according to a DNA report. Priyanka, meanwhile, danced to Desi Girl. Priyankas mother, Madhu Chopra, and cousin, Parineeti, also joined in, as did Nicks family. What was on the menu? According to a DNA report, There was a mix of Indian, Rajasthani and Mughlai dishes, at the pre-wedding ceremonies.There was Chinese and continental food, too. For the western wedding and dinner, chefs were flown down from Goa. There were several coastal delicacies on the platter, along with Indian and continental fare. While the dishes kept changing, one thing remained the same the food was served in silverware, a source was quoted as saying. Twitter slams Priyanka for firecracker display at her wedding Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Christian wedding ceremony on December 1 was followed by a grand firecracker display. Twitter users have now called out Priyanka who is a campaigner against firecrackers. Guests were welcomed with music and a non-disclosure contract According to DNA, guests were welcomed with a dance performance and champagne - and were also made to sign an NDA. Ive just reached the hotel. I cant say anything. We have all signed an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement), the report quoted make-up artist Mickey Contractor as saying. This is the first text message Nick sent Priyanka It was Nick who first texted Priyanka. In a DM he wrote, Im hearing from a few mutual friends that we should meet. According to Vogue, Nick continued, She responded day of with a message that said, My team can read this. Why dont you just text me. Priyanka, Nick wedding to take place at Umaid Bhawans Baradari lawns Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Hindu wedding ceremony will take place at Umaid Bhawans Baradari lawns with Mehrangarh Fort as the backdrop. The mandap will be around 40-feet high with the Mehrangarh Fort and decked up with red flowers. Nick got down on one knee the first time he saw Priyanka In a Vogue interview, Nick recalled the story of how he got down on one knee when he first saw Priyanka. It was at the Vanity Fair Oscars party in 2017. He saw her approach in a Michael Kors dress, and he promptly got down on one knee and said, out loud, Youre real. Where have you been all my life? Priyanka will wear Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla at the Hindu wedding? According to a DNA report, the bride will wear an Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla creation at the Hindu wedding ceremony. Both Priyanka and Nick wore Ralph Lauren creations at the Christian wedding on Saturday. AJSK also designed Deepika Padukones attire at her recent Mumbai wedding reception, at which her husband Ranveer Singh wore Rohit Bal. Designer Sabyasachi, however, has been spotted in Rajasthan, fuelling speculation that he might be behind Priyanka (or Nicks) Hindu wedding look. Nick Jonas will arrive on a ghodi accompanied by a baaraat According to a Vogue report, the groom will arrive on a ghodi - a mare - for the Hindu ceremony, as per rituals. He will be accompanied by a proper baaraat. The report includes an interview with the couple, in which their conversation about making this decision was recreated. Are you comfortable on a horse? Priyanka asked Nick, who replied, I am... I cant wait. As survivors of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, which claimed more than 15,000 lives, continue to fight for proper rehabilitation and adequate compensation, they face yet another challenge following the merger of Dow Chemicals and DuPont companies. According to the survivors organisations, the merger of the two companies will result in the disappearance of the Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) as a legal entity, which, they say, will adversely affect their claim for compensation from Dow Chemicals-owned UCC. Described as the worlds worst industrial disaster, over 15,000 people were killed after methyl isocyanate leaked on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984 from the pesticide plant of Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) in the city. The organisations want the central government to step in to prevent Dow Chemical from escaping the responsibility for the crime committed against people of Bhopal. As per the organisations, as many as five organisations have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard in February this year but the PMO is yet to act on their letter. President of one of the organisations -- Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, Rashida Bee said, The PMO has not taken a single step to stop Union Carbides disappearance through the trifurcation of Dow-DuPont that will begin two months from now. At the PMOs grievance portal our letter of February this year (PMOPG/D/2018/0084804) remains pending for the last eight months. It is a matter of fundamental legal principle that criminal liability cannot be transferred from one entity to another, not even to a succeeding one. Therefore, once Union Carbide ceases to exist in its current form, Indias courts will have been stripped of their power to pursue and enforce the grave criminal charges still pending against it, the letter read. Bhopal Group for Information and Action convener Rachna Dhingra said, In 2010 the then Congress government at the Centre filed a curative Petition in the Supreme Court seeking additional compensation of 1.2 billion dollars. However, neither the Congress nor the BJP governments have filed any application for urgent hearing in the last eight years and the curative petition has not moved an inch since it was filed. As per a curative petition filed by central government in the Supreme Court in 2010 for enhanced compensation to the tragedy victims, as many as 5,295 people died in the tragedy while 4,944 suffered from serious health problems due to the tragedy. However, survivors organisations claim the number of deceased, and those suffering from ailments as a result of the tragedy, is much higher. The number of people affected so far, including members of next two generations, is more than 5,70,000, they say. The Centre had sought enhancement of compensation by an additional Rs 77.28 billion. Shah holds roadshow in Malkajgiri, Telangana BJP president Amit Shah held a roadshow in Telanganas Malkajgiri Telangana will go to polls on December 7 and the counting for all five states, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram, will be held on December 11. Had Telangana polls been conducted along with Lok Sabha elections, people of the state wouldve been saved: Shah Had Telangana elections been conducted along with Lok Sabha elections, money of the people of Telangana wouldve been saved. But they pre-poned it because they were scared that if elections are conducted along with Lok Sabha elections theyll lose, said Amit Shah in Telanganas Kamareddy. KCR govt responsible for depriving people of pro-poor schemes: Shah Not a single poor family in Telangana has benefitted from PMAY of the centre. KCR govt is responsible for depriving people of Telangana from the benefits of the pro-poor schemes of the centre, said Shah in Telanganas Kamareddy. Whose share of reservation will TRS reduce, asks Shah TRS has proposed 12% reservation for minorities, from where will they get this from, whose share of reservation will they reduce, asked Amit Shah. Cong, TRS, TDP are private limited parties: Gadkari Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday described the Congress, the TRS and the TDP as private limited parties and made a strong pitch for change of regime in Telangana. Addressing an election rally at Uppal here, he claimed that the BJP alone is a democratic party where a small-time worker like him could rise to become its president and a tea seller could become the countrys prime minister. Over 3500 farmers committed suicide during KCRs regime: Amit Shah Over 3500 farmers committed suicide in Telangana and KCR is responsible for this said Amit Shah. KCR, Naidu, S Jaipal Reddy never worked for development Neither TDP, nor Congress, nor TRS, could bring about development in Telangana. Now, its time to BJP a chance to bring development in the state, said Amit Shah. Amit Shah addresses public meeting in Amangal Amit Shah is currently addressing a public meeting in Telanganas Amangal(Kalwakurthy). Affordable healthcare facilities under Ayushman Bharat: Amit Shah KCR had promised a hundred bed hospital for the poor, but never even laid its foundation. If BJP comes to power, we will makes sure the hospital is built within two years. Also, at the centre, Modi govt has launched the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which will ensure affordable healthcare, said Amit Shah. Will setup industries in the state: Amit Shah If BJP comes to power, we will set up industries in the state and within the reach of people, so that they dont have to travel far distances for jobs, said Amit Shah. Congress promises reservation to minorities, where will Telugu youth go: Amit Shah In their Telangana manifesto, Congress promised reservation to minorities in government contracter. If they promise reservations for minorities, what will the Telugu youth do, where will they go, asks Amit Shah. Amit Shah addresses rally in Nagarkurnool BJP chief is addressing public meeting in Telanganas Nagarkurnool. BJP guarantees security of nation: Adityanath BJP guarantees security of the nation, unlike Congress, said UP CM Yogi Adityanath. UP CM Yogi Adityanath addresses public meeting in Telangana UP CM Yogi Adityanath is currently addressing a public meeting at Tandur, Vikarabad, Telangana. KCR engages in no-holds-barred attack Leading the campaign of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), its president K. Chandrashekhar Rao has termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi a liar and Congress President Rahul Gandhi a joker, according to news agency PTI. Congress-led Peoples Front and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders are returning the favour in the same coin, branding KCR and his family members as thieves and looters of the newly created state. KCR is known for using choicest words in Telugu with Telangana accent to run down his rivals. Popular for his oratory skills, he often lands himself in controversies through bitter verbal attacks. TRS Kavitha Kalvakuntla holds roadshow in Bodhan TRS Kavitha Kalvakuntla Sunday held a roadshow at Yadapally of Bodhan constituency along with MLA candidate Shakeel Amir Garu. TRS Kavitha Kalvakuntla Sunday held a roadshow at Yadapally of Bodhan. ( Kavitha Kalvakuntla /Twitter ) KCR govt doesnt celebrate Liberation Day due to fear of Owaisi: Shah Due to fear of Owaisi, KCR government no longer celebrates Liberation Day on 17th September. If BJP forms the govt in the state, Hyderabad Liberation Day will be celebrated in a grand way, said Amit Shah. KCR promised dalit CM, didnt fulfil promise: Shah A dalit will be the chief minister of Telangana but K. Chandrashekar Rao did not fulfil his promise, and himself became the CM, said Amit Shah. KCR deprived the poor of PMAY benefits: Amit Shah KCR government did not fulfil the promise of providing 2 bedroom houses for poor and also deprived them of the benefits of PMAY, said Amit Shah. KCR government is responsible for depriving people of Telangana from the benefits of the pro-poor schemes of the centre, he said. Congress promised free electricity to Masjid, why not temples: Shah Congress Party in his manifesto promised free electricity to Masjid and Church but not for the temples, said Amit Shah inn Rajasthan. Both TRS and Congress are engaged in minorities appeasement, he said. BJP against quota on basis of religion, KCR proposed 12%: Shah They had promised 12% reservation to minorities, but BJP is absolutely against reservations based on religion and that is why we will make sure that doesnt happen, said Amit Shah. TRS and Congress party believes in the appeasement of Minorities and Akbaruddin Owaisi claimed that whoever becomes CM of Telangana will have to bow before them, he added. KCR didnt fulfil employment promises: Shah KCR was unable provide jobs to the youth, said Amit Shah. KCR spent crores of rupees on election: Amit Shah KCR has spent crores of rupees on the election.Telangana assembly election was earlier suppose to happen in May. Had the election been scheduled for May that is near the Lok Sabha election, Telangana wouldnt have incurred so much on elections. But, KCR was scared if elections happen in May, he would have to face Modi governments popularity, and wont be able to win and make his son or daughter the chief minister, said Amit Shah. A tripartite battle in Telangana: Amit Shah There is going to be a tripartite battle. On one side are TRS and Chandrashekhar Rao who made Telangana kneel before AIMIM, another is Congress who sent Sidhu to hug Pak army chief and on the third side are nationalists led by PM Modi, said Amit Shah. BJP chief Amit Shah addresses public meeting in Telangana BJP chief Amit Shah is addressing a public meeting in Telanganas Narayanpet. Congress wants workers to say Sonia Gandhi Ki Jai: Rajnath While addressing a rally in Rajasthans Bansur, Rajnath Singh referred to an incident that Amit Shah recently claimed in a rally in Madhya Pradesh that he knows of an incident when a Congress worker wanted to give the slogan Bharat Mata Ki Jai, but he was interrupted and made to say Sonia Gandhi Ki Jai. Rajnath Singh to address rallies in Rajasthans Bansur Rajnath Singh is currently addressing a rally a public meeting in Rajasthans Bansur. Rajnath Singh to address rallies in Rajasthan Rajnath Singh reached Rajasthan from Nagaland Sunday. He will be addressing public rallies in Rajasthans Bansur, Bilada and Sojat constituencies, he tweeted. 119-Member Telangana assembly goes to polls on Dec 7 Elections in Telangana, a 119-member assembly will be held on December 7. The Telangana legislative assembly was prematurely dissolved on September 6 as per a recommendation made by the state cabinet. The assembly polls were originally scheduled to be held along with Lok Sabha elections next year. WhatsApp, NRI focus for Youth Congress 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. BJP manifesto promises free distribution of cows to 1 lakh people Farm loan waiver up to Rs two lakh, free laptops to degree students, regulation of liquor sale, free distribution of cows to one lakh people every year are some of the main promises in the BJPs manifesto for the December 7 Telangana Assembly polls. The manifesto, released Thursday by state BJP president K Laxman, also promised a legislation to prevent forcible religious conversions made by offering money and other inducements. As campaigning heats up, Amit Shah to address poll rally in Telangana BJP president Amit Shah will be in Telangana Sunday to address public meetings in Narayanpet, Amangal, and Kamareddy. Later in the day, he will also hold a roadshow in Malkajgiri. Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani on Sunday hit out at the Congress saying the party which had once questioned the existence of Lord Ram was now talking about Hinduism. Referring to Congress president Rahul Gandhis remarks on prime minister Narendra Modi that he did not understand the foundation of Hinduism, Irani said that it was strange that the party which had once raised question on Lord Rams existence was talking about Hindu and Hinduism. Where was the Hindu in Rahul Gandhi when Congress had submitted an affidavit that Lord Ram does not exist?.., she asked. In September 2007, the then UPA government withdrew from the Supreme Court its two affidavits, including a controversial one filed by the ASI claiming there was no historical or scientific evidence to establish existence of Lord Ram and Rama Setu as a man-made bridge. The then government had backtracked after the ASI affidavit triggered a massive controversy. Read: Owaisi will have to flee like the Nizam if BJP wins, says Adityanath When questioned on Punjab minister Navjot Sidhus visit to Pakistan and his remarks on chief minister Captain Amrinder Singh, Smriti Irani said that Congress president needed to answer on it. Why does a Congress minister insult chief minister of his state? Rahul Gandhi should answer it. Why does a Congress leader love Pakistan more than India, Congress should think about it, she said. She also questioned the silence of Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Navjot Sidhus Pakistan visit. Pakistan foreign minister said Pakistan could throw a googly at India due to action of this (Sidhu) Congress leader. But, Rahul Gandhi is quiet on the issue.., she said. Also Read: Congress leaders offer prayers in temples when polls near, but for BJP they are cultural issues, says Rajnath Singh Earlier in the day, home minister Rajnath Singh in reply to a question in Jaipur said Congress was talking about Hinduism which it has avoided discussing till now. Hinduism should not be connected with any sect, caste and religion. It is a way of living life and it is a human religion. What will they talk about Hindu and Hinduism? They have called Lord Ram a fictional character in the affidavit submitted in Supreme Court in Ram Setu case in 2007, he said. As the Bharatiya Janata Party upped the ante on Sabarimala by sending a central team to the state, the Kerala government announced a million women march on the New Years Day to prevent the state from sliding back into medieval madness. Great Wall of Kerala, to prevent the state from sliding back into medieval madness, going to be raised by a million women from one end of Kerala to other on New Year Day. Come, join the Resistance. It will be very, very happy new year, tweeted Thomas Isaac, the finance minister of Kerala. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, announcing 600-km long Women Wall on Saturday said, No one can push back the progressive society of Kerala into the dark ages. He was speaking after a meeting with over 50 socio-cultural organisations in Thiruvanantha puram, reports PTI. The meet with prominent caste-based and social organisations, including the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam and others was an attempt by the state government to garner support following the recent protests by right-wing organisations across Kerala over entry of women of all ages in the Sabarimala shrine post the Supreme Court verdict. As part of the combined efforts of all these organisations which took part in the meeting, a womens wall will be formed on January 1 from the northern district of Kasargode till Thiruvananthapuram, to show the country the secular and progressive mindset of the state, Vijayan told reporters after the meeting. He also sought support of progressively-thinking minds of the state to come out and pledge support to the cause in order to safeguard the secular fabric of Kerala. The meeting came on the eve of a four-member BJP delegations visit to Sabarimala shrine in Kerala on Sunday to meet people and workers in order to assess the atrocities being committed against satyagrahis. BJP general secretary Saroj Pandey, national president of the partys Schedule Caste morcha Vinod Sonkar, members of Parliament Pralhad Joshi and Nalin Kumar Kateel are the members of the delegation. The team will submit its report within 15 days to the party chief, the ruling party said in the statement. Kerala has been on the boil since the September 28 Supreme Court verdict allowed women of all ages into Sabarimala temple, reversing the shrines tradition of barring girls and women of menstruating age10-50 years. The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple, justified the restriction saying the entry of women and girls of menstruating age was against the celibate nature of the deity. The Supreme Court order was followed by high drama with a few women trying to enter the shrine and devotees blocking their way and tantris threatening to quit and shut the temple. The top court will hear a review petition in the case in January. The arrest of a member of an inter-state drug peddling racket in Hasanganj area on Saturday disclosed a startling trend: that there was a huge spurt in the consumption of marijuana among high profile people in the state capital. Police have also seized around 35.5 kg of marijuana meant for supply in reputed educational institutes, clubs, hotels and lounges here. The carriers are using super luxury cars and SUVs to supply weed (marijuana) to different places. The team of crime branch and Hasanganj police arrested key member of the racket Ajit Yadav near Nadwa College ground on Bandha Road. However, Yadavs accomplice who was driving a super luxury car managed to escape. The police said three bags containing 35.5 kg were recovered from Yadav. Yadav revealed that there was huge demand of marijuana among youngsters visiting clubs, hotels and lounges, as well as students of reputed educational institutes. It is also in demand among high profile people, said a senior inspector of crime branch Vimlesh Singh, who led the operation. He said Yadav disclosed youngsters preferred sukha nasha (marijuana) and inhaled it by filling it in cigarettes as they believed that it was more potent. Singh said the city drug peddlers bought marijuana from a person in Bihar at Rs 6,000 per kg and sold it at price Rs 12,000 per kg after packing it in small pouches. He said the drug peddlers booked trucks for different goods from Bihar to places in east UP like Allahabad and Varanasi. In between the other goods, they placed 3-4 jute bags of weed without letting the drivers know. Later, these bags were collected by the carriers and taken to Lucknow and other places through buses or trains. The inspector said the drug peddlers used super luxury cars and SUVs to supply marijuana to different destinations in the city. He said the local police would not even think of checking such vehicles during routine checks.. Even during Saturdays raid, a city-based drug peddler had come to collect the consignment from Yadav in a sedan worth over 50 lakh and managed to escape, he added. Singh said the crime branch was working on the nexus of drug peddlers in the city and trying to trace the main handler. Parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday alleged governor Satya Pal Malik was trying to change rules for issuing permanent resident certificates - a touchy issue in the state. The governor, however, denied any move to tamper with the existing law. Former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah alleged that the governors plan reportedly to change the process for issuance of permanent resident certificate (PRC) was aimed at distorting the demography of the state, while People Conference President Sajad Gani Lone also urged the administration to restrict itself to basic governance and not to invent new problems for the state. The regime in the state, which is currently under governors rule, is reportedly planning to change the existing process for acquiring permanent resident certificate in the state. It was, however, not clear what changes are being mulled. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kavinder Gupta had said there were moves to simplify the procedure and fixing a timeline for its issuance under the Public Services Guarantee Act, reported PTI news agency. We are obliged to write to you at a time when you are mulling changes to permanent resident certificate rules. Our party, the National Conference , is of the opinion that this is an attempt to distort the demography of the state and finds it detrimental to J&Ks special status, Abdullah wrote in a letter to the governor. We hope that you roll back any decision made in this regard immediately. We also want to convey and register our displeasure and a unanimous decision to oppose this move, he added. Responding to Abdullah, Malik said, At the outset I would like to mention that the government is not making or even considering any changes to the act governing permanent resident certificates in the state. It is an integral part of the legal structure of Jammu and Kashmir and there is no attempt whatsoever to tamper with this law. The governor clarified they were seeking comments from people for hassle-free issuance of the certificates to the genuine residents, as many applicants face avoidable difficulties in getting a PRC within the stipulated timeline of 30 days from the date of application and there were complaints of delays due to a variety of procedural reasons. This is a routine administrative matter and unnecessary meaning should not be read into it, he said. Abdullah had also taken a dig at Malik, who had dismissed former chief minister Mehbooba Muftis allegation that he had disregarded her fax staking claim to form a government before deciding to dissolve the house, saying that he was forced to share the letter online as the fax machine was still not working in the governors house. The Raj Bhavan later clarified that the fax of the letter was received and its receipt was confirmed to Abdullahs adviser Tanvir Sadiq. On the other hand, Lone, who had also staked claim to form the government, took to Twitter to attack the purported move on the PRCs. The governors administration needs to restrict itself to basic governance. No structural changes pertaining to PRC or J K Bank are acceptable. Restrict your energies to what u r mandated to do which incidentally u r not doing. Please dont invent new problems, he tweeted. The alleged move comes ahead of the Supreme Courts scheduled January 2019 hearing on a bunch of petitions against Article 35A of the Constitution, which empowers the states legislature to define permanent residents of the state and provide special rights and privileges to them. The petitions have triggered anger across the state. There are fears that Article 370 and Article 35-A may be scrapped, which will allow non-residents to settle there. While Article 370 grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Article 35 A disallows people from the rest of India from buying or owning immovable property in the state, settling permanently, or getting state government jobs. Abdullah also alleged that the state administrative council (SAC), which is headed by Malik, is unilaterally bringing changes in the working of institutions and procedures. He said that the change of procedures of issuing PRC was objectionable and condemnable. Moreover, this move comes at a time when the state does not have a popularly elected government. The assembly has been dissolved and elections are due within months. This makes the move of your administration open to question as we believe the role of the government is more in nature of a caretaker government, he said. The letter cautioned that any misadventure by the SAC could disturb the fragile and precarious peace here. The Congress also said any changes in the procedure for granting PRCs in the state would be unacceptable, and would have serious implications, according to PTI This step will invent another problem in the state which has to be avoided in the larger interests of peace, a Congress spokesperson said The state came under governors rule on June 20 after the BJP pulled out of the coalition government with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). An attempt to form government by NC, PDP and Congress failed last month when the governor dissolved the assembly. On November 22, the decision of the governor to treat Jammu and Kashmir Bank as a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) also created uproar in the restive state with political parties and civil society accusing the governor of trampling the autonomy of the institute and fiddling with special status of the state. India will be at the forefront of negotiations as a leading developing country to push for climate action when talks begin on Monday in Polands Katowice at COP 24, which multiple climate scientists are calling a make or break moment for the world. This is because an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in October, titled Global Warming of 1.5 Degrees, warned that the Earth will face devastating consequences of climate change if the world fails to keep global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial levels. The report also said that commitments to cutting down carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, submitted by 195 nations under the Paris Agreement of 2015, which is to become operational as the Paris Accord in 2020, will fail to keep global temperatures in check. Due to human activity since the pre-industrial level, the world has already warmed by 1 degree Celsius. Discussions at the Katowice conference of parties (COP 24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are also crucial because the US the worlds second most polluting nation after China has threatened to pull out of the Paris Agreement, and that would mean the rest of the stakeholders will have to strive to meet climate goals on their own in the future. In the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires last week, the US reiterated its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, and affirmed its commitment to economic growth and energy access and security. India is one of the worst-affected by climate change because of its large population and a high share of poverty. This is why Indian climate scientists are pushing for the drafting of rules for the implementation of the Paris Agreement in this COP. The Union ministry of earth sciences recently said that the Kerala floods were a result of climate change and that similar extreme weather events can happen again in India. Also read: Why India needs to ramp up its efforts to tackle climate change The UN 1.5-degree report also warned that India will be one of the worst affected by heat stress. Crops, plantations, even livestock in 151 districts, or slightly more than one-fifth of the total districts in India, are susceptible to the impact of climate change, according to an annual review by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), a wing of the agriculture ministry. The effects of climate change on Indias agriculture, which employs half the population and accounts for 17% of the countrys economic output, are no longer about distant projections. The latest research, cited by the ICAR study, shows the impact of climate change will be increasingly felt , as demonstrated by extreme weather events and manifest itself in economic, political, even social consequences. The consequences of a 1.5-degree rise include extreme temperature in many regions, increase in frequency or amount of heavy precipitation in some areas and droughts in others. If the increase reaches 2 degrees, the impacts can be too serious for communities to adapt to. Joyashri Roy, professor of economics at Jadavpur University (on lien) and one of the Indian authors of the IPCC 1.5-degree report, said: Since India has a very large population, the scale of climate impacts in India in absolute numbers will be very high, the human impact of climate change will be very prominent in India. Roy, who will be in Katowice for the discussions, added: This COP is crucial. The IPCC will make presentations on regional impacts of climate change, the sustainable development goals, and the science of climate change. Indias 17-member delegation to COP 24 is being led by Union environment minister Harsh Vardhan. According to a statement issued by the environment ministry, a priority for India at COP 24 is to finalise the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP), or the rulebook for implementation of Paris Agreement, which aims to keep the global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius. India would 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, a statement by the environment ministry said on Saturday. CBDR-RC is a principle of international environmental law that establishes that all states are responsible for addressing global environmental destruction, yet not equally responsible because of the wide differences in levels of economic development between states. India held two meetings in November with the like-minded developing countries (LMDCs) a group that includes China, Venezuela and Iran, among others and BASIC countries Brazil, South Africa, India and China on drafting the Paris rulebook. Demonstrators take part in a climate demonstration in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (AP Photo) The BASIC countries also held a press conference in Delhi in November?in which environment secretary CK Mishra said the BASIC group wants to make technology transfer and climate funding from the developed countries a big issue at COP 24 so that we dont have a situation where they dont deliver. In terms of historical emissions, the US is the largest polluter and environmental scientists want it to take moral responsibility for that. Developing countries expect it to transfer technology and funds to them to help them adapt to climate change. This will not happen if the US pulls out of the Paris Agreement. Also, it will keep adding to global emissions with its carbon-intensive growth. It has been three long years and COP is not ready with the rules for implementation of the Paris Agreement. Hopefully, we can have an agreement on formulation of rules in the next two weeks. India must also be ready by 2020 to do intensive monitoring and reporting required under the Paris Agreement, said professor NH Ravindranath, a climate scientist from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, who is also heading to Katowice. India says it is on track to meet the Paris commitments. India made a voluntary pledge in 2009 to reduce the emission intensity of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 20-25% from 2005 levels by 2020 (excluding emissions from agriculture). As per the various reports, we are on the way to achieve this target. India enhanced its climate goals in 2015 outlining eight goals for 2020-2030, including reduction of the emission intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35% from 2005 levels by 2030, the Union environment ministry said in the statement quoted above. Pakistan terms the Kartarpur Corridor a harbinger of peace, particularly for the two Punjabs, but the ground reality belies the neighbouring countrys desperate bid to revive the separatist Khalistan movement by using its Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) to target the state with an eye on Referendum 2020, a campaign to liberate the state. In the past 20 months, Punjab Polices intelligence wing busted 17 terror modules, arrested 97 operators and recovered 77 weapons, including automatic weapons, RDX and 12 hand-grenades. State police chief Suresh Arora says, There has been a spurt in the ISIs efforts to destabilise Punjab. By joining hands with Khalistan terrorists across the fence and in other countries, the agency has been radicalising poor, religiously charged and even educated Sikh youngsters through misinformation on social media. A funding drive is on to lure youngsters into terror activities, he says. The motive of the modules is to trigger terror, kill political and religious activists and cause communal tension in the border state. The police say that the ISI has shifted its focus to bring back insurgency in the state by providing tactical support to Referendum 2020 being organised by the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organisation with offices in the UK, US and Canada that promotes itself as a human rights advocacy group. Gurpatwant Singh Pannu is its legal adviser. The main task of 10 of the 17 modules busted by Punjab Police recently was to carry out terror activities and further project Referendum-2020, police claims. All modules had links with ISI-backed Khalistani forces in Pakistan which colluded with Sikh extremists operating from the UK, Canada, Italy, France and other countries to bring back insurgency in Punjab. Police records show that since March 2017, three arms consignments have been pushed into Punjab by the ISI in connivance with Pakistan-based Sikh outfits such as International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) and Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). These consignments consisted of five AK-47 rifles, an MP9 submachine gun, 10 pistols and 11 hand-grenades. How ISI runs its Punjabs plan By the early 90s when militancy was stamped out of Punjab, top leaders of Khalistan groups fled to Pakistan with the help of the ISI that provided shelter, training and also assured them that they would be launched into India at an appropriate time. The Khalistan movement failed in India but the ISI is not letting it get wiped out and is making desperate efforts to revive it, says Arora. Though the Khalistan ideologues in Pakistan tried to test the waters in Punjab by spreading terror activities since 2001 but their activities have seen a spurt after 2015. It was this year the targeted killings of pro-Hindu and religious leaders were planned to spread terror. It was after eight killings that Punjab Police cracked the case in November 2017. Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)s Harmeet PhD and UK-based Paramjit Pamma had planned the killings with logistic support provided by the ISI. Interestingly, the grenade thrown at the Nirankari congregation in Amritsar last month and the one recovered from Shabhnamdeep Singh, a Khalistan Gaddar Force member, belong to the HG 84 category. These grenades are manufactured at Pakistan Ordnance Factories and commonly used by Pakistan, Afghanistan and Austria armies. SFJ an ISI tool Indian agencies claim that the SFJs Refrendum 2020 to carve out a Sikh nation from India is actually the ISIs game plan. The ISI has named it the Operation Express and Pakistan Armys officer from the 25th Batallion of Baloch Regiment Lt Colonel Shahid Mehmood Malhi, famous as Chaudhary Sahib, has been made the nodal officer for the referendum that the SFJ plans to carry out among the Sikh community across the globe on June 6, 2020. Only last week, the Pakistan government allowed SFJ activists to set up offices in Lahore. Even the SFJ legal adviser has confirmed this development by claiming that the group has installed Khalistan banners and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwales flags at the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and would start voters registration for the referendum. The SFJ will distribute T-shirts and questionnaire pamphlets on Punjabs independence among the devotees visiting Pakistan for the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak. Pakistan is going to witness a huge rush of Sikh devotees from across the globe, especially from India, at three main places: Nankana Sahib Gurdwara (the birth place of Guru Nanak), Panja Sahib (where the handprint of the Guru is believed to be imprinted on a boulder), and Kartarpur (where the first Sikh guru spent his last years). Only a few days back, officials from the Indian High Commission were denied access to Nankana Sahib and Sacha Sauda Gurdwara situated in Pakistan Punjab. India has already protested to it, claiming it was done at the behest of the ISI. Backed by the ISI, the SFJ has already planned to fan anti-India sentiment among Sikhs who will visit Pakistan in the coming one year for celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, is the input provided by central agencies to the Punjab government. Attempts via Kashmir Punjab Police officials say the ISI has also recently shifted its strategy for Punjab and involved Kashmirs terrorist groups too. At least seven students from Kashmir studying in Punjab have recently been arrested by Punjab Police, and the blast at the Maqsudan police station in Jalandhar was also found out to be the handiwork of students having allegiance to Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH), a Kashmir-based terror outfit with reported links to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Punjab Police has strong suspicions that the source of grenades thrown at the Maqsudan police station and Amritsar congregation and the one recovered from Shabhnamdeep in Patiala is the same. Six days after Calcutta high court lawyer Rajat Kumar Dey, 34, was found dead in mysterious circumstances at his home in Kolkata, police arrested his wife on Saturday night for allegedly murdering him. She had, they said, used the cable of her mobile phone charger to strangle him. Anindita Pal Dey, 33, also a lawyer, was produced at Barasat court on Sunday morning and sent to police custody for eight days. Officers of New Town police station said that after the lawyer was killed on the night of November 25, she made self-contradictory statements for six days in an apparent bid to mislead investigators. The couple has a two-year-old son. They lived in an apartment in New Town in the northern outskirts of Kolkata. Deys body was found on the floor of the bedroom. His face had turned blue and there was a deep mark on the throat. His wife initially told police that he fell from the bed and had a heart attack. Avvaru Ravindranath, deputy commissioner (detective department) of Bidhannagar City Police, said the accused broke down during interrogation on Saturday night and confessed her crime. The contradictions in her statement became apparent after the autopsy report confirmed that Deys death was caused by strangulation, Ravindranath said. Police suspects that an extramarital affair might have led to the murder. The couple often fought over phone calls that Anindita used to make. In fact on the night of the murder she allegedly wanted to be alone in the bedroom and the couple quarreled over this. Both the accused and the victim chatted with people on social media before the murder. We have checked call and chat histories in their phones. Anindita received a call hours after the murder. We are focusing on this caller, said an investigating officer on condition of anonymity. In May last year, Bengal was shocked by the macabre love story of Manua Majumdar who scripted her husbands murder with the help of her boyfriend. Majumdar, who is now in prison, made her boyfriend kill her husband and keep his mobile phone on during the act so that she could hear the victim cry in pain. A 42-year-old former general manager (GM) of a Mumbai-based infrastructure firm was arrested on Friday for extorting 3.5 crore from directors of the company on the basis of Right to Information (RTI) applications he made. The complaint was filed by executive director of the firm Manohar Kulkarni at the Vartak Nagar police station on Thursday. Chembur-based Madhav Pratibha Industries was awarded a contract by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for laying a water pipeline from Tansa to Jambhuli village between 2009 and 2014. The project was worth 406 crore. Aadhav was appointed as the GM, said an officer of the Thane anti-corruption bureau (ACB). The directors alleged that the firm suffered losses owing to Aadhavs decisions. His behaviour with his subordinates was also bad, after which he was transferred to a project in Kalyan. He again had conflicts with the contractor there and was sent to another project in Rajasthan. He was later sacked in October 2014, officer said. The police said Aadhav then started collecting information about the pipeline project under the RTI Act. Based on the applications, he allegedly started filing complaints against the company in BMC and the Mantralaya about some irregularities. The companys bills were allegedly stuck owing to the complaints and he demanded 5 crore to retract his complaints, said an officer. The firm allegedly paid him 1 crore twice and 1.50 crore again, since January 2016. They didnt complain earlier as they feared their bills would get stuck. However, Aadhav refused to budge unless he was paid 5 crore and also allegedly made life threats. After this, Kulkarni filed a complaint. The owner of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)-run shelter home was arrested on Sunday following allegations of sexual abuse by the institutes minor inmates, police officials familiar with the matter said. The shelter home, which was being operated by NGO Good News India in Odishas Dhenkanal district, was sealed on Saturday, a day after a few of its female inmates accused the institutes founder Fayaz Rehman and caretaker Simanchal Nayak of sexual harassment. Nayak and shelter homes assistant director Udit Lima were arrested on Saturday. The shelter home, housing 62 children, had been operating for the last two years without registration under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, district collector Nikhil Pawan Kalyan said. The states women and child development minister, Prafulla Samal had ordered the closure of all the 22 shelter homes run by Good News India in the state a day earlier. Stringent action will be taken against all the illegal shelter homes that are running in the state in violation of the Juvenile Justice Act in the name of giving protection and care to children. Measures have already been taken in this regard, Samal said. The Dhenkanal district administration shifted the inmates of the shelter home to an undisclosed location. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) targeted the states Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government over failing to close down a shelter home that was running without valid permits. State government officials are saying that the shelter home was running without its permission. The government should clarify if the shelter home was running illegally and they were aware of it, what action they took to close it, partys state secretary Lekhashri Samantasinghar said. Pakistan can take Indias help if it cannot tackle terrorism on its own, home minister Rajnath Sigh said on Sunday, stressing that terrorism was the key area of disagreement between the two countries. Reacting to Imran Khans recent remarks that Kashmir was the outstanding issue, Singh said there was no second thought that Pakistan was sponsoring militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. ...it is very clear that everything is sponsored by Pakistan. Recently, the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said...nothing will be gained through a blame game. He emphasised the Kashmir issue...I want to make it clear that the issue is not Kashmir but terrorism, Singh said at a press conference at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) media centre in Jaipur. ...Afghanistan took the support of America to counter Taliban. Similarly, if Pakistan cannot counter terrorism on its own, it can take Indias help, he added. At the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pakistani section of the Kartarpur corridor, Khan said last week his countrys civilian and military leaderships were united in desiring better relations with India although Kashmir remained the key issue between the two sides. At the gathering, that included Indian Union ministers as well, the cricketer-turned-politician also acknowledged that it was not in Pakistans interest to allow its soil to be used for terrorism and said he was prepared to talk to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, any time. In election-bound Rajasthan, Singh said no major terrorist incident had taken place in the country in the four-and-a-half years of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rule, clarifying that he did not want to claim that terrorism had completely stopped. Terrorism is confined only to Kashmir where, too, the situation is improving, Singh said, adding the panchayat elections in J&K were being conducted successfully. Singh also hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who on Saturday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was turning the 2016 cross-border strikes by Indian forces on terror launch pads into a political asset. Gandhi had also said there were three such operations by the forces during the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA)?regime, but the government that time kept them under wraps. They are telling it today. Why was the country not informed earlier? If our army had shown its valour and strength then should this country not have any knowledge of this matter? Singh asked. State Congress spokesperson Archana Sharma said, The Congress party never dragged army into politics. In our tenure, we had won many wars, but we have never used them to gain political mileage from the bravery of the army. Singh also spoke on the Maoist insurgency. I have nothing against the people who follow Maoist ideology but will not tolerate violence. Terrorism has reduced and the problem of Maoism will get eliminated from the country in the coming years, he added. As a kid, Hardeep Singh Puri was bullied in school. Being a Sikh he had long hair and was often teased about his plaits. His classmates, all foreigners, said he looked like a girl. It was a German lady who told him to hit back. Dont get bullied; bully them instead, she had said. Hardeep did just that. I learnt how to stand up to bullies and soon became one myself, recalls the Union minister of state for Housing and Urban Affairs. Years later as Indias Ambassador to the United Nations, he was detained at an airport in the United States for refusing to remove his turban during a security check. I agreed to comply with the procedure but did not allow them to touch my turban, Puri reminisces. Therefore, for a devout Sikh like him, to be handpicked to go to Pakistan for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor was indeed a blessing. As a Sikh, I felt privileged to go and offer prayers at Guru Sahibs final resting place. I dont know what was in the mind of the cartographer when he drew the line between the two countries, but I think the gurdwara should have been on this side of the border. The corridor involves a road link for Sikh pilgrims to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had declined Pakistans invitation to attend the groundbreaking ceremony citing her election campaign engagement in Telangana on the same day. She had deputed Union ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Puri to travel instead. Also read | Neglected for 70 years, Dera Baba Nanak sees ray of hope in Kartarpur corridor I BELIEVE SIDHU IS BEING USED Hitting out on Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhus exuberance during the ceremony, Puri says that its time that Sidhu does some serious introspection. I believe that Navjot Singh Sidhu is being used, opines Puri. Kartarpur inauguration was used by Navjot Singh Sidhu and people on the Pakistan side for political rather than religious purposes, he adds. Puri concurs with Prime Minister Narendra Modis view of the corridor initiative being anchored in hope, like the fall of the Berlin wall. There can be goodwill, but if friends on the other side persist with policies where they stand exposed then the initiative would be undone. Pakistan could be well advised to turn a new leaf and do some introspection. Our Prime Minister wants peace but it takes two to tango. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri seen at his residence,Akbar Road, in New Delhi. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO) ON LIVING LIFE DANGEROUSLY As someone who has spent nearly 40 years in the Foreign Service, Puri has, to quote him, lived life dangerously. In 1987, he met LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran and persuaded him to come to New Delhi and understand the peace pact that India and Sri Lanka were going to sign to end the ethnic strife. I met him several times and mapped his psyche. When we were flying him from Jaffna to New Delhi he was very nervous and kept throwing up. He had then told me that someday his deeds will catch up. You may also like | Rahul Gandhi my captain: Navjot Sidhus dig at Capt Amarinder Singh over Pakistan visit For someone who has had a challenging career, Puri needs a purpose to every action of his, even if it is catching a movie. I cant waste my time watching a film where half way through I doze off. He prefers watching shows at home on Netflix even though he says he needs help to log on. But then at home he is spoiled for choice. His wife Lakshmi gave up her career in the Foreign Service; runs a dream home and serves an elaborate menu on handcrafted silver. Even though Hardeep Singh Puri is averse to parties and small-talk, both he and Lakshmi entertain almost every day: close friends, colleagues or people from his constituency. Political entertaining, Puri says is about keeping an open house. But left to himself, he would rather listen to music: bhajans instead of Pink Floyd as age catches up. Also read | Mehbooba Mufti writes to PM Modi seeking Kartarpur-type corridor to Sharda Peeth A male leopard was found dead in Sahara Citys Aamby Valley early on Sunday, after it got ensnared in a trap set by poachers, forest officials said. This is the second leopard death in Pune in the last 30 days. According to Vivek Khandekar, chief conservator of forests, Pune, the leopard possibly got trapped on Saturday night in Aamby Valley, a high-end private city near Lonavla. Villagers heard the leopard roar early on Sunday and found it dead on reaching the spot. From the initial reports it is clear that the leopard was stuck in a trap set by the poachers. The premises being a protected area, no one had any knowledge of the incident until the local villagers informed forest officers, said Khandekar. Earlier in November, a leopard was found dead in Daund, however, the officials termed it a natural death. A post mortem will be carried out and viscera will be sent to a forensic lab in Mumbai. We will send a notice to Sahara City as this is the second time such incident on the property and they have not cooperated with forest officials..., said Khandekar. According to forest officials, three teams have been formed to search for similar metal traps set by poachers in the Maval taluka, where Aamby Valley is located. A search has also been launched to nab the culprits. Meanwhile, another leopard in Junnar was injured after a speeding vehicle rammed into it on Saturday evening. The accident has left the leopard with leg injuries. The unlikely winner in the standoff between the Kerala government and protestors over Sabarimala is a right-leaning television channel called Janam TV. Within a months time, the channel has climbed the charts to reach the number two slot, behind only Asianet News, owned by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrasekhar. According to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) figures, the three-and-a-half-year-old channel has given a dozen-odd Malayalam news channels a run for their money with its coverage of the Sabarimala issue, coming from nowhere in terms of ratings to occupy the number two slot. According to Week 46 data released by BARC, market leader Asianet News had 53,461 impressions followed by Janam with 30,950 and Manorama News with 29,805. According to W39 data before Sabarimala became an issue, Janam TVs impressions were as low as 2,950. Impressions refer to the number of individuals in thousands of a target audience who viewed an event, averaged across minutes as per BARC, the countrys TV viewership monitoring agency. BARC doesnt share absolute viewership numbers, so these are all averages. So, 53,461 impressions for Asianet News, 30,950 impressions for Janam, and 29,805 for Manorama News are the weekly average viewership numbers for the three channels. In September, the Supreme Court ruled that women of all ages be allowed to worship at the hilltop shrine, setting aside an ancient tradition that barred women of menstruating age from entering the shrine. Enraged traditionalists protested against the ruling, which Keralas Left Democratic Front government vowed to uphold. The impasse persists. From day one we have been consistent with our position. We coined a slogan, We are with devotees and it clicked. We have taken a vow that we will present news as it is without any slant or taking a position, said Janam TVs chief editor G K Suresh Babu. He said the channel had managed to increase its ratings due to its objective reporting and it had provided welcome relief to viewers fed up with Left-leaning reportage. Most news channels in Kerala have traditionally leaned towards the Left or toed a centrist line. Market leader Asianet News has maintained an independent stance. In Kerala, there was a situation that if you are not a Leftist you are not fit to be a journalist. We broke the barrier, dishing out the real picture without blending ideology. BARC data shows people have accepted it well, said Babu. Media analyst Sunnykutty Abraham says that he doesnt subscribe to Janam TVs views, but feels it is here to stay. Editors of rival channels say Janam TV had been exploiting an emotional issue to gain mileage. But I dont think the present churning is political in nature. For a majority of Hindus, Sabarimala is an emotional issue and since Janam TV is giving non-stop coverage, people will be glued to it.. Owned by Janam Multimedia Limited with 5,000 small and big shareholders, Janam TV started in 2015. Six months after their mother, a passer-by, was killed in a shootout between two gangs on a busy road in North Delhis Sant Nagar, the ailing father of Shruti Sharma, 15, and her brother Dheeraj, 14, lost his battle with chronic asthma but thanks to the generosity of strangers, the future of the two children looks secure (and their father wasnt deprived of medical care in his last days). Sangeeta Sharma, 37, a factory worker, the sole earning member of her family, was shot dead on June 18 and the impoverished family did not even have money to move her body from the hospital to the crematorium. Her husband, Surender Sharma, was concerned that with his days, too, numbered, their two children would end up in a life of crime. By the time he died on Thursday, Sharma knew this wouldnt be the case, courtesy the kindness of strangers that ensured the children continued their schooling and he himself did not die for lack of medical care. Their monetary contributions over the last five months have meant that Dheeraj can continue to dream of becoming a train driver like his grandfather and, Shruti, 15, can still become the police officer she wants to be. We will return to school in the next few days, after performing our fathers last rites, said Dheeraj. Sangeeta earned 6,000 a month and would often work overtime to earn extra money to buy clothes and shoes for her children. She also ran the house, cooked, tutored her children and tended to her ailing husband. She was walking to the Sant Nagar bus stop when a gang allegedly led by notorious criminal Jitender Mann alias Gogi carried out an attack on its rivals. Eight people were injured and four, including Sangeeta, were killed. As news spread about Sangeetas family struggling to bring back her body from the hospital, a local dairy shop owner, Hanuman Prasad, arranged a loudspeaker and announced their plight to the neighbourhood. It wasnt possible to go from shop to shop, so I used the loudspeaker to announce the familys situation, said Prasad. Prasad doesnt recollect how much money was collected, but Shruti remembers him giving her the 60,000 that remained after paying for a hearse and the cremation. The next day, three others reached out, offering to contribute for the childrens education and their fathers treatment. One, a government contractor, MM Pal Singh alias Goldy, has been depositing 10,000 into the familys bank account every month. Two others, including a retired army man, and a third person who the children know only by his first name, have been contributing 5,000 each every month. I was pained when I got to know that a family was in trouble because of criminals. I decided to pay for their educational needs and other expenses, said Goldy, who operates from an office in Kashmere Gate. He said he would continue to help the family until both children are in a position to start working. The second good samaritan, a retired army man, said he learnt of the childrens bleak future from media reports. Shruti said he visits the family every month to give them 5,000. It is Gods work that I am doing and I will continue to do, said the man, who broke down after HT informed him on the phone about Surenders death. Another person who was affected by news reports was Kapil Banga, a trustee at NGO Prerna - Ek Prayas. I realised that Sangeetas death would inevitably mean her children dropping out of school and having to work, said Banga. According to Shruti, the NGO has been arranging the monthly quota of the familys ration, a litre of milk every day, and also pays for their electricity and gas bills. Banga said the monthly expenditure comes to 4,000-5,000 and he has promised to keep the funds coming for at least six years. We have around 600 people who contribute 100 every month to us. That helps us provide for many such helpless families, said Banga, adding his focus is to keep the help flowing in even after the media hype over such cases ceases. Monetary help has also flowed in from the Delhi government -first in the form of 2 lakh from the revenue department three days after Sangeetas death, and 5 lakh from the chief ministers relief fund on November 20. All the money has been put into fixed deposits. It is unfortunate that the children are orphaned, but we will ensure there is no interruption in their education, said Burari legislator Sanjeev Jha . While it is too early to task someone with managing the childrens finances, their cousin and his wife, who have been taking care of Surender and his children for the past six months, have promised to continue looking after them. In his last moments at the hospital, my father held my hand, put his head in my lap and urged me to continue studying, said Shruti. After demitting office as Supreme Court judge, Justice Kurian Joseph, who was one of the four judges to go public against the functioning of then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, said that the top court was not going in the right direction under Misra, reports ANI. On January 12, Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan Lokur and Kurian Joseph, in a first of its kind press meet had said unless Supreme Court is preserved, democracy will not survive. They had alleged faulty assignment of cases and sensitive cases being allotted to junior judges by Justice Misra. Justice Joseph who retired on November 30 said, We pointed that the Supreme Court was not going in right direction. Many aspects we brought in the notice of the then Chief Justice (Dipak Misra) to put things on the proper path. Since there was no result, we thought there was no other option but to bring it to the notice of the nation, reports ANI. Read: No regrets over Jan 12 press conference on Supreme Court functioning, says Kurian Joseph There was one other reason. My position has always been that there are two watchdogs, one of which is the media. We came out to let there be an awareness that we have done our best. Despite barking the master is in deep slumber. So we decided to bite, he added, asserting that things have improved since then. Institutional system and practices need to be put in place. It will take time, Justice Joseph, who was then the third senior-most judge of the Supreme Court said. He expressed no regrets about conducting the unprecedented press. On being asked about allegations of corruption in the judiciary, Justice Joseph said the allegations are unfounded. He said, I will never really agree that there is corruption in higher judiciary. If it is in the lower judiciary, it is the states concern. In the higher judiciary, it has not come to my notice. Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal urged Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to take actions his foreign minister Mahmood Shah Qureshi for his Kartarpur googly remark. Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that Imran Khans Kartarpur googly had forced India to send two ministers to the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kartarpur corridor. On Sunday Badal tweeted at the Pakistan PM saying, I urge Pak PM @ImranKhanPTI to take action against his minister for hurting sentiments of Sikhs and peace efforts by equating attendance at function at Sri Kartarpur Sahib with trapping India by bowling a googly. Nothing can be more disgusting than this. No one should be allowed to play with religious sentiments. Your commitment to peace shouldnt be a hollow promise. Please walk the talk & take action against Mehmood Qureshi imm. for politicising religious issue to assuage hurt feelings of Sikhs, she wrote. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had on Saturday come down hard on Qureshi for his googly remark, saying it exposed him and that Pakistan had no respect for Sikh sentiments. 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 provinces Narowal area. On Thursday, Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi had said Prime Minister Khan bowled a googly to ensure Indian governments presence at the groundbreaking ceremony of the landmark Kartarpur Corridor. Qureshis 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. Documentary Chronicling the Assyrian Identity Post-Empire Will Be 'First of Its Kind' Sydney (AINA) -- A new documentary chronicling the Assyrian identity post-empire promises to take audiences on an inspiring and eye-opening journey. Thanks to the latest in archaeological and historical research, a team of international experts are piecing together evidence that is yielding profound answers. The makers of ASSYRIA A.D. promise to deliver mesmerizing visuals woven into a narrative complimented by an eloquently presented narration. Cutting-edge and state of the art technology will be used to capture breathtaking aerial footage to visually immerse the audiences in key historic sites from rarely seen perspectives. Directed by Ramy Jajo, the documentary promises to be a "first of its kind" and a hybrid of travelogue and cultural immersion. Jajo said "the crew weren't interested in producing a documentary imbued in political controversy," and wanted to "develop a national narrative drawn entirely from a remarkable collection of ancient artefacts, manuscripts and illustrations." Among the lead-cast will be an impressive line-up of experts who will chronologically guide viewers throughout the documentary, one of which will be Dr. Nicholas Al-Jeloo, a leading Syriacist and now president of The Assyria Institute. Al-Jeloo recognized the potential of portraying Assyria's historical past and cultural narrative in such a visually powerful medium. "The development of a coherent national historical narrative is something that needs to be worked on and passed onto future generations," Al-Jeloo says during an interview whilst filming on-location in Istanbul, Turkey. "If we don't do it, no one else will do it, and if we don't do it, our future generations are going to be lost and won't have an identity." "Modern day Assyrians no longer need to rely on oral history to certify their indigenous roots. Based on the evidence collected and analyzed in this investigation combined with the research conducted by various esteemed historians, archaeologists and linguists-- a compelling argument has been composed that ultimately verifies the threads of continuity of the Assyrian people," archaeologist Nineveh Yakou says in a teaser released early November. "Historical documents compliment the archaeological record, and both tangible and intangible evidence support this theory. Even the strongest of sceptics will be forced to question their conclusions." Produced by the Assyrian Cultural & Social Youth Association in Sydney, the documentary is scheduled for international release in 2019. Arnab Dam, member of an armed squad of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) who was arrested in 2012 and is currently lodged in Kolkatas Presidency jail, will on Sunday appear for the State Eligibility Test that will allow him to become a lecturer in state-run colleges. The son of a retired judicial magistrate, Dam studied mechanical engineering at IIT-Kharagpur for three semesters but dropped out in 1998 to join the Maoists. He was active in Purulia and areas adjoining the Bengal-Jharkhand border and grew close to the senior-most Maoist in the east, Koteshwar Rao, alias Kishenji, who was killed by security forces in 2011. After Raos death, the task of reorganizing the Maoists in the border areas fell upon Dam. He also headed a 34-member platoon in Bengal. Dam was linked - among others - to the Maoist attack in February 2010 on a camp of Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) in Silda in which 24 EFR personnel were killed. When he was arrested in July 2012, an AK-47 rifle, two magazines and some cartridges were found on him. Dam had 31 cases against him . He was either acquitted, or granted bail in all except the Silda attack, for which sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA ) were slapped on him. The 40-year old has acquired a bachelors and a masters degree in history from jail, securing a first division in both, and has applied to various universities to enroll in a PhD programme. His lawyer Ajoy Ghosh said that Dam will take a second test to qualify at national level as a lecturer, three days after a bail plea in a Midnapore court on December 15. I hope he clears both exams. He was a good student before he quit, said his mother Kalyani Sarkar Dam. Human rights activist Ranjit Sur said there are other college teachers who are former Naxals and have served time behind bars. But there is no example of anyone earning his degrees and passing eligibility tests to become a college teacher while in jail, he said. If the court wants, Dam can also be granted parole to teach, said Officer on Special Duty to the Bengal correctional services department, B.D. Sharma. The administration will act as per court order. Personally, I am very happy. There is nothing more fulfilling than education. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said appointing a chief executive officer (CEO) to handle governance of Mumbai by bringing different government agencies under one umbrella is a good idea, but not viable in a democratic set-up. While it is a great idea, it is not doable in a democratic set-up. However, the state governments war-room is doing that role by bringing all stakeholders under one roof. Decisions on major infrastructure projects have to be taken on the same day, Fadnavis said. The chief minister made the comments while addressing stakeholders at the Mumbai 2.0 conclave organised by the Maharashtra government and Project Mumbai Trust to discuss what lies ahead for the city. For a long time, there have been demands for a CEO for Mumbai as there is no one agency that can handle the governance of the city. Various state and central government agencies handle different functions such as infrastructure-building and maintenance, public transport, local governance and urban planning. The governments ambitious projects like the coastal road, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) and all metro corridors were discussed at the event. Taking a dig at the previous Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) government, Fadnavis said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government has facilitated major infrastructure projects of the city in four years, which were pending for two decades. All the infrastructure projects happening in Mumbai now were not conceived by our government. Most of them were planned 20 years ago. Its amazing that a project like MTHL was written about even in 2003 but nothing happened after that, Fadnavis said. The chief minister said the first Metro for the city Metro-1 (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar) was built in 10 years under the previous government. We approved detailed project reports in three months, gave bids and finalised contractors in no time. We have approved metros of 250km in length, he said. Fadnavis said that all these years, Mumbai lost out to metros like Delhi where there was a major infrastructure boom in the early 2000s. He also said that work on the long-pending Dharavi redevelopment project will begin in three or four months. On Tuesday, while Ajay Sunil Dhote was coming home after having got married at Bandra court, suddenly the wedding party realised the groom was nowhere to be found. Not just Dhote, but his friend Altaf Mirza, who had been dancing with other friends, also seemed to have disappeared. What the guests hadnt realised was that Mumbai Police had whisked Dhote and Mirza away because the two had stolen a cellphone on Monday morning. Dhote and Mirza were arrested under sections 392 (punishment for robbery) and 34 (acts done by several persons in common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The day before, the Tilak Nagar police station received a complaint from a woman who said her cellphone had been snatched. The incident took place at 9.30am at Amar Mahal junction in Chembur. The woman had been walking with her daughter when two men on a 220cc motorbike snatched her cellphone and rode off. The cellphone was worth Rs 10,000. The woman filed a complaint at the Tilak Nagar police station, following which the police checked the close circuit television cameras (CCTV) in the area. Although the entire incident was on camera, the bikes number plate was covered with tape. The police then started making enquiries in Shivaji Nagar and Govandi, after which they managed to ascertain the identity of the two thieves to be Ajay Sunil Dhote and Altaf Mirza, both 22. The police believe the duo sold the phone on Monday itself. The police decided it was time to pay a visit to Dhote at his home in Shivaji Nagar. In a scene that could be straight out of a Bollywood films, the police found itself in the middle of a wedding party since Dhote had got married in Bandra court hours earlier. They picked up Mirza and Dhote, who were taken to Tilak Nagar police station and placed under arrest. The duo was involved in a similar case registered with us in the past. We are investigating if they were involved in similar cases in other jurisdictions as well, said Satyavan Bile, police sub inspector (PSI), Tilak Nagar police station. The police believe Dhote and Mirza targeted women and followed the same modus operandi multiple times. They gauged the traffic situation before snatching the phones so that they could escape quickly. They borrowed bikes from their friends and hid the number plate before snatching phones, said Bile. Simmering farm discontent in rural Rajasthan is emerging as the biggest challenge for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its attempt to retain power in the desert state. Only a quarter of Rajasthans households live in urban areas and farmers constitute a strong and influential block of voters in the state. More than half (53%) of all households in Rajasthan own agricultural land. Farm income is either the sole or an important constituent of family incomes. Rising agricultural input costs, falling profits and poor market infrastructure remains a problem for farmers, who have a lot to complain about the BJP government. Government announced a minimum support price of Rs 1,950 per quintal for Bajra. Government procurement is tardy and payment is delayed, forcing us to sell out produce in the open market, said Sonaram, in Gumana Ka Bas village at Sikar. We sold Bajra for Rs 1,300 in the open market. Sonaram is a Jat who voted for the BJP in the previous assembly and parliamentary elections. He will vote for a Congress government in Rajasthan this time, but believes the BJP is better than the Congress at the Centre. Jats are a dominant land-owning class in Rajasthan whose Other Backward Classes (OBC) status helped them get government jobs. They earn money through farming, own vast trenches of land, and are widespread across government services such as the police force and administration. Estimated at about 15% of Rajasthans population, these factors make them an influential social and electoral group Their discontent with the local government is evident. In Jodhpur, 300 km away from Sikar, 60-year-old Ghanshyam Chowhdary argues that every farmer is in some sort of debt. One bad season and a farmer get into the vicious cycle of debt. The debt ranges from a few thousand rupees to lakhs, he said. The Congress promise to waive off farm loans (within 10 days should it come to power) has impressed him, just has it has others in these districts. Also Read: On Rajasthan CM candidate, Arun Jaitley says Congress creating illusion To earn a livelihood through farming is not easy. Nearly 61% of Rajasthans total area is desert and about two-thirds of this is heavily subject to wind erosion. About 30% of the states area is wasteland. The soil has poor water holding capacity and low nutrients, resulting into lower productivity. Rainfall, mostly during the monsoon months, is highly erratic. Rajasthan suffers a drought every three years and a major drought every five years. Sikar was the nerve centre of a farm protest led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist)s Amra Ram last year. This 13-day protest saw farmers in the states Shekhawati region bringing a halt to most activities to press demands for a waiver of loans, better prices and proper procurement of their produce. Farmers staged dharnas (sit-in protests) at local mandis (markets) across Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu. There was another round of protests in February. The government finally gave in and chief minister Vasundhara Raje announced a loan waiver in June. Till date 2.7 million small, marginal and other farmers have benefited, a senior official in the chief ministers office claimed, asking not to be identified. The waiver amount has been Rs 7,700 crore plus. BJP leaders insist the Raje government has gone beyond optics to make changes that will have far-reaching consequences. A scheme to improve ground water situation has shown results across Rajasthan, claims BJP spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi. But journalist and political commentator Naryaan Bareth claims the situation remains grim. Rajasthan was never known for farm suicides. The agrarian community here has always faced hardships and knows how to deal with such situations. But, we now have a situation where farmers are committing suicide in Rajasthan as well. As the BJP prepares for the final push in the election campaign, roping in all its star campaigners ahead of the December 7 voting, the states farmers may well hold the key to Rajes future, and its own. For full election-related coverage, click here Doubling the quantum of pensions being given to senior citizens below poverty line and differently-abled persons, payment of unemployment allowance to the jobless youth, waiver of crop loans up to Rs 1 lakh and enhancement of financial assistance to farmers from Rs 8,000 per acre to Rs 10,000 per year are some of the promises made in the manifesto of Telangana Rashtra Samithi for the next weeks assembly elections in the state. TRS president and caretaker chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao released the manifesto at a massive public rally held at Secunderabad parade grounds on Sunday evening, just three days ahead of the closure of the election campaign. According to the manifesto, the old-age pensions would be increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,016 per month and that of the differently-abled from Rs 1500 to Rs 3,106. The age limit for the eligibility for old pensions will be reduced from 65 to 57 years. The TRS declared that it would increase the retirement age of the government employees from 58 to 61. At the same time, it would increase the recruitment age limit for the unemployed by three more years. The unemployed youth will get a monthly payment of Rs 3,016 till they get a job. The TRS promised that all the eligible families would be provided with double-bedroom houses, while those who have plot but no money to construct a house would be given financial assistance of Rs 5-6 lakh. Notwithstanding the strong opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party, the TRS reiterated its commitment to secure 12% reservation to minorities and also Schedule Tribes. In his brief address, the Telangana chief minister explained how the state in general and Hyderabad in particular remained peaceful without any law and order issues. The people of Hyderabad belonging to different communities and regions have been living in peaceful co-existence, he said. He lashed out at the Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu for trying to create a rift between Telanganites and Seemandhra people by whipping up regional passions. What business does Naidu have in Telangana...? The Seemandhras in Telangana have been safe and secure in the TRS regime, but now, Naidu is talking about Telugu peoples unity, he said. He said it would be better if Naidu concentrated on Andhra Pradesh, where he could campaign for 175 seats. The TDP is contesting in just 13 seats in Telangana. For these seats, he is poking his nose in the Telangana politics and making silly speeches, he said. The TRS chief also said that his party would win more than 100 of 119 seats. This I am saying confidently because of the feedback I have received and also my independent surveys indicates so. Tomorrow, somebody might come to you with fake surveys stating that the TRS graph is down. It is cooked up by Chandrababu Naidu. Dont believe it, he said The Bharatiya Janata Party went all out against their rivals in Telangana as top party leaders campaigned across the state for December 7 assembly elections. While party president Amit Shah accused the ruling TRS and the Congress of minority appeasement, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath focussed on MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi. If BJP forms the government in Telangana, friends, I want to assure you, Owaisi will have to run away from here, the same way the Nizam was made to run away from Hyderabad, he said at his election meeting at Sangareddy on Sunday. Adityanath also alleged that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi government was deliberately denying the benefits of the schemes introduced by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre whether it was Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana, PM Awas Yojana or Rural electrificiation projegramme or Ayushman Bhava. These schemes are being successfully implemented in all the other BJP-ruled states without discriminating between minorities and majority communities, he said. The UP chief minister later addressed road shows in Medchal and Goshamahal assembly constituencies. Addressing election rallies at Narayanpet and Amangal constituencies, BJP chief Amit Shah accused the Congress and the TRS of indulging in appeasement of minorities only to capture their votes and appealed to the people to give the BJP an opportunity to provide them with good governance. He alleged that the Congress had promised to construct government hospitals exclusively for minorities, if it was voted to power in Telangana. Why only minorities? Are they are not poor people in majority Hindus as well? What about health care for them? he asked. The BJP further pointed out that the Congress had also promised to pay the electricity bills of masjids and churches. We are not opposing it. But why dont you provide free power supply to Hindu temples as well? he asked. Shah said the Congress had promised recruitment of large scale Urdu teachers, but has not made a single promise on recruitment of Telugu teachers. It has offered to extend financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh to minority students who want to go abroad for higher studies, but has not uttered a word about poor OBC and Dalit students, he alleged. Even TRS president and caretaker chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has promised 12 per cent quota for Muslims only with eye on their vote bank. It is because of this minorities appeasement by the TRS and the Congress that Majis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Akbaruddin Owaisi was emboldened to say that whichever party that comes to power in Telangana would have to be subservient to the MIM, he alleged. Shah criticised KCR of not implementing properly any of the promises he had made before 2014 elections, including three acre land to Dalits, piped drinking water supply to every household and construction of double bedroom houses for everybody. He imposed heavy burden on the people by calling for early elections only to make his son or daughter the next chief minister of Telangana, he said. At another election rally held in Uppal, Union minister Nitin Gadkari described TRS, Congress and TDP as private limited companies and said only BJP was the real party of the people. Describing the Congress-led opposition alliance as opportunistic, Gadkari alleged it had no peoples support. TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu was sailing with the BJP till recently and he has now joined hands with the Congress party for selfish political gains. He has no credibility among the people, he said. The Union minister made it clear that the BJP was committed for the development of Telangana state on all fronts. We shall come out with new schemes to prevent suicides of farmers. The Centre would extend all possible help for the completion of Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project, he assured. Authorities say five people have been shot in a Miami neighborhood and the suspect remains at large. Miami police tell news outlets that the shooting happened Saturday night in the Overtown neighborhood. They say the gunman fired several rounds at the corner of a liquor store, striking the victims. Four victims were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where two are in critical condition. Officials said the fifth victim was taken to the hospital by someone else. The victims have not been identified and a motive for the shooting has not been released. Israeli police are recommending prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted in a corruption case involving Israels telecom giant, which he has denied. These recommendations were determined and leaked even before the investigations began, Netanyahu said in a statement after the third recommended indictment against him in recent months. Im sure that in this case the relevant authorities, after examining the issue, will reach the same conclusion: that there was nothing because there is nothing. Police say Sunday they have established an evidentiary foundation to charge Netanyahu and his wife Sara with accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust. The case revolves around suspicions that confidants of Netanyahu promoted regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the Bezeq telecom company in exchange for positive coverage of the prime minister on Bezeqs news website, Walla. Police have already recommended indicting Netanyahu on corruption charges in two other cases, one involving accepting gifts from billionaire friends, and the second over trading positive media coverage for advantageous legislation for a newspaper. The prime minister has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the accusations as a witch hunt orchestrated by the media. With the direst warnings yet of impending environmental disaster still ringing in their ears, representatives from nearly 200 nations gathered Sunday in Poland to firm up their plan to prevent catastrophic climate change. The UN climate summit comes at a crucial juncture in mankinds response to planetary warming. The smaller, poorer nations that will bare its devastating brunt are pushing for richer states to make good on the promises they made in the 2015 Paris agreement. In Paris three years ago, countries committed to limit global temperature rises to well below two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and to the safer cap of 1.5C if at all possible. But with only a single degree Celsius of warming so far, the world has already seen a crescendo of deadly wildfires, heatwaves and hurricanes made more destructive by rising seas. In a rare intervention, presidents of previous UN climate summits issued a joint statement as the talks got underway in the Polish mining city of Katowice, calling on states to take decisive action... to tackle these urgent threats. The impacts of climate change are increasingly hard to ignore, said the statement, a copy of which was obtained by AFP. We require deep transformations of our economies and societies. In Katowice, nations must agree to a rulebook palatable to all 183 states who have ratified the Paris deal. This is far from a given: the dust is still settling from US President Donald Trumps decision to ditch the Paris accord. G20 leaders on Saturday agreed a final communique after their summit in Buenos Aires, declaring that the Paris Agreement was irreversible. But it said the US reiterates its decision to withdraw from the landmark accord. Even solid progress in Katowice on the Paris goals may not be enough to prevent runaway global warming, as a series of major climate reports have outlined. Failure to act will be catastrophic Just this week, the UNs environment programme said the voluntary national contributions agreed in Paris would have to triple if the world was to cap global warming below 2C. For 1.5C, they must increase fivefold. While the data are clear, a global political consensus over how to tackle climate change remains elusive. Katowice may show us if there will be any domino effect following the US withdrawal, said Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a main architect of the Paris deal. Brazils strongman president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, for one, has promised to follow the American lead during his campaign. Even the most strident climate warnings -- spiralling temperatures, global sea-level rises, mass crop failures -- are something that many developed nations will only have to tackle in future. But many other countries are already dealing with the droughts, higher seas and catastrophic storms climate change is exacerbating. A failure to act now risks pushing us beyond a point of no return with catastrophic consequences for life as we know it, said Amjad Abdulla, chief negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States, of the UN talks. A key issue up for debate is how the fight against climate change is funded, with developed and developing nations still worlds apart in their demands. Poorer nations argue that rich countries, which are responsible for the vast majority of historic carbon emissions, must help others to fund climate action. But wealthy states, led by the US, have so far resisted calls to be more transparent in how their contributions are reported -- something developing nations say is vital to form ambitious green energy plans. Developed nations led by the US will want to ignore their historic responsibilities and will say the world has changed, said Meena Ramam, from the Third World Network advocacy group. The question really is: how do you ensure that ambitious actions are done in an equitable way? 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 multi-colored graffiti. In addition to rising taxes, the demonstrators are furious about president Macrons leadership, saying that his government does not care about the problems of ordinary people. The grassroots protests began with motorists upset over a fuel tax hike, but now involve a broad range of demands related to Frances high cost of living. The movements demands have also expanded to higher pensions, an increase in the minimum wage, a repeal of certain other taxes, the restoration of a wealth tax, a law fixing a maximum salary, and replacing Macron and the National Assembly with a Peoples Assembly. While political parties have tried to show their support for the movement, the Yellow Vests have rejected any political link. Read: Will never accept violence, says Emmanuel Macron on protests across France The violence in Paris, however, suggests that some protests appear to have been taken over by more radical far-right or far-left groups. The authorities were caught off guard by the escalation in violence, known as the yellow vest movement named after fluorescent jackets mandatorily kept in all vehicles in France. President Emmanuel Macron will hold an emergency meeting with the prime minister and interior minister later on Sunday to discuss the riots and how to begin a dialogue with the protest movement, which has no real structure or leadership. Denouncing the violence, Macron said, (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. It was the third straight weekend of clashes in Paris with activists dressed in the fluorescent yellow vests of a new protest movement and the worst urban violence since at least 2005. Thousands of French police were deployed to try to contain the violence, which began Saturday morning near the Arc de Triomphe and continued well after dark. Paris police said at least 110 people, including 20 police officers, were injured in the violent protests and 224 others were arrested. By the afternoon, clashed continued down several streets popular with tourists. Pockets of demonstrators built makeshift barricades in the middle of Paris streets, lit fires, torched cars and trash cans, threw rocks at police and smashed and looted stores. Some demonstrators removed the barriers protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I under the Arc de Triomphe monument to pose near its eternal flame and sing the national anthem. They were dispersed by police. Graffiti sprayed onto the Arc de Triomphe wrote: yellow jackets will triumph. By Saturday afternoon, central Paris was locked down police, with all roads leading away from the Arc closed off as more police moved in. Over 20 downtown Paris metro stations were closed for security reasons and police ordered stores in nearby neighborhoods to close early Saturday evening. Hours later, some cars still smoldered and law enforcement and protesters were still facing off elsewhere in the capital. French television showed police leading a shaken woman away from the protesters, and loud bangs rang out near the famed Champs Elysees Avenue where the violence was centered. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted her indignation and deep sadness at the destruction and clashes with police, saying that violence is not acceptable. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen urged the protesters to go home in a tweet. French authorities said they counted 75,000 protesters Saturday across the country, including 5,500 in Paris, numbers that were less than last weeks protest but produced much more destruction. Earlier 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 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. Its 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, on the contrary, live totally above all standards with our money. Since the yellow jacket movement kicked off on November 17, two people have been killed and hundreds injured in clashes or accidents stemming from the protests. A pair of historic 19th-century water towers in the middle of the Essex countryside are for sale for 1.6m. The towers in Halstead, Essex were built in the mid-1800s and supplied water to local textile factories owned by leading Victorian industrialist Samuel Courtauld. Samuel Courtauld was born in New York in 1793 and during his lifetime turned his fathers ailing silk-weaving business into one of the UKs leading textile firms. The Courtauld family arrived in England from France at the end of the 17th century as Huguenot refugees. The first tower was built in the mid-1800s Samuels father George was apprenticed to a silk weaver in Spitalfields in 1775 at the age of 14. George made his way to New York and in 1789 met his wife, Ruth, there. The family returned to England shortly after Samuel was born and George set up a water-powered silk mill in Pebmarsh, Essex, just a few miles from Halstead. By 1816 the company was in trouble and an ambitious young Samuel, then in his mid-20s, took over. In 1830 he started producing a black silk fabric that would become the standard mourning dress in Victorian England and generate his huge fortune. He eventually became one of the areas biggest employers, with thousands of textile workers, most of whom were women. By the time Samuel died in 1881 he left an estate worth 700,000 approximately 63m in todays money. The Courtauld family has a long history of philanthropy and a number of funds still benefit local residents today. Fast forward almost 140 years and the current owners of the towers a couple working in the music business have put them on the market, giving someone an opportunity to own these incredible pieces of British industrial history. The towers were converted in 2008 by a developer and the current owners have lived there since the conversion was completed. The main tower is spread across six floors, with a massive glass-fronted archway spread across two levels acting as a jaw-dropping entrance. The second, one-bedroom tower is self-contained and could be rented out for around 850 a month. The striking interior style including a number of highly-collectible original West End theatre signs is a result of the owners decades of working in the music business. As they are planning to downsize they are willing to include some of the statement pieces in the sale, subject to negotiation. With four bedrooms, gallery balconies and lots of open-plan areas it would make a perfect country retreat for someone who likes to entertain in fact, the current owners have thrown parties for up to 250 people there over the years. The fifth floor features a 10 metre atrium with a glass roof and a staircase that leads to a show-stopping roof terrace with incredible views across the surrounding countryside. As well as the main stairs, theres even a secret spiral staircase running from top to bottom, offering those in the know an opportunity to ascend or descend with complete discretion. Outside, the gravelled courtyard is entered via electric gates and theres a double garage also electrically operated a lawn and a patio with an outside pizza oven. Theres a private airfield close by and Stanstead airport is only 25 minutes away. Opinion Article 2 December 2018 Data breaches are back in the news, and this time, its a well-known hotel industry player: Marriott International. The company announced today that unauthorized access to their systems going back several years has exposed the names and other personal details of over 500 million guests. For hoteliers, this situation can be avoided by using the Global Hospitality Group Risk Assessment Audit, a comprehensive tool that combines your internal resources with our expertise in analyzing your risk profile, both for compliance purposes and to create effective data security strategies. Bob Braun, senior member of JMBMs Global Hospitality Group and Co-Chair of the Firms Cybersecurity & Privacy Group, sums up what Marriott is facing and what lessons other hotels can learn from this incident, below. Advertisements Not a Good Day for Marriott | by Bob Braun Its unlikely that anyone in the hospitality industry perhaps anyone who watches the news hasn't heard about the data breach at Marriott. Marriotts pre-eminent position in the hotel industry, and the very size of the breach, with an estimated 500 million individuals impacted (putting it second behind the Yahoo breach) make this noteworthy. What Happened? While some of the information is available, most of the details have yet to be filled in. However, there are some key takeaways that every hotel owner, operator and brand should consider: First, this breach dates back more than 4 years, to 2014, prior to Starwoods acquisition by Marriott. This highlights a key problem with data breaches in general, and a particular problem for the hospitality industry: data breaches are difficult to discover, creating not a one-time problem, but a continuing issue. In this case, Marriott reported that the intruders encrypted information from the hacked database, possibly to avoid detection by any data-loss prevention tools when removing the stolen information from the companys network, further complicating the discovery and analysis of the breach. Marriotts statement also detailed the information that was compromised, which it said includes some combination of name, mailing address, phone number, email address, passport number, Starwood Preferred Guest account information, date of birth, gender, arrival and departure information, reservation date and communication preferences. The theft of this information raises the possibility of creating significant damage to individuals, and its ramifications will be felt for a long time. One concern that needs to be considered is that Marriott was aware of potential issues at Starwood. Just after Marriotts acquisition of Starwood, Starwood disclosed a breach involving more than 50 properties. According to Starwoods disclosure at the time, that earlier breach stretched back at least one year to November 2014. As we have noted earlier, while the size of this breach is breathtaking, Marriott is not alone. Virtually every major hotel company (and many smaller brands) have been impacted by breaches. This highlights that hotel companies are an attractive target, both for the vast amounts of information they collect, as well as systemic issues (multiple legacy systems, extensive use of vendors, and a variety of access points). There will be a significant cost to this breach, including both direct costs (including breach notification and remediation, responding to regulatory and private actions) as well as reputational costs, translating into potential loss of business. And hotel owners operating under Marriott brands will undoubtedly bear at least part of the cost, as Marriott implements new policies, procedures and systems, and as consumers reconsider the security of Marriott systems. Industry Challenges This breach comes at particularly sensitive time, as privacy laws in the United States and abroad are becoming increasingly strict. Marriott will have to report and consider its obligations not only under United States laws which are fragmented, and will include virtually every state, as well as the federal government but also the impact of the European Union General Data Privacy Regulation, which itself is enforced by a variety of data regulators. Beyond this, other countries ranging from India to Canada to China and Russia have varying regulatory schemes which Marriott must address. What Do Hoteliers Need to Do? The Marriott data breach, however it ultimately plays out, should be a wake-up call for the hospitality industry. Owners, operators and brands need to create effective and comprehensive policies, procedures and systems to address an increasingly dangerous data environment. Existing processes often a patchwork of uncoordinated documents simply will not work in todays new environment, which demands attention not only to the ever-increasing sophistication of hackers, but also the adoption of new laws and regulations that impose greater responsibility, and impose greater potential liability, on the collection, retention and use of personal information. The JMBM Global Hospitality Group has joined with the JMBM Cybersecurity and Privacy Group to offer a Risk Assessment Audit and cybersecurity protocols geared specifically to the hotel industry. The Risk Assessment Audit is a comprehensive tool that joins together your internal resources (including information technology, information security and corporate governance) with our expertise in analyzing your risk profile to create an inclusive suite of findings, recommendations and strategy, both for compliance purposes and to create effective data security practices. For more information, contact Bob Braun at 310-785-5331 or [email protected]. Anderson .Paak underwent the late night rite of passage this weekend when he made his debut as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. Off the fresh release of his third studio outing Oxnard, the California native pulled up to the NBC set to run through renditions of project selects that include Who R U and the Kendrick Lamarassisted bop Tints. Kendrick showed up in full effect alongside his collaborator as the two delivered on a performance of the track with .Paak taking his position behind a drum set for the first appearance. Soon, he would grace the stage once more to deliver on Who R U. Anderson was first announced as the musical guest for this episode back when Steve Carell hosted SNL with Ella Mai as the musical guest. The announcement coincided with the arrival of Oxnard and .Paak has been on a fruitful roll ever since. Last nights episode was hosted by actress Claire Foy who is currently promoting her most recent film The Girl In The Spiders Web, the sequel to 2011s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. As for Anderson, hell be kicking off the new year with a three-date run in Australia and New Zealand. Oxnard will surely bring a full tour run in its wake, but for now well have to make due with studio recordings on repeat. Lamont Hill expressed his discontentment with Israel's policies concerning Palestine during a speech at the United Nations on Wednesday. Although the correspondent has specified his disagreement with any anti-Semitic ideology, CNN chose to cut ties with the public figure on Thursday. A CNN spokesperson confirmed Hill is no longer under contract. The network did not specify their motive for parting ways with the college professor, but their decision follows the objections to Hill's speech by the Anti-Defamation League and other groups. Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images During the speech given as part of the U.N.'s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Hill presented himself as a proponent of boycotting and divesting from Israel. "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." The "river to the sea" phrase was interpreted as code for the destruction of Israel, a term used by the Palestinian group Hamas and other opponents who wish to obliterate the nation as it currently stands. Hill has since clarified his statements via Twitter. "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." "I support Palestinian freedom. I support Palestinian self-determination. 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." This weekend, DaniLeigh unleashed her debut The Plan album and so far, fans arent disappointed. The project was a calculated effort on Danis part to showcase the range that the South Florida upstart has tucked away and she accomplishes the goal with ease. Particularly, she throws a few curveballs, occasionally straying from the upbeat dance-friendly tracks shes been spewing to slow it down on cuts like the one in question: Easy. Produced by Christopher Allen Clark and Fallon King, Easy is a display of a more delicate side of DaniLeigh as moody backdrop gives way to romantic undertones as Dani gently releases: Make you feel lucky, lucky/Make you wanna love me, love me/Baby, when you with me, with me/Got no worries, worries Theres a relationship side, Im more low-key when it comes to that, Dani previously hinted in an interview with Pigeons & Planes earlier this year. But I do talk about it a little bit in a couple of records. The track is an unexpected, yet welcome switch-up from DaniLeigh and is certainly one of the effort's highlights. Get into Easy and be sure to enjoy The Plan in full. Quotable Lyrics Never gotta OD I just wanna love you like a homie Make you feel love like that OG It could feel just like the old days Okay, let's just be real I can tell you like how this feels (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump said he would soon tell Congress of plans to terminate the existing North American Free Trade Agreement, a move that would give lawmakers a six-month window to ratify a new regional trade pact signed on Friday between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. I will be formally terminating Nafta shortly, Trump told reporters late Saturday aboard Air Force One as he returned from the Group of 20 summit in Argentina. So Congress will have a choice between the new deal, known as the U.S.M.C.A, or potentially no continental trade deal at all. The threat, if enacted, would effectively remove a safety net from under the new trade pacts journey through Congress. Even though it was signed by leaders, the deal still needs to be ratified by lawmakers in the three countries. In the U.S., it will almost certainly be taken up by the next Congress, where Democrats will have a majority in the House starting in January. Some Democrats are warning they may not be satisfied by the terms. Speaking Sunday on CNNs State of the Union, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, a fierce Nafta critic who has said he worked with the administration in re-negotiating the deal, didnt answer how hed vote on it but said the works not done yet and theres still an opportunity to ask Mexico to strengthen labor requirements. Not Far Enough The deal doesnt go far enough to protect the dignity of jobs and labor conditions and doesnt live up to the promise the president said of a renegotiated Nafta, he said. Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia said the process will be more complicated than a simple approval of the new deal to replace Nafta. Congress has a right to come in and review, whether its labor, whether its environmental, whether the deal is actually better, Warner said on CBSs Face the Nation. These are all open questions, and I think youve already seen pushback from folks on both sides of the aisle. Warner said he was not ready at all at this point to say how hed vote on the pact. Trumps statement may also be a bluff -- or prove harder than he thinks. Under terms of the existing 1994 Nafta pact, the president can give six-months notice of withdrawal, though its not binding. U.S. lawmakers have, however, said Congress would still need to repeal Naftas legislation to fully kill it. Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and outgoing Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto signed an authorization for the deal on Friday morning in Argentina on the sidelines of the G-20, with their ministers signing it shortly after. Trump announced his intentions on Nafta hours after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping for dinner in Buenos Aires and reaching a truce in their escalating trade war. We get rid of Nafta, Trump said. Its been a disaster for the United States. Its caused us tremendous amounts of unemployment and loss and company loss and everything else. Some U.S. lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, have called for changes to the new regional pact inked on Friday, though Trumps trade czar has expressed confidence it will pass. Pelosi View The negotiations are not going to be reopened, right? The agreements been signed. We still have to put together an implementing bill, so there are things that we can do, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told reporters Friday in Buenos Aires. He said he was in talks already with Democrats, and appeared unfazed. Well get the support of a lot of Democrats, a very high number of Democrats. Absolutely, just no doubt about it. On Friday, 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. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House, called the agreement a work in progress in a statement released on Friday evening. We are waiting to see enforcement provisions relating to workers and the environment, she said. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office as Mexicos president on Saturday; his Morena party, which with its allies holds a majority in Mexicos Senate, could also seek revisions. Incoming Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, hosting a dinner for American visitors at Lopez Obradors inauguration, declined to comment on the news Saturday night. Trudeau has a majority in Canadas House of Commons, leaving a clear path to pass a deal, but faces an election in October. (Updates with Mark Warner comments in sixth paragraph.) --With assistance from Katia Dmitrieva. To contact the reporters on this story: Jennifer Epstein in Air Force One at jepstein32@bloomberg.net;Josh Wingrove in Buenos Aires at jwingrove4@bloomberg.net;Eric Martin in Mexico City at emartin21@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Michael Shepard at mshepard7@bloomberg.net, ;Vivianne Rodrigues at vrodrigues3@bloomberg.net, Mark Niquette, Ros Krasny 2018 Bloomberg L.P. This opinion piece was originally published July 28, 1963, in the Houston Chronicle's Outlook section. In anticipation of an active election season, the newspaper asked the chairmen of the Harris County Republican and Democratic parties what to expect. For decades, Democrats had a firm grip on Texas politics. But Republican John Tower's election to the Senate in 1961 gave the GOP hope that Texas would become a "two-party" state. The following year, the Chronicle said "Republicans are making their strongest bid in Texas history to elect both state-wide and local officers." By this time, George H.W. Bush was president of Zapata Offshore Co. and chairman of the Harris County Republican Party. More than a month after this was published, he would announce his candidacy for U.S. Senate against incumbent Ralph Yarborough. Though unsuccessful, it put him on the path of public service that would eventually lead him to the White House. This is the political climate Bush found himself in ahead of the 1964 election season. -- J.R. Gonzales *** The Republican Party of Harris County stands at one of the most challenging crossroads in its history. The way we move during the next two years may well determine the fate of a two-party Texas; for if in 1963 or 1964 we elect Republicans to office in Harris County, there can be little question of the inevitability of a state-wide movement to the Republican party. On the other hand, if we fail to capitalize on the advances already made in such places as Dallas and Midland, then it might be argued that the Republican victories have been freakish and that Texas is not yet ready to part from its traditional place in the one-party South. Where do we now stand in Harris County -- what are our strengths and weaknesses? Right now, from an organizational standpoint, the party is stronger than the general public might think -- but weaker than we should be. We now have the most dedicated and strongest political organization in Harris County. Our party is young, philosophically united, eager and willing to work hard. We are afflicted by some dry-martini critics who talk but don't work. We also have the problem of the downtown businessman who thinks Republican, votes Republican, occasionally gives quietly Republican, but for "political" reasons won't identify as a Republican. I am convinced the latter problem can be overcome by electing Republicans. It is much more respectable to be a Republican in Texas today than it was five years ago. If Jack Cox were governor and Ross Baker and Des Barry were in Congress, it would be quite acceptable to be publicly identified as a Republican. [In 1962, Cox lost to Democrat John Connally in the race for Texas governor. Ross Baker unsuccessfully ran against incumbent U.S. Rep. Bob Casey, a conservative Democrat, for the 22nd congressional district post. And Desmond Barry lost to Dallas' Joe Pool for an at-large congressional seat. -- JR] Add to these a Republican mayor or county judge (we strongly believe that Republicans should compete for office at all levels of government) and I'm convinced Houston would become and would remain a great Republican stronghold. Our "liberal" opponents continually harp on two areas of criticism against the Republican party: First, they attempt to present us as racists. The Republican party of Harris County is not a racist party. We have not presented our story to the Negroes in the county. Our failure to attract the Negro voter has not been because of a racist philosophy; rather it has been a product of our not having had the organization to tackle all parts of the county. Negroes highly receptive to GOP Now we are on the move in this area and we are finding the Negroes highly receptive. For too long they have succumbed to the dictates and promises of some Democratic prophet who vanishes a day or two after election day. When the Negro community votes approximately 29,000 to 1,000 for Joe Pool over Des Barry, it is evident to any thinking person "someone is being had." We are now appealing to the Negro vote not with promises of more and more federal programs or charity. We believe in the basic premise that an individual Negro surrenders the very dignity and freedom he is struggling for when he accepts money for his vote or when he goes along with the bloc vote dictates of some Democrat boss who couldn't care less about the quality of candidates he is pushing. We have a tough row to hoe here, but what we are proposing is so obviously right that when we say, "Look at the candidates, then decide for whom to vote," this rightness inspires zeal and enthusiasm. Our second area of vulnerability in the eyes of our opponents is so-called "extremism." I think the left-wingers' dedication to discussing right-wing extremists in the Republican party is some psychological defensive reaction to the difficulty they have in defending the inherent weaknesses in their own cause -- as exemplified by the Ban-the-Bomb types, the Americans for Democratic Action. Wherever one goes in so-called liberal circles, there is a great clatter of discussion about Republican extremists. (Parkinson might develop a helpful formula for this: The concern of the left-winger on this matter is directly related to his degree of his left-wingism.) The Republican party of Harris County is not an extremist party -- and for this I am glad. In our zeal to free the individual from government control, in our eagerness to see our country stand up to the menace of world communism, and in our fervor to preserve our great economic system, we must not scrap our Bill of Rights. There is no place in our party organization for the cowardly unsigned "hate" letter, the anonymous telephone call, the "branding" of one's fellow man for his unwillingness to conform to the brander's every ideological point. We have spoken out and will continue to speak out against this type of behavior whether it be in our party, in the Democratic party, or the Communist party. The Republican party in Harris County and in Texas will have a challenging opportunity in 1964. In my opinion, the Democrat conventions and the Democrat primaries are going to show clearly that "conservative Democrats" no longer have a party. Today, as I go around our county, it's not the conservative Democrats we run into in our organizational work -- it is the left-wing Democrats -- the so-called "liberal" Democrats. These are the people who are working and working hard at political organization. Conservative? You belong with us Last year's vote for governor set the pattern for the conventions. The left-wing Democrats are in the saddle and they're riding hard. Four to six years ago, when Republicans ran for office, the war cry "downtown" was, "Your Republicans are fouling up 'conservatism' for Texas." Now, however, though some may still feel this way, many are coming to realize that the Republican party is the only hope for the voter who believes in freedom from strong federal control, in fiscal responsibility, and in the individual's right to manage his own affairs. I believe Sen. Ralph Yarborough will be unbeatable in next year's Democratic primary no matter who opposes him. But in the general election, I am certain he will be defeated. Sen. Yarborough presents a strong case for the left-wingers in Texas. There is no question as to where he stands. For the most part, he is diametrically opposed to the things we Republicans believe in. More and more this will prove to be the case in the Democratic party and as it develops, as other candidates philosophically aligned with Sen. Yarborough gain prominence, the Republican party will grow. Sen. Yarborough's thinking does not represent the views of a majority of Texans -- if, indeed, of even an appreciable minority, but he will win his primary because of political organization. One last comment on the question of the two-party state. The traditional "conservative" Democrat often defends his precarious position of remaining in a left-wing controlled party in Harris County, Texas by saying "Well, there's no difference between the two parties nationally" or "Look at Rockefeller or Javits" or "Look what Eisenhower spent in 1958." My answer to these comments is, "Look at the record." Certainly, Rockefeller and Javits are to the left of some Democratic senators; yes Eisenhower proposed a whopping program in 1958 -- generously supplemented, I might add, by a spendthrift Democrat-controlled Congress. But politics is neither all fish nor all fowl. There is an ideological overlap between some Republicans and some Democrats, but an objective analysis of the votes in the Senate and House over the years will clearly reveal that the Republican party is the party of individual liberty and fiscal responsibility and the Democratic party is the party of fiscal irresponsibility and the trend towards socialism. This is not to say that some realignment is not necessary to make the distinction even more clear. As conservative Democrats in the South seek vainly for the now-extinct party of their ancestors, the ideological lines become much more clear. The Republican party at its National Convention can accomplish much for all Americans through furtherance of this realignment by offering its presidential nomination to a leader who leaves no doubt as to his position on the basic question of the role of the Federal Government in the lives of the people. I personally am strongly in favor of offering the voters a clear-cut choice. One final problem which plagues us locally is the "label" problem. It plagues the Democrats, too. The words "Conservative" and "Liberal" are vastly overworked and distorted completely beyond their original meanings. In the Negro community, the word "Conservative" is a dirty word. It doesn't mean economic conservatism -- not spending more than you take in, as it should. It doesn't mean an economic system free from government controls, as it should. It means only one thing: "Segregation!" This is false -- at least, in the Republican party. In other areas, the same thing holds true. "Conservative" means one thing to one person and something else to another. Too often, people working every day in a political organization, are inclined to overlook the fact that the way to win elections is to attract and secure votes. We must have in our party a united philosophy, but we must avoid at all costs delineating such a narrow party line that we appeal only to a narrow segment of voters. I decry the tendency on the part of some few party people of both parties to say, in effect, "If you don't agree with me on every single issue, then you aren't a member of MY party" -- be it Republican or Democrat. Zealots without political maturity finish second at election time. This is no plea for spinelessness on issues. It is a plea for responsible political behavior. We're building at the grass roots My job as Harris County Republican chairman is an organizational job. We plan to continue the building of a strong grass roots organization, precinct by precinct, composed of people who will canvass, get out the vote, and raise money for candidates. We Republicans will have more active primaries and it is here that Republicans will battle Republicans. But when the primaries are over, we will join together to win the general elections. I am a strong believer in a two-party system. My belief precludes any interest whatsoever in a third-party movement or a Dixiecrat splinter group. The way to be effective politically is to work within one of the major parties -- Republican or Democrat -- even if one doesn't get all his preferred candidates all the time. There will be much at stake in 1964. People are tired of the one-party government. Necessary reform at all levels government is becoming more and more essential. There is no better instrument to reduce graft and incompetency than to have a strong party competing for offices at all levels. The theory of organized "local" opposition is a good one. It will work just as well at the courthouse level as at the White House level. It's exciting to be a Republican in Harris County, Texas today. The inevitability of our victory is clear. One only has to graph the vast Republican strides made at the polls over the last 10 years to see the picture. Our party is not without its problems, but we are relatively united, we are energetic and dedicated to a political philosophy which is strong because it places a basic trust in the people and in our Constitution. If we act responsibility, if we make a principled appeal to all voters, and if we continue our program of basic political organization, we cannot help but become the dominant force in Texas politics. This, then, is our challenge and Texas' opportunity. We are prepared to meet our responsibilities and I believe Texans in Harris County are prepared to defend their Constitutional rights through the Republican party. WASHINGTON - Some of President Donald Trump's loudest Republican critics are asserting themselves during their final weeks in Congress, as the GOP prepares to usher in a new class of lawmakers poised to show stronger support for the White House. One defiant Republican is seeking to protect the special counsel investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election, another wants to toughen U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia and a third is warning that embracing Trump is perilous for the future of the Republican Party. The moves amount to a last gasp from a wing of the GOP that has been unable steer the party away from Trump during the first two years of his presidency and will see its ranks diminished in the next Congress. The shifting dynamic reflects Trump's dominance in the party and the marginalization of dissenting voices, even after a disappointing midterm election for the Republicans in which Democrats won back the House. "This is the president's party now. It really is. I don't think you can read it any other way," said Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who is retiring and has frequently voiced concerns about Trump. But first, he is trying to use his remaining time in office to press for a vote on a bill to protect special counsel Robert Mueller III from being fired by refusing to support Trump's judicial nominees until he gets one. The strategy, which Flake said in an interview was prompted by Jeff Sessions being forced out as attorney general, has irked some Republican senators. "Has it given Jeff leverage? Sure. Does he have a right to do it? Yes. Do I agree with him? No," said Sen. John Neely Kennedy, R-La. In speeches, media interviews and a book, Flake has strongly condemned the president's style and he has decried the political tribalism that he says has become widespread during Trump's leadership. But Flake's comments have left most Republican lawmakers unmoved. "I think one politician complaining about another does very little," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a former critic of Trump who has transformed into one of the president's most enthusiastic allies. Flake said embracing Trump after his 2016 win would have been the "path to re-election, but I couldn't do it." He added, "Whether I accomplish anything or not by my opposition to some of his policies and some of his behavior ... I just couldn't do that." The senator said he hasn't ruled out running against Trump in 2020. "I know where New Hampshire is. I've been there a few times," Flake said with a chuckle, naming a crucial early nominating state. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., another Trump critic who is retiring, has voiced concerns about Trump's strong support for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, in the wake of the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "I never thought I'd see the day a White House would moonlight as a public relations firm for the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia," Corker tweeted in response to a Trump statement last month. Corker was one of just 14 Republican senators who voted to move forward with a resolution to end U.S. military support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen. He said he is working on a potential substitute measure to express "what we'd like to see happen to Saudi Arabia in general." He has also pressed the administration to consider tougher sanctions against the kingdom. The Tennessee senator who last year accused Trump of "debasing" the country with his "untruths" and "name-calling," said in a brief interview that he did not relish going after the president and pointed out that he has also worked with the administration. "I don't enjoy, by the way, being critical," said Corker. The departures of Flake and Corker are among several factors that will shift the dynamic in the Senate next year. Republicans expanded their majority to 53-47 over Democrats in the midterms, thanks to wins by stalwart Trump backers such as Kevin Cramer in North Dakota and Josh Hawley in Missouri. Corker's replacement in the Senate will be Rep. Marsha Blackburn, a staunch Trump ally who launched her campaign with a video declaring herself "politically incorrect and proud of it." Sen. James E. Risch, R-Idaho, who has been supportive of Trump, is positioned to succeed Corker at the helm of the Foreign Relations panel. Flake's exit will remove an obstacle for Senate Republican leaders on the Judiciary Committee, which is tasked with processing the president's nominees to the federal bench. The new chairman of the committee is likely to be Graham. The electoral contours of 2020 are expected to prompt Republican senators to keep relations warm with the president. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and his top deputy, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, are both up for re-election in states the president is an early favorite to win. The risks of crossing Trump are in plain sight. He has aggressively targeted his GOP critics. "I retired him. I'm very proud of it. I did the country a great service," Trump said of Flake the day after the election. He has mocked Corker on Twitter as "Liddle' Bob Corker." The threat of a Trump-backed primary challenger also looms over Republicans inclined to call out the president publicly. Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., experienced this in June when he was defeated by Katie Arrington, a state legislator Trump endorsed hours before the polls closed. Sanford is spending his final days in Congress warning that turning the GOP over to Trump could lead to the party spending a long time in the House minority as it abandons its principles in favor of pleasing a base of voters deeply committed to the president. When Arrington lost to Democrat Joe Cunningham in the general election, Sanford quickly drew attention to the upset in his conservative district. He labeled it a "wake-up call" for the GOP and urged Republicans to step away from Trump in a New York Times op-ed that was published the week after the election. "I continue to believe that the Trump phenomenon is a temporary phenomenon," Sanford said an interview. But he added, "I woudn't have guessed it would last as long as it has." Asked what he felt he accomplished by taking on Trump, Sanford replied, "Not that much - I lost." Like Flake, he said he felt it was the right thing to do given his issue with Trump's behavior and policies. "It's my belief that where he's taking our party is in a dangerous direction, both in electoral consequence, which we saw with the midterms, and, more significantly, with regard to the conservative movement," said Sanford. Democrats gained at least 39 House seats in the midterms, as Republican candidates fared poorly in many purple districts where the unpopularity of the president and the GOP brand dragged them down. The Republicans who won will mostly represent conservative districts where the president is well-regarded. House Republicans picked Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who is friendly with Trump, to lead them next year. Even before the election, the ranks of House Republicans criticizing Trump started thinning. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, one of the most vocal Republican Trump critics in the House, resigned his seat earlier this year. Some Republican activists who do not like Trump have expressed frustration at his enduring command in the party. Fergus Cullen, a former New Hampshire Republican Party chairman, said he was hopeful that Trump critics like himself would be on the right side of history, but that "history is moving really slowly right now." It's unclear who, if anyone, will emerge as the leader of the Republican resistance to Trump next year on Capitol Hill. Sens. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., and Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, have spoken out when they have disagreed with the president. Flake said he believes Sen.-elect Mitt Romney of Utah will be willing to call out the president when he thinks he is wrong. But Romney has not been as sharply critical of Trump as he once was. And the political risks of developing a reputation for challenging the president are as acute as ever. "I'm still hoping the party is going to come back to its senses one day, but I don't see it happening in the near term," said Cullen. Ollie Dickens first lesson in family history came from the Muppets, donning Victorian dress, acting out his great-great-great-grandfathers famous novel: A Christmas Carol. We didnt really know Dickens was a real person, he said. Years later, Ollie Dickens, a London-based actor, gave his own interpretation of grumpy Ebenezer Scrooges transformation into a generous man during a performance Saturday at Dickens on the Strand, a Victorian festival in Galvestons historic district. Yards away, his cousins signed autographs and posed for photos with dozens of fans. The Galveston Historical Foundation started Dickens on the Strand 45 years ago as a way to draw interest to the then-abandoned blocks that formed the 19th century business district. Tourism and historic preservation remain the festivals major goals, with Charles Dickens personifying that spirit, but the Dickensian aspects of the festival are a draw for some. Over 100 people, among them Dianne Brazell, stayed for a full hour to watch Ollie Dickens reading of A Christmas Carol on Saturday afternoon in the make-pretend Trafalgar Square. Acrobatics, a Queen's parade, and Victorian bed races were among the dozens of other shows. Brazell, 61, got Ollie Dickens' autograph after his show, and she plans to frame it alongside a photo they took together. This is the heart of the festival, the retired high school English teacher said. It just legitimizes (the Dickens theme) and makes it special. The historical foundation has been inviting Charles Dickens great-great-grandchildren to its annual festival for 43 years, when author and art historian Lucinda Dickens Hawksley said her father first came to Galveston. Hawksley, whos written several books about Charles Dickens and other 19th-century figures, has been flying down from London to celebrate her family history for at least 10 years. Regular festival-goers have started to recognize Hawksley and her cousin, Jane Dickens Monk, who also attends every year. The historical society pays for their airfare and lodging, and they get to see dolphins in December a tradition for their Texas visits. Its a charity thats worth supporting, Hawksley said. Architecture and restoration are so important, because if you forgot all the old buildings, you forget the history. In particular, the pair were affected by the Bishops Palace, an ornate Victorian mansion. Like most of the islands historic buildings, the nearly 20,000-square foot house was threatened by development before the Galveston Historical Society purchased it in 2013. It would have been really criminal if that had been knocked down, Monk said. Far away from their familys home, Hawksley and her cousin, Jane Dickens Monk, often are asked to sign old copies of Charles Dickens novels, and they find their own history in the pages. One thing thats really lovely is you get people bringing back books that they have been bringing here or their parents have been bringing here for 45 years, Hawksley said. Every now and then, Jane will see one signed by her father, and Ill see one signed by my father. Neither of our fathers are still alive, so its really moving when you see that. They predicted the same would happen to Ollie Dickens, 26, whos visiting Galveston for the first time in nearly two decades. Ollie, whos here for the first time since he was about 8, is going to see his 8-year-old signature in a book, and hell be asked to sign it again, Hawksley said. The cousins, who attend multiple Dickens festivals each year, said Galvestonians are especially keen to collect signatures. Some of the books they sign have seven or eight family members names already within their pages. That enthusiasm isnt limited to collectors: Ollie Dickens was delighted by the energy, costumes, and theatricality of the festival. He said hed never seen anything like it at home. America does festivals better than everyone else, with all the love and the exuberance compared to the more reserved and cold English festivals, Ollie Dickens said. It could be a Dickens novel, this festival. But why Charles Dickens? The Victorian festivals theme comes from the citys connections to London, both historic and present. Prior to the 1900 hurricane, when Galveston was one of the Souths leading ports, it had many ties to the British capital through immigration and trade. And Galveston's Strand Street is named after the main London thoroughfare. And for many people, watching or a reading Charles Dickens work also denotes the start of the holiday season. Lisa Newton, 54, said its already a family tradition to watch the 1984 A Christmas Carol movie. This year, theyll also drink something out of a newly purchased recipe book, Drinking with Dickens, by descendant Cedric Dickens -- Jane Dickens Monks father. Its living history, and its a connection to Christmas and this time of year, Newton said. Dickens on the Strand's last day for 2018 is Sunday. Tickets, which are half-price for those in Victorian dress, are available on the Galveston Historical Foundation website. emilyrburleson@gmail.com twitter.com/emilyrburleson On Friday, former president George H.W. Bush was reunited with Barbara, his beloved wife of 73 years, who died in April at the age of 92. Bush had met the loss of his wife with his customary graciousness and fortitude. We have faith she is in heaven, and we know life will go on as she would have it, Bush said in a statement, at the time. For the following seven months he had seemed to be in good spirits, if frail health. Over the course of last week, though, Bush faded. And on Friday he was ready, according to James A. Baker III, who arrived at the family home that morning and was among the friends and family members gathered at Bushs bedside that evening. Americans were ready too, in a sense. We already had an occasion to reflect on the Bush familys legacy of public service in the wake of Barbaras death. It had also allowed us to reflect on roles she and George H. W. held as pillars of a political dynasty. The first Bush to hold public office was George H.W.s father, Prescott, who served two terms as a United States senator from Connecticut. But the Bush family became a political dynasty as a result of the partnership that George H.W. Bush forged with Barbara Pierce. The two met as teenagers at a high school dance. They were married in 1945, after George returned from his service in the United States Navy during World War II. And he and Barbara were true partners over the long and often difficult years that followed. The Bushes traveled the world together, and the country; it was Georges decision to work in the oil industry that initially brought them to Texas. They shared the exhilaration of victory on a number of occasions, beginning in 1962, when George was elected chairman of the Harris County GOP. They raised five children together including Jeb, who became governor of Florida, and George W., who became the 43rd president after serving as governor of Texas. George and Barbara also faced heartbreak together. In 1953 they buried their 3-year-old daughter, Robin, after she suffered for months undergoing treatment for leukemia. They saw their surviving children struggle. And the two were able to commiserate with George W. and Jeb about the turmoil of being involved in American politics. Legacy of good acts George H. W. Bush did a lot of good over the years beginning at the local level, and eventually on the world stage. As chairman of the Harris County GOP in the 1960s, for example, Bush helped fend off a takeover attempt from members of the John Birch Society, who would have led the Republican Party in a dire direction. After being elected to the nations highest office in 1988, Bush presided over the end of the Cold War, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, although not its ratification. Bush also signed the Americans with Disabilities Act a landmark piece of legislation in itself, and one that reflects a commitment to the dignity and inclusion of all Americans. But its easier to appreciate those accomplishments in retrospect, perhaps. As president, Bush was overshadowed by his predecessor, Ronald Reagan, for whom he served as vice president. He was unseated after one term by the charismatic young Democratic governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton. Bushs legacy as president was subsequently entangled with that of his son, George W., whose administration began under a cloud in 2000, and was more polarizing than his fathers had been. And the tributes that have been pouring in to George H.W. Bush since the news of his death arent entirely about him, I think. Throughout the course of his long and storied life, he embodied qualities like graciousness, kindness, and self-disciplinequalities which many of todays political leaders lack. The Republican Party, in particular, has changed since Bush was among its leaders and Bushs critics would argue that since he was one of the partys leaders, the change reflects poorly on him. But such arguments can wait. Pillars of their family At the moment, the nation is in mourning. And Americans are mourning over the way our country has changed, I think, as much as for the former president. Bush was 94, after all. He lived a long and full life. He was grieving his wife, with whom he had shared so much, and built so much, during the course of their decades in public service. He died at peace. It was a very gentle and peaceful passing, Baker told the Chronicle. Bushs last words, Baker added, were to his eldest son, the former president George W. Bush, who had called to tell his father he loved him. I love you, too, the elder Bush said. George H.W. and Barbara Bush were the pillars of a political dynasty, because they were pillars of their family. Thats a legacy that will last, even if American politics has changed, for the worse, since then. erica.grieder@chron.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. 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. WASHINGTON Ten years ago, as a Harris County commissioner, Sylvia Garcia joined a national conference of Latino leaders where then-presidential candidate Barack Obama proclaiming Si, se puede (Yes, we can) promised to sign the Dream Act, providing legal status to undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. Of course, we stayed on him and stayed on him about that, Garcia said about the long-stalled bill, which bogged down in partisan gridlock and never made it to Obamas desk. Now, as one of two newly-elected Latina congresswomen from Texas, Garcia, a Democrat from Houstons working-class east side, will get her turn as part of a renewed push to pass legislation protecting Dreamers. Whether theres a deal to be done in the Congress that convenes in January will depend in large part on the politics of the border wall that President Donald Trump made the centerpiece of his 2016 campaign. Despite Trumps frequent claims to the contrary, it remains an unfulfilled promise to his conservative base and the focus of a threatened government shutdown by Friday. As the current lame-duck Congress grapples with Trumps $5 billion wall funding request for next year, incoming lawmakers are already looking ahead to the potential endgame of a comprehensive immigration package, including a fix for Dreamers, that is certain to be a top priority of the new Democratic majority in the House. But much like the Republican House majority they will replace, Democrats are divided both on tactics and aims of negotiations with the Trump White House and the Republican-led Senate. While some see a historic opportunity for compromise in a divided Congress, others remain skeptical that Trump, with an eye on 2020, will abandon a list of hardline immigration demands including restrictions on legal immigration and ending birthright citizenship that has only expanded since he took office. Meanwhile its increasingly doubtful that longtime immigration activists like Garcia will go along with a deal to exchange wall funding for Dreamer protections a formula that blew up in an acrimonious Senate debate earlier this year. Id have to see the whole deal, but right now I cant imagine a package that would include the wall and the Dream Act that I could support, she said. You cant be a welcoming country, providing for children, and still want a wall. Theyre two different messages. Garcia, the president of the National Associations of Latino Elected Officials when Obama took office, could be an influential new voice in the debate, along with Congresswoman-elect Veronica Escobar, who will represent the El Paso district of rising Democratic star Beto ORourke. Divided Congress Escobar, following in ORourkes footsteps, has called the border secure and declared it is time to move on to more humane and comprehensive immigration reform. The two are the first Latinas elected to Congress from Texas, a border state thats home to an estimated 126,000 Dreamers, and where the GOP lost two House seats. One was held by Houston Republican John Culberson, a leading congressional critic of so-called sanctuary cities. Whichever faction holds sway in the 116th Congress, the Democrats gains in the 2018 midterm elections have created an entirely new political dynamic. That was recognized by Trump in recent remarks suggesting that we have a much easier path to negotiate on a host of issues, from immigration to health care, by dealing out hard-line members of the GOPs Freedom Caucus who frequently haunted Republican House leaders. Some Republicans see Trump offering an olive branch. The big question: Will House Democrats take him up on it? former George W. Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen wrote in recent Washington Post essay. But analysts on the other end of the spectrum see little more than a feint to put the onus on Democrats if nothing gets done. Its true that Donald Trump wants to show that hes a deal maker, but you can see with his threat to shut down the government over wall funding that this is more about saving his own skin, and often that means pandering to his base, said longtime Congress watcher Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute. Still, Ornstein and others see a precedent for progress under divided government, such as when House Republicans compromised with President Bill Clinton in the 1990s to enact major welfare reform. Ive always believed that a divided Congress is actually the best place to do hard things that neither party can do, politically, on their own, said Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate. Despite widespread hostility among immigration activists to Trumps wall, some believe that Democratic control of the House gives them a unique opportunity to leverage concessions by trading border protections for the rights of an estimated 3.2 million Dreamers in the U.S. The immigration rights movement has a responsibility to say, OK, theres leverage here. Lets get everything we can for it, said Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum. But years of Trump rhetoric on immigration have taken their toll, particularly for critics who see a racial tinge in many of his pronouncements. Much of that suspicion has stemmed from the ongoing legal battle over the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Obamas stop-gap remedy for Dreamers, which Trump has sought to end. Offering even a dollar toward border wall construction in exchange for relief for DACA recipients is the definition of stupidity, said U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, a Democrat from Brownsville. The president has demonstrated time after time that he has no interest in protecting Dreamers. Knowing that they are facing a totally unreliable negotiator in the White House, why would Democratic leaders even consider giving the president billions in border wall funding? We need more from our leaders than repeating the same mistakes. Either way, some of the loudest Democrat voices have made clear what their starting position is on immigration. All hands on deck The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, including San Antonio Democrat Joaquin Castro, sent a letter to Democratic leaders Thursday urging that they bring legislation to the House floor in the first 100 days of the new Congress that would grant a pathway to citizenship to DACA recipients and to refugees who currently have Temporary Protected Status to live and work in the U.S. Separately, a group of 12 Democrats led by Texas border Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez wrote a letter to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer opposing any border wall funding in the current year-end spending negotiations. The letter was also signed by Escobar, Castro, and Houston Democrat Al Green. We need all hands on deck to oppose frivolous border wall spending proposals that includes Leader Schumer, Gonzalez said. After meeting with the Democratic leader from New York, Cuellar and Gonzalez issued a joint statement saying they had agreed that we should be focused on real border security, and not the presidents campaign obsession with a concrete wall. While the White House sees the Republican-led lame duck Congress as its last chance to secure money for Trumps wall, Democrats like Garcia are not ruling out immigration initiatives that involve enhanced border security. Maybe not the wall he has in mind, but there might be some dollars, said Garcia, citing the sort of surveillance and technology upgrades that Republican moderates like San Antonio U.S. Rep. Will Hurd have sought to fund instead of a concrete wall. But after gaining close to 40 seats in the House in an election widely seen as a referendum on Trump, Garcia and other Democrats believed that they now have the upper hand on immigration. Some cite the high price Republicans paid in immigrant-rich California, where Democrats flipped seven congressional districts held by Republicans. Lets just talk politics, Garcia said. If you really look at where the Republicans did not perform, it was in the parts of the country where they were most anti-immigrant and anti-Latino. With a new presidential election cycle getting under way, many analysts say every legislative decision over the next two years will be made with an eye on the 2020 elections. For Trump, as well as for Democrats, the choices will be compromise, or stick to their bases. Being Latino and being associated in any way with the Trump administration can be complicated. In fact, it can range anywhere from uncomfortable to dangerous. Having worked in and around Washington for a number of years now, threats have become increasingly common. We have received more than a few calls for violence at the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the nations largest Hispanic Christian organization. The message is seemingly always the same: Stop betraying your race. Condemn and renounce the president, or else. But now, as we stand at the precipice of the First Step Act becoming law, Hispanics and other minority voices who have refused the calls to walk away from Trump are likewise at the precipice of vindication. First, let me state that these types of threats are simply unacceptable. They only inflame bigotry have no place in a civil society. Those of us who call ourselves faith leaders must lead first in finding the way back to peace and civil accord. To do so, we must acknowledge that both sides of the political aisle are culpable to varying extents, and we must model a better way. For our part, while the NHCLC issued strong repudiations of some of the rhetoric from the Trump campaign, we refused to write off or disavow anyone. We believed then, as we do now, that it was critical for Hispanic voices to maintain a seat at the Trump table, just as wed done with both the Obama and Bush administrations. Why are we so convinced of this? Because weve seen time and again that our voices do in fact help move the dial on policy issues. Do we get everything we want? Of course not, thats now how politics works. Nevertheless, the slow wheels of democracy turn more in our direction when we help guide the process. The First Step Act is proof positive of this. In fact, if passed through the Senate, the bill will mark the largest criminal justice reform legislation in a generation, and the president deserves a great deal of credit for pushing it to the forefront. Is the bill perfect? No. Is it better than what we currently have? Absolutely. This sweeping legislation grants judges more leeway when sentencing non-violent offenders. Additionally, it helps ensure that prisoners are housed closer to family members and other support structures while transitioning eligible individuals into halfway houses and group homes to better prepare them for life outside of prison. Among the most pragmatic aspects of this bill, it engages faith and community-based organizations that outperform state-sponsored programs at reducing recidivism rates through personal and professional training. All of these reforms are common-sense solutions that minority leaders helped craft, and none of it would have been possible had we simply refused our seat at the table in protest. Shortly after the inauguration, NHCLC President Rev. Samuel Rodriguez and I were invited to sit down at just such a table with Jared and Ivanka Kushner at the White House. We were honored by the invitation to be sure, but we were also determined to convey where we stood on key issues. When asked what we believed should be the top priorities of the new administration, Rodriguez stated emphatically: criminal justice reform and comprehensive immigration reform. What followed was a deeply substantive conversation where we realized just how serious they both were about seeing real reform happen. This First Step Act represents the culmination of dozens if not hundreds of such conversations between leaders inside the Trump administration and Hispanic, black and other minority leaders over the course of the last two years, often at great personal and professional cost. While we continue to wait for meaningful progress on immigration reform, we at the NHCLC join alongside a truly diverse coalition in urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring this exceedingly worthy bill to the floor for a vote before the end of 2018. If he does, the First Step Act will likely pass, representing a crowning achievement not only for this administration, but for all those minority voices who refused to be moved or intimated along the way. As a star of Saturday Night Live during the misunderstood presidency of George H.W. Bush, Dana Carvey had people across the country repeating, as a laugh line: Not gonna do it. Wouldnt be prudent. Carveys Bush impersonation captured the distinctive syntax of a patrician Yankee who was taught by his formidable mother that speaking in the first person was bad form. But what made the phrase so distinctively Bushian was prudent, an antique word that not only signaled his blue blood (as in, Dink and Muffy agree that its prudent to re-shingle the summer cottage) but also summed up the president in two syllables. Bush, who died Nov. 30 at 94 - the longest-lived president in U.S. history - wasnt known for excitement or inspiration. His prudence, however, was no joke. Judged by Aristotle and Aquinas to be among the highest virtues, prudence is the disciplined use of wise and careful foresight. In modern usage, it is often confused with over-caution, even cowardice. But true prudence is not afraid of risk; it respects risk enough to calculate it. We tend to forget how dangerous the world was when Bush became president in 1989 after eight years as Ronald Reagans understudy. In Moscow, Mikhail Gorbachev promised openness and reform, but exactly what this meant for the shape of the world was unclear. The changes came fast and furiously. Within less than a year, the Soviets pulled out of Afghanistan; Chinese soldiers massacred protesters in Tiananmen Square; communist governments fell in Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Romania; and the Berlin Wall came down. Taken individually, each of these events was welcome news for the United States and its allies; even the bloodshed in China, horrific as it was, bespoke a rising generation with dreams of freedom. Taken together, they threatened to unbalance the world order. Bushs delicate task was to allow the Soviet Union to unwind with a measure of dignity while carefully expanding the Western umbrella. He needed to measure his steps and see around corners. Bush understood how nervous Europeans would be about German unification, for example, and carefully assured the Poles, the French, the Russians and others that the United States, through NATO, could prevent another rise of militaristic nationalism in the new Germany. This was unmarked trail. When was the map ever remade and power restructured without the sledgehammer of violence? Bushs prudent diplomacy led some enemies, and even some friends, to mistake caution for weakness. (This is no time to go wobbly! British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher claimed to have scolded him at one point.) They forgot this was a man who, at 18, found it prudent to lead a bomber crew into combat as one of the youngest U.S. Navy aviators of World War II. 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. The global coalition that ultimately joined Operation Desert Storm, stretching from Niger to New Zealand, Poland to Pakistan, was a sign of widespread confidence in Bushs ability to wield American hegemony with care. And his decision to halt the operation with Hussein still in power vindicated that confidence. For unlike his son and his sons reckless counselors - Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney most egregiously - the senior President Bush understood that prudence advised against toppling the dictator without a good idea of what could take his place. Two years plus six weeks after George H.W. Bush took office, the world was a different place than he found it, and he had demonstrated how well the new world could work. Its shocking, really, to look back on 1992 and see how little this achievement counted with American voters. Having won some 49 million votes in his 1988 landslide, Bush was sent home after a single term with barely 39 million in his column. The nation apparently wanted something more exciting. Hoo boy, have we gotten it: Oval Office sexcapades, an impeachment, the heedless invasion of Iraq followed some eight years later by the heedless withdrawal of U.S. troops, an economic crash - all leading up to the wild improvisations of President Donald Trump. There are no do-overs in history. But I believe if wed known then what we know now, we would have said: Not gonna do it. Wouldnt be prudent. Von Drehle is Von writes a twice-weekly column for The Washington Post. He was previously an editor-at-large for Time Magazine, and is the author of four books, including Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and Americas Most Perilous Year and Triangle: The Fire That Changed America. iciHaiti - Mexico : Jovenel Moise met with the Haitian community Saturday in Mexico, President Jovenel Moise, attended the inauguration of the new President of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26274-haiti-politic-jovenel-moise-left-the-country-for-mexico-trinidad-and-tobago-and-cuba.html In addition, during a dinner at the Hyatt Hotel, accompanied by his wife Martine, Chancellor Bocchitt Edmond, of Minister of Defense Dr. Enol Joseph, and Ardouin Zephirin Counselor to the Head of State, Moses met with representatives of the Haitian community in Mexico City and some Mexican friends. Researchers, entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, religious, social animators, students, workers, diplomats, doctors had a frank dialogue with the Haitian agent who took the opportunity to answer the questions of compatriots present. Political stability, entrepreneurship, scientific research, development aid, artistic promotion, migration, energy, caravan of change, these were the main points discussed during the exchanges which lasted more than 3 hours. On Monday, Moise will continue his tour and travel to Trinidad and Tobago to attend an extraordinary meeting of CARICOM Heads of State and Government on the unique market and economy. On the same day, he will visit Cuba as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Cuban-Haitian cooperation. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26274-haiti-politic-jovenel-moise-left-the-country-for-mexico-trinidad-and-tobago-and-cuba.html IH/ iciHaiti Warner Bros has scanned the original 70mm film negatives of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 8K in order to produce the most vivid version of Stanley Kubricks epic yet. The move came at the request of Japanese broadcaster NHK, which will show the new edition as the launch film for its new 8K television channel, which arrives on Saturday. The 8K format has 16 times the resolution of HD TV, the picture having a width of 8000 pixels. The many famous scenes become even more vivid, with the attention to detail of director Stanley Kubrick expressed in the exquisite images, creating the feeling of really being on a trip in space, allowing the film to be enjoyed for the first time at home, NHK said in a statement. NHK will show Audrey Hepburns My Fair Lady in 8K next year, and has plans to do the same with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The format is still something only the rich can enjoy, however. Samsung and LG both make 8K-capable TVs, but they cost in excess of 10,000. (BBC) Wow, that was quite the night, with only five points separating the top and bottom of the Strictly leaderboard and just a tiny pair of shorts protecting Brunos modesty in the opening number. It still seems a fairly safe bet that Stacey, Ashley, Joe and Faye will make it to the final, but all it will take is a surge of votes or a slip in the dance-off to cause a shock. Heres what happened: Mamma Mia, Antons playing Pierce Brosnan! Usually, the pro numbers are masterful, but this was camp as Christmas. Im not saying thats a bad thing, but wow Craig came bouncing on with a sequined backpack, Brrrrruno was gyrating around in shorts, Anton played the Pierce Brosnan role in a weird hat and Dianne looked slightly disturbed when AJ had to kiss her at the end. All good fun though; who doesnt love ABBA?! Faye and Giovannis quirky flawless Charleston Faye Tozer, who is effervescent with enthusiasm for all things Strictly, seemed oddly reticent about this routine and the best word she could find to describe it was "quirky". But she neednt have worried. Yes, she and Gio had to dress up as puppets (he was in Lederhosen, a felt hat and a blonde wig they definitely dont pay him enough) but the judges were wowed by the performance, set to The Sound of Musics Lonely Goatherd. It gained them only the second perfect 40 of the series unlike Paul Hollywood on Bake Off, Craig knows the power of holding back his top scores and making a 40 actually mean something. Strictly Come Dancing 2018: Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev dance on week eight Charles delivers the best male rumba ever He looks likely to face the dance-off tomorrow night, but let it never be forgotten that Charles took one of the most boring dances in the competition (it really is) and turned it into a stunningly emotional killer moment. This was a West Side Story-themed number that even the Queen of the Rumba Shirley Ballas fell over herself to compliment. No mean feat. Lauren redeems herself with an American Smooth She may be popular with the public, but Lauren has really struggled to impress the judges for the last couple of weeks. Which makes for a fairly awkward atmosphere when she sails through without even a sniff of dance-off action. Tonights American Smooth was beautiful and confident, and while there were errors, it was a real return to form. Lovely to see. Technicolour dreamcoats and Les Mis rags Musicals is always a great theme and the production went to town. Joe Sugg was playing a 1970s disco version of Joseph, with a coat of many colours and a lot of eyeshadow (I dont remember that from the Jason Donovan version of the show...). At the other end of the spectrum, Stacey Dooley took on the tragic Fantine from Les Mis in a black woolen shawl. There were lots of lifts and air grabs, and she got two 10s for her troubles. Lets just say it was a different take to Anne Hathaways Oscar-winning performance. Follow the action as it happened with what was our live blog below (please allow a moment for it to load): The obvious finalists are Joe, Ashley, Stacey and Faye, but could survivors Charles and Lauren cause an upset? Close Sir David Attenborough at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Katowice: Climate change 'our greatest threat' An old coal mine in Poland is the unlikely setting for the most important international climate change discussions in years. COP24 comes after a succession of reports in which scientists have made it abundantly clear that current efforts to avoid global warming catastrophe are not sufficient. Over the next two weeks leaders will try to establish a set of rules to follow as they implement the Paris climate agreement targets. They will also discuss ramping up ambitions, and who is going to pay for these changes. Leaders are assembling at the International Congress Centre in Katowice, Poland, next door to the citys Coal History Museum an unfortunate reminder of the host nations continued reliance on this high-polluting fossil fuel. A warning that carbon pollution is on track to reach unprecedented levels in 2018 has added even greater urgency to the talks, as NGOs warn that wealthy countries are not pulling their weight in the fight against climate change. Here you can follow the latest news from the event and reactions from around the world. In the heart of Polands coal country, the planets future lies in the balance over the next two weeks as leaders gather for the biggest climate change event in years. Scientists, politicians, diplomats, activists and journalists will all converge in the Polish city of Katowice as leaders establish a climate change rulebook for countries to follow, and set the stage for more ambitious emissions cuts. This is a crucial time for climate politics. In recent months scientists have outlined the existential threat posed by global warming, even as unashamed climate sceptics are voted into office and activists take to the streets to force action from non-committal leaders. The summit has been described by the UN climate change executive secretary Patricia Espinosa as Paris 2.0, a reference to the momentous conference that saw the birth of an international climate agreement three years ago Understanding that agreement is key to understanding the UNs 24th conference of the parties, or COP24, and what it means for climate change. What is the Paris climate agreement? Adopted at a previous COP in 2015, the Paris climate agreement set out plans for nations to keep global warming below a target threshold. Governments agreed to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels, with a stretch target to limit the increase to 1.5C. The document has been ratified by 184 parties, and it entered into force in November 2016. Since then scientists have been investigating what these different temperature outcomes would mean for the planet. These efforts were summarised in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes (IPCC) recent report, which painted a picture of coral reefs dying, vanishing Arctic sea ice and climate refugees forced from their homes by rising tides. While the two temperatures included in the Paris agreement leave it open to interpretation, many took the stark results of the IPCC report as a clear sign that 1.5C is the only meaningful target. Also contained within the Paris agreement were goals to develop national climate plans by 2020, and finalise a work programme, or rulebook, for implementing the agreement by 2018. So why is COP24 so important? Essentially, Paris set out a plan, and this event should be the start of all countries actually doing something about it. With the 2018 deadline nearly past, this is the moment for countries to set guidelines that will govern their efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a green future. Ahead of the national climate plans deadline in 2020, the summit is also an opportunity for countries to set stronger climate action into motion action that stops the planet warming beyond 1.5C. Richer nations also need to make it clear at COP24 that they intend to support developing nations financially in their green transition. The new evidence that has emerged, including the UNs own emissions gap report, the IPCCs wake-up call and the World Meteorological Organisations bulletin on greenhouse gas concentrations will all feed into this process. 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 What will the rulebook consist of? The Paris rulebook will spell out how countries track and report on their efforts to tackle climate change, how they communicate their plans, how progress is assessed and how they will strengthen their efforts over time. It should serve to galvanise action and make sure countries are not slacking. Though it will apply to all countries, the rulebook will also need to allow some flexibility so that developing countries can keep up. How do Donald Trump and the US fit into all this? The US under president Donald Trump announced its intention in July 2017 to withdraw from the Paris agreement. However, the nation remains a party until at least November 2020, which is the earliest it is allowed to legally request to withdraw from it. While the US is still a member, there are some tricky political dynamics that must be addressed. China is currently considered a developing country in UN climate talks, and that means it does not have to follow the same rules as developed countries. The US is unhappy about this, and wants to see China bound by the same rulebook. What other problems are likely to come out of COP24? Nations such as Saudi Arabia and Australia could prove problematic in the discussions, as could the host nation Poland, which is so reliant on coal that it is unlikely to be too vocal in calling for tougher climate targets. Experts are clear that with current commitments, the world is on track for more like 3C of warming so massive changes are needed to hit 1.5C. To get there, countries represented at the summit need to work together and trust each other. While this may seem unlikely at such a tumultuous time, it is worth noting that more than 30 countries, including the UK, have already committed to exploring more ambitious climate targets before 2020. A progressive coalition within the event is estimated to make up more than half the countries represented the question is whether they can organise themselves to make a real difference. A counterterrorism strategy has created a culture of fear across UK universities where freedom of expression and open debate is being stifled, experts and campaigners warn. The governments Prevent duty, which requires institutions to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, is having a chilling effect on free speech on campus, critics say. The warnings come as The Independent has learned that at least four different academic materials have been flagged at a university over the past two years in response to the counterextremism programme. Recommended Nursery downgraded for failing to spot toddlers at risk of extremism Under a University of Reading policy, students and staff are required to tell the institution if they plan to access texts that are potentially sensitive to avoid falling foul of Prevent. So far, academics have requested student access for a left-wing essay on the ethics of socialist revolution, as well as access to the Minimanual of the Urban Guerrilla by a Brazilian revolutionary. A student also logged their use of YouTube videos that support Palestinian political violence, while an academic requested access to terrorism databases for research. The Independent has learned that staff at Glasgow School of Art discussed flagging up a students artwork on the geopolitics of the Middle East to the Prevent team. The student had planned to give audience members warnings to the explicit content which featured two Isis propaganda videos but the school ruled that the installation could not be exhibited in full. Meanwhile, a number of academics have been told by those working on Prevent that they cannot use certain books to teach about Islam. Milestones, a book by Sayyid Qutb, a key figure in the Muslim Brotherhood, is one of the texts that tutors have been ordered not to use because it will encourage radicalisation. And increasingly university staff and students are self-censoring because of Prevent, experts say. One criminology lecturer ran her courses reading list past the police because she was worried about the content. Meanwhile, Muslim students are increasingly avoiding modules on terrorism. One PhD student recently cancelled a conference on counterterrorism legislation citing fears of Prevent. And academics say it is common for British Muslim students to avoid taking books which cover sensitive topics like Al-Qaeda out of the library despite being on their reading lists. These latest examples follow a student at the University of East Anglia in 2015 being questioned by counterterrorism police after reportedly undertaking pro-Isis reading as part of a course. Alison Scott-Baumann, a professor of society and belief at Soas, University of London, said: We are entering a situation where thought becomes dangerous. Students are the future of democracy and if we do not encourage them to openly debate these difficult issues how are they going to manage the world when they have finished at university? Ms Scott-Baumann, who is working on a major project on Islam and UK higher education, knows of university staff who have been told they cannot use books because they may radicalise students. Theres absolutely no evidence that would be the case. In fact, if anything it would allow students to have an opportunity to interrogate traditional approaches to Islam, as seen in Milestones, and look at some critiques from the west and learn from it, she said. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Ms Scott-Baumann, a senior academic whose work involves researching free speech, said: Ive been told that students at some universities have protested, but without results. They have said, Our tutor wants to use this book. We think its useful. It would inform us on this difficult subject. In the wake of Prevent, more academics are looking themselves at the texts they ask students to study, according to Waqas Tufail, a senior lecturer in criminology at Leeds Beckett University Dr Tufail, who wrote a recent report about Prevent, said: I have heard anecdotally that lecturers are more concerned about their reading lists. Having spoken to colleagues, academics do feel pressure. Prevent and the Counter Terrorism and Security Act (2015) has created a culture of fear and confusion, and I think that within that there certainly could be more cases of academics who have been overzealous in altering their reading lists. They dont want to fall foul of complying with Prevent. He warned that cases where lecturers are being overzealous in implementing Prevent has real implications for academic freedom. A report published last week, from campaign group Index on Censorship, said Prevent is encouraging a level of caution that is at odds with the positive duty to secure freedom of speech. The paper concludes that the government policy is having a chilling effect on freedom of expression. The campaigners are calling for the Prevent duty to be reviewed immediately, and follows both the National Union of Students and the Joint Committee on Human Rights calling for a review. Student news in pictures Show all 34 1 /34 Student news in pictures Student news in pictures South Korean policemen detain a student demonstrator during a protest against South Korean President Park Geun-Hye EPA Student news in pictures South Korean policemen detain student protestors during a protest against South Korean President Park Geun-Hye outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea. The protesters demanded that the parliament takes steps to impeach President Park Geun-Hye EPA Student news in pictures Filipino demonstrators face off with anti-riot police during a protest near the US Embassy in Manila, Philippine EPA Student news in pictures Hundreds of protesters including Indigenous People, students and militant groups marched towards the US Embassy to protest against the presence of US military troops and condemning the violent dispersal which left at least forty people hurt including twenty police officers and three people who were run over by a police van EPA Student news in pictures A federal judge in Mexico has ordered that a once-fugitive police chief be held on charges of kidnapping in the disappearance of 43 students Student news in pictures A man holds up a photograph of a missing student with a caption reading 'We are missing 43,' during a meeting marking the 25-month anniversary of the disappearances of 43 students in the southern state of Guerrero, in Mexico City. A federal judge in Mexico has ordered that a once-fugitive police chief be held on charges of kidnapping in the disappearance of 43 students AP Student news in pictures Miguel Perez, an intern student from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, puts away his cell phone before walking into the operating room at the Dr. Isaac Gonzalez MartInez Oncological Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Once they complete their general surgery training, many residents are moving to the United States in search of better wages, one of the main factors linked to the current shortage of specialists in the Island Student news in pictures Fewer EU students have applied to start university courses in the UK next autumn. There was a 9% fall in the numbers who had applied for courses, according to admissions service UCAS. PA wire Student news in pictures University students protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela. Masses of protesters jammed the streets of Venezuela's capital on the heels of a move by congress to open a political trial against Maduro, whose allies have blocked moves for a recall election AP Student news in pictures University students protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela AP Student news in pictures Thousands, most of them high school students, march during a demonstration in Madrid, Spain, on a one day strike to protest about the country's education law that increases the number of annual exams AP Student news in pictures Students gather on the west mall to confront the Young Conservatives of Texas student organization over a controversial bake sale on The University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas. The Young Conservatives of Texas chapter at the University of Texas-Austin sparked the protest with an affirmative action bake sale. The club encouraged students to buy a cookie and talk about the disastrous policy that is affirmative action Student news in pictures Donald Parish Jr, right, confronts Electrical and Computer Engineering senior Dewayne Perry over a controversial bake sale on The University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas. The Young Conservatives of Texas chapter at the University of Texas-Austin sparked the protest with an affirmative action bake sale. The club encouraged students to buy a cookie and talk about the disastrous policy that is affirmative action AP Student news in pictures Brigham Young University announced that students who report sexual assault will no longer be investigated for possible violations of the Mormon-owned school's strict honor code that bans such things as alcohol use AP Student news in pictures Students of secondary education march to protest against the final examinations and LOMCE (The Improvement Quality Education Law) law, after a call by trade unions, in Murcia, Spain EPA Student news in pictures South African police have used stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of protesters who had marched to the parliament building to call for free university education, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech AP Student news in pictures Police break up student protests outside the parliament in Cape Town, South Africa Reuters Student news in pictures South African Policemen fire rubber bullets at student protestors in Cape Town, South Africa AP Student news in pictures A student protestor is hit by a rubber bullet in Cape Town, South Africa AP Student news in pictures An injured student is helped by colleagues during protest outside the parliament during South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's medium term budget speech in Cape Town, South Africa Reuters Student news in pictures Plaintiffs and bereaved families of elementary school students killed in the tsunami that followed a major earthquake in northeastern Japan in 2011, show banners that say 'victory in a suit filed with the Sendai District Court' in Sendai. A Japanese court ordered municipalities to pay $13.7 million dollars to families of school children who were swept away to their deaths by the 2011 tsunami Getty Student news in pictures A group of student at Ewha Womans University calls for a thorough investigation into those involved in years of engagement with state affairs backstage by Choi Soon-sil, a personal confidante of South Korean President Park Geun-hye, at the school's front gate in Seoul, South Korea EPA Student news in pictures Students raise placards during a strike action called by the student union, in Madrid against university entry exams Getty Student news in pictures Libyans throw a newly graduated student into a fountain as they celebrate during the graduation ceremony for students from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Al-Arab University in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi Getty Student news in pictures Libyans celebrate as they attend the graduation ceremony for students from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Al-Arab University in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi Getty Student news in pictures Libyans celebrate as they attend the graduation ceremony for students from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Al-Arab University in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi Getty Student news in pictures Thousands of Thai Catholic students take part in mourning tributes and in singing the Thai Royal Anthem to honour late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Saint Dominic School in Bangkok, Thailand EPA Student news in pictures Students of Silpakorn University paint portraits of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the university campus in Bangkok Getty Student news in pictures A student of Silpakorn University paints a portrait of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the university campus in Bangkok Getty Student news in pictures St Andrews University students take part in a foam fight known as Raisin Monday in the Lower College Lawn behind St Salvator's Quadrangle following the Raisin Weekend PA wire Student news in pictures St Andrews University students take part in a foam fight known as Raisin Monday in the Lower College Lawn behind St Salvator's Quadrangle following the Raisin Weekend, an annual tradition where student 'parents' inflict tasks on the unfortunate first-years they have adopted as 'children' as part of a mentoring scheme PA wire Student news in pictures Students at the Cuba's National Ballet School (ENB) in Havana, Cuba Reuters Student news in pictures Students at the Cuba's National Ballet School (ENB) take part in a practice in Havana, Cuba Reuters Student news in pictures Students at the Cuba's National Ballet School (ENB) wait in line to enter a classroom in Havana, Cuba Reuters A spokesperson for the Office for Students (OfS), the independent regulator of higher education in England, said: Universities and other higher education providers have a legal duty to safeguard their students from being drawn into terrorism. The OfS monitors universities compliance with the Prevent duty, and as part of this we expect them to put in place policies to manage security sensitive research where appropriate. Universities are also required to uphold freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law, and so their Prevent policies should be proportionate and risk based. Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK, said: Universities and their research continues to play a critical role in developing societal understanding of terrorism and solutions to tackle it, which will involve academics and researchers having access to numerous sources, including those of a security sensitive nature. Institutions remain spaces where students are exposed to many different views and encouraged to challenge received wisdom and develop their own opinions. Sir Keir Starmer has said it is inevitable Labour will table a motion of no confidence in the government if Theresa Mays Brexit deal is voted down in the Commons. The remarks from the shadow Brexit secretary came as the prime minister faces an intense week in her attempts to persuade MPs to back her deal at a crucial vote in the chamber in just nine days time. Labours plan to seek a no confidence motion was first revealed by The Independent in September, as party strategists began planning their approach in the event of a deal failing to receive MPs ratification. It is now widely expected that Ms Mays deal will be voted down, as the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up the government, has already vowed to oppose the agreement, along with dozens of Conservative MPs. Appearing on Sky News Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme, Sir Keir said: It looks like a considerable number of Tory MPs will vote against it if she loses that vote, legislation has already passed saying she must come back to the House to make a statement. It seems to me, if the prime minister has lost a vote of that significance, then there has to be a motion of confidence in the government. Asked whether Labour would do so, he replied: I think its inevitable that we will seek to move that obviously it will depend on what actually happens in nine days, it will depend on what the response is but if shes lost a vote of this significance after two years of negotiation, then it is right that there should be a general election. Recommended Opposition parties unite to demand release of Brexit legal advice Because, but for the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, the convention was always, if a government loses whats called a confidence vote something of such significance then that government has to go. It is unlikely a Labour motion of no-confidence, however, would receive a majority in the Commons given it would need the support of either Tory MPs or the DUP. Such a vote would mark the oppositions attempt to fight for a general election as a priority, as agreed at conference in the autumn. Failing that, Labour has vowed to keep all options on the table, including campaigning for a fresh public vote, an option which Sir Keir has previously said will include the option to stay in the EU. Pressed on whether he would like to see a second vote, Sir Keir said: I would like to have something far better than weve got at the moment. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 4 October 2021 A delegate passes a street cleaner on the second day of the annual Conservative Party Conference being held at the Manchester Central convention centre AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2021 Margaret Thatcher-themed mugs for sale at the annual Conservative Party conference in Manchester EPA UK news in pictures 2 October 2021 A couple make their way through a flooded underpass in Bristol as a yellow weather warning for rain and wind is issued for parts of the UK Tom Wren/SWNS Its far better than this deal. Appearing shortly after Sir Keir, however, Barry Gardiner another member of Labours top team appeared to diverge from his partys official line by suggesting no deal should be an option on any ballot paper for a second referendum. The shadow international trade secretary said, on the BBCs Andrew Marr Show: If the deal doesnt go through as she has presented it, then we call for a vote of no confidence and a general election. If, for any reason, that does not happen, then we have ruled nothing else out, including a second referendum, in which remain and, I think, no deal would both be on the table. Moments earlier, Sir Keir had said he would be worried about a no-deal scenario being on the ballot paper. Boris Johnson has called on the government to publish its legal advice on her Brexit deal, branding Theresa May's refusal to make it public a "scandal". It comes after the prime minister was warned she is on course for a "historic constitutional row" unless the government releases the legal opinion of attorney general Geoffrey Cox. Labour said it is ready to combine with other opposition parties to start proceedings for contempt of Parliament unless the report is published in full. In his column for the Daily Telegraph, Mr Johnson said it was "outrageous" the public should be prevented from knowing "the full legal implications of the appalling deal". The Brexiteer and former foreign secretary compared Ms May's stance to her complaints when in opposition about Labour's refusal to publish legal advice on the Iraq War. "This legal question is more important even than the Iraq war. This is about our democracy. This is about the future right of the people of this country to have a say in their own laws," he wrote. Sir Keir Starmer: It's 'inevitable' Labour will table a motion of no confidence in government if Mays Brexit deal is voted down The DUP which props up the government in the Commons was said to be ready to sign a joint letter with other parties to speaker John Bercow on Monday unless ministers back down. It potentially represents another hurdle for Ms May to overcome as she struggles to win backing for her deal in the crucial commons vote on 11 December. MPs across parliament have angrily accused ministers of ignoring the will of the House after they said only that they would release a "full reasoned political statement" on the legal position. It follows a binding Commons vote last month requiring the Government to lay before Parliament "any legal advice in full" including that given by the attorney general relating to the Withdrawal Agreement. Ministers chose not to oppose the motion tabled by Labour under an arcane procedure known as the humble address as they feared a damaging Commons defeat. The latest row erupted row erupted as it was reported Mr Cox who is due to make a statement to the commons on Monday had warned the UK could be tied to the EU customs union "indefinitely" through the Northern Ireland backstop. A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Show all 65 1 /65 A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit An estimated 700,000 people marched through London to demand a final say on the withdrawal agreement Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Red smoke from a canister hangs in the air as around 100,000 demonstrators march through London during a People's Vote anti-brexit demonstration savings banners and placards Anti-Brexit People's Vote March for the Future in London Rex A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Mayor of London Sadiq Khan takes part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Protesters wearing final Say shirts and holding placards Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit MP Chuka Umunna (left) and MP Vince Cable (right) as MP Anna Soubry (centre) addresses Anti-Brexit campaigners at a rally after the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A Peoples Vote march attendee calls for a Final Say Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators with banners 'We're with EU' during the People's Vote March for the Future in London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a Peopleas Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. EPA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Protesters at Londons march for the future in October The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Editor of The Independent Christian Broughton speaks to demonstrators in Parliament Sqaure after they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A poster at the March for the Future in October The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 campaigner wrapped in EU flag Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators pass Trafalgar Square as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators wave Union and European flags and hold up placards as they pass Trafalgar Square, taking part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A demonstrator holds a message during a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators take part in the 'People's Vote March for the Future,' in central London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a Peopleas Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan EPA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A protester brandishes an Independent t-shirt during the Brexit March Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Tens of thousands of people take part in People's Vote March for the Future in central London. The march organised by the People's Vote campaign is led by young people calling for a People's Vote on the Brexit deal Rex A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum PA The Sunday Times said that in a letter sent to cabinet ministers last month, Mr Cox advised the only way out of the backstop designed to prevent the return of a hard border with the Republic once it was invoked was to sign a new trade deal, a process that could take years. "The protocol would endure indefinitely," he is reported to have written. The letter was said to be so sensitive that ministers were given numbered copies to read which they were not allowed to take from the room afterwards. Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab, who quit last month over the withdrawal agreement, said the legal position was clear. "The backstop will last indefinitely until it is superseded by the treaty setting out our future relationship, unless the EU allows us to exit," he told The Sunday Times. Recommended Government forced to publish secret Brexit legal advice "The EU has a clear veto, even if the future negotiations stretch on for many years, or even if they break down and there is no realistic likelihood of us reaching agreement. "That's my view as a former international lawyer, but it is consistent if not identical with all of the formal advice I received." Ministers have argued the legal advice is privileged, in the same way as any advice given by a lawyer to their client, and that government cannot function if it is required to release such confidential material. However, writing in The Sunday Telegraph, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said it was essential MPs understood the full legal implications before they voted on the agreement. "If the full legal advice is not forthcoming, we will have no alternative but to start proceedings for contempt of Parliament and we will work with all parties to take this forward," he said. "If ministers stubbornly refuse to obey the order of MPs then they risk triggering a historic constitutional row that puts Parliament in direct conflict with the executive. "Although I accept the long-standing convention that cabinet legal advice should be kept confidential, it's well-established that in exceptional circumstances that convention does not apply. And these are exceptional circumstances." Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Labour sources said that Sir Keir was ready to sign a joint letter with the DUP's Westminster leader Nigel Dodds, Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake and SNP Europe spokesman Stephen Gethins, asking Mr Bercow to allow a motion that the government had held Parliament in contempt. Under Commons rules, if the Speaker allows the motion to go before the House and the vote is carried, it would then be referred to the Committee of Privileges which would rule on whether a contempt of Parliament had taken place. If it is decided that a contempt had occurred, the committee can recommend a suitable punishment which is then put back to MPs to agree. In theory, the most severe penalty is expulsion from the House, although the prospects of that happening would appear remote. However, any finding against the government would be potentially highly damaging for Ms May at a time when she is at her most vulnerable politically. Press Association Jair Bolsonaro has criticised the Brazilian governments environment agencies and said he will strip them of their powers to impose fines all over the place. A renowned climate sceptic, Brazils incoming far-right president has previously said he will build a motorway through the Amazon rainforest and pull out of the Paris agreement. Mr Bolsonaro, who himself owes 10,000 reais (2,026) in fines for illegally fishing in 2012, said he wanted to remove enforcement powers from agencies tasked with protecting the countrys national resources. The party is over, said the retired army captain, according to AFP. Recommended Brazil reveals highest deforestation figures in a decade He was speaking at the Agulhas Negras military academy outside Rio de Janeiro, where he studied in the 1970s. I will no longer allow Ibama and ICMBio to be handing out fines all over the place, he said, referring to Brazils main government environmental protection bureaus. I want to defend the environment, but not in a Shia way, as is taking place now, he said, using the word Shia to mean radical. While he said he would pay the money he owed, the president-elect said he was living proof of the bias and bad work of some inspectors of Ibama and ICMBio. This will stop, he added. 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 His words echo statements made during his presidential campaign, in which he said environmental regulations were holding back development in Brazil. Mr Bolsonaro also reiterated previous pledges to integrate Indians into society by scrapping existing native reservations, despite the wishes of tribes to maintain their way of life. My plan is to make Indians our equals They have the same needs as us; they want doctors, dentists, television, internet, he said. Brazil recently announced it was abandoning plans to host next years key UN climate talks, and on Saturday Mr Bolsonaro said he had a hand in that decision. The official reason given was budget constraints. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The new government will herald a stark change in Brazils direction since the nation hosted the crucial UN Earth Summit in 1992 that laid the foundations for current efforts to tackle climate change. Not only has Mr Bolsonaro aligned himself closely with fellow climate sceptic Donald Trump, his foreign minister pick Ernesto Araujo has described global warming as a Marxist plot. Though the president-elect has now backtracked on his original pledge to follow Mr Trumps lead and withdraw from the international Paris climate agreement, there are still major concerns about his plans for the Amazon rainforest. An open letter signed by major NGOs in October indicated that if plans to expand farming and mining in the forest go ahead, deforestation of one of the worlds most biodiverse regions will explode. A North Dakota man has pleaded guilty to stealing a forklift that he intended to use to flip Donald Trumps limousine. Gregory Lee Leingang, 42, was arrested in September 2017 for stealing the forklift and attempting to drive it into the presidents motorcade route while Mr Trump was visiting North Dakota to promote tax legislation. The intent was to basically try to get to the limo, flip the limo and get to the president and he wanted to kill the president, said Brandi Sasse Russell, the assistant US attorney on the case, according to the Grand Forks Herald. Leingang fled the scene after the forklift became stuck in a gated area, but was tracked down and arrested by local police. Before the attempted limousine flip, Leingang started fires at the Bismarck Municipal Ballpark maintenance shop and the state parole and probation office crimes that he pleaded guilty to committing. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the fires. He received two further five year sentences for stealing the forklift and for another burglary incident. His estimated release date is in 2038. Ms Sasse Russell said that, because of the substantial state sentences, she is considering time served concurrent to those sentences. Leingang will be sentenced in February. Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have agreed to pause a long-running trade war between the US and China, in a deal that will provide relief to global markets. The two world leaders met for a highly anticipated dinner at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires on Saturday evening, in an effort to resolve the dispute. As part of the deal, Mr Trump agreed to pause plans to raise tariffs on $200bn-worth of Chinese goods. His administration had intended to increase tariffs from 10 to 25 per cent from 1 January 2019. China, in response, will buy a not yet agreed upon, but very substantial amount of agricultural, energy and industrial goods from the US, according to the White House. The truce was struck during a two-hour dinner between the global leaders and their advisers. The concessions will buy time for the two sides to work out a deal covering the areas still in dispute. New trade talks on technology transfer, intellectual property, non-tariff barriers, cyber theft and agriculture will now take place. If no deal is reached within 90 days, both sides agreed the 10 per cent tariffs will be raised to 25 per cent, the White House said. The trade dispute between the nations escalated in September, when Mr Trump imposed 10 per cent tariffs on $200bn-worth Chinese goods, only for China to retaliate with duties worth $110bn on US products. On Sunday, Chinas state-run media hailed the important consensus struck, but did not mention the 90-day deadline on further talks. Donald Trump at the bilateral meeting (AP) Its an incredible deal, Mr Trump claimed, following the dinner. What Ill be doing is holding back on tariffs. China will be opening up, China will be getting rid of tariffs. China will be buying massive amounts of products from us. As part of the deal, the White House appeared to change its stance on tying the trade talks to security concerns, such as Chinas territorial ambitions. In a long-desired concession pushed for by the US, Mr Xis government is willing to label fentanyl, the deadly synthetic drug at the heart of the US opioid crisis, a controlled substance. I think this [deal] is not a breakthrough its more of avoiding a breakdown, said Paul Haenle, director at the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center, in Beijing. This is not a worst-case outcome, but the hard work is ahead of them. Beijing has also agreed to reconsider a takeover of chipmaker NXP by US company Qualcomm. It had previously blocked the move on antitrust concerns but it is unclear whether the transaction could be revived, even with Chinas agreement. The US and Chinas trade imbalance, and Beijings ambition in the technology sector, lie at the heart of the trade war. 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. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Trump said the death of former US president George HW Bush on Friday had put a damper on the very important meeting. He had cancelled a press conference planned for Saturday, and said he was doing so out of respect for the Bush family. Additional reporting by agencies A woman who was shot to death in Utah while making Christmas decorations with her boyfriend's young children was allegedly killed by his ex-wife, according to local police officers. Lisa Vilate Williams had been in a relationship with Travis Cook, her alleged killer's ex-husband, for six months. She was making homemade festive ornaments with Mr Cook's three-year-old twins on 25 November, when Chelsea Cook entered the apartment and shot her in front of the children. Mr Cook took his ex-wife's gun away and pinned her to a wall to stop her escaping until police arrived, officials said. Williams died later in hospital. Chelsea Watrous Cook allegedly shot her ex-husband's partner (Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office ) (Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office) The 26-year-old met Travis Cook at the bank where they both worked. The relationship resulted in months of online and in-person harassment from Chelsea Cook, according to the victim's sister, Bekah Williams. The abuse began in June and included bullying on Instagram and in-person confrontations at the bank, as well as harassing phone calls made from the school where Cook worked as a health teacher, "I worried for her safety every day," said Lisa's mother, Tawny Williams. In a Facebook post, Tawny paid tribute to her late daughter. "She was magic, and I want her remembered for how she lived," the mother wrote. "Not for how she was killed." Court records show that Chelsea and Travis Cook's divorce was finalised in January. The documents also reveal that Chelsea Cook was charged in October with domestic violence in the presence of a child. She pleaded not guilty. Further details are not publicly available, but Bekah said that the case did not involve her sister. Bekah added that she reported Cook's behaviour to the principal of Skyridge High School in Lehi, where the teacher worked, in August. "It seems to me that nothing was done," she said. Ben Rasmussen, director of law and professional practices with the Utah State School Board, said that teacher behaviour outside the classroom was difficult for schools to address. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The school only realised that Chelsea Cook had been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence after Williams' death. "It took a lot longer than we would hope," Mr Rasmussen said. Bekah said that Lisa was reluctant to report the harassment that she was living with. The 26-year-old feared the impact that involving the authorities would have on Mr Cook's children. "In hindsight, I think the best thing for the kids would have been to call the police every time," Bekah said. Additional reporting by agencies Emmanuel Macron has ordered his prime minister to hold talks with political leaders and yellow vests demonstrators, after more than 100 people were injured in violent clashes over rising fuel taxes on Saturday. A French presidential source said Mr Macron would not speak to the nation on Sunday, despite calls for him to offer immediate concessions to protesters. Reports earlier in the day suggested the French president was considering declaring a state of emergency in response to the violence. Government spokesperson Benjamin Griveaux told radio station Europe 1, all options must be studied when asked whether it was a realistic option for the government. However, a source told Reuters the idea was not discussed at an emergency government meeting held by Mr Macron, prime minister Edouard Philippe and interior minister Christophe Castaner on Sunday. Recommended More than 100 injured during violent clashes in Paris over taxes Mr Griveaux also said the government would not reverse its policy to stop protests from escalating. We wont change course. We are certain of that, he said. Protesters form a barricade on the Champs-Elysees (Reuters) His comments followed a statement released by the Alliance Police Nationale union yesterday, which called for a state of emergency to be imposed. The nationwide protests, led by the yellow vests movement, began on 17 November and aim to oppose rising taxes and living costs under the Macron government. It was reported Mr Macron would use the meeting to discuss how to effectively communicate with the movement, which has no clear leadership and has grown quickly through social media. Police in Paris said 133 people were injured during Saturdays protest, including 23 police officers, and 412 people were arrested. 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 Although the protests started to oppose increases in fuel taxes which have gone up 23 per cent in 12 months in some cases they have grown into a wider movement expressing discontent with Mr Macrons government. Authorities said violent groups from the far left and nationalist far right have infiltrated the protests and were responsible for some of the rioting on Saturday. Protesters on the Champs-Elysees yesterday (AFP/Getty) A police assault rifle was stolen by protesters, and a dozen vehicles were set on fire by groups of young men wearing masks, some carrying metal bars and axes, according to Reuters. Speaking late on Saturday, Mr Castaner admitted the government had mishandled its communication of the tax rises, which are designed to support Frances environmental policy and reduce car usage. Critics say they will hurt workers in small towns and rural areas who do not have good public transport links and are forced to drive to work. Burned cars are left behind after the clashes in Paris (AFP/Getty) Paul Marra, a yellow vest activist in Marseille, told French news channel BFM TV the government was to blame for the violence. We condemn what happened, but it was inevitable. The violence started from the top. The biggest thug is the state, through its inaction, he said. The protests meant yesterday was the third straight weekend of civil unrest in Paris, although protests in other French regions were said to be largely peaceful. If Mr Macrons government had declared a state of emergency, it would have been for the second time in a decade, with the move having been taken after the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris. In 2005, then-president Jacques Chirac also declared a state of emergency, after a three-week period of rioting and civil unrest around the suburbs of Paris. Agencies contributed to this report For most people, prison is a place to escape from. For South Koreans in need of a break from the demands of everyday life, a day or two in a faux jail is the escape. This prison gives me a sense of freedom, says Park Hye-ri, a 28-year-old office worker who paid $90 (70) to spend 24 hours locked up in a mock prison. Since 2013, the Prison Inside Me facility in northeast Hongcheon has hosted more than 2,000 inmates, many of them stressed office workers and students seeking relief from South Koreas demanding work and academic culture. I was too busy, says Park, as she sits in a 5 square metre cell. I shouldnt be here right now, given the work I need to do. But I decided to pause and look back at myself for a better life. Prison rules are strict. No talking with other inmates. No mobile phones or clocks. Clients get a blue prison uniform, a yoga mat, tea set, a pen and notebook. They sleep on the floor. There is a small toilet inside the room, but no mirror. The menu includes steamed sweet potato and a banana shake for dinner, and rice porridge for breakfast. Inside South Koreas mock prison Show all 20 1 /20 Inside South Koreas mock prison Inside South Koreas mock prison The experiment: a participant meditates before being locked up Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison See no way out: the Prison Inside Me is shrouded by fog at dawn Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Holiday snaps: Park Hye-ri (left) takes a selfie with her friends before being locked up Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Serving time: participants bow before being locked up Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Jailwalking: Park heads to her cell Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison No contact: Park puts her mobile phone outside her cell Photography by Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Life sentence: Park working at her office in Incheon Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Redemption: Park sitting inside her cell Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Chowtime: an administrator serves meals at the prison Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Banged up abroad: a participant looks through the window of a cell Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Screening process: Park shows her YouTube channel at a cafe in Incheon Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Nosh: a prisoner gets their meal Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison In the yard: a last taste of freedom before being locked up Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Bed and breakfast: prison food isnt all that bad... Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Cell phones: reducing contact with the outside world Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Exercise time: Park stretches while being locked inside a cell Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison The lights are on... and somebody is home Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Downtime: a participant takes a nap inside a cell Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Room with a view: looking out of a window from inside the cell Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Letter of recommendation: Park receives a certificate of parole after doing time Reuters Cofounder Noh Ji-Hyang says the mock prison was inspired by her husband, a prosecutor who often put in 100 hour work weeks. He said he would rather go into solitary confinement for a week to take a rest and feel better, she says. That was the beginning. A downturn in South Koreas high-tech export-driven economy has intensified a hyper-competitive school and work environment that experts say adds to a high incidence of stress and suicide. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events South Koreans worked 2,024 hours on average in 2017, the third longest after Mexico and Costa Rica, in a survey of 36 member countries in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. To help people work less and earn more, the government has raised the minimum wage and cut the legal cap on working hours to 52 per week from 68. But the policies could backfire and put at risk more jobs than they create, economists say. Noh says some customers are wary of spending 24 or 48 hours in a prison cell, until they try it. After a stay in the prison, people say, This is not a prison, the real prison is where we return to, she says. Additional reporting by Minwoo Park and Yijin Kim, Reuters Finally, the Senate is flexing its atrophied muscles by voting to advance a resolution to end military support for the Saudi-led US-backed war in Yemen. This marks the first time in US history that the Senate has resurrected the War Powers Resolution Act (1973), to end the monstrous illegal war in Yemen. This is also a rebuke of President Trumps handling of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defence secretary Jim Mattis soiled their reputations by urging the senators to vote against the resolution. Senator Sanders countered Pompeo and Mattis by demanding that the humanitarian crisis in Yemen be addressed, and urged the US to end the despotic dictatorship in Saudi Arabia, that we will no longer be part of their destructive military adventurism. The Saudi-led war in Yemen has created the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, with 14 million of Yemens 28 million people on the brink of famine and facing a huge cholera epidemic. A recent report by Save the Children estimated 85,000 children under the age of five have died from acute malnutrition brought on by this genocidal war. Since Mohammed bin Salman assumed power he has been flashing his oil money to attract western allies grovelling for his attention and wealth. The US and our many European allies have supplied Saudi Arabia with weapons of war and are therefore complicit in their war crimes. This MUST stop. Jagjit Singh Los Altos, California Donald Trump leader of the western world Who ever bestowed that accolade on Trump the Chump must be either in the employ of Donald Trump or trying to be humorous. Surely no one in their right mind actually believes that he could possibly lead anything other than a conga line. It would be an insult to the human race if he were to represent any other country than America. If only Trump could take Boris Johnson as his vice president and Jacob Rees-Mogg as special adviser it would relieve Britain of any further political embarrassment. What a team that would make. Ah well, cant have everything I suppose. Keith Poole Basingstoke Remembering George HW Bush, again I felt myself agreeing entirely with the letter from Sarah Pegg (Remembering George HW Bush). Since the former president died, I have heard and read numerous plaudits, some very accurate, others wide of the mark; it seems almost self-evident that due to the present incumbent of the White House, all words and deeds from past presidents will now be looked at much more favourably than they truly deserve. To borrow and slightly change a quote from another famous statesman: We never had it so good! We must surely learn from these current dark days. Robert Boston Kingshill Kindness shouldnt just be reserved for the christmas season For many, especially the young, the world of Christmas is an exciting time. It is generally a time of family visits, some presents and thoughts about how the world can be better but not for all. Sadly there are a number of people who will miss the joy the annual season gives, through poverty, isolation, health issues both physical and mental and we should keep them in our thoughts and deeds. There are also always times of concern, given the enthusiasm of so many to solve their difficulties through violence and conflict, but we all live in the hope that they will reflect on the Christmas season and what it means to so many people. An example of the problems can be shown through the theft of a wheelchair while a person was using a disabled toilet. A young man left the person stranded for several hours as a result of theft, or a stupid prank, without any regard for the person. The thief even wore a Santa hat! Perhaps the message we should take from the special time of Christmas is that it shouldnt be a special time we should treat people with kindness throughout the whole year. Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne, Australia Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Brexit: Into the valley of death It was clear long before the referendum to anyone remotely interested in economics that Brexit would leave our economy smaller and our people poorer than if we had remained in the European Union. Anyone who didnt realise this and now claims they were lied to by Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson et al is just making themselves look ridiculous. Those who should expect schadenfreude rather than sympathy are the fishermen, car workers, provincials and xenophobes who voted for this monumental act of national self-harm. Remainers have used the time since then to settle their affairs in a manner which will allow them to survive. I suggest Leavers now do likewise. Rev Dr John Cameron St Andrews Theresa May is trying and willing to sacrifice the greater good of the country for the sake of her ego/to save face. Shed rather deliver a bad deal and say its what the people wanted, than admit defeat and have to resign. She literally cant deliver a good Brexit deal because Brexit isnt a good idea forecasting on multiple levels supports this notion. You wouldnt need to tour the country to persuade people to support it if it was a deal that was going to inherently benefit them. Name supplied Oldham When we hear the word slavery, it can be easy to dismiss it as a relic, a crime from the history books, a shameful chapter of our past. But sadly it is very much part of our world today. Slavery, trafficking and forced labour is thriving, entrapping more than 40 million people worldwide. These victims are caught in the supply chains which give us everything from the clothes we wear to the food we eat, to the tech we use every day. The figures are startling. Right now there are more modern day slaves in the world than the populations of Greece, Portugal, Austria and Belgium combined. A quarter of these victims are still children, and more than 70 per cent of victims are women and girls. Modern slavery in the UK Today, the international day for the abolition of slavery, is a perfect opportunity to refocus our efforts on stamping out this scourge on our societies. The UK is working hard to eradicate this heinous crime, which costs the UKs economy alone an estimated 4.3bn a year. UK aid is working to dismantle predatory trafficking networks across Asia and Africa, strengthen law enforcement, clean up recruitment practices and rehabilitate victims who fall prey to traffickers profiting from this $150bn global trade in human beings. We are tackling the root causes of slavery by creating jobs and sustainable alternative livelihoods, helping people lift themselves out of poverty, and busting myths that tempt people towards dangerous migration routes. The protection of vulnerable children in particular, is our priority. Working with UNICEF, the UK will reach more than 400,000 girls and boys in the Horn of Africa with child protection measures, including birth registration documents to shelter them from forced labour and underage marriage. Some 212,000 children across Somalia have already been provided with legal identity documents, including birth certificates. Through UK-based NGO Retrak, we are supporting young girls in Ethiopia tangled in exploitative domestic work, running child protection clubs in schools and setting up a girls shelter to provide catch-up lessons that help victims reintegrate. Along with charities World Vision and War Child, we are equipping up to 400,000 vulnerable people, many in conflict ravaged parts of Africa, with skills training and alternative livelihood opportunities. This UK aid connect programme will educate children on the risks of trafficking, help businesses eradicate slavery from supply chains and assist conflict affected families in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, in a major new programme across six countries in Asia, UK support will shield children against forced labour in the hazardous agriculture industry, and will clamp down on the trafficking of children into sex work. No single nation can banish this global crime alone. A coordinated international approach is needed. There are now 85 states that have endorsed the call to action to end forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking that was launched by prime minister Theresa May at the UN General Assembly in September last year. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Just two months ago, the UK and the US, alongside Canada, New Zealand and Australia, launched a set of core principles at the UN General Assembly to help eliminate exploitation in international supply chains. Leveraging our combined purchasing power of more than $600bn, we are committed to eradicating forced labour from global supply chains, a crime which entraps approximately 25 million people worldwide. In the next few days, my department, in collaboration with the UKs development finance arm the CDC, the International Finance Corporation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and others, will be launching a comprehensive guide to help the private sector tackle modern slavery in emerging markets. With more than 60 per cent of forced labour victims in the private economy, we are committed to ensuring businesses step up their efforts to eradicate exploitation from their supply chains. We must work together, across nations and sectors. Only then will we consign the hideous crime of slavery to the history books. Penny Mordaunt is the international development secretary, and the minister for women and equalities Millions of euro worth of goods have been stolen from Aer Lingus passengers, members of staff and in company stock, including duty free, the airlines chief operating officer has said. Stock photo Millions of euro worth of goods have been stolen from Aer Lingus passengers, members of staff and in company stock, including duty free, the airline's chief operating officer has said. As thousands of passengers make plans to fly home for Christmas, the airline is rolling out CCTV cameras across Dublin Airport and engaging private security to carry out random patrols of staff areas, the Sunday Independent can reveal. Gardai, as well as both local police and federal law enforcement authorities in the US, have been called in to investigate a number of serious issues in recent months as losses from theft continue. The cameras are to be installed throughout Terminal 2 because of the "many millions of euro" lost by the airline due to missing stock, said Aer Lingus chief operating office Mike Rutter in a memorandum to staff in the last fortnight. Mr Rutter blamed "a small percentage" of staff. However, staff at Aer Lingus are angered at the introduction of closed circuit television in their work areas. Guest [passenger] property and company stock losses "remain at levels significantly above the industry norms despite investment in new technologies and inventory management processes", said Mr Rutter, adding that a security company is to begin monitoring and recording staff "boarding and exiting our fleet using staff numbers". The security company will also monitor carts - used on aircraft to store duty free and other items - as well as mounting random patrols across arriving aircraft, break rooms, ready rooms and lost property drop points, according to the memo. Mr Rutter said he recognised that "the vast majority of staff come to work every day and perform their duties in line with our values". But, he wrote, "as a leadership team we have been concerned for some time" about a small percentage of employees that continue "to behave below that standard and incidents of unacceptable behaviour continue to be reported across the business". He continued: "Theft of guest property, damage to company property and interference with colleagues' property has unfortunately continued." He said that over the last year and "more intensively in recent weeks", Aer Lingus had briefed staff representatives on steps "to tackle these behaviours". An Aer Lingus spokeswoman said the airline has fully engaged with union representatives on issues including the roll-out of CCTV cameras and random patrols. But in a letter to Aer Lingus, also seen by this newspaper, the Siptu trade union hit out at "the installation of what our members deem to be an excessive number of CCTV cameras in the area they work in as well as the company decision to implement security patrols in break areas and locker rooms which affect our members' down-time when on break". The row over security comes amid a wider battle between Aer Lingus and Siptu over proposed productivity changes for loading staff at Dublin Airport. Management last week took the unprecedented move to bypass trade union representatives and write directly to staff. In that letter, the airline outlined the reasons for the productivity agreement, claiming that ground handling costs are some 50pc higher than others in the market. The letter also claimed that trade union representatives were turning their backs on a draft agreement in which "the net outcome for you would be more money and better rosters, not a bad deal". Pharmacy chain Sam McCauley Chemists is moving its headquarters from Wexford, where it has been based since it was founded in 1953, to Dublin. The pharmacy chain was bought in a 50m deal last summer by Carlyle Cardinal Ireland (CCI) a private-equity partnership of US buyout giant, Carlyle Group, and local investment house, Cardinal. Around 30 people are employed in the company's head office and the move is likely to be made by the end of March 2019. According to the Wexford People newspaper, staff were recently informed about the relocation of its head office from Ardcavan. Sam McCauley CEO Tony McEntee said: "We need to find a team of online marketers and we are struggling to recruit people locally. "As a business we need to grow and we need talent to grow." The new owners have ambitious plans for the business and have earmarked 50m for acquisitions in a plan to double the size of its business over the next three years. It is currently the third-biggest pharmacy chain in the Irish market and wants take on the two largest players in the market, Boots and Lloyds. In April, the company, which owns and operates more than 30 retail pharmacies nationwide, acquired two pharmacies in Dublin and Cork for a total of 5m. The two pharmacies acquired were Life Pharmacy in Clondalkin, Dublin and Fermoy Medical Hall in Fermoy, Cork. They had a combined turnover of over 5.5m, bringing annualised turnover for the group to approximately 90m. Group staff count will rise to more than 600 as a result. It is also investing in digital having recently launched a new app that will offer a click-and-collect service for customers. McEntee, who was formerly CEO of Allcare Pharmacy Group and a finance director of Lifestyle Sports, took over the reins from Patrick McCormack when CCI bought the business in May 2017. Sam McCauley retained a minority stake after the sale. Other CCI investments include The AA Ireland, Payzone (which is currently for sale), Carroll Cuisine, Lily O'Brien's and Abtran. Insurer Royal London wants the Government to set up a register of wills to make it easier to locate one and says it can often be difficult to locate a will of a relative or a friend. (Stock photo) ANYONE who has ever tried to trace a lost will can testify to the fact that it can be a difficult process. Some relations of a deceased person can spend months trying to track down a will, adding to the distress of dealing with bereavement. On other occasions where no will is found, probate can go ahead only with the potential for it to be revoked in the future if the will is located. This is all exacerbated by lengthy probate delays which can go on for a year-and-a-half. A report from the European Network of the Registers of Wills Association from 2010 called out Ireland as the only country that has not made any progress in this area. Now, insurer Royal London wants the Government to set up a register of wills to make it easier to locate one and says it can often be difficult to locate a will of a relative or a friend. Solicitors put an advert in the Law Society Gazette if they cannot find a will. There needs to be an overhaul of the system, the insurance company said. An executive at the Irish operations of Royal London, Joe Charles, said his company had been examining the probate process in this country over the last two years. It found what he said were significant inefficiencies within the system, which are leading to lengthy delays across the country for families looking to settle the affairs of deceased loved ones. Its investigations have found that while probate delays are a product of a complex process with insufficient resources, the lack of a centralised wills register is compounding the issue. He added that those trying to locate a missing will can tell their solicitor who then contacts other local solicitors on their behalf to see if they are holding the will. Alternatively, they can place an advertisement in the Law Society Gazette, which is published by the representative organisation for solicitors, and hope that whichever solicitor is holding the will sees the advert, remembers the name of the client and comes forward. Royal London said Ireland could model a wills register on the UK system which does not collect the specific details of a will, rather it simply registers its existence and tags its location. The contents of the will itself can only be accessed when the person dies and will only be disclosed if the person searching for it has a legitimate interest and can provide a copy of the deceased's death certificate. The processes around probate have not changed much since Dickensian times. It is high time we modernised the process, and a wills register would be a good start. There are now only 23 shopping days to Christmas - and many of us will spend more on gifts and goodies over the next three weeks than we do at any other time of the year. At this expensive time, it's important to ensure that your money is well spent - and that you're covered if things go wrong. Here are some rules of thumb which should keep you on the right track. Know where you stand on deliveries to venues outside your home Third-party delivery services, which allow you to get items delivered to depots or other collection points near your home, are often popular with online shoppers in the run-up to Christmas. These services, which include the likes of Parcel Motel and An Post's AddressPal, can be handy - particularly if you are not at home during the week to accept packages or parcels. (They can also often deliver directly to your home.) Third-party delivery services can work out much cheaper for delivery than standard post or couriers and can also help you buy items which are available cheaper elsewhere - particularly if ordering something from the UK. Some items which are available to buy online for example are only delivered to UK addresses but Parcel Motel and AddressPal can often be used to get such items delivered to a pick-up point in the Republic of Ireland, which you can then collect them from. Handy as such services can be though, you may not be fully covered if something goes wrong en route - such as damage to, or the misplacement or theft of your order. "The responsibility of the seller ends once the item ordered is received by the third-party delivery service," said Aine Carroll, director of communications and policy with the consumer and competition watchdog, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). "People often don't realise this until things go wrong. The third-party delivery service you have used might only accept liability up to 100 if an item is damaged. So you could find yourself seriously out of pocket." Before using third-party delivery services to deliver your order, understand that you are entering into two separate contracts - one with the online retailer, and one with the delivery service. Once the online retailer has delivered the item to the delivery service's warehouse, the online retailer has fulfilled its contractual obligations and your contract with the delivery service company begins, according to the CCPC. So it is wrong to assume that the retailer's responsibility for the quality of an order will carry through until you actually receive it. "If a good is faulty, or something has happened to it en route, sometimes it's hard to know in whose hands the item was in when the fault occurred - and who is responsible for that fault," said Martina Nee, spokeswoman for the Irish consumer body, the European Consumer Centre (ECC) Ireland. Therefore, check the terms and conditions of any third-party delivery service you are planning to use, particularly if ordering expensive items. Find out what liability cover, if any, the delivery company provides for lost, damaged or stolen items. These companies are not obliged to provide you with any liability cover, according to the CCPC. Check if you can buy insurance from the delivery company to increase the amount you are covered for should something go wrong. Give cash instead of gift vouchers Gift vouchers are a popular choice of Christmas present. However, the person you buy a voucher for could find it impossible to redeem it because the rules around how and when a voucher can be used may be very strict - particularly if it's an airline gift voucher. Many people have run into difficulties using airline gift vouchers to buy a flight because the name on the voucher was wrong. "The name which goes on the voucher has to be identical to someone's passport name," said Carroll. "There's a specific difficulty there as you may not know what someone's passport name is." So if you are planning to buy an airline gift voucher for someone, find out what their passport name is and be sure to use that exact name and spelling on the voucher. Remember the first name that you associate with an individual might not be the exact name on their passport. For example, if you know a person by the name of Jimmy and put that first name on the airline gift voucher, the individual won't be able to use the voucher if the first name on their passport is James. Some airlines (such as Aer Lingus) allow the name on a gift voucher to be changed after you have bought it. Others, however, aren't as flexible. Ryanair's gift vouchers are not transferable and must be used by the person they're issued to. Read the terms and conditions of any gift voucher you are planning to buy - and understand how easy, or difficult, it will be for the recipient to use it in full. Buy a voucher with a long expiry date - or ideally, without any expiry date at all. Find out if the recipient of the voucher will be hit with fees if he doesn't it use up within a certain time. For example, although One4All gift cards don't expire, there is a monthly inactive fee of 1.45 which kicks in after the first year and which applies to money on the card which is not used up within the first 12 months. Know where you stand up North The weak sterling is likely to encourage more shopping trips to the North in the run-up to Christmas. Sterling hasn't reached parity with - and is still stronger than - the euro though. This is worth remembering if planning some Christmas shopping in the North because you might not save as much as you expect to. Remember, too, that as the UK isn't due to leave Europe under Brexit until the end of March 2019, you still have the same consumer rights in the North this Christmas as you would if shopping anywhere in the EU. "Since the Brexit referendum, we have heard that some UK traders are claiming that EU legislation doesn't apply to them," said Nee. "This isn't true. For the time being, you are covered by EU consumer legislation in the UK." Therefore, if you buy something in the North and find there's a fault with it when you come back home, you are still entitled to a repair, refund or replacement - depending on the fault. Don't fall for a scam People are often more susceptible to scams in the run-up to Christmas - particularly if they have left their gift shopping until the last minute and are therefore in a rush to buy. The ECC is warning shoppers to be on the alert for a recent 'supermarket' scam - where they receive fake text messages claiming to be from a supermarket. "The message will tell you that you are one of a small number of lucky shoppers who has won something - such as a phone worth 999 which you can get for 3," said Nee. "But you could end up in a subscription trap if you fall for it." These scams will typically ask for your personal and bank details. Never hand over such details following unsolicited contact. The ECC knows of a case where a woman who was duped by this scam had 3 taken from her account initially for the 'discounted' phone - followed shortly afterwards by another 44. "The woman then got onto her bank and stopped any more money being taken from her account," said Nee. "Be careful about any unsolicited messages which you receive." Don't shop on your smartphone either. "Smartphone shopping can lead to impulse buying and purchases you wouldn't have made if you did your research properly or from your desktop computer," said Nee. "You can't do much research on your smartphone." christmas shop saving tips CHECK OUT LOCAL DEALS Watch out for promotions and offers in Irish stores in the run-up to Christmas as you may be able to some gifts for half-price. Debenhams, for example, has a number of discounts running in December including half-price designer womenswear and 15pc off beauty products on December 3. It also has a 50pc discount on sleepwear on December 7, 50pc off partywear on December 8, and half-price Tripp luggage on December 11. Easons three-for-the-price-of-two mix and match promotion will run this month. Some of the best-sellers included in this promotion include new books from Jodi Picoult, James Patterson and Michelle Obama as well as books from some popular childrens authors. You might still be able to grab a deal under a Black Friday promotion in early December as some stores still have such offers running. Currys PC World, for example, is running its Black Friday offers until December 5. Some of the stores Black Friday offers include a Canon Powershot SX720 Compact Camera for 239.99 down from 429.99; and a 50-inch LG Smart 4K Ultra HD LED TV for 449 reduced from 699. COMPARE ALCOHOL PRICES UP NORTH A shopping trip to the North could cut the cost of your Christmas alcohol bill, but this will depend on exactly what youre buying. A one-litre bottle of Baileys Original Irish cream for example was priced at stg12 (13.50) in Asda, Northern Ireland in late November compared to 24 in Tesco in the Republic of Ireland. Do your research beforehand though as certain drinks may not be that much cheaper up the North than they are at home. A 70cl bottle of Smirnoff red label vodka for example was priced at stg14 (16) in Sainsburys and Asda in Northern Ireland in late November Tesco in the Republic is charging 17 for the same bottle (only 1 more). SHOP AROUND TO GET BEST DEAL You could save 100 or more on gifts by shopping around, depending on the number of presents on your Christmas list. Price differences can be substantial. For example, Legos Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall is tipped to be one of the most popular Christmas toys this Christmas. This toy was priced at 119.99 in Argos in late November; but 99.99 in Smyths. AVOID PRIVATE SELLERS ONLINE Be careful if heading to online marketplaces such as eBay or Amazon to try find something cheaper than on the high street. You may be able to source cheaper toys or gifts online, including ones which are used but described by the seller as almost new. Should the reality be different when the item arrives at your home, and youre unhappy with the qualify of the item as a result, you could run into trouble getting your money back or getting any redress if youve bought from a private seller. Consumer legislation doesnt apply if you buy from a private seller, said Martina Nee of European Consumer Centre (ECC) Ireland. Find out if delivery and custom charges will apply too when ordering online. When shopping within the EU, traders are obliged to inform you of the total cost including tax and other charges, said Nee. But traders based outside the EU dont have this obligation. Be aware that just because a website address ends in dot.ie or dot.co.uk doesnt mean that the trader is based within the EU. Christmas shop saving tips CHECK OUT LOCAL DEALS Watch out for promotions and offers in Irish stores in the run-up to Christmas as you may be able to some gifts for half-price. Debenhams, for example, has a number of discounts running in December including half-price designer womenswear and 15pc off beauty products on December 3. It also has a 50pc discount on sleepwear on December 7, 50pc off partywear on December 8, and half-price Tripp luggage on December 11. Easons three-for-the-price-of-two mix and match promotion will run this month. Some of the best-sellers included in this promotion include new books from Jodi Picoult, James Patterson and Michelle Obama as well as books from some popular childrens authors. You might still be able to grab a deal under a Black Friday promotion in early December as some stores still have such offers running. Currys PC World, for example, is running its Black Friday offers until December 5. Some of the stores Black Friday offers include a Canon Powershot SX720 Compact Camera for 239.99 down from 429.99; and a 50-inch LG Smart 4K Ultra HD LED TV for 449 reduced from 699. COMPARE ALCOHOL PRICES UP NORTH A shopping trip to the North could cut the cost of your Christmas alcohol bill, but this will depend on exactly what youre buying. A one-litre bottle of Baileys Original Irish cream for example was priced at 12 (13.50) in Asda, Northern Ireland in late November compared to 24 in Tesco in the Republic of Ireland. Do your research beforehand though as certain drinks may not be that much cheaper up the North than they are at home. A 70cl bottle of Smirnoff red label vodka for example was priced at 14 (16) in Sainsburys and Asda in Northern Ireland in late November Tesco in the Republic is charging 17 for the same bottle (only 1 more). SHOP AROUND TO GET BEST DEAL You could save 100 or more on gifts by shopping around, depending on the number of presents on your Christmas list. Price differences can be substantial. For example, Legos Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall is tipped to be one of the most popular Christmas toys this Christmas. This toy was priced at 119.99 in Argos in late November; but 99.99 in Smyths. AVOID PRIVATE SELLERS ONLINE Be careful if heading to online marketplaces such as eBay or Amazon to try find something cheaper than on the high street. You may be able to source cheaper toys or gifts online, including ones which are used but described by the seller as almost new. Should the reality be different when the item arrives at your home, and youre unhappy with the qualify of the item as a result, you could run into trouble getting your money back or getting any redress if youve bought from a private seller. Consumer legislation doesnt apply if you buy from a private seller, said Martina Nee of European Consumer Centre (ECC) Ireland. Find out if delivery and custom charges will apply too when ordering online. When shopping within the EU, traders are obliged to inform you of the total cost including tax and other charges, said Nee. But traders based outside the EU dont have this obligation. Be aware that just because a website address ends in dot.ie or dot.co.uk doesnt mean that the trader is based within the EU. The number one learning is that you must be proactive about engaging with visitor. Stock image During West Coast Week, an initiative from Enterprise Ireland's Silicon Valley team, senior thought leaders and executives from Silicon Valley's tech and investor community shared knowledge and offered advice, while being exposed to Irish technology and innovation in Dublin. My colleague Sara Hill led a connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) and mobility seminar, while Hannah Dobson directed a forum on creative technologies, followed by insights on the future of content. One day was dedicated to discussing how to scale your company, with Irish companies including Roomex, Luzern, Taxamo, and Soap Box Labs attending. Discussion focused on real-world strategies and tactics for supercharging growth, including questions like how to secure funding, grow your customer base and insights into what tech companies seek when acquiring companies. Here are some of the day's key takeaways that can help Irish tech companies continue to flourish. Simon Leesley, VP of Strategy at Stitch Fix, shared overarching scaling advice, advising startups to have a big, bold vision and a clear roadmap, to invest time in hiring the right people and develop a diverse team, as well as an advisory board. Cathy Halligan, an independent board director, shared keys to growth, which include having a big addressable market, understanding your target customers, and starting with a product that is easy to implement but can be quickly extended through the product roadmap. If you are seeking funding, Lev Mass, managing partner, Crux Capital, wants to see 1m monthly recurring revenue (MRR) and a presence in the country where you are seeking investment. He asks four key questions: Who are your customers? Are your current customers recognisable in the US? What does your founding team look like? What is your main reason for market entry? The business development team finds acquisitions for Microsoft. Tamara Steffens, Microsoft general manager, explained how they analyse everything on a build-versus-buy basis. "When we are looking for partners, we look for technology that addresses specific needs that we don't have in-house, or technology in emerging spaces." When creating a channel program, know it's a long-term investment, advised Sharrifah Lorenz, head of business development and partnerships at Asana, who did a lot of research upfront. Lorenz recommends you start by figuring out and leveraging what your partners are uniquely capable of doing and what you cannot, to extend sales and services. You should also remember to consider what value you can provide to the channel partner. Don't view partnerships as solely channel revenue; partners can help to differentiate your product and allow you to be relevant to solve customer needs in other sub-sectors too, advised Niall Wall, SVP business development and partnerships at Box. He cautioned that incentives to sellers matter - don't sweat who gets paid what and if in doubt, pay them twice. Profitability is not as important as paths to revenue, a prime example of which is the success of Uber. Wall also advised startups to be programmatic - have one contract and one channel program. Creating an inclusive culture was a common theme. Halligan advised nominating an executive that is accountable for vision, values and culture. If you hire poorly, you will constrain growth. "Always be growing people, but don't always be hiring," she urged. Rahul Vijay, tech deal-maker at Uber, talked about the value of having an advisory board, and advocated for willingness to share equity. He stressed the importance of being where you want to sell. Lev Mass reminded people that, for venture pitching, you must explain your unique selling proposition in 30 seconds, have a deck of eight slides, and know your addressable market size. Ask for a warm introduction, so the VC pays attention to the ask. Next year, we will hold similar events. All Irish companies are welcome to attend and participate. Maire P Walsh is SVP Digital Technologies at Enterprise Ireland's Silicon Valley office Premium economy on Air Canada Rouge, which will fly next summer to Montreal and Vancouver There's a never-ending stream of reports and commentary about women's experience in the workplace - but what about on the road? If men really are from Mars, and women from Venus, surely their travel experiences and tastes are wildly different? Oddly, in fact, there's barely any difference between the sexes. That's the verdict of a new report by Corporate travel management providers FCM Travel Solutions which analysed every aspect of travel - right down to whether we're spa or gym bunnies. In most areas, men and women are remarkably alike in their likes and dislikes - whether it's hotel choice, preferred airlines or city transfers. And they all have the same main peeves - being away can be disruptive to work, and it means spending time without loved ones. Surprisingly, men are slightly more likely to have safety concerns in foreign countries, and moan more about cultural and food differences. The one big concern found in the survey of FCM's corporate clients is that a mere 18pc of companies' travel policies specifically address the safety needs of female business travellers. Less than half - 44pc - have arrangements that allow them to recommend female-friendly lodging options. In this they're missing a trick, with FCM's Jo Greenfield revealing that the number of female travellers has risen "by 50pc over the past five years and nearly two-thirds of travellers today are women". However, the one big standout issue reported by female travellers is the joylessness of being alone. Men tend to be simpler to please in this regard - and a hotel bar makes a big difference for them. Some 42pc of men report that they drink alone in the bar when abroad, compared with just 32pc of women. And when it comes to grooming, men are more likely to use hotel irons and toiletries, and showers in airports, which either shows that men are cleaner creatures or just aren't that fussy about where they wash - and with what products. So do men have the edge in any area? Just one, which the report buries a bit - air travel. Men are more likely to use plush airport lounges (slightly shy of a quarter of women never visit them, against just 18.5pc of men), and women are much more likely to fly at the back, with 13.5pc of men regularly flying business class, with less than 10pc of women turning left. Cue a row... n It's nowhere near as busy as its neighbour to the south for Irish connectivity, but options are growing for regular corporate visitors to Canada. Annual trade between the two nations stood at an impressive 2.75bn in 2016, with Irish exports growing by more than 250pc in the last five years alone. What's more, the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada is tipped to boost our exports by 250m a year. Flagship carrier Air Canada will be competing with Aer Lingus on routes to Quebec's biggest city, Montreal, next year. It'll be using Boeing 737 Max 8s (economy and premium economy classes) when the thrice-weekly service resumes next May under the Air Canada Rouge brand initially. There's more seat capacity a month later with leased Airbus A330-200s, again with two-class service, replacing the 737s, and flying under Air Canada mainline colours. Separately, the airline's seasonal Dublin-Vancouver service (four times a week) will kick off in May with the smaller Boeing 767 (Air Canada Rouge), to be replaced in June, again with larger A330-200s (Air Canada mainline). The thriving Pacific Coast city has been eyed in the past by Aer Lingus, along with other destinations in North America, with expansion now an annual event. Meanwhile, rival WestJet, Canada's second-biggest airline, with 105 destinations in all, will offer better connectivity after deciding to replace its Dublin-St John service to Newfoundland - which it said wasn't performing to expectations - to Dublin-Halifax. The advantage of the switch is better connectivity through the Nova Scotia airport, particularly to Canada's eastern cities and also the eastern US seaboard. The move follows its recent announcement that it will be flying direct three times a week from Dublin to Calgary, opening up 24 far western cities, on a service operated by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Claire Foy parodied Netflix as she hosted long-running US comedy show Saturday Night Live. The British actress who starred as the Queen in the streaming giants royal drama The Crown featured in a sketch poking fun at the service. A fake advert joking about the mass of content available on Netflix opened with a voiceover that said: Were spending billions of dollars and making every show in the world. The sketch moved on to a pitch meeting, with SNL cast member Heidi Gardner playing a producer suggesting a new programme. Ladies and gentlemen, your host - Claire Foy! #SNL pic.twitter.com/z4GWVKAI2L Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) December 2, 2018 She says, This show is about a girl named Ginny, before a Netflix executive throws money at her. The voiceover added: Itll take 12 human lifetimes to watch all of our content, so start watching now. Foy, who earlier this year won the Emmy for lead actress in a drama series for The Crown, also appeared in a sketch about a First World War drama, where she played the girlfriend of a soldier, and a piece skewering Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. In her opening monologue, Foy told the audience she was happy to be in a country thats more chaotic than Britain, likening it to being nervous about being drunk at a party until you see someone whos much more drunk than you. She then said being a foreigner might make some Americans nervous, but said she is only taking the jobs that Americans dont want. Video of the Day Foy added: In First Man, I had to play Ryan Goslings wife because nobody else wanted to do it. I had to. The actress, who is starring in The Girl In The Spiders Web, finished her monologue by saying she was happy about the increasing number of women holding public office, joking: Hopefully I can get even more roles. SNLs cold open this week saw Alec Baldwin reprising his role as US President Donald Trump. It featured jokes about the investigation into alleged Russian influence in the 2016 presidential election. A radio station says it has stopped playing Baby, Its Cold Outside after some listeners said the song heard on Christmas playlists is inappropriate. Cleveland's Star 102 station host Glenn Anderson said he recognised society was different when the song was written in 1944, but he did not think it has a place today, especially in the era of the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment. The duet includes alternate lines between a man and a woman where he tries to convince his female guest not to risk a journey home in bad weather. Instead he offers her more drink and tries to convince her to spend the night with him. Expand Close Sir Tom Jones has covered the song previously (Chris Jackson/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sir Tom Jones has covered the song previously (Chris Jackson/PA) The song became well known after being used in the 1949 film Neptunes Daughter starring Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban. The lyrics include lines such as Whats in this drink? and Baby, dont hold out. Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews took a cover of the song to 17 in the UK singles charts in 1999, and it has also been covered by Michael Buble, Lady Gaga and Dolly Parton. They do say that Christmas seems to come earlier every year. In our own musical way, we on RTE lyric fm try to keep the season special by holding back on the festive tunes till December 8. After that, of course, there won't be a hall left undecked, and you-know-who will have gone down in history once more. (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, in case you were wondering!) Then, the spotlight will fall on Vienna as the Austrian capital switches on the soundtrack to the turn of the year. There's something wonderfully positive about the tunes that filled the air there across the second half of the 19th Century and on into the 20th. This was extremely popular music, but not serious enough for some. For years, Vienna's principal orchestra, the Philharmonic, wouldn't go near it. I suppose it would have been a bit like asking a symphony orchestra to take on Please, Please Me or She Loves You when the Beatles were topping the charts. But then, John Lennon and Paul McCartney were eventually recognised across the spectrum. In the same way, the realisation would have dawned that the Strauss family had indeed created music of quality that deserved to be performed by the greatest orchestra in the land. There's another Viennese composer who came along a little later who was just as influential as the family Strauss in his area of expertise - light opera. Franz Lehar wasn't actually from Vienna at all. He was born in a town on the Danube, all right - Komaron, which these days is half in Hungary and half in Slovakia. Video of the Day His father was a military man, a bandmaster who wrote marches and dances. Franz followed him into music, majoring in the violin at the conservatory in Prague. His aim was to carve out a career as a performer, but he got a piece of advice from the man who would become the music school's head of composition. Focus on writing, he counselled young Lehar. That's where your talents lie. We've Antonin Dvorak to thank for the change of direction that delivered a whole host of delights, the most dazzling being his very first operetta, The Merry Widow. How he got involved in that is an amazing tale of happenstance. Like his father, Lehar had been in the army, called up in his late teens. Like father, like son: Franz led the band, and wrote military marches for them to play. Ending up in Vienna, he was right at the heart of things in Europe's musical capital. He started making a name for himself as a latter-day Strauss. The sumptuous Gold and Silver waltz, his best known, dates from this time. But he wasn't a major player in terms of musical drama. The top man around was Richard Heuberger, Der Opernball was his big success. Enter the two librettists who had done the book for Strauss's Wiener Blut. Viktor Leon and Leo Stein had a new project on the go. Heuberger was the obvious choice to write the music. But Leon and Stein were none too impressed by his efforts. Their rich Balkan widow - pursued in Paris by all sorts of suitors, before ending up with an old flame from back home - needed better songs to sing. They were going nowhere when Lehar's name came up. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, they gave him some lyrics and asked him to set them to music. Lehar's audition involved playing what he'd written down a telephone line. Leon and Stein were impressed. The music flowed - Lippen Schweigen, the Vilja song, the Merry Widow Waltz, and that paean to Parisian night life, You'll Find Me at Maxim's. The whole show is an absolute delight. And to think if the telephone hadn't been invented by 1905, there might never have been a Merry Widow at all. A WOMAN who was jailed for opening a box of Pringles worth 1.50 in a shop she was barred from has said that she worried she would spend Christmas in prison. Kathleen McDonagh (25) says she is in shock after she was given a four month sentence at Court District Court this week for opening the Pringles container in a Tesco outlet from which she had been barred when approached by security staff at Christmas 2016. Ms McDonagh of Inchera, Mahon, Cork pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the 1.50 packet of potato snacks at the Tesco outlet in the Mahon Point Shopping complex on December 27 2016. Judge Brian O'Shea suspended the final two months of her sentence as she co-operated with gardai and pleaded guilty. Ms McDonagh is out on bail pending an appeal but spent two hours in the court cells until her mother managed to borrow 200 for her release. She told The Sunday World she is still coming to terms with what happened and feels her sentence was too harsh. Ms McDonagh said: "Even now, I cant believe this is happening. "There are people caught dealing heroin getting suspended sentences, paedophiles walking out the door of courts up and down the country after being found guilty, and then theres me jailed for two months for opening a poxy 1.50 box of Pringles that I was on my way up to pay for." Judge O'Shea was told by Inspector Ronan Kenneally that the defendant was barred from the Tesco outlet involved on the date in question. However, she entered the supermarket, took the tube of Pringles crisps from a display shelf and proceeded to a self check-out area. Security staff became aware of the defendant's presence in the store and walked over to her to make her aware of the fact she was barred, as they approached, she opened the crisp container in front of them. Inspector Kenneally said the defendant informed security personnel she had deliberately opened the packet. "(She said) I opened it so you will have to leave me pay for it," he explained. The court was told that, because the packet had been opened and could not be resealed, it could not be offered for re-sale. Ms McDonagh told The Sunday World that she intended to pay for the Pringles. "This has been going on since 2016 it will be two years this December. "I pleaded guilty because I thought that was the right thing to do. I did open them, I was lining up in the queue and I was paying for them, but then the man [security guard] came up and grabbed the box. "Afterwards I actually came home and it wasnt until a few weeks later that the gardai came to the door with a summons. "They said: 'Youre summonsed for popping a box of Pringles!' I thought, 'are you serious?'" Judge O'Shea was told the defendant had more than 30 previous convictions, including convictions for theft, criminal damage and handling stolen property. Ms McDonagh, who is on disability allowance and is participating in a beautician and hairdressing course, said she didn't expect the case to even appear in court. "Before the case this week my solicitor thought it would be for me to pay the 1.50 cost ofthem. But it didnt turn out that way. He [the judge] said: 'Im giving you four months and Im suspending two of them'. "I genuinely was in shock. Theyre saying that Ive previous convictions and I do, Ive 31 previous convictions, but the biggest half of my previous convictions had to do with my mental health conditions. "This wasnt theft, I was lining up to pay for them. And then four months! Of course I was shocked, I mean you wouldnt get four months for stabbing someone. "First they put me in the custody seat and then they threw me into the cell for two hours. If it wasnt that my mother went out and borrowed the 200 for bail then Id be in prison right now. Id be in prison for Christmas 200 for to get me out thats an expensive box of Pringles! "And now I have to appeal this and thats going to cost more money. I actually think this is a disgrace, that it should never have been brought to court," she said. The case garnered a lot of attention during the week and Ms McDonagh says this has been difficult to deal with. She explained: "Its gone viral its all over Facebook. "I walked up the town and people were calling out at me, 'theres the Pringle girl'. How embarrassing is that for me? "And Im on seriously heavy medication since I was 16 years old. And the court knows that." Judge O'Shea said the offence had to be viewed in context against what he termed the defendant's "Smart Alec" behaviour towards security staff, the fact she opened the Pringles tube after being asked to leave the supermarket and her history of previous convictions. The judge said her behaviour towards the security personnel on the day was an aggravating factor in the matter. He noted that a number of suspended sentences imposed in the district court had not apparently been successful for the defendant. Judge O'Shea imposed a four month prison sentence but agreed to suspend the final two months in light of her co-operation with Gardai and her guilty plea. Recognisance was set in case of an appeal to the Circuit Court. This year has seen the worst-ever November on record for hospital overcrowding. A total of 9,679 admitted patients were forced to wait on trolleys and chairs for beds last month, according to the INMO. This is an 11pc increase on November 2017 and more than twice as bad as 2006, when the records first began. Earlier this week, the count for 2018 crossed 100,000 for the first time ever, already making 2018 the worst-ever year for overcrowding. INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha expressed concern as she said that 2018 is already the worst year on record, and there are still several weeks in the year to go. Behind each number is a vulnerable patient suffering in poor conditions, with overworked staff pulling out all the stops to provide the best possible care," Ms Ni Sheaghdha said. "January and February are typically the worst months, so nurses and midwives will be looking to the new year with a sense of dread. "But this isn't just a winter problem anymore, it's a year-round problem. "The health service needs more beds. Extra beds require extra nurses, but the HSE simply can't hire enough on these wage levels," she added. A total of five hospitals saw over 500 patients on trolleys in November: Cork University Hospital: 932 University Hospital Galway: 676 Letterkenny University Hospital: 581 Tallaght University Hospital: 559 Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore: 549 The union claims that much of the overcrowding is down to understaffing, caused primarily by low pay levels in Irish nursing and midwifery. According to the HSE census, as of September 2018, Irelands health service has 227 fewer staff nurses than December 2017. The numbers come as it is revealed today that a winter plan 'tsar' will oversee the health service's bid to avoid chaos in hospitals in the coming months. The idea is among measures being introduced by the HSE following the papal visit to Ireland. A single HSE official was tasked with co-ordinating the health service's response to the Pope's visit in August, which included extended opening hours for primary care centres and minor injury clinics to ease pressure on hospitals. This will be replicated in the delayed 30m winter plan along with other 'enhanced measures' which have been designed to avoid what has become an annual crisis in the health system. Nine hospitals identified as "sites of concern" will be targeted. These are hospitals which have already had issues with patients on trolleys this year and over the past two winters. They include Tallaght Hospital, the Mater and St Vincent's hospitals in Dublin and the University Hospitals in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford. Other aspects of the plan include 'winter-ready' clinics being set up in communities. The plan lasts until March 31 with what is described as an 'enhanced focus period' for four weeks from December 17 to January 13. It is understood that the person co-ordinating the plan has been identified but won't be announced until later this week. "Introducing the winter plan this late is astounding given the warnings from politicians and doctors and nurses since August," said Fianna Fail TD Stephen Donnelly . Health Minister Simon Harris' spokesperson said planning for winter had been taking place since June. She said parts of the plan, including 16m for home-care packages to help avoid hospital admissions, were already being put in place. The Government had committed to introducing 2,600 additional beds, with 79 of these to be delivered by early 2019, she said, adding that Mr Harris was committed to reversing "years of bed closures" by Fianna Fail. GPs are holding an Extraordinary General Meeting today over their concerns about the introduction to abortion services. Hundreds are worried about the upcoming GP-led service and are concerned about how they will manage the extra workload. Others have said they will not provide the service due to their personal beliefs. The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), the professional and training body for family doctors, said the purpose of the meeting is to listen to the members' concerns and to consult on the issue. It is understood 650 GPs signed the EGM petition. Writing on Twitter ahead of the meeting, GP Dr Valerie Morris wrote; "Who knows how many will turn up? "We hope many of the 650 GPs who signed the EGM petition will turn up." She said that general practice "is in an absolute crisis". Non-ICGP members will also meet at the same venue today. Meanwhile, Health Minister Simon Harris is continuing with the introduction of abortion services nationwide in January. Nine hospitals identified as sites of concern will be targeted. (stock picture) A winter plan 'tsar' will oversee the health service's bid to avoid chaos in hospitals in the coming months. The idea is among measures being introduced by the HSE following the papal visit to Ireland. A single HSE official was tasked with co-ordinating the health service's response to the Pope's visit in August, which included extended opening hours for primary care centres and minor injury clinics to ease pressure on hospitals. This will be replicated in the delayed 30m winter plan along with other 'enhanced measures' which have been designed to avoid what has become an annual crisis in the health system. Nine hospitals identified as "sites of concern" will be targeted. These are hospitals which have already had issues with patients on trolleys this year and over the past two winters. They include Tallaght Hospital, the Mater and St Vincent's hospitals in Dublin and the University Hospitals in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford. Other aspects of the plan include 'winter-ready' clinics being set up in communities. The plan lasts until March 31 with what is described as an 'enhanced focus period' for four weeks from December 17 to January 13. It is understood that the person co-ordinating the plan has been identified but won't be announced until later this week. "Introducing the winter plan this late is astounding given the warnings from politicians and doctors and nurses since August," said Fianna Fail TD Stephen Donnelly . He pointed to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation showing the number of patients waiting on hospital trolleys this year has hit a new high, surpassing 100,000. The HSE puts the figure at 91,000. Mr Donnelly said the situation was "disgraceful" and "avoidable". Health Minister Simon Harris' spokesperson said planning for winter had been taking place since June. She said parts of the plan, including 16m for home-care packages to help avoid hospital admissions, were already being put in place. The Government had committed to introducing 2,600 additional beds, with 79 of these to be delivered by early 2019, she said, adding that Mr Harris was committed to reversing "years of bed closures" by Fianna Fail. Transfer balls: David de Gea makes Manchester United sweat Should David de Gea leave Manchester United for Paris St-German, the Red Devils will splash out 70m on Evertons England international Jordan Pickford, 24. If hes worth that much it makes you wonder at De Gea value in the open market twice that; three times? The Sunday Mirror counters earlier news that Uniteds best player had agreed new contract at Old Trafford and was also on his way to PSG. In other news, the Times says David de Gea wont let Manchester United sell him in the final year of his current contract. The Spaniard will sign a new contract at Old Trafford if the Premier League club agrees to make him their best paid player. That sum is a matter of debate, waving between the 300,000-500,000-a-week United lavish on the irritating Alexis Sanchez. The paper says De Geas camp are confident of securing a hugely lucrative signing bonus from one of Europes wealthiest clubs should no new deal be agreed with United by January 2020, when he will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement elsewhere. Over in the Mail were told Napoli have rejected Manchester Uniteds 91m offer for Senegal international defender Kalidou Koulibaly, 27. The sums are impressive. The quality less so. Anorak Posted: 2nd, December 2018 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink Dr Andrew ORegan, Dr Kirsten Fuller and Dr Niall McGuire were some of the conscientious objecters who walked out of a meeting of members of the Irish College of General Practitioners Photo: Tony Gavin Some of the conscientious objectors who walked out of a meeting of members of the Irish College of General Practitioners prompted by concerns raised by the introduction of abortion Photo: Tony Gavin A row has broken out between GPs over the Governments proposed abortion law. Up to 50 GPs walked out of a meeting of family doctors in Dublin this afternoon to discuss concerns about how the new abortion service will operate on the ground. The doctors left the meeting of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), the professional and training body for doctors, which was convened to discuss the abortion service, saying their voices were not heard. Following the walk out, the group said several hundred GPs have totally lost confidence in the ICGP board and that a serious crisis now exists that the Government cannot ignore regarding the rollout of GP-led abortion services. Expand Close Dr Andrew ORegan, Dr Kirsten Fuller and Dr Niall McGuire were some of the conscientious objecters who walked out of a meeting of members of the Irish College of General Practitioners Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dr Andrew ORegan, Dr Kirsten Fuller and Dr Niall McGuire were some of the conscientious objecters who walked out of a meeting of members of the Irish College of General Practitioners Photo: Tony Gavin Spokesperson for the group, Dr Kirsten Fuller said: Today was a test for whether the ICGP board regard rank and file GPs as colleagues who ought to be consulted and included in decision making or see them as a problem that must be managed. We definitely got our answer to that question at todays meeting. Dr Fuller said that ordinary GPs in their hundreds have done everything humanly possible in the past five months to get the ICGP board to listen to our concerns but we have been stonewalled every step of the way. A serious crisis now exists that the Government cannot ignore regarding the rollout of GP-led abortion services. Hundreds of GPs on the ground do not believe general practice is the appropriate setting in which to deliver abortion services because of lack of capacity in an already overstretched environment, lack of training and availability of ultrasound, and delivering on genuine freedom of conscience protections for doctors who dont want to be involved in overseeing abortions taking place. Under the new law, doctors will be forced to facilitate abortions taking place. Thats entirely different to the present situation and Simon Harris knows it. The only way to resolve the current impasse is for the Government and the ICGP board to stop pretending there isnt a crisis and start engaging with GPs in a respectful and open way. The first GPs heard that abortion services would be GP-led was when Simon Harris announced it on radio. From that day to this, GPs have never been consulted on the matter but from January 1, Minister Harris will impose abortion services on General Practice. GPs will face the full rigours of the law from the New Year if they conscientiously object to being involved in abortions. The meeting went ahead with a large gathering of GPs who travelled from around the country. In a statement following the meeting, the ICGP said: The College was disappointed at the decision of a number of GPs to attend the meeting and stage a walk-out within 30 minutes, having objected to the official procedure of the meeting. However, over 250 members stayed for a meaningful debate on the provision of termination of pregnancy services by GPs. There were a range of views heard from the floor and questions were raised and answered by members of the board of the College. Dr Tony Cox, medical director of the ICGP, added: The Colleges remit is to provide training and education for all GPs, and for those GPs who wish to offer this service. We are aware of the concerns of those with a conscientious objection to providing termination of pregnancy services, and we have successfully advocated for an 'opt-in' service and for a 24-hour helpline as the first point of information for those who seek the service. We are sorry that those who walked out didnt stay to listen, as there was a meaningful discussion of all the issues on the agenda. Earlier, Health Ministers Simon Harris said: "Doctors have a right to conscientious objection but women also have a right to healthcare. The law on abortion is changing; the law on conscientious objection is not changing. If you are saying to me that a woman who goes to her GP in crisis; looking for help and looking for a service that is legally available in our country and that that woman should be shown the door or given the cold shoulder that is not conscientious objection." Former junior minister Paudie Coffey in a defamation action against the Kilkenny People, at the High Court, Dublin Former junior minister Senator Paudie Coffey claims an article in a local newspaper a few weeks before a general election was the major contributory factor in him losing his Waterford Dail seat for Fine Gael in 2016. He says the article, in the Kilkenny People in January 2016, meant, among other things, he was guilty of misuse of public office, a thief and of severe ill repute. He told the High Court it falsely called him "a robber" when it used a headline "Coffey the Robber". It quoted comments from his FG Carlow-Kilkenny TD colleague at the time, John Paul Phelan, in relation to a row over moving the administrative boundary of Waterford into Kilkenny, a deeply contentious issue for Kilkenny people in that area, the court heard. Mr Phelan, who like Mr Coffey before he lost his Dail seat, is now a junior environment minister, said Mr Coffey had been "banding together" with then environment minister Alan Kelly to commit "daylight robbery". He then went on to say there was an 18th Century highwayman in Waterford called "Crotty the Robber" and now "Coffey the Robber was trying to do the very same". Iconic Newspapers, the publishers who own a number of provincial titles, deny the claims. Mr Coffey told his counsel, Barney Quirke SC, he understood it was contentious but he was anxious to emphasise that the commission was independent and he avoided even making a representation to it in case he might be seen to be using his ministerial office to influence the outcome. Having first won the seat in 2011, when there was a big swing to FG, Mr Coffey told the court he knew his situation was marginal when the 2016 election campaign came. But, he strongly argued, he could have held it with just 250 swing votes. He believed the "robber" article was a major factor in him being unable to do so because some of his constituents and neighbours - his home in Portlaw is "three fields" from the Kilkenny/Waterford border - have Kilkenny connections and would have read it. He was shocked when the story was first brought to his attention by a cousin who had received an email from a friend, former rugby international Mick Galwey, with a photo of the article and the comment: "Is this the best headline ever in the Kilkenny People this week, class, not even the Bomber will get ye out of this!!!!!!" But he had an election to fight and the focus was on that, he said. It was not until a number of comments were made to him at funerals and social events that he said he became aware of the damage the article had done. The one that prompted him to seek legal advice was when he met Mick Galwey at a Thomond Park memorial rugby match for the late Anthony Foley. As he approached, Mr Galwey, who was with a number of other former well-known internationals, said "here comes Coffey the robber" to which everyone laughed, including Mr Coffey. But, privately, he didn't feel it was funny. During five days in the witness box, most under cross-examination, Mr Coffey was at times upset and emotional. He told of how he was proud of his family, his father was a councillor, his mother a public health nurse, and what he was doing now was fighting for his family name. It was also so that someone else would not be treated by a newspaper in this way with what he called "a total fabrication" and "lies". Rossa Fanning, Iconic Newspaper's senior counsel, put it to him the Thomond Park incident was "all banter". He also put it to the senator that "all this meant you are taking it all too seriously and taking yourself too seriously". He replied that counsel and Mick Galwey might think it was a joke but it was just one of a number of incidents where "people consistently referred to me as a robber as a result of that article and I was highly embarrassed". Crotty the Robber was a Robin Hood figure/murderous highwayman, depending on your view, and it would not be the first time a politician was compared to a fictional or historical character, counsel said. They included, he said, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar whose is referred to in the Phoenix magazine as "Vlad", a play on his surname with that of the 15th century prince, Vlad the Impaler. "He is not called a robber," Mr Coffey replied. Counsel said it was not being suggested by the use of the name that the Taoiseach has "a propensity for impaling". Mr Coffey replied the Phoenix was a satirical magazine. What about Roscommon politician Luke "Ming" Flanagan, after "Ming the Merciless", former Justice Minister John O'Donoghue, called "Bull McCabe" after the central character in John B Keane's play The Field, and his own former environment department minister Alan Kelly who is known as "AK-47" after the well-known rifle. None of them had sued, counsel said. None of them were called a robber, Sen Coffey said. A number of witnesses for the Coffey side told of the upset and distress the article had caused him. His assistant and special ministerial adviser, Paul Fox, told him they needed to focus on retaining the seat when the article was published. But, Mr Fox said, Sen Coffey "wasn't happy and described it as lies, he just wasn't very happy". Mr Fox agreed that in 2014, shortly after a poor showing in the local elections for FG, he had a conversation with then taoiseach Enda Kenny "over a pint" in the Gingerman pub in Dublin. Mr Fanning suggested to Mr Fox there was nothing sinister about this but it was a normal representation seeking to have a minister appointed in Waterford, where there was none, in order to bolster general election prospects. Mr Fox said: "I might have made the point that if the constituency had a voice, the constituency would stand to benefit". Mr Coffey was appointed a junior minister shortly afterwards. John Paul Phelan, the TD who issued the press release on which the newspaper based its article, told the court last Friday he was surprised by the "Coffey the Robber" headline as he had headed his release "Hands off Kilkenny". The trial goes into its third week when it resumes before Mr Justice Bernard Barton and a jury on Tuesday. 'Throwing more borrowed money at the limited supply of houses will not make it any easier for people to get on the housing ladder.' Stock image Last week, the Central Bank announced it was leaving its mortgage limits unchanged. A first-time buyer cannot borrow more than 90pc of the price of the house and they cannot borrow more than 3.5 times their income. Cue the usual howls of protest from auctioneers and mortgage brokers. A starter home in Dublin will cost around 300,000. With the high cost of rent, it's too much to expect a young couple to save the 30,000 deposit. Critics of the Central Bank seem to think that we should go back to the bad old days of 100pc mortgages. As it happens, the Central Bank rules allow lenders to exceed the maximum 90pc loan limit in up to 5pc of cases. However, the lenders have decided that in a society which does not allow repossession of homes, it's not very clever to lend more than 90pc to anyone. So even if the Central Bank relaxed the 90pc rule, it wouldn't help people buy their first home. Throwing more borrowed money at the limited supply of houses will not make it any easier for people to get on the housing ladder. It will just push up the price of houses further, leaving borrowers with bigger loans and higher repayments and a real risk of a repeat of the arrears crisis. So what can the Government do to help young people buy houses? Government policy should be aimed at bringing down the price of houses. But, instead, Government policy seems designed to do the very opposite. The Government imposes 13.5pc VAT on the selling price of a new house. The price will also be inflated by a development levy. The buyer will be charged 1pc stamp duty. And on top of that, those who make sacrifices to acquire their own newly built home without government assistance will pay a social housing levy which adds about another 5pc to the price of the house. The Government could bring down the price of new houses in the morning by scrapping all these charges. They amount to about 20pc of the price of a house, so a 300,000 new house could fall by as much as 60,000 to 240,000. But, I hear you shout, surely the developer will pocket that 60,000 for themselves so that the house-buyer will be no better off? There will definitely be an element of this. The 60,000 reduction in taxes and charges will not be passed in full, but some or most of it will be. And if we make it more profitable to build new houses, then developers will build more houses. And if more houses are built, the price of houses should fall. But even if the price of a house were to fall to 240,000, it would still be a challenge to save the 24,000 deposit required. You would think that the Government might have some plan in place to make it easier for people to save the deposit. But again, Government policy does the very opposite. The Department of Social Welfare is planning to launch a pensions auto-enrolment system in 2020. In summary, all employees will be more or less obliged to contribute 6pc of their gross salary to a pension fund which they will not be able to access until they are 65. So a couple earning 80,000 a year between them will have to pay about 5,000 into a pension fund. This is the money they would have been putting aside for the house deposit. And employees won't be getting the pay increases they might have expected, as employers will be obliged to contribute 6pc to the pension fund as well. The pensions auto-enrolment system will mean it will take everyone a few years longer to get the deposit together. But for some people it will kill off the dream that they will ever be able to buy their own home. They may well have better pensions in retirement, but they will need them to pay the rent. So how can the Government help people save the deposit? It's not rocket science. First-time buyers should be able to take an advance from their pension fund towards the deposit on their home. The advance would be secured as a second mortgage on the property, so that if the house is sold, the advance would be repaid to the pension fund. Or if they still own the home on retirement, then the advance would be deducted from the tax-free lump sum paid from their pension fund. Why is our housing policy so dysfunctional? Probably because the ministers are all going in different directions. The Minister for Social Welfare wants to maximise the number of people with pensions. The Minister for Finance wants to maximise the tax take and the Minister for Housing wants to minimise the problem. Is it too much to ask for someone to co-ordinate the efforts and come up with a coherent response? Brendan Burgess is founder of the consumer website askaboutmoney.com How government pushes up the price of a newly built house Price the buyer pays 303,000 What the developer gets 240,000 Social Housing Levy 10,000 Development Levy 15,000 VAT35,000 Selling price of house300,000 Stamp Duty 3,000 Total government take 63,000 This excludes Coprporation Tax paid by the developer & PAYE/ PRSI/USC etc paid by employees at various stages of the process TRAPPINGS OF OFFICE: May 2017 and Denis Naughten is given the Ministerial seal of office for the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Aras an Uachtarain. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins The former Minister for Communications, Denis Naughten, felt vindicated by the review of the procurement process for the National Broadband Plan, which was published last week. The author of the review, Peter Smyth, concluded that Denis Naughten, forced to resign because of private meetings he had with one of the bidders, 'did not influence, nor seek to influence, the conduct of the tender process'. Does this mean that Irish politics is not corrupt? I ask this very question every year in my lectures at UCC, where I encourage students to avoid simplistic soundbites about corrupt politicians, and to instead use comparative evidence to locate Ireland in the global sphere. One such means of doing so is Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), calculated from expert assessments in 180 countries of the perceived levels of corruption in the public sector. Scores on this index range from 0 to 100, with 0 meaning very corrupt and 100 very clean. In 2017, more than two-thirds of countries scored below 50. Somalia, South Sudan and Syria had the lowest respective scores of 9, 12 and 14. The countries with the five highest scores, ranging from 85 to 89, were New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Switzerland. Ireland came 19th with a score of 74, below the UK and the US, but above Japan and France. On this basis, most of my students concluded that, despite the evidence from the Mahon and McCracken tribunals, to mention a few, Ireland seems to be, relatively speaking, not so corrupt. However, as some of the more discerning observers pointed out, the CPI is not a measure of corruption per se, but rather a measure of the perception of its existence. So, it could be that a country is quite corrupt, but gets a high score on the Corruptions Perception Index if this corruption is hidden from society and the experts measuring it. What this really indicates is whether the perception of corruption is more important than its existence? Is it worse to live in a society that is not corrupt, but which we believe to be endemic with corruption, or in a corrupt society that we believe to be clean and fair? A perception of corruption can lead to citizens having less faith in the political system, increasing their sense of alienation, and resulting in higher levels of disaffection and withdrawal, all of which have the potential to undermine the fabric and sustainability of democracy. This very issue was the focus of the review into the bidding process for the National Broadband Plan. The report highlighted the dangers of perception, when seemingly no evidence of actual corruption existed. Peter Smyth found that Denis Naughten did not act in a corrupt manner, while also stating that to protect the integrity of the process, it was right that Naughten resigned, because it 'insulates the process from any apparent bias'. At the time, the Minister was pretty angry that the Taoiseach had demanded his resignation, stating in the Dail that the outcome was more about "opinion polls than telecoms pole", and more about "optics than fibre optics". But the then Minister was missing the point. Of course it is about optics, and of course they are important. I have not heard anyone suggest that Denis Naughten acted corruptly, but his actions created an aura of, or potential for, corruption, and that can be just as damaging as corruption itself. In total, Minister Naughten had 40 meetings with the four consortia bidding for the National Broadband tender; almost half were with the Granahan McCourt group. The latter was the only bidder with whom the Minister had dinner. As well as a separate coffee meeting in January 2018, Naughten dined with David McCourt of the Granahan McCourt consortium in September 2017 (along with Minister Pat Breen), as well as in February, March, April and July of this year. As Peter Smyth acknowledges in his review, "the meetings between the former Minister and Mr McCourt gave cause for concern as they suggest an ongoing engagement outside of any formal need for them to engage with each other". While Smyth also says that "the fact that the former Minister met with Mr McCourtoutside of the process is not in and of itself a basis for finding that the procurement process has been tainted", no minutes of these meetings are available, and no government officials were present. Instead, Smyth had to rely solely on the word of Naughten and McCourt that no ethics had been breached in terms of what they discussed at these dinners. The essence of the 50-page report in one sentence is that the whole affair had the potential to be, and look, corrupt, but it wasn't. What this shows is not that Ireland is corrupt, but that our politicians can maintain a veneer of influence (and by implication, the potential to be open to a claim of corruption). To get elected, our deputies need to be able to show that they matter, and can pull strings. They want to be able to show important businessmen that they are the real power-brokers; they want to be able to show voters that they can get things done for them. This is why former Trinity professor Basil Chubb famously wrote that the main preoccupation of our TDs is "going about persecuting civil servants" by making representations on behalf of their constituents. TDs want to pretend that it is their influence that gets someone a medical card, gets potholes fixed, or pushes a voter up the housing list. However, according to one American political scientist, who researched Neil Blaney's 'Donegal Mafia', this influence is 'imaginary patronage'. That is, the representations of the TDs have little effect - but they manage to convince voters that it does. The argument is that in a country with a centralised form of government, where local bodies have few discretionary powers of expenditure, and where there is a fair and meritocratic bureaucracy, there is little to no potential for politicians to act in a corrupt manner. While it is difficult to believe that voters would fall for this trick if it was entirely illusory, there is some merit to the claim that Irish politicians inflate their influence. Take the expenditure that independents allege to deliver when a minority government needs their vote. Jackie Healy-Rae and Harry Blaney asserted that they extracted hundreds of millions in funding from Bertie Ahern in the 1990s. In interviews I conducted with former taoisigh, however, they said that most of the funding independents claimed to have delivered was a case of alternative facts. Most of the projects were already targeted for the independents' constituencies, who may have been given early news of it by the Government to beef up their alleged influence. This cost the Government nothing, but was invaluable in terms of votes for the independents. If we are to call this influence corruption, then what we have in Ireland is an illusion of it. It may have an orange bill, webbed feet, and possibly quack, but it's not a duck. This does not mean that we should be complacent. The illusion and perception of corruption can be just as dangerous as its actual existence. That was why Denis Naughten had to go. And why I will have to ask the same question about corruption to next year's cohort of UCC Government and Politics students. Dr Liam Weeks is director of the MSc Government & Politics at University College Cork Plastics polluting Irish waters is the subject of a renewed warning from Coastwatch Ireland. Stock photo: Getty Plastics polluting Irish waters is the subject of a renewed warning from Coastwatch Ireland. The growing threat of plastics in the environment has brought calls for curbs on the use of all plastics this Christmas. While plastic bottles were among the most common plastic waste found on Irish shorelines in recent decades, the growing use of micro-plastics and polystyrene beads is posing a growing threat to sea creatures and birds, said Karin Dubsky, director of the Coastwatch environmental group. Micro-plastics are being detected in bigger amounts by Coastwatch volunteers during clean-ups on Irish shorelines, she said. "These micro-plastics are far more worrying as you can't clean up this 'micro litter'," she added. "Just look closely at the tideline among seaweeds to see the micro-litter load swept up by the tide." Micro-plastics are defined as being less than 5mm in size and there are countless trillions of them in the world's waters. Together with 'micro beads' - a form of plastic used in several industries, including cosmetics, where they are used in exfoliating products - they are ingested by sea creatures that form part of the food chain. "Micro beads in cleaning and beauty products are bite-size for filter feeders like mussels and oysters," said Dubsky. "Our oceans are now full of plastics. Lost pots, plastic nets, ropes and plastic string are heaping up in the underwater landscapes. "These can cause creatures to get trapped and others come to help or forage and they get trapped. "Plastic bags and balloons are a particular choke threat to large mammals and sea turtles which may be mistaking them for jellyfish." Large polystyrene objects such as fish boxes break down into individual polystyrene beads, which are picked up by foraging birds. Under-nourished dead birds found on the Dutch coast were full of polystyrene, Dubsky said. Some materials now being used to prevent coastal erosion are also giving cause for serious concern, she added. Researchers have warned that the amount of plastic ending up in the ocean is set to treble in the space of a decade if action is not taken to curb the problem. The final episode of David Attenborough's Blue Planet II documentary series for the BBC depicted albatrosses unwittingly feeding their chicks plastic. Dubsky said another consumer blind spot concerned the use of wet wipes in the bathroom. These can contain plastics or treated cloth that congeal in sewers with other materials to form balls or ropes that cause sewage treatment plants to break down, leading to pollution. She said people should be encouraged to use reusable metal cutlery at their Christmas parties this year. And she also hopes polystyrene snowmen will become extinct. New European Union regulations about single-use plastics are to be welcomed, Dubsky added. Twenty-seven years after they set off to join the space race, Ireland's four would-be astronauts were reunited in Dublin recently, a little older, but still doing what they were doing when they were recruited for the European Space Agency project in 1991. Willie Butler, originally from Kilkenny, was a captain with Aer Lingus, then and now. Kevin Barry from Dublin, who was a captain in the Air Corps, is now with Virgin Atlantic. Professor Ciaran Bolger, also a Dubliner and then a junior doctor, is now a neurosurgeon with Trinity College and Beaumont Hospital. And Deirdre McMahon, also a medic, originally from Belfast, is now an anaesthetist living outside Paris. As they recalled six months of having hot and cold water poured into their ears, withstanding blood-curdling G-forces and endless psychological tests, Deirdre McMahon recalled that they got on well "because we had the gift of the gab - we were more sociable that most of the other European candidates". The four were picked to compete with hopefuls from around Europe for a place on the proposed European Space Agency's 'Hermes' project, a space shuttle that would put the continent into the space race with the USA and the then USSR. "It was our first hope for Ireland to have its very own astronaut in space," recalled Dr Niamh Shaw, of the Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork, who began the quest to find out what happened to Ireland's only space mission. She tracked down the four intrepid space travellers through old newspaper clippings and an appearance on RTE's Saturday-night TV programme, Kenny Live. The scientist and space enthusiast then spent four years trying to find the intrepid four, who were identified from hundreds of wannabe space enthusiasts as having "the right stuff". "They just disappeared from public view, as did their incredible story," she says. Eventually "desperate for help" she made a public plea on RTE Radio One's The Ryan Tubridy Show last February, and, within days, found out where they were and what they were doing. They were finally reunited at an event in the Royal College of Surgeons last Thursday night, where they spoke about their experience for the first time. All four recalled their varying reactions to seeing an advertisement in the newspapers, placed by Dr Ann Saunderson of the government-backed science and technology agency Eolas, for Irish candidates to take part in the European Space Agency's Hermes project. For Deirdre McMahon and Willie Butler, it was "the dream of a young kid brought up on Apollo" to go into space. Kevin Barry said he was "really keen" while Ciaran Bolger had a nonchalant, devil-may-care attitude. There were 700 applications in all, and the four were selected from 250 candidates. "When we got to Cologne in Germany and met the others, we found that they looked on you as a competitor - we were just sociable and enthusiastic," says Ciaran Bolger. They described the rigorous and invasive testing that went on for months. Ireland was only contributing 0.05pc of the space programme's budget, and the Irish candidates realised their chances were diminishing rapidly when the French and Germans brought in highly qualified pilots from their own astronaut programmes. Although the Irish were the most successful group on the panel and were included in the final shortlist, none of them made the final cut. "I was very annoyed at the time," recalls pilot Kevin Barry, "but then I had to do a flight for the Air Corps in the afternoon and I just got on with it." Deirdre McMahon was ruled out because of a minor heart issue. "Willie [Butler] and I got through to the very end, but it was clear to me we were never going to be selected; it was pre-determined for other nationalities," said Ciaran Bolger. Ultimately, the Hermes programme was cancelled because it turned out to be too expensive although some of those they trained with did go to space when the European Space Agency began co-operating with the Russians on the International Space Station programme. Dr Niall Smith, of the CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork, told last week's gathering that billionaires were now replacing national agencies as financiers of space exploration. He told an enthralled audience that Ireland is an ideal place to launch 'space tourism' - but even more importantly, that the government should be looking at the possibility of 'space broadband'. "Instead of digging up every road and boreen, they need to use space technology; it already exists, and Irish companies could get involved," he said. For the four Irish astronaut hopefuls it was a dream never to be fulfilled, but when they were reunited they had plenty to talk about and the intervening 27 years showed that they had lost none of the gregarious good humour that carried them through a difficult, if fruitless, space mission. Without wishing to sound like a resigning Tory cabinet member, it is with a heavy heart that I bring you this review of Del-Fino. I was looking forward to my visit, yet when I ate there a month or so after it opened I found a venture that was barely holding it together, in terms of either food or service. The chef is Alan O'Reilly, whose cooking I have liked very much in the past. I am sure I will again. O'Reilly can properly be described as a veteran of the SoCoDu restaurant scene, having cooked in Clarets, Morels, Alexis and Wildeside. I reviewed Wildeside (now closed) last year and loved the food. At Del-Fino, O'Reilly's business partner is Kevin Hui of the China Sichuan. Alexis was known, amongst other things, for its good value lunch deal. Consequently, savvy retirees convened there to relax with their newspapers over a glass of wine and a plate of O'Reilly's hearty, classic food. They have followed him into the city centre; other restaurants on the strip attract a younger clientele. We are brought to a high table with stools at the back, in front of the open kitchen. I hate to perch while I eat, and we should have been asked ahead of time if this would be acceptable. Within a few minutes, an alternative is proposed - but it's a squish for five of us on a four-top. The restaurant is full and, for what seems like the longest time, no one comes near us. No one offers to take our coats, to bring us menus or ask if we'd like to order a drink. There are mutterings about making more space when the people at an adjacent table are finished, but it doesn't happen, even though we are clearly cramped. I'm with my family who don't like it when I make a fuss, so I don't. But if I had been on my own or with a friend I would have high-tailed it a few doors along the road to Pickle or Delahunt, or next door to Hang Dai, in the hope of salvation. The menu is a strange mix of dishes that doesn't read with cohesion. Strange, non-sequitur ingredients pop up here and there, as if no one can decide what the food is supposed to be. None of us can face the weirdness of 'Kimchi Deviled Eggs, Chicken Skin Crumble' which appears as a snack, and we're all sick of croquettes (Dublin has definitely reached Peak Croquette) so we don't want the crispy [sic] pork iteration of those. We order a double portion of Fermented Potato Beignets & Romesco instead, but they don't arrive until much later, with our mains. (They turn out not to be half as interesting as they sound.) Of the starters, Pork Cheek, Celeriac Hazelnuts, Sherry Vinegar is the one that feels like an O'Reilly plate; it's rich and deeply flavoured, the celeriac puree smooth, the flourish of pork scratching lending a satisfying crunch. Half portions of two pasta dishes - pappardelle with braised rabbit, fazzoletti with porcini and fried oyster mushrooms - feature excellent pasta but sauces that lack depth of flavour. Calamari turns out to be baby squid; it comes with padron peppers and aioli and is fine without being memorable. Our main courses are disappointing. Cote de boeuf is over-cooked (we should have sent it back, but everything has taken so long to reach us already that we can't bear to), but the meat is good. Short-rib with cavolo nero has been hanging around so long under the lights that it's dried out. Gnocchi is monotone. And a special of Crispy (again!) Shrimp with garlic, chilli and rocket reminds me of a dish that you'd pick up in the Asian section of the chill cabinet for a desultory solo dinner. We finish with a pair of pedestrian desserts - Millionaire Twix and Lemon Crostata - both garnished with raspberries. With two bottles of pleasant Nero d'Avola from the lower end of the wine list (33), two glasses of white, three bottles of water, a soft drink and a few sides, our bill for five comes to 293.50 before service, with no charge for the MIA beignets. I'm sure that things can and will improve. THE RATING 5/10 food 6/10 ambience 5/10 value 16/30 ON A BUDGET A large portion of pasta with mushrooms and a glass of house wine will cost around 25. ON A BLOW OUT Scallops with pea risotto and pan-crisped pancetta, cote de boeuf and dessert will set you back a little over 100 before drinks or service. THE HIGH POINT A side dish of roasted beets, walnuts and gorgonzola was pretty delicious, and the staff smiled a lot. THE LOW POINT Food confusion. There was a look of naive acceptance in the eyes of a crouched bird on an iPhone image sent to me last week. This was of a young buzzard (Buteo buteo) found in a north Leinster field by an agriculture professional going about his job. It had been wing-shot and was in a poor state. The phone image came from a regular correspondent - PG, of Co Louth - a person who cares about the countryside and the creatures that inhabit it. He took the young buzzard to his house to examine the damage. The bird was weak and died before it could be taken to a vet. It may have been lying in the field for a couple of days. The question is who would have shot at an immature bird (the species has been increasing in numbers in the Boyne Valley area) and left it lying for dead? Buzzards may be listed as birds of prey but they cause no distress to any creatures except to small mammals such as rats and voles, which they eat, and have spotted from overhead. Essentially they feed on carrion. The US Nobel Laureate William Faulkner had considerable admiration for buzzards, a bird not envied or hated by anyone, he said. He told an interviewer in the Paris Review in the 1950s: "You know that if I were reincarnated I'd want to come back as a buzzard. Nothing hates him or envies him or wants him or needs him. He is never bothered or in danger and he can eat anything." As far as I am aware, Faulkner never visited here though he enjoyed Irish music and folk songs, perhaps indicative of Ulster ancestry. One wonders what he would have thought of buzzards being shot in Ireland. Then, this incident could have been a matter of identity; the shooter could have mistaken it for a carrion crow. Members of gun clubs are sensitive about pheasant welfare. Some are occasionally blamed for shooting at anything overhead while they are out and about checking their 'territory'. I was once, many years ago, a member of a gun club. As I kept some poultry I could also have pheasant eggs hatch out under broody bantam 'mothers'. The membership was generally colourful, to say the least. At times there appeared to be considerable gaps in birdlore knowledge. I recall the club secretary once having to patiently explain why hen birds were not shot - they laid eggs which hatched into chicks which eventually became adult pheasants adding to the club's stock! There is a perception that buzzards take young pheasants, my correspondent pointed out. Not so. As he frustratingly asked: "Why can't some people in this country leave birds of prey alone?" "There's a dead bird in your chimney," says a character in John McGahern's play for radio, Sinclair (not about bird shooting but rather thieving wood with a chainsaw). There are dead birds in the collective memory chimneys of some country folk when it comes to blasting feathered lives out of the skies. The poor dead adolescent buzzard didn't bother any person or creature and became an unlucky pot-shot for a bored human with a shotgun walking through a field. With up to 100 souvenir and hot food stalls stoking the atmosphere around its medieval square, Krakow is a king among European Christmas cities. Set the mood Often, though not always, covered in Yuletide snow, Krakows Christmas market runs from the last week of November until December 26. Set in the heart of the citys vast historic square, Rynek Glowny, a multitude of wooden stalls sells everything from Christmas decorations, gifts and sweets to hot dishes and mulled wine. Factor in the entertaining children ensembles and carol-singing locals and you cant go wrong. What to eat Expand Close Hot pierogi in Krakow, Poland. Photo: Getty / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hot pierogi in Krakow, Poland. Photo: Getty Polish cuisine is under-rated. Try kotlet schabowy (breaded pork), pierogi (dumplings) or bigos (a traditional meat stew) at Christmas markets and Krakows top restaurants: Pod Nosem (kanonicza22.com), Kogel Mogel (kogel-mogel.pl/en) and Mavericks (mavericksrestaurant.pl). Draught beer selections can be dull, so craft beer lovers should get along to the House of Beer (houseofbeerkrakow.com). Where to wander Expand Close Kazimierz, the former Jewish quarter in Krakow, Poland / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kazimierz, the former Jewish quarter in Krakow, Poland The medieval Wawel Castle comes close, but Krakow doesnt really have an iconic trophy site. Slowly wander the regal city centre, before ambling down to Kazimierz (the Jewish Quarter) for street art, bookshops and shabby-chic vintage clothes stores. Dont miss Expand Close Wieliczka Salt Mines in Poland. Photo: Deposit / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Wieliczka Salt Mines in Poland. Photo: Deposit Can you eat the walls? isnt a question you hear very often. Not until you find yourself 160m below ground in Poland, in the 700-year-old Wieliczka Salt Mine, at least. Its a question our stooped-over guide, dressed like an antiquated porter from Wes Andersons movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel, gets on a daily basis. Just south of Krakow, Wieliczka is the oldest still-working salt mine in Europe. Once churning out 1,000 tonnes a day, just two of its 280km of tunnels are open to the public these days, aside from a subterranean health spa where respiratory-afflicted Poles recuperate, sometimes for weeks on end, in its allergen-free, cool, even temperatures. For more, see wieliczka-saltmine.com. Glitches Over 13m people visited Krakow last year. It remains serenely beautiful, and definitely cheaper than Ireland, but is no longer bargain-basement territory. Travel Tips Expand Close Krakow's Market Square. Photo: Deposit / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Krakow's Market Square. Photo: Deposit Outside of Christmas, the best time to visit is shoulder season September to October, or mid-April to mid-June. Stay at Vienna House Andels Cracow (yes, an all c Krakow!), an artfully furnished and very hospitable smart-casual hotel, barely 10 minutes stroll from the city centre, with an excellent restaurant and bar. Rooms from 80 per night (viennahouse.com). Oh, and remember Poles use the Zloty, not the euro at the time of writing, 1 = 4.3 PLN. Ryanair (ryanair.com) flies from Dublin to Krakow. For more information, see visitkrakow.com and slaskie.travel/en-US. Jamie was a guest of the Polish National Tourist Office and Vienna House. Read more: "My son loves transport and loves going to the airport, but he quickly becomes overwhelmed. "Oh boy, I end up slapped, bitten, kicked it's no fun in the security queue with everyone watching you wrestle a four-year-old who only minutes before was the best boy ever." Those are the words of a mum describing an experience she had in an airport with her son, who has Autism Sensory Disorder (ASD). Talking with her this week has given me a new perspective on travel stress, but also a positive insight into Irish airports. This mum recently signed her son up for Dublin Airport's 'Important Flyer' wristband (01 814-4117; prm@daa.ie), she told me - a service that allows staff to identify him as someone who may need extra assistance at security and other potential stress points (e.g. check-in or passport control). "It was like having a backstage pass," she says. "Even when we got off the bus at the plane steps, we could walk past all the passengers and get on board without queuing..." ASD is one of many "hidden" disabilities that have a major impact on the lives of those who have them. Epilepsy and acquired brain injuries are others. You or I may assume people with these conditions "look fine", but they can find busy airports tricky or frightening places. "You never meet two people who have ASD in the same way," explains Samantha Judge, CEO of Autism Ireland (autismireland.ie), and mum to Evan (10), who has ASD. "But it's difficult to control in an airport. The busyness and brightness, the people all around, the announcements, things flashing up on screens... it can be total sensory overload before you even get to the point where you have to stand in a queue." Samantha says Irish airports have improved in helping passengers like Evan. Shannon Airport (061 712 000; askpa@shannonairport.ie) was the first in Europe to open a "sensory room" providing a soothing space, for example (see video above). Dublin has plans to open a similar facility early next year. Both airports allow passengers worried about travel to book tours in advance, and frontline staff receive disability awareness training. Dublin staff understand how to speak with Evan, Samantha says, and high-fived him after his latest fast-track experience. Cork Airport also offers wristbands for travellers with hidden disabilities. For parents of children with ASD, Samantha also recommends creating "social stories" in advance - picture cards that map out steps in the journey (Aer Lingus carries visual guides on its website) as well as back-ups like nibbles and Netflix for inevitable travel delays. I'm thankful to these two mums for helping me to understand an issue hidden in more ways than one. Read more: The worst thing about the internet is the deluge of inspirational quotes on social media, and this one, attributed to American singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson, may be the worst ever example: "God will never give you anything you can't handle, so don't stress." The stupidity in those dozen little words is almost beyond comprehension. Does she never watch the news? God sends plenty of things people's way that they can't handle. Little Miss Positivity should check her privilege. What matters about stress is that it doesn't matter if, objectively speaking, some authority could make the case that you're not really suffering from it, because the effects are exactly the same if you just think that you are; and that goes for an alarmingly large number of people. According to the Economic and Social Research Institute, the number of people in Ireland suffering from work-related stress actually doubled between 2010 and 2015, from 8pc to 17pc - and that's only those who say they're stressed "always" or "most of the time". Plenty more suffer from the same feelings intermittently, or choose to deny and bottle them up rather than admitting to what is still mischaracterised as weakness. Their numbers are deemed to be anywhere between 21pc and 38pc. Long working hours. Bullying. It all takes its toll. Ireland's increase may be the highest recorded among 10 Western European nations included in the survey, but one consolation is that work place stress levels in this country are still below the international average. It's also worth being alert to the dangers of over-diagnosis. As for the problem of competitive stress, we all know someone who goes on at such interminable length about how stressed they are that the opportunity rarely arises to tell them in great detail how stressed we are. How infuriating is that? Thinking about stress exclusively in terms of work is probably a mistake, though. Stressful jobs do make people sick, depressed; media coverage of the ESRI report concentrated on what to do in work to combat the dangers. But stress at work is a symptom, not a cause. Increasingly it's hard to escape the conclusion that it's modern life itself which is the root of the problem. Not only that, but that the way we now live might, by its very nature, be dysfunctional and traumatic to one's sense of well being. That's particularly evident in young people. New research from the UK recently found terrifying levels of poor mental health in children and young people. A fifth of girls and one in 10 boys between the ages of 17 and 19 reported self-harming or attempting suicide. One in 20 children between the ages of two and four was even deemed to be suffering from a mental health disorder. This rises to one in eight above the age of 11. Certain factors were identified - the demands to do well at school or college; social media pressure to endlessly compare one's body to others; the toxic effects of premature sexualisation, which is still being foisted on young people as a healthy expression of empowerment when it's anything but, even if saying so risks accusations of prudery. Some of the figures undoubtedly speak to a tendency to pathologise what are normal childhood uncertainties; and perhaps we have lost some valuable stoicism; but it's hard to deny that something has gone horribly wrong. The experience of young people in Ireland is unlikely to be much different. Nor is it only the young who are suffering from a battery of psychological provocations. Stress is merely one part of a bigger, darker picture. We seem increasingly to be living in a world that we've made too hard on ourselves. We bombard our brains with stimuli from the moment of waking until the last few seconds before sleep. That WhatsApp message must be answered. That next episode of the Netflix show must be watched. People are even reported to be having sex significantly less often than in decades past, and that's consistent across all ages, social classes, races, and regions. The lure of social media has again been blamed, as neurotically checking smartphones hundreds of times each day makes us prisoners of mere devices, while the related expansion of work out of the office and into the home also has a knock-on effect. People in nine-to-five jobs never used to still be working at 10 o'clock in the evening. Now that's common. People are too insecure about their jobs to risk not being always on call, bringing an inevitable downturn in mental health. Gender dysmorphia, meanwhile, is galloping through vulnerable groups of young people as they're seduced to question their very identities as boys and girls in ways which are terrifyingly self-punishing. All of these messages come filtered through a wraparound media which bombards them day on day with more information abou t the world than they can ever hope to process. That's surely why many young people were reported to be experiencing equivalent levels of post-traumatic stress following the election of President Trump as those who'd witnessed a school shooting. One can mock them as snowflakes, but clearly they are struggling to cope with what ought to be small problems. They're small, yes, but they're small problems amplified. What do all these phenomena have in common? Looked at more closely, the internet does start to look like a common thread. The current population of this planet has been the subject of the most intense psychological mass experiment in human consciousness. What happens when you plug billions of people into an online world whose effects on mental health are entirely unknown? We're finding out. What the internet does is disconnect the user from the world around while exposing them to obsessive scrutiny. Nature becomes weird, unknowable. Everything we think is worth knowing is accessed in virtual, digital form. Every human interaction is done at a remove. Even getting simple tasks done becomes a nightmare because the technology which is meant to make things simpler actually makes them more complicated and frustrating. Dealing with faceless minions in giant corporations leads to disconnection. Dealing with us also stresses out them. "There is something dysfunctional in the way we live our lives today," observed Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, secretary-general of the International Social Security Organisation, in an interview in 2015. "The modern human being seems to have problems with this lifestyle, with the traffic, the urbanisation." Because cramming more and more people together into the same cities, with the known accumulator of environmental stressors that involves, and merely hoping they don't crack under the strain, is an experiment too. Studies across the world and across vastly differing cultures indicate that rates of psychological disorders are uniformly higher in the urban than the rural population. What if we were actually built for small-scale living, and the world we've made is forcing our minds into inner conflict? Accelerating globalisation also separates people from what used to ground them in a shared society, leaving them adrift. That may help explain a lot of political turmoil too. This is not nostalgia for a simpler, less invasive and Byzantine world. Well, maybe a little. It's about acknowledging that Einstein was right. Madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. We all know velvet is the fabric du jour this Autumn/Winter, which is all well and good. But what about those moments in life when you need a little more? Enter the runway-approved leather dress for a look that's sexy, chic and means business. It's official - the leather dress has made a comeback and has already been given the red carpet seal of approval from Victoria Beckham, Rihanna and Elizabeth Olsen. In Paris, Saint Laurent gave us volume in super-sassy '80s reincarnations while Hermes opted for buttoned-up military styles. Alexander McQueen added belts and zippers while the leather look from Loewe, under the creative direction of Irish man Jonathan Anderson, is ankle-grazing and utterly irresistible. Expand Close Katy Perry / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Katy Perry Katy Perry pulled out all the stops as she joined Princess Charlene of Monaco in Monte-Carlo for the Global Ocean Gala. She looked stunning in this nude Tom Ford ruched gown with its dazzling embroidered sleeves. One for the boys Expand Close Lemontec Portable Travel Garment Steamer, approx 35 on amazon.com / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lemontec Portable Travel Garment Steamer, approx 35 on amazon.com I'm not very good with irons. Combine this with the fact that I'm a frequent traveller and you've got the perfect storm. On a recent trip, I packed a travel steamer, and it's been a game-changer. This mini hand-held steam iron flouts its size with its performance. The nozzle design distributes steam effectively to remove wrinkles fast. It's light-weight and easily fits into a cabin-sized bag. Most importantly, a steamer will ease out wrinkles without damaging the fabric of your clothes. Lemontec Portable Travel Garment Steamer, approx 35 on amazon.com Top Tip This season the leather dress will become your saviour when it comes to those difficult-to-dress-for invites. For everyday wear opt for a shirt-shaped one. Best invest now. Wish list Video of the Day Expand Close Mulberry Seaton Chevron Leather Small, 1450 Brown Thomas / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mulberry Seaton Chevron Leather Small, 1450 Brown Thomas Mulberry Seaton chevron leather bag, 1,450, Brown Thomas Robyn Lawley walks the runway during the Hammock 2017 Collection at SwimMiami - Backstage at W South Beach on July 15, 2016 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Hammock) 2018 is much like a grey hair: for every awful thing that has happened, five good ones have popped up. One of the biggest, and most positive, takeaways from a rollercoaster year has been the refreshing changes to body positivity from within. A generation of women frustrated with the lack of inclusivity, who grew up reading women's magazines that were filled with advice on getting 'bikini body ready', analysing 'post baby body' and of course 'ditching those Christmas pounds' have grown up and they're using their voices for good. Magazines have changed with the times, as have its readers, who now want more transparency and are developing an allergy to airbrushing. If there is one particularly searing insult this year it's an accusation of being fake. Authenticity is key to success these days and a number of models and celebrities know one of the keys to success is being genuine. One such woman is Jameela Jamil, the former T4 presenter turned runaway star of The Good Place who has built an impressive social media following thanks to her raw honesty and criticism of vacuous celebrity culture, and who refuses to be a "double agent of the patriarchy" perpetuating expectations of women's bodies. On a shoot with The Guardian earlier this year, it was noted that Jamil was the first person to feature who didn't want even a hint of retouching - in fact, it's a rule she refuses to break. The 32-year-old has been vocal about her struggles with eating disorders as a teen and is acutely aware of the power she holds when appearing in the pages of any publication. Airbrushing and changing my ethnicity is bad for my mental health, its not just bad for the mental health of the girls who are looking at it, she told Krishnan Guru-Murthy for the Channel 4 News podcast Ways to Change the World. Expand Close Model Robyn Lawley posted this photo of her stretch marks / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Model Robyn Lawley posted this photo of her stretch marks It makes me dislike what Im seeing in the mirror. It sends a direct message from the editor to me and from whoever Photoshops my image to me, that I am not good enough as I am, that the way I turned up on the set that day wasnt good enough. Its dangerous for the women in this position as much as it is for everyone reading it. Similarly, plus-size model Iskra Lawrence is staunchly against retouching and even praises paparazzi who show her as the real deal. As one of Aerie's best known swimsuit models, her campaigns are often shot on public beaches and there is a plethora of pictures of the 28-year-old in the sand in myriad bikinis. For some, this would be hell, but for Iskra, it gives her the opportunity to showcase who she really is. In February, she shared a picture of herself at an event that hit out at the photographer who smoothed out her skin and took in a few inches at her waist. "So gutted, I didn't get any of my own pics in this look so found some online taken by Photogs and i love this one BUT LOOK AT THE RETOUCHING!!! My skin/face does NOT look like this," she wrote on Instagram. "So just remember when you see pics on here or online it's not always real and never compare yourself to images because you're perfectly imperfect just the way you are. I don't even look like this pic of myself." Expand Close Iskra Lawrence showing her curves on the beach in Miami. Picture: Splash News / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Iskra Lawrence showing her curves on the beach in Miami. Picture: Splash News Video of the Day But these women have followings well into the millions - is this new perfectly imperfect trend hitting close to our shores? Yes, says plus-size model Louise O'Reilly, who said that the market for retouching isn't the same in Ireland as is it abroad. "The culture here in Ireland...isnt very popular. They might edit something very innocent like whitening someones teeth, but it wouldnt be as extreme as other countries Ive worked in," she tells Independent.ie Style. "People are getting better and when youre speaking to people saying you dont want to be photoshopped and people are more people are more mindful of the photographers they use. The interesting thing is when you work in different countries, every country has their own different perception to airbrushing. "I actually think its mainly from the social media side, like using filters on Snapchat. In terms of editorials, it's very seldom, its more to do with practical aspects like lighting and sometimes lighting can imply it has been used when it hasnt." In this pursuit of authenticity, US brand Aerie have had a no-editing policy since 2014 and ASOS followed suit earlier this year. Expand Close Jameela Jamill attending the Nespresso British Academy Film Awards Nominees Party at Kensington Palace, London / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jameela Jamill attending the Nespresso British Academy Film Awards Nominees Party at Kensington Palace, London "Even their underwear shots, if they are using your typical size 10 model, they might have a scar on her leg -they're showing what's real. It's a fantastic shift for Europe specifically because it has such an influence on the UK and Ireland market," Louise says. Australian supermodel Robyn Lawley, who has often been criticised for being 'too slim' to be considered a plus-size model has been preaching diversity since long before it was cool. I get tired of people thinking about other peoples bodies in these negative concepts. I want people to be more empathetic, she told Grazia Australia. "I want to empower women to feel good about themselves. "I wish I could tell everyone to not care theyre probably morons if theyre ridiculing you. Focus on your own health, and your own well-being, and make that your priority for your own reasons." Tributes have been paid to a "popular and energetic" student who died after she was hit by a car being driven by a suspected drug-driver. Chloe Hufton, 26, who was studying for a Masters in English at the University of Derby, died at the scene of the crash on Friday night. Police officers were called to Kedleston Road, in Derby, yesterday evening at 6.20pm to reports a pedestrian had been hit by a white Audi RS5. A 33-year-old man from the city was arrested on suspicion of causing death by driving without due care under the influence of drugs, and has been released under investigation. Police said specialist officers are supporting the family while Professor Kathryn Mitchell, vice-chancellor of the University of Derby, said: "We are devastated by the loss of Chloe." Prof Mitchell said in a statement: "She was very popular and an energetic, knowledgeable and witty contributor to discussion; she loved the challenge of new ideas and would often be the first to grasp a complex concept and run with it. Chloe will be greatly missed by staff and students. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends as they begin to come to terms with this tragic event. "We will continue to offer and provide support to anyone within our University community who knew Chloe or has been affected by the incident." Derbyshire Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact the force. Detective Sergeant Scott Riley said: "I would first like to pass on my own condolences to Chloe's family and friends at this most difficult of times. "She was clearly a bright, popular woman who had her whole life ahead of her and I know she will be deeply missed. "I would also like to thank the staff at the University of Derby who helped immeasurably during last night's incident by opening their doors to our officers and witnesses to the incident. "Their actions ensured that witnesses were well cared for and that officers were able to conduct the investigation quickly and efficiently." Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, shake hands prior their talks at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) US President Donald Trump, Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and Mexicos President Enrique Pena Nieto, left, participate in the USMCA signing ceremony in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Russias President Vladimir Putin speaks after meeting with Argentinas President Mauricio Macri at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) World leaders gather for a group photo at the start of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Ricardo Mazalan/AP) President Donald Trump listens to questions from members of the media during his meeting with Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Leaders of the world's largest economic powers have agreed to overhaul the global body that regulates trade disputes, but they faced resistance from US President Donald Trump over the Paris accord on climate change. Here are some of the main developments at the G20 summit in Argentina, which wrapped up on Saturday: - World Trade Organisation All G20 leaders called for reforming the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the issue will be discussed during the group's next summit in Osaka, Japan, in June. The gathering's final statement, however, did not mention protectionism after negotiators said the US objected to the wording. Mr Trump has criticised the WTO and adopted aggressive trade policies targeting China and the European Union. Expand Close World leaders gather for a group photo at the start of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Ricardo Mazalan/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp World leaders gather for a group photo at the start of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Ricardo Mazalan/AP) - US-China trade war Financial markets will be cheered by the announcement that Mr Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed at a dinner after the summit to have a 90-day truce in their trade battle. Mr Trump agreed to hold off on plans to raise tariffs on January 1 on 200 billion dollars in Chinese goods. Mr Xi 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. The ceasefire will buy time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijing's aggressive drive to supplant US technological dominance. Expand Close President Donald Trump with Chinas President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Donald Trump with Chinas President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) - Prince under pressure There were some awkward moments for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as some leaders called him out over the gruesome October killing of dissident Saudi newspaper columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the country's consulate in Istanbul. French President Emmanuel Macron was captured on video seemingly lecturing Mr bin Salman, at one point being heard saying "I am worried," "you never listen to me," and "I am a man of my word." Mr Macron said the crown prince only "took note" of his concerns. British Prime Minister Theresa May also said she pressed Mr bin Salman. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the only G20 leader to raise the issue during the official session. Mr Erdogan called Mr bin Salman's response - that the crime had not been proven - "unbelievable" and complained that Saudi authorities have been unco-operative. But it was not all bad for Mr bin Salman. He was not shunned, and on the gathering's first day, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a hearty grip-and-grin as the two seemingly revelled in their shared status as relative outcasts. US intelligence agencies concluded the Saudi prince was behind the killing. Saudi Arabia denies he played a role. Expand Close Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, shake hands prior their talks at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, shake hands prior their talks at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) - Ukraine conflict Western leaders confronted Mr Putin over Russia's recent seizure of Ukrainian naval vessels and crews, but the diplomatic pressure did not seem to bring either side closer to solving the conflict. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of being responsible for the standoff. Mr Trump cited Russia's actions as the reason that he cancelled a planned meeting with Mr Putin on the sidelines of the summit. EU Council president Donald Tusk sharply criticised "Russia's aggression" against Ukraine. Mr Putin tried to convince Mr Trump and the leaders of France and Germany that Russia's actions were justified - even pulling out a piece of paper and drawing a map of the disputed area to make his point. Expand Close Russias President Vladimir Putin speaks after meeting with Argentinas President Mauricio Macri at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Russias President Vladimir Putin speaks after meeting with Argentinas President Mauricio Macri at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) - Climate change The final communique signed by all 20 member nations said 19 of them reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris climate accord. The only holdout was the US, which has withdrawn from the pact under Mr Trump. Still, environmental groups praised the statement as welcome news. "That G20 leaders signed up to the Paris Agreement reaffirmed their commitment to its full implementation in the resulting communique is important," the World Wildlife Fund said. "It is also a reflection of the Argentinian government rightly making climate an important topic on the agenda." Greenpeace said that "the necessity of the US being part of the effort to fight climate change cannot be denied, but this is a demonstration that the US is still the odd one out". Expand Close President Donald Trump listens to questions from members of the media during his meeting with Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Donald Trump listens to questions from members of the media during his meeting with Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) - NAFTA After two years of negotiations, Mr Trump signed a revised North American trade pact with the leaders of Canada and Mexico on the sidelines of the summit. The deal is meant to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which Mr Trump long denigrated as a "disaster". The new pact will not take effect unless approved by the legislatures of all three nations, and there are questions about the pact's prospects in the US Congress, especially now that Democrats will control the House. Democrats and their allies in the labour movement are already demanding changes. But Mr Trump said on the way back to Washington that he plans to formally terminate NAFTA, so Congress will have to choose between accepting the new pact or going without a trade accord. Expand Close US President Donald Trump with Mexicos President Enrique Pena Nieto, left, and Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Martin Mejia/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp US President Donald Trump with Mexicos President Enrique Pena Nieto, left, and Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Martin Mejia/AP) - Low expectations - low output Even the host country had lowered expectations ahead of the summit, saying before the gathering started that it might not be possible to reach a consensus for a final statement. After sleepless days of round-the-clock talks by diplomats, a communique was produced, but analysts said leaders merely signed a watered down statement that skirted trade and other contentious issues. "The G20 veered all over the road" at the summit and the leaders failed to fix trade, which is widely seen as a priority for boosting growth in jobs and economies, said Thomas Bernes, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation who has held leading roles with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and Canada's government. "Leaders buried their differences in obscure language and dropped language to fight protectionism, which had been included in every G20 communique since the leaders' first summit. This is clearly a retrograde step forced by United States intransigence," Mr Bernes said. Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (C) and his wife Beatriz Gutierrez Muller take part in an indigenous ceremony at the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. Press Office Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador/Daniel Aguilar/Handout via REUTERS Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes part in an indigenous ceremony at the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. Press Office Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador/Daniel Aguilar/Handout via REUTERS Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes part in an indigenous ceremony during the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes part in an indigenous ceremony during the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador holds up the staff of command received from indigenous people at the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes part in an indigenous ceremony during the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido Aerial view of the Zocalo square during AMLO Fest to celebrate Mexico's new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Dronebase Aerial view of the Zocalo square during AMLO Fest to celebrate Mexico's new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Dronebase Aerial view of the Zocalo square during AMLO Fest to celebrate Mexico's new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Dronebase Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes part in an indigenous ceremony during the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido Leftist politician Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has assumed Mexico's presidency with a promise to profoundly transform Latin America's second-biggest economy and to lead a government free of corruption. Seemingly tireless at the age of 65, Mr Lopez Obrador breezed through a day of public appearances that included taking the oath of office and speaking to congress and attending an inaugural celebration at Mexico City's vast main square. He received a spiritual cleansing by indigenous leaders as part of the festivities, then closed out the gathering with a folksy 90-minute speech to the thousands of jubilant fans jamming the Zocalo, vowing to help the poor in a nation where almost half the population lives in poverty. "We are going to govern for everyone, but we are going to give preference to the most impoverished and vulnerable," Mr Lopez Obrador said. Expand Close Aerial view of the Zocalo square during AMLO Fest to celebrate Mexico's new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Dronebase / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Aerial view of the Zocalo square during AMLO Fest to celebrate Mexico's new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Dronebase "For the good of all, the poor come first." Speaking in a personal style he honed over decades of small-town rallies, he told the crowd: "Be patient and have confidence in me." Hopes for change are running high among the more than 30 million Mexicans who voted for Mr Lopez Obrador in a sweeping July 1 election victory that also gave his party a majority in congress. At the same time, worries are mounting among critics who see an expanding authoritarian streak. Expand Close Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador holds up the staff of command received from indigenous people at the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador holds up the staff of command received from indigenous people at the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido "The country is completely divided," said Valeria Moy, director of the Mexico, Como Vamos? think tank. Ms Moy said she had expected a more conciliatory tone from the president, who instead blamed many of Mexico's ills on decades of neoliberal policies that opened the country to greater trade and foreign investment. Expand Close Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes part in an indigenous ceremony during the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes part in an indigenous ceremony during the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido While many are jubilant that Mexico has its first leftist president in decades, Ms Moy noted that others are concerned about the economic decisions that Mr Lopez Obrador will make, and of his use of referendums to validate his proposals. Already, Mr Lopez Obrador has halted construction of a new 13 billion dollar airport for Mexico City after having that move backed in an unofficial referendum that saw just over 1% of voters participate. Expand Close Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes part in an indigenous ceremony at the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. Press Office Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador/Daniel Aguilar/Handout via REUTERS / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes part in an indigenous ceremony at the AMLO Fest at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico December 1, 2018. Picture taken December 1, 2018. Press Office Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador/Daniel Aguilar/Handout via REUTERS The peso and Mexican stocks plunged in response. After decades with a closed, state-dominated economy, Mexico's governments since 1986 had signed more free trade agreements than almost any other nation and privatised every corner of the economy except oil and electricity. But Mr Lopez Obrador has brought back a more insular tone not heard much since the 1960s, saying he wants to build more state-owned oil refineries and encouraging Mexicans to buy Mexican. One of the most pressing issues he faces at the start of his presidency is the caravan of thousands of Central American migrants camped out at the US border, hoping to obtain asylum in the US. In his first official act in office, he signed an agreement with counterparts in three Central American countries to create a development plan for the region. The plan would include a fund to generate jobs as a way to lessen the poverty that drives people to leave El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Most on the minds for many in Mexico, though, is the rising tide of violence. "I don't expect him to change everything in two months, or even in six years, but if the violence comes down then good things will happen," said Amira Rozenbaum, who is optimistic for change. The president pledged to personally oversee daily 6am security briefings and to work 16-hour days to confront the brutal violence in Mexico. He also promised to restore the energy sector to prominence and bring up Mexico's oil production from its current 25-year lows. Mr Lopez Obrador began his political career leading demonstrations against oil pollution in his native state of Tabasco, and he is the country's first president since the Mexican Revolution to rise to prominence as a protest leader. Combined with a deep sense of nationalism and his own place in history, he envisions his administration creating a historic "fourth transformation" of Mexico, following independence from Spain, the liberal reforms that broke the church's dominance in the 1850s and the 1910-1917 revolution. Mr Lopez Obrador's many devotees express an unflinching faith in him. They call themselves AMLOvers and break into chants of: "It's an honour to be with Lopez Obrador." Maria Antonia Flores was one of those on the Zocalo to celebrate and said she had supported Mr Lopez Obrador for more than 20 years. All around her, party loyalists donned burgundy vests and hats stamped with the logo of his Morena party. "We love him because he's honest. He's hard-working. He has never let us down," she said. "He's not corruptible." Mr Lopez Obrador has pledged to end centuries of poverty and marginalisation for Mexico's more than 70 indigenous communities, and he became the first president to take part in a ceremonial inauguration by indigenous groups. Traditional healers brushed him with bunches of herbs and blew incense smoke over him to purify him, and they invoked the spirits of their ancestors and the land to liberate him from any bad influences. "What we want, what we desire is to purify public life in Mexico," Mr Lopez Obrador said during the ceremony. "I repeat my commitment: I will not lie, I will not steal or betray the people of Mexico." His vow to root out government graft resonates with many, including some who have disagreements with him on other matters. Mexico's richest man, telecom magnate Carlos Slim, whose companies were major investors in the cancelled airport project, said there is common ground with Mr Lopez Obrador's promises to rein in wasteful spending and corruption. "Everybody wants spending to be efficiently managed," Mr Slim said. SISTER Cecylia Roszak, who has died aged 110, was a Polish Dominican nun awarded Israel's Righteous Among the Nations honour in 1984 for helping to save the lives of Jews during the Holocaust. Sister Cecylia, who was thought to be the world's oldest nun at the time of her death, was born Maria Roszak on March 25, 1908 in the village of Kielczewo in western Poland, south-west of Poznan, and studied at a trade and industrial school for girls in Poznan before joining the Dominican convent of Grodek in Krakow when she was 21. She took the name Cecylia on taking her religious vows. In 1938 Cecylia Roszak travelled with a group of nine nuns, under their prioress, Mother Bertranda, to Vilnius in Lithuania, then part of the Second Polish Republic, to establish a new convent. War interrupted the plans, though they established their convent just outside the city. Vilnius was taken over by the Germans on June 24, 1941 in Operation Barbarossa, and the killing of the Jews began almost immediately. In September the city's Jewish residents were herded into a city centre ghetto. Mother Bertranda sought the support of the Catholic authorities in Vilnius for an effort to help save them, but they turned her down, fearing that the occupation forces would destroy church property and kill anyone found to be helping Jews. Acting on her own initiative, Mother Bertranda then took in 17 members of a local Zionist group and hid them within the grounds of her convent. They included Abba Kovner, the movement's leader, a poet and activist, who in December 1941 wrote a manifesto entitled Let us not go like lambs to the slaughter, that warned of Germany's plans to wipe out the Jews of Europe - the first time that a potential victim of the Holocaust identified the Germans' intentions. Kovner urged ghetto residents to rebel against the Nazis and set about trying to organise armed resistance. When several of her nuns objected to these activities, Mother Bertranda reportedly threatened them with expulsion. She and the other nuns, including Sister Cecylia, set about supplying the resistance with weapons, but in the end their efforts were futile. Between August and September 1943, the ghetto was liquidated and some 12,000 men, women and children were deported to camps in Estonia. Mother Bertranda was arrested by the authorities and sent to a labour camp. The convent was closed and the other nuns forced to disperse. After the war, Mother Bertranda secured a dispensation from her vows and began a new life as Anna Borkowska, though she retained a deep religious faith. Sister Cecylia returned to the convent in Krakow, where she spent the rest of her days. Kovner escaped the ghetto, survived the war and later testified at the trial in Israel of the Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann. In 1984 Yad Vashem gave the nuns, including Anna Borkowska and Sister Cecylia, its Righteous Among the Nations award, Kovner participating in the tree-planting ceremony at Yad Vashem. When asked about the secret of her longevity, Sister Cecylia replied that "one should pray and learn languages". Sister Cecylia Roszak died on November 16. Telegraph YEREVAN, DECEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan argues that there is no need for fundamental amendments to the Constitution, however, several clauses of it are problematic. Pashinyan was speaking today at a campaigning rally of the My Step bloc, the political force led by him that is running for parliament. He said that the blocs campaigning message doesnt include amendments to the Constitution because changing it and changing the public administration system should be justified. Do you imagine changing the Constitution after each election? This Constitution has been adopted and is in force only for 7 months. Lets let it function a bit. If we see that the parliamentary system of governance requires to be changed and again return to the presidential system, certainly we arent constrained in this matter. We will do it if the people will want it, he said. At the same time Pashinyan says several clauses in the Constitution must definitely be changed. For example, the Constitution says that only persons who have been solely citizens of Armenia in the past four years and who had permanent residency in Armenia can be Members of Parliament or Ministers. If in case of a Member of Parliament we consider this approach to be justified, in case of the executive power we think that this brings certain restrictions for involving the potential of the Diaspora in the government system of Armenia. We must think that even in case of a Member of Parliament we can consider to change it or not, he said. He said that serious steps must also be taken for introducing clear mechanisms of checks and balances in the administration system, however, according to him, this must be done in a way so that the vertical pyramid of the system doesnt get breached and that it remains clear who is the leader of the country. Its been said a lot, and I have said a lot that this Constitution is a super-prime ministerial Constitution, and we must certainly take very serious steps to have a clear mechanism of checks and balances in order for all [theoretical] possibilities of establishing dictatorships and authoritarianisms in our country get eliminated and restricted. But when going for this goal we must focus on another issue. It is very important not to breach the vertical pyramid of power, because the country must be controllable. In a state there cant be a [scenario] where it is unclear who the leader of the country is. That is a potential crisis for the country and can always be the occasion for shocks. Indeed, this Constitution clearly says that the leader of the country is the prime minister, but I agree that there must be a checks and balances mechanism so that different branches of the government are able to supervise one another, Pashinyan said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan 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 on Saturday between US president Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the G20 in Buenos Aires. Mr Trump agreed to hold off on plans to raise tariffs at the start of 2019 on 200 billion dollars (155 billion) in Chinese goods. Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the Presidents Working Dinner with China in Buenos Aires, Argentina: https://t.co/PCrwUXYJjf pic.twitter.com/4i07dXbUvA Dan Scavino Jr. Archived (@Scavino45) December 2, 2018 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 Americas huge trade deficit with China, the White House said. The truce, reached after a dinner of more than two hours, buys time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijings aggressive drive to supplant US technological dominance. Its an incredible deal, Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. China will be opening up, China will be getting rid of tariffs. China will be buying massive amounts of products from usDonald Trump What Ill be doing is holding back on tariffs. China will be opening up, China will be getting rid of tariffs. China will be buying massive amounts of products from us. In a long-sought concession to the US, China agreed to label fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid responsible for tens of thousands of American drug deaths annually, as a controlled substance. The White House announcement framed a victory for Mr Trump and his unflinching negotiating tactics, securing a commitment from China to engage in talks on key US economic priorities, with little obvious concession by the US. Expand Close Donald Trump spoke to the Chinese leader at the G20 Summit (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donald Trump spoke to the Chinese leader at the G20 Summit (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Notably, however, the White House appears to be reversing course on its previous threats to tie trade discussions to security concerns, like Chinas attempted territorial expansion in the South China Sea. The Trump-Xi meeting was the marquee event of Mr Trumps whirlwind two-day trip to Argentina for the G-20 summit after the president cancelled a sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin over mounting tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The United States and China are locked in a dispute over their trade imbalance and Beijings tech policies. 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. Mr Trump has imposed import taxes on 250 billion dollars (195 billion) in Chinese products 25% on 50 billion dollars worth and 10% on the other 200 billion. Very busy and productive first day at the G20 where President @realDonaldTrump met with a number of world leaders - their discussions included trade, security, and economic prosperity. pic.twitter.com/7DDtR5DEvn Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) November 30, 2018 Under the agreement reached in Buenos Aires, the two countries have 90 days to resolve their differences over Beijings tech policies. If they cannot, the higher US tariffs will go into effect on the 200 billion dollars in Chinese imports. In other developments, Mr Trump announced aboard Air Force One on his return to Washington from Buenos Aires that his next meeting with North Koreas Kim Jong Un would likely happen in January or February. He said there were three sites under consideration, but he declined to name them. Mr Trump also said he would shortly be providing formal notice to Congress that he will terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement, giving politicians six months to approve the replacement he signed on Friday. He said they can choose between the replacement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or nothing. Leaders and their partners pose for a group photo prior to a gala dinner at the Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires (G20 Press Office via AP) Leaders of the worlds largest economic powers have agreed to overhaul the global body that regulates trade disputes, but they faced resistance from US President Donald Trump over the Paris accord on climate change. Here are some of the main developments at the G20 summit in Argentina, which wrapped up on Saturday: World Trade Organisation Expand Close A plane flies over the G20 summit venue at the Costa Salguero Centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Gustavo Garello/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A plane flies over the G20 summit venue at the Costa Salguero Centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Gustavo Garello/AP) All G20 leaders called for reforming the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the issue will be discussed during the groups next summit in Osaka, Japan, in June. The gatherings final statement, however, did not mention protectionism after negotiators said the US objected to the wording. Mr Trump has criticised the WTO and adopted aggressive trade policies targeting China and the European Union. US-China trade war Expand Close President Donald Trump with Chinas President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Donald Trump with Chinas President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Financial markets will be cheered by the announcement that Mr Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed at a dinner after the summit to have a 90-day truce in their trade battle. Mr Trump agreed to hold off on plans to raise tariffs on January 1 on 200 billion dollars in Chinese goods. Mr Xi 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 Americas huge trade deficit with China, the White House said. The ceasefire will buy time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijings aggressive drive to supplant US technological dominance. Prince under pressure Expand Close Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, shake hands prior their talks at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, shake hands prior their talks at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) There were some awkward moments for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as some leaders called him out over the gruesome October killing of dissident Saudi newspaper columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the countrys consulate in Istanbul. French President Emmanuel Macron was captured on video seemingly lecturing Mr bin Salman, at one point being heard saying I am worried, you never listen to me, and I am a man of my word. Mr Macron said the crown prince only took note of his concerns. British Prime Minister Theresa May also said she pressed Mr bin Salman. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the only G20 leader to raise the issue during the official session. Mr Erdogan called Mr bin Salmans response that the crime had not been proven unbelievable and complained that Saudi authorities have been unco-operative. But it was not all bad for Mr bin Salman. He was not shunned, and on the gatherings first day, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a hearty grip-and-grin as the two seemingly revelled in their shared status as relative outcasts. US intelligence agencies concluded the Saudi prince was behind the killing. Saudi Arabia denies he played a role. Ukraine conflict Expand Close Russias President Vladimir Putin speaks after meeting with Argentinas President Mauricio Macri at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Russias President Vladimir Putin speaks after meeting with Argentinas President Mauricio Macri at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires (Natacha Pisarenko/AP) Western leaders confronted Mr Putin over Russias recent seizure of Ukrainian naval vessels and crews, but the diplomatic pressure did not seem to bring either side closer to solving the conflict. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of being responsible for the standoff. Mr Trump cited Russias actions as the reason that he cancelled a planned meeting with Mr Putin on the sidelines of the summit. EU Council president Donald Tusk sharply criticised Russias aggression against Ukraine. Mr Putin tried to convince Mr Trump and the leaders of France and Germany that Russias actions were justified even pulling out a piece of paper and drawing a map of the disputed area to make his point. Climate change Expand Close President Donald Trump listens to questions from members of the media during his meeting with Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Donald Trump listens to questions from members of the media during his meeting with Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) The final communique signed by all 20 member nations said 19 of them reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris climate accord. The only holdout was the US, which has withdrawn from the pact under Mr Trump. Still, environmental groups praised the statement as welcome news. That G20 leaders signed up to the Paris Agreement reaffirmed their commitment to its full implementation in the resulting communique is important, the World Wildlife Fund said. It is also a reflection of the Argentinian government rightly making climate an important topic on the agenda. Greenpeace said that the necessity of the US being part of the effort to fight climate change cannot be denied, but this is a demonstration that the US is still the odd one out. NAFTA Expand Close US President Donald Trump, Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and Mexicos President Enrique Pena Nieto, left, participate in the USMCA signing ceremony in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp US President Donald Trump, Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and Mexicos President Enrique Pena Nieto, left, participate in the USMCA signing ceremony in Buenos Aires (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) After two years of negotiations, Mr Trump signed a revised North American trade pact with the leaders of Canada and Mexico on the sidelines of the summit. The deal is meant to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which Mr Trump long denigrated as a disaster. The new pact will not take effect unless approved by the legislatures of all three nations, and there are questions about the pacts prospects in the US Congress, especially now that Democrats will control the House. Democrats and their allies in the labour movement are already demanding changes. But Mr Trump said on the way back to Washington that he plans to formally terminate NAFTA, so Congress will have to choose between accepting the new pact or going without a trade accord. Low expectations low output Expand Close World leaders gather for a group photo at the start of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Ricardo Mazalan/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp World leaders gather for a group photo at the start of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (Ricardo Mazalan/AP) Even the host country had lowered expectations ahead of the summit, saying before the gathering started that it might not be possible to reach a consensus for a final statement. After sleepless days of round-the-clock talks by diplomats, a communique was produced, but analysts said leaders merely signed a watered down statement that skirted trade and other contentious issues. The G20 veered all over the road at the summit and the leaders failed to fix trade, which is widely seen as a priority for boosting growth in jobs and economies, said Thomas Bernes, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation who has held leading roles with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and Canadas government. Leaders buried their differences in obscure language and dropped language to fight protectionism, which had been included in every G20 communique since the leaders first summit. This is clearly a retrograde step forced by United States intransigence, Mr Bernes said. Serial digital entrepreneur Alex Chesterman has set his sights on the UKs used car market after ventures in film and property (Zoopla/PA) The serial entrepreneur behind the Zoopla house-hunting website has raised more than 30 million for his next venture, which is aimed at disrupting Britains used car industry. Alex Chesterman, who made a windfall selling Lovefilm, the video rental company he co-founded, to retail giant Amazon seven years ago, is to launch Cazoo, a car buying and rental website. Through the Cazoo platform customers will be able to buy, finance or rent a used car online and have it delivered it their door within 48 hours. Mr Chesterman has set his sights on the car industry following ventures in film and property. Expand Close Alex Chestermans Lovefilm was sold to Amazon for 200m in 2011 (Yui Mok/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alex Chestermans Lovefilm was sold to Amazon for 200m in 2011 (Yui Mok/PA) In 2003, he launched DVD rental company ScreenSelect, which later became Lovefilm and was offloaded to Amazon for 200 million in 2011. In 2008, he founded property platform Zoopla, which floated in 2014 and was recently sold for more than 2.2 billion to US private equity fund Silver Lake. Cazoo is backed by seed funding from the owner of the Daily Mail newspaper, Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), as well as Stride Capital, Octopus Ventures, Entree Capital and others. Mr Chesterman said: Im delighted to announce this investment in my latest venture, Cazoo, and am very excited by the opportunity to transform the used car buying experience, which suffers from poor satisfaction and convenience and is failing to meet the needs of consumers. Buying a car should be no different to buying any other product online today. Expand Close Zoopla was founded by Alex Chesterman in 2008 (Zoopla/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Zoopla was founded by Alex Chesterman in 2008 (Zoopla/PA) DMTG was biggest shareholder in ZPG, the company that owns Zoopla, as well as comparison websites Uswitch and Money and property website Primelocation. Paul Zwillenberg, chief executive of DMGT, said: We are delighted to back Alex again in his new venture. He has an unparalleled track record of identifying and capitalising on opportunities for technology to disrupt whole industries, delivering tremendous value for consumers and shareholders alike. The UK used car market is worth over 50 billion per annum and is yet to enjoy the benefits of digital transformation that Cazoo will deliver. Cazoo said the funds will be used to expand the team, website and operations. We were all excitedly waiting for Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas weddings, but India is certainly not ready to witness Queen Of Controversies Rakhi Sawant tying the knot to the King Of Cringe Deepak Kalal. Hogging limelight, this time the woman has announced her wedding on Instagram -- because why should Deepika and PC have all the fun! If this wasnt enough rubbish already, the so-called couple has announced that it is going to be a nude wedding, where the bride and groom will not wear any piece of clothing. The wedding destination is Los Angeles. And Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar have already confirmed they would grace their wedding, the couple claims. So, all in the all, we are laughing at her, but the joke is certainly on all of us. Yesterday, she held a press conference where she thanked MacDonald Trump for sending her a saree (the one that shes wearing) and also four charter planes so that the guests wont have a problem in travelling to Los Angeles, which if youve forgotten is their wedding destination. Want to know about their love story AKA Lafda, here them out! Its going to be 70 crore marriage, you guys! For more drama, you can watch the video below! So, are you ready for their SHAADA? Two local travel agents duped 14 Indian workers by allegedly sending them to work in the middle east only on tourist visas. Once their tourist visas expired, they no longer had work visas with them and are now stranded in Saudi Arabia. 12 out of a total of 14 are from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi district while two are from Punjab. 12 of the total are in jail while two are working in a company in the middle east, police reportedly said. India Today further reported that Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Jai Ram Thakur has raised the issue with Union External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj to bring them back to India. Photo: Reuters/City of Riyadh According to PTI, CM Thakur had called up the Union minister and asked her to personally take up the matter with Saudi Arabia authorities for their release. The chief minister has also written a letter to Ms Swaraj in this regard. Police officials informed that the travel agents had lured them into acquiring work visas by allegedly cheating them for Rs 90,000 each. The extortioners were identified as Mohammad Asif and Qadir who were charged under Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). None of the agents, however, have been arrested so far as the matter is under investigation. Police officer Gurudev Sharma informed that in one of the complaints filed by a Sundernagar resident, Saroj whose husband Harjinder Singh is one of the 14 stranded people that their husbands were assured that they will be sent on work visas. Photo: The National The agents had charged Rs. 90,000 from each person as a fee for arranging their work visa and jobs at Saudi Arabia, she alleged. Besides, Harjinder Singh, the 13 other people, who are stuck in Saudi Arabia, include Tanuj Kumar, Ravi Kant, Ashwani, Shyam Lal, Onkar Chand, Devendra Kumar, Vikram Chand, Prem Singh, Joginder Singh, Manoj Kumar, Lalit Kumar, Devender and Bhupendra, Saroj has said in her complaint. Twenty people from Bihar have been awarded jail terms by a Bihar Court for parading a woman naked in Arrah on suspicion of being involved in the killing a 19-year-old man in August. Out of the 20, five have been awarded a seven-year-imprisonment while the remaining 15 were sentenced to two years in prison. The accused were convicted on November 28. The incident took place on August 20 in a red light area close to a railway track where the body of Vimalesh Sah, a resident of Damodarpur village, was found a day after he had gone missing. The mob, suspecting that the residents of the red-light area were involved in the killing, indulged in large-scale arson and beat up the Dalit woman before tearing off her clothes and parading her naked on the streets. Twitter The five who have been awarded seven-year terms have also been slapped with a fine of Rs 10,000 each and the rest would have to pay a fine of Rs 2,000 each. All the 20 convicts have been held guilty under the SC/ST Act. Hailing the speedy trial, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar tweeted: "It is a fresh example of the high benchmark of rule of law set by the NDA government. All the guilty have been punished within 100 days. But those beating their chests on law and order remain oblivious to the long arms of law". The war has devastated Yemen to such an extent that even the United Aid officials have acknowledged that the country is on the verge of a major catastrophe. The stories of thousands of children dying of starvation in the country have already left people around the world worried. AP UN aid chief Mark Lowcock warned 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. AFP 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. Clashes on Friday in the east and south of Hodeida left 10 fighters dead, an official and medical sources told AFP on Saturday. Reuters 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. AFP 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 world's largest humanitarian operation, but in 2019 it will need to be substantially bigger," he said. Reuters Donors this year have provided USD 2.3 billion (two billion euros) for the 2018 response plan, or about 80 per cent of requirements, he added. Thirty Four years ago, worlds worst industrial disaster till date hit the central Indian city of Bhopal. On the night of December 02, people in deep sleep woke up with immense pain while thousands didnt wake up at all. Those who didnt are considered lucky or fortunate for having inhaled such a heavy dose of poisonous gas that they suffered a quick death. Generations after generations continue to experience the lethal effects of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) that have made babies and teenagers disabled in many forms. A pesticide plant in Bhopal, Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) leaked tonnes of poisonous fumes due to improper maintenance and dysfunctional alarms that failed to alert the authorities. The disaster took place at Plant Number C of the UCIL factory. Photo Credit: Raghu Rai As per official record, methyl isocyanate got mixed with water used for cooling the plant. The mixture led to a generation of volumes of gases, which put tremendous pressure on Tank Number 610. The tank cover was unable to withhold the pressure of multiple gases which released close to 40 tonnes of MIC and other chemicals that engulfed Bhopal. According to Madhya Pradesh government, 3,787 deaths related to the gas release were recorded. However, in an affidavit, submitted in 2006, the government said that the Bhopal gas leak caused 5,58,125 injuries that included approximately 3,900 severely and permanently disabling injuries. A veteran photojournalist, Raghu Rai had reached the accident site on the morning of December 03 and he shares with us how Corporate Crime looked like when 8.5 lakh people back then were coughing, facing breathlessness and faced eye and skin irritation: We took a 7 am flight in the morning and by 9 am we were at the site. As we were driving to the location, there were dead animals, bloated animals, cows, buffaloes, dogs anything on the streets as if somebody had bombed the city with chemical weapons. Photo Credit: Raghu Rai We went to the hospital when all the sick and poisoned children were being brought in and a whole lot of dead bodies were lying on one side. From children to men and women were being brought in a very bad condition. Politicians, bureaucrats were blamed for their corrupt practices and most importantly for allowing an industry with a malfunctioning safety system, valves and lines. Rai informs that it was very silly of them and all other journalists to not have taken any safety precautions for themselves. None of us thought that we had to take any precautions because the incident took place in the middle of the night for some time and then it was over, so we never thought that we had to take any precaution. But what was very strange was the fact that this poisonous gas was heavier than the air and it was in the month of December when its fog and smog. The reason why more than 8,000 people were killed in one go because the gas that leaked from the Union Carbide was not flying, it was crawling all over. So, anybody who came in the way of this gas, they inhaled too much gas and they died right away. Photo Credit: Raghu Rai While mass cremations and funerals were taking place in the city, children and elderly were affected by unbearable stomach pains and vomiting. MIC due to its denser nature had a tendency to fall towards the ground and therefore affected people of a smaller stature more profoundly. It has been three decades since UCIL changed its name to Dow Chemicals but even babies of pregnant women have fallen prey to permanent impairments. We ask Rai has justice been served to the Bhopal disaster victims? Unlike 9/11 where 2,000 people died and every family got compensated heavily, India is an overpopulated, corrupt country where lives do not mean much to the politicians; to the bureaucrats, it is one of those very sad stories. But after the exhibitions we did and the awareness we created with the photographs, some compensation was paid to them but not enough to come out of the tragedy. Photo Credit: Raghu Rai He further says, the truth is that this factory, Union Carbide should have been shut down several years ago because Union Carbide had lived its life and it is only in India, due to the corrupt practices, corrupt politicians and bureaucrats who allowed this factory to function long enough until the tragedy happened. It was a corrupt practice that had brought death and this was the biggest industrial blast ever in the world. In 1984, the hospitals werent well developed, the medical staff was seriously ill of qualified doctors and its resources were scarce, to say the least, to treat a population of more than 4.5 lakh. Due to unavailability of correct information, the doctors had no clue whatsoever regarding what struck the city. Every patient came in rushing with the same problem. On the 20th anniversary of this gas leak when Rai visited the Bhopal Gas Memorial hospital, he saw hundreds of registered victims of the gas who were lying in that hospital; dying a slow death. While those who had inhaled a high concentration of the poison died on the spot; those who had inhaled less gas had permanently damaged their heart and lungs. Photo: Raghu Rai Everyone was dying because of the same problem. By midnight, the entire world knew what was happening. There was a silence of death, nobody was talking to anybody. On being asked if the absence of information tools back then had made any difference, Rai informs, compared to todays social media network, TV channels, there was a big difference, it wasnt that everyone knew and all were getting panicky. In fact, only Bhopal and that particular area in Bhopal was heavily affected, the Union Carbide factory and usually people were beginning to see what had happened. Photo Credit: Raghu Rai 34 years later, the abandoned UCIL factory has repeatedly come under scanner for leaking chemicals and pollutants. These continue to contaminate nearby ground wells, aquatic animals and even affect human beings after samples of chemicals were found in womens breastfeeding milk. Long-term health effects resulted in chronic conjunctivitis, scars on the cornea, respiratory problems like aggravation of TB and chronic bronchitis, impairment of memory and intellect. Despite being recognised as the worlds worst industrial disaster as of 2010, the abandoned industry area has become a dumping ground for hazardous chemicals representing that no lessons have been learnt from our past tragedies. For the 5.5 lakh survivors of the Bhopal gas disaster, the 32nd anniversary brings small relief from their twin struggles against disability and in the search for justice. Although health facilities are better, the state government has still not issued health cards and full medical histories, despite Supreme Court orders. ANI So, symptomatic treatment is still what they get. And, this leads to them being categorised as having 'temporary' disability although it is the 32nd year of recorded treatment As a result, the central government too is seeking more compensation for them just for temporary disabilities. Meanwhile, all their hopes are pinned on various court cases, winding their way through the legal maze, from Bhopal to Delhi. The disaster happened when a deadly cocktail of poisonous gases exploded out of a Union carbide owned fertilizer factory on the night of December 2/3, 1984. The gas cloud spread over the sleeping city causing choking, burning, and a painful death to many while survivors are debilitated with weak lungs, eye problems, and a host of other gastrointestinal, neurological, genetic and psychiatric issues. ANI In 1998, survivors' organisations approached the SC for better healthcare to those suffering. In 2012, the court ordered the state and central governments to computerise all patient histories, issue health cards, standardise protocols of treatment and restart research on the condition of patients. Over four years have passed since that order but there's not much progress, says N D Jayaprakash, who has been fighting for the victims' rights. "Even 32 years after the disaster, most of the gas-victims seeking treatment continue to be classed as suffering from the temporary injury to deny them compensation for permanent injury," Jayaprakash said. AFP/representational image The compensation for the world's worst industrial disaster was fixed at a meagre Rs 705 crore in 1989 by the apex court. Twenty-one years of protests and advocacy forced the government to file a curative petition in 2010 seeking enhancement of the compensation amount to Rs 7,728 crore. The primary reason was that the earlier deal had underestimated the number of victims. As it turned out, over 20,000 persons have died due to direct consequences of the killer gas and another 5.5 lakh are suffering. But not a single hearing has taken place on the curative petition in six years. The central government doesn't seem interested and the court has been giving continuations. The criminal case against the Union carbide (taken over by Dow Chemical in 2001) and their Indian partners continues to languish. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. It is extremely important for the government that the results of the probe into the Amulsar mine be reliable, caretaker PM Nikol Pashinyan said during a campaigning rally for the Im Kayl (My Step) bloc in Sisian. When I assumed the premiership I needed to have complete information based on which any final decision would be possible to be made. And, to my surprise, this information did not exist and doesnt exist up to this day. And the question of all questions is the following is the operation of the Amulsar mine a threat for the water system of Jermuk and Lake Sevan? Pashinyan said. He mentioned that a criminal investigation is currently underway at the Investigative Committee regarding the operations of the Amulsar mine, and the most important meaning of the probe is the following to determine to what extent the environmental impact assessment that was the basis for the permit of operations was based on credible facts. A probe is set within the criminal case, and we will announce an international tender and we wont spare funds from the budget in order for the highest international level company to carry out this probe. It is extremely important for us that the results of this probe be reliable, and all conditions for it are in place today, because I hope that you are sure that our government and personally me dont have any personal or other interest towards any option of solution, Pashinyan said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan A businessman from Gujarat dismantled his Mercedes to rescue a kitten hiding somewhere in the car. Jayeshbhai Tailor, a Surat-based businessman was on a trip to Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai. They heard a cat meow and thats when his dog, who was also travelling with the family, got alarmed. And then began a six-hour-long mission to rescue the kitten. Good Samaritans, police and roadside mechanic joined the effort to save the kitten. Soon after, Tailor summoned technicians from the Mercedes breakdown helpline to Sion. The car was slowly driven to an authorised workshop in Kalina, where it was partly dismantled so that the kitten could be safely brought out. It took technicians three hours to find the stowaway because it remained silent throughout, making it even more difficult to locate it. The rescued kitten also found a new home. Anupam Mhaske, an employee of the workshop who is quite fond of animals, adopted the kitty. In light of recent incidents of terrorism in various parts of India, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has sent a strong message saying that Pakistan can seek Indias help if it is unable to handle terrorism alone. Singh said that in the last four years of Narendra Modi-led government, no major terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir had taken place, news agency PTI reported. Photo: PTI/Home Minister Rajnath Singh addresses media persons in Jaipur Singh was addressing a press conference in Jaipur when he said that Jammu and Kashmir wasnt an issue but the real problem was terrorism further adding that J&K was an integral part of the nation and there were no questions about where it belonged. He took a dig at opposition party, Indian National Congress for creating distrust in politics and accused them of not walking the talk. He asserted that though terrorism hadnt completely stopped it had surely seen a decline in Modi led regime. "I want to ask the Pakistani prime minister (Imran Khan) that if in Afghanistan, a fight can be carried out against terror and Taliban with the help of the US, then, Pakistan can seek help against terrorism from India if it feels that it cannot handle it alone," he said. Photo: PTI "The government has brought Jammu and Kashmir into the political process. As far as terrorism is concerned, there is no second thought that it is Pakistan sponsored," the Home Minister said. According to HM, terrorism was only confined to Kashmir and the situation there too was improving apart from the fact that panchayat elections in J&K had been conducted peacefully. The Union minister asserted that the country and its borders are safe. Terrorism has reduced and the problem of Naxalism will get eliminated from the country in the coming years, he added. India will host the G20 Summit in 2022 when the nation would be celebrating 75 years of Independence, PM Narendra Modi declared it on Saturday during the G20 Summit taking place in Argentina. "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," PM Modi tweeted. AFP The G20 is the group of worlds 20 major economies and it started out in 1999 as a meeting of the finance ministers and central bank governors, but in 2008, the head of the member states met for the first time to discuss the financial crisis. India will be hosting the event for the first time. In the final statement after the two days event that held in Buenos Aires, the members called for reforms to the crisis-stricken World Trade Organization amid growing global trade tensions. 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 PM Modi has also raised the issues of fugitive economic offenders and also suggested a nine-point agenda to seek active cooperation of the member states to deal with economic offenders. India will host the G20 Summit in 2022 when the nation would be celebrating 75 years of Independence, PM Narendra Modi declared it on Saturday during the G20 Summit taking place in Argentina. Read More Here are the top news of the day: 14 Indians Stranded In Saudi Arabian Jails As Travel Agents Dupe Them With Tourist Visas Instead Of Work Visas Two local travel agents duped 14 Indian workers by allegedly sending them to work in the middle east only on tourist visas. Once their tourist visas expired, they no longer had work visas with them and are now stranded in Saudi Arabia. 12 out of a total of 14 are from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi district while two are from Punjab. Read More Nirav Modi Fears Getting Lynched If He Returns To India Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, a key accused in the $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. Read More Indians Can Now Get H-1B Visas Easily; Here's All You Need To Do United States Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) has announced reversal of the order of conducting the 'Regular' and 'Masters' cap lottery for H-1B visas. The regular lottery will be conducted first, giving those with a US master's or higher degree a second and better chance of winning the H-1B lottery. The annual quota for initial H-1B visa allotments remain unchanged at 85,000. Read More Shirdi Trust Provides Rs 500 Cr Interest Free Loan To Maharashtra Govt For Water Project The Shirdi Saibaba Temple Trust has provided an interest-free Rs 500 crore loan to Maharashtra government. The loan has been provided for the completion of the pending Nilwande irrigation project which would meet the drinking water needs of most tehsil in Ahmednagar district of the state. Read More Caught On Camera: BJP Candidate Promises Of No Police Intervention In Child Marriages If Voted To Power In the wake of upcoming 2019 assembly elections, candidates and ministers are making tall and obnoxious claims to get public votes. BJP contestant Shobha Chauhan from Sojat assembly, Rajasthan has also come up with one such promise. While addressing a gathering at a Sneh Sammelan at the Peepaloya Kala region in Sojat area, she promised the people of her constituency that she would ensure child marriages are not acted against if she is voted to power. Read More In a heart-warming episode, a Sikh girl from Jammu, Manjot Singh Kohli, 23, has offered her kidney to her Muslim friend Samreen who is suffering from a kidney ailment and require a transplant to survive. Manjot has offered her kidney to Samreen despite her family having reservations about it and whether its Gods wish, she is a perfect match for Samreen. However, despite completing formalities, there are obstacles, the authorisation committee has still not cleared the case "since the father of the donor has made a representation cautioning against removing kidney of his daughter for the transplant". Samreen (left) and Manjot "We can't blame them (family). They are emotionally attached to their kid. I cannot say they are wrong. From their point of view what they are doing is right. But I think rising above the emotions, we should do what God has sent us for. All the relations will stay here and saving life is most important. Plus I am a major and I can take decisions of my own," Manjot told DNA. Hailing from Udhampur in Jammu, Manjot met Samreen four years ago and since then they had been friends. "Since I am a social activist and she used to participate in my activities and we became good friends. Five months back, I read a Facebook status of our common friend about Samreen. I was confused about whether she is the same Samreen. Next day I took the flight to meet her," Manjot who also is the youngest women entrepreneur of the state and chairperson of an NGO 'International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council'. Samreen who is at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Srinagar said that Manjot can any do anything for her. "For the last four months, she has not budged from her stand. She is the finest example of true friendship," said Samreen, who dropped out from masters programme after her illness. Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, Samreens father, however, is worried. "I am a simple tailor and have spent Rs 7-8 lakh for treatment. But her condition is deteriorating by the day. Even after Manjot offered the kidney and completed all the formalities, her father is not accepting. I have told her that family is her priority and she should back out," he said. Dr Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent of SKIMS, said father of the donor has made a representation to the institute and has asked them not to allow the girl to donate her kidney. Manjots family is also against her decision, but she is firm. Im not scared of anything. My only concern is that humanity should not lose out. My family has got swayed by emotion but I shall go ahead anyway, Manjot told The Telegraph. My strong belief in humanity is motivating me, and you can see the communal harmony my decision is creating. Had my family supported me, it would have made me very happy. But Im an adult and nothing bars me legally from donating my kidney, she said. Samreen who undergoes regular dialysis at the hospital thanked her friend for her efforts to rescue her life. My mother wanted to donate her kidney but she was declared unfit because of a rare medical condition. We hoped some other relatives might come forward but none did, she said. All I want is that the hospital waste no more time. South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the ongoing G-20 summit that is being organised in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina. After United States President Donald Trump turned down Indias invitation to be the Chief Guest at the 70th Republic Day celebrations due to his tight schedule, Ramaphosa has accepted Modis 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. pic.twitter.com/mGnN0mDj0L Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 1, 2018 Next year will also mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi tweeted Modi saying that it was an honour to welcome the South African President given Bapus strong links to the country are well known. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale: PM had a number of bilateral engagements this morning.Argentina PM is keen to make a visit to India in 2019. PM extended South Africa Pres Cyril Ramaphosa invitation to be chief guest for India's Republic Day in 2019& Ramaphosa accepted.#G20Summit pic.twitter.com/DinFx7zdTV ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 According to Modi, Ramaphosas visit will further strengthen business ties between the two countries. Meanwhile, South Africa celebrated the goodness and the 100th birth anniversary of their first black head of state, Nelson Mandela, popularly called Madiba who died in 2013 at the age of 95. Reportedly, the US president's "domestic commitments", including his State of the Union address, around that time seemed to have been the reason for declining the invitation. Activists representing survivors of the 1984 gas disaster on Tuesday said they had petitioned the White House regarding the criminal case against Union Carbide and its new owner Dow Chemical. The leaders said they hoped the US Department of Justice will serve the Bhopal District Court's notice on Dow Chemical so that it appears in the court here on July 13. The organisations said they had sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking directions to the Central Bureau of Investigation to call for harsher measures against Dow Chemical if it fails to appear on July 13. Activist Rashida Bee said: "One month is not yet over and we have collected more than 117 thousand signatures on our petition. As per the terms of the White House web site, the US government is obliged to respond to our petition within the next 30 days. We are hopeful the Prime Minister will take note of this historic challenge by the Bhopal survivors and their international supporters and instruct the CBI to seek issuance of non-bailable warrant against Dow Chemical if it fails to appear in court on July 13," she said. Added Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action: "Once Dow Chemical appears in court, it will have to present Union Carbide to face trial. A successful trial can very well lead to Union Carbide having to pay heavy criminal fines in keeping with its grave criminal acts and its terrible consequences. Hopefully the fines will be large enough to supplement the meagre compensation victims have received so far." Tonnes of poisonous gas leaked from the now shut Union Carbide pesticide plant in the heart of Bhopal on the night of December 2-3, 1984. At least 1,700 people died instantly and thousands have died in later years. Many more face life-long health issues due to exposure to the gas. Activists say the compensation Carbide paid to survivors and the families of those died was too meagre. -IANS For a 34-year-old woman in Myanmar, finding a blood donor is like looking for a pin in a haystack. HH blood group, better known as Bombay blood group is extremely rare so rare, only 0.0004% of people in the world have it. People with this blood-type cannot accept blood from any other blood group but their own. So, when this woman had to undergo a heart surgery, blood arrived for her all the way from Karnataka via courier. Two units of Bombay blood group were sent to Yangon General Hospital in Myanmar, perfectly-preserved, all thanks to Sankalp India Foundation. Reuters The foundation runs an initiative Bombayblood.org, where it keeps track of the various rare blood groups that might be needed in an emergency. The team keeps track of Bombay blood group donors, available units and requests for rare blood groups in India, and even abroad. With no known donors in Myanmar, the only option was to ship units from India, Rajat Agarwal, the convener of the foundation told TOI. The team of Sankalp India Foundation (SIF) identified the availability of the required blood group in SS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Institute in Davanagere. Following that, they coordinated with Dr Kavita GU officer in charge of the blood bank and Dr BS Prasad the Principal of the medical college to devise a plan to ship the blood. The units were picked up on November 27 and sent to Myanmar through an international courier after seeking due permission from Mumbai-based National Institute of Immuno-Haematology. The Bombay Blood Group was discovered by Dr Y.M. Bhende in 1952 in Bombay. That is exactly why it is also called the Bombay blood group. Playboy founder Hugh Hefner passed away last year, leaving behind a legacy unlike any other. Some of Hefners belongings were put up for auction by Juleins Auctions. Among the other items was a 14K gold and onyx ring. But it wasnt just a gold ring. It had a small compartment inside it that contained a blue Viagra pill. While it was estimated to fetch Rs 41,862 Rs 55,816, it was actually auctioned for Rs 15,62,848. Thats approximately 37 times the expected amount! Julien's Auction His bespoke red smoking jacket fetched Rs 17,86,112, comedian Jim Belushi purchased a leather-bound script of a 1977 Saturday Night Live show that he hosted for Rs 2,18,031. His typewriter was the highest grossing item as it fetched Rs 1,13,37,625! He used it to write copy for the magazines first issue in 1953. His personal copy of the issue itself, featuring Marylin Monroe, sold for Rs 21,80,312. Hefner was known to bring the 1960s sexual revolution with his magazine and nightclubs. He left his fortune to his foundation which decided to put some of his personal belongings up for auction. The other items that were auctioned included: 1. Hefners complete set of bound volumes of the magazine, from 1953 to 2013 - Sold for Rs 53,58,336 2. His white captains hat Sold for Rs 13,39,584 3. A 1962 letter from future feminist leader Gloria Steinem who took an undercover job as a playboy bunny at Hefners New York nightclub and wrote about it for Show magazine - Sold for Rs 15,62,848. The proceeds from the November 30-December 1 auction will go to Hefners foundation, which was set up in 1964 to advocate for civil liberties, including LGBT rights and the legalization of medical marijuana, the auction house told Reuters. With inputs from Reuters We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Ahead of the traditional Christmas party season, AA Ireland has warned motorists of the dangers of drink-driving. Recent research carried out by the organisation found that over 1 in 8 motorists have driven while over the legal blood-alcohol limit in the past two years. In response to an AA Car Insurance survey of almost 4,000 Irish motorists, 5.69% of respondents said that within the past two years they had gotten behind of the wheel while over the blood-alcohol limit on one occasion. Meanwhile, a further 5.90% admitted to drink-driving on up to 5 occasions, with 1.15% admitting to doing so on more than 5 occasions in the past two years. The survey found that male drivers were slightly more likely to have driven while over the legal limit in the past two years, with 13.44% of male respondents admitting to doing so on at least one occasion compared to 11.92% of female drivers. Conor Faughnan, AA Director of Consumer Affairs said: Drink-driving has long been a scourge on Irish society and while such behaviour has become reprehensible in the eyes of most of us, there is still a significant minority who are selfishly willing to risk the safety of other road users rather than behaving responsibly. Were coming into a busy time on Irish roads as people attend work parties, family gatherings and try to squeeze in their Christmas shopping so we would urge those who are out at events to plan their journey home in advance and to leave the driving to someone else if you have enjoyed a few drinks. We all deserve to enjoy the holiday season after a busy year but we must all do so responsibly if we are to keep our roads safe. Struggling to get a taxi or having no public transport option doesnt mean you have some right to disregard the law and the safety of others just so you can make it home. The survey also found that just under a quarter of Irish motorists added between 17 and 24 have driven while over the legal limit in the past two years on at least one occasion, the highest figure of any age group. Meanwhile, those over 65 were the least likely to have done so according to the survey, with 10.41% of motorists in this age bracket admitting to having driven while over the limit. Ultimately, while the number of young drivers admitting to drink-driving was disturbingly high, there is no single age bracket here who can claim to be free of this problematic behaviour and its on all of us to do a better job of regulating our own behaviour as well as that of any friends or family who we may be attending events with in the weeks ahead, Faughnan added. As a nation, we also need to reassess the resources and investment we provide Gardai to allow them to police this behaviour. In the weeks and months ahead, we need to see more Gardai out and about in all areas of the country, not just urban areas during the day but also in pub car parks late at night. "We know that the number one deterrent of this kind of behaviour is flashing blue lights in the pub car park so we need to ensure Gardai have the manpower and resources available to carry out these measures. A mum whose 14-year-old daughter died by suicide on St Patricks Day, is devoting next year to improving mental health supports for teenagers. Grainne Gaults daughter Elisha died on March 17 and her body was recovered from the River Suir eight days later, near her home of Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary after she went missing. The body of the missing teenager was found about 8km from where she was last seen on a bridge in the town. A Search and Rescue Coast Guard helicopter was on its way back to Waterford airport from a routine operation when crew members saw a body floating in the water near Fiddown bridge. Elishas mother Grainne, has kept her daughters Facebook page as both a memorial to Elisha and for young people and adults who suffer with mental health difficulties. On her official Facebook page, Ms Gault posted: Three areas I want to focus my energies on in 2019, are teen support, parental support and service improvement. Each county across Ireland will have a similar forum, please step forward with your experiences and lets push for improvements, so we can finally offer a solution to those in need of help. The determined Mum also encouraged those feeling down not to allow themselves to feel overcome by it. Life constantly challenges us and can become weighted, but thats ok because these times will pass. Its important to do your best to keep yourself strong with a consistent support network but if you, unfortunately, do not have this in your life, dont give up. Do things like getting to the gym, positive activity, fresh air, good nutrition, even watch a good comedy and laugh your way through the down times. Live in-spite of them, dont press pause on living til it passes because we are only wasting our own time and it's too precious. Be kind to yourselves. Ms Gault, who has tirelessly campaigned for mental health services for adolescents and children since her daughters death, said she will continue to advocate for additional funding to be pumped into helping those you need it. She pointed out that she believes that mental health supports are relatively in their infancy. Theres no one shoe fits all approach. Not all solutions exist in Ireland but I do know this, together we can learn a better way. We can reach out and pull others close and the reality is, as parents and carers, we too need support, we need to learn a different approach, to ultimately offer a brighter outcome. Don't suffer in silence, don't live wrestling with your mind alone, reach out, to a GP, Pieta House (mental health charity), somebody and express your thoughts so you can be guided on how to handle them. George H.W. Bush was the last person elected president of the United States with any prior foreign policy experience. Bush, who has died at age 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 Hussein in power. In 1991, it seemed America could do anything it wanted to in the world. Twenty-seven years after Bush left Saddam Hussein in power, United States forces are still engaged in Iraq, and the US is far less confident of its global role. A New World Order? Bush with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev at Camp David on June 2, 1990. AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander 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 neighbors. 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 neighbors, 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, Balkans, Afghanistan and eventually Iraq after the disastrous U.S. occupation following the 2003 war. The U.S. 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 U.N. 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 U.N. resolution 678 on Nov. 29, 1990 and established Jan. 15, 1991 as the deadline for Iraq to withdraw its troops from Kuwait or face a U.S.-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 feel-good moment. An estimated 800,000 people packed the National Mall to cheer their military heroes. Bush came out of the war with a 90 percent public approval rating. 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 U.N. 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 Sept. 11 went to war in 2003 this time without U.N. authorization. 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 U.S. withdrawal from the country, he was forced to go back in militarily with the rise of the Islamic State, handing off the Iraq problem to his successor to manage. Thus the promise of the Gulf War the U.S. 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 U.S. 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 H.W. 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. Its fitting that George H.W. Bush, World War II 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 H.W. 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. This article was written by James Goldgeier of theAmerican University School of International Service and was originally published on The Conversation Read the original article here. Darryn Lim: "...data security ultimately does not depend on the physical location of the data or the location of the infrastructure supporting it." Global software industry advocate BSA, the software alliance, says the e-commerce provisions in a trade deal struck by 11 countries, including Australia, recently will allow them to take advantage of the digital economy. Darryn Lim, director, Policy APAC, for BSA, said the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership's provisions on cross-border data transfers and data localisation would help create business predictability and legal certainty for regional companies operating in cutting-edge 21st century industries. He said the BSA favoured free movement of data across borders and no data localisation requirements as the organisation saw inherent benefits in such policies. The CPTPP was formerly known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement or TPP. But after US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the trade deal, the other 11 countries went ahead and completed negotiations. The deal has come into force for some and others will join once their parliaments have ratified it. Lim was interviewed by email to tease out some details about the new treaty. iTWire: What is BSA's interest in this treaty based on? Whom does the organisation represent in its lobbying for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)? Darryn Lim: As the leading industry association representing the global software industry before governments around the world, BSA is most interested in the agreements e-commerce chapter, which creates binding multilateral rules that limit restrictions on international data transfers, prohibit requirements for data localisation, and include added protections for source code, among other things. These are consistent with the elements that BSA views as essential in any modern trade agreement for the 21st century to drive job creation, competitiveness, and innovation, as set out in BSAs publication Modernising Digital Trade: An Agenda for Software. BSA represents companies like Adobe, Amazon Web Services, Apple, Baseplan Software, Cisco, Microsoft, IBM, Salesforce, Symantec, Workday, and numerous others. These companies are at the forefront of innovative data services driving the global economy, such as cloud computing, data analytics, cyber security, blockchain, machine-learning, and artificial intelligence. All of these services depend on the ability to transfer data globally. Does this treaty leave open the possibility for other countries say, like China or India to join later? The CPTPP allows new member countries to join the agreement, subject to the ability of each candidate to meet the obligations of the agreement, as well as any other terms and conditions imposed by existing CPTPP members. In any event, existing CPTPP member countries would have to agree to allow any new candidate to join the agreement. Now that seven countries of the 11 involved have ratified the CPTPP, it has been given effect, has it not? The CPTPP will go into effect on 30 December for six countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore), and on 14 January 2019 for Vietnam. The trigger for the CPTPP going into effect six countries having ratified the agreement was met when Australia became the sixth country to ratify it on 31 October. Vietnam ratified the CPTPP on 15 November, hence the slightly later effective date for Vietnam. For the remaining countries (Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, and Peru), the CPTPP will go into effect after they have ratified it. Why is it so important not to localise data storage? To me, it seems reasonable that a country would want to have data about its citizens' (and other residents) transactions stored within its borders. For cutting-edge technologies like cloud computing and AI to be available, data needs to be transferred across borders. Data and server localisation requirements limit the availability of these services in the market, which impedes the ability of other local industries to compete, especially in the international market place. Countries that are looking to have transactional data stored within its borders are often motivated by concerns around security. However, data security ultimately does not depend on the physical location of the data or the location of the infrastructure supporting it. Security is instead a function of the quality and effectiveness of the mechanisms and controls maintained to protect the data in question. In fact, localising and concentrating data and servers in a country introduces cyber security vulnerabilities by providing a central point of attack for bad actors to target while denying access to the many security benefits that cloud-based technologies can bring, such as redundancy, around-the-clock security monitoring, cloud-based network defence tools, and others. When it comes to encrypted data, is the BSA's stance any different given its opposition to the encryption bill currently before the Australian Parliament? BSAs stance remains the same as set out in the email interview by iTWire on 21 September. We would, however, clarify that, as mentioned in our submission to the Australian Parliament of 12 October and in our testimony during the public hearing on 19 October, we acknowledge and support the Australian Government's desire to have effective tools to aid in the fight against criminal and terrorist activity and to ensure that the rule of law applies equally to offline and online activity. Our concerns with the Assistance and Access Bill 2018, as presently drafted, lie in its broad scope coupled with inadequate safeguards for the exercise of the authorities granted under the bill. For instance, India is now insisting that all data regarding monetary transactions be stored physically within its borders. Would that be considered "unreasonable"? BSA supports balanced policies that protect personal data and further cyber security. Regarding the data localisation measures that Indias financial services regulator (the Reserve Bank of India) have imposed, we focus on whether these requirements are necessary to achieve the RBIs objectives. We understand these objectives to be two-fold the ability for the RBI to perform its regulatory duties, and the need to ensure data integrity and security. Data localisation does not advance either of these goals. With respect to the ability to perform regulatory duties, other regulators such as those in Singapore and Hong Kong expressly permit data held by financial services institutions to be stored and processed overseas, clearly demonstrating that the location of the data is not critical to the exercise of regulatory functions. With respect to ensuring data integrity and security, we would reiterate our earlier point that security is a function of the quality and effectiveness of the mechanisms and controls maintained to protect the data in question. The US had an issue some months ago when it could not gain access to data stored by Microsoft in Ireland; the data was said to be needed to investigate a drugs-related case. Now, that has been overcome by passage of a new law, the CLOUD Act. How would the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership affect issues like this? As far as we are aware, the CPTPP does not directly affect this issue, although the agreement does contain a number of co-operation and dialogue mechanisms at which this issue could be discussed. Given that at least some of the countries involved in the CPTPP do not have digital systems that can deal effectively with some of the treaty changes, what is the use of putting such changes in place? The e-commerce provisions in the CPTPP will improve the ability of countries to take advantage of the digital economy. Its provisions on cross-border data transfers and data localisation will help create business predictability and legal certainty for regional companies operating in cutting-edge 21st century industries. That is important not only for the software industry, but also for every industry that takes advantage of cloud computing or data analytic services. In the BSA's view, what are ideal international data rules? The ideal set of international data rules should facilitate job creation, competitiveness, and innovation. The driving principle should be: no market access barriers and no discrimination against innovative software services. These rules should include commitments by governments to, among other things: allow the free movement of data across borders; not impose data localisation requirements; promote the use of innovative technology in government operations; allow companies and government agencies to use the technology of their choice; and support strong encryption. These elements and more are set out in our publication Modernising Digital Trade: An Agenda for Software As mentioned above, the digital trade rules in the CPTPP are consistent with these elements that BSA views as essential. What about ISDS is it not part of the CPTPP? What is the BSA's view on this? ISDS, or Investor-State Dispute Settlement, remains part of the CPTPP, although the CPTPP parties did make some limited adjustments to the ISDS provisions of the agreement. Penny Wong: "...The bill, as it is currently drafted, will make Australia less safe." The Australian Labor Party has accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of compromising national security by insisting on having the government's encryption bill passed in its current form, and being unwilling to strike a compromise with Labor. Labor Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong told the ABC Insiders program on Sunday that though Labor was willing to pass part of the bill by this Thursday the last sitting day of Parliament for the year "Scott Morrison doesn't want that. He wants a fight, and I think compromising Australia's national security for those reasons is really beneath the Prime Minister". Morrison and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton have pushed for the encryption bill officially known as the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Bill 2018 to be passed in its entirety by 6 December. The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security is inquiring into the bill, and has held five hearings so far. The final hearing is scheduled for 4 December. Labor has offered to pass schedule one of the bill, the bit that gives new powers to the spy agencies, if it was only available to counter-terror agencies. On Friday, Labor Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus wrote to Attorney-General Christian Porter saying that the Labor Party had been pushed too far. Senator Wong, who is a member of the PJCIS, was asked by Insiders host Barrie Cassidy whether Labor, by dissenting with the government, had not left itself open to attacks about being soft on terrorism. She responded: "Scott Morrison is doing what he did when he sought to move the Australian Embassy to Jerusalem. He's seeking to create a fight so as to distract attention from things like [Liberal MP] Julia Banks moving to the crossbench. "...The bill, as it is currently drafted, will make Australia less safe. Let me read one very small part of a transcript from a company called Senetas which is responsible for encryption, not only of some of Australia's defence agencies and the AFP, but the US military and the Knesset. "And it says about this bill, 'It compromises the security of citizens, businesses and governments. It will be easier for cyber criminals, terrorists, to target systems, and to be able to break into those systems." "...we have said we are willing to pass a bill by Thursday, which gives appropriate powers, these power, to national security agencies with appropriate oversight to target criminals and people who are being investigated for child sex crimes. So we are willing to pass that by Thursday." Senator Wong said she had been part of the PJCIS for five years. "We've dealt with 15 bills and we passed all of them and improved all of them with bipartisan support," she said. "This is the first time we've been in this position. We do not take it lightly. We believe that the prime minister is compromising Australia's national security and he should stop playing politics with national security to try to get around the fact that he's got a problem in his party room." Asked whether there was room for compromise, Senator Wong responded: "Absolutely. In fact, the committee were working to a compromise position. The committee were working to a compromise position along the terms that I've just outlined. Let's give the powers to the national security agencies for the purposes of terrorist investigations and child sex crimes. "And guess what happened? Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton blew the process up. That's what happened. And I think that the Parliament and the country are served much less well by virtue of that politicking around national security." This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Kangana's statement comes amid reports of some crew members of Manikarnika being upset over non-payment of their dues. Mumbai: Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, who will next be seen in 'Manikarnika-The Queen of Jhansi' said that actors get unnecessary importance in the film industry, while technicians and labourers, who are the unsung heroes, are completely devalued. The 31-year-old actor was interacting with media at the 25th anniversary of Swiss Watchmaker brand Chopard. Kangana's statement comes amid reports of some crew members of the period drama being upset over non-payment of their dues. The workers, reportedly, also decided to approach FWICE (Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees) to seek help. Reflecting on the issue, the actor said "It's very sad. I have always opposed such kind of practices. The labourers and technicians in the film industry are really devalued. I don't know why actors get unnecessary attention and importance in the film industry." "I also want to be a technician; I think they are absolutely devalued. I want to venture into direction and writing as these people are the unsung heroes of the film industry," she continued. The three-time National Award winner also stated that issues related to non-payment of dues are intolerable. "When such things happen with labourers or technicians, it can't be tolerated but I have been told 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 negotiating with him because they don't think they should pay as much he is demanding," she added. The 'Queen' actor also said that she has warned the makers of the film that she will not promote the movie if they won't solve the issue. "I warned the makers of the film that if such thing will happen then I am going to disassociate myself with the film even though I have given 300 days of my life to it. But I will disassociate right away, that's what I told my team," Kangana said. "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 assured me and told me to calm down on this issue," the actor further said. Providing clarification on the issue, she further added, "Zee Studio is a very big studio and they have a good reputation so I am sure that there will be no complaints from our end." 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' is based on the life of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, whose role will be essayed by Kangana. The historical biographical film also features Atul Kulkarni as Tatya Tope and Ankita Lokhande as Jhalkarbai. It is helmed by Krish and is all set to hit the big screens on January 25, 2019. The blast took place at about 7.30 pm when the passenger train, which started its journey from Kamakhya railway station, was heading to Dekargaon. The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) Guwahati: Fourteen people were injured in an explosion in Rangia-Dekargaon Intercity Express train at Harisinga in Assams Udalguri district on Saturday. The blast took place at about 7.30 pm when the passenger train, which started its journey from Kamakhya railway station, was heading to Dekargaon. Inspector-general of police Anurag Agarwal told this newspaper that a police team was heading to the spot. There have been no reports of any casualties so far. Those injured have been shifted to nearby hospital, he added. The spokesperson of Northeast Frontier railway, however, claimed that only three persons were injured and 1 critical. Investigations are on and it was yet to be ascertained whether the explosion was caused by a grenade or an IED. Police said that it has recovered the car, which was used in committing the crime. Various other incriminating materials have also been seized. Pointing out that both of them have confessed to their involvement in the crime and their association with outlawed Ulfa-I, security sources admitted that outlawed Ulfa-I has roped in many surrendered Ulfa rebels and is using them for their subversive plan. Guwahati: In what has sent the state administration in a tizzy, the Assam police on Saturday arrested two surrendered Ulfa (Sulfa) rebels who were involved in hoisting the flags of outlawed Ulfa-I at various places in Central Assams Nagaon district. Informing that police has also recovered the vehicle used by these ex-militants, police said one of the arrested persons was identified as Bhaskar Borah (49) alias Raju Borah, the son of late Bakul Chandra Borah from Chayali Poli Road under Nagaoan Sadar police station. He had joined Ulfa in 1991 and surrendered in 1999. The other arrested person is Naren Gohain (67), the son of late Kamal Chandra Gohain from Difalau village under Nagaon Sadar police station. He is an erstwhile member of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) in Manipur and also worked for Ulfa as its linkman. Police said that it has recovered the car, which was used in committing the crime. Various other incriminating materials have also been seized. Pointing out that both of them have confessed to their involvement in the crime and their association with outlawed Ulfa-I, security sources admitted that outlawed Ulfa-I has roped in many surrendered Ulfa rebels and is using them for their subversive plan. Indicating that in several of the extortion related cases surrendered Ulfa rebels were involved, security sources said that Ulfa-I chief Paresh Baruah has been in touch with several Ulfa leaders, who either surrendered or left the outfit. Security sources, stressing the need for cracking the whip on such Ulfa leaders, said that there are some surrendered Ulfa leaders who are also suspected to have been helping the outfit in the fresh recruitment of cadres. Asserting that former militants discreetly helping the Ulfa-I has been a serious threat to the security of the state, security sources said that state police has been asked to keep a close watch on the activities of former militants. Informing that Ulfa-I flag was hoisted at various places including Guwahati on November 28, police said that after cracking the case of Nagaon in which two ex-Ulfa militants were involved police has intensified the probe in Ulfa-I flag hoisting case of Guwahati, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, and Jorhat districts as well. UNITED STATES AND CHINA- It's truce for now... Both China and the United States have reached a tentative agreement. According to a statement from White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. Meeting in Argentina yesterday, Trump agreed to maintain the 10% tariffs on 200 billion dollars' worth of Chinese goods... rather than raising them to 25%. In exchange, China has agreed to purchase a quote very substantial amount of agriculture and energy goods from the US. The statement goes on to say that the two countries will immediately begin negotiations on top US concerns, including forced technology transfer and cyber theft. If an agreement is not reached within 90 days, the 10% tariffs will rise to 25%. 837 Shares Share Have you ever been to a doctors office and felt that your evaluation was rushed? Have you been seen in the emergency room and felt that you were just a number in a long series of patients? Have you ever seen the same doctor for years and felt like the doctor just met you for the first time each visit? Chances are weve all experienced this as patients. If were honest, as doctors, we have all treated patients this way at some point. The problem is more complicated than just having a bad doctor, although I fully acknowledge that there are many of those out there. This is more reflective of the corporatization of medicine, where the principles of depersonalized mass production highly effective in retail business models have been imposed on health care systems, replacing the sacrosanct doctor-patient relationship with that of a commodity and consumer. Why is this happening? In the first three quarters of 2017, the top-five insurance companies made a record $6 billion in profit, with their executives getting handsome salaries and bonuses. The top CEOs of health care systems make seven- and eight-figure salaries. And their executives make equally large sums of money. When you receive that $25,000 ER bill, keep these exorbitant salaries in mind. In the same period, private medical practices like mine are finding it harder to keep up with insuring their employees (each year premiums are going up 10-20 percent) or giving their employees cost of living raises. Physician salaries are trending downward. And to preserve our income, more patients are scheduled for the same period reducing the amount of time each patient may have. Staff in medical offices are asked to do more and more, in less time, for the same income. Fewer doctors have the time to go to the hospital even to see their own patients. Hospitals are using mid-level nurse practitioners or PAs to see more of these patients, who dont have the same expertise as physicians. These measures create efficiencies in the system, but the unintended consequences of such practices include empty, impersonal patient encounters where mediocrity is the accepted norm. Weve created a health care Walmart efficient and acceptable but mediocre, instead of personalized and thoughtfully engaged health care. Patients, if insured, find their premiums and deductibles skyrocketing, and effectively reducing their access to timely care. Further, the wholesale commoditization of health care has created a consumer mindset among patients. An increased sense of entitlement has replaced a once healthy respect for their physician or nurse, often reflected in belligerent encounters and unnecessary emergency phone calls (I could write a book on the demanding calls Ive received often in the wee hours of the morning, which could have easily waited until business hours). What are the consequences? Doctors and patients alike are in a dangerous downward spiral with the current health care system. Doctor burnout is at an all-time high. A survey of 7,000 physicians last year showed that nearly 50 percent plan to leave medicine within the next two years. Physicians have the highest suicide rate amongst any profession in the U.S., approximately 28-40 per 100000 or 3000-4000 doctors per year. A profession that once called the best and brightest to serve their fellow citizens saw a sharp decline in medical school applicants 14,000 fewer last year alone. Meanwhile, the need for physicians has never been greater with the expected number of retired Americans expected to double by 2040. And the shortage is more acute amongst specialties such as urology. Patients often dont seek timely medical care because of high deductibles and inadequate coverage, sometimes delaying life-saving treatment. More patients, fewer doctors, and less access means a death spiral for American health care. How do we fix it? These problems need to be addressed from both a micro and a macro level. On the micro level, we need to instill more gratitude in our medical culture. Doctors and nurses need to revisit why we went into this field and appreciate that we can make a profound difference in peoples lives. This goes for patients, too. Show gratitude that someone just awoke from sleep and left their family at midnight to come to the hospital to take care of your acute emergency, which happens thousands of times every day across the U.S. On the macro level, it needs to be abundantly clear that doctors salaries are not driving the cost of health care, rather it is the profits of the insurance companies. Everyone needs to be insured, regardless of pre-existing conditions, and the insurance has to be meaningful, where high premiums dont affect access. A doctors prerogative to order tests needs to be respected and not always second-guessed by the insurance companies who have a financial incentive not to approve these tests. Practices are being forced to create whole authorization departments and meaningful time is being taken away from clinical care to fight insurance denials. We have to support legislation which de-emphasizes superfluous documentation, which does nothing to advance care, creates onerous time burdens on physicians and serves only to give insurance companies and Medicare big data on the health care system. We need to support site-neutral payment legislation, where the same medical service is paid at the same monetary value, whether performed at the hospital or in a private setting, thereby eliminating exorbitant hospital costs. Many other things can and should be done. But doctors and patients alike need to band together and no longer accept the status quo. Raising awareness is always the first step towards confronting our national health care crises, and heres to starting a conversation. Naeem Rahman is a urologist and can be reached at his self-titled site, Naeem Rahman, M.D. Image credit: Shutterstock.com The recent fish oil and vitamin D studies: Go beyond the headlines 383 Shares Share Results of a much-anticipated trial on fish oil and vitamin D generated conflicting headlines recently. Some stories declared good news about the popular supplements. Reuters wrote that fish oil can dramatically reduce the odds of a heart attack while vitamin Ds benefits seem to come from lowering the risk of death from cancer. The Washington Post reported fish-oil medications were found effective in protecting against heart events while vitamin D was linked to a decline in cancer deaths. HealthDay said fish oil may lower your heart attack risk. But others reported the opposite: fish oil and vitamin D actually dont protect against those major diseases. CNN said they do not prevent cancer or heart disease. The Associated Press reported no clear ability to lower heart or cancer risks. Kaiser Health News called them no guard against serious heart trouble. The New York Times labeled them ineffective. NPR said they Mostly Disappoint. On Twitter, cardiologist Eric Topol, MD, jokingly pointed out the slight contrast: What the research showed So who got it right? The stories all covered the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL) trial, which enrolled 25,871 healthy people 50 and older and randomized them to prescription omega-3 fish oil capsules, vitamin D supplements, both, or only placebos. They were followed for an average of 5.3 years. Two papers were published, one with results for fish oil, the other with results for vitamin D. Here is the conclusion of the fish oil study: Supplementation with n3 fatty acids did not result in a lower incidence of major cardiovascular events or cancer than placebo. Here is the conclusion of the vitamin D study: Supplementation with vitamin D did not result in a lower incidence of invasive cancer or cardiovascular events than placebo. The statements seem clear: no benefit. So why did some news organizations proclaim otherwise? A problematic news release The answer may lie with a news release issued by Brigham and Womens Hospital, where the trial was conducted. The release focused on a handful of secondary findings, which arent the primary questions researchers set out to answer. For example, researchers observed 28% fewer heart attacks among people taking fish oil. That rose to 40% in people who took fish oil but eat little fish. The perceived effect was highest in African-Americans, who saw a 77% reduction. Heart attacks were just one component of a composite cardiovascular events measure, which also included strokes and deaths from cardiovascular causes. Researchers often combine outcomes into a composite result to make it easier to show a statistically significant difference between a treatment group and controls, facilitating faster trials with fewer patients. See our primer on composite outcomes. Similarly, researchers also noticed fewer cancer deaths among people who took vitamin D for at least two years. As weve written, such secondary findings need to be reported cautiously. They do not have the same statistical authority as primary findings, and are more likely to be due to chance. Its been stated that secondary findings should only be used to help interpret the primary result of a trial or to suggest avenues of further research. Yet the news release featured those rosy-sounding secondary findings at the top, with wording that made them sound like proven benefits: The subhead says omega-3 reduced heart attacks and that vitamin D reduced cancer deaths similar to misleading causal language that appeared in some news stories. Earle Holland, one of our contributors and a retired senior science and medical communications officer at Ohio State University, said news releases need to be extra careful about reporting the limitations of secondary findings because readers will often assume causation where there is none. Building false hopes is fundamentally cruel, he said. Primary findings were obscured The news release downplayed the primary findings, describing them on the third page and not flagging them as the main result. You can talk about the secondary endpoints if you want, but not to the point where you obscure that the overall study was negative, said cardiologist Christopher Labos, MD, one of our reviewers, who cited a disconnect between the news release and the study. Matt Shipman, a public information officer at North Carolina State University and a HealthNewsReview.org contributor, said it does feel as though the release somewhat buries the lede. Apparently, the studys main finding was buried so deep that some journalists missed it. Defending the news release We asked Brigham and Womens, which received about $40 million from the National Institutes of Health to run the trial, why its news release downplayed the main findings, elevated secondary findings, and didnt explain the varying levels of evidence. The hospital responded with a statement defending how the data were presented. It said all of the information in the release is accurate and supported by the findings. Lead researcher JoAnn Manson, MD, the hospitals chief of preventive medicine, noted the secondary endpoints had been planned before the trial was conducted and were contained in the published research. We dont think this information should be withheld from the public, Manson said in an email. Note that no one has said anything about withholding those secondary findings. Were talking about providing adequate explanations and context. Some news organizations that led with the primary result also reported the secondary findings, but wisely included caveats. For example, Kaiser explained how parsing data into smaller chunks for analysis can produce unreliable results, and links between fish oil and heart attacks and vitamin D and cancer death could be due to chance. Other ways reporting went wrong Such context was missing in the stories from Reuters, the Post, and HealthDay. Besides appearing to rely heavily on the news release, those news outlets didnt include much input from independent sources. HealthDay used one who hyped the secondary finding on heart attacks as profound. Reuters and The Post didnt have any. The Post and HealthDay further confused things in the way they covered a different trial called REDUCE-IT in the same story. REDUCE-IT showed a benefit for a specific population of people with heart disease who took a fish-oil-derived drug called Vascepa (icosapent ethyl). Both VITAL and REDUCE-IT involve fish oil, were presented on the same day at an American Heart Association meeting, were conducted at Brigham and Womens, and were published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine. Findings didnt need to be spun Weve often noted that negative or null results have difficulty attracting news coverage. The sweeping coverage of VITAL shows it can be otherwise. Its results challenge common beliefs, which is the essence of a good news story. Yet Brigham and Womens shrouded those taxpayer-funded insights with dubious positive-sounding observational results, and some news organizations were hooked into going along. This may be a function of the bias in academic research against negative results, which is unfortunate, Shipman said. Negative results can have tremendous value. In my opinion, the negative results are the larger story in this case. Martha Gulati, MD, chief of cardiology at the University of Arizona, agreed the findings didnt need to be spun, and will help people make more informed choices. As a health consumer myself, I wouldnt want to be spending my hard-earned money on something that doesnt give a benefit, she said. Mary Chris Jaklevic is a reporter-editor, HealthNewsReview.org, and can be reached on Twitter @mcjaklevic. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Kaur's response comes close on heels of three Punjab ministers demanded her husband's resignation following his remark against Punjab CM. Navjot Kaur said, 'Navjot ji has repeatedly said that Captain Sahab is like his father. We have always made it clear that Captain Sahab's respect and honour is above everything. Sidhu's statements should be read as a whole and not in incomplete bits.' (Photo: ANI ) Amritsar: Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu on Sunday said that her husband has always considered state Chief Minister Captain Amarinder as his father. Kaur's response comes close on the heels of three Punjab ministers demanded her husband's resignation following his remark against the Punjab Chief Minister. Navjot Singh Sidhu on November 30 had mocked Captain Amarinder Singh when reporters asked about his visit to Pakistan despite the Chief Minister disapproving it. Local Bodies and Tourism minister in Captain Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government, Sidhu at a press conference in Hyderabad had said, "My captain is Congress president Rahul Gandhi. He sent me everywhere (Kartarpur Corridor). Rahul is also the captain of our captain (Punjab Chief Minister)." Speaking to ANI, Navjot Kaur said, "Navjot ji has repeatedly said that Captain Sahab is like his father. We have always made it clear that Captain Sahab's respect and honour is above everything. Sidhu's statements should be read as a whole and not in incomplete bits." Livid over Navjot Singh's remarks, Punjab Minister TR Bajwa asserted that if Sidhu did not recognise Amarinder as his 'captain,' then he should resign from his post. Punjab Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria also slammed his Cabinet colleague and said that Sidhu should put down his papers if he disapproves of Amarinder as the state's chief minister. The cry for Sidhu's resignation grew louder as Ludhiana Member of Parliament (MP) Ravneet Singh Bittu also viewed that those who disrespected Chief Minister Captain Amarinder should step aside from the Congress government in the state. Sidhu was one of the invitees, who went to Pakistan to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on November 28. His remarks at the event also created furore back home as he not only mentioned the Rafale deal controversy in his speech but also heaped praises on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Wet weather didn't dampen the spirits at the 66th annual Springfield Christmas Parade Saturday morning. Hundreds of community members filled the streets as decorated cars, marching bands and horses processed Main Street. "This is the northwest," said Springfield resident, KellyAnn Stiles. "We don't give up because of bad weather." The Springfield Police Department, Willamalane Recreation and the Oregon Riders Society all made an appearance in the parade. "The in is, small town, Americana, this is our community," said Springfield resident Cathy Erickson. "We love the parade. We love to see who's in it." Reva Midkiff waited almost two hours in the rain before the parade made its way down Main Street just to catch a glimpse of her son. "He's in Willamette Leadership Academy," Midkiff said. "He's front row, holding the Marine flag." She said not even the rain could keep her inside. "I love my son and if he's wanting to be in the parade, I want to be there for him," she said. The parade, a 66-year tradition, keeps the streets of Springfield alive and well with the holiday spirit. The Late Late Toy Show may be the unofficial start of Christmas in Ireland but Yulefest Kilkenny is the official start of Christmas in Kilkenny! A month-long Christmas festival Yulefest Kilkenny has an inviting selection of events and experiences for all ages, for a full list of events (with new additions weekly) visit www.yulefestkilkenny.ie Events include: Silent Night Christmas Day 1914: James Stephens Army Barracks on December 15 and 16. Forming part of Yulefest Kilkenny this special one hour tour at the James Stephens Army Barracks in Kilkenny is especially tailored for families. Promising to be a very memorable event, the tour will begin with a visit to the onsite museum where stories of events of Christmas past will be re-told. Visitors will then make their way through a festive decorated courtyard to enter the detention centre (where a naughty elf is also detained), here the history of the detention cells will be recounted. Theres an opportunity to meet friendly Irish Wolfhound Fionn; mascot for the 3rd Infantry Battalion. The tour will end with Silent Night Christmas Day 1914 A re-enactment of the truce during the First World War when soldiers from both sides met to share a moment of peaceful brotherhood at Christmas. Featuring both active and veteran soldiers, much time has been invested to re-create the era including sourcing authentic German uniforms (used in the filming of Downton Abbey). The installation of army tents will ensure the scene is set for an informative and engaging afternoon. Visitors will then be invited to the Officers Mess to enjoy hot drinks and refreshments. Lieutenant Colonel Murt Larkin, Captain Larry Scallan, and the battalion are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the event and all proceeds will be donated to The Good Shepherd Centre. As part of this community event Young Irish Film Makers will also be there to document proceedings. the project is funded by Creative Ireland under the Kilkenny Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018-2022, in partnership with Kilkenny County Council. For more information or to book a ticket for the event see www.yulefestkilkenny.ie FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) The trial of an Indiana man accused of killing a Fort Dodge woman has been moved to Mason City. The Des Moines Register reports that a judge on Friday approved the move for 26-year-old Phillip Williams' trial for first-degree murder in the August 2017 death of 26-year-old Jessica Gomez. Williams' attorney requested the change of venue, citing pretrial publicity. Earlier in the week, Williams' co-defendant in the case, Mackenzie Knigge, also had her trial moved out of Webster County. Knigge and Gomez, who were once described as friends, were publicly reported missing on Aug. 9, 2017. Knigge was arrested with Williams on Aug. 10 in Lafayette, Indiana. Gomez's burned body was found in a ditch near Clare on Aug. 12. Williams' trial is scheduled to begin on March 4. DOUGHERTY, Iowa One person is seriously injured in a rollover crash in Cerro Gordo County. It happened around 4:30 pm in the 3700 block of Vine Avenue. The Sheriffs Office says Joseph David Sturges, 36 of Rockwell, was driving north when he lost control on the ice and slush covered street, left the road near a farm drive, and rolled multiple times. The Sheriffs Office says Sturges was thrown from his vehicle and taken to Mercy Medical Center North Iowa with serious injuries. This crash remains under investigation. The Dougherty Fire Department, Rockwell Swaledale EMTs, and Mason City Fire Medics assisted at the scene. The Herald reports: Two National MPs are up in arms over New Zealand First MP Clayton Mitchells references to fellow National MP Paul Goldsmith as Goldstein pushing a bagel franchise. Wellington National MP Nicola Willis raised a point of order in Parliament this week after Mitchell referred to Goldsmith as Goldstein a number of times during a debate on a bill. That was the most befuddled contribution I think Ive ever heard from the member Goldstein. Hes been pushing his bagel franchise for some time, Mitchell said during his speech. The combination of Goldstein and bagels (the most iconic Jewish food) was clearly designed to try and portray Goldsmith as having Jewish traits, as in he was stingy and not caring. Heres the Hansard: That was the most befuddled contribution I think Ive ever heard from the member Goldstein. Hes been pushing his bagel franchise for some time. In fact, the member should be probably more likely referred to as a member from the Neo-liberal Free-market Trickle-down Party, as opposed to a National Party, which it was once set up to be. Mitchel may say he was referring at the ASB Goldstein but that is patently untrue. The reference to bagel franchise and neo-liberalism was definitely playing to antisemitism. And if you think bagel is not a coded reference to being Jewish, I quote this Jewish website: The crusty ringshaped bagel the word means bracelet in German which was the everyday bread of the Jews in Eastern Europe, has become the most famous Jewish food in America and a standard American bread. Wikipedia also notes: Now dont get me wrong. This is definitely at the lower end of the antisemitism scale. But I would hope Members of Parliament could do better than trying to use Jewish traits as a slur against other MPs. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr The agency has alleged that the re-allotment of land to AJL caused a loss of Rs 67.65 lakh to the exchequer. New Delhi: The CBI on Saturday filed a chargesheet against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, senior Congress leader Motilal Vohra and Associated Journals Limited (AJL) in connection with the alleged irregularities in the re-allotment of institution plot in Panchkula in Haryana. The agency has alleged that the re-allotment of land to AJL caused a loss of Rs 67.65 lakh to the exchequer. The central agency, which filed the chargesheet in a special CBI court in Panchkula, alleged that the AJL was allotted a plot (C-17, Sector 6) of land in Panchkula in 1982, on which no construction took place till 1992. The agency has charged the then-Haryana chief minister, who was also the Haryana Urban Development Authority chairman, the then chairman of the AJL, Vora, and the company under the IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy and the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The HUDA had subsequently taken back the possession of the plot. The chargesheet 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. The group runs the National Herald newspaper. Sources in the agency said during investigation, it was revealed that the then chairman HUDA allegedly overruled the opinion of Legal Remembrancer (Haryana) and the proposal of the officials of HUDA for floating new advertisement for the allotment of the institutional plot at the prevalent current rate on flimsy grounds. Investigation also revealed that the resumption order dated October 30, 1992, was passed allegedly by HUDA, only after the accused company had been given ample opportunities for completion of construction at the site, sources said. It was also alleged that the purpose of allotment of the institutional plot for publication of Hindi Daily Newspaper, Nav-Jivan from the said premises had not seen the light of the day and the premises were left unused and no newspaper was published from the premises. It was further alleged that the plot was instead mortgaged by the private company to a Delhi-based nationalised bank and the loan availed against the mortgage of the plot was used for commercial purpose, they alleged. President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook arrive at Ministro Pistarini International Airport for the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday (KST). AP-Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul BUENOS AIRES President Moon Jae-in plans to ask U.S. President Donald Trump to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as early as possible, a presidential aide said Friday. Finding a breakthrough to the stalled denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang will be the main topic at Moon's summit with Trump in the Argentine capital early Saturday (KST). Cheong Wa Dae and White House officials said only translators could be allowed to attend the meeting. "Moon plans to deliver his hopes at the upcoming meeting with Trump for an early second summit between the U.S. and North Korea to advance the denuclearization process of the North," the aide told The Korea Times, asking not to be named. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters aboard Air Force One that Trump's meeting with Moon had been changed to "pull-asides," meaning Trump will meet "informally, not formally" with him on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Moon and first lady Kim Jung-sook arrived in the Argentine capital, Thursday, to participate in meetings with leaders from the advanced economies. U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters with first lady Melania Trump as they leave the White House in Washington, D.C., Friday, (KST) to travel to the G20 summit in Argentina. Reuters-Yonhap The Trump administration is pushing hard for a second summit between Trump and Kim by "early 2019," hoping to provide momentum to the stalled denuclearization talks that have so far produced few tangible results since the two leaders' June meeting in Singapore. Moon, who has claimed the role of "mediator and facilitator" on North Korean issues, is facing pressure to keep the denuclearization talks going after a planned meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong-chol over the specifics of a second Trump-Kim summit was called off by the North because of a "matter of scheduling." It remains to be seen whether Moon will deliver any handwritten messages that he may have received from Kim to Trump. Washington wants Pyongyang to present details in achieving final, fully verified denuclearization (FFVD). An early second summit between Trump and Kim is crucial for several inter-Korean economic projects that have been put on hold due to growing fears that fast-developing inter-Korean relations may get out of step with Washington. Moon is moving quickly to improve inter-Korean relations. But his engagement-focused North Korean policy is in jeopardy due to little progress despite concerted efforts in bringing a lasting peace to the Korean Peninsula. His approval rating in South Korea this week fell below 50 percent for the first time since he took office in May last year. A survey showed support for Moon was down 3.2 percentage points over the week to 48.8 percent. The continued fall in his approval rating coincides with worsening economic indicators and a widening income gap between the haves and have-nots. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shakes hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) that divides the two countries ahead of their summit at the truce village of Panmunjeom in April this year. AFP-Yonhap 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. 'Naidu says he built Hyderabad. Quli Qutub Shah who built city would commit suicide (if he is alive and hears this),' KCR said. 'Would anybody talk like that? I think he should be examined to check to see whether he is mentally fit,' Rao, the caretaker chief minister of Telangana, said attacking Naidu. (Photo: File) Hyderabad: TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao Sunday accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of distorting facts over Hyderabad's development and said he needed a "mental check up". "Chandrababu Naidu says he built Hyderabad. Quli Qutub Shah who built the city would commit suicide (if he is alive and hears this). Was Charminar (monument) also built by Naidu? I don't understand," he told an election rally here. "Would anybody talk like that? I think he should be examined to check to see whether he is mentally fit," Rao, the caretaker chief minister of Telangana, said attacking Naidu. While Rao in his campaign meetings had been accusing Naidu of having claimed to have built Hyderabad, the latter has clarified that he only said he had put the Telangana capital on the world map and that Cyberabad (IT district here) was his brain child. The TRS is going it alone in the December 7 assembly elections while the TDP is part of the Congress-led People's Front. Turning up the heat on Naidu, Rao alleged he did have real concern for people. Seeking votes for the Telangana Rashtra Samiti, he said in a matured democracy it was the people who should win, not political parties or leaders. "On one side you have Congress and TDP which ruled the state for 58 years and on the other side there is TRS which fought for Telangana and achieved it," he said. Asking the people to recall the power supply situation before his government came to power, he said "We worked hard to ensure all the problems are solved and now you are enjoying quality power 24 hours. Rao warned that if the Peoples Front won the elections, the power centre would be shifted from Hyderabad to Delhi and Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Scattered snow showers during the morning. Then partly to mostly cloudy this afternoon. High 32F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 24F. Winds light and variable. 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. EC said these EVMs were not used for voting, and were among the ones kept on standby to be used in case of a technical snag. New Delhi: A Congress delegation met the Election Commission (EC) Saturday and raised concerns over the security of Electronic Voting Machines or EVMs inside strong rooms and their handling during the counting process in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. A controversy has broken out in Madhya Pradesh over the delay in EVMs reaching the collection centre in Sagar on Friday, a full 48 hours after voting ended in the state elections on Wednesday. The EC in Madhya Pradesh, however, said these EVMs were not used for voting, and were among the ones kept on standby to be used in case of a technical snag. After the meeting Cong-ress 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. He also clai-med that 48 hours after the closing of polls in the sta-te, a school bus bearing no number plate and carrying EVMs had reached the Sagar district collectors office. He said, 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. Senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi alleged that in UPs Sarhanpur district there were discrepancies such as erroneous deletion of names of voters on booth number 44. Congress leader and AICCs Chattisgarh 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 EVMs were kept after the voting, on the pretext of repairing the CCTVs. The Bhim Army is attracting youths in large army and this is what is disturbing the BSP leadership. Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati has asked her party cadres to increase interaction with members of the Dalit community and counter the growing influence of the Bhim Army, particularly in western UP. Perturbed by the popularity of the Bhim Army and other fringe outfits, Ms Mayawati has directed party cadres to create awareness about the motives of such outfits which is to divide the Dalit votes and create an advantageous position for the BJP. Incidentally, the Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar, in a shrewd move, refers to Ms Mayawati as his bua and recently said that his aim was to see her as Prime Minister. Ms Mayawati, on the other hand, has repeatedly referred to the Bhim Army as a BJP stooge and has been asking her party workers to beware of the outfit. Chandra Shekhar wants to project himself as an extension of BSP and is trying to confuse votes by praising Behenji (Mayawati). If he is so committed to the Bahujan movement, he should join the BSP and work under the leadership of Behenji. We are now making our people aware of his designs though a state wide campaign, said a BSP functionary. The Bhim Army has launched a massive membership drive across UP, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab and has also asked Dalits to donate generously for the party fund. The Bhim Army is attracting youths in large army and this is what is disturbing the BSP leadership. Apart from the Bhim Army, a number of outfits with similar names have emerged in the past few months such as the Bahujan Azad Party, Rashtriya Bahujan Morcha, Ambedkar Army, Dalit Army, Bahujan Samajik Parivartan Manch and Dalit Yuva Dal, among others. Bahujan Samaj Dal and Bahujan Vichar Manch among others. According to BSP sources, Ms Mayawati will devote her full time to Uttar Pradesh and will review the partys position in each district. Ms Mayawati is aware o the fact that she draws maximum strength form UP and though she may have drawn a blank on the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, her party ranked second in 34 out of 80 seats. The BSP is the only party after the BJP that has a strong support base across the five regions of Uttar Pradesh Rohilkhand, Avadh, Purvanchal, western UP and Bundelkhandand Ms Mayawati is now trying to consolidate her position here before the next general elections. District child protection Officer (DCPO) Anuradha Goswami has lodged a complaint against the shelter home at Sadar police station. Sources said the shelter home has been operating for the last two years without registration under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. (Representational image) Bhubaneswar: Odisha women and child development minister Prafulla Samal on Saturday ordered for closure of a shelter home in Dhenkanal district where girl inmates were allegedly sexually harassed. I have ordered the district collector to close the shelter home. The 62 inmates will be shifted to nearest institutions, said Mr Samal. The minister also informed that Faiz Rahman, head of Good News India non-government organization (NGO) that runs the shelter home, has been arrested and others involved in the incident will be arrested soon. Strict action will be taken against them, he said. Mr Samal also directed to close all 26 shelter homes of the NGO functioning in the state. Other such shelter homes running illegally in the state will also be closed, the minister said. Notably, the girl inmates of the shelter home located at Beltikiri in Dhenkanal district had on Friday accused Rahman of touching them inappropriately besides torturing them mentally and physically. District child protection Officer (DCPO) Anuradha Goswami has lodged a complaint against the shelter home at Sadar police station. Sources said the shelter home has been operating for the last two years without registration under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Sushma also said India had not been trapped by the googly and that two Indian Sikh union ministers had attended the ceremony. New Delhi: In a late-night tweet on Saturday, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj slammed her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi for reportedly remarking that Pakistan had bowled a googly at India before the Kartarpur Sahib corridor ground-breaking ceremony, saying his intentions stood exposed and that he had disrespected Sikh sentiments. She also said India had not been trapped by the googly and that two Indian Sikh union ministers had attended the ceremony. In an angry late-night tweet, Ms. 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. According to reports, Mr. Qureshi had remarked that Pakistan had bowled a googly at India to ensure the participation of Indian Government ministers at the ceremony. New Delhi, December 2: A video which went viral on social media shows a key aide of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Rituraj Jha assaulting a man in Delhi's Kirari, even as the police personnel looked on. The attacker has been identified as Saurabh Jha, who is part of AAP's Poorvanchal Morcha. The incident, caught on camera, dates back to November 14. Reports claimed that the victim, Vikas, has been named in several cases by the police. A day before he was beaten up, he was accused of molesting a girl. AAP MLAs Ask Arvind Kejriwal to Remove Delhi Police from Govt's Compensation Scheme for Slain Personnel. The locals in Kirari were reportedly chasing Vikas before he was apprehended by Jha and beaten up. The residents were agitated over the alleged molestation incident. In the clip being circulated, Vikas is seen shirtless, begging Jha to stop the assault on him. The latter, however, continues to mercilessly thrash him. Watch video of AAP leader Saurabh Jha assaulting Vikas: According to the police, Vikas was beaten up by the AAP leader and locals as he, along with his friends, had molested a girl on November 13. The police has denied remaining a mute spectators to the assault, claiming that Vikas was immediately rescued and subsequently arrested. According to Vikas's family, however, he was assaulted by Jha due to personal enmity. The family claimed that the AAP workers had demanded Rs 25 lakh from them to clear Vikas's brother's name in a gang-rape case, registered two years ago. Since they refused to comply with his demand, Jha thrashed Vikas, the latter's mother alleged. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 02, 2018 08:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, December 1: The Supreme Court on Saturday dismissed a petition seeking review of its 2015 verdict that struck down the National Judicial Appointment Commission (NJAC) Act for the appointment of judges. A five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, said the review petition was dismissed on the grounds of delay. There is a delay of 470 days in filing the present review petition for which no satisfactory explanation has been offered. The review petition is liable to be dismissed on the grounds of delay alone, the top court said. Even otherwise, we have carefully gone through the review petition and the connected papers. We do not find any merit in the same, the bench added. SC Collegium Recommends 3 Judicial Officers as Uttarakhand HC Judges. In 2015, the Supreme Court had struck down the controversial National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act for the appointment of judges. The NJAC act was passed by Modi government to end decades-old collegium system where judges appointed judges, an opaque process unique to India. The top court had abolished the 99th Constitution Amendment Act, calling it unconstitutional. While four out of the five judges of the constitution bench had held as unconstitutional and void both the NJAC Act and the 99th Constitution Amendment Act 2014, Justice J Chelameswar (now retired) had upheld the validity of the constitution amendment law. The NJAC was supposed to be a body comprising Chief Justice of India (Chairperson), two other senior judges of the Supreme Court next to the Chief Justice of India, Union Law Minister and two eminent persons chosen by a committee formed of CJI, Prime Minister and the leader of Opposition, to recommend persons for the appointment of CJI, judges of the Supreme Court, Chief Justices of high courts and other judges of high courts. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 01, 2018 07:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Kolkata, November 2: The detectives of Income-Tax department on Saturday raided 26 places in Kolkata. Based on the information, the IT officials raided offices and houses of renowned people, which include Prabhuji Agarwal - the owner of Haldirams. Also, the officials raided Kasera Group and Sanwaria Group owners homes. Briefing more about the raids, the sleuths said that they had the information that there has been a tax evasion of over Rs 150 crore by the owners of the company. In the raid at residence and showroom of Haldirams on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue (VIP Road), the IT seized cash and jewellery worth Rs 10 crore. New Income Tax Rules for 2018-19: Know Tax Rebates & Standard Deductions Before Filing IT Returns The IT department also accused Jai Bhagwan Agarwal and Mahavir Agarwal, owners of the Sanwaria Group and Anil Kasera, Rajesh Kasera and Preeti Kasera of Kasera Group of massive tax evasion. Stating the raids began on Friday and continued till Saturday, an IT official said, as DNA reports, We have seized Rs 10 crore in cash and a lot of jewellery. Along with diamonds and gold, as much as 80 kg of silver have been confiscated from one place only. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 02, 2018 12:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Srinagar, December 2: Pakistan-based terror groups are using women as 'honeytraps' in Jammu and Kashmir to lure youths into militancy, officials said on Sunday, as reported by news agency PTI. This came to the fore after the arrest of Syed Shazia, a woman in her early 30s from Bandipore, a fortnight ago. Shazia has been running several accounts on social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagram which many youths in the Valley followed, they said. Shazia had been on the radar of central security agencies for several months. Talking about her modus operandi, officials said that Shazia used to converse with youths and would promise to meet them only if a certain consignment was delivered from one place to another. She also had links to some officers in the police department but the officials termed it a usual tactic of double-cross as she used to report the movement of troops. Terrorists Slit Throat of Youth in Shopian, Second Killing in 36 Hours. Officials said that no "so sensitive" information was sent to her handlers across the border by Shazia. During interrogation, she told the investigators about the presence of some more women in militants ranks who had been tasked with luring youths into militancy, they said. Her name popped up during the probe of a case from September last year when the police killed Abu Ismail, the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror chief in the valley, and Chotta Qassim. Some documents and materials were seized from the encounter site in the outskirts of Srinagar city which indicated that an unidentified woman hailing from North Kashmir was involved in supplying arms and ammunition to the two terrorists. Prior to her arrest, the police picked a special police officer hailing from Handwara who informed Shazia that her phone had been kept on monitoring. A few months ago, a video featuring Shazia had surfaced on Facebook in which she was called as a police informer. She had filed a complaint, after which two accused were held. A week before her arrest on November 17, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had arrested Aysia Jan (28) for carrying 20 grenades at Lawaypora on the city outskirts following inputs about terrorists trying to smuggle arms and ammunition into the city. (With agency inputs) (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 02, 2018 07:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Sources said that the BJP-JD(U) are likely to fight from 17 seats each and Mr Paswans LJP may get six seats if RLSP decides to quit NDA. New Delhi/Patna: After a stalemate in talks over seat sharing for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, BJPs Bihar ally, is likely to part ways with the NDA. But severing ties with the ruling alliance may trigger a revolt in the party that has three MPs and two MLAs. Union minister Upendra Kushwaha, who has been trying to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss seat-sharing issues, arrived in Patna on Saturday and said that his party is being forced to take a decision. But I want to consult party workers before deciding whether to remain in NDA or to part ways. Sources confirmed that Mr Kushwaha, a member of the Narendra Modis Council of Ministers, was unsuccessful in meeting the top BJP leadership to address this grievance. Mr Kushwaha-led RLSP is unhappy with the number of Lok Sabha seats being offered to it and is expected to make an announcement of exiting the alliance at a rally scheduled later this week. Political analysts and RLSP insiders said that Mr Kushwaha, who has been demanding to contest on more than three seats in 2019 general elections, is unwilling to play a minor role in the state and has vehemently rejected the offer of two seats for the Lok Sabha polls scheduled for next year. And is now left with no options other than to quit the NDA. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the RLSP had fought and won from three seats, and it won two seats in 2015 Bihar elections. This time the party was hoping for four Lok Sabha seats to contest from. But the BJP does not seem to be in the mood to accede to its demand. Ties between the BJP and RLSP had been faltering ever since the former re-allied with the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal(United) in Bihar in 2017. The rift intensified after the NDAs seat-sharing formula was announced for Bihar. It is understood that the two big allies JD(U) and BJP have divided the lions share of states 40 Lok Sabha seats amongst them, leaving Ram Vilas Paswans Lok Janshakti Party and RLSP as minor players. Sources said that the BJP-JD(U) are likely to fight from 17 seats each and Mr Paswans LJP may get six seats if RLSP decides to quit NDA. Though not a big player, Mr Kushwaha is a strong Koeri leader, the largest OBC group after Yadavs in Bihar with around 10 per cent of voters. Observers say that Mr Kushwahas RLSP has a significant voter base in around 20-25 Assembly constituencies in the state. Though the BJP was trying to iron out differences with RLSP by roping in its general secretary Bhupender Yadav, Mr Kushwahas reported meeting with senior leader Sharad Yadav and Tejaswi Yadav fuelled speculation over his next move, and led to murmurs of dissent within his party. Reports suggest that his two MLAs Lalan Paswan and Sudhanshu Shekhar may revolt and split the party if Mr Kushwaha leaves NDA and joins the Mahagathbandhan. Earlier this month both his MLAs had met JD(U) vice-president Prashant Kishor in Patna to discuss the political situation. Sources said both the leaders were upset with Mr Kushwahas stand against Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Upendra Kushwaha should remain with NDA as the RJD or the Congress cannot give him the kind of respect he has been getting from the BJP, RLSP vice-president Bhagawan Singh Kushwaha said on Saturday. But other RLSP leaders share Mr Kushwahas unease since the announcement in October that the BJP and JD(U) will contest on an equal number of Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. We didnt expect the BJP to ignore our party president Upendra Kushwaha who wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to return in 2019. All this is happening because Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi dont want us to remain in the NDA, RLSP leader Jitendra Nath told this newspaper. He said that Nitish Kumar has also been trying to split the party by luring RLSP leaders. A section in the RLSP sees Mr Kushwaha as a strong Koeri leader, the largest OBC group after Yadavs in Bihar. Koeris form around 10 per cent of voters in the state. Observers say that Mr Kushwahas RLSP has a significant voter base in around 20-25 Assembly constituencies in the state. Mumbai, December 2: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday told a North Indian gathering in Mumbai's Kandivali that he is not opposed to Hindi, but considers it "wrong" to accept it as the national language. The remarks comes in the backdrop of attacks carried out by his party's cadres against Hindi-speaking vendors, mostly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, in various parts of the city. "Hindi is undoubtedly a beautiful language but it's wrong that it's the national language. Never ever was a decision made upon national language. Like there's Hindi language, there's Marathi, Tamil, Gujarati, all of these are the languages of this nation," said Thackeray, while addressing the programme organised by the Uttar Bhartiya Mahapanchayat in Kandivali. Raj Thackeray Attacks Sena-BJP Govt on Tigress Avni's Killing. The MNS supremo further justified his party's primary poll plank centred around the upliftment of marathi manoos. Thackeray said the politicians of North Indian states should also take up the cause of their respective populace with an equal vigour, which would not force them to travel thousands of miles away looking for a job. "If there are job opportunities in Maharashtra, is it wrong that youth of Maharashtra be given first priority? If an industry is set up in UP tomorrow, then youth there should be given first preference, the same should happen in Bihar, what is wrong in it," he asked. Notably, Thackeray's party shot to prominence in 2008 after staging several attacks on the North Indian migrants based in Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Nashik. The Thackeray scion himself faces multiple criminal cases in different parts of the nation for alleged hate speeches against the migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 02, 2018 08:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Hyderabad, December 2: Sharpening the "Muslim appeasement" charge against ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government in the state, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) star campaigner and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked why all terrorist attacks in India have their links to Hyderabad -- the stronghold of TRS ally - the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). "If not for this Muslim appeasement, then it is revealed that a terror attack in any part of India has linked to Hyderabad," Yogi said while addressing a rally in Goshamahal. Asaduddin Owaisi Will be Forced to Leave Telangana if BJP Comes to Power: Yogi Adityanath. The priest-politician also promised grand annual celebrations to mark the accession of the erstwhile Hyderabad kingdom into India in 1948, if the BJP is elected to power. "The people of Telangana want to celebrate the end of Nizam-era. But the TRS government does not want you to celebrate, fearing that their Muslim vote bank will get upset," the senior BJP leader said. "The BJP assures you that we would celebrate the defeat of Nizam with grand fervour, similar to the manner in which he constructed the tallest statue to honour Sardar Patel," Yogi added. Earlier in the day, while addressing a rally in Vikarabad, the Uttar Pradesh CM had promised a "Nizam-like" fate for Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, if the BJP gets elected to power in Telangana. "If BJP comes to power I assure you Owaisi will have to flee from Telangana the same way Nizam was forced to flee from Hyderabad," he had said. The minority appeasement charge against the TRS and the Congress was reiterated by BJP president Amit Shah as well. Specifically targeting the latter, Shah told a gathering in Mahbubnagar that it has released a "communal" manifesto. "The Congress has promised free electricity to mosques and churches, but not to temples," he said. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 02, 2018 09:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Steps to become a Lawyer/Attorney in Vermont Follow the step by step process or choose what situation that best describes you: Law Career info in Vermont Vermont provides a unique environment in which lawyers can practice. First, it is one of the only states that do not have an intermediate appellate court. All appeals are handled directly by the Vermont Supreme Court. Secondly, Vermonts immigration lawyers handle many cases having to do with immigration to and from Canada. Third, Vermont lawyers become involved in the states numerous environmental issues, so many that the states court system has its own Environmental Division to handle such issues. Vermont is not only an interesting state in which to practice law, but it is also a lucrative one. In 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the US Department of Labor reported that lawyers in Vermont averaged earnings of $105,900 per year. If you would like to become a lawyer in the Green Mountain state, read on. Step 1 Get Your Vermont Undergraduate Pre-Law Major The Vermont Board of Bar Examiners requires that, before you attend law school, you must have completed at least three-quarters of the credits required to obtain a bachelors degree. If you desire to attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), you must obtain a Accreditation Your undergraduate institution must be accredited by an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Requirements and Standards There are no mandates on courses that you must take during your undergraduate education. The ABA recommends that you embark on a course of study that challenges and interests you, above all. If you elect to take coursework in areas such as philosophy, political science, communications, economics and business, you may find that having a background in these subjects will help you more than others when you reach law school. Vermont Undergrad Degree Options You must have a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Sciences (BS) under ABA rules prior to entering law school. The major of your bachelors degree does not matter. However, some students have found that undergraduate majors taken from the above-listed subject areas help them more in law school. Law and Paralegal Studies Legal Assistant Legal Studies Paralegal All Criminal Justice Programs Criminal Justice Administration Public Administration and Safety Sponsored Law and Paralegal Studies Legal Assistant Legal Studies Paralegal All Criminal Justice Programs Criminal Justice Administration Public Administration and Safety Sponsored Back to Top Step 2 LSAT (Law School Admission Test) in Vermont Step 2 on your way to becoming a Vermont lawyer is to pass the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). A passing score on this exam is vital to admission to any ABA-accredited law school in the country. How to prepare Free study help is available at the LSAT website, provided by its sponsor, the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Other exam preparation resources in Vermont include: LSAT Exam Prep Courses in Vermont: Exam content The following abilities will be tested when you take the LSAT: Reading Comprehension: Your ability to read and understand complex passages of information and the relationships between different portions of passages is tested. Your ability to read and understand complex passages of information and the relationships between different portions of passages is tested. Analytical Reasoning: Commonly referred to as Logic Games, this section tests your ability to understand relationships and draw deductive conclusions. Commonly referred to as Logic Games, this section tests your ability to understand relationships and draw deductive conclusions. Logical Reasoning: Your ability to take an argument apart and determine its assumptions will be tested here. Your ability to take an argument apart and determine its assumptions will be tested here. Writing Sample: This section requires you to write an essay on a given topic, supporting a decision. You are not scored on this part of the exam as part of your overall LSAT score, but your essay will be sent to law schools when you apply. Application process Apply online with the Law School Admission Council to take the LSAT, which is given in November, January, March, June and July, on Mondays and Saturdays. Vermont examination centers where you can take the LSAT include: Champlain College, 163 S. Willard St, Burlington, VT 05401 Middlebury College, Old Chapel, Middlebury, VT 05753 Vermont Law School, 164 Chelsea St, South Royalton, VT 05068-0096 Receiving Your Score You will receive your LSAT score, which will be between 120 and 180, in three weeks via US postal mail. Vermont Law School, the only ABA-approved law school in the state, typically accepts students with an average LSAT score of 154. Back to Top Step 3 Go to Law School in Vermont Featured Law School: Sponsored University of Dayton Featured Program: Online Hybrid Juris Doctor: ABA-approved JD program; Prepare to sit for the bar exam in most states; Semester-long legal externship. Application process Step 3 in the process of becoming a Vermont lawyer is to apply to the ABA-approved law school of your choice. Any ABA-approved law school nationwide, not just those in Vermont, apply. A complete listing of these schools is found in the LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools. Credential Assembly Service All ABA-approved law schools require that you use the Law School Admission Councils Credential Assembly Service (CAS) when you apply for admission. It helps you in gathering all undergraduate and graduate transcripts from college credits you have completed up to this point, as well as gathering letters of recommendation, evaluations, and other documentation necessary when you apply to law school. The CAS centralizes all of this information and creates law school reports for each school to which you apply (up to a total of five). It will apply electronically to these schools for you. The fee you pay the LSAC for this service covers these electronic applications as well. Accreditation The Vermont Board of Bar Examiners requires that you graduate from an ABA-approved law school before taking the bar exam. Exceptions may be made, which will be covered in Step 4. ABA-Accredited Law Schools in Vermont Just one law school in Vermont has ABA accreditation: Vermont Law School, 164 Chelsea St, South Royalton, VT 05068-0096 Course requirements The following subjects are tested on the Vermont bar exam and should be studied in law school: Administrative law Bankruptcy Business organizations Civil procedure Commercial law (includes Uniform Commercial Code) Vermont Constitutional law Federal Constitutional law Contracts Criminal law and procedure Equity Ethics Evidence Family law (includes juvenile law) Practice skills Personal and real property (includes foreclosure) Torts Taxation Trusts and estates Wills and probate Online Law Degrees View Online and Campus Law and Legal Studies Programs (For students who choose to focus on a subset of law other than an attorney.) Degree Programs You must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-approved law school to be admitted to the Vermont Bar. See below for exceptions if you graduated from a non-ABA approved law school or from a law school outside of the United States. Back to Top Step 4 Pass the Vermont State Bar Exam When you have completed all work necessary for graduation with your JD degree (even if you have not yet received your degree), you may take the Vermont bar examination. Other requirements You must be a US citizen, at least 18 years of age, be of good moral character, and have completed at least three-quarters of the work for a bachelors degree, in addition to having completed work for a JD degree, prior to taking the Vermont bar examination. Non-ABA approved law school graduates There are a few options to fulfilling the legal education requirement necessary to sit for the Vermont bar exam if you did not graduate from an ABA-approved law school: Complete four years of a law office study program under the supervision of a Vermont bar member who is a licensed, practicing lawyer in the state (must still fulfill the pre-legal education requirement if you choose this route) If you graduated from a non-ABA approved or online law school not approved, you must have it approved by the Vermont Supreme Court. You may also have to complete up to two years of law office study before the Court will deem you eligible to take the Vermont bar exam. If you have graduated from a non-ABA approved law school and have already passed the bar exam in another state and been admitted to that states bar and actively practiced law there, you may be granted eligibility to take Vermonts bar exam by the Court Graduates of Foreign Law Schools If you are a graduate of a foreign law school and already admitted to practice law in a foreign jurisdiction, you may be admitted on motion to the Vermont bar (without taking the Vermont bar exam). If you are a graduate of a foreign law school, the Board must find that your education is equivalent to a Vermont law school education. It may ask you to pursue the study of law in Vermont for at least two years before taking the states bar exam, under the supervision of a Vermont lawyer who has at least three years of experience. Preparation Vermont administers the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). Study help for the three parts of this exam can be found at the National Conference of Bar Examiners website. These include the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). More help in preparing for the Vermont bar exam is available through: Exam content Vermonts bar exam consists of the 200 multiple-choice question MBI, the performance and skills-based MPT, and essay questions. Subjects that you may encounter on the Vermont bar exam include: Administrative law Bankruptcy Business organizations Civil procedure Commercial law (includes Uniform Commercial Code) Vermont Constitutional law Federal Constitutional law Contracts Criminal law and procedure Equity Ethics Evidence Family law (includes juvenile law) Practice skills Personal and real property (includes foreclosure) Torts Taxation Trusts and estates Wills and probate Application Process The Vermont Bar exam is given the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier. To begin the application process to take the Vermont bar exam, you must first apply online with the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). This entails completing the NCBE Standard Character and Fitness Electronic Application. Once completed, the Vermont-specific Bar Exam Application will be made available to you by the Vermont Board of Bar Examiners. Deadlines for applications are December 1 for the February bar exam and May 1 for the July bar exam. The application fee is $300, and there is an additional fee of $50 if you want to use your own laptop for the exam. Pass Rates You should receive your Vermont bar exam scores by mail six to eight weeks after taking the exam. The Vermont Board of Bar Examiners posted the following results for past bar exams: July 2018: 70% overall pass rate Feb 2018: 65% July 2017: 62% July 2016: 66% Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) You must also pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) with a scaled score of at least 80. This must be achieved within seven years of passing the Vermont bar exam. Admission Without Examination If you are already a licensed lawyer in another state, you may be admitted to the Vermont bar without taking the bar exam. You must meet one of the following requirements: You are in New Hampshire or Maine, and have you practiced at least three years You are licensed in another jurisdiction, and have practiced for five of the past ten years You have not failed the Vermont bar exam or scored less than 270 on the UBE within five years Complete the Petition for Admission Without Examination. Licensing and Admission to the Bar Once you have passed the bar exam, you will be given instructions on when and where to report for your formal swearing-in ceremony. Here, you will be formally admitted to the Vermont bar. The Vermont Supreme Court sets the date of admission ceremonies. Usually they are held four times yearly, in March, May or June, September, and November or December. Back to Top Step 5 Youve Been Admitted to the Vermont Bar Congratulations on passing the Vermont bar examination! You are now a member of the state bar and licensed to practice law in Vermont! There are requirements you must fulfill during your first year of practice. One of the requirements you must fulfill as a new Vermont lawyer is to complete the mentorship program. You must be mentored for your first year of practice by a judge or an experienced Vermont lawyer. You must also perform certain legal tasks or attend functions during this mentorship period. Additionally, you must complete 15 hours of continuing legal education on Vermont practice and procedure. At least six of these hours must be earned through attending live courses. The Vermont Bar Association is a voluntary organization that you should seriously consider joining. It offers discount continuing legal education programs, networking opportunities, a lawyer referral service, case research services, free publications, advocacy, and more for Vermont lawyers. Existing law firms in the state that may hire new attorneys from time to time include civil trial lawyers Affolter Gannon Law in Essex Junction; workers compensation lawyers Biggam, Fox & Skinner in Burlington; finance and environmental law firm Burak Anderson & Melloni in Burlington; real estate and banking lawyers Kenlan, Schwiebert, Facey & Goss in Rutland; and bankruptcy law firm Obuchowski & Emens-Butler in Bethel. Although Vermont houses no Fortune 500 companies, it is home to some major corporate players who might be in need of legal counsel at some time. These include ice cream giant Ben & Jerrys in Burlington; retail and mail order specialists Orvis in Manchester; Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in Waterbury; retailers Vermont Country Store in Manchester, Weston and Rockingham; and granite company Rock of Ages Corporation in Graniteville. Other opportunities for Vermont lawyers may exist within federal, state and local government. A recent scan of the classifieds revealed positions available for lawyers in agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security in Essex; the Vermont Legislative Council in Montpelier; the State of Vermont in Springfield; and the Vermont Public Service Board in Montpelier. Legal specialty certification Vermont does not offer its own certification program for those who wish to specialize in legal practice areas. However, it does recognize independent certification programs for specialties in Business Bankruptcy, Civil Trial Advocacy, Consumer Bankruptcy, Creditors' Rights, Criminal Law Trial Advocacy, DUI Defense, Elder Law, Estate Planning Law, Family Law Trial Advocacy, Juvenile Law - Child Welfare, Legal Professional Liability, Medical Professional Liability, and Social Security Disability. Contact the Vermont Bar Association at (802) 223-2020 for more information. Requirements for maintaining license In order to maintain your license to practice law in Vermont, you must complete 20 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) every two years. This must include two hours of ethics and two hours of professionalism. Up to 10 hours of this MCLE may be earned through self-study. Consult the Vermont Judiciary for more information on CLE regulations and requirements. Court Systems in Vermont The Vermont Court System consists of the following: Vermont Supreme Court: the highest court in the state, based at 109 State Street in Montpelier. This is the states only appellate court. It hears all appeals, and administers the states court system. County Courts: the following courts are located throughout Vermonts 14 counties: Superior Courts: Each of Vermonts 14 counties has its own Superior Court made up of five different divisions- civil, criminal, environmental, family and probate. The Civil Division, which includes Small Claims Court, has exclusive jurisdiction over most civil cases; reviews lower court decisions and administrative agency decision appeals. The Criminal Division hears almost all criminal cases in the state, and some civil cases. The Family Division hears matters concerning family law. No jury trials occur here. The Environmental Division is a trial court with statewide jurisdiction over appeals from state land use permit decisions, from state environmental permits and other decisions of the Agency of Natural Resources, and from municipal land use zoning and planning decisions. It also hears municipal land use enforcement cases, as well as enforcement actions brought by the Agency of Natural Resources and Natural Resources Board. The Probate Division hears matters of probate, wills, adoptions, guardianship, etc. Vermont Judicial Bureau- This division has statewide jurisdiction over all civil violations. It hears cases all over the state, but the location of its clerks office is White River Junction. Elective membership organizations The following are a few membership and nonprofit organizations for Vermont attorneys, in which you might wish to become active: Back to Top Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday accused the BJP of mixing politics with caste and other issues. New Delhi/Bikaner: With campaigning in Rajasthan and Telangana entering the final lap, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be addressing a series of public rallies in both states. While the Prime Minister will address a rally at Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad on December 3, the Congress president is expected to address rallies in Telanganas Gadwal and Tandur on the same day. Mr Modi had earlier addressed rallies at Nizamabad and Mahbubnagar on November 27. Similarly in Rajasthan where the BJP is facing a tough fight from the Congress to retain power, the Prime Minister will address public meeting at Jodhpur on December 3 and in Hanumangarh, Sikar and Jaipur on December 4. The Congress president will also be in the state on December 4, when he will address public meetings at Malakhera in Alwar district, Surajgarh in Jhunjhunu district and Salumber in Udaipur district. Polling for the the 200-seat Rajasthan Assembly and 119 member Assembly in Telangana is scheduled on December 7 and counting for these two states, along with Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram, where polling is over, will be on December 11. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday accused the BJP of mixing politics with caste and other issues. There is huge resentment among people against chief minister Vasundhara Raje. Asking about mother and father of anyone can be an issue of criticism, but it cannot be an issue of doing politics, Mr Gehlot told reporters in Bikaner. BJP is not doing politics based on issues. It has mixed other issues, incl-uding castes, he said. Targeting Mr Modi, the senior Congress leader alleged that he was the first Prime Minister who is not doing politics on the issues maintaining the dignity of his post. He should do politics on national and international issues, the former CM said. Asserting that elections are like festivals and should be celebrated with brotherhood and good feeling. Mr Gehlot said that the Congress president has also said that the party doesnt have a fight with anyone, but it is a fight of ideology, policies and programmes. They talk about Rahul Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, but Prime Minister Modi and Vasundhara will have to take 100 births to become Nehru, he said. - The death of former US president, George H.W. Bush, has left citizens of the country grieving - On his part, President Donald Trump, sent his condolence message to the bereft Bush family - Trump saluted the late icon for his firm commitment to his family and country throughout his life in and out of office As the entire United States (US) mourns the passing away of its former leader, George Herbert Walker Bush, President Donald Trump has sent a warm and powerful message in honour of the late national and international icon. Trump said that Bush, during his lifetime inspired all around him through his wit, originality, and enviable patriotism, adding that for Bush, raising the stakes to achieve perfection was always a watchword. According to Trump, the late ex-president always aimed at being a source of light to radiate hope and equal opportunity for all citizens of the country. Read tweet below: Meanwhile, Legit.ng listed not less than 10 interesting and eye-opening facts about Bush. There are some stunning truths about the life and times of the famous, former US leader, who died on Friday, November 30, in Houston. The first fact to know is that he was born into a wealthy and politically vibrant family on June 12, 1924 in Massachusetts. He was the son of Dorothy Walker Bush and Prescott Sheldon Bush, an ex-senator of the US from Connecticut. In an earlier post, Legit.ng reported that Bush had passed away. His spokesman, Jim McGrath, revealed that he died late Friday, November 30, at the age 94 in Houston. He served two terms as Ronald Reagan's vice president before he was elected the 41st US president in 1988, defeating Democrat Michael Dukakis. The president's health had been in decline in recent months His death comes after his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush, died on April 17 at age 92. Bush is survived by his sons George W. Bush, former president; Jeb, the former Florida governor and 2016 presidential candidate; Neil and Marvin; daughter Dorothy; and 17 grandchildren. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng to serve its readers better. How Trump's strange covfefe tweet, Biafra @50 celebrations lit up the social media | 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 A video of a woman causing a scene at a bank in Oba-akran, Ikeja area of Lagos state has gone viral on social media. The woman had barricaded the entrance to the bank after she was defrauded by fraudsters. The woman was spotted at the entrance of the bank to prevent entry or exit in the banking hall. It was gathered that the woman had been protesting the bank's delay in investigating her case. According to reports, the woman had fallen victim to a scam by some fraudsters who wiped her account. They had reportedly wiped her account after she fell for a fake BVN message sent to her by the fraudsters on Thursday, November 29. READ ALSO: Robbers angered by victims' absence from home leave a note behind (photo) The viral video shared showed the woman was heard saying she had reported the incident to bank since her account got wiped but she felt the bank delayed the investigation of the cas. In a move to prompt swift action, the woman used a chair to block the door of the bank, insisting that nobody would go in or our until her money is returned. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app She was later made to understand that the incident was not the bank's fault and that the investigation would continue. PAY ATTENTION: Get your daily relationship tips and advice on Africa Love Aid group Watch video below: Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that a laptop thief had stirred up a conversation on social media after sending an apology to his victim. The thief claimed he could help out the victim by sending back important files. 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 - on Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - The Nigerian Army has said that it is yet to access the $1bn approved to fight insurgency and security challenges in the country - According to Brigadier General Sani Usman, the Nigerian Army spokesperson, the money is still being processed - However, Usman said that the force is judiciously using what it has been able to procure since 2016 The Nigerian Army has said that it is yet to get the $1 billion approved to tackle terrorism and other security issues in the country. The National Economic Council (NEC) in 2017 approved the request of the Muhammadu Buhari-led government to withdraw $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the fight against insurgency, NTA reports. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Speaking to newsmen recently, the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Brigadier General Sani Usman, revealed that the money is still being processed. He said: People should understand also that this is a democratic system in which procurement and of course funding of defense related issues takes such a long time. Take for instance the issue of the $1 billion approved recently by Mr. President, up till now the process is ongoing. The ministry of defense is still pursuing the matter to the point that when it is done, the armed forces will definitely get more equipment, more arms and ammunition. However, Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant, media and publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, had said that the presidents approval was not final as a draft bill would be sent to the National Assembly (NASS) for consideration. Usman, pointed out that what the armed forces have and what have been procured since 2016 is being used judiciously. He said: To the best of our abilities, all the necessary equipment, ammunition and arms are being given. He regretted the recent killings of soldiers, adding that legal action would be taken on those giving fake figures about the death toll. So sad and unfortunate that our troops came under enemy attack on the 18th of last month and we suffered causality as we mentioned. Sadly, we lost 23 gallant officers and men and of course some of them sustained injuries. In respect of the effort, we are trying as much as possible to make sure that first and foremost we give timely and accurate information on all our activities and operations bearing national security concern. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! And then secondly, we have gone a north further to identify where those fake news and fabricated stories are coming from, and definitely our legal department is taking step to make sure that all those involved would be taken to court," he said. He further said that Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, and his team have been going round to meet with the troops in several locations. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Nigerian Army said it had 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. 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.ng News - The Nigerian Army chief, Lieutenant-General Tukur, has cried out over the negative effect of fake news on the fight against terrorism - Buratai said that those who are in the business of spreading fake news are jeopardising the nation's security - He further stated that the insurgents depend on false security reports to fuel their propaganda and strike terror in the minds of citizens The chief of Army staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai says fake news not only poses threat to national security but makes the ongoing counter terrorism operation in the north east more difficult. In an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri, Buratai urged Nigerians to be patriotic and wary of false information, as well as condemn those behind it, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda He said: It is inimical to national security; it is inimical to the morale of the troops and by and large, it is one of the demoralising factors making the counter insurgency operation more difficult. Buratai, therefore, urged those spreading fake news on the ongoing operations, including a section of the media to desist from such. He stated that terrorists survive on propaganda to get attention and spread their ideology as well as to create fear and the impression that they were untouchable, invincible or have capacity that they do not possess. Nigerians must be very careful not to fall to their antics by condemning their actions and propaganda, and support the efforts of the military, especially the Nigerian army," he said. According to Buratai, the army, who is on the ground fighting the terrorists, bears the consequences of the fake news. He recalled that after the recent attack on troops of 157 Task Force Battalion at Metele, many casualty figures on the part of the army was bandied. So many figures were bandied around that we are the victim of the unfortunate incident but this is far, far from the figure. The figure so far has been 23, even it is one it is unfortunate, but to go out of the reality, to continue to spread false information is really unfortunate, he said. NAN reports that after the incident, various media reports at different times put the casualty figures at 44, 70, 100 and above until a few days ago when the army confirmed 23 dead and 31 others wounded. Buratai, however, said that the army was working to counter fake news being spread about it and its operations and exercise through its newly established cyber warfare command. He said that was being done through quick responses to enquiry and timely dissemination of information, noting that information through social media platforms spreads like wildfire. So far, we have been responding timely and timely response has been the major function of the Nigerian army cyber warfare command and we will continue to ensure that they respond appropriately, he added. On the one billion dollars approved by the federal government to buy arms for the military, Buratai said that the army has yet to access its share of the fund. You know the process of funding is another major issue. The bureaucracy and so on is another issue. Approvals are given but before you really get the money out is another challenge. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! So, the people are talking or the media have been talking of one billion dollars that has been approved but I tell you up till today the fund that is supposed to come from that amount to the army in particular, is still in the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN. The Ministry of Defence is yet to access the fund, while people says the funds are with the military; no, it is still with the CBN. When the ministry of defence gets the fund, the process is on right now, they will get the right equipment for us as proposed, the army chief said. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Nigerian Army said it had 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. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better. STREET GIST: Is Operation "Crocodile smile II" necessary? | Legit TV Source: Legit - Annkio Briggs said the APC and President \Buhari will lose elections in the south south in 2019 - The Niger Delta activist accused the ruling party of not benefiting the region - She also lashed out at those from the region working for President Buhari Annkio Briggs who is a Niger Delta activist has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will not win in the Niger Delta region claiming the people will vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In an interview with The Sun, the Niger Delta activist noted that the region did not vote for Buhari in 2015 and claimed the same will play out again in 2019. READ ALSO: Tension in PDP over Wike's reported resignation from Atiku campaign Briggs said the situation has gotten worse and that the All Progressives Congress should not expect to win in the south south. She said: In the election that brought Buhari in, the South-South voted overwhelmingly for PDP. So, what has changed? Their situation is worse in 2018 going into 2019 in the areas of the economy, security, political inclusiveness, injustice, human rights abuse and all of that. The situation is worse now than it ever has been in Nigeria. The situation is worse now than in 2015 when Buhari came to power. So, what makes you think that for some reasons people will wake up in 2019 and all of a sudden Buhari will win elections in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states? Buhari is not going to win elections in the Niger Delta. Anybody that counts votes and claims that Buhari has won election here is looking for trouble because its not possible. He can never win elections here. I am not saying that some South-South people are not working for him. There are misguided South-South people that are working for Buhari. But their misguided-ness is not enough to win elections for Buhari here. One or two people will vote for Buhari, but he will not win in the South-South. That is why we are seriously concerned that they are going to foment violence; thats the way they are going. They are going to rig the elections. The election is not going to be free and fair. On the governorship election, I can tell you, for instance, that there is no way Governor Wike will lose any election in River State. You can quote me. It is impossible for Wike to lose elections in River State. Even if my father wakes up from his grave and stands election against Wike next year, he will not win. So, any attempt to claim that Wike lost election in Rivers is an attempt to destabilise the state. Thats why we are cautioning that the elections must be free and fair. People must be allowed to vote for whomever they want. So, we are worried about the violence they want to perpetrate. But we will not accept any result that is contrary to the will of the people. Btiggs said less people will vote for Buhari and the APC in 2019 than they did in 2015. She said: The trend has not changed. All of these things are manipulations and mago-mago. The trend has not changed one little bit and will not change. Rivers people know what they want; they will not vote for the APC governorship candidate and definitely they will not vote for Buhari. Now, when you talk about senators, even if a senator is an APC senator, it would not make Buhari to win an election. People can vote for their candidates in any party they are and then refuse to vote for Buhari, which was what happened in 2015. And Buhari himself said it, that we are the five per cent that didnt vote for him. This time, I can assure you that less people will vote for him. And even if all the three senators from Rivers State are in APC, dont forget that there is carpet crossing and you never know what will happen tomorrow. Secondly, these are Rivers sons and daughters and elections are coming up. It is still the same people that will vote. So, the fact that the three senators from Rivers are now in APC does not mean that they will remain in APC. It does not mean that Rivers people will retain them. And even if they retain them, so what? It does not mean that Buhari will win, because voting for Buhari and voting for a senatorial candidate are two different things. You are voting for a senatorial candidate for a different reason and a presidential also for a different reason. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that Melaye was appointed as the director incharge of civil societies and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and campaign spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! 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 keep evolving to serve our readers better OBJ Endorsement Of Atiku; Sign Of Good Tidings? - Nigeria Street Gist - on Legit TV Source: Legit.ng UPDATE: The Mississippi Press learned Wednesday morning the annual Ocean Springs Christmas tree lighting has been moved from its traditional location at Marshall Park to the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center. No reason for the move was given. OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- The holiday season is already in full swing across Jackson County, with Gautier and Moss Point both hosting events Saturday. Moss Point's annual Christmas by the River festival kicked off the 2018 season. Festival-goers were treated to Breakfast with Santa Saturday morning, a parade through downtown during the afternoon, the popular Christmas boat parade after sunset, followed by a fireworks show. In Gautier, the annual Gautier Rotary Christmas parade rolled Saturday -- although it was moved from its traditional 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. due to area rain that morning -- followed by the City's Lights & Lagniappe by the Bayou festival in the afternoon. The event featured a pet parade, Elf on the Bayou, appearances by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Grinch, a fireworks show and a winter wonderland snow party. New to the Gautier event this year was a "Christmas Light the Night" fireworks show. Those three events are already in the books, but there are still several more to come -- including Ocean Springs' first-ever Christmas parade, set for Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m., through downtown Ocean Springs. Organized by the Ocean Springs Carnival Association, Krewe Unique and the Ocean Springs Elks Lodge, the event will feature 10-15 floats, a number of other units and, of course, an appearance by Santa Claus bringing up the rear of the parade. Parade organizer Heather Eason also said that -- since the annual Ocean Springs High School homecoming parade was cancelled this year due to weather -- the homecoming court will lead the Christmas parade. In addition, a group of local women who went on a "witches ride" during the city's Halloween event -- riding decorated bicycles in costume -- will reprise their ride, but with a Christmas theme this time. "We're not entirely sure what to expect, being the first year," Eason said, "but we certainly plan to continue doing it and growing it as the years go on." Most importantly, Eason said, the parade is being billed as an "interactive" parade. All parade participants have been asked to donate a toy of at least a $5 value and all those attending are asked to bring an unwrapped toy, as well. "As the parade rolls along, we'll have elves on foot collecting the toys from the crowd," said Eason, who added all toys collected will be distributed in the community by the Elks, Krewe Unique and the Duchess Club. The parade will follow the traditional downtown route, with one exception. Rather than ending at the Ocean Springs Upper Elementary, it will end at the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center, where Santa will be available for photos and local choirs will join forces to perform carols on the steps of the Mary C. While the Ocean Springs parade is the newest event in the local Christmas lineup, other traditional events are set, as well: Singh highlighted the fact that there has been a significant drop in terrorist attacks in the country ever since the NDA govt came into power. New Delhi: Looking to corner Pakistan on its oft-repeated claim of being a victim of terror, home minister Rajnath Singh suggested that Islamabad can ask India for assistance in case it is not able to deal with terrorism on its own. He also hit out at Islamabad for continuing to sponsor terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Talking to the media in Jaipur on Sunday, the home minister said he wants to ask Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan that if the US could help deal with terror and Taliban in Afghanistan, then Pakistan can very well seek help from India in handling terrorism if it feels it cannot deal with the menace on its own. The home ministers comments seem aimed at exposing Pakistans double-speak on terror as Islamabad, when cornered in global fora on fight against terror, gives the excuse that Pakistan itself is a victim of extremism and terrorism, but it continues to support terror strikes in India. Slamming Pakistan for attempts to raise Kashmir issue, Mr Singh said J&K is not an issue between the two neighbours as the state is an integral part of India. The issue is of terrorism, and Pakistan can discuss it, Mr Singh said. The home minister highlighted the fact that there has been a significant drop in terrorist attacks in the country ever since the NDA government came into power. I do not want to claim that terrorism has stopped, but no major terrorist incident has happened in the country in last four-and-a-half years, Mr Singh said, adding that borders had also become safer since 2014. The home minister also claimed that terrorism was now only limited to Kashmir where also the situation is showing signs of improvement specially in the wake of successful execution of the local body elections. The government, he added, has brought J&K into the political maintstream by initiating the process of local body elections. As far as terrorism is concerned, there is no second thought that it is Pakistan sponsored, Mr Singh said, warning Islamabad to stop supporting terrorists. The home minister claimed that the menace of Naxal violence would be completely eliminated from the country in the coming few years. Naxal-related incidents have dropped by 50-60 per cent ever since the NDA was voted to power, said Mr Singh. The Naxal menace is now confined only to 8-9 district as against 90 districts, he claimed. While accusing the Congress of creating distrust against the armed forces and the government, Mr Singh there was a difference in their words and deeds. He attacked Congress president Rahul Gandhi on his statement that surgical strikes were carried out even during previous UPA regime also, the home minister sought to know why was this kept a secret. They are telling it today. Why was the country not informed earlier? If our Army had shown its valour and strength then should this country not have any knowledge of this matter? Why was the attempt made to keep the valour and strength of the Army hidden? asked Mr Singh. In response to an alleged statement by All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi that Allah will defeat both Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi, Mr Singh said, We cannot fight with god of any religion. We do not want to fight elections like this as we do not believe in politics based on caste or religion. Our politics is based on justice and humanity. While commenting on the issue of Hinduism, the home minister said that the Congress is now raising an issue which it avoided discussing till now. Hinduism should not be connected with any sect, caste and religion. It is a way of living life and it is a human religion, Mr Singh said. - The police command in Kwara has confirmed the death of 19 children who drowned after a boat capsized - The painful incident took place in the evening of Saturday, December 1, in the Edu local government area of the state - However, the police revealed that at least two persons were rescued in the tragedy Not less than 19 children have been reportedly drowned in a boat mishap on Saturday, December 1, in Lafiagi, Edu local government area of Kwara. The boat was conveying the victims across River Niger for a programme at a traditional wedding ceremony in a community in Niger state, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda The boat, conveying about 22 people mostly children, capsized while crossing the river. A source said that while two of the passengers were rescued, the 19 others drowned and died. According to him, all efforts to rescue other passengers proved abortive. As of yesterday evening, four corpses have been recovered from the river. Effort would resume this morning again to ensure that others also are found. Both men of the Nigeria Police and the State Fire Service were there yesterday in the rescue mission. Unfortunately only two of them survived, the source said. Meanwhile, Alhaji Sulyman Aliyu, the secretary of the Lafiagi traditional council, has confirmed the incident. Aliyu told NAN that the number of the victims could not be ascertained yet, noting that there was a conflict in the number. Definitely they are up to 12. The figure is between 12 and that 19 that you said, he said. The secretary also confirmed that four corpses were recovered on Saturday and that efforts to recover others would continue on Sunday, December 2. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! The public relations officer of the Kwara police command, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, also confirmed the incident. He told NAN that the officers of the force and other security agencies had joined the local government council to recover the corpses. He, however, said that the number of the passengers and the victims could not yet be ascertained as the recovery exercise was still ongoing. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the police command in Kwara had said that political thugs and cultists in the state would be cleared from before the 2019 general elections. The commissioner of police, Fafowora Bolaji, told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, that the measure would ensure a peaceful exercise. According to him, officers and men of the command would sweep the streets of Ilorin and environs of political thugs and cultists who are already warming up to be used by some politicians before, during and after the elections. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better. Nigerian Police: The challenges and progress - Benue state Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni - Legit TV Source: Legit.ng There is tension rising among the top hierarchy of the Nigerian military as fears continue to spread of an imminent rebellion among the rank and file. The Punch who spoke to four senior officers, including a Major General, learnt that many of the soldiers, especially those at the war front, had been showing signs of agitation over the inability of the military high command to provide them with weapons and adequate welfare. One of the officers said: I can tell you without mincing words that many of us, officers, are afraid because the soldiers can revolt anytime from now. You will recall that some soldiers of the 21 Brigade in Sambisa Forest last year went on the rampage, revolting against their superiors. Such rebellion only happens when the officers lose the trust of their men. The soldiers have been complaining about lack of weapons and welfare but their demands are being ignored. READ ALSO: Nigerian Army finally opens up on whereabout of $1bn approved to fight insurgency Always remember that whenever there is an attack, if 40 soldiers are killed, only two officers will be affected. This is because the soldiers are the ones at the battlefront. If they feel they are being led to their death, they will rather revolt and save themselves rather than die. As it is, we are fearful of what may happen. We dont want a Bangladeshi Rifle Revolt in Nigeria like it happened in 2009 in Bangladesh where soldiers killed 57 officers. Apart from the lack of weapons, a major general said that the military was losing the anti-insurgency war due to two principal reasons strategy and lack of synergy among the service chiefs. The source alleged that there was disunity among the service chiefs which was beginning to affect the fight against terror. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. (Abayomi) Olonishakin, has no control over the service chiefs. He summons meetings and the service chiefs dont come. The indiscipline has reached a level that the service chiefs now bypass the CDS and the Minister of Defence and write letters directly to the President. The service chiefs even attended Mr Presidents campaign launch recently. This is not the military I (have) spent 33 years serving. You dont break the chain of command, he added. The senior military officer said the service chiefs had become lords unto themselves and were not open to alternative views. He added: On several occasions during our security meetings, if you bring up an alternative view, you become an easy target for those in power. These service chiefs have stayed for too long and are now bereft of new ideas. From the order we were given, Boko Haram is not supposed to occupy an inch of Nigerias territory. The strategy they decided to use was to spread our men thinly across the border so that we can boast that no territory is under Boko Haram. What we should have done is to allow Boko Haram have a particular territory which we can identify and then we would unite our men on one front and form a wall. We would then attack the insurgents head on. Our men are just being killed because they are thinly spread. PAY ATTENTION: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Legit.ng previously reported that President Muhammadu Buhari visited wounded soldiers in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital. The president visited the soldiers on Wednesday, November 28, after attending the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference where he declared the event open. President Buhari disclosed this via his official Twitter handle, @MBuhari: "Today in Maiduguri I visited our wounded troops. Across the northeast we have officers and men fighting bravely and tirelessly to keep our country safe from terrorism and violence. I salute their sacrifice on our behalf. And may the souls of the fallen rest in peace," he tweeted. 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 There was tension in Agbarho Kingdom in Ughelli north local government area of Delta state on Sunday, December 2, as youths of the popular town reportedly laid siege to the palace of the traditional ruler, King Samson Oghugunwa. Vanguard reports that the monarch fled for his life before the youths gained entrance into the compound following a running battle between the traditional ruler and his subjects over his leadership. The report added that the incident was confirmed by the commissioner of police in charge of Delta state commissioner Muhammad Mustafa. He, however, said the monarch was safe. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda The commissioner said men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) are in the town to restore peace. The monarch had earlier reportedly suspended the president general of the town over revenue derived from land sales and this act had caused frequent clashes before the invasion. The former commissioner of police in the Delta state, Zanna Ibrahim, had warned: The situation may snowball into a very bigger crisis and bloodletting in the kingdom if not nipped in the bud as early as practicable. Intelligence revealed a looming crisis in Agbarho community as a result of struggle for land and its proceeds between the King of Agbarho, who claimed that he, as the traditional ruler of the kingdom, is the feudal lord with the sole rights of administering the kingdom, including the sales of land. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news updates The president-general of the town union, Chief Gbenedion, who is supported by General Obada (retd), on the other hand is claiming that he and his executive members have the rights to sell the land of Agbarho, pay salaries of chiefs, that of the king and maintain the palace. Meanwhile, Legit.ng has reported that the Nigeria Police Force recently denied reports that a new jihadist movement has surfaced in Sokoto state in the northwestern part of the country. The Sokoto police command on Saturday, December 1, dispelled what it called a rumour of influx of extremists into the state Making the clarification was spokesperson of the Command DSP Cordelia Nwawe while addressing newsmen on Saturday in Sokoto. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. I became a Scavenger after losing my job | Legit TV Source: Legit Three New York men are facing various drug charges after police found marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription drugs in their car during a traffic stop along Interstate 78. Leonard Castro, 24, of Elmhurst, NY; Aramis Ryan Chalen of Woodside, NY; and Victory Hugo Chalen-Castro, 29, of Woodside, N.Y., were arrested on drug charges. Pennsylvania State Police in Fogelsville stopped a vehicle shortly after 2:30 a.m. Nov. 24 at mile marker 57.3 along I-78 in Allentown. A trooper searched the vehicle, seizing 230 grams of marijuana; four grams of cocaine; one gram of methamphetamine; 187 pills of Xanax, a prescription drug used to treat anxiety and panic disorders; and 10 packages of marijuana edibles, as well as drug paraphernalia. The trooper had probable cause to search the vehicle, police said. All three men were arrested. Chalen-Castro is charged with possession with intent to distribute drugs; Castro and Chalen each were charged with drug possession. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. UPDATE: Man charged with attempted homicide in shooting after argument, police say INITIAL POST: Four people have been taken into custody following a shooting Saturday afternoon at a Monroe County home, which also led to a police pursuit. The altercation began around 2:30 p.m. in the area of Hill Street in East Stroudsburg, said Stroud Area Regional police. Officers responded to a reported shooting and were told two drivers in BMWs were seen leaving the area just after shots rang out. Police attempted to stop one of the vehicles, but the driver continued on, eventually crashing on Annlomink Street. The driver and passenger of that BMW were taken into custody, police said. Officers then found the second BMW and attempted to stop that vehicle, but the vehicle kept going until it, too, crashed. The driver and passenger ran from the scene. One person was located and taken into custody, while the other suspect, who police said they have an identity of, remains at large, police said. The person responsible for firing the weapon also was arrested, according to police. Its not clear where that person was taken into custody. Stroud Area Regional police are calling the incident an active investigation with all four in custody expected to face charges. Police also said additional suspects are facing arrest. At this time there is no reason for the SARPD to believe that the public is in any danger as a result of this incident, police stated in a news release. The Pocono Record is reporting neighbors witnessed two men running through their Normal Street yards shortly after shots were heard. Police activity blocked off the intersection of Gwendolyn and Normal Streets in East Stroudsburg from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. and police were visibly armed as they made their way to and from the scene, according to the report. Its unclear if anyone was hurt in the shooting, however, the Pocono Record is reporting neighbors saw a man, who they described as a familiar face in the neighborhood, at 3:14 p.m. being handcuffed and loaded into an ambulance on a stretcher. An emergency text alert was sent to East Stroudsburg University students at 3:47 p.m. alerting them that a fourth suspect had not yet been apprehended and that he was armed, according to the Pocono Record. The report also stated East Stroudsburg University shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday sent out an email to students advising three of four suspects were in custody but the fourth was not yet in custody. The email described the suspect as a light skinned, black male wearing a white shirt and black or dark pants, last seen running into the woods heading towards E. Brown Street." The universitys Facebook page and Twitter accounts Sunday did not have any information about the incident. This is the second time in about a year gunshots have disrupted that neighborhood. In December 2017, Richard LaBar, 58, a driver for Dominos Pizza, was shot in the 400 block of Normal Street on the east side of East Stroudsburg Universitys campus as he delivered a pizza. The Monroe County District Attorneys Office had said LaBars delivery was a set up for a robbery. The address is used by the university to house Army recruits, but it was empty at the time. Charged in the death was 17-year-old Israel Berrios and his 30-year-old girlfriend Carolina Carmona, as well as her brother Salvador Roberts Jr., 21, all of East Stroudsburg. Prosecutors said investigators found the shotgun in the master bedroom at Berrios and Carmonas address, as well as ammunition, a pair of sneakers with treads that matched footprints in the snow at the crime scene, and a pair of womens sneakers with what appeared to be pizza residue on them. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Some parents say the Shawnee Elementary School principal imposes a militant-style seating arrangement in the cafeteria at lunch. But as long as Josephine Galloway remains the principal, the seating arrangement remains her call, according to the Easton Area School District superintendent. The school board agreed, refusing to overrule Galloways decision to keep children on just one side of each lunchroom table. Forks Township parent Joanne Kostas-Papric brought up the seating arrangement at the most recent Easton Area School Board meeting. The meeting was recorded on YouTube. You can watch it here. She said Galloway has students sit on one side of each lunchroom table so that every student is facing the same direction. That makes it easier for lunchroom monitors to observe behavior and see whether anyone is choking on food. But the arrangement makes it tough for kids to talk to their peers. No one is facing each child across the table and theyre not allowed to turn around to talk to kids behind them, Kostas-Papric said. Children at Shawnee Elementary are being robbed of their opportunity to develop their social skills at a time when its most crucial, said Kostas-Papric on the meeting video. She said she was appalled at what she saw when she visited the lunchroom. She said she collected 700 signatures from residents who agree with her. Half were collected online and half were collected when she went door to door, she said. Its a militant-style seating arrangement. Its unnecessary, she said. Galloway didnt return a phone call seeking comment. Superintendent John Reinhart said Galloway feels strongly that the one-sided seating arrangement is the safest one. He wont tell her how to arrange the seats at lunch any more than he would tell her how to sit the children during an assembly or how to have them leave the school. I have a building principal who tells me she has reasons for wanting to see that followed, he said. I dont want to overrule her and then find out later on that there was some sort of emergency or some tragic set of circumstances. School board member Billie Weiss called Galloway a phenomenal principal but questioned why she seats children differently than principals at the other Easton Area schools. Tracy Piazza, the director of teaching and learning for grades K-5, said the seating arrangement was once used at three other Easton Area schools but remains in practice just at Shawnee. She said Shawnees lunchroom is unique in that it has one doorway in and one doorway out. She said Galloway watched children eat in other lunchrooms before adopting this seating arrangement. Mrs. Galloway is not taking this lightly, Piazza said. There have been hours and hours of conversations about this. School board member Meg Sayago encouraged the parents to keep working with Galloway to come up with some kind of compromise. Parent Julie Cassidy said more discussion wont matter. She is not budging on the issue at all, Cassidy said. After the meeting, Kostas-Papric said she was frustrated that neither the superintendent nor the school board took action. The administration is not doing what is best and right for our children, she said. It all seemed like they were tip-toeing around the issue and thats not what I want or expect when I vote to elect these individuals, Cassidy said after the meeting. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. When employees handling mail in Pennsylvania state prisons began getting sick last summer, officials traced the problem to drug smuggling. Pages of letters, books and greeting cards had been soaked with contraband, particularly synthetic marijuana. It was clear something had to be done. Inmate mail was soon being scanned by a company in Florida, then transmitted to printers in prisons, then copied there. Yet that created a secondary set of problems. The company has had some trouble keeping up with the flow, and theres a cost to taxpayers from $4 million to $15 million a year, depending on whose estimate you use. Still, the paramount concern is the health of prison staffers. The rerouting system succeeded in reducing the flow of drugs, according John Wetzel, secretary of the state Department of Corrections. The number of mysterious illnesses dropped. Drug overdoses among prisoners fell. The incidence of visitors caught with drugs went up. In that sense, the program was working. The copying program depersonalizes things such as photos, kids drawings, handwritten notes and birthday cards connections to home and family important to those on the inside. Sometimes those items were illegible. Sometimes they never showed up. Initially, in September, prison officials also ended book donation programs and the shipping of mail-order books and publications to inmates. That prohibition was relaxed after a public outcry. Some delay in mail delivery is a justified trade-off but it shouldnt interfere with inmates constitutional rights, limited as those are during incarceration. The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania has sued over the handling of legal mail, saying the new rules interfere with privileged communications between inmates and their lawyers. In some cases, mail delays caused court dates to be missed, according to relatives of inmates who complained to Wetzel. Correspondence between lawyers and inmates is held to a higher standard of confidentiality than ordinary mail. Prisoners have a right to communicate with legal counsel without having to worry that someone is reading their mail or eavesdropping. Under the new security measures, prison employees open correspondence from lawyers in the presence of an inmate and inspect it for contraband. But instead of getting the letter, inmates get a photocopy; the prison retains the original for 45 days. The ACLU says theres no evidence that legal mail is being used for smuggling. The more important point, though, is that institutional copying of a legal document compromises confidentiality. Some defense attorneys say legal papers have been left out where they can be read by unauthorized persons, or been discarded. Some worry that documents could be diverted to those with an opposing interest in a criminal case perhaps the prison itself or staffers. The security of prisons is the primary issue. No ones arguing that. The Founding Fathers saw fit to extend specific rights to those accused by the state. Part of that is an expectation of fairness and legal representation in the criminal justice system. That shouldnt be a matter of contention, either. Beyond the issue of legal mail: Reading, writing and staying connected to family and friends is fundamental to helping prisoners serve their time. If education, rehabilitation and job training are to be more than buzzwords in the corrections process, connections to the outside world and reading materials must be respected. Wetzel has been a leader in the corrections community in recognizing this. Theres more officials can do. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is installing the types of body scanners used in airports to combat the flow of contraband. After the ban on delivering books directly to prisoners went into effect, officials came up with alternatives, such as allowing book donation organizations to interact with inmates at a centralized screening center. Family members and others were again allowed to have books shipped from dealers or publishers, going through the processing center. Thats progress. Infringing on the rights of prisoners possibly snooping on the one privileged relationship to which they are entitled is not. A local councillor has vented his frustration over the synchronisation of traffic lights in Newbridge town. At the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting on November 21, Cllr Murty Aspell slammed the SCOOT system, saying it is not working for Newbridge. Cars in Dublin are travelling faster than cars in Newbridge, he said. Cllr Aspell demanded that a member of Kildare County Council investigate the synchronisation of the lights. Independent Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy said people spend a disproportionate amount of time commuting around the town. She said she was concerned at the length of time a traffic management plan will take to roll out for the town, and suggested looking at a temporary solution. People are being deterred from the town because it is taking so long to get into the town, she said. Cllr Morgan McCabe said traffic is backed up to the Curragh roundabout, and a radical solution is needed. A report issued by Kildare County Council said; The National Transport Authority (NTA) has commenced a Newbridge Town Transport Framework which will change the flow and length of journeys in the town. A meeting with the NTA was due to take place on November 21. SEE ALSO: This is where and when you can park for free in Newbridge and Kildare town over Christmas Maura is a Kildare-based author but is originally from Co. Derry. She married a Kildare farmer and moved to Maynooth. Maura grew up in the town of Portstewart, and went to St. Colums primary school first, followed by Dominican College. She is the daughter of Eimear and Paul, and she is the eldest of three children WHAT IS YOUR FIRST KILDARE MEMORY? Im a blow in! I only moved to Kildare in recent years, but my first visit to the county was back in 1996 when my family and I stayed with friends in Naas. It was 2014 when I returned, my then boyfriend bringing me to out to watch his local GAA team, Rathcoffey, play a match, before we headed into that Maynooth nightlife staple, the Roost. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT KILDARE? It has the best of both worlds; gorgeous countryside and forestry where you can escape the chaos of modern life, yet close enough to Dublin that you have the big city option for work or a night out. And of course, it would be remiss of me not to mention my new husband as one of my favourite things about the county, him a proud Kildare man! IDEAL DAY OUT IN KILDARE? Id start the day with a lie in, followed by coffee and a chocolate croissant from LArt du Chocolat on Main Street, Maynooth. Then a run along the canal path out past Carton House. After that, a browse around the Maynooth Bookshop where Id treat myself to a new book before lunch in the Coffee Mill. Out to Donadea then for a walk through the forest and a cuppa in what Im convinced is the worlds most adorable cafe - the Donadea Forest Cafe. Id wrap up the day with dinner in Picaderos followed by a drink in Avenue or ONeills if theres a man with a guitar! CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW BOOK, FALLING FOR A FARMER? The book is about my own experiences as a townie entering into a relationship with a farmer. It started life as a column with the Farmers Journal before I built my own blog around the subject, too. That, in turn, gave rise to a semi-regular slot on RTE Radio Ones Countrywide programme. Id always wanted to write a book and I have a Masters in Writing from NUI Galway, but until 2017, Id never committed myself to making that dream a reality. Its a real life love story that plays out against the backdrop of the farm, or, as Damien OReilly of Countrywide decsribed it, its Dirty Dancing meets Glenroe! Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Trump told reporters trade rules before NAFTA 'work very well.' NAFTA allows any country to formally withdraw with 6 months notice. 'I will be formally terminating NAFTA shortly,' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way home from Argentina. (Photo: File) Aboard Air Force One: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he will give formal notice to the US Congress in the near future to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), giving six months for lawmakers to approve a new trade deal signed on Friday. "I will be formally terminating NAFTA shortly," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way home from Argentina. "Just so you understand, when I do that - if for any reason we're unable to make a deal because of Congress then Congress will have a choice" of the new deal or returning to trade rules from before 1994 when NAFTA took effect, he said. Trump told reporters the trade rules before NAFTA "work very well." NAFTA allows any country to formally withdraw with six months notice. Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto signed a new trade agreement on Friday known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Trump's decision to set in motion a possible end to largely free trade in North America comes amid some scepticism from Democrats about the new trade deal. The US landscape will shift significantly in January when Democrats take control of the House of Representatives, after winning mid-term 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. A 2016 congressional research report said there is a debate over whether a president can withdraw from a trade deal without the consent of Congress, and there is no historical precedent for the unilateral withdrawal from an free trade deal by a president that had been approved by Congress. The issue could ultimately be decided by the US courts. The US Chamber of Commerce said last year that exiting NAFTA without a new deal could devastate American agriculture, cost hundreds of thousands of jobs and "be an economic, political and national-security disaster." The leaders of the three countries agreed on a deal in principle to replace NAFTA, which governs more than USD 1.2 trillion of mutual trade, after acrimonious negotiations concluded on September 30. 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. Legislators in Canada and Mexico must still approve the pact. Trump had forced Canada and Mexico to renegotiate the 24-year-old agreement because he said it encouraged US 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 US farmers. A LUCKY player from Limerick is 250,000 richer after winning the top prize on Saturday nights Lotto Plus 2 draw - just on time for Christmas. Confirming details of the winning ticket, the National Lottery has appealed to all players in Limerick to check their tickets. The winning Quick Pick was bought at the Tesco store at the Crescent Shopping Centre In Dooradoyle. The winning numbers were: 7, 9, 15, 41, 42, 45 while the bonus number 29. Congratulations - Its time for a player from Co. #Limerick to celebrate good times after winning 250,000 on #Lotto Plus 2 in tonights draw Players can check their tickets in-app or online at https://t.co/oFh3wn6Vks pic.twitter.com/7DdmxJLSe3 The Irish National Lottery (@NationalLottery) December 1, 2018 We are absolutely delighted for our Limerick player. This is a perfect time of the year to win a great prize. Since we launched our enhanced Lotto with Lotto Plus game in September we have created six new millionaires with eight top prize winners. This includes two Lotto jackpots, four Lotto Plus 1 winners of one million euros each, and now three Lotto Plus 2 winners of 250,000 each, said a spokesperson for the National Lottery. Separately, a Euromillions player in Limerick is celebrating after winning more than 10,000 in Fridays draw. The ticket with five matching numbers was sold at Ryans Centra, William Street on Friday. DETAILS of a Team Ministry approach to deal with the falling number of priests has been confirmed for the Diocese of Limerick. Details of the changes, which will see the establishment of 16 'pastoral units', were unveiled by the Bishop of Limerick, Dr Brendan Leahy, in a pastoral letter which was read out at Masses across the diocese this weekend. Teams of clergy will minister in each unit but existing parish identity will be preserved. The new units will involve a number of parishes operating together, with two or three priests ministering together as a team to the pastoral needs of these parishes. Each of the priests will be a co-Parish Priest and will move around the pastoral Unit, resulting in different priests saying masses in parishes week on week. There will be one pastoral council per pastoral unit made up of members of each of the parishes of the unit. Each parish then will have its own smaller working group. The main goal in establishing pastoral units and team ministry is greater co-operation between parishes. The hope is that there will be a greater critical mass of energy, competencies and lay volunteers at the service of a number of parishes. As the Irish saying puts it, Ni neart go cur le cheile - our strength lies in unity, said Bishop Leahy in the pastoral letter. He added that the establishment of the Team Ministry Units has been necessitated by the considerable decline in the number of priests, the increasing age profile of priests and increasing demands, bureaucratic and otherwise, on priests today. It is clear that on a practical level, something needs to be done, he said. But our new arrangements are not just about responding to the decline in the number of priests. For the past fifty years, the Catholic Church throughout the world recognises we need to work more in a team spirit. It is something Pope Francis underlines when he speaks of 'synodality'. We journey to Godtogether. We need to promote arrangements that encourage greater co-operation and exchange between parishes. For full coverage and analysis, see next weeks Limerick Leader, broadsheet editions. A COUNTY councillor has told Conn Murray, CEO of Limerick City and County Council, to take heed or ignore at your peril. Cllr Gerald Mitchell has sought legal advice as a row over plans for a 2m roundabout rumbles on. Councillors are not being allowed to rescind their original decision to back a four legged roundabout at ORourkes Cross, Bruree in October 2017. We are sending a clear message back that we have our rights and we are not tolerating further bullying tactics, said Cllr Mitchell, at the most recent Cappamore-Kilmallock municipal district meeting. Councillors want a fifth leg from the roundabout in to the petrol station. Following the meeting in October 2017, councillors said a statement was made during the debate that they would have legal implications on safety grounds if they did not support a four-legged roundabout. They invited Mr Murray to a rare special meeting of the municipal district last month. The seven councillors asked Mr Murray to use his executive power to rescind their decision. Mr Murray declined. He said it is a matter of road safety as a fifth leg on a roundabout increases the percentage of accidents by 60%. At last months meeting, Cllr Mitchell read out a motion he had submitted but wasnt allowed on the agenda. At this months meeting he read it out again under any other business as he received legal advice to the contrary. I will move that the members rescind the decision made on October 2017 in relation to a proposed roundabout roundabout at ORourkes Cross, Bruree, on the grounds that the members were given incomplete, inaccurate and inadequate information. The members were not advised of the relevant statutory provisions and guidelines, said Cllr Mitchell, who explained the motion very simply. If I purchased a garment and on the label it stated it was waterproof and I discovered it was not I would return the garment on the basis of misinformation. That is my legal right as a consumer. "A statement was made in October 2017 by a director of service that we had legal implications if we did not support the four arm roundabout. This heavy impact statement changed the course of the meeting. This statement was later found to be inaccurate and we also received insufficient and incomplete information in relation to the relevant provisions of TII guidelines, said Cllr Mitchell. Cllr Mike Donegan said Mr Murray stated that a fifth leg on a roundabout increases the percentage of accidents by 60%. However, Cllr Donegan said this refers to five roads. In the case of ORourkes Cross it will be an entrance and exit to the filling station. Cllr Mitchell said that statistic doesnt stand up as less traffic will be accessing the premises. The business owner is also offering to facilitate buses. In the current plans people have to cross the main road with 18,000 travelling daily, said Cllr Mitchell. He said at the special meeting with Mr Murray, he said the CEO made the statement that we were not engineers. We are not accountants either and yet we were requested to pass budgets as a reserve function. That statement from the CEO undermined the role, function and rights of all councillors and all seven councillors expressed concerns and deep dissatisfaction with the proposed roundabout in relation to road safety, proper planning and user friendliness, said Cllr Mitchell. The Hospital councillor said he sought legal advice from John Power, solicitor. Mr Power said: In these circumstances , the councillors should be given an opportunity to review and reconsider their earlier decision. Cllr Mitchell concluded by saying: I would ask the CEO [Conn Murray] to take heed or ignore at your peril. Meetings administrator, Mark Leahy said the legal advice from their solicitors - Wallace Reidy & Co - is that the motion cannot be put on the agenda. Cllr Donegan said he supported Cllr Mitchells motion to rescind their original decision. It is disappointing we have to come to this. It is about road safety. People crossing that road to get a bus is wrong, said Cllr Donegan. Cathaoirleach, Eddie Ryan said there was a little naivety on their part in October 2017. We had the option of sending it back if we so wished. We were not given that advice. We were told we would be liable if anything happened on a five leg roundabout. I am allowing the motion, said Cllr Ryan. It was seconded by Cllr ODonnell and backed by all the councillors. THREE community projects in County Limerick have been allocated a total of 7.2million which will breathe new life into the areas. The approved projects are Murroe Community Hub which has been allocated 3,816,451, the Great Southern Greenway which has been earmarked to receive 2,724,657, and the Local Hub in Glenbrohane which has been granted 626,369. Limerick TD and Minister Patrick ODonovan welcomed the announcement by his colleague Michael Ring TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development that Limerick is to receive 7.2m for projects in the first tranche of funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). Limerick City and County Council chief executive, Conn Murray said the funding programme aims to breathe new life into Irelands smaller towns and villages and this is something that we are very much focused on in the local authority. These projects will support local communities, employment and tourism, helping these rural areas to remain vibrant and potentially attract more people to live there. Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr James Collins said: The fact that we managed to secure almost 30% of the overall national figure for them speaks volumes about their importance. Senator Maria Byrne welcomed the announcement that the Community Field Project in Murroe received the highest allocation of money under the Fund. I wish to pay tribute to the Community Council in Murroe and compliment them on their foresight and professional manner in which they put together this project, said Senator Byrne. The funding will provide for the construction of a new community building for Murroe-Boher and the surrounding community. The community hall will include sporting facilities, meeting rooms, office space, a community cafe and an enterprise space, Senator Byrne explained. This entire project will be overseen by the 12 member board of Murroe Wood Park, chaired by Richard Walsh in partnership with Ballyhoura Development CLG and Limerick City and County Council. Mr Walsh noted the excellent working relationship between the three partners as crucial to the success of this funding bid and thanked in particular Padraig Casey, CEO Ballyhoura Development and Sean Coughlan, Director of Support Services, Limerick City and County Council. Deputy Tom Neville congratulated all the volunteers who have worked so hard to see these projects come to fruition Glenbrohane Community Hub, he said, involves the innovative conversion of an old public house into a community facility housing a cafe and shops for local crafts and produce. It will also provide a Mens Shed, office and meeting rooms. MANY Limerick farmers got an early Christmas present when they heard the details of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) review. A total of 873 townlands in County Limerick have been added in the scheme formerly known as the Disadvantaged Areas scheme. The change means Limerick farmers will be eligible for an additional 3.5m grants next year. A third of all county farmers are expected to benefit. IFA deputy president and Clarina dairy farmer, Richard Kennedy welcomed the inclusion of an additional 873 Limerick townlands in the ANC scheme for 2019. It represents 40% of the total additional areas included across all 26 counties. It was only right that the Department of Agriculture has included these areas, which were unfairly excluded in the past. The ANC scheme has been a vital support for farmers in Ireland since the 1970s. Its high time that these Limerick townlands were included in the scheme. In real terms what it means that of the 6,000 farmers in Limerick, an additional 2,000 of them will now be eligible to avail of this support, said Mr Kennedy. Deputy Tom Neville said it will greatly benefit farmers across the county. Limerick has been the big winner here with a major increase in the townlands across the county being included. Farmers took heavy cuts in direct support during the recession and schemes such as this will go some way in continuing to help our natural resource, said Deputy Neville. Minster Patrick ODonovan said he welcomed the inclusion of so many townlands in Limerick in the designation of ANC. I've worked very closely with the Minister for Agriculture and the farming organisations over the last number of years and a constant concern has been the area of County Limerick designated by the ANC Scheme. So this increased amount of townlands will I believe be very welcomed by those impacted. From 2019, eligible areas must instead be designated using the following list of bio-physical criteria: low temperature, dryness, excess soil moisture, limited soil drainage, unfavourable texture and stoniness, shallow rooting depth, poor chemical properties and steep slope. Large swatches of east Limerick have been accommodated in the review. Former councillor and ICMSA man, John Egan welcomed the reclassification of large parts of the county. Practically all of my parish of Murroe-Boher is in it, as is Cappamore and Doon. It is very positive news for farmers, said Mr Egan. In the current scheme, over 95,000 farmers across the country receive total payments of 227m - an additional 25m for the 2018 scheme is included in this figure. This figure will increase to 250m in 2019 on foot of Budget 2019. Mr Kennedy said the IFA will be seeking a further increase in the ANC allocation to bring it to 300m per annum. He concluded by saying that the appeals system announced by the Minister will have to give every opportunity for farmers in those areas excluded to make a strong case based on natural handicaps, primarily high rainfall, which impacts on farm income. RAHEEN girl Aine Ryan has received a National Children of Courage Award at the 13th Share a Dream Dream Ball in the Radisson Blu Hotel for her amazing courage and bravery. The annual gala hosted by the Share A Dream Foundation is the only event of its kind in Europe. The Share a Dream Foundation works with thousands of children to help their dreams come true. It was hosted by Limericks own Muireann OConnell of the TV3s Six OClock Show with 2FMs Will Leahy acting as Master of Ceremonies. Eight very special children, who have shown unbelievable courage and determination in the face of illness, were selected from nominations from all over Ireland. All received awards on the night and The following morning they went to the Share a Dream Dreamland Fun Centre for the Magic of Christmas with Santa, Mrs Claus and all the Elves. Shay Kinsella, founder of Share a Dream, said the event was important as the children involved deserve to be recognized for their bravery. Seriously ill and disabled children in Ireland deserve to be recognized and honoured for their absolute courage and determination to get as much quality of life as they can, he said. The National Children of Courage Awards shows these children and their families that they are not forgotten about and there is light at the end of a very dark tunnel, Mr Kinsella added. GOVERNMENT funding announced this week could pave the way for a new pedestrian bridge across the river in Limerick city, councillors have heard. Some 2.7m has been put in place under the urban regeneration fund by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to create a world class waterfront in Limerick city centre. And speaking at this weeks full council meeting, council boss Conn Murray indicated this could see the issue of a new footbridge broached once again. It comes more than two years after initial plans for a bridge, linking Arthurs Quay to King Johns Castle were sharply criticised, with Independent councillor Emmett OBrien describing it as a Ceausescu-style monument, in reference to the former Romanian dictator. Cllr OBrien asked again this week what the status is with this proposal. And Mr Murray said the latest round of funding will enable us to bring forward our vision for the future, and how the riverside is best used. Labour councillor Joe Leddin repeated his call for a feasibility study, suggesting a link going from opposite the Cleeves site, which will be developed under Limerick Twenty Thirty across to Howleys Quay. Meanwhile, six further projects across Limerick will share in 4m from the same funding tranche. Project Opera, which will create up to 3,000 jobs here, is getting 1.8m, while the revitalisation of OConnell Street is to be given 905,000. A social and economic model has also secured a share of 2.7m. A digital virtual reality centre has secured funding-in-principle for 2.7m, while the Living Georgian City rejuvenation project, has also been given 2.7m in principle. This will see old out-of-use Georgian buildings potentially transformed into living spaces and commercial units. The funding will be matched by at least 25% in direct grants from public or private sources, and has been welcomed by local Fine Gael Senators Kieran ODonnell and Maria Byrne. This is very welcome news for us here in Limerick City and facilitates the on-going progressive development and transformation of our city centre as a great place to live and work in. The seven projects funded here form part of the Limerick 2030 strategy for our city centre, said Mr ODonnell, who sees this as just the start of a process whereby we continue to apply and receive funding under further rounds towards the continued development of our vibrant city. Ms Byrne added that it is a significant milestone in Limericks development. This funding will enable these projects to move forward and for the city centre to be transformed as an attractive place for people to live, work and visit. The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund represents an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen the fabric of Limerick & the Mid-West, she added in a statement released this week. TDS and Senators gathered for the Ending Plastic Waste Conference, hosted by Ireland South MEP Sean Kelly, in Limerick this week. Speaking at the South Court Hotel in Raheen, Mr Kelly revealed that less than 30% of approximately 26 million tonnes of single-use plastics were recycled every year. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be here in Limerick today to exchange with members of the public on this important topic, Mr Kelly said. The conference comes following the EU Parliaments ban last month on single-use plastics such as cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, and drinks stirrers that make up 70% of the oceans waste. With the ban expected to be enacted in 2021, Limerick TD Patrick ODonovan described Ireland as a laggard in environmentally-friendly initiatives. This is a conversation that is needed in Limerick especially, in my area you see rubbish along the road and what they would call the witchs knickers caught on shrubs and trees, its disgusting, the Limerick County TD added. Anne-Marie Harrington of the Futureproof Clare environmental campaign against the Shannon LNG project questioned Mr Kelly on his stance on the multi-million euro project. Mr Kelly you have spoken many times in favour of Shannon LNG, where half of the gas from the emissions would travel to the UK, where there it would be used to produce more plastic, she said. We would like to know if are you prepared to withdraw your public support of Shannon LNG? Ms Harrington asked. Mr Kelly responded: Absolutely, until I am convinced there is an alternative that guarantees supply and a guarantee of security to suppliers, but until then, I wont. Every country in the world needs a backup to renewables to supply, the best backup to fossil fuels is not coal, its not oil, as for now, the best backup is gas, Mr Kelly answered. County Limerick TD, Tom Neville, called for accessible educational initiatives on how to recycle efficiently and raise awareness for the harm plastics have on the environment. If we make this too highbrow or focus too much on the academia side of things well lose the people on the ground. We need simple initiatives that everyone can get behind with, Mr Neville suggested. Senator Maria Byrne echoed Mr Nevilles sentiment on introducing environmentally-initiatives. Once upon a time we brought glass bottles back to the shop, and we would get some money back, but then it became cheaper for manufacturers to dispense plastics, Ms Byrne added. Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan criticised Mr Kellys campaign poster, describing the Fine Gael member as an EPP negotiator on the single-use plastics directive. Ms Boylan MEP claimed the poster was factually incorrect, and attributed the role to German MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz, further stating that she was the only Irish MEP negotiating the directive. LIMERICK councillors have approved three foreign trips set to take place in the next few months. Members approved planned visits to Queens County in New York, Hangzhou in China, and the New York City St Patricks Day parade. Each visit will cost in the region of 2,000 per councillor but questions were asked on the costs. Mayor James Collins will lead a small delegation to the Big Apple. Independent councillor John Loftus urged more information on how many are in this delegation. Last year, you spent 28,000 on this trip, and you spend 856 in a restaurant, he argued. Mayor Collins pointed out it was his predecessor who led that particular visit, Cllr Stephen Keary. Council chief executive Conn Murray said there were extra costs due to late flight changes which needed to be made. However, he pointed out foreign direct employment was created off the back of this trip. Visits like this are critically important, he added, pointing out the council is now the lead on economic policy, and highlighting the progress of the Limerick Twenty Thirty plan, which is way ahead of target in terms of job creation. Cllr Vivienne Crowley said: There is a cost to doing business. What is wrong with spending a bit of money to bring jobs here? Fine Gael member Jerome Scanlan said with Brexit on the horizon, it is perhaps more important to link with our nearest neighbours. Cllr Emmett OBrien, Independent, said: I have no problem with junkets, but what I will say is youre spending money generated by the local property tax and tax payers money, so to say flippantly, so what if we need to buy a couple of drinks, I dont feel is on. Fianna Fail councillor Jerry ODea said: I do not think we should spend all our money rebuilding walls and filling potholes we must give ourselves the best chance of getting foreign investment. To this, Cllr John Gilligan retorted, in reference to a complaint he had at last weeks metropolitan meeting: Let me assure you this council has spent nothing rebuilding the walls of Limerick! Properties and tax details of Imran Khans sister Aleema Khan were given to court. Islamabad: Pakistans Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Saturday submitted properties and tax details of Prime Minister Imran Khans sister Aleema Khan in the Supreme Court Lahore registry. During the hearing headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, the FBR official said that Aleema Khan had not taken amnesty on her Dubai flat as it was bought from a bank loan. The apartment was sold after paying off the loan, he added. The top judge directed to make the investigation against Aleema Khan as part of the record and also asked about the status of notice being sent to her. Earlier, deputy attorney general told the court that FBR had summoned 14 people for investigation into the case over which, the top judge asked whether her name was also present in the list. We havent received any information in this regard so far, FBR official said. He said that Aleema had benefited from the tax amnesty scheme due to which, her tax information was kept confidential. You can provide her details in a sealed envelope, Justice Nisar responded. Earlier, SC took notice of Aleema Khans broad property and issued notices to Director General (DG) ?Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) along with other ?parties.? Federal Minister for Finance Asad Umar had also claimed to have traced 4000 illegal properties of ?Pakistanis in Dubai.? He revealed that the authorities have also detected 95000 bank accounts of Pakistanis in 27 different ?countries.? The Webb County District Attorney's Office is preparing to present their case before a grand jury Wednesday to request formal charges against the Border Patrol agent accused of fatally shooting four women and kidnapping another. State law requires that a person who is in jail pending trial of a felony must be released either on a personal bond or by reducing the amount of bail required if the prosecution is not ready for trial within 90 days from the initial arrest. The agent, Juan David Ortiz, 35, has been behind bars since his arrest on Sept. 15, held on a $2.5 million bond. Wednesday will mark his 80th day in jail. READ MORE: Laredo Border Patrol agent charged as 'serial killer,' accused of killing four After a bond reduction hearing for Ortiz held in October, District Attorney Isidro Alaniz said his office planned to formally charge Ortiz by Dec. 5. He said he and his office were preparing the case but still needed to wait for all the evidence to come forward before deciding if it merited the death penalty. "(Right now) we are at felony one," Alaniz said in October. "As we get closer to December, once we have all of the factors, the history of the defendant, the seriousness of the crime, the scheme of all of these things, we need to see if we do in fact meet the elements to go forward on capital murder." It remains unclear if the District Attorney's Office will be seeking the death penalty. Alaniz said Friday through his spokesperson that "the evidence has not been received and that we will be reviewing the evidence with the law enforcement agencies next week." A murder charge is elevated to a capital offense when a homicide occurs under specific circumstances. State law says that among the ways a capital murder charge can be filed is if a person commits multiple murders during different criminal episodes but they are committed in the same style or pattern. Ortiz is accused of killing Melissa Ramirez, 29, on Sept. 3, Claudine Ann Luera, 42, on Sept. 6, and Guiselda Alicia Hernandez, 35, and Nikki Enriquez, 28, both around Sept. 14. All four were killed in roughly the same area near North U.S. 83 and I-35 in the northwest part of Webb County. All four were shot in the head. Erika Pena is the fifth victim who escaped from Ortiz's vehicle and helped law enforcement find him. Alaniz said all the victims were sex workers. "If it's something that I decide that this type of case merits, capital murder or capital life, then we will make that decision, but (the date is) coming pretty quickly," Alaniz said in October. "We keep working with law enforcement, federal, state and local, to get our evidence together and we'll be ready to go Dec. 5." Ortiz was charged with four counts of murder, unlawful restraint and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. If prosecutors do not seek the death penalty, Ortiz could face life in prison without parole if convicted of capital murder. READ MORE: Laredo police asking public's help in locating wanted individuals on variety of charges According to affidavits released by law enforcement, the first victim was Ramirez, a mother of two. Her body was found Sept. 4 in the 300 block of Jefferies Road near the intersection of Texas 255, also known as Camino Colombia Road. An affidavit states that Ortiz said he killed her Sept. 3. The second victim was Luera, a mother of five. She was found barely alive at about 7 a.m. Sept. 6 near mile marker 436 of Texas 255, about a half-mile east of U.S. 83. She died at a hospital later that day. Ortiz told law enforcement that he picked up Pena on Sept. 14, according to the arrest affidavits. When they stopped at a gas station, she began talking about Ramirez, the criminal complaint states. Ortiz told investigators that he pulled out a pistol and pointed it at her. They struggled inside his truck and she ran out, making it to another gas station where she found a Department of Public Safety trooper and asked for help, according to the affidavit. In the five hours between Pena's escape and Ortiz's arrest, he confessed to killing two more victims, the affidavit states. Ortiz picked up Hernandez on San Bernardo Avenue, drove out of the city limits and told her to get out of the car at the Webb County Interchange overpass, at mile marker 20 on I-35, according to the document. He shot her multiple times in the head and left her body there, the affidavit states. Ortiz then picked up Enriquez, a transgender woman, also on San Bernardo Avenue, and again left the city limits, stopping near mile marker 15 on I-35. The affidavit states that he shot Enriquez once in the back of her head and left her body behind the gravel pits at the mile marker. Hernandez's body was found Friday night; the body of Enriquez was found after Ortiz told officers where to look, the affidavit states. Authorities said Ortiz was off-duty when he killed the women but that he may have used his service weapon in the homicides. During a news conference on Sept. 17, Carla L. Provost, U.S. Border Patrol chief, said the killings were committed by just one "rogue individual" in her agency. "I'm here to support my men and women, on whom it obviously has had an extreme impact. I'm sickened and saddened by the events that occurred," she said. In a statement, Andrew Meehan, assistant commissioner for public affairs for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said his agency's Office of Professional Responsibility, the U.S. Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General are fully cooperating with all investigators. "Our sincerest condolences go out to the victims' family and friends. While it is CBP policy to not comment on the details of an ongoing investigation, criminal action by our employees is not, and will not be tolerated," Meehan said. The slayings and arrest of Ortiz rocked the Laredo community this half of the year. The news made national headlines, with reporters from numerous media outlets descending on the Gateway City. One of the first capital murder cases this decade in Webb County occurred in 2012 when Demond Bluntson killed his ex-girlfriend's two children in a hotel room. In 2016, jurors sentenced him to death. That marked the first time in 25 years that a jury in Webb County had sentenced someone to death row. Ortiz is the second Border Patrol agent in Laredo to be arrested on murder charges this year. READ MORE: Woman held key against person's neck, threatened to cut cop's head off, according to LPD On April 9, suspended Border Patrol Agent Ronald Anthony Burgos-Aviles was accused of fatally stabbing his alleged 27-year-old lover, Grizelda Hernandez, and their 20-month-old son, Dominic Alexander Hernandez. He was indicted on two counts of capital murder June 27. He was denied bond and remains at the Webb County Jail until the outcome of his case is decided by a jury. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. A man was fatally shot Saturday in south Laredo, marking the city's 11th recorded homicide of the year, according to police. READ MORE: Death penalty considered for Laredo BP agent accused of killing 4 women No arrests were immediately made in connection with the shooting, which occurred near the intersection of South Ejido Avenue and La Pita Mangana Road. The Laredo Police Department said Saturday afternoon that investigators with the crimes against persons unit had identified a person of interest through numerous witnesses. The identity of the man who was killed has not been released. But authorities said he was believed to be 20 years old. Laredo police said officers responded to a report of shots fired at about 2:30 a.m. in the 4700 block of Sunrise Courts. Responding officers and EMS crews found a man who had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene. READ MORE: Sister of victim in BP double homicide speaks out to spread awareness of domestic violence No further details on the case were immediately available. HOUSTON - When the curtain parted in College Station, Texas, revealing a two-toned blue locomotive standing nearly 16 feet tall and bearing the number 4141 in his honor, former president George H.W. Bush looked around excitedly, his face breaking into a smile. One word left his lips: Wow. Thirteen years later, that same Union Pacific locomotive will escort the 41st president to his final resting place in College Station on Thursday afternoon after funeral ceremonies in Washington and Houston. The train carrying his remains will leave a Union Pacific Railroad facility in Spring, a community north of Houston, and travel the 70 miles to College Station. Bush will be buried there, alongside his late wife and daughter, on the site of his presidential library at Texas A&M University. The locomotive, painted the same blue colors that adorned Air Force One during Bush's presidency, was unveiled by the company in October 2005. At the time, Bush was fascinated by the train's mechanics and asked whether he could take it for a spin, according to Mike Iden, a retired Union Pacific general director of car and locomotive engineering. After some brief training and under the supervision of an engineer, "the former president operated the locomotive for about two miles," Iden said. An Associated Press article at the time said the unveiling stirred memories in Bush of his childhood travels with his family. "We just rode on the railroads all the time, and I've never forgotten it," the AP quoted Bush as saying. During previous centuries, numerous presidents incorporated trains into their funeral proceedings. Abraham Lincoln's body - with that of his son, Willie, who had died three years earlier - was carried by train more than 1,600 miles from Washington to Springfield, Ill. The slain leader's portrait was affixed to the front of the engine for the entirety of the trip. The remains of Ulysses Grant, James Garfield, William McKinley, Warren Harding and Franklin Roosevelt also took their final journeys by rail. The last such cortege, for Dwight Eisenhower in 1969, involved a specially prepared baggage car. The train traveled through seven states - Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri - before reaching its final destination in Kansas. "It's an opportunity for a large swath of the population to pay their final respects to someone who has done so much for our country," Scott Moore, a Union Pacific senior vice president, noted in a news release Saturday about the plans for Bush's funeral week. "Having a train like this pulled by a locomotive specifically about this man is just really unprecedented." The route from Spring to College Station will pass through several towns, including Hufsmith, Pinehurst, Magnolia and Navasota. Hufsmith is barely a dot on the map these days. As the Texas State Historical Association details, "By the 1980s only a cemetery, an abandoned railroad station and scattered dwellings remained." But two miles away, the mayor of Tomball fondly remembers Bush's visit for the city's centennial celebration in 2007. It was the first time a president past or present had been there, according to news reports at the time. "He came out, and we presented him with a key to the city, and he actually kissed me on the cheek," Mayor Gretchen Fagan said. "My mother-in-law said that she got home and there were messages on her voice mail saying, 'Oh my gosh, the president of the United States just kissed your daughter-in-law!' " Bush took pictures with people for over an hour after the event. "It was such a pleasure," Fagan recalled. "The people of Tomball were just so excited." Navasota Mayor Bert Miller says he's not sure whether Bush ever visited the city, but he has memories campaigning for him in 1980. "I remember - with my grandfather - doing some politicking for him back when he was vice president with President (Ronald) Reagan," Miller said Saturday. "I was real young at the time." Navasota is about 20 miles from Bush's presidential library at Texas A&M, where Miller has been "many times." Touring the library is listed as one of the "things to do" on the Visit Navasota website. The former president had been a regular fixture on Texas A&M's campus since his library opened there in 1997. According to its website, he occasionally dropped in on classes at the Bush School of Government and Public Service and was even spotted at the rec center when in good health. By car, the ride from Houston to College Station typically takes 90 minutes, but the announced schedule for Locomotive 4141 will be twice as long. The university said Saturday that the president's casket would be unloaded at a railroad stop near campus. The funeral procession will then travel down George Bush Drive, with a brief arrival ceremony followed by a private interment. The campus will be closed Thursday. At the locomotive's unveiling in 2005, Bush stuck his head out of a window and flashed Texas A&M's familiar "gig 'em" sign: a thumbs up. Anyone with information about these or other crimes can call the appropriate Crimestoppers number. Callers can be anonymous; a reward of as much as $1,000 will be paid for information leading to an arrest. Crimestoppers of Morgan and Scott Counties Submit tips anonymously at tipsubmit.com, by calling 217-243-7300 or by text messaging CRIMES (274637) with payout as the first word of the tip. Crimestoppers is seeking information to assist the Jacksonville Police Department with its investigation of a possible vehicle arson. The Jacksonville Fire Department was called to a vehicle fire at 5:25 a.m. Nov. 25. A 2004 Buick Century, parked unoccupied in the 200 block of East State Street, was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The fire is suspicious in nature. Two Rivers Crime Stoppers Serves Calhoun, Greene and Jersey counties. Submit tips to 1-800-300-2590. A property damage accident occurred Nov. 21 in Hamburg. Someone hit an embankment and caused damage to a persons septic system. There was a theft and property damage Nov. 21 in Kampsville. Someone damaged a flag pole by breaking it off and stole multiple Christmas items. Schuyler County Crimestoppers Call 217-322-3326 Pike County Crimestoppers Call 217-285-1500 Wanted on warrants The following are being sought on arrest warrants, according to the various sheriffs departments. The addresses listed are the last known addresses provided by the warrants and may be outdated. Morgan County Drakkar M. Young, 26, of 1211 S. Main St., Apt. 12, is being sought on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court on charges of driving while license is suspended and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration. He is a black male standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 220 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - President Donald Trump took his first step back in his months-long confrontation with China on Saturday, agreeing to cancel a planned Jan. 1 tariff increase on Chinese products in return for purchases of what the White House called a "very substantial" amount of American farm, energy and industrial goods. The limited bargain, reached with Chinese President Xi Jinping over dinner, will see the U.S. and China restart talks aimed at resolving a trade dispute that is damaging the global economy, worrying some of Trump's Republican allies, and unnerving investors. But the partial accord recalled previous deals that administration officials have disparaged as unenforceable and unproductive. The two leaders struck the agreement during a roughly 2.5-hour dinner on the sidelines of the summit of G-20 leaders, personally tackling several of the greatest irritants in the U.S.-China relationship. Trump and Xi agreed to "immediately" begin talks on Chinese industrial policies, including coercive licensing of U.S. technology, trade secret theft and non-tariff trade barriers. "This was an amazing and productive meeting with unlimited possibilities for both the United States and China," Trump said in a statement issued from Air Force One as he returned to Washington. "It is my great honor to be working with President Xi. Even as Trump appeared to soften his approach to China, he talked tough on a separate trade front. Aboard Air Force One, the president told reporters that he would formally terminate the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement in a political gamble designed to force wavering lawmakers to back his replacement treaty dubbed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. The temporary ceasefire in the U.S.-China trade war left the toughest issues to future bargaining sessions, which will attempt to succeed where earlier efforts failed - and under an ambitious 90-day deadline. If the latest effort encounters the same roadblocks, Trump said he will proceed with his previous plan to raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese products to 25 percent from 10 percent, which was to have taken effect on Jan. 1. The president also has threatened to extend the tariffs to everything that the U.S. imports from China, which would involve an additional $267 billion in goods. There was no mention of that threat in the White House account of Saturday's talks. Some analysts said the talks had made important progress on cooperation on the North Korean nuclear program and restricting illicit Chinese shipments to the U.S. of the addictive opioid fentanyl, but did not represent a breakthrough in commercial diplomacy. "On standard trade issues, this is where we were weeks ago," said Derek Scissors, a China scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and sometimes adviser to the administration. Economist Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics wrote in a note to clients: "We've been here before . . . China will have to offer a little more than the minor concessions that South Korea, Mexico and Canada agreed to reach trade deals with the US." The White House quoted Xi as saying he is "open to approving" Qualcomm's $44 billion takeover of NXP Semiconductors, which the American company had abandoned in July after failing to secure Chinese regulatory approvals. China's refusal to approve the deal upended the global expansion plans of a premier American company and showcased Beijing's ability to make the U.S. feel financial pain in ways other than tariffs. While the Trump-Xi duet riveted most attendees here, the G-20 leaders agreed on a communique that reflected shared ambitions in economic development, finance and trade. The communique was in harmony with "many of the United States' biggest objectives," especially in backing reform of the World Trade Organization, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity. On climate change, however, the United States remained the lone holdout, with 19 other leaders pledging to implement the Paris accord to fight global warming. The United States instead reiterated Trump's decision to withdraw from the accord. G-20 leaders also agreed that the global trading system "is currently falling short of its objectives" and agreed to take stock of proposed overhauls at next year's summit in Japan. But it was the United States and China that dominated the spotlight. Perhaps not since President Richard Nixon met Chinese leader Mao Zedong in 1972 have U.S.-China relations pivoted so closely around individual personalities, Aaron Friedberg, a China specialist at Princeton University, said. "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 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." Trump and Xi met in April 2017 at the president's Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, and in Beijing in November 2017. After negotiations led by their subordinates ran aground, Trump telephoned Xi last month to reopen the dialogue. The trade conflict, which has rattled financial markets and upended global supply chains, began this year when Trump imposed tariffs on $253 billion of imported Chinese steel, industrial products and consumer goods, including handbags, furniture and appliances. Chinese officials, caught off guard by the aggressive U.S. moves, retaliated with import taxes on such American products as soybeans, automobiles and liquefied natural gas. Trump and Xi met amid mounting worries that trade fights are undermining a weakening global economy. Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said Saturday that "trade tensions have begun to have a negative effect" and are increasing the risk that growth will disappoint. --- Video Embed Code Video: President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires on Dec. 1. Trump called the two leaders' relationship 'very special.'(The Washington Post) Embed code: Texans will be able to pay their respects Thursday to President George H.W. Bush, when, after three days of ceremonies, his body will be carried by train from Spring to College Station to be buried. The route, as outlined by Union Pacific Railroad, will pass through Hufsmith, Pinehurst, Magnolia, Todd Mission, Stoneham, Navasota, Millican and Wellborn. Following a funeral service earlier that morning at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, the train is scheduled to depart at 1 p.m. from the Union Pacific Railroad Westfield Auto Facility, which will be closed to the public. SERVICES SET: Official Bush funeral schedule released for week It will take an estimated two hours and 25 minutes for the train to reach College Station, across from Kyle Field. The locomotive, which can travel up to 70 mph, will move slower than usual track speed and will not make any stops along the way. The procession falls in line with a long history of presidential funeral trains that transported the bodies of storied men to their places of burial, sometimes through multiple states, according to Union Pacific. They include Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses Grant, Franklin Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower. STATESMAN REMEMBERED: George H.W. Bush spent a lifetime of public service Bush's body will be transported by Locomotive 4141, painted with sleek lines in blue, gray and white, to evoke Air Force One and, as the railroad puts it, the "forward motion representing progress." Here are some of the intersections with a good view of Bush 41's procession from Spring to College Station: Old Town Spring I-45 near Spring Stuebner Holzwarth near Grand Parkway Mossy Oaks near Sumac Rothwood near Grand Parkway Gosling near Hassler Northcrest near Root Rd Hildebrandt near Root Rd Kuykendahl near Hufsmith Kuykendahl Stuebner Airline near Hufsmith Kuykendahl FM 2978 near E. Hufsmith Stanolind near Hufsmith Kohrville Hwy 249 at W. Rollingwood Hwy 249 at FM 149 FM 1774 at Lone Star FM 1774 at FM 1488 Emily Foxhall covers all things Texas for the Houston Chronicle. Follower her on Twitter or email her at Emily.Foxhall@chron.com. Pearl Harbor? Who is she? More than one veteran of World War II over the past 30 years would make that remark to me in passing as they feared members of younger generations might not fully appreciate all that took place on Dec. 7, 1941, and how it affected our nation and the world. Their words were never lost on me, but then I am the daughter of a man who served in that long-ago war. Now, like the men and women about whom I've written for so many years, I wonder what will happen when there is no one left who lived those events, who watched the Japanese fighter planes bear down on Hawaii that morning 77 years ago and who, like my dad, walked onto a beach in Normandy, France, on June 7, 1944 to find as he put it, "bodies stacked like cord wood," a memory that haunted him until his death in 1991 but about which he rarely spoke. Just this week, our region lost another veteran who had been Pearl Harbor in the days before the Japanese wreaked havoc all those years ago as he died at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke on Wednesday. Each day now, it is estimated our nation loses more than 340 veterans of World War II. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs statistics estimate there are fewer than half a million of the 16 million Americans who served in the war are alive in 2018. By 2024, the number will dip to fewer than 100,000 people, it is estimated. In Massachusetts alone, the number of WWII veterans still alive is currently listed at 12,958, according to the National World War II Museum. And, when you narrow the field down to veterans of Pearl Harbor, the number is few indeed. When all of their voices fall silent, who will be left to remember? Around Western Massachusetts, there will be commemorations in the week ahead to mark the anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, primarily in communities which either lost native sons that day or which have been home to veterans who lived out their days here and worked tirelessly to ensure that "date which will live in infamy" was not forgotten. In Westfield, which last year buried its most well-known veteran of Pearl Harbor, Robert A. Greenleaf, the task of helping plan a Pearl Harbor commemoration fell to its new veterans services director, Julie Barnes. A native of Granville who once served with the Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes is the granddaughter of a World War II veteran and daughter of a Vietnam veteran as well as the wife and sister of past members of the 104th. She knows well the toll of war and the value of military service, but she also worries about the loss of our nation's collective memory of the events of World War II and a general lack of interest among young people today. "When I think of World War II and Pearl Harbor, I always think of my father and grandfather. They were Navy, my dad (Alan Daigneau) in Vietnam and my grandfather (Arthur Daigneau) in World War II with all of his brothers," Barnes says. Indeed, there were five of the seven Daigneau brothers from Agawam who were serving together during World War II when five brothers named Sullivan from Waterloo, Iowa, went down when the cruiser USS Juneau was sunk in the Pacific in November 1942. "After the Sullivan brothers went down, my grandfather and his brothers all got split up," Barnes shares. Barnes, who is in her 40s and happens to have been born on a Veterans Day, is steadfast in her belief that days like Dec. 7, 1941, pivotal moments in American and world history, need to be remembered. "I think it's important, and I think it's being lost in our schools," Barnes says. "Military history is being lost, and I wish it was appreciated a little more." Just three people, other than her and the members of the city's veterans groups involved, showed up this spring for Westfield's Patriots' Day observance, Barnes notes. It saddened her. "So much pressure is being put on teachers these days on preparing children for the standardized tests that they don't seem to have any free time to do other things," says Barnes. "Do kids even know what Pearl Harbor is or was? I personally don't know how to teach that except to get it out there as much as possible." Getting it out there, Barnes believes, involves having commemorative ceremonies like the one planned for Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. at Kane & Wojtkiewicz Park near the Great River Bridges (Navy Chief Machinist's Mate Frank P. Wojtkiewicz, a 33-year-old sailor, was Westfield's first loss of World War II, dying in the sinking of the battleship USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, one of 1,177 lives lost on the vessel. In all, the attack killed close to 2,500 Americans and injured 1,200 more. The event thrust America into the world war after having decimated the heart of the Pacific fleet.) Barnes is also using social media platforms, like Facebook, to share posts which alert the community to events like Friday's but also share some of the history behind the observances. "Young people, especially, need to know things from back then were real. It's not just a date in history," Barnes says. "It's becoming a thing of the past because no one is here to represent it anymore, the patriarchs of these great world wars are no longer with us. It's very sad to me that these days will be forgotten." Robert J. Ragone, commander of Westfield's American Legion Post 454 and head of the city's Veterans Council, is intent on working with Barnes to ensure the legacy of the men and women of America's "Greatest Generation" is not lost to time. "I think it's critical we have observances like Pearl Harbor Day because most of our children today are so young, and I'm not sure (the history of World War II) is being taught as history in our schools. We are losing our World War II veterans at astronomical rates. Soon, we won't have anyone left," Ragone, who is in his 70s, says. "Likewise, we're losing our Korea and Vietnam veterans. It's imperative to be getting the word out to remind people of what the Greatest Generation did for us and to stir the pot to ensure it continues." As she has done with her own children, Barnes encourages parents and young people alike to use the tools they have readily at hand, like the internet, to learn about the Pearl Harbor attack and how it affected the entire world. "Look it up on the internet. Look at the pictures. Pictures can speak greatly to kids," she says. "Parents can explain what happened so children can understand that people gave up their lives for the protection of this country. This could lead to getting children more interested in what happened in the past and may spark a love for history." For Ragone, the message to be delivered this week on Pearl Harbor Day is a simple one and one shared each Veterans Day, each Memorial Day and each Patriots Day: "We remind everyone in the audience that if not for our veterans, this would not be the land of the free and the home of the brave." Cynthia G. Simison is assistant to the publisher and managing editor of The Republican. She may be reached by email to csimison@repub.com. Across from a strip mall on Mozzone Boulevard in Taunton sits Commonwealth Alternative Care, a dispensary that hopes to begin selling recreational marijuana in January. With recreational marijuana sales off to a lucrative start in Massachusetts, new cannabis companies like Boston-based TILT are cashing in. In the first five days of recreational marijuana sales in the state's two shops, in Leicester and Northampton, raked in more $2.2 million. Calling itself the 7-Eleven or UberEats of marijuana, TILT has big goals and a big budget, said Joel Milton. Their first physical location in Massachusetts will be the Taunton facility. "Basically if you have a license we can help build you a store and stock your shelves," said Milton, the founder, and CEO of Baker, one of four companies that joined to create TILT. The company, which will begin to be publicly traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange on Wednesday, has raised $119 million in an equity round of funding, Businesswire reports. The multi-national cannabis company TILT - which hopes to sell recreationally in dispensaries in Brockton and Cambridge as well as Taunton - can offer businesses the marketing, online ordering, supply, and products. Alex Coleman, the CEO of TILT, said he expects to fill 225 jobs at the Taunton facility, which has a dispensary as well as 20,000 marijuana plants, to meet demand. While speaking in the dispensary on Thursday, which opened for medical purchases in July, Coleman said he is optimistic about the future of the store, which has submitted an application for a provisional license with the Cannabis Control Commission. "If you look at the numbers coming out of places like Colorado and California, the transition from medical to recreational, you tend to see a 10 to 15 percent increase in demand when you make it accessible to anybody 21 and older," said Coleman. Not only are bongs, "flowers," oils, hand creams, gummies, and confections available for sale in Taunton, but they are made there too. The facility tries to include locally grown and fair trade ingredients. They offer cannabis mints, chocolates, cake pops, and cookies at the facility. For TILT executives Coleman and Milton, marijuana use is a logical step for states. "We're seeing that cannabis in states where recreational is accessible, we're seeing declining rates of both opioid addiction and alcohol consumption," Coleman said. "And I think that's a very healthy thing for the country at large." Milton compared using the products to drinking a glass of scotch or smelling scented oils. "Is a hit from a vape pen any different than a glass of wine?" Milton mused. The two adults seriously injured when a school bus carrying 23 children and parents crashed in Berkley Saturday night are still being treated at a Rhode Island hospital, Massachusetts State Police said Sunday. Authorities also identified a Rhode Island woman who was involved in a crash on Route 24 south around 9:45 p.m. when the bus went off the road. The driver of the 2014 Subaru Impreza that was involved in the crash and went off the road and into the woods along with the school bus has been identified as 27-year-old Christy Gilpatrick of Warren, Rhode Island, according to State Police. The cause of the bus crash remains under investigation. "It has not yet been determined whether Gilpatrick had a role in causing it," a State Police spokesman said. Troopers at the scene of the crash determined she was under the influence of alcohol. Gilpatrick was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, second offense, negligent driving and a marked lanes violation. Gilpatrick was booked at the State Police Barracks in Middleboro. A clerk ordered bail set at $10,000. She was then taken to the Ashe Street Jail in New Bedford to be held pending her posting bail or being arraigned in court, authorities said. State Police did not have updates on the other people taken to area hospitals after the bus crash. The bus was returning to Tiverton, Rhode Island from the La Salette Shine in North Attleboro when it went off the side of the southbound lane of the highway into woods. The bus remained upright. The Taunton Police and Fire Departments were called to the scene and determined the crash to the be a "mass casualty" incident. "The severity of injuries varied, but injuries were not initially believed to be life-threatening," fire officials said last night. The death of a 5-year-old boy in Lawrence, who was found unresponsive at a family gathering, remains under investigation although authorities believe a prior medical condition may have been a factor in the boy's death. Lawrence Police were called to a Bowdoin Street address around 2:45 a.m. Saturday for a medical call. A 5-year-old Lawrence boy, attending a family gathering at the Bowdoin Street address with several adults and other children, was found unresponsive, according to police. The boy was treated on scene by police and firefighters along with paramedics and EMTs from Lawrence General Hospital. The boy was taken to the hospital where he died. "Based on the initial investigation foul play is not suspected," police said. "A prior medical condition may have been a factor in this tragic event." An autopsy will be conducted to determine a cause of death. A child died Saturday in Cape Cod after being struck by machinery in Harwich, authorities said. The Harwich Fire Department did not release the age or gender of the child, but Cape Wide News is reporting the child is a 7-year-old boy. Around 3:15 p.m. Saturday, a 911 call was received at the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office for a report that a child had been struck by a skid steer at 106 Main Street in North Harwich, according to a fire department news release. Police and fire officials rushed to the scene. "First arriving firefighters and police officers found a child that had been struck by a small skid steer loader and had suffered critical injuries," authorities said. The child was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital. The child later died, fire officials said. The death is under investigation by Harwich Police and Massachusetts State Police. GREAT BARRINGTON -- A 75-year-old woman who was seriously injured after being struck by a car while crossing the street is expected to recover. The woman, who lives in Connecticut, suffered head trauma and chest injuries. She was taken to Berkshire Medical Center, in Pittsfield, by ambulance, Police Chief William Walsh said. Police continue to investigate the crash, which happened at about 7 p.m., Friday, he said. The victim was crossing Stockbridge Road from the Holiday Inn Express heading to Jennifer House Commons when she was struck, Walsh said. The driver remained on the scene and was cooperative with police, he said. Traffic was reduced to one lane while medical emergency personnel and police responded and investigated the crash. Monterey and Stockbridge Police assisted at the scene, he said. SPRINGFIELD -- The City Council will continue discussion of two proposed ordinances on Monday, with one designed to regulate recreational marijuana and the second aimed at reducing the use of plastic bags. The regular council meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Councilor Justin Hurst, chairman of the Committee on Marijuana Regulations, said he hopes the proposed regulations for marijuana, including various guidelines for violations and penalties, will be ready for final approval at Monday's meeting. "I'm happy with the work the subcommittee has done," Hurst said. "Our trip to Denver really provided us with a framework about how to proceed so I'm grateful for that professional development experience." The council had approved a zoning ordinance in September that allows up to 15 retail marijuana stores citywide in business and industrial zones, but is now considering specific rules and regulations. The council gave first step approval to the ordinance in October. It includes requirements for businesses to obtain marijuana operating permits from the city's Department of Health and Human Services. It also creates a series of fines, generally $100 for various violations that can be committed by individuals in the sale and cultivation of marijuana, including: No person shall sell marijuana to a person under the minimum legal sales age of 21. No person shall cultivate or process marijuana plants if the plants are visible from a public place without the use of binoculars or optical aids, subject to a $300 fine. No person shall cultivate or process marijuana plants outside an area that is equipped with a lock or other security device. No person shall process more than one ounce of marijuana or marijuana products within a person's house unless it is secured by a lock. No person shall consume marijuana in a public place or smoke marijuana where smoking tobacco is prohibited. The ordinance also creates guidelines and regulations for marijuana establishments including: Establishments shall file an annual report to the building commissioner and zoning administrator, providing a copy of all current state licenses and "demonstrate continued compliance with the conditions of the special permit." Establishments shall be inspected annually by the building commissioner or his designee to ensure compliance. Establishments must submit detailed security plans to the fire and police departments prior to operation. Establishments must submit completed Criminal Offender Record Information checks to the Law Department for each manager, operator and employee. Regarding the ordinance aimed at reducing plastic bags, the council may consider first step approval on Monday, said Councilor Jesse Lederman, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee. The proposal would ban retail stores from providing customers with single-use, non-degradable plastic bags. If the store provides a checkout bag to customers, the bag must "comply with the requirements of being either a recyclable paper bag, a compostable and marine-degradable plastic bag, or a reusable checkout bag," the ordinance states. Lederman had a prior committee meeting to discuss the ordinance, and has another meeting scheduled Monday at 5 p.m. at City Hall for further discussion. One idea being discussed is to have the ordinance take effect one year after being approved by the council, rather than six months, to allow the public and the stores to prepare for the change, Lederman said. If there is a violation of the ordinance, there is a first-time warning to the store, followed by a $50 fine for a first offense and a $100 fine for subsequent offenses. Springfield police have blocked access to Federal Court, and a member of the department's Tactical Response Team, its version of SWAT, has been deployed to the building at 10 Federal Court. At least one officer wearing body armor, a helmet and armed with a rifle entered the building. Just before 9 p.m. department crime software indicated officers were dispatched to that address for the report of a shooting victim. However, police have not responded to requests for information. This story is developing and additional information will be posted as it becomes available. From "Game of Thrones" to a rustic Christmas, the themes for wreaths on display at CareOne at RedStone become more elaborate every year. "We do this for Toy for Joy, and people love to get involved and have fun with it," explains Niki Dupras, a receptionist at the facility and a wreath maker herself. "I do a simple one ever year." The 96th annual Toy for Joy campaign will benefit from CareOne's annual Wreaths for a Reason fundraiser which is open to the public on Dec. 13. Toy for Joy is a collaborative effort by the Salvation Army, The Republican and MassLive. The goal is to raise $150,000 by Christmas Eve, and it relies on the generous donations of individuals, businesses and organizations to reach it. To date, Toy for Joy has raised close to $9,000 toward the $150,000 goal. "Our donors come from all walks of life, from corporate gifts, like today's generous contribution from Fontaine Brothers, to memorial gifts such as the $50 contribution made by Ray Crowley in memory of his two running buddies, George Ryan and Ed Hanechak," said Cynthia G. Simison, assistant to the publisher and managing editor of The Republican. "Mr. Crowley's steps up year after year to honor his friends, and we are most grateful. Many grandparents give in honor of the grandchildren they hold so dear to ensure kids less fortunate can enjoy the magic of Christmas. No matter the reason, nor the size of the gift, Toy for Joy is grateful to all." CareOne began hosting Wreaths for a Reason five years ago, and it has grown each year. This year, there are more than 40 wreaths on display, all crafted by individuals, groups and businesses in hopes of enticing the public to buy raffle tickets in hopes of winning their favorite and supporting the Toy for Joy cause. This year there are wreaths featuring lottery tickets, movie passes, and even some fine jewelry from Michael Szwed Jewelers in Longmeadow. Gina Ianacone, the director of nursing at CareOne, made three wreaths this year. "She does an amazing job and she loves to do it," Dupras said. On Dec. 13 from 4:30 to 6 p.m., the public can come view the wreaths and purchase raffle tickets to enter to win their favorite wreath. CareOne will donate the proceeds of the raffle to Toy for Joy. Children will 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. 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. For more information about Toy for Joy, call the Salvation Army at 413-733-1518. 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) Both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea could lead to earlier impairment of cardiac function in women, according to a new study. Share on Pinterest A recent study unlocks the health issues linked to snoring. Snoring refers to a sleeping pattern in which a person breathes while emitting a snorting or grunting sound. The National Sleep Foundation suggest that 90 million people in the United States snore. Snoring might become more dangerous as people age, and it can also lead to heart disease. There are different types of sleep apnea, but the most common is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). At least 18 million U.S. adults have sleep apnea. This condition affects breathing patterns while sleeping, causing a person to stop breathing and start again repeatedly. About half of people who snore loudly have OSA. When OSA occurs, the muscles in the throat that are responsible for keeping the airway open actually prevent the flow of air. According to a new study presented recently at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America held in Chicago, IL snoring and OSA may lead to earlier impairment of cardiac function in women than in men. Sleep apnea and heart disease? It is unclear whether or not sleep apnea directly causes heart disease, but some specialists believe that people with sleep apnea are at risk of developing hypertension, or high blood pressure. Many people who have sleep apnea also have co-existing diseases. This is one of the reasons why it is harder to establish a direct link between sleep apnea and heart disease. According to the American Heart Association (AHA) , some people living with sleep apnea and high blood pressure who received treatment for sleep apnea also saw their blood pressure drop. Such findings show a possible link between hypertension and sleep apnea. OSA is also associated with obesity, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Obesity contributes to sleep apnea, and the sleep deprivation that sleep apnea causes can give rise to further obesity, in the long-term. As a person gains more weight, the throat muscles that keep the airway open relax, and sleep apnea becomes more serious. Women who snore may be at greater risk The researchers analyzed data associated with cardiac parameters in relation to diagnosed OSA and self-reported snoring using data from the UK Biobank. The UK Biobank is an international health resource, open to researchers, that aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. The data were of 4,877 participants who had received a cardiac MRI scan. The scientists divided them into three groups: those with OSA, those with self-reported snoring, and those with neither. When the researchers compared the snoring group with the group without sleep disorders, they found a striking difference in the left ventricular mass in women compared with men. Increased left ventricular mass means that the heart needs to work harder to fulfil the bodys needs. These patterns in people who self-reportedly snore may be an indication of undiagnosed OSA. We found that the cardiac parameters in women appear to be more easily affected by the disease and that women who snore or have OSA might be at greater risk for cardiac involvement. Researcher Dr. Adrian Curta Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, the commander of 5th Fleet, was found dead on Saturday in his home in Bahrain, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson has announced. "The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini ministry of the interior are cooperating on the investigation, but at this time no foul play is suspected," Richardson said in a brief video posted on social media on Saturday. Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, 5th Fleet deputy commander, has assumed command, Richardson said. "This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at 5th Fleet, and for the entire Navy," Richardson said. "Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was a good friend to all of us." 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 Adm. John Richardson (@CNORichardson) December 1, 2018 Richardson's entire statement is below: "Team: It's my sad duty to inform you that today the secretary of the Navy and I were told that Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, our commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, commander of U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain, was found deceased in his residence in Bahrain today. "This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at 5th Fleet, and for the entire Navy. Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was a good friend to all of us. "The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini ministry of the interior are cooperating on the investigation, but at this time no foul play is suspected. "Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, the deputy commander of 5th Fleet, has assumed command is maintaining continuity in our responsibilities and posture in the U.S. 5th Fleet. "I ask that you keep the Stearney family in your prayers and respect their privacy as they navigate through these very difficult times. "We will keep you informed as we learn more. Thank you very much." More articles from Task & Purpose: There's a Reason for All That Hazing and Hazing and Chewing and We Shouldn't Ignore It The Military Rabbits of World War I Chick-fil-A Gave This Veteran Free Food for Life China's Sub Force Is Growing More Powerful. This Is What the US Navy Needs to Do to Stay Ahead KABUL, Afghanistan -- A grand jury charged three businessmen from Virginia with scheming to defraud the U.S. government by routing supplies for a multibillion-dollar contract through Iran, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday. The indictment alleges that the three men conspired to shave costs off the construction of two warehouses at Bagram Airfield by shipping steel through Iran, a country currently under sanctions by the U.S. government. All three contractors pleaded not guilty to charges of major fraud, conspiracy, international money laundering and other violations. The three men indicted were Abul Huda Farouki, of McLean, Va., a former CEO of the company Anham FZCO and donor to prominent U.S. politicians such as the Clintons; his younger brother, Mazen Farouki, of Boyce, Va., who headed Anham's Afghanistan affiliate; and businessman Salah Maarouf, of Fairfax, Va., who ran a company that bought services for Anham. Anham bid for an $8 billion contract in 2011 to build warehouses at Bagram Air Field to store food for troops, according to the indictment. The company won the contract with promises to build two warehouses by December 2011. But as the deadline approached, the warehouses were nowhere close to being finished, government prosecutors allege. The first warehouse was just a concrete slab in the ground, and construction on the second warehouse had not even begun. The company had troubles shipping steel to Bagram through Pakistan in late 2011 when Pakistan temporarily shut its borders to U.S. supplies after an American airstrike mistakenly killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. Emails cited in the indictment quoted executives at Anham and its affiliated companies discussing whether they should ship their steel by air. The emails suggest that Mazen told his older brother Huda to ship the steel through Iran. One message read: "Mazen suggested to Huda that we transport through Iran. He is working on this." In early 2012, Anham sent 45 containers of steel along with trucks and ceiling panels to Iran's seaport at Bandar Abbas, and then shipped them overland to Afghanistan, according to U.S. officials. These materials were delayed going through Iran, however. In February 2012, with the steel still in Iran, employees of Anham staged an elaborate ruse at Bagram, according to the indictment. For three days, employees shipped in equipment such as a construction crane and built a row of columns intended to look like the frame of a warehouse. After taking photographs of the site, employees disassembled the temporary construction. An investigation by the Wall Street Journal into the steel shipments prompted a response by the U.S. government, which is seeking a money judgment equal to the money it says it lost. "This company and these defendants entered into a trusted relationship with the U.S. government, which awarded them billions of dollars to provide services to American and Coalition troops in a war zone," said John F. Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, whose office investigated the claims. "The indictment also alleges conspiracy and major fraud. These are serious crimes." A statement online by Anham denied all charges and said the company made "good faith efforts to meet aggressive construction timelines in one of the most difficult environments in the world." Emails in the indictment suggest Anham employees warned others in the company multiple times about the illegality of their actions, with one email telling the defendants that shipping through Iran would endanger the company's relationship with their bank. Another email spoke of the dangers of conspiring to violate Iran sanctions in more explicit terms: "how many times do we need to request to remove the mentioning of a specific country in all emails. STOP that mentioning please IMMEDIATELY." REAGAN NATIONAL DEFENSE FORUM, SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -- Defense Secretary Jim Mattis Saturday said Russia attempted to hack the U.S. midterm elections in November, and does not appear to be backing down its aggression in the Kerch Strait against Ukraine. "Mr. Putin is clearly a slow learner," Mattis said during the forum here Saturday. "He is not recognizing that what he is doing is actually creating the animosity against his people, he's not acting in the best interest of the Russian people," the secretary said during Q&A following his keynote speech. Notably calling President Vladimir Putin out by name, Mattis said that Putin's actions have become a catalyst for NATO countries to "rearm and to strengthen" on a unified and democratic level. "There is no doubt the relationship has worsened," between the U.S. and Russia. "He tried again to muck around in our elections this last month, and we are seeing a continued effort along those lines," Mattis said. Related content: "We are dealing with someone that we simply cannot trust, he said, noting that Russia's "actions speak louder than words." That comment reiterated those he made several days prior that Russia's attack upon and seizure of three Ukrainian ships violated international law. Russia Nov. 25 seized two gunboats and a tugboat form Ukraine as well as dozens of personnel onboard in the Kerch Strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. "What we witnessed this weekend is yet another reckless Russian escalation" of what began with Russia's seizure of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and its ongoing support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, said outgoing U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley in response to the actions. Haley was one of the first members of the Trump administration to condemn the attacks. President Donald Trump said Nov. 27 that he was weighing a decision to cancel a scheduled meeting with President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 Summit in Argentina, given the escalation of hostilities. The White House on Saturday said Trump, however, did have an "informal" conversation with the Russian president. Press secretary Sarah Sanders did not elaborate on what was discussed during the conversation, according to USA Today. During the forum, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Russia will continue to undermine its neighbors, but also the United States in order to project its strength. Now more than ever, its time to send "a clear message" to Putin, Panetta said Saturday. "We have got to be much stronger in drawing lines with Putin," he said, adding he believes Putin isnt a slow learner, but rather a bully. "Frankly, I regret the president didn't meet with Putin" at the G-20 Summit. "I think the opportunity is to sit down and directly confront an adversary," Panetta said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Pakistans future linked to education: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri Addressing the Minhaj Universitys BoG meeting in Lahore, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, who is also the Chairman of BoG, has said that the future of Pakistan and the Muslim world is closely linked with contemporary education and moral and spiritual training based on the Islamic values. He said that real education is the one that reflects religious and national aspirations. Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri congratulated the MUL management on the successful launch of the Schools of Religions and Philosophy and Peace and Counter-Terrorism. He said that the School of Peace and Counter-Terrorism has an important role to play in promoting the agenda of interfaith dialogue. He said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that the youth are taking a lot of interest in this programme which is manifest from the increasing number of admissions every year. Briefing the meeting, Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Deputy Chairman of MUL, said that the professors belonging to different faiths teach courses on their respective religions under the School of Religions and Philosophy. He said that the purpose of the courses under this School is to build theoretical foundation for greater understanding among faiths and promotion of our shared values on which the bedrock of the humanity is built. Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri was briefed about the performance of various faculties and departments including the targets for the academic years ahead. The meeting was also attended by Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Deputy Chairman MUL, Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Dr Muhammad Aslam Ghauri, Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Brig. (r) Iqbal Ahmad Khan, Barrister Amir Hassan, and Col. (r) Muhammad Ahmad. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Former President George H.W. Bush was a "great American leader and public servant," the children of the late President Gerald R. Ford of Grand Rapids said Saturday. Susan Ford Bales and Mike Ford, the daughter and son of the 38th president, issued statements about the passing of Bush and released photos of the long connection between the two presidents. Bush, the 41st president, died late Friday, Nov. 30 at the age of 94. "The passing of President George H. W. Bush saddens me to the core. America has lost an extraordinary embodiment of leadership, integrity, and resolve; I've lost a special friend of mine, as he most certainly was for Dad and Mom," Susan Ford Bales said. "Whenever America called on him to serve his country (which it did time and time again for over seven decades), he answered that call with a patriotic and selfless resolve that will serve as a gleaming point of light for generations to come. Whether serving as a naval aviator flying combat missions in World War II, congressman, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, as Dad's personal representative to China and his CIA director, vice president, or as our 41st president, Americans knew that we could always depend on George H. W. Bush to get the job done, and get the job done right. And that is exactly what he did - without fail - time and time again," she continued. Mike Ford described Bush as "a great American leader and public servant for our nation for over seven decades." "The Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service, awarded to President Bush in 2016, honors the noble character and humane values which President Bush embodied in his long and distinguished career of serving the people of our nation and the world across many years and in multiple leadership positions. "Our father and mother cherished the deep and sacred friendship which they shared with President and Mrs. Bush. Together we celebrate the wonderful life and legacy of President Bush as we keep the Bush family close in our thoughts and prayers," Mike Ford said. LANSING, MI - Michigan Democrats will take over three high-profile statewide offices in January, but proposals in the state legislature threaten to strip them of control that has traditionally come with those posts. Pending legislation in the House would allow the legislature to intervene in court cases to protect any interest of the state - a role typically reserved for the Attorney General. Senate bills would strip the Secretary of State of its traditional role in campaign finance oversight. The Senate passed a bill that would stop public agencies like the Attorney General from requiring disclosures from nonprofits. Bill Ballenger, a former Republican lawmaker and publisher of The Ballenger Report, said there is always a struggle for power between the branches of government. But this type of action during lame duck isn't typical. "You can make an intellectual case, I think, for a lot of the things Republicans are doing," he said. "It's just that it looks pretty clumsy and vindictive and sour grapes for this to be happening at this particular time under these circumstances with the results of the recent election fresh in our minds." Separation of power concerns The role of the executive branch, which includes the Attorney General and Secretary of State, is to enforce laws, said Wayne State University Distinguished Professor of Law Robert Sedler. He pointed to Article 3, Section 2 of the state constitution, which states: "The powers of government are divided into three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. No person exercising powers of one branch shall exercise powers properly belonging to another branch except as expressly provided in this constitution." He sees possible problems with some of the bills the legislature is considering, particularly the one allowing the legislature to intervene in court cases. "That clearly violates separation of powers. It is the responsibility of the executive branch, specifically the Attorney General, to represent the state," Sedler said. The bill's sponsor, state Rep. Rob VerHeulen, R-Walker, could not be reached for comment, but he did speak with Gongwer, the Lansing-based legislative news service that first reported about the bill on Thursday. "I don't view it as partisan, I view it as institutional," VerHeulen told Gongwer. "It is a voice for the Legislature independent of the executive to express its views in a court room." A spokesperson for Attorney General-elect Dana Nessel said Nessel was "deeply concerned" about the bill. It's still pending in a House committee, and would need approval from the House, Senate and Gov. Rick Snyder to become law. SOS powers limited Michigan Secretary of State-elect Jocelyn Benson is an elections expert who wrote a book on the role of secretaries of state in guarding the democratic process, but a new bill in the state senate would take campaign finance responsibility away from her office. A package of Senate bills would strip the Secretary of State of her campaign finance responsibilities, instead running them through a bipartisan board appointed by the governor based off of lists submitted by Republican and Democratic groups. Senate Republican spokeswoman Amber McCann said the legislation was a priority for sponsor Sen. Dave Robertson, R-Grand Blanc. "It's not yet been discussed in caucus... but I think there is some interest among caucus members," McCann said. Secretary of State-elect Joceyln Benson criticized the legislation. "I am disappointed Dave Robertson is sponsoring this type of hyper-partisan legislation that will lead to more gridlock and less enforcement of our already weak campaign finance laws. Extreme partisanship like this just breeds more partisanship and benefits no one but the special interests," Benson said in a statement. "On November 6th the people of Michigan said they want leaders who will come together to solve problems, not create them. It's time for responsible parties on both sides of the aisle to put an end to this type of partisanship and get on with the people's business." Asked about the timing of this bill being introduced right after a Democratic Secretary of State was election, McCann said Robertson "feels the timing is irrelevant." But Brandon Dillon, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, said the idea of the legislature trying to "hamstring" incoming elected officials during lame duck was dangerous. "I think it's a really horrible precedent for democracy and the smooth transition of power," Dillon said. He said it sent a bad message to voters, who recently elected these candidates. "This is just another example of efforts by partisan legislators to rig the rules in a way that voters have rejected," Dillon said. Like all bills, the proposals would need to make it through the legislature and be signed by Gov. Rick Snyder to become law. He's not tipping his hand. "Regarding the many bills that have been introduced and/or are moving during lame duck, Gov. Snyder will carefully review any of those that actually make it to his desk and make a determination then on whether to sign them or not," said Snyder spokesperson Ari Adler in an email. VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI - Police have identified a 35-year-old Middleville man who died Friday, Nov. 30, after being buried in corn silage that broke from a large pile at Hartford area farm. The man has been identified as John Garth Cummings, 35, according to a news release issued by the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office. The accident happened about 6:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 30 at Red Arrow dairy farm in the 66000 block of CR 362. Van Buren County sheriff's investigators said the man was at the farm doing testing and worked as a sub-contractor for a Grand Rapids company. A farm worker found the man unresponsive and buried in corn silage -- finely chopped corn stalks used to feed cattle. Investigators believe he was standing next to a 30-foot high stack of silage when some of it broke away and fell on him. He was taken to a hospital in Watervliet but did not survive. The Michigan Department of Occupational Safety and Health office was called to investigate. CASS COUNTY, MI - Three people were injured and hospitalized Saturday night following a roadside crash involving three separate vehicles, according to the Cass County Sheriff's Office. The injured - a 58-old-woman, 77-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man - were taken to two separate hospitals in Michigan and Indiana, according to a news release issued by the sheriff's office. Deputies responded to the crash at 7:55 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 on Dailey Road near Matthews Street in Cass County's La Grange Township. Investigators wrote that a 58-year-old Elkhart, Indiana woman stopped her PT Cruiser partially in the roadway on Dailey Road due to a mechanical issue, the release reads. A 31-year-old man, also from Elkhart, Indiana, stopped his Jeep Patriot in front of the PT Cruiser to assist her. While they tinkered with the vehicle, a Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 19-year-old Bronson, Michigan man traveling southbound on Dailey Road struck the PT Cruiser. The impact pushed the PT Cruiser into the Jeep Patriot which in turn pushed the Jeep into the 31-year-old Elkhart man. The man did not sustain injuries despite having been struck by his own vehicle, the release reads. The woman driving the PT Cruiser and her passenger, a 77-year-old Dowagiac, Michigan woman, both suffered minor injuries and were taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawka, Indiana. The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado was not injured, but his passenger, a 19-year-old man from Three Rivers, Michigan, was taken to Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital with minor injuries. Dowagiac police and fire, Wayne Township fire, Cassopolis fire, Pokagan Tribal Police, Life Care Ambulance and Pride Care Ambulance assisted deputies on scene. GRAND HAVEN, MI - Grand Haven lit up with holiday cheer on Saturday when the 27th annual Jingle Bell Parade made its way through downtown. The evening parade emphasized holiday lights and jingle bells to ring in the holiday season. Santa and Mrs. Claus were aboard the final float of the parade. Floats and parade participants made their way down Franklin Avenue, North Harbor Drive and Washington Avenue, and then to Central Park on Washington. Following the parade, there was a ceremonial lighting of the community Christmas tree with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will be several more opportunities for children to visit with Santa before Christmas. Here's a few: Muskegon Area District Library Bring your own camera for a photo opp with Santa at all branches of MADL. Here's the schedule: Tuesday, Dec. 4 4:30 p.m.: Muskegon Heights Branch, 2808 Sanford St., Muskegon Wednesday, Dec. 5 6 p.m.: Holton Branch, 8776 Holton-Duck Lake Road, Holton Saturday, Dec. 8 10:30 a.m.: North Muskegon Branch, 1522 Ruddiman Drive, Muskegon Monday, Dec. 10 10:30 a.m.: Muskegon Township Branch, 1765 Ada Ave., Muskegon 6 p.m.: Montague Branch, 8778 Ferry St.,Montague Thursday, Dec. 13 4 p.m.: Dalton Branch, 3175 Fifth St., Twin Lake Saturday, Dec. 15 10:30 a.m.: Ravenna Branch, 12278 Stafford St., Ravenna 2 p.m.: Norton Shores Branch, 705 Seminole Road, Norton Shores Breakfast with Santa in Whitehall Breakfast with Santa includes a free pancake meal from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Whitehall United Methodist Church, 117 S. Division St. in Whitehall. The meal includes pancakes, sausages and visiting with Santa while the Whitehall High School choir sings Christmas carols. The Lakes Mall Santa and his reindeer will be at The Lakes Mall daily from Black Friday, Nov. 23, through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. Children can visit with Santa from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays in front of Bed, Bath & Beyond. Pets are welcome on Sundays. Santa feeds his reindeer from 1-2 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 2-3 p.m. on Sundays. Kris Moose will also be at the mall beginning on Black Friday. The Lakes Mall is at 5600 Harvey St. in Fruitport Township. SAGINAW, MI -- It's the holiday season, which means tamale experts and enthusiast from around the region will be gearing up for the annual Tamale Taste-Off in Saginaw. This year the event features vendors from Saginaw's T & T Concessions, Cruz Kitchen, Wella's Kitchen and La Union Civica Mexicana, as well as Los Jalapenos from Mt. Pleasant, The Whole Enchilada from Bay City and individual tamale vendors from the community. The standard tamale consists of a pork filling mixed with a red or green chile sauce and wrapped in a corn husk filled with masa. Other variations consist of chicken or beef. Attendees will sample each vendor and vote for the best tasting tamales. The Best Tamale and People's Choice awards will be given out this year. Tamales will also be sold by the half or whole dozen. "If you're looking for good tamales for your holiday season, this is the place to buy them," said Union Civica President Angela Blanco. The event is in its 10th year. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, in the gymnasium of Nouvel Catholic Elementary School, 2136 Berberovich, Saginaw Township. Entry fee is $5 which will give attendees the right to judge and taste the tamales. Other vendors present will include Pampered Chef, Avon, Tupperware, One Big Cookie and Chula's Mexican Imports. For vendor information, visit www.saginawunioncivica.com Last year more than 700 people attended, according to organizers. "It's nice to see that this event is growing and that there is even vendors from restaurants outside of Saginaw," Blanco said. "We are displaying a great tradition that originated with the great Aztec and Mayan cultures and want to educate the community on what is a good tamale. We invite the community to have a great tamale experience." LAKE SUPERIOR - Thirty-five people had to be rescued from a large ice floe that was adrift in Lake Superior near Duluth. The U.S. Coast Guard, Minnesota DNR personnel and local firefighters worked together Saturday, using an inflatable rescue vessel to reach the dozens of people stranded in Superior Bay and bring them back to shore. Authorities say the incident began when strong winds caused a large, thick sheet of ice to break off near shore and begin floating into the bay. There were three large groups of people - mostly ice fishermen - on the floe when it drifted into the open water. The floe was about 30 feet from shore when the Coast Guard responded. "The ice rescue team deployed their SKF-ICE, an inflatable ice rescue vessel, to assist the St. Louis Fire Department. The SKF-ICE team transited the open water, reached the ice floe, and rescued all 35 persons without incident," the Coast Guard said. "There was one confirmed person in the water who was rescued by fire department personnel." Geojit Financial Services On the back of forecast of cold weather in the US, natural gas futures in the key NYMEX market shot to its highest levels since 2014 in November. Tracking gains in the overseas market, Indian natural gas futures too surged higher, gaining more than 25 percent. Gas futures have been trading in a tight range since the start of the year as indecisive price actions moderated the overall volatility in the commodity. NYMEX prices were stuck inside the range of $3.66-2.530 mmbtu (million British Thermal Units) since January, while it congested inside Rs 230-162 levels in MCX throughout the period. The US is the top consumer of natural gas and their consumption is seasonal. US producers start to build inventories from spring season to meet the heating demand for winter. These inventories usually start depleting during winter, which starts from November. A strong winter lifts the need for gas. The recent forecast on cold weather in the US drove traders to buy more gas on the expectation of higher winter demand. Changes in weather conditions and stock levels at various hubs usually dominate the price. Earlier, traders were confused to take fresh positions due to higher production and sinking US inventory levels amidst ongoing trade disputes between the US and China. Supply worries too supported the prices. Though stockpiles and production have been on the rise, the recent US stock reports show the weekly inventory levels were below the five-year average. Total stock levels were also falling in comparison with the same period, last year. Demand from China, the third largest consumer of natural gas, buoyed the sentiments as well. Due to environmental issues, the Chinese government is taking measures to switch from coal to natural gas for industrial and residential end users. Currently, the country follows some stringent policies to control air pollution on winter, like closing of large industrial plants and swapping residential heating to natural gas from coal. As per China government mandate, at least 10 percent of natural gas must be used in their energy mix for power generation by 2020. Presently, China is the worlds largest oil and coal importer and is soon expected to become the top importer of gas as well. For the past several years, coal is losing its flavour and natural gas, as well as other renewables, are expanding their market shares. Compares to coal, natural gas is less polluting and increasingly available. Though it is a fossil fuel, the emissions while burning natural gas is much lower, almost half percent when compared with coal. After the shale gas boom in the US and consequent massive investment in LNG plants in the US and Australia, the availability of the commodity has increased. As per the latest report of IEA, World Energy Outlook 2018, the agency forecasts natural gas demand would overtake coal and become the second largest energy source after oil by 2030. The agency expects global gas production would grow further in coming years due to new production methods like hydraulic fracturing and fracking. If the current weather forecasts in the US turn out to be true and the winter climate is more severe than previously expected, prices can surge more. In NYMEX futures, $5 would be an immediate upside obstacle, breaking the same would take prices much higher. On the downside, $2.5 would be the key obstacle. In MCX, prices have upside potential till Rs 360 as long as Rs 240 holds downside. The author is Head of Commodity Research at Geojit Financial Services. : The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Anand Rathi Commodities Crude oil prices came under pressure in the past week as well, falling duw to an oversupply. US crude oil production was 11.7 million barrels a day. Reports suggest Saudi Arabias crude oil production has hit a record high in November. Same is the case with Russia where the production rose to an all-time high of 11.41 million b/d in October. Hence, the global glut weighed on the price of crude oil. Inventories continue to rise, keeping sentiment bearish. WTI crude fell below $50 for the first time in 2018 on fears that OPEC would not act decisively to clear a resurgent surplus in the crude market globally. The Russian president said he was comfortable with oil prices at $60 a barrel. This led to fears that Russia might not join the production cut. However, crude oil recovered after reports suggested Russia had accepted the need to cut production. Base metals, too, were under pressure during the past week. Nickel fell amid signs of surging supply from Indonesia and mounting concerns about Chinese demand for the commodity used in stainless steel. Traders were cautious ahead of the G-20 meeting, where US and Chinese leaders met to discuss trade matters. US president Donald Trump reiterated he was prepared to impose tariffs on a final batch of $267 billion of Chinese imports if he couldnt make a deal with Xi Jinping. However, they agreed to a temporary truce. Also Read: Trump, Xi declare 90-day trade truce, US not to impose 25% tariffs from January 1 The aluminium giant, Norsk Hydro, said it expects global primary-aluminium demand growth to slow next year. This weighed on the metal. Going ahead, crude oil may be extremely volatile as OPEC holds its bi-annual meeting in Vienna. Uncertainty prevails over OPEC's stance regarding the recent collapse in prices of crude oil and the steps OPEC would take to counter the fall. Reports say OPEC might cut production by 1-1.4 million b/d. However, it will be important to see OPECs actual quantum of production cut. Disagreement remains regarding how many countries would join this production cut. Saudi Arabia has made it clear that it wont cut oil output on its own to stabilise markets. Nigeria has signalled that it may not cut production while Libya has sought an exemption (Both countries did not take part in the previous output cut). Besides, geo-political tension has added to the risk. The US stands by Saudi Arabia following the alleged murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents. Hence, there is also apprehension that Saudi Arabia may not go in for a large production cut and risk upsetting Trump. Over time, Trump has asked OPEC not to cut production and further lower crude oil prices. Hence, the forthcoming OPEC meeting would be quite crucial. Overall, crude oil may experience a high degree of volatility in coming sessions. The author is Head - Commodity Research & Advisory at Anand Rathi Commodities. The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. IL&FS Transportation Networks | The company defaulted on the interest on non-convertible debentures due on August 25, 2020. (Image: Reuters) Two of the seven IL&FS employees held hostage in Ethiopia by unpaid local staff have been released on health grounds, a source said. The two had sent an e-mail from captivity to the Indian Embassy on their medical condition, the source said, adding that the embassy helped in securing their release. Harish Bandi, one of the two employees released, was suffering from gastric issues and swelling in one of his fingers while the other, Bhaskar Reddy, was down with severe fever. "A mail was written to the Indian Embassy in Ethiopia, which acted promptly and with the help of local police the two employees were released," the source close to the development said. Both the employees were then taken to a local hospital near the project site with the help of police, and from there to the capital city Addis Ababa, where they are recuperating. The five employees currently in captivity are surviving on boiled rice, sweet potatoes and vegetables they had grown in their camp area, but the stock may not last for long, the source added. The seven Indian workers of a unit of IL&FS have been held hostage since November 25 at three sites in Ethiopia's Oromia and Amhara states by unpaid local staff. IL&FS had defaulted on paying both taxes and local employee pensions for nine months. The local workers have supposedly not been given salaries for October and November by a subsidiary of IL&FS Transportation Networks (ITNL). A possible termination of some road projects being built by Indian and Spanish joint ventures may have triggered local employees to take such an action. The employees were reported to be working on road construction projects for joint ventures between IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd and Spanish firms Elsamex S.A. and Ecoasfalt S.A. An earlier attempt to escape by these seven employees was thwarted by locals, as they thought if these employees leave, they would not get their dues, the source added. Indian employees of ITNL in Ethiopia too have not received salaries from July 2018, the source added. ITNL, through its wholly owned subsidiary Elsamex SA, has been executing road projects across three sites in Ethiopia. In a statement on Saturday, the cash-strapped Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) said the two employees of ITNL were released as a result of collective and sustained engagement with various authorities. The five other employees of ITNL are being held captive in the African nation. Four staffers -- Sukhvinder Singh, Bishnu Nagaraju, Chaitanya Hari and Khurram Imam -- are under house arrest at one of the locations of Nekemte-Bure road project, while another Indian expat Neeraj Raghuwanshi is been held hostage at a different location at the same project site. Apart from the above mentioned, there are eight other Indian employees of ITNL who are in Addis Ababa and their movements have not been restricted, the source said. ITNL's subsidiary has employed close to 800 Ethiopian workers for its three construction sites. In Saturday's statement, IL&FS said it 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 the safe and early return of its employees. ITNL had sought approval on November 16, 2018, through its authorised dealer bank, to remit funds overseas but approvals are awaited, the statement said. ITNL is the largest build-operate-transfer (BOT) road asset owner in the country with approximately 13,100 lane km in its portfolio. It has an international footprint covering Spain, Portugal, and Latin America with the acquisition of Elsamex S.A., a Spain-based highway operations and maintenance and allied services provider company. IL&FS Group and its various subsidiaries, including ITNL, are facing a liquidity crisis and have defaulted on various debt payments. As of October 8, 2018, the total debt of the group stood at Rs 94,215.6 crore. A Jet Airways passenger plane takes off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Struggling to keep it afloat in the wake of a dismal financial performance in the last three quarters, Jet Airways is withdrawing its flight services on as many as seven Gulf routes from this month, a source said. The Naresh Goyal-controlled airline will not operate as many as 39 services per week to Doha, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Dubai from various domestic cities, he said. Once a key market for Jet Airways, the lower demand and high competition have made a good number of routes in the Gulf economically unviable, forcing the airline to withdraw operations from there, the source said. Notably, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways holds 24 percent stake in the domestic full service carrier. "Jet Airways has decided to withdraw its services to Doha from Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram as well as to Abu Dhabi from Lucknow and Mangalore. Besides, the airline will also not operate on Mangalore-Dubai route. All these services are being taken out of operations from December 5," a source told PTI. This apart, the air services on Delhi-Muscat route are also being withdrawn from this month, he said. The airline currently operates one daily service each on Kochi-Doha, Mangalore-Abu Dhabi, Mangalore-Dubai and Lucknow-Abu Dhabi. The Kozhikode-Doha and Delhi-Muscat is four days per week operations while Thiruvanathapuram-Doha services are three times per week. Jet Airways in its response said Gulf operations are being optimised to focus on connectivity at its hubs in Mumbai and Delhi instead of point-to-point connectivity. The airline also said it will be enhancing frequency on Mumbai- Doha, Delhi-Doha as well as Mumbai-Dubai routes. "Jet Airways has undertaken a comprehensive review of its network, whereby it will move capacity from uneconomical routes to more profitable ones, to more closely align the capacity offered with the demand characteristics of specific markets," Jet Airways said in a statement to PTI. "It is important to note that the scale of the airline's operations will remain unaffected," it added. Jet Airways posted a net loss of Rs 1,261 crore during the September quarter. This was the airline's third successive quarterly loss. Amid cash paucity, it has been defaulting on salary payments to 15 per cent of its work force, primarily senior management, pilots and engineers. The airline has been saying for quite some time now it is in "active discussion" with various investors to secure financing to navigate through current headwinds and create long-term growth. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Equity99 We have seen a rally on Nifty and Sensex in all working days of the past week and during November F&O series but midcaps and smallcaps still lag in the market. We believe midcaps and smallcaps will also see a rally after December 11, once results of state elections are announced. We have seen good results across the sectors in the first half of the financial year that proves our country is on a solid growth trajectory. Smallcaps and midcaps are still down 36 percent and 20 percent respectively from their highs. The losses will, however, narrow down in the coming months. There are many important events in the coming week which will drive the market. RBI Monetary policy statement will be announced on December 5 and OPEC will meet on December 6. Exit polls of five state elections will be declared on December 7. For this week, the Nifty has strong support at 10,825-10,745 and resistance at 10,945-11,035. Here is the list of three fundamental picks which could give good returns in medium term: Radico Khaitan Radico Khaitan is one of the largest players in the Indian spirits industry and owns brands like 8PM whisky, Magic Moments vodka, etc. It is presently the market leader in premium vodka category with its brand Magic Moments. The company posted strong numbers for Q2FY19. Its net profit increased by 73 percent to Rs 49.54 crore from Rs 28.60 crore YoY on 28 percent higher sales at Rs 1,906.1 crore. EBITDA grew by 39.5 percent in Q2FY19 and EBITDA margin expanded by around 305bps YoY to 17.7 percent. PAT increased by 79 percent to Rs 96.91 crore and sales grew by 40 percent to Rs 4,021.37 crore in first half of FY19. RKL trades at PE ratio of 33x. We recommend buying in a staggered manner for medium to long term. Ajanta Pharma Ajanta Pharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in development, manufacturing and marketing of quality finished dosages with seven state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in India and Mauritius. APL has maintained CAGR of 15 percent in sales and 19 percent in net profit over the last five years. The company has posted stable numbers for Q2FY19. Net profit stood at Rs 125.39 crore on higher sales of Rs 544.11 crore in Q2. PAT increased by 2 percent to Rs 231 crore and sales grew by 4 percent to Rs 1,055 crore in first half of FY19. APL trades at PE ratio of 22x. We recommend buying in a staggered manner for medium to long term. Torrent Power Torrent Power is one of the leading brands in the Indian power sector having a portfolio of coal-based, gas-based and renewable power plants with an aggregate generation capacity of 3,600 MW. The company distributes power to over 3 million customers annually in its distribution areas of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat and Dahej SEZ (Gujarat), in Bhiwandi (Maharashtra) and in Agra (Uttar Pradesh). The transmission and distribution loss in license areas of the company is amongst the lowest in the country. The company has posted strong numbers for Q2FY19. Net profit increased by 29 percent to Rs 413.52 crore from Rs 321.65 crore YoY on 18 percent higher sales of Rs 3,444.54 crore. EBITDA grew by 18 percent to Rs.987 crore in Q2. PAT increased by 22 percent to Rs 640.84 crore and sales grew by 17 percent to Rs 6,972.67 crore in first half of FY19. TPL trades at PE ratio of 12.2x. We recommend buying in a staggered manner for medium to long term. The author is Founder of Equity99. : The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 1 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 percent of the gross world product, 80 percent of world trade, two-thirds of the world population, and approximately half of the world land area. On June 11, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) released the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2020 listing the top institutes and universities in India. The top three institutes, IIT Madras (first position), IISc Bengaluru (second position) and IIT Delhi (third position), remain the same retaining their position of the last year. Institutes and universities are ranked in different categories as well by NIRF. Here are the top ranked universities in the category of engineering, management and medical. (Image: Moneycontrol) Public and private sector companies such as the Microsoft, Google, Apple and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made job offers to candidates as the placement season in IIT-Madras began on December 1. Apart from these companies, McKinsey, The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Goldman Sachs and Bain & Co. made offers to students at IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad and IIT Roorkee. As many as 85 offers were made by 19 (private) companies during the first phase of the placement season at IIT Madras, 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. (With inputs from PTI) Harsh Vardhan1 The outcome of the upcoming UN climate summit in Poland should be "balanced and inclusive", Union Environment 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 Environment 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. New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi welcomes veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singhs son Manvendra Singh as he joins Congress party, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Oct 17, 2018. (PTI Photo) (PTI10_17_2018_000029B) Calling Manvendra Singh a "turncoat", BJP'S Jhalawar MP Dushyant Singh said on December 2 that the Congress candidate from Jhalrapatan has been "parachuted" to the constituency and the electorate will send him back to where he belongs. Dushyant Singh is spearheading his mother and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's campaign in the Jhalrapatan assembly seat against Manvendra Singh as she has been travelling across the state to lead the BJP's electoral battle in Rajasthan and retain the mandate to rule the state. In an interview to PTI, Dushyant Singh said Raje has worked really hard in the constituency and the development work done by her has been "phenomenal". In the last 30 years, transformational change has taken place in Jhalawar and Baran, Dushyant Singh said. "For her (Raje), the electorate is her family and the family is actually campaigning for her, it is not Mrs Raje," he said. The Jhalawar MP said that in contrast to his mother's development works here, Manvendra Singh has come from 700-800 km away from Jhalawar. "He has been parachuted by the Congress president (Rahul Gandhi). When the Congress president was here a few months back, he had said on stage, in Jhalawar specially, that he will not field any parachute candidates in Rajasthan. "But he has put a paratrooper here. So our family, the electorate, is ensuring that we send him back to where he belongs," the 45-year-old leader said. Manvendra Singh, son of former BJP leader Jaswant Singh, was pitted against Raje just weeks after crossing over from the BJP to the Congress. He had contested and won from the Sheo assembly seat of his family stronghold Barmer in 2013. Asked if the "outsider" tag for Manvendra Singh was a poll issue, Dushyant Singh said: "His (Manvendra Singh's) family has moved from district to district, so it is part of his culture. "Like his father was previously in Chittor, then he moved from there to Jodhpur, from Jodhpur he moved to Darjeeling, then Mr Manvendra Singh was in Barmer, from Barmer he has come to Jhalawar. So it is a perpetual tag of moving," he said. They have not been constantly at one particular place and not been part of developing the place, the BJP leader alleged. In contrast, the chief minister and the entire party cadre in the district and in the Hadoti belt have worked in this area, he asserted. "We should overcome...with flying colours and send Mr Manvendra Singh back to Jasol where he belongs to," he said. On talk of Manvendra Singh's father not having been given his due in the saffron party, Dushyant Singh said he was given respect and a top position in the government. Manvendra Singh is a "turncoat" and an "opportunist", he alleged. Asked if Manvendra Singh would be at an advantage as he was stationed here while Raje was touring outside her constituency as the CM, Dushyant Singh cited the example of Congress candidate Rama Pilot and said she was also stationed here with her son during 2003 polls, but they have never come back. "He (Manvendra Singh) will be stationed here. People will tell him... Results will be out on (December) 11th, and he will also head back to where he belongs to," said the MP from Jhalawar, which comprises eight assembly segments, including Jhalrapatan. On whether Rajput votes could split with both candidates being from the community, Dushyant Singh said: "My grandmother was a Kshatriya, my mother is a Rajput. My mother believes in all communities, unlike her opponent. All 36 communities are voting for the chief minister. Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has decided to give the event a skip. Naidu also declined invitation to Jagan Mohan Reddy's swearing-in ceremony. TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who has been making efforts to put together an anti-BJP front, on December 1 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. Congress President Rahul Gandhi being greeted by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu during election campaign in Khammam, Telangana- Nov 28, 2018 (Image- PTI) Moneycontrol News Congress President Rahul Gandhi told NDTV on November 28 that the aim of Congress' alliance with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is to fight for the voice and spirit of the people of Telangana. Gandhi added that Naidu is not his adversary and that their "chemistry is very good". The Congress has tied up with Naidus TDP, Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) and Communist Party of India (CPI) for the state polls. The two leaders shared dais during a rally in Khammam on November 28 for the first time since announcing the alliance. The rally was attended by their other alliance partners too. Asked about the reason behind formation of the alliance, Gandhi said Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his party Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was imposing their voice and ideology on the people of Telangana and that they wanted to fight the TRS. "Telangana is not the primary ownership of TRS or the chief minister. It belongs to its people. That is actually for what we are fighting for. We are fighting for their voice. KCR is trying to impose the voice and ideology of his organization on the people. We are fighting for their spirit," Gandhi said. "There is threat to this nation from the PM and from the BJP. There is threat to every single institution of this nation. We are defending the institutional structure of this nation and the future of this nation. We are not adversaries, we have a lot in common, we are working together and we are having a very nice time together," Gandhi added. Naidu said: "We are working together. Its a national mission. You all are witness of what was happening for the last four years, and even today. All institution (in the country) is totally demolished. It is the responsibility of all political parties to join together and fight against BJP." Congress and the TDP were long-time rivals before joining hands for the December 7 polls. The TDP, in last state election held simultaneously with Andhra Pradesh, had fought in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). No 1, Rajasthan | Rajasthan qualifies as the most corrupt state from this survey with 78 percent citizens admitting to paying a bribe to get their work done. 22 percent had to pay bribes several times while 56 percent paid bribes just once or twice. 22 percent citizens reported that they did not have a need to pay a bribe. (Image: Reuters, for representational purposes) As the ruling BJP and its main challenger the Congress slug it out for winning power in Rajasthan, several smaller parties are also trying their electoral luck and there are at least 20 such entities with just one candidate each. As many as 2,294 candidates from 88 political parties are contesting polls for 200-member Rajasthan assembly across 33 districts in the state, one of the biggest states in India, where 4.74 crore citizens are enrolled to cast their vote. While polling will take place on December 7 for 199 seats, the voting has been postponed for one seat due to death of a candidate. While the main poll battle is said to be between the BJP and the Congress, there are many smaller parties and independent candidates in the fray with limited budget and resources and for them fighting is equally important. Some want to reach out to the public with an alternative ideology, others are optimistic about a change in the tradition of electing either of the two big national parties. According to the official data, the BJP has fielded the maximum 200 candidates, followed by the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party with 195 and 190 each, respectively. Besides, as many as 840 independent candidates have filed nomination across all districts. There are at least 20 parties with only a single candidate, 15 with only two candidates each, and 34 which have fielded 3-20 nominees, according to the data statistics available with the Chief Electoral Officer, Rajasthan. In northwestern Rajasthan's Alwar district, which has 11 assembly constituencies including three reserved seats, as many as 145 candidates have filed nominations. "Fighting election is important because how else would we reach out to the public with the ideology of our party. If we do not contest, how would people know there is another alternative to the BJP or the Congress which has better policies and solutions to people's problems," Tejpal Saini, the Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate from Alwar (Urban), told PTI. The CPI, the CPI (Marxist), the Janata Dal (Secular), Samajwadi Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) and the Marxist Communist Party of India (United) are putting up a joint fight "to defeat the communal forces" in Rajasthan under the six-party Loktantrik Morcha, CPI state secretary Narendra Acharya said. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has fielded 142 candidates across the state including four seats in Alwar, is hopeful that a change in regime could be possible with their work on public-related issues. "Water, roads, and electricity are the common issues which are connected to the people. Change is a natural process. Earlier there was the Jan Sangh, and the BJP emerged only in 1981. "The AAP is only eight years old and is yet so popular across the country. It governs only Delhi but its works and policies are being talked about in villages and towns across the country," Ajay Kumar Punia, AAP nominee from Alwar (Urban), said. The Nationalist Unionist Zamindar Party (NUZP), fighting with eight candidates from Alwar, Jaipur, Ganganagar and four other districts, believes it is a fight is to prove their existence. "We have to prove our existence. Somebody will have to do it so that the people know there are more options, how else would the people know if not for elections. Rest it is for the people to decide who wins," the party leader Rajesh Singhal told PTI. The BJP says that the relatively smaller parties are fighting for their existence and distribute tickets only to have their names appear on the EVMs and during elections. "There are small regional parties which, no doubt, must be having a sway in their states or regions but I can certainly say for Rajasthan that no regional party or third front has any importance here. The public here wants only national parties and even they won't go to any third party after Congress," BJP's Alwar unit chief Sanjay Singh Narooka said. The Congress also agrees that their main fight is with the BJP. "The independents and candidates of small parties have no 'varchasv' (existence/domination). They can only cut votes of others, which is a normal strategy of some parties.The BJP uses this strategy often like the candidates which can damage votes (of the Congress) they get them fielded as candidates of other smaller parties," Congress' Alwar unit chief Tika Ram Jully claimed. Money is also an issue for smaller parties and independents. The Election Commission has capped the upper limit at Rs 28 lakh on advertisements, banners, vehicles and other campaign-related expenditure. "What happens in this amount? The expenses go beyond the limit. I have to address rallies, gather crowds, arrange for the food and transportation of the public as well as my supporters, do you think this could be done in Rs 28 lakh?" asked a national party rebel who has joined a regional party to fight the election. The CPI's Tejpal Saini agrees that money and muscle power have become a norm but he has only Rs 2 lakh to spend, most of which is his personal savings and rest from the donations collected from the local Left party supporters. NUZP's Ramesh Singhal, who has a jewellery shop in Alwar city, said he believes in door-to-door campaign and estimated that his expenses would be between Rs 3-4 lakh. "I am against pomp and show culture and travelling in cavalcades. I can go around mohallas in my scooty also," he told PTI. Amid loudspeakers blaring poll slogans in this high-profile constituency of Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K Chadrashekar Rao's son KT 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. New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi addresses a press conference at AICC headquarters, in New Delhi, Friday, Nov 02, 2018. (PTI Photo/Kamal Singh)(PTI11_2_2018_000034B) Congress president Rahul Gandhi on December 1 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. Gandhi also said that the Indian Army had conducted three surgical strikes during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. 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. G20 nations minus the United States agreed to implement the "irreversible" Paris Agreement on climate change. A communique adopted at a two-day G20 summit said that while other nations backed the pact, the "United States reiterates its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Richard "Skeet" and Stephanie Glover decided to participate in the Christmas Tour of Homes to give back to the community. They will open their home from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday for people who would like to tour. Christmas Tour of Homes tickets are $10 and are available at odessarealtors.com. Connie Coots, executive vice president of the Odessa Board of Realtors, has helped the Christmas Tour of Homes since the board started it 21 years ago. "The purpose of the Christmas Tour of Homes is to raise college scholarship funds," Coots said. "We split the funds between Odessa College and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin." Coots said it takes a unique person who is willing to open up their home to participate in the tour. "It's not a home for sale. It has to be a home that someone lives in," Coots said. "It's a home that's lived in and loved." Stephanie Glover has given back through her church, Grace Christian Fellowship, and other local nonprofits such as High Sky Children's Ranch and the Salvation Army. She has bought 30 or 40 Halloween costumes for the children at High Sky. "I came in one day and there were Halloween costumes stacked everywhere in this house and I thought 'What the heck are we doing?'" Skeet Glover said. "Then the next day they were gone, and I didn't have to ask any more questions." Denise VanCleave, a local Realtor, called Stephanie to ask her about participating in the Christmas Tour of Homes on Sunday. The Glovers bought the home on 15 Candlelight Lane in 2013. Stephanie drove by the new home for sale and decided she wanted to move. Stephanie has grown her collection of Christmas decorations over the years. "I decorate like crazy regardless," Stephanie said. "It's pretty much a passion of mine -- or obsession." She said she started decorating in October to prepare for the Christmas Tour of Homes. Stephanie's daughter, Holly, helped her decorate this year, but usually she does it by herself. The Glovers store their decorations in a 15-by-35-foot storage shed in the backyard and the garage, which is designated for Christmas. "We have never parked in the garage," Skeet said, joking. Skeet said his favorite decorations are the polar bears. One year he asked Stephanie to make a purple tree and since then they have had a tree decorated with purple. Stephanie's favorite room is her master bathroom and she loves decorating with nutcrackers. Her favorite place to shop for Christmas decorations is Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. "We are kind of on a first name basis over there," Stephanie said. Coots said there are about 100 volunteers who makes the Christmas Tour of Homes possible. There are four families participating this year and multiple sponsors. "We are excited for the homeowners who have opened up their homes and the people who get so excited about coming in and looking at the home," Coots said. "People just love it, and we love it, too." Skeet and Stephanie said they would like the community to attend the Christmas Tour of Homes to help increase the amount of scholarships Odessa College and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin will be able to give out to students. "It's kind of fun to be nosy," Stephanie added. An educated workforce is critical to the success of the Midland business community. Accordingly, the Midland Chamber of Commerce collaborates with Midland ISD and Midland Education Foundation to facilitate two programs designed to offer direct support to our local campuses and teachers. Through the Partners in Education (PIE) program, businesses and their employees can support a local campus. Each partnership is based on the expertise of the business and its ability to help, allowing businesses of any size to participate. In addition to financial support, businesses can also provide in-kind services such as apprenticeships and internships, part-time jobs, tutoring, scholarships or equipment and supplies. Many campuses also have significant need for volunteers and mentors. By allowing employees time to volunteer, businesses are investing in the future workforce and, according to a 2017 survey by Deloitte, improving current employee morale. Midland Crime Stoppers and the Midland County Sheriffs Office need help solving a theft. Deputies met with the complainant at about 7 a.m. Nov. 6 on a lease road at State Highway 349 and County Road 300. The complainant said two enclosed trailers were broken into by cutting the locks. Several items were taken, including an orange MQ generator, two Dewalt air compressors and a black 2014 16-foot Lama utility trailer. The items are valued at more than $45,000. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump held a "highly successful meeting" Saturday in Buenos Aires, reaching important consensus and agreeing not to impose new additional tariffs. The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on China-U.S. relations and international issues of common concern in a friendly and candid atmosphere at a working dinner after the conclusion of the 13th summit of the Group of 20 in Argentina. Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec. 1, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Li Xueren] Sound China-U.S. relations, Xi said, are in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the broad-based expectations of the international community. He called on both China and the United States to handle the development of bilateral relations from an overall perspective and push for long-term, healthy and stable development of bilateral ties. Trump said that he agrees with Xi on his evaluation of U.S.-China relations. U.S.-China relations are very special and important, Trump said, adding that it is in the interest of the two countries as well as the world that the United States and China, both countries of significant influence, maintain a good cooperative relationship. The U.S. side, he added, is ready to increase cooperation with China through consultations and actively seek mutually beneficial solutions to their problems. The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation based on reciprocity and mutual benefit and manage differences based on mutual respect, so as to jointly advance China-U.S. relations with coordination, cooperation and stability as the defining features. They also agreed to maintain close exchanges in various forms to jointly chart the course for the development of China-U.S. relations, and pledged to hold further exchanges of visits at an appropriate time. It was the first meeting between Xi and Trump since the U.S. president paid a state visit to China in November last year. The world, Xi said, has witnessed a lot of changes since then. As two major countries with great influence, China and the United States shoulder important responsibilities in promoting world peace and prosperity, Xi told Trump. Cooperation is the best choice for China and the United States, he said. On economic and trade issues, Xi said that it is very normal that the two countries have some disagreements in the fields of economy and trade, adding that the key is to manage their differences properly and work out a solution acceptable to both sides in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. They agreed not to impose new additional tariffs, and instructed the economic teams of both sides to step up negotiations toward the removal of all additional tariffs and reach a concrete deal that is mutually beneficial and win-win. Xi also reiterated China's stance on the Taiwan issue and the U.S. side pledged to continue to adhere to the one-China policy. The two leaders also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula situation and other major international and regional issues. The meeting lasted for two and a half hours, much longer than planned, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a briefing on the closely-watched Xi-Trump meeting. "The meeting was very successful and produced important consensus. It provides direction for China-U.S. relations in the time to come," Wang said. In a White House press release, Trump was quoted as saying that 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," Trump said. Experts said that the important meeting sends a positive signal in the development of China-U.S. relations, one of the most important bilateral ties in the world. It suggests that cooperation is the key to the solution of problems, said Zhu Feng, a professor with the School of International Studies at Peking University, adding that given the differences between China and the United States in institutions, industrial policies and markets, Xi and Trump have demonstrated strategic courage and resolution at the dinner table. Berthold Kuhn, a China expert with the Free University of Berlin, noted that the meeting was "a first step" toward the settlement of China-U.S. trade disputes and more time is still needed for negotiation. "I am ... slightly optimistic," he said. Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load 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. The Houston Police Department recently announced the arrest of 21 suspects accused of sex trade-related crimes. Police said the suspects were arrested in October for either the solicitation of prostitutes or compelling prostitution, also known as pimping. "We hope by publishing these suspects' photos we will raise awareness of the issue that is human trafficking and put the community on notice that we will no longer tolerate these crimes in our neighborhoods," HPD Vice Division Captain James Dale said in a prepared statement. According to a University of Texas study, more than 300,000 Texans are victims of human trafficking. Of those, 79,000 youths or minors are forced into prostitution or sex trafficking, the 2017 study found. ICYMI: Harris Co. Deputy's stalker threatens to kill him, eat his children, according to court records Fernando Ramirez is a digital reporter for Chron.com and Houstonchronicle.com. Read him on our breaking news site and on our subscriber site. Follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93 or email him at Fernando.ramirez@chron.com. Saturday morning I woke to the sad, yet somewhat expected, news that George H. W. Bush had passed away. I wanted to honor his memory in the same way he honored my father when he passed away by sharing a personal reflection of the man who treated me and many as family. Between my fathers stints at the Midland Reporter-Telegram he worked for and became friends with then citizen Bush and the entire Bush family. But it was more than friendship, the Bush family accepted us as family, including loading everyone up in the car for bowling and then pizza at Shakeys. Fast forward a couple of decades and then Vice President Bush welcomed me into his extended family by agreeing to take a chance on a young, fellow Midlander on his campaign staff. This is where I got to know, not only the public George Bush, but the private man. A man who did not have cross words for anyone. A leader who believed all Americans have a duty and responsibility to serve this great nationand serve he did. RELATED: George H.W. Bush praised in wake of his death from leaders around the world For a man to achieve the highest level of office in the United States as well as on the world stage is amazing, yet what is more amazing is the human touch he always maintained. At every single event, he scanned the crowd for faces he recognized, and he would mention them by name at the beginning of his speech. He wanted these friends to know they were his family and he never forgot them no matter his esteemed position. This was the humanity of a wonderful man who was much maligned by critics and adversaries. Adding to his humbleness and authenticity, he did not speak ill of those who opposed him. Instead, he reached across the aisle and created personal bonds to advance what was best for America. For those of us who were blessed with the opportunity to work for him and his family, we witnessed a gentle, caring sole. It was the norm not the exception for him to stop by your office and wish you a Happy Birthday, or send a hand penned note on significant life events, or invite you to dine with him and his guests if you were working a weekend or holiday at Camp David. He didnt see us as staff, or military aides, or Secret Service agents, he saw us as part of his family and treated us that way. Many of those who served him were closer to President Bush and his family than their own. Although fiercely competitive, he never failed to show grace in win or loss. When he discovered we played a game called wallyball, he wanted to play. Now, he did tend to stack his team with the best athletes at Camp David ensuring more wins than losses, but we all had a great laugh when he would shout, Im about to unleash Chang on you, and he was the first to shake your hand and pat you on the back for a game well played. RELATED: When and why did the Bush family move to Texas? During the holidays, he refused to travel on Thanksgiving or Christmas to ensure every single member of his White House family had the opportunity to spend the day with their family and children. He would host days of White House Christmas receptions for everyone including Congress and the media. His rule was you got to bring a plus one and snap a photo with him and Mrs. Bush in front of the tree, whether that was a parent, friend, sibling, spouse, significant other. And, he and Mrs. Bush hand signed a note on every single picture which numbered well over 500 each year. In addition, he hand signed over 800 Christmas cards per year to friends and family. I share most of these memories with family and close friends, yet one I have needs to be shared with all who read this. In December of 1989, after much prayer and deliberation, President Bush committed US troops to overthrow Manuel Noriega of Panama. During his annual hunting trip to Beeville, he took a break to travel to San Antonio to meet, individually, with wounded soldiers and their families. After leaving the room of a 19 year old Army Ranger who lost an arm and leg in the conflict. The President was peppered with questions by a small group of reporters known as the Travel Pool. They were asking the significance of the American flag in the pocket of his blazer. After dodging the question multiple times, he finally answered. He relayed the fact the young Army Ranger told him that he knew the Panama invasion was unpopular, but no matter what he supported the president and said had he known he would lose two limbs he still would have answered the call. His request was for President Bush to always remember that and to keep the flag he gave him close by. That flag was placed in his pencil cup in the Oval Office and remained throughout his administration and is now on a replica of his desk in the Bush Library. President Bush kept his word as he always did. That small act, that many might seem as trivial, sums up the George Bush I knew, respected and loved. A man of honor, loyalty, conviction, compassion and dedication. My wish is for him to be remembered more for who he was than what he accomplished which he accomplished much. And, I hope all Americans will discover his kindness and love of all and cherish his memory. -- Jay Allison is the son of former publisher James Allison. An atrium is both a chamber in the heart and a space that allows light in. With that in mind, The Atrium Yoga Studio was created as a place to gather, illuminate, energize, and heal. The Atrium Yoga Studio, located in the heart of River Oaks at 3733 Westheimer Road will celebrate its Grand Opening on December 1 and 2 with yoga classes, free juices and coffee, massages, special promotions and other treats. When you walk into The Atrium Yoga Studio, your heart just might skip a beat. And by the time you leave, youll feel even more alive. Expansive windows, lofted ceilings and a warmth of acceptance, possibility and joy will embrace you. The space is clean, modern and community- oriented. Co-owners Madonna McManus and Jen Yuhas created this space to provide creative, intelligent and therapeutic yoga for the heart, from the heart. Offering experiences from group beginner vinyasa and power vinyasa classes, to semi-private therapeutic and prenatal classes, their hope is to provide a variety of offerings that will benefit all students for a lifetime. The Atrium Yoga Studio is also a proud partner of the Love Your Brain Foundation and the only studio in Houston offering yoga classes designed to support people who have been affected by traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, The Atrium is partnered with United Against Human Trafficking to offer a space for education, awareness and connection for those impacted. Jen and Madonna first met in a yoga class in the winter of 2016. They instantly connected and a friendship was born. Fast-forward and that friendship led to the creation of The Atrium Yoga Studio. Combined, Madonna and Jen have been teaching yoga for 19 years and practicing for 35. Their mutual love of this practice goes deep and wide. They are each committed to a daily yoga practice that includes practicing with a variety of teachers throughout Houston. They love the diversity and vibrance of the Houston yoga community, and seek to learn from and contribute to its abundance. Jen says: It doesnt matter your job title, the size of your yoga pants, whether you are married, divorced or forever single, or if its your first or 500th class, we all arrive at the same place. Humbly taking off our shoes, rolling out our yoga mats, and moving and breathing together in hopes of a more meaning expression of life. Thats just one reason why yoga is magic. Thats how it connects us. Madonna says: The practice of yoga gives us the opportunity to tap into what matters most: our hearts and who they beat for. Each time we practice, whether its our worst day or our best, we have the potential to make a difference. We have the chance to discover our inner workings. We have the ability to shift our perspective and become our best and most loving selves. We have the ultimate power of making the world around us a better place with each and every breath. All we have to do is show up and do the work to discover and realize our lifes purpose. About The Atrium Yoga StudioCreative, intelligent and therapeutic yoga for the heart, from the heart. Devoted to the roots of the ancient teachings of yoga, there is a healing experience for each student at The Atrium Yoga Studio. Our aim is to nourish students and teachers alike in realizing their highest selves to better serve the world. Learn more at theatriumyogastudio.com. A man died after suffering from a stab would Saturday following a disturbance with another man. Officers responded to the 2800 block of Observation Drive for a report of a stabbing, according to the San Antonio Police Department. Julian Bazan, 60, was the main suspect. A U.S. Army sergeant from San Antonio has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing his wife with his girlfriends help. A judge on Friday also ordered Sgt. Maliek Kearney, 37, to pay $492,800 in restitution to the family of his wife, Karlyn Ramirez. Kearney was convicted in August. SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax has advised the opposition MDC Alliance that President Emmerson Mnangagwas legitimacy is indisputable, underscoring that the regional bloc is preparing for Zimbabwes Head of State and Government to take over as Chair of its influential Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation. President Mnangagwa assumes Chairmanship of the Organ at the 2019 Ordinary Sadc Summit. The Organ is one of the blocs foremost structures, mandated with overseeing elections and promoting peace and security, including deployment of Sadc forces. Mr Nelson Chamisas MDC Alliance on Thursday released a petition to the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Sadc and African Union challenging President Mnangagwas legitimacy. President Mnangagwa not only out-polled Mr Chamisa by more than 300 000 votes, he also surpassed the constitutional threshold of 50 percent-plus-one of total ballots cast to be declared the winner without the need of a run-off in the July 2018 Presidential race. The MDC Alliance has snubbed the Sadc and AU Election Observer Mission Reports endorsing the elections. But credible international bodies such as American NDI and IRI, Commonwealth and the European Union refused to endorse Mnangagwas win. Responding to questions from our Harare Bureau after a three-day working visit to Zimbabwe, Dr Tax poured cold water on the petition, saying both the electoral management body and the Constitutional Court had declared President Mnangagwa the winner. In terms of the petition, I have not received the petition. What should be recognised is that Zimbabwe is a sovereign country, Zimbabwe has a Constitution and Zimbabwe is guided by a number of legislations. Our advice is that let those be observed, elections took place, elections were contested, the Constitutional Court also judged. So all those were processes and instruments to ensure that there is democracy, she said. Dr Tax commended President Mnangagwa for promoting political freedoms. She added that Sadcs prime focus on Zimbabwe was preparing Harare to Chair the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation. You also have to understand that Zimbabwe is our Incoming Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. The intention is to make sure that we are doing this work together. We are looking at what are the areas that we are going to focus on and how we can work together with the Incoming Chair. Dr Tax said during her visit, she met Defence and War Veterans Minister Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and high-ranking Foreign Affairs Ministry officials to knuckle down on the matters that would require President Mnangagwas attention when he took over the Organ. We are in the process of identifying, so this is work in progress. Next year and the following year, when Zimbabwe assumes the Chairmanship, we are going to have a number of elections in the region and Zimbabwe is expected to lead the Sadc Election Observer Mission. Again we are going to assume (operational command) of the Standby Force under the African Union. This is an area under peacekeeping and is very critical, so we have to make sure that in the event that we are called to intervene we are ready. The other area is that we need to be prepared and alert to counter terrorism and address cyber-crime. This is work in progress, the institutions are already there and we have to be alert as we move forward and focus on the Chairmanship of Zimbabwe. We have started early because we cannot wait until August 2019 (when the Sadc Ordinary Summit is due). Dr Tax said Sadc was fully behind Zimbabwes economic reforms and was encouraging its international co-operating partners to also lend support to Harare and the bloc would continue to call for an end to economic sanctions on Zimbabwe. SundayNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News FOUNDING National University of Science and Technology (Nust) Vice-Chancellor and distinguished academic Professor Phineas Mogorosi Makhurane has died. Prof Makhurane, one of the first Africans to study Physics and Mathematics at the then University of Rhodesia and Nyasaland now University of Zimbabwe passed on yesterday. As news of the fall of the academic giant filtered throughout the country, messages of condolences poured in with Nust Vice-Chancellor Professor Mqhele Dlodlo describing him as an academic giant whose grounding in education was immense. He said among his academic achievements, Prof Makhurane was the first to introduce industrial attachment in universities in southern Africa that replaced vacation training. Its much more than what I can comment on him. I first knew him when I was still at High School and he was at University of Zimbabwe. He then became the inaugural Vice-Chancellor of Nust where I later worked under his leadership. He was at one time the chairman of Zimsec and was chairman of the Gwanda State University Council, said Prof Dlodlo. He said it was him who did an excellent job in putting Nust on a solid academic grounding. Prof Makhurane once worked as Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe before being given the mammoth task of leading Nust where he worked tirelessly in setting up the infrastructure and the turning the institution into a place of academic excellence. He retired from Nust in 2004. At some point he served as Zimsec board chairperson. SundayNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Passengers on a bus that was headed for Bulawayo from Johannesburg (South Africa) had their festive mood dampened after being robbed of their valuables by armed robbers on the N1 Musina-Johannesburg Highway on Friday night. The five robbers reportedly got away with an unspecified amount of cash, cellphones, laptops and other goods during the ordeal which lasted just over 30 minutes. Two of the robbers reportedly boarded the bus at Pretoria pretending to be ordinary passengers travelling to Bulawayo but produced guns, assaulted and robbed other travellers along the way. One passenger is said to have lost over 30 000 rand that she had earmarked to use to buy building materials for a house in Bulawayo. Passengers who spoke to Sunday News said the robbery took place while the bus was in motion along the N1 close to Mokopane. One of the passengers, Bokani Maphosa said the robbers looked like ordinary passengers and no one suspected they could be armed. She said the robbers waited for people to relax on the bus and pounced after 9pm. They were seated at the back and suddenly rushed towards the driver but people thought they wanted to stop the bus due to running stomachs, only to hear them load their pistols and shouting, telling everyone to face downwards in their seats or be shot. They were shouting obscenities and beat up the standby driver who was not driving at the time, telling everyone to give them cash and cellphones and they stole a few bags as well. People co-operated and no one was shot but they hit a lot of people with fists and open palms. I was literally shaking as they had put the satchel with the stolen money and goods next to me and I tried my best to control myself, she said. Efforts to get a comment from the bus company were fruitless. The company also declined to have their drivers interviewed. However, one of the drivers was overheard saying he strongly suspects the robbers to be Zimbabwean nationals due to their accent. Several buses have fallen victim to armed gangs along South Africas highways as they target people who will be travelling to shop in that country. SundayNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News MORE than 14 families in Chimoio area in Muzarabani were left homeless after incessant rains accompanied by strong winds ripped through the area on Tuesday. Muzarabani Rural District Council, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mrs Annie Gwachiwa confirmed the incident saying the Civil Protection Unit has since moved in to assist the families who are now living in makeshift houses. As you are all aware Muzarabani is prone to floods. On Tuesday we received heavy rains that were accompanied by strong winds. At least 14 families were affected. We have since activated the CPU which is in charge of disasters which include floods and these winds. We have informed the provincial office which in turn has taken it up. However, as a district a team was sent to go and assess the situation. We have informed that houses were completely destroyed. We also consolidated effort with the department of social welfare to go and assist with food and other basics such as shelter and blankets, she said. Mrs Gwachiwa said Muzarabani was on high floods alert as the country approaches the rain season. National AIDS Council (NAC) has also expressed concern over the recurrent disasters adding that some people living with HIV and end up having drug disruptions. Meanwhile more than 6000 families in Muzarabani are in need of food aid and are struggling to earn a living. Zimbabwe AIDS Prevention Support Organisation (ZAPSO) Programmes officer for Muzarabani, Mr Gondai Dekeza said the area had more than 6000 families that were food insecure which in turn had affected adolescents sexual behaviour. Mr Dekeza said there was need for the empowerment of these families to ensure that there was food security at household level as well as ensuring that they were economically self-sustainable. He said most adolescent girls got married early while some indulge in risk sexual behaviour so as to earn a living. ZAPSO is part of the multispectral and multi-sectoral approach in the fight against HIV and AIDS. In this area we have more than 6000 people who are food insecure. This concerns us in that it contributes towards increasing risk behaviour by adolescents. As you are aware we have farming communities in this area. These areas are concentrated and most people in these areas dropped out of school due to various reasons. As a result, they indulge in risky sexual behaviours. Most adolescent girls get married early and expose themselves to HIV and AIDS as well as other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), he said. Mr Dekeza said ZAPSO in partnership with NAC have introduced various intervention strategies to curb risk sexual behaviour among adolescents. SundayNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Last week on November 24 Emmerson Mnangagwa was in Murombedzi former president Robert Mugabes village backyard in Mashonaland West to commemorate his chequered one year in office following his controversial installation as president on November 24, 2017 after the army unconstitutionally ousted Mugabe. The Murombedzi commemoration, also attended by (Retired) General Constantino Chiwenga, who led the November 2017 military coup, was understandably disguised as Mnangagwas thank you rally for his disputed election on July 30, 2018, which has left him paralysed by a crisis of legitimacy. This is because the military coup, which just about everyone now says was unconstitutional, has become a dirty word among a growing number of Zimbabweans whose livelihoods have been dramatically eroded over the last 12 months, and are worse off today than they were before the coup as a crippling economic meltdown becomes the order of the day. It is, thus, no wonder that loud official silence over the momentous events of November 2017 characterises the disposition of Zanu PF, the army and government towards the first anniversary of the military coup. Mnangagwas initial buzzwords that were used as the currency of the coup such as the new dispensation, Zimbabwe is open for business and the voice of the people is the voice of God have fallen into disuse due to their irrelevance. Even the so-called Second Republic, much touted during and immediately after the poisonous 2018 election campaign, is fizzling away as most Zimbabweans take it to mean that Mnangagwa is just a second-hand officeholder in the same troubled republic that Mugabe served as its first-hand. When the currently indisposed foreign minister, General Sibusiso Moyo, announced the coup on television in the wee hours of November 15, 2017 as a military intervention targeting criminals around President Mugabe, he memorably declared that the political situation in the country had moved to another level. The new level was ostensibly from Mugabes ruinous rule to a new and prosperous dispensation led by Mnangagwa and underwritten by the military. But 12 months later, the consensus in and outside Zimbabwe is that the situation in the country has, at best, remained stuck at the level it was before the November 2017 coup; and that, at worst, it has rapidly sunk back to the 2008 level of a post-election legitimacy crisis underpinned by a collapsing economy with social and financial ruin on the horizon. The writing is on the wall that the transition from the old order to a new dispensation, which Mnangagwa promised at his hyped inauguration on November 24, 2017, was stillborn. The new and harsh reality is Finance minister Mthuli Ncubes oxymoronic promise of austerity for posterity in an economy that is deep in the doldrums. What has happened and why? A cursory review of public discourse in Zimbabwe will readily show that the questions of the what and why of politics in the country are hardly, if ever, asked, let alone answered. This is because they invariably require the identification of who has done what, how, where and when. That identification requires truth-telling which always attracts ghastly consequences on the truth-teller. It is against this backdrop that the challenge for the media and academia in Zimbabwe, and indeed for ordinary Zimbabweans, is that they are not able to freely and meaningfully discuss and debate things to tell the truth about things that have been done or are being done by the countrys leadership. A major reason why the claim of a new dispensation after the military coup has proven to be false is that the non-discussabiity of things that have happened, or are happening, has remained to be the scourge of politics in Zimbabwe since 1980. Nothing has changed. In her critically acclaimed treatise, the Human Condition, Hannah Arendt decries as a failure of speech where human beings find themselves unable to discuss, or to reflect on, things that are nevertheless done in their society. Such a condition is totalitarian because speech is a sine qua non of human existence. It is in this connection that freedom of expression is both a natural and constitutional right, because speech is an innate human quality that gives rise to an inalienable right. The populist historian, Yuval Harari, catalogues in his book Sapiens how speech has superbly distinguished human beings from other species by enabling them to cooperate flexibly in large numbers to accomplish complex tasks to benefit humanity. The essence of human freedom is thus the discussion of human action, namely, truth-telling. A society that does not discuss what is happening or has happened within its borders is uncivilised, undemocratic, primitive and doomed. Yet this is where Zimbabwe finds itself, one year after the military coup that Zimbabweans from across the political divide at home and in the Diaspora celebrated in their numbers as a liberation moment on November 18, 2017. There are four defining features of the last 12 months in the post-coup era, which have gone undiscussed. These include the erosion of peoples livelihoods; the breakdown and selective application of the rule of law enabled by the judiciary; policy paralysis in government occasioned by tribalisation; and the lack of confidence in Mnangagwa dramatised by the fact that he won only in 129, while his Zanu PF won in 145 constituencies (unlike Nelson Chamisa who won in 81 where his party won 63 constituencies); coupled with the fact that he was rejected by half of the voters in all the three conflicting and disputed results declared by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec). Since the coup, Mnangagwa has projected himself through slogans like Zimbabwe is open for business; a mystical scarf whose all-weather use, everywhere and every time, has set tongues wagging with suggestions that he is using it for juju purposes; and personalised leadership models around the styles of Rwandas Paul Kagame, Chinas Deng Xiaoping and Britains Margaret Thatcher that have no connection with Mnangagwas everyday reality. Before the coup, the army generals who had settled on Mnangagwa as the face of their putsch, peddled propaganda that he was the most suitable successor to Mugabe supposedly because he was like Chinas Deng and that, in any event, Zimbabwe needed a Deng to lead a revolutionary transition from Mugabe to a new dispensation. In this Deng fantasy, the generals saw the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) playing in Zimbabwe, through Zanu PF, the role that Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) plays in the Communist Party and in China. But the Deng proposition fell away after Mnangagwas November 24, 2017 inauguration, when the Misheck Sibanda-led Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) took charge of branding its new boss away from the army, in a vain hope to cure the coup. To give Mnangagwa African roots, and hopefully exonerate the Chinese from complicity in the coup, OPC branded Mnangagwa as a Kagame. Under OPC auspices, the chief executive of the Rwanda Development Board, Clare Akamanzi, who is a governance expert, came to Zimbabwe in April 2018 to address Cabinet ministers, Zanu PF politburo members, senior government officials and even private sector juntarites. Mnangagwa played along by declaring that he was charmed by the efficient governance system in Rwanda. The Kagame tag sought by OPC collapsed after the July 30 general election, before it produced a Kagame-like vision for Mnangagwa. The appointment of Mthuli Ncube as Finance minister in September opened a door for Petina Gappah, who operates from the indisposed General Moyos office, to astonishingly claim Margaret Thatcher as Mnangagwas new leadership model. The presumption is that Ncubes austerity for posterity slogan might win favours in Britains conservative party because an austerity orientation resonates with Thatchers policies. But the prospect of the austerity for posterity slogan to make Mnangagwa a Thatcherite is between slim and none. First, Zanu PF bigwigs like Obert Mpofu and Patrick Chinamasa who were dropped from Cabinet, despite having been the partys leading coup lights, dont want to hear much about austerity for posterity from Ncube, whom they say is adopting and announcing policies without consulting them when the Zanu PF new mantra is that the party is supreme to the government. Mnangagwa himself, whose ghost writers want to turn him into a Thatcherite, has publicly said the new post-coup position is that the party runs the government through its full-time secretaries whose terms and conditions of service are at par with, if not better than, Cabinet perks. And so Mnangagwa is a Thatcherite only in the pages of the Financial Times through articles written for him by ghost writers who know between little and nothing about Zanu PFs machinations. In the end, the last 12 months have seen a Mnangagwa whose jittery handlers have alternately sought to present as a Deng, a Kagame and a Thatcher with the result that he has not risen to be any of these in any way. This accounts for much of Mnangagwas leadership failure. One cannot aspire for what they never become and hope to be a successful leader. In the middle of these failed attempts to mould him as a Deng, a Kagame and a Thatcher, Mnangagwa has quietly emerged over the last 12 months as his own kind of leader: a clansman or a tribesman only at ease with his homeboys. This is conspicuously clear through some key appointments that he has made across the board. A brief illustration will suffice. Sibanda is Mnangagwas cousin and from Midlands. The chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, Vincent Hungwe, is a clansman from Masvingo; as is the secretary to the Services Commission, Jonathan Wutawunashe. The principal director, who is his Personal Assistant, is William Gwatiringa, a clansman from Midlands; as is his principal director for State Residences (effectively the State House principal director), Coxwell Chigwana, who recently replaced another Midlander, Douglas Tapfuma, who is now principal director for Monitoring and Evaluation in the OPC. In the all too powerful Presidents Department, the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), which works closely with the OPC, the Minister of State Owen Mudha Ncube is also from Midlands as is Isaac Moyo, the Departments director-general. It should be said without prejudice to the incumbents in question that this brazen tribalisation, clanisation and regionalisation is unprecedented. OPC, the Civil Service Commission, the Services Commission, State House and the Presidents Department are all headed by Mnangagwas clansmen or tribesmen from his home province or region. All this has happened in 12 short months since the November 2017 military coup. Is this what the coup was about? The Office of the President, State House and the Presidents Department are everyones offices. They are national offices for all Zimbabweans regardless of clan, tribe, province or region. What makes this bad situation worse is that, under the veil of fighting corruption for which he has rightly declared zero tolerance, Mnangagwa has set up an Anti-Corruption Prosecuting Unit in the OPC, which directly reports to him. The unit is handling the so-called high-profile cases, a euphemism for Mnangagwas real or perceived detractors or political opponents. It is common cause that there has been massive looting and corruption for personal gain under command agriculture, for example, running into billions of United States dollars. But theres been no investigation or prosecution of any kind there because the programme was led by Mnangagwa himself. All hell would have broken loose had anyone else associated with the so-called G40 had led command agriculture. The same would have happened had the Ministry of Transport that oversees Zinara not been under Joram Gumbo, one of Mnangagwas trusted clansman and tribesman. Since its formation, serious questions have been raised about the constitutionality of the Anti-Corruption Prosecuting Unit in Mnangagwas office, given the clear provisions of the new Constitution adopted in 2013, which assign the prosecution power to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in terms of s258 of the constitution. The NPA is required under the constitution to be independent and not to be subject to the direction or control of anyone. Unlike the terms and conditions of services and allowances of the NPA that are set under an Act of Parliament, those of the Units officers are set by the OPC run by Mnangagwas homeboys. How can the officers be independent and not be subject to the direction of the president or the OPC who are the paymasters? Theres one other aspect about the Unit, which is particularly insidious. Its officers are Thabani Mpofu, Brian Vito, Tapiwa Godzi, Mike Chakandida, Zivanai Macharaga and Vernanda Munyoro. Thabani Mpofu, the units head, is Mnangagwas clansman from Mberengwa and the others are from Midlands or Masvingo. How can this inspire national confidence or promote the interests of justice and the rule of law to give prospective investors, let alone accused persons, a reasonable degree of comfort that the country respects the rule of law as a constitutional democracy? Why is this being tolerated and why is there no public discussion truth-telling on this outrageous tribal opprobrium in the OPC? One does not need to be a lawyer to realise that Mnangagwa is in gross violation of the equality and non-discrimination clause in s56(1) of the constitution. He is also in wilful breach of s97(1) of the constitution. The violations are unprecedented, as is the silence from or acquiescence by the bench and the bar. In the circumstances, it is no wonder that the civil service has over the last 12 months become a homeboy turf for two provinces, to the detriment of national capacity and service delivery, while the cabinet has become a chamber of frightened and paralysed men and women who cant make decisions or contribute robustly, as they are afraid of being accused of abuse of office by the Presidents prosecutorial clansmen and tribesmen who have become a law unto themselves with impunity. Its clear that the new Constitution is the enemy of the new dispensation. Not only was the November 2017 coup itself unconstitutional, but first Judge President George Chiweshe and later Chief Justice Malaba sanitised the coup when the new Constitution is clear that former president Mugabe did not deploy the army on November 15, 2017 and that the army cannot under any circumstance deploy itself. A story yet to be told is the personal and political association between Mnangagwa and Chief Justice Malaba dating back to their Kwekwe days when Mnangagwa was the towns strongman and Malaba its magistrate. Before Malaba was appointed Chief Justice, there was widespread but false media speculation that Mnangagwa favoured Justice Chiweshe against Justice Rita Makarau when in fact Mnangagwas choice was Malaba against Chiweshe who was Chiwengas choice. The rest is history. What emerges from the foregoing is that while there was a documented coup strategy, called Blue Ocean to grab power, there was no post-coup vision upon which to run the country after the coup for the country to benefit the people. Over the last 12 months, Mnangagwa has not had one big idea for the country. Not one. Yes, there have been slogans about the voice of the people is the voice of God; or Zimbabwe is open for Zimbabwe and now austerity for posterity but these slogans are not visionary nor big ideas for the people. Empirically, the peoples consensus is that they are worse off today than they were 12 months ago when the US$/RTGS exchange rate was 1:1.8 or 80%; when the price of bread was $0,90 a loaf; when there was no punitive 2% transactional tax; when ordinary people who earn $300 or less a month did not fear a traffic fine of $700, or fear that the government would reject its own bond note or RTGS currency, which Mnangagwa says is 1:1 to the US$; nor did ordinary people imagine that they would be required to pay duty in United States for items sent to them by relatives in the Diaspora or risk being jailed for 10 years for buying the forex for duty in the parallel market. The bottom line is that 12 months after the coup, peoples confidence in Mnangagwa has dramatically fallen, hopes have been shattered and livelihoods have been eroded back to 2008 levels or altogether destroyed. It is now wonder that the new battle cry is for Operation Restore Peoples Livelihoods. Jonathan Moyo Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News AN emotive and tear jerking atmosphere filled the air at the St Marys Cathedral Basilica Parish in Bulawayo yesterday as hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their last respects to Lucia Duve (37) who lost her life in an alleged attack by her boyfriend Tashinga Musonza (29) in Gweru last Monday. Lucia, a lawyer by profession who was laid to rest yesterday at Umvutsha Cemetery in Bulawayo is alleged to have been brutally murdered in dispute with her pilot boyfriend Musonza. Putting a brave face and fighting back tears, Lucias father Mr Godwin Duve expressed shock at the wild animal behaviour exhibited by the alleged perpetrator, saying he only prays that they as a family are able to forgive him. I pray that in the future we are able to forgive the perpetrator of this murder because that is what God wants us to do, he said. He said the young woman who was about to complete her Masters degree in the field of law had also pledged to take her younger brother Farai upon her completion of her degree to a local college to further his studies. He gave an account of what happened on the fateful day, saying a lot of lies were spread by social media. I think all of you want to know what happened as her death was a cause for concern because she did not die of illness. She was killed. Lucia was our only daughter. The injuries that she sustained make an unpleasant narration, he said. He went on; The last moments we spent with her were at the church music competitions that we had in Gweru just recently, when we met she was the usual boisterous Lucy and we took pictures with her together with the choir. We went to her place and had supper and we departed for Bulawayo. That was the last time we saw her alive. On 24 November she wanted to come to Bulawayo for her brothers birthday but discovered she had forgotten her purse with money at home and she had to turn back. Probably if she had come that day she would be alive with us, he said. He added that he requested to meet with the pathologist who performed the autopsy on her and hear what could have happened. I had seen her in the morgue at Gweru General Hospital, she had a wound on her mouth and some bleeding from her nose. I was hoping that her death was an accident somehow, and not kuti ahh zvangoitikawo munhu arohwa. I could not listen to all of what the pathologist was telling me. You all know Lucia was a small bodied person and did not have enough stamina to withstand the serious blows that she took, to an extent that I asked myself saka anga achirova papi? Her injuries include bleeding from nose and mouth, a fractured thumb, trauma to the right side of her neck which was said to have been most likely inflicted by a boot, she had heavy bleeding in her brain and the doctor who opened her up said her brain was full of blood. She had bruised lungs and I cant make out how that happened, she also had trauma to her upper back, she had imitations of numerous blows having been inflicted upon her back. During this conversation I had to ask the doctor, if Lucias death was an accident and he said no, it was not a mistake. She had numerous blows all supplied to the upper body and it was severe assault according to the doctor. He said the main cause of death was the head injuries and the heavy bleeding that she had in her brain, he told the packed Cathedral. I pray to God that he forgives her for her sins and I also pray to God that he gives us as a family peace. I also pray to God that somewhere in the future with his guidance that we be able to forgive the perpetrator of this murder because that is what our God wants us to do, he said before retiring to his seat. Her brother Desderious who came from Canada said his sister was a loving person who never fought with people. She was a bubbly person and we had a good relationship the 37 years I had been with her. I last spoke to her the Friday before her death and all was well, I had no clue it would end like this, he said. Lucias mother was too distraught to speak and her older sister Mrs Dorothy Sostena spoke passionately about her chronicling how they had a good relationship. I do not want to imagine what my sister is feeling, I am so broken, Lucia was an intelligent woman who was a free spirit. I do not understand why someone would take away the life of our angel, she said. Speaker after speaker spoke highly of Lucia whose life was taken away in a violent manner during a time when the world is commemorating 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence. The legal fraternity also came in their numbers clad in their gowns to pay their last respects to a dedicated cadre in their field. Just before body viewing the lawyers all stood around Lucys casket and saluted her as a way of paying their last respects to one of their own. The president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe Mr Misheck Hogwe also sent his condolence message to the family. We would like to pay our heartfelt condolences to Lucys family, friends and relatives and the legal fraternity at large. At the time of her death, we did not have any disciplinary cases against her at LSZ. She was in good standing with us. The manner in which she left this world is so sad to all who fight for safety and freedom of women from violence. The fact that she succumbed to gender-based violence at a time when the world is holding campaigns towards ending violence against women and girls paints a cruel and mortally painful picture. Her death at such a time leaves a bitter taste, he said in a speech read on his behalf. SundayNews Breaking News via Email Loading... 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Only the fastest, toughest, and most cunning creatures have endured. We examine how animals have evolved and how we can benefit from their evolution. Sundays from 8:30pm AEDT. (Natural News) German chemical giant Bayer has become the new Monsanto, having acquired the worlds most evil corporation earlier this year for $62.5 billion. But with this acquisition has come a litany of pending lawsuits so costly that Bayer is now having to fire some 12,000 of its employees worldwide. As originally reported by the Financial Times, Bayer is shedding this massive number of employees in a desperate attempt to regain investor confidence in the company now that its become Monsanto on steroids. In addition to firing 12,000 employees, Bayer is also cutting ties with its animal health products division, as well as two other divisions it owns: Coppertone sun care and Dr. Scholls foot care products. Bayer is also planning to sell its 60 percent stake in Currenta, a service provider of utilities, environmental services, safety and security, analytics, and training. The shot heard round the world was a recent decision by San Francisco Superior Court Judge Suzanna Bolanos who reportedly sided with jurors in a case involving a man who developed non-Hodgkins lymphoma from being exposed to glyphosate, the primary active ingredient in Monsantos Roundup herbicide. This ruling by Judge Bolanos gave precedent to the tens of thousands of other pending lawsuits against Monsanto that will now fall on Bayer as they move through the courts. By acquiring Monsanto, in other words, Bayer is also acquiring a very long list of pending litigation against Monsanto that has yet to see justice. For more related news, check out MonsantoMafia.com. Bayer denies that drastic changes have anything to do with Monsanto litigation Even as Bayer frantically shuffles around its business model in a desperate attempt to thwart the impact of these many pending lawsuits, the company insists that none of this has anything to do with the lawsuits. These measures are totally unrelated, Bayer chief executive officer (CEO), Werner Baumann, told the Financial Times during a recent conference call. They dont have anything to do with the acquisition of Monsanto and the glyphosate litigation These measures stand on their own and they are aimed at further improving the competitiveness of the company going forward. According to Baumann, all of these planned measures will help to free up resources for innovation and growth, allowing the multinational corporation to better focus on our core businesses in pharmaceuticals, consumer health and crop science. Will tens of thousands of lawsuit against Monsanto/Bayer bankrupt this entity of evil? Baumann can say whatever he likes about the situation, but it isnt all that difficult for the casual observer to see whats really going on here. Keep in mind that just that one recent ruling in California against Monsanto resulted in a massive $289 million judgment in favor of the plaintiff, whose exposure to Roundup weedkiller caused him to develop cancer. As the many, many other similar lawsuits make their way through the court system based on this precedent well, you do the math: $289 million times 10,000-and-counting doesnt bode well for Bayer, despite its massive arsenal of cash. It very well could be that, over the course of the next few years, Bayer, having taken on the ball and chain of Monsantos unprecedented number of Roundup lawsuits, will collapse entirely from the financial impact of it all. One can only hope, anyway, resulting in the many deadly chemicals like Roundup that are killing people everywhere making their way into the dustbin of history. Even at very low doses of exposure, glyphosate kills placental, embryonic, and umbilical cells, warns Mike Adams, the Health Ranger. Glyphosate is associated with genetic damage (mutations), including chromosomal aberrations, even at doses below those recognized as safe.' For more related news, check out Glyphosate.news and Roundup.news. Sources for this article include: NaturalNews.com ZeroHedge.com FT.com Natural.news (Natural News) Fallout from the overt politicization of the Justice Department by President Obama is continuing apace, as evidenced by yet another outrageous act committed by an FBI that continues to show contempt for the citizens it is supposed to serve. The latest victim is Dennis Nathan Cain, a whistleblower who had documents pertaining to the Clinton Foundation and the scandalous Uranium One deal which saw 20 percent of all strategic U.S. uranium reserves transferred (sold) to Russia. As The Daily Caller reported exclusively, FBI agents recently raided the home of Cain recognized Department of Justice whistleblower despite the fact that, by law, he should have been protected from such an egregious act. As for what the documents reveal, the news site noted: 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, a document reviewed by The Daily Caller News Foundation alleges. The documents also indicate that then-FBI Director Robert Mueller did not investigate legitimate allegations of criminal activity pertaining to Rosatom and other Russian government institutions related to the Uranium One sale, which was approved when Clinton was Secretary of State. (Related: Gohmert: Mueller probe just a COVER-UP for Uranium One scandal; says he should be FIRED.) The bureau raided my client to seize what he legally gave Congress about the Clinton Foundation and Uranium One, said Cains attorney, Michael Socarras, in an interview with TheDC. The raid was an outrageous disregard of his clients whistleblower protections, he added. On the morning of Nov. 19, no less than 16 FBI agents arrived at the Union Bridge, Md., home of Cain, who is also a former FBI contractor, Socarras said. The raid was authorized per a Nov. 15 court order signed by federal magistrate Stephanie A. Gallagher in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. He was supposed to be protected So, what was the purpose of the raid? The special agent in charge said that Cain was in possession of stolen federal property, according to his lawyer. Cain told the agent in charge when he was still at the front door that he was a recognized and protected whistleblower under the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act and that DoJ inspector general, Michael Horowitz, had recognized his status. He also told the agent that the classified information had already been properly transmitted to the House and Senate Intelligence committees, as provided for in the Act. No matter. Socarras said the agent in charge immediately directed his personnel to begin searching the home. Cain didnt make them hunt for the documents, however. His attorney said he promptly gave the agents the documents sought under the search warrant, but even that wasnt enough. Socarras said agents continued rummaging through his clients home for another six hours. For the bureau to show up at Mr. Cains home suggesting that those same documents are stolen federal property after they were taken to Congress by a member of the IGs staff, and then proceed to seize copies of the same documents after being told at the house door that he is a legally protected whistleblower who gave them to Congress, is an outrageous disregard of the law, Socarras said. I cannot believe the Bureau informed the federal magistrate who approved the search warrant that they wanted to search the home of an FBI whistleblower to seize the information that he confidentially disclosed to the IG and Congress. The Act is supposed to protect whistleblowers who are government contractors; apparently, however, if your name is Clinton, the rules dont apply. Little good came out of the Obama presidency, but the 44th commander-in-chief did do the nation one valuable service: He showed us we really do have two systems of justice in our country, one for the Deep State elite and one for the rest of us. Read more about the treasonous Deep State at Treason.news. Sources include: DailyCaller.com TheNationalSentinel.com (Natural News) Large corporations usually have robust market research divisions filled with thinkers and analysts who busy themselves daily trying to figure out how to stay ahead of their competition by anticipating consumer, business, and economic trends. These folks arent reading tea leaves or glaring into crystal balls. Theyre gathering and processing hard data so they can produce useful business intelligence for executives and CEOs to employ in a way that keeps the company successful and growing. Google, on the other hand, does things differently. Instead of crunching numbers and researching market trends, theyd rather just spy on your kids. As Phil Baker writes at PJ Media, Google is using school devices to spy on grade-school students in a way that would have certainly made Hitlers Gestapo and Stalins KGB smile with glee: Last week when I wrote about Googles plans for spying in our homes, many commented how simple it would be to avoid the companys peering eyes by just not buying Google products. But thats not possible for millions of students in K-12 who are required to use Google products in their classrooms. And based on recent disclosures, Google is using their position to develop dossiers on students. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) noted further that school-issued devices powered by the search-and-media behemoth are enabling it to spy on kids as they learn. Students are using technology in the classroom at an unprecedented rate, the EFF wrote in an executive summary of a new report on student spying. One-third of all K-12 students in U.S. schools use school-issued devices. Google Chromebooks account for about half of those machines. Nationwide, more than 30 million students, teachers, and administrators use Googles G Suite for Education (formerly known as Google Apps for Education), and that number is rapidly growing, the summary continued. Over the course of a two-year investigation, EFFs researchers found that education technology services are collecting lots of information on children that is unnecessary, then indefinitely store it once theyve got it. No one who understands the gravity and seriousness of this massive privacy invasion can reasonably say the data just sits around and is never used by the tech companies who have stolen it. No outrage? Whats more, the data collection is seamless and takes place automatically. Some programs upload this student data to the cloud automatically and by default. All of this happens without the awareness or consent of students and their families, the summary continued. And to further enhance the data theft, educational technology is very often offered to school districts at greatly reduced prices not because the tech companies like Google really care about education, but because the data eventually collected is, by far, worth much more over the long haul. (Related: Tech giants pull off epic bait-and-switch in turning against free speech.) In short, technology providers are spying on students and school districts, which often provide inadequate privacy policies or no privacy policy at all, are wittingly helping them do it, EFF said. Conservative columnist and investigative journalist Michelle Malkin notes that Congress and Washington policymakers are co-conspirators in the kiddie data heist, which she says is happening out in the open. The recently passed Every Student Succeeds Act further enshrined government collection of personally identifiable information including data collected on attitudes, values, beliefs and dispositions and allows release of the data to third-party contractors thanks to Obama-era loopholes carved into the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, she wrote in April. Malkin says its not just Google doing the unauthorized child data collection thing. Apple, Microsoft, Pearson, Knewton, and other companies offering cloud-connected educational technology are doing the same thing. Whats more, she notes, there is no evidence that hooking students and teachers on whiz-bang electronic platforms and gadgets is improving academic performances. Privacy in the digital age has vanished. Increasingly, outrage over our loss of privacy seems to have vanished as well. Read more about the Orwellian loss of privacy at Orwellian.news. Sources include: PJMedia.com Creators.com EFF.org NewsTarget.com (Natural News) Celebrity scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson, whose behavior increasingly resembles Bill Cosby, now stands accused of inappropriate sexual behavior as well as drugging and raping a female astronomy student at the University of Texas in Austin. The date rape accusation dates back to 2014, and two new allegations against Tyson surfaced just last week, bringing new questions to light concerning Tysons arrogance and Bill Cosby-like behavior. As Newsweek reports: The first allegation was made public in 2014. Tchiya Amet, who attended graduate school with Tyson. She said her experience with the media star left her traumatized for decades. She explained she had been friends with Tyson in the 1980s at University of Texas at Austin, and was at his apartment when he offered her something to drink. Amet said Tyson then drugged and raped her. In a blog post, Tchiya Amet details what she says was a horrifying date rape that involved Neil Tyson drugging and raping her, Bill Cosby-style: I was a grad student in Astronomy at UT Austin, the same time that Mr Tyson was there, writes Tchiya Amet on a WordPress website. My dream was to become the first Black Female Astronaut. I went to [Neil Tysons] apartment to visit like I did almost everyday. He was like my big brother, or so I thought. He offered me a glass of water. 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. Tchiya goes on to explain, It has become impossible to keep silent anymore. I continue to wonder if he is still hurting women, children or men. It is also important for me to speak out NOW because it is important for ALL people that have been sexually violated in any way to stand up and speak out if we want this type of cruelty to cease. Tchiya is unambiguous in stating at Neil Tyson drugged and raped her. What would you say to my parents if I had told them when it had happened that you had slipped me a mickey and that you raped me while I was unconscious? she asks. She then demands Neil deGrasse Tyson stop sexually assaulting other students. Do not rape them. Do not molest them. Do not tell them they can pass astronomy 101 if they give you a blow job. No more sexual harassment allowed or tolerated by any faculty members or clergy You are a fraud and now the world knows it too. A pattern of behavior emerges as two more women go public with sexual accusations against Neil deGrasse Tyson Taken by itself, that allegation from 2014 seemed like an outlier, which is why we had not reported on it until today. But last week, two more women stepped forward and claimed Neil deGrasse Tyson exhibited sexually inappropriate behavior towards them, lending additional weight to the date rape claim from 2014 as it exhibits a pattern of behavior involving multiple women who now publicly accuse Tyson of predatory sexual behavior. Sexual assault allegations against celebrities who are opposed to the scientific status quo must always be taken with a grain of salt, given that negative P.R. companies are hired by the vaccine and GMO industries to try to destroy the reputations of independent scientists who question the status quo. But when sexual allegations surface against people like Tyson who are shameless promoters of the status quo, they automatically carry more weight because its impossible for such allegations to have been fabricated by the very industries that Tyson promotes. Thus, these three allegations against Tyson now add up to a picture that closely resembles that of Bill Cosby a famous, wealthy celebrity who abused his power to drug and rape women in large numbers. According to Patheos.com, Neil deGrasse Tyson exhibits predatory behavior around women. He felt up Dr. Katelyn N. Allers at a party that took place following the American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting in 2009. The groping incident allegedly took place at an after-party following the AAS meeting in 2009, reports Patheos. Dr. Allers stated: 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. Its not a new allegations out of the blue, either. Dr. Allers reported what happened to Dr. Michele Thornley, an associate professor of physics at Bucknell. Patheos reports what she said about the incident: Yes, Katelyn spoke to me about her earlier incidentI dont think we discussed exactly what year it happened, but I knew that it was a few years earlier than our conversations about the matter. 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. Another woman, a former assistant of Neil Tyson, accuses him of inappropriate sexual advances and creepy dinner behavior in his private home As Patheos reports, Neil Tysons pattern of creepy behavior toward women doesnt end with the incident involving Dr. Allers. Another woman, Ashley Watson, worked as an assistant to Tyson. she was forced to quit her job due to his inappropriate sexual advances, reports Patheos: Watson worked directly with Tyson for several months. She says that, during that time, he put her in an uncomfortable situation by attempting to persuade her into sex, and demonstrated his predatory tendencies. Importantly, Ashley Watson was sent text messages by alleged rape victim Tchiya Amet, who said, he tried to seduce me into having sex with him most people dont believe hes a predator because of his status as an educator Neil deGrasse Tyson tries to induce hypnotic trance to seduce her into sleeping with him During a bizarre dinner with Ashley Watson, Neil Tyson, allegedly gestured toward her with the knife and made a comment about stabbing, reports Patheos. And it set the stage for a night filled with subtle intimidation and sexual advances. Tyson went on to explain that every human being needs physical releases, according to Watson, and when she attempted to leave, Neil Tyson tried to per her into a trance using a hypnotic induction technique. As Patheos reports: She was getting up to leave when Neil allegedly stopped her, saying he wanted to show her a Native American handshake he knew. That involved holding hands tightly, making eye contact, and feeling for each others pulse, Watson told me. When she broke off the awkward and incredibly intimate handshake, which he allegedly said represented a spirit connection, she attempted to just get up and leave. Tyson then allegedly put his hands on her shoulders, and said he wanted to hug her, but if he did, hed just want more. Watson says she left Tysons apartment quickly after the inappropriate sexual comments and that, the next day, she confronted him because she felt he had betrayed her as a mentor. He reportedly told her in that meeting that shed never rise through the ranks in her career because she was too distracting. The message from Neil Tyson is evident: Sleep with me or your career is finished That last line is especially horrifying, because if true, it proves that Neil deGrasse Tyson threatens female workers and students with having their careers destroyed if they dont sleep with him. And he uses creepy hypnotic induction techniques even while claiming to be a man of science, to boot. This abuse of power smacks of the kind of exploitation of women pursued by Bill Cosby, who promised women he would help their careers if they only agreed to meet with him in his hotel room or residence. There, he drugged and raped dozens of women, according to widespread media reports, then threatened to destroy their careers if they spoke up. It seems that Neil deGrasse Tyson may be exhibiting the same pattern of behavior, exploiting vulnerable women to fulfill his sexual urges while threatening to use his academic standing and celebrity power to either help them succeed or destroy their careers, depending on whether they agreed to sleep with him. Watson called a harassment hotline and reported the entire incident, so theres a record of it. National Geographic now investing the allegations against Tyson Fox and National Geographic are investigating astrophysicist and television host Neil deGrasse Tyson after multiple women made claims of sexual misconduct against him, reports The Daily Caller. The producers of Cosmos are also taking part in the investigation, which comes after Tyson, who is married, has been accused of misconduct, including rape. Bottom line: When sexual assault allegations are made against independent scientists, independent journalists, authors or whistleblowers who challenge the scientific establishment, such allegations should be met with skepticism. But when the very same allegations are made against people who represent the elite scientific establishment that pushes the climate change hoax, psychiatric drugs and toxic vaccine ingredients, those allegations carry much more credibility because it takes much more courage to speak out against the establishment than to attack someone who opposes it. Neil deGrasse Tyson is the epitome of a globalist science insider. Theyve made him the poster child of modern pop science because hes willing to attack independent science and promote whatever falsehoods the establishment wants him to promote. Thats why the allegations from these women must be taken seriously and investigated further. Read more truthful, independent reporting on Neil deGrasse Tyson at NeilTyson.news. Anyone with further knowledge of date rape or sexual predator behavior by Neil deGrasse Tyson is encouraged to contact Natural News or email journalist David Gee: [email protected] (Natural News) Special counsel Robert Mueller was not appointed to find evidence of collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Mother Russia because there isnt any evidence to find. It just didnt happen though, unfortunately, far too many Americans believe it did simply because they dont like POTUS Donald Trump. So if that isnt why Mueller was appointed, whats the real reason? The answer should be obvious by now: To harass and undermined the president and anyone and everyone who has ever been associated with him. But wait, you say. Muellers indicting people. Hes getting convictions. Some are going to jail or, at least, may soon be once hes done using them. Yes, Mueller is getting indictments and convictions. But hes not getting them for the reason he was supposedly appointed: Trump-Russia collusion. Harvard Law School professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz, long a critic of Muellers investigation, noted this on Thursday in reaction to news that POTUS former longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, was set to plead guilty to lying to Congress regarding the timeline for a Trump Tower in Moscow, a project that never got underway. Dershowitz slammed Mueller because he now has to resort to false statement prosecutions, meaning that the special counsel didnt start with very much when he began his investigation more than a year-and-a-half ago. I think the weakness of Muellers substantive findings are suggested by the fact that he has to resort to false statement prosecutions, which really shows that he didnt start with very much and that the very fact that hes conducting an investigation has created these crimes, Dershowitz told Fox News Bill Hemmer, Breitbart News reported. No Americans are implicated Thats a valid point; there would have been no crimes to prosecute in Cohens case and in the case of retired Lt. Gen, Michael Flynn, POTUS Trumps first national security adviser had the investigation never been launched. (Related: WOW: Deep Staters Comey and McCabe LET Sally Yates SET UP Michael Flynn.) These are not crimes that had been committed prior to his appointment, theyre crimes that were committed as the result of his appointment, and that raises some questions about the role of special prosecutors in creating crimes, or creating opportunities for crimes to be committed, Dershowitz continued. In the end, I dont think Muellers going to come up with very much in terms of criminal conduct that existed before he was appointed, and thats pretty shocking, he added. Indeed, the law guiding the naming of a special counsel is clear: There has to be evidence that a crime has been committed, thereby giving the special counsel something substantive to investigate. In the case of Muellers appointment, no evidence of a crime existed because collusion isnt a crime in the first place, even if it did happen (and it didnt). We cant even call Muellers investigation a counterintelligence probe because he isnt a counterintelligence official and there are other federal agencies far better suited for that task. So Muellers purpose in life has come down to harassing former Trump associates, allies or campaign officials to include Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Carter Page and now Dr. Jerome Corsi, in addition to Cohen and Flynn and ruin their lives by creating a criminal act out of thin air while depleting their bank accounts and trashing their careers. Talk radio legend Rush Limbaugh this week described Muellers probe as a political operation designed to reverse the results of the 2016 election that all of Deep State Washington thought was going to handily go to one of their own, Hillary Clinton. He also reminded listeners of something the official who appointed Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, said in July when announcing the special counsels indictment of 12 Russians for allegedly hacking the Democratic National Committee in 2016: That no Americans have been implicated and no votes were changed in the 2016 election. So why, again, was Mueller appointed? It should be clear by now. Read more about the corruption of Muellers Deep State at DeepState.news. Sources include: NewsTarget.com Breitbart.com Hawthorne-based SpaceX has again postponed a planned launch of its SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base for a mission dubbed Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express. A post on the official SpaceX Twitter account said the delay was necessary to "conduct additional inspections of the second stage. Working toward a backup launch opportunity on December 3.'' This is the third time the launch has been postponed. The other announced delays were to accommodate additional pre-flight inspections and another due to weather. The latest SpaceX Falcon 9 launch had been scheduled for liftoff at 10:32 a.m. Sunday while carrying not one, not two, but 64 satellites on what was billed as a "ridesharing'' mission. Organized by Spaceflight Industries, the satellites aboard the rocket would come from 34 organizations and be released into a "sun-synchronous low Earth orbit.'' "It includes 15 microsats and 49 cubesats from both commercial and government entities, of which more than 25 are from international organizations from 17 countries, including the United States, Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Finland, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, UK, Germany, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Poland, Canada, Brazil and India,'' according to Spaceflight Industries. The mission is billed as the "largest dedicated rideshare mission on a U.S. launch vehicle.'' Following separation, SpaceX would attempt to land the rocket's first stage on a droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. Previous SpaceX launches from Vandenberg have created impressive light shows over the Southland and the entire southwestern United States. On Nov. 15, SpaceX launched a Qatari communications satellite into orbit from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. When it finally occurs, this new mission from Vandenberg will be SpaceX's 19th launch of the year. Meanwhile, the company is tentatively scheduled to launch a resupply mission to the International Space Station on Tuesday from Cape Canaveral. 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. Multiple eastbound lanes on I-580 in Oakland were blocked Saturday afternoon due to a fiery Greyhound bus. The bus departed from San Francisco and was headed to Los Angeles with seven passengers on board, Greyhound officials said. All passengers and the driver were able to get off the bus and no injuries were reported. "There was smoke combing out of the bus from the rear so the driver pulled over to the right here on 580," said Herman Baza from the CHP. The driver reportedly spotted trouble from his rear view mirror and urged everyone to get off while the fire raged on. CHP Oakland When CHP officers arrived, they took the passengers to the nearest Greyhound bus station in Downtown Oakland. "I can imagine," said Baza. "Youre on the bus trying to relax, waiting for a long trip ahead of you and next thing you know your bus is on fire. I can only imagine its pretty terrifying." Firefighters battled the flames and were able to knock them down. However, traffic was backed up for miles. A sig alert was issued at 5:47 p.m. as all lanes were blocked but then reopened around 9 p.m. CHP officials said an engine malfunction might have caused the incident but an investigation is still underway. "I dont know if they lost anything but thank god they are safe," Oakland resident Jennifer Oswald said. Cities across the country and the world continue their tributes for former President George H.W. Bush following his death Friday. Many are remembering his service to the country which began in World War II as a naval pilot and ended as the 41st President of the United States. In the Bay Area, some residents remembered Bush with mixed feelings as World AIDS Day brought up memories about his lack of participation in Washington D.C.s AIDS Quilt event in 1989. At Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, a concert was held Saturday to commemorate those who passed away of AIDS. Pastor Michael Cronin with the Metropolitan Community Church said he vividly remembers the AIDS Quilt event in 1989 where then-President Bush was invited to attend, but instead left the White House. Immediately Cleve Jones was up at the podium and started saying shame, shame, shame and the whole people on the ellipse were going shame, shame, shame as he flew over, Cornin said. All sorts of good things by him and in his lifetime, at the same time, I remember his inaction. In 1989 Bush left a different kind of impression on former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos when Bush visited San Francisco after the Loma Prieta earthquake. We flew all over San Francisco while I pointed out the various parts of the city that were badly damaged, Agnos said. Parts of San Francisco had been badly damaged and was still burning at the time of his visit. Agnos said the president wanted to spend time with first responders and wanted to know more about the damage the city sustained. He wanted to know the specifics, the details, and was genuinely interested. He just didnt want highlights, Agnos said. Massachusetts State Police say they have arrested the driver of a car in connection with a school bus crash investigation after determining that she was under the influence of alcohol. Authorities identified the driver as Christy Gilpatrick, 27, of Warren, Rhode Island. They say this is the second time she has been charged with an OUI. State police responded Saturday night to a school bus crash with injuries on Route 24 southbound after receiving multiple 911 calls about a serious crash. The accident was south of exit 11 in Berkley. The crash is still under investigation and police have not yet determined whether Gilpatrick caused the crash. RIGHT NOW- dozens of law enforcement agencies here in Berkley, MA on route 24 South abound for a reported school bus crash. pic.twitter.com/4poQIdu16N Sam Read (@NBC10_Sam) December 2, 2018 Father Ted Brown of the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro, Massachusetts says the bus left from there. "It kind of just takes the air out of you," he said. We had a big concert here that about 1,000 people came to." Thousands of people visit the shrine every year to see the holiday lights. "Sadness. Great, great sadness," Brown said. "I'm concerned for all the people who were injured, and I know it varies from minor injuries to some serious injuries." As authorities continue to review and investigate the crash, they issued an update on Sunday evening. State police said more victims than initially thought suffered serious injuries, including multiple fractures. Upon further review, they found that several people, including some children, suffered serious injuries. One child with serious injuries was transported from Rhode Island Hospital to a Boston hospital for additional treatment. Many victims remain hospitalized, the statement said. State police said total number of people on the bus has been updated from 25 initially to 23 adults and children; however, fire officials in Berkley said a total of 30 people were taken to five hospitals in two states. The bus was owned by First Student, Inc., a bus company in Tiverton, Rhode Island. The bus passengers were First Student employees and their families and friends who went on a company trip. "I would just like to thank all of the mutual aid departments as well as municipal and state police. Last evening was a total team effort," Fournier said in a statement on Sunday. "It is the kind of situation we train for and sit in workshops and prepare for, but you really come to appreciate the value of all that planning when see it unfold before you." According to State Police, people ranging in age from adult to young children were on the bus. The bus went off the road off the right shoulder and into the woods. It did not roll over. All occupants are accounted for and no other transports are believed to be serious injuries, police said. They were transported with minor injuries or for precautionary reasons. According to state police, the bus contained parents and children who were returning to Tiverton. Gilpatrick was charged with OUI alcohol second offense, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and marked lanes violation. She will appear in court on Monday. Its unclear if she has an attorney. The investigation is ongoing. Three people have died and 16 others have been wounded in citywide shootings since 5 p.m. Friday. Two of the homicides happened early Sunday and included a man shot dead while he sat in a parked vehicle in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side. The 32-year-old was sitting in a parked vehicle about 2:55 a.m. in the 5900 block of South Elizabeth Street when someone approached and fired shots, Chicago police said. He was shot multiple times in his body and pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. No one was in custody. Another man died minutes earlier and blocks away in West Englewood. About 2:40 a.m., two men were standing on the street in the 6400 block of South Bell Avenue when someone in a light-colored SUV fired shots, police said. A 40-year-old man was shot in the head and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died, according to police. Another man, 38, was taken to the same hospital with a gunshot wound to the left leg. His condition had stabilized. A man was shot to death Saturday afternoon in the Fernwood neighborhood on the Far South Side, according to police. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More At 1:43 p.m., the 24-year-old was walking down a street in the first block of West 103rd Street when two males shot at him, police said. They ran away, and two people of interest were taken into custody shortly after. The 24-year-old was shot in the chest and taken to Christ Medical Center in critical condition, police said. He died later that afternoon. The Cook County medical examiners office has not released details about the fatalities. In nonfatal shootings: about 4:15 a.m. Sunday, a man was shot in his back by two gunmen in the Humboldt Park neighborhood; about 4 a.m. Sunday, a 29-year-old man was shot on a sidewalk in the Pullman neighborhood on the Far South Side; about 2:55 a.m. Sunday, a man was wounded in the Hermosa neighborhood in a drive-by attack; about 2:45 a.m. Sunday, a 32-year-old man was critically wounded when he was shot in the chest in Ashburn; about 12:22 a.m. Sunday, a man crashed into a pole after he was shot in Morgan Park on the Far South Side; at 6:47 p.m. Saturday, a 25-year-old man was wounded by someone shooting from a passing car in East Garfield Park; about 5 p.m. Saturday, a man was shot in the leg in the Old Town neighborhood on the Near North Side; about 4:45 p.m. Saturday, a 45-year-old man was shot in the thigh as he stood on a sidewalk in the Eden Green neighborhood on the Far South Side; about 1 p.m. Saturday, a man was shot by two males he did not know in the Fifth City neighborhood on the West Side; about noon Saturday, two men were wounded in a drive-by shooting in Gresham on the South Side; about 2:50 a.m. Saturday, someone was shot at a party in Englewood; about 2:10 a.m. Saturday, a man took himself to a hospital after he was shot in the hip in Fuller Park on the South Side; about 7:50 p.m. Friday, two armed people shot a 20-year-old man in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side; about 7 p.m. Friday, a 37-year-old man was shot while he sat in a van in the Lawndale neighborhood on the West Side. He was shot multiple times in his body. Over the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend, four people were killed and 19 others wounded in shootings across the city. The weekend started 5 p.m. Friday and ends 5 a.m. Monday. One person is dead and at least eight others have been wounded in shootings across the city of Chicago on Saturday. The citys first fatal shooting of the day took place just before 2 p.m. in the 0-100 block of West 103rd Street when a 24-year-old man was shot in the chest and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in critical condition, according to police. The man was later pronounced dead. There were no witnesses immediately available to the shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing. Earlier in the day, a 19-year-old man was inside a residence in the 6900 block of South Walcott just before 3 a.m. when a man opened fire, striking him in the head. The man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in critical condition, and authorities are still searching for a suspect in the shooting. Here are the rest of Saturdays shootings: In the 4800 block of South Princeton at approximately 2:10 a.m., a 33-year-old man was walking on a sidewalk when a person in a light colored sedan fired shots, striking him in the right hip. He was taken to Stroger in stable condition, according to police. Two men were shot in the 1200 block of West 83 rd Street at noon, according to police. A 38-year-old man was shot in the chest and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in stable condition. A 30-year-old man was shot in the thigh and was taken to St. Bernard, where he was also in stable condition. Street at noon, according to police. A 38-year-old man was shot in the chest and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in stable condition. A 30-year-old man was shot in the thigh and was taken to St. Bernard, where he was also in stable condition. Two men approached a 24-year-old man in the 400 block of South Kedzie at approximately 1:07 p.m., according to police. The men opened fire, striking the victim in the upper body. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition. A 45-year-old man is in serious condition after he was shot in the thigh, according to police. The incident occurred in the 13300 block of South Calumet at approximately 4:47 p.m., and the man was taken to Christ Hospital after the shooting. In the 1300 block of North Cleveland at approximately 5:03 p.m., a 28-year-old man was shot in the leg and taken to Northwestern, where he is in good condition, according to police. A 25-year-old man was walking in the 600 block of North Avers when a sedan pulled up and an occupant opened fire, striking him in the buttocks and back, according to police. The man was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he is in serious condition. No one is in custody in any of the above shootings, unless otherwise noted. Numerous tornadoes touched down in Central Illinois on Saturday night as a weather system worked its way through the state. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, tornadoes were spotted in several Illinois counties, including Christian, Macon, Fulton, and Cass, and while there were no reports of serious damage, it was still an unnerving sight to see on the first day of December. Amid reports of the tornadoes, Governor Bruce Rauner activated the State Emergency Operations Center, and announced the group will coordinate with charities and agencies to respond to the stormy weather. "We (will) closely monitor the situation, keep in contact with local officials and quickly mobilize any state assets that may be needed," he said. "If state assistance is needed, we are well-positioned to provide it quickly and efficiently." One tornado touched down near Stonington, a town 30 miles southeast of Springfield. That tornado reportedly blew over a semi trailer and numerous trees and power lines were knocked down, according to trained weather spotters. Tornadoes were also spotted in Palmer, located approximately 40 miles south of Springfield, and near Beardstown in Cass County. That tornado reportedly damaged trees and power lines and potentially caused damage to a water plant. Official word on the strength of the tornadoes, as well as any damage estimates, will emerge in the next few days as the National Weather Service investigates the funnel clouds. 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. What to Know Cal Fire said the fire had grown to 85,500 acres and was 15 percent contained by lines of cleared vegetation. A total of 57,000 structures were threatened and 177 of structures were confirmed destroyed with hundreds more likely. Two people were found dead inside a vehicle in a long driveway in the 33000 block of Mulholland Highway, Deputy Aura Sierra said. Despite the return of threatening Santa Ana winds, a combined force of firefighters battling the deadly Woolsey Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties was able to hold the blaze within containment lines Sunday, but officials warned that unburned areas in that footprint and to the south continued to pose danger. Evacuation orders for Calabasas expanded to the whole city Sunday evening. Later, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced residents would be allowed back into some areas of Agoura Hills and Westlake Village beginning at 9 p.m. "The only areas in the impacted fire zone of Los Angeles County that we are able to safely repopulate at this time are the Agoura Hills and Westlake Village communities, between Chesebro Road and Westlake Boulevard and north of the 101 Freeway," according to a department statement. "No access will be available to neighborhoods south of the 101 Freeway. The Los Angeles County Public Works has closed Chesebro Road at the bridge located between Driver Avenue and Balkins Street due to the bridge being damaged during the fire." They also announced the 101 Freeway would reopen, with some on and off-ramps remaining closed. "At 9 p.m., the northbound lanes will be open from Valley Circle Boulevard, with the off-ramps at Chesebro Road, Kanan Road, Reyes Adobe Road, and Lindero Canyon re-opening. At 10 p.m., the southbound lanes of Interstate 101 Freeway will open, with the same off-ramps to southbound traffic." Evacuations were also lifted for some areas of Newbury Park. "The mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted within the perimeters of Lynn Road, north of Potrero Road, west of Westlake Blvd, and south of Highway 101. Gated communities south of Potrero Road are still under mandatory evacuations," according to a statement from the Thousand Oaks Police Department. Several flare-ups in the Malibu and western San Fernando Valley were reported earlier Sunday as winds started to kick up. Cal Fire officials said the fire had grown to 83,275 acres and was 10 percent contained by lines of cleared vegetation. A total of 57,000 structures were threatened and 177 were destroyed, with hundreds more likely. The badly burned bodies of two people were found inside a vehicle in a long driveway in the 33000 block of Mulholland Highway. Three firefighters were injured battling the fire, but they were reported to be minor. The fire -- which began Thursday afternoon -- has forced the evacuation of at least 75,000 homes and an estimated 265,000 people in both counties as it indiscriminately consumed multimillion-dollar mansions and mobile homes. The cause remained under investigation, Cal Fire said. National Weather Service Meteorologist Curt Kaplan said Sunday that the winds will steadily increase to 50-60 mph in the mountains with gusts of up to 70 mph. A Red Flag Warning remained in effect for Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Tuesday. Kaplan was optimistic the winds would be weaker than they were Thursday and Friday and will be strongest in the mornings and early afternoons through Tuesday, giving firefighters a nightly reprieve. Mandatory evacuation orders remained in effect in the city of Malibu; the city of Calabasas; in Bell Canyon; Oak Park; Thousand Oaks Boulevard north to Sunset Hills; Oak Park west to Highway 23; West of Highway 23, south of E. Olsen Road, north of Pederson Road; south of Bard Lake, east of Highway 23; south of Highway 101, east of Reino Road, north of Potrero Road, east to the L.A./Ventura County line; Wood Ranch and Long Canyon. Law enforcement and fire officials, as well as elected officials, urged people in the fire area to heed all evacuation orders. Los Angeles Police Capt. Don Graham said the LAPD has been putting together a plan for road closures and evacuations in advance of Sunday's winds. The expected return of the winds led to the re-imposition of the Red Flag Parking Restriction Program, which will go into effect starting at 8 a.m., Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said, warning that illegally parked vehicles will be towed. Motorists should look for "No Parking" signs posted in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. For a map of those zones, go to www.lafd.org./news/woolsey-fire. The Los Angeles City Fire Department sent more than 25 fire companies to battle the Woolsey Fire, Stewart said. The U.S. Forest Service has dispatched two crews numbering 32 people to assist, according to the department. Orange County Fire Authority officials say they have sent 20 engines to assist with the fires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and firefighters have come in from off time to ensure that every OCFA fire station is adequately staffed. Crews from other agencies, including Arizona, were also assisting in battling the massive blaze, helping to evacuate residents and providing traffic control. Los Angeles County fire strike teams and water dropping aircraft were working to contain the flames on or around the Pepperdine campus. No permanent structures have been lost, but video from the campus showed at least one vehicle and several bicycles scorched by flames. Pepperdine University in Malibu, which lifted a shelter-in-place order that had been in effect Saturday, announced Sunday that the school's Malibu and Calabasas campuses would remain closed through Thanksgiving. All Malibu schools in the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District will remain closed until at least Thursday, the district announced. The City of Malibu reported that all mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect and no one will be permitted to re-enter Malibu until further notice. Active fires were still burning in Malibu, and the city said there will likely be intermittent power outages due to weather and fire conditions. Malibu also has established a website to update fire information at www.malibucity.org/woolsey. The superintendent of the Las Virgenes Unified School District in Calabasas said district leaders would meet Sunday to assess air quality and overall safety issues before issuing a district-wide email to families about the school schedule for the rest of the week. The fire started in Ventura County but raced into Los Angeles County, chewed its way through brush and into neighborhoods of Westlake Village and Malibu. The fire reportedly jumped Pacific Coast Highway Friday evening, moving toward Malibu Colony. Driven by 50- to 60-mph winds, the flames jumped south across the 101 Freeway in the Liberty Canyon area early Friday, sending it on a course through Malibu and its exclusive celebrity enclaves. The following evacuation centers were open: -- Canoga Park Senior High School at 6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park -- Palisades High School, 15777 Bowdoin St., Pacific Palisades -- Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley Street, Camarillo (accepting small animals) -- Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park (accepting small animals) -- Taft Charter High School, 5461 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills (at capacity) -- Rancho Santa Susana Recreation Center, 5005 Unit C, Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley (no animals accepted) -- Pierce College, 7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills (Entrance off Desoto Avenue); Evacuation centers for animals were opened Friday at Hansen Dam, 11770 Foothill Blvd. in Lake View Terrace, and Pierce College in Woodland Hills, but both reached capacity. A large animal evacuation center was established at the Zuma Beach parking lot in Malibu. Industry Hills Expo Center in the San Gabriel Valley was also offering shelter for horses from fire-affected areas. In Ventura County, Borchard Community Center at 190 Reino Rd. in Newbury Park was accepting dogs and cats. The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Services was on site assisting as well. Those who need assistance with large animals were advised to call (805) 388-4258. Meanwhile, firefighters were reporting progress on the much smaller Hill Fire north of Malibu and south of Simi Valley. That wildfire was 70 percent contained and consumed 4,531 acres with two structures destroyed and no other structures threatened. No civilians or firefighters were killed or injured and full containment was expected Wednesday. Gov. Jerry Brown, responding to the Southern California fires and the Camp Fire in Northern California that has burned more than 100,000 acres and killed at least 23 people, announced Sunday that he is requesting a "major disaster declaration'' from President Donald J. Trump, in addition to an earlier emergency declaration signed by Trump that will provide federal funds to help firefighters. An 81-year-old woman who was missing from Stratford on Sunday has been found. Police issued a Silver Alert for Dorothy Fiorini-Schlenk on Sunday afternoon and cancelled it about eight hours later. It is unclear where Fiorini-Schlenk was found. Norwich Police have arrested a man who is accused of exposing himself to children who were playing outside on Saturday. Officers were called to a home on Maple Street to investigate a report of a man exposing himself. The person who reported the incident to police followed the man, later identified as 27-year-old Kyle Quintin White, of Norwich, on Asylum Street until police arrived. Once police arrived, White was detained while officers investigated the incident. According to police, the person who reported the incident told them that White was in their yard while children were playing outside. The children said they saw him in the yard partially expose his genitals. Once the children told their parents what happened, the parents confronted White, who fled on foot. The parents then followed White and demanded his identity. The parents said White gave them his identity and then fled on foot again, where he was apprehended by Norwich Police. White was arrested and is facing charges including risk of injury/imparing morals of a minor, breach of peace and public indecency. He is being held on a $50,000 bond. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is encouraged to contact Officer O'Connell with information. East Haven Police have arrested a man who was caught burglarizing cars early Saturday morning. Officers were dispatched to Stoddard Road after getting a report of a man burglarizing vehicles around 2:10 a.m. Before officers arrived, police said a witness told dispatch that she saw the man, later identified as 26-year-old Jacob Longyear, of New Haven, walking down Stoddard Road. She said that she watched him enter an unlocked vehicle near the intersection of Stoddard Road and South End Road. When officers arrived, they found Longyear in the passenger seat of a black van. Officers said they ordered Longyear out of the vehicle and he was detained without incident. According to police, Longyear admitted to officers that he was in the area to burglarize cars. Officers located a canvas bag next to Longyear that contained various stolen items from other vehicles in the neighborhood, police said. Police said while officers were speaking with Longyear, several residents came out and found their vehicles had been burglarized. Longyear was found with their stolen items. Longyear was arrested and is facing charges including burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal trespass and larceny. He was given a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on December 3 in New Haven. While Longyear was being processed, police discovered he had six active arrest warrants from different agencies throughout the state with court set bonds totaling $215,000. Longyear is being held on a total of $225,000 in bonds. Police are reminding residents to take valuables inside and lock up vehicles at night. 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... Connecticut State Police are investigating multiple crashes on Interstate 95 south in Westport, including one that left one person with serious injuries early Sunday morning. According to firefighters, the first crash happened at 3:04 a.m. on I-95 south between exits 18 and 17. Crews reported one vehicle on its roof with one person still inside. Firefighters said they stabilized the vehicle and removed the person inside. The person was transferred to Westport EMS. About 40 minutes later, police said there was another crash on the highway, just north of exit 17. Firefighters reported one vehicle on its side with heavy damage. Three people were in the vehicle and were transported to local hospitals. Police said two were transported for precautionary reasons and the third person had serious injuries. The highway was closed between exits 18 and 17 while the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Squad processed and documented the scene with help from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. There was some congestion in the area while DOT crews repaired the guardrail. At the foot of the Mexican side of the Gateway International Bridge, a group of Americans bearing a wagon packed with homemade food approached a small area curtained off by a blue tarp. The Brownsville Herald reports as temperatures dipped to 47 degrees, they unpacked trays of green beans, turkey with pasta and more as the people sleeping in the makeshift camp helped arrange the food. There were about 16 people sleeping there at night, waiting to be called on by Mexican and U.S. immigration officials to begin their asylum applications. Brendon Tucker, a 23-year-old native of Canyon Lake with sandy-blond hair, greeted everyone at the bridge like an old friend. He and the other volunteers represent an off-shoot of grassroots efforts to help migrants released from detention centers in the Rio Grande Valley. Those who give humanitarian aid at the bridges and Brownsville bus station collectively call themselves Team Brownsville, and Tucker independently runs the Asylum Seeker Kitchen. Tucker moved to Brownsville four months ago, at the height of outrage over the separation of families that crossed the border, and spearheads the effort to provide nightly meals to people waiting on the bridge. He said he's amazed by the positive attitude of the people there. "They're just such good people," he said. "It was always, `Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.'" There were less people than expected, a good thing because some had been allowed to cross the bridge, he said. Among them were a pregnant woman who had been there for a month and a 13-year-old girl who had suffered from seizures. Gaby Zavala, a Brownsville resident who volunteers with Tucker, took donated sneakers to women sitting among the cots set up nearby. The women had been wearing socks with sandals. Zavala said the migrants they meet on the bridge live in difficult conditions. Some trekked through the Colombian jungle; others were transported in trucks by smugglers. Some survived assault on their journey. "They're glad to be somewhere," Zavala said. "They are just waiting to see what happens here." Zavala left the area briefly to get medicine at a nearby pharmacy. There's only so much volunteers can do to help those who are sick, and Zavala said she hopes to bring doctors to conduct basic health exams. "What I like is people kind of came together with the resources they have," she said. "Every day there's different people donating food." Olga Rosana Diaz, 50, of Cuba, said she had been on the bridge for 15 days and previously spent 10 days in a migrant shelter. She was thankful for the volunteers' help, adding that they otherwise might not even have access to water. "In Cuba, there's no liberty. For the majority of Cubans, it's very difficult," Diaz said of her reasons for seeking asylum. "There's no work, and they don't let you work. You can't live off the salary the government gives you." In a small room behind the camp area, a soft-spoken woman named Sonia, 30, took shelter from the cold with her 2-year-old daughter. It was their first day on the bridge after hitchhiking from Guatemala, she said in a voice barely louder than a whisper. She fled after her husband threatened and tried to kill her, she said. As the volunteers packed up after the meal, a woman asked for Tucker's phone number. He had prepared food expecting about nine additional people, and she wanted to be able to give him a headcount in the evenings so none goes to waste. Tucker came to Brownsville to be part of a march against family separation and later met a woman who had camped out in front of a detention center. He was disillusioned with groups in Austin that didn't have impact on asylum seekers, and he had taken to heart a book passage that said people who want to foster change have to make it their job. That's when he met Sergio Cordova and Michael Benavides of Team Brownsville, which distributes donated clothing, food and information on legal services to migrants left at the bus station. "I live in the Hill Country, and there's just no way to get involved up there," Tucker said. "It was just a really good opportunity to get involved." He sold some of his belongings and moved to Brownsville in July. With plenty of restaurant experience, Tucker told other Team Brownsville volunteers that home cooking was the best way to feed asylum seekers and make donated funds last longer. He started a GoFundMe campaign in August seeking to raise $12,000 to cover the costs of his lease along with food and drinks for the migrants for a year. The campaign has raised about $22,000 to date. It was at the bus station across the street from his apartment that Tucker met Rolando Covar, a homeless man who had been helping migrants navigate the bus system years before anyone else. Tucker invited Covar, who has a special rapport with migrants, to move in and continue keeping track of people in need of help. Tucker doesn't speak much Spanish -- he does an hour of the language-learning app Duolingo each day -- and Covar doesn't speak English, but they're both learning. Tucker said other people have been pitching in with cooking or making sides, and the goal is to bring in local restaurants that would volunteer to make meals once per week. Even then, he won't be heading back to the Hill County. "I plan to run the kitchen until people in Brownsville can take it over, and then I'm going to move to El Paso to open a new one," he said. As word of George H.W. Bush's passing spread, Texans shared their thoughts and condolences. The office Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick released: Jan and I express our deepest condolences to the Bush family on the passing of our former President, George H. W. Bush. President Bush was a great Texan whose life and work exemplify public service and love for his country. His lasting legacy will inspire Americans for generations to come. Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price wrote the following on Twitter. RIP President George H.W. Bush - a true American hero who embodied what it meant to be a public servant. He was an incredible leader, who devoted his life to our country and his family. He will be incredibly missed by all. The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation president, Dr. Julie Baker Finck, released this statement: Today, we mourn the loss of President George H. W. Bush, yet celebrate and give thanks for his incredible life and steadfast service to our great nation. President Bush was a beloved hero, a respected leader, and a devoted family man. He represented strength, courage, compassion, and all that is good in the world. He believed, 'Any definition of a successful life includes service to others,' and he exemplified this belief through his unwavering love for his country, generosity, and acts of kindness. His resolute drive to do the right thing and the impact he made on our country will remain an inspiration to us. We will forever honor his legacy and follow in his path to be kinder, more giving people. President Bush recognized the value of community and sought to unify throughout his political career. 'We are a nation of communities,' he described in his 1988 inaugural address, 'a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky.' He used the office of the presidency to call upon more people to become volunteers and in 1990, he created Points of Light, an organization dedicated to inspiring people across the globe to become volunteers and to engage in meaningful service opportunities to change the world. While our hearts are heavy, they are also comforted in knowing that he is at peace in Heaven, reunited with his beloved Barbara and their daughter Robin. We send our thoughts and prayers to our founders, Neil and Maria Bush, and the entire Bush family. Tiffany Murgo and Katie Rakowitz met in an English class at Bradley Middle School and became fast friends. The San Antonio Express-News reports they remained close through high school and college, were in each other's weddings and have raised their kids together. In 2011, after Rakowitz had her first child, she started looking for work she could do from home. She ended up acquiring a small baby-sitting business a year later from a woman she met through a moms' group. At the time, the business had 35 babysitters and was booking about 125 jobs a month. Murgo officially became a partner in 2014, and the best friends worked to rebrand and grow the business. Today, Time Out Sitters has about 250 babysitters and handles about 1,000 jobs a month. The partners also have added pet and house-sitting services. They've also expanded north up Interstate 35, adding Austin and Waco among other cities. Now they're working to grow their presence in those markets and hire more sitters. "We've come a long way," Rakowitz said. "We're thankful for the community. We're dealing with your babies, and that's a big deal. It really is very humbling." The name, Time Out Sitters, stems from "when parents need time out," she said. People in need of child care register through the website and submit a request with the date, time and location. Rakowitz and Murgo match them with preselected sitters. The partners say the vetting process is part of what distinguishes Time Out Sitters from similar services. All sitters are 18 or older, have prior child care experience, are CPR and first aid certified, and undergo background checks. Rakowitz and Murgo, both 38, said they personally interview each candidate and call their references before they are hired. After being set up with a sitter, a client gets an email confirmation with a picture and biography of the sitter, who also calls them the day before the job to introduce themselves. "Our rule of thumb is if we wouldn't have them come into our home to watch our children, then we're not going to bring them on the team to watch other people's children," Murgo said. Candidates, who are typically referred by other sitters, are independent contractors. Those using the service pay an annual membership fee of $50. Hourly rates are based on time, the number of children and other factors, such as a sick child or someone needs a sitter on holidays. In-home rates start at $13.50 an hour for one child, with another $1 per hour for each additional child and $3 per hour for each friend or guest. Job minimums start at three hours Monday through Thursday, with higher minimums on weekends and holidays. They have discussed surge pricing for busy times, Rakowitz said. There are group rates for outings and events. Time Out also has sitters who are able to care for children with special needs. They also have about 10 sitters who are certified to care for foster children. "We talk a lot about the trust that the clients have in us, but it's also the trust that the sitters have in us," Murgo said. "We have two clients." Another factor they believe sets Time Out apart is their connection to the community, as longtime San Antonio residents. Before they teamed up on the business, Rakowitz worked in sales and catering. Murgo also worked in sales and helped manage her husband's business. The pair would often bounce ideas for businesses off each other. They talked about a child and pet boutique and a sandwich cookbook. Murgo typically handles job requests, invoicing and emails, while Rakowitz focuses on hiring and making sure sitters' documents are up to date. As they approach the holidays, which are usually busy, they start accelerating hiring in October and November. Rakowitz and Murgo declined to disclose what cut they take from the fees. They compare managing a business together to a marriage: there are highs and lows, but working through the struggles is rewarding. They respect each other. And if they were too similar, they agree they would butt heads far more often. "It makes it so much more gratifying because we've been through all these really hard things together," Murgo said. Eventually they hope to add a mobile app and expand to more cities, but for now they are focusing on Austin and Waco. "We do want to keep on growing, but we also need to make sure we stick to how we hire and doing things the Time Out Sitters way," Rakowitz said. 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. Here are the 6 things you need to know on Sunday, December 2nd. In weather, expect a warm and humid Sunday. Were seeing low rain chances, also. A cold front will arrive in South Florida on Wednesday. No. 1 Armed Home Invasion in Northeast Miami-Dade Police are searching for several robbers that could be armed and on the run in Northeast Miami-Dade. No. 2 Police Searching for Missing Elderly Man Police are searching for a missing elderly man out of Cutler Bay, who say he suffers from dementia. If you have information on Miguel Amions whereabouts, youre asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. No. 3 Police Search for Gunman in Overtown Police in Overtown are searching for a gunman after five people were shot on Northwest 5th Avenue and 8th Street. Officials said two of those people are in critical condition. No. 4 Viewing Held for Dead Cyclist A viewing will be held today for Denise Marsh, who was one of the Davie cyclists killed in a crash that happened last Sunday. The viewing is happening at the T.M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home at 2 p.m. this afternoon. No. 5 Target Gift Card Sale Happening today Target is offering their annual gift card sale. Today only, you can get a Target gift card worth up to $300 for 10 percent off. No. 6 Amazon Kicks Off 12 Days of Deals Also happening today, Amazon is kicking off its 12 Days of Deals. That means starting now through Thursday, December 13th, deals from a different department will be available every day. Todays deal will be on home improvement items. Heres a look at last weeks top and trending stories: Prolific Serial Killer Confesses to 6 South Florida Murders: FBI A serial killer who may have murdered as many as 90 victims throughout the United States has confessed to at least six slayings in South Florida, but so far authorities havent been able to confirm them. Samuel Little, 78, provided investigators details on a multitude of murders he may have committed between 1970 and 2005 in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Illinois, Ohio, California, Indiana, Arizona, New Mexico and South Carolina. Click here for more details on this story. A serial killer who may have murdered as many as 90 victims throughout the United States has confessed to at least six slayings in South Florida but so far authorities havent been able to confirm them. Plane Ticket Typo Costs Man More Than $1,000 A man bought his daughter a flight to Europe, but little did he know that the trip would cost more than he bargained for. The man made a little typo which turned out to be impossible to fix. Click here to find out what travel experts recommend you do when purchasing expensive travel. A man said he made a small typo on a plane ticket and thought it would be an easy fix until he called the third-party website he used to make the booking. Alina Machado reports. South Florida Legislator Urging Ban on Texting, Phone Use While Driving Sparked by her own family tragedy, a member of the Florida House of Representatives from South Florida is presenting legislation that would require drivers in the state to put down their phones while they drive. The potential bill would ban texting and holding a phone while driving, but would allow for the use of Bluetooth devices in the state. Click here for more details on the potential bill. Inspired by personal tragedy, one member of the Florida House wants to pass a law banning the use of phones while driving unless using a bluetooth device. New York Dog Found in Florida 18 Months After Disappearing 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 a 13-year-old took him in. The dog was found near Tampa and is set to be reunited with his family today. Click here for more details on this story. Why Sales Tax Is More Likely for Online Gifts This Holiday Season Shoppers heading online to purchase holiday gifts will find theyre being charged sales tax at some websites they werent before. The reason? The Supreme Court. A June ruling gave states the go-ahead to collect sales tax on online purchases. Click here for more details on the potential price hike. Negotiators from around the world began two weeks of talks on curbing climate change Sunday, three years after sealing a landmark deal in Paris that set a goal of keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Envoys from almost 200 nations gathered in Poland's southern city of Katowice, a day earlier than originally planned, for the U.N. meeting that's scheduled to run until Dec. 14. Ministers and some heads of government are joining in Monday, when host Poland will push for a joint declaration to ensure a "just transition" for fossil fuel industries like coal producers who are facing closures as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The meeting received a boost over the weekend, after 19 major economies at the G-20 summit affirmed their commitment to the 2015 Paris climate accord. The only holdout was the United States, which announced under President Donald Trump that it is withdrawing from the climate pact. "Despite geopolitical instability, the climate consensus is proving highly resilient," said Christiana Figueres, a former head of the U.N. climate office. "It is sad that the federal administration of the United States, a country that is increasingly feeling the full force of climate impacts, continues to refuse to listen to the objective voice of science when it comes to climate change," Figures said. She cited a recent expert report warning of the consequences of letting average global temperatures rise beyond 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F). "The rest of the G-20 have not only understood the science, they are taking actions to both prevent the major impacts and strengthen their economies," said Figueres, who now works with Mission 2020, a group that campaigns to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The meeting in Katowice is regarded as a key test of countries' willingness to back their lofty but distant goals with concrete measures, some of which are already drawing fierce protests . At the top of the agenda is the so-called Paris rulebook , which will determine how governments record and report their greenhouse emissions and efforts to cut them. Separately, negotiators will discuss ramping up countries' national emissions targets after 2020, and financial support for poor nations that are struggling to adapt to climate change. The shift away from fossil fuels, which scientists say has to happen by 2050, is expected to require a major overhaul of world economies. "The good news is that we do know a lot of what we need to be able to do to get there," said David Waskow of the World Resources Institute. Waskow, who has followed climate talks for years, said despite the Trump administration's refusal to back this global effort the momentum is going in the right direction. "It's not one or two players anymore in the international arena," he said. "It's what I think you could call a distributed leadership, where you have a number of countries some of them small or medium-sized really making headway and doing it in tandem with cities and states and businesses." Later Sunday, protests were planned by environmental activists calling for an end to coal mining in Poland, which gets some 80 percent of its energy from coal. Katowice is at the heart of Poland's coal mining region of Silesia and there are still several active mines in and around the city. Thousands of people marched Saturday in Berlin and Cologne to demand that Germany speed up its exit from coal-fired power plants. But the governor of Germany's most populous state said Sunday it was premature to set a firm date for phasing out the use of coal-fired power plants. Armin Laschet, the governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state, said Germany's decision to stop mining and burning lignite coal "must be considered seriously and decided with broad consensus." German officials had hoped to present a blueprint for the country's exit from coal at the meeting in Katowice but an expert committee has delayed issuing its recommendations until next year. Did Albert Einstein believe in God? The famous physicist was constantly questioned about his religious beliefs during his lifetime. Two Einstein artifacts up for auction in New York contained clues to the spiritual beliefs of the 20th century's best-known thinker. Sotheby's offered a Bible for sale Friday in which Einstein inscribed in 1932: "This book is an inexhaustible source of living wisdom and consolation." But divine providence did not favor the auction house. The Bible failed to sell. Christie's, meanwhile, is planning to auction a 1954 letter Tuesday in which Einstein declared, "The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable but still primitive legends." The leatherette-bound Bible was a gift from Einstein and his wife, Elsa, to Harriet Hamilton, an employee of the couple. The auction house had estimated that it would sell for $200,000 to $300,000 at Friday's sale of rare books and manuscripts. Cassandra Hatton, a specialist in books and manuscripts at Sotheby's, said in an interview before the auction that it was hard to reconcile the description of the Bible as a source of "living wisdom" with the harsher view of religion that Einstein expressed elsewhere. "It's possible that this gift was given to someone who was quite religious," Hatton said. She speculated that Einstein might have penned the inscription "out of respect for her religion." The letter Christie's is selling was written the year before Einstein's 1955 death and was addressed to Eric Gutkind, a philosopher who had written a book about Jewish spirituality and the pursuit of science. Einstein wrote in German that while he "gladly" belonged to the Jewish people, he believed that the Jewish religion "like all other religions is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions." Christie's books and manuscripts specialist Peter Klarnet said the letter, which carries a presale estimate of $1 million to $1.5 million, is notable for its bluntness. "Here he is actually quite blunt in what he says," Klarnet said. "The word 'God' is a product of human weakness." Both items have come up for auction before. The Bible sold for $68,500 at Bonham's in New York in 2013 and the letter to Gutkind sold for $404,000 at Bloomsbury Auctions in London in 2008. Walter Isaacson, the author of the 2007 biography "Einstein: His Life and Universe," said the great man's views on religion are hard to pin down. "Einstein generally avoided giving simple answers, and like most human beings his feelings about spirituality varied over time," Isaacson said. "Sometimes he expressed himself in more spiritual terms and sometimes he was more of a debunker of religion." As Isaacson recounts in the book, everyone from clerics to schoolchildren quizzed Einstein about his religious views. A New York rabbi sent a telegram demanding, "Do you believe in God? Stop. Answer paid. 50 words." Einstein answered, "I believe in Spinoza's God, who reveals himself in the lawful harmony of all that exists, but not in a God who concerns himself with the fate and the doings of mankind." Isaacson said it's not surprising that Einstein's faith or lack thereof sparked so much interest. "There was a delightful belief that a genius who could fathom the laws of the universe could give us the answer to timeless questions such as about the existence of God," Isaacson said. "And many people were hungering for a way to reconcile science and religion. They were hoping that he would say, 'Yes, there is a God. You can quit worrying about it now.' But his beliefs were not that simple." What to Know The bodies of four people, two of them children, were found at a burning mansion in the wealthy New Jersey community of Colts Neck Prosecutors say the blaze was intentionally set; father Keith Caneiro was shot and his wife and two children were stabbed, sources say Keith's brother Paul Caneiro is charged with murder in their deaths; he also is accused of setting fire to his own home Hundreds of people mourned four members of a New Jersey family on Sunday whose bodies were found at their burning mansion. The joint funeral in Holmdel was held for Keith Caneiro; his wife, Jennifer, and their two young children, Jesse and Sophia. All were found dead Nov. 20 at their Colts Neck home. The family issued a statement thanking the community for support and asking for privacy. "The passing of these four beautiful people was tragic, sudden and incomprehensible," the statement said. "Like you, we are heartbroken." NBC 4 New York Keith Caneiro's brother, Paul, has been charged with murder and arson. He pleaded not guilty during a court appearance Friday. Monmouth County prosecutors have called the motive for the slayings "financial." But defense lawyers say they haven't seen any evidence Paul Caneiro was financially strapped. Keith Caneiro was found shot to death outside the home, while his wife and children were found inside the residence. A few hours earlier, another blaze occurred at Paul Caneiro's Ocean Township home. He's also charged in that fire. A huge fire was burning at a New Jersey mansion Tuesday. Top Tri-State News Photos A police officer trying to stop a knife assault in Queens fired a single shot, but didn't hit anyone, sources tell NBC 4 New York. Officers came upon the assault in progress Saturday at Liberty Avenue and 77th Street in Ozone Park, the NYPD said. The man with the knife was ordered to drop it but refused, sources familiar with the investigation said. Then an officer fired a single shot, sources said. No one was injured in the shooting, police said. The suspect was apprehended, police said. The victim was taken to the hospital, his injuries weren't immediately known. The investigation is ongoing. What to Know Late President George H.W. Bush will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol from 7:30 p.m. Monday to 8:45 a.m. Wednesday. A funeral service will be held for Bush at the Washington National Cathedral at 11 a.m. Wednesday. More services will be held for Bush in Texas before he is buried next to his wife at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Washington, D.C., will hold several ceremonies and services this week to honor the late President George H.W. Bush before he is laid to rest in College Station, Texas. The 41st president of the United States died Friday night at the age of 94 and was quickly remembered as a humble patriot, dedicated public servant and beloved family man. See below for the schedule of local memorial events as well as information about road closures and prohibited items. Monday: Arrival at Joint Base Andrews Bush's remains arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Monday afternoon, followed by a brief arrival ceremony. [[501715011, C]] Monday Wednesday: U.S. Capitol Ceremony and Lying in State Another arrival ceremony took place at the U.S. Capitol late Monday afternoon. Bush is now lying in in state in the rotunda of the Capitol, where he will remain until 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday. Public viewing will continue through Tuesday and end at 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Police said people wishing to pay their respects should prepare for any possible bad weather as the lines will start outside. 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." Visitors will enter through the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. They may not bring any flowers, sealed envelopes or other offerings into the U.S. Capitol or Capitol Visitor Center. Police also said visitors must silence their phones and turn off any electronic devices. Photography and video recording are not allowed inside the rotunda, according to police. Wednesday: Funeral at the National Cathedral, Departure Bush's body will depart the Capitol at 10 a.m. Wednesday. There will be a service at the Washington National Cathedral in Northwest D.C. beginning at 11 a.m., which President Donald Trump said he would attend. A departure ceremony is expected to follow the service at about 12:30 p.m. before Bush's remains are flown from Joint Base Andrews to Houston, Texas, for final services. Wednesday Road Closures: The following roads will close between the U.S. Capitol and the Washington National Cathedral at 9:15 a.m. until about 11 a.m. for the motorcade from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington National Cathedral: Constitution Avenue NW Pennsylvania Avenue NW 15th Street NW Pennsylvania Avenue NW 22nd Street NW Massachusetts Avenue NW Wisconsin Avenue NW These roads between the Washington National Cathedral and Joint Base Andrews will begin close from 11 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m.: Wisconsin Avenue NW Massachusetts Avenue NW Waterside Drive NW Rock Creek Parkway NW Virginia Avenue NW Constitution Avenue NW 17th Street NW Independence Avenue SW Maine Avenue SW I-395 / I-695 / I-295 South Suitland Parkway (both directions) Forestville Road Joint Base Andrews - Maryland Gate Thursday: Funeral at St. Martin's Episcopal Church The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. at the church, which is not far from Bush's Houston residence. It is the same church where former first lady Barbara Bush's funeral was held in April. Following the funeral, Bush's remains will depart Houston via train for Texas A&M University in College Station. There, he will be buried at his presidential library next to his late wife, Barbara, and late daughter, Robin. Other Road Closures in D.C.: U.S. Capitol Police closed the following streets until about 12 p.m. on Wednesday: East Capitol Street NE/SE, from Second Street NE/SE, to First Street NE/SE First Street NE/SE from Constitution Ave. NE to Independence Ave. SE Police may close more streets around the Capitol as necessary and officials are encouraging people to use Metro to get to the Capitol. Prohibited Items at D.C. Events: The following items are prohibited in the U.S. Capitol and on its grounds: Editor's note: This story has been updated to correctly reflect the cause of the explosion at a West Philadelphia apartment complex. Police initially said it was caused by a mixture of dynamite and gun powder, but later confirmed that it was caused by a firework. In addition, police retracted their statement that additional explosives were found inside the apartment of the man who caused the blast. Police say a man lit a firework that sparked an explosion inside a West Philadelphia apartment complex Saturday night. Police responded to the 5-story complex on the 4900 block of Spruce Street shortly around 11 p.m. When they arrived, they found a 56-year-old man with cuts to his face caused by glass, Philadelphia Police Capt. Drew Techner said. Authorities initially said they found live explosives and ammunition in the apartment, but later retracted that statement and said no additional explosives were found. The blast happened after the man got into an argument with two acquaintances, PPD spokeswoman Tanya Little said. During the course of the argument, the man told authorities, he lit a "quarter stick of dynamite" that he bought at a fireworks store. The man told police that the firework went off quicker than he expected, which caused the explosion, Little said. Damage was contained to only the man's apartment. Authorities initially said the blast was caused by a mixture of dynamite and gunpowder, but later confirmed that it was caused by the firework going off. The PPD bomb squad cleared the scene before allowing some 20 or so evacuated residents to return to their homes. The man who set off the explosion was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center to be treated for cuts to his face, broken ribs and "several other injuries," Little said. Authorities continue to investigate the blast and the man has not been formally charged. A South Florida woman faces an aggravated assault charge after authorities say she passed gas in line at a Dania Beach dollar store and pulled a knife on a man who complained about it. Citing a Broward Sheriff's Office report, the Miami Herald reports 37-year-old Shanetta Yvette Wilson passed gas while waiting in line at a Dollar General Sunday night and upset a nearby customer. The report says the offended customer and Wilson then got into an argument "in reference to the defendant farting loudly." It says Wilson then pulled a small folding knife out of her purse and told the victim she was going to "gut" him while moving as if to attack him. She walked away from the area but was found by deputies a short time later, the report said. Wilson was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and booked into jail. It's unclear if she has a lawyer. Two Border Patrol agents were said to be assaulted in separate incidents by men from Central America attempting to enter the U.S. illegally Friday night, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California. Assault on federal officers is one of the Department of Justices top priorities, said U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman. Our office is committed to vigorously prosecuting these cases. The first incident occurred at 9:30 p.m. while agent C. Nelson was patrolling the area guarded by the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station. Nelson discovered a group of five people, including a man later identified as Frazy Jiron. The group was ordered to lie on the ground, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Jiron said something and the group began to stand up, as Nelson attempted to handcuff him. The two briefly struggled before Jiron reportedly threw an elbow behind him that struck Nelson in the chest, authorities said. Nelson and Jiron then fell down a nearby hill. The rest of the group ran away, but Jiron was later arrested. The second incident happened in the same border area at around 10:45 p.m., according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Agent B. Cox encountered Franklin Ariel Rochac-Garcia while on his patrol. Rochac-Garcia was running toward Cox, as the agent ordered him to stop. The man continued to approach Cox, and as he drew near, Rochac-Garcia allegedly reached back and swung at the agent, missing, authorities said. The two fell to the ground in a struggle, and then Rochac-Garcia broke free and began to run to the border. As the man tried to jump over the fence, Cox was able to detain and later arrest him, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Jiron and Rochac-Garcia may face charges of assault on a federal officer and illegal entry into the U.S., according to authorities. The maximum penalty of assault on a federal officer is 20 years in a prison and a fine of a quarter of a million dollars. 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." 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 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. The truce, reached after a dinner of more than two hours Saturday, buys time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijing's aggressive drive to supplant U.S. technological dominance. "It's an incredible deal," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "What I'll be doing is holding back on tariffs. China will be opening up, China will be getting rid of tariffs. China will be buying massive amounts of products from us." In a long-sought concession to the U.S., China agreed to label fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid responsible for tens of thousands of American drug deaths annually, as a controlled substance. And Beijing agreed to reconsider a takeover by U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm that it had previously blocked. The White House announcement framed a victory for Trump and his unflinching negotiating tactics, securing a commitment from China to engage in talks on key U.S. economic priorities, with little obvious concession by the U.S. Notably, however, the White House appears to be reversing course on its previous threats to tie trade discussions to security concerns, like China's attempted territorial expansion in the South China Sea. "It's great the two sides took advantage of this opportunity to call a truce," said Andy Rothman, investment strategist at Matthews Asia. "The two sides appear to have had a major change of heart to move away from confrontation toward engagement. This changes the tone and direction of the bilateral conversation." The Trump-Xi meeting was the marquee event of Trump's whirlwind two-day trip to Argentina for the G-20 summit after the president canceled 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. Trump said Bush's death put a "damper" on what he described as a "very important meeting" with Xi. The United States and China are locked in a dispute over their trade imbalance and Beijing's tech policies. 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 25 percent on $50 billion worth and 10 percent on the other $200 billion. Trump had planned to raise the tariffs on the $200 billion to 25 percent if he couldn't get a deal with Xi. China has already slapped tariffs on $110 billion in U.S. goods. Under the agreement reached in Buenos Aires, the two countries have 90 days to resolve their differences over Beijing's tech policies. If they can't, the higher U.S. tariffs will go into effect on the $200 billion in Chinese imports. U.S. 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 judged. A full-blown resolution was not expected to be reached in Buenos Aires; the issues that divide them are just too difficult. 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. The U.S. and China also made progress on the regulation of fentanyl, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin. U.S. officials for years have been pressing the Chinese government to take a tougher stance against fentanyl, and most U.S. supply of the drug is manufactured in China. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders says China's decision to label the drug as a controlled substance means that "people selling Fentanyl to the United States will be subject to China's maximum penalty under the law." The White House also said that China's government is "open to approving" the purchase of Dutch semiconductor manufacturer NXP by American chipmaker Qualcomm. China nixed the proposed takeover earlier this year, citing antitrust concerns, after U.S. and European regulators approved the deal. China's decision earlier this year came amid a period of heightening tensions between the U.S. and China over trade and intellectual property issues. Qualcomm announced it was dropping plans to proceed with the deal after it failed to receive Chinese government approval. It is unclear whether the transaction could be revived even with China's acquiescence. In other developments, Trump announced aboard Air Force One on his return to Washington from Buenos Aires that his next meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un would likely happen in January or February. He said there were three sites under consideration, but he declined to name them. Trump also said he would shortly be providing formal notice to Congress that he will terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement, giving lawmakers six months to approve the replacement he signed Friday. He said lawmakers can choose between the replacement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or nothing. It was a grace note for the ages. "Dear Bill," George H.W. Bush scribbled Jan. 20, 1993, to the Democrat about to succeed him as president. "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." Hillary Clinton says the letter made her cry, when she first read it back then and again when she heard Bush was gone. "That's the America we love," she said on Instagram. "That is what we cherish and expect." It is traditional for an outgoing president to leave a letter for his successor. Barack Obama's to Donald Trump offered congratulations on "a remarkable run" and checked off verities of American leadership -- advice to "build more ladders of success," "sustain the international order," yet take time for family. It was as guarded as when they awkwardly posed for photos together and shook hands. 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. "I wish you great happiness here," he 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." Clinton said the two men had a respectful friendship during his own presidency, but it was after that they truly got to know each other, when President George W. Bush asked his father and Clinton to be involved in U.S. relief efforts for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster and Hurricane Karina in 2005. They traveled together far and wide in their efforts. "His friendship has been one of the great gifts of my life," Clinton said. "I cherished every opportunity I had to learn and laugh with him." They were 22 years apart -- Clinton, 72, Bush, 94. In June, Clinton visited Bush in Kennebunkport, Maine, and a photo posted on Twitter shows the 41st and 42nd presidents together as Bush displays a pair of "Bill Clinton socks" from his colorful sock collection. Affection between presidents, across today's toxic political divide, has extended beyond Clinton and the elder Bush. The Clintons and the Obamas both became friendly with the Bush family and attended Barbara Bush's funeral in April. Trump did not, though first lady Melania Trump did. Trump had mocked two generations of the Bush family in his political rise, criticizing father and son presidents while defeating the other son, "low energy" Jeb Bush, for the Republican nomination. The elder Bush called Trump a "blowhard" and voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016. Without naming names, Bill Clinton closed his remembrance in the Post with an observation about the way things are now. "Given what politics looks like in America and around the world today, it's easy to sigh and say George H.W. Bush belonged to an era that is gone and never coming back -- where our opponents are not our enemies, where we are open to different ideas and changing our minds, where facts matter and where our devotion to our children's future leads to honest compromise and shared progress," he wrote. "I know what he would say: `Nonsense. It's your duty to get that America back.' "We should all give thanks for George H.W. Bush's long, good life and honor it by searching, as he always did, for the most American way forward." A spokesman for Russias government said Saturday that only two emails and a phone call took place between President Donald Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen and Russian officials about a planned Trump Tower project. But Russian officials gave the exchanges no more attention than any other business proposition, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Argentina. Peskov told NBC News in an interview that every week dozens and dozens of foreign businessmen are approaching us, mentioning possible investments, searching for contacts. He said Trump representatives ceased contact with the Russians. Trumps former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty this week to lying to Congress about the proposed Trump Tower project in Moscow and admitted discussions continued into June 2016 during the presidential campaign. Gov. Charlie Baker and other top state politicians are planning to join representatives of Massachusetts' Jewish community to light an 18-foot (5.5-meter) menorah in the Statehouse to mark the beginning of Hanukkah. The annual ceremony is planned for Monday at 4 p.m. Those joining the Republican governor will include House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Senate President Karen Spilka and state Treasurer Deb Goldberg, all Democrats. Republican Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito is also planning to attend. The menorah is so big that the state leaders will have to be hoisted in a lift to light it. The eight-day festival commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Syrians in the second century BCE. New England is mourning the passing of President George H.W. Bush, who had strong ties to Massachusetts and across New England. The 41st president died Friday night at the age of 94. Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, before moving with his family to Connecticut. He returned to the Bay State as a teen-ager to continue his education at Phillips Academy in Andover, and later in life spent much of his time at the family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. The flag at the Bush family compound was flying at half staff this morning. President Bush had a special bond with the Maine town, where it became an escape at times from the heat of Washington, D.C. Bush was a World War II naval pilot who survived being shot down over the Pacific, led the CIA and spent eight years as vice president before taking the Oval Office. He was the father of the 43rd president, George W. Bush. His wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush, who used her time as the first lady to advocate for literacy, died on April 17. Former President George W. Bush issued the following statement from the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum: "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened 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 and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens." "I already miss the greatest human being that I will ever know. Love you Dad!" said his son and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Twitter. The Boston Red Sox tweeted Saturday morning, offering their condolences to the Bush family. "Today our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bush family. It's an honor to have known President George H.W. Bush. We're truly grateful for his long life of service," the tweet read. Today our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bush family. Its an honor to have known President George H.W. Bush. Were truly grateful for his long life of service. pic.twitter.com/DpfPA5pes2 Red Sox (@RedSox) December 1, 2018 Officials from across the region and beyond also offered condolences to the Bush family on the passing of the former president. For years Ive kept a photo in my office of me as a young Marine with @GeorgeHWBush because, for whatever political differences we have, he was an American hero more than once in his life, and his patriotism should inspire Americans for generations. pic.twitter.com/mMeQ1jbX0A Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) December 1, 2018 In New Hampshire, Gov. Chris Sununu offered a statement on the loss of President Bush. President George H.W. Bush was a friend to so many of us and his loss will undoubtedly be felt deeply across the Granite State. Quick with advice and always caring, the 41st President of the United States was a statesmen, a role model, and an American hero, he wrote. U.S. Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts issued the following statement: President Bush loved his country and his family and was fiercely dedicated to both. He committed his life to public service and ushered the United States through the end of the Cold War and beyond a world of global nuclear threat. He was a member of the Greatest Generation, and fought for our country with courage and conviction. As servicemember, legislator, diplomat, and executive, President Bush answered the call of duty every day of his life, and the nation will forever be grateful for his service, patriotism, and integrity. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, whom he loved so very much. The passing was echoed by other current and former political leaders on social media: The rain hasn't stopped people from making the trip to the small town of Kennebunkport, Maine to pay their respects to George H.W. Bush. "I think it's just important that we recognize everything that he did," Kim Sullivan, who visited the memorial to Bush, said. Sullivan is just one of many people who have stopped by the memorial outside of the Walker's Point compound where Bush spent many of his summers. Some came to say a prayer. "The spirit's out there. That makes this very nice," Frankic Krevosky said. And others came to show how much they loved the 41st President of the United States. "It just doesn't feel the same. He was a rock there. It felt like we were protected," Jan Fitzpatrick, a Kennebunkport resident, said. She lives around the corner from the compound and knew the former president and his wife Barbara not only as neighbors, but also as friends. "They'd always say, 'Oh, Jan. Of course we remember you,'" she said. "They gave and they gave and they gave, and we have to just take that with us." Fitzpatrick is going to Washington, D.C. for the state funeral. "He gave you a life lesson every time you were with him, and Barbara, too. Every time I learned something from then, and I hope to carry it with me for the rest of my life," she said. Down the road at Saint Ann's Episcopal Church, where Bush attended services, people visited to sign the guest book. "I just wanted to stop by and, as I said, say a prayer of gratitude," Susan O'Neil, a Kennebunkport resident, said. She says she remembers standing just feet away from Bush. "It was just a thrill to see the whole family here and the joy they took in the church," O'Neil said. The death of Bush coincides with the town's Christmas Prelude festival. The weekend, which is usually one of celebrating, has turned into a time of mourning. On Facebook, the Town of Kennebunkport posted that they lowered the American flag to half staff just hours after lighting the Christmas tree Friday night. "The town will never be the same," said Jared Guy, an officer with the Kennebunkport Police Department. He said new hires at the department were regularly invited to visit Walker's Point and meet with the president. Guy said Bush would meet with the officers, wish them well in their service to the community, and take photos. Thousands of visitors are in the coastal Maine town for Prelude, and many of them are taking time to stop by Walker's Point and pay respects to the former president. Some visitors said the president's death has changed the mood of the festivities. "He was a big part of this little town," said Rose Cozetti, visiting from New York. "I'm sure with the passing of his wife, he wanted to be with her. It's been a big year of losses, and we will always continue our traditions and remember the ones who are not with us anymore." Police in Merrimack, New Hampshire say they arrested a man who was walking around a parking lot completely naked. Richard Chase, 52, of Merrimack was naked and knocking on a resident's door at the Residences at Daniel Webster Highway, according to police. Police say that when they arrived and found Chase naked in the parking lot, he attempted to punch an officer. Chase's aggressive behavior continued, according to police, which resulted in officers deploying a Taser. Chase was taken into custody and charged with indecent exposure, attempted assault, and resisting arrest. At the time of the incident, Chase was on parole for a past weapons charge. As a result, he was transported to Valley Street Jail. Hes due in court on Dec. 13. Its unclear if he has an attorney. Remains that were found last week in Vermont have been identified by authorities as those of a missing man. According to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office, it identified the remains as Michael Webber, 29, of Barre City, using dental records. Webber was last seen on March 16 at the Good Samaritan House in Barre City, a missing persons report published by the Barre City Police Department said. The report also said that authorities did not suspect foul play but that there were concerns for his welfare. Additional searches of the area where the jawbone was found will resume when the weather conditions permit it, officials said. The cause and manner of Webber's death are undetermined. The investigation is ongoing. On Tuesday, authorities announced that they were investigating the discovery of human remains found in a wooded area of Williamstown. State police said a person hunting on Nov. 11 contacted authorities just before 3 p.m. after he came across remains believed to be a lower jawbone. The remains were collected by the Vermont State Police uniform and Bureau of Criminal Investigation detectives and taken to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Burlington who later determined the jawbone was human. State police conducted a further search of the area on Nov. 14 and 15 but no other remains were located. Dental records were submitted to the Medical Examiner's Office for three other people reported missing but authorities said none of the records matched the jawbone. Massachusetts State Police say they have arrested the driver of a car involved in a school bus crash after determining that she was under the influence of alcohol. Authorities have not released the driver's identity. Whether the driver's impairment caused the crash remains to be determined. State police responded to a school bus crash with injuries on Route 24 southbound. The accident is south of exit 11 in Berkley. Taunton police announced that the crash prompted a mass casualty incident to be declared. According to State Police, 25 people, ranging in age from adult to young children, were on the bus. The bus went off the road into the right shoulder into the woods. It didn't roll over. A passenger car also went off the road. The female driver was not injured. The role of that driver in the crash is still under investigation. Two adults were taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries. All occupants are accounted for and no other transports are believed to be serious injuries, police said. They were transported with minor injuries or for precautionary reasons. RIGHT NOW- dozens of law enforcement agencies here in Berkley, MA on route 24 South abound for a reported school bus crash. pic.twitter.com/4poQIdu16N Sam Read (@NBC10_Sam) December 2, 2018 Multiple ambulances are transporting victims to Charlton and Morton Hospitals, police said. Route 24 is shut down and will be for some time. Vehicles are being detoured off the highway at exit 11. According to state police, the bus contained parents and children who were returning to Tiverton, Rhode Island from LaSalette Shrine in North Attleboro. This article will be updated as more information is made available. The public will have a chance to comment on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys plan for General Electric to remove PCBs from the Housatonic River at a meeting in Massachusetts on Monday. Cleanup efforts have been in the works for years, first focusing on Pittsfield, Mass., where GEs plant was located, and the immediately surrounding river. Attentions have now turned to the rest of the river, which is 150 miles long and travels from Hindsale, Mass., through Connecticut and out to Long Island Sound. As it stands, Connecticut isnt addressed in the plan beyond monitoring for PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyl, in fish, said Dennis Regan, the Berkshire Director for the Housatonic Valley Association, which also protects the Housatonic watershed in Connecticut. The meeting will provide an update on the mediation so far and the agencys plans for future cleanup. It will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School Auditorium, 197 East St, Lenox, Mass. Regan said the EPA scheduled the meeting because concerns were raised recently that decisions about the cleanup were being made behind closed doors. He said this meeting will help share these plans in the open, as well as get public feedback. People should get their voice heard, he said. It does matter. GE manufactured and serviced electrical transformers containing PCBs from 1932 through 1977. The EPA banned PCBs in 1979 because they can cause health problems, including cancer. Years of PCB and industrial chemical use, and improper disposal, led to extensive contamination around Pittsfield, Mass., as well as down the entire length of the Housatonic River, according to the EPA. Most of the contamination is found between the confluence of the east and west branches in Pittsfield and Woods Pond Dam in Lenox and further into Rising Pond in Great Barrington, Mass., which is the latest part addressed in the EPA plan. Currently, more than 50 percent of the PCBs that enter Woods Pond go over the dam and continue downstream, even into Connecticut, according to the EPA. Between 100,000 and 600,000 pounds of PCBs are estimated to be in the river sediment and floodplain soil. These are filtered out as the river travels, dropping sediment at each dam, Regan said. GE, Pittsfield, the EPA, Massachusetts and Connecticut entered a consent decree in 2000, which split the work into three phases, focusing on the worst parts first. The first two phases have been completed and are now looking at the third part, which is called Rest of River. Everyone agreed that was the nastiest of the nasty, Regan said of the first two miles already remediated. Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 9:24AM Aside from the upcoming Christmas special, we already get news about when the second season of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is dropping. The show is coming back on April 5, 2019 and we get a first look at what we can expect from the series. We left Sabrina signing off her name in the Book of the Beast and now we see her be full witch. Netflix didnt say how many episodes were getting but were looking forward to it coming back. Sorry! This content is not available in your region New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday claimed that there had been no major terrorists related incident in the country in the last four years under the Narendra Modi government, adding that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan can seek India's help if he cannot handle the fight against terrorism alone. "I want to ask the Pakistani prime minister (Imran Khan) that if in Aghanistan, a fight can be carried out against terror and Taliban with the help of the US, then, Pakistan can seek help against terrorism from India if it feels that it cannot handle it alone," Singh while addressing a press conference at Jaipur in poll-bound Rajasthan. Also Read | Amit Shah accuses Rahul Gandhi of insulting Army soldiers "I do not want to claim that terrorism has stopped, but no major terrorist incident has happened in the country in last four-and-a-half years, he said. Singh said Jammu and Kashmir was not an issue as it was an integral part of the country. "The issue is of terrorism, and Pakistan can discuss it," Singh said Singh also hit back at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his remark on 'surgical strikes, asking him why did not the Congress make the Army's valour and effort public. People have a right to know achievements of the Army. He is suddenly realising this now? Singh said. Referring to the surgical strikes on terror pads across the LoC on September 29, 2016, Gandhi, at a gathering at Udaipur, on Saturday said: "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 Also Read | Army carried out surgical strike thrice during UPA rule: Rahul Gandhi Singh also accused the Congress of creating a crisis of distrust in politics and claimed there was a difference in their words and deeds. Singh said Panchayat elections in J&K is being conducted successfully. "The government has brought Jammu and Kashmir into political process. As far as terrorism is concerned, there is no second thought that it is Pakistan sponsored," the home minister said. Singh assured that the problem of Naxalism will get eliminated from the country in the coming years. Naxal-related incidents have come down by 50-60 per cent in the last four years, he said. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: The influential All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Progressive) in Assam have issued a virtual warning to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that the Bodo community would stop supporting the governments at the Centre and the state if it fails to take concrete steps for creation of Bodoland before the 2019 elections. However, both the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF), an alliance partner in the BJP-led coalition in the state and the government sought to downplay the threat. After the 2016 Assembly polls, with 60 legislators in the 126-member house in Assam, the BJP formed the government along with the Asom Gana Parishad that won 14 seats and the BPF the lone Bodo political party that bagged 12 seats. Read More | Delhi Pollution: Smog blankets national capital, air quality drops to very poor The BPF said it will continue to support the BJP and stressed that a separate Bodoland was not an issue for it. Accusing the BJP of making false promises, the ABSU and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Progressive), the first militant group to give up arms and join the peace process, have vowed to defeat the saffron party if it did not take concrete steps for a separate state for the Bodos before the 2019 polls. However, ABSU president Pramod Bodo said the BJP had time till April 2019 to solve the Bodoland issue if it wants to get the support of the Bodo community. They (BJP) can expect the support of Bodos but only if they fulfil our demand of a separate Bodoland... They must take some concrete steps in this regard before April (2019), Bodo told PTI. They should stop mocking the genuine aspirations of the Bodos, he added. Bodos consist of 12 per cent of Assams population but get only 3-4 per cent of the financial budget. No new industry has been set up and no new jobs have been created for the Bodo youths even now, he said. The demand for a separate state of Bodoland started in 1967 and the struggle became an armed conflict in the late 80s after the formation of the Bodo Security Force, a militant group later rechristened as NDFB. Also Read | Assam: 11 injured after explosion inside Kamakhya-Dekargaon Intercity Express, say reports The Bodo Territorial Area Districts comprising Kokrajhar, Udalguri, Baksa and Chirang has one Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seats. Bodo, who revived the Bodoland movement in 2016 alleging governments lack of interest, said areas inhabited by the Bodos continue to remain neglected under the current BJP regime just like the previous Congress rule. New Delhi: From 2019, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) will give unsuccessful candidates a second chance to pass the examination in the same year. CISCE secretary Gerry Arathoon said compartmental exams will be held for ISC candidates having failed in the fourth subject and ICSE candidates in the fifth subject, in the same year, shortly after the publication of the respective board results. Arathoon, Chief Executive of CISCE, was addressing participants at the Association of Schools for the Indian School Certificate Conference in Kolkata on Friday. Read More | UTET 2018 admit card released, all you need to know Students of Class 12, having passed in English and two other subjects but not in the fourth subject and Class 10 candidates, passing in English and three other subjects, but failing in the fifth subject, wont have to waste one year under the new system, he said. Those candidates can sit for the supplementary (compartmental) test in June-July, Arathoon said. Also Read | Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya 2018: Application date extended, know more The results of the compartmental exam can then be published by August to enable successful students to enrol for higher studies, Arathoon said. New Delhi: Nora Fatehi made the dance-list of 2018 in-repeat mode with her version of Dilbar, the song made popular by Sushmita Sen in the film 'Sirf Tum'. The model-turned-actor, however, made sure that her reign as dancing queen is not over by releasing an Arabic version of the song and it has left fans open-mouthed with her moves. The video of her Moroccan belly dance, the enticing expressions blended with the upbeat of the Indian music released on has gone viral. Sushmita Sen, who first introduced the moves was all praise for the Canadian beauty. Sen was seen in all appreciation for the revamped Dilbar version saying that she really liked the first two lines of the song and the slimy dance-like moves. Although, Sen, of course, was quick to state that she liked the original version better. Also Read | Ranveer Singh follow in the foot steps of Singham to fight crime Apart from the nod-of-appreciation from fans for the dance moves, Nora is also have said to have given vocals to the duet along with Fnaire. So, you can expect her already huge fan base to get a lot bigger with her show of her latent singing talent. The catchy song has been released by T-series and composed by Mohcine Tiza and the lyrics are penned by Khalifa Mennani and Achraf Aarab. Watch the Arabic version of Dilbar here: Nora will be next seen in the Salman Khan-starrer, Bharat which is set to release next year. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Sonali Bendre, who is undergoing a cancer treatment in New York for many months now, will finally return to her home, Mumbai. Though for a short span, this will be for a Happy Interval. The actor took to her Instagram handle to share the news of her coming back to where her heart belongs in a lengthy post. Also Read | Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas sangeet pictures: A magical dancing night with over-the-top excitement Sonali shared pictures and a boomerang of her, draped in a white overall and a winter jacket, heading towards India. She wrote, They say 'Distance makes the heart grow fonder'. It sure does. But let's never underestimate what distance teaches you. Being away from home in the city of New York, I realised I was walking amongst so many stories. Each trying to write their own chapter in different ways. Each struggling to do it but never giving up. Each taking it one day at a time. I'm on my way back to where my heart is. It's a feeling I can't describe in words but I'm going to try - it's the joy to see my family and friends again, the excitement to do what I love and mainly the gratitude for the journey I've had up until this moment, added the actor. Also Read | Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas wedding turns a cricket game between #TeamBride - #TeamGroom The Sarfarosh actor also mentioned that her fight with cancer is not over yet, but she is happy and looking forward to this happy interval. She has switched on the sunshine, ready to embrace the new normal, as her adventure with life continues. Sonali quoted Chris Martin while on her way back home, Everything you want is a dream away. Under this pressure, under this weight, We are diamonds taking shape Sonali was diagnosed with cancer in July 2018 that has metastasized. Since then, she keeps sharing updates about her health and is brave enough to withstand any hurdle that life throws at her. Through her Instagram posts, the 43-year-old Bollywood beauty has been an inspiration for many. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prices of fuel continued its downward trend on Sunday because of the huge fall in global crude oil prices last week. Petrol was pegged at Rs 72.23 a litre with a fall in Rs 0.30 in Delhi, while diesel was being sold at Rs 67.02 after a decrease of Rs 0.33, according to the data in the Indian Oil Corporation website. In Mumbai, petrol was sold at Rs 77.80 per litre and diesel was pegged at Rs 70.15 per litre. In Chennai, petrol was retailing at Rs 74.94 per litre and diesel at 70.77 a litre. In Kolkata, petrol was sold at Rs 74.25 per litre and diesel was sold at Rs 68.75. The price of petrol in Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad was Rs 71.68, Rs 71.23 and Rs 71.49, respectively. While diesel traded at Rs 65.98, 66.10 and 66.34 a litre, respectively. Read More | Microsoft makes job offers to 25 candidates of IIT-Madras With Wednesday's price revision, petrol fell below the Rs 74 per-litre mark for the first time since April as the six-week-long price reduction spree wiped off all of the massive price hikes witnessed in petrol and diesel rates earlier this year. With this, the reduction in rates in last six weeks totals Rs 9.62 per litre on petrol and Rs 7.58 per litre on diesel on Thursday. Rates have been on the decline since October 18. This has wiped off all of the price hike on petrol and diesel in two months beginning August 16. The reduction in diesel rates has been slower due to moderate fall in its benchmark international prices, according to oil company price notifications. Oil prices slumped to its lowest level in 2018 on Friday after 8 per cent correction in prices. Brent crude oil futures hit their lowest since December 2017 at $59.04 per barrel. On Monday, it witnessed minor bounceback and was trading near $59.50 per barrel mark. The retail selling price of petrol and diesel is dependent on the international prices of benchmark fuel and the rupee-US dollar exchange rate. This is because a large proportion of country's requirement is met through imports. Petrol price had touched a record high of Rs 84 per litre in Delhi and Rs 91.34 in Mumbai on October 4. Diesel on that day had peaked to an all-time high of Rs 75.45 a litre in Delhi and Rs 80.10 in Mumbai. Prices had started to climb from August 16. Petrol in Delhi was priced at Rs 77.14 per litre and in Mumbai it cost Rs 84.58 on August 15. Diesel on that day was priced at Rs 68.72 per litre in Delhi and at Rs 72.96 in Mumbai. Also Read | 5 changes that will affect your daily life from December 1 Between August 16 and October 4, petrol price was hiked by Rs 6.86 per litre and diesel by Rs 6.73. On October 4, the government decided to cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 1.50 per litre each and asked state-owned fuel retailers to subsidise the price by another Re 1 a litre by reducing their margins. Subsequent to this, the petrol price came down to Rs 81.50 per litre in Delhi and diesel to Rs 72.95 a litre on October 5. In Mumbai, rates fell to Rs 86.97 per litre for petrol and Rs 77.45 in case of diesel. Before the price cut, petrol in Delhi had hit an all-time high of Rs 84 per litre while diesel was at record Rs 75.45. This came down to Rs 81.50 per litre for petrol and Rs 72.95 in case of diesel. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The body of a fisherman, who died in a Karachi jail in September this year, reached his native village at Una in Gujarat on Saturday. Nanubhai Solanki was arrested by Pakistani Maritime Security in November 2017. He was ailing for some time before his death on September 20. "Solanki was from the Una tehsil of Gujarats Gir Somnath district. His body was kept at Edhi Foundation's morgue in Karachi for a couple of months. It is expected to be sent back to India to his family on November 29," Pakistan India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy activist Jatin Desai had said. Gujarat: Body of Nanubhai Kanabhai Solanki, a fisherman who died in Karachi Jail, Pakistan in September this year, reached his native village in Una yesterday. Nanubhai Solanki was arrested by Pakistani Maritime Security in November 2017. pic.twitter.com/Fd8KVjZULQ ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2018 Read More | Election body admits cameras failed for an hour at Bhopal strongroom "Both countries need to work out a mechanism through which - if someone dies in the custody of the other country - his body should be immediately returned to his country. The sad reality is it takes minimum one month for this process. In Solanki's case, it took over two months," Desai added. Ahead of the Independence Day this year, Pakistan released 30 Indian prisoners, including 27 fishermen, from jail as a goodwill gesture on August 14. The release of the prisoners "is in line with Pakistan's consistent policy of not politicising humanitarian issues," Foreign Office Spokesperson Mohammad Faisal had said. The 30 prisoners who were set free also include 27 fishermen, it added. "This is a humanitarian gesture to mark Pakistan's Independence Day on August 14," he said. "It is our hope that the Indian side will also reciprocate in a similar manner," he said. Also Read | India, US air forces to begin 12-day military drill on Monday Over 470 Indians, including 418 fishermen, are detained in Pakistani jails, according to a government report submitted before the country's Supreme Court in July. In August, it was reported that the fishermen had been arrested by the authorities for allegedly trespassing into Pakistan's territorial waters. They were shifted to Cantt Railway Station from Karachi's Malir jail and were taken to Lahore. The fishermen were handed over to Indian border officials at Wagah border. Pakistan and India frequently arrest fishermen as there is no clear demarcation of the maritime border in the Arabian Sea and these fishermen do not have boats equipped with the technology to know their precise location. (With agency inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Indian Air Forces and its US counterpart will begin a 12-day military exercise in Kalaikunda and Panagarh air bases in West Bengal from Monday with an aim to enhance operational coordination, officials said. The Ex Cope India-18 will be the fourth edition in the series of bilateral drills between the Indian Air Force and the US Air Force. This is for the first time, the exercise is being held at two air force bases, the officials said. The aim of the exercise is to provide operational exposure and undertake a mutual exchange of best practices towards enhancing operational capability, the IAF said in a statement. Read More | Nagaland fest shows 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat' spirit: Rajnath Singh The US has sent a fleet of F15 C/D and C-130 military aircraft. The Indian Air Force is participating with the Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage 2000, C-130J and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft. The US and Indian air forces are enhancing their overall cooperation as part of deepening of defence and security ties between the two countries. US President Donald Trump, in his first prime-time televised address to the nation as commander-in-chief last year, had laid out his South Asia policy saying a critical part of it was to further develop the USAs strategic partnership with India. In June 2016, the US had designated India a Major Defence Partner intending to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners. Also Read | Give us Bodoland or lose people's support in 2019: Bodo organisations In September, the armies of India and the US will carry out a military training exercise in the foothills of the Himalayas at Chaubattia in Uttarakhand. Yudh Abhyas 2018 is one of the longest-running joint military training exercises and a major bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and the US. This was the 14th edition of the joint military exercise hosted alternately by both countries. (With agency inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Game of Thrones fans and Delhiites brace yourself with dragon glass because Winter Is Coming to Delhi! We are, of course not just talking about the chilly December weather but the Night King aka Vladimir Furdik who is the Winter himself. According to reports, Furdik who plays the menacing Night King will be in Delhi. He will reportedly be one of the guests at the Delhi Comic Con which is all set to happen from -9 at the NSIC Estate in Okhla. And it looks like the Winter King is all ready to brace himself with the warmth of Delhi air as he is all excited about the event, too. In a statement issued for the Comic Con event, he said, "I am looking forward to coming back to India and visiting Delhi and meeting my fans. I have wonderful memories from my last visit to India and I am looking forward to trying out the excellent food and seeing your beautiful country again." Read | Brangelina reaches temporary child agreement Apart from the Winter King, there are so many other characters that will have you adding more excitement to the list. More Special International Guests to be there at the event- Peter Nguyen, artist for Black Widow, Catwoman, Avengers, John Layman, the creator, writer and letterer of Chew, Cyclops, Detective Comics, Mars Attacks, Godzilla, Aliens, Thundercats, Gambit, etc. and Declan Shalvey, Nick Fury: Post Prologue serial for Marvel Comics, Deadpool, etc. Are they sending you chills of excitement down your spine already? For all the Latest Offbeat News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: SpaceX founder Elon Musk will not be smoking weed in public again, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has said. 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 thats going to launch American astronauts, Bridenstine said during a meeting with reporters, according to The Atlantic. I have spoken with Musk. We have had a number of conversations and he does not want NASA contractors to be engaged in a questionable behaviour, Bridenstine 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. SpaceX which was founded by Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space travel costs and enabling the human colonization of Mars in a statement said, actively promotes workplace safety, and we are confident that our comprehensive drug-free workforce and workplace programs exceed all applicable contractual requirements. ALSO READ | NASA Asteroid warning: 90ft space rock heads towards Earth NASA along with Musk's SpaceX and Boeing is developing transportation systems that would allow the US to fly astronauts from American soil for the first time since the space shuttle was retired in 2011. 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 astronauts 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. Who is Elon Musk? Elon is a South African by birth, he moved to Canada and the United States for college and became an American citizen at the age of 31. In 1984, 12-year-old Musk published the source code for his video game Blastar in PC and Office Technology magazine, under the name E. R. Musk. He received US dollar 500 for his efforts. During college, he ran a nightclub out of his house in order to pay the rent. Musk quit his Ph.D. after two days at Stanford University in order to start Zip2, an online city directory. In early 2000s his main focus was to work on online money transfer website Paypal. In September 2000, he gets ousted as CEO from Paypal while he is on honeymoon. He almost died of malaria in this vacation. Musk has an appearance in an episode of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory. In 2001, Musk planned to grow plants on Mars. He later announced his Mars Oasis project. Elon Musk is a huge Star Wars fan, his Falcon rockets are named after the movie franchises Millennium Falcon. He is famously obsessed with colonising Mars, reportedly hoping to send 80,000 people to the planet for US dollar 500,000 per trip. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Taliban abduct at least 40 passengers in Afghanistan's Dara-e-Soof district in Samangan province on Sunday morning, said Mohammad Munir Rahimi, Samangan police spokesman. He added the passengers were on their way to Balkh province, according to Tolo News. According to the report, the incident took place in Khushk Dara village in the district around 10 am, said Rahimi. He said Taliban resorted to taking hostage the passengers to convince the drivers to pay them taxes. Rahimi added that efforts are being made for safe release of the hostages. This is a report of report of abduction of passengers coming from Afghanistan in less than a week. On Tuesday, the Taliban abducted at least 25 passengers who were travelling from Balkhab district of Sar-e-Pul province to Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province. Details are awaited... For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday has said that there is no direct evidence that links Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi murder, news agency ANI reported. He said he has seen all the intelligence inputs relating to the incident. Earlier, Pompeo had said that the US will hold accountable all involved in the killing of a dissident Saudi journalist. "I have read every piece of intelligence that is in the possession of United States government," Pompeo said in an interview with broadcaster CNN in Buenos Aires on the sidelines of the G20 summit. ALSO READ | Saudi prince back on stage to Putin delight, Macron warning "When it is done, when you complete that analysis, there's no direct evidence linking him to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. That is an accurate statement, an important statement and it is a statement that we are making publicly today," he said. Earlier, Saudi Arabia said that the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder. The brutal murder of the journalist sparked a foreign policy crisis in the US with President Donald Trump calling the murder worst cover-up in history. He, however, shied away from directly blaming the prince. Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post, was critical of Prince Mohammed and the countrys intervention in Yemen. Prince Mohammed has overseen Saudi Arabias Yemen war effort, a highly controversial intervention to bolster President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadis government in the face of an insurgency by Huthi rebels. ALSO READ | PM Modi meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nearly 10,000 people have since been killed and the country now stands at the brink of famine. Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident, was murdered in Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul on October 2 and the crown prince has been accused of orchestrating the killing, which has strained the decades-old alliance between Washington and Riyadh. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: As a fallout of US President Donald Trump cancelling their meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, it is unlikely that the two are going to meet anytime in the near future. The meeting was scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina. The Russian and the US administrations were in contact after Donald Trump called off his meeting with Vladimir Putin on Thursday, but the two sides reached no agreement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Russian media as saying, the ANI reported. Peskov confirmed that the two leaders had a brief contact in Buenos Aires but didnt disclose anymore. Read More | India will host G20 Summit in 2022, says PM Narendra Modi Trump cancelled the meeting with Putin because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine confrontation regarding the Sea of Azov. On November 25, Russia captured three Ukrainian naval ships after they allegedly entered the formers territory. Ukraine said that the firing on their ships by Russia was a gross violation of international law, while Russia said the vessels violated its territorial waters. This made Ukraine impose a martial law in its border areas with Russia according to which former will not allow Russian men aged 16-60 into the country. However, an exception would be made for "humanitarian cases" such as those travelling to funerals. Russia, on the other hand, said it is not planning retaliatory measures. Martial law has been imposed in 10 Ukrainian regions until December 26. Also Read | South African Prez Cyril Ramaphosa accepts PM Modi's invitation to Republic Day celebrations 2019 Peskov said that both Russia and the US needed the meeting equally and that it cannot be preconditioned. He also added that Putin had explained the situation in the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov to French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in their meetings in Buenos Aires, but Trump missed the opportunity to understand the situation. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. 3 1 of 3 Submitted photo / Bethel Police Department Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Submitted photo / Bethel Police Department Show More Show Less 3 of 3 BETHEL Police officers are seeking the identity of a man accused of stealing a purse at the Big Y on Route 6. The incident occured at about 6:30 p.m. Friday and cameras at the store captured an image of the man believed to have taken the purse, but his identity is still unknown. With anti-fracking petitioners confirmed as having reached their goal, the selectmen scheduled a public hearing and town meeting in early January on a law to ban hydraulic fracturing in Ridgefield, as well as storage, transportation or use of fracking wastes and by-products. The public hearing is set for Saturday, Jan. 5, at 10 a.m. in town hall. And the town meeting on vote on the issue will be Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in town hall. The Town Clerk has verified the signatures, First Selectman Rudy Marconi said of petitions turned in Nov. 9 by a group of citizens led by Michael Garguilo. Under town charter and state statutes, petitioners seeking to call a town meeting need to collect valid signatures equal to 2 percent of the towns registered voters. With a little over 18,000 voters, thats a few more than 360 signatures. Garguilo said on Nov. 9 that his group had turned in petitions signed by 674 people who want to vote on the fracking issue. And Marconi said that Town Clerk Wendy Lionetti had completed the needed verification of the signatures. There were well over 400 more than enough, Marconi said. The Board of Selectmen discussed the matter Wednesday night, formally accepting the petition with signatures verified as valid by the town clerk, voting to scheduled the town meeting as required, and deciding a public hearing would be good, as well. We have to set a date for a town meeting within 45 days, Marconi had said before the meeting Monday. It would be important for most citizens to have public hearings associated with this, so people can be educated on this and know how they should vote. One of the reasons local fracking opponents petitioned for the town meeting is that the selectmen while not opposing their request for an ordinance discussed it for months and months, even drawing up their own alternative version, without taking definitive action. Both ordinance proposals would have banned the use of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas extraction in town which seems unlikely here, anyway and addressed related issues, such as the storage or disposal of fracking wastes or byproducts here, or their transportation through town. An issue the selectmen were uneasy with concerned the use of products that contain by-products of the fracking process which are sometimes reused in construction fill, or in commercial products such as road materials, or de-icing products. The original ordinance proposal from the environmental activists required that contractors or others working in town provide certification that products theyre using do not contain fracking waste. The selectmen wondered whether people using purchased products could reasonably be expected to know the origin of all component materials. Kristin Quell-Garguilo, who appeared before the selectmen back in January asking that Ridgefield adopt an anti-fracking ordinance, wrote to them in September urging action on the requested ordinance. The reuse of fracking wastes spread toxins such as radioactive radium, lead and chloride, she said. The ordinance wording proposed by local environmentalists had been passed by 49 Connecticut towns and cities, five New York County legislatures, and 156 municipal corporations in New York, Quell-Garguilo wrote to the selectmen. Contributed photo SOUTHBURY Troopers will host their 18th annual toy drive and classic car cruise on Sunday morning. Troopers will escort classic cars from the Danbury Fair Mall to Interstate-84 east to the Wyndham Southbury Hotel off exit 16. The cars will be stuffed with donated toys. The long hallway once lined with photographs of U.S. presidents and notables visiting Danbury was eerily quiet on Tuesday. Just weeks earlier, political candidates marched through the newsroom and up the hallway to the executive conference room for Editorial Board meetings, as countless political hopefuls have done through the decades. But as of Tuesday, the bustle and buzz of putting out a newspaper every day and throughout the day on the web was gone. After 48 years in the brick building at 333 Main St., The News-Times operation moved. But not very far. Were now at 345 Main St., just a few buildings north. Your daily community newspaper is still in downtown Danbury. I had been telling myself that I wouldnt get sentimental about a building that previously had been home to the First National Supermarket, as many will remember. Times change, needs change. But as I walked around the nearly empty building Tuesday morning, the significance enveloped like a benevolent ghost. A lot of good journalism happened within these walls. My office had once been home base for longtime Editor Ed Frede. Nearby the legendary Steve Collins, known in Connecticut as a father of Freedom of Information, wrote editorials. Mary Connolly, the first female Editorial Page Editor at the paper, followed Collins in influence. Many managing editors made their mark in that place, including from 1986-92 my husband, James H. Smith. I peered through the window of what had been his office and pictured him pounding out his provocative columns while running the newsroom. Theres the dark room where photographers once raced to develop their film on deadline, a room unnecessary since the advent of digital cameras. Theres where the compositers pasted strips of columns to form a newspaper page, in the days before computers made the trade obsolete. And theres the cavern where a mighty two-story Goss press printed the newspaper, until 2009 when the operation moved to another Hearst paper in Bridgeport. A faint, lingering scent of printers ink triggers memories of hearing the press rumble to life after midnight and with an intricate weave of massive rolls of blank newsprint, stamp out the papers that in pre-dawn hours would be delivered to homes and businesses throughout the region. Our newsroom covered hurricanes, fires, floods, parades, scandals, groundbreakings, tragedies the panoply of life in Greater Danbury during those 48 years at 333 Main. On the other side of the wall a wall literally separating news from advertising colleagues in the advertising department showed businesses how to promote themselves to newspaper readers, first in print and now also digitally. The business office years ago became centralized and now is in Norwalk at Hearsts Connecticut headquarters. Our large building with pale-yellow cinder block walls was getting outdated and too roomy. It was sold and will be razed to make way for about 150 apartments that will be part of Danburys growth. On Nov. 4 about 100 former and current employees gathered at 333 Main to say farewell to the place that had been home. It was unexpectedly moving as many, such as retired Publisher Forrest Palmer, recollected the hard work and rewarding accomplishments through the years. A newspaper is more than a building. More than a century ago, James Montgomery Bailey bought a new printing press in 1883 and began publishing The Danbury News as a daily in a building overlooking Wooster Square. Known as the Danbury news man, Bailey moved the operation a decade later to the then-new turreted building on the corner of Main and Elm streets. There the newspaper remained until the 1970 relocation to larger quarters at 333 Main, and with a photo offset press instead of the cold metal linotype. Was there sentimentality at leaving the landmark where Bailey built a community institution? Perhaps. But with it surely was an excitement for a much roomier and more modern home. Over the past few weeks, desks and panels were dismantled pieces at a time around us as we continued to work. Wednesday was our first full day in our bright and clean home. We have new ergonomic desks, new chairs. You will see the lights burning into the evening on the second floor of 345 Main St. The traditional The News-Times nameplate is affixed to the outside. Now the ghosts have the old building to themselves. We brought to our new place a 1955 original painting of the turreted building where the Danbury news man moved his nascent newspaper exactly 125 years ago. We moved, as Bailey did, yet we remain connected to our history and to our communities. Contact Editorial Page Editor Jacqueline Smith at jsmith@hearstmediact.com The Senate's stunning bipartisan rebuke of President Donald Trump's handling of U.S.-Saudi relations shows that the internationalist, values-based foreign policy of the late Sen. John McCain still holds significant weight in both parties. With more McCainites on their way to Congress next year, a larger foreign policy battle is set to unfold. The Trump administration's tolerance for the Saudi government's murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi is part and parcel of the president's overall disdain for McCain's brand of democracy and human rights promotion, which to be credible must also be applied to allies. But the Senate's 63-to-37 vote Wednesday to advance a measure that would cut off U.S. military assistance to the Saudi-led war in Yemen exposes a growing congressional consensus that the executive branch has veered too far away from American values. "Let's not delude ourselves into thinking all of the sudden there's a righteous element in Congress. However, it is encouraging to see senators talking about who are we as Americans and human rights being an essential part of our foreign policy," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told me. "And that was John McCain's approach to foreign policy, that if you disconnect yourself from your values, you lose your standing and hurt your interests." To be sure, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's politically charged op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, which accused Trump's critics of opportunism and hypocrisy, had some truth to it. Libertarians who want to disengage with most U.S. allies were quick to pile on Riyadh. Anti-interventionalists in both parties, long opposed to the Yemen war, saw a chance to advance their agenda. But the factions that pushed the measure over the filibuster threshold were the McCain-style Republicans and national-security-minded centrist Democrats, who are finding increasing common cause in the age of Trump. They believe U.S. foreign policy must have a strong values component and not be based on financial transactions, and they insist there are crimes even allies can't be allowed to get away with. No matter what happens on this resolution, the drive to restore a centrist, internationalist foreign-policy consensus in Congress will ramp up drastically next session. The new class of freshman House members - most of them Democrats - is full of national security professionals and military veterans. Rep.-elect Tom Malinowski of New Jersey, who was assistant secretary of state for democracy, labor and human rights during the Barack Obama administration, worked closely with McCain for many years. He is one of a long list of young foreign policy leaders that McCain personally mentored. McCain's announcement of his illness in 2017 heavily influenced Malinowski's decision to run for office. "We desperately need Congress now to show the world the heart and soul of the United States hasn't changed," he said. "It's what McCain would be doing right now." The new internationalist Democrats must work with the McCainite Senate Republicans to both maintain oversight of the administration's foreign policy and steer it in wise directions, he said. Direct McCain disciples such as Graham and Malinowski will find natural allies in a new Congress with freshmen including former National Security Council official Andy Kim, former CIA officer Abigail Spanberger and former Pentagon official Elissa Slotkin. Democrats chose these candidates as a bet that Americans want experienced, centrist foreign policy professionals representing them. That bet paid off. There is a small but growing political infrastructure for candidates who have an internationalist foreign policy agenda. The nonprofit group Foreign Policy for America marshaled grass-roots and financial support for all the successful incoming freshmen mentioned above. These Democrats will find, waiting in the House, a group of young national security leaders who are already carrying the internationalist banner and who were all reelected: Reps. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., just to name a few. Together, theywill be the next generation of national security leaders in Congress to carry McCain's torch. In the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, both parties will be forced to battle internally over foreign policy. On both sides, a strong faction promotes U.S. disengagement, economic nationalism and a rollback of American leadership, commitments, deployments and alliances. Both parties must court young voters. A September pollconducted by the Better World Campaign found that a majority of younger Americans age 17 to 35 back robust international cooperation and diplomacy, supporting overseas development and defending human rights. The Saudi crisis and the midterm elections show that, despite Trumpism, there isrenewed enthusiasm for a foreign policy that advances interests and values as a shared goal. The more Americans see the results of Trump's "nationalism," the more they are choosing the McCain vision for America's role in the world. Microsoft surpassed Apple as the worlds most valuable company in the world. reclaiming the number one spot after more than 15 years. Microsoft has a market value of more than $851 billion and Apple has a value of $847 billion. Apple had taken the number one spot from Exxon Mobil in 2011. Microsoft was number in 2002, 1999, 1998. Apple Fell on Tariff Fears But There is a Temporary Deal Apple has shares have dropped more than 25% since October over fears of additional US tariffs on Chinese-made goods. Apple will probably regain the number one title because of the stopgap trade deal between China and the USA. There will be no new tariffs on Jan 1, 2019. New tariffs are suspended while China and the USA negotiate a trade deal. Nextbigfuture believes there will be full trade deal sometime in 2019. I believe China recognizes that it is currently in the weaker position. President Trump is motivated to have a deal well in advance of the 2020 election process. Therefore, both sides are motivated to make some form of deal. The deal may not be great or long-lasting. There is lot that both sides are willing to do as the basis for an agreement. China is willing to buy US natural gas and soybeans in large quantities. This was being offered earlier in 2018. The main sticking points is the intellectual property related issues. President Trump has agreed that on January 1, 2019, he will leave the tariffs on $200 billion worth of product at the 10 percent rate, and not raise it to 25 percent at this time. Over the next 90 days, American and Chinese officials will continue to negotiate lingering disagreements on technology transfer, intellectual property and agriculture. 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, the White House said. Xi also plans to designate Fentanyl as a controlled substance, according to the statement. As the U.S. opioid crisis continues to rage, it would suggest that people selling the drug to parties in the U.S. would be subject to stiff penalties in China. Contributed photo PROSPECT State Police identified the Waterbury man who was shot dead Friday during an armed robbery in Prospect. Torrance Battle, 44, was shot by a customer after police said he and another suspect tried to rob Rt. 69 Auto Sales on Friday evening. He was identified by police on Sunday after an autopsy. Keith Kinkaid, Marcus Johansson, Travis Zajac and the New Jersey Devils return home to host Patrik Laine and the Winnipeg Jets at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark. Join NJ.com's live chat in the comment section, and follow along with live updates in the box below. Here is everything you need to know about the home game: What: New Jersey Devils (9-11-4) vs. Winnipeg Jets (14-8-2) When: 7 p.m. EST, Saturday, Dec.. 1, 2018 Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey TV: MSG+ Live stream: MSG Go Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook. Renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson says he will cooperate fully with an impartial investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct that have been leveled against him. Patheos.com recently published accounts from two women who say that Tyson behaved in a sexually inappropriate manner toward them. Tyson was host of Cosmos: Possible Worlds on Fox in 2014 and a new edition of the series was to air on National Geographic next year. In a Facebook post Saturday, Tyson denied an accusation that he groped a woman and he denied that he made sexual advances toward a production assistant when he invited her to share wine and cheese at his home. He apologized for making the production assistant feel uncomfortable. In his lengthy Facebook statement, Tyson said For a variety of reasons, most justified, some unjustified, men accused of sexual impropriety in todays me-too climate are presumed to be guilty by the court of public opinion. Emotions bypass due-process, people choose sides, and the social media wars begin. In any claim, evidence matters. Evidence always matters. But what happens when its just one persons word against anothers, and the stories dont agree? Thats when people tend to pass judgment on who is more credible than whom. And thats when an impartial investigation can best serve the truth and would have my full cooperation to do so. The denial comes just days before his scheduled Wednesday appearance in Prudential Hall at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. As of Saturday night, Tysons visit was still being promoted on NJPACs website. An email seeking comment from NJPAC on the Tyson controversy was not immediately return late Saturday. Fox and National Geographic Networks have said they will conduct a thorough investigation. Besides numerous TV appearances, Tyson is also the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Residents are welcome to donate to the Captain Mark V. Lee Sr. Christmas Fund Drive, an annual toy drive to help less fortunate children. Cheryl Lee, wife of the late fire captain, said the program last year helped nearly 7,000 children from local schools, churches, hospitals, and various youth organizations. "One of life's greatest moments... is bringing a beautiful smile to a child in need," she said Mark V. Lee Sr. was a 9/11 first responder who died on May 9, 2014 from respiratory problems. He was active in his community throughout his life, volunteering for the Special Olympics Torch Run and Fireman's Picnic. And for more than two decades, he led the fire department's annual Christmas toy drive. The fund will be collecting toys and clothing up until Dec. 25. All gifts can be dropped at any of the firehouses throughout the city. Monetary donations can be made out to the JCFD Captain Mark V. Lee Sr. Christmas Fund Drive. Police are seeking the publics help in their search for a man who ran up and grabbed a teenagers buttocks in downtown Princeton. Authorities didnt say whether they believe it could be the same person who is responsible for a string of similar assaults dating back to 2015. Police say the 15-year-old was walking in the area of Moore and Franklin streets Friday around 5:30 p.m. when a man came up from behind her, grabbed her buttocks and then ran away. The only description of the attacker is that he was wearing black clothing. The girl was unhurt. This is not the first time Princeton authorities have investigated reports of groping of females. In April, after a woman was grabbed at Moore and Spruce streets, police made public a sketch of the man, and found surveillance footage of the crime and posted a video of it online. A woman was grabbed in May this year as well, and those two incidents prompted a woman to report in June that she was grabbed the year before in June 2016. Other incidents where females were grabbed on the buttocks occurred in April 2015, separate incidents in September 2015 and November 2016. Also in April, a man followed a woman into the womens bathroom at a local brewery and peeked at her while she was in a stall. Police earlier this year said they are investigating if the incident is connected to the gropings. Police are asking anyone with outdoor surveillance cameras in the area of Moore and Franklin streets or who may have witnessed the assault Friday to contact Princeton Det. Sgt. Ben Gering at 609-921-2100 Ext. 1840. Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips On Tuesday, the Legislature will hear from Katie Brennan, the woman who says she was sexually assaulted by a senior adviser to Gov. Phil Murphy's campaign last year, and then abused again by an administration that gave him a plum job while ignoring her as she banged every drum she could find for over a year. "I've been denied justice," Brennan, 31, said Friday in an exclusive interview. "It's incredibly disappointing. At each step, people failed to take meaningful action. At each step it wasn't taken seriously enough. And he remained in a position of power." These hearings present a serious threat to the governor, who claims that he didn't know a thing about this until the Wall Street Journal called in October, despite Brennan's contacts with his senior staff months earlier, and despite a meaty internal discussion among his top aides about the decision to hire the alleged attacker, Al Alvarez, in a top-paying job in the administration. Katie Brennan: "When you're not heard, it means you're not believed. And that's crushing." (Photo use with permission via Facebook) It's tough to believe the governor didn't know, and the deeper you dig into the facts of this case, the tougher it gets. Two senior legislators involved in this inquiry say privately that they don't believe the governor, and that his senior aides have pressed them to restrict the inquiry or skip it altogether. So, the stakes are enormous. If the hearings establish that Murphy lied, then he's finished as a political player, and we're stuck with a lame duck governor for the next three years. Even if the hearings determine that he willfully ignored the obvious, he will emerge wounded. And look for some senior staffers to lose their jobs if Brennan can show she was mistreated, which seems obvious at the outset. The takeaway from my conversation with Brennan was this: She is furious, and she will not pull back one inch until she feels she has gotten some justice. "I am absolutely testifying on Dec. 4, and I've never wavered from that," she said. "When you're not heard, it means you're not believed. And that's crushing." She went public 18 months after the alleged attack, which tells you that this was not her first choice. She went to police. She went to a hospital for a rape examination. She called her husband right away, and her best friend. She went to senior people on Murphy's staff. She was assured that Alvarez would be fired, and still nothing happened. She later saw him on the job, an insult on top of her injuries. "I have pursued every avenue available to me," she said. "I have taken every step that I could, and none of it brought justice. All that I had left was my voice." Brennan spoke with steely evenness, sounding determined and ready for a fight. She paused for a few seconds before most answers, measuring her words carefully. This is a woman who has decided to bang her head through a brick wall if that's what it takes. We got the first glimpse of that Thursday when she offered blistering criticism of Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal over his investigation of Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez. Suarez's office declined to press charges against Alvarez, for reasons no one will discuss. Suarez concedes that she knew Alvarez personally, so basic fairness demands that this case should have been moved to another county. But Suarez claims she had no idea her people were handling the case, and no one told her. Given that Alvarez was a senior advisor to the Murphy campaign at the time, and that Suarez was on the short-list to be the next attorney general, that's hard to believe, too. But Grewal issued a report supporting Suarez after his staff interviewed her and the line prosecutors handling the case. What they did not do is speak to Brennan. "I am deeply discouraged that the attorney general's office could rush to its conclusion without...even requesting to speak with me," Brennan's statement said. I asked Grewal about that, and he noted that he has asked Middlesex County to re-examine the criminal case, and that his purpose in Hudson County was only to determine if Suarez improperly intervened on behalf of Alvarez. "We didn't opine on the merits of whether the case should be charged or not, or the evidence," he said. "That's being run by Middlesex." But why not talk to Brennan as well? What if a line prosecutor happened to mention to Brennan that Suarez knew of the case? It seems unlikely, granted, but it's possible. And hearing Brennan's thoughts would at least be a show of respect, something that she hasn't gotten much of. Besides, if Suarez did intervene, and a line prosecutor obeyed a corrupt command like that, would they confess to Grewal's crew and go to jail? Grewal, in his letter to legislative leaders, asked them to skip over any questions about Suarez, an unusual move that was emphatically rejected by the co-chair of the investigative committee, Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen. "I thought that was completely inappropriate," Weinberg said of Grewal's request. "I have a lot of faith in Grewal. But certainly, they should have spoken to her." Murphy's people won't discuss the political backdrop on the record, but several sources told me his staffers see a plot at work by political rivals like Senate President Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, aided by deluded columnists like me. In other words, they are acting like Nixon during Watergate, like Reagan during Iran-Contra, and like Clinton during the Lewinsky case. If they don't bring a better game to these hearings, this is going to get ugly fast. I asked Brennan if she had any regrets about stepping up. None at all. "My voice is my power," she said. "Survivors, or some survivors, have found solace and power in their voice. I am calling for changes. I want the changes. And I will keep calling for changes until I see some meaningful action." I asked her if she thought the governor was lying when he said he didn't know until October, and she said she didn't know. But she noted that she never got a meeting with the governor after requesting one in an e-mail she sent him in June, out of frustration. In that e-mail, she said only that it was about a "sensitive matter." "Hang in there," Murphy answered, copying in other staff. "We're on it." Murphy never did speak with her. But soon after sending the e-mail, Brennan got a call from an attorney for the Murphy campaign, Jonathan Berkon, who assured her that Alvarez would soon be leaving his job. That raises an obvious question: If Berkin knew what Brennan's e-mail was about, then how did the governor not know? The hearings will likely cover all that, in addition to examining the treatment of sexual assault allegations more broadly, and the administration's hiring practices. Alvarez, who denies all wrongdoing, was forced out his job as chief of staff at the Schools Development Authority as this scandal broke. Brennan claims that he had offered her $15,000 to stay quiet, and that she refused. Brennan seems ready for Tuesday, come what may. She said she watched only some of Christine Blasey Ford's testimony during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh, but not much. "It's surreal to watch a similar experience play out on the national stage," she said. "It's overwhelming and anxiety-inducing, to see how much work we still have to do," she said. "It was unbearable. Ever since the #MeToo movement has gained traction, it's been a support, but also otherworldly to see it play out as you're so entrenched in it yourself." My guess is this will be a bruising experience for Brennan, as it was for Ford. Brennan knows that, but she sounds like a soldier, willing to take a bullet for the cause if she must. "I'm a strong woman," she said. "And I don't want this to ever happen to another woman ever again." We are a long way from that world, of course. But with women like Brennan stepping up like this, at all costs, we may be getting closer. More: Tom Moran columns Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or call (973) 836-4909. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. After General Motors announced all those plant closures last week, a lot of people were speculating on just why the domestic car industry is in trouble. will tell you: It's because Americans are not like the French. The French don't share the American enthusiasm for monster trucks, he said. "In France, a truck has no status," said Rapaille. "In France you are never going pick up a girl in a pickup truck. No way. It's like you are the plumber or the carpenter." Like a lot of Europeans, the French prefer to do their driving in cars, said Rapaille, who was born in France but came to this country in his youth. He's a cultural anthropologist who has done a lot of consulting for the American auto industry. That leads him to question the idea that tariffs were the reason for GM to close all those car plants. The real reason they shut those car plants, Rapaille said, is that those plants produced cars. Americans prefer trucks, SUVs, crossovers and minivans. We saw the same thing with Ford earlier in the year, when that company announced it was going to limit car production to the Mustang. Similarly, the flagship car GM will keep making is the Corvette. Gone is the Chevy Impala that survived for all those years. But tariffs didn't have much to do with that, Rapaille said. It's true that tariffs on steel and aluminum imposed by President Trump raise the price of the average vehicle by about $250. But hikes in material costs affect large vehicles more than smaller ones. Yet it's the smaller ones that are being eliminated. The real reason is obvious, said Rapaille: Labor costs. "It costs the same amount of money to build a big one as a little one," he said. "But they can sell the big one for twice the price." As for tariffs, even before Trump took office the U.S. imposed a 25 percent tariff on imported trucks, but not cars. Then there are those federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards , which permit trucks to guzzle a lot more gas than cars. All of that led the Americans to abandon the car market to the Germans, Japanese and Koreans. They make excellent cars, so what could go wrong with that? Nothing at the moment, said Tom Kloza of the Oil Price Information Service, a national authority on oil prices that is based in Wall Township. At the moment, gas is so cheap that refiners are practically giving it away so they can concentrate on more lucrative distillates such as jet fuel and home-heating oil, he said. "In New Jersey, even with higher taxes the price of fuel has come down," he noted. The state raised the gas tax 27 cents per gallon in the past couple of years, but the other day I filled up my Honda sedan for a mere $2.31 a gallon. At that price even a gas-guzzler is cheap to run. And that makes that GM decision to largely abandon the car market looks like good business. But then there's that old saying that goes "What's good for General Motors is good for the country." The current crude-oil price of about $60 a barrel may be good for the motor-vehicle industry. "But I think it's an interlude and anyone in the vehicle markets should recognize that as well," Kloza said. One problem is that four of the key oil exporting countries - Libya, Nigeria, Iraq and Venezuela - are highly unstable. Another problem is OPEC. The Saudis and the rest of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries are playing along with Trump for now and keeping oil prices low. But they'd love to cut back production and bring prices back to what they consider the good old days. That's the period between 2011 and 2014 when prices were hovering around the $100-a-barrel range, Kloza said. "Personally, I think OPEC is going to do something to stabilize or manage the markets," he said. "I don't think it will be so much an energy shock, but a bit of price appreciation that will be like waterboarding." It's hard to see how the Big Three companies will stand up to that torture. They'll be stuck selling gas guzzling trucks in a market that calls for fuel-efficient cars. Say what you will about the French, at least they appreciate cars. Rapaille said he will be sad to see one GM brand, Cadillac, eliminating a couple of car models that competed with the Europeans in quality. "For me, I love cars," he said. "It's sad to see that Cadillac is never going to be a Cadillac anymore." It will be even sadder next time gas prices go up. ADD: I used to work at the old Ford plant on Route 1 in Edison when I was going to Rutgers, so I saw car-making up close. They were making Pintos at the time, but the same plant could have been configured for big Country Squire station wagons. Those wagons could have been built for roughly the same cost as the Pintos. That's because it's the total number of parts that drives construction costs, not the size of those parts. By the way, when that plant went out of business it was building the Ranger mid-sized pickup. The Ranger fell to the same phenomenon: The markup was bigger on bigger trucks. Ironically, Ford is bringing back the Ranger. But this time it will be as big as the old, full-sized pickups were. By the way, even though the French don't like pickups, they don't care much for French cars either, said Rapaille. They drive BMWs if they can afford them, he said. Who wouldn't? BRING BACK THE FREE MARKET: All of those government regulations are forcing people to accept smaller engines that are turbocharged. In a free market we'd have natural aspirated engines (see above). Paul Mulshine may be reached at pmulshine@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @Mulshine. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Its been nearly two months since the first children began dying in the severe viral outbreak at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. And yet, some parents say they still dont know what factors may have contributed to the deaths of their children. Most importantly, some are asking if their childs death could have been prevented. On Monday, the state Senate will hold a hearing to try and answer the series of questions that have been raised about how the Haskell facility handled the outbreak of adenovirus, which has claimed the lives of 11 children and infected dozens more. Tamara Cooper and Dondre Mills Sr., whose 2-year-old son Dondre Mills Jr. died from an adenovirus-related illness on Oct. 23, are one of the families still looking for answers. The parents say the facility delayed sending their child to the hospital, even as he was growing increasingly ill. They also question why the facility did not alert them to the outbreak. Tamara Cooper, 25, and Dondre Mills Sr., who holds their one-year-old daughter, speak about losing their 2-year-old son in the viral outbreak at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell. On Oct. 10, Cooper said a nurse from the Wanaque Center contacted her and told her that her son had a 105-degree fever, and that they were giving him Tylenol to bring down his temperature and monitor his condition. But the child did not get better. He was moved to St. Josephs Regional Medical Center on Oct. 17. By the time he got to St. Josephs, his respiration was so bad So they waited until the last minute to where he could have received something to intervene, she said. But you chose to keep him on the unit, and you refused to send him early. You sat there in your facility, you knew what was happening to him and you didnt care," she said. You didnt care enough to help my child. You didnt care. And I dont have peace of mind. And I just feel like he was mistreated." Dondre Jr., who died at St. Josephs hospital on Oct. 23, had been in the facilitys pediatric unit since January. He had cerebral palsy and epilepsy. The parents also noted that when they would visit their son at the facility, they felt he wasnt receiving the care he needed, including his diaper not being changed regularly and bedsores on his body. Workers at the Wanaque Center, who previously spoke to NJ Advance Media on the condition of anonymity for fear of losing their jobs, claimed that senior administrators had delayed sending kids to hospitals even as many started dying to keep Medicaid funds flowing to the for-profit facility, which would be lost as soon as a child was transferred out. The Wanaque Center treats medically fragile children who are often in need of round-the-clock care. Cooper, 25, and Mills, 27, of Paterson, also questioned why the facility didnt inform them of the outbreak for more than a week while their son was ill. Cooper said she didnt realize the full extent of the outbreak until seeing news reports after their sons death. Their descriptions echo those of other parents of children who died or became severely ill in the outbreak. One of those parents includes Modaline Auguste, of East Orange, who previously told NJ Advance Media she pleaded for week with the facility to send her daughter to the hospital after she developed what appeared to be a respiratory infection with fevers as high as 104. She said she had repeatedly asked the facility to send her daughter to the hospital, but to no avail. Finally, on the evening of Oct. 5, Dorcase was transferred to St. Josephs Regional Medical Center in Paterson. She died on Oct. 8. Kristine Deleg, whose 16-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, died from an adenovirus-related illness in late October, described a similar experience. She said Elizabeth was transferred from the Wanaque Center to a hospital on Oct. 2 after contracting a fever. Deleg, however, said wouldnt learn of the outbreak until Oct. 22 in a letter from the facility the same day her daughter ultimately died from her illness. It hit me hard It hit me really hard, said Deleg, 52, of Ossining, New York. Kristine Deleg, 52, of Ossining, New York, looking at baby photos of her 16-year-old daughter, who died in the viral outbreak at the at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell. She added, I didnt know what was going on back at the Wanaque Center. The Wanaque Center had notified local health department officials on Oct. 9 of a cluster of respiratory illnesses. However, by this time, two girls had already died Deleg said she doesnt know why the facility delayed telling parents about the outbreak. If they reported it on the ninth, why didnt they inform us on the ninth then? Deleg asked. When news of the outbreaks came out after her daughters death, she said she was heartbroken and felt she had been misled. "I was angry, she said. Gov. Murphy and state legislators have vowed to find out how the outbreak was handled at the facility. Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, who chairs the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, has said that the public needs to know what happened" and that we have an obligation as a legislature to make sure our infection controls and protocols are as current and effective as possible. Those invited to the hearing include the owners of the Wanaque facility, union representatives for the nurses in the facilitys pediatric unit, the state health commissioner and an infection control expert, among others. The state Senate will also seek to examine how the outbreak unfolded and spread so rapidly and why state health officials waited two weeks after initially learning of the illnesses at the facility before deploying a team to see for themselves how Wanaque was managing the crisis. Staff writers Susan Livio and Ted Sherman contributed to this report. No card, no phone, no problem. A group of state lawmakers want to make New Jersey only the second U.S. state and the first in 40 years to ban businesses from refusing to accept cash from customers and requiring them to pay electronically. The bill which a state Senate committee will consider Monday comes at a time when cities like New York and Philadelphia are weighing similar measures. Experts say cashless businesses are becoming more common especially in cities thanks to a proliferation of credit and debit cards, self-serve kiosks, and mobile devices like Apple Pay that make it easier for customers to simply swipe and go. But experts and lawmakers also warn that can disenfranchise people who dont have the means to set up a bank account or cant afford to be burdened by credit card debt. When you start going cashless, you marginalize people who are older, poorer, younger, who havent established credit or people who dont want to use credit to buy a pack of gum. Which would be me," said state Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, D-Gloucester, one of the bills main sponsors. For people that want to (use credit), thats fine, Moriarty added. But stores should still accept legal tender, which is the U.S. dollar. Bill Maurer, a professor at the University of California-Irvine who directs the schools Institute for Money, Technology and Financial Inclusion, said many businesses go cashless for speed and convenience." That especially includes quick-service restaurants that are trying to move people through quickly, Maurer said. It can also help prevent against robbery. Plus, Maurer said, electronic payments allow businesses to capture data' from customers to use for marketing and offers. In going cashless, you are kind of self-selecting a clientele thats gonna be a little more higher end, spend some more money," Maurer said. Thus, he said, these businesses are willing to overlook the added cost of devices and fees for card payments. But Maurer said about 25 percent of the U.S. population doesnt have access to credit cards or similar technology. Cash is a profoundly democratic form of payment, Maurer said. You just need to have it. Moriarty said he was inspired to introduce this bill (S2785/A591) by a story he read last year about Visa running a program offering 50 small businesses $100,000 each if they make their payments completely digital. Whos interest is at heart here? the lawmaker asked. The only other state to enact such a ban is Massachusetts, which began requiring businesses to accept cash in 1978. If signed into law, New Jerseys bill would apply only to in-person sales. It excludes telephone, mail, or internet-based transactions. Those who violate the statute would face a $2,500 fine for a first offense, $5,000 for a second offense, any subsequent offense would be unlawful practice under the state Consumer Fraud Act. The bill passed the Assembly 71-4 in June. But it would need to pass the state Senate and be signed by Gov. Phil Murphy to become law. A vote on the measure in the Senate Commerce Committee was shelved in September after retail giants like Amazon and Walmart voiced concern about how this could hurt businesses. The same committee will consider the bill Monday at the Statehouse in Trenton. Sponsors could not pinpoint specific New Jersey businesses that dont accept cash, though Moriarty said he sees issues at Newark Liberty International Airport. If you go to take a flight, its almost impossible to get anything to eat if you dont have a credit card, he said. Everything based on iPads, and there are minimal servers. Another sponsor, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, said she was told she couldnt use cash at a New Jersey store a few years ago but couldnt remember where. She was shocked. If your credit isnt so good or you dont have a bank account, youre not supposed to be able to buy food and groceries? Reynolds-Jackson, D-Mercer, asked. Thats ridiculous. Photo: Wikipedia The province has granted an environmental assessment certificate to BC Hydro and Power Authority for the Revelstoke Generating Station Unit 6 project. BC Hydro wants to install a sixth generating unit into an existing empty turbine bay of the Revelstoke Dam and build a capacitor station near Summerland. "Having considered the Environmental Assessment Office's assessment report and the recommendation of the executive director of the EAO to issue a certificate, the ministers are confident that the project will be constructed and operated in a way that ensures no significant adverse effects are likely to occur," stated a spokesperson from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. A record of the factors that the ministers considered in making their decision can be found in the Reasons for Ministers' Decision document. In addition to the 20 conditions that are part of the Revelstoke 6 project's environmental assessment certificate, design requirements are specified in the certified project description. Each of the conditions and the certified project description are legally binding requirements that BC Hydro must meet to maintain compliance with the certificate. BC Hydro is also required to obtain other federal and provincial permits to proceed with construction of the project. The plans required by the conditions must be developed in consultation with key government agencies and Indigenous groups. Key provincial conditions for the project require BC Hydro to: Develop a plan for the mitigation of impacts of the project on archeological and historical heritage resources in accordance with the Heritage Conservation Act for the life of the project; Develop a fish habitat monitoring and management plan and a wildlife protection plan to mitigate, monitor and address impacts to fish and wildlife for the life of the project; Develop a water-monitoring plan to monitor and mitigate impacts from the dam to water levels in the mid-Columbia River and Revelstoke and Arrow Lake reservoirs, channel and bank erosion, and discharge from the Revelstoke Dam to Arrow Lakes Reservoir; and Support three Indigenous stewardship monitors during construction and the first five years of operations, represented by the Ktunaxa Nation Council, Syilx Okanagan Nation and Secwepemc. The project would add an additional 500 megawatts of power generation to the dam, bringing the station's total peak output power to 2,980 MW. Last week's column recalls my memories of Fort Dix in the 1950's and just a few of the many easy to remember events as I recalled them. This week, and concluding next week, I will tell the final segment of my U.S. Army 3 years term as a 2018 "Cold War Veteran." Like Jeans Shepard's TV classic "The Christmas Story," my ASA military memories have become an annual Thanksgiving-Christmas tradition, and are automatically recalled even these 63 years later. How vividly I remember spending KP in that hot, and odoriferous kitchen at Fort Dix on Thanksgiving Day, 1955 where I learned how to clean a grease pit. All the bad planets aligned against me during the fall and winter of 1955 and 1956. If you read last weeks column, we left Army PFC Glover, Thomas Lee serial RA 12480163, fast asleep in his bunk at Fort Dix on Thanksgiving evening, preparing to ship out to Germany; the land of lederhosen, the Munich Hofbrauhaus, and lovely frauleins. The bus arrived promptly at 6 a.m. We hoisted our duffel bags over our shoulders and boarded a rickety, army bus and were taken to the embarkation port in New York City, where we walked up the gang plank of the M.S.T.S Simon Bolivar Buckner; a very old troop ship which served as a 'Liberty Ship' during World War I. We were called into formation on the deck. and assigned our bunks. I had envisioned a barracks-like set up, with army cots lined up row upon row and a relatively comfortable mattress to support my scrawny 130-pound frame. Surprise number 1: Those navy guys sleep in these really weird bunks. They are made of one-inch steel pipes, formed into a body-sized rectangle. Then, a piece of canvas, also body size, with rope laces around the pipe frame, stretches the canvas. providing a cloth mattress. Surprise number 2. The spacing on those bunks was such that you couldn't sit up in bed. As the anchor was lifted on the huge ship which was to be our cozy home for the next week or 10 days, I stood on the deck with my fellow soldiers and sadly watched the Statue of Liberty fade off the horizon. The upper echelons of the army tried to make us feel at home. During the early hours of the voyage, with music from the New York radio stations beamed out over the huge public address system speakers. It was comforting to listen to WNEW and WOR in New York City. I can remember the emotional reaction I got, as we headed ever-further out to sea. and the stateside stations began to fade out, and finally, we lost them. It was then that I realized that I was far, far, away from home as the ship moved ever onward to Bremerhaven, Germany. We had just finished roll call and were on our way down to what the navy guys call the galley for breakfast. The sea was choppy and causing the ship to bouncing up and down, side to side like a giant cork on the water. I stood in line, watching the cooks do their thing. We were having bacon and eggs. Those navy cooks didn't fry an egg on a flat griddle. Rather, they had these little cup-shaped indentations on the stove top into which they cracked the egg, dropped it into the little receptacle and fried it. The ventilation was poor. So poor, that my nostrils detected the unsavory aroma of frying grease. My stomach began to do back flips. My salivary glands began to do what salivary glands due just prior to up-chucking. I dropped my tray. ran up those oh-so-steep navy steps, and headed for the nearest garbage can. I was really sick. I spent hours sitting on that garbage can, and believe it or not, my only nourishment was a can of sardines and crackers. As the good ship Simon Bolivar Buckner docked at Bremerhaven, we found ourselves smack dab in the middle of the Christmas season. The next day, we were to change trains and go on the long trek south via train to Frankfort and then on another train south to Munich, in Southern Bavaria. As we headed south, the terrain changed from our Central New Jersey terrain to mountains forests, and valleys. I sat in the train, awe stricken as we passed through the many charming mountain villages of Bavaria. Heavy snow had recently fallen, and the towns were every bit as beautiful as one would see on a Christmas card. An hour or so later we arrived in the town of Bad Aibling deep in the Bavarian Alps. It was well past midnight, and we were promptly ushered into a waiting military bus and taken to our barracks. Today, I am considered a "COLD WAR VETERAN;" We were in a cold war with Soviet Russia and her other eastern allies. The Army Security Agency of which I was a member, was an elite group that Wikileaks defines as "being established by President Harry Truman in a memorandum of October 24, 1952, that revised National Security Council Intelligence Directive (NSCID) 9. Since President Truman's memo was a classified document, the existence of the NSA was not known to the public at that time." Our destination was the "312th Communications Reconnissance Battalion." The "barracks" we were assigned to were beautifully furnished rooms which were used by Adolph Hitler's Luftwaffe officers and in close proximity to his "Eagles' nest in Berchtesgaden. It would be my home for the next 13 months. After a restless night, and more homesick than ever, realizing that I was now thousands of miles from my home. I fell asleep, resigning myself to the fact that homesickness was going to be a way of life for me until January, 1958. when Uncle Sam would let me go home with an honorable discharge. More to come next Sunday. Be here and sing some Christmas carols with the boys from the ultra-secret Army Security Agency! Born and raised in Hamilton, Tom Glover is past president of the Hamilton Township Historical Society and currently works at the Hamilton Township Public Library as local historian in the library's Local History Collection. Visit Tom's websites www.glover320.blogspot.com which has over 900,000 visits, also www.hhs51.blogspot.com. And www.kuser-school.blogspot.com and his Facebook pages for interesting links and many items of local history and nostalgia. Tom can be reached at tglover320@optimum.net. Photo: Nicole Porciello Two weeks after Nicole Hasselmann was found dead, Jan Poepl, 31, has been charged with second-degree murder. A Lower Mainland educational assistant who was killed two weeks ago was dating a man with the same name as a man arrested in her death. Sources told CTV News Vancouver Nicole Hasselmann was in a relationship with a man by the same name as her accused killer, Jan Poepl who was arrested Thursday and faces one count of second-degree murder. First responders found Hasselmann in a ditch near an SUV crash on Nov. 16. Initially, authorities believed she was ejected from the vehicle, but the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team determined her wounds were "indicative of foul play," but has not officially revealed the cause of death. A man was found unconscious in the SUV, but HIT has not confirmed if it was Poepl, only saying Hasselmann and her accused killer knew each other and that the case was an isolated incident. Photo: Contributed 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 sizeable 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. North Augusta, SC (29841) Today Rain ending this morning. Sunshine breaking out this afternoon. High 62F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight A clear sky. Low 32F. Winds light and variable. If this year's Cars and Toys event is anything like last year's, a lot of presents will be going to deserving kids over Christmas. The event, now in its third year, will be held at Kelowna's August Motorcars, and includes photos with Santa, popcorn, and other activities to keep the little ones busy, all in the auto dealers' showroom surrounded by supercars. Admission to the event is one unwrapped gift for a child. This year, the toys will go to deserving kids through the Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver and Kelowna's Third Space Charity and Mamas for Mamas. Matt August says they had over 1,500 people take part in last year's event. We brought down all the toys in an enclosed trailer down to the Ronald McDonald House, into their North Pole, August said. Bringing them to ... where the kids are picking them up is a pretty cool feeling, especially when there are kids that are going to spend their entire Christmas at Ronald McDonald House or kids that aren't even able to get a present at all. Last year, Santa arrived at the Cars and Toys event by helicopter, and while August wouldn't spoil the surprise, he said Santa would be arriving in style once again. Cars and Toys will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 9 at August Motorcars at 884 McCurdy Place. Photo: The Canadian Press Hugo Ruiz at his home in Laval, Que., Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Ruiz, who is a software engineer from Colombia, says he has trouble getting government help because he isn't on welfare. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz Hugo Hernan Ruiz, a 42-year-old systems engineer from Colombia, has a master's degree in his field and ran the IT department of an oil company in his home country. His French is excellent considering he arrived in Quebec in 2016 with little knowledge of the language. But like many highly educated newcomers to the province, Ruiz has struggled to find work despite being selected as a skilled immigrant by provincial authorities. After failing to find a job, he decided to open his own consulting business to take advantage of his South American contacts. He applied for a provincial program that assists budding entrepreneurs with grants, marketing and training. But he was rejected because the program was for people who were on welfare or who had received Employment Insurance and he fit neither category. It would become a common refrain, he said, as he tried unsuccessfully to navigate the Quebec bureaucracy. "I think there needs to be a reflection," Ruiz said over coffee at a strip mall in the Montreal suburb of Laval, where he settled with his wife and two children. "What happens to immigrants who are trying to succeed and who don't come here to live off the government?" As Quebec Premier Francois Legault moves to reduce immigration in order, he says, to ensure newcomers learn French and find work, Ruiz's case highlights the obstacles and contradictions facing educated immigrants who are neither poor nor wealthy. Yann Hairaud, head of a Montreal-based immigrant employment centre, said he knows of cases where skilled workers find options closed to them because they aren't on welfare. "Unfortunately yes," he said in an interview. "These situations can happen. There is a certain incoherence in some of the rules that exist for newcomers." Shortly after Ruiz arrived in Quebec, he enrolled in a French-language program to study what's known as the internet of things the network of objects that contain electronics and can interact with one another. "I thought that instead of taking French courses, I would take a French-language course in my field, so I would learn both," he said. He graduated with a vocational certificate last August but because the government didn't fully pay for his training, more doors were closed to him. A paid public-sector internship caught his eye, but to get it he had to qualify for a provincial salary subsidy. He was rejected for the subsidy, he explained, because the government hadn't paid for his training. "I brought all my savings with me (from Colombia) and I prepared financially in order to avoid asking for welfare," Ruiz said. "I'm not criticizing the Employment Department or the government. But I think the country needs to reflect on whether the immigration system encourages immigrants to go on welfare." Dominique Anglade, immigration critic for the provincial Liberals, has not heard of immigrants going on welfare to land jobs, but she acknowledged those on social assistance have a certain advantage. Anglade, a former economy minister, said in an interview that "a high percentage" of immigrants fail to complete the necessary training to have their skills recognized in Quebec, in part because of the high costs involved. "When you go on welfare, you do have some support that can help you actually accomplish finding a job and everything else," she said. She blamed the discrepancy on government departments not working hand in hand. Immigration Department spokesperson Chantal Bouchard, said integration "is obviously a priority" but referred questions about the obstacles facing skilled immigrants to the Employment Department. Employment Department spokesman Vincent Breton did not respond directly to questions about whether people who are not receiving welfare are at a disadvantage when seeking work. "As you know, the Employment Department offers many measures and programs for those who want to integrate into the workforce," Breton said in an email, adding that each file is analyzed on its individual merits. Hairaud, whose organization CITIM works with about 1,800 immigrants a year, said the Employment Department gives priority to certain groups, including those who are on welfare or unemployment insurance. Quebec seeks out skilled workers, he noted, but they are ineligible for government support programs if they are deemed too successful. "It's contradictory, the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing," Hairaud said. Despite the difficulties, the employment landscape is improving for immigrants, partly due to Quebec's strong economy. In August 2018, the unemployment rate for immigrants between the ages of 25 and 54 fell to 6.1 per cent after hovering above 10 per cent for much of the previous decade, the Institut du Quebec reported. Ruiz said he's happy in Canada. His two young children are in school, and he wants to start a new life here. But he questions the value Canada places on the first generation of immigrants. "My experience looking for work has been bizarre," he said. "What is the life for professionals who come here? Is the first generation of immigrants important to Canada?" Photo: The Canadian Press U.S. President Donald Trump says he intends to tell Congress that he plans to terminate NAFTA in an effort to pressure lawmakers on Capitol Hill to approve its recently negotiated successor. Trump, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto signed the new U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement at the start of G20 meetings Friday in Argentina. Trump was on board Air Force One on his way back from Buenos Aires when he declared he would terminate NAFTA, a move that gives lawmakers six months to approve its replacement. A number of Democrats in Congress have indicated they don't like the deal in its current form and say it will require more stringent enforcement mechanisms for new labour rules and protections for the environment in order to win their support. Some Republicans see problems, too: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio says the deal called USMCA by the U.S. and CUSMA by Canada gives agricultural producers in Mexico an unfair advantage that could put seasonal growers in his state out of business. Trade experts have long suspected Trump, who has made beating up on NAFTA a central feature of his political career, might play the termination card in an effort to light a fire under the deal's critics. One of George Bushs lesser-known legacies was the role he played in cementing a modern presidential tradition: leaving a letter of support for the incoming commander in chief on Inauguration Day. During the 2016 presidential election, an image of President Bushs letter to the man who defeated him, Bill Clinton, was widely publicized, with many commenting that it was a refreshing reminder of the potential for bipartisanship during a bitterly divisive campaign. Mr. Bush, a Republican, left the letter for his Democratic successor on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway desk in the Oval Office on Inauguration Day in 1993. Your success now is our countrys success, he wrote. I am rooting hard for you. Mr. Bush left his message of unity despite his contentious campaign against Mr. Clinton that denied him a second term. Mark K. Updegrove, a presidential historian who wrote a book about the Bush family, said Mr. Bush, who died on Friday night at age 94, continued the custom after Ronald Reagan left him a lighthearted note during their White House transition in 1989. [Looking for TV and movie recommendations? Sign up for our newsletter, Watching.] In just his second Saturday Night Live appearance this season and his first since his arrest following a dispute over a parking space Alec Baldwin returned to the program this weekend to portray President Trump in a comedy sketch set at the Group of 20 summit meeting in Argentina. In the shows cold open, Baldwin stood on a hotel balcony, complaining to Melania Trump (played by cast member Cecily Strong) that hed been having trouble sleeping. I keep having this nightmare where Im walking through a forest of blood, he said. Strong replied, No, no, that was just my Christmas decorations. Baldwin, a frequent S.N.L. guest who has portrayed President Trump on the show since 2016, said at the start of this season that he intended to play the role less often. The Victorias Secret Angels return to the runway, and watch your wildest childhood dreams come true in Home Alone. Whats on TV PRESIDENTS UNDER FIRE: THE HISTORY OF IMPEACHMENT 9 p.m. on CNN. The CNN host Fareed Zakaria takes a look into the history of Article II, Section IV of the Constitution, which concerns impeachment. He interviews Tim Naftali, the founding director of the Nixon presidential library and a professor at New York University, and Peter Baker, The New York Timess chief White House correspondent, among others. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SPECIAL: INSIDE SYRIAS DEADLY DYNASTY 9 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel. The Assad family has ruled Syria for almost 50 years, and now Bashar al-Assad presides over a deadly civil war that has ravaged the country. This film explores how he became the centerpiece of a brutal war that has displaced half of Syrias population, and examines the history of the Assad family and regime. Yet solar mini-grids are no silver bullet. To be sustainable, companies must have enough paying customers, preferably commercial users who demand more power. We need to stimulate more demand, Bolade Soremekun, chief executive of Rubitec, said of the Gbamu Gbamu mini-grid. Its not just about having lights and charging phones. If people use electricity for productive use, it can earn more money. Electricity from the mini-grid costs about 150 to 200 naira per kilowatt-hour compared with 25 to 30 naira from the national grid. However, mini-grid power is still cheaper than fuel for generators and more convenient and reliable. As equipment costs come down and companies add customers, electricity prices could come down. And solar can be more reliable than the national grid. If all goes smoothly, actual mini-grid construction can take less than one month far less time than building a hydropower plant. In Gbamu Gbamu, Rukayat Lawal works at Kadet Agro, a small business that dries cocoa beans in a large metal machine. Over its roar, she explained that the company used to spend at least 7,000 naira for a 30-liter jug of gasoline to dry 100 large sacks of cocoa. Now, Kadet Agro spends about 5,000 naira to do the same work. Ms. Lawal is relieved that she no longer has to spend two hours to go to town and fetch gasoline jugs on a motorbike. And at home, we use fans, watch TV, we charge our phones, she added. In the village, people often sleep outside to escape the stifling heat indoors. With solar-electricity fans, now we can sleep inside, she said. We enjoy the solar very well. The jurors at the trial of Joaquin Guzman Loera, known as El Chapo, were treated last week to a cinematic narrative about the early years of the kingpins career, detailing his rise from a young upstart in the drug trade to a wealthy and successful narco-entrepreneur. Much of the tale was told by one of El Chapos first employees, Miguel Angel Martinez, who began working for the cartel as a pilot in 1987 before being promoted to running operations in Mexico City. Over four days last week as a government witness in Federal District Court in Brooklyn, Mr. Martinez described how the crime lord went from being a novice trafficker with a staff of only 25 people to earning hundreds of millions of dollars that he spent on extravagances like a fleet of private jets and a rural ranch with a zoo where guests could ride a train past crocodiles and bears. But as with many drug-world relationships, the bond between the two men ultimately soured. In this case, that occurred in 1998, after Mr. Martinez was arrested. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] He liked it, so he put a ring on it. But the ring was too big and it slipped off, disappearing Friday night into the abyss of a Times Square sidewalk grate, mere hours after a romantic New York City marriage proposal. The groom, a tourist from England, was convinced it was gone for good. (So convinced that he had already bought a second ring after the couples return flight home touched down Sunday morning.) But what happened next will surely be the fairy-tale stuff of family lore. The couple, who had gotten engaged in Central Park, flagged down a police officer to report the ring mishap, after trying in vain to recover it on their own. But after waiting for about an hour, the couple walked away without leaving their names as the police continued to search for the diamond-and-platinum dazzler. A taxi driver named Roy Kim recently became the eighth professional driver to die by suicide in New York over the last year. The citys taxi commissioner, Meera Joshi, has characterized the deaths as an epidemic. The stories have drawn attention to the economic despair in the industry and prompted the City Council to weigh new legislation to help taxi owners reduce their debt and to increase driver wages. Each case is different and it is difficult to know why someone decides to take their life. Most of the drivers were immigrants in their 50s and 60s, some of whom had told friends and family that they were having a difficult time making a living as Uber began to dominate the ride-hailing industry. I still cant believe Im in America, said Mr. Ahmad, 36, who was trained as an actor in Syria before seeking asylum in Britain, where all three men live now. Its bizarre that we live at a time when you need all this work to get one person to another country, and amazing that it happened. But I also feel very privileged, because every day Im here, I think about the millions of people who cant go from one place to another. The Jungle, cast intact, will start performances Tuesday in anticipation of a Dec. 9 opening at St. Anns Warehouse, a prestigious and globally minded nonprofit theater on the Brooklyn waterfront. The show has an immersive set audience members sit in a replica of an Afghan cafe at the camp, and post-show performances and talks will be held in the same geodesic dome that was used by the shows writers, Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, when they established the Good Chance Theater at the camp in 2015. The play is scheduled to run for eight weeks, which will make it the longest-running show in the theaters history. Mr. Ghobsheh, a 23-year-old songwriter and musician who is now using the first name Milan, and Mr. Moradi, a 26-year-old kung fu practitioner who competed on the Iranian national team, were both discovered by the theater in the Calais camp, known as the Jungle. Mr. Moradi, who is Kurdish and said he fled Iran because it had become increasingly difficult for his people, started teaching kung fu to other refugees in the Jungle, and then began performing as an actor. He said he believes in the power of the play. I think it is going to be helpful to show our story, he said. Air travel is growing in popularity across the world, and the global aviation system is undergoing projects big and small to keep up. Were forecasting that traffic will double in the next 17 years, said Angela Gittens, director general for Airports Council International (A.C.I. World). Millions more people will be traveling. And those people, she said, wont just be in places where flying is already popular. An emerging economy now will be an advanced economy later, Ms. Gittens said. New and expanded airports are needed to meet that demand. Istanbul, for example, has already begun opening its new airport in phases that will eventually be able to accommodate hundreds of millions of travelers a year. When it is completed, it will be the worlds largest. For Republicans ceding control of the House to Democrats come January, the seven remaining appropriations bills serve as the last foreseeable opportunity to ensure that Mr. Trump has the wall money he once promised Mexico would provide. But Democrats, with their support needed to overcome the 60-vote threshold in the Senate and with a House majority just a month away, see no reason to acquiesce to Republican demands. And a stopgap spending bill that goes into January would allow for Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democrats nominee for speaker, to control the issue in the House and dictate the terms of any future border security funding. In the Senate, lawmakers indicated last week that they would probably reject a compromise offer from House Republicans that would have given Mr. Trump the $5 billion he has insisted on for his border wall. Senator Richard C. Shelby, the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, had floated the possibility of allocating $5 billion over two years as a way to reconcile Mr. Trumps demands with those of Democrats. But Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, and other Democratic lawmakers have vehemently denounced the notion of providing $5 billion, arguing that the bipartisan Senate bills $1.6 billion allocation for fencing was more than adequate for enhanced border security. This is the president trying to manufacture a shutdown to fire up his base, Mr. Schumer said on the Senate floor last week. His chambers bill or a yearlong stopgap spending bill were the only options, he said, that would be successful in this Congress. Even some Republicans in the Senate have appeared to balk at the price for a wall. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, a frequent Republican foil for the presidents agenda, told reporters that she had yet to see a reason for an increase to $5 billion other than thats what the president wants. The $1.3 billion previously allocated in spending bills for border security including for pedestrian fencing has also not been fully spent, lawmakers and aides said. Photo: The Canadian Press In this Nov. 20, 2018 photo workers decorate the venue of the global climate summit that will be held at the site of the closed 'Katowice' coal mine in the city of Katowice, Poland. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) Negotiators from around the world began two weeks of talks on curbing climate change Sunday, three years after sealing a landmark deal in Paris that set a goal of keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Envoys from almost 200 nations gathered in Poland's southern city of Katowice, a day earlier than originally planned because of the large number of issues that need to be resolved by Dec. 14. "We are here to enable the world to act together on climate change," said Poland's environmental envoy, Michal Kurtyka, who is presiding over the U.N. meeting, known as COP24. With further meetings next year meant to build on what's decided in Katowice, he urged all countries to "show creativity and flexibility." "The United Nations secretary-general is counting on us, all of us to deliver," Kurtyka said. "There is no Plan B." Ministers and some heads of government plan to join the discussion Monday, when host Poland is expected to push for a declaration ensuring a "just transition" for fossil fuel industries that face cuts and closures amid efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The meeting received a boost over the weekend when 19 major economies at the G-20 summit affirmed their commitment to the 2015 Paris climate accord. The only holdout was the United States, which announced under President Donald Trump that it is withdrawing from the climate pact. "Despite geopolitical instability, the climate consensus is proving highly resilient," said Christiana Figueres, a former head of the U.N. climate office. "It is sad that the federal administration of the United States, a country that is increasingly feeling the full force of climate impacts, continues to refuse to listen to the objective voice of science when it comes to climate change," Figures said. She cited a recent expert report warning of the consequences of letting average global temperatures rise beyond 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F). "The rest of the G-20 have not only understood the science, they are taking actions to both prevent the major impacts and strengthen their economies," said Figueres, who now works with Mission 2020, a group that campaigns to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The meeting in Katowice is regarded as a key test of countries' willingness to back their lofty but distant goals with concrete measures, some of which are already drawing fierce protests . At the top of the agenda is the so-called Paris rulebook , which will determine how governments record and report their greenhouse emissions and efforts to cut them. Separately, negotiators will discuss ramping up countries' national emissions targets after 2020, and financial support for poor nations that are struggling to adapt to climate change. The shift away from fossil fuels, which scientists say has to happen by 2050, is expected to require a major overhaul of world economies. "The good news is that we do know a lot of what we need to be able to do to get there," said David Waskow of the World Resources Institute. Waskow, who has followed climate talks for years, said despite the Trump administration's refusal to back this global effort the momentum is going in the right direction. "It's not one or two players anymore in the international arena," he said. "It's what I think you could call a distributed leadership, where you have a number of countries some of them small or medium-sized really making headway and doing it in tandem with cities and states and businesses." Not far from the meeting venue, environmental activists held a small protest Sunday to call for an end to coal mining in Poland, which gets some 80 per cent of its energy from coal. Katowice is in the heart of Poland's coal mining region of Silesia, and there are several active mines in and around the city. Marches aimed at showing support for ending the use of coal-fired power plants and other efforts to limit climate change drew thousands of people over the weekend in Brussels, Berlin and Cologne. But the governor of Germany's most populous state said Sunday it was premature to set a firm date for phasing out the use of coal-fired power plants. Armin Laschet, the governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state, said Germany's decision to stop mining and burning lignite coal "must be considered seriously and decided with broad consensus." German officials had hoped to present a blueprint for the country's exit from coal at the meeting in Katowice but an expert committee has delayed issuing its recommendations until next year. Further, the partys hard-line stances on immigration and health care, as well as its willingness to pass a tax bill that stung high-income districts, are as much the result of trying to assuage the far-right House Freedom Caucus as the president. Yet there is a deep reluctance among the leaders to discuss what went wrong. In an interview on the Saturday before the election, Representative Steve Stivers of Ohio, the head of the House Republican campaign arm, predicted his party would keep the majority. But, citing a handful of suburban incumbents, Mr. Stivers allowed that if we wake up on Wednesday and all those have broken the other way, then its legitimate to say it was Trump. Reminded last week of those comments, the lawmaker would only say: Im not playing the blame game. He is hardly alone in averting difficult questions or accountability. Mr. McCarthy faced only a nominal challenge on his right flank in a leadership election that took place before the extent of the partys defeats in California they lost seven House seats became clear. And Mr. Trump has ignored the House results. The most the president has said took place the day after the election, when he used a news conference to belittle those who did not campaign with him and lost an extraordinary tirade that few lawmakers condemned. One who did was Representative Adam Kinzinger, Republican of Illinois. That was disgusting, he said, recalling how other presidents acknowledged defeat after their party lost the House. I think back to Obama and Bush, both admitting it when they lost, accepting that with some grace. There has not been, Mr. Kinzinger said, any party lookback or leadership lookback and it does worry some of us. Ms. Pelosi described the deal on Friday as a work in progress her members could not yet support. What isnt in it yet is enough enforcement reassurances regarding workers, provisions that relate to workers and to the environment, she said. A spokesman for Mrs. Pelosi did not say on Sunday if the presidents move would accelerate her timetable or alter her negotiating strategy. Its disappointing but not surprising that President Trump would try to force Congress to reinstate the status quo of Nafta, instead of working constructively with Congress to improve his proposed agreement to actually protect and strengthen American workers, said the spokesman, Henry Connelly. There is no language in Naftas authorizing law that requires congressional approval for withdrawal from the treaty, although some of Mr. Trumps staff believe the matter is ambiguous and could end up in court. Congress, at Mrs. Pelosis instigation, could proactively pass legislation, with a veto-proof majority, blocking him from doing pulling out of Nafta. But most legislative leaders think that scenario is unlikely. Mr. Trumps announcement, which came shortly after he agreed to hold off on new tariffs against China in face-to-face negotiations with the Chinese leader Xi Jinping, was also intended to emphasize his tough stance on trade as he softens his posture with Beijing. The move took many of Mr. Trumps economic advisers by surprise: In the lead-up to the Argentina trip, most of them were said to believe that scrapping Nafta was off the table. But Mr. Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Democrats, telling people in his orbit that he believes they would rather turn their backs on a great deal than see him achieve one of his top campaign goals, according to a person who has spoken to the president in the past week. JUBA, South Sudan At least 125 women and girls seeking food aid were raped, whipped and clubbed over 10 days this month in attacks described as abhorrent even amid the widespread sexual violence of South Sudans civil war, according to Doctors Without Borders. The medical charity said on Saturday that the dramatic increase in sexual violence occurred between Nov. 19 and Thursday, as the women and girls were walking to a food distribution site in Bentiu in Unity State. In contrast, the groups Bentiu clinic treated 104 survivors of sexual assault in the first 10 months of this year. The United Nations mission chief in the country, David Shearer, said the abhorrent attacks were carried out by young men in military uniforms and civilian clothing. The international agency has increased patrols in the area and has begun an investigation while urging the authorities to hold the attackers accountable. The Taliban should consider intensifying peace talks, not the fight, Sgt. First Class Debra Richardson, a spokeswoman for the United States forces in Afghanistan, said, confirming that Mullah Manan had been killed by an American airstrike. Theyre going to have trouble intensifying the fight when their fighters and leaders are under constant assault. Peace talks are the only solution, she added. Bashir Ahmad Shakir, who until recently was the head of the security committee at Helmands provincial council, described Mullah Manan as a fighting machine. He was tough and a good manager of the battlefield, Mr. Shakir said. I remember there were times where he would engage the Afghan forces in 12 different places in Helmand simultaneously. Mullah Manans death comes as the Taliban are pushing for further gains in the south, following the assassination of the general leading the governments defenses there. Gen. Abdul Raziq, the police chief of Kandahar Province and a major anti-Taliban bulwark, was gunned down in an attack last month that barely missed the top American commander, Gen. Austin S. Miller. The recent killing of an American missionary who tried to contact an isolated tribe on a remote Indian island has revived a debate within the evangelical movement over the extreme lengths that some missionaries are willing to go to in hopes of spreading their faith. In the time leading up to his fatal mission last month, John Allen Chau was surrounded by like-minded people who believed he was on a divine mission, called by God to minister to uncontacted people. The group that trained Mr. Chau for his mission and others have defended his actions and even hailed him as a martyr. But other evangelicals argue that his push to contact the tribe on North Sentinel island, a group protected by Indian law, was reckless and unjustifiable. Some religious scholars, including evangelicals, are uncomfortable with Mr. Chaus approach. Scott Moreau, a professor at Wheaton College Graduate School in Illinois, is one of them. Im appalled by the naivete of thinking you go on a beach, you throw a fish at some people, you holler at them, and then you come back and spend the night and everything is going to be fine, Mr. Moreau said. It doesnt show much sensitivity, and it doesnt show much common sense. In Mexico, journalists have been killed by arson, gunned down at a cafe and shot execution-style while out at a bar. In Malta, one was killed by a bomb hidden in her car. In Ecuador, two were kidnapped and killed by a drug cartel, and in India, one was killed after exposing a sand mafia that sold dirt to real estate developers. The last two years have been deadly for journalists, with 31 murdered around the world this year alone, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. But a report released this past week by Reporters Without Borders documented more than two dozen who had been killed by members of organized crime since the start of 2017, including fatal attacks in Mexico and Europe that underscored the entrenched power of criminal syndicates around the world. This year, at least a dozen journalists have been killed by members of organized crime, according to the report, bringing the kind of violence often associated with war zones to countries like Malta or Brazil that are farther from the chaos of the front lines. In many cases, the crimes go unpunished by authorities who are hostile to the news media or are involved in criminal activity themselves. As opposed to Syria or Afghanistan, where the press is often killed by terrorist groups, this report shows the link when government and corrupt organizations work in tandem to silence the work of journalists in a really covert way, said Noni Ghani, a spokeswoman for Reporters Without Borders. These things dont just happen in conflict zones or countries at war. They really happen everywhere. JERUSALEM The Israeli police recommended Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted on bribery, fraud and other charges, accusing him of trading regulatory favors for fawning news coverage, in what is potentially the most damaging of a series of corruption cases against him. It was the third time this year that the police have urged that Mr. Netanyahu face criminal prosecution. And it dealt another blow to his teetering governing coalition, which narrowly averted collapse last month and is clinging to a one-vote majority in Parliament while edging closer to calling early elections. Mr. Netanyahu, who has dominated Israeli politics for a decade and continues to lead all potential challengers in opinion polls, must now await the decision of the attorney general, whom he appointed, on whether to indict him in all three cases. Depending on the decision, which could take months, he could be Israels first sitting prime minister to be indicted. But for now, his position remains secure. And if he wins another election before charges are brought, he could be strong enough politically to try to remain in office even while facing prosecution. JERUSALEM After an investigation of more than two years, Israels attorney general, Avichai Mandelblit, announced Thursday that he planned to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Mr. Netanyahu, who denies any wrongdoing and says he is being persecuted by Israels left, is entitled to a hearing before an indictment is formally issued. But if he fails to persuade Mr. Mandelblit to back down, he would become the first sitting prime minister in Israel to face criminal prosecution. There were 15 of them. Most arrived in the dead of night, laid their trap and waited for the target to arrive. That target was Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi critic of his countrys government and its young crown prince. Since his killing in Istanbul, Turkish media has released a steady drip feed of evidence implicating Saudi officials. Weeks of investigation by The Times builds on that evidence and reconstructs what unfolded, hour-by-hour. Our timeline shows the ruthless efficiency of a hit team of experts that seemed specially chosen from Saudi government ministries. Some had links to the crown prince himself. After a series of shifting explanations, Saudi Arabia now denies that this brazen hit job was premeditated. But this reconstruction of the killing, and the botched cover-up, calls their story into serious question. Its Friday morning, Sept. 28. Khashoggi and his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, are at the local marriage office in Istanbul. In order to marry, hes told that he needs Saudi paperwork and goes straight to the consulate to arrange it. They tell him to return in a week. It all seems routine, but its not. Inside theres a Saudi spy, Ahmed al-Muzaini, whos working under diplomatic cover. That very day, he flies off to Riyadh and helps concoct a plan to intercept Khashoggi when he returns to the consulate. Fast-forward to Monday night into Tuesday morning. Saudi agents converge in Istanbul aboard separate flights. Muzaini, the spy, flies back from Riyadh. A commercial flight carries a three-man team that we believe flew from Cairo. Two of the men are security officers and theyve previously traveled with the crown prince. A private jet flying from Riyadh lands around 3:30 a.m. That plane is often used by the Saudi government, and its carrying nine Saudi officials, some who played key roles in Khashoggis death. Well get to Team 3 later on, and for now focus on these men from Team 2. This is Salah al-Tubaigy, a high-ranking forensics and autopsy expert in the Saudi interior ministry. Turkish officials will later say his role was to dismember Khashoggis body. Another is Mustafa al-Madani, a 57-year-old engineer. As well see, its no accident that he looks like Khashoggi. And this is Maher Mutreb, the leader of the operation. Our investigation into his past reveals a direct link between Mutreb and the Saudi crown prince. When bin Salman toured a Houston neighborhood earlier this year, we discovered that Mutreb was with him, a glowering figure in the background. We found him again in Boston, at a U.N. meeting in New York, in Madrid and Paris, too. This global tour was all part of a charm offensive by the prince to paint himself as a moderate reformer. Back then, Mutreb was in the royal guard. Now, he would orchestrate Khashoggis killing. And his close ties to the crown prince beg the question, just how high up the Saudi chain of command did the plot to kill go? Early Tuesday morning, Khashoggi flies back from a weekend trip to London. He and the Saudis nearly cross paths at the airport. The Saudi teams check into two hotels, which give quick access to the consulate. Khashoggi heads home with his fiancee. Hed just bought an apartment for their new life together. By mid-morning, the Saudis are on the move. Mutreb leaves his hotel three hours before Khashoggi is due at the consulate. The rest of the team isnt far behind. The building is only a few minutes away on foot, and soon, theyre spotted at this entrance. Mutreb arrives first. Next, we see al-Tubaigy, the autopsy expert. And now al-Madani, the lookalike. The stage is almost set. A diplomatic car pulls out of the consulate driveway and switches places with a van, which backs in. Turkish officials say this van would eventually carry away Khashoggis remains. From above, we can see the driveway is covered, hiding any activity around the van from public view. Meanwhile, Khashoggi and his fiancee set out for the consulate, walking hand-in-hand. In their final hour together, they chat about dinner plans and new furniture for their home. At 1:13 p.m., they arrive at the consulate. Khashoggi gives her his cellphones before he enters. He walks into the consulate. Its the last time we see him. Inside, Khashoggi is brought to the consul generals office on the second floor. The hit team is waiting in a nearby room. Sources briefed on the evidence, told us Khashoggi quickly comes under attack. Hes dragged to another room and is killed within minutes. Then al-Tubaigy, the autopsy expert, dismembers his body while listening to music. Maher Mutreb makes a phone call to a superior. He says, Tell your boss, and The deed was done. Outside, the van reportedly carrying Khashoggis body pulls out of the side entrance and drives away. At the same time, the Saudis begin trying to cover their tracks. While Khashoggis fiancee waits here where she left him, two figures leave from the opposite side. One of them is wearing his clothes. Later, the Saudis would claim that this was Khashoggi. But its al-Madani, the engineer, now a body double pretending that the missing journalist left the consulate alive. Yet theres one glaring flaw: The clothes are the same, but hes wearing his own sneakers, the ones he walked in with. Meanwhile, the van thats allegedly carrying Khashoggis body makes the two-minute drive from the consulate to the Saudi consuls residence. Theres several minutes of deliberations but the van eventually pulls into the buildings driveway. Again, its hidden from public view. Its now three hours since Khashoggi was last seen. The body double hails this taxi and continues weaving a false trail through the city. He heads to a popular tourist area and then changes back into his own clothes. Later, we see him joking around in surveillance footage. Over at the airport, more Saudi officials arrive on another flight from Riyadh. They spend just five hours in Istanbul, but were not sure where they go. Now we pick up Maher Mutreb again, exiting from the consuls house. Its time for them to go. Mutreb and others check out of their hotel and move through airport security. Al-Muzaini, the spy, heads to the airport too. But as theyre leaving Istanbul, Khashoggis fiancee is still outside the consulate, pacing in circles. Shell soon raise the alarm that Khashoggi is missing and shell wait for him until midnight. The alarm spreads around the world. Nine days later, the Saudis send another team to Istanbul. They say its to investigate what happened. But among them are a toxicologist and a chemist, who also has ties to the hit team. He and Tubaigy attended a forensics graduation days before Khashoggi was killed. Turkish officials later say that this teams mission was not to investigate, but to cover up the killing. Now the Saudi story has changed, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for several suspects in Khashoggis killing. But that doesnt include Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who many Western government officials are convinced authorized the killing. Khashoggis remains still havent been found. Union of nine banks United Forum of Bank Union (UFBU), has shown rage against the merge of the banks Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank, and Vijaya Bank. The bankers are opposing the merger and have threatened to go on strike on the 26th of this month, the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), constituent of UFBU, said on Saturday. The merger of the banks was approved by the Central Government in the month of September. And, the protest is being taken forward by the UFBU, the parent body of nine employee and officer unions. The Central 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. After the merger, this association of the merging banks will be the biggest lender after State Bank of India and HDFC bank. The total business size of the three banks was Rs. 14.82 lakh Cr in the end of June month. Dena Bank is the weakest amongst the three banks with Non Performing Asset ratio of 11.04 percent and business of Rs. 1.72 lakh Cr. The other two banks 5.4 percent 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. BJP earned over Rs 1,000 crore in 2017-18 India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Dec 2: The BJP has earned over Rs 1,000 crore in 2017-18, according to its annual returns submitted to the Election Commission of India. Four other parties have also gained financially in the year ending March 2018. The BSP's earnings have increased to Rs 717 crore from Rs 681 crore. The Trinamool Congress has increased its earnings from Rs 262 to Rs 291 crore. The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party are yet to submit their annual returns to the EC. The rules mandate that all recognised and registered parties should submit their annual returns. Regional parties declared Rs 321 crore as annual income: Report The maximum earnings for the BJP have been through electoral bonds, which were notified by the government on January 2 this year. The party bagged 95 per cent of the Rs 222 crore worth of bonds issued by public sector banks. The BJP got Rs 210 crore from the electoral bonds. The income of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for 2017-18 stood at Rs 104 crore, about 10% of the BJP's annual income, and that of the Communist Party of India at Rs 1.5 crore. The CPI (M) managed to increase its income from fees and subscriptions and grants and donations. The income from the party's mouthpieces has however fallen by 40 per cent. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 8:26 [IST] Congress which questioned existence of Lord Ram now talking about Hinduism: Smriti Irani India oi-PTI New Delhi, Dec 2: Union Minister Smriti Irani hit out at the Congress on Sunday, saying the party which had once questioned the existence of Lord Ram was now talking about Hinduism. Referring to Congress president Rahul Gandhi remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he did not understand the foundation of Hinduism, Irani said that it was strange that the party which raised question on Lord Ram's existence was talking about Hindu and Hinduism. "Where was the Hindu in Rahul Gandhi when Congress had submitted an affidavit that Lord Ram does not exist?" she asked? Irani, to a question on Punjab minister Navjot Sidhu visit to Pakistan and his remarks on Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, said Congress president needed to answer on it. "Why does a Congress minister insult chief minister of his state? Rahul Gandhi should answer it. Why does a Congress leader love Pakistan more than India, Congress should think about it," she said. She also questioned the "silence" of Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Navjot Sidhu's Pakistan visit. Pakistan foreign minister said Pakistan could throw a 'googly' at India due to action of this (Sidhu) Congress leader. But, Rahul Gandhi is quiet on the issue," she said. Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh in reply to a question in Jaipur earlier in the day said Congress was talking about Hinduism which it has avoided discussing till now. "Hinduism should not be connected with any sect, caste and religion. It is a way of living life and it is a human religion. What will they talk about Hindu and Hinduism? They have called Lord Ram a fictional character in the affidavit submitted in Supreme Court in Ram Setu case in 2007," he said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 21:59 [IST] Those days of instability! India saw four prime ministers during the tenure of George H W Bush As George H W Bush is laid to rest, his service dog Sully also mourns like million others George H W Bush dies: Indias non-alignment came in jeopardy once during his tenure India oi-Shubham Ghosh New Delhi, Dec 2: India saw its age-old non-alignment policy under threat when the Chandra Shekhar government allowed American military jets to refuel at the Mumbai (Bombay then) airport during the first Gulf War in 1990-1991. It was said that the refuelling of the jets was going on for several months under the VP Singh and Chandra Shekhar government till a photographer from the Times of India spotted it and the news made the headlines, creating a storm. The C-141 transport planes were touching the Indian soil en route from the Pacific to the Persian Gulf and the uproar had the potential to bring down the Chandra Shekhar government which it anyhow did in just seven months. After George H W Bush's death, Trump did something people liked... for a change The Chandra Shekhar government had taken a stand critical of Iraq which had upset many, including nearly every other political party, and the then prime minister from the erstwhile Samajwadi Janata Party was accused of bowing before "American imperialism". Among Chandra Shekhar's critics were the Left and also the Congress which had supported him to stay in power. Chandr Shekhar's predecessor VP Singh also slammed the government saying any stand that seemed to be pro-US was against India's traditional non-alignment posture. Ever since the Gulf War started after the US went after Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein who invaded Kuwait in 1990, Chandra Shekhar seemed to dissociate his government from what an expert said "third-world romanticism" about Hussein. Former US president, George H W Bush dies at 94 India and Iraq had close ties till then - fields of diplomacy and economy. In 1990, Baghdad stood up for India from among Islamic countries and refused to condemn NewDelhi over its allegedly suppressive role in Kashmir. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 15:17 [IST] Mumbai: Man dies after being slapped by friend during drinking session in Kurla HC seems action taken report on illegal constructions at Alibaug India oi-Madhuri Adnal Mumbai, Dec 2: 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. Salman Khan, family get forest dept notice for 'illegal' construction at farmhouse 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. Tripura govt starts demolishing illegal offices of political parties 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. Illegal construction: Rule of law has broken down in Delhi, says SC 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. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 8:51 [IST] J&K Governor trashes Omars charge, says not changing Act on permanent resident certificate India oi-Deepika S Srinagar, Dec 2: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said Sunday his administration was not considering any changes to the legislation governing permanent resident certificates (PRCs) in the state, after political parties accused him of the same. "At the outset, I would like to mention that the government is not making or even considering any changes to the act governing permanent resident certificates in the state. It is an integral part of the legal structure of Jammu and Kashmir and there is no attempt whatsoever to tamper with this law," Malik said in a letter addressed to former CM Omar Abdullah, who had opposed the move in a letter. "As for the matters in the rest of your letter, I would like to highlight that no changes in the procedural rules governing the issue of PRCs will ever be done without larger consultations with all stakeholders. Consultations are essential so as to avoid any unnecessary apprehensions in the minds of anyone," the governor said. Governor changing permanent residency rules in J&K, alleges political parties However, he said, "in view of the concerns expressed by you, I will assure you that nothing will be done to modify the procedures for issuing PRCs". "I may like to point out here to you that seeking a PRC is one of the services under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Services Guarantee Act of 2011. "There have also been complaints that the issuance of these certificates gets delayed due to a variety of procedural reasons. It is in this context of having a hassle-free process of bonafide applicants that I believe the revenue department has sought comments from a few others. This is a routine administrative matter and unnecessary meanings should not be read into it," he said. Article 35A of the Constitution empowers the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to define 'permanent residents' of the state who are eligible for special rights and privileges, which the legislature can provide. The Supreme Court is currently hearing a bunch of petitions seeking abrogation of Article 35A, which was added by a presidential order in 1954 through Article 370 of the Constitution. Earlier Sunday, the former chief minister wrote to the governor, saying the National Conference would oppose any move to change the procedure to grant PRCs in the state. As per this act, a PRC by a genuine state subject applicant should be obtained within a period of 30 days from the date of application. It has been observed that many genuine applicants face avoidable difficulties in getting a PRC within these timelines. Kumbh: UP govt bans all marriages in Allahabad between Jan and March 2019 India oi-Madhuri Adnal Lucknow, Dec 2: The Uttar Pradesh Government have urged local residents by the district administration to postpone weddings or shift the venue due to the forthcoming Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj between January and March. 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. 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. Satellite head count for Kumbh Mela visitors by Google and premier technology institutions 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. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 9:15 [IST] Noida International Airport will serve as the logistic gateway of North India: PM Modi Dynastic parties matter of concern to people committed to Constitution: PM Modi's snide attack at Congress In form of family based parties, India is heading for a crisis: PM Modi Modi concludes Argentina visit, departs for Delhi India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Dec 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for New Delhi after concluding a hectic three-day tour of 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 Indias voice count!" G20 Summit: Oops! French Prez Macron finds 2 airport workers to welcome him on arrival "Making Indias voice count! PM @narendramodi departs for Delhi after a hectic visit to Argentina, which witnessed PMs participation at the #G20Summit, and also in several bilateral and plurilateral meetings," the MEA spokesperson tweeted. 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. On climate change, G20 remained G19 as this country refused to agree India will host the summit in the year 2022 when it completes 75 years of Independence. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 10:24 [IST] Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir to Sidhu: Send your son or daughter to border, then call Imran Khan 'big brother' 'Navjot Singh Sidhu used Kartarpur Corridor for political gains', says Union Minister Hardeep Puri India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Dec 2: Hitting out on Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's "exuberance" during the ceremony, Union Minister and BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri said that it's time that "Sidhu does some serious introspection." In an exclusive interaction with Hindustan Times, Puri accused Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu of using the Kartarpur corridor ceremony for political purposes rather than a pilgrimage. ''Kartarpur inauguration was used by Navjot Singh Sidhu and people on the Pakistan side for political rather than religious purposes," he said. Peace initiative has always come first from Pakistan, says Navjot Singh Sidhu "I concur with PM Narendra Modi's view that corridor initiative, anchored in hope, is like the fall of the Berlin wall. There can be goodwill, but if friends on other side persist with policies where they stand exposed then it would be undone," Puri tweeted. He further said: "Our Prime Minister wants peace but it takes two to tango". Hardeep Puri and Cabinet minister Harsimrat Badal had gone to Pakistan to represent India at the ceremony. Puri also took a veiled dig at Sidhu saying that "visiting a Gurudwara is not a laughter challenge." He said that the Congress leader must do some serious introspection. "I think Sidhu is being used," he opines. The missive from the Union Housing Minister comes hours after 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. Sushma Swaraj asks Pak PM Imran Khan to clarify his Foreign Minister's 'Kartarpur googly' remark On Saturday afternoon, Pakistan has alleged that there is a "relentless negative propaganda campaign being waged by a section of the Indian media" on the Kartarpur Corridor initiative and hoped that "every effort would be made to preserve and take forward the Kartarpur spirit". For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 13:39 [IST] Owaisi will have to flee from Telangana if BJP comes to power: Yogi Adityanath India oi-Deepika S Hyderabad, Dec 2: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday attacked All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and said that if Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in Telangana the latter will have to flee from the state. "If BJP comes to power I assure you Owaisi will have to flee from Telangana, the same way Nizam was forced to flee from Hyderabad," the UP CM said, while addressing a rally in Hyderabad. Yogi Adityanath the main star campaigner in Rajasthan Assembly polls for many reasons At another rally in Sangareddy, Adityanath accused the Congress of obstructing construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and charged the Rahul Gandhi-led party and TRS with indulging in Muslim appeasement. "If anyone is creating obstruction in the way of construction of a grand temple in the birthplace of lord Ram, it's Congress, Congress," he said. The BJP, he said, does not discriminate between caste, creed and religion while drafting policies. "Congress says if it forms government in Telangana it will provide area development funds to Muslims. Congress policies are divisive, with wrong intentions," Adityanath said. Congress and TRS are "playing with" the interests of people in Telangana and once more they would make efforts to take the State towards "Nizamshahi", he alleged. "BJP did only development, but never did appeasement of anyone. Congress, TDP, TRS all do only dynastic politics. And Owaisi party also does only Muslim appeasement politics," Adityanath claimed. Owaisi has been a staunch critic of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, who was once the poster boy of hardline right-wing groups. He had called out Yogi Adityanath over several issues, including the one saying many postures of "surya namaskar" in yoga closely resembled that of "namaz". Lord Hanuman was Dalit who united India from east to west, north to south: Yogi Adityanath Yogi Adityanath's recent statement that the Congress needs just the votes of Muslims, irked Owaisi too. "You keep your Ali, for us Bajrang Bali will be enough," the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister reportedly said. Ali was a successor of the Prophet Muhammad. Owaisi had remarked that the Chief Minister had "crossed all limits". The BJP - which won only 9 of Telangana's 119 seats in 2014 in is going it alone in the state after feelers sent by its state leaders to Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao for an alliance fell flat. What is Sabarimala Thantri's view over use of halal jaggery to prepare prasadam: plea in Kerala HC Sabarimala row: Now, Kerala govt plans 'Million women's wall' to prevent medieval madness India oi-Madhuri Adnal Kochi, Dec 2: In an attempt to garner support after the protests by right-wing groups over the entry of women of all ages to the Sabarimala shrine, Kerala government announced a "women wall" would be formed on January 1, from the northern district of Kasargode to the state capital. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, announcing 600-km long Women Wall on Saturday said, "No one can push back the progressive society of Kerala into the dark ages." He was speaking after a meeting with over 50 socio-cultural organisations in Thiruvanantha puram, reports PTI. Vijayan trains gun at Sangh Parivar, says won't let Sabarimala become Ayodhya He also sought support of 'progressively-thinking" minds of the state to come out and pledge support to the cause in order to safeguard the "secular" fabric of Kerala. Taking to Twitter, Thomas Isaac, the number two in the Kerala cabinet tweeted, "Great Wall of Kerala, to prevent the state from sliding back into medieval madness, is going to be raised by a million women from one end of Kerala to the other on New Years Day...Come join the Resistance..." Great Wall of Kerala, to prevent the state from sliding back into medieval madness , going to be raised by a million women from one end of Kerala to other on New Year Day.That is around 600 km in length. Come, join the Resistance. It will be very very happy new year. Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) December 2, 2018 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier said that Sabarimala "won't be allowed to become an Ayodhya." Sabarimala protest: Rehana Fathima suspended from BSNL Meanwhile, a four-member BJP team handpicked by party chief Amit Shah is in Kerala today to meet party workers in connection with the Sabarimala temple row. In Kochi, they will meet devotees and party workers to get a "first-hand account" of what the BJP called "atrocities being committed against the satyagrahis" at the Ayyappa temple. The four members comprising Saroj Pandey, Vinod Sonkar, Pralhad Joshi and Nalin Kumar Kateel will submit their report to Amit Shah within 15 days, the party said in a statement. Kerala has been on the boil since the September 28 Supreme Court verdict allowed women of all ages into Sabarimala temple, reversing the shrine's tradition of barring girls and women of menstruating age-10-50 years. 'No police provocation in Sabarimala violence, ' clarifies Kerala govt affidavit No women in the menstruating age have been able to enter the Sabarimala shrine ever since the Supreme Court's September 28 order. The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple, justified the restriction saying the entry of women and girls of menstruating age was against the celibate nature of the deity. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 14:04 [IST] Centre renames 2 prominent institutes after Sushma Swaraj on the eve of her birth anniversary Sushma Swaraj asks Pak PM Imran Khan to clarify his Foreign Minister's Kartarpur googly remark India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Dec 2: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday asked Pakistan PM Imran Khan to clarify his Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's recent 'googly' comment. "I say the Pakistan PM must clarify his Foreign Minister's comment saying Imran Khan threw a googly," said Swaraj, while addressing a press conference in Jaipur. 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. To ensure presence of Indian govt at Kartarpur, Imran Khan bowled a googly says Pak FM On Thursday, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had earlier painted the invite sent to the Indian government as a political masterstroke by Khan. "Imran delivered a googly and India sent two ministers here," he quipped on Thursday, referring to his Prime Minister's erstwhile career as a bowler in the country's cricket team. The invite had come after both countries announced that they would develop Kartarpur corridor in their respective areas, linking the Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district with the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib -- the final resting place of Sikh saint Guru Nanak Dev -- in Pakistan. The passage, once laid, will give Indian pilgrims easy access to the shrine. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 11:32 [IST] You cannot drive at 120 kmph on highways says Madras HC Madras HC stays certain sub-clauses of new IT Rules Madras HC to hear actor Vijay's civil lawsuit against his parents, nine others 'What was Chennai Corporation doing since 2015 floods?': Madras HC pulls up civic body TN man gets parole to make conjugal visit India oi-Madhuri Adnal Chennai, Dec 2: 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. Release prisoners if you cannot keep them properly: Supreme Court 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. 100s escape prison near Libya's Tripoli 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. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 9:01 [IST] State vs national issues: Key lessons for the BJP to learn in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Haryana VHP to organise 'Dharma Sansad' in Mumbai today India oi-Madhuri Adnal Mumbai, Dec 2: Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is leaving no stone unturned in demanding the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to promulgate an ordinance for Ram Mandir construction in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. In the seminar, Saints and monks will gather at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) ground at 4:00 in the afternoon to generate pressure on the government demanding the construction of the Ram Mandir. The VHP has organised this 'Dharma Sansad' after the winter session of Maharashtra Assembly will be over. Top brass of Sangh Pariwar pitch for construction of Ram Temple from different places On Sunday, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliate, in a show of strength, will organise a 'Dharma Sansad' in Mumbai, which is likely to be attended by over one-and-a-half lakh people, including monks and saints. VHP met Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao and gave an invitation for attending the event. More than one and a half lakh people are expected to participate in the seminar. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 10:44 [IST] Telangana elections: Karimnagar not impressed by Yogi Adityanath, BJP down to 1 from 5 Was Charminar also built by Naidu? KCR accuses Andhra CM of distorting facts India oi-PTI Hyderabad, Dec 3: TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of distorting facts over Hyderabad's development and said he needed a "mental check up". "Chandrababu Naidu says he built Hyderabad. Quli Qutub Shah who built the city would commit suicide (if he is alive and hears this). Was Charminar (monument) also built by Naidu? I don't understand," he told an election rally here. "Would anybody talk like that? I think he should be examined to check to see whether he is mentally fit," Rao, the caretaker chief minister of Telangana, said attacking Naidu. Telangana polls: TRS releases poll manifesto While Rao in his campaign meetings had been accusing Naidu of having claimed to have built Hyderabad, the latter has clarified that he only said he had put the Telangana capital on the world map and that Cyberabad (IT district here) was his brain child. The TRS is going it alone in the December 7 assembly elections while the TDP is part of the Congress-led People's Front. Turning up the heat on Naidu, Rao alleged he did have real concern for people. Seeking votes for the Telangana Rashtra Samiti, he said in a matured democracy it was the people who should win, not political parties or leaders. "On one side you have Congress and TDP which ruled the state for 58 years and on the other side there is TRS which fought for Telangana and achieved it," he said. Asking the people to recall the power supply situation before his government came to power, he said "We worked hard to ensure all the problems are solved and now you are enjoying quality power 24 hours. Rao warned that if the Peoples Front won the elections, the power centre would be shifted from Hyderabad to Delhi and Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, December 3, 2018, 0:46 [IST] Collapse of Kabul will go down as one of the greatest defeats in American history: Donald Trump Thousands of terrorists might have been airlifted out of Kabul: Trump slams Biden Never in history has withdrawal from war been handled so badly: Trump Donald Trump to meet North Koreas Kim Jong Un likely in early 2019 International oi-Madhuri Adnal Washington, Dec 2: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he is likely to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in January or February. "I think we're going to do one, fairly, into January, February," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned late Saturday from the Group of 20 summit in Argentina. "We're getting along very well. We have a good relationship." Kim Jong-un may visit Russia next year Trump also said that "at some point" he would invite Kim to visit the U.S., though he gave no indication of when. Earlier Saturday, Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who threw his support behind further meetings between Trump and the North Korean leader. The two sides have been engaged in talks on the leaders' second meeting after the first, unprecedented, one in Singapore in June, Reuters reported in October, citing a senior official. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 11:48 [IST] On climate change, G20 remained G19 as this country refused to agree International oi-Shubham Ghosh Buenos Aires, Dec 1: The thirteenth summit of the Group of Twenty (G20) came to conclusion on Saturday, December 1, with the leaders of the participating nations agreeing to tackle problems in all major issues excepting climate change over which the US continued to beg to differ. The official communique which was released after the summit got over acknowledged flaws in global commerce and calls for reforming the World Trade Organisation. However, it came to support the Paris climate accord on fighting the environmental menace, the US disagreed. Washington, in fact, also objected to mention of the term "protectionism" in the communique in relation to trade affairs. G20 Summit: Oops! French Prez Macron finds 2 airport workers to welcome him on arrival Argentinian President Mauricio Macri said in his closing remarks that the participating nations overcame "a number of challenges" to reach the communique. "We have agreed on a statement that reflects the necessity of revitalising trade, of revitalising the WTO," Macri said. "We ratify the concern of everyone over climate change." Negotiators burnt the midnight oil to reach the non-binding agreement as the participating nations had all sorts of disagreements over one aspect or the other. While the US had a problem on almost every issue, as said by the European Union officials, countries like China, South Africa, Australia and Turkey also had their share of objections on issues like trade, migration and climate change, Buenos Aires Times reported. G20 Summit: PM Modi discusses climate change issue with UN chief Guterres The statement said that 19 countries that are signatories to the Paris climate pact reiterated their commitment to it while the US reiterated its decision to withdraw from the same. Trump had pulled the US out of the pact last year, months after taking office. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 10:17 [IST] Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 2) Senator Bam Aquino on Sunday said he hopes the Senate will take the lead in investigating deals of the Philippine government with China. In CNN Philippines #TheFilipinoVotes Senatorial Forum, Aquino urged for transparency in the administrations negotiations with China this after addressing the reported influx of Chinese workers in the country. Ang problema kasi natin sa China, hindi malinaw 'yung polisiya ng ating bansa pagdating sa China. Hindi malinaw 'yung polisiya natin pagdating sa teritoryo, hindi malinaw 'yung polisya natin pagdating sa mga mangingisda natin, hindi po malinaw sa mga workers, Aquino said during the forum held at the University of the Philippines Diliman University Theater in Quezon City. [Translation: The problem we have with China is that our policies arent clearour policies regarding territory, our policies regarding our fishermen, our policies for workers.] Sana po 'yung Senado 'yung manguna sa imbestigasyon na ito. Tanungin natin, ang mga deals na ito ay pabor ba sa ating bansa? O dehado ba ang mga Pilipino sa sarili nating bayan? [Translation: I hope the Senate will lead in this investigation. Let us ask, would these deals favor our country? Or will these post a disadvantage for Filipinos] Ang hinihiling natin dito, 'yung pagiging malinaw at transparent sa pakikitungo natin sa China. Wala ho dapat secret deals, added the Senator, who is seeking a second term under the Liberal Party (LP). [Translation: What we are seeking here are clarity and transparency in our dealings with China. There should be no secret deals.] The Labor Department on Monday revealed there has been an influx of tourists particularly Chinese nationals who ended up as workers in the country. It was revealed during the first Senate committee hearing on the influx of foreign workers that the government has issued 115,652 Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) to foreigners from 2015 to 2017. Of the total, 51,000 permits were issued to Chinese nationals. Some 2,000 Chinese were also given jobs in construction in the past three years. READ: 'Upward trend' in Chinese workers in PH Labor Department Vice President Leni Robredo earlier called for transparency in the signed agreements between Philippines and China. In a statement this month, she said the public should be informed on how deals would serve national interest. Loopholes in the law? Human rights lawyer Atty. Chel Diokno meanwhile said these Chinese workers have taken advantage of the loopholes in the countrys laws. Diokno, who is also running as Senator under LP, hopes lawmakers' investigation on these illegal Chinese workers will prove to be beneficial for countrymen in need of jobs. It's quite easy I believe to fill up the loopholes in our law. They have taken advantage of the visas given to tourists, and made that as gateway to our country, Diokno said. Sa akin lang, it's very clear, nasa Saligang Batas natin 'yan, nasa Labor Code natin 'yan, ang dapat mauna sa pagbibigay ng trabaho ay ang kapatid natin, mga kapwa Pilipino. [Translation: For me, its very clear, it is in our constitution, our Labor Code, that the when it comes to jobs, priority should be given to our countrymen. ) President Rodrigo Duterte in a speech last Tuesday said he's eyeing the deportation of Chinese nationals illegally working in the country. However, he suggested diplomatic ways to make the illegal workers leave. He noted how there are also many Filipinos illegally working in other countries. The Labor Department said most of the 1.6 million Chinese tourists that entered the country this year later applied for a work permit. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 2) Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Sunday that passing an anti-political dynasty law as mandated by the Constitution is "impractical" and cannot be implemented. "The provision in the Constitution cannot be implemented because it's impractical. You know, if we are in a democracy, it is the function of democracy to let the people say who will lead them," Enrile said during CNN Philippines' #TheFilipinoVotes forum. The 94-year-old veteran politician and lawmaker made the statement after mistakenly saying that a ban against political dynasties "cannot even [be] put in the Constitution." According to Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution, "The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law." There have been several attempts to enact a law to implement this provision but all have failed, especially in the House of Representatives which is dominated by members of political families. An anti-dynasty bill reached the plenary in the lower house for the first time in 2014, but it was not tackled because of concern that congressmen would leave the hall en masse, delaying discussions on other legislation. "The problem of political dynasties should be addressed to the electorate," Enrile stressing, pointing out that the Philippines is a democracy. In 2013, the former senator defended his son's Senate bid against criticisms that his family was building a political dynasty. "If brothers or sister or parents or children are capable to serve the people, why deny the service to those people? Let the electorate determine who their leaders should be and not be," Enrile said. Former presidential adviser on political affairs Francis Tolentino, who hails from a political family, agreed. "Marami pong political dynasties sa Pilipinas na maganda naman ang ginagawa," he pointed out. [Translation: There are many political dynasties in the Philippines which have done good things.] He also cited the case of the late U.S. President George H.W. Bush, patriarch of a political dynasty which Tolentino credited for "restoring prestige" to the U.S. Military. His son and namesake was also elected president. A 2016 Pulse Asia survey found that 34 percent of Filipinos would vote for members of political dynasties, while 32 percent said they would not. Ateneo School of Government Dean Ronald Mendoza previously said in a Senate hearing that the poorest provinces are often led by "fat dynasties" or families with two or more members in politics. Of the eight participants in CNN Philippines' #TheFilipinoVotes forum, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano and Senators Bam Aquino and JV Ejercito were in favor of a ban on political dynasties, having filed bills on this. Former Senator Serge Osmena is also in favor of legislating a ban on political dynasties, but believes that the move should come from the House and define a dynasty as a family with members in government in the same province. In contrast, the anti-dynasty provision in the Sangguniang Kabataan reform law prohibits those with relatives in politics within the second degree of consanguinity and affinity from running for a seat in the organization . Former police chief Bato dela Rosa and De La Salle University School of Law Dean Chel Diokno were not asked to state their position on the issue during the forum. Oregon businesses are thriving amid the strongest regional economy in a generation. Politically, however, the business community is a wreck. The states business lobby splintered heading into last months general election and got clobbered at the ballot box. Efforts to block a Democratic supermajority in the House and Senate failed, and voters emphatically rejected initiatives to protect beverage companies, supermarket chains and real estate from new taxes. Separately, the business community risked its clout with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown when many companies backed Republican Knute Buehlers unsuccessful campaign to defeat her. Business has inflicted multiple cloutectomies on itself, said Sen. Betsy Johnson, the salty incoming co-chair of the legislatures powerful joint budget-writing committee. A Democrat from Scappoose, Johnson has historically been sympathetic to business interests and sometimes votes with Republicans. Heading into next years legislative session, though, Johnson said she is aghast at what she sees in the business lobby. The problem is too many organizations, too many disparate purposes, no single theme, Johnson said. Business executives will gather Monday in Portland for the Oregon Business Councils leadership summit with the states economy thriving. Nearly every part of the state is adding jobs and unemployment is at a historic low. The summit is the business communitys annual effort to set a political agenda for the state and influence lawmakers, and it brings many prominent companies and top politicians including the governor, both of Oregons U.S. senators and much of the Legislature. This year, though, the summits Oregon Business Plan is one of several voices from the corporate world vying for attention. Oregons largest business association, Oregon Business & Industry, is recovering from a disastrous start and near-complete staff exodus. Formed last year by the merger of competing groups, OBI fired its first chief executive in April after The Oregonian/OregonLive reported on a series of management failures and a racist comment he made about a state lawmaker. As OBI stumbled, the business lobby fragmented: Environmentally minded companies created their own organization last year, the Oregon Business Alliance for Climate, to promote a state carbon tax a proposal many heavy industries staunchly oppose. Then last summer, Salem lobbyist Shaun Jillions created a new trade group, Oregon Manufacturers and Commerce, to ensure reasonable and balanced solutions are promoted on pressing policy issues including environmental, labor relations and taxes. Backed by heavy industry and timber interests, its positioning itself as an alternative to business organizations increasingly focused in the Portland area. The grocery and beverage lobby put its own initiative, Measure 103, on Novembers ballot to protect soda pop and supermarket chains from new taxes. And real estate brokers created their own initiative, Measure 104, in hopes of insulating mortgage interest from future taxation. Voters walloped both proposals despite millions of dollars in corporate campaign spending. Most significantly, Oregons biggest company, Nike, has gone its own way in an unusual alliance with public employee unions and a handful of other business associations including the Oregon Health Care Association. James Carlson, the health care associations president, told Oregon Public Broadcasting last week that the coalition supports new taxes and wont insist on cost controls for the states soaring public pension debt, as other businesses have long demanded. The split in the business community suggests efforts to unify under OBI backfired, according to Tom Kelly, owner of Neil Kelly Co. He was founding chairman of the Oregon Business Association, a progressive group that combined with the old-line Associated Oregon Industries last year to create the new, larger business association. Companies including Nike opposed the merger and other progressive businesses, including Kellys, dropped out altogether. Hes now chairman of the Oregon Business Alliance for Climate. I think the idea of unifying things did fragment it, absolutely, Kelly said. Business groups are proliferating as companies seek to find an organization that reflect their own perspectives, he said. Thats diluting businesses collective influence. Thats not good for the state, Kelly said. The business community is such a large part of our society. Kelly said. Businesses at the other end of Oregons political spectrum are no happier. You saw this election cycle there were a lot of different things the business community spent their time and energy on. There wasnt this single focus, said Erica Hetfeld, a veteran Salem lobbyist who helped lead the campaign that defeated Measure 97, the 2016 initiative that would have boosted Oregon business taxes by $3 billion a year. Hetfeld now runs Priority Oregon, a business-backed group that advocates for low taxes, government spending cuts and an improved business climate. She said Oregon business interests arent organized. As experienced lobbyists have retired, Hetfeld said new leadership hasnt emerged. And she lamented that business community hasnt organized around elections the way labor has. Business treats elections as an annoyance or a sideshow and public employee unions treat elections like a business, Hetfeld said. None of this is to suggest that the business community is in any way helpless. The armies of lobbyists who descend on Salem every winter arent there for wine tasting. During last years short legislative session in Salem, lawmakers abandoned plans to repeal a lucrative tax break for internet providers amid intense lobbying from Comcast. That gave the company leverage in negotiations with the state over a related tax dispute, which Comcast ultimately settled for $155 million $45 million less than the Department of Revenue said Comcast owed. And just this past week, in Portland, the city council rescinded a pledge to collect $10 million through a tax on heavy trucks following industry pressure. While businesses can be effective lobbying for special interests, though, lawmakers have long complained they dont know who speaks for the business community on broad policy issues. That undermines its effectiveness against a unified labor movement. Hopefully this is a wake-up call to the business community that they need to have more people working on elections in the state of Oregon than you have working at a Dutch Bros. drive-thru, Hetfeld said. Some business association leaders see hopeful signs. In August, OBI hired Sandra McDonough to take over the organization as CEO. She ran the Portland Business Alliance for 14 years and is well-known among Oregon lawmakers and in chambers of commerce around the state. I actually feel very good about where we are now with our new organization. And Sandi is key, in my mind, said Duncan Wyse, president of the Oregon Business Council, which is organizing Mondays leadership summit. It will be a voice that recognizes that we need a strong, healthy business climate and we also need excellent schools. During OBIs calamitous first year, OBI lost most of the staff that it inherited from the two merged organizations and is starting over with a new team of inexperienced lobbyists. But McDonough defends her staff and promises to augment their work with savvy outside consultants. Membership remains around 1,600, she said, roughly where it was at the time of last years merger. And she insisted lawmakers want to hear what businesses have to say about how their proposals would impact the states economy. I think the most important thing we can do, or any lobby can do, is to provide thoughtful and valuable input on the impact of whatever policy makers are working on, McDonough said. The governor called for $2 billion in new taxes to spend on education in her budget proposal issued last week. While McDonough said her members cant support a figure that large, she said business is open to some level of new taxes provided lawmakers also act to contain spending. Businesses and lawmakers have pursued that kind of grand bargain for years, proposing new taxes for in exchange action on the states rising health insurance costs and its soaring, $25 billion public pension deficit. But its no longer clear the Democratic supermajorities in the Legislature need to cut a deal with the business community or would have any inclination to do so. Their three-fifths supermajorities in each house give them the power, at least theoretically, to raise taxes without a single Republican vote. Businesses including The Greenbrier Cos., The Pape Group and Kroger, and business associations including Oregon auto dealers and bankers were among the top contributors to Buehlers failed campaign to unseat Brown. That marks them as political opponents as the governor begins her next, four-year term. And the business community is already on the outs with other prominent Democrats. Senate President Peter Courtney told The Oregonian/OregonLive last month that the business lobby burned him very badly when it worked to thwart a tax on gross receipts during the 2017 session, demanding, public pension cuts in exchange. Oregons public employee unions stand to be big winners if theres a breakdown between the states political leadership and the broader business community. The nascent alliance between labor and a Nike-led cluster of progress businesses creates a powerful voice in favor of more state revenue without the pension cuts the unions have long decried. Melissa Unger is director of the Oregon chapter of the Service Employees International Union, which represents thousands of public workers in the state. She said big Oregon industries took an increasingly hard line on public spending after the merger of the states two big business organizations. The fragmentation in the business community has opened the way for new voices to emerge in the corporate lobby with a more conciliatory approach. That enables labor groups to choose the business partners it finds most sympathetic, and leaves other companies with a less effective counterweight. From our perspective, Unger said, were excited there are businesses that are interested in tackling the states challenges, with business and labor together. -- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 Two men from Vancouver have been arrested and charged with stealing explosives from a warehouse in a remote corner of southwest Washington, the Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office said Saturday. Deputies were called to a break-in at the storage facility Wednesday and discovered several thousand blasting caps missing, the authorities said. Blasting caps are tiny explosives about the size of a ballpoint pen tip typically used to detonate larger explosives. An informant later contacted detectives to report a person attempting to sell explosives, the sheriffs office said. Local and federal authorities went undercover twice to buy some of the explosives and arrest Nathanael Willard, 21, and Austin Mowe, 21. Both are being held without bail on charges of burglary, possession of stolen property, trafficking stolen property and possession of explosives. After searching the Vancouver home where Willard and Mowe lived, investigators found more explosives and homemade explosive materials," the sheriffs office said. -- Gordon R. Friedman GFriedman@Oregonian.com Fr. Paul Duffner, longtime religious leader in Portland, died at age 103, acording to an obituary published in The Sunday Oregonian. The obituary said: In 1975, when Fr. Duffner returned from Mexico to assume the reins as pastor at Holy Rosary Parish in Portland, Ore., he joined forces with Fr. Thomas Feucht, who had six years earlier begun publishing Light and Life: Theology for the Laity. The result was a newsletter that is sent around the globe. Today, the newsletter has over 35,000 subscribers. Even at his advanced age, Fr. Duffner continued to serve, the paid obituary announcement said: Throughout his religious life, Fr. Duffner embraced a dedication to duty. Although he formally retired as Director of the Rosary Center in 2004, he loyally served its ministry. Each day he made his way by foot, walker and wheelchair to the Center, where he painstakingly entered names of newly enrolled members of the Rosary Confraternity. Even as he approached his hundredth birthday, his handwriting was awe-inspiring! He also put together packets of booklets too small to be sold individually. The Catholic Sentinel newspaper highlighted Duffners work after he turned 100: Even if the Northeast Portland building goes without his name, few will forget Father Duffner, who has constructed an edifice of admirers, one holy word and one kind deed at a time. Having served in Portland for the past 40 years, hes known as a longtime advocate of devotion to the Blessed Mother and an unswerving voice for morality and orthodoxy. The Sunday Oregonian obituary has information about services this coming week: A Vigil at Holy Rosary Church in Portland will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 3, 2018. A Funeral Mass is at 12 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, at Holy Rosary Church. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive Coast Guard crews rescued an unconscious surfer near the Oregon coast town of Newport on Saturday, the agency announced. Officials received reports that a surfer at Devils Punchbowl State Park had been separated from his board and was trying to swim ashore but couldnt because he was being battered by heavy waves, the agency said. An aircrew and two boat crews were dispatched from Depoe Bay, found the surfer and brought him to shore with aid from a rescue swimmer, according to a news release. The surfer, who was not identified, was taken to Newport Hospital and is in unknown condition, the Coast Guard said. -- Gordon R. Friedman Two years ago, Oregonian staff writer Noelle Crombie learned that investigators had pieced together new information implicating former state highway worker John Arthur Ackroyd in the cold case homicides of two teenagers last seen alive on the Oregon coast. Ackroyd was already serving a life sentence for the 1978 murder of Kaye Turner, a Eugene woman he killed after finding her running alone on an isolated road in central Oregon. It took 14 years to bring Ackroyd to justice in that case. In the meantime, his stepdaughter Rachanda Pickle disappeared. Now, new evidence suggested Ackroyd killed Melissa Sanders and Sheila Swanson, who went missing in 1992 during a camping trip north of Newport. LOOK INTO THE RESEARCH: Special PDF version of Ghosts of Highway 20 includes footnotes and links to related documents Although discrete chapters of Ackroyds crimes had been told, no news organization had ever pulled together the full story of his life of violence. Crombie set out to do so. The passage of time complicated her reporting, as did the vast geography where the crimes took place. She also uncovered court-ordered secrecy surrounding the stepdaughters case. Crombie sifted through thousands of pages of police and court records, police interrogations, trial transcripts and crime scene photos stored at the District Attorneys Offices in Jefferson County and Lincoln County. She reviewed original press coverage of the cases and listened to hours of audio recordings of police interviews with Ackroyd, both before his arrest in Turners killing and after he was convicted and sent to prison. Retired Jefferson County District Attorney Bill Hanlon, the prosecutor in the Turner case, also gave Crombie access to his personal files and notes. Crombie sought an interview with Ackroyd but he didnt respond. During the course of her reporting, he died in his prison cell in Salem in December 2016. The next month, The Oregonian/OregonLive went to court to unseal records that a judge had closed to the public on the Pickle case. The documents included the original case file, as well as court records revealing for the first time that Ackroyd had entered a no-contest plea in 2013 in his stepdaughters murder. Crombie sought to interview as many people associated with these investigations as she could locate: police, prosecutors, judges, witnesses, reporters who covered the crimes, Ackroyds friends, associates and coworkers, and friends and family members of his victims. The interviews included Linda Monville, Rachanda Pickles mother and Ackroyds ex-wife, in San Bernardino, Calif., and two childhood friends of Rachandas who now live in Texas. Crombie also reached out via multiple letters to Ackroyds accomplice in the Turner killing, Roger Dale Beck. Beck is serving a life sentence and never responded. Ackroyds surviving sister declined to be interviewed. So did two lawyers who represented Ackroyd during his 2013 negotiations with the Linn County District Attorneys Office in the Pickle case. Buried amid the investigative files in the Turner case were reports about a rape Ackroyd committed in 1977. Crombie wrote to the victim, Marlene Gabrielsen of Hillsboro, who agreed to tell her story publicly for the first time. Dialogue that appears in the series was either recounted by participants in the conversations or taken from police and court records. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive The Oregonian/OregonLives five-part series on John Ackroyd details crimes that include childhood sexual abuse, rape and murder. If you have experienced sexual violence and need support, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. The Oregon Department of Justice has additional information and resources for survivors of sexual violence. The Nov. 23 article Climate report warns of worsening disasters summarized dire warnings from the federal governments National Climate Assessment last week. This report gives us a lot of reasons to be worried, but we can also find hope in a bill that was introduced in the House this week. Two Republicans (Reps. Francis Rooney and Brian Fitzpatrick) and three Democrats (Reps. Ted Deutch, Charlie Crist and John Delaney) co-sponsored the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. It is extraordinary in a few ways: Its evidence that the parties can work together to provide solutions and members of both parties are concerned about climate change. This bipartisan carbon pricing bill calls for placing a fee on fossil fuels and returning the revenue in the form of a monthly dividend check to all Americans. Its good for families, because an average family of four would receive a carbon dividend of roughly $3,400 in the future. Its good for the economy because it stimulates spending and will add 2.1 million jobs over 10 years. And its good for the environment because it will reduce carbon emissions by 33 percent over the next 10 years, more effectively than regulations. Join me and let your Congressional representatives know you support this triple win for the climate, families, and the economy. Kirsten Meneghello, Portland Michael Vavra, the suspect in a Friday shooting in the rural hamlet of Welches, was arrested and booked at the Clackamas County Jail on Saturday, inmate records show. Sheriffs deputies had sought Vavra, 40, since Friday night, when 25-year-old Eddie Osborne was shot in the head as the result of a disturbance, authorities said. Osborne received treatment at an unspecified hospital, and his condition is unknown. Clackamas Countys SWAT team responded to the scene of the shooting Friday, but officers were unable to find Vavra. The jail roster shows he was booked Saturday on charges of first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. The roster indicates his initial bail is set at $260,000. Court records show Vavra has previous convictions for minor driving offenses and pending theft cases in Clackamas and Deschutes counties. -- Gordon R. Friedman WASHINGTON Former FBI Director James Comey will testify Friday at a closed House Judiciary Committee hearing, his lawyers said after ending a legal fight to quash their subpoena. Comey sued to block the summons last week, contending that the sealed testimony would be leaked and distorted by Republicans for political purposes. Early Sunday, two days after Comeys attorney conceded in court that no federal trial judge had ever rejected down a House subpoena, the former FBE director, who was fired by President Donald Trump in 2017, withdrew his request. A lawyer for the Judiciary Committee offered to make a transcript of the testimony public within 24 hours. In a Twitter post Sunday, Comey indicated that he accepted those terms. This is the closest I can get to public testimony, he said. Soon after, Comeys lawyers withdrew their request to quash the subpoena. Comey is expected to be asked about actions taken by the FBI in 2016, including a decision not to recommend criminal charges against Democrat Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server, and the FBIs investigation into potential coordination between Russia and Trumps campaign. Comey demanded on Twitter Nov. 22 that House Republicans let the public watch his testimony. He is free to discuss his testimony, which is now voluntary, his lawyer said. The hearing may be one of the final significant actions of the Republican-led Judiciary Committee under Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia. In the new Congress, Democrats take the majority in the House and Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York is likely to be the new chairman. -- The Associated Press A founding member of the hip-hop collective A$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. Two males were taken to an area hospital after they were shot Saturday night on the 300 block of Peffer Street, according to Harrisburg police. Police Sgt. Tyron Meik spoke at the scene shortly before 10 p.m., explaining that officers were called to the shooting and initially told that one person was injured. Later, they learned that a second person was shot, he said. When we got here, thats when we located the second individual, Meik said. Meik described both peopled injured at the scene as males, but he did not provide any other identity information. Both males suffered non-life threatening injuries, Meik said, adding that they were transported from the scene to be treated at an area hospital. It looked as though one individual may have been shot twice, he said. The other person received one gunshot wound. Shortly before 10 p.m., officers remained at the scene, where police vehicles with lights flashing blocked part of the street. Portions of sidewalk lining the street were blocked off with yellow police tape. At the time, the investigation remained ongoing and no suspects had been arrested, Meik said. We have no other leads. We dont have anything as far as suspects at this point," he said. Meik said it wasnt likely that the person or people responsible remained in the area, and there was a chance that they fled in a vehicle. Dog missing for four months reunited with owners after being found by Charlevoix family news 534 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard (Reuters) Michael Cohen, President Donald Trumps former personal lawyer, 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, according to a court filing. Cohen also remained in close and regular contact with White House-based staff and legal counsel to Trump while preparing false statements to Congress about his contacts with Russia, Cohens lawyers said in the filing to a Manhattan federal judge late Friday. Cohen is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 12 after pleading guilty to tax evasion, making false statements to a bank, campaign finance violations, and lying to Congress. Cohen has been cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign and his lawyers asked in the filing that he avoid prison time. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Cohen, a former member of Trumps inner circle who in the past called himself the presidents fixer,, admitted this week that he made false statements to two congressional panels about the Moscow project in a bid to remain consistent with Trumps messaging about Russia during the 2016 campaign. Cohen had said in his statement to Congress that he had limited contact with Trump concerning the project, when in fact it had been more extensive. Cohen also said he falsely told Congress he never took any steps toward traveling to Russia when in fact he had discussed going there. In Fridays court filing, Cohen said he kept Trump apprised of the substantive conversation he had with an assistant to a key Russian government official in January 2016 in which he sought help securing land and financing for the Moscow tower project. Cohen also said he talked with Trump, referred to as Client-1 in the filing, about traveling to Russia to pursue the project deep into the 2016 presidential campaign. He and Client-1 also discussed possible travel to Russia in the summer of 2016, and Michael took steps to clear dates for such travel, Cohens lawyers said in the filing. After Cohens guilty plea on Thursday, Trump called Cohen a weak person and accused him of making up the story to receive a lesser prison sentence. Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion with Russia and criticized Muellers probe as a politically charged witch hunt. (Reporting by Nathan Layne in New York; Editing by Alistair Bell) By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis accused Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday of being a slow learner who again tried to meddle in U.S. elections in November, adding that he had no trust in the Russian leader. The remarks by Mattis at a security forum in California came a day after President Donald Trump held informal talks with Putin on the sidelines of the Group of 20 industrialized nations meeting in Argentina. Trump had scrapped a more formal meeting with Putin, citing Russias treatment of Ukraine. Asked if U.S.-Russian ties had become more strained since he took over the Pentagon last year after Trump became president, Mattis said, Theres no doubt the relationship has worsened. (Putin) tried again to muck around in our elections this last month. And we are seeing a continued effort along those lines, Mattis said, adding that the United States would take whatever steps were necessary to defend American democracy. American intelligence agencies concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to sow discord and boost Trumps chances through a campaign of propaganda and hacking aimed at disparaging his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. A special counsel investigation into Russias role in that election and whether Trumps campaign conspired with Moscow has cast a cloud over his presidency. The comments by Mattis were the latest sign of deteriorating relations between Washington and Moscow. Russia has denied meddling. Trump has said there was no collusion. Ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm congressional elections, U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials accused Russia of trying to influence the vote. U.S. prosecutors in October charged a Russian national with playing a financial role in a Kremlin-backed plan to conduct information warfare against the United States, including attempts to influence the midterm election. [nL2N1WZ19Q] RUSSIA-UKRAINE TENSIONS Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian naval vessels last weekend and seized them and their crew near Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Mattis said those actions underscored why the international community was increasingly distrustful of Moscow. Mr. Putin is clearly a slow learner. He is not recognizing that what he is doing is actually creating an animosity against his people, Mattis said. What we are seeing Putin do with his ripping up of international agreements were dealing with someone that we simply cannot trust, the Pentagon chief added. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders on Saturday confirmed Trumps encounter with Putin in Argentina in a statement, saying, 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. Speaking in Buenos Aires, Putin told reporters on Saturday there were no pre-conditions for future bilateral talks with Trump. It is regrettable that we cant succeed in holding a full-scale meeting, which is long due, Putin said, adding that issues of strategic stability would be of paramount importance. [nL2N1Y60M7] U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday said the Ukraine events were the only reason Trump canceled his planned formal meeting with Putin in Argentina, not developments in Special Counsel Robert Muellers Russia probe. The decision to scrap the meeting with Putin came shortly after Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty on Thursday to a charge of lying to Congress about a skyscraper project Trump was pursuing in Moscow during the 2016 U.S. presidential race. [nL2N1Y40PO] Ludicrous; Washington parlor game, Pompeo said in a CNN interview at the G20 meeting when asked whether Trump was motivated to cancel the meeting by Cohens guilty plea. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Additional reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Will Dunham) 4.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the incoming chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said that there is evidence that Trump and his business are compromised by Russia. Transcript via ABCs This Week: STEPHANOPOULOS: Of course it was Michael Cohen who pled guilty this week to false statements to Congress, that (ph) admission he lied about working on the Trump Tower in Moscow to protect President Trump. What does that tell you, what does that agreement and what youve learned about it tell you about Muellers core areas of focus, collusion with Russia, possible obstruction of justice by President Trump? SCHIFF: Well it tell me a couple things, it tells me that he wanted to lock in Michael Cohen. There was no reason for that plea, for that additional count. Its not going to materially affect his sentence. But it does have the benefit of making sure that nothing changes down the road, that theres no pardon that causes this witness to go south. I think the likelihood of that was very remote, but nonetheless as a prosecutor, you dont like to take chances. It also tells me that he wanted to put all this on the record, he wanted this out in the public domain. And that raises a concern for me, why does Bob Mueller feel it necessary to do that? Is it that he fears that Mr. Whitaker will shut him down or prevent him from telling the country what happened? So thats some of the I think the procedural significance, but the very broad significance here, George, is that there is now testimony, there is now a witness who confirms that in the same way Michael Flynn was compromised, that the president and his business are compromised. And that is the national security former national security advisor Michael Flynn was compromised because he was saying things things publicly that were not true about discussions with the Russians over sanctions. Video: Rep. Adam Schiff tells @GStephanopoulos Cohen deal shows Robert Mueller "wanted to put all this on the recordand that raises a concern for me. Why does Bob Mueller feel it necessary to do that? Is it that he fears that Mr. Whitaker will shut him down?" https://t.co/j4jW9gu6re pic.twitter.com/cdRh6u9BNQ ABC News (@ABC) December 2, 2018 Trump is compromised by Russia The man who is going to be leading the House Russia investigation in about a month is warning that Trump is a threat to national security because he has been compromised by the Russians. It is that simple. Trump is making US foreign policy based on his personal financial interests. Adam Schiff is suggesting that there is evidence that Trump wanted the Russian sanctions removed so that he could make money. It may seem obvious that Trump is compromised, but it is vitally important when a member of Congress says that there is evidence that national security is at risk. Rep. Schiff is going to get the facts, and the truth may lead straight to the impeachment and removal of Trump as president. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 501 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and his closest adviser, who reportedly was in charge of Jamal Khashoggis assassination, exchanged at least 11 messages the day the Saudi journalist was killed. A highly classified CIA assessment report has evidence that the messages were exchanged before, during and after Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2. This is the strongest evidence yet that, contrary to multiple assertions from the Saudi government, the crown prince was directly involved in Khashoggis murder. In fact it appears that he not only ordered the assassination but also orchestrated it by sending messages to his senior adviser throughout the entire process. The CIA included information about the messages in its classified assessment which concluded that MBS ordered Khashoggis death. The CIA has reported this conclusion with members of Congress and the White House, leading to conflicts within the U.S. government. According to the Washington Post, MBS exchanged the messages on October 2 with Saud al-Qahtani, one of his longest-serving and most trusted advisers. He has been known as the crown princes strongest public supporter and reportedly has kept a blacklist of those he believes to be disloyal to the Saudi kingdom. The specific content of the messages between MBS and al-Qahtani has not been reported, and it is not even known exactly what form the messages took. According to the Post: The CIA has rated its assessment that Mohammed was involved in the killing at medium-to-high confidence, and privately, officials have said it is inconceivable that the prince, who exercises total authority over the government, could not have known about such an audacious operation. The Post had previously described officials as saying that the CIA had high confidence in its assessment. Khashoggis murder has emerged as a very serious threat to American-Saudi ties. Several U.S. senators have demanded that the White House be more open about the intelligence information it has obtained. They also have demanded to know whether the crown prince knew about the murder in advance or ordered it himself. The accepted position is that there is no way this happened without MBS being aware or involved, said a U.S. official familiar with the CIAs conclusions. The CIA has declined to comment. The Post said it had reviewed excerpts of the CIA assessment, which included electronic intercepts and other information. President Trump has publicly questioned whether the crown princes role will ever truly be known and has given the impression that he is supportive of the official Saudi government position denying his involvement in the slaying. 831 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) said that Congress wants to know if Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen was told to lie to Congress in his testimony to protect Trump. Transcript via CBSs Face The Nation: MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you know that candidate Trump knew about the pursuit of this tower? SEN. WARNER: Again, Im not- I only know what Mr. Cohen has said and clearly most of the individuals that are affiliated with Trump have led themselves into being accused of lying MARGARET BRENNAN: Was he instructed to lie? Michael Cohen? SEN. WARNER: I dont know. I think that is a very relevant question that the American people need an answer to. Video: If Michael Cohen Said Trump Told Him To Lie, Its Game Over Trump and the White House always been more afraid of Michael Cohen than anyone else caught up in the Russia investigation. Cohen was Trumps right-hand man. If he tells Congress that he was told to lie in his testimony by the president or anyone working at the direction of the president, it will be proof that Trump is directly attempting to obstruct justice. The Senate Intelligence Committee is the only committee that has been trying to do a serious and bipartisan investigation into the Russia scandal. The fact that the committee is referring witnesses who lie to them to Mueller for potential prosecution speaks volumes about the work that they are attempting to do. Michael Cohen can connect the entire scandal directly to Donald Trump, and if Trump is telling witnesses to lie to Congress, the question isnt if Trump will be impeached, but when. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. When running for president, Donald Trump vowed that no American auto plants would close. If Im elected, you wont lose one plant. Youll have plants coming into this country, he said at a campaign rally in Michigan in October of 2016. Youre going to have jobs again, you wont lose one plant. I promise you. I promise you. This weeks news that GM is closing plants and laying off nearly 15,000 people as it discontinues several models of car in preparation for the transition to autonomous vehicles has brought those broken promises to the forefront. But, according to a new NBC News report, these closings are only the beginning as GM alone has lost $1 billion because of Trumps tariffs on steel and aluminum. They can read the crystal ball and see whats coming, said Robert E. Scott, a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute. This is the chickens coming home to roost on the broader Trump economic policies. According to Scott, Trumps trade policies make no sense and his tax cuts have been counterproductive. The tax cuts are raising the countrys deficits while do nothing to spur investment, he said. It was counter-productive. All this happy talk about investment is just that, Scott added, most companies have used money from the tax cuts to increase dividend payments to shareholders and buy back stocks. If nothing is done to address the problems created by Trumps budget and failed trade policies, the problem is going to get worse. Auto industry analysts believe there will be continuing auto industry downsizing. They also say that Trumps trade policies are making a difficult situation much worse. The automotive market has been shifting away from conventional sedans and more to utility vehicles. Its no longer a U.S. phenomenon, its true in markets around the world. And GM is the one with the most excess capacity in sedans, said Bernard Swiecki, from the Center for Automotive Research. Trumps tariffs on steel and aluminum, meanwhile, are making the razor thin profits on sedans even smaller, he said. GM has estimated that the new tariffs imposed by Trump over the past year have cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars. In order to stay in business they have to pass these costs on to the Americans who buy the cars. But increased prices mean fewer people can afford the cars, and thus GM will be selling less cars, hurting their profits even more. The president, who has no knowledge of international trade or economics, said he would retaliate against GM for their actions. He has threatened to take steps to harm the auto marker, such as removing government subsidies. 432 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard The chairman of the House Progressive Caucus, Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, went to Tijuana, Mexico and joined the caravan of migrants who traveled from Central America. The congresswoman arrived in Tijuana on Friday after saying that she was going there because she wanted to see first-hand the conditions asylum seekers face at the border. Jayapal joined the group of weary travelers on Saturday afternoon as they entered the U.S. and applied for asylum so they could remain in the United States. When I read the report about a week ago that kids and moms were being tear gassed, I just couldnt sleep, Jayapal said on Saturday. I want to go see for myself what is happening, what happens to asylum seekers as they get to the border, how are they turned back, whats happening to them in between, where the conditions in which theyre living. The congresswomans office issued a statement Saturday saying that Jayapal had gone to Tijuana in order to meet with asylum seekers. She hopes to meet with asylum seekers to hear their stories and observe conditions on the ground. She hopes to bring this back to the American people and her colleagues and highlight the ongoing crisis and the US governments contribution to whats happening, Jayapals statement read. Later on Saturday, Jayapal tweeted that she helped a group of migrants in the area, including a man suffering from a serious medical condition, avoid detention in violation of of U.S. and international law, and then witnessed their applications for asylum. I was able to successfully assist 5 asylum seekers 2 unaccompanied minors, a mother and her 9 year old child, and a young man with a serious medical condition into the United States. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) December 2, 2018 It shouldnt take intervention from a Member of Congress and an incredibly compassionate Border Patrol Chief for those fleeing violence and persecution to seek asylum in the United States, Jayapal also tweeted. I will continue to do everything I can to return our country to one that upholds decency, compassion and human rights, the Washington state Democrat added. Jayapal is an up-and-coming leader among House Democrats. She is a member of the House Judiciary Committee, and also co-founder of the House Medicare for All Caucus. She told reporters on Saturday that she plans to present her findings to the Judiciary Committee. She said she will ask the committee to examine the use of tear gas against migrants last week by U.S. border patrol officers. Were going to dive into all of that because this is a central role of the Judiciary Committee, to have oversight on these issues, to make sure were in line with our Constitution and our internal human rights obligations, she said. Were in violation of that on a number of fronts as far as immigrants go. Widely publicized images last week showed asylum-seekers, including women and small children, running from tear gas fired by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. This resulted once again in widespread criticism of the Trump administration for its harsh and probably illegal treatment of asylum seekers. President Trump defended the deployment of tear gas against migrants this week, calling the substance used at the border a minor form of the gas. First of all, the tear gas is a very minor form of the tear gas itself. Its very safe, Trump told reporters. But you really say, why is a parent running up into an area where they know the tear gas is forming? And its going to be formed and theyre running up with a child, he added. By going to the border and meeting with migrants seeking asylum in the United States, Pramila Jayapal has once again proven her commitment to doing the right thing. Our country would be much better off if every member of Congress was equally committed to following not only the laws, but also the ideals, of the United States of America. Early this morning Jayapal posted a video on Twitter in which she describes her experiences in more detail. Last night I went on Facebook Live to share what I saw at the border, she said. Last night I went on Facebook Live to share what I saw at the border. Watch the video here: https://t.co/3O9qHloxx5 pic.twitter.com/rxGE0fNplM Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) December 2, 2018 5.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Donald Trumps buddy Vladimir Putin is not helping him out very much these days. Over the weekend the Russian president pointed out that Trump canceled their G-20 meeting due to his worsening domestic scandals. Trump had claimed that he cancelled the meeting because of Russias aggression against Ukraine, which is clearly not true. Putin could have given Trump cover by supporting his fictional story, but he did not. This may indicate that Putin believes Trump is damaged goods and he will get no more benefit in supporting him. Further evidence of this came out over the past two days in Argentina when Putins spokesman denied that the Kremlin ever had any interest in a Trump Tower Moscow real estate project. Everyone knows that Robert Mueller reached a plea deal with Michael Cohen this week, and that Cohen has now exposed Trumps role in the Trump-Russia election influence scandal. One piece of evidence submitted by Cohen was the emails that Cohen sent to the Kremlin during the 2016 election campaign. He did this as part of his efforts on behalf of candidate Trump to secure approval for the Trump Tower Moscow project. Trump of course has denied being involved in the project. Now Russia is saying that they basically ignored these emails and they took no part in any discussions about the project. They claim that it was only Donald Trumps side who wanted to do the Trump Tower Moscow project, and that the Kremlin wasnt interested. In other words Putin is claiming that the Trump-Russia conspiracy was all Trumps idea, and he wanted nothing to do with it. Putins spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified this in an interview with NBC News from Argentina. According to NBC News: A spokesman for Russias government said Saturday that only two emails and a phone call took place between President Donald Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen and Russian officials about a planned Trump Tower project. But, said spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russian officials gave the exchanges no more attention than any other business proposition. Peskov also told NBC News that Trump was just one more foreign applicant. Every week dozens and dozens of foreign businessmen are approaching us, mentioning possible investments, searching for contacts, Peskov said. For you, its a future president Trump. For us, its one of the other applicants. Peskov also said he never talked to Cohen personally. Is it possible that Vladimir Putin now sees Donald Trump as a liability, and that hes actually trying to harm him politically and legally? It certainly appears that way. Putin may also be trying to protect himself by distancing himself from the American president who he views as damaged goods. We dont know what will happen next in the Mueller probe, and we dont know what steps Putin will take next either. But it is clear from events over the past two days that the Trump-Putin relationship is not as chummy as it used to be. Trump looks increasingly worried and distracted, and he was walking around the G-20 summit in a daze. Putin is much smarter than Donald Trump, who has been begging for Russian money for decades. It seems now that Trump is sinking, and Putin is firing more torpedoes rather than sending a lifeboat to save him. 360 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard WASHINGTON (Reuters) Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker was aware of fraud allegations against an invention promotion company where he was an advisor and was slow to respond to government investigators probing it, documents released on Friday show. World Patent Marketing was a fraud, one angry person wrote in September 2016. What you dont know is how many people were scammed by him (Chief Executive Scott Cooper) and how fraudulent they are and how much money they robbed from people, wrote the person whose email was disclosed along with more than 300 pages of other materials released by the Federal Trade Commission. The documents paint a picture of a company that heard from angry clients, and some of the emails or responses to them were also sent to Whitaker. It was unclear if he took any action to determine if the complaints were warranted. Democrats have complained for several reasons about President Donald Trumps appointment of Whitaker as acting attorney general after Jeff Sessions was forced out this month. Representative Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee, said the documents released on Friday suggested Whitaker was aware of potential fraud. If true, this is extremely troubling and raises serious concerns about his fitness to serve as acting Attorney General and whether he was properly vetted for this critical position, he said in a statement. World Patent Marketing, accused by the government of bilking millions of dollars from consumers, admitted no fault but settled with the FTC for more than $25 million earlier this year. Whitaker was not named in that complaint. The hundreds of pages of documents released on Friday also show the FTC struggled to get in contact with Whitaker, who earned $9,375 for being on WPMs advisory board. In March 2017, FTC attorney Colleen Robbins emailed two colleagues to say Matt Whitaker has not returned any of my calls. The FTC, which won a preliminary injunction against the company in August, subpoenaed Whitaker on Oct. 6 but again got no response. Later that month, one FTC lawyer emailed colleagues to say: Youre not going to believe this. Matt Whitaker is now chief of staff to the Attorney General of the United States. In a voicemail left for an FTC attorney that was made public on Friday, Whitaker said he was unaware of the subpoena sent to his former law firm, explaining he was in a new job as the chief of staff to then U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Whitaker began that job on Oct. 4, 2017. I want to be very helpful, he said in the voicemail, which was also released on Friday. Whitaker subsequently spoke by telephone to FTC investigator James Evans on Oct. 24. Evans notes from that telephone call show that Whitaker denied responding to consumers, presumably clients of World Patent Marketing. In the call, Whitaker described his role as minimal. He said he forwarded any phone calls or emails to WPM CEO Cooper and never met with anyone else on the advisory board. Evans also says in the email that Whitaker told him that any documents he had would likely be covered by attorney/client privilege. (Reporting by Diane Bartz and David Shepardson; Editing by Susan Thomas, Frances Kerry and Richard Chang) President Donald Trump now says that he is planning to formally terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In a statement Saturday night the president said that he will do this as a way for him to exert pressure on Congress. He is anxious to get congressional approval for his new trade deal with Canada and Mexico which he maintains is better than NAFTA. Most experts do not agree with this, and believe that the president is merely trying to gain political points with his supporters since he heavily criticized NAFTA when he was campaigning to become president. JUST IN: Trump to formally terminate NAFTA, pressures Congress to approve his new trade deal. JUST IN: Trump to formally terminate NAFTA, pressures Congress to approve his new trade deal https://t.co/Vzy762HT88 pic.twitter.com/X81xVbDSu8 The Hill (@thehill) December 2, 2018 I will be formally terminating NAFTA shortly, Trump told reporters on Air Force One while returning from the Group of 20 summit in Argentina. Then Congress will have a choice of approving the USMCA, which is a phenomenal deal, he added, referring to the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement, which is his new trade proposal. Much, much better than NAFTA. A great deal, he boasted. Trump also again called NAFTA a disaster for the United States, which is a term he used many times to describe the agreement in his presidential campaign. Its caused us tremendous amounts of unemployment and loss and company loss and everything else. Thatll be terminated, the president said, then added, And so Congress will have a choice of the USMCA or pre-NAFTA, which worked very well. You got out, you negotiate your deals. It worked very well. Okay? Trump had previously said that the leaders of Mexico and Canada signed a revised North American trade agreement on Friday. The new agreement reportedly rewrites many trade rules that currently apply to economic transactions among the three nations. There is no guarantee that Trump will obtain the required congressional approval for the new agreement. Democrats are reportedly skeptical of the new agreement and are not anxious to give Trump a political victory which could help him if he runs for reelection in 2020. 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. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on Sunday said President Donald Trump has taken steps that have helped "move us in a better direction" as a nation when it comes to race relations. Screenshot. CBS. As people head back to houses of worship for the holidays, there are some things that Charleston-area pastors agree members should abstain from during a service. Abigail Darlington is a local government reporter focusing primarily on the City of Charleston. She previously covered local arts & entertainment, technology, innovation, tourism and retail for the Post and Courier. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Chance of a morning shower. A mix of clouds and sun. High 63F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low 36F. Winds light and variable. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero's administration is pursuing a plan which has been talked about in the government of Guam for years to somehow prov Read more WEST POTTSGROVE A woman was airlifted to a hospital after police say a driver under the influence of alcohol struck her in a parking lot. Goodwill Ambulance rescuers assisted West End Fire Company firefighters late Friday night as they used jacks and air bags to lift a vehicle to free a woman trapped under a pickup truck. Police on the scene said the woman was trapped for about a half-hour after she was hit in the parking lot of St. Gabriels Lodge in the 500 block of Jefferson Street in West Pottsgrove. Police say the driver of the pickup truck, a 66-year-old man, was taken into custody for DUI. Township police said Montgomery County Detectives were notified about the incident. A Penn-Star medical helicopter took the victim to Reading Hospital Trauma Center in West Reading for treatment of unspecified injuries. The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), on Sunday said the country was losing $9.1 billion yearly on freight revenue that would have accrued to its treasury, He said the amount was being lost to foreign ships. Mr Bello, who spoke on the feasibility of the proposed National Carrier, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that foreign shipping lines were milking the country dry. We need to have a national carrier because of the profound economic impact it will have on our economy. We have lost so much in terms of earnings of freight to foreign shipping companies. Nigerians dont operate any ship at all; that is on the part of the dry cargo. On the wet cargo, Nigerians dont lift the crude and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, thought that this imbalance is very dangerous to the economy. So he set up a committee with the Nigeria Shippers Council as chairman to lead the private sector and we started working with PIL which is a Singaporean shipping company. We signed an MOU with it about three years back but the operating atmosphere of shipping in Nigeria is murky and not profitable because there are many obstacles which include lack of incentives. There is also a lack of government infrastructure and government support. Fourthly, unwillingness or inability of Nigerias private sector to support this very important enterprise is another issue, Mr Bello said. Bello said that the committee for the national fleet implementation had to go back to look at it closely. We have now retraced our steps. The national fleet is such an important venture that it has to be painstakingly done. We are talking about one or two-year project, he said. He added that what we have done was because the government is very serious about the economy, we were able to approach and get the audience of the Vice-President and we addressed the Economic Management Team on the vision. This project, if we get it right, it means much more earnings for freight. Each year, we lose 9.1billion dollars in freight to foreign ships. Between 2004 and 2017, Nigeria recorded total vessel traffic of 25,256 vessels with the total gross freight of $39 billion and earning a paltry sum of $1 billion as levy for NIMASA. It means greater revenue for the government, employment for our people. It means setting up of associated industries, shipbuilding, ship repairs, involvement of our financial institutions like banks and insurance, even the pride of having ships flying the Nigerian flags. He said there were lots of reforms to be made and they include the flag administration and the ship registry of Nigeria. Both had to be reformed in line with the international standard so that we could attract people to come and register ships in Nigeria. We need vessel repairs and vessel building so that we dont tow our ships to Singapore or Ghana for repairs. That will be a drain on the business. We need a reform of our nautical colleges, MAN Oron especially, so that they would produce the best of cadets so that cadets produced would have sea time experience, using Nigerian ships. If we have investments and we are able to establish the fleet, that means NIMASA will accord that fleet the status of national carrier. And if this is done, it means that they will have first priority in cargo; project cargos, Nigerian cargo, cargo belonging to federal, state and LGAs, he said. (NAN) If Werner scores, he often adds another. It was the fourth league game in which the Germany striker claimed two goals, bringing his tally to eight so far this season. President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Krakow, Poland, ahead of the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP24) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), taking place from December 2 to 4. Mr Buhari arrived Military Base Balice, International Airport, Krakow at exactly 17:44 p.m., local time, an official statement from the presidency noted. The president and his team arrived just when the town was experiencing its first snow of the winter season. Temperature reading at the time of his arrival was -3 degrees Centigrade. COP24 Summit is being held at the International Conference Centre (MCK), Katowice, an industrial hub, about 100 kilometers from Krakow. Mr Buharis first official engagement will be a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in Poland on Sunday evening. The President will during the Leaders Summit at COP24, on Monday morning deliver a national statement highlighting Nigerias commitment to addressing climate change by implementing the goals set out in its National Determined Contributions. A press statement on the presidents engagements earlier released by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, showed that Mr Buhari is expected to 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. His presentation will also highlight the expectations that developed nations will scale up their emission on reduction activities in order to limit the increase in average global temperatures to well below 2 degrees centigrade between now and 2020. The statement also said the Summit is expected to adopt a Declaration on Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia, named after the region of Poland where this years climate conference is taking place. 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 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. The president is accompanied by Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Yahaya Bello and Abubakar Sani Bello of Enugu, Kogi and Niger States, respectively. Others on his entourage include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; and the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin, as well as the National Security Adviser, Babagana Mongonu. Only one out of the six ministers in the federal cabinet who got the blessing of President Muhammadu Buhari to run in the ruling partys primaries for the 2019 elections realised their ambitions. Two were disqualified by the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and three others were defeated. However, erstwhile Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kayode Fayemi, earlier picked the partys ticket and won the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti. Aisha Alhassan, former Minister of Women Affairs, and Adebayo Shittu, the Minister of Communications, did not even make it to the primaries as they were screened out by the national leadership of the APC. Mrs Alhassan wanted to run for governor in Taraba State while Mr Shittu was interested in the same office in Oyo State. The governing party disqualified Mrs Alhassan on the ground that her loyalty was in doubt. The former minister was caught on tape pledging her loyalty to former vice president Atiku Abubakar (while he was still in the APC) should he choose to challenge Mr Buhari for the partys presidential ticket. Mrs Alhassan made the pledge at a time she was a minister under Mr Buhari. The National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, said unlike Mr Buhari, he has no patience with disloyalty. Mrs Alhassan eventually resigned as minister and as a member of APC. She has since joined the United Democratic Party (UDP) and is the partys governorship candidate. On the other hand, APC disqualified Mr Shittu on account of his failure to undergo the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as exclusively reported by PREMIUM TIMES Mr Shittu said he did not serve because he was elected a state lawmaker in the Second Republic after graduating. Speaking on the disqualification of the Communications Minister, APC chairman, Mr Oshiomhole said, he admitted that he did not participate in the mandatory NYSC as provided for under the law and in his own judgment, his being a member of the House of Assembly in the state and now as a minister of the federal republic, that these were enough sacrifices. The Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, [Photo credit: THISDAYLIVE] But for us as a party, we know that NYSC is a mandatory scheme. It is not something you may elect to do or abstain from doing. And my understanding of the NYSC Act is that no employer of labour is permitted to employ anyone who graduated under 30 years and who did not obtain an exemption for reasons as provided for in the NYSC Act. So, for us, not participating in the NYSC raises very serious moral issue as well as legal issue. Anyway, we were convinced that if he did not do NYSC, that for us was enough to disqualify him and we had to find the courage to do so. Mr Shittu, however, remains a minister under the APC administration. Mustapha Baba-Shehuri The Minister of State for Works, Power and Housing was one of the 21 aspirants who sought to pick the governorship ticket of the APC in Borno State. Mustapha Baba-Shehuri [Photo: Daily Trust] At the end of the primary election on October 2 in Maiduguri, Babagana Umara-Zullum, a professor and the preferred candidate of Governor Kashim Shettima, emerged as the winner. Ten of the 21 aspirants had before the election stepped down for Mr Umara-Zullum who eventually polled 4,432 votes. Trailing far behind were Idris Durkwa who scored 115; Kashim Imam, 20; Mustapha Baba-Shehuri, one; Gambo Lawan polled two votes; Atom Magira got two votes; while Baba Ahmed Jidda, the Nigerian ambassador to China, got one vote. Shortly after the results were announced, the 10 aspirants who took part in the governorship primary called for the cancellation of the exercise. Mr Baba-Shehuri, who addressed a press conference on behalf of the aggrieved aspirants, said the primary was fraught with several irregularitiesand did not meet the barest minimum of criteria required for a free, fair and credible election. He said they were denied a level playing ground from the outset. According to Mr Baba-Shehuri, the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettimas announcement of a preferred candidate ahead the conduct of the primaries compromised the entire process of governorship primaries. He alleged that the governor on the eve of the primaries instructed the state party chairman, Ali Dalori, to summon most of the aspirants and inform them of the governors decision to pick a preferred candidate for whom all should step down. Manir Dan-Ali Like Mr Baba-Shehuri, the Minister of Defence, Manir Dan-Ali, also failed in his ambition to emerge as the governorship candidate of APC in his native Zamfara State. Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it is not expecting the governing party to field any candidate in the 2019 elections after it failed to hold primaries within the stipulated time, the party said it has actually conducted a selection process. Mansur Dan-Ali Zamfara APC was thrown into confusion during the primaries when the national headquarters of the party announced the dissolution of the state executive committee and also barred incumbent governor, Abdulaziz Yari, himself a senatorial aspirant, from participating in the exercise. However, the state chapter of the party said having observed that time was elapsing with no end in sight to the crises generated during the primaries, the dissolved executive officials organised an election to elect a governorship candidate. After the exercise, the sacked chairman, Lawali Liman, announced Mukhtar Idris, Mr Yaris preferred candidate as the winner of the election. He said Mr Idris polled 310,380 votes, followed by a serving senator, Kabiru Marafa, who came second with 54,607. A former governor, Mahmuda Shinkafi, got 5,514 votes, while deputy governor Ibrahim Wakkala scored 517 votes. Other results are Sagir Gusau 102 votes, Aminu Jaji 12,039 votes, Abu Magaji 340 votes, Dauda Lawal 5,396 votes and Mr Dan-Ali who scored 292 votes. The APC national headquarters, however, insisted it would not recognise that primary as it was not conducted by the right officials. Uguru Usani The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Uguru Usani, also got the nod of President Buhari to seek the governorship ticket of the APC in Cross River State. However, the minister was roundly defeated by the senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, John Owan-Enoh. Uguru Usani, Niger Delta Minister The chairman of the seven-member governorship primaries committee sent by the APC headquarters, Ali Magaji, announced that Mr Owan-Enoh scored 82,272 votes to defeat four other aspirants to the ticket of the party. Other contestants in the election, which was done through the direct primary, were a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke, who came second with 7,367 votes; Etim Nyong (5,786); Upan Odey (3,892) and Mr Usani (1,778). Winners Two of Mr Buharis Minister were, however, successful in their bids. Former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, had earlier picked the governorship ticket of APC in Ekiti State and won the governorship election held on July 14. He was sworn into office on October 16. Also, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadijah Ibrahim, defeated her son-in-law, Mohammed Ibrahim, to pick the House of Representatives ticket for Damaturu/Tarmuwa/Gujba/ Gulani constituency of Yobe State. The minister scored 1,295 votes while her stepson got 15 votes. Not the first time Checks by this newspaper, however, showed that this is not the first time that ministers who sought elective offices failed to fulfil their ambitions. In the build-up to the 2015 elections, five out of the seven ministers who resigned from the cabinet of then PDP administration of President Goodluck Jonathan failed to pick the partys tickets. The seven were then information minister, Labaran Maku; the then minister of state for education, Nyesom Wike; minister of state for industry, trade and investment, Samuel Ortom; health minister, Onyebuchi Chukwu; and minister of state for defence, Musliu Obanikoro. Others were the minister of state for Niger Delta, Darius Ishaku; and labour minister, Emeka Wogu. Only Messrs Wike and Ishaku were able to win the PDP primaries. But Mr Ortom defected to the APC, picked the partys governorship ticket and eventually won the general election. In the same vein, only one out of the three ministers who resigned from the PDP cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo to run for governor in their states succeeded in winning the partys ticket. The late Olusegun Agagu, who resigned as minister of power and steel before the 2003 election successfully picked the party ticket and was elected governor of Ondo State. However, Mustafa Bello, who resigned as commerce minister in 2002 to run for governor under the PDP in his native Niger State failed to realise his ambition. He was forced to leave the ruling party for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) to run under its ticket. He accused then governor Abdulkadir Kure of hijacking the PDP in the state. Murtala Aliyu also resigned as minister of state for power and steel to contest for the governorship seat of Gombe state under the PDP in the 2003 election. He lost in his bid. Implication for 2019? In most democracies, cabinet members are an added electoral value to their presidents. President Buhari has already emerged as the presidential candidate of the APC in the February 2019 elections. With the performance of his ministers who ran in the party primaries and failed woefully, it is, therefore, not likely that they will give him the needed confidence to deliver their states. This is also coming on the heels of public perception that Mr Buhari jettisoned the idea of picking a high number of technocrats in his cabinet and chose to favour politicians. The results garnered by the few ministers who threw their hats into the ring has shown that the president cannot rely on his ministers in their states, although, the elections in which they ran were purely internal party matter. Contrary to the content of a petition it received, the Nigerian Ports Authority did no wrong in the award of a N13.67 billion contract, the anti-graft agency, EFCC, says. The contract was for the dredging of the Escravos Channel, Delta Port in Warri, Delta State. It was awarded to Dredging International Services Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of the Dredging Environmental and Marine Engineering Group, Belgium. The contract which was awarded in 2017, has been a source of controversy attracting investigations by the House of Representatives and the Bureau of Public Procurement following a petition by Cadrell Advocacy Centre, a non-governmental organisation. The position of the EFCC is contained in a legal opinion written by EFCCs Zainab Ettu and exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES. The report, dated October 19 was endorsed by the commissions Head of Legal and Prosecution Department, A.B.C Ozioko, and sent to the commissions acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu. THE PETITION Cadrell Advocacy Centre, in its petition, alleged that the NPA had awarded the said contract to Dredging International Services and Dredging International Services Cyprus, both subsidiaries of the DEME Group Belgium, said to have been convicted in Switzerland on May 2, 2012. The group asserted that by awarding the contract to the convicted companies, NPA was in breach of the Procurement Law. The revelation by the group drew the attention of the House of Representatives which in May this year mandated its Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways, as well as its committee on public procurement to investigate the allegations. The resolution to probe the contract followed a motion brought by a lawmaker from Delta State, Nicholas Ossai, who expressed concern that the NPA took advantage of the FECs approval to award contracts without any prior budgetary appropriation. He also stated that the contract was awarded to a company whose reputation and professional competence was questionable after suffering criminal indictments and convictions in many countries. The facts of the matter showed that 22 companies had indicated interest in the contract by submitting bids when NPA concluded plans to carry out the dredging work. Two of the 22 companies, Dredging International Services Nigeria Limited and Dredging Atlantic Nigeria Westminster Dredging and Marine Limited (DANL) were cleared and prequalified. Following the evaluation of the financial bids of the two companies, DISNL which submitted the lower bid of N13.68 billion was awarded the contract, as against DANL which submitted a bid of N13.70billion. Besides the allegation made by the NGO, DANL had raised an allegation of irregularity against NPA over the corrected mathematical error corrected in the bid of DANL without its knowledge contrary to Section 31(4) and (5) and which was not addressed by the NPA. NPAS REACTION The management of NPA denied the allegations, saying they were made by companies that lost out in their bids to secure the contract. The agency insisted that due processes as enumerated in the Procurement Act, 2004 were followed in the award of the contract. It said apart from being guided by provisions of the Procurement Act in all its procurement processes, all procurements by the authority was subject to the supervision/approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, and the authority received the necessary approvals before going ahead with the award of the contract for the dredging of Warri Channel. The agency also said that when it received the petition alleging that Dredging International Nigeria Limited had been convicted by a law court in Switzerland, it sought the legal counsel of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and requested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, investigate the claim. EFCC operatives In addition to this, although Dredging International Nigeria Limited provided us with a sworn affidavit in support of claims that they were different from the company that was so convicted, the Authority engaged a legal practitioner, who embarked on an independent investigation of the petition and the claims of the company, NPA had said in a statement issued in September. These investigation(s) revealed that allegations that Messrs Dredging International Services Nigeria Limited had been convicted in a law court in Switzerland for corrupt practices involving some officials of the Nigerian government including the NPA were incorrect. The Company so convicted in the Swiss Court is Dredging Cyprus Ltd which is a co-subsidiary of DISN. The two companies have different legal personalities as so recognized by the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA, 2004. The conviction of a subsidiary company indeed is not the conviction of all companies within a group of companies. In addition, none of the directors so convicted for complicity by the court in Switzerland is on the board of Dredging International Nigeria Limited. The result of these investigations were made available to the BPP. Nevertheless, the BPP itself set up an independent investigation of the petition and came to the conclusion that the company was eligible to participate in the bidding process. The relevant section of the Procurement Act 2007, Section 16(8)(e&f) provides that Whenever it is established by a procurement entity or the Bureau that any or a combination of the situations set out exists, a bidder may have its bid or tender excluded from any particular procurement proceeding if: (e) the (entity) has been validly sentenced for a crime committed in connection with a procurement proceeding or any other crime committed to gain financial profit, and (f) the bidder has its management or is in any portion owned by any person that had been validly sentenced for a crime committed in connection with procurement proceedings or other crime committed to gain financial profit. It is on the strength of this provision that the NGO based its allegation and petitioned against the NPA, upon which the EFCC and the House of Representatives conducted their investigations. EFCC Report But the EFCC after its investigation concluded that the NPA justifiably awarded the contract to DISNL since the company was never convicted or indicted by any court of law. Dredging International Services Nigeria Limited (DISNL) is not a convicted company, the EFCC memo stated. The company wasnt at the time of the award of the contract managed or partly owned by any convicted person. The contract to carry out the remedial works and minor dredging at the Escravos Channel, Delta Port, Warri awarded to DISNL followed due process without contravening the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007 as alleged. The allegation levelled against NPA in the petition of Cadrell Advocacy Centre is unfounded, without substance and no facts have been received to establish any prima facile case against the Nigerian Ports Authority. In its observations, the commissions legal department noted that besides the fact DISNL was neither convicted nor indicted for any procurement or financial fraud, contrary to the subparagraph (f) of the Act, no member of the management of DISNL or any person partly owning the company was indicted for a procurement related offence. Assuming without conceding that both conditions in the subparagraph (e) & (f) are present in this case, it is my humble view that it wouldnt amount to an automatic exclusion of DISNLs bid from the bidding proceedings because the operational word in the act is may. Which means it is at the discretion of the procuring entity to either exclude or retain any such indicted bidder in the bidding process, the EFCC memo read. Having erroneously arrived at the conclusion that DISNL is a convicted company, the complainant is asking the relevant authorities to blacklist DISNL which in my opinion assuming that were to be the case, will be at the discretion of the procuring entity whether or not to invoke Section 16(8) (e&f) of the procurement Act 2007. The EFCC based its conclusions on the findings that DISNL and Dredging International are part of the DEME Group, Belgium, while Dredging International Services Cyprus (DISC) is a subsidiary of Dredging International (DI). House of Reps The commission also found out that all the companies parent or subsidiary are separately incorporated, having different structures from one another. According to the commission, the companies indicted were Dredging International Services Cyprus (DISC) and Dredging International NV and not Dredging International Services Nigeria Limited (DISNL). They were said to have been convicted by the Swiss Government for their involvement in the payment of bribes to government officials in relation to the Bonny Channel Project contract awarded to DISC sometime in 2005. The commission also found out that convicted along with the companies were Christian Van Meerbeeck and Marc Maes who served as Chief Finance Officer and Head of Legal respectively. The EFCC, however, agreed to the claim by DANL of an irregularity of a correction made of a mathematical error in its bid without its notice. The commission, however, held that despite the requirement for notice, the law did not make any provision for failure to give such notice which in effect did not invalidate the financial evaluation and the entire biding proceedings. The House of Representatives, despite commencing investigations long ago, is yet to make public its findings on the matter. The Force Headquarters has declined to provide details of the killing of many Nigerian police officers in Zamfara State on November 29. No fewer than 50 officers who were part of a police anti-rustling team deployed in the troubled state were killed in an ambush by armed bandits, multiple police sources told PREMIUM TIMES. Three days after the incident and despite indications that families of police officers who were in the ambushed team have inundated the police with enquiries on the fate of their loved ones, the Force Headquarters repeatedly declines to provide information. Immediate concerns amongst the family members and police officers who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES were about the evacuation of the bodies of their loved ones and colleagues and the rescue of wounded officers who might still be alive in the overgrown shrubs and forests. The bodies are already decomposing because we have no capacity to enter the bush to recover them, a police officer who pleaded absolute anonymity told PREMIUM TIMES from Zamfara Sunday afternoon. We know they are over 50 who were killed, but those finding it difficult to move because they were seriously wounded could be still rescued. The officer said the bandits have taken positions around the communities, and police intelligence suggested there may be another ambush if they attempted to recover the bodies. Habila Joshak, the polices head of operations who was dispatched to oversee police security arrangement following the ambush on Thursday, had reportedly made attempts to land in the communities with a helicopter, but reportedly went back to Gusau, the state capital, after the bandits opened live rounds. Even Nigerian soldiers are not able to enter the hideouts of the bandits now. We heard they want to contact the Nigerian Air Force to see whether they could carry out airstrikes to neutralise the bandits and clear paths for evacuation team, the officer said under anonymity because he could be sanctioned for providing unauthorised information to the media. A spokesperson for the Nigerian Army did not return PREMIUM TIMES requests seeking comments on the level of support they are providing to the police in the aftermath of the deadly ambush. Police spokesperson Jimoh Moshood only said in a statement Friday afternoon that officers repelled the ambush, killing 104 bandits in the process. He also said 50 hideouts used by the bandits were razed by officers, and stolen cattle and sheep were recovered. Jimoh Moshood, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr Moshood said the team only lost one officer in the pre-dusk attack in Birnin Mogaji, Zurmi Local Government Area, and peace had since returned to the communities following the massive losses inflicted on the armed cattle-rustling syndicate. But shortly after Mr Moshoods statement, senior police officers who learnt of the incident told PREMIUM TIMES the police leadership was suppressing personnel casualties. The police chiefs estimated dozens of police officers were killed by the bandits, an account that was also corroborated by some civilian sources near the communities. The DIG Operations was hurriedly sent to supervise security over there; they would not do that if it was only a police officer that was killed, one senior police officer said of the official casualty claim by the police. As of Sunday afternoon, relatives of police officers who suspected their loved ones were amongst those killed were still reaching out to PREMIUM TIMES to express their anguish. We have been holding meeting since we saw a report on PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday morning that many police officers were killed and we could not reach our own brother who told us he was sent to Zamfara some weeks ago, a relative said. The relative said the family had resolved to keep their complaints away from the media for now but might be forced to openly demand the whereabouts of their loved ones from the police if the situation does not change in the coming days. We have reached out to them already to tell us what happened to our brother, the relative said. If we receive no serious reply by next week, we would be forced to release a public statement. The deadly ambush on the police team came about two weeks after a Nigerian Army base was overrun by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State. Top military sources said at least 118 soldiers were feared killed in the attack, which sparked nationwide outrage. For several days after PREMIUM TIMES broke the story, neither the Nigerian Army nor the Buhari administration commented on the massive losses. When the Army ultimately spoke on casualty figures, Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai claimed 23 soldiers were killed. PREMIUM TIMES reached out to the police at the Force Headquarters in Abuja and the Zone 10 Command Headquarters in Sokoto, as well as the State Command Headquarters in Gusau, but all declined comments on the officers deaths. Mr Joshak also did not return multiple requests for comments. A senior police chief at the Force Headquarters said efforts are underway to get an appropriate understanding of the incident, as well as the support of the Nigerian Air Force in evacuating the bodies. We are all mourning here, but it is difficult to speak on this matter until we have a clear understanding of how our men could be killed like this, especially the weapons that the bandits used, the officer said under anonymity to avoid being reprimanded by the Inspector-General Ibrahim Idris. We are still assessing the situation, and we have made requests to the Nigerian Air Force on how to evacuate the bodies, the officer said. We have to be careful on what we say openly to avoid demoralising the officers who are still in that state engaging in regular shootouts with the bandits. A spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force could not be reached for comments Sunday afternoon. A senior police officer who had previously hinted PREMIUM TIMES of the police casualties on Friday said on Sunday that Mr Idris should have authorised full disclosure of how the attack happened and the efforts being made to evacuate victims. Most of them are very low in ranks, but they are human beings, the police officer said. Whether you confirm or you do not confirm it, it would still be out eventually that they were killed. The lives of police officers are more important than the bandits, yet the IG allowed the killing of 104 bandits to be announced but failed to tell the nation that dozens of police officers have been killed while on duty to protect the civilian population in Zamfara State, he added. This is dangerous for our country. Not just because some of these bandits are not even Nigerians, but because we at the top command of the police are sending the wrong signal that the lives of junior personnel are not important, he added. Army chiefs can afford to get away with lying about the number of soldiers killed by Boko Haram, but we should not allow such thing to take hold in the police. Former Gov. Abdulazizi-Yari of Zamfara State. Hundreds of civilians have been killed by bandits in Zamfara in 2018. The repeated attacks on communities in the state forced the state governor, Abdulaziz Yari, to publicly state that he was resigning as the chief security officer of the state; especially as he has no control over security agencies. Ahead of the 2019 general elections, a major presidential candidate assumed a traditional title while Osun State got a new state governor. Below are some of the politcal stories that made the headlines in the week. SUNDAY Former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, urged Nigerian youth to stop criticising the failures of government and misrule of bad leaders but rise up and vote out incompetent governments.The retired general also urged Nigerian parents to dissuade their children and wards from being used for violence in the general elections in 2019. The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, dismissed the chances of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019. Mr Lawan said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will not only retain power but also secure majority at the National Assembly. The lawmaker from Yobe State said the next National Assembly will be dominated and led by legislators from the ruling party. Former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan joined some PDP state governors on a visit to the palace of the Lamido of Adamawa in Yola on Sunday. Those at the event said Mr Obasanjo showered praises on Atiku Abubakar, his previously estranged vice president with whom he had reconciled since the latter became the candidate of the PDP for the 2019 presidential election. Leaders of the APC in the six North-east states, led by their state governors and National Assembly members, met in Bauchi to strategise for what they called a total victory for their presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari. APC governs four of the six states in the geo-political zone where Mr Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the PDP and Mr Buharis top challenger, comes from. APC governs Adamawa, Bauchi. Borno and Yobe while Gombe and Taraba states are run by the PDP. The APC leaders said defeating Mr Abubakar has become a task they must accomplish. Mr. Abubakar is from Adamawa, one of the six states in the zone. MONDAY The National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, formally endorsed Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, for a second term in office despite an unresolved bribery scandal surrounding the governor. Mr Ganduje was caught on videos that have gone viral receiving money in dollars from an unidentified contractor. He has denied the allegation despite the overwhelming evidence from video clips first released by online news medium, Daily Nigerian, which was also vetted by PREMIUM TIMES in-house experts. The PDP accused President Buhari of reneging on his promise to lead the fight from the front against Boko Haram terrorists. The opposition party also challenged the president to a debate with its presidential candidate, Mr Abubakar. The PDP presidential candidate, Mr Abubakar, lashed out at President Buhari and the ruling APC, accusing them of failing Nigerian troops on the frontlines against the Boko Haram sect. APC had on Sunday chided Mr Abubakar for accepting a traditional title and embarking on a jamboree with discredited politicians barely a week after scores of Nigerian troops were killed by insurgents during a raid on their battalion. Yekini Nabena, the deputy national spokesperson of the ruling party, said Mr Abubakar had shown that he has no leadership credentials amid repeated longstanding allegations that the former vice-president is wanted in the United States on corruption charges. President Buhari stressed that if any member of the APC is displeased with the way and manner anything has been done and feels deprived of his/her rights, then such a person is at liberty to approach the courts for redress. Reacting to the position of the APC, which recently forbade members from dragging the party to court, the president said: We cant deliberately deny people of their rights. We agreed that party primaries should be conducted either through direct, indirect or consensus methods, and if anyone feels unjustly treated in the process, such a person can go to court. The court should always be the last resort for the dissatisfied. For the party to outlaw the court process is not acceptable to me. TUESDAY Gboyega Oyetola took over the position of Governor of Osun State from Rauf Aregbesola at a handing over ceremony in Osogbo, the state capital. Both men are of the APC. They were both based in Lagos and are staunch loyalists of APC national leader, Bola Tinubu. Gboyega Oyetola, Governor of Osun State. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said Nigeria will not go back to the era when money meant for the development of the country was pocketed by a few individuals. Mr Osinbajo stated this in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, while launching the sixth phase of a youth empowerment initiative. He said the APC administration is not stealing Nigerias money, adding that all monies accruing to it will be judiciously used. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, accused a senator, Godswill Akpabio, of being responsible for the crisis rocking the state House of Assembly. Mr Akpabio, however, dismissed the accusation, saying the brazen act of lawlessness by the governor was responsible for the crisis. The state House of Assembly has been in an intractable since five lawmakers were sacked from the assembly for defecting from the PDP to the APC. WEDNESDAY A senator of the PDP, Joshua Lidani (Gombe South), announced his defection to the APC. The Senate Leader, Mr Lawan, made the announcement on the floor of the Senate. The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party (ACPN), Oby Ezekwesili, picked the chairman of the party, Abdul-Ganiyu Galadima, as her running mate. According to her campaign organisation, Hope 19, Mrs Ezekwesili announced Mr Galadima, a former presidential candidate of the party, while unveiling her manifesto in Ilorin. She said the selection of Mr Galadima, a businessman, would bring to the ACPN ticket an experience at grassroots politics at the local, state and national levels. The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Oby Ezekwesili in Premium Times office. The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, asked Nigerians to vote based on competence and capability and not based on tribe, ethnicity or religion. He said this when he visited Daura in Katsina State as part of the SoworeRufai2019 campaign organisations 100-city tour. Mr. Sowore said, This is Daura, the hometown of the President but as you can see the roads are terrible, there is no electricity, people are poor here, the street lights dont work and people here have welcomed us as you can see. THURSDAY Adekunle Akinlade, the man Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, selected as his successor, on Thursday dumped the ruling party and announced his defection to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Mr Akinlade, a member of the House of Representatives, defected alongside three other members of the House. The other members are Rabiu Kaugama (Jigawa) who moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mohammed Ajanah (Kogi) from APC to PDP and Salisu Koko (Kebbi) from APC to SDP. Former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun [Photo: The Guardian Nigeria] National Assembly members from Kano State elected on the platform of the APC declared their support for their embattled governor, Mr Ganduje, who is accused of receiving bribes. The lawmakers at a press briefing at the National Assembly said the governor has performed well and deserves reelection. The PDP inaugurated a 154-member presidential campaign council with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, as its Director-General. At the inauguration of the council at Legacy House, Maitama, the partys presidential campaign office, were chieftains of the party. Inaugurating the council, National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, said it is expected to steer the affairs of the campaigns of the PDP presidential candidate, Mr Abubakar. Speaking at the event, Mr Abubakar called for the sack of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, ahead of the 2019 general elections. We must demand the removal of the IGP, members of the campaign council have the responsibility of ensuring that this is done in good time, he said. FRIDAY The PDP said its presidential candidate, Mr Abubakar, possesses the qualities that Nigerians will use to determine who they will elect in the 2019 presidential election. The President of the Senate and Director-General of PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Saraki, said this at a news conference in Abuja. Mr Saraki said that Nigerians need a president who understands the economy, can drive investment and also secure lives and property. He said that PDP had a candidate who understands what it takes to move Nigeria forward, drive investments, unite Nigerians and run an inclusive government. Abubakar Bwari, the Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, has met with representatives from 93 Nations to showcase half a dozen strategic minerals available in Nigeria. Ishaku Kigbu, Special Assistant to the Minister of State, announced this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. The minister met with delegations from the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) which comprised 93 nations at the just concluded Mines and Money Conference in London. The minister of state, who hosted the IMARC delegations at the Nigeria room in a business centre, said the meeting was imperative to showcase strategic minerals available in Nigeria. He said that Nigeria leveraged on the 16th Mines and Money Conference in London to woo mining investors to Nigeria. He said that Nigeria used the conference programme to renew vigour aimed at changing from over-reliance on oil and gas to making Nigeria a mining destination. We are ready to partner with international firms that can help reposition Nigeria on the world mining map, he said. Mr Bwari said convincing investors to invest in Nigeria mining was a big challenge since the discovery of oil. Nigeria was first known as a mining nation before the advent of oil but (the) attention of the government shifted due to the discovery of oil. We are using the conferences to network internationally because Nigeria is a mineral nation but yet to be a mining destination. (NAN) The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has unveiled a national competition that will allow Nigerians to interrogate his policy document. The competition tagged Voice of the People Competition, kicks off on December 2 and will end on December 24. It will be recalled that Mr Abubakar had during the unveiling of his policy document via a Facebook Live broadcast on November 19, said: I want these policies to be our policies yours and mine. I want to hear your ideas to get Nigeria working again. So I will give the opportunity to anyone in Nigeria to have their say on national television. The Atiku Presidential Campaign boasts of this idea as the first time in the world that a presidential candidate will be calling for a national debate on his/her policy action plan. Atiku, as a candidate who keeps his campaign promises, will on Sunday 2nd December at 1pm launch a competition via a video broadcast on his Facebook Page that will see 6 members of the Nigerian public given a one minute slot on national television to say what they think needs to be done to help get Nigeria working again, the campaign organisation said. Contributors are to state their names and location and one winner will be announced from each of all the six geo-political zones of Nigeria who will have the opportunity to have their recording played in a national telecast between January 1 to 6, 2019. Any Nigerian can enter the competition by simply recording a one minute video and posting it on their respective Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account by December 24. Competitors are requested to add to their post the hashtag, #LetsGetNigeriaWorkingAgain and the state where they reside. Interested individuals can post a video selfie or any other form of video the only limit is your imagination. The judging panel, led by a senator, Ben Bruce, will review the entries and select one winner from each geo-political zone. One key criterion for the winners will be the number of engagements their entry generates. Contributors must be Nigerians and must agree to terms and conditions that their entry video can be used in any manner by the PDP Campaign Organisation in all media. Other terms and conditions include: accepting the verdict of the judges to determine the winning videos; not paying for votes or boost entry via any unfair avenues; accepting that their photograph and image may be used for all promotional materials during and after the competition has ended; agreeing that entries must conform to the submission dates as prescribed by the promoters of the competition; accepting that all information provided is accurate and correct and any false information will lead to the disqualification of such entry; acceptance to travel to any location as may be required by the promoters of the competition in promoting the winners. The cost of travel will be provided by the promoters of the competition. The judging criteria will be based on the following: the originality of the idea to help Get Nigeria Working Again and how feasible it would be to implement; the clarity of how the idea is communicated; the creativity of the video and the number of engagements in social media the video has generated, the organisers said. The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, and a former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, on Sunday in Abuja thanked God for his goodness to Nigeria and also prayed for a more prosperous nation. Messrs Osinbajo and Gowon were at the State House Chapel for the annual End of Year Thanksgiving Service. Speaking with State House correspondents after the service, Mr Osinbajo said that Nigerians had every reason to be extremely thankful to God. It has been a year where God has shown his faithfulness in some many ways; I think what God is also telling is that the coming months and the coming years will be even better. Our country is going forward; our country is getting better and better; our country will prosper; our country will be a place of abundance; all of us will enjoy the fruit of this land. So my message is that we should continually thank God because God has helped us a great deal and he is set to help us even more, he said. The vice president had earlier during the service offered a special thanksgiving prayer to God for His mercy, grace and kindness to Nigeria. On his part, Mr Gowon said that his message to Nigerians was to pray ceaselessly. He prayed God to accept the genuine prayers offered by Nigerians. Let God answer all the good prayers for Nigeria; what he thinks is best for Nigeria. Former Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon. [Photo credit: The Guardian Nigeria] That is my message and prayer; so that we contribute to the peace of Nigeria, he said. Ezekiel Odeyemi, Assistant General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, who delivered the sermon, said that Nigeria was still a country was a good reason to thank God. He said that Nigeria had passed through quite a lot as there were lots of signs and signals pointing towards disintegration but Nigerians still remained together. `That one is more than enough to thank God for, he said. The Chaplain, State House Chapel, Seyi Malomo, said that Thanksgiving was something Nigerians should do continuously. Thanksgiving is something that is expected on a continuous basis; in fact, that is one of the requirements of God from us. We thank God; God will make us whole; in every relationship, you do not see perfection; even in your life but when you thank God, that imperfection will be perfected. So, I see a perfection for Nigeria; I see a wholeness for every one of us, he said. The Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Silas Agara, on his part, thanked God for guiding President Muhammadu Buhari and Osinbajo in the last three years. He said that Nigerians should be thankful to God for giving the nation God-fearing leaders, unlike other nations, Nigeria was not at war. Mr Agara also prayed God to give the president and vice president another opportunity to lead Nigeria for another four years, so that the nation could witness more blessings from God. The thanksgiving service was also attended by the Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Sani Uguru, and representatives of the Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Army Staff. (NAN ) Journalists in Nigeria have been urged to hold political leaders accountable for their actions and be ready to tell truth to powers, as the country prepares for general elections in February. As we are moving towards 2019 elections, I want you to see yourselves as ambassadors of righteousness, Samuel Udia, an apostle, said on Sunday at the Apostolic Church, Ifa Atai, Etoi, in Uyo, during a Thanksgiving service to herald the 2018 press week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council. Report the truth without fear of those in authorities. Most leaders in this country dont know God, and, therefore, dont know the truth, Mr Udia said. He added, We must keep telling them the truth, with the hope they will someday accept the truth and do the right things for the sake of the people and this country. The chairman of NUJ in the state, Patrick Albert, said journalists are the only professionals who do not embark on a nation-wide industrial action in Nigeria because of the love of the profession and the country. The Commissioner for Information in the state, Charles Udoh, who was a guest of the NUJ at the Thanksgiving service, said journalists were paramount to the survival of any government in Nigeria. Mr Udoh said Akwa Ibom has enjoyed great peace in the past three years under the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel. I am not sure there is any governor in this country who loves God and prayers the way Governor Udom Emmanuel does, he said. The commissioner, however, said there were people who wanted to destroy the peace in the state because of politics. He appealed to Akwa Ibom people to support the administration to succeed. Prayers were offered for journalists in the state, Akwa Ibom and Nigeria. We have seen the signs every where people are beating drums of war, whereas election is not war, Emmanuel Eduongo, a journalist and a pastor, said, while praying for peace in Akwa Ibom. The NUJ will hold a rally on Monday in Uyo to advocate for peace in the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria. A lawyer, Femi Falana, has said the no work, no pay policy by the federal government, is not applicable to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who are currently on strike. Mr Falana said the federal government acting through the National Universities Commission (NUC) lacks the powers to direct vice-chancellors to seize the salaries and allowances of striking lecturers. The union embarked on strike about a month ago over the poor funding of Nigerian universities, an alleged plan by the federal government to increase students fees and introduce an education bank, as well as non-implementation of previous agreements. The federal government on November 29 directed all vice-chancellors of federal universities to ensure that members of ASUU who are currently on strike are not paid their salaries. The directive was contained in a letter issued by the NUC. In the circular, government threatened that the payment of salaries and allowances to staff on strike from whatever source of funds shall be viewed as a violation of extant rules and directive of the Federal Government But Mr Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the government was not properly advised for resorting to a desperate measure of not paying the workers. The lawyer stated this in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES titled: No work no pay policy is not applicable to ASUU on Sunday. According to Mr Falana, the federal government referred to extant rules to justify the no work, no pay policy; a directive anchored on section 43 (1) of the Trade Disputes Act which provides that any worker who takes part in a strike shall not be entitled to any wages or other remuneration for the period of the strike. Otherwise, it would have realised that even under the defunct military junta the application of no work no pay rule, threat to eject lecturers living in official quarters, promulgation of a decree which made strike in schools a treasonable offence and the proscription of ASUU did not collapse any of the strikes called by ASUU, he said. He said the latest strike has complied with the provisions of section 31 (6) of the Trade Disputes (Amendment) Act, 2005. He said the law does not punish acts which are lawful in any democratic society. He said section 43(1) of the Trade Disputes Act cannot be invoked to justify the seizure of the salaries and allowances of members of the ASUU who have decided to participate in an industrial action that is legal in every material particular. For the avoidance of doubt, section 31 (7) of the Trade Disputes Amendment Act provides that anyone who takes part in an illegal strike commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine of N10,000 or six months imprisonment or to both fine and imprisonment, Mr Falana said further in his explanation. He also cited the University of Ilorin case where the appointments of 49 lecturers were terminated on the grounds that they had taken part in the ASUU strike of 2001. Mr Falana said: in setting aside the termination of the appointments, the federal high court held that the appellants were entitled to their salaries and allowances. Convinced that section 43 (1) of the Trade Disputes Act is self-executory, the Court of Appeal held that the order for the reinstatement of the respondents and for payment of their salaries and allowances when they were on strike was not only illegal but inequitable, he said. But Mr Falana said the Supreme Court reversed the decision of the Court of Appeal and confirmed the order of the federal high court for the reinstatement of the appellants and payment of their salaries and allowances. He said the implication of the judgment is that a university lecturer whose employment enjoys statutory favour cannot be disciplined or sanctioned without being afforded the right of fair hearing by the Governing Council. With respect to the current ASUU strike, no university governing council has accused any lecturer of misconduct to warrant the seizure of salaries and allowances, he said. He urged the government to commit itself to the faithful implementation of the 2017 FG/ASUU Agreement to enable ASUU call off the strike without any further delay. When contacted Sunday evening for comments on the report, the spokesperson of the federal ministry, labour and employment, Samuel Olowookere, said he is not aware of the development and would only be able to speak on it on Monday. Its real me, I assure you. I will soon celebrate my 76th birthday and I will still go strong. Those were the words of President Muhammadu Buhari, Sunday in Krakow, Poland, at an interactive session with the Nigerian community in the country. Responding to a question from a Nigerian in the Diaspora who wanted to know if he was real or the much talked about Jubril from Sudan his supposed double- President Buhari described the authors of the confusion about him as ignorant and irreligious. A lot of people hoped that I died during my ill health. Some even reached out to the Vice President to consider them to be his deputy because they assumed I was dead. That embarrassed him a lot and of course, he visited me when I was in London convalescing Its real me; I assure you, he declared. The Nigerian leader said he was looking forward to celebrating his 76th birthday on December 17 and jocularly added: If I am getting harassed by anyone, it is my grandchildren, who are getting too many. The President used the occasion to reiterate that his government will continue to maintain focus and deliver on the three focal points of his campaign in 2015: security, economy and the fight against corruption. Those in the North-east will tell you that in spite of the recent setbacks, there is a difference between the time we came and before. We are not doing badly on security, economy and agriculture. We have virtually stopped the importation of food especially rice and we are saving a lot of money. We now have food security and that has come with fiscal security because a lot of young educated people have not regretted going back to the farms and earning a respectable living. I am afraid, this is not receiving good publicity but a lot of people in the rural areas are enjoying the benefits of our interventions in agriculture, he said. President Buhari, who is in Poland to attend the UN Climate Change Conference, COP24, reaffirmed that no territory of Nigeria is under the control of Boko Haram terrorists, calling on Nigerians to remain vigilant and supportive of the federal governments efforts to ensure the security of lives and property in the country. While acknowledging that it has not been easy financing the security sector in the country, the president said the Nigerian Armed Forces were equal to the task. The president noted that it was regrettable that herdsmen and farmers clashes in the country have been politicised, assuring that the Nigerian government will continue to prioritise security because that is what many investors consider first before investing in the country. On the fight against corruption, he said all recovered stolen assets will be sold and the proceeds returned to the treasury for the benefit of Nigerians. On women representation in his government, the president told the meeting: I have plans for all Nigerians. I am not a male chauvinist. If Im a chauvinist, will I give the finance ministry to women? In his remarks, the Ambassador of Nigeria to Poland, Eric Adagogo Bell-Gam praised Nigerians living in the country for being worthy ambassadors of the country. Among those who met President Buhari were Larry Ugwu, an artist and curator, who has lived in Poland for 40 years and has contributed immensely to promoting Nigerian cultural heritage in the Polish society; Anthony Egwuatu, a Gynaecologist, who has lived in the country for 30 years and Olomofe Larry, a human rights activist, who has fought for justice for fellow Nigerians in the host country, among several others. The event was put together and anchored by Abike Dabiri, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Diaspora. Human rights groups and a lawyer have condemned the arrest and detention of Deji Adeyanju, a political activist, and two others, by the police. Mr Adeyanju, the convener of Concerned Nigerians, was arrested on Wednesday morning at a protest tagged Police Are Not Politicians, Save Our Democracy at the Police Force headquarters in Abuja. He was subsequently arraigned before a Chief Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon. The judge, Aliyu Kagargo, admitted Mr Adeyanju, Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams, the two others arrested with him, to bail. They were to each provide sureties that included a level-14 civil servant, a businessman with N20 million bond. But failure to immediately meet the bail terms allowed correctional officers to keep the three at the Keffi Prisons, about 40 minutes drive from Abuja. But Ariyo-Dare Atoye, a long-time associate of Mr Adeyanju, told PREMIUM TIMES the leader of Concerned Nigerians and his comrades met their bail conditions as of Thursday afternoon, but the magistrate was unavailable to sign the papers for their release from jail. They are yet to be released despite perfecting their bail conditions, amidst allegations the police plan to file fresh charges. Police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, said in a statement that the activists actions were criminally defamatory, and also capable of incitement and breach of public peace. Activists, Lawyer React The Paradigm Initiative of Nigeria (PIN) in a statement signed by its communications officer, Sodiq Alabi, said every citizen is entitled to freedom of speech. Paradigm Initiative is deeply concerned about the arrest and detention of activist Deji Adeyanju and two other Nigerians by the Nigerian Police, he said. It is our position that the tenets of democracy entitle each citizen to free speech, freedom of peaceful assembly and of demonstration. Therefore, Mr Adeyanju is well entitled to his opinion on the bias of the police towards the incumbent president. The group also debunked the police defence that the activists actions were criminally defamatory. We do not agree with this position. Controversial or dissenting opinions do not automatically qualify as hate speech or defamation and free speech and demonstration are the entitlement of every citizen of a democratic state, it said. Also, the director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Idayat Hassan, said the Buhari administration has had a bad record on human rights since it came to power in 2015. The director also said the civic space in the country is becoming more restricted as the nation approaches the 2019 general election. It tells a lot of story in terms of what this governments human right record really is all about, she said. The human rights record of the Buhari administration has never been any good till date, we still have (Ibrahim) El-Zakzaky in detention despite a court order, the same for (Sambo) Dasuki and other human right activists. Abiri (recently released reporter) was the last one, now again Deji Adeyanju under lock of this administration. It means nobody is safe including me, she said. The national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Hassan Taiwo, also weighed in. I condemn it and it is a clear sign of developing dictatorship that somebody simply trying to express his democratic right to freedom of expression and association to call on the Nigerian police to be impartial in the coming election is now arrested by the same police, the official said. Mr Taiwo said though he does not endorse Mr Adeyanjus politics he recognises him as a Nigerian who has a right to protest, He said the governments slide to repression was making it impossible for Nigerian to freely protest even on social media. Also, Inibehe Effiong, a lawyer, in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday condemned the detention of the activist. He said the fundamental right of Nigerians to freedom of expression as guaranteed under Section 39 of the Constitution had been violated in Mr Adeyanjus case. It is wrong for the police to be deployed as a tool for political vendetta, he said. Given that the criminal charges against Deji were only initiated in response to his recent protest against alleged partisanship by the police in the crisis in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, it signifies apparent intolerance for dissent. He also said while people should be held accountable for their statements on social media, they (police) should not use that as an excuse to violate the fundamental rights of Nigerians. Having perfected the bail conditions granted him by the court, the police should not have stalled his release, he added. If there is another case against him one would have expected the police to serve him with the new charge for him to appear in court. The police didnt have to stop his release. He said the government should focus on clearing itself of allegations of corruption levelled against top officials of the administration than hounding perceived enemies. These, in my opinion, are more serious issues than the alleged insulting statements credited to Deji Adeyanju, he added. The police have deployed 2,000 new officers to defeat Boko Haram insurgency in Nigerias volatile northeast region. Police spokesperson Jimoh Moshood announced Sunday afternoon that the contingent was drawn from Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Units (CTU) and the Sniffer Dog Sections. They started arriving in the last few days, police said. The announcement comes two weeks after Boko Haram fighters overran a Nigerian Army battalion in Borno State, killing at least 118 soldiers, including their commander; although the army says only about two dozen soldiers were killed. Nigerian Army chief Tukur Buratai said days after the attack that the military had broadened consultations to seek out all supports necessary to defeat the insurgency. Besides the constitutional duty which the police have to protect the citizens, Mr Moshood, an acting deputy police commissioner, said the Force Headquarters also felt duty bound to support the military in the counter-terrorism efforts. Prior to the latest deployment, Mr Moshood said there were 47 PMF units, totalling 2961 at 63 officers per unit in Borno State, which has been the centre of the nearly 10-year long jihadist insurgency. Twenty-six units, totalling 1638 personnel, were previously deployed in Yobe State. Eighteen units, comprising 1134 officers, were on the ground in Adamawa State, Mr Moshood said. He said Counter Terrorism Unit of about 1,000 personnel deployed in the war-ravaged region, in addition to 1,250 specially trained counter-terrorism police personnel. The Police Anti-Bomb Squad has about 300 personnel with over hundred sniffer dogs working side-by-side with soldiers in the region, he said. Personnel from the Police Air Wing are also deployed to support the counter-insurgency operations, Mr Moshood said, adding that the police would continue to do their best towards a timely end of the insurgency. The Nigerian Army has challenged its Special Forces to prove that they have better training and tactics than terrorists by making the difference and positive impact in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations. The Chief of Army of Staff, Tukur Buratai, gave the charge in Maiduguri on Sunday, while addressing the Armed Forces Special Forces and Army Strike Group deployed in the North-east. You are selected specially and deployed here in the North-east. You are given special training and that is why you are called Special Forces. I am here to tell you that you have a great job to do and you must do it properly. You are deployed in the North-east to make a difference because of your special training. If there will be any challenge in terms of capacity, I believe you will fill that gap and you have all it takes to do that. If you apply the training that you are given, we all have cause to be proud to belong the armed forces of our great country, Mr Buratai said. He warned them against exhibiting cowardice, saying we do not have time for the chicken-hearted, the cowards. You all must brace up and be brave. We have done the greatest job so far in the North-East; the greatest in terms of degrading the terrorists. We are better trained, better equipped. We know tactics better than them and what is remaining for us is to dominate everywhere and dominate our areas of responsibilities. We must dominate the whole of the North-east. He added that the terrorists must no longer be allowed the freedom to move about and commit heinous crime and escape. They must be dealt with squarely. We must say no to their vain and invalid threats. Henceforth, there should be no dull moment in our operations. There should be no gap, but make a difference, (NAN) The University of Ilorin and some students have spoken on the controversy over the expulsion of a final year student of the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Alada Babatunde. The student was expelled by the university for alleged examination malpractice. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Babatunde with matriculation number 14/32TA069 was expelled after the Students Disciplinary Committee found him guilty of examination misconduct. The university said the student was caught with a Blackberry cell phone containing materials relevant to the examination written on July 24 during the rain semester of the 2016/2017 academic session. Mr Babatunde, however, denied the allegation and also noted that due process was not followed during his appearance before the panel. Neither was my phone nor alleged materials viewed in my presence to guarantee fair hearing despite the demand of the chairperson of the SDC, Professor N. Y. S. Ijaiya, to see the invigilator and to ensure a fair hearing and a just conclusion, Mr Babatunde said in his statement of explanation to the school. In his reaction to PREMIUM TIMES enquiry, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Sulyman Abdulkareem, told our correspondent via a text message that the institution has a good system that victimises no one. What you heard is not true. We have a very good system that victimises no one, Mr Abdulkareem said. He did not respond to specific questions on violations of due process and lack of fair hearing on the matter. Also, four of the eight students who wrote the said examination told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Babatundes issue seemed political as he was not presented with any examination malpractice form in the hall. These students spoke with our correspondent under the condition of anonymity for fear of being victimised. We were divided into two classes and I was in the hall where Alada wrote the exam. He was the last to come and he sat at the back. While the examination was ongoing, we heard him having a conversation with the invigilator. In fact, no issue of malpractice was raised at that point, one of the students, a lady, said. Another final year student of medicine said Mr Babatunde was not given the malpractice form to fill, which is the first thing expected of an invigilator when a student is caught cheating. He was not given any malpractice form in our presence to validate the claim of the invigilator and that is the first thing expected if any student is caught cheating, he said. The two other students expressed worry that their comments may be used against them by the university management and therefore told PREMIUM TIMES that they were neutral. It would be recalled that an official of the institution who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES earlier said Mr Babatunde made a mistake, but since he was not caught cheating, a lesser punishment should have been awarded. But you know we are in the system, we cannot question the authority. What Unilorins Student Handbook States According to the procedure of treating alleged examination misconduct in the universitys student handbook obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, when a student is caught cheating, the invigilator may ask the student to leave the examination venue and shall immediately after the completion of the paper report to the Dean. The guideline also said the student would be required to sign a written document in the examination hall. Failure to do this is regarded as admission of the charge by the student. Unilorins Student Handbook Unilorins Student Handbook Lastly, the Dean shall within 48 hours of receiving report set up a panel of not less than three academic staff to investigate the alleged misconduct and the report shall be made available in two weeks through the Deputy Registrar who shall on the basis of recommendation determined whether the matter should receive the attention of the Students Disciplinary Committee. However, the case of Mr Babatunde was different as he claimed he was never asked to write any statement as stipulated in the university handbook. The invigilator was also said not to have submitted any report to the dean within 48 hours. The Dean claimed no such matter was filed until August 10, 2017 (17 days) after we had a new Dean when I got a letter to explain the chain of the occurrence, his appeal to the university read. Mr Babatunde also said the demand of the chairperson of the SDC to see the invigilator to testify against him was not attended to. Meanwhile, the student said he may approach the court of law to address his illegal expulsion without due process. The Kaduna State All Progressives Congress (APC) has released the list of members of its Campaign Council and Directorates. Ben Kure, who was Director-General of the campaign in 2015, returns to the role as the head of the 1,342 persons who constitute the 14 Directorates of the campaign. On the list is a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Sani Bello, who recently defected to the APC. Mr Bello was appointed Director of Organisation. The finance minister, Zainab Ahmed, was appointed a member of the campaign council. Umar Gana is in charge of Contact and Mobilisation, where he will be assisted by the likes of Sadiq Lagos and Cecilia Musa. Veteran journalist Shuaibu Lili is Director of Strategic Communications, while Mohammed Saleh leads the Security Directorate. Samuel Aruwan, who was campaign spokesman in 2015, retains the role as Director, Media and Publicity. The Youth Directorate will be led by Aminu Anti, with Sabo Douglas and Joy Akut as Secretary and Assistant Secretary, respectively. Zainab Shehu leads the Womens Directorate. The Support Groups for the Campaign will be coordinated by Ali Bature and Lawal Abdullahi. Mohammed Jamal is head of the Social Media Directorate. Idris Othman is in charge of Fund Raising. Suleiman Garba Gora is the Director of Stakeholders while Kabir Mato leads Election Planning and Monitoring. At the apex of the campaign is the Campaign Council, which includes all the campaign directors and several special members. The Campaign Council will supervise and guide the work of the directorates as the APC campaigns for the 2019 general elections. The Campaign Council is chaired by Nasir El-Rufai, the partys candidate for the governorship election, with his running mate Hadiza Balarabe as deputy chairman. The vice-chairmen are the partys three senatorial candidates: Deputy Governor Barnabas Yusuf Bala (South), Uba Sani (Central) and Suleiman Kwari (North). Other members include the state party chairman Emmanuel Jekada, Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed, Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC Mohammed Ibrahim, and former SSG Charles Bonat. Other members include serving members of the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly, party candidates, commissioners and other officials of the government. Party secretary Muhammed Shuaib is the secretary of the Campaign Council. The Campaign Council and Directorates will be inaugurated on December 4 at the Umaru Musa YarAdua Hall, Kaduna. The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has ordered an investigation into the discovery of a militia camp in Rivers State, Nigerias South-south, the army spokesperson, Sani Usman, said in a statement issued on Friday. Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, said it discovered the militia camp on Thursday at the Nigeria Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp, Nonwa Gbam, in Tai Local Government Area of the state. We met over 100 recruits undergoing military-type of training inside the camp, the army said. Ten persons described as operators of the militia camp were said to have been arrested and handed over to the police in the state. The issue will be investigated diligently, Mr Usman, a brigadier general, said in the statement. The Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate that it would continue to remain professional and apolitical in the discharge of its Constitutional duties. We reaffirm our determination to be responsive to the defence and safeguard of democratic institutions in this country and remain non-partisan in all our undertakings, he added. Rivers State, which is controlled by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has experienced several violence and killings in the past, especially during elections. The governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, has had frequent conflicts with security agencies, which is controlled by the federal government, in the state. Apart from the about nine-year-old Boko Haram insurgency, Nigeria has been plagued by incessant violence crises across the country. The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, Ejike Mbaka, has reiterated the unflinching support of his ministry for the re-election of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for a second term in office in 2019. The outspoken priest stressed that the ministry has 100 per cent support for Gburugburu (Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi) saying: It is unquestionable; Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria stands for him; he is a good man; a man of peace; a perfect genius; humble and ever patient. Speaking during the 2018 Harvest and Thanksgiving Mass of the ministry, held at its arena in Enugu, Mr Mbaka expressed delight that the Enugu State Governor has entrenched peace and good governance in the state. The Thanksgiving mass was also celebrated for Mr Ugwuanyi, other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, members of the State Assembly, State Executive Council and PDP campaign organisation, among others, to herald the commencement of campaigns for the 2019 general election as well as entrust the activities to the hands of God. The mass was also attended by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and his entourage, Vice Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Peter Obi, and an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, among other dignitaries. Extolling the leadership qualities of Mr Ugwuanyi, Mr Mbaka applauded him for uniting all political parties and ensuring equitable development across the three senatorial districts in the state, stating that Enugu State has not had a leader like him. He maintained that the Adoration Ministry has not only given Mr Ugwuanyi its endorsement for a second term in office but also spiritual support backed with unceasing prayers. I have never seen this kind of unquestionable, magnetic, pragmatic and dynamic peace in Enugu State before, because of one Gburugburu. Ugwuanyi has no enemy. He is a governor who has good relationship with the entire Nwodo family, Senator Fide Okoro, Senator Ken Nnamani, Senator Jim Nwobodo, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani and other leaders. The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, Ejike Mbaka, declares support for Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, Ejike Mbaka, declares support for Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, Ejike Mbaka, declares support for Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, Ejike Mbaka, declares support for Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, Ejike Mbaka, declares support for Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Gburugburu is the Messi in the field. Anybody who is contesting against him, where does he get his strength? Our support for the governor is indisputable. The Adoration Ministry loves him because since the creation of Enugu State we have not seen this type of peace. Enugu is an epitome of peace and security. So far so good, the outspoken cleric declared. The priest also commended Mr Umahi for his development strides in Ebonyi State and also endorsed his re-election bid in 2019. Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, have expressed indignation over the invitation of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to the forthcoming 43rd combined convocation of the university holding next week. According to a statement by Gbenga Ololoniran, the Protem Chairman of Great Ife Students Union Action Committee, it is condemnable to invite Mr Osinbajo to a university that is a victim of governments negligence of the education sector. To invite such a prime figure behind the underfunding of education to be honoured among students is a mockery on students and education itself, the student activist stated. He said Nigeria is under economic and political bondage as a result of the anti-masses policies of the federal government. Mr Ololoniran said the neglect of the education sector by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has led to a hike in fees in several institutions and made it difficult for the children of average Nigerians to access qualitative education. He added that the struggle against the situation by students has led to their grievous victimisation and repressions on students unionism even on Obafemi Awolowo University. At this period where the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike across universities, including OAU, over the rotten state of university education, it is still a shock to us that the only solution provided by the government is for tertiary students to begin to pay N700,000 as tuition fee per session. We, therefore, see the presence of such anti-student figure of the government in an academic arena to be a guest speaker, as a rape of our collective intelligence in a university where students academic activities are currently battered by the nationwide industrial action of ASUU. We make bold to assert that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is not welcome on OAU campus. To avert the gate of the university being shut against the vice president, the students leader said the government must initiate adequate funding of education by committing at least 26 per cent of the countrys budget as against the paltry 7seven per cent to the education sector. He also demanded the federal government immediately yield to the demands of ASUU on university education and earned workers allowance and immediately lift workers wage beyond N30,000 minimum wage to alleviate the striking poverty level in the country. Reacting to Mr Ololonirans statement, however, the spokesperson of the university, Abiodun Olanrewaju, said the student activist was only expressing a personal opinion. In fact, the OAU Community, particularly the students, are eagerly waiting for a day when either President Muhammadu Buhari or Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, or both of them, will come to OAU on a visit, Mr Olanrewaju said in a statement. The community is ready to give a rousing welcome to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria and renowned Professor of law whose brilliant performance in the present administration has done the academic community proud. He advised the general public to disregard in its entirety the release by anybody which runs contrary to the motto of the university: For Learning and Culture. Mr. Olanrewaju further stated: The University, as approved by its Senate, has decided to award an Honorary Degree to a very distinguished Nigerian academic and radical intellectual activist, Professor Biodun Jeyifo, English Professor Emeritus at Cornell University and, currently, Professor of African and African and American Studies and of Comparative Literature at Harvard University, in the United States of America (USA) during its 43rd combined convocations. Some students who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES, however, accused Mr Olanrewaju of fallacy in stating that the students were eagerly waiting for the day either President Muhammadu Buhari or Mr Osinbajo will come to OAU on a visit. No reasonable student is willing to welcome the vice president or the president himself to an institution that is not getting proper funding. The ASUU strike is on for a month now and the government pretended to be deaf, a student who simply identified himself as Muneer said. Mr Olanrewaju should speak for his paymaster, which is the university and not for the generality of students. Two governorship candidates in Ogun State say governors probing their successors is a waste of time and always cause distraction of governance. Sina Kawonise of Yes Electorates Solidarity (YES) and Seyi Olufade-Olowookere of Alliance for Democracy (AD) stated this on Saturday as guests of the gubernatorial discussion programme organised by Metropolitan Broadcasting Services and Pen-pushing Media in Abeokuta. The candidates said rather than engaging in their unending probe, former governors should be left for prosperity to judge. They stressed that no evildoers will go unpunished, as only God can decisively deal with corrupt officials. On his manifesto, Mr Kawonise said his mission if elected would be to improve the lives of the citizens and resident of the state through various services, adding that he would put the people as the cornerstone of governance and leadership. Mr Kawonise said his administration will consider knowledge that will raise the level of education, health, housing and total development of the people. He also declared that all the model schools constructed by the outgoing government will be transformed into technical colleges to avoid waste. The YES party flagbearer said he would organise the economy not only on basis of the expansion of industrialisation, but to make it people-focused and people-friendly, while his major targets will also be job creation as a direct principle of governance Governance in the state will emphasise knowledge, education, health and total human development, expansion of the economy of the state through employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Decision making and project execution will involve the people at all stages, he said. On his part, Mr Olufade-Olowookere said his vision for the state is to be self-sustaining on the path of consistent growth in critical human capital and economic indicators year on year. The AD candidate said he would deploy simple governance of principles, technology and innovation for growth and sustainability in all sectors Every citizen has a right to live in dignity, to aspire to and attain a good life. It is the governments responsibility to orchestrate the enabling environment that ensures everyone has a right to good education, health, security, food security and social economic development, he said The 39-year-old and youngest governorship candidate in the state said his five reformation pillars will focus on Public Service Accountability and Governance;Security, Law and Order; Sustainable Human Capital Development; Infrastructure for Economic Growth and Prosperity; and Agriculture, Natural Resources, Reformation of Land Administration and Border Communities. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Army veteran who lost both her legs while flying a helicopter mission in Iraq, acknowledges she and Bush had political differences, but she praised him for his role in ending the Cold War and for guiding the country through difficult times. Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who often uses a wheelchair, also expressed her gratitude for his support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in areas of public life such as schools, jobs and transportation. Deported nurse wins approval to return to Oakland SAN FRANCISCO - 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 last year amid the Trump administrations 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 her contributions to her community and the importance of reuniting her family. As everyone knows, nothing follows a night of too much beer like a steaming cup of rich, black coffee the next morning. Well, Two Brothers is about to have us covered on both fronts. Starting Friday, the 15-year-old Warrenville brewery will sell house-roasted coffee in addition to its roster of well-respected craft beers. Think of it as small batch, craft coffee in the vein of Chicago roasters like Metropolis and Dark Matter. Advertisement Two Brothers Coffee Roasters will make two year-round blends: a house blend (called Brew House Blend for obvious reasons) and a water-processed decaf. It will also produce at least one limited edition coffee at a time, starting with this week's holiday roast. The coffees will be available at Two Brothers' Warrenville brewery and its massive Roundhouse brew pub in Aurora, where it also plans to open a coffee shop in February. Whole beans will be for sale at both locations (for $11.99 per pound) and at Two Brothers' website. In 2013, Two Brothers co-founder Jason Ebel said, he hopes the coffee will be available in restaurants and grocery stores both large and small. Advertisement Though few (if any) craft brewers have waded into coffee roasting, Two Brothers was motivated by two factors, Ebel said. One is simply his love of coffee. "I always say it's counterproductive to drink beer all day, so I end up drinking coffee all day," he said. "I probably drink 12 cups of coffee a day." The other, sort of surprisingly, is the limitation that comes with being a successful brewery. "When you're a production brewery, you have to make the same couple of beers every day," Ebel said. "The reason we got into brewing is that we were home brewers. How often do home brewers make the same beer twice in a row?" The answer, if you don't brew, is not very often. Roasting coffee will take Two Brothers back to its roots, albeit with a different beverage. According to Ebel's research, he said, coffee has about three times as many flavor components as beer (and 10 times as many as wine), so the challenge and stimulation will be ample in this new venture. "Every bean is a little different, and you have to tinker and play with them, checking and smelling and tasting to find the perfect roast for that exact bean," Ebel said. "That's the stuff that keeps smiles on our faces." Advertisement Two Brothers' roasting is currently happening at its Warrenville brewery, but will soon move to the 70,000 square foot Roundhouse it bought in 2011. The head roaster is Mason Brown, who previously worked for Intelligentsia Coffee. Fans of Two Brothers beer shouldn't worry that the coffee is happening at the expense of beer, because new things are ahead on that horizon, too. After releasing its first canned beer this spring, an India pale ale called Outlaw, Two Brothers will release its second new canned beer in February, Ebel said. He described the as-yet-unnamed brew as a well-hopped, copper-colored ale clocking in at a drinkable 4.5 alcohol. jbnoel@tribune.com Twitter @traveljosh For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME. Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire. Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever. Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation. View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union. Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history. Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words. SAN DIEGO, Nov. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) today announced it is providing $400,000 in contributions toward reducing homelessness in cities where the company operates, reaching communities throughout California, Texas, Louisiana, Mexico, Chile and Peru. The grants are part of a giving campaign in honor of Sempra Energy's 20th anniversary the "20/20/20" campaign in which employees have been challenged to collectively engage in 20,000 volunteer hours in their communities. Thus far, Sempra Energy employees have recorded approximately 60,000 volunteer hours, triple the campaign goal. "Our company's success is tied to the positive impacts we can have on the community," said Dennis V. Arriola, executive vice president and group president for Sempra Energy. "Over the past 20 years, our employees have been committed to volunteering in our communities and we've contributed more than $260 million to charitable causes. I'm excited that we're providing these grants through our 20/20/20 campaign because we believe it's critical to be a responsible partner in the communities we're honored to serve." In recognition of employee volunteerism, the company has committed to issuing $20,000 grants to 20 organizations supporting the battle against homelessness. This includes Father Joe's Villages and Casa de Amparo in San Diego County, where the company is headquartered. "From all of us at Father Joe's Villages, I congratulate Sempra Energy on its 20-year anniversary and extend our deep appreciation for this generous grant which will help us provide desperately needed services for men, women and families who are homeless in San Diego," said Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO of Father Joe's Villages. "Casa de Amparo has had the privilege of helping hundreds of foster and former foster youth secure housing, obtain employment and create economic stability for themselves and their families," said Tamara Fleck-Myers, executive director of Casa de Amparo. "Casa de Amparo has been honored to partner with Sempra Energy for many years to continue to meet the needs of San Diego's foster and former foster youth as they grow into self-sufficient young adults." Organizations receiving the $20,000 grants include: Southern California Chula Vista : South Bay Community Services; : South Bay Community Services; El Cajon : Crisis House; : Crisis House; Irvine : HomeAid Orange County; : HomeAid Orange County; Los Angeles : Affordable Living for the Aging; LA Family Housing; United Way of Greater Los Angeles ; : Affordable Living for the Aging; LA Family Housing; United Way of ; Oceanside: North County Lifeline; Oxnard : Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County : Habitat for Humanity of Riverside : Riverside County Workforce Development Center; : Riverside County Workforce Development Center; San Bernardino : Salvation Army; : Salvation Army; San Diego : Father Joe's Villages; Monarch School; : Father Joe's Villages; Monarch School; San Marcos : Casa de Amparo; Texas Katy: Arrow Child & Family Ministries; Port Arthur : United Board of Missions; Louisiana Baton Rouge : Metanoia Foundation Inc.; : Metanoia Foundation Inc.; Sulphur: Care Help of Sulphur; Mexico Mexico City : Fundacion Para la Proteccion de la Ninez; Chile Santiago : Hogar de Cristo ; Peru Lima : Inspira. Sempra Energy is dedicated to supporting the communities it serves. The company has numerous programs to support employee charitable donations and volunteerism. In 2017, Sempra Energy donated nearly $16 million to charitable causes and employees donated an additional $2 million. Sempra Energy owns and operates natural gas and electric distribution utilities and is a major developer of North American energy infrastructure. Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2017 revenues of more than $11 billion. Sempra Energy is the utility holding company with the largest U.S. customer base. The Sempra Energy companies' approximately 20,000 employees serve more than 40 million consumers worldwide. Sempra South American Utilities, Sempra North American Infrastructure, Sempra LNG & Midstream, Sempra Renewables, Sempra Mexico, Sempra Texas Utility, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) and Infraestructura Energetica Nova, S.A.B. de C.V. (IEnova) are not the same companies as the California utilities, San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) or Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), and Sempra South American Utilities, Sempra North American Infrastructure, Sempra LNG & Midstream, Sempra Renewables, Sempra Mexico, Sempra Texas Utility, Oncor and IEnova are not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. SOURCE Sempra Energy Related Links http://www.sempra.com Washington, Dec 2 : US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday exchanged views on trade and security on the sidelines of G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires, according to a statement released by the White House. The two leaders exchanged thoughts on Russia's violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and explored how to strengthen the NATO alliance further as well as how to improve European energy security, the statement said. They also discussed the ongoing situation of confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, according to the statement, Xinhua news agency reported. "We have a great relationship and a great working relationship, I think very important," said Trump before the meeting, according to the statement. Trump also expressed his praise of Merkel, who "was highly respected by everybody, including me." Meanwhile, Trump reaffirmed his stance on trade between the US and Germany, saying that "we have a tremendous trade imbalance, but we're going to get that straightened out." For her part, Merkel said the two countries should address issues related to fair trade, multilateral issues, the World Trade Organization, the INF Treaty and regional issues concerning Syria and Ukraine. Despite the long-term alliance between Washington and Berlin, the bilateral ties recently have been overshadowed by their differences on bilateral trade, the Iran nuclear deal, climate change, the defense spending of NATO members and the NORD-Stream 2 gas pipeline project, among other issues. Mexico City, Dec 2 : The leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who was sworn in this Saturday as president of Mexico, said in his first address to the nation after his inauguration that during his term in office (2018-2024) he will fight against both public and private corruption. He said that in the last 36 years a "foul public and private" corruption has prevailed in Mexico and now, with this change of the "political regime," he will fight to bring peace and calm back to the country, Efe reported. "Nothing has damaged Mexico more than the dishonesty of its governments," he added minutes after receiving the presidential sash from the previous head of state, Enrique PeAa Nieto, in a ceremony before the Congress of the Union. Before deputies and senators, he said that, without wishing "to appear pretentious or exaggerated, today is not simply the inauguration of a new government." "From now on a transformation will take place that is peaceful and orderly, but at the same time far-reaching and radical, because we'll see an end to the corruption and the impunity that has stopped Mexico's revival," he said. The leftist leader -- who promises to lead the country to its "fourth transformation" following independence, the liberal reforms of the 19th century and the Mexican Revolution -- said he wants to make "honesty and brotherhood a way of life." He then criticised the neoliberal model that has governed the nation's economy over the past decades. "Neoliberal economic policy has been a disaster, a calamity for public life," he said. This economic model, which according to Lopez Obrador has failed completely, leads to "foul public and private corruption" and to the "dishonesty of governments," which in turn have increased insecurity and violence, to the point that 2017 had the highest number of premeditated murders in two decades. "The mark of neoliberalism is corruption. That may sound strong, but privatisation in Mexico has been the synonym of corruption," he said. As for international transparency, he said, Mexico occupies 135th place out of the 176 countries evaluated, whereas in the year 2000 it was 59th. "In the neoliberal period, corruption became the main function of political power," he said. On December 1, Lopez Obrador assumed the presidency of Mexico after has crushing victory in the July 1 election in which he won 53 per cent of the vote. Buenos Aires, Dec 2 : US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping sat down with cautious optimism to a working dinner here in hopes of making some progress in winding down the trade war between the two countries that affects the global economy. "At some point, we're going to end up doing something that is great for China and great for the US. The relationship is very special," Trump told reporters at the beginning of the dinner, Efe reported. Xi, seated facing Trump and flanked by a dozen of his advisers at a long rectangular table, noted his "personal friendship" with the US president and expressed a wish to collaborate with him in order to guarantee prosperity for the global economy. "Only with cooperation between us can we serve the interests of world peace and prosperity," Xi said in his brief statements. The US president noted that Saturday's meeting was very important and also spoke of his "incredible relationship" with Xi. Since midway through this year, Washington has imposed tariffs on $250 billion worth of goods from China, to which Beijing responded with import duties on $60 billion worth of products from the US. According to The Wall Street Journal, both nations are working on an accord so that Washington refrains from imposing more tariffs, while the Chinese government lays out changes in its economic policy, such as ending restrictions on importing US agricultural and energy products. The meeting was held at the Duhau Palace-Park Hyatt Buenos Aires hotel where Trump stayed during the G-20 Summit, and was the US president's last event before returning to Washington. Accompanying Trump were Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner, National Security Adviser John Bolton, and advisers on matters of trade and the economy, Peter Navarro and Larry Kudlow, respectively. The Chinese delegation included Xi's Cabinet chief, Ding Xuexiang; Deputy Finance Minister Liu He, Communist Party Foreign Affairs Director Yang Jiechi, State Councilor Wang Yi, Commerce Minister Zhong Shan, and National Development and Reform Commission Chairman He Lifeng. After the dinner, Trump headed for the Buenos Aires airport to fly back to Washington, without the White House providing any immediate information about the results of the dinner. Mexico City, Dec 2 : Leftist leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has been sworn in as the new Mexican President following his landslide victory in the July 1 presidential election. Lopez Obrador, 65, took oath on Saturday before a crowd that included world leaders and a strong majority in both houses of Congress, reports CNN. "Nothing has harmed Mexico more that the dishonesty of the rulers," he said at the ceremony here. Lopez Obrador also reaffirmed his intentions to sell Mexico's official presidential plane, to not live in the presidential palace and said he will receive 40 per cent of his presidential salary. In an extraordinary move, he also announced his intention to promote a recall referendum during his administration, adding the promise that he "will never seek reelection". However in his speech, he criticised his predecessor Enrique Pena Nieto, for introducing "harmful" economic strategies and announced immediate public investment to rescue state oil and electricity industries while proposing the creation of a special economic zone with lower taxes along Mexico's border with the US. The leftist leader thanked the US for sending Vice President Mike Pence and first daughter Ivanka Trump to his inauguration, stating that since winning the election, he has been treated respectfully by President Donald Trump. Lopez Obrador also thanked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, stating he would like to reach an agreement with both Ottawa and Washington to tackle immigration issues. Washington, Dec 2 : A top admiral overseeing US Naval forces in the Middle East was found dead in his residence in Bahrain, the Navy said in a statement here. Vice Adm. Scott Stearney was found dead on Saturday, but officials have said that there was no evidence of foul play at this time. "This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at Fifth Fleet, and for the entire Navy," Adm. John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, told CNN. "Adm. Stearney was a decorated professional and a devoted father, a devoted husband and a good friend." Richardson said the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior were cooperating in the investigation. The US Navy's Bahrain-based Naval Forces Central Command, which the Fifth Fleet is part of, oversees operations in areas like the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. The command is seen as critical to US security interests given the challenges of Iran and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, both of which Washington sees as potential threats to shipping in the region. A tremendous amount of commercial shipping, including large amounts of oil and gas, travels through the waters overseen by Fifth Fleet. The deputy commander of the Fifth Fleet, Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, has assumed acting command, Richardson said, adding that the Navy's "operations and responsibilities" in the region will continue uninterrupted. Stearney, a native of Chicago, held several senior posts, including commanding a carrier strike group and serving as director of operations for US Central Command. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 2) Eight senatorial aspirants bared their plans and expressed their thoughts on the countrys most pressing issues, in the first of a series of senatorial fora by CNN Philippines, as the 2019 midterm polls draw near. CNN Philippines The Filipino Votes: Senatorial Forum was joined by Magdalo Partylist Representative Gary Alejano, incumbent Senator Bam Aquino, former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Ronald Bato dela Rosa, human rights lawyer Atty. Chel Diokno, Senator JV Ejercito, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, former Senator Serge Osmena, and former Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino. The senatorial aspirants faced various questions on the economy, the Duterte administrations war on drugs, the joint oil and gas exploration deal between the Philippines and China, corruption, divorce, traffic in the metros, among other important concerns of the Filipino public. Here are some of the highlights of this years forum: The ex-chief of police was heckled The former national police chief, Bato dela Rosa, was heckled by some audience members as he responded to questions on the administrations policies. Members of the audience chanted Never again to martial law when dela Rosa defended the Presidents declaration of martial law in Mindanao. As for the extension of martial law to the rest of the Philippines, the former prisons chief said, Hindi pa naman iniisip ni Presidente yan. [The President is not yet thinking about it.] He also wants to reinstate death penalty by executing convicted drug lords through a firing squad in Luneta. In response, members of the audience jeered and chanted, "Karapatan ipaglaban." Dela Rosa is known for his strong ties with President Rodrigo Duterte. He was Davao Citys former top cop, during the time of then-Mayor Duterte. There were unanimous answers The eight senatorial aspirants agreed unanimously on certain Yes and No questions asked by the moderators. When asked if they have plans to run for office in 2022, all of them said no, including 94-year-old aspirant Juan Ponce Enrile. The eight senatorial aspirants said yes when asked if the President should issue medical bulletins, amid rumours of Dutertes failing health. When asked if same sex couples should have the same legal rights as married couples under the civil union bill, it was only Magdalo Rep. Alejano who said no. They all want to decongest Manila Several aspirants proposed different ways to decongest Philippine cities. Tolentino, who was former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman said that heavy traffic could only be solved by urban planning. This is to avoid the threat of other metros in the Philippines having similar traffic issues with Manila. "We really have to plan our cities, Tolentino said. Both Tolentino and senator Ejercito also want to strengthen the Philippine railway system. The incumbent senator added the Philippines is 30 years behind infrastructure development, explaining that there are 30,000 vehicles added to our streets monthly. "Railway is the only way, Ejercito said. "In 5 years time, we will not move, we will have a gridlock." Osmena, meanwhile, wants to open up some gated subdivisions to help ease traffic. Two senators want death penalty as punishment for corruption Both Dela Rosa and Tolentino, two of administration-led PDP-Laban bets, want death penalty as punishment for corrupt government officials. Dela Rosa also defended the Presidents stance on appointing military officials to government posts. The President is, kawawang-kawawa na talaga kawawa May nangyari na ba yung tinanggal lahat ng Customs (officials) dahil gusto niya ng bago at nilagay niya yung mga sundalo? Meron na ba nangyaring yan sa (history) ng Pilipinas? Dela Rosa claimed. [Translation: The President is in a pitiful situation. Has there been an instance where all Customs officials have been removed because he wants something new and he wants soldiers to lead it? Has that happened in the history of the Philippines?] Ejercito, however, wants those corrupt officials just jailed. He added that the government should show that it is committed to solve corruption. Bihira pong may nakukulong dito. Yung mga nakakasuhan may pera, Ejercito. Makakalimutan lang ang kanilang kaso. [Translation: Its rare that people get jailed here. Those who are jailed have money. And their cases are forgotten.] They have different proposed measures Asked on the first bill they would pass in Congress, Ejercito said he wants to focus on infrastructure development and transport modernization. Diokno, a dean of the De La Salle University College of Law, wants to amend the Witness Protection Act -- to allow witnesses to testify within six months. They spend days months and years in the Witness Protection Program. Theyre given safehouses, theyre given cash and assistance, and security, but its like theyre the ones in jail, Diokno said. Aquino, who authored a bill to grant free tuition to state universities and college, wants to push for more reforms in the countrys education system. Enrile meanwhile eyes to revise the taxes imposed on the public under the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law. Alejano wants to create a Department of Maritime and Oceanic Affairs to utilize the archipelagos resources, to address sea concerns. He said this measure will be on top modernizing the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard. Osmena, meanwhile, wants to support the coconut industry through a measure in Congress. Tolentino said he will push for the fast reconstruction of calamity-affected areas. He added he wants to boost the countrys agricultural sector, saying that the Philippines is primarily an agricultural country. Born and bred in southern China, Fanny Go did not grow up eating egg rolls. Family meals in her part of Guangdong province were dominated by rice, greens, preserved vegetables and morsels of meat. Advertisement But ever since she and her late husband Tom decided to whip up a batch for a Rogers Park block party 45 years ago, these chubby, stubbly, golden cylinders have become a family -- and neighborhood -- tradition. "My parents would make as many as 500 for people at the block party to eat and take home," says the Gos' eldest daughter, Jean. "They knew that food always brought people together. So, over the years, they created a lot of good relationships around here." Advertisement Like Fanny Go, who came to the U.S. in the early '60s, the egg roll represents a 20th-century meeting of two cultures. Though dim sum chefs in Hong Kong produce a similar snack called a spring roll, the egg roll, as we know it, is a creation of early Chinese-American restaurateurs who used local ingredients to create Chinese-ish foods that would appeal to American diners. One of the restaurateurs who helped popularize the egg roll was my grandfather, Harry Eng, whose nephew, Tom Go, worked as a manager in the family's downtown Chicago chop suey palaces (among them Hoe Sai Gai and South Pacific) for decades. Tom Go based his egg roll recipe on the appetizers that proved such a hit with the restaurants' clientele. Today Fanny Go, 87, carries on the Chinese-American tradition by making the savory treats for parties and family gatherings. She recently shared her recipe -- which can take up to three days -- with a convivial group who gathered at Go's home to learn, cook and eat. One of the biggest surprises was that most of the ingredients can be found in the average American grocery store, if not in your kitchen. I joined in to learn more about this side of my family and to bring home some tangible (not to mention delicious) link to the Eng family's restaurant past. My great-grandfather, grandfather, great-uncle, aunts and uncles opened nearly a dozen of these establishments starting in the 1930s, with the last -- The House of Eng in Hyde Park -- closing in the '80s. Go started the project a few days earlier by marinating 10 pounds of pork shoulder in a store-bought char siu sauce (hoisin and five spice-based barbecue sauce) and then roasting the meat on wire racks in the oven. Early guests were put to work julienning the pork into thin strips. Others sliced green cabbage into ribbons, blanched them and then squeezed them dry in sheets of cheesecloth. My father, who worked summers in the family restaurants, remembers cooks using whole tablecloths to squeeze the mountains of blanched cabbage needed for the daily egg rolls. "Many restaurants," Go explains through a translator, "used only cabbage for the filling because they wanted to keep costs down." But Fanny and Tom Go added plenty of rich barbecued pork, shredded chicken, chunks of boiled shrimp, chopped green onions and other touches to their version. "You can add mushrooms, bamboo shoots or whatever you want," she says. Advertisement After Go assembles the main elements (cabbage, pork, shrimp and chicken) into a huge basin, she sprinkles in a variety of unexotic spices: salt, pepper, sugar, chicken bouillon powder and cinnamon. Next comes her secret ingredient: a jar of creamy peanut butter, heated in a pan with some vegetable oil until it was liquid enough to be poured into the mixture. Finally, Go showers the filling with chopped green onion and kneaded the whole thing thoroughly with her sturdy hands. When it comes time to roll, Go places a tall stack of perfectly square egg roll wrappers on the cutting board and lops off the corners for easier assembly. She demonstrates a perfect roll by squeezing a handful of filling in her fist, plopping it on the bottom corner of the wrapper and tightly rolling it into a chubby cylinder, the final flap sealed with a swipe of egg wash. Guests set to work rolling dozens more -- with decidedly mixed results -- as Go heats several cups of vegetable oil in her shiny wok. Despite her advanced years, the octogenarian insists on doing much of the hard work herself, mixing the mound of filling, carrying the pots and boxes, and standing at the stove to fry every single one of the 100 egg rolls we assembled. "Someone else might make a mess of my stove and wok," she says when her son, Rich, suggests she sit and take a rest. Advertisement When the first stubbly cylinders emerge from the wok, hot crisp and deeply golden, every guest wonders the same thing: When can I try one? Finally, after about a dozen are stacked in a paper towel-lined pan, Go gives the OK. I slice one open, releasing a puff of cabbagey, porky steam. I dip it in the brightly colored store-bought duck and mustard sauces. I take my first crunchy, sweet, spicy, savory bite. And I am transported right back to the opening crunch of dozens of Eng family restaurant meals from my youth. As someone who, for decades, wrote about "real" ethnic food in Chicago, I admit to snobbishly shunning the cuisine upon which my ancestors built their fortune. But if someone who spent the first third of her life in China can embrace it, so can I. Indeed, when my brother and I made a huge batch of Go's egg rolls for our Chinese-Puerto Rican Christmas celebration last month, they were an enormous hit with the Chinese and non-Chinese relatives alike. They even inspired my Chinese-Jewish cousin to share his parents' (former restaurant owners) old crab rangoon recipe with me. These recipes may not be ancient Chinese secrets, but they do reflect popular products of Chinese ingenuity. According to author Andrew Coe, who wrote "Chop Suey: A Cultural History of Chinese Food in the United States," the egg roll was likely invented in New York sometime in the early 1930s. One of the chefs who claimed the honor, Henry Low, even included an egg roll recipe in his 1938 book "Cook at Home in Chinese." According to Coe, the recipe included "bamboo shoots, roast pork, shrimp, scallions, water chestnuts, salt, MSG, sugar and pepper," a much more luxurious mix than the "cabbage, flecked with bits of pork and carrot for color," that "rose to dominate the restaurant tables and freezer sections." Advertisement With the Gos' recipe, many of those luxurious fillings have been restored -- and Fanny Go encourages home cooks to add just about anything they want as long as it's chopped small, fully cooked and drained of most moisture. During Lunar New Year celebrations -- which start Feb. 10 -- it's customary, in China, to serve visiting family and friends delicate spring rolls to welcome the next season. But if you live someplace where February doesn't feel much like spring, a plump, sturdy American egg roll could be just as welcome. And now that the Cantonese-American egg roll has -- like Go -- thrived through more than eight decades, it's probably safe to say that it has earned a place as a tradition of its own. Egg rolls Prep: 1 hour, 30 minutes Cook: 2 minutes per batch Makes: 12-16 egg rolls Advertisement Note: This recipe is adapted from the one Fanny Go has made for decades. Look for barbecued pork in Chinese barbecue houses such as Sun Wah BBQ (5039 N. Broadway) and Hon Kee (1064 W. Argyle St.) in Uptown or BBQ King House (2148 S. Archer Ave.) or Wing Chan BBQ (2157 S. China Place) in Chinatown. You also can make it by marinating approximately 2-inch-wide sections of pork shoulder/butt in store-bought char sui sauce overnight and then roasting in a 350 degree oven on a rack over a pan lined with foil until done. Go suggests several extra ingredients that can be stirred into the filling; see the list and suggested amounts below. (The number of egg rolls made will depend on how much filling used per piece and any extra ingredients.) Ingredients: 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter 1 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil 2 cups julienned Chinese barbecued pork Advertisement 10 cups shredded green cabbage (about 1 large cabbage), blanched, squeezed dry in a dish towel 1/2 cup chopped green onions 2 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Advertisement Extras, see note below 12 to 16 large (7-by-7-inch) egg roll wrappers 1 egg, beaten in a small bowl Vegetable oil, peanut oil or lard for frying 1. For the filling, heat the peanut butter in a small saucepan over low heat until pourable, adding 1 tablespoon peanut oil if needed to get the proper consistency. Allow to cool slightly. Combine the pork, cabbage, onions, sugar, salt, pepper, cinnamon and any optional extra ingredients in a very large bowl until thoroughly blended. Hands work best to do this. Pour cooled, but still liquid, peanut butter into the mixture; mix thoroughly. 2. Cut off 1 inch from each of the corners of the wrappers for easier rolling. Place stack in front of you with one corner pointing toward you. Place a handful (about 1/4 cup) filling near the bottom corner; roll corner over the filling, tightly rolling up to just over half way. Fold in side corners snugly; continue rolling until there are 2 inches of wrapper left. Brush some egg wash over the final corner; continue rolling over it to seal the egg roll. Advertisement 3. When all egg rolls are rolled, heat oil or lard in a heavy pan or wok until it reaches 350 degrees. Fry egg rolls, in batches, until golden brown; drain in a paper towel-lined pan. 4. Eat while hot, dipped in duck sauce, sweet and sour sauce and/or hot mustard. Nutrition information: Per serving: 277 calories, 10 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 34 g carbohydrates, 12 g protein, 841 mg sodium, 2 g fiber. Extras 1 tablespoon sesame oil Advertisement 1/2 cup boiled shrimp chopped into dime-size pieces 1/2 cup soaked squeezed and thinly sliced shitake mushrooms 1/2 cup jullienned and well drained bamboo shoots 1/4 cup thinly sliced water chestnuts 1/2 cup bean sprouts Mumbai, Dec 2 : Actor Jatin Sarna, who made a big impact with a small role as Nawazuddin Siddiquis volatile hitman Bunty in "Sacred Games" will be back in Season 2 of the Netflix series, although his character was killed in the first season. "The second season goes into a flashback. My character Bunty is on a wheelchair. So I need to harness and control my natural energy level to play a subdued physically limited character," Jatin said. Jatin, who got his part in "Sacred Games" by fluke when he accompanied a friend to the audition, says he is learning constantly from his co-stars. "I started late in films. So I am curious, eager, anxious, impatient to do as much work as possible, play challenging characters. But I don't want to exceed my speed limits," he said. Jatin is also excited about his next feature film "Bumfaad", directed by debutant Ranjan Chandel. In the film, Jatin shares screen space with Paresh Rawal's son Aditya and Shalini Pandey. "I'm very excited about this one. It is a totally new team, young fresh and raring to go. I am at a stage where I want doors to open for me. I want to explore new characters work with directors with new ideas." Gangtok, Dec 2 : Sikkim's capital city -- otherwise known for being plastic- and litter-free with disciplined traffic, where lane-driving is the cultural norm -- is facing huge traffic congestion, just like other metropolitan cities. The only road connectivity to Gangtok is NH10, which forms the artery of the road network in the city. The major problems are traffic congestion, lack of parking space, lack of public transport and inadequate footpaths which cause vehicle and public conflicts. This is especially critical for Gangtok, which, as a mountain city, has inherent constraints of space. The city is now considering alternative, non-road modes of transport like cable cars to ease public mobility. The Sikkim government's Urban Development & Housing Department (UD&HD) conducted a consultation and workshop last week on finding short-term and long-term solutions to the traffic problems in Gangtok, a city of almost 180,000 people. It is crucial that a workable alternative is found and implemented as soon as possible before the city is choked up completely, experts opined. Various stakeholders, including representatives from UD&HD, Law and Order, 17 Mountain Division, Feedback Infra, National Highway & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC), Mercerdez Benz and the Truck Drivers' Association, besides state government officials, were present at the workshop. A Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Gangtok was presented by Feedback Infra based on a study made on the city's terrain and traffic movement. It provided possible solutions of decongestion through cable cars and creation of ring roads that help movement on Gangtok's inner and outer ring roads. Parallels were drawn with other cities around the world with similar problems like Suwon in South Korea, Bandung in Indonesia and Medellin in Colombia, whose topography resembles Gangtok in many ways, and suggested the measures they have taken -- like skywalks, eco-mobility festivals and the like "to instil a sense of ownership to the public utilising these public commute services". UMTC provided a detailed presentation on Techno-Economic Feasibility of Cable Car as Public Transport. A study based on the travel characteristics of Gangtok, while keeping in mind safety measures, said that locations have been identified as stations and a model drawn for cable cars to be implemented as a mainstream public transport. They also cited various examples of cities from all across the globe that use cable cars as their mode of transport and concluded that it would work if integrated in with other modes of public transport. Sikkim Urban Development Minister N.K. Subba, in his address, said: "More interactions and awareness programmes, like this one, on traffic decongestion and urbanisation is the need of the hour. We are at the start of something historic." He also talked about future projects that the government of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is planning to undertake to tackle the traffic menace, like widening of various roads at busy junctions and construction of sidewalks for efficient pedestrian movement. Lok Sabha MP P.D. Rai warned that "it is absolutely crucial for our sensitive ecology that all stakeholders and entrepreneurs take into account the sustainable development goals while working out effective strategies to tackle this common problem. We all, as a society, need to work collectively and responsibly". Buenos Aires, Dec 2 : US President Donald Trump has said that he hopes to have a second meeting with North Korean leader in January or February 2019 and that they were considering three places for the summit. "I think we're going to do one fairly (soon) - into January, February," Trump told the media on Saturday night while aboard Air Force One, returning to Washington from the G20 Summit in Argentina. Trump said they had discussed three sites for the summit but had not decided anything, adding that he was open to receiving Kim in the US at some point, reports Efe news. In September, the President said that he wanted to schedule a second summit with Kim. However an impasse in negotiations has delayed the planning for the meet, which would give continuity to the process initiated at the historic summit in Singapore in June. After Trump and Kim agreed to work towards the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in the first summit, progress has been largely symbolic owing to the absence of a clear route map for disarmament. The US has urged North Korea to take concrete steps towards denuclearization, whereas Pyongyang has demanded guarantees for its survival before the signing of a peace treaty. During the G20 summit, Trump met South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and agreed to stay firm in the application of sanctions on Pyongyang until it takes significant steps towards denuclearization. New Delhi, Dec 2 : The Air Forces of India and the US will begin a 12-day joint exercise "Ex Cope India-2018" on Monday to provide operational exposure to their personnel and undertake mutual exchange of best practices for enhancing operational capability, the Defence Ministry said on Sunday. It will be the fourth edition in the series of bilateral joint exercise held by the Air Forces of the two nations conducted in India, a Ministry statement said. According to the statement, this is the first time the exercise has been planned at two Air Force bases in West Bengal's Kalaikunda and Panagarh. "US Air Force is participating with 12 X F15 C/D and 03 X C-130. Indian Air Force is participating with the Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage 2000, C-130J and AWACS aircraft," said the statement. Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 2 : The Congress on Sunday condemned the 'women wall' protest from Kasargode to the Kerala capital announced by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for January 1, saying it it will only whip up communal passions. Addressing the media, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said it was rather strange that Vijayan was doing what no Communist Chief Minister in the state had thought of. "This 'women wall' will only help to polarize communities and compartmentalize people in the name of caste. What is even more strange is that this was decided at a meeting of representatives with dozens of Hindu social organisations where the Chief Secretary was also present. Vijayan should see that this is not a state-sponsored programme," he said. Saturday's meeting was an attempt to garner support following recent protests by Hindu groups in Kerala over the entry of women of all ages to the Sabarimala temple post a Supreme Court verdict. Vijayan sent out invites to over 150 social groups, of which around 70 took part and it was decided to use the #hashtag that the purpose of the 'women wall' would be 'not to turn Kerala into a lunatic asylum'. "Vijayan should release minutes of the meeting... Reports have surfaced that while Vijayan said all have pledged support for the state government on the stand taken by them on the Sabarimala issue, some leaders who took part later said they disagreed," added Chennithala. The apex court on November 13 refused to stay the September verdict, three days before the two month long Sabarimala pilgrimage season began on November 16. The Left Democratic Front government led by the CPI-M has been trying to implement the apex court's verdict even as the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and several Hindu groups are up in arms against it. "The talk of renaissance is not by bringing ladies to Sabarimala as there is no ban on ladies. Instead, there is restriction, which is part of tradition and the rituals associated with the Sabarimala temple. "The BJP and RSS are trying to create a terror situation in the temple town," added Chennithala. Meanwhile, the Nair Service Society, which represents the Hindu Nair community and which did not attend Saturday's meeting, on Sunday said that the Vijayan government was trying to make political capital out of the Sabarimala issue. Narayanpet (Telangana), Dec 2 : Accusing both the TRS and Congress of indulging in minority appeasement, BJP President Amit Shah on Sunday said that parties falling at the feet of MIM can't develop Telangana. Referring to Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader Akbaruddin Owaisi's statement that whoever became Chief Minister of Telangana or undivided Andhra Pradesh had to bow before his party, he said the parties who fall at the feet of the 'party of razakars' can't do any good to Telangana. Addressing an election rally here, he reiterated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not allow the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to provide 12 percent reservations to Muslims as there was no provision for religion-based quota in the Constitution. He alleged that the Congress was promising reservation for minorities in government contracts. "Rahul Gandhi says if Congress comes to power, it will build a separate hospital for minorities. What is the crime of the poor who are not from minorities?" asked Shah. "What about temples?" he asked, referring to the Congress' promise to provide free electricity to mosques and churches. "They are promising jobs to Urdu-knowing teachers. What will happen to Telugu-knowing teachers? They want to provide Rs 20 lakh for minority students going abroad for higher education but what about poor students from backward classes?" The BJP President said this election was a triangular fight. "On one side you have KCR who is keeping Telangana at the feet of MIM, on the other side you have Rahul Gandhi's Congress who sends Navjot Singh Sidhu to Pakistan to embrace their Army chief. The third is the BJP which is a team of patriots led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi." He said KCR imposed election expenditure of hundreds of crores by going for early polls instead of scheduled elections to Assembly and Lok Sabha in May next year. He said the TRS chief was scared of Modi's popularity. Buenos Aires, Dec 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on cooperation among G20 countries on issues related to global economy, trade tensions, crude oil prices and terrorism and fugitive economic offenders, India's G20 sherpa has said. Addressing the media here, Shaktikanta Das on Saturday said the current challenges being faced by the global economy, especially emerging economy space, were highlighted by Modi at the G20 Summit. "He highlighted the threat of increasing financial vulnerabilities, mainly arising from monetary policies of advanced economies and oil price volatility," Das said. "The Prime Minister also emphasized on unsynchronized policies of advanced economies and the uneven pace of revival of economies of various countries." Modi stressed on escalating trade tensions and its resultant and collateral damages it caused to the least developed countries and other emerging economies, he added. As regards the way forward, Modi emphasized on the need for pro-active and reformed multilateralism. "He (Modi) talked about various multilateral institutions and stressed there is need to adopt policies of pro-active and reformed multilateralism, basically to activate various multilateral channels, whether it is the IMF (International Monetary Fund), the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) or other multilateral channels and, of course, the UN and last but not the least, G20," Das said. Modi highlighted that any instability in the crude oil prices put big pressure on the budgetary resources and domestic finances of the emerging economies. He also appealed for reforming the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and sought dialogue on trade and service in promoting global value chain in the agricultural sector, Das said. The Prime Minister wanted countries to "immediately" join the automatic exchange of information. "He highlighted the efforts taken in regards to harnessing transformative technologies, that is robotics, data analytic, education technology, Fin-tech (Financial Technology). He talked about democratization of the technologies at the international level for global good." Presenting a nine-point action programme against fugitive economic offenders at the second session of the G20 Summit on Friday, 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. India is pressing for the extradition of high-profile fugitive economic offenders including Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and Vijay Mallya among others. The Prime Minister stressed it was time to fully implement and operationalise various aspects of 11-point agenda against terrorism adopted in Hamburg in 2017. He also called upon countries to join the international solar alliance and spoke about global coalition on disaster resilient infrastructure, Das said. Modi said India will host the G20 Summit in 2022, the year New Delhi celebrates its 75th Independence Day. Panaji, Dec 2 : "Baap re baap, ab itne log jaanne lag gaye hain," actor Pankaj Tripathi exclaims in acknowledgement of the love and praise he has received for his versatile roles across films and web series over the years. He says he is swarmed with good scripts, but doesn't have enough time to devote to all. "People have really liked 'Mirzapur'. The public is giving a lot of love. Two years ago, I used to feel I have done so many films... who knows me. Now I wonder... Baap re baap, ab itne log jaanne lag gaye hain (so many people have started recognising me). I don't know what's happening. I am only doing my work with sincerity. Rest, I don't know what is happening," Pankaj told IANS here in his distinctive style. From playing Sultan Qureshi in "Gangs of Wasseypur" to leading the cast of the film "Gurgaon" to playing pivotal roles in web series like "Sacred Games" and "Mirzapur" -- Pankaj's growth trajectory is a shining example of how character artistes are coming into their own with the changing landscape of Indian showbiz. It is convenient to say he has almost become synonymous with gangster characters, but one cannot miss his roles in films like "Newton", "Bareilly Ki Barfi" and "Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain". "I feel people want to watch crime stories and explore the genre, but honestly, I don't like a lot of 'khoon kharaba (bloodshed)'. Even in 'Mirzapur', I am not seen indulging in any bloodshed. Even in 'Gangs of Wasseypur', my character was brutal, but he was seen in shooting once or twice. "Personally, I am not fond of brutal bloodshed scenes. I like simple, ordinary tales, but I think youth is liking such crime stories and so they are made," said Pankaj, who will be seen in "Sacred Games 2". He will be seen in comedy and satirical films like "Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai" and "Luka Chhupi". "There are so many offers, but I am booked till August. I'm getting some wonderful scripts in the independent cinema space, but there's no time. "Either I am telling the filmmakers to wait for me...but nobody will wait for me till next year. Still, I am taking out time in between everything and managing what I can," the National School of Drama alumnus told IANS on the sidelines of the recently concluded International Film Festival of India (IFFI). A National Award winner, Pankaj, who comes from Bihar, will also be seen as a flamboyant south Indian film star in Indrajit Lankesh's "Shakeela" and as a farmer in Satish Kaushik's "Kaagaz". "There's not even a slap in the whole film 'Kaagaz'. It's a simple, ordinary tale and I like simplicity. I don't understand crime, but in that also if I get some interesting role with a layered character, then I get interested." Citing the example of his "Mirzapur" character Kaleen Bhaiya, Pankaj said: "He creates a fear in your mind, but he doesn't do anything. He keeps sitting on a chair without saying much. In fact, he comes across as a caring father, a good husband and a son... So I enjoy doing such characters." There is a lot that Pankaj adds to his roles, taking it beyond the written character. "I do some writing in all my roles. There are small things that I improvise on. I read a lot, and travel a lot, so there is a reflection of that when I talk," he explained, adding that while improvisation is important tool for an actor to immerse himself or herself in a role, it is not something that all actors can do. "If you have experience, if you are widely read and have lived life, then you can do it. Otherwise, for improvisation, your basics need to be very strong." All in all, he says it is a "good phase" for him. "I feel responsible and in every performance -- be it independent cinema or commercial cinema -- whatever kind of storytelling it may be, I try and engage the audience so that whoever is coming to watch the content, they are entertained. "I try to entertain, but not with anything over-the-top... I believe I should bring a smile to people's face, and that's what I always attempt. That's why whether I work in the indie space or commercial cinema, the audience doesn't get disappointed as they find me entertaining. But my work is not just to entertain... It is also to say what the director and writer want to convey." (Radhika Bhirani was in Goa on an invitation by IFFI organisers. She can be contacted at radhika.b@ians.in) Buenos Aires, Dec 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India will host the G20 Summit in 2022, the year the country will celebrate the 75th Independence Day. "In that special year, India looks forward to welcoming the world to the G20 Summit! Come to India, the world's fastest growing large economy! Know India's rich history and diversity, and experience the warm Indian hospitality," he tweeted on Saturday. At the closing ceremony of the two-day G20 Summit held here, the Prime Minister had requested Italy to host the G20 annual summit in 2021 and let India host the international forum in 2022, said an official. Italy and other countries accepted Modi's request, he said. Earlier, India was to host the summit in 2021 and Italy in 2022. Alappuzha (Kerala), Dec 2 : Kerala PWD Minister and CPI-M leader G. Sudhakaran on Sunday slammed the Sabarimala temple tantri saying the donkeys in the temple town have more grace. Sudhakaran, known for his sharp tongue, made the observation at an inaugural speech at a cultural event here. The Minister has been cut up with the Sabarimala tantri family ever since they threatened to close down the temple in case a women in the age group 10 to 50 arrives to pray at the shrine in line with a Supreme Court verdict. The members of the Kantararu family hold the tantric rights of the Sabarimala temple. The present chief tantri is Kantararu Rajeevaru and it was he who made the offending remark. Sudhakaran said they (tantris) do not appear to have any attachment or concern towards Lord Ayyappa. "At the temple town, it is the donkeys that do most of the work. Till date they have not gone on any protest. After their hard work they take rest near the Pamba river. These donkeys have more grace than the tantri," said a fuming Sudhakaran. At the temple town, donkeys carry most goods from the base camp at Pamba to the hill temple. Dhaka, Dec 2 : Bangladeshi ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's nomination papers for contesting in the general elections slated for December 30 were cancelled on Sunday. The Election Commission appointed Returning officers (ROs) cancelled her nomination papers for contesting in three constituencies on the ground of her conviction in two corruption cases, Xinhua news agency reported. Apart from Khaleda Zia, ROs who are scrutinizing 3,065 nominations also cancelled nomination papers filed by dozens of candidates on various grounds including convictions. Bangladesh's apex court on Wednesday upheld a ban for convicts from running in the general elections. The country's major opposition alliance led by Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to contest the parliamentary polls. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League party, which rose to power with a landslide election victory in early 2009 and won its second term in 2014, is facing challenges from Zia's BNP and its allies, which boycotted the 2014 elections. Jerusalem, Dec 2 : Israeli Police on Sunday recommended that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted on charges of corruption in one of three investigations against him. The telecom corruption investigation, dubbed Case 4,000, is centred around alleged regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars provided to the Bezeq telecom company in exchange for positive news coverage of Netanyahu in Walla News, a subsidiary of Bezeq, reports Efe news. "The Israeli police and the Israel Securities Authority have found sufficient evidence of bribery, fraud and breach of trust to indict ... Netanyahu," police said in a statement. Evidence was also found against Netanyahu's wife Sara, police added. The telecom probe came after police recommended indicting the Premier for bribery and other charges in two separate cases. Islamabad, Dec 2 : A top Taliban leader was killed in what is believed to have been a US airstrike in Afghanistan, Taliban officials said on Sunday. Abdul Manan was the Taliban "shadow governor" for Helmand province in the south, a key territory for the group, which also gave him control over a large part of the group's finances, reports Efe news. Helmand is the centre of the country's drug trade and the Taliban tax the drugs business. Manan's death on Saturday was confirmed by three Taliban officials. His death would be the biggest loss for the Taliban since 2016 when the group's leader, Akhtar Mansour, was killed in a US drone strike in western Pakistan. The killing of Mansour sank the prospects for peace talks at the time as the Taliban resented the loss of its chief. The latest airstrike was near the town of Sangeen in Helmand, Taliban sources said. Manan was one of the most influential figures in the Taliban, considered a hardliner. His hold over the drugs business gave him an independent voice within the Taliban hierarchy. He was considered the force behind the Taliban's success in Helmand. The Taliban's hold on Helmand allowed more members of the movement to travel into Afghanistan from their base in Pakistan. A spokesman for the Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, said he was checking the reports. Army Col. David Butler, the spokesman for US-led international forces in Afghanistan, said the US was "looking closely into reports" that Manan had been killed in an airstrike. Guwahati, Dec 2 : A joint team of Army and police arrested nine cadres of the anti-talk faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border on Sunday evening, officials said. The cadres were returning to Assam after completing their training in Myanmar, Defence Spokesman, Lt. Col. A.P. Khongsai said here. He said that intelligence was gathered from ground sources in the last two months about NDFB(S) cadres returning from their training camps in Myanmar for attempting to carry out subversive activities. "The complete group was busted while infiltrating into India from their training camp in Myanmar. An Ambush was established on their infiltration route and all nine cadres were nabbed," he said adding that the operation also resulted in recovery of weapons including AK -47, AK- 56, pistols and various other ammunitions. New Delhi, Dec 2 : Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has said a university should come up at the site of the disputed Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. He emphasised that 'Ram Rajya' can be ushered through education and not by constructing a grand temple. "My stand is that with a consensus from both sides (Hindus and Muslims), let's build a good university at that place," Sisodia said in an interview with NDTV that was aired on Sunday. "Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Indian, foreigner -- students from all communities may attend that university and from there should spring Lord Ram's ideals. Ram Rajya would come if we teach our children and not by building a mandir," Sisodia said when asked what was the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) stand on Ram Mandir debate. Asked about the current wave of caste politics in Indian politics, Sisodia, who is also Delhi's Education Minister, said that the only way to end it was through education. "When I was at Japan University, the people there were talking about a new concept of running cars with hydrogen and on the same day on Twitter we were debating about Lord Hanuman's caste. It is really unfortunate but the only way to move forward is by education," he said. Without taking any particular name, Sisodia slammed the political parties of spreading casteism at university levels "by appointing Vice Chancellors subscribing to Hindutva who try to impose it on the students". "On one hand, you talk about 'Digital India' but your actions resemble that of Vijay Mallya," Sisodia said. Talking about the Lok Sabha elections due next year, Sisodia said the AAP government would be focusing on all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi. "We will also keep our focus on Punjab and Haryana for the 2019 elections," he said. When asked whether Delhi Police should be with the state government, Sisodia remarked that even if his government plans to take an action, it never gets implemented on the ground level because of different governments controlling different authorities in Delhi. "Delhi Police need to be under the Delhi government," he said. He also said the previous Sheila Dikshit-led government "didn't do any work" in Delhi. "If her government had done anything, we wouldn't have to struggle like this to get work done," he said. Moscow, Dec 2 : Russia is ready to resume dialogue with the US under an offer from US National Security Adviser John Bolton as soon as Washington is ready for that, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday. Bolton contacted Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov and confirmed that the two countries would like to resume and normalize dialogue, Lavrov told state TV channel Rossiya-1 on the sidelines of the G20 (Group of 20) summit, Xinhua reported. "We are ready for this, as soon as our colleagues are ready for this," Lavrov said, according to a transcript published by his ministry. On Thursday, US President Donald Trump called off a previously scheduled meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit, citing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine confrontation surrounding the Sea of Azov. Russia expressed disappointment at Washington's decision, saying the move was a result of US internal politics and lack of an agenda. Moscow and Washington were in contact after Trump called off the meeting, but the two leaders are unlikely to hold talks in the near future, the Kremlin said on Saturday. Ushakov said it is possible for Putin and Trump to hold a meeting before the next G20 summit in 2019. Global Cyber Watch Center In choosing to partner with phoenixNAP in introducing our new collaborative Global Watch Center resource, we selected an organization with full visibility across its global footprint, providing visibility, capability and capacity with proven experience to deliver. PhoenixNAP, a global IT and security services provider, offering security-focused cloud infrastructure, dedicated servers, colocation, and specialized Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) technology solutions, announced today it has partnered with the Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance (ACTRA), to step up as primary provider for the ACTRAs Global Cyber Watch Center. As an ACTRA Advisory Board member, phoenixNAP has worked closely with member organizations and developed advanced capabilities in cyber threat detection, event orchestration, and threat IoC enrichment using both publicly available and dark web sources. This experience along with the internal buildout of its InfraSentry: Security Services product offering, created the ideal opportunity to capitalize on this capability to provide value to public and private sector partners to protect critical infrastructure in Arizona. In expanding its present watch center capacity and capability, ACTRAs focus remains thinking globally and acting locally to empower member organizations to empower themselves. In choosing to partner with phoenixNAP in introducing our new collaborative Global Watch Center resource, we selected an organization with full visibility across its global footprint, providing visibility, capability and capacity with proven experience to deliver. Coupling this experience with training phoenixNAP analysts in our established cybersecurity academy and embedding them with our threat hunting and response capabilities raises the bar for both organizations, our mutual constituencies and protecting national security interests. We are proud to bring this increased service capability to our members. Frank Grimmelmann, President & CEO of ACTRA. Developed in collaboration with the FBI, the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC), the US Department of Homeland Security, and the Arizona InfraGard Program, ACTRA is a leading authority on cyber security and threat response. A small group of dedicated people have tirelessly done their part to protect our cyber posture here in Arizona. This is about joining that team, expanding that scope, and elevating it to a new level. We are honored to be recognized as worthy to hold this torch, or shield, depending on how you look at it. We werent the first and wont be the last, but its about stepping up to the plate and making that difference. For Arizona, for our Nation. Thank you for the trust in the phoenixNAP team, said Anthony Dezilva, Product Manager, Security Services. Having just launched its Security Services offering, taking over as the Global Watch Center is a testament to the quality and scope of the service offering phoenixNAP has built and is now making available to its clients. The alignment with ACTRA raises the bar for both organizations. They are charged with jointly developing capacity and capability for operationalizing threat intelligence with participating organizations defenses to move to a predictive capability in responding to cyber adversaries. The joint goal is to improve their Active Threat Defense (ATD) posture by helping innovate and to elevate Threat Detection, IoC enrichment, and Incident Response capabilities through orchestration techniques. In addition to ACTRA, phoenixNAP is continuing to work with leading vendors in the field, developing new technology solutions. Solutions such as Data Security Cloud, a revolutionary cloud security platform enabling organizations of different sizes to access enterprise-grade secure infrastructure platforms. The lack of cybersecurity awareness and strategies can have an incredible impact on both companies and individuals, said Ian McClarty, President at phoenixNAP. By supporting the development of the field and collaborating with the recognized cybersecurity institutions, we are hoping to make a difference for everyone. PhoenixNAP is Microsoft Gold Datacenter partner, Platinum Veeam Cloud & Service Provider (VCSP) partner, and a Premier Service Provider in the VMware Cloud Provider Program. phoenixNAP is also a PCI DSS Validated Service Provider and its flagship facility is SOC Type 1 and SOC Type 2 audited. About phoenixNAP phoenixNAP is a global IT services provider with a focus on cyber security and compliance-readiness, whose progressive Infrastructure-as-a-Service solutions are delivered from strategic edge locations worldwide. Its cloud, dedicated servers, hardware leasing and colocation options are built to meet always evolving IT businesses requirements. Providing comprehensive disaster recovery solutions, DDoS-protected global network, hybrid IT deployments with software and hardware-based security, phoenixNAP fully supports its clients business continuity planning. Offering scalable and resilient opex solutions with expert staff to assist, phoenixNAP supports growth and innovation in businesses of any size enabling their digital transformation. Merix Pharmaceutical Corp., an industry leader in the treatment of cold sores and development of phyto-pharmaceutical technology, announces its RELEEV 1 Day Cold Sore Symptom Treatment that is available in drugstores like Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid, is now available in convenience stores, including 7-Eleven and soon in Circle K in the United States. RELEEV 1 Day Cold Sore Symptom Treatment, provides fast relief to those with painful cold sores. RELEEV contains VIRACEA a proprietary botanical extract formula. Merix patented Echinacea Extract with the FDA approved OTC antimicrobial antiseptic Benzalkonium Chloride is the fastest healing treatment for cold sores known. In a double-blind, placebo controlled, clinical trial, VIRACEA was found to heal cold sores in as little as one day. In laboratory testing VIRACEA was found to be highly active against HSV-1 and HSV-2. RELEEV eases the pain of cold sores, relieves other symptoms, and stops skin irritation after application. Those with cold sore symptoms using RELEEV can expect fast and complete cold sore symptom and fever blister relief. Easily used at home or on the go, RELEEV provides convenient relief for cold sore sufferers anywhere. For more information about RELEEV and to find it in a drugstore or convenience store near you, visit https://www.releev.com. About Us Established in 1998, Merix Pharmaceutical Corp. is a pioneering U.S. corporation with the primary mission of developing and marketing highly effective and safe medicines based upon its licensed bio-technology, Viracea. Committed to easing the pain and suffering caused by infectious diseases while effectively treating the causative factor, and dedicated to ongoing research with emphasis on developing products, Merix utilizes its phyto-pharmaceutical technology in the area of antiviral and anti-infective medicine. It is believed, by leading healthcare professionals, that phyto-chemicals provide greater bio-availability with decreased cyto-toxicity, compared with other antiviral treatments. CONTACT: Kristin Nugent McNeil, Gray & Rice 617-367-0100, ext. 148 kristin.nugent(at)mgr1.com Sparkcentral, the leading enterprise messaging customer service platform company, today announced that it will be co-hosting a free customer communication webinar in conjunction with Aberdeen, available starting Wednesday, December 5, 2018. Titled, How the Best-in-Class Are Using Messaging for Personalized Customer Service, the webinar will teach participants how to stay ahead of the social customer engagement innovation curve with modern tech tools. Register today and submit your questions at https://info.sparkcentral.com/social-customer-service-webinar-sparkcentral-and-aberdeen. Participants will walk away from the experience with insider knowledge of current trends in the social customer care industry, the benefits of keeping up with modern best practices, the strategies that companies need to revolutionize their existing customer care communication systems, and how this advice has transformed their peers businesses. The webinar will be led by Tobias Goebel, VP of Product Marketing and Emerging Technologies at Sparkcentral, and Omer Minkara, VP and Principal Analyst at Aberdeen. Goebel was the lead architect behind the award-winning Margot the Wine Bot AI chatbot before bringing his fifteen years of expertise in customer service and contact center technology to Sparkcentral. Minkara earned an MBA degree from Babson College, where he participated in the launch of a technology company, creating a customer acquisition and engagement strategy, and developing all the operational and financial forecasts for the enterprise, and is now head of Aberdeens Customer Experience practice. Customer service has changed exponentially in the last twenty years, says Goebel. Ninety-six percent of Americans now shop online. Mobile phones have replaced landlines. Instant messaging is competing not only with email anymore, but now also public social media itself. Technology is changing faster than some businesses are aware of. Consumers want fast, accurate service that makes their lives easier, but many businesses have fallen behind the learning curve in terms of customer communication, despite embracing social channels. Case in point is how most companies still rely on voice for customer service, despite the fact that 89 percent of consumers would rather use a messaging app, and 70 percent only make personal calls as a last resort. If these stats are any indication, most consumers dread the tedium that making phone calls often entails. Companies like JetBlue, Discover, and Western Union are already reaping the rewards of being able to address consumers concerns in a fast, secure, scalable manner. Sparkcentrals premier blend of traditional social channels with more modern messaging apps, in-web/in-app live messaging as well as SMS not only increases customer satisfaction (CSAT) but also cuts company costs by 30 percent. Sparkcentrals upcoming webinar is aimed at forward-thinking businesspeople who want to stay on top of the everchanging customer experience technology landscape and learn in particular how to take their social customer service to the next level. Register today at https://info.sparkcentral.com/social-customer-service-webinar-sparkcentral-and-aberdeen. About Sparkcentral Based in San Francisco, California, Sparkcentral is a messaging customer service platform company with a mission to change the way customer service is delivered around the world. Ninety-seven percent of Americans send a message at least once a day according to Pew Research, yet very few of those messages go to businesses. Sparkcentral aims to change that. The company wants to spark a movement to connect businesses with customers through messaging, whether through social media or private messaging channels such as WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS text, live chat, or any other digital messaging means. Leading brands around the world rely on Sparkcentrals Messaging Customer Service platform, including Netflix, Slack, Jetblue, Nordstrom and Discover. Learn more at http://www.sparkcentral.com. Media Contact: Jennifer Rodriguez Firecracker PR (800) 317-4687, ext. 703 jennifer@firecrackerpr.com ZayZoon partners with INFINITI HR to transform the way employees get paid. Through a National Alliance Program with INFINITI HR, The Professional Employer Organization for Franchises, more than 50,000 employees will soon have the opportunity to access their wages when they want. This offering will help INFINITI HR extend services to their clients, giving their worksite employees a benefit that helps reduce financial stress, increase productivity, and reduce turnover. We couldnt be more excited about our National Alliance Program with INFINITI HR. INFINITI HR is the recognized leading change agent in the PEO industry. Many of the most respected franchise brands throughout the world choose INFINITI HR as their Professional Employer Organization, and INFINITI HR has now recognized the need to bring ZayZoon to their constituents, says ZayZoon CEO Darcy Tuer. This National Alliance Program allows ZayZoon to deliver wages in real time and on-demand, at zero cost to the employer. I want to thank INFINITI HR Senior Vice President Daniel Mormino for his leadership and for making this National Alliance Program with The Professional Employer Organization for Franchises a reality. Many of the most recognized franchise brands will now have access to ZayZoon because of INFINITI HR. Mormino announced the National Alliance Program with ZayZoon from his Franchise Division Headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. INFINITI HR is proud to lead by design, inspire innovation and generate change through world-class strategic partnerships for our PEO clients. Our franchisor and franchisee clients are recognized employers of choice in their respective markets. Accordingly, INFINITI HR is committed to socially responsible services to support the attraction and retention of top talent for their competitive advantage. With approximately 88% of franchise employees living paycheck-to-paycheck, ZayZoons on-demand access to wages gives employees control over their paycheck, reduces financial stress and prevents the debt spiral caused by predatory lenders, Mormino said. Our PEO clients will now have a payroll-integrated service through ZayZoon, helping worksite employees avoid the stress associated with unforeseen expenses. Worksite employees represented by INFINITI HR will have no forms to complete with no credit checks required. We thank ZayZoon CEO Darcy Tuer for inspiring such innovation to serve the diversity and dynamism of our cohort. About INFINITI HR INFINITI HR is a Master Aggregator; The Professional Employer Organization for Franchises. INFINITI HR mitigates employer risk and liability while providing superior economies of scale and purchasing power for franchisors and franchisees of any size. The PEO provides full Regulatory Compliance Management, State-Specific HR Management, Real-Time Payroll /Tax Filing, POS Integration, Timeclock Integration and access into industry leading True-Group Master Policy Insurance for Workers Compensation, Employment Practices Liability Insurance and Fortune 500 Level Employee Benefits available in all 50 states. As a Certified Professional Employer Organization by the IRS, INFINITI HR is proud to be The Professional Employer Organization for many of the most recognized franchise brands throughout the country and the first in the industry to scale a PEO model specifically for franchises. About ZayZoon ZayZoon is a socially responsible financial technology company that was created to end predatory lending. ZayZoon partners and integrates with payroll companies in Canada and the US to provide employees with access to their wages on-demand. Since the majority of American workers live paycheck-to-paycheck, many employees can be forced into difficult situations between banks that earn more than $30B in overdraft fees and predatory lenders that can charge upwards of 600% interest. ZayZoons on-demand access to wages gives employees control over their paycheck, reduces financial stress and prevents the debt spiral caused by predatory products. Click here for the latest press releases and up-to-date news on Professional Employer Organizations. To learn more about how your company can save time, money and mitigate employer liability, call INFINITI HR at 866-552-7360 or email info@infinitihr.com. ece-auto-gen ece-auto-gen There was a brief stand-off between the students and the armed police personnel on campus. The ensuing chaos has led to the cancellation of the exams and a temporary closure of the school. The students are blaming the new rector of the Institute, Professor Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, for the chaos. ece-auto-gen According to them, former rector, Dr. Wilberforce Sefakor Dzisah, allowed students who have paid 60 percent of their fees to write their exams but their new rector is having none of that. "Every student of Campus GIJ has the right to sit for examinations...Per the rules and information from the office of the SRC President, Emmanuel Kumah," a student of the Institute, Linus Siaw Nartey wrote on Facebook. ece-auto-gen He continued: "Every student with 60% payment of his or her fees is eligible to sit for semester examinations.But as it stand now, some weekend students from yesterday have been denied entry to the exam halls to take part in the exams with the Head of Academics citing numerous reasons which are just not resonable.Have been at GIJ for three months now but the treatment given to we the weekend students is just below the belt...Exams in the next 10 mins have been called off..." 121 years after several priceless artworks were stolen by British soldiers from Benin, the capital of Edo state in Nigeria, West Africa in 1897, CNN reports that they are finally coming home. This is as a result of a deal struck in October 2018 by the Benin Dialogue Group (BDG). Thanks to this agreement, "some of the most iconic pieces" including 3, 0006, 000 bronze pieces are headed back to its rightful place. ece-auto-gen However, this deal comes with strings attached. In order for this historic collection to be returned, a new standard Museum has to be built to house these highly delicate Benin works of art. This new Benin Royal Museum in Edo State will be adjacent to the Royal Palace that once housed many of the bronzes. Unlike the French President, Emmanuel Macron who has agreed to return 26 cultural artefacts to Benin "without delay", the British Museum in London, as well as a consortium of European museums, are only 'loaning' these pieces on a temporary basis. ALSO READ: Britain should unconditionally return all stolen artifacts to Nigeria Sharing details of the deal, a spokesman for the British Museum said, "The key agenda item (at the October meeting) was how partners can work together to establish a museum in Benin City with a rotation of Benin works of art from a consortium of European museums. "The museums in attendance have all agreed to lend artefacts to the Benin Royal Museum on a rotating basis, to provide advice as requested on building and exhibition design, and to cooperate with the Nigerian partners in developing training, funding, and a legal framework for the display in a new planned museum." In spite of these conditions, this agreement remains a win for the BDG, formed in 2007 to ensure the return of these pieces, which are considered come of the greatest African artworks ever made. The group comprises of representatives of several European museums, the Royal Court of Benin, Edo State Government, and Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments. It is hoped that this will be the first of many steps towards the permanent restitution of the bronzes. "We are grateful these steps are being taken but we hope they are only the first steps," Crusoe Osagie, spokesman for the Governor of Edo, told CNN. "If you have stolen property, you have to give it back." The tech startups are, Accounteer - providers of online accounting services for SMEs across Africa, KoloPay - a cashless target savings mobile and web application. Others are Tradebuza - an online platform for managing and brokering commodities sourcing and outgrower scheme and PowerCube - providers of an affordable power supply using renewable energy. ece-auto-gen They were chosen from over 200 applications from across Africa. Held at Itannas Enterprise Factory, Demo Day saw the pilot Cohort pitch to Honeywell Groups extensive network of high net-worth investors, as they, the cohorts, vied to secure investment, corporate backing and strategic partnerships, for their companies. Each of the startup will receive up to $25,000 in investment from Honeywell Group, in addition to training and mentorship from leading industry experts in the form of UI/UX Sessions, legal and HR workshops, classes on technology, business and marketing, reviews of revenue/pricing model and operational metrics, mentorship sessions and guest lectures from some of Nigerias most renowned entrepreneurs and business icons. Obafemi Otudeko, Honeywell Groups Executive Director, says, Our vision for Itanna was to see an accelerator that merged the best of corporate and entrepreneurial spirit in order to fulfil our mission of using enterprise to make our world better. Itanna has exceeded our expectations as we look to cement our position as a facilitator and impactor of growth in key sectors, including tech within Nigeria and across Africa. ece-auto-gen With plans underway for a second cohort intake in 2019, Itanna will also invest in more developed tech startups looking for growth capital with its direct investment arm, which will support investee companies in scaling, by leveraging Honeywell Groups extensive network and industry expertise. Tomi Otudeko, Head of Sustainability at Honeywell Group and Director of Itanna says, Itanna is uniquely placed, as our goal continues to be bridging the gap between our tech startup ecosystem and corporate Nigeria. Over the last four months, the entire team at Itanna, along with our strategic partners and the Honeywell Group, have committed to creating a professional environment where businesses can learn from experts in their field and build innovative and dynamic businesses of the future. ece-auto-gen Tony Idugboe, Vice President, Head of Investments at Itanna concludes, Our Cohort have shown true enthusiasm and entrepreneurism - which investors search for. In preparing to secure investment, they have learned to plan, be patient and show flexibility and of course, showcase phenomenal pitching skills, Demo Day has given them the confidence to embark on the next stage of their entrepreneurial journey. We wish them all the very best. The Demo Day also hosted a panel of leading players in the Nigerian tech and business ecosystems, who discussed the role of corporate Nigeria in achieving win-win collaborations with tech startups. Panellists included Deji Oguntonade, Head Fintech & Innovation, Guaranty Trust Bank, Lola Ekugo, Head Digital Innovation Lab, First Bank, Obi Emetatom, Managing Director, Appzone and Seun Faluyi, Managing Director, Uraga Power Solutions ece-auto-gen Omole the Federal Government is owing lecturers seven years of unpaid earned academic allowances and still want them to continue working for free while the Presidency and the National Assembly feed fat on the wealth of the nation. The ASUU Chairman said this in a memo while reacting to the Federal Government's directive to the Vice Chancellors. ece-auto-gen Recall that on Saturday, December 1, 2018, Pulse reported that the government directed vice-chancellors to enforce no-work-no-pay rule on the striking lecturers. According to Premium Times, the directive to implement the no work, no pay policy was sent to the universities in a memo sent by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to university vice-chancellors. The memo reads, In view of the current Industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the federal government has directed that there shall be no payment of any form of salaries and allowances to the staff on strike in federal and inter-varsity centers. Consequently, I am to direct Vice-Chancellors to apply the No-work-no-pay rule. However, Universities and inter-varsity centers are to pay salaries and allowances to Non-teaching staff. All Vice Chancellors and Directors of centers should note that the salaries to staff on strike from whatever source of funds shall be viewed as a violation of extant rules and directive of the federal government of Nigeria. The students in the statement they released on Saturday, December 1, 2018, said the government's threat is the "highest form of insensitivity and irresponsibility". The students also accused the Federal Government of ''destroying public tertiary education in Nigeria". The statement read: The attention of the Alliance has been drawn to the threat of 'No Work, No Pay' by the FGN to the striking lecturers, ASUU. We regard this 'empty threat' as the highest form of insensitivity and irresponsibility of the Buhari-led APC Government. This, to us, poses a bad indication that the FGN is seriously ready to destroy the public tertiary institutions. It is so bad a government is dealing with intellectuals in this draconian manner. The use of all manners of violent approach to engage teachers who have been dedicated to their jobs and patriotic enough to call the attention of the government to the rotten state of the public tertiary institutions is uncivilized and absurd, to say the least. This action of the government we find very insulting to our lecturers who have displayed more patriotism than both Buhari and all anti-people political office holders joined together. We vehemently condemn this 'BOKO-HARAMIC' approach of the government of the day to murder the intellectual capacity of our dear nation and expose us to more economic and political tsunami, instead of working to make up this sector where it has massively failed. It is important to know that education is the only way a serious-minded government can build its intellectual property viz-a-viz the economy. That is the reason UNESCO sounds that Nigeria and other developing countries earmark at least 26% budgetary allocation to the education sector. Importantly, we also enjoin the ASUU, COEASU, and ASUP to immediately begin to unite these struggles, form a united front just like the Joint Health Staff Union (JOHESU) with the students' movement and declare a National Day of Mass Actions to ensure that we unitedly and collectively save the public education from these attacks of neo-liberalism. We hereby reiterate our position that the Federal Government of Nigeria immediately and unconditionally honour the agreements with ASUU, COEASU and other striking Unions for their demands are our demands. We are fully in solidarity with the striking lecturers until the FGN meet the demands of ASUU and Nigerian students. We call on the mass of students to join the mass action called by ANSA on Monday in Abeokuta to force the government to act. For those in the Chicago area, light fog and a round of showers are expected between 9 p.m. and midnight Sunday as the systems effect moves into the Chicago area, bringing a round of showers and some thunderstorms, Kluber said. The boat, conveying about 22 people mostly children, capsized while crossing the river. A source said that while two of the passengers were rescued, the 19 others drowned and died. According to him, all effort to rescue other passengers proved abortive. As at yesterday evening, four corpses have been recovered from the river. Effort would resume this morning again to ensure that others also are found. Both men of the Nigeria Police and the State Fire Service were there yesterday in the rescue mission. Unfortunately only two of them survived, the source told NAN on Sunday. Meanwhile, Alhaji Sulyman Aliyu, the Secretary of the Lafiagi Traditional Council, has confirmed the incident. Aliyu told NAN that the number of the victims could not be ascertained yet, noting that there was a conflict in the number. Definitely they are up to 12. The figure is between 12 and that 19 that you said he said. The secretary also confirmed that four corpses were recovered on Saturday and that efforts to remove others would continue on Sunday. The Public Relations Officer of the Kwara Police Command, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, also confirmed the incident. He told NAN that the officers of the force and other security agencies had joined the local government council to recover the corpses. The incident occurs on Sunday, December 2, 2018, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). ece-auto-gen State police commissioner Mr Hafiz Inuwa briefs journalists in a report by NAN. Some of these armed robbers are giving us problems in Calabar municipality. "These set of robbers were caught up in a gun battle with the police shortly after they robbed a filling station in Atu area of Calabar South. "They had a shoot-out with the police and our men were able to gun down five of them. These were the same gang that we already have their profile. "We have been on the watch out for them because they were the same people who snatched two AK47 rifles from our men. "This is a pointer to the fact that the police and other security agencies will not rest until the state is free from all forms if criminalities." ALSO READ: Mother of 3 indulges in robbery to survive after husband abandons her Anticipating an election year, Inuwa advises parents to pay close attention to their kids. A statement by the force spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood on Sunday in Abuja, said the deployment was consistent with Section 4 of the Police Act and Regulations which specifies the general duties of the Nigeria Police Force. The spokesman said the deployment was also to support the strength of the Military to defeat Boko Haram Insurgency in the North East. He said that the force also has 1,134 of PMF personnel in Adamawa in addition to PMF squadron in the state. Moshood said that the Counter Terrorism Units (CTUs) of the force had deployed over 1,250 specially trained personnel and police Anti-Bomb Squad with 300 personnel in the North East. The Police Air-wing Surveillance Helicopters and crews are also deployed to support most of the operations of Operation Lafiya Dole throughout the North East. The Nigeria police force is fully committed to the fight against insurgency and will do all it takes in collaboration with the Military to bring a quick end to Boko Haram insurgency and crisis in the North East,he said. Buhari is in Poland to attend the climate change conference scheduled to hold from December 2 to December 4, 2018. The President, in a post on Twitter via the handle: @MBuhari said "One of the questions that came up today in my meeting with Nigerians in Poland was on the issue of whether Ive been cloned or not. The ignorant rumours are not surprising when I was away on medical vacation last year a lot of people hoped I was dead. "Poor , even he had to deal with the rumours Some people reached out to him to consider them to be his Vice President because they assumed I was dead. That embarrassed him a lot; we discussed it when he visited me while I was convalescing. "I can assure you all that this is the real me. Later this month I will celebrate my 76th birthday. And Im still going strong!" How it started According to reports, the Buhari clone story started when he returned from one of his periodic medical trips to London. Nnamdi Kanu, the exiled leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) told his followers that the President had died in London. The IPOB leader also claimed that a body double known as Jubril from Sudan was hired and trained by Buhari's handlers to take his place. Social media proof The story has since spread on social media with many Nigerians sharing different angles and presenting their proof to back the claim. A former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode even lent credence to the body double claim in a post which he made on Twitter. He said The true identity of the man in the Villa that claims to be Buhari will only be made known after he is defeated and steps down from power. When that happens Nigerians will be shocked to the marrow. In 2015 I warned about his fake certificate. Today I warn about his fake identity. FG reacts The various insinuations prompted the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed to address the issue. The minister dismissed the rumour describing it as an idiotic theory that does not deserve a response from government. He said "It is idiotic to say the President is cloned. I don't see any serious government responding to that. So, the same Jubril that was cloned from Sudan or Chad is in Chad now? Isn't that stupid? "They even said he is from Chad. Yet, the same President is in Chad as we speak. The same Jubril is remembering what the President did while in Petroleum Trust Fund and he is also remembering what he did when he was head of state between 1983 and 1985. "All the ministers do not know who is before them when they attend the Federal Executive Council meeting? The President remembers memos he had seen or heard about in 1985 and we say he is cloned. "So, Jubril from Chad or Sudan will now remember all of these? It is too silly for the government to respond to this. It must be ignored." Ajimobi described late Fasehun as a Yoruba irredentist who lived and died for the collective interest of the race. The governor said he received the news of the late founder of OPC and elder statesmans demise with utter disbelief. He said the incident was unfortunate and disheartening, adding that it has created a vacuum very difficult to fill within the Yoruba nation. Dr Fasehuns exit is indeed a monumental loss; not only to the Yoruba nation but to the country as a whole. He was a bridge builder and patriot who dedicated his entire life to the unity of Nigeria. No doubt, his exit has created a vacuum which will be very difficult to fill. He lived and breathed his last for the unity of the Yoruba race and the promotion of an egalitarian society. As the Founder of OPC, the late elder statesman rallied his fellow compatriots for the emancipation of the Yoruba nation and ensured that the race was given its pride of place in the political matrix of the country. Papa Fasehun was fearless and irrepressible. Even at the most difficult period in the history of this country, he remained committed to a united and indivisible Nigeria as well as the enthronement of democracy, he said. Ajimobi said that Fasehun was for several years an active member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), an organisation established in 1994 to lead a mass resistance against military rule. The governor said that Fasehun alongside other NADECO patriots fought for the inauguration of Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, as the President of Nigeria. He commiserated with family, friends, associates, members of OPC, the Yoruba race and the entire nation on the demise of Fasehun. Ajimobi however said that the late elder statesman should be celebrated and not mourned for living a fulfilled life. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fasehun died after a brief illness at the Intensive Care Unit of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, in the early hours of Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. He was aged 83, having been born in 1935 in Ondo city, South West Nigeria. Until his demise, the deceased was a medical doctor, hotel owner and leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress. He said the amount was being lost to foreign ships. We need to have national carrier because of the profound economic impact it will have on our economy. We have lost so much in terms of earnings of freight to foreign shipping companies. Nigerians dont operate any ship at all that is on the part of the dry cargo. On the wet cargo, Nigerians dont lift the crude and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi thought that this imbalance is very dangerous to the economy. So he set up a committee with the Nigeria Shippers Council as chairman to lead the private sector and we started working with PIL which is a Singaporean shipping company. We signed an MOU with it about three years back but the operating atmosphere of shipping in Nigeria is murky and not profitable because there are many obstacles which include lack of incentives. There are also lack of government infrastructure and government support. Fourthly, unwillingness or inability of Nigerias private sector to support this very important enterprise is another issue, Bello said. Bello said that the committee for the national fleet implementation had to go back to look at it closely. We have now retraced our steps. The national fleet is such an important venture that it has to be painstakingly done. We are talking about one or two-year project, he said. He added that what we have done was because the government is very serious about the economy, we were able to approach and get the audience of the Vice-President and we addressed the Economic Management Team on the vision. This project, if we get it right, it means much more earnings for freight. Each year, we lose 9.1billion dollars in freight to foreign ships. Between 2004 and 2017, Nigeria recorded total vessel traffic of 25,256 vessels with the total gross freight of $39 billion and earning a paltry sum of $1 billion as levy for NIMASA. It means greater revenue for the government, employment for our people. It means setting up of associated industries, ship building, ship repairs, involvement of our financial institutions like banks and insurance, even the pride of having ships flying the Nigerian flags. He said there were lots of reforms to be made and they include the flag administration and the ship registry of Nigeria. Both had to be reformed in line with international standard so that we could attract people to come and register ships in Nigeria. We need a vessel repairs and vessel building so that we dont tow our ships to Singapore or Ghana for repairs. That will be a drain on the business. We need a reform of our nautical colleges, MAN Oron especially, so that they would produce the best of cadets so that cadets produced would have sea time experience, using Nigerian ships. If we have investments and we are able to establish the fleet, that means NIMASA will accord that fleet the status of national carrier. Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, while congratulating the Falcons who in Ghana yesterday defeated the Banyana, Banyana of South Africa, described the team as the real Champions of Africa. He noted that even when the team lost their first game in the competition, many Nigerians remained solidly behind them because they knew that like the true Nigerian team they will always come out victorious after what appeared to be the initial set-back. The Senate President who was highly elated by the 9th continental victory said: Champions of Africa! Congratulations to our Super Falcons who have made the nation proud again. Congratulations on your well-deserved victory! ALSO READ: Super Falcons players celebrate AWCON 2018 title The President of the Senate also lauded the Coach, technical crew, and the players for their sense of purpose, team spirit and determination that saw them emerge African champions once more at the 11th African Women Cup of Nation (AWCON) in Ghana. According to Punch, the source, a Major-General, said that the senior officers no longer accept new ideas. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. (Abayomi) Olonishakin, has no control over the service chiefs. He summons meetings and the service chiefs dont come. The indiscipline has reached a level that the service chiefs now bypass the CDS and the Minister of Defence and write letters directly to the President. The service chiefs even attended Mr Presidents campaign launch recently. This is not the military I (have) spent 33 years serving. You dont break the chain of command. On several occasions during our security meetings, if you bring up an alternative view, you become an easy target for those in power. These service chiefs have stayed for too long and are now bereft of new ideas. From the order we were given, Boko Haram is not supposed to occupy an inch of Nigerias territory. The strategy they decided to use was to spread our men thinly across the border so that we can boast that no territory is under Boko Haram. What we should have done is to allow Boko Haram have a particular territory which we can identify and then we would unite our men on one front and form a wall. We would then attack the insurgents head on. Our men are just being killed because they are thinly spread, the source added. Fears of mutiny Punch also reports that a fears that the soldiers in the trenches might revolt anytime soon because of the inability of the military authorities to provide them with quality weapons. Another officer who spoke to the daily said I can tell you without mincing words that many of us, officers, are afraid because the soldiers can revolt anytime from now. You will recall that some soldiers of the 21 Brigade in Sambisa Forest last year went on the rampage, revolting against their superiors. Such rebellion only happens when the officers lose the trust of their men. The soldiers have been complaining about lack of weapons and welfare but their demands are being ignored. Always remember that whenever there is an attack, if 40 soldiers are killed, only two officers will be affected. This is because the soldiers are the ones at the battlefront. If they feel they are being led to their death, they will rather revolt and save themselves rather than die. As it is, we are fearful of what may happen. We dont want a Bangladeshi Rifle Revolt in Nigeria like it happened in 2009 in Bangladesh where soldiers killed 57 officers. AFRICOM arrangement Another source also revealed that the United States Africa Command had not been giving Nigeria the much needed Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. In the past, AFRICOM would provide us with intelligence and then the Nigerian Air Force would bomb terrorists strongholds. However, this arrangement seems not to be working anymore. What AFRICOM has been doing is to boost security in Niger Republic in order to prevent terrorists from getting their hands on uranium. It may seem they do not trust Nigeria with intelligence anymore, the source added. Over 100 soldiers were killed when members of the Boko haram sect attacked a military base in Metele, Borno state on Monday, November 19, 2018. Some soldiers who survived the deadly attack to probe the quality of weapons procured by the military authorities. In a video he shared on his official Facebook account on Saturday, December 1, 2018, the Sahara Reporters founder narrated how he came to the rescue of the five men while returning from the Redemption Camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God locatedon the outskirts of Lagos. According to his version of events, the soldiers had made all five men lie by the side of the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after they were stopped for driving 'too close' to their military vehicle. Sowore approached the soldiers and demanded that the civilians be treated with dignity and not abuse and public humiliation. He further noted that the soldiers had no jurisdiction to carry out arrests in such situations. He said, "On my way from Redemption Camp today, I ran into a detachment of soldiers subjecting some Nigerians to abuse and public humiliation on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, I alighted and approached the soldiers to ask why, they explained that the men were driving "too close" to their vehicle and they had suspicion that they could be 'dangerous'. "As an activist, I am familiar with this tactic by soldiers, so, I told them it was not their duty to carry out arrests and that if they considered them suspects it was the job of the police to investigate and prosecute them." In the video attached to the Facebook post, at least three soldiers of the Nigerian Army were captured on camera. According to the plain-clothed officer who directly addressed Sowore, he said the men, described as 'these idiots', were charging behind their vehicle and refused to heed an initial warning. ece-auto-gen He further accused the men of looking suspicious before one of the uniformed soldiers said the accused men also initially refused to open their car boot to be searched. The plain-clothed officer added that the military vehicle was on its way to 'pick a big man' when the incident happened. The accused men were later released after what Sowore described as a tense series of exchanges. "As usual, the situation became tense but after a series of exchanges including a demand that we delete the video - which I resisted - the civilians were released," he posted. The presidential candidate further described the event as a vindication of his campaign promise to decrease military presence in civilian populations to avoid unnecessary abuse. He said, "This confirms our position in running for office of the commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to decrease military presence on civilian territory so that our soldiers can concentrate on defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria rather than descending on civilians over every flimsy excuse on matters that should be the duty of the Police." The candidate has repeatedly complained about the rot in the Nigerian Army and campaigned against its well-documented history of human rights abuse going back decades. One of his campaign promises is to sack all of the nation's generals in the Nigerian Army if elected President at next year's polls. During an interview in September, he said the generals are responsible for the country's prolonged war against terrorism, alleging that they don't want it to end. He said, "With regards to security, there needs to be an overhaul of our security system. I'm going in there firing every damn general in the Army who's involved in fighting terrorism in this country. They're thieves and I know them." ALSO READ: Sowore raises N73m in campaign donations 2019 presidential election The 2019 presidential election, scheduled for February 16, 2019, is billed to be closely-fought between President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Alongside Sowore in the chasing pack is Donald Duke of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), and Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN). Others are Tope Fasua of the Abundance Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), Eunice Atuejide of the National Interest Party (NIP), Adesina Fagbenro-Byron of the Kowa Party (KP), Chike Ukaegbu of the Advanced Allied Party (AAP), Hamza Al-Mustapha of the People's Party of Nigeria (PPN), Obadiah Mailafia of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and many more. "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, it's 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, we'd have respect around the world." She added that uninterrupted power supply would be witnessed in the country. She said, "From 1999 till date, all the projections made by successive governments to grow the supply of electricity to Nigerians, to either 6,000MW, 10,000MW or 20,000MW, have not been met. The Nigerian citizens desire and willingness to pay an appropriate price of electricity consumed is seen in the great demand for generators of all shapes and sizes, and how much they pay to operate and service these machines. "The low power availability from the National Grid has meant that corporate entities have to divert large amount of funds from their core productive areas of focus to this critical area of reliable power supply. The price of this is paid in not being competitive and great loss of production capacities, which further impoverishes the populace. "Our vision is to provide sustainable, affordable and uninterrupted electricity supply to all Nigerian towns and villages, starting with Nigerian cities. Our vision is to ensure that the Nigerian electricity supply industry becomes fully functional, vibrant and employs hundreds of thousands of young Nigerians, in both the on-grid and off-grid segments. The ACPN presidential candidate also said, "Our immediate goal is to provide the following Nigerian towns, cutting across the following six geo-political zones of Nigeria: Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Birnin Kebbi, Aba, Minna, Gombe, Lokoja, Gusau, Jos, Yola, Abuja, Ilorin, Benin, Owerri and Ijebu-Ode with 24-hours, 365 days-a-year electricity within the first four years of our administration. The other cities to benefit from this are Calabar, Katsina, Benin, Warri, Ibadan, Ado-Ekiti, Maiduguri, Yenegoa, Damaturu, Osogbo, Bauchi, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Sokoto, Akure, Makurdi, Dutse, Abakaliki, Uyo, Jalingo and Onitsha. The rural areas proximate to the towns will also enjoy the services. The presidential candidate explained that stable electricity would aid business growth in Nigeria. She noted that challenges causing under-performance would be addressed when she emerges president. This electricity will be aimed at facilitating and growing business, commercial and industrial activities, in a drive to create jobs and increase productivity. Nigerias per capita electricity consumption is among the lowest in the world and far lower than many other African countries. "The plan that will be executed for the power sector recognises that the Nigerian power sector is in transition from a government to a private-sector owned and operated industry; therefore, facing challenges, which include, political interference, lack of elective leadership, financial issues, distribution issues, transmission issues, gas supply issues, and Ezekwesili said. She added, "These issues account for the consistent underperformance witnessed in the last 58 years and will need to be seriously tackled if the potential of the Nigerian power sector is to be realised. To get electricity right, thus rapidly improve electricity performance and delivery gap to Nigerians, this plan outlines the change in approach that the administration will adopt." The Anambra Coordinator of GOGAN, Mr Johnbosco Onunkwo, gave the assurance shortly after the group staged a 5,000-man rally and launched Buhari Unity Band in Awka on Sunday, to support Buharis re-election. Onunkwo said the president had in the past three and half years laid foundation for the growth of the economy, infrastructure as well as fight against corruption and insurgency. The president has done well for the South East and Nigerians as evident in the many infrastructure projects executed. He started on a rough ground when he came in because those things he anticipated should be in place were not but within three and half years, he laid a foundation for the economy, infrastructure and fight against corruption and insurgency. We are now in the next level of cruising where Nigerians will start enjoying the dividends of democracy from the foundation laid, he said. According to him, almost all the federal roads in the country have been attended to. You can also attest to the Second Niger Bridge, the School Feeding programme as well as blocking of all revenue leakages. Nigerias economy ranks top in Africa. When the president took over a country that was sick, he took us to an intensive care unit in a hospital. We are now almost being discharged for us to move to the next level to reap from the solid foundation put in place by the president. We are begging that what Nigerians have seen is just the foundation and that we are going to the next level to experience physical quantum dividend of democracy in terms of security, economy, education and others, Onunkwo noted. He explained that the launch and rally were aimed at preaching peace and unity and to let the people know that Buhari had laid a solid foundation for Nigerias next level of development. Nwanti made this known in a statement issued to newsmen by his media aide, Emeh ThankGod. Daily Post reports that the presidential candidate said he dumped his ambition to support President Buhari because of his fight against corruption. I withdraw from contesting for the presidential race on the platform of Labour party and back to All Progressives Congress APC. I am back to APC to support President Buhari for his second term bid because he needs our support to get things aright once again. I will help All Progressives Congress and the Buhari-led administration fight corruption and as the only detective who is contesting in 2019, it may split the support of President Muhammadu Buhari, he said. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),over 70 candidateswill be contesting to be President of Nigeria in 2019. The are: President Buhari of the All Progressives' Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), 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). ALSO READ: Economist Magazine says Buhari will lose 2019 election The occupation may be on its way out in much of the West, but in Poland's Silesian coal country it is thriving thanks to high wages and support from a government that refuses to decarbonise the economy. In Brussels, Berlin and Paris, coal is the enemy. It produces the carbon dioxide blamed for the planet's rising temperatures. In Poland however, coal is a way of life, with no signs of changing. "Here in Silesia, it's a tradition," says Wojcik, 36, after working a night shift 650 metres (2,100 feet) underground. AFP The Knurow mine is operational day and night, with the schedule divided into four shifts. But one thing is constant: the risk. "Of course we get scared. Accidents happen, it's part of the job," Radoslaw Ruminski says, after exiting a mine lift. "But we don't think about it every day when we go underground," the 37-year-old tells AFP. So far this year, 21 miners have died on the job in Poland. Last year, there were 15 deaths, while in 2014 -- a particularly grim year -- 30 miners lost their lives. To offset the danger, there is money. "Above all, it's the salary that motivated me because it is higher than in other sectors," says miner Kamil Ganko. The 33-year-old machine operator refused to reveal how much he makes, but coal miners can earn up to 1,600 euros ($1,800) in take-home pay per month. That is about double the average Polish wage of 813 euros net. 'No other jobs' Miners are also entitled to various perks left over from the communist era, including two extra months of salary each year: one in December on the feast day of Saint Barbara, who is the patron saint of miners, and another in February. Each miner also gets to take home eight tonnes of coal every year -- a considerable bonus in a region where many households depend on the fossil fuel for heat. A final benefit is the right to an early retirement after 25 years of toiling away underground. AFP But for some, even that is too late. "My husband died just eight months before he was supposed to retire," says Agata Kowalczyk, who runs the Association of Widows and Orphans of Miners. "The mine manager and a psychologist paid me a visit to deliver the bad news," she tells AFP. Despite her husband's death, their sons have not turned their backs on the work. "Two of my four sons continue to work at the mine. The eldest works down below. He's the foreman and likes the night shift", when the pay is higher, she says. "There are no other jobs here. No other big employers. What would the thousands of miners do? For now there's no alternative in Silesia," she adds. Coal sponsors climate talks Knurow is one of four mines belonging to the state-owned JSW company, which is the EU's largest producer of high-quality coking coal -- a resource destined for the steel industry. Listed on the stock exchange, JSW has around 27,000 employees, making it one of the biggest employers in Poland. AFP The company currently has its eye on two more ore deposits to increase the production of coal, most of which is exported to other European markets. JSW is also one of the main sponsors of the UN's COP 24 global climate summit, which opens this weekend in the Polish coal city of Katowice. Though many mines have been shuttered over the years and continue to close, "the sector could use at least 15,000 more workers," says Kazimierz Grajcarek, who was once responsible for miners at the Solidarity trade union. "It's undergoing a revival," he tells AFP, saying that the sector is attracting many workers from Ukraine as well as a handful from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and even Spain. "The EU wants Poland to close its mines. But what then? In Poland we have no wind or sun," he says, refuting the progress, admittedly small but real, in wind and solar power. "So what will all these people do? Where will they work? Each miner generates four jobs in the service sector." Politics and mining Poland is now building a big, new coal-fired power station and consumes more than it produces. The difference is made up by imports, including from Russia, which provided Poland with nine million tonnes of coal last year. The arrangement makes for a delicate situation for a government that wishes at the same time to break its dependence on Russian gas. December 4 marks Saint Barbara's Day, but the festivities begin two weeks ahead. The miners celebrate with great fanfare, donning costumes, feathered caps and medals. Deputy Energy Minister Grzegorz Tobiszowski even wore the outfit at a mining event earlier this month. jpegMpeg4-1280x720No party or government in Poland can ignore miners, who as a group carry considerable political clout. "Mining is more than a job," says Dariusz Radon, a 48-year-old miner and mine rescuer. "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 under a cloud, having drawn outrage from Europe over last week's incident in which his navy detained three Ukrainian ships and 24 sailors -- causing Trump to abruptly cancel their scheduled meeting. Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko kept up the pressure from Kiev, saying Putin had refused to take his calls since the crisis started. He said that when the incident happened, he instructed his office to set up a call with the Kremlin leader to say "we are ready for this negotiation to de-escalate... and unfortunately, until now, Putin did not answer my request for a direct phone conversation." Poroshenko told France 24 in an interview that Ukraine would try to resolve the standoff diplomatically but insisted Russian forces withdraw from Crimea, and return its ships and sailors "captured illegally in the neutral waters of the Black Sea." AFP German Chancellor Angela Merkel took Putin to task at length over the naval spat, a day after French President Emmanuel Macron urged him 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. AFP "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. 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'- 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. AFP According to a French aide, 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. 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. The reports which were published in The Star also alleged a raft of recommendations including reducing the devolved units to 14 regional governments and the devolution of IEBC with the commission adopting full electronic voting. Amb Martin Kimani has come dismissing the claims and clarified that the document quoted by The Star did not originate from the handshake team. He cautioned Kenyans to beware of fake news and invited Kenyans to submit solutions to the elusive quest for national unity that is part of the handshake team. DP Ruto on constitutional amendment and Prime Minister The position of Prime Minister was abolished in the 2010 constitution but has once again emerged as a serious issue with reports that the ongoing push for a referendum led by NASA leader Raila Odinga could see the position reintroduced. A faction of Jubilee leaders, led by DP Ruto have declared that they would oppose the push for constitutional amendments if its aim is to create political for Raila Odinga. ece-auto-gen The publication alleged that the team has tabled a proposal for the creation of 14 regional governments as per the Bomas Draft. Handshake team The team was put in place by President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA leader Raila Odinga after the March 09 handshake to steer efforts to heal and unite the country after last years hotly contested elections that left the country deeply divided. The 14 member team has identified nine key issues to be addressed to end tribalism, corruption, impunity and electoral fraud. ece-auto-gen They include lack of national ethos, ethnic antagonism and competition, inclusivity, corruption and devolution. , We're sorry, this article is not currently available "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 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." As the signs come down and the stickers are peeled off, election season is drawing to a close. With local representatives and governors race Volunteers stand by the pile of trash they collected around the Old Will Hunter Road site on Saturday, October 20, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. Rivers Alive is an annual water and environmental volunteer cleanup event that has been happening in Athens for 20 years. (Photo/Sidhartha C. Wakade, wakade98@gmail.com) In 2022, India will also celebrate 75th anniversary of its Independence. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends BRICS Leaders' informal meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photograph: Press Information Bureau 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. 'Faith, and the notion that it has been 'outraged', is used to justify the most outrageous, illiberal and regressive acts,' notes Shuma Raha. Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com There were widespread protests in Pakistan after the country's supreme court overturned the conviction of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was facing the death sentence for her allegedly blasphemous remarks against Islam. Furious at being done out of her execution -- Asia Bibi had been on death row since 2010 -- hardline religious groups have pronounced death threats on her and also on the judges who exonerated her. The threats are chillingly real. Two political leaders, including the then governor of Punjab, were assassinated in 2011 because they had dared to plead her cause. The awfulness of the reaction to Asia Bibi's release ought not to surprise anyone on this side of the border. It's part of the same boneheaded bigotry that has led to the mass protests in the wake of the Supreme Court's verdict allowing the entry of women of all ages into Kerala's Sabarimala temple. Faith, and the notion that it has been 'outraged', is used to justify the most outrageous, illiberal and regressive acts. Who said medievalism was the preserve of the Taliban, IS and suchlike? In the subcontinent, it cohabits merrily with protestations of progress. To be sure, India does not have a blasphemy law that is as draconian as the one in Pakistan. But it makes up for it with other laws that can be weaponised if a person or group decides that their religious sentiments have been hurt. No matter how trivial or risible the allegation of 'hurt sentiments', the law becomes a potent instrument in the hands of those who want to go after the so-called offender. IMAGE: Abhijit Iyer-Mitra was arrested under Section 295A for his comments on the Konark temple. Photograph: Kind courtesy Abhijit Iyer-Mitra/Twitter Witness the sinister theatre of the absurd that is playing out in Odisha over the comments of defence analyst Abhijit Iyer-Mitra. Last month, the Odisha police arrested Iyer-Mitra on charges under Section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and some other sections of the Indian Penal Code. The video that he posted on social media was clearly tongue-in-cheek; besides, Konark's sun temple is not a place of worship anymore. Iyer-Mitra apologised to the state legislature. But it was of no use. His offence was considered so damnable that he didn't even get bail. It has been pointed out that Iyer-Mitra was targeted by the BJD-ruled government in Odisha because he happens to be close to Baijayant Jay Panda who quit the party earlier this year following differences with the BJD brass. That may or may not be true. But the fact that a person can be tossed into jail on such flimsy grounds shows the ease with which a law like Section 295A may be abused -- to muzzle freedom of expression, to settle scores, or simply to stoke religious fundamentalism for a political or cultural agenda. The point is that colonial-era laws against blasphemy, or for that matter, sedition, have no place in a modern democracy. They are enemies of free speech. Consider the late M F Husain who was hounded out of the country for his nude paintings of goddesses, or cartoonists who are jailed because they poke fun at some leader, books and films that are banned because they are considered 'offensive' to this or that religion, students who raise hot-blooded slogans and get arrested as a result... In each case the bogey of injury to religious sentiments or national interest is raised in order to suppress citizens' right to freedom of expression. Ironically, the howls of protest against perceived affronts to religious sentiments have been so routinely admitted -- by the State, by the courts -- that they are now coming back to bite the rule of law itself. Hence, the frenzied opposition to the Supreme Court's enlightened judgement on the entry of women into Sabarimala. True faith is not so brittle as to crack in the face of a joke, an off-colour remark or the jettisoning of an unjust religious practice. But have we created the legal, social and cultural environment to appreciate that? IMAGE: BJP president Amit Shah during an election meeting in Adilabad, Telangana. Photograph: PTI Photo Poll temperature has shot up in Telangana with the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party pulling out all stops to woo voters ahead of the December 7 assembly elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi who have already addressed campaign meetings are returning to the country's youngest state on Monday to address public rallies in what is seen as a 'final push'. Caretaker Chief Minister and TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao has been on a vigorous campaign trail in the past few days seeking a second term for the party, and has been unsparing in his attack on Modi, Rahul and Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The TRS is going alone in the poll to the 119-member Assembly, as also is the BJP. Campaigning ends on Wednesday. The Congress has forged Prajakutami (People's Alliance) with the TDP, the Telangana Jana Samiti headed by professor M Kodandaram, and the Communist Party of India. Both the BJP and the Congress have deployed senior leaders for the 'battle for Telangana'. BJP president Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari were among those who addressed public meetings in different parts of the state on Sunday. Shah on Sunday alleged that the caretaker CM had burdened the state with crores of rupees by opting for early polls. Speaking at an election rally at Narayanpet in Mahbubnagar district, he also alleged that both the TRS and the Congress believed in the 'appeasement' of minorities and that All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's Akbaruddin Owaisi had said whoever became the chief minister of the southern state would have to bow before his party. "Telangana would have saved hundreds of crores of rupees had it opted for the Assembly polls along with the Lok Sabha election in May next year. KCR burdened the state with crores of rupees of election expenditure. Who is responsible for this? KCR was doubtful of his victory in May, fearing a (Prime Minister) Modi wave," Shah said. He alleged that the Congress, in its manifesto for the December 7 polls, had promised "free electricity" to mosques and churches but not to temples. The BJP chief also alleged that as part of its politics of minority appeasement, the opposition party had promised an educational aid of Rs 20 lakh to the minority students if it came to power in Telangana. "The Congress also speaks (in its manifesto) about reservations for the minorities in government contracts. It also talks about separate hospitals for the minorities. I want to ask (Congress president) Rahul Gandhi, what would be the fate of the poor people who do not belong to the minority communities," he said. Shah reiterated that the saffron party was not in favour of reservations based on religion as it was against the Constitution. Union Ministers Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh campaigned for party candidates last week. For the Congress, Sonia Gandhi addressed a public meeting last week. Chandrababu Naidu is also engaged in an intensive campaign for the People's Alliance. Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Jairam Ramesh and Veerappa Moily were among those who had been drafted to guide the party campaign in Telangana. The Congress has dubbed the TRS as a 'stooge' and a 'proxy' of the BJP, while the BJP has attacked the Chandrasekhar Rao-led party for promoting 'family rule'. "TRS prospects are extremely bright and in fact, things are improving by the day," K T Rama Rao, TRS leader and son of the caretaker chief minister, told PTI. He credited his party's bright prospects to the state government's 'good governance and solid combination of welfare and development, fruits of which the people have enjoyed in the last four years'. George H W Bush, the 41st United States President who died in Houston on Friday at the age of 94, is to be honoured with a state funeral at National Cathedral in Washington on Wednesday, followed by burial on Thursday in Texas. President Donald Trump, who has announced a national day of mourning on Wednesday, will send Air Force One to Texas on Monday to bring the remains of the former president to Washington, DC, where his body will lie in state in the US Capitol to enable public an opportunity to bid farewell to their leader. Bush's office on Saturday announced the official schedule of his state funeral and the related services and ceremonies scheduled in Houston, Texas; Washington, DC; Spring, and College Station, Texas. The former president will have two funerals -- a state funeral at the National Cathedral and a local funeral at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston. His office said the state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral will be held on Wednesday morning. The late president's remains will then be returned to Houston on Wednesday afternoon. A funeral service is planned at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston on Thursday morning. On Thursday, the president's casket will be taken by train to College Station, Texas, accompanied by the Bush family members and close friends. A funeral procession will then travel on George Bush Drive toward the Bush Library complex. Bush will be buried on Thursday in a family plot behind the George H W Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University, alongside his wife and former first lady, Barbara, and daughter Robin, university officials said in a statement on Saturday. President Trump and first lady Melania will attend Bush's funeral at the National Cathedral. Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies and departments to close on Wednesday 'as a mark of respect' for Bush. "He was a very fine man," Trump said of Bush. "He led a full life, and a very exemplary life, too." Trump also signaled his respect by calling off a press conference planned at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. President Trump said he spoke with former president George W Bush Saturday morning and offered his condolences. A plane used as Air Force One will carry Bush's casket from Houston to Washington for memorial services, Trump said. "Air Force One will be taking myself and a group of our people back to Washington, Trump said during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday evening. "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." Trump called it 'a special tribute that he deserves very much'. The state funeral for the 41st president, whose death sparked tributes from around the world and across the political aisle, will be the first presidential funeral since Gerald Ford died in 2006. Bush's death comes months after the passing of his wife of 73 years, Barbara. The former first lady died in April. Her memorial service in Houston drew hundreds of thousands of people from past presidents to heads of state and historians. Noticeably absent was Trump, who declined an invitation 'out of respect' for the Bushes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was 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. Meanwhile, floating candles were released into the pond at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum on Saturday. It was a touching moment from the second vigil held at the presidential library in less than 24 hours. For the man known for crafting a thousand points of light, there were hundreds of candles and as well as the people who held them. For many of the students at the Bush School it was a way for them to honor the man that has and will continue to impact their lives. The former president touched many lives at Texas A&M University. Doors to Bush's presidential museum opened Saturday morning, hours after the announcement of his death. Admission to the library is free through December 9. Since the announcement of the death of Bush, the Houston community is mourning and paying their respects outside the Bush home in the Tanglewood neighborhood. Bush was a man people looked up to as a role model, World War II Naval aviator, an oil pioneer and much more. In his neighborhood, people knew him as a husband, a good neighbor, and a kind citizen. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said a public tribute to Bush's memory will happen on Monday evening at Hermann Square in front of Houston City Hall. In Houston, the former president will lie in repose at St. Martin's Episcopal Church starting sometime Wednesday evening. 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. 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. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on 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. Journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra, arrested for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Sun Temple, Odisha's culture and state legislators, was admitted to a hospital here after he complained of illness, officials said on Sunday. Mitra, who was arrested on October 23 this year and lodged in the high-security Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar, was admitted to the Capital Hospital here late Saturday night, a hospital official said. He has been undergoing treatment in the surgery department for some ailment since late Saturday night and his condition is stable, Director of Capital Hospital Chandrika Prasad Das told PTI. During a visit to the Sun Temple at Konark in September, the Delhi-based journalist and researcher had posted a video on his Twitter handle, allegedly criticising Odisha, its people, Lord Jagannath, Konark temple and Odisha lawmakers. The Odisha Assembly had on November 17 pardoned Mitra after he tendered unconditional and unreserved apology for his statement against the lawmakers. The assembly accepted the recommendations made by a House Committee which was set up to enquire into the question of alleged breach of privilege relating to the statement made by Mitra. The committee was set up on September 20 following concerns expressed by MLAs cutting across party lines. During its six sittings, the Committee met Mitra and sought his affidavit on the matter. He had allegedly dubbed the members of the Odisha Legislative assembly as 'Buddu' (stupid). IMAGE: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh interacts with media in Jaipur on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said Pakistan can seek India's help if it cannot handle the fight against terrorism alone. He asserted there have not been any major terrorist related incident in the country in over four years of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government. "I want to ask the Pakistani prime minister (Imran Khan) that if in Aghanistan, a fight can be carried out against terror and Taliban with the help of the US, then, Pakistan can seek help against terrorism from India if it feels that it cannot handle it alone," he said. Addressing a press conference in Jaipur, Singh said Jammu and Kashmir was not an issue as it was an integral part of the country. "The issue is of terrorism, and Pakistan can discuss it," Singh said. The home minister also accused the Congress of creating a crisis of distrust in politics and claimed there was a difference in their words and deeds. "I do not want to claim that terrorism has stopped, but no major terrorist incident has happened in the country in last four-and-a-half years, he said. Terrorism is confined only to Kashmir where also situation is improving, Singh said adding Panchayat elections in J&K is being conducted successfully. "The government has brought Jammu and Kashmir into political process. As far as terrorism is concerned, there is no second thought that it is Pakistan sponsored," the home minister said. The Union minister asserted that the country and its borders are safe. Terrorism has reduced and the problem of Naxalism will get eliminated from the country in the coming years, he added. Naxal related incidents have come down by 50-60 per cent in the last four years, he said, adding it has reduced from 90 districts to only 8-9 districts and that the problem will get eliminated in next three to five years. Singh also claimed that Congress leaders start offering prayers at temples when elections are near whereas for the Bharatiya Janata Party it is an integral part of its culture. Addressing a press conference in Jaipur, he said temples and cows were not an elections stunt for the BJP. "Congress leaders start offering prayers at temple when elections approach. They are not seen praying in temples earlier. "Temples and cows can be an election issue for the Congress, but it is not an election stunt for the BJP. It is integral part of our cultural life," Singh said. Earlier at an election rally in Alwar district's Bansur, he alleged it was because of the Congress, which ruled India for 55 years, that the nation was in the list poor countries and claimed the party had deceived the people. "We (BJP) have not done the politics of pulling wool over people's eyes. We look into the eyes of people," he said. Singh claimed the Congress had established 103 ITIs in 50 years, while the Vasundhara Raje government had set up 958 new ITIs in five years. KCR is now having to resort to the lowest common denominator in elections: Reservations. Aditi Phadnis reports from Hyderabad. IMAGE: Telangana Rashtra Samithi supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao. Even the Telangana Rashtra Samithi's worst critics concede that in the three-odd years the government has been in power, it has not just promised but delivered on many of its promises. And yet, at least two top leaders of the TRS (including Visheshwar Reddy, Telangana's richest MP and son-in-law of hospital mogul Prathap Reddy) have left the party. Member of the Legislative Council Yadava Reddy has been suspended for anti-party activities. Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy made no secret of the havoc he could wreak at a press conference if his son-in-law Sreenivas was not given a TRS nomination. And eight rebel TRS candidates are in the fray, despite efforts to make them stand down. So, despite widespread approval of the TRS government's governance record, why is it being seen losing ground? First, the TRS has renominated all but two MLAs which means anti-incumbency is running high -- not against the chief minister but against the MLAs. This is probably why at a public meeting, K Chandrashekar Rao, or KCR, shrugging metaphorically, said in Telugu slang: 'I will lose nothing if TRS loses. If it wins, I will come back and work for you. If it loses, I will go home, draw a sheet over my head and go to sleep.' Most analysts see this as the first indication of a loss of the old bravura and spirit of aggression that brought him to power in 2014. At the height of his power, KCR had 62 MLAs. Districts like Nizamabad, Adilabad and Karimnagar were a clean sweep for the TRS. Nizamabad (the Lok Sabha constituency of his daughter Kavitha) and neighbouring Zaheerabad account for nine assembly constituencies. The TRS had them all in the outgoing assembly. But in Nizamabad now (where Madhu Gaud Yaskhi of the Congress lost the last Lok Sabha election) questions are being raised about past promises: Two units of the Deccan Sugar Factory have been shut for years and the TRS promised to reopen them in 100 days of coming to power. Also promises were made to set up a maternity hospital, a girls college, a processing unit for turmeric and a staple crop in the region among others. Maybe for this reason, KCR is now having to resort to the lowest common denominator in elections: Reservations. Instead of highlighting the achievements of his government and MLAs, he opted at his last election meeting to focus on 12 per cent reservations for Muslims in jobs and education. 'I have written 30 letters and handed them over to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But he has the Hindu-Muslim disease,' KCR said. 'He (Modi) doesn't have the heart to treat everyone equally. The PM lacks compassion. We will form the federal government and force the central government to bend before us and give us our rights,' the CM thundered from the stage. Sharif and Rafeeq, both 28, sipped Irani tea and nodded as they heard KCR's speech on TV in Hyderabad's Broadway Bakery, promising to tussle with Modi on reservations. "There have been no riots in Telangana. Most of his schemes have actually taken off and their results are there for all to see on the ground. We (the minorities) are happy with him. But there are fears," they said. They were referring to those in Telangana who are originally from Andhra Pradesh, but have been living in Hyderabad and adjoining areas for years. It was the 'Andhra go' campaign that raised 'the other' discourse during the Telangana movement. Now, there is a move to subtly revive that -- especially as the patron saint of Andhras in Telangana, Nara Chandrababu Naidu has come together with the Congress to cause KCR and TRS a lot of political pain. TRS workers are telling each other that if Naidu's TDP and Congress form a government in Telangana, the spectre of Andhra domination will come back and haunt them forever. "We don't want Babu (Chandrababu) back here. We didn't launch a movement that cost thousands of lives, just to have Andhras return and dance on our heads again," said Mohan Rao. But many others see the revival of anti-Andhra rhetoric as a way to stem the slow slip sliding away from the TRS. "After all, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation was swept by the TRS just a few months ago! That showed that the Andhras had put their animus against the TRS behind them and were ready to do business with them. And now, the TDP is back to revive those feelings," said Mohan Rao. Most voters are generous about KCR and his work. But they are a little hesitant about putting a number to his chances of staging a return to power. At the other end of the spectrum was Shamim, an auto driver. When asked who would come to power in the election, his answer was an unequivocal one: "Congress." He had voted for the TRS since Telangana was formed, but would no longer do so, said. "Abhi opposite ho gaya," he said. BARKHAMSTED The Brooks-Green Woods Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution held their annual Good citizen Awards on November 14, 2018. The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship contest was created in 1934, and is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. The award recognizes a high school senior with the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. Students are nominated by their teachers and peers. Once a student is chosen as the DAR Good Citizen, he or she is invited to participate in the scholarship portion of the program which includes a personal statement and an essay. Awards were presented by member Cynthia Willims, and State of CT General Assembly Citations were presented by Senator Kevin Witkos. This year, our Chapter recognized students including Allison Rau, Lewis S. Mills High School; Caroline Crone, Northwestern Regional District #7; Noah Weik, Oliver Wolcott Technical High School; and Abby Corso, The Gilbert School. Caroline Crone was also recognized as the winner of the DAR themed essay contest. Senator Witkos provided an interactive talk about Oliver Ellsworth, one of the Framers of the Constitution, which was well received by all those in attendance. Thousands of supporters of Georgian opposition parties have protested in the capital, Tbilisi, against the election of the ruling party-backed candidate Salome Zurabishvili to the presidency. The opposition alleges election fraud. The December 2 rally was addressed via a video link by former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. An Iranian revolutionary court has sentenced a journalist to a nearly 13-year prison term over security charges, Iranian media report. Reformist journalist Hengameh Shahidi can appeal the verdict that sentenced her to 12 years and 9 months in jail. She has also been banned from joining political groups, media activity, and leaving the country. "Given the confidentiality of the proceedings and the security nature of the case, I cannot disclose details about the court's verdict," Shahidi's lawyer Mostafa Turk Hamedani told the official government news agency IRNA. Shahidi, 43, has been in jail since June. She was previously jailed following the 2009 state crackdown that followed a disputed presidential election. Shahidi was also detained for several months in 2017. In recent years, Iran has detained scores of journalists and activists over vague security charges. The Islamic republic ranks 164th on Reporters Without Borders' 2018 World Press Freedom Index. Based on reporting by IRNA, AP and AFP Lawmakers representing Kosovo's ethnic Serb minority are refusing to leave the parliament building in Pristina to protest a 100 percent tax on products imported from Serbia. Nine lawmakers from the Serb List party said on December 2 that they would remain inside their office in the building and seek a meeting with the European Union's Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn. The deputies plan to tell Hahn, who is expected to visit Pristina on December 3, that the tariff "practically blocks" the distribution of food and other essential products to ethnic Serbs living in northern Kosovo, they said in a statement. On November 21, the Kosovar government slapped the 100 percent tax in retaliation for what it said were Belgrade's efforts to undermine the young republic on the international stage. The move drew angry reactions from Belgrade and calls from the European Union and the United States to revoke the measure. It also prompted the mayors of four predominantly ethnic Serb municipalities in northern Kosovo to resign. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini last week urged Kosovo to rescind the tariff, saying the measure "only complicates the situation further. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a similar call, urging Pristina to work with Belgrade to "avoid provocations and deescalate tensions." However, Kosovar Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj on November 29 spurned the EU and U.S. calls, saying the levy will stay until Serbia recognizes Kosovo's sovereignty and reaches a normalization agreement with its neighbor. Relations between Pristina and Belgrade have been tense since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Although more than 110 countries recognize Kosovo, Serbia does not. Both Kosovo and Serbia have been told they must resolve their differences in order to make progress toward EU membership, but EU-sponsored normalization talks have been stop-and-go in recent months. With reporting by AP On November 22-23, Uzbekistan hosted the Asian Forum on Human Rights in the city of Samarkand. It was a sign of how Uzbekistan is trying to change its image since President Shavkat Mirziyoev came to power at the end of 2016. Prior to that, Uzbekistan was considered a rights abuser, not a host nation for a rights conference. RFE/RL's media relations manager, Muhammad Tahir, moderated a discussion on the conference -- and what it did and did not do to help change Uzbekistans dismal international image. Two people who attended the forum were on the podcast this week: Brigitte Dufour, the president of the Brussels-based International Partnership for Human Rights, and longtime Majlis friend Steve Swerdlow, the researcher for Central Asia at Human Rights Watch. Alisher Ilkhamov from the London-based School of Oriental and African Studies also took part in the discussion. As usual, I had a few things to say also. Listen to the podcast above or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes. Mario Milakovic has managed to keep something alive that politicians couldnt. The 35-year-old designer founded Yugodom, a stayover museum in Belgrade that allows visitors to see and feel a slice of what life was like in a country that is gaining popularity in its afterlife. One hundred years after the countrys creation in 1918, Milakovic's venue is now one of the few places where Yugoslavia still exists. Yugodom could exist in an identical form as it does today, even if Yugoslavia never felt apart. What the circumstances of a post-Yugoslav context gave to Yugodom is that we can say that Yugodom is a place where you can visit a country that doesn't exist anymore," Milakovic says. With the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires in retreat at the end of the 19th century and start of the 20th century, the world turned its attention to the Balkans, which had had a rousing history, including the spark of World War I, the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo. Four years later, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia -- uniting an independent Serbia with Austro-Hungarian-ruled Croatia, and Slovenia under one flag -- was created on December 1, 1918, and existed until it was partitioned in 1941 during World War II. On November 29, 1943, Yugoslavia, which literally means the land of the South Slavs, rose again, this time under the name Democratic Federal Yugoslavia. Three years later the name was changed to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and then to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1963, though its form remained the same until the early 1990s, when the country split apart at its ethnic seams. Breakup And War By April 1992, with its Soviet ally freshly dissolved, Yugoslavia as the world had known it was gone in a bloody and violent breakup, leaving some 100,000 dead, 2.4 million refugees, 2 million internally displaced, and seven independent nations in its place. As it was once said, Yugoslavia was easier to imagine than to achieve, Latinka Perovic, a Serbian historian, quipped to RFE/RL. Debate on why Yugoslavia failed is often heated, with fingers pointed in just about every direction. Throughout its history, the country was saddled with the task of bringing together a diverse group of peoples, languages, religions, and cultures. In its post-World War II incarnation, the country was held tightly together by the force of personality found in Josip Broz Tito. Known for challenging Josef Stalin and creating a national communism that set Yugoslavia apart from the rest of the Warsaw Pact members, Tito came to power in 1953 and led the country until his death in 1980. Born to Croatian and Slovene parents, Tito was careful to avoid the appearance that Serbia, twice as large as Yugoslavias second-biggest group, the Croats, did not dominate the decision-making process. By spreading power among the different groups, and by snuffing out nationalism through his doctrine of Brotherhood and Unity, Titos Yugoslavia flourished in the 1960s and 1970s. But his failing health in the late 1970s revealed the lack of a successor, and with it, says Raif Dizdarevic, the first Bosniak president to lead Yugoslavias collective presidency that Tito created in 1971, the lack of a clear path for the country to continue along. At one point, he [Tito] said: You know what? If people after me say that everything was fine while I was alive, and that after me nothing is right, what did we do then? Dizdarevic, who spent more than three weeks with Tito just months before his death, recalls. In the years after his death, the centralized control Tito exercised devolved along ethnic lines, culminating with the violent conflicts that saw first Slovenia, then Croatia, and subsequently Bosnia, Macedonia, and Montenegro, break away to become their own nations. I think all of the people in Yugoslavia lost when the country broke apart, Dizdarevic adds. Fondness For The Past While those ethnic tensions still simmer in much of the former Yugoslavia, so too is a growing sentimental recollection of life in a country much of the younger generations can only learn about in history books and museums like Milakovics Yugodom. A Gallup poll from last year showed that many people in the former Yugoslavia look back fondly at their former homeland. In Serbia, around 81 percent of people think that the breakup of Yugoslavia harmed their country in its current context. Bosnians are not far behind, with 77 percent expressing regret over Yugoslavias dissolution. Belgrade art historian Branislav Dimitrijevics book, titled Exhausted Socialism, argues against two dominant competing myths about ex-Yugoslavia: on the one hand, that it was a country of prosperity and security, and on the other, that it was a "prison of the peoples." "I teach in an art school, and new generations are more and more interested in ex-Yugoslavia, as in their regular education they learn virtually nothing about that country. And not only do they learn very little about it, but the information they are receiving from their parents about that period is contradictory," Dimitrijevic told RFE/RL in Belgrade at the time of the poll. Asked what Bosnians miss about Yugoslavia, Besim Spahic said that, above all, they miss the stability and harmony of interethnic relations. "In Titos Yugoslavia, Bosnia was defined as a common state of Serbs, Croats, and Muslims. The focus was on shared values between different ethnic groups. Now the differences are highlighted and blown out of proportion." "Bosnia was the most-Yugoslav of all the republics, with the largest number of multiethnic marriages," Spahic added. Twenty-five years later, only around 4 percent of all marriages in Bosnia are multiethnic. The gloomy present faced by many arguably makes them more likely than some of their neighbors to indulge a rosy vision of the past -- at least some of which is fantasy. Celebrated Legacy This stereotype is seemingly perpetuated through popular culture and media that harken back to a better time. Yugoslavia has died, and I think it is an irreversible death, says Budimir Loncar, who served as Yugoslavia's foreign minister from 1987 until 1991. But when anything disappears, it leaves a legacy behind. That legacy is now captivating visitors and locals alike in the Balkans. In Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, the city council decided in October to revisit its past. Known as Titograd for 47 years when it was part of Yugoslavia, the city voted to erect a monument to Tito to commemorate a prominent figure, a revolutionary, a fighter against fascism, and one of the greatest world statesmen of the 20th century. Meanwhile, those wishing for an iconic slice of Yugoslavia can also choose to take a Rise And Fall Of A Nation tour of some of the former countrys most significant sites in a YUGO, the once hugely popular boxy automobile that is now more often the butt of jokes over its appearance and lack of reliability. In the average Yugoslav family, the YUGO counted as a true family member. At weddings, the Yugoslav flag was flaunted from its windows. It was rushed to the maternity ward for the safe birth of many newborn Yugoslavs. Yugoslav boys and girls in their teenage days borrowed the YUGO for a first ride around the block, Yugotour says in a sales pitch on its website. As a stubborn car with components from all over Yugoslavia, the YUGO in many ways represents Yugoslavia. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he and U.S. President Donald Trump briefly discussed the recent naval confrontation in the Black Sea between Ukrainian and Russian naval ships. Putin gave few details of the conversation, which happened December 1 on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Argentina. "We spoke in passing. I replied to his questions about the incident in the Black Sea," Putin was quoted as saying. "He has his position, I have mine," Putin said, adding that neither had changed as a result of the exchange. The White House confirmed that Trump and Putin spoke during a dinner with world leaders at the G20 summit. 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 Huckabee Sanders said in a December 1 statement. On the eve of the summit, Trump announced that he would not hold a formal one-on-one meeting with Putin, citing last week's clash in the Kerch Strait, in which Russia detained three Ukrainian ships and 24 sailors. The November 25 incident was the first direct military confrontation between the two countries since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Speaking to reporters, Putin lamented the lack of a formal meeting. "It is unfortunate that we can't hold a full-format meeting," Putin was quoted as saying. "I think it is very much needed, in connection with issues of strategic stability, especially after [Trump] announced that the United States plans to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty." Trump announced last month that he was withdrawing the United States from the 31-year-old treaty, which eliminated an entire class of missiles and is considered a cornerstone of strategic stability between Moscow and Washington. Meanwhile, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters on December 2 that he hoped it would be possible for the two leaders to meet properly before too long. "Of course, a new meeting is possible," Ushakov said. "Now we need to again have talks about preparing such a meeting." When asked where that meeting might happen, Ushakov cited a G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, in June next year as one option. "But it seems to me that it's very important for us and for them to find a way of meeting before then," he said. With reporting by TASS and AFP A Russian Orthodox Church priest blessed the Soyuz MS-11 rocket at the Russian-rented Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan on December 2. The spacecraft is set to carry a Russian-U.S.-Canadian crew to the International Space Station on December 3. The previous launch on October 11 was marred by a booster failure soon after liftoff. British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson has called on the public to report suspicious activity near army sites after a Russian TV crew prompted an alert at a highly sensitive military facility, the Daily Mail newspaper reports. The December 2 report said the warning was issued after Timur Siraziev of state-controlled Channel One was seen filming close to the barbed-wire perimeter fence of the 77th Brigade in Hermitage, Berkshire. The TV reporter denied trying to infiltrate the base, which works in electronic and psychological warfare. The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between the West and Russia over issues including Moscow's aggression in Ukraine, its alleged election meddling in the United States and Europe, massive international cyberattacks, and the poisoning of a Russian double agent and his daughter in Britain. Security cameras at the 77th Brigades base recorded Siraziev, Channel One's London-based bureau chief, making repeated passes of the facility on November 21 as a cameraman filmed from the passenger seat of his car, according to the Daily Mail. A report later broadcast by Channel One also showed Siraziev speaking on camera as he walks close to an entrance to the base. The Daily Mail reported that intelligence chiefs launched an investigation into the incident, while military chiefs issued a security warning to commanders at all of Britain's military facilities. "We take the security of our bases and personnel incredibly seriously, Williamson was quoted as saying . "If a member of the public sees anyone acting suspiciously in or around a military base, it should be reported to the police as a matter of urgency," the defense secretary added. Siraziev told the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti that the TV crew was operating openly on public land and "did not try to penetrate the base." "I came to the checkpoint, introduced myself, that I was Timur Siraziev, a journalist for Channel One, said that we wanted to talk," he said. Williamson in October accused Russia of acting like a "pariah state," whose "reckless and indiscriminate" attacks had left it isolated in the international community. In an interview last month, the head of the British Army, General Mark Carleton-Smith, described Russia as a "far greater threat" to Britain's national security than Islamic terrorist groups such as the Islamic State. Russia has repeatedly denied evidence that its agents were behind the nerve-agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in the English city of Salisbury in March. The Skripals survived the poisoning, which used a Soviet-made military nerve agent known as Novichok. Two other British citizens were exposed to the nerve agent in June, apparently by accident; one of them, Dawn Sturgess, died. With reporting by the Daily Mail and the BBC Weve actually reached out to some people who have been involved with the district to see how long this has actually been going on, but for sure its a least a decade, Jackson said. We see our district as being one great big family, and this is a way to celebrate together as a school community. A top commander of the Afghan Taliban has been killed in the southern province of Helmand. Provincial Governor Mohammad Yasin Khan told RFE/RL that Mullah Abdulmanan was killed along with four other militants in an air strike in the Nawzad district on December 1. Mullah Abdulmanan was in charge of Helmand Province for the militant group. His death was confirmed by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid and by the U.S. military. "They're going to have trouble intensifying the fight when their fighters and leaders are under constant assault, Colonel Dave Butler, spokesman for U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, said in an e-mailed statement. Talks to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan are the only solution," Butler added. Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish described Mullah Abdulmanan as the Taliban movements top military leader in southern Afghanistan and his death as a major blow to the militants. "His death will lower the moral of the enemy and result in [the] improvement of security in Helmand and other southern provinces," Danish said. Taliban fighters increased their control over Helmand, the province that supplies the largest share of Afghanistan's opium crop, in the years following the withdrawal of most NATO combat troops in 2014. Mullah Abdulmanans killing comes despite increased efforts by the Afghan government and its Western backers to put an end to the war in Afghanistan. Last month, U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad held talks with the Taliban in Qatar as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump stepped up efforts to settle the Afghan conflict. And Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on November 28 laid out what he called a "road map" for peace talks with the Taliban and said his government had formed a 12-person team for the negotiations. The militants have long refused U.S. demands to directly negotiate with the Western-backed government in Kabul, which has struggled to counter attacks from the militant group since 2014. With reporting by Reuters TBILISI -- Thousands of people have protested in the Georgian capital against the election of the ruling party-backed candidate Salome Zurabishvili to the presidency, claiming fraud in last weeks runoff vote. Holding national and EU flags, the protesters gathered on December 2 in front of the parliament building in the center of Tbilisi, calling for early parliamentary elections and a new election law. French-born Zurabishvili, who had the backing of billionaire former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvilis ruling Georgian Dream party, won 59.5 percent of the vote in the November 28 runoff, according to election authorities. Grigol Vashadze, the candidate of opposition groups led by the United National Movement, which was founded by former President Mikheil Saakashvili, had 40.5 percent. Vashadze told the protesters in Tbilisi that the "stolen election" should be annulled and snap general elections held. "Our lawyers are preparing a lawsuit, which we will submit to court. We will demand that the results of the presidential election be annulled. Also, an investigation needs to be carried out," he said. Vashadze also said that the authorities had to overhaul Georgia's electoral system and by December 16 establish a working group to hold talks with the opposition. Saakashvili Speaks Speaking to the crowd from the Netherlands, where he lives in self-imposed exile, Saakashvili said that "Georgia's future is being born on this square today." "We will fight peacefully, but we will never give up," Saakashvili said via video link. "The fight will end with our victory and removing the oligarch from power," he added. Both Zurabishvili and Vashadze are former foreign ministers of the South Caucasus country, which has warm ties with the United States and the European Union. The presidential election was seen as a trial run for the contest between Georgian Dream and the opposition in parliamentary polls scheduled for 2020, as well as a test of Georgia's democratic credentials as it seeks EU and NATO membership. A day after the runoff, international monitors said the vote was competitive, but Zurabishvili enjoyed an undue advantage, citing the misuse of administrative resources that "blurred the line between party and state." Georgian Dream has ruled since ousting Saakashvili's United National Movement from power in 2012. In January, Saakashvili was sentenced in absentia to three years in prison after being convicted of trying to cover up evidence about the 2006 killing of a Georgian banker. The former president has rejected all the charges as politically motivated. With reporting by AFP Tens of thousands of Romanians marked the 100th anniversary of their country's birth as a modern state, with many protesters also demonstrating against corruption. The government held military parades in the capital Bucharest on December 1, as well as in Alba Iulia, the Transylvanian city that symbolizes Romania's 1918 reunification following World War I. Members of the ruling Social Democratic Party were booed at a ceremony in Alba Iulia, where President Klaus Iohannis called for building a "dignified and powerful country, integrated through education, culture, and creativity into a Europe of values, prosperity, and freedom." More than 1,000 Romanians gathered outside government offices in Bucharest late on December 1 to protest high-level corruption, yelling "Resign!" In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement thanking Romania for contributing to Black Sea security as a NATO member and participating in missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. 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," he said. One of the European Union's poorest members, Romania takes over the six-month presidency of the EU in January. But theres been growing concern about proposed judicial reforms that some Romanians fear will erode the rule of law and democratic governance. With reporting by AP U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has condemned what he described as Iran's testing of a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads. The missile has the ability to hit parts of Europe and any location in the Middle East, Pompeo said in a December 1 statement. 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," the statement added, citing the United Nations Security Council's endorsement of the 2015 international nuclear agreement, which the United States withdrew from in May. Pompeo warned that Irans missile proliferation is growing and called on Iran to cease these activities." The statement provided few details about the latest missile test. It came amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, which has reimposed tough sanctions on Iran that had been removed under the nuclear accord. Tehran Reaction The sanctions are part of a broader U.S. campaign to pressure Iran over what President Donald Trump's administration describes as its "malign conduct" such as missile development and support for militant groups in the Middle East. Tehran reacted to Pompeos statement by saying that its missile program is purely for defensive purposes and not in breach of UN resolutions. Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi did not confirm nor deny that Tehran conducted a missile test. Iran's missile program is defensive in nature, Ghasemi was quoted as saying on December 2 by the official government news agency IRNA. "It is interesting and ironic that you cite a resolution that you have not only breached through your unilateral and unlawful withdrawal from the [nuclear] accord but that you also encourage others to breach or even threaten to punish and sanction them if they carry it out," Ghasemi added. Later on December 2, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, a senior spokesman for Iran's armed forces, was quoted by the semiofficial hard-line Tasnim news agency as saying that Iran will continue missile tests to build up its defense and deterrence capabilities. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis 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 UN's effort to stop them from launching missiles," Mattis said at a December 1 security forum in California. 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. Tehran has repeatedly rejected negotiations over its missile program. Iranian officials insist that the missiles are only to be used for defensive purposes. "Iran will not abandon its defensive weapons...including its missiles that make America so angry," Iranian President Hassan Rohani said in September. With reporting by Reuters and IRNA Because of their advanced age, Cosmo and Sam may not have a long future ahead of them. But, Tiffany said, I think all dogs deserve to have a good home and to be loved, til their last breath. We can give them a good home for the time that they do have. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 2) Some of the possible senatorial candidates in next year's midterm polls are echoing the administration's decentralization and infrastructure initiatives as long-term solutions to the perennial problem of traffic congestion in the country's capital. During CNN Philippines' #TheFilipinoVotes: Senatorial Forum on Sunday, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano proposed the transfer of the seat of government to areas outside Metro Manila. "Government transactions alone dito sa NCR napakarami na po (There are already a lot of government transactions here in NCR). We have to move our seat of government outside of NCR, but of course we should develop economic hubs para ma-disperse ang economic opportunities dito sa ating bayan (to disperse economic opportunities in our country)," Alejano said. Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, meanwhile, said the government should build "economic centers" outside Metro Manila to "pull out employment," on top of other infrastructure initiatives such as road widening. "The problem of Manila is it's too congested. All the developments are being done in the core territory of the Philippines, which is very dangerous from a security view point and many other things," Enrile said. For former senator Sergio Osmena III Osmena, motorists should be provided with more route options by connecting network of roads in Metro Manila and opening roads within gated communities. "We need to open up all the roads so we can go through any other roads. We have to redo this whole thing so we can open up at least part of the gated communities will have to be open up," Osmena said. Presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino, who once headed the Metro Manila Development Authority, meanwhile laid out three solutions such as the enactment of the proposed National Land Use Act, systemized urbanization, and more investments on railway system development. "'Yang traffic po hindi po mare-resolve overnight 'yan (traffic congestion can't be resolved overnight), it's been there ever since," Tolentino said. "Kailangan ma-plano po natin ang (we have to plan) urbanization because of the density and the sheer volume of people inside an urban center. It's about time we invest in railway system. We really have to plan our cities, our growth areas." Should he get reelected, Senator JV Ejercito said he will push for the establishment of more railway systems connecting Metro Manila to other parts of the country, which he believes should have been started by the government 30 years ago. "If we are able to lay down the tracks from the PNR going all the way to north to La Union and Ilocandia and all the way to the south, to Bicol and the Mindanao railway system, all the railway stations, all the povinces that will have railway stations will be a potential growth development area and that is the only way that we can decongest Manila," Ejercito said. Former Philippine National Police and Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald Bato dela Rosa, meanwhile, said he will prioritize traffic law enforcement and proposed that the government adapt Hong Kong's system of traffic management. "Gusto ko sana gayahin yung ginagawa ng Hong Kong about traffic enforcement wherein 'yung isang driver binibigyan lang ng 15 points na consumable within two years. 'Yung 15 points na yan kapag nag-violate ka ng traffic flow, babawasan," he said. "Kaya makita mo sa Hong Kong walang ka-traffic trafiic kahit na Hong Kong is considered as one of the most dense, populated countries in the world." [Translation: I want to adapt Hong Kong's way of traffic enforcement where they give drivers 15 points that can be consumed in two years. Those 15 points are deducted when drivers violate traffic law. That's why you see there's no traffic in Hong Kong even though it's considered as one of the most dense, populated countries in the world.] Jose Manuel Chel Diokno, founding dean of the De La Salle University College of Law, said the government should consider pushing for "carless cities" just like in other countries. "In other countries they are already thinking about establishing carless cities where we travel inside our cities by bicycle, on foot that provide clean air that make us healthier. Palagay ko panahon na rin na pag-isipan natin yan dahil sa sobra na nga ang sasakyan sa atin ang dala dala pa nila ay polusyon, hindi naman maganda yun," Diokno said. (I think its time to think about that option because of the sheer number of vehicles and the pollution this also causes, Diokno said) "We have to approach this from a different angle. We have to look at this as a problem of moving people, not moving vehicles," he also said. The Merrillville Rotary Club has continued its Thanksgiving tradition of donating turkeys to the patients of Franciscan Health St. Clare Health Clinic in Crown Point. This year, patients received a $25 food voucher to Strack & Van Til stores to provide food for a Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 20. Masked, black-clad groups ran amok across central Paris on Saturday, torching cars and buildings, looting shops, smashing windows and fighting police in the worst unrest the capital has seen since 1968. Disturbances also rocked several cities and towns and across France from Charleville Mezieres in the northeast to Nantes in the west and Marseille in the south. We have to think about the measures that can be taken so that these incidents dont happen again, government spokeswoman Benjamin Griveaux told media. Regarding the fuel tax, Interior Minister Christople Castaner said: We wont change course. Its the right direction. We are certain of that. In Paris, police said they had arrested more than 400 people. 133 were injured, including 23 members of the security forces. Imposing a state of emergency is among the options considered. What happened today in Paris has nothing to do with the peaceful expression of legitimate anger, Mr. Macron said on Saturday. Nothing justifies attacking the security forces, vandalizing businesses, either private or public ones, or that passers-by or journalists are threatened, or the Arc de Triomphe defaced. On Sunday, Mr. Macron returned to Paris from the Group of 20 summit meeting in Argentina and went to the Arc de Triomphe to assess the damage. Multiple surveys of public opinion released in the past week suggest that 70 percent to 80 percent of French people sympathize with the Yellow Vests. Mehbooba Mufti Srinagar, Dec 1 (PTI) Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking opening of the Shardapeeth pilgrimage site across the Line of Control (LoC). Mehbooba said 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. Narendra Modi Advertisement 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 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. Imran Khan Advertisement 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 the 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". Home Minister Rajnath Singh Kohima, Dec 1 (PTI) 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 everyone has the responsibility to create conditions so that the country can progress Advertisement 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, a framework 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Advertisement 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. Senior Advisor to the Punjab CM Lt. Gen. (Retd.) T S Shergil flagging off the Bravehearts Rally in Chandigarh Spokesman News Service: Chandigarh, December 2: Setting the stage alight for the much anticipated Military Literature Festival 2018, veteran bike riders on Sunday morning vroomed past city roads as part of the Bravehearts Ride that brought the pre-Fest activities to an exciting culmination. A total of 450 dashing bike riders participated in the event, further firing the adernalin levels amongst the enthusiastic crowds. The event, organised to demonstrate skills for disciplined and safe road driving, witnessed veterans of all the three defence forces steering spectacular looking Enfield machines. The event was also designed to encourage participation from all age groups across north India. Advertisement Senior Advisor to the Punjab CM Lt. Gen. (Retd.) T S Shergil during the Wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial Adorning attractive MLF badges, the riders teed off from outside the Chandigarh Club and drove through the city to come to a stop at Chandimandir Cantonment. Flagging off the riders, Senior Advisor to the Punjab Chief Minister Lt. Gen. (Retd.) T S Shergil PVSM lauded the participants for their endeavour in disseminating the message of safe driving. Complementing the organisers for coming up with these novel ideas to promote a well-deserved cause, General Shergil urged for more such events in the future. Underscoring the need to involve young students in all the events during MLF later this week, General Shergil stated that the festival was primarily aimed at invoking patriotism amongst the youth and give them exposure to the rich military history of Punjab. He lauded Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, himself a military historian, for taking a personal initiative in ensuring the success of this mega event. Advertisement Senior Advisor to the Punjab CM Lt. Gen. (Retd.) T S Shergil laying the wreath at the War Memorial Earlier, General Shergil laid a wreath at the Chandigarh War Memorial to honour the great sacrifices of the fallen soldiers who attained martyrdom in the line of duty. NCC cadets presented the Guard Of Honour in the spectacular backdrop of piper band, played by young students of Sainik School Kapurthla. On the occasion, General Shergil was accompanied by Major General T P S Waraich, Lt.General N S Brar, and Lt. General Chitender Singh. The second edition of Punjabs Military Literature Festival (MLF), to be held in the city from December 7 to December 9, 2018, would witness invigorating panel discussions on various facets of the contribution made by the armed forces, besides offering a rare insight into the culture and ethos of Indian Army. Advertisement Bike riders during the Bravehearts Ride in Chandigarh The inaugural festival held in 2017 had evoked a lot of enthusiasm among the defence and civil fraternity. Celebrated military thinkers, authors, historians, curators, defense experts from various parts of the country would be setting the stage on fire during the three day festival, throwing light on some lesser known aspects of the military establishment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping Buenos Aires, Dec 1 (PTI) 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 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. "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. Advertisement 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 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. Wuhan summit 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," he said. Advertisement 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 the 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. Advertisement BRICS "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, the 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. Advertisement "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. Gurudwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib Islamabad, Dec 2 (PTI) 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. 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. Advertisement Navjot Singh Sidhu 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. Advertisement Imran Khan and Navjot Sidhu 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. The cost to retain an existing customer is much lower than the cost of acquiring a new customer. Now is the time for management to measure marketing costs and acquired customers based on those costs. Additionally management should review what customers are no longer active and what customers are gone for good. This review will serve a double purpose. First it will determine client acquisition costs and second it will reveal through those identified results what marketing actions didnt work. I am one of these Veterans For Trump and proud of it. Almost every veteran I know loves Donald Trump. You have to be a veteran to see where we are coming from. Sure, I am never home, but that is part of our comradely. Trump loves his country, loves his troops, loves his family and loves his fellow American. How much more patriotic can it get. I can tell you firsthand that the troops love Donald just as much as he loves them and we admire his stand at the borders and around the world. A long time ago, a wealthy aristocrat went to bed and laid his head on one of the most popular symbols of wealth in ancient China -- a ceramic pillow shaped like a baby. This baby-shaped porcelain pillow is now in the Palace Museum, but it is not the original piece. Instead, it is a modern replica by the late artist Chen Wenzeng, a master of the long-lost tradition of "Ding ware" making. If not for a group of ceramic experts in north China's Hebei province, the secrets of the centuries-old ceramic art would remain lost, and the prospect of bringing them to the homes of the commoners would be no more than a wild imagination of the archeologists. For centuries between the Tang (618-907) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, kilns in Dingzhou county, now called Quyang, produced exquisite white porcelain, winning the Ding kilns fame as one of ancient China's "five great kilns." The technique, however, fell into decline after Yuan rule ended. In the 1970s, China launched a campaign to revitalize this art form, sending artisans in Quyang County to research the ancient styles and techniques of Ding ware. "What bothered us first was the absence of historical records," said He Huan, 61, who like Chen is a leading figure in revitalizing the art. Without any ancient guidebooks, artisans had to explore through trial and error every step in Ding ware making, including incising, engraving and impressing patterns. Ding ware is distinct for its carved, incised or pressed patterns. To restore these decorative patterns, He Huan went to museums across China to imitate characteristics of ancient Ding porcelain. "The trickiest part of our work is to find the suitable ceramic raw materials," said He's colleague Lin Zhanxian, who recounted the years spent at kiln relics and laboratories, where he collected specimens and did a chemical analysis to match them with clay from nearby pits. Around 2000, their reproductions were eventually similar to the original pieces. In 2008, the artistry of the Ding kilns was listed in the nation's intangible cultural heritage. FROM IMITATION TO INNOVATION The successful replication is, however, just the start of the long journey to revitalize the art. Ding ware was once a sought-after luxury by affluent Chinese, and artisans like He believe their modern-day offspring deserve to be showcased in places other than just museums. "We knew how to imitate ancient porcelains, but we didn't know how to turn ceramics into a profitable industry," He recalled how his replica met a chilly market for a long time. In 1997, He and Chen made their first attempt to design two Ding ceramic artifacts, which earned a place at a huge exhibition to celebrate the return of Hong Kong to the motherland. As a reward, they received 900 yuan each, a large amount of money back then. "For the first time, we realized that maybe we could make more money through innovation instead of imitation," said He. Chen started to inscribe calligraphy onto the Ding ware, while Lin invented a method of producing vibrant glaze colors such as green, black and brown. Such innovations made a surprising splash in the high-end collection market and even entered exhibitions at the Palace Museum and the National Art Museum of China. Now the market-oriented Ding ware making has become a pillar industry in Quyang. The country is now home to over 2,000 ceramic artisans, generating an income of 200 million yuan (28.8 mln U.S. dollars) annually. "It is a good start to decode the secrets of porcelain-making and create modern works, but only a start," Chen's disciple Pang Yonghui, who manages a company making and selling Ding ceramics. "The future prosperity of Ding ware still has a long way to go." Their next goal is to expand the market of Ding ware, once a luxury ornament of the wealthy. "It is wrong to emphasize the cultural value of Ding ware without considering practical use." Five years ago, 70 percent of products in Pang's company were high-end art porcelains. Now, the majority are daily products such as teapots and cups. "Daily-use porcelains have become our flagship products," Pang said. To promote this traditional art, the Quyang government and local companies jointly built a Ding ware museum in 2017. A teaching base has also been set up in cooperation with Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, China's only institute of higher learning dedicated to the ceramic arts. You are here: Business China's total imports and exports between January and the middle of November this year surpassed the whole trade volume of 2017, customs data showed Saturday. The General Administration of Customs did not release detailed figures but said the volume was nearly 15 percent higher than the same period of 2017. The country's total foreign trade amounted to 27.79 trillion yuan ($4 trillion) in 2017, a rise of 14.2 percent from 2016. Its exports and imports both recorded unexpectedly strong growth in October despite growing external uncertainties. Foreign trade totaled 25.05 trillion yuan for the first 10 months of the year, up 11.3 percent from the same period last year. The GAC is scheduled to release the January-November trade data on Dec 8. More than 4,000 new students have enrolled in City College of San Francisco since all courses became free for city residents last year. The influx is far short of where enrollment stood before City Colleges five-year accreditation crisis began in 2012, and the college has so far lost money on the underfunded, two-year Free City deal. But the gratis education is wildly popular, especially with students. And now that Free City is set to expire in June, students and faculty are working hard to push forward a City Hall proposal to enshrine the no-cost classes for two more decades, through 2040, and fully fund it so the cash-strapped college doesnt have to. Its good for students. Getting your education shouldnt be a debt sentence, said San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim, who wants to amend the city charter to establish a long-term Free City College Fund. Student Win-Mon Kyi says shes saved $431 this semester alone, taking Spanish, geography, and an independent study class, now that shes completed her major requirements in ethnic studies. Although shell be transferring to San Francisco State University next year, she said her brother also benefits because hes a City College student, while her parents, who run a pizza restaurant in the citys Mission District, want to brush up on their culinary and horticulture skills. Its so essential, said Kyi, who joined the student-faculty Free City Coalition. Shes met with students to drum up support, helped hone the language of the new proposal, and talked with other city supervisors to get them on board. Under Kims proposal, the city would place $15 million into the college fund in 2020, $15.7 million the next year, and $16.4 million the following year. Beyond that is unclear, but the city could suspend required increases in any year with a budget deficit of at least $200 million. On Monday, the rules committee of the Board of Supervisors will vote on whether to send the proposal to the full board, which would then decide whether to place it on the November ballot for voter consideration. The proposal, upped from 10 to 20 years by Supervisor Norman Yee, nearly died on Wednesday. Thats when rules committee Chairman Ahsha Safai objected, calling it a significant set-aside. San Francisco voters have approved a nonbinding city policy limiting set-asides because they tie up money that could otherwise be used as needed. But Safai reversed his vote, The Chronicle has learned, after receiving assurances that a trash ordinance he supports would move forward. The ordinance would track how well businesses are following the citys trash separation law, and require remedies if they fail an audit. Safai did not respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, the Free City proposal identifies no funding source. But money for the current Free City a two-year, $11.2 million program that began in fall 2017 comes from Prop. W, a voter-approved tax on San Francisco properties that sell for at least $5 million. A portion of the tax is used to buy out the $46-a-credit fee paid by most students. City College was already free to very low-income students. So the program gives them grants of $200 to $500 to cover textbooks and other costs of attending college. Part of the motivation for Free City in 2016 was that City College one of the nations largest community colleges in 2012 had lost a quarter of its students, more than 20,000 people, largely due to its struggle to retain accreditation. An agency threatened for five years to shut it down on financial and managerial grounds. Today, about 63,000 full- and part-time students attend City College, compared with 83,400 in spring 2012. Despite hopes, City College has lost money on the Free City deal about $5 million over the two years of the program, said City College trustee John Rizzo. But the new proposal would give the college more than three times what the current program provides each year. I favor an extension of the program because it works, Rizzo said, noting the national student debt crisis. Im a believer in free tuition for college. So is Alex Lu, a psychology student who said he wouldnt be attending City College if the classes werent free. Thats why Im here, said Lu, who likes the idea of extending Free City because San Francisco is really expensive. Free City helps people who cant afford to go to San Francisco State. Ryland Tom, a political science student who lives in San Francisco, called the possibility of an extension amazing. I think thats where our taxpayer money should be going, although he pointed out that its easy for students to simply say they live in San Francisco and use a relatives address to get the benefit. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The program needs to be better regulated, he said. The college also fails to require students to exhaust all other sources of funding, such as Cal Grants and federal Pell grants as required under a memorandum of understanding between the city and the college trustees before tapping into the Free City money, according to the citys Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, which handles the program and reimburses the college. College officials say they encourage students to apply for college grants with signs, emails and in person. Kyi, the student working to help pass the Free City extension, hasnt heeded the encouragement. I think students would need support to apply, she said, noting that the applications are complicated and cumbersome. That component just needs more energy on it from the college. The fact that students dont always apply first for other grants is a big reason why Barbara Ann Hassid, a city taxpayer with an active interest in City College politics, opposes extending Free City. Before dipping into city funds, students are required to enroll in federal financial aid, she said. Thats in the MOU. Free City is a tremendous idea, but the legislation was super flawed from the start. Students are not unanimous in their support. I dont understand the point of Free City. The fees werent much its the textbooks that are expensive, said a 19-year-old student from San Francisco. But she wouldnt give her name. I feel like a lot of people like Free City, she explained. I dont want them to come after me. Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle San Francisco Mayor London Breed spent her first Thanksgiving in office not carving turkeys at St. Anthonys Dining Room, but in New York at the Macys Parade, sitting in the VIP section that was visible to anyone watching NBCs coverage. Sources tell us the mayor was on hand with the family of Building Inspection Commissioner John Konstin, owner of Johns Grill. Both Konstin and his daughter were celebrating their birthdays. In the face of mounting costs and scarce office space in the Bay Area, tech is investing billions of dollars in new buildings outside of California. But, unlike some old-economy titans that have decamped altogether, San Franciscos tech giants arent leaving town. Theyre just spreading the wealth. Salesforce confirmed on Friday that it will pay $475 million over 17 years for a 500,000-square-foot lease at Wolf Point in Chicago. By 2023, when the new Salesforce Tower Chicago opens, it will move 1,400 existing workers there and hire 1,000 more. Yet that expansion comes as Salesforce struck another deal for an as-yet-unbuilt tower in San Francisco that will hold 1,500 employees, in an expansion of its headquarters. Salesforces deals come as many of San Franciscos 20th century corporate titans are seeking cheaper homes. Engineering titan Bechtel ditched its titular headquarters in downtown San Francisco for its operating base in northern Virginia this year, while building-mate Blue Shield is jumping across the bay to Oakland next year. McKesson Corp., the countrys biggest pharmaceutical distributor, said Friday it is moving to Texas. Wall Street West is not what it once was: Wells Fargo and Charles Schwab are sticking around, but adding more jobs in places like Denver and Dallas. In the 1990s, there were concerns that San Francisco would become a new Venice, a pretty city dependent on tourism, but with fading economic might, said Gabriel Metcalf, outgoing head of urban planning think tank SPUR. The suburbs were cheaper, safer and had better schools. Then the tech boom showed up. Though the modern industry germinated in Silicon Valley, almost every major tech company is now growing in San Francisco, courting employees who prefer urbanity. Salesforce surpassed Wells Fargo as the citys largest private employer this year. Facebook signed two massive office tower deals in the Transbay district. Google is continuing its office leasing spree near the Embarcadero. The roaring economy has given the city its largest budget ever, which at $11 billion exceeds that of more than a dozen states. Its also put pressure on office, housing and transit infrastructure, leading to a backlash against more growth. Salesforce is paying $55 per square foot in annual rent in Chicago, far less than it does at home. The $500 million, 16-year lease at Parcel F, the site of its new San Francisco tower, is equivalent to $96 per square foot annually. Only New York, London and some Asian cities have office rents that high. Salesforce has plenty of cash to grow in San Francisco and elsewhere; it has projected revenue of $16 billion next year. This is all about the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This is about the cloud. Its about artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, Salesforce co-CEO Marc Benioff said on a recent earnings call. We are in a lot of uncharted territory here. And were going to continue to see incredible expansion. The problem for cities like Chicago in drawing more tech companies is finding people whose skills put them on the map. In Chicago, tech accounts for 4.9 percent of jobs, according to real estate brokerage Cushman & Wakefield. Meanwhile, tech accounts for 27.5 percent of jobs in Silicon Valley and 12.3 percent of jobs in San Francisco, according to Moodys and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The larger pool makes finding workers easier though it also means theres a lot of poaching by competitors. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes With unemployment at 4 percent or lower in each of these markets, tech companies of all sizes are in a war for talent and must do their utmost to hold on to and recruit employees and that means the best salaries, the best incentives, the best space and the best location, said Robert Sammons, Cushman & Wakefield Northwest regional research director, in a statement in September. That last point has generally meant an urban or even suburban location that is mixed-use, walkable, bikeable and near mass transit. Google, Facebook, Uber and Microsoft have all recently expanded in downtown Chicago, in part because of lower costs, said Brandon Svec, Chicago market economist at CoStar Group. A big draw for these firms is not just that they can find talent here, but that they can find it at very reasonable prices relative to the coasts due to the difference in costs of living. In addition, office space is much cheaper and thus, on a relative basis, Chicago is very competitive, he said. San Francisco is set to get more expensive for major companies in January, when a new tax to fund homelessness services will kick in for companies making more than $50 million in gross receipts. Benioff was the biggest champion of the measure, even though he said it will cost Salesforce around $10 million a year. Since the ballot measure passed in November, no major tech company has announced it will leave the city. Roland Li is a Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf Its been about two years since Dr. Ian Tong has seen a patient in person, that is. But Tong treats patients all the time through a secure video-chatting application on his laptop, from the San Francisco headquarters of Doctor On Demand, the telemedicine company he helps lead as chief medical officer. The same goes for the roughly 150 physicians employed by Doctor On Demand who primarily work from home from all over the United States. The expansion of telemedicine the remote delivery of health care services through technology has spawned a growing cohort of doctors like Tong who spend the vast majority of their time practicing medicine through screens, sometimes guiding patients through self-exams. Tong, a University of Chicago-trained internist, recently instructed a patient to do a brief abdominal exam on her toddler son who was experiencing bloody stools. As she did so, Tong scanned the boys face for discomfort and peppered his mother with questions: Has he eaten anything red, like beets? Is the blood dark or bright red? The call lasted 12 minutes a bit longer than the nine minutes Tong says is the average appointment time for Doctor On Demand. Soon after, he headed into a meeting with the companys product team on how to improve the app for patients. Constanza Hevia H. / Special to The Chronicle Telemedicine is making urgent care faster and more accessible for many patients but, as Doctor On Demand shows, its also changing the way doctors work. Gone are the instruments of the familiar exam room, like thermometers and blood pressure cuffs and the daily commute. Id never have imagined this is a job Id be able to do from home, said Dr. Heather Hawthorne, a family doctor who works for the company from Overland Park, a suburb near Kansas City, Kan. It definitely did take some getting used to, (like) not being able to put a stethoscope to their chest to see if its bronchitis and not pneumonia. On a recent November afternoon, while Hawthornes 15-month-old son napped nearby, she picked up an impromptu two-hour shift because there was an unusually high volume of patient calls coming in. Later, when her husband came home from work, she worked her usual four-hour shift. That flexibility just isnt there in a traditional brick-and-mortar practice, said Hawthorne, who did her residency in Phoenix and practiced for several years at a hospital group in Scottsdale, Ariz. This new workplace setup, Hawthorne says, is freeing but can be isolating. If you talk to physicians in other settings, a big part of taking care of patients is (talking to) your colleague like, Hey, I dont know what this rash is, and youll ask the doctor in the next exam room. Its kind of isolated here. I dont have that. Doctor On Demand, founded in 2014 with funding from Google Ventures, Goldman Sachs and Andreessen Horowitz, is not the first company to experiment with employing remote doctors. Other firms based in Florida, Boston and New York have been around longer, and traditional health care providers have long offered patients 24/7 advice lines staffed by nurses. But Doctor On Demands inroads into the health care system its medical visits are covered by major commercial insurance plans like UnitedHealth Group and Humana, and it contracts with a growing number of large self-insured employers that pay for some or all of the services for their workers offers a glimpse into a local company that is riding the telemedicine boom. The firm, which is privately held, hit 1 million patient visits in May, leaders said, and is on track to hit 2 million next year. Over the last decade weve seen significant growth in telemedicine, and in the last five years weve seen significant growth in consumer-generated telemedicine where the patient is at home or on vacation, said Dr. Steven Waldren of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a medical society that represents about 130,000 family doctors. Most doctors who work for telemedicine firms are family, primary care or emergency care physicians. In 2014, about 15 percent of the groups members reported practicing telemedicine in some fashion, Waldren said. By 2017, that had jumped to 20 percent. Tong, the Doctor On Demand executive, says the more predictable and manageable hours help with physician burnout, a well-documented problem within the medical field. The companys physician retention rate, he says, has been over 90 percent for each of the last three years. In the ER, I worked daytime, evenings, nights, weekends, said Dr. Tony Yuan, Doctor On Demands medical director who was an emergency medicine physician for 20 years, most of it at San Jose Regional Medical Center. It was super-busy with lots of trauma. The toll of the schedule, the stress of work, it made me pretty unhappy about continuing to practice medicine. When this opportunity came up, I immediately jumped on it. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Yuan splits his week between his Union City home and Doctor On Demands San Francisco headquarters. On days he doesnt have to commute, he saves about two hours. Some of the clinical limitations to virtual visits are obvious: Doctors cant do physical exams, take X-rays, administer injections, treat wounds or do a host of other things. They can, though, prescribe medications and order lab tests. But its hard to build the type of practice they could in a more traditional setting because many telemedicine patients call in with a one-off problem, like a cough or urinary tract infection, and ask to see the first available doctor, who usually has never treated them before. The emerging model isnt totally free from the ways of traditional medical practices. Physicians at Doctor On Demand, for example, get paid depending on how many patients they see similar to the way it works for office visits. They work in shifts, usually for eight hours at a time, and rotate for holiday, weekend and night shifts. Doctors have to be licensed in the state where the patient lives. With the advent of technology and how weve developed personal devices, this will be the future of medicine, said Yuan, the medical director. But barriers remain. States have different rules for what they will allow insurance companies and government insurance programs like Medicaid to cover when it comes to virtual patient visits. And paying for the services out of pocket Doctor of Demand charges $75 for a medical visit without insurance is still out of reach for some of the poorest and neediest populations. In California, Medi-Cal covers limited visits done by video and allows private insurers to cover telehealth services, though the details are left up to health plans. Its definitely accelerated in the last couple years, but theres still some catching up to do, Waldren said. Hopefully, well see the (insurance) plans paying for this and not out of patients pockets. Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho President Trumps promise last month to do away with birthright citizenship for U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants drew predictable scorn from some prominent Californians. State Attorney General Xavier Becerra said the presidents scapegoating and fear-mongering was reckless and unconstitutional, while House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, appearing on Stephen Colberts Late Show, said it was in keeping with Trumps policy of taking babies out of the arms of their moms. But there was a time when leading Californians were on the other side of the same issue when it came before the federal courts. And one of them was Earl Warren, then the states attorney general and now a civil rights icon. It happened during World War II, months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. A nativist group called Native Sons of the Golden West sued San Franciscos voter registrar for refusing to remove U.S.-born Japanese Americans from the voter rolls. The groups lawyer was Ulysses S. Webb, who had served as Californias attorney general from 1902 until his retirement in 1939. At a hearing in a Bay Area federal court, Webb argued that nonwhite children of immigrant parents specifically, Americans of Japanese descent were not entitled to birthright citizenship because the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were created by and for white people. The state was not a party to the suit. But it was endorsed by Warren, Webbs successor as attorney general, and later the states governor and the nations chief justice. The Native Sons challenge was rejected by federal courts, including the Supreme Court the same court that upheld the governments wartime displacement and imprisonment of 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of them U.S. citizens. Judges relied on a ruling by the Supreme Court in a San Francisco case in 1898 that said contrary to Trumps recent pronouncement that the Constitution guarantees U.S. citizenship to anyone born in the United States. But the proceedings offer a stark portrayal of a time of racial and ethnic hostility. Webbs argument that Japanese Americans were unfit for citizenship because of racial characteristics of dishonesty, deceit and hypocrisy reflected not only wartime paranoia but also longtime disparagement of Asians living in the U.S., dating back at least to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. That law, which prohibited immigration of Chinese laborers, stayed on the books until 1952. Warren, a member of Native Sons of the Golden West since 1919, said national security, not racism, motivated him to endorse the suit and a proposed constitutional amendment to deny U.S. citizenship to anyone of Japanese ancestry. He also became an ardent supporter of expelling Japanese Americans from California during World War II, even before President Franklin D. Roosevelts June 1942 internment order. Warren said Californias Japanese population was in position to carry out a tremendous program of sabotage. As governor, first elected in 1942, Warren signed bills approved by the Legislature to deny fishing licenses to Japanese Americans who were noncitizens and to take away some of their property. But later, as Supreme Court chief justice, he became a champion of minority rights, writing the epic 1954 ruling that outlawed racial segregation in public schools and presiding over a court that expanded the rights of voters and criminal defendants. But it was only in a letter published after his death in 1974 that Warren said he deeply regretted his support of the wartime Japanese removal. Californias current political role as a supporter of immigrants rights is a very new development, said Sam Erman, an assistant law professor at the University of Southern California and a legal history scholar. For a long time, one of the central drivers of immigration policy in the U.S. was anti-Chinese sentiment, and California was the center of that. The state has been the port of entry for Asians entering the United States, and for many years its labor unions saw low-cost overseas labor as a threat, Erman observed. In 1943, the California State Federation of Labor endorsed a constitutional amendment that would have denied citizenship to Americans of Japanese or Chinese descent. And Warren, Erman said, illustrated how people running for elected office are mirrors of public opinion. The landmark court case on birthright citizenship began in the late 19th century in San Francisco, where Wong Kim Ark was born in 1873 to Chinese immigrant parents. His parents returned to China in 1890, eight years after passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act. Wong went to visit them twice, and after the second visit, in 1894, customs officials in San Francisco refused to let him leave the steamship and said he was not a U.S. citizen. He remained confined for five months until a federal judge decided in his favor. The government appealed directly to the Supreme Court, which ruled 6-2 in 1898 that Wong was protected by the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing U.S. citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The court reaffirmed the ruling in later cases, and most, though not all, legal analysts have concluded that it applies to U.S.-born children of all immigrants. Opponents of birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, including California Gov. Pete Wilson in 1993, have periodically proposed amending the Constitution, which would require approval by two-thirds of each house of Congress and legislatures in three-quarters of the states. Trump, however, said in an interview that aired two days before the Nov. 6 election that he had been assured he could repeal birthright citizenship by executive order and planned to do so. He hasnt said who assured him and hasnt issued any such orders since the election. Republicans in Congress have regularly introduced bills along the same lines, but those have gone nowhere. The 1942 suit by Native Sons of the Golden West was one of the last serious challenges to the Supreme Courts ruling. Webb, arguing in federal court, noted that the countrys first Nationality Act, passed in 1790, authorized naturalization only for free white persons. The 14th Amendment, he said, was intended to allow former slaves to become citizens, but not to apply to children of all races or ethnicities, including Japanese, who happened to be born in the United States. San Franciscos lawyer replied that the Supreme Court had already settled the issue. Attorneys from the leftist National Lawyers Guild, arguing on the citys side, accused Webb of advocating fascist principles. A week later, U.S. District Judge Adolphus St. Sure appointed in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge issued a brief ruling saying the issue has been definitely decided, in favor of birthright citizenship, by the Supreme Court in 1898. Webb turned to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, which heard his arguments in February 1943, then halted the hearing as the citys lawyer was preparing to respond. According to accounts of the proceedings, the judges briefly whispered among themselves, then announced that they were upholding St. Sures ruling without the need for further arguments. The Supreme Court denied review of Webbs appeal in May 1943, and the case was over. The issue has not disappeared, however. Some conservative legal scholars have argued that the 1898 ruling did not resolve the question of whether undocumented immigrants U.S.-born children are entitled to citizenship, because Wong Kim Arks parents entered legally. Whether through an order by Trump or an act of Congress, the scope of birthright citizenship could wind up before a Supreme Court with a solidly conservative majority and two current Trump appointees. Greg Robinson, a history professor at Quebec University who has written extensively on the 1942 case and applauded its conclusion, says the ultimate outcome is uncertain. While the political system proved weak in 1942 the Native Sons got the California political leadership on board or at least silent even at the height of the wartime period the courts rejected the position quite decisively, Robinson said. I dont know whether we will be so fortunate in the future. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@BobEgelko You are here: Business China's industrial robot output increased 8.7 percent year-on-year in the first 10 months of 2018, slower than the 9.3-percent growth for the January-September period, according to official data. A total of 118,452 units of industrial robots were manufactured January-October, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). In October, robot output dropped 3.3 percent year-on-year to 9,590 units, the MIIT said, without explaining the reason behind the fall. China's robotics industry has maintained rapid growth over the past five years. Industrial robot output surged 81 percent to exceed 130,000 in 2017, achieving the government's target three years ahead of schedule. The country released a guideline in 2016 with a goal of tripling annual production of industrial robots to 100,000 by 2020. The guideline said China planned to spread the use of industrial robots in industries such as car manufacturing, electronics, home appliances, aviation, textiles and chemicals. MAGALIA, Butte County The red and green tables and chairs outside Jakis Hilltop Cafe were brand-new. The restaurant, known for its biscuits and gravy, and stuffed French toast, had a fresh coat of beige and brown paint just in time for its reopening. Just 15 months earlier, the cafe was destroyed by a kitchen fire that ignited after a car show and barbecue. It reopened in October, exactly one month before the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history tore through the area. The Camp Fire skipped or circled around some homes and businesses. It left a storefront here and a house there, as it gobbled entire neighborhoods on its unprecedented path of destruction through Butte County. Miraculously, it missed Jakis Hilltop Cafe. But it doesnt matter. There are no customers to serve. The luck of the draw isnt very soothing to the property owners who were spared by the capricious flames. With everything around them gone and most commerce shut down, their futures are, for the most part, in just as much doubt as those of the people who lost everything. This is an apocalypse, said Jaki Snead, the 60-year-old owner of the Hilltop, noting that the hair and nail salons next to her restaurant had burned to the ground. Its been two tragedies really close to one another, she added. Her cafe didnt have a fleck of ash on it, not even on the paperback books piled on a pink bookshelf next to the front door, but she knew that the future of her popular cafe and hangout spot was bleak. The fire destroyed 528 businesses and 13,972 homes in the Sierra foothills towns of Paradise, its neighbor Magalia and several other wooded communities. The bad news got worse last week when the pounding rain caused flooding in the burn zone, forcing more evacuations. Although Sneads business survived, her house 2 miles away was one of the casualties. I dont have a home anymore. I dont know if Ill reopen (the restaurant), she said. This is really hard. It could take years to rebuild Paradise, Magalia and the other small communities that were devastated by the fire. Without homes, there isnt much business, and without business, there isnt much work. Many of the elderly property owners are expected to move away, and nobody knows who will take their place or what kind of community will be built. Karpathia Herzbrun feels fortunate that the fire somehow looped around her Magalia neighborhood, but said she feels like she is stranded on an unburned island. Because Paradise, just down the road, is still closed to traffic, she has to drive 1 hours on a winding mountain road just to get food. With snow, that route will soon be impassable, she said. We needed Paradise, but Paradise is gone, said Herzbrun, who had to evacuate 25 animals, including two dogs, two rabbits, a horse and a goat from her Woodward Drive home the day of the fire. Its like youre in a wild animal park, and youre the wild animal. ... Its too much. Its an overload of feelings. Outside their two-story cedar home, along Centerville Road in a long valley bisected by Butte Creek, Doug and Gayle Edgar hugged each other last week, thankful that a fire crew saved the house complete with swimming pool and tiki bar that he built 25 years ago. They couldnt save his workshop, which was full of memorabilia and a pristine Harley-Davidson motorcycle, but the Edgars arent about to complain. The octogenarian couple next door lost everything. It wouldnt even be fair if I complained, said Doug, 58. But the Edgars lives have been thrown into turmoil in other ways. Offices and part of the Feather River Hospital, where they both worked, were damaged or destroyed, nearly taking out several of their co-workers as they scrambled to evacuate patients. Administrators said recently that the damaged hospital buildings in Paradise, where as many as 1,000 people were employed, may not reopen. Its certainly life-changing, said Gayle, 45, who wept as she recounted how her neighbors and co-workers lost their homes and livelihoods. Its what everybody around us lost. Our co-workers at the hospital were calling their loved ones and saying goodbye. They watched cars burn up and had to run for their lives. The Camp Fire, which was contained last Sunday after burning 153,336 acres in 17 days, killed at least 88 people. Officials warn that the death toll could still rise. Fire officials expect to allow many evacuated residents to return to fire-ravaged areas in the next couple of weeks, and Butte County is offering those who lost homes or loved ones services, including grief counseling, child care, and tax and disaster relief. As the burned areas are reopened, property owners will be provided with re-entry kits with information about debris removal, safety and health, said Kelly Hubbard, a spokeswoman for the Butte County mutual aid and recovery system. She said the packet will include full-body HazMat-style suits, rubber gloves and N95 masks. But the emergency is such that the people whose homes were spared must find their own way through the grief and confusion, at least for now, Hubbard said. Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California We don't have the resources to be tracking those who are OK, Hubbard said. The focus right now is on search and recovery. Whats left for people like Shane Smith, whose Sunnyside Lane home survived virtually unscathed, is survivors guilt. At least four of his neighbors homes were destroyed, while not even the lemon tree in his front yard suffered damage. I feel gratitude that I have a home, but all of a sudden, out of nowhere, I feel sad and get teary-eyed, said Smith, a 41-year-old chiropractor who, with his wife and three children one with Down syndrome moved in with another family in Chico while the electricity to the family home was shut off and workers cleared the smoke from inside the house. My town is gone. All my friends homes are gone, Smith said. I feel frustrated because I have a home, and yet I cant help other people. Meanwhile, local real estate agents are packing up because there is nothing to sell. It means businesses like Jakis Hilltop Cafe is in limbo. The cafe was a community hub, a place for people to hang out, but the employees cant afford to wait around for a new town to be built out of the cinders. I dont have a plan for anything right now, said Susie LaDue, a 20-year cafe employee who, without work, cant afford the $600 in rent she pays for herself and her 17-year-old daughter. I am just living day by day. Pat Bronson, 66, a shift manager at the cafe, said she has no choice but to leave town. Theres nobody that is going to rebuild in Paradise right this minute, Bronson said. Its never going to be the same as before. Everyone has to start a new normal. Bob Smalley, who owns Smalley General Contracting, in Paradise, has turned his business into a kind of halfway house for employees who lost their homes. Smalley, whose Magalia home was destroyed, lives in a room in the building and eight of his employees live in campers and recreational vehicles in the parking lot. I'm going to say (this fire) is going to be good for my business, Smalley said. Its bittersweet because I lost my house and all my foremen lost their houses too, and thats affecting us to some degree, but we're still fortunate to be able to conduct business. Peter Fimrite and Sarah Ravani are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com, sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite @SarRavani It took only a few days for the Chinese government to slam the door on a troubling piece of rogue research. A medical team claimed it had re-spliced the genetic codes in a pair of embryonic twins who were later born with better built-in defenses against virus that causes AIDS. That may sound promising and hopeful, just the sort of advance that technology portends in using genetics to fend off disease. But the Chinese researchers were winging it with no outside reviews, controls or government approval. The work wouldnt be allowed in Europe or the U.S. George H.W. Bush was a son of privilege who repeatedly stepped up to serve his nation without a trace of entitlement. His was a history of bouncing back from political setbacks that would have deterred a lesser patriot. He was ever willing to put his pride, and even his life, on the line for his country. As a Navy pilot at age 20, an injured Bush was left floating on a raft in the Pacific Ocean when his plane was hit by antiaircraft guns. Two of his colleagues were killed on that World War II combat mission in September 1944. In the following decades, Bush would become a two-term congressman, a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, chair of the Republican National Committee, U.S. envoy to China, director of the CIA, two-term vice president and, ultimately, 41st president of the United States. But underpinning the depth and breadth of that resume was a rare determination and resiliency that made it possible. He lost his first race for U.S. Senate in 1964, was elected to the U.S. House, then reached for the Senate again in 1970 and lost again. Yet he stayed in public service, raising his profile to the point he became a leading Republican candidate for president in 1980, only to lose the nomination to Ronald Reagan. In 1988, Bush became the first sitting vice president in 152 years to win the White House. As president, Bushs foreign policy experience was evident in his steady hand during the fall of the Soviet empire. In 1989 he sent U.S. troops into Panama to oust Manuel Noriega and in 1991 put together an international coalition to evict Iraqi troops from Kuwait. Bush lost his re-election bid to Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton due, in part, to the lackluster economy and the perception that the president had been inattentive to the nations kitchen-table concerns. The gracious note he left to his successor in the Oval Office Your success now is our countrys success. ... I am rooting hard for you spoke volumes about Bushs sense of decency and commitment to American ideals that transcend partisan alliances or personal rivalries. The nation has lost a leader who represented the best of politics and public service. This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters. The rule of law distinguishes democracies from dictatorships. Its based on three fundamental principles. Trump is violating every one of them. The first is that no person is above the law, not even a president. Which means a president cannot stop an investigation into his alleged illegal acts. Yet in recent weeks, Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who at least had possessed enough integrity to recuse himself from special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Trumps possible collusion with Russia in the 2016 election. Trump replaced Sessions with an inexperienced loyalist hack, Matthew Whitaker, whose only distinction to date has been loud and public condemnation of that investigation. As a conservative legal commentator on CNN, Whitaker even suggested that a clever attorney general could secretly starve the investigation of funds. Theres no question why Trump appointed Whitaker. When asked by the Daily Caller, Trump made it clear: As far as Im concerned, this is an investigation that should have never been brought. It should have never been had. ... Its an illegal investigation. The second principle of the rule of law is that a president cannot prosecute political opponents or critics. Decisions about whom to prosecute for alleged criminal wrongdoing must be made by prosecutors who are independent of politics. Yet Trump has repeatedly pushed the Justice Department to bring charges against Hillary Clinton, his 2016 rival, for using a private email server when she was secretary of state, in alleged violation of the Presidential Records Act. During his campaign, Trump led crowds in chanting lock her up, called Clinton crooked Hillary, and threatened to prosecute her if he was elected president. After taking office, according to the New York Times, Trump told White House counsel Donald McGahn he wanted the Justice Department to prosecute Clinton. McGahn responded that Trump didnt have the authority to do so, and such action might even lead to impeachment. Yet Trump has continued to press Justice Department officials including Whitaker when he served as Sessions chief of staff about the status of Clinton-related investigations. Never mind that Trumps senior adviser and daughter, Ivanka Trump, sent hundreds messages on her private email server to government employees and aides that detailed government business, policies and proposals. Or that other Trump officials have used their private email to conduct official business as well. Breaking the rule of law doesnt require consistency. It requires only a thirst for power at whatever cost. The third principle of the rule of law is that a president must be respectful of the independence of the judiciary. Yet Trump has done the opposite, openly ridiculing judges who disagree with him in order to fuel public distrust of them as he did when he called the judge who issued the first federal ruling against his travel ban a so-called judge. Last week, Trump referred derisively to the judge who put a hold on Trumps plan for refusing to consider asylum applications an Obama judge, and railed against the entire U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. You go to the Ninth Circuit and its a disgrace, he said. He also issued a subtle threat: Its not going to happen like this anymore. In an unprecedented public rebuke of a sitting president, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts condemned Trumps attack. We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges, Roberts said. What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them. That independent judiciary is something we should all be thankful for. Trump immediately shot back: Sorry Chief Justice John Roberts, but you do indeed have Obama judges, and they have a much different point of view than the people who are charged with the safety of our country. This was followed by another Trump threat on Twitter: Much talk over dividing up the 9th Circuit into 2 or 3 Circuits. Too big! Almost a half-century ago, another president violated these three basic principles of the rule of law, although not as blatantly as Trump. Richard Nixon tried to obstruct the Watergate investigation, pushed the Justice Department to prosecute his political enemies and took on the judiciary. But America wouldnt allow it. The nation rose up in outrage. Nixon resigned before Congress impeached him. The question is whether this generation of Americans will have the strength and wisdom to do the same. 2018 By Robert Reich Robert Reichs latest book is The Common Good, and his newest documentary is Saving Capitalism. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at SFChronicle.com/letters. SACRAMENTO There is not yet a word for the Democratic dominance in the state Assembly. It used to be supermajority, but Democrats eclipsed that two-thirds threshold during last months election. What do you call the Democrats three-fourths majority that will be sworn in Monday in the 80-member Assembly? Ultra-super majority? Super-duper majority? Or as Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon suggested, giga-majority? There is one word political insiders warn does not define the influx of Democrats: consensus. We didnt elect 60 Democrats from San Francisco thats a little different, said Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco. You have Democrats from very purple, moderate districts, and they may be more liberal than their Republican predecessors. But I dont see them radically shifting on many issues. They will continue to reflect their districts. That means liberals proposals for criminal justice reform, housing production, tenants rights and soaring rents could still face difficult votes during the two-year session that begins Jan. 7. Moderate Democrats an unofficial caucus commonly called mods in the state Capitol often align with business interests and the handful of remaining Republicans to kill policies they say are too costly or too far to the left. Their voting bloc is most powerful in two-thirds votes reserved for taxes, but they have also been able to hold up bills needing a simple majority. Just because its a one-party state doesnt mean it gets easier, said Mike Madrid, a Republican political consultant. In many ways it will be more difficult. Personal agendas and personalities will play a bigger role. The Assemblys Democratic class is already guaranteed to be the largest since 1883. It could hit 61, depending on the outcome of an undecided race in San Diego. In the Senate, Democrats hold 29 of the 40 seats, enough to give them a supermajority with two votes to spare. Speaker Rendon, D-Paramount (Los Angeles County), said Democrats stand together on certain core issues such as worker protections and womens rights. Will we have all Democrats going up on every bill? No, Rendon said. But we can get our progressive agenda passed. More Democrats makes it easier to get Democratic policies through. Among the areas where Democrats have been divided in the past is criminal justice reform. That was true earlier this year with legislation to overturn the states murder accomplice rule, which held accomplices as culpable for felony murder as those who personally committed the crime. Moderate Democrats railed against the bill, calling it a risk to public safety, before joining Republicans in voting against it. The bill narrowly passed and was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown. Another bill that moderate Democrats and law enforcement officials opposed did not fare as well. That bill, to toughen the standard on when an officer can legally shoot a suspect, stalled in the Senate without a vote. Its sponsor, Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, has said she plans to try again with a similar bill next year. Law enforcement groups are already holding meetings in anticipation of fighting the legislation, according to the California Peace Officers Association. Bills opposed by law enforcement are tough votes for Democrats from areas where the party has only recently displaced Republican officeholders. With the tent being so big right now, you are going to see different groups in the Democratic Party with different priorities, said Robin Swanson, a Democratic political consultant. Housing legislation has also led to cleaving in the Democratic Party. Legislative leaders and Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom pledged to prioritize housing in 2019, with lawmakers saying they will take another run at bills that failed last year. Bills to address rising rents and forced-out tenants have divided many Democrats, particularly legislation to reform the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a 1995 state law that sharply limits rent controls that cities can impose. A ballot measure that would have scrapped the law was beaten badly in November. Similar splintering among Democrats occurred in previous attempts to overhaul the Ellis Act, a state law intended to help property owners who no longer want to be in the rental business. Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, said he and other lawmakers are discussing tenants-rights bills for 2019, including proposals to prevent steep rent increases during housing crises and to strengthen just-cause eviction laws. These are issues that have not often garnered the support of all of our Democratic colleagues, Chiu said. Our hope is this year will be different as the plight of tenants has intensified across the state. Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, said he would try again to pass a bill to limit cities ability to block large apartment and condominium projects in residential neighborhoods near public transit. His measure last year, SB827, which became one of the most hotly debated housing bills in the country, died in its first committee hearing with moderate and liberal Democrats voting against it. Wiener has been working on changes in hopes of making it more palatable to lawmakers this year. Its easy to think it will be easy to pass things, but I dont think so, said Kristin Olsen, a former Assembly Republican leader. The political parties are very factioned, and therefore fractured when it comes to moving policies together. Leadership will have enormous challenges to bring those factions together. Melody Gutierrez is the San Francisco Chronicles Sacramento bureau chief. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez 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 Friday in the Court of Chancery in Delaware, pauses, at least for the moment, a bitter dispute between two prominent theater families, the Nederlanders and the Shorensteins, that were once allied and are now at odds. The two families for decades jointly operated the 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, Hays still has a 50 percent ownership stake there as well). Nederlander San Francisco took legal action against 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. But the judge, Tamika Montgomery-Reeves, did not agree, noting that the producers of the two shows openly negotiated with multiple venues, which competed against each other to hold the productions, and she denied the Nederlanders request to block the productions. It was not immediately clear whether the ruling, which came on a motion for a preliminary injunction, could be appealed, or whether the case might now proceed to a full trial. The ruling was welcomed by Hays, a prominent theater producer and investor and the heir to a substantial real estate fortune, who said in a statement that she was obviously gratified by this verdict. Stacey Mindich, the lead producer of Dear Evan Hansen, declared herself extremely pleased and ready to present the musical at the Curran as planned, with a first performance Wednesday; City Hall in San Francisco is scheduled to be lit up in blue Thursday to mark the shows local opening. Neither an executive at Nederlander San Francisco nor the companys lawyers immediately responded to requests for comment. The ruling did offer a look at some details of the Broadway touring business, revealing that Hays had courted Dear Evan Hansen extensively, twice donating money to a nonprofit affiliated with the show; guaranteeing the producers at least $1.3 million in weekly revenue from a run at the Curran; and promising to cover any losses caused by the ongoing legal dispute. The ruling also reveals that the Ambassador Theater Group, a British company closely affiliated with the lead producer of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, at first sought to take over long-term programming at the Curran even after the run of that show. Hays refused, and instead negotiated an agreement that brings the play to San Francisco while leaving her in control of future programming as well as physical alterations to the theater; the ruling says that the intention is to run Cursed Child in San Francisco for three years, starting next fall, although the run could be extended. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. MINNEAPOLIS Nearly a year after he resigned his U.S. Senate seat amid sexual misconduct allegations, Al Franken is testing whether he can make a comeback in the #MeToo era. The former Saturday Night Live funnyman released a podcast on health care last week, just days after a Thanksgiving Day Facebook post in which he mused how much he missed being in the fight every day. When I left the Senate, I said I was giving up my seat but not my voice, and after the midterm elections, I thought Id start experimenting with ways to make my voice heard, Franken said as he opened the podcast. He ended by saying: Maybe Ill do another one, I dont know. Franken was a safe bet for re-election before a radio host last year accused him of forcibly kissing her during a USO tour in the Middle East in 2006, and circulated a photo in which he can be seen pretending to grope her breasts. That was followed by allegations from several women that he groped them while posing for photos. Several female Democratic senators led by New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand called on Franken to step down, and he announced his resignation last December, even as he maintained that some of the accusations were untrue and disputed details in others. Franken, 67, was among the first politicians who fell amid the rise of the #MeToo movement. But others have survived misconduct allegations since then, including Rep. Keith Ellison, who was elected Minnesotas attorney general despite an ex-girlfriends claim of domestic abuse. And Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court despite an allegation of attempted sexual assault. Many liberal activists and donors nationally have said Franken was treated too harshly. Comedian Bill Maher recently argued on his HBO show Real Time that We can have #MeToo and Al Franken. Theyre not mutually exclusive. Its time to get Al off the bench so he could come back to doing what he does better than any other Democrat, taking down right-wing blowhards. Even President Trump ridiculed Franken for quitting too soon. At a rally in Minnesota last month for the Republican running in a special election to complete Frankens term, Trump told the crowd that Franken folded like a wet rag. Franken declined an interview request, and he hasnt made clear exactly how he will seek to become more publicly involved. He said in his Facebook post that he is certainly not running for anything. Even if he were interested, Minnesotas Senate seats and governorship are locked down for the near future by fellow Democrats. And some are warning against rushing to welcome Franken back. No matter how much you care about him or his voice or his talents as an orator, that does not trump the need to create a more just culture for the survivors of sexual violence, said feminist author Sady Doyle, a regular contributor to Elle and Medium who said she was once a big Franken fan. Steve Karnowski is an Associated Press writer. WASHINGTON The top Democrat on the House intelligence committee said Sunday that the testimony of former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone should be provided to special counsel Robert Mueller for consideration of whether perjury charges are warranted. The comments from Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, come days after President Trumps former lawyer pleaded guilty to lying to Congress, raising questions about whether the special counsel would pursue similar charges against others eyed in the Russia probe. Schiff said on ABCs This Week that emails between Stone and an associate, Jerome Corsi, are inconsistent with the testimony that Stone gave to the committee last year. Schiff, who will chair the intelligence committee when Democrats take control of the House next year, suggested that others may also potentially be in legal jeopardy for providing false testimony to the congressional committee. Theres generally a high legal threshold to prove such a charge, but he said there are some people that Im confident have met and exceeded that bar. Muellers investigators are trying to determine whether Corsi and Stone had advance knowledge of WikiLeaks plans to release hacked material damaging to Hillary Clintons presidential effort. U.S. intelligence agencies have said Russia was the source of that hacked material. Documents drafted by Muellers team as part of a potential plea deal with Corsi which he has rejected contained portions of emails he exchanged with Stone in the summer of 2016 about WikiLeaks. In late July 2016, Stone emailed Corsi, asking him to get in touch with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been living in Ecuadors embassy in London since 2012, according to the documents. Stone said he wanted Corsi to try to obtain emails the group possessed about Clinton. Both Stone and Corsi have denied any wrongdoing, and Stone has denied knowing Assange or being a conduit for WikiLeaks. He said last month that he had no advanced notice of the source or content or the exact timing of the release of the WikiLeaks disclosures. Corsi has said the email he sent Stone in reply which accurately forecast that WikiLeaks would release derogatory information about Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta in October was based on his own deduction and not the result of any inside information or a source close to the group. Prosecutors from Muellers office had offered Corsi a deal to plead guilty to a false statements charge, but he said he rejected the offer because he didnt knowingly mislead investigators. He now says he expects he will be indicted. Michael Balsamo is an Associated Press writer. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Buenos Aires 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. WASHINGTON When Michael 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 Donald 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 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 Flynn, another adviser, lied about his interactions with a Russian official and about other matters for reasons that remain unclear. If special counsel Robert Mueller has proved anything in his 18-month-long investigation besides how intensely Russia meddled in a U.S. presidential election it is that 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. Even more Trump associates are under investigation for the same offense. They are part of a group of people surrounding Trump including some White House and Cabinet officials who contribute to a culture of bending, if not outright breaking, the truth, and whose leading exemplar is Trump himself. Trump looks for people who share his disregard for the truth and are willing to parrot him, even if its a lie, even if they know its a lie, and even if he said the opposite the day before, said Gwenda Blair, a Trump biographer. They must be loyal to what he is saying right now, she said, or he sees them as a traitor. Campaign aides often echoed Trumps pronouncements knowing they were false. People joined the top levels of his administration with the realization that they would be expected to embrace what Trump said, no matter how far from the truth or how much their reputations suffered. For Sean Spicer, the first White House press secretary, that included falsely insisting, on Trumps first day in office, that his inaugural crowd was the biggest in history. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who replaced him, dialed back once-daily press briefings to once every few weeks as her credibility was increasingly battered. For decades, such behavior was relatively free of consequence for those who aligned with Trump. The stakes in the real estate world were lower, and deceptive statements could be dismissed as hardball business tactics or just efforts to cultivate the Trump mystique. But in Mueller, those in Trumps orbit now confront a big-league adversary with little tolerance for what one top White House adviser once called alternative facts. He leads a team of prosecutors and FBI agents who are methodically and purposefully examining their words and deeds. Trumps own lawyers, wary of how frequently their client engages in falsehoods, are trying to hold the special counsel at bay. Jay Sekulow, one of the presidents lawyers, has already been forced to pull back his own public remarks about an issue of concern to Mueller. In a confidential memo to the special counsel, Trumps legal team admitted that the president, not his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., drafted a misleading statement about a Trump Tower meeting in 2016 between a Kremlin-tied lawyer and campaign officials. That statement could figure in the special counsels scrutiny of whether the president obstructed justice. Fearful of more deceptions, the presidents legal team has insisted that Trump answer questions only in writing. They delivered replies to some of the special counsels queries on Nov. 20 after months of negotiation. If unsatisfied, Mueller could try to subpoena the president to testify. But the new acting attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, a vocal critic of Muellers inquiry who now supervises it, would have to sign off. And even if he did, the White House could still mount a legal battle to squash it. Many witnesses or subjects of the inquiry lack the presidents negotiating power or resources. Some have been stunned by their encounters with prosecutors, who arrive armed with thick binders documenting their text messages, emails and whereabouts on any given date. Sam Nunberg, a former longtime adviser to Trump, said he feared that the special counsel was creating the impression of a wide-ranging conspiracy among liars, when witnesses could have dispelled much of the suspicion simply by testifying truthfully. People are conspiring against themselves, and they are playing right into Muellers hands, he said. If Flynn had said he discussed sanctions, he could very well be national security adviser today, he added. Instead, Flynn awaits sentencing for lying to FBI agents about various matters, including his talks with the Russian ambassador over whether the new administration would lift sanctions against Russia. The reasons for the lies vary, but, not surprisingly, people were most often trying to protect themselves. Cohen, Trumps longtime fixer, said in federal court this past week that he had misled Congress about the details of a Trump hotel project in Moscow because he did not want to contradict the presidents own false characterizations of his business dealings in Moscow. He specifically cited his loyalty to Trump, referred to as Individual 1 in court papers, as the reason for his crime. I made these misstatements to be consistent with Individual 1s political messaging and out of loyalty to Individual 1, Cohen told a judge. In a sentencing memo filed late Friday, Cohen emphasized that in the weeks before he misled Congress about the deal, he remained in close and regular contact with White House-based staff, as well as with Trumps lawyers. While the Moscow hotel was never built, Cohens court filing suggested that Trump at best minimized his knowledge of the proposed venture, both as a candidate and once he had been elected. Nearly two dozen times, Trump has publicly insisted that he had no business dealings in Russia. But Cohen, who discussed the hotel project with the aide to a key Kremlin official in early 2016, said in Fridays court filing that he kept Trump apprised of negotiations that continued through June of that year, just before Trump formally became the Republican nominee. Manafort is accused of lying on top of lying. As part of a September plea deal, he acknowledged that he had lied to the Justice Department about his business dealings and that he had also tried to persuade witnesses to lie to investigators on his behalf. On Monday, prosecutors said that he continued to lie after he had agreed to cooperate with them, breaching his plea deal. His lawyers insist he told the truth. Trump has been Muellers most vociferous critic, accusing his team of manufacturing lies by threatening witnesses with severe consequences if they refuse to agree with the special counsels narrative. What prosecutors have called lies, Trump has insisted is truth. What they called truth, he has framed as lies. Where all this is headed is unclear, but it appears that more allegations of lying are ahead. The Senate Intelligence Committee, which has also been investigating Russias interference in the election, has referred other cases to the special counsels office involving witnesses who may have lied. Prosecutors are investigating whether two or more people, including a longtime friend of Trumps, Roger Stone, lied about WikiLeaks, the rogue organization that distributed Democratic emails and other documents stolen by Russian intelligence as part of Moscows campaign to influence the 2016 election. Muellers team has been trying to determine whether anyone with the Trump campaign conspired with WikiLeaks or the Russian government to bolster Trumps chances of winning the White House. Jerome Corsi, a conservative author, has cast doubt on whether Stone testified truthfully to Congress about what inspired a Twitter message he posted in summer 2016, predicting it would soon be Podestas time in the barrel. Corsi said he had helped Stone concoct a cover story for the message so that it would not appear Stone had advance knowledge that WikiLeaks planned to undermine Hillary Clintons campaign by releasing emails stolen from the computer of her campaign chairman, John Podesta. He said Stone then incorporated those falsehoods into his congressional testimony an allegation that Stone vehemently denies. But in a turnabout, Corsi said prosecutors had now accused him of lying to them about other communications he had with Stone regarding WikiLeaks. He claims his only crime is a faulty memory. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping Saturday called on the Group of 20 (G20) to play a political leading role in nurturing favorable conditions for international trade. He also urged G20 to inject political impetus into international cooperation on jointly tackling climate change, during discussions at the 13th G20 summit held in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. On trade issue, the Chinese president said that G20 should firstly stick to openness and free trade, maintain and further expand an open market, and realize win-win cooperation through mutual exchanges and complementarity. Secondly, G20 should stick to inclusiveness, and bring the benefits of international trade and economic globalization to people of all countries and all classes, Xi said. Thirdly, G20 should uphold rules-oriented spirit and nurture a stable and expectable institutional environment for the healthy development of international trade, he said. On climate change, Xi said it is a major challenge to the future and destiny of mankind, which requires the G20's joint efforts. China, France and the United Nations reiterated their firm commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement on Friday, sending out a strong signal of pushing forward international cooperation to tackle climate change, Xi said. He urged G20 to inject political impetus into the international cooperation on jointly fighting climate change, with a sense of responsibility of building a community with a shared future for mankind. All relevant sides should faithfully abide by their commitment to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, reinforce their actions before 2020, and push for the green and low-carbon transformation across the world, Xi said. Developed countries should fulfill their promises of raising 100 billion U.S. dollars every year till 2020, and transfer advanced technologies to developing countries to help them elevate abilities to address climate change, he said. The Chinese side looks forward for the participating sides to reaching a package agreement at the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP24) of the UNFCCC in Katowice of Poland, and implementing the Paris Agreement based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, Xi said. China stands ready to make joint efforts with various sides and make its due contribution, he added. The Chinese president arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday night to attend the G20 summit held on Friday and Saturday, and pay a state visit to Argentina. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Bill Graham Menorah Day is being celebrated today at Union Square as part of a weeklong schedule of activities celebrating Chanukah. Today's events start at 2 p.m. with kids crafts activities, followed by the lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. The Bill Graham Festival of Lights follows at 6:30 p.m. at the Fillmore featuring Perry Farrell's Kind Heaven Orchestra (tickets required). Union Square candle lighting ceremonies also will be held starting at 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Dec. 9. The Bill Graham Menorah Project dates to 1975, "when community leaders joined together to create the first big public menorah and celebration of Chanukah outside of Israel," according to the project's website. In 1993, then-Mayor Frank Jordan declared that the first Sunday of Chanukah each year would be celebrated as Bill Graham Menorah Day in honor of the famed concert promoter who built and supported the project. For a full schedule of activities during the week, go to http://www.billgrahammenorah.org/schedule/ Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SANTA ROSA (BCN) Two brothers have been arrested in connection with the Saturday stabbing of an employee at a tattoo parlor, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said. The 28-year-old victim, who was stabbed several times in the chest, was taken to a hospital, where he underwent surgery. He is listed in stable condition. Sheriff's deputies were called to Twisted Image Tattoo parlor at 3450 Santa Rosa Ave. on the report of the stabbing at 5:30 p.m. The suspects' white Jeep was stopped at Yolanda Avenue on the Northbound 101 onramp, and three men were detained. Baldomero Anguiano-Vazquez, 33, of Cloverdale, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and conspiracy. His 22-year-old brother, Jesus Anguiano-Vazquez of Santa Rosa, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. The third person from the vehicle was released after being interviewed by detectives. Police say the stabbing stemmed from an argument inside the tattoo parlor between the employee and the suspects, who were customers, after the suspects allegedly made disrespectful comments to a woman in the parlor and the employee intervened. Baldomero Anguiano-Vazquez allegedly pulled a straight blade knife and stabbed the victim in the chest. Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to call the Violent Crimes Investigations United at (707) 565-2185. 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. California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris has long been rumored to be considering running a presidential campaign in 2020, but on Saturday, the first-term senator finally gave a timeline as to when she'll make her decision. Harris took part in the Know Your Value conference in San Francisco, and in an onstage talk with "Morning Joe" host Mika Brzezinski, she told the audience that she planned to make a decision in the next month, NBC News reported. "It's a very serious decision," Harris said. "It will ultimately be a family decision. Over the holiday, I will make that decision with my family." Harris has dodged questions over a potential presidential run during the past year, which has left many to speculate on the topic. Online betting odds have even looked on her favorably to win the presidency in 2020. When she spent time ahead of November's election to stump for the Democratic Party across the country, some used it as a signal that she would run. At the conference, Harris acknowledged the importance of the decision to seek the country's highest office, and how while running could break barriers, things could turn nasty. "Let's be honest: It's going to be ugly," Harris said. "When you break things, it is painful. And you get cut. And you bleed." When asked what she thought Americans would want to see in the next leader, Harris said they want someone who would "speak truth." "I think Americans want in their next leader someone who will be honest, speak truth, who will have a vision for our country that is unburdened by what we've been, but instead can see who we can be," Harris said. "And they want in their leader someone who will paint a picture of the future in which everyone can see themselves." Read Dianne de Guzman's latest stories and send her news tips at ddeguzman@sfchronicle.com. Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. Flash U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly said on Saturday on his way back to Washington that his second meeting with the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Un, is likely to happen in January or February next year. According to several Western media outlets, Trump told them aboard Air Force One after attending the Group of 20 (G20) summit that the meeting would occur early in 2019. Three sites are being considered, he added. Trump was also quoted as saying that at some point, he would invite Kim to the United States. Earlier on Friday, while meeting with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in, Trump discussed his intention to hold a second U.S.-DPRK summit, and restated with Moon a common commitment to work closely together on making it happen. Trump also met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday. They reviewed the recent developments related to the DPRK and discussed how best to work with the international community, including South Korea, to continue to put pressure on the DPRK until it implements its commitment to denuclearize. After Trump and Kim met in Singapore in June, negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled due to differences on the scale of denuclearization, U.S. sanctions, and whether to issue a war-ending declaration, among others. On Nov. 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 in New York for Nov. 8, 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. SEOUL A North Korean soldier fled across a heavily fortified border to defect to South Korea 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 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 the 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 hasnt reported about Saturdays 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 traveling 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 stabilize 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 denuclearization, as the larger nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang seemingly drift into a stalemate. South Koreas Defense Ministry said 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 theKorean War. Kim Tong-Hyung is an Associated Press writer. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A new task force has been created to strengthen protections for groups considered vulnerable to hate crimes, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon has announced. The Staten Island Hate Crimes Task Force was created in response to the Tree of Life Synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh last month. Dozens of community leaders attended Thursdays inaugural meeting, which was led by McMahon and Scott Maurer, CEO of the Council of Jewish Organization of Staten Island. All Staten Islanders deserve to live their lives free from fear and free to express their identity however they wish, McMahon said. Hate in all forms must be universally condemned no matter who it is expressed against." The task force will work to create educational material for Staten Island students regarding the different populations that make up the borough and the meaning behind the symbols of hate directed toward them, McMahons office said. The group also will develop legislative recommendations to better protect those negatively affected by hate crimes, and create early intervention models for those expressing hatred but not yet acting on it. Finally, task force members will work to promote a greater understanding of those with different backgrounds and educate Staten Islanders about tolerance and understanding. Although hate crimes on Staten Island are down this year, one hate crime is too many," McMahon said. We implore all Staten Islanders to report any incidents of hatred so my office and the NYPD can fully investigate. The Staten Island Hate Crimes Task Force includes members from the following groups and organizations: Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island; NYPD Hate Crimes; Staten Island Center for Independent Living; Lifestyles for the Disabled; Staten Island Pride Center; Virgin Mary and St. George Orthodox Church in Tottenville; Coptic Orthodox Church of Archangel Michael and St. Mena in Great Kills; Staten Island Gurdwara Sahib; Staten Island Hindu Temple; Albanian Islamic Cultural Center; Islamic Center of Staten Island; Masjid Al Noor Islam Society; Integrity Senior Services; Jamaica and Caribbean Organization of Staten Island; United Federation of Teachers; Mount Sinai United Christian Church; Central Family Life Center; El Centro del Inmigrante; La Colmena; Project Hospitality; Community Agency for Senior Citizens; New Dorp chapter of the AARP; Chinese American Community Association, and New York Korean Evangelical Church. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The New York Police Department (NYPD) reached out on social media for the publics help in identifying a man wanted for questioning in connection with a grand larceny at the Staten Island Mall, New Springville. The incident occurred on Nov. 5 at about 7:30 p.m. inside the Staten Island Mall, according to a wanted flier posted on the 122nd Precinct Twitter account on Sunday. Police released these photos of the man sought for questioning on social media. Further information regarding this incident was not available from Deputy Commissioner for Public Informations office. The NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 (TIPS) or for Spanish, 1-888-577-4782 (PISTA). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential. WANTEDThe pictured individual is wanted in connection w/ a GRAND LARCENY which occurred on Nov. 5 @ approx 7:30pm within the #StatenIslandMall. If you have ANY info regarding the individual or incident, we ask that you anonymously call @NYPDTips at #800577TIPS. #CrimeStoppers pic.twitter.com/5cJ4sbvtTB NYPD 122nd Precinct (@NYPD122Pct) December 2, 2018 FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A 65-year-old Grasmere man was struck and killed by a hit and run driver while he was fixing a flat tire at a busy Brooklyn intersection on Saturday, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information (DCPI). The pedestrian, Losif Morgenshteyn, was changing his automobiles tire at the intersection of East 28 Street and Shore Parkway in Sheepshead Bay at 6:24 p.m. when he was stuck by the car, said police. When police arrived, EMS was providing emergency care to Morgenshteyn, police said. EMS subsequently transported Morgenshteyn to NYC Health + Hospitals in Coney Island where he was pronounced dead, police said. The vehicle fled the scene and was later found, parked and unoccupied in the vicinity of Emmons Avenue and Bragg Street in Brooklyn, according to police. The investigation is ongoing by the New York City Police Departments Highway Patrol Collision Investigation Squad. Neighbors of Morgenshteyn described him and his wife as a quiet couple. He was a very nice guy," said a neighbor, who declined to give her name. We had a block party once and we all hung out. They [Morgenshteyn and his wife] bought the house maybe 10 years ago and renovated the whole thing. They were a quiet, nice couple. Another neighbor, who declined to give his name, said he didnt know Morgenshteyn well, but would occasionally greet him in passing. I heard the news yesterday but I didnt know it was him," said the neighbor, who lives two doors away from Morgenshteyn. "Thats so sad. Its crazy because New York City people drive like maniacs. Advance phone calls to the residence went unanswered. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER 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! (CNN) Attackers raped, beat and robbed more than 100 women and girls in northern South Sudan over a 10-day period in November, aid agency Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said. South Sudan, the world's youngest country, has been embroiled in civil conflict since 2013, with its civilian population paying a heavy price. South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir, signed a peace agreement with rebel leaders in September but it is not yet clear if the agreement will hold. The unrest has driven nearly 4 million people from their homes, according to UN figures, with hunger and violence widespread. "Women and young girls have been coming to the MSF clinic in Bentiu en masse over the past week after surviving horrific episodes of sexual violence," Ruth Okello, an MSF midwife in South Sudan, was quoted as saying in an MSF statement Friday. "Some are girls under 10 years old and others are women older than 65. Even pregnant women have not been spared from these brutal attacks." The state minister for information in Northern Liech State, where the attacks were reported, told Reuters news agency that the accounts were not accurate. "A rape of such a magnitude is not true," Lam Tungwar told Reuters. "We are a state (that) respects human rights and women's rights top our list." He added that incidents of violence would be dealt with in the local courts. MSF said its teams had provided emergency medical care and other assistance to 125 women in Rubkona county in the 10 days from 19 to 29 November 2018. "In more than three years of working in South Sudan, I have never seen such a dramatic increase in survivors of sexual violence arriving at our programs looking for medical care," said Okello. "We treated 104 sexual and gender-based violence survivors in the first 10 months of this year, and we have assisted 125 survivors in the past week alone." In addition to being raped, the women were whipped and beaten with sticks and rifle butts, the aid agency said. The attackers also stole their clothing, shoes and anything of value, MSF said, and destroyed ration cards needed for food aid. The assaults came as more people are on the move in Rubkona county to try to reach food distributions in the area, the aid agency said. Women are walking in groups for safety but are still being confronted by increasingly larger groups of aggressive attackers. The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan on Wednesday called for an end to violence against women in the country as part of a global campaign. "Here in South Sudan, women and girls have suffered immensely because of the ongoing conflict," said David Shearer. "I've spoken to many of them who have been subject to sexual violence including rape. This must stop." This story was first published on CNN.com "Scores of women and girls raped over 10-day period in South Sudan, aid agency says" Flash Leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies wrapped up a two-day summit in Buenos Aires on Saturday amid a strong call for work in tandem to "steer the world economy in the right direction." Addressing the 13th G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Chinese President Xi Jinping spelled out the risks facing the world economy, and the steps the developed and emerging economies can take to bolster global growth. Given the various challenges and profound changes in the world landscape, Xi called on G20 members to "have a stronger sense of urgency, be rational in approach and look beyond the horizon." OPENNESS AND MULTILATERALISM Titled "Look Beyond the Horizon and Steer the World Economy in the Right Direction," Xi's brief but pertinent speech on Friday highlighted the danger of unilateralism and protectionism. He offered a four-point solution that begins by calling on G20 members to "stay committed to openness and cooperation, and uphold the multilateral trading system." His remarks were echoed by other G20 leaders, who also warned that the world economy is facing increasing risks as protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise. "This is a time when we as world leaders have an opportunity to come together to address challenges head on and work through our differences for the common good," said Argentine President Mauricio Macri, the host. "The spirit of the G20 is to promote a dialogue that is respectful of differences and to foster actions based on common interests," Macri added. Echoing Xi's proposal, Brazilian economist Julio Miragaya said that the importance of multilateralism is "phenomenal" because without it the law of the jungle prevails. Argentine political observer and columnist Jorge Castro said that by stressing the importance of the multilateral system, Xi "put the reality of today's trade into words." "Multilateralism reflects the reality of today's global system," he said. CLEAR VISION In addition to openness and multilateralism, Xi's four-pronged solution also includes partnership, innovation and inclusiveness. The Chinese president has a clear vision of how things are and need to be, said Castro. "President Xi told his G20 colleagues that the world has entered a process of transformation, an era of a new industrial revolution, which is a challenge and an opportunity for the countries of the world," he added. Argentine public policy expert Patricio Giusto also underscored Xi's ability to hone in on the issue. "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 Giusto, also a professor with the Catholic University of Argentina. "The path China points to, of open cooperation to protect the multilateral system, is the path that the majority of G20 powers are betting on," he said. CHINA ENGINE Embracing the concept of an open economy and free trade is what helped China speed up development, enabling it to lift millions out of poverty, Xi noted. "This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. During the past 40 years, with the support of the international community, we in China have forged ahead with perseverance and made historic achievements in development," said Xi. According to Gonzalo Tordini, an Argentine expert in international economic cooperation, "China's most significant contribution" since launching its reform and opening-up has been reducing poverty. Economic consultant Giusto described China's contribution to the global economy in recent decades as "enormous" as well as multifaceted. "With expanding trade, investment and loans made through its financial agencies, China today accounts for about a third of global growth. In Latin America, China has become a strategic partner, based on a natural economic complementarity," said Giusto. Castro, also head of the Institute of Strategic Planning in Argentina, believes China will continue to play a vital role in driving global growth as the engine of the world economy. "China is the fundamental factor of global economic growth, and that trend is increasingly stronger. It's not for nothing that China is the main trade partner of 145 countries around the globe. That trend is going to hold," Castro said. AMP's new chief executive will come under immediate pressure to spell out how much shareholders will see of the proceeds from the struggling wealth giant's controversial divestment plans. Francesco De Ferrari will on Monday take over from Mike Wilkins, who served as interim chief executive since April after disastrous evidence at the royal commission saw predecessor Craig Mellor and chairman Catherine Brenner both leave the business. New AMP chief executive Francesco De Ferrari. Mr Wilkins, together with new chairman David Murray, unveiled a $3.3 billion sale of AMP's life insurance business to Resolution Life in late October prompting a 28 per cent fall in AMP's share price and an investor rebellion. Angry investors unsuccessfully pushed for a shareholder vote on the deal and have maintained calls for greater clarity on what will happen to the sale proceeds. A Westpac Banking Corp employee who was subjected to a five-hour "star chamber" interrogation before being sacked for misusing his email has won his job back after the industrial umpire found he was denied a fair hearing. The employee was sacked earlier this year after he was accused of breaching Westpac's communications policies when he handled customer information through his personal email account. As part of that process, according to a Fair Work Commission judgment, he had to attend a five hour meeting at short notice with two "short breaks". He attended the meeting with his wife for support and, the judgment says, neither was offered any food, tea or coffee. A few weeks later his employment was terminated. There was an air of nervous anticipation inside the Australian offices of the giants of the internet last week, as local executives steeled themselves for a period of unpredictability. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is expected to release a draft report from its 'world-frst' inquiry into the impact of digital platforms such as Facebook and Google on traditional media this week, possibly as soon as Monday. And no-one is entirely sure what to expect. Facebook and Google have led the acquisition trail in the last year Credit:Bloomberg The report will take into account months of submissions from the traditional media industry, the digital giants themselves and the broader public, as well as public forums involving media representatives and individual consultation sessions between the regulator and the companies involved. The ACCC declined to comment for this column. But a well placed source familiar with its thinking said the report will be just one step in a long journey, acting as a starting point for further engagement between the regulator and the digital industry Black coal electricity generators face rising prices for coal as increased competition from local rivals and energy-hungry Asian countries drive demand. Bloomberg New Energy Finances Second Half Australia Power Market Outlook said an increase in Asian demand for high-quality Australian coal had lifted thermal coal prices, which has flowed on to households power bills. The rising cost of thermal coal has played a major role in the rising cost of wholesale energy costs, one of the driving factors for higher power bills. Credit:Rob Homer That came at the same time, the report said, as the Victorian Hazelwood coal-fired power plant shut down in 2017 forcing forced other generators to lift their electricity output and dragging coal consumption above contracted supply levels to ensure the lights stay on. Black coal as opposed to brown coal that powers Victorias generators makes up around 54 per cent of the east coasts energy mix. While the generators typically have contracts for coal supply, they do buy extra coal at spot prices to ensure there is enough coal to meet power demand. I have a confession: I recently became so enraged by some trivial domestic matter that I kicked a huge dent in the kitchen bin. Yes, it was in front of the children. No, I can't remember what provoked such displeasure. I can't even recall if my husband was the cause, though the poor bin won't forget in a hurry. Take heart, losing it in front of the kids will not harm their health. Every time I notice it, I wonder whether I have traumatised my kids. It can't have been healthy for them to see me their usually calm and controlled mother unleash an explosion of rage. Except, thankfully, it turns out it can be. New research has suggested that it's better to express negative emotions around our children in a healthy way than to bottle them up - and this includes allowing them to see "healthy conflict". "Children pick up on suppression, but it's something a lot of parents think is a good thing to do," says Sara Waters, assistant professor in the Department of Human Development on the Washington State University Vancouver campus. The ACT Bar Association has called for all prosecutors working in the territory to be subject to the same rules and disciplinary actions as other lawyers by being required to hold practising certificates. Bar Association president Steven Whybrow. Credit:Alexandra Back But Director of Public Prosecutions Jon White SC resisted such a move, saying Canberra prosecutors were already subject to disciplinary processes, as well as close scrutiny from the media, the community, other parties in litigation and the legislative assembly. Prosecutors have a statutory right of appearance and so do not need to hold a practising certificate to appear in court, unlike private or defence lawyers. However, ACT Bar Association president Steven Whybrow said it was unsatisfactory that some 95 per cent of prosecutions in Canberra were conducted by lawyers who did not hold a practising certificate and so were not subject to either the barristers' or solicitors' professional conduct rules. Police have released images of a man who may be able to assist with inquiries after a camera captured a peeping Tom looking through the window of a house at Collaroy Plateau. An image of a man who may be able to assist with inquiries, after a man was seen peeping through the window of a house at Collaroy Plateau last Friday night. Credit: NSW Police About 10.45pm on Friday, a 13-year-old girl was at her home in Plateau Road, when she noticed a man looking through the window. The girl alerted her parents who searched the rear yard but were unable to find the man. Police were called and inspected the home but were unable to find a culprit. A check of the homes CCTV system revealed images of a man walking around the property. Forensic officers have found "items of interest" just hours into a forensic excavation and search at the former home of a Blue Mountains woman who went missing more than 20 years ago. Police started digging with shovels under the former home of Belinda Peisley on Monday morning and are planning to divide the large backyard into sections and start digging it up on Tuesday. By Monday afternoon, a NSW Police spokeswoman was already able to confirm that "items of interest have been located". The nature of the items is unknown, as is the number that have been found so far. Sydneys economic growth rate has fallen behind most other state capitals as the slump in house prices begins to hit key industries in the city. The Sydney economy expanded by 3.1 per cent last financial year, the weakest in three years and slower than Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide, a report on region economic performance by consultancy SGS Economics and Planning shows. Growth in Tasmania and regional Queensland was also stronger than Sydneys. Sydney has fallen back in the economic pack after recording its slowest growth rate in three years Credit:Jim Rice Back in 2013-14 and 2014-15 Sydney had the nations fastest growth rate but the citys economic momentum has since slowed. The reports author, economist Terry Rawnsley, said the downturn in the Sydney property market had contributed to the softer growth. "In my eyes it was Archies milk. It was all I had left of him," Mrs Pearce said. "It was a strange feeling to be so attached to milk in a freezer, but I didnt want it to go to waste." It hasnt. Archies milk was the crucial ingredient that helped establish the first statewide human Milk Bank in NSW to safely feed and protect the most vulnerable premature babies from potentially life-threatening conditions associated with being born early. NSW neonatal units will now be able to order donated human milk on demand just like a blood bank thanks to a world-first partnership between the NSW government and the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. About 2000 litres of milk will be delivered to nine NICUs in NSW every year to feed an estimated 1000 babies. Mrs Pearce has donated about 18 litres of breast milk- enough to feed 400 babies. Some was used to trial the Milk Banks processes. "This is Archies legacy," Mrs Pearce said. "I like to imagine weve helped a lot of babies just like Viv." Her daughter is now a healthy 10-month-old. Archie's milk in Penny Pearce's home freezer. Credit:Nick Moir "And it has helped me cope with the loss of Archie, knowing my milk is helping other babies," she said. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard officially opened the Milk Bank in Alexandria on Sunday. "Breast milk is liquid gold for these little ones at this critical time as it contains all the vital nutrients essential for growth and protection against disease," Mr Hazzard said. "Many mums of premmie babies can experience problems with their milk supply but now mums can access donor milk, while efforts to boost their own supply continue." Three per cent of all babies born in NSW each year will be admitted to a NICU. The most at-risk babies in NICUs will receive the precious resource: babies born at less than 32 weeks' gestation or with low birth weight. The World Health Organisation recommends pasteurised donor human milk over infant formula for these babies, in line with strong evidence that feeding premature babies donor breast milk lowers their risk of the life-threatening gastrointestinal condition Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) compared to formula. NEC is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in infants in ICU. In 2016 36 babies died of NEC in Australia. Milk Bank manager Chris Sulfaro said the donated human milk would abide by international best practice to safely collect, process, test and distribute the donated milk, which would be pasteurised to destroy potentially harmful bacteria and viruses. Only four of the 25 NICUs in Australia have a milk bank on site. "That leaves a lot of units and a lot of babies who dont have access to a consistent supply of pasteurised donated human milk," Ms Sulfaro said. "This Milk Bank is going ot change the lives of thousands of babies and their families every year across Australia. "It almost makes you want to cry, its so exciting," she said. The first babies to receive milk donated to the Milk Bank were in Nepean Hospitals NICU. Rebecca Charles newborn daughter Zoe had her first feed of donated milk on Friday, two days after she and her twin sister Ava were born at 34 weeks. Zoe, the smaller of the twins, weighed just 1.4 kilograms. Zoe Charles in Nepean Hospital's NICU. "Its been amazing having the opportunity to give her donated milk. Its the second best option seeing as I havent been about to produce milk yet," Mrs Charles said. Senator Jim Molan has slammed the preselection process which saw him relegated to an unwinnable spot on the NSW Senate ticket and warned he is "not to be taken for granted" if Prime Minister Scott Morrison doesn't intervene to save his political career. Speaking on Perth radio on Sunday, Senator Molan said he had been courted by other parties, but would stick with the Liberal Party for now. NSW Liberal senator Jim Molan was relegated to an unwinnable spot on the party's ticket. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "The Liberal Party is too important to this country for me to walk out of this party, but every option is open to me," he told Jane Marwick on 6PR. "The support in terms of organisations, money, anger has been beyond belief. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has moved to save embattled backbencher Craig Kelly from being thrown out of Parliament in a risky intervention that will ignite a fresh war between the Liberal Party's conservative and moderate forces. Mr Kelly, a key ally of former prime minister Tony Abbott who helped engineer the demise of Malcolm Turnbull's National Energy Guarantee, is facing certain defeat in a preselection challenge by Kent Johns in the safe southern Sydney seat of Hughes. Liberal MP Craig Kelly could be saved from a preselection defeat under a divisive new plan. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The backbench MP has threatened to run as an independent at the next election if he is dumped and has not ruled out sitting on the crossbench next year - a move that would further weaken the Coalition's grip on power in the House of Representatives. As MPs return to Canberra on Monday for the final sitting week of the year, discussions were held over the weekend about using the emergency powers of the NSW Liberal Party state executive to re-endorse Mr Kelly, which would kill off any preselection. It would head off any damaging fallout from Mr Kelly's likely defeat but infuriate moderate MPs who want to see the back of him. Malcolm Turnbull has told Prime Minister Scott Morrison to call a poll for early March to prevent NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's re-election bid being destroyed by the chaos in Canberra. In his second public intervention in less than 24 hours, the former prime minister challenged the government's timetable for an election in May, and did not deny reports he told a NSW MP that Mr Morrison is only interested "in keeping his arse in C1" - a reference to the prime ministerial limousine. Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull outside Parliament House earlier this year. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "There are a lot of people in NSW, a lot of NSW Liberals, who believe it would be in the party's interests for the federal government to go to an election before the NSW government's set election date of March 23 so that Gladys Berejiklian, who is leading an outstanding government of real and considerable achievement, can go to the polls and [be] judged on her record rather than being hit by the brand damage that arose from the very destructive, pointless, shameful leadership change in Canberra in August," Mr Turnbull told Radio National on Monday morning. "Plainly the Prime Minister's determination is to stay in government as long as he possibly can." Even to those of us who are not doctors, the human tragedy of this policy has become ever more apparent. On Monday, Kerryn Phelps will introduce the Urgent Medical Treatment Bill. It should be passed. The health of refugees and asylum-seekers under Australias so-called offshore processing has first gradually declined and then plummeted. With the passage of more than five years, an absence of solutions and a slow onset health emergency, Australians have become increasingly uncomfortable, confronted by facts that can no longer be ignored. Impartial medical advice has exposed the human implications of a policy that was always sold too simplistically in political and cynical terms. The issue is not a matter of politics, but of basic human treatment and decency. Some lessons are learned too late. For refugee Hamid Khazaei, who died of sepsis contracted on Manus Island, belated reforms can no longer help. Reflecting on his death, the Queensland State Coroner earlier this year could not have been clearer in his findings. That bureaucrats and politicians should never be allowed to override a clinical decision made by a medical doctor. That Australia retains responsibility for those it has relocated under so-called offshore processing in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. That had he been evacuated to Australia within 24 hours of developing severe sepsis, Khazaei would have survived. He was 24 years old. The medical evidence surrounding offshore processing is overwhelming. As early as 2016, UNHCRs consultant medical experts found cumulative rates of anxiety, depression and PTSD among refugees transferred to both Papua New Guinea and Nauru to exceed 80%. Things are indisputably worse since then. Independent expert bodies from the Australian Medical Association to MSF International have repeatedly expressed their concern and alarm. Even to those of us who are not doctors, the human tragedy of this policy has become ever more apparent. Sitting in one of the residential settlements in Nauru earlier this year, Zahra* told us of her 14-year-old daughters repeated attempts to take her own life. Weeping, she spoke of her powerlessness at being unable to help her children. In the worst instance, her eldest had stockpiled strong psychotropic medication and sleeping pills, hiding in the tropical bushland and taking all. She was found and revived with difficulty some ten hours later. That was the worst day of my life, Zahra told us. But children are not the only ones who are vulnerable, or necessarily most in need of medical care. A Syrian doctor, sent by Australia to Manus Island, began his time under offshore processing in 2013 caring for his fellow refugees and teaching English. Like so many, he displayed remarkable adaptability in the first years of what was then formal held detention. But mental health deterioration, preventable though it is, is equally medically predictable in these circumstances. Slowly, and then more acutely, his condition changed from one of resilience and strength to severe depression and later psychosis. When our team visited him with psychiatric experts in April 2016, they were deeply shocked. In Australia, he would have been immediately hospitalised. His talents and capacities may not be lost, but they will need urgent care and treatment to return. It is not a figure of speech when we say as UNHCR staff that we have run out of vocabulary to describe the harm wrought by offshore processing and neglect. The multitude of suffering is too great to do justice to in short form, though it is increasingly recognised by all sides of politics. And yet it persists. Care of the sick and wounded without distinction is a key tenet of medical ethics and practice around the world. The duty to prevent and treat disease to the best of a doctors ability is sacrosanct. And it extends to all human beings. In times of war, it is required by the Geneva Conventions. There are no exceptions. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has challenged Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to accept the case for swift changes to encryption laws to increase the ability of security agencies to monitor the messages of terrorists and criminals. The government wants the stronger powers passed by Parliament this week, but communications companies are warning against the draft law, saying it goes too far to allow the surveillance of consumer messages on WhatsApp, Facebook and other services. Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten. Credit:AAP If Labor had difficulties in coming to the mark on that, well, I think that indicates why theyre a risk, Mr Morrison said. These are things you just need to act on if youre serious about national security. The way German Chancellor Angela Merkel flipped through her notes before meeting Scott Morrison said everything about the Prime Ministers troubles on the world stage. It also hinted at his problems at home. Merkel needed a background note on Morrison in her hands when the two met at the G20 summit on the weekend. Rightly or wrongly, the question on her mind seemed obvious: whos this again? German Chancellor Angela Merkel checking her notes during a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the G20 summit. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen / Fairfax Media That telling moment, captured by Sydney Morning Herald and The Age photographer Alex Ellinghausen, came one day after Morrison went into a meeting with US President Donald Trump to face a different question: what happened to Malcolm? Washington: US President Donald Trump says he is likely to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in January or February and that three sites for their second meeting are under consideration. "We're getting along very well. We have a good relationship," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his return from a G20 summit in Argentina. Trump added that at some point he will invite Kim to the United States. US President Donald Trump at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires on Saturday. Credit:AP The two sides have been engaged in talks on the leaders' second meeting after the first, unprecedented, one in Singapore in June, Reuters reported in October, citing a senior official. Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered his Prime Minister to hold talks with other political leaders and demonstrators as he seeks a way out of fuel tax protests that are sweeping the country. Riot police were overwhelmed on Saturday as "yellow vest" protesters ran amok in Paris' wealthiest neighbourhoods, torching dozens of cars, looting boutiques and smashing homes and cafes in the worst disturbances in the capital since 1968. The unrest began as a backlash against fuel tax hikes but has spread to become a general protest against the cost of living. It poses the most formidable challenge yet to Macron's presidency, with the escalating violence and the depth of public anger against his economic reforms catching the 40-year-old leader off-guard. After a meeting with members of his government on Sunday, the President asked his interior minister to prepare additional security forces for future protests and said Prime Minister Edouard Philippe would hold talks with political party leaders and representatives from the protest movement. While he has previously spoken of the need for better screening of candidates for the religious life, his comments suggesting that priests who cannot keep their vows of celibacy should leave are some of his clearest to date. Vatican City: Men with deep-rooted homosexual tendencies should not be admitted to the Catholic clergy, and it would be better for priests who are actively gay to leave rather than lead a double life, Pope Francis says. Pope Francis delivers the Angelus noon prayer from his studio window overlooking St Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday. Credit:AP Francis made the comments in a new booklet due out on Monday December 3. The 120-page book The strength of vocation. Consecrated life today is fruit of a four-hour long interview between the pope and Spanish priest Fernando Prado. In it, Francis says homosexuality in the Church "is something that worries me". It is due to be published this week in several languages. An advance copy of the Italian version was made available to Reuters. "The question of homosexuality is a very serious one," he said, adding that those entrusted with training men to be priests must be certain that candidates are "humanly and emotionally mature" before they can be ordained. Pope Francis kisses a baby at the Vatican on Saturday. Credit:AP This also applied to women who wanted to enter female religious communities to become nuns. In the Catholic Church, priests, nuns and monks all take vows of celibacy. Kiev: Russia is building up its land forces and weapons along the border, Ukraine's president said on 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 November 25 in which Russia fired on three Ukrainian naval ships then seized them and their 24 crew members. Across the world at the G-20 meeting in Argentina, foreign leaders grilled Russian President Vladimir Putin about Russia's actions, but he remained firm, squarely blaming Ukraine for the confrontation, saying its vessels violated Russian territorial waters. He didn't address Ukraine's accusations of a Russian military buildup. US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, speaking in California, accused Putin of being a "slow learner" who again had tried to meddle in US elections in November and condemning him over Ukraine, adding that he had no trust in the Russian leader. People living with the aftermath of Islamic State's occupation of Iraq will receive a record amount of Australian government aid, worth $20 million over the next three years, to help rebuild their lives. Australia, which was involved in the campaign to defeat IS, including aerial bombardments of areas around the northern city of Mosul, will pay the record amount to a number of non-government organisations. People flee the last of the Islamic State-held areas in West Mosul in July last year. Credit:Kate Geraghty More than a year after the war ended, 1.9 million people are still displaced, and injuries from conflict, suicide bombings and air strikes mean Iraq is among nations with the highest number of people with disabilities worldwide. The Australian aid will focus on Sinjar, the traditional home of the Yazidi people, many of whose women were taken into sex slavery by IS, and Hawija, a Sunni-majority district south of Mosul. Mexico City: Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador used his first full day in office to double down on promises to deploy the military for public security, tackling a key concern: stemming rampant violence and rising murders. New Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, centre, holds up a ceremonial wooden staff during his inauguration. Credit:Bloomberg Speaking on Sunday, before rows of generals at a sun-drenched military installation in one of Mexico City's trendier neighbourhoods, Lopez Obrador said the retooling of the military was "indispensable" to tackle the daunting task of making Mexico safer. The plan requires a constitutional reform that would allow the marines and Army to form a National Guard to police much of the country. Mexico's Supreme Court last month struck down a controversial law signed last year that created a similar legal framework, ruling that the measure was an unconstitutional attempt to normalise the use of the armed forces in public safety. New York City Police are trying to track down an unlucky bridegroom who got so excited while proposing, he dropped his ring down a Times Square grate. The NYPD shared footage to social media of the unidentified man, still on one knee, accidentally dropping the ring before leaning down to peer through the dark grate in the popular Manhattan tourist district. His partner joined him on the ground but the couple could not retrieve it - police said it was about a 2.4 metre drop to the bottom. Officers have since recovered and cleaned the ring, the NYPD later tweeting: "WANTED for dropping his fiancee's ring in @TimesSquareNYC! Kerry Knoll Best Price On Local Social Groups Facebook Lead Generation Released Professional marketer and entrepreneur Kerry Knoll launched Local Social Groups, a social media lead generation program designed to help online marketers attract more potential customers for their client businesses. Based on Kerrys extensive experience creating efficient social media marketing and branding campaigns, the course provides a step-by-step method which can be easily implemented by both beginning and experienced marketers. More information can be found at https://muncheye.com/kerry-knoll-local-social-groups. Social media lead generation is an important part of the marketing strategy of any modern business, as more and more consumers are turning to platforms like Facebook and YouTube to find information on local companies. Local Social Groups is a complete course designed to provide actionable strategies to help any marketer generate a constant stream of qualified leads for their business clients. The strategies are based on the creation of niche-specific Facebook groups designed to consolidate brand awareness and generate a solid social media following. The course features complete, step-by-step video lessons covering the most effective strategies, as well as potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. Each purchase also features a series of bonuses such as landing pages, lead magnets, video sales letters, e-mail follow-up sequences, and a full guide to selling digital products. According to Kerry, using the tips provided in the course marketers can set up an effective social media strategy for each client within hours, then only spend approximately 5 minutes per day managing the Facebook account of each client. Kerry said: This course is for the entrepreneur who wants to start a new chapter in their lives. Whether you\-\-re completely new to social media marketing or an experienced vet, my product can help you start or enhance your business a business you can run from the comfort and security of your own home. Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website. Earth keeps getting hotter. Humanity isn't doing enough to stop it. So, scientists are increasingly musing about conducting dramatic interventions in the atmosphere to cool the planet. And new research suggests that a project of atmospheric cooling would not only be doable, but also cheap enough that a single, determined country could pull it off. That cooling wouldn't reverse climate change. The greenhouse gases would still be there. The planet would keep warming overall, but that warming would significantly, measurably slow down. Those are the conclusions of a paper published Nov. 23 in the journal Environmental Research Letters by a pair of researchers from Harvard and Yale universities. It's the deepest and most current study yet of "stratospheric aerosol injection" (also known as "solar dimming" or "solar engineering"). That's the spraying of chemicals into the atmosphere to reflect the sun's heat back into space, mimicking the global cooling effects of large volcanic eruptions. The researchers found that humanity could, using this method, cut our species' annual contributions to the greenhouse effect in half at a price that states and large cities spend all the time on highways, subways and other infrastructure projects: a total of about $3.5 billion over the course of the next 15 years to develop the technology. (Most of those funds would go into building planes able to carry big tanks of aerosol spray into the stratosphere, about double the cruising altitude of a Boeing 747.) Once the tech is ready, the researchers found, the project would then cost another $2.25 billion or so each following year (assuming the effort would run for the next 15 years). For comparison, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation budget in 2017 was $1.8 billion. Texas will have spent nearly a billion dollars replacing a single bridge in Corpus Christi. New York City subway-repair budgets routinely run into the tens of billions of dollars. Belgium spends about $4 billion every year on its military. In other words, geoengineering the atmosphere to slow climate change is cheap enough that a small, determined state or country could probably afford to do it, not to mention a superpower like the U.S. or China. [8 Ways Global Warming Is Already Changing the World] That might seem nuts, but outside researchers who read the paper said its methods were sound and its conclusions not all that surprising. "[The paper] seemed reasonable and methodical to me," said Kate Ricke, a professor at the University of California, San Diego, who studies climate change and policies for addressing it. "I think it's definitely a helpful contribution, in that it confirms this idea that stratospheric engineering would be much cheaper than emissions reductions for the same global temperature effect." Ken Caldeira, a senior scientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science, agreed. "One could expect any governmental operations to have cost overruns, but overall, I've got no reason to question these findings. They seem reasonable to me," he told Live Science. Does that mean this is a good idea? Should we start building the spray planes? The science here is in a certain respect straightforward: Dump sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere, and it will reflect light back into space. SO2 is cheap, and there's lots of it available. Most of the costs of the project would come from lofting the SO2 high enough that it would stick around, Wake Smith, a co-author of the paper and lecturer at Yale, said. [Cool the Planet? Geoengineering Is Easier Said Than Done] "If you deploy material at 35,000 feet [10,700 meters], say, where your 737 flies, it rains back down in a few days, because it's just being acted on by gravity," he told Live Science. "If you get it up into the stratosphere, on the other hand, then it stays aloft for a year or 18 months." (This, incidentally, is one of the reasons that chemtrail conspiracy theories which mistakenly link chemtrails to a secret government plan to modify the weather are so implausible, he added. Anything sprayed at the heights at which jetliners fly would disappear within half a week.) Still, getting the SO2 high enough isn't an insurmountable challenge, this paper shows, and the approach really could cool down the planet. But cooling down the planet isn't the same thing as reversing climate change, the researchers explained. Carbon emissions do a lot more than just form a chemical greenhouse around the planet. They also make the oceans more acidic and alter the global movement of air and water. Already, these emissions have baked heat into the system that wouldn't just go away if humanity slapped a layer of SO2 into the stratosphere. [ The Craziest Climate Change Fixes ] "It may be that we can reduce global surface temperatures overall, relative to where they would be in an un-engineered world," Smith said, "but that doesn't mean that the climate in every place will go back to the way it was. Some places will be warmer. Some will be cooler. Some will be drier. And some will be wetter, and even a perfectly engineered climate future, which is impossible, will change things all over the world, and that won't be good for people either." Plus, he said, there are tipping points in climate change that an SO2 bandage wouldn't fix. "If all the ice in Greenland melted and slid into the sea," Smith said, referring to a scenario that would drastically raise sea levels, flooding coastlines all over the world, "and then we refreeze the planet, or cool the planet by engineering, the ice won't climb back up from the sea onto the land. The ice on Greenland is the result of millions of years of snowfall." So, even though he thinks this sort of geoengineering is worth studying, he said it's important that people understand that it isn't a solution. "I do worry that some fossil fuel company will say exactly that, and the geoengineering community is going to have to figure out how to guard against that infiltration or any association in the public's mind," he said. Is this our future anyway, like it or not? The idea of pumping aerosols into the upper atmosphere to mitigate climate change taken seriously enough that the concept turned up in the recent 2018 IPCC report on climate change as a possible mitigation approach though the IPCC stopped short of endorsing this sort of spraying. Right now, it looks cheaper than alternative geoengineering technologies, Ricke said, like proposals to suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. (The IPCC, or Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, is an international organization established by the United Nations to assess the science, risks and impacts of climate change.) But that doesn't mean that such approaches will, or should, happen, the researchers all agreed. "I don't think it's a good idea at this point," Ricke said. "I don't think we know enough about how to do it. And we don't have anything close to a system for reaching agreement about the amount we should do or how we should make that decision about the specifics of where we would put more aerosols, et cetera. I don't think we're anywhere close." But all of that could change, she said. "There's a lot of scary climate-change impacts, like melting glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica, that are staring us in the face," she said. "Because [cutting emissions] and CO2 removal will take some time, even if we get serious about implementing them which I'm not convinced about I think that solar geoengineering has the potential to be one of the only options left." That's worrying for a number of reasons, Smith said, one of which is that there would almost certainly be side effects that the sprayers couldn';t anticipate. Though one benefit of the spraying, he added, is that as soon as it's stopped its effects would go away within 18 months. Caldeira agreed that the use of such engineering looks more and more likely, but said he doubted it would happen, due to the political dynamics involved. No politicians, he said, would want to take the blame for a bad weather event that occurred the year after they voted to spray SO2. "Imagine if Hurricane Sandy happened on the year after we started putting this material up there," he said, suggesting people could place blame on the atmospheric engineering. Still, he said, a small country badly hit by climate change might decide to do this without global approval. However, the paper noted that such an effort would be impossible to keep secret, and other, larger nations might decide to stop the project. Doing this work properly would require flying all over the world's middle latitudes, and this would have to go on indefinitely. (Masking the warming effect of greenhouse gases doesn't make them go away, and they can last for a thousand years in the atmosphere, unlike sulfates. So, the solar engineering would have to continue, to counteract those effects.) "I'm not going to say whether [I think we'll get to the point of atmospheric spraying]," Smith said, "not because it's too much of a hot potato, but because I really don't know." Other techniques for geoengineering might become cheaper, or nations might just never get around to this sort of climate mitigation, he said. For now, Ricke said, the big open questions involve stratospheric chemistry how sulfur would interact with other chemicals in the atmosphere and the local effects of this sort of program. How would a big new batch of SO2 in the atmosphere affect the ozone layer, for example? How would individual regions, agriculture or local water systems react to the sudden change in sunlight? How would the public react? For now, she said, she wants to see a lot more research. Originally published on Live Science. NASA apparently likes to keep its Mondays exciting; tomorrow (Dec. 3), the agency will participate in a Soyuz crew launch to the International Space Station and oversee a spacecraft reaching its asteroid target, and that's all just one week after pulling off an incredible Mars landing. SpaceX will also launch 64 small satellites after multiple delays. Best of all, NASA will be sharing the excitement with plenty of live broadcasts to fill the day, all of which you can watch live at Space.com, courtesy of NASA TV, or at the agency's website. Here's a complete list of what you can look forward to tomorrow. Soyuz crew launch Astronauts Anne McClain of NASA, Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency pose on Nov. 20 in Kazakhstan before their launch to the International Space Station on Dec. 3, which will kick off an exciting day of activities for NASA. (Image credit: Victor Zelentosov/NASA) The day starts bright and early, at 5:45 a.m. EST (1045 GMT), with the beginning of NASA's coverage of the launch of a trio of astronauts to the space station from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan: Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, NASA astronaut Anne McClain and Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques. The astronauts will strap into a Soyuz capsule for a 6:31 a.m. EST (1131 GMT) blast-off time. [Expedition 57: The Space Station Mission in Photos] The crew launch will be closely watched, as it is the first Soyuz journey since a rocket failure on Oct. 11 sent two astronauts hurtling back to Earth. The Russian space agency, Roscosmos, and NASA have both a expressed confidence in the investigation of that incident and the safety of the Soyuz system. Asteroid arrival and space station docking The next item on the schedule makes for a real double feature: At the same time as those astronauts reach the space station, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will reach its target, an asteroid called Bennu. The mission is designed to uncover secrets of the early solar system, by orbiting and landing on Bennu and eventually bringing a sample of the asteroid back to Earth. Both the space station arrival and the Bennu approach will be broadcast at 11:45 a.m. EST (1445 GMT), with the space station docking on NASA's media channel and the OSIRIS-REx arrival on the main channel. The Space.com homepage will feature OSIRIS-REx, but we'll also have the docking available on our webcasts page. SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's 3rd flight! In the second rocket launch of the day, SpaceX will attempt its much-anticipated launch of 64 small satellites, in a launch that has been foiled by the threat of bad weather and extra booster checks. The launch will mark the the first time a Falcon 9 first stage has flown three times, as well as set a new record for SpaceX launches in a single year (19 and counting). That launch is now scheduled for 1:32 p.m. EST (1832 GMT), with broadcast coverage at Space.com and the company's website likely beginning about 15 minutes before lift-off. And if you haven't had enough of space broadcasts after those events, never fear NASA has one more up its sleeve. At 2:35 p.m. EST (1935 GMT), the hatch between the space station and the newly arrived Soyuz capsule will open, letting the trio of fresh astronauts join their colleagues in the orbiting laboratory. Coverage of that event will begin at 1:45 p.m. EST (1845 GMT). Oh, and SpaceX is launching a cargo shipment to the space station the very next day (Dec. 4) at 1:38 p.m. EST (1838 GMT) in case you still didn't have quite enough space excitement on your calendar. So on Monday, NASA will hold two prelaunch briefings: a science briefing on the experiments on board starts at 9:30 a.m. EST (1430 GMT), with a mission briefing scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST (2030 GMT). Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com. NASA's InSight lander, which touched down on Mars Nov. 26 and successfully extended its large solar arrays hours later, is already setting records. During its full first day on the Red Planet, the solar-powered lander generated more electrical power in one day than any previous Mars vehicle has, mission team members said. "It is great to get our first 'off-world record' on our very first full day on Mars," Tom Hoffman, InSight project manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, said in a statement. [NASA's InSight Mars Lander: Amazing Landing Day Photos!] "But even better than the achievement of generating more electricity than any mission before us is what it represents for performing our upcoming engineering tasks," Hoffman added. "The 4,588 watt-hours we produced during sol 1 means we currently have more than enough juice to perform these tasks and move forward with our science mission." NASAs InSight lander flipped open the lens cover on its Instrument Context Camera (ICC) on Nov. 30, 2018, and captured this view of Mars. Located below InSights deck, the ICC has a fisheye view, creating a curved horizon. Some clumps of dust are still visible on the cameras lens. One of the spacecrafts footpads can be seen in the lower right corner. The seismometers tether box is in the upper left corner. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) The 4,588 watt-hours InSight generated on its first sol, or Martian day, from solar power is well over the 2,806 watt-hours generated in a day by NASA's Curiosity rover, which runs on a nuclear system called a radioisotope thermoelectric generator. Coming in third was the solar-powered Phoenix lander, which generated around 1,800 watt-hours in a day, according to NASA officials. After sending back its first photo of the landing site and extending its two solar arrays, each of which is about 7 feet in diameter (2.2 meters), InSight got to work photographing its environment and unlatching its robotic arm, which it will eventually use to deploy seismometers and a heat probe to learn about Mars' interior. And mission team members are busy inspecting the images they've received so far to learn more about InSight's landing site, a lava plain called Elysium Planitia. They've found that the spacecraft is tilted by about 4 degrees, according to the statement, in a shallow impact crater filled with dust and sand. (This is no big deal; the lander can operate at up to a 15-degree tilt.) A steep slope could have hurt the spacecraft's ability to get enough power from its solar arrays, and landing near rocks could have kept the spacecraft from easily opening both arrays, the researchers said. "The science team had been hoping to land in a sandy area with few rocks since we chose the landing site, so we couldn't be happier," Hoffman said in the statement. "There are no landing pads or runways on Mars, so coming down in an area that is basically a large sandbox without any large rocks should make instrument deployment easier and provide a great place for our mole to start burrowing." So far, the team thinks the immediate area has few rocks, but higher-resolution images coming later on will give a more conclusive view of the surroundings. The team will use those views to plan out exactly how the spacecraft will place its instruments with its mechanical arm. "We are looking forward to higher-definition pictures to confirm this preliminary assessment," InSight principal investigator Bruce Banerdt, also at JPL, said in the statement. "If these few images with resolution-reducing dust covers on are accurate, it bodes well for both instrument deployment and the mole penetration of our subsurface heat-flow experiment." (According to NASA, the spacecraft got its first view of Mars with a lens cover off Nov. 30.) The $850 million InSight mission is scheduled to run for one Mars year, or nearly two Earth years. The data gathered by the lander will help mission team members map out the Red Planet's interior structure in unprecedented detail, NASA officials have said. This information should, in turn, reveal key insights about the formation of rocky planets in general. Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Originally published on Space.com. SpaceX's first Falcon 9 rocket destined to fly three times is rolled out to its launch pad at the Vandenberg Air Force Station in California on Dec. 1, 2018. The rocket is scheduled to launch 64 satellites into orbit on Dec. 3. SpaceX is now aiming to launch a reusable Falcon 9 booster on its third flight, a first for the company, no earlier than Monday (Dec. 3) to allow time for additional checks. The Falcon 9 rocket, the first of SpaceX's upgraded "Block 5" series, was slated to launch Sunday, but will now lift off from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base Monday at 1:32 p.m. EST (1832 GMT; 10:32 a.m. PST). The mission has been delayed since mid-November over booster checks and bad weather at the launch site. "Standing down from tomorrow's launch attempt of Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express to conduct additional inspections of the second stage," SpaceX representatives said in a Twitter update Sunday. "Working toward a backup launch opportunity on December 3." [The Evolution of SpaceX's Rockets in Pictures] SpaceX's upcoming launch is a milestone of sorts for the company in a few different ways. First, there's the resuability aspect. So far, SpaceX's Falcon 9 first stages have made at most two flights before being retired. But the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket launching Monday is making its third flight to space after launching the Bangabandhu-1 communications satellitefor the government of Bangladesh in May and the Merah Putih satellitefor PT Telkom Indonesia in August. That May launch marked the first of a Block 5 Falcon 9, an upgraded version of SpaceX's workhorse booster designed for at least 10 flights, if not more, as part of the company's reusability program to drive down the cost of spaceflight. As on its two previous flights, the Falcon 9 first stage is expected to return to Earth. It will land on SpaceX's drone ship "Just Read the Instructions" in the Pacific Ocean. A close look at SpaceX's first Falcon 9 rocket first stage booster to make a third flight. The Block 5 booster launched two satellites into orbit in summer 2018 and is the first to fly a third time. (Image credit: SpaceX) There's also the number of SpaceX launches this year. SpaceX closed out 2017 with 18 launches, a record at the time and a significant step up from its previous record of eight flights. Monday's launch will mark SpaceX's 19th launch of 2018, setting a new record that the company will then break on Tuesday (Dec. 4) when it launches a Dragon cargo ship to the International Space Station for NASA from Cape Canaveral, Florida. More SpaceX launches are scheduled for this month, so expect that record to be just over 20 by the end of the year. And finally, there's the payload. The Falcon 9 launch will be dedicated rideshare mission for the company Spaceflight, which is sending up 64 different small satellites on this flight. So there's literally a lot (of satellites) riding on this mission for SpaceX and its customer. You can watch SpaceX launch its milestone Block 5 Falcon 9 mission live on Monday. SpaceX will webcast the launch live here, and you can see it on Space.com here, courtesy of the company. The webcast will begin about 15 minutes before liftoff at 1:17 p.m. EST (1817 GMT; 10:17 a.m. PST). Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Originally published on Space.com. President George H.W. Bush poses with the crew of NASA's STS-26 space shuttle mission after the shuttle Discovery landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Oct. 3, 1988. NASA's chief Jim Bridenstine that the entire U.S. space agency is in mourning for President George H. W. Bush, who died in his Houston home at age 94 on Friday (Nov. 30). "NASA and the nation mourn the passing of President George Herbert Walker Bush, a leader who was a passionate advocate for space exploration," Bridenstine said in a statement Saturday. Bush launched the Space Exploration Initiative on July 20, 1989 the 20th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing to galvanize NASA to once again return astronauts to the moon, and then aim for a crewed mission to Mars. The Space Exploration Initiative (or SEI) called for the construction of a giant orbital outpost, known as Space Station Freedom, as well as the pursuit of a permanent human presence on the moon before moving on to Mars, according to an overview by former NASA historian Steven Dick. The SEI's space station project evolved into the International Space Station, but its goal of sending astronauts back to the moon and on to Mars were left unrealized. [Presidential Visions of Space Exploration: From Ike to Trump] The goals set for NASA by Bush are the same ones the space agency faces today under the direction of President Donald Trump, who has ordered NASA to once again return astronauts to the moon. "President Bush's Space Exploration Initiative helped us to think big and long-term about space," Bridenstine said. "His impassioned vision of 'a journey into tomorrow a journey to another planet a manned mission to Mars,' helped sustain NASA's early work on the International Space Station, and it still can be felt in our ongoing efforts to send humans farther into the solar system to live and work for extended periods." Bridenstine said Bush was one of his personal heroes and a source of inspiration. "I remember like yesterday watching the 1992 Republican National Convention, learning of his life of sacrifice, and hearing his whimsical memories of 'sitting on an aircraft carrier, looking at the stars, and dreaming about a girl named Barbara,'" Bridenstine said. "From being the Navy's youngest fighter pilot in World War II and being shot down, to his years of public service in Congress, the State Department, CIA, Vice President and President, there was nothing he wouldn't give for our country and her people." Bush served as president from January 1989 to January 1993 following eight years as vice president under President Ronald Reagan. "The President noted it was humanity's destiny to explore, and America's destiny to lead," Bridenstine said. "We salute this great American leader, who challenged us to chart a course for the future to benefit all humanity." Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Originally published on Space.com. A weekly feature in which we're trying to find the most compelling, best acted, written, directed and just generally great, memorable scenes that we've seen in past seven days on TV.Since the beginning of their story it's been impossible for me not to feel for Gary and Maggie. Maggie's decision not to start the treatment is heartbreaking to watch, especially for Gary who has grown to care about her during the short time they've spent together and he also has first-hand experience when it comes to cancer and chemo. Despite all that he's been a rock when it comes to all his friends, showing up every time they needed him, even trying "not to care" and support Maggie's choice for as long as he could. I've been waiting for a moment when he finally breaks and as expected the scene turned out to be a powerful and wonderfully acted part of the hour. You might think that after everything they've been through together his friends wouldn't automatically assume that Gary's to blame for the break-up. Sadly that's not the case here. Though it's not the thing that ended up hurting him the most. When Gary realizes that everyone knows the truth about Maggie and they decided to support her decision, he can't take it anymore. He finally admits how he really feels about the situation. He makes a comparison to Jon's death and tells his friends how they all wondered if they could have changed anything if they knew. And when it comes to Maggie, they do know and are just letting her die. It's not the same thing, but it still feels like that to Gary. Realization that he's the one person left fighting for Maggie to survive is simply more than he can accept. "Shame on all of you!" James Roday has been fantastic in his portrayal of the character from the start but this scene leaves quite an impression on its own. Allison Miller is also wonderful with all the reactions and feelings that Maggie is struggling with during the hour. To be honest, this moment is pretty hard to watch but it's a breaking point which probably needed to happen sooner rather than later. I'm very interested to see what's next.Gary loses it on his friends. Gary's desperation to convince Maggie to get chemo came to a head when he realized that he was the only one fighting for her to live. Maggie's decision is her own and the group wanted to support and respect that, but Gary is unable to accept that they are just going to stand by and support her choice to die. The performance by Roday was raw and captivating and my heart broke for him, for Maggie and a situation for which there is no bad guy.Maggie breaks down in front of the gang at the food/wine tasting.Gary snaps after finding out the gang knows the truth about Maggie. James Roday delivered a heartbreaking performance. The combination of love & despair brought the room to a boiling point.After a three-season arc, Declan is finally able to exact revenge against the treacherous Lord Benton for the murder of his family. I'll admit, the scene did feel a tiny bit anticlimatic because I wanted Benton to suffer more for being so awful, but I can't deny how well-acted the scene was between both men and the feeling of long-awaited catharsis Declan had from murdering him and being reunited with Grace (even though it was all too brief a moment).The character of Riley may be the most well-developed of the whole show. She went from a loner who held a grudge against Jack, to embracing him as her father figure, to meeting her real father and forgiving him. Now Billy gives her another piece of the puzzle by introducing her to the grandma she never knew she had. This one scene took what felt like a B plot that was going nowhere into the best scene of the episode. I hope we get to see more of them getting to know each other.Murphy and Frank talk about how dangerous it is to be a journalist in America right now. I loved this scene because it felt honest and real. Journalists are really facing threats nowadays just for reporting the news.This was such a moving and emotional scene. One of the best on this great show so far. Max and Sarah are strangers but they feel connected through Luna's heart so it's easy for Sarah to open up to him and tell him a story of her life. A normal life full of ups and downs, with loved ones, her work, her experiences, everything she got to have thanks to her transplant all those years ago. She feels like Max's sister gave her this amazing chance to live so she's ready to accept it's her time to die, grateful for every moment she never expected to have. Max's reactions to the story are beautifully portrayed by Ryan Eggold, it's clear how much her words mean to him, how important she feels in his eyes and his response is a perfect way to end the scene. Sarah is thankful for her second chance but for Max it's Sarah who gave his sister more time, almost like a piece of Luna continued to live through her heart and now it's time to truly say goodbye. They both understand that Luna's heart can't be saved but Max stays by Sarah's side and fights to save her. It's beautifully sad and both actors are wonderful in all their interactions during the episode. This show turned out to be such a great surprise. I already can't wait to see the next episode.This was the most touching scene of the week for me. From the moment Helen told Max that the woman who received his sister's heart was at the hospital, Max was in a downward spiral - desperate to save her and his last tangible piece of his sister. He refused to give up until the woman herself makes it okay for him to say goodbye again, by sharing all the amazing things she got to do because of his sister's heart. It was just the testament to his sister that Max needed to let go and a testament to the importance of organ donation as well.Sarah tells Max about the beautiful life his sister's heart gave her. After all the effort he put in to save the woman with Luna's heart, it was gut-wrenching to see them both come to terms with the fact that saving the heart just wasn't possible. The way she talked about her great life and all the happiness Luna's heart gave her, it was absolutely beautiful. Both actors did an amazing job but I'm already in love with the character of Max Goodwin, all I can say is he better stick around, and the same goes for this show that was just such a pleasant surprise.David Harewood as Jonn Jonzz has always been a big part of Supergirls A-team of actors, and once again proved that with this highly charged scene. Jonns tearful apology to Kara about Manchesters betrayal and his anguish thinking hed failed her was emotional and heartbreaking. Harewood was simply brilliant elevating his acting to a new level and Melissa Benoist was perfect in the scene with him.In this scene all the pent-up anger and frustration came rushing out, from the moment Tim realized he barely knows his daughter, to Kayla finally admitting she blames him for her mom's death, and especially the moment her grandmother hugs her and she just asks her not to love her because everyone who does ends up dead. Kayla is quite the dramatic teenager but this shows just how messed up she is and how much pain she's holding on to. Even if it feels like the fairytale aspect faded a bit after the first episode, this has definitely some interesting stories worth watching and I can't wait to see more.When Becky comes to Darlene with worries about how she can be a good mother when she's an alcoholic, the latter assures her that if she falls off the wagon, she'd take care of the baby. It was a rare sweet moment between the sisters and shows how much they really love each other.Nora apologizes to Iris for how she had been treating her before getting to really know her in the present. They begin to discuss all of the times Barry has put his life on the line as the hero of Central City; Nora sees that being a hero comes at a steep price and that Iris has been paying that price for a long time. It was great to see Nora finally take the time to understand how her mother feels about Barry's decisions. Iris giving voice to her fears about losing Barry are things that Nora needed to hear. It should help her understand her mother's choices in the future more clearly.The relationships between parents and their children were truly at the center of this week's episode. None of these stories hit harder than Lorna, Marcos and Dawn's. Lorna understands the danger her daughter is in after the recent events and for the first time in her life she realizes why her father has always kept his distance from her. She makes the same choice for Dawn but before they leave she knows that Marcos deserves to say goodbye to his little girl. From the moment she shows up at his place it's clear how emotional this meeting is for these two. Marcos is angry, he blames Lorna's actions for making the situation worse, he also remembers the promise the two made to each other, not to become their fathers. But ultimately Eclipse does understand why it's the right choice to make for Dawn and only wishes that she has someone to love and care for her by her side. He says his goodbye with heartbreaking realization he doesn't even know his baby girl so he uses their last moment together to sing and dance with her in his arms. When the time comes, he gives Dawn back to Polaris and for a second their combined powers form an effect similar to aurora borealis, old reminder of their love and the people they used to be. The scene ends with Lorna leaving the apartment and both of them breaking down on the opposite side of the door. Such a memorable and heartbreaking moment. Beautiful work by Sean Teale and Emma Dumont, as well as the rest of the crew. Kudos!Lorna dons a headpiece similar to her father's iconic one. The moment Lorna fashioned the red disc left to her by her dad, Magneto, the only heirloom she's ever received from him, into a headband reminiscent of his iconic one - I got chills. It's a powerful scene. The entirety of the episode is about Lorna learning the truth of her father's motives and finally beginning to understand his decisions. It culminates in her embracing him as her own blood but also by starting a new chapter all of her own, and the headband represents that.Barry tells Murray he doesn't want something to happen to him. Barry is by far the most extra Goldberg child 90% of the time, but in this moment he was a son staring down big life changes and realizing that his father is not immortal. Barry was honest and real with Murray and told him that he wanted him to be there to see him accomplish his goals and meet his future grandchildren. It was one of my favorite Barry moments of the show because it gave a glimpse of the man he can be and how Murray has had a big influence in what his son is becoming.Barry expresses his true feelings to Murray.Conrad has had a giant wall up with his father based on fuzzy memories as a child and the perception he had of his dad. Marshall sincerely took responsibility for his part in issues in his marriage to Conrad's mother but assured Conrad the memory that haunts Conrad is not accurate and that he would never hurt his mother. Conrad was then able to have a real moment with the man with whom he has such a complex relationship with and tell him that he loves him.Conrad and Marshall have a breakthrough in their relationship. Both actors are incredible in this scene and when Conrad choked out an "I love you" at the end, I definitely teared up. I love the way their relationship has grown this season. Hoping Marshall makes it through to the second half!Eris Baker delivered an amazing performance as Tess told her parents her truth. And I'm so glad - and not surprised - Randall and Beth reassured their daughter they loved her no matter what. No child should ever feel caged in a school. Cages are not always literal. For many special needs students, any response to impulsive behavior can feel constrictive. But lets not pretend literal cages do not exist in some schools. Some are as bad as you might imagine. Bare, windowless rooms used to contain fitful 6-year-olds. Transporting them to such rooms can involve physical restraint. Such responses can feed terror instead of nurturing peace in the minds of any student, let alone those who are at risk. Educators following the most barbaric practices do not intend to traumatize troubled students; they are merely following outdated rulebooks. A lack of mirror policies at public schools can pose an added layer of anxiety for special needs students, who become even more disorientated if they switch districts. Changes in state policies are serving as harsh reminders that cages still exist in some schools. The reconsideration of past practices is welcome. A new law better defines seclusion as a students confinement in a space they are not allowed to leave, but now includes mandates such as windows. This is a distinction from an exclusionary timeout, which offers them the opportunity to calm down away from classroom peers. It would be naive to pretend there are easy remedies to such scenarios. A child in a vortex of misbehavior can be unsettling for staff as well as peers. The maxim that telling a person to calm down has never worked speaks truth. The law would limit training of seclusion and restraint techniques to defined crisis teams, though we encourage school leaders to share information about coping with episodes as broadly as possible. Newtown Public Schools Director of Pupil Services Deborah Mailloux-Petersen acknowledged that methods to transfer students to secluded areas could be viewed as physical restraint, deeming it a little bit of a gray area. Gray areas need to be erased. This is not easy work for educators, and they deserve clarity on expectations. Aside from vague policies, many are coping with schools built during generations that didnt imagine carving out safe spaces for challenged students. The state changes dovetail with a proposed Congressional bill, HR 7124, that recognizes the disparity in practices across the 50 states. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut has joined other Democrats who want physical restraint to be used only in emergencies. Its barbaric for schools to confine students alone in locked rooms, or to use abusive methods to restrain little children, Murphy said in a statement. The Keeping All Students Safe Act, would make seclusion illegal for any school that receives taxpayer funding. It calls for restraint to be replaced by appropriate behavioral support. Its taken too long for such measures to be taken. A 2009 Government Accountability Office study documented hundreds of incidents of abuse resulted from outdated practices, most of which involved minority and disabled students. These are all appropriate measures, but much more needs to be done to unlock these cages. A smartphone repair company staffed by young ex-offenders is helping guide people away from crime and into fulfilling employment. Cracked It, which operates from Dalston, east London, has been hailed as "London's best iPhone fixers" and praised by the likes of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn. Founded by social entrepreneur Josh Babarinde in 2016, the company is a grassroots movement resisting the youth violence which has devastated the capital this year. One of its technicians, 21-year-old Jake, told the Standard this week: It keeps me out of trouble, Im motivated to come to work. Cracked It technician Jake, right, wants to start his own phone repair business after being given the opportunity to demonstrate his skills following a stint in jail / Cracked It Ive put down my knife. Im now picking up my screwdrivers to repair phones. Cracked It employs up to 12 ex-offenders, or young people at risk of offending. They work at the company for six months, building their skillset, before moving on. Technicians visit workplaces across the capital, ranging from City banks to Parliament, and run pop-up clinics repairing peoples phones as they work. It guarantees repairs within 90 minutes and at a fair price. As well as winning praise from Prime Minister Mrs May, who said Cracked It is an example of an enterprise which helps make Britain a country that truly does work for everyone, the business has won stacks of awards for its services. The Standard itself has branded it one of "London's best iPhone fixers". Cracked It was founded by Josh Babarinde, far left, two years ago / Cracked It Mr Babarinde had the idea when he was a youth worker in east London, spending time with people involved in gangs. He told the Standard: These guys and girls wanted to have money, wanted to feel valued, wanted to belong. Most of us are able to get those kind of things through employment. Unfortunately, these guys and girls didnt feel work was an option for them. They felt shut out and backed into crime. He continued: Tech is a domain not usually offered to these guys and girls. I came up with the idea of phone repair. Jake hard at work at a repair clinic / Cracked It Its good income at about 50 profit per phone, a good market as 29 per cent of people have a smashed phone, and it fosters self-worth as it feels good to fix a phone. Thats not to say employees like Jake get an easy ride. One of the core values of Cracked It is tough love. Mr Babarinde explained: I, as the CEO of a phone repair service, expect a lot from our young people. Im quite tough on them. When Jake has slipped up, I have given him a b******ing, I havent let him get away with things. It would be irresponsible of us to compromise on quality. We cant teach people that certain things are OK here, but when they get to the workplace they fail at the first hurdle and get the sack. TODO: define component type apester But we also show compassion. If theres a problem, we will look at whats driving it. Jake, from Luton, did time for assault. He joined Cracked It in August after being referred to a phone repair course by a mentor. In the space of a few months, he has demonstrated his skills to the likes of Amber Rudd and Woody Johnson, the US Ambassador to the UK. Its made a really big difference, he said. Its been great. Ive kept out of trouble. I have a future now. I want to make my own business out of this. Jake in conversation with Amber Rudd in October / Cracked It I was growing up around gangs. My mum and dad were arguing, so I was always out of the house, hanging out with the wrong people. I now feel more responsible and grown up. Im in a different environment. TODO: define component type apester Mr Babarinde added: "Its crazy to have got recognition from Theresa May. Jeremy Corbyn came to visit us a couple of years ago and we taught him to repair smashed phones. Its extraordinary. T he Duchess of Cambridge's mother Carole Middleton has revealed details of her Christmas planning as she prepares to host the royals on December 25. Grandmother Carole, 63, told the Sunday Telegraph's Stella magazine that she has put individual fir trees in the bedrooms of Prince George and Princess Charlotte at her Bucklebury home for them to decorate themselves. Mrs Middleton said she also might serve a vegan option for Christmas dinner as she has recently "gone vegan." She said she will serve smoked salmon and champagne for lunch before the full Christmas dinner, which will have both the traditional Christmas menu and a vegan offering available for the royals. Kate and William are expected to skip Sandringham with the Queen this year, with the couple instead heading to Carole's Berkshire mansion. Christmas plans: Carole Middleton / PA Carole said: "'Ive recently gone vegan. Or maybe that should be flexitarian. "If I go to someones house for dinner, Im not going to make a fuss. "For Christmas, Id probably have two options very traditional and something vegan." She said she had been planning for Christmas since Halloween. Speaking about her Christmas planning, Carole added: "Dont get hung up on perfection. Often its the mistakes that make things memorable." In her interview, Carole described herself as a "normal", "hands-on" mother and grandmother. She said: "Like every mother, I wanted to look my best, make my children proud and enjoy the day. I honestly don't think I was any more stressed than any other mother-of-the-bride." The 63-year-old, who is celebrating 30 years of success with her Party Pieces family business, said her family is "paramount", adding: "They come first and that will always be the case, even when I have more me time." She added: "My biggest fear (as her offspring grew up) was that I'd lose my family, but we've stayed close. " Referring to William and Mr Matthews, a hedge fund manager, she said: "I have two lovely sons-in-law and I hope I'll have a lovely daughter-in-law." Giving a glimpse into what a Middleton family Christmas looks like, she described visiting church on Christmas Day, followed by a walk, then smoked salmon and champagne for lunch before the main meal in the evening. N umber 10 has accused Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of running scared of a Brexit TV debate with Theresa May amid continued wrangling between the two sides over the format. Downing Street confirmed that there is still no agreement on the debate which is due to be screened on December 9, two days ahead of the Commons vote on the Prime Ministers Brexit deal. The latest spat erupted after Mr Corbyn said on Saturday that he was prepared to accept Downing Street's preferred option of the BBC, provided it was a straight head-to-head discussion between the two leaders. The Labour leader had previously indicated his support for a rival ITV proposal based on a simple one-on-one format, in contrast to the BBC offer which also involves the leaders taking questions from a wider panel. Downing Street has accused Jeremy Corbyn of "running scared" / AFP/Getty Images However a No 10 spokesman made clear they are determined to stick to the original BBC plan. "A week ago, the PM challenged Jeremy Corbyn to a head-to-head debate. He accepted," the spokesman said. "Since then, in order to accommodate his confected demands, we've moved our preferred day, accommodated the addition of social media questions at Labour's request, and agreed there should be maximum head-to-head time, while still including voices from employers and civil society in the debate. "But if Jeremy Corbyn doesn't agree to what's now on the table - a debate on prime time with the Prime Minister - the public will rightly conclude he's running scared. So let's get on with it." Leader of the Liberal Democrat party, Vince Cable has complained about the debate / REUTERS Meanwhile Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has complained the proposal for a debate between the Conservative and Labour leaders - both of whom support Brexit - meant other views are excluded. In a letter to the BBC, ITV and Sky, Sir Vince put himself forward as an advocate for a so-called people's vote in a second referendum. "The principal alternative to the Withdrawal Agreement is for the UK to remain as a full and influential member of the European Union," he said. "All the evidence suggests that there is now a majority in the country for doing so, and a substantial majority for a people's vote. Yet neither Jeremy Corbyn nor Theresa May supports this route." M ichael Gove has warned MPs that if they vote against Theresa Mays Brexit deal, there could be no Brexit at all. The Brexiteer told the BBCs Andrew Marr show that he doesnt 100 percent agree with Theresa Mays deal however he said he was supporting the prime minister to bring the deal home. Mr Gove warned that if the deal did not get enough support in the Commons on December 11, there is a chance of no Brexit at all or a second referendum. He said: I believe we can win the argument and win the vote even though its challenging but my view is that weve got to look properly at what those alternatives are. Mr Gove said he believe's Theresa May's Brexit deal could pass through parliament / AP The key things are, if we dont get this deal through then there is a chance of no brexit at all or no referendum. There is a real risk that if we dont vote for this deal then there is a majority for a second referendum and there is a real risk that if we dont vote deal then we will get a less good deal or no deal at all. It comes as Sir Keir Starmer, shadow secretary for Brexit, revealed that Labour will seek a vote of no confidence in the government if Mrs Mays deal is voted down on December 11. Labour's Keir Starmer revealed that Labour will seek a vote of no confidence in the government if Mrs Mays deal is voted down / PA He told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "It seems to me that if the Prime Minister has lost a vote of that sort of significance then there has to be a question of confidence in the Government. "I think it's inevitable that we will seek to move that - obviously it will depend on what actually happens in nine days, it will depend on what the response is - but if she's lost a vote of this significance after two years of negotiation, then it is right that there should be a general election. F ormer First Lady Michelle Obama is to return to the north London School she spoke at in 2009 on Monday. Ms Obama visited Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in Islington on her first visit to the UK as first lady, nine years ago. She will revisit the school to give a talk on the importance of education as part of her book tour, according to the MailOnline. The former first lady wrote about her experience talking at the school in her new memoir Becoming. Michelle Obama at Islingtons Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in 2009 / AP She said that she had been in the White House for two months and had felt at times overwhelmed by the pace, unworthy of the glamour, anxious about our children, and uncertain of my purpose. I almost felt myself falling backward into my own past, she adds. You had only to look around at the faces in the room to know that despite their strengths these girls would need to work hard to be seen. There were girls in hijab, girls for whom English was a second language, girls whose skin made up every shade of brown Theyd need to fight the invisibility that comes with being poor, female and of colour. The schools executive head Jo Dibb said that she became emotional after seeing what Ms Obama had written about the school. If we have been part of what Michelle Obama has done in the wider sphere, well, just wow. M Ps from all sides came out fighting today over Theresa May's Brexit deal amid reports claiming the Government's legal analysis states her plan would see Britain trapped in the customs union "indefinitely". The Sunday Times reported leaked details from attorney general Geoffrey Cox's advice to the Cabinet that Britain could end up locked in the Northern Ireland "backstop" arrangement with the EU. The newspaper said that in a letter sent last month to ministers, Mr Cox advised the only way out after the set-up of a backstop - designed to prevent the return of a hard border with the Republic - would be to sign a new trade deal, a process which could take years. "The protocol would endure indefinitely," he is reported to have written. No10 has refused to publish the full texts on the legal implications of the Prime Minister's deal. Labour has said it is ready to combine with other opposition parties to start proceedings for contempt of Parliament unless Mr Cox's legal opinion is published in full. AFP/Getty Images The DUP - which props up the Conservative government in the Commons - was reported to be ready to sign a joint letter with other parties to Speaker John Bercow on Monday unless ministers back down. Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said it was essential MPs understood the "full legal implications" before they voted on the agreement. "If the full legal advice is not forthcoming, we will have no alternative but to start proceedings for contempt of Parliament - and we will work with all parties to take this forward," he said. "If ministers stubbornly refuse to obey the order of MPs then they risk triggering a historic constitutional row that puts Parliament in direct conflict with the executive." He told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "It seems to me that if the Prime Minister has lost a vote of that sort of significance then there has to be a question of confidence in the Government... MPs want to see the full legal advice given by Geoffrey Cox, attorney general / AFP/Getty Images "I think it's inevitable that we will seek to move that - obviously it will depend on what actually happens in nine days, it will depend on what the response is - but if she's lost a vote of this significance after two years of negotiation, then it is right that there should be a general election. "Because, but for the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, the convention was always if a Government loses what's called a confidence vote - something of such significance - then that Government has to go." DUP leader Arlene Foster also reiterated this morning that the party's 10 MPs would not back the prime minister's Withdrawal Agreement, saying it would create a "huge democratic deficit" in the province. In a bruising day for Mrs May, some allies rallied round to defend her deal. Environment Secretary Michael Gove has said the Government can win the crucial Commons vote, despite the fact dozens of Tory MPs have said they intend to vote against the Withdrawal Agreement. Mr Gove acknowledged that it would be "challenging" on BBC1's The Andrew Marr Show but said the alternative was either "no deal or no Brexit". Arlene Foster said the DUP cannot support Mrs May's deal / REUTERS "I believe that we can win the argument and win the vote. I know it is challenging," he said. Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis meanwhile insisted Theresa May's deal is the "only option", saying: "Plan B is plan A - it's to get this deal agreed." He told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "It is the only deal that's there on the table, it's the only option we have got it: if this deal doesn't go through, we have the risk of no Brexit, no deal potentially ... there's a whole range of chaos that can come through." Meanwhile European Council President Donald Tusk warned MPs that Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement is "the only possible one". At a press conference at the G20 in Argentina he suggested that Brussels would not renegotiate the proposal already hammered out with the Prime Minister. TODO: define component type apester He told reporters: "The European Union has just agreed an orderly divorce with the United Kingdom. "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. "If this deal is rejected in the Commons we are left with, as was already stressed a few weeks ago by Prime Minister May, an alternative: no deal or no Brexit at all. "I want to reassure you that the EU is prepared for every scenario." A leading member of a vegan activist group that stormed a Brighton steakhouse today said that upsetting people is just an unfortunate consequence of their protests. Matthew McKeefry, 18, said the feelings of those aggrieved by his organisation is nothing compared to "what non-human animals are suffering. He believes his group could "eradicate the meat industry within a generation". Last weekend around 20 members of Direct Action Everywhere entered a restaurant in the city and shouted theres no excuse for animal abuse at diners. They also held signs brandishing slogans such as its not food its violence and played the screams of animals in slaughterhouses. This prompted jeers from those eating, while causing a mixed reaction on social media. Mr McKeefry is one of the groups event organisers and coordinates action across the UK. Matthew McKeefry speaking through a megaphone during a protest / Direct Action Everywhere He was not in attendance in Brighton but played a part in planning the protest at the Touro Steakhouse. The protester defended it as a necessary means for his desired outcome the destruction of industries which use animals for products within the next generation. I think we kind of expect a negative reaction we know not everybody is going to support us over night, he said. Weve been conditioned since we were children that animals are property. When we challenge social norms we know not everybody is going to agree with that initially. In terms of upsetting those whose meals the group interrupted, Mr McKeefry said that was not the aim, but an unfortunate consequence. We dont want to have to disrupt peoples days, we dont want people to feel upset with us, he said. But unfortunately sometimes people will feel like that towards us. An activists job is not to be liked. I understand why theyre upset, they probably werent expecting activists to come in. But I think we need to focus on who the real victims are here. What animals are experiencing in factory farms, thats not comparable to that twenty minutes. It doesnt compare to what non-human animals are suffering. The full-time activist, who has been vegan since he was 12, said the group believes it could eradicate the meat industry within a generation. Protestors outside the steakhouse in Brighton / Direct Action Everywhere Its members, who are based across the world, deem it possible within 40 years to make that amount of change. They call this plan the "forty-year roadmap to animal liberation" which will see a "constitutional amendment, with broad public support, abolishing institutionalised exploitation of non-human animals and granting legal personhood". Mr McKeefry said: We are changing how people see non-human animals. Were about trying to change social norms. Violence to animals is very much normalised. In addition to changing perceptions, he said the group wants to change legal systems to grant further protections to other species. With that he spoke of the desire for legal personhood for animals which are currently factory farmed, so as to stop cruelty towards them. He said: We all believe in justice, but because of speciesism, our actions dont align with our beliefs. Its institutional and systematic change that we want. A stronauts heading to the International Space Station in a Soyuz rocket for the first time since its emergency landing, say they are psychologically and physically prepared. Their launch comes less than two months after a booster failure forced Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague to make an emergency landing. Ahead of Monday's launch, crew commander Oleg Kononenko said: Risk is part of our profession. "We are psychologically and technically prepared for blast-off and any situation which, God forbid, may occur on board. In this photo released by NASA, the Soyuz booster rocket and MS-11 spacecraft sit on the launch pad after being rolled out by train / AFP/Getty Images The Russian astronaut has already logged 533 days in space. He will be joined by Canadian David Saint-Jacques and American astronaut Anne McClain. It will be the pairs first trip to the station. The launch had originally been scheduled for December 20 however the current crew on the ISS needs to return to Earth. The crew on the left sit with the three backup members ahead of Monday's launch / AP Russias Rocosmos space agency has confirmed that the previous aborted mission was caused by a faulty sensor. The astronauts were forced to make an emergency landing in the Kazakhstan grasslands. Soyuz Mission 57 to ISS - In Pictures 1 /19 Soyuz Mission 57 to ISS - In Pictures Expedition 57 Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos (L) and Flight Engineer Nick Hague of NASA (R) embrace their families after landing at the Krayniy Airport, after their failiure booster launch in Baikonur, Kazakhstan EPA Specialists and officials meet NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin upon arrival in Baikonur, Kazakhstan AFP/Getty Images Specialists and officials meet NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin upon arrival in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Reuters Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, speaks with the media upon arrival with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin in Baikonur, Kazakhstan AFP/Getty Images Specialists and officials meet NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin upon arrival in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Reuters Russia's Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft carrying the members of the International Space Station (ISS) expedition 57/58 AFP/Getty Images cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin (L) and NASA astronaut Nick Hague walk prior to the launch of the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan EPA The Russian Soyuz rocket has malfunctioned on lift-off has landed safely in Kazahstan, Russian media report EPA The Russian Soyuz rocket has malfunctioned on lift-off has landed safely in Kazahstan, Russian media report AP The Russian Soyuz rocket has malfunctioned on lift-off has landed safely in Kazahstan, Russian media report AFP/Getty Images EPA Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, a member of the International Space Station (ISS) expedition 57/58 AFP/Getty Images Expedition 57 Flight Engineer Nick Hague of NASA, top, and Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos, wave farewell prior to boarding the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft for launch Getty Images Members of the International Space Station (ISS) expedition 57/58, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin report to Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin before boarding the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft AFP/Getty Images Security personnel drive an armored vehicle past the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft with the crew Reuters The Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft carrying the crew of astronaut Nick Hague of the U.S. and cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin of Russia blasts off to the International Space Station Reuters The Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft carrying the crew of astronaut Nick Hague of the U.S. and cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin of Russia blasts off to the International Space Station Reuters Photographers take pictures as Russia's Soyuz MS-10 blasts off. AFP/Getty Images Soyuz rocket launch with Expedition 57 Flight Engineer Nick Hague of NASA and Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan EPA At the time of the incident, Rocosmos executive director Sergei Krikalyov said: The original plan was the current crew will return in the middle of December and the next one will replace it shortly afterwards. In order to avoid shifting the ISS to an unmanned mode the industry is exerting considerable efforts to make the launch possible on December 3. A n actress facing trial on public obscenity charges in Egypt for wearing a dress revealing her legs says she did not mean to offend anyone. If found guilty, Rania Youssef could face five years in prison. Ms Youssef claimed she had been influenced by fashion experts, in a statement on her Facebook page. The actress was pictured wearing the dress for the closing ceremony of a film festival in Cairo. Ms Youssef is to face trial in January 2019 for appearing at the closing ceremony of the Cairo International Film Festival wearing a revealing black lacy dress / AFP/Getty Images Images of her at the event were widely shared on social media, prompting a group of lawyers to file a complaint that was taken up by the chief prosecutor. She said: I hope everyone can understand that I had good intentions and did not wish to anger anyone. The trial will take place next year. It is the latest instance of ostensibly secular authorities siding with religious conservatives in Muslim majority Egypt, where the military overthrew an elected Islamist president in 2013. In 2012, an Egyptian novelist was convicted on a charge of obscenity for referencing sex and drugs in his book. He was sentenced to two years in prison, sparking outrage amongst human rights activists. His sentence was suspended following an appeal to a Cairo court. F irefighters in Australia are continuing to tackle over 110 wildfires in the northern state of Queensland. According to the countrys Bureau of Meteorology, dry and hot conditions have raised the fire level warning to severe. Temperatures on Sunday were expected to surpass 40C. Queenslands premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed that there are 115 blazes across the state. A New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service crew refills their truck with water alongside Queensland firefighters as bushfires continue to burn / REUTERS She added that the next 24 hours are crucial for fires at Deepwater, Lowmead and Stradbroke. On Sunday, Queenslands Fire and Emergency Services advised residents of Captain Creek to prepare to evacuate. A statement said: A large number of crews will be working in the Murphy Road area overnight. Firefighters battle a wildfire as it moves through Deepwater National Park in Queensland state, Australia on Thursday / AP "Fire crews are working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door. Speaking during a press conference, Michael McCormack, deputy prime minister said: We are still in the response phase of this fire fight and there are still many, many fires burning out of control and the fact is, were still all very worried about the weather. Captain Creek and Queanbeyan City rural fire fighters refill their fire trucks with water at Captain Creek / EPA The fact is, its quite hot out there at the moment. The winds have the potential to whip up at any stage so we need to watch and wait and see and I pay credit to the Crisis Control Centre here. He confirmed that 527,000 hectares of land has been destroyed so far. The first casualty from the fires was confirmed on Friday night. A 21-year-old man in Rolleston was killed when using a chainsaw to cut down a tree for a firebreak when the tree tragically fell on him. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology also warned that a tropical cyclone could hit the state. Tropical cyclone Owen is currently 1000km northeast of Cairns. It is likely to reach Category 2 on Monday. P olice in New York City are hoping to reunite a couple with their engagement ring which was dropped down a grate in the pavement in Times Square by a woman's boyfriend as he proposed to her. The NYPD said the would-be husband had popped the question in Times Square but in his excitement dropped the ring, which fell through the metal grate. CCTV footage shows the man's stunned girlfriend standing close to him as he shows her the ring, but her excitement turns to shock as he drops it seconds later. The woman holds her head in her hands in shock when she realises what has just happened. The woman holds her hands to her face after the man dropped the ring down a grate Gesticulating frantically, the panicked man lies flat on his stomach on the pavement to try and retrieve it, only to realise it was well out of his reach. She then crouches beside him appearing to hold her head in her hands. Police said the man was "so excited when she said yes" that he dropped the ring. The man lies on his stomach to try and see where the ring fell / @NYPDnews It fell about 2.4 metres, police said. Police eventually got to the ring where it lay underground and managed to clean it - but the would-be bride and groom left without passing on their names or any contact information. The NYPD has released pictures of the couple and the ring in the hope of reuniting them with the jewellery. The man kneels down after dropping the ring / @NYPDnews The force tweeted: "WANTED for dropping his fiancee's ring in @TimesSquareNYC! TODO: define component type apester "She said Yes - but he was so excited that he dropped the ring in a grate. P ope Francis has been quoted in a new book saying being gay is "fashionable" and that homosexuality among clergy is "something I am concerned about". The issue of homosexuality is a very serious issue that must be adequately discerned from the beginning with the candidates, said the pontiff in excerpts published in the Italian newspaper Corriera della Serra. His comments were focused on how to treat people under consideration for priesthood and living in religious places such as seminaries. In our societies it even seems that homosexuality is fashionable and that mentality, in some way, also influences the life of the church, he was quoted as saying in the book, which is a transcript of a long interview by Spanish-born priest Fernando Prado. The Pope poses for selfies with supporters at the Sardinia Solidarity volunteering service center / AFP/Getty Images This is something I am concerned about, because perhaps at one time it did not receive much attention, he said. The book, made up of four hours of interviews with Prado at the Vatican, will be published in ten languages next week under the title The Strength of Vocation. Pope Francis repeated the Vatican's position that care must be taken when admitting men to seminaries, saying that "we must very much take care of human and sentimental maturity". The Italian news agency ANSA also quoted Pope Francis in the book talking about remarks made by a clergyman that homosexuality in places where priests live "isn't so grave" and is "only an expression of affection." The pontiff said that view "is in error" and that "in consecrated life and priestly life, there is no place for this kind of affection." TODO: define component type apester But he also underlined his long-held position that gay Catholics contribute to the church because they "will live in the service of the church, of the Christian community, of the people of God. Let's never forget this perspective." The Catholic church sees homosexual acts as a sin, but Pope Francis has taken a softer line than previews pontiffs, advocating compassion. F rench president Emmanuel Macron has toured parts of Paris affected by the capitals worst rioting in over 50 years. Mr Macron visited the graffiti-damaged Arc de Triomphe monument and vowed that those responsible for the violence and damages will pay for their actions. According to Paris police, over 400 people were arrested and 133 people were injured after a protest against rising taxes and the cost of living turned violent. The president paid tribute to the tomb of the unknown soldier which lies beneath the Arc de Triomphe. French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with a firefighter during a visit in the streets of Paris / AFP/Getty Images Images from the weekend showed torched cars, smashed windows and looted shops. By Sunday morning Paris city employees were cleaning up the graffiti from the Arc de Triomphe. One slogan read yellow jackets will triumph, a reference to the fluorescent yellow vests that protesters wore to demand relief for Frances workers. Demonstrators destroy cars during a protest of Yellow vests / AFP/Getty Images Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said Saturday's violence was due to extremists who hijacked the protest, people who came "to loot, break and hit police forces". He was asked why thousands of French police could not prevent the damage, especially to the Arc de Triomphe. Firefighters work to put out cars set on fire on a road nearby Arc de Triomphe / Getty Images "Yesterday we made a choice ... to protect people before material goods," Mr Griveaux told French broadcaster BFM TV. It was the third straight weekend of clashes in Paris involving activists wearing the yellow vests. The scene in Paris contrasted sharply with protests elsewhere in France on Saturday that were mostly peaceful. "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 marched peacefully on Saturday in Paris. France's President Emmanuel Macron, center, waves to people after a visit of the Arc de Triomphe the day after a demonstration, in Paris / AP The grassroots protests began on November 17 with motorists upset over a fuel tax hike but now involve a broad range of demands related to France's high cost of living. Mr Macron, speaking in Buenos Aires before he flew home, welcomed the views of the protesters but said there was no place for violence in public discourse. "(Violence) has nothing to do with the peaceful expression of a legitimate anger" and "no cause justifies" attacks on police or pillaging shops and burning buildings, Mr Macron said. D onald Trump was heard off camera saying "get me out of here" to an aide as he left the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, leaving the president of Argentina standing alone on stage. The US president had been due to pose for a photo opportunity with President Mauricio Macri and other world leaders as the G20 Summit drew to a close. Mr Trump shook hands with Mr Macri, and the two leaders were supposed to remain in place for the group shot. But the US president simply wandered off chased by an aide. President Trump leaves the stage at the G20 summit / EPA He is then heard off camera saying: "Get me out of here." Mr Trump did eventually pose for the group photo with other world leaders. It is not the first time Mr Trump has wandered off. In Israel in May 2017, Trump began walking out of a photo opportunity with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump and Macri shake hands as the summit draws to a close / EPA On October 12, 2017 Trump gathered a number of officials in the Oval Office to sign an executive order on the Affordable Care Act. Mr Trump shook hands with the assembled guests, and then wandered off, apparently forgetting to sign the document. Donald Trump poses in the G20 photo with other world leaders / AP Vice President Mike Pence told him it needed a signature. Mr President, you need to sign it,' Mr Pence said. She indicated she does not believe her premiership will end with Brexit, insisting "there's a lot more for me still to do". She said that world leaders had expressed their desire for "certainty" about the UK's future position. She arrives back in the UK on Sunday, ahead of 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. Theresa May said at the G20 she does not believe her premiership will end with Brexit / REUTERS "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 I've been hearing here at the G20 is the importance of that certainty for the future." 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 May's 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." TODO: define component type apester 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. 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. "That's 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 Ankara's investigation into the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul in October. Deputy Prime Minister Ana Birchall attended on Saturday the investiture ceremony of the new President of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, during which she presented a congratulatory message from Romania for the mandate entrusted by most Mexicans. According to a press release issued on Sunday for AGERPRES by the Government, on the sidelines of this event, Ana Birchall had a series of meetings with US Vice President Mike Pence, Ivanka Trump, Argentinian Vice-President Gabriela Michetti, and with the new Foreign Minister of the United Mexican United States, Marcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubon. "The Romanian dignitary expressed congratulations for the appointment of Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubon and wished him success in fulfilling his mandate while expressing the conviction that the Romanian-Mexican bilateral relations will develop at a sustained pace. In the meeting with Marcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubon, Ana Birchall highlighted the excellent Romanian-Mexican relations, the positive dynamics recorded at bilateral level lately, as well as the importance given by both sides to the modernization of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement," the release informed. The Romanian deputy prime minister pointed out that the development of relations with Mexico, especially from the perspective of the dynamism of bilateral economic cooperation, is an important objective, "noted in our government program, in relaunching relations with emerging countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa." "The meeting of the Romanian dignitary with the Vice-President of Argentina, Gabriela Michetti, occasioned the reaffirmation of Romania's interest in strengthening the bilateral relations, politically, economically and sectorally, considering the potential for cooperation between the two states. The two officials reaffirmed the commitment of joint actions for the mutual support of Romania and Argentina's candidacies to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an objective of major importance for both states. Also, in the discussions with the other Latin American dignitaries present, the Romanian deputy prime minister promoted Romania's candidacy for a non-permanent member place on the United Nations Security Council," the Government underlines in the release. AGERPRES . President Klaus Iohannis sent a message on Sunday on the occasion of Hanukkah holiday, the text being presented by presidential adviser Sergiu Nistor at the Choral Temple in Bucharest. "On the occasion of celebrating Hanukkah, I wish to address my warm greeting, together with sincere wishes of peace and prosperity to all members of the Jewish communities in Romania. Celebration of light and victory, Hanukkah reminds us the presence of the sacred in everyday life, giving us strength in belief and hope. We congratulate the leadership of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania for this festivity hosted at the Choral Temple, a symbol-place of continuity in the troubled history of the Jews in Romania, as well as a proof of the valuable contribution of the Jews to the common good," reads Iohannis' message, according to a release from the Presidential Administration. Iohannis also says that the Choral Temple reminds us, with each celebration, of the spiritual values of the Jewish people, which they values and backs: dialogue, self-knowledge and solidarity, respect for alterity, the encounter between religions and cultures. "In the year of marking the Centennial of the Greater Union, the lighting of Menorah's candles is the ritual by which we honor the memory of those who sacrificed themselves for freedom and unity and through which we share hope in the future we build together, under the sign of unity in diversity, for us and for the generations to come. Hag Hanuka Sameah!" reads Klaus Iohannis' message. AGERPRES . George H. W. Bush died at the age of 94. A moderate Republican, he had no sympathy whatsoever for the Soviet Union, the country Americans preferred to call simply Russia just because it is shorter. After all, he served two terms as a vice president under Ronald Reagan, the chief executive who said We begin bombing in five minutes the last sentence of his joke to hit headlines in 1984. But the late president is well-remembered and respected in Russia for what he did to benefit both nations. For instance, George Bush Senior did not rush to support the break-up of the Soviet Union something he came under criticism for at home. His administration believed the USSR remaining as a single state, even without the Baltic States, was a better option than the country divided into parts. Those days, the late president made no public address to express his support for the partition of the Communist rival to come under criticism by his opponents who expected him to do otherwise. Bloomberg cites him saying in 41, an HBO documentary about his life aired in 2012, that publicly celebrating the fall of the Iron Curtain would have been the stupidest thing I could have done. According to him, Everybodys got certain levels of respect and pride, and for me to stick my finger in the eyes of Gorbachev or the Soviet military would have made no sense at all. It was him who went to Kiev in August 1991 to warn about the danger of a suicidal nationalism based upon ethnic hatred. Looking at the contemporary Ukraine, one can see the late president was bestowed with the gift of foresight. After the Soviet Unions collapse, he continued to view the world through the paradigm of Washington-Moscow relations. He believed that the relationship with the nuclear power, which has huge territory, resources, population and a seat in the UN Security Council, was of paramount importance for Americas national interests. During President H.W. Bushs tenure, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was given assurances that NATO would not expand past Germany. The recently declassified documents confirm the story. Not one inch eastward said Secretary of State James Baker 9, 1990.It was Bill Clinton who made a decision to expand NATO forward. By doing so, he undermined the European security without any benefits for American people. The warnings by such renowned experts as George Kennan, who opposed the formation of NATO, went unheeded. George H.W. Bush had the gift of global vision while Bill Clinton was mainly concentrated on the Middle East due to internal reasons. Former head of the Central Intelligence Agency, a two-term vice president, ambassador to the United Nations and China, George Bush Senior was the only foreign policy guru among the post-war chief executives Americas last foreign policy president. He established a good working relationship with Soviet President Gorbachev during the 1989 meeting in Malta. A broad arms reduction agreement (START I) was signed in July 1991and, more broadly, he contributed greatly to ending the nearly a half-century of Cold War and making the world a safer place for generations to come.By no stretch of the imagination could he do what his son did dismantling the 1972 ABM Treaty to undermine the strategic stability George H.W. Bush did so much to strengthen. Its not possible to imagine him making announcements about the withdrawal from the INF Treaty or decrying New START the things Donald Trump have done recently. Its also hard to imagine him using economy as a billy club against other states that refused to abide by the rules established by the US. Its sad that the incumbent president does not want to take the page out of his predecessors book and thoroughly weigh the pros and cons of such moves. He still has time to rectify the situation but it is running out. The Soviet Union rendered its political support for the Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The days of the first Gulf War were the days when the two nations were believed to be forging a new strategic partnership. He refused to have contacts with Gorbachev's opponents attempting a coup to oust him from power in 1991. His position was well understood by those who preferred cold-minded reasoning, not emotions, to see whats good or bad for America in the long run. George H.W. Bush had to face the ignominy of going down in history as one-term president, but even after that he did his best to maintain good relations with Russia. George H.W. Bush was thrilled to invite Vladimir Putin toWalker's Point, the Bush family home in Kennebunkport, Maine,allowing his son and the Russian leader to talk the controversial issues over. In the days of George H.W. Bushs tenure the US and Russia had deep divisions and wide gaps to divide them on the ways to tackle pressing international problems. They saw the world differently but there were no tensions running high to make the two great nations balance on the brink of conflict. The parties put aside the divisions and cooperated on issues where they could make progress. Unlike today, the prospects for arms control were promising. Nobody doubts the former president protected the interests of the United States. He believed that maintaining a dialogue and strengthening arms control and non-proliferation regime served better the interests of his country. This is the time of mourning and remembering. Those who are going to any length to dismantle his legacy should look into his reasoning for maintaining good relations with Russia with clear gains for his nation. On November 16th, the Washington Post headlined that CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggis assassination and reported that The CIAs assessment, in which officials have said they have high confidence, is the most definitive to date linking [Crown Prince] Mohammed [bin Salman] to the [murder] operation. Then, after almost a full week of silence on that, US President Trump, on November 22nd, denied that the CIA had come to any conclusion, at all, about whether Saudi Crown Prince Salman had ordered the murder of Khashoggi: Trump said They did not come to a conclusion. They have feelings certain ways. I have the report They have not concluded. I dont know if anyones going to be able to conclude that the Crown Prince did it. Congressional Democrats promptly responded to the Presidents statement, by repeating what the Washington Post had said, and telling CNN, The CIA concluded that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia was directly involved in the assassination of Khashoggi. They did it with high confidence, which is the highest level of accuracy that they will vouch for. Americas voting public believe whomever they want to believe, which is almost always the politicians and newsmedia that the given individual votes for and obtains news from. In such a country, objective reality is hard to find, because the crucial evidence is hidden from the public. For example, the CIAs report on the Khashoggi murder is hidden from the public. Neither the Government nor the press trust the public enough to allow the public to see anything of the actual report itself. So, voters can only go by whatever prejudices they have. Therefore, in America, prejudices reign, and it happens because the Government and the press dont trust the public enough to present the actual evidence to them. Either a person trusts the Government, or the person doesnt. But what is the Government, in such a case as this? Is it the WP-alleged assertion of what the CIA supposedly said, or is it instead the US President, who says that the CIA didnt assert any such thing? And, if you dont trust what one side, in such a case, calls the Government, then its easy for that side to label you unpatriotic, even if you happen to be a patriot asserting the truth, and the Government happens to be the actual traitor against its own public, such as the US Government itself has been proven to be (and not only about such matters as 2003s WMD in Iraq, in which the US Government was clearly traitorous). When the Washington Post, on November 22nd, reported Trumps comments about the CIAs report, the newspaper didnt even include Trumps denial, which was quoted here, but instead gave only fluff from Trump, such as I hate the crime, I hate the coverup. I will tell you this: The crown prince hates it more than I do, and they have vehemently denied it. That newspaper merely paraphrased Trump, didnt actually quote him, about the important parts of the Presidents statement there. The newspaper opened its news-report with President Trump on Thursday contradicted the CIAs assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Washington Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi. But there was only that one-word paraphrase (contradicted). Thats all there was, in the entire thousand-word news-report, none of his actual statement about the CIAs report on the killing of Khashoggi. Reporters like this should be fired, but they wont be if the purpose of hiring and retaining them is to hide the actual evidence from the public, by providing only paraphrases (in this case, a mere one-word paraphrase) for the crucial parts, instead of presenting the actual evidence itself (by quoting it directly). The WP excluded anything like Trumps statement that They did not come to a conclusion. They have feelings certain ways. I have the report They have not concluded. I dont know if anyones going to be able to conclude that the Crown Prince did it. Instead, their mere paraphrase of that, alleging that Trump contradicted the CIAs assessment didnt present either a quotation from the CIAs report, or a quotation from the President, much less (as would have been required in an authentic news-report on an alleged contradiction, such as this) both, so as to allow subscribers to judge for themselves whether or not the President had contradicted what the CIAs report had actually said. In other words: that was a fake news-report in the Washington Post; it presented no credible news, but only evidence-less fluff, about this important matter. News-media such as that are part of a political culture thats based not on science a society in which individuals make public-affairs judgments on their own, on the basis of the actual evidence being presented to them but thats based instead purely on faith. Its a religious (or faith-based) political culture, not a scientific one. Thats to say: judgments are based on whatever the individuals prejudice happens to be. Judgments by the public are not based on the evidence, because the evidence is actually being hidden from the public. Obviously, there is no accountability its not even possible to have accountability in such a political culture, because the evidence is being hidden from voters. On the night of Friday, November 23rd, Trump his Administation released the long-awaited Fourth National Climate Assessment from a panel of 300 climatologists, and it calculated, for example, that Phoenix, Arizona, during 1976-2005, averaged around 80 days per year above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and that if we do everything possible to minimize fossil-fuels-usage, that average will be around 125 such days annually between 2070 and 2100, but otherwise it will be around 150 days annually, which is almost twice as many sizzling days per year as compared with the period 1976-2005. On Monday, November 26th, CNN headlined "Donald Trump buried a climate change report because 'I don't believe it and reported that, I don't believe it, Trump told reporters on Monday, adding that he had read some of the report. Its a report which had been produced by 13 agencies within the Trump administration the result of Congress, in the 1980s, mandating that this sort of report be submitted every four years as a sort of reference point for lawmakers and legislators. This news-report from CNN was real, not fake like the Washington Posts was on the Khashoggi matter, and it linked to the evidence, including to the actual study itself, and to Trumps statement that he doesnt believe it. Here, then, is an actual example of authentic news-reporting, which is credit-worthy and not simply to be taken on mere trust (like the Washington Posts news about Trumps contradicting his own CIAs report). But will Trumps voters still have faith in him, despite his clear divergence from the professionals on climatology, the scientists who are experts in these types of matters? Obviously, such a President (one who rejects the overwhelming consensus of scientific opinion on a scientific topic) is an actual crackpot; but will his voters believe him simply because they want to believe him because theyre people of faith and he here happens to be peddling their particular belief because theyre not people of science? Then how can democracy even function, with such a public? Only authoritarianism (a faith-based regime) can function, in such a country as this. On November 26th, the most Trumpian news-medium of all, Breitbart, didnt even report Trumps I dont believe it, but did include, on November 26th, a November 25th news-article bannered "Experts on Climate Change Assessment: Every Conclusion of This Latest Government Report Is False, which opened: The federal governments Fourth National Climate Assessment, released on Friday, has gained praise from leftists and left-wing environmental groups as a dire warning of the coming death and destruction in the United States if we dont stop global warming. But critics of the report, including scientists, have slammed it as exaggeration, bad science and even said its conclusions are false. This latest climate report is just more of the same except for even greater exaggeration, worse science, and added interference in the political process by unelected, self-serving bureaucrats, Tim Huelskamp, president of the Heartland Institute said in statements released by the free-market think tank following the reports release Nothing was said there about the Heartland Institutes being funded by far-right billionaires including many who own or are heavily invested in oil and gas corporations. These people have a financial stake in downplaying the environmental threat thats posed by their products. Very few climatologists are members of that particular propaganda-operation. Its fake, as an authority about anything. Clearly, Trump represents those fossil-fuels corporate owners, not the public not even the voters who had voted for him. All Americans have a real stake in the truth about the global-warming issue. All people everywhere do. Is an authentic democracy possible in such a country as this, where its so easy for liars to win and keep public offices? All that the liars have to do is to pump to the public the deceits that the billionaires they serve want them to pump. The politicians who do that will be the ones who are in serious contention to become winners, because their political campaigns will receive all the funding thats needed in order for them to be in serious contention. The politicians who are honest wont be among the ones who are in serious contention itll be like Americas Government actually is. Finland and Norway went public with their accusations that Russia deliberately jammed GPS signals in northern Finland and Norway from a location near the Russian military bases in the Kola Peninsula on the Barents Sea. The jamming took place between October 25th and November 7th as NATO held its largest training exercise since the Cold War ended in 1991. Russia denied any responsibility even though they are known to possess long-range jammers, for GPS and other signals. Norway said they had tracked the jammer to a specific location but when Russia refused to admit any involvement Norway refused to explain how they tracked the signal because that would provide Russia with information on Norwegian EW (Electronic Warfare) equipment that might be useful to them. What was curious about this incident was that it had no impact on the NATO military exercises and even commercial airliners operating in the area had backup (INS) systems in case GPS signals were not working properly. The potential victims were civilians with smaller aircraft or on the ground who depend on commercial navigation gear using GPS. Then again, that may have been the point because Russian firms have long been producing a wide variety of GPS jammers that are generally ineffective against military GPS users but would be useful for criminals, terrorists or anyone involved in irregular warfare (as Russia has been in Ukraine since 2014). As for the damage to diplomatic relations with Norway and Finland, these two nations need no reminders of what a bad neighbor Russia is and historically has been. NATO nations have long been aware of the Russian EW activities, especially the growing number of Russian jamming systems. Some of these were demonstrated in Syria and Ukraine, where Russia considers complaints about disruption caused as free advertising for this equipment. Russian GPS jammers have some military use but also have appeal for non-military customers. For example, in 2016 Russia began marketing a new, portable GPS jamming system called Pole 21. This system was special because individual Pole 21 units can be mounted on existing cell phone towers (or alone on portable towers). Each Pole 21 unit can put out 20 watts and jam signals from GPS (as well as the similar GLONASS, Galileo and Beidou systems) out to 80 kilometers. Pole 21 is also designed to act as a backup GSM transmitter of commands for nearby Pole 21 units. In this way, the Russians say a wide area can quickly be protected from GPS guided missiles and bombs as well as shutting down vehicle GPS systems. The Russians admit that Pole 21 would also cripple all commercial GPS devices in the jammed areas. The biggest problem with Pole 21 is that Russia has been developing and selling many different GPS jamming systems since the mid- 1990s and they have proved to be ineffective in combat. Yet Russian firms keep producing these types of jammers because there is a market for them. This Russian interest in GPS jamming first became public in the early 1990s when a private Russian firm, AviaConversia was founded for the purpose of developing cheap, lightweight and reliable GPS jammers. By 1997 the firm was offering commercial and military customers four different models of GPS jammers (for about $4,000 each). This gear only put out 4-8 watts, making them very tough to find and bomb. These jammers were advertised as able to effectively block GPS signals out to 150-200 kilometers, depending on terrain. These jammers could run off batteries and weighed between 8 kg (18 pounds) to 12 kg (26 pounds) without batteries. When operating, the jammers consumed less than 25 watts of power. By the mid-1990s plans for building your own GPS jammers were appearing on the Internet using commercially available parts costing less than a hundred dollars. Soldering skills were required. Soon similar assembled units were available on the Internet for as low as $40. At the same time, American GPS experts pointed out that these jammers had insufficient power to jam GPS for most military GPS receivers but would probably interfere with a lot of commercial stuff, especially consumer products. The U.S. Air Force later revealed that this was the case. This was demonstrated in 2003 when Iraq tried unsuccessfully using AviaConversia type jammers against American GPS guided bombs. By 2002 AviaConversia had disappeared, apparently absorbed in new, classified, Russian military jamming efforts. In the 1990s AviaConversia had made much of its connections with the Russian armed forces and the implied assurance that its jammer worked. After 2001 U.S. Department of Defense experiments found that the cheap jammers were not that effective, and larger ones, built from off the shelf components, and costing nearly $10,000, were also largely ineffective against military grade GPS guidance systems. At the same time, the Department of Defense has been building and testing GPS Jammer detectors, as well as homing systems sensitive enough to guide a missile to any active jammers. By 2010 the U.S. Department of Defense was spending a lot of money on developing a jam-resistant replacement, or backup (depending on who you talk to), for GPS. The best candidate was an improved INS (Internal Navigation System). INS has existed for nearly a century but have gotten smaller, cheaper, and more reliable as electronic components did the same since the 1960s. Basically, INS uses three gyroscopes and three accelerometers to constantly measure changes in direction and changes in velocity. With that, the INS will always know where it is in relation to its initial starting point (which can be obtained initially via unjammed GPS or older means). Miniature INS devices have long served as a backup for GPS guided weapons. But while GPS guidance can land a bomb or missile within 10 meters (32 feet) of a target, INS can only achieve 30 meter accuracy. GPS also has the advantage of not needing to have its exact position entered after the INS is turned on. On the upside, that means INS cannot be jammed or spoofed. These micro- gyroscopes and accelerometers have become standard in many smartphones to not only detect orientation but also movement. The use of this tech by smartphone makers resulted in even cheaper and more reliable designs that proved very useful for military INS backups for GPS. After 2010 American researchers created new concepts and technology that could greatly improve current INS accuracy and cost. By 2013 prototypes proved they could be nearly as accurate as GPS and almost as small. Cost was still a factor, with the new INS still costing more than 10 times what GPS does. But this is all a big improvement over what has been available before. The new INS can now be used to monitor GPS and alert the operator that their GPS has either developed a problem or is being jammed. The new INS is also useful for some fast missiles that often lose their GPS signal as they maneuver. Another urgent chore for INS is to alert users that their GPS is being spoofed (sent a false signal that is luring the user away). Thus, even with the ability of anti-jamming tech to keep up with jammer technology, there is still a demand for a new INS. That has led to smaller, cheaper and more accurate INS systems. Aside from airlines and commercial shipping, there is not much of a mass market for these new INS systems because for most consumers GPS is reliable enough to keep the INS gear out of the consumer market. But the demand from the airlines, shipping companies and the military is huge. However the tech remains popular for smartphones and other consumer items, but not as INS. That is changing as some smartphone (and smartwatch) manufacturers seek to use INS to automatically fill in if the user temporarily losses the GPS signal. Many Department of Defense navigation and electronics experts believe current anti-jamming efforts are sufficient to keep military GPS use viable, but the new INS technology has attracted a lot of attention because in the military a backup is something that is always appreciated because when equipment fails in combat its literally a matter of life or death. Meanwhile, the U.S. is building and testing more compact GPS anti-jamming systems for smaller (as small as 200 kg/440 pounds) UAVs. This is part of a program to equip all American UAVs, even the smallest ones, with more secure GPS. While all UAVs can be flown by the operator, the GPS makes it a lot easier for the operator to keep track of exactly where his UAV is at all times and sometimes the UAV is programmed to simply patrol between a series of GPS coordinates. If the GPS jams or fails the operator can usually use the video feed to find landmarks on the ground and bring the UAV back to where it can be seen and landed. While American troops have not yet encountered much (if any) battlefield GPS jamming, the threat exists. Currently, American troops can experience this sort of thing in Ukraine (where NATO nations have military advisors and observers) and Syria. This jamming tech is also showing up in Iraq and Afghanistan. Before that, the most tangible evidence of this came from North Korea, which has long made, sold, and itself used GPS jammers. In 2012 North Korea attacked South Korea with a massive GPS jamming campaign. The jamming began in late April and continued for over two weeks. It took less than a day to confirm that the signal was coming from North Korea and was mainly aimed at the South Korean capital (Seoul). The jamming had little impact inside the city itself (the ground-based jamming signal was blocked by buildings and hills) and was only noted by several hundred aircraft landing or taking off from local airports and over a hundred ships operating off the coast. In all these cases the ships and aircraft had backup navigation systems, which were switched on when GPS became unreliable. This is how navigation systems, especially those that rely on an external (satellite) signal are designed. The 2012 incident was the third time North Korea has used GPS jamming against South Korea. For most of March 2011, North Korea directed a GPS jamming signal across the border towards Seoul. A separate jammer has been directed at cell phone traffic. The GPS jamming signal could be detected up to a hundred kilometers south of the DMZ. The usual response to GPS jamming is to bomb the jammers, which are easy to find (jamming is nothing more than broadcasting a more powerful version of the frequency you want to interfere with). But such a response could lead to more fighting in Korea, so the south protested and refrained from responding with force. The jamming was a nuisance more than a threat and most military equipment is equipped with electronics and other enhancements to defeat it. The North Korean jamming confirmed what was already suspected. So now South Korean and American electronic warfare experts have an opportunity to study the effects of jamming on a large metropolitan area. It caused intermittent problems for users of GPS devices and many more cell phone connectivity problems. There were briefer and less powerful jamming incidents in August and December of 2010. Meanwhile, this is old news for the U.S. Department of Defense, which has been developing anti-GPS jamming technology since the late 1990s. For years military aircraft have been equipped with complex and expensive GPS receivers that will usually continue to work even if they are being jammed. There are several ways you can defeat attempts to jam GPS signals. While some of the methods are well known, others are classified. No one has successfully used GPS jammers in combat yet but the potential is there. Now the North Koreans are giving large-scale demonstration of GPS jamming. Anti-jamming technology is increasingly complex. None of the major players (the U.S., Russia, China, Israel, and several other industrialized countries) are talking, and for good reason. If you don't know what techniques the other guys are using you can't deal with them. China and Russia are both selling GPS jammers. In 2007, China brought to market a powerful truck mounted GPS jamming system. These "GPS jamming vans" are meant to create a protective "bubble" over an area the van is in the middle of. A year before the 2003 invasion of Iraq it was believed that Saddam had bought many GPS jammers, to deal with U.S. JDAM GPS smart bombs. The JDAM has a backup INS, which was no secret, and the Iraqi GPS jamming efforts had no significant effect on the 2003 campaign. There are several approaches to defeating GPS jamming, and knowing which one each American GPS guided weapon uses makes it easy to develop a way to jam the "jam-proof" GPS. So the U.S. Air Force is understandably reluctant to discuss what they are doing. Given the cost of jam proofing all existing GPS weapons, it's more likely that jam-proof GPS weapons will only be used against targets where the GPS accuracy is vital. Against most targets the accuracy provided by the inertial guidance system will do. Also note that you can bomb GPS jammers with a bomb equipped with a guidance system that homes in on a GPS jamming signal. For that reason, it's thought that any use of GPS jammers will involve dozens of jammers in each area so protected. The GPS jamming has no effect on the even more accurate laser-guided bombs, and some countries buy smart bombs with both laser and GPS/INS systems. Most countries are working on anti-jamming tech in anticipation of encountering more jamming if war comes. Youth unemployment rates in New Zealand arent pretty. More than 11 per cent of 15 to 19-year-olds are unemployed figures that cost the government, and you the taxpayer, $345 million a year. One of them was Josh Callander, who at 14 was at the lower end of the demographic and already had first-hand experience of the difficulty of finding jobs out there in the market place. Established job websites are for older people, and there was nothing for school students looking for part-time work, says Josh. So he tackled the problem, and an idea was born - something called Teen Jobs. Its a free website, where students and teenagers list themselves and the areas they want to work in, he explains. Potential employers and households can simply search and find teenagers to do the jobs they require. Josh says this flips the traditional way of doing things, when the onus is on the employer to list a vacancy. Thats impractical for smaller or part-time jobs, he says. Roles cover everything from household work, such as lawn mowing or babysitting, right through to retail and business positions. And its not a fly-by-night idea. The concept came third in the junior classification of the Young Innovators Awards and earned plaudits from Googles head of education for New Zealand and Australia, Suan Yeo. Teen jobs really stood out for the thought for the end user, says Suan. Following on from that success, Josh was encouraged to develop the ideas into a fully operational website. Teen Jobs is registering teenagers now, building a pool of workers before going fully live to employers and households from December 1. Visit: www.teenjobs.co.nz for more information. Josh is still looking for a job, because even as manager of his own website, it doesnt turn a buck. In todays weather forecast we are expecting showers, possibly thundery with hail, less frequent from the afternoon, then easing at night. Also a northeast breeze turning northwest about midday. Its a one-clothing layer day today with a high of 21 and an overnight low of 16 degrees. Humidity is 96 per cent. There are three cruise ships berthed at the Port of Tauranga today - Ovation of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Caledonian Sky. Low tide is at 10am and high tide at 4.10pm (Tay St). Theres a sea swell of 1.5m and sea temperature is 19 degrees. Sunset tonight is at 8.18pm. If youre going fishing the next best fish bite time is between 9 and 11pm. On this day in NZ history in 1863 the land confiscation law was passed. Parliament passed legislation for the confiscation (raupatu) of Maori land to punish tribes deemed to have engaged in open rebellion against Her Majestys authority in the early 1860s. Pakeha settlers would occupy the confiscated land. In 1910 Freda du Faur was the first female to complete the ascent of Aoraki/Mt Cook. In 1960 Bluff Island Harbour opened. The 40-ha man-made Island Harbour, eight years in the making, is the centrepiece of the modern port facilities at Bluff, New Zealand's southernmost commercial deepwater port. In 2013 Alexia Pickering was inducted into the Attitude Awards Hall of Fame. Alexia Pickerings induction into the Attitude Awards Hall of Fame recognised her lifelong dedication to championing accessibility for all New Zealanders. In world history on this day in 1918 the Allied Conference ended in London where they decided that Germany must pay for the war. In 1977 the US State Department proposed the admission of 10,000 more Vietnamese refugees to the United States. In 1979 eleven people died and eight injured in a mad rush to see a rock band (The Who) at a concert in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1984 toxic gas leaked from a Union Carbide plant and resulted in the deaths of thousands in Bhopal, India. In 1992 a test engineer for Sema Group sent the worlds first text message, using a personal computer and the Vodafone network. In 1997 representatives of 121 nations signed the Ottawa Treaty prohibiting the manufacture or deployment of antipersonnel landmines; the Peoples Republic of China, the US and the USSR did not sign. Today is the birthday of Polish-born novelist Joseph Conrad. Born in 1857 he once said Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the nearest to us for they contain our very thoughts, our ambitions, our indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to the truth, and our persistent leanings to error. But most of all they resemble us in their precious hold on life. To get involved in activities around the Bay of Plenty, please check out our Whats on page. Have a great day! Auckland Does your schedule change each week and need work to fit in to that? We have exciting roles that have come up with rotating... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz PREBLE, N.Y. -- A Chittenango man is facing drunken driving charges after allegedly driving his Dodge pickup truck the wrong way on Interstate 81, striking another vehicle head on. New York State Police responded to the crash on the interstate in Preble around 4:17 a.m. on Saturday. The 39-year-old suspect was driving a 2012 Dodge Ram in the wrong direction and struck a 2013 Nissan Rogue driven by a 28-year-old Binghamton man. The 28-year-old was taken by ambulance to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse for pelvic pain. The suspect, allegedly intoxicated, was not injured and was arrested. Police will release the suspect's name at a later date, and more charges are possible, according to state police. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A 30-year-old man suffered gunshot wounds to his hands and arms early Sunday morning, according to Syracuse police. The man's injuries are not life threatening, police said. Officers responded to the shooting around 2 a.m. today that was reported on the 300 block of Richmond Avenue. As officers were responding, they were told that the victim was inside a vehicle on the 700 block of Park Ave. He was driven there by his brother, whom the victim was with when he was shot, police said. That's the same block where a man was found yesterday morning on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound. That victim, 34, is in critical condition, police said. Police said there is no indication at the moment that the shooting today is related to other recent shootings. The victim from this morning's shooting told police he was sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle on Richmond Avenue when he was shot. He told police he didn't see who shot him, said spokesman Sgt. Richard Helterline. The vehicle's driver was also unable to provide any suspect information, police said. Police are asking anyone with information to call the department's Criminal Investigation Division at (315)442-5222 or use the "SPD Tips" app. Calls and tips can be confidential. SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse will publish a list Monday of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor in the diocese since 1950. The list will be available online Monday morning (Dec. 3) on thecatholicsun.com and syrdio.org. The list will include the names of priests both living and deceased, the diocese said in a statement announcing the list's release. The release of the list was publicly announced in a letter from Bishop Robert J. Cunningham to diocese parishioners today and made available in all parishes over the weekend. Priests were informed in meetings with the bishop on Thursday. Diocesan staff were informed Friday. The decision to release the names of abusive priests is an apparent reversal of Cunningham's previous policy, which was to confirm the names once a victim makes it public, but not to release a list. The New York State Attorney General launched a probe in September into all eight dioceses in the state, seeking information about whether church officials knew about and covered up sexual abuse by clergy. The probe came on the heels of an expansive grand jury investigation in Pennsylvania and subsequent report that detailed sexual abuse by more than 300 priests, including 27 with ties to New York. The Syracuse Diocese's decision comes amid a national trend to release the names of abusive priests. More 75 other dioceses across the country have released the names of abusive priests, according to a count by the law firm Anderson & Associates, which represents victims nationwide. Among those dioceses that released names of abusive priests were Ogdensburg and Buffalo. The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo's report, released on Nov. 7, included the name of a Syracuse priest. Staff writer Julie McMahon contributed to this report. This feature is coordinated by The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com and InterFaith Works of CNY. Follow this theme and author posted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone The Festival of Hanukkah, a small and important Jewish celebration, is mainly celebrated in the home. It begins today at sundown and continues until sundown on Dec. 10. Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees, a small band of Jewish warriors who reclaimed Jerusalem from the Assyrian Greeks and rededicated the Temple that had become a pagan Greek temple. For the Rabbis, Hanukkah's focus is the re-lighting of the Temple's menorah, whose light was a symbol of God's presence. At the time of the rededication, only one bottle of sacred oil was found. Nevertheless, the menorah was lit. Lo and behold, the oil miraculously lasted eight nights, enough time to prepare more oil. Thus, Hanukkah's central ritual became the lighting of a special nine-branched lamp, called a hanukkiah. During the lighting of the hanukkiah on the first night of Hanukkah, three blessings are recited. The first two are sung on each night, but the third blessing is for the first night alone. It is called the Shehecheyanu, which is recited at any annual or once-in-a-lifetime occasion. The blessing is: "Bountiful are You, Eternal One, Sovereign of Space and Time, who has given us life, sustained us and brought us to this moment." Singing this blessing on the first night of Hanukkah invites us to consider what is sacred about this moment of dedication and illumination. For me this year, I am grateful for the holy light illuminating the darkness since the tragic events at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Seeing so many allies, both locally and nationally, giving us the divine light of their presence, determination and compassion has been a true gift. Having received that light, we must consider how we will give our light in the coming year. Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone serves Congregation Beth-Sholom Chevra Shas in DeWitt. He is a member of the Syracuse Rabbinical Council and is a member of InterFaith Works' Round Table of Faith Leaders. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A group of activists and attorneys is hoping to take advantage of changes atop the Syracuse Police Department by asking for an overhaul of officers' training in the use of force. At a forum Saturday at the downtown library, speakers said the police department has an outdated use-of-force policy that simply addresses when officers are justified in using physical or deadly force against suspects. It doesn't give officers guidance on whether they should try to de-escalate situations or otherwise avoid using force, even if it's legally justifiable, they said. "It's just the bare minimum," said New York Civil Liberties Union attorney Kevin Jason. "It looks to what is unlawful instead of what is the best practice." The use-of-force changes the group wants would apply to Tasers and fists, for example, but also the use of firearms. Activists said because of the outdated policy and the department leaders' continued refusal to address recommendations from outside groups, officers are losing the trust of the community they serve. The department's new chief, Kenton Buckner, starts his job on Monday. The forum organizers said they invited him to the event, but he did not attend. The event, organized by the Syracuse Police Accountability and Reform Coalition, featured speakers from the New York Civil Liberties Union and the city's Citizen Review Board. Two African-American activists were also on the panel, describing the community-wide consequences of seeing people who look like them being subject to police abuse or experiencing it themselves. Here are three things the group and the invited speakers would like the new police chief to implement: Put dignity in the policy Jason, the attorney, said the department leaders should consider changing the use-of-force policy to stress that even if officers are justified by using force it doesn't mean they should. For example, the San Francisco use-of-force guidelines begin by saying officer's highest priority of "safeguarding the life, dignity and liberty of all persons" and says the department should accomplish that with "minimal reliance" on force. The forum was held Saturday at the downtown public library. Jason said San Francisco is unusual among other police departments nationally, but he described it a model Syracuse police should consider to build trust. The existing SPD policy refers officers to Supreme Court decisions regarding when officers are culpable in the death or injury they cause to a civilian. Those rulings establish that officers are justified in the use of deadly force if they have a reasonable fear for their life or the life of another person, Jason said. The current policy also refers officers to New York State law that describes when it's OK to use force to defend oneself or another person. Jason said that is inadequate. Understand community trauma Talina Jones, the mother of an African-American student with Down syndrome who attends a city school, said she lives in fear of what could happen to her son if he is misunderstood by a police officer. She described the case of Robert Ethan Sayler, a Maryland man with Down syndrome, who died of suffocation in 2013 when three sheriff's deputies tried to remove him from a movie theater. Cases like that ripple across the country and add to the trauma she and people like her feel, Jones said. That ripple effect helps explain her distrust of police she interacts with and leaves her with a "visceral fear" each time she comes in contact with an officer, she said. "It's all of the people who are around these things and experience it," she said. "...We're talking about hurt and harm and living in an oppressive system." Hasan Stephens, executive director of the Good Life Foundation, was brought to tears hearing Jones and others speak about their bad experiences with police. Stephens said he wants officers to understand that if police use force that is legally justified but morally wrong, the effects linger for years and not just on the individual affected. "One of the things we don't realize with trauma is simply seeing it (has an effect). It happened to someone who looks like me," he said. "When I see countless moments and incidents of another black man killed, that affects me psychologically." Engage more with the police oversight board Peter McCarthy, chair of the Citizen Review Board, said the new chief should make more an effort to respect the value of civilian oversight of the department. The board, which reviews complaints against officers, has recommended changes to the department's use-of-force policy several times over the last three years. Recommendations include prohibiting punches to the head, curbing the use of force on suspects who flee on foot, and other changes the board says are best practices for police departments. The board also invites officers to testify on their own behalf if they are evaluating a complaint. But no officer has ever showed up, McCarthy said. McCarthy said it's in taxpayers' interest for the department to take heed of the CRB. For example, a recent $1.5 million settlement was awarded to a man who alleged officers used excessive force against him, and jurors heard about former Chief Frank Fowler not taking action on CRB findings that the officers used excess force and lied in their police reports. "How can we get to a point where the CRB is getting taken more seriously?" McCarthy said. "...We've made recommendations year after year after year and they haven't been followed through." Buckner, the new SPD chief, has not dealt with citizen watchdogs like the CRB at his old job as chief of the Little Rock, Ark., police department. There is no similar board there, according to the ACLU and a national association of civilian oversight boards. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election heated up this week. Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal attorney and fixer, pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who had agreed to cooperate with the Mueller probe, was accused of breaching his plea deal by lying. Trump continued to label the probe a "Witch Hunt!" Meanwhile, on his way to the G20 Summit in Argentina, Trump abruptly canceled a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Other news in the cartoons includes layoffs and plant closings announced by General Motors, earning the wrath of Trump; violence at the southern border, as migrants rushing the fence were tear-gassed; the Trump administration report on the worsening climate crisis is released on the Friday after Thanksgiving, when Americans are paying more attention to shopping than anything else; and the Mars lander touches down on the red planet. Cartoons were drawn by Bill Bramhall, Chan Lowe, Dan Wasserman, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands and Joel Pett of Tribune Content Agency; Tim Campbell, Mike Lester, Signe Wilkinson and Jeff Danziger of the Washington Post Writers Group; and Tom Toles of Andrews McMeel Syndication. Through the looking glass: National broadcasting network NHK launched the worlds first 8K TV channel yesterday in Japan. Not unironically, NHK provided the 8K televisions and dedicated satellite dishes to guests at the launch ceremony who celebrated the beginning of 8K television with the masterpiece of film history, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Adoption of 8K television is still a pipe dream for most of the world, but in Japan, the government has pushed networks to be at the forefront. NHK has happily complied, and their research and development over the last few years have culminated in a dedicated 8K TV channel. For the first ever 8K television broadcast, NHK wanted to show a classic, something everyone can respect. Unfortunately, only the most recent films have been shot in 8K, and they didnt suit the occasion. To work around this, NHK requested that Warner Brothers scan the original negatives of the 1968 Sci-Fi 2001: A Space Odyssey, which happened to have been recorded on 70mm film, the best at the time. According to NHK, "the many famous scenes become even more vivid, with the attention to detail of director Stanley Kubrick expressed in the exquisite images, creating the feeling of really being on a trip in space, allowing the film to be enjoyed for the first time at home. In addition to upgrading the film to 8K, they also improved the audio to support the 22.2 channel system that theyll be broadcasting with from now on. Because the audio has such high fidelity, it requires a cable of its own, in addition to the four HDMI cables the image needs. Plugging into one end of the cables is Sharps $2,200 satellite dish, and at the other end is Sharps $14,000 8K Aquos TV. The new 8K channel will be broadcasting exclusively in Japan for around 12 hours a day. Rather than upscaling 4K video like Samsung has been hoping to do, theyll be filming new content and events and playing recent high-budget 8K movies. Starting soon, theyll also be sending a film crew to Italy to present popular tourist attractions from Rome, as well as food, culture and history. In March, theyll be showing 1956 hit My Fair Lady starring Audrey Hepburn, another film that was shot on 70mm. All this is of course in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which NHK will be broadcasting live in 8K. A major part of the Japanese governments plan, the Tokyo Olympics may finally make 8K something worth considering. Communications Minister Masatoshi Ishida says that he hopes Japan can play a leading role in 8K broadcasting. Will 8K ever become mainstream? There is an obvious answer to that question. But it's possible it will be adopted first on VR displays and on close up screens like tablets. On televisions it's harder to see a difference from other high resolutions like 4K or 6K at a distance. For reference, Sharps 70 8K TV has 126 pixels per inch, which is nearly 40% higher than a 24 1080p monitor something youd sit at least 6 feet closer to. The irony of choosing a sci-fi classic to demonstrate what is nearly sci-fi technology hasnt gone unnoticed. But by making 8K content available, NHK has finally created a use case that may bring enough consumers to the table to merit the development of cheaper 8K televisions. Why it matters: H-1B Visas were originally intended to allow tech companies to hire experts from overseas, with knowledge in specialized fields that the employer couldnt find in the US. Since 2012, however, there's the criticism that the 85,000 H-1B visas granted each year have been dominated by foreign-owned body shops that loan out the expertise of underqualified workers to other companies. H-1B Visas cant be applied for regularly, instead, American employers send a request to the Department of Homeland Security who process the visa applications and put all the valid ones into a lottery for the 85,000 spots. Masters and doctoral degree holders get 20,000 spots reserved for them, and any extras are thrown in with the graduate and undergraduate degree holders who have the remaining 65,000 spots. Winning the visa lottery lets holders stay in the US for 3-6 years, but its also an avenue for citizenship. The US Citizen and Immigration Services, who manage the visas for Homeland, have proposed that applicants with masters or doctoral degrees be prioritized in the 65,000 section. This means that the 5000 or so advanced degree holders who dont fit into the 20,000 spots allocated are almost guaranteed to get a visa, pushing out 5000 graduate or undergraduate degree holders. One of the reasons this has been proposed is to prevent the entry of fake applicants, which may have falsified degrees or only passed tests with a very low standard, coming to America. While speaking with the San Francisco Chronicle, Obama-era immigration policy advisor Doug Rand admitted that many of the applications may or may not be super legit. Ira Mehlman, a spokesperson for the Federation of American Immigration Reform (FAIR) agrees. Most of these visas are snapped up by body shops, she said, referring to Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Wipro, the three Indian owned companies that dominate the lottery. Most of the applications approved end up belonging to these three outsourcers who submit far more applications than anyone else. These three companies bring out usually underqualified workers from India, who the firms often put to work doing basic accounting or physical labor at below minimum wage. The genuine companies that rely on H-1B Visas to employ specialists often dont get the chance. Google, for example, may want to hire an experienced AI researcher from a university in China for a period of five years. Without the new changes their likelihood of a successful application might be around 70-80%, but with the proposed changes that chance jumps to 100%. The changes are undergoing a public feedback period of 30 days, starting tomorrow. It will likely come into effect with the new year, enabling large tech companies to hire international experts more frequently, and preventing workers from being underpaid. In brief: It seems that negotiations between Apple and Qualcomm have broken off completely and that the companies will be severing all ties. Apple attorney William Isaacson told U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel that the parties are going to need a trial There havent been talks in months." Apple originally attempted to sue Qualcomm for $1 billion for overcharging for their modem patents, which Apple claims Qualcomm cant charge royalties for. Since then, both have been firing petty shots at each other with claims over slight patent violations regarding battery and processor technologies. The battle escalated massively when Qualcomm countersued Apple claiming that they had stolen Qualcomm trade secrets and given them to Intel so that they can switch modem suppliers. Since then, Intel has made leaps and bounds and become the sole provider of Apples iPhone modems. As reported by the San Diego Tribune, the companies will be bringing all their major allegations into one new trial beginning April 15th, in the San Diego Federal Court. Qualcomm originally requested a February trial, but Judge Curiel refused on the grounds that more preparation time is required, and that April fits the Courts schedule better. This new information is in direct opposition to previous reports from Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf himself, who said on CNBC last week that Apple and Qualcomm are on the doorstep of a resolution. Its possible he was just trying to stop sliding stock prices, which have been suffering since Apple began ending their reliance on the company. A sizable portion of Qualcomms revenue comes from licensing out technologies to companies like Apple, and Qualcomm also lost a lot of potential income when Apple decided to go with Intel for 5G. While well have to wait a long time to see if Apples switch to Intel has any implications for consumers -- Intel appears to be behind Qualcomm on 5G's development -- the wait for this legal battle to end will probably be even longer. Apples lawsuit against Samsung lasted the better part of seven years. Prosecutors in South Korea have indicted nine people for allegedly leaking Samsung's flexible display technology to a Chinese company. Plot To Sell Samsung Intellectual Property To Chinese Company The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office filed charges against the CEO of Samsung supplier Toptec Co Ltd and eight of the company's employees. Toptec sells automated equipment used to make display panels for phones. The accused were charged for selling information about Samsung's OLED panels earlier this year. Samsung uses its curved-edged OLED display tech in its flagship Galaxy phones. Prosecutors said that the group transferred "3D lamination" technology and other equipment to an unidentified Chinese screen maker in exchange for about $13.8 million. They said that the supplier sold the technology after its sales dipped, violating its non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Samsung. The group also reportedly went to the extent of forming a fake company and building the equipment at another factory to cover up the alleged plot. South Korean authorities, however, caught the equipment being loaded up on a ship headed to China. Toptec, whose shares tumbled by 20 percent following the news, denied committing any wrongdoing. "Our company has never provided Samsung Display's industrial technology or business secrets to a Chinese client. Our company will fully cooperate with legal proceedings to find the truth in court," Toptec said in a statement. National Core Technology Prosecutors said that it took Samsung six years, 38 engineers and the equivalent of $134 million to develop the leaked intellectual property, which South Korea considers as a national core technology. Trade secrets such as those of Samsung's are sought after as they could help businesses obtain economic advantage over their rivals News of the leak comes as South Korea tries to maintain its technology lead over China, which now aims to boost its role as a manufacturer and not just an assembler of technological goods. China is now spending billions to become self-sustaining in areas such as displays and memory chips, where Samsung is currently the world leader. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The bitter feud between Baton Rouge personal injury lawyers Gordon McKernan and E. Eric Guirard is done playing out publicly over television airwaves and inside a federal courthouse. The two have settled claims made in dueling lawsuits over popular advertising slogans and TV commercials, claims of trademark infringement and identity misappropriation. Both were seeking damages, and their competing claims were slated to be heard in federal court next year. But that's off now that they have negotiated a settlement agreeable to both parties, although they differ on who "won" and it seems clear from some of their comments that they still don't much like each other. Both sides filed a joint motion in October to dismiss all claims and counterclaims, stating, "The parties have reached an amicable compromise of all claims pending in this matter." Chief U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick granted the motion Oct. 23 and noted that each party will bear its own costs. The settlement negates the need for a June 2019 trial. McKernan and Guirard said the terms of the settlement are confidential, but McKernan claimed victory while Guirard said he was satisfied with the resolution. "This was about me protecting my law firm, our employees and our clients. We won and got it done," McKernan said Thursday, borrowing from one of his slogans, "Get Gordon! Get it done!" "It was amicably resolved to my satisfaction and I assume to the other side's satisfaction," Guirard said of the legal dispute. McKernan alleged in his suit that Guirard infringed on McKernan's trademarked "G Guarantee" ad slogan with his "E Guarantee" pitch. McKernan accused Guirard of unfair and deceptive trade practices. Each side had asked that the other stop using those slogans. McKernan also accused Guirard of identity misappropriation by airing a "big rig" television ad that mocked McKernan. The ad depicts a man bearing McKernan's likeness plunging off an 18-wheeler while filming a commercial spot. McKernan's popular TV commercials and billboards show him atop a big rig with his arms folded. Guirard on Wednesday called McKernan's lawsuit frivolous and a waste of the federal court's time. He added that McKernan needs to learn how to "take a joke." "I think Gordon McKernan needs to go to Walmart and buy some big-boy pants," he jabbed. +4 In Baton Rouge lawyer dustup, Guirard answers McKernan's infringement claim, countersues A heated dispute between Baton Rouge personal injury lawyers Gordon McKernan and E. Eric Guirard over accusations of ripping off advertising s Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "I'm not going to dignify that with a response," McKernan said when told of Guirard's remark. The Guirard TV spot that mocked McKernan contains the following dialogue: "I'm injury lawyer E. Eric Guirard. If you've been in an accident, I don't know car wreck, big slip, falling off an 18-wheeler while shooting a TV commercial, I can h G whiz. Are you OK? So, don't fall for a copycat. Get an original E. Eric Guirard." The spot ends by saying, "No real lawyers were hurt filming this commercial." Asked if the commercial will continue airing on television, Guirard noted the confidential nature of the settlement's terms and said he could not directly answer the question but did say that people will be able to see the commercial on the Internet "as part of the historical record." "We basically prevailed to keep him from doing everything we asked him not to do," said Chandler Loupe, who represents McKernan in the case. "We can only hope he abides by the terms of the settlement agreement, but nothing would surprise me." Guirard pledged to continue using his "E"-related slogans, as well as humor in his future advertising. Guirard, who began using his "E Guarantee" slogan in the mid-1990s, was disbarred by the Louisiana Supreme Court in 2009. The high court restored his law license in 2016, and Guirard resumed using his old slogan. McKernan, whose trademark portfolio includes "Get Gordon" and "Stand Up to Big Trucks," trademarked "Get the G Guarantee" in 2014. McKernan's attorneys argued in court documents that after Guirard's disbarment, E. Eric Guirard and Associates "deliberately ceased usage of the 1995 E Guarantee Trademark with no intention to ever resume usage of the mark." McKernan alleged the "G Guarantee" and "E Guarantee" trademarks are "confusingly similar." Guirard's attorneys disagreed that his trademarked slogan was abandoned while he was disbarred, and they accused McKernan of "muscling in" on Guirard's long-standing trademark and related slogans and imagery. Guirard's lawyers also accused McKernan of using his "G Guarantee" to "sow confusion" with Guirard's lonstanding use of similar trademarks and to "tee up this very legal dispute in an effort to drain (Guirard and his firm) of time, money, and other critical resources." Attorneys for Guirard characterized his mocking TV commercial as "an obvious parody" of McKernan's marketing efforts. Guirard was disbarred because of what the state Supreme Court called his "business first" model, which included rewarding the firm's non-lawyer case managers for settling cases as fast as possible, the justices said. The Baton Rouge Police Department's longstanding manpower shortage has worsened over the past several months. And a recent decision to further The 2016 flooding in south Louisiana was offered as evidence of the destructive potential of climate change in a recent White House report. The Fourth National Climate Assessment is an exhaustive review of environmental data by a team of hundreds of scientists. Its findings are grave and made clear from the first two sentences: "Earths climate is now changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization, primarily as a result of human activities. The impacts of global climate change are already being felt in the United States and are projected to intensify in the future." The report turns to Baton Rouge in a chapter on threats to the South. It counts the total losses from the August 2016 flood at $10.1 billion. "Events of such magnitudes are projected to become more likely in the future due to a changing climate, putting more people in peril from future floods," the report states. The South is somewhat unique, according to Adam Terando, a research ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's office in Raleigh, North Carolina. Temperatures in the region haven't risen as much as they have in the rest of the world, he said, but the South is especially susceptible to sea level rise and flooding. Terando co-led the chapter on the Southeast with LSU climate change researcher Lynne Carter, who was unavailable for comment. A warmer climate allows more water vapor to collect, which is already causing the more frequent and intense kinds of rain that lead to flooding, Terando said. "That's happening now, and that's something we expect to have a big impact into the future. ... Think of it as fewer showers, more deluges," he said. The Climate Assessment says Southerners are also at risk because they continue to rebuild in dangerous areas, partly because of out-of-date flood maps used to calculate insurance and warn people of flood risk. "Existing flood map boundaries do not account for future flood risk due to the increasing frequency of more intense precipitation events, as well as new development that would reduce the floodplain's ability to manage storm water," the report states. "As building and rebuilding in flood-prone areas continue, the risks of the kinds of major losses seen in these events will continue to grow." After the 2016 flood rerouted the channel of the Amite River, locals had a chance to consider whether to update the area's maps, many of which are several decades old. However, there seems to be little appetite. Mark Harrell, Livingston Parish's emergency preparedness director, said he's not in favor of a change. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up +2 Could flood insurance rate maps for south Louisiana change? Authorities to begin talks The maps that dictate how much south Louisianans pay for flood insurance could be redrawn, though Baton Rouge-area leaders have their doubts. Rather, Harrell is focusing on pooling resources with neighboring parishes to build regional flood control projects. The Climate Assessment singled out eight Acadiana parishes for doing just that. By combining their efforts and their federal hazard mitigation money the region is working to improve the Teche-Vermilion watershed, the report notes. The capital region has talked about similar action, but so far, parishes haven't banded together on a single project. Harrell said he's optimistic that will happen in the future. The Climate Assessment also discusses the National Flood Insurance Program's incentive program, which offers residents reduced premiums if their local government adopts resilient practices. It commends communities in Florida, Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina, but none in Louisiana. Approximately 5,000 new homes have been approved in East Baton Rouge, Ascension and Livingston parishes since the flood, but locals have clamored for changes to building requirements. East Baton Rouge has begun a review of its Unified Development Code, which will include a "wholesale rewrite" of portions dealing with stormwater management, Planning Director Frank Duke said. The changes will include requiring open spaces on types of residential developments where those are not required and revising the rules where they are already mandated, he said. Some of that work is getting close to finishing. The city-parish is also working with the firm developing the East Baton Rouge Storm Water Master Plan to completely refashion the rules that govern fill, stormwater plans and drainage impact studies. Those recommendations should come out mid- to late 2019, Duke said. How has the process been? "Painful," Duke said. He's heard that a locality should update its code when it's older than the youngest person on the planning team. Duke's youngest is 22. "Our code dates back to the '80s," he said. One year after a gas tax hike died in the Legislature, trade groups and others are kicking off a $500,000 campaign to force another legislative debate on the issue, possibly in 2019. "We have to find a solution," said former state Rep. Erich Ponti, of Baton Rouge, the executive director of the Louisiana Asphalt Pavement Association and one of the leaders of the effort. The 35-member organization, called the Louisiana Coalition to Fix Our Roads, includes groups representing contractors, concrete interests and others that would benefit from new road and bridge building, as well as the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. Organizers have hired Push Digital, of Charleston, S.C., to lead what Ponti calls a 20-month education and public awareness campaign on the need for better roads and bridges. "Basically, it is a social media campaign, digital media," Ponti said. "There is so much information and misinformation that it is a long, slow educational process to get the facts out there." But despite talk of a leisurely campaign, there are signs that the group may try to get a legislative debate on raising the gas tax in Louisiana's election-year legislative session, which begins April 8. "I have heard from multiple people ... that there will be legislation brought in 2019," said John Kay Jr., state director of the Virginia-based group Americans for Prosperity. AFP helped kill the 2017 drive for a 17-cent hike in the state gas tax $510 million per year and is starting its own campaign to derail any future increase in the state gas tax. Controversial, long-shot bid to raise Louisiana's gasoline tax dies The five-month campaign to upgrade Louisiana's jammed roads and bridges by raising the state gasoline tax died Wednesday with little fanfare i The group is launching 15-second ads displayed on the video screens attached to gasoline station pumps in metro areas urging motorists to reject a push by "special interests" to raise the gas tax. Can't see video below? Click here. "I think everybody in Louisiana can agree that we need to improve our infrastructure," Kay said. "The problem is, every time we need to fix something, state government goes to the people and asks them to send more money to Baton Rouge," he said. Ponti said officials have raised about $150,000 of their $500,000 goal to build support for more road and bridge money. Backers include Associated Builders and Contractors, Louisiana Associated General Contractors, One Acadiana, Concrete & Aggregates Association of Louisiana and Diamond B. Construction LLC. "Louisiana cannot be economically competitive without infrastructure investments," Doreen O. Brasseaux, president and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Louisiana, said in an email. Backers contend that, with a $14 billion backlog of road and bridge needs, the state cannot afford to wait until 2021 to tackle the issue. That year is often cited as the next likely time for a gas tax debate since 2019 is an election year and any 2020 debate would require a special session. "We have got to have better transportation means," said Michael Olivier, CEO for the Committee of 100 for Economic Development Inc. and a member of the board of directors for the coalition. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "We have conferred with everyone from the Department of Transportation to the governor to lawmakers about what legislation could look like," Oliver said. Olivier said that while a gas tax bill may be filed in 2019, it "may not even see the light of day" but instead be used as a way to raise awareness for transportation needs. Olivier's group, which includes CEOs and university presidents, is supposed to offer a private-sector perspective to economic development and works with state and local officials to develop projects. Motorists pay 38.4 cents per gallon, including 20 cents in state charges. Ponti's group notes that Louisiana's gas tax has not changed since 1989. Michael Hecht, president and CEO for Greater New Orleans Inc. and a member of the coalition, cited the announcement in October that what used to be the Avondale shipyard will be turned into a commercial transit hub. "Transportation infrastructure is the lifeblood of economic development," Hecht said. "To give you a concrete example, we would not have been able to redevelop Avondale if the Huey P. Long Bridge had not been widened," he said. Shawn Wilson, the governor's state transportation lieutenant, led the 2017 drive to increase the gas tax by 17 cents per gallon. Wilson noted that 2019 is an election year, typically not a time for tax hikes of any kind, and that next year will spark heavy turnover in the state House and Senate because of term limits. "Because it is a 20-month campaign, I think they realize that this has to be an enduring practice or principle if we ever expect to move the needle on infrastructure," he said. The Edwards administration is not publicly linked to the coalition's campaign. However, Wilson says Louisiana is in danger of losing part of its $600 million in annual federal highway aid next year because of problems coming up with about $72 million in needed matching dollars. State Rep. Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge, who sponsored the 17-cent gas tax hike effort last year, noted that many of the groups leading the effort would benefit from an upsurge in state road and bridge building. Louisiana's high-profile gas tax died because of 'toxic,' leaderless House, veteran lobbyist says The push to raise the state gasoline tax died because the Louisiana House has turned into a "toxic mix" that features a "total lack of leaders "They are obviously very supportive," he said. Last year more than 20 groups formed an organization group called Build It to generate support for the 17-cent boost. "They did not do social media," Carter said. "I was a little disappointed in that," he said. "We just didn't do the things that were necessary to get us across the finish line." Louisiana Senate President John Alario recalls a time when lawmakers huddled on the House floor to resolve budget debates by deciding the pric Rickie Collins wasnt surprised when his niece, Gwen Collins-Greenup, flew under the radar of the Louisiana politico class yet won a spot at the top of Saturdays ballot. And you know what? Shes going surprise everybody again, he said of the special election to fill out the remaining year of Tom Schedlers term as Secretary of State. Schedler resigned in May on the heels of sexual harassment allegations. Collins is family, of course, but mathematically its possible, though not probable, that his niece can win. This contest pits a fairly unknown Republican running as an institutional incumbent and an unknown Democrat from Clinton with gumption enough to travel the state, shake hands, visit churches and secure 289,097 votes in the primary last month. Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, of Baton Rouge, received 59,541 more ballots pretty close given the 1.4 million votes cast. How 'perfect storm' lead to Louisiana's unusual secretary of state runoff Jazz musicians often use recognizable melodies as their base from which they improvise their way to new interpretations. Eight months ago, Ardoin was Schedlers top assistant in the office that oversees elections, signs up businesses, runs a few museums and archives the states papers. Five months ago, Collins-Greenup was the confidential assistant to the East Feliciana Parish Schools Superintendent before embarking on a bid to be the states third-highest-ranking official. Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Chair Randal Gaines, a state representative from LaPlace, has seen that kind of work ethic out-perform better financed and better connected candidates in smaller races, but never statewide. Successful candidates need to look potential voters in the eye and leave them feeling good. Then they must get those people to the polls, he said. And thats the rub. The secretary of state primary coincided with mid-term congressional elections that amounted to a referendum on President Donald Trump and attracted half the states registered voters. If she can mobilize or remobilize her voters, then she has a good chance to pull it off, Gaines said. Thats where the Louisiana Democratic Party, of which he is one of the leaders, can help. The party has the lists of voters who participated in the primary and is making the calls necessary to get those voters to return to the polls, he said. Democrats were late to the Collins-Greenup campaign, having backed another candidate, Renee Fontenot Free, in the primary. But theyre helping now, Gaines said. The calculus is basically this: If the same percentage of African-American voters show up Saturday as did in last months primary, 46.9 percent of 933,836 registered, and the white turnout drops below 25 percent from 63.7 percent in the primary, Collins-Greenup wins. Though possible, thats somewhat like positing how history would have changed if Napoleon had B-52s. Republicans account for all but one statewide official, five of six congressmen, and majorities in both chambers of the Legislature largely because their voters show up. And no African-American has won a statewide election since Reconstruction. +2 Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin and Gwen Collins-Greenup headed to a run off The runoff to decide the next secretary of state will be between a Republican who spent about a quarter of a million dollars and a Democrat wh Democrats cast 528,213 votes in the primary, and 608,468 Republicans voted. The Democrats, however, came within 5 percent or 80,255 votes of having both their candidates in the runoff. Louis Gurvich, who chairs the Louisiana Republican Party, has done the numbers, too, and says the GOP cant take anything for granted. It's also working the phones. You never are going to say its going to be an easy race, Gurvich said. But our people need to get out and vote in this one. Where early voting, which ended Saturday, started out with record-breaking numbers in the primary, the general election saw the lowest early voting turnout EVER, Baton Rouge pollster John Couvillon said, using the caps for emphasis in his analysis. Turnout could be about 20 percent, more than last years 13 percent in the state treasurers race but still anemic, Couvillon said. +3 How did little-known Democrat make Secretary of State runoff? Visiting churches, talking to voters Saying grace was the only difference from other family gatherings when a couple of dozen members of the Collins-Greenup clan gathered near Cli It has been a low-energy and low-funded race. Collins-Greenup last week reported raising $22,600 a huge jump from the roughly $2,500 she had for the primary, but far behind the nearly $131,000 raised by Ardoin since the Nov. 6 primary, according to finances disclosed to the state Ethics Board. She should be congratulated, but it doesnt change the fundamentals of politics, said G. Pearson Cross, a political scientist at the University of Louisiana Lafayette. In a low-interest campaign, Ardoin is falling back on the tried and true strategy of energizing the Republican base to vote, hammering the narrative that he is the best defense from Democrats trying to steal elections, a gambit used by Republican secretary of state candidates around the country. The secretary of state is supposed to be neutral. So, Im not sure what a conservative secretary of state is versus a liberal one. But thats the age we live in, Cross said. When the exhibition The Baroness de Pontalba & the Rise of Jackson Square opens Sunday at the Louisiana State Museum's Cabildo in the French Quarter, the Southern Gothic-like story of the family who essentially created Jackson Square will offer a little drama to go with the viewing of paintings, documents and decorative arts. Born in 1795 in New Orleans, Micaela, Baroness de Pontalba, lived a life with plenty of twists and turns. In addition to helping shape the architectural landscape of the French Quarter, her story includes a move to France, a troubled marriage and an attempted assassination. All play out in this exhibition featuring items pulled from the museums own collection, the New Orleans Public Library, Tulane University, the Historic New Orleans Collection and the Pontalba family in France. And while her family's affairs figure heavily in both the exhibition and the broader story of how today's Jackson Square and its surrounding buildings came to be, it is the baroness who dominates the exhibition's three sections. The first part of the exhibition focuses on the baroness early years and her father, Don Andres Almonester, who funded construction of the Presbytere, St. Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo. After the fire of 1794, he funded the Cabildo again. Part two is built around the troubled marriage of the baroness and Celestin de Pontalba, her move to France and the tragic story of her life and attempted assassination by her father-in-law, historian and guest curator Randolph Delehanty said. The third part tells the story of "the transformation of Jackson Square, from its humbler beginnings into what we see today. The Upper and Lower Pontalba Buildings now owned by the city of New Orleans and state of Louisiana, respectively became prominent features of the iconic area. The exhibit also explains how the muddy parade grounds of the Place dArmes were transformed into today's Jackson Square, complete with the statue of Andrew Jackson. Delehanty said he believes the baroness was instrumental in the design of the Pontalba buildings, though the name of the architect remains a mystery. The story of how the exhibition arrived at the local museum is itself a tale, not as dramatic as that of the baroness, but one that involves a road trip through France and a chance encounter that helped add to the exhibition's offerings. Six years ago, museum supporter and real estate agent Peter Patout got lost with his cousin in northeast France. Somewhere outside Paris, they saw a sign for "Senlis," which they knew is where the chateau of the Pontalba family was located. We go to the tourist information office, ask about the chateau, then the woman calls the chateau, hands me the phone, Patout said. The person who answered said that we can go there and tour the grounds. The chateau was where the baroness lived after her marriage. Upon arrival, they met Pierre Pontalba, who is now the family liaison for the exhibition. Pontalba provided a three-hour tour; the visitors were also allowed to see some of the inside of the chateau. They kept in touch, and two years ago, Pontalba was invited to New Orleans to learn more about the city. Patout called Louisiana State Museum Foundation Director Susan Maclay to help set up a tour of some of the flood-protection structures around New Orleans because she also was president of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West. I was blown away there were still Pontalbas in existence, Maclay said. And I had no clue they were still living in the family chateau. It was from this meeting that Maclay thought of creating a Founders Ball for the foundation on Saturday and connecting it to an exhibition opening the next day on the life of Baroness Pontalba. Among those attending the ball: Pierre Pontalba and his parents, Charles-Edouard and Isabelle, Baron and Baroness de Pontalba. The family has lent a number of important pieces to the exhibition that have never been seen in the U.S., including a watercolor of the baroness' father-in-law and an 1841 painting of the baroness by Claude-Marie Dubufe. This exhibition so wonderfully illustrates authenticity by seeing actual artifacts, said Steven Maklansky, the museum's interim director. And then we have this sense of legacy," he added, "that sense that we are a part of this, the connection that we have when we walk the same steps the baroness did. The exhibition runs through Oct. 15. When St. Tammany Parish Coroner Peter Galvan was charged five years ago with stealing more than $200,000 in public money, the case was shocking to residents and other officials, in part because it seemed like such an aberration. St. Tammany is known for low crime, good public schools, pristine waterways and piney woods not for Louisiana-style public corruption. But in the years since Galvan pleaded guilty and headed to prison, St. Tammany has seen another powerful parish official fall from grace: 22nd Judicial District Attorney Walter Reed, who was convicted of spending campaign money on personal uses as well as personally taking money from a public hospital that was meant for his governmental office. He is appealing his conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court. And this past week, federal authorities who have long been investigating former Sheriff Jack Strain finally pounced, charging two members of his inner circle with a kickback scheme involving a work-release program. Though Strain has yet to be charged, it seems almost certain he will be: The newly released court documents plainly accuse him of taking kickbacks, and the two top aides appear poised to testify for the government. The series of scandals targeting high-profile St. Tammany politicians "gives a whole new meaning to the term 'criminal justice,' " said Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission. Elected officials and business leaders are shaking their heads over what they acknowledge is a black eye for the parish. "I don't know that St. Tammany has more or less people that have been convicted or charged with the things that we have seen," Parish President Pat Brister said. "But when one elected official is convicted and sent to jail, it puts doubt in everyone's minds." That doubt makes it hard to persuade people that most elected officials are honest, she said: "It makes it difficult for us to do the job." The public's wariness is reflected in a survey that the St. Tammany Chamber-West recently conducted of its members, in which respondents identified trust in elected officials and transparency in parish decisions as the top two public policy issues. In that survey, 40 percent said lack of trust in leadership is the main reason tax renewals for operating the jail and courthouse repeatedly failed at the polls. Another 40 percent cited "too many taxes" as the reason. "Trust is really low, and the anti-tax sentiment is very high," said Lacey Toledano, the chamber's executive director. Goyeneche agreed that corruption has a corrosive effect, and that it could be seen in the tax elections. "Corruption undermines public confidence in every aspect of government," he said, although he pegged the beginning of public disaffection in St. Tammany to an earlier conviction, that of Mandeville Mayor Eddie Price in 2009. "Perhaps this (the Strain probe) completes the trifecta of corruption," Goyeneche said, noting that Galvan, Reed and Strain all were longtime officials who served more or less contemporaneously and have now been replaced, two of them by political newcomers: Coroner Dr. Charles Preston and District Attorney Warren Montgomery. 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 "People on the north shore realize that corruption isn't confined to any particular jurisdiction," he said. "For it to flourish, you just need a community to think they are immune. On the north shore, for too long, that was the mindset." No more. The Galvan case not only triggered an increase in public skepticism, it also spurred public activism. The self-styled government watchdog group Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany took root in the wake of the Galvan scandal, beginning with an effort to recall the coroner. Residents packed the Parish Council chambers, insisting on action although the embattled coroner didn't heed the council's demands that he resign; he left office only when federal charges against him were imminent. There was also a drive to get an inspector general for St. Tammany Parish. Although a task force created to consider the measure didn't end up recommending it, the end result was a state law, adopted in 2014, that created enhanced audit requirements for St. Tammany governmental bodies. Even before the federal government's probe of Strain became public, voters turned the 20-year incumbent out of office in favor of Randy Smith, the Slidell police chief whose campaign stressed the need for new leadership. This past week, Smith decried the "good ole boy network" that led to the bribery scheme federal prosecutors have outlined. Smith said St. Tammany residents want low crime, but not at the expense of ethics. "What people want is to be safe, not to worry about our own elected officials committing criminal acts," he said. Preston said that when he first took office, the news media consistently described the Coroner's Office as "embattled." It took about a year for that term to drop out of use, he said, and only because of a concerted effort to make his office more visible in positive ways. He pointed to the creation of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners program and the formation of a chaplain corps to go to death scenes. Preston cited the "one bad apple" theory as part of the problem with corruption, with people wondering how far down it goes. "In my experience, it didn't go very far at all," he said. Even so, his office's finances remain under Parish Council control, a change made after the Galvan scandal. That means dealing with parish bureaucracy, which slows things down, he said. The Parish Council also refused to let him roll his millage forward for one year only in order to preserve the right to levy a higher rate, something he believes reflects their fear of voters' anti-tax mood. Montgomery said the Strain investigation and the Reed and Galvan convictions, while sobering, are signs of a political system that is working. "The justice system is the foundation and the frame of the house," he said. "If the slab is breaking apart, the walls are crumbling or the roof is leaking, you have to fix it." Unhealthy communities paint over those flaws or ignore them, he said. "It says something positive about the voters in the community that they are fixing the problems," he said. Toledano agreed, saying the repeated high-profile cases are raising public interest and a desire for more accountability. "Not just here, but across the country, there's more voter awareness," she said. "People are paying attention." Political consultant James Hartman also sees the string of cases as a sign of a system that's working to ferret out corruption. In a poll he took about a month ago, nearly three-quarters of respondents agreed with the statement "Overall, I think local government agencies are efficient, transparent and honest." "I don't think we should wring our hands but clap our hands: Look at all the corrupt officials who are no longer in office because we took action," he said. "I've worked in various capacities all over Louisiana. St. Tammany is the only place I want to live." Toledano thinks that's how most people see it. "There is so much good about living here," she said. "Nobody's going to move away because of (corruption), and I don't see that as being a reason someone would not come here." This story was altered on Dec. 3 to clarify the wording of a poll question on confidence in local government agencies. For 15 years, the New Orleans-based nonprofit Tipitinas Foundation has donated thousands of instruments to school band programs and provided scores of musicians with job training, a legacy of community aid begun by Roland Von Kurnatowski, the longtime Tipitinas owner and the nonprofit's founder. But an examination of the foundations financial dealings and interviews with former board members, musicians and business associates of Von Kurnatowski suggest that the work of supporting New Orleans music scene has been closely intertwined with the business interests of the nonprofits founder. Von Kurnatowski operated Tipitinas Foundation with little or no oversight since he founded it in 2003 as the nonprofit arm of the famed Uptown music club of the same name, according to former board members. Over that time, he engaged in a host of transactions between the foundation and for-profit entities he controlled, documents show. For instance, three buildings owned by the foundation in Shreveport were transferred, for free, to for-profit entities that Von Kurnatowski owned or controlled, before they were developed into luxury lofts and retail space. He borrowed over $500,000 in the nonprofits name and paid most of it to a construction company he owned for work on the buildings. Some of the work, according to the documents, hadnt yet been completed at the time. He also rented out space in buildings he owned to the nonprofit, donating large portions of the lease and utilities but charging for others, according to the documents. The board never received written reports about the foundations finances or operations, according to two longtime board members, and the foundation has failed to provide publicly available audited financial reports since 2015. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office said the foundation is in noncompliance for failing to timely file its 2017 financials. It didnt seem like he was running it right as a true nonprofit, but he kind of ran it as his business, said Jeffrey Goldring, a New Orleans businessman and part-owner of the Sazerac Co. and Crescent Crown Distributing, who served as a foundation board member until 2014. Weve been friends with Roland and Mary for many, many years," he said, referring to Von Kurnatowski and his wife. "But it didnt really occur to me that Im an active member of this foundation because Im not. Mounting problems The revelations related to the Tipitinas Foundation come amid a series of potential missteps by Von Kurnatowski that have raised questions about his businesses and other interests. On Friday, members of the local funk band Galactic reached a deal to purchase Tipitina's, the famed New Orleans music venue that has been affiliated with the nonprofit that bears its name. In recent days, multiple performers have said that under Von Kurnatowskis ownership the club failed to pay them, only relenting after angry demands and threats of legal action. In two separate legal entanglements that appear unrelated to the foundation, Von Kurnatowski is also accused of defaulting on about $180,000 in loans from Hancock Whitney Bank and reneging on a debt of nearly $1 million owed to a real estate firm known as Riverlake New Orleans Properties LLC. Riverlake is owned by Von Kurnatowskis sister, Joan Hooper, and her two sons, Christian and Andre Hooper. He is also facing federal and state lawsuits in which multiple people contend that they lost hundreds of thousands of dollars investing in Bond Fund One, or BF-1, a fund pitched by Von Kurnatowski to invest in relatively safe U.S. Treasury bonds. In October, a retired Jesuit priest, Antone Lynch, filed a federal lawsuit against Von Kurnatowski alleging that the fund was an illegal Ponzi scheme and demanding that his money be returned. Four other investors, including retired WDSU-TV meteorologist Dan Milham and his wife, media consultant Paula Pendarvis-Milham, filed a lawsuit in Civil District Court in July, alleging they have not been able to access hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in the fund despite repeatedly asking for their money back. Other investors have contacted The Advocate in recent weeks alleging they too may have been bilked. Taken together, the mounting allegations have exposed troubles in a business empire built by Von Kurnatowski, a New Orleans native who bought and renovated the famed Napoleon Avenue music club and is a well-connected figure in the citys business and social circles. "Over the life of Tipitinas Foundation, I have donated millions of dollars to the foundation," said Von Kurnatowski in an emailed statement. He has also provided it free rent and utilities, he said, and has forgiven debts owed to him for these and other expenses, and plans to continue to do so in the future. He said that financial statements are posted on Tipitina's website "to underscore our transparency." Last month, he said that the recent lawsuits were a misunderstanding and that he was working to settle the claims, some of which involve relatives and longtime friends. A phantom board In recent interviews, two of the nonprofit's former board members said that for over a decade, they never participated in a board meeting, nor were they asked to. They also said they provided no oversight of the nonprofit's finances, programming or fundraising efforts, leaving most of the decision-making in the hands of Von Kurnatowski, whom they saw as a friend and an upstanding member of the community. Ive never seen any minutes. Ive never had any involvement with the board at any level. I just agreed to serve, said Doug Thornton, a board member for more than a decade until he asked to be removed last month after being contacted by a reporter about his involvement. Thornton, the senior vice president of SMG, which manages the Superdome, agreed to serve on the board shortly before Hurricane Katrina. But after the storm, his focus was largely on the Superdomes massive recovery project. I agreed to basically lend my name and that was it, he said. Goldring said that over the years, his familys philanthropic arm, the Goldring Family Foundation, donated around $200,000 to the Tipitinas Foundation. They were putting instruments back in the hands of musicians who had lost instruments during Katrina, and so we stepped up and supported it, he said. But despite being on the board, Goldring was never invited to any board meetings. After more than a decade, Von Kurnatowski asked to replace him with Dr. Eric George, a business partner. That was fine with Goldring, who disagreed with the boards approach to oversight. I would have coffee or lunch with Roland from time to time, and he would talk about what was going on in generalities, but I never saw a financial statement, he said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up By 2016, the foundations board had six members. In addition to Thornton and George, the roster included Roland and his wife, Mary Von Kurnatowski, and Dean Dupuy, a lobbyist for the foundation. Doug Kilton, a banking industry veteran who has since moved to Houston, was also listed. Kilton did not return a message Friday. Dupuy died earlier this year. Through a spokesman, George declined multiple interview requests. Instead, his New Orleans-based investment firm, ERG Enterprises, released a statement saying: Von Kurnatowski and George no longer have any shared interests, nor business or personal connections. Missing statements Nonprofits are required to file certain information about their financial dealings on an annual basis. But the Tipitinas Foundations audited financial report for 2017 was due March 31 and has yet to be filed. It does not appear that the organization provided a 2016 audited financial report either. Meanwhile, a review of the foundations financial statements for 2014 and 2015, the most recent available, describe a series of transactions that raise questions as to whether Von Kurnatowski benefited personally from the nonprofits work. The documents show that Tipitinas paid more than $100,000 for rent in 2015 for property owned by Von Kurnatowski. The nonprofit leased space in New Orleans as well as Alexandria, Shreveport, Lake Charles and Monroe, according to its 2015 financial statement. Rent totaled $216,200 that year, and Von Kurnatowski donated nearly half. As of the end of 2015, though, the nonprofit still owed him $61,378. The financial statements also note three buildings in downtown Shreveport that were donated to the foundation prior to 2012. According to the foundation, they were in bad shape. The owners at the time said they were eager to see someone with the resources restore them and put them into use. Tipitinas Foundation took out nearly $900,000 in loans on the three buildings on Texas Street. That tally includes a $511,000 loan that was mostly used to pay Fountainbleau Construction LLC, a company owned by Von Kurnatowski, to cover construction costs, according to the financial documents. The documents state that some of the money paid was for work that hadn't yet been completed. The buildings at 616, 620 and 624 Texas St. werent developed by the Tipitinas Foundation. They also weren't sold to another buyer. Instead, in 2013 and 2014, the foundation controlled by Von Kurnatowski transferred the buildings, for free, to Studio Network Shreveport, a limited-liability company controlled by Von Kurnatowski and George. Studio Network agreed to pay off the two loans, though they still appeared as liabilities on the foundations financial statements at the end of 2015. One of the buildings, a former Sears department store, has since been renovated by the developers into a mixed-use building that includes trendy loft apartments and ground-floor commercial space. Be the talk of Shreveport with this Penthouse offering. With a patio, youll have the best view of lovely downtown Shreveport, the development, called Lofts @ 624, boasts on its website. The units have been in high demand since the building opened last year, with monthly rents ranging from roughly $700 for studios to $1,800 for the top-floor penthouse. The project, even though its taken longer than anyone wouldve liked, its been wildly successful, said Liz Swaine, executive director of Shreveports Downtown Development Authority. So from that perspective, we thought we had a good partner in him and again, he has followed through with the things he said he was going to do, she said of Von Kurnatowski. Von Kurnatowski said that he transferred the Shreveport properties because of $400,000 in asbestos abatement costs that were "at that point a burden on the foundation." He didn't try to find other buyers because "it was presumably marketed for 40 years while it sat vacant and dilapidated." He said that the property is now contributing to the local economy and the foundation "is now in a position to enjoy a special class of ownership." However, there is no equity position in any property listed as an asset of the foundation in audited financial statements from 2015, which is after the transfer took place. It isn't clear what, if any, equity positions the foundation currently holds in any Shreveport properties. According to his statement, George got involved in the development in 2013 as a real estate investment in the growing Shreveport market and sold his stake in January of this year. Questions raised Experts on nonprofit governance, as well as guidelines supplied by the Internal Revenue Service, indicate that the related-party transactions undertaken by Von Kurnatowski, along with such a hands-off approach by board members, could raise questions about whom the foundation is really benefiting. Max Stephenson Jr., director of the Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance and an expert on nonprofit ethics, said nonprofit boards are obligated to serve as the legal, ethical, fiduciary and operational steward of the assets of the foundation. He said nonprofits are typically governed by a charter that outlines issues like how often the board meets, how members are added and how long they serve. Not all nonprofits maintain the highest standards, or meet as often as civic watchdogs would prefer, he added. But having years pass without the board meeting is well beyond the norm. In addition, IRS rules stipulate that nonprofits like the Tipitinas Foundation cannot be used to benefit a private interest, like the organizations founder or family, and it is the boards responsibility to ensure that doesn't occur. Since the board seemingly didnt sign off on any of the related-party transactions, they raise questions, at least, of potential self-dealing, according to Stephenson and other observers. Thornton, who volunteers on several boards, said hes now concerned that his name may have been used to give the public a belief that the foundation was being watched by responsible people. I dont know how those decisions were made, he said. I guess it troubles me a little bit if these were things that were done without proper notice, or without the advice of the members. As the nonprofits finances have become strained, Von Kurnatowski's standing in the city's music community has suffered. A number of bands have had trouble getting paid for performances at either Tipitinas or the Orpheum Theater dating back to at least late 2017. With the sale of Tipitinas, Von Kurnatowski appears to be on his way out of the music business. In October, he transferred his stake in the Orpheum to George, according to Orleans Parish land records. The two purchased the theater together for $1.5 million in 2014 and spent $13 million to restore it. The legendary local band the Radiators association with Tipitinas dates back more than 30 years. But the band endured three weeks of delays and excuses before finally being paid for three reunion concerts at Tipitinas in January, even though tickets had sold out well in advance. Thats not the way to do business, Radiators bassist Reggie Scanlan said before the sale of Tipitinas last week. I didnt want to ever play at Tipitinas again. This is not the Tipitinas we were associated with or that musicians built up over the years. Now its just another building block in some guys real estate empire. Advocate staff writers Keith Spera, Gordon Russell and Jerry DiColo contributed to this report. Midterm Congressional elections almost always produce some of the highest voter turnout across the country. That was the case again on Nov. 6 when 54 percent of St. Tammany Parishs registered voters cast ballots. There were a staggering 29 elections, state Constitutional amendments and local referendums to be decided that day, and that number alone meant many voters had a candidate or cause important to them to spark interest. There are far fewer decisions to be made in the Dec. 8 general election, and voter participation is predicted to be much lower than it was a month ago. St. Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters M. Dwayne Wall said 3,714 ballots were cast through three days of early voting (including mailed ballots) for general election races. That's in comparison to 9,264 ballots cast through the first three days of early voting in the Nov. 6 primary, which is a downturn of about 60 percent. The midterms are the real drivers (in turnout,) Wall said. Once you dont have those races, and theres only one statewide race with secretary of state, the numbers are going to come down. While the Dec. 8 ballot may lack a high-profile statewide or even parishwide race, there are several local elections that will be closely followed. They include the contest for state representative for the District 90 seat in the Slidell area, where Republicans Mary DuBuisson and John Raymond are vying to replace Greg Cromer, who was elected Slidells mayor earlier this year. DuBuisson, a local businesswoman and Cromers former legislative assistant, led a four-candidate field in the primary with 29 percent of votes. Raymond squeaked into a runoff with three more votes than Democrat Sean Morrison (both men garnered 25 percent of ballots.) Fourth-place finisher Brian Glorioso, another Republican who had 20 percent of votes on Nov. 6, since has endorsed DuBuisson. 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 In Abita Springs, incumbent Mayor Greg Lemons is attempting to hold off a challenge from Town Alderman and fellow Republican Dan Curtis. Curtis led a five-person primary field with 29 percent of votes, and Lemons trailed with 27 percent. The 44 percent of Abita residents who supported one of two independent candidates or another "no-party" candidate in the primary likely will decide who will be elected mayor on Dec. 8. In Pearl River, voters will choose between Republicans Jack Sessions and Chris Culotta to be the towns next police chief. Sessions led the primary with 43 percent of votes, and Culotta had 31 percent. Incumbent J.J. Jennings finished third in the primary. District 8 School Board incumbent Peggy Seeley finished 42 votes ahead of challenger Mike Winkler in the primary, each netting 36 percent of ballots in a three-way race for the Pearl River/Slidell area seat. Both are Republicans. The runoff for the District 11 School Board seat pits Republican Tammy Lamy (39 percent in the primary) against Democrat Maurice Doucette (27 percent.) Incumbent Bob Womack failed to make the runoff in a four-person race. The school board could have as many as seven new members when the new board is seated. Candidates already successful in their bids for office are Matthew Greene (replacing retiring Neal Hennegan in District 1); Charles Brandon Harrell (replacing his retiring father, Charles T. Harrell in District 5); Shelta Richardson (who defeated incumbent Willie Jeter in District 7); James Braud (replacing retiring Robin Mullett in District 13); and Lisa Page (replacing retiring Mary K Bellisario in District 15). Voters across St. Tammany will vote on a 1-mill, 10-year renewal to fund operations at the parish's animal shelter. There also is a 10-year, 10-mill renewal for operations costs for St. Tammany Fire Protection District 11 in the Pearl River area, and a renewal for a $96 annual property fee for drainage concerns in Parish Drainage District No. 4 in the Slidell area. Voters also will cast ballots in the secretary of state race, where Republican interim secretary Kyle Ardoin faces Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup. For a sample ballot, candidate information, polling locations and more, log onto the secretary of state website at voterportal.sos.la.gov/ or the St. Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters website at www.stprov.org. In a flurry of motions filed late Friday, federal prosecutors said they plan to bring up previous internal investigations against former federal lawman Chad Scott during his January trial on theft, conspiracy and other counts. Scott's defense attorney said bringing up the past incidents would amount to "prosecution by character assassination." Federal prosecutors want to use previous allegations against Scott, a former star Drug Enforcement Administration agent, to argue that he cannot claim that he didn't know what he was doing in the recent cases was wrong, court documents show. To do that, they intend to present incidents from 1999, 2004 and 2005 in which he was accused of mishandling evidence, not following policy when it came to confidential informants and, in one case, instructing a suspect to lie in order to receive more favorable treatment. None of those incidents are among the counts now pending against Scott and his co-defendant, former Hammond police officer Rodney Gemar. Government attorneys do not intend to use the prior incidents against Gemar. Scott and Gemar are set to go to trial Jan. 22, the culmination of an investigation that began nearly three years ago and has netted guilty pleas from two former Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office deputies, Johnny Domingue and Karl Newman. Both were members of Scott's DEA task force and are expected to testify against Scott and Gemar. Scott faces charges of perjury, theft, obstruction of justice and falsification of records. Gemar faces counts of conspiracy, theft and removal of property to prevent seizure. In Friday's filing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Duree referred to an incident during a 1999 investigation into Houston rap mogul James Prince, owner of a music label known as Rap-a-Lot. Scott and his then-partner were assigned to the investigation and were the subject of later complaints of human rights abuses. The DEA's Office of Professional Responsibility later concluded that there was "insufficient evidence" to support allegations of civil rights abuses, but it did conclude that Scott knowingly violated DEA guidelines on the handling of evidence, specifically a necklace that he allegedly took from a suspect and was found later in his desk. Prosecutors now allege that Scott lied about trying to get the necklace back to its owner, the filing said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up In the second instance, prosecutors intend to tell the jury that in 2004, Scott was twice reprimanded by DEA leaders for not following proper procedures when handling confidential informants. Prosecutors also intend to bring up a 2005 case in which an accused drug dealer was told by Scott to say that he had sold drugs to another criminal defendant, when he had not. Scott allegedly promised lenient treatment if the dealer cooperated, which he did. That accusation mirrors one in the current indictment, in which Scott is accused of asking one witness to testify that a defendant was present at drug transactions when he was not. Scott's attorney, Matthew Coman, said in a separate filing that he would oppose any attempt by the government to "lob accusations against Chad Scott that are not contained in the indictment." Allowing the previous internal investigations to be introduced would prejudice the jury against Scott, Coman said. "The indictment ... is already a hodgepodge of unrelated accusations without an overarching conspiracy. To allow the government to attempt to introduce allegations spanning his entire 20-plus years in federal law enforcement is without legal justification," Coman wrote. A hearing on the motions is scheduled for Dec. 18. Both sides in the trial are still waiting for U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to rule on an earlier motion by Coman to sever Scott's and Gemar's trials. During a hearing on that motion, Milazzo seemed sympathetic to Coman's claims but did not give a clear indication of which way she would rule. Three people have been arrested in connection to Tuesday's fatal carjacking of a New Orleans pastor's wife, New Orleans police said. Person of interest named in fatal carjacking of New Orleans-area pastor's wife A person of interest has been identified in connection to the fatal carjacking of a New Orleans pastor's wife on Tuesday in the Gentilly neigh Jontrell Robinson, 17, was arrested and charged with second degree murder and carjacking, police said Saturday evening. Edwin R. Cottrell, 18, and an unnamed juvenile were also arrested and charged with principal to second degree murder and principal to carjacking. Can't see tweet? Click here. ARRESTED: We've located Edwin R. Cottrell and charged him w/Second Degree Murder/Principal to Carjacking. We also arrested Jontrell Robinison, 17, w/Second Degree Murder and Carjacking and a juvenile w/Principal to Second Degree Murder/Principal to Carjacking. https://t.co/TWFv5r4C5j NOPD (@NOPDNews) December 2, 2018 Cottrell was previously named as a person of interest in the case Friday night by the NOPD. At the time, police said Cottrell was not wanted for the incident but detectives believed he had valuable information about the carjacking and death of Jeannot Plessy, 49, in the 2400 block of Prentiss Avenue in Gentilly. Wife of New Orleans-area pastor killed during carjacking in Gentilly The wife of a New Orleans-area pastor was killed when someone who carjacked her ran her over with her vehicle in Gentilly on Tuesday night, ac 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 Plessy was in the 2400 block of Prentiss with her children when an unknown person approached her vehicle, pulled her out of it and threw her to the ground. Her son-in-law was at the scene and tried to pull the attacker out of the car. While attempting to leave the area in Plessy's car, the attacker drove in reverse and ran over her. She later died at a nearby hospital where she was being treated for injuries. Plessy's husband, David, a Christian pastor at Crossover Christian Fellowship, stood in front of the house he and his wife were renovating two days later and pleaded for her killer to come forward. Widowed New Orleans pastor tells wife's killer that surrendering is the 'one way out' David Plessy's wife of 14 years was killed Tuesday night, run over by her own car after a stranger carjacked her in Gentilly. "Only truth has freedom in it," said David Plessy, who said the carjacker's best chance at finding peace is to surrender to authorities and face the consequences of his acts. "There's only one way out, and it begins with making a courageous choice to step outside the false comfort ... with whoever's harboring (you)," he said. David Plessy said his wife had just returned from a preaching tour in American Samoa and the two had gone on a date earlier in the evening before her death. A Louisiana State Trooper shot an armed subject early Sunday morning in the 880 block of Port of New Orleans Place, according to a release from state police. The unidentified subject was taken to University Medical Center for treatment while the trooper was not injured. Around 3 a.m. Sunday, the trooper observed the person with a weapon and during the encounter shot the subject. The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations was contacted to investigate and gather all facts surrounding the incident, according to the release. The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is assisting in the investigation. This is an active investigation and no further information is available at this time Louisiana blogger Lamar White sure managed to liven up Mississippi's U.S. Senate election, but Cindy Hyde-Smith won comfortably enough Tuesday. Nobody gave her opponent, Mike Espy, a chance until White unearthed a video of Hyde-Smith averring she so appreciated one of her political supporters that, if he invited her to a public hanging, she'd be in the front row. Soon thereafter, White posted footage of her suggesting that making it hard for liberal folks to vote would be a great idea. Given that Mississippi led the nation in lynchings during Jim Crow, and Hyde-Smith's GOP in recent times has been accused of voter suppression in various states, both those remarks were, to put it mildly, in poor taste. Her remarks about making it hard for liberals to vote was a jest, her campaign said, and it does indeed seem unlikely that she was seriously proposing to disfranchise Democrats. In response to the inevitable protestations of horror, Hyde-Smith said her public-hangings crack was merely an exaggerated expression of regard and attempts to impose a negative connotation were ridiculous. That claim was widely pooh-poohed, but University of Alabama professor Paul Reed, an authority on Southern idioms, up and confirmed that Hyde-Smith's macabre locution had indeed once commonly served to indicate approval. Reed did, however, note that it offends modern sensibilities. If Hyde-Smith really did not know that, we might wonder whether she is smart enough for high office, especially as she was speaking at a campaign stop in Lee County, where at least two black people were lynched. President Donald Trump initially did not want Hyde-Smith in the Senate, although not because of doubts about her faculties. Evidently the White House figured that, having been a Democrat until a year before her election as Mississippi Agriculture Secretary in 2011, she might be vulnerable on ideological grounds. Gov. Phil Bryant was asked to think again when he picked her for the seat that became vacant on Thad Cochran's retirement in March. When Bryant insisted on sticking with Hyde-Smith, the White House said Trump would not campaign for her, but he changed his mind and played what he no doubt regards as a crucial role in the election she wound up winning to take the seat for the two years remaining on Cochran's term. Trump appeared on election eve in Tupelo, where Hyde-Smith had expressed her willingness to sit in the grandstand with a view of the scaffold. It also emerged during the campaign that Hyde-Smith, when a state legislator, had sponsored a resolution honoring the last surviving daughter of a Confederate soldier who defended his homeland in the War between the States. There is no doubt where Hyde-Smith's sympathies lay during the debate about New Orleans Confederate monuments. When she visited Beauvoir, Jefferson Davis's place on the Gulf Coast in 2014, she had herself photographed wearing a kepi and toting a Confederate rifle. She posted the pictures on Facebook with the caption, Mississippi history at its best. She and her daughter both attended segregated schools. Espy was the underdog throughout. Not only was he a black Democrat in a staunchly Republican state, but his own record was hardly spotless. As Bill Clinton's Secretary of Agriculture, he accepted gifts from companies he regulated and was charged with a slew of criminal offenses. Although Tyson Foods reached a plea bargain and paid a $6 million fine for handing sweeteners to Espy, he rolled the dice and went to trial. He was acquitted on all counts, apparently because prosecutors failed to link the gifts with specific official acts, but the GOP was not going to let voters forget his brush with the law during the Senate campaign. Plenty of Mississippi voters share Hyde-Smith's fondness for the Confederacy, and it is unlikely the Senate race would have attracted much attention if the clip hadn't surfaced of her wearing a big smile while professing her willingness to watch someone swing. The shock waves that caused throughout the country obviously alarmed the GOP and may have galvanized Trump. But in the end, whatever he or White did, it would take a miracle for a Democrat to win a Mississippi U.S. Senate seat these days, even without the baggage. Email James Gill at Gill1407@bellsouth.net. Real estate listings giant REA Group has launched court action against rival Domain Group claiming a tie up with an American website breaches its trademark rights. Federal Court documents lodged ahead of an urgent hearing on Friday show REA is upset that Domain has done a deal with dominant US-based online real estate sales company Zillow. Australia's two biggest property websites are in court. Credit:Rob Homer The deal, according to REA, meant that Australians who type realestate.com into their web browser are given the option of searching for Australian property which then takes them to the Domain website. REA's marquee asset is the realestate.com.au website and it claims the American site run by Zillow uses a red colour scheme and house logo that is too similar to its own trademarked versions. We have some winners. Lois Stephens, Cian O'Reilly, Justine McSweeney, David Lewis and Kathleen Akers have claimed prize packs for new film Instant Family. Kathleen's advice for a new family? You cannot negotiate with a small person. (We hear you Kath.) Thanks for your entries. We'll be in touch. Keep an eye out on Express tomorrow for another chance to win. 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. 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. Centrelink's controversial robo-debt recovery scheme is an "elaborate sham", according to a prominent Victorian barrister who wants to challenge it in the Federal Court. Gavin Silbert, QC, who retired as the state's chief crown prosecutor in March, has accused the Department of Human Services of ignoring its legal obligations and acting like a bully towards some of the nation's most vulnerable people. Former chief crown prosecutor Gavin Silbert. Credit:Rebecca Hallas A potential legal challenge could have significant implications for future enforcement of the robo-debt program, which aims to claw back up to $4.5 billion in welfare overpayments with more than 1.5 million "compliance interventions". Mr Silbert became embroiled in the dispute when someone he knew was issued with a demand to repay a debt of $10,230.97, which the department claimed was overpaid by Centrelink between 2010 and 2013. Some of Victoria's most notorious underworld figures, including drug lord Tony Mokbel, will be told their defence lawyer became a police informer and gave up information about them in a scandal that has put their convictions at risk. In what is considered one of Victoria's biggest legal scandals, it can now be revealed that the female criminal barrister, who operated as Informer 3838 from 2005 to 2009, gave police information about Mokbel and six of his associates, as well as hundreds of others. Tony Mokbel. Credit:Jason South The scandal is set to embroil senior police and has led Premier Daniel Andrews to set up a royal commission. High-profile criminals will now be sent notifications telling them their lawyer, whose identity is suppressed, became a police informant and their cases could have been tainted. 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. WARNING: OFFENSIVE CONTENT Of the thousands of students who walked out of class on Friday to demand federal government action on climate change, most brandished "witty", well-thought-out signage central to the group's message. But there were a few who strayed. The movement's instigators say "aggression" is contrary to their overall message. Credit:AAP Among the best of the signs, such as the one that read, "I've seen better cabinets at Ikea", were slurs and nastiness that singled out Prime Minister Scott Morrison: "F--- ScoMo", "Scum-mo is a bitch so so am I", and "I hate ScoMo more than I hate school". Malcolm Turnbull has spectacularly intervened to block a plan by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to save the career of conservative backbencher Craig Kelly, which has now collapsed after a furious backlash. In a series of tweets on Sunday night, the former prime minister said a growing push to immediately cancel preselections in NSW was a "capitulation" and "weak" response to Mr Kelly's threats to move to the crossbench if he was dumped by Liberal Party members. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says Craig Kelly should face local Liberal Party members. Credit:Krisztian Bocsi Powerbrokers connected to Mr Morrison wanted to use the NSW state executive's emergency powers to cancel preselections across the state, which would have saved Mr Kelly from being rolled by local councillor Kent Johns in his southern Sydney seat of Hughes. The plan sparked a furious response from moderate MPs and Mr Turnbull spent much of Sunday telephoning senior party figures urging them not to support the proposal. Thousands more seats for commuters will be available on trains from Monday when six-car units replace three-car trains on 193 Queensland Rail services. Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the new services would increase carrying capacity by more than 46,000 seats a week across the south-east Queensland network. Thousands of more seats will be available for passengers from Monday due to the New Generation Rollingstock. The change has been made possible by the roll-out of 35 of the state government's 75 six-carriage New Generation Rollingstock trains onto the network. Mr Bailey said passengers would immediately notice the difference on the Beenleigh, Shorncliffe, Ferny Grove, Cleveland, Northgate and Doomben lines from Monday. 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. On its face, her position looks grim. The opposition Labour Party's leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has already rubbished and rejected the plan, while more than 90 MPs from Mrs May's Conservative Party as well as Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, on which her government relies for supply, have declared themselves implacably opposed to the deal as it stands . The parliamentary arithmetic puts the parrot firmly in the dead column. Mrs May, reprising the role of the shopkeeper, is clearly hoping that by putting the leadership of the EU, her ministers and the voting public on one side of the scales against MPs on the other, she can finally test the proposition that "this parrot wouldn't 'voom' if I put 4000 volts through it". The announcement that Britain's House of Commons will hold its "meaningful vote" on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal with the European Union on December 11 can only be compared to Monty Python's famous Dead Parrot sketch , with one exasperated MP after another proclaiming the product of her government's labours in Brussels to be bereft of life. And yet. Ever since the parliamentary expenses scandal almost a decade ago and the austerity measures pursued by Mrs May's predecessor David Cameron, MPs have found themselves in an increasingly precarious relationship with their constituents. The extent of the estrangement was underlined by the Brexit referendum vote itself, in which a slim majority voted Leave in defiance of a solidly pro-Remain consensus at Westminster. The MPs now have to calculate whether they, or Mrs May and her ministers, are more likely to be blamed for the failure should they refuse the deal she is selling (was the parrot dead, or did you kill it?). They are keenly aware that such a move might precipitate a general election unleashing a furious public on them at the very moment of crisis and even calls for a second referendum, a prospect the Brexiteers must view with particular horror. Loading For Mrs May and her negotiating partners in Brussels, the question is not as one British newspaper put it whether "a rump of [Tory] Brexiteers" could really pit themselves against the gravitas of French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel; rather it is whether that rump believe their own publicity about what a no-deal Brexit would mean. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson has already dismissed anxieties over a no-deal Brexit by comparing them to fears over the Millennium bug, while former Brexit secretary David Davis declared: "I don't find 'no deal' intimidating at all." In a sense, Britons are back where they found themselves two years ago, with one side claiming that no deal would be a hugely irresponsible leap in the dark and the other suggesting it would give Britain control over its finances, borders and everything else and never the twain shall meet. In the hours before and after the journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a senior aide who allegedly oversaw the assassination exchanged multiple messages, according to people familiar with the matter. The communications between the two men are another piece of evidence tying the crown prince to the killing of Khashoggi, a former palace insider turned prominent critic, who also was a contributing columnist to The Washington Post. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is believed to be responsible for journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder. Credit:AP The CIA included the existence of the messages in its classified assessment that Mohammed is likely to have ordered Khashoggi's death, a view that agency officials have shared with members of Congress and the White House. Mohammed exchanged the messages on October 2 with Saud al-Qahtani, one of his closest aides and a fierce public supporter who has kept a blacklist of those he deems disloyal to the kingdom. The content of the messages, and what form the messages took, was not known, according to people familiar with the matter. Washington: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has doubled down on US support for Saudi Arabia's crown prince, saying there was "no direct evidence" linking Mohammed bin Salman to the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. His remarks to CNN came just hours after the Wall Street Journal reported that the CIA believes Crown Prince Mohammed sent 11 messages to an adviser who oversaw the killing of Khashoggi in the hours before and after the murder. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Credit:Bloomberg US media reports previously said the CIA had concluded that the crown prince had ordered the killing of Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate building in Istanbul in October. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Argentina on the sidelines of the G20 summit that Khashoggi was strangled to death in seven and-a-half minutes. All of this is a far cry from where the NRA began. Founded as a hunting and gun-safety organisation, its first several decades were marked by training classes and, occasionally, a willingness to advocate for gun-control laws. NRA members believed that by restricting guns that represented a real danger to people, they would be able to safeguard guns meant for sport and hunting. While Republicans have increasingly fallen silent about gun control, the NRA has grown increasingly shrill. Since the 1990s, the organisations rhetoric has grown more and more apocalyptic. From Charlton Hestons cry in 2000 that the government could have his gun when they prised it from his cold, dead hands to Dana Loeschs call in 2017 to fight the left with the clenched fist of truth, the organisation has built its messaging around fear and violent resistance. Perhaps that makes sense: after all, Democrats strongly support gun control, while such reforms are the third rail of GOP politics. Pro-gun-control comments would doom a Republican politician, which is, perhaps, why few ever make them even after a gunman opened fire on Republican members of Congress during a morning baseball practice session. That changed in the 1970s, as the NRA saw itself more as the advance guard for anti-government survivalists than for sport-shooters and hunters. This new alliance was built on the feeblest justification that men with assault weapons could defend themselves against a government with a nuclear arsenal and the most advanced military in the world but throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, the image of the NRA was more men facing off against government officials than recreational deer hunters facing off against a chilly forest and a few seven-point bucks. The NRAs shift dovetailed perfectly with the Republican Partys embrace of anti-government rhetoric in the same period. Already well matched, the bonds between the NRA and the GOP grew even closer after the gun reforms of the 1990s. They would both warn conservatives that Democrats were coming for their guns, conservatives would increase their donations to the NRA, the NRA would increase its donations to the Republican Party, conservatives would vote for their NRA-endorsed representative, and that representative would ultimately vote against even the mildest of gun-control measures. So it is that after two decades that have witnessed more than 1000 mass shootings in the United States, gun laws are laxer than ever. No wonder proponents of gun reform have drawn hope from the news of the NRAs failing fortunes. But those hopes should be tempered by the timing of the decreased donations. In 2017, Republicans controlled all three branches of the federal government. Donald Trump appointed his first of two Supreme Court judges and the Republicans lock on Congress seemed unbreakable. Even as gun-control advocacy grew and public opinion moved more sharply towards regulation, no pathway existed for gun reform to pass. The midterms put Democrats back in power in the House, but that still doesnt provide an opening for change. As long as Republicans remain in power and in hock to the NRA gun devotees in America have little to fear from the federal government. The NRAs coffers may be a little lighter as we move into 2019, but that doesnt mean that its power has ebbed or that Americans will be able to make their country safer in the months and years ahead. As special counsel Robert Mueller moves toward the summation of his investigation - and whatever his eventual report produces - there is no escaping the sleaze factor that existed around President Donald Trump before and during his campaign for the White House in 2016. It was there in the presence of Paul Manafort, who arrived at the campaign in the spring of 2016 and lasted until embarrassing and continued disclosures about his past work with pro-Russian officials in Ukraine forced him to step aside, and whose recent plea agreement was tossed out this past week because prosecutors say he has continued to lie to them. Michael Cohen walks out of federal court after pleading guilty to lying to Congress about work he did on an aborted project to build a Trump Tower in Russia. Credit:AP/Julie Jacobson It was there in the presence of Michael Cohen, Trump's longtime personal lawyer and fixer, who did the deals and arranged the payoffs that were designed to suppress damaging information about Trump and other women during the final months of the campaign and whose new guilty plea about lying to Congress has put renewed focus on the president's words and actions. It was there in the presence of Roger Stone, a practitioner of the dark arts of politics and a one-time business partner with Manafort, who acted over the years as a political adviser and confidant to Trump and whose apparent knowledge of leaks of emails damaging to Hillary Clinton's campaign has put him in the crosshairs of the Mueller team. Al Sharpton Sells His Life Story Rights for Over Half a Million Dollars To His Own Charity Al Sharptons own charity has reportedly bought the rights to his life story for over half a million dollars, according to a report by the New York Post. Tax filings cited by The Post are said to reveal that Sharptons charityThe National Action Network (NAN)committed to paying the preacher $531,000 for his life story rights for a 10-year period. The story could hypothetically be sold down the road at a profit to those wanting to produce a book or film documenting the activist preachers life. Sharpton told The Post that movie deals alone could be sold for at least three times what the charity paid for them. He told the paper that the initiative was thought up by several unnamed NAN board members as a way to provide the organization with future streams of revenue. He said they wanted to create a source of revenue for the civil rights organization after he steps down in about a year. This way they make a profit from the beginning and all of the revenues, he said of the civil rights organizations plans to secure funding after he steps down. Sharptons list of credentials runs long, including founder and president of NAN, civil rights activist, Baptist minister, television/radio talk show host, and former White House adviser for President Barack Obama. Obama described him as the voice of the voiceless and a champion for the downtrodden. Sharpton told The Post there was interest from multiple sources in memorializing his legacy. He said he had signed contracts for two movies, and a third was being negotiated. He cited additional assets, including a recording where James Brown is singing and hes talking, and video footage of him with Michael Jackson, as potential valuable revenue streams for NAN. Youve got real property here. Youre not talking about just me as an activist. These are non-related NAN things that are the saleable items, he said, according to the report. Potential for Funny Business Legal experts cited by The Post said that for a nonprofit to do deals with its president is potentially treacherous territory. If not done carefully, it could threaten a charitys tax-exempt status. Marcus Owens, a former IRS official and a partner with the Loeb & Loeb law firm in Washington told The Post that if a charity pays too much for assets of the type it paid to Sharpton, it could violate tax rules regarding excess benefits given to a nonprofits key officials. Sharpton told The Post that the value of the assets that were part of the transaction was formally appraised, while tax filings showed that the boards executive committee independently approved the deal. But Linda Sugin, a Fordham University Law School professor and associate dean, questioned the impartiality of the decision. In this case, its really difficult because of his role in the organization and just because of his overall influence, Sugin said. When I see this kind of thing, it just makes me roll my eyes because theres so much potential for funny business, she added. A less controversial way for NAN to benefit from the sale of Sharptons story rights would have been for him to sell the rights to a production company and donate part of the proceeds. Alaska Earthquake Aftermath Displayed in Pictures ANCHORAGE, Alaska was rocked by a magnitude 7 earthquake early in the morning of Nov. 30and was then shaken further by almost 200 aftershocks. Miraculously, no one was killed, but hospitals have been treating numerous patients for minor injuries, mostly lacerations caused by broken glass, and at least one broken bone. One person suffered severe burns after breathing in flames while fighting a fire in his home, caused by the quake, Anchorage Daily News reported. Governor Bill Walker declared a state of disaster a few hours after the first shocks were felt. (1/2) After a major earthquake, I have issued a declaration of disaster & I have been in direct contact with the White House. Major General Laurie Hummel & I are now working w emergency responders to make sure Alaskans are safe. Governor Bill Walker (@AkGovBillWalker) November 30, 2018 People walk along Vine Road in Wasilla, Alaska, after the 7.0 earthquake, Nov. 30, 2018, (Jonathan M. Lettow/AP) According to seismologists, Alaska hasnt felt an earthquake this power since 1964. What happened in Anchorage was an emotionally disturbing event, a lot of people were very scared, state seismologist Michael West told Anchorage Daily News. Cases of beer lie jumbled in a walk-in cooler at Value Liquor in Anchorage, Alaska after the earthquake, Nov. 30, 2018. (Dan Joling/AP Photo) Descriptions of the damage cannot convey the power of this event. Luckily, in this age of ubiquitous cell-phone cameras, there are numerous photographs and video clips that can convey the power of these earthquakes and aftershocks, and which can evoke some of the emotions residents felt when their world started shaking. Days of Cleanup Ahead Some of the aftershocks register 5 on the Richter scale, with the strongest hitting 5.7. While the regions population went mostly unscathed, the infrastructure did not fare so well. Roads were ripped and twisted, and bridges collapsed from the upheavals. Governor Walker told AP he expected it would take more than a week or two to repair all the damaged roads. Most of the buildings held up, though most things on shelves or hanging on walls ended up on the floor. The amount of infrastructure damage has been mitigated in large part by how we build things here and the level of preparation, Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz told reporters after the quake. Many residents in the region lost power, but it had mostly been restored by the next morning. Anchorage Municipal Manager Bill Falsey told AP that his workers were responding to reports of 28 water main ruptures, some of which flooded homes. Schools were closed Friday. Some were damaged considerably. One student, Josh Bierma, posted video and photos saying, The earthquake cracked my school in half. This earthquake straight cracked my school in half pic.twitter.com/kdm1O1yjb6 Josh Bierma (@jlennyb) November 30, 2018 Alaskans were lucky that the states normal wintry weather has held off so far. The temperature has been at least ten degrees above the norm for early Decemberinstead of sheets of ice covering the streets, Anchorage residents are walking through puddles. The unseasonably warm weather will make clean-up a little more pleasant, and will possibly speed up road repair, as the ground isnt frozen harder than iron. Snow started to fall lightly immediately after the first quake, but weekend highs should be in the mid-30s, Accuweather reported. From NTD News American Woman, 20, Dies After Drinking Tainted Booze at Luxury Mexican Resort: Family Lawsuit The family of a Wisconsin woman is claiming that she died while drinking a tainted alcoholic beverage while on vacation, according to a new lawsuit. Abbey Conner, 20, of Pewaukee, was staying at a luxury resort in Playa Del Carmen in 2017 when she and her brother, Aaron, were allegedly given a shot of liquor. They took the shot with a group of people. Aaron, 22, told officials that he woke up inside an ambulance when he regained consciousness, but he didnt know what happened, reported the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on Nov. 28. Local Mexican officials later told their parents that Abbey was found in the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar pool, unresponsive, and floating face down. Staffers told her parents she was rushed to a hospital after a guest reported two people drowning on the hotels premises. When Abbeys parents arrived at the hospital, they saw her on a ventilator. She was taken to another hospital in Cancun before hospital officials demanded the family pay $6,300 and make a $10,000 deposit before she could be moved, the Journal-Sentinel reported. Instead, Abbey was rushed to a trauma center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, hundreds of miles away. Doctors informed her family that her brain no longer functioned, and the paper reported that her death was ruled as an accidental drowning. In the new lawsuit, her parents claim the hotel and Visit Us, the hotels U.S.-based booking company, are liable in her death. Alcohol unfit for human consumption was being served there, they said. Iberostar and Visit Us, knew that alcoholic beverages being served at the Hotel Iberostar Paraiso del Mar were tainted, substandard, poisonous, unfit for human consumption and/or otherwise failed to meet bare minimum standards for food and beverage safety, and it did not do its duty to protect Abbey against risks of physical harm, the suit claims. The lawsuit was filed in a circuit court in Florida. I think its about time that somebody is held responsible for something that has been going on for far too long, said Bill Conner, her father. Were looking for justice for my daughter and for others behind us that have never been vindicated. Bill Conner told ABC News last year: Were lucky we didnt lose both of our kids. She was healthy, but for some reason, she drowns in a pool. Waist deep its unbelievable. Bad Booze? Attorney Gary Davidson, who is representing the family, said it is unusual that both Abbey and her brother lost consciousness after a few drinks. Theres a big difference between being drunk and losing self-control, he told the paper this week. Combine that with what we know has happened in the Playa del Carmen area over the last few years. Clearly there is a fundamental problem, or there was at the time when Abbey died, as a result of having consumed this concoction, whatever it was, which was portrayed as normal alcohol, which it was not. Several months after the womans death, Mexican officials seized 10,000 gallons of illicit alcohol from two resorts in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, where Abbey was served the bad booze, according to the New York Post. An Assessment of Chinas Space Program at the 12th Zhuhai Airshow This article is the fourth in a series of four reports on Airshow China, a biannual exhibition held in Zhuhai city, China. This years Zhuhai Airshow, held Nov. 611, emphasized Chinas technical progress in its Peoples Liberation Army (PLA)-controlled space program, affirming earlier indications of the Beijing regimes strategic ambitions in space. Highlights included affirmations that China is beginning a new effort to create the next generation of space launch vehicles (SLVs), and a Lunar Gateway architecture of spacecraft that could accelerate its arrival on the moon, competing with U.S. programs to reach the moon, and even those of private companies such as SpaceX. At Zhuhai, China also indicated that its on track to begin assembling its manned Low Earth Orbit Space Station, and is successfully encouraging new private space companies, some of which may seek to rival U.S. private space companies. Manned Access to Moon in the 2020s This years show confirmed some earlier Chinese revelations pointing to Chinas decision to accelerate its race to get to the moon, at a minimum, potentially matching NASA plans to build a Lunar Gateway to facilitate early and economical manned access to the moon. The goal of the United States is to have a small four-person space station in Cis-Lunar space orbiting the moon by the mid-2020s, but then to build a lander capable of ferrying astronauts between the Cis-Lunar space station and the moons surface. This effort could put Americans on the moon again by the late 2020s, perhaps by 2028. Informal Chinese sources suggest that Chinas next-generation manned space vehicles could put Chinese on the moon at about the same time, or by 2027. That would be sooner than the current timetable for China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporations (CASC) very large 10-meter-diameter (32.8 feet) Long March-9 (LM-9/CZ-9), which would be capable of powering 50 tons to Lunar Transfer Orbit (LTO) to the moon and is expected to fly by the early 2030s. Some Chinese commentators speculate financial resources may be shifting from Long March-9 development to the new SLV. Just before the Zhuhai show, Chinese officials speaking at the Oct. 23 Fifth Manned Space Conference in Beijing began to reveal an effort to accelerate Chinas path to the moon, primarily redirecting its efforts toward a new smaller 5-meter-diameter (16.4 feet) SLV with only a 25-ton LTO capability, capable of being completed in the early 2020s. A new, unnamed SLV model was featured at the Zhuhai show; it would exploit existing Chinese liquid-fuel engine technology and rocket technology from the 5-meter diameter Long March-5. But Chinese reports note it also will incorporate some technology advances known to have been developed by SpaceX, such as supercooling liquid oxygen to increase carriage, and using lighter weight, composite structure fuel tanks. At Zhuhai, a CASC official said that key technologies could be completed by 2019, meaning the SLV could be ready by the early-to-mid 2020s. China also displayed a partial model of a new manned space capsule, approved for development in 2014, which is expected to be Chinas main manned spaceship to reach the moon. It will be built in two versions, a 14-ton version for Low Earth Orbit missions, and a 20-ton version for lunar transport missions. It will carry four to six passengers, compared to the three carried by the current Shenzhou space capsule. It also was revealed at the Oct. 23 conference that China may build its own Gateway like the Cis-Lunar small space stationand develop a moon landing vehicle. Space Station Core Module on Display For the first time, at this years Zhuhai show, China displayed a full-size replica of the core module of its future space station, called Tianhe, which could be launched as early as 2020 by a new Long March-5B SLV. By 2022, Tianhe will be joined by two 20- to 21-ton experimental modules called Wengtian and Mengtian, resulting in an initial operating weight of 60 to 80 tons. Additional modules could be added, eventually raising the stations weight to 160-180 tons. At its initial weight, the Chinese space station could host up to three passengers. China has invited international participants, and the first visitor may be an astronaut from Pakistan, in 2022. One of the space stations experimental modules has an area that could be used to place optical systems for observing deep space or the Earth, raising the issue of how the PLA-controlled space station might undertake dual use military missions. The space station, under current plans, will be accompanied by a separate platform, flying in formation, which would contain space observing telescopes, but also other instruments that could be replaced by the space station. This platform might also be used to carry military payloads. Final Comments The 12th Zhuhai exhibition provided some confirmation that China intends to accelerate its efforts to reach the moon, potentially striving to arrive there at around the same time the United States may make its return. Control of the moon would be a major objective for China, both to ensure its access to moon resources and to gain the strategic position necessary to deny access to the United States and other space-faring democracies. Some sources indicate that the PLA is actively planning for conflict on the moon, and to militarily exploit the moon to increase PLA control of the Earth-moon system. That would assist Chinas ability to prevail in conflicts on Earth, while also enabling Beijing to determine which countries may benefit from a future space economy. Rick Fisher is a senior fellow with the International Assessment and Strategy Center and author of Chinas Military Modernization: Building for Regional and Global Reach. Director and cast member Angelina Jolie and her husband and co-star Brad Pitt pose at the premiere of "By the Sea" during the opening night of AFI FEST 2015 in Hollywood, California, U.S., November 5, 2015. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters) Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt Reach Child Custody Agreement LOS ANGELESDivorcing 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 to 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. 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 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 favor. 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. By Jill Serjeant China Ramps Up Imports of US Pork as African Swine Fever Spreads Demand for untainted meat is trumping Beijings tariffs Last week, China imported 3,348 metric tons of pork from the United States and ordered another 9,384 metric tonsthe largest amount since Communist Party authorities boosted tariffs on U.S. pork in April. China has been plagued by an epidemic of African swine fever, with the disease affecting pigs in many provinces, including the provincial-level municipalities of Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chongqing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Nov. 29 that China ordered 12,732 tonnes of pork in the week ended Nov. 22, 3,348 tonnes of which will be shipped this year, and the rest delivered in 2019. Its Chinas largest order of U.S. pork since February, before the start of the Sino-U.S. trade war. In 2017, China was the second-largest buyer of U.S. pork. Total purchases amounted to 495,637 metric tons, valued at $1.08 billion, according to a report by Pig Progress. On April 2, Chinese authorities increased tariffs on U.S. pork to 37 percent from 12 percent, slashing large procurements. In July, China further increased tariffs to 62 percent, which is 50 percent higher than the 12 percent levied by other countries. However, African swine fever is forcing Chinese importers to buy American, despite high tariffs. Its kind of like, why do you buy from your enemy? Because you have to, Don Roose, president of Iowa-based broker U.S. Commodities, told Reuters. This is a game changer, Dennis Smith, a senior account executive at Archer Financial Services Inc., told Bloomberg. It gives confirmation that the disease is far worse than what weve been told. On Nov. 29, Chinas Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced an outbreak of African swine fever on a pig farm in Tianjin. Of the farms 361 pigs, 67 died. African swine fever is presently not known to affect humans. According to officials, Chinese outbreaks began in Shenyang, a city in northeastern Chinas Liaoning Province, and have since spread to most of the country. Farmers in the northern provinces of Hebei and Shandong say the disease has affected their areas as well, but that hasnt been officially confirmed. More than 600,000 pigs have been euthanized and discarded in past months to help prevent the disease from spreading. Regions least affected are the northwestern and southwestern parts of China. Taiwans state-run Central News Agency (CNA) reported in August that Chinese importers found an alternative to U.S. pork by purchasing 240,000 metric tons of Siberian pork from Russia. There was a Siberian outbreak of African swine fever in 2017, which prompted many countries to ban imports of Russian pork. According to CNA, Russian pork is the likely source of Chinas swine fever crisis. One reason that Chinese importers are shrugging off tariffs to buy U.S. pork at this time seems to be as preparation for higher consumption of pork sausages and smoked pork during the Chinese New Year holidays in February. Baltimore Woman Killed After Rolling Down Car Window to Give Woman Money, Officials Say A Baltimore woman died after she stopped to help a person who she thought was in need, according to reports on Dec. 1. Jacquelyn Smith, 52, was killed at around 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 1 as she sat in her car with two relatives after she attended a family gathering, Fox Baltimore reported. KILLED WHILE GIVING| 52-year-old woman stabbed to death in East Baltimore WBFF FOX 45 She was in the front passenger seat when she saw a woman who appeared to be holding a baby and a sign asking for help. This was a good Samaritan who saw an individual holding a sign, who appeared to be down on her luck, said Jeremy Silbert, a Baltimore police spokesman. So, they stopped the car and gave her money. When she rolled down a window, a man approached the vehicle to thank her for the donation. He then tried to take her wallet, leading to a confrontation, before he stabbed her in the chest, officials said. The man and woman fled the scene. Smiths family took her to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, the Fox affiliate report stated. The stabbing suspect is described as a black male who is 6 feet tall with a goatee and around 30 years of age. The female is about 5 feet, 4 inches tall and is black. Anyone with information is being asked to call detectives at (410) 396-2100. Police want to identify and locate both suspects. Other details about the incident are not clear. The Baltimore Sun reported that 284 people have been killed in the city so far in 2018. Baltimore saw 18 murders in November, which is a drop from the 35 people killed the month before. Baltimore Crime on the Rise There were several shootings on Saturday in Baltimore. Police also responded to two shootings Saturday. About 10:35 a.m., police found a 39-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body near the 1900 block of Druid Hill Avenue. He was taken to an area hospital, where he is in critical but stable condition. About two hours later, officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 400 block of Lyman Avenue, where a man was suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg, the Sun reported. In a September report, The Associated Press said Baltimores homicide rate has hit a record high, deadlier than Chicago or Detroit. Crime statistics released by the FBI place Baltimores homicide rate last year well above that of any other large American metropolis, making it an anomaly in the national crime landscape for U.S. cities with populations over 500,000 people. The 342 homicides notched last year in Marylands biggest city yielded a punishing homicide rate of 56 per 100,000 people, according to the FBIs annual Crime in the United States report released Monday. Earlier this year, Baltimore had announced 343 slayings for the year, but three deaths were reclassified, eventually bringing the total to 342 in the city of roughly 615,000 inhabitants. The per capita rate was a record high for the city. Violent Crime Down in 2018 The FBI said that in 2017 violent crime had dropped by 0.2 percent, according to a release, but aggravated and rape offenses increased by a respective 1.0 percent and 2.5 percent. The murder rate dropped by 0.7 percent, the agency said. In 2017, there were an estimated 1,247,321 violent crimes. The estimated number of robbery offenses decreased 4.0 percent, and the estimated number of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter offenses decreased 0.7 percent when compared with estimates from 2016. The estimated volume of aggravated assault and rape (revised definition) offenses increased 1.0 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, said the FBI. The agency added: By violent crime offense, the arrest rate for murder and nonnegligent manslaughter was 3.8 per 100,000 inhabitants; rape (aggregate total using the revised and legacy definition), 7.2; robbery, 29.3; and aggravated assault, 120.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Students line up to receive french fries and chicken tenders during lunch in the cafeteria at a high school in Austin, Texas. (Jana Birchum/Getty Images ) Cafeteria Workers Allegedly Threw Students Lunch in Trash After Boy Couldnt Pay, Woman Claims School issues statement: 'The child was fed and the family has no problem with how the matter was handled' A student was reportedly denied a lunch at a high school in Alabama because he couldnt pay. Then, the lunch was thrown into the trash, a woman claimed. The woman, Laurie Brown, said the student was transferred to Foley High School in Baldwin County due to the impacts from Hurricane Michael, which hit the southern United States in October. On Facebook, Brown wrote: The student that was behind her (that got the chicken sandwich, fries an orange and a drink) is trying to charge his lunch to his account. Did I mention that this was this childs first day at Foley High school? Anyway, the cafeteria lady proceeds to tell his child that he cant charge his lunch. Her words were no money, no lunch. And then of all things she takes his tray, the tray complete with a chicken sandwich, fries, an orange, and a drink, AND THROWS IT IN THE TRASH!!!! UPDATE: I called the high school this morning and spoke to asst. principal Webb. She was very nice and really helpful. Laurie Sumrall Brown Brown is the parent of another student, WKRG reported. A source in the school told the station that Browns post isnt entirely accurate. They said the student was in the school for two weeks, and his parents had met with school officials about the incident. Superintendent Eddie Tyler issued a statement on the matter, saying no child will go hungry. We have investigated the matter reported at our school about a childs lunch being thrown away and fed a sandwich. Out of respect to the familys privacy, all we can say is that the child was fed and the family has no problem with how the matter was handled, he said. He added that his school district serves about 10,000 free or reduced lunches every day. In a later update, Brown wrote: I called the high school this morning and spoke to asst. principal Webb. She was very nice and really helpful. She called Emma [another student] and the boy into her office to question them about yesterday. She assured me that the lunch situation has been taken care of so everybody can rest easy. She said that she asked the student if he saw his lunch being thrown in the garbage and he said he didnt. But Emma said she witnessed the tray being dumped in the trash. Mrs. Webb said that it could have happened and the boy may not have seen it. Mrs. Webb explained that once a student touches a tray they cant give that tray out to another student, Brown continued. Tylers full statement read: Today we have been dealing with questions about our school systems lunchroom policy, prompted by a Facebook post, and we want to make it clear that no child in our system will go hungry or without a meal regardless of his or her economic means. Every day we feed nearly 10,000 free and reduced lunches through the Federal Lunch Program that our school system cafeterias offer. The National School Lunch Program is a federal meal program that operates in public and nonprofit private schools, says the U.S. Department of Agricultures website. Further, our employees are dedicated to our students and would not let a child go hungry. Many volunteer their time and money to help families in need. We have investigated the matter reported at our school about a childs lunch being thrown away and fed a sandwich. Out of respect to the familys privacy, all we can say is that the child was fed and the family has no problem with how the matter was handled, Tyler said. Chorus of International Criticism Grows for Chinas Recent Ramping-Up of Falun Gong Persecution in Chinese Province The U.S. government and international experts are calling on Beijing to ends its persecution of the spiritual practice Falun Gong, after a recent leaked document purportedly from Chinese authorities in a northeastern province revealed that efforts to suppress the group have intensified. On Nov. 21, Bitter Winter, an English-language online magazine published by Italy-based nonprofit Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), made public a document from the Liaoning Province branch of the secret police force known as the 610 Office. It is an extralegal state police that was established by former Chinese Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin in 1999 for the sole purpose of carrying out the persecution of Falun Gong. Falun Gong, also known as a Falun Dafa, is an ancient spiritual practice based on meditative exercises and moral teachings of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The groups enormous popularityofficial estimates place the number of adherents in China at 70 to 100 million by the late 1990swas viewed by Jiang as a threat to his rule. On July 20, 1999, Jiang launched a country-wide persecution to round up practitioners and throw them into prisons, brainwashing centers, labor camps, and psychiatric wardsin an effort to force them to abandon their faith. The 610 Office was granted full rein to operate above the law and at all levels of administration. The leaked document from Liaoning Province called for proactive attacks, high-pressure intimidation and the establishment of special task forces, as key to an overall heightened effort to persecute the group. That would include greater surveillance on Chinese social media, the document stated. Adherents social media accounts and chat groups would be monitored and censored, for the goal of stopping them from spreading messages about the spiritual exercise. The document states that the intensified campaign was launched in October and will continue until December this year. In an email interview with the Chinese-language The Epoch Times, Massimo Introvigne, editor-in-chief of Bitter Winter and founder of CESNUR, a nonprofit that promotes research in religious faiths and advocates for religious freedom explained how the leaked document revealed the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) tactics in persecuting Falun Gong. We should go out of the logic that the CCP persecutes some groups because they are extremist or potentially (or actually) violent. This is just Chinese propaganda, wrote Introvigne, adding that the CCP simply persecute groups that grow rapidly and are perceived as potentially threatening for the Communist Partys cultural hegemony. Fake news about extremist teachings and violence are created later in order to justify the persecution. The Chinese regime has labeled Falun Gong and other minority faiths as heretical sects to vilify them and turn public opinion against the groups and their adherents. Introvigne added, Informing the international public opinion is very important. This is why we launched Bitter Winter and we also applaud the campaigns of The Epoch Times. Tina Mufford, deputy director of research and policy at the federal agency, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, called the document alarming and troubling. It is a signal that the international community needs to pay more attention to marginalized communities, like the Falun Gong, that are erroneously label as cults, in a telephone interview with the Chinese-language The Epoch Times. Mufford added, It is so shocking because these are individuals who have done nothing wrong; they have broken no laws; theyve committed no crimes; and yet, the Chinese authorities are targeting them and arresting them. The document also noted that anyone who contributes information to the U.S.-based Minghui.org, a website dedicated to documenting the persecution of Falun Gong in China, will be targeted by the 610 police. The authorities will also step up the knocking on doors campaign, which was undertaken by local authorities across China to persecute the group beginning in March 2017, according to Minghui.org. This campaign involves teams of police visiting homes of adherents to probe whether they are still practicing the spiritual exercise. Rosita Soryte, president of the Italy-based International Observatory of Religious Liberty of Refugees (ORLIR), a research group that studies and advocates for refugees escaping religious persecution, wrote that the alarming development shows that the Chinese authorities are continuing their policy of persecution, torture and extermination rather then dialogue and mutual respect and understanding. in an email interview with the Chinese-language The Epoch Times. Alarming Development Liaoning, and multiple provinces in Chinas northeastern region, have recently conducted large scale arrests of Falun Gong adherents. On Nov. 12, 17 Falun Gong adherents in Dalian City in Liaoning, were arrested by local police as part of a coordinated operation. According to Minghui.org, three of the arrested were of the same family with the surname Chen, whose homes were also illegally ransacked by the police who took them away. One of the arrested has since been released, but the status of the other 16 are not known. Just three days earlier, on Nov. 9, 119 Falun Gong adherents from the cities of Harbin and Daqing, in northern Chinas Heilongjiang Province, were kidnapped by the police, according to Minghui.org. One of the arrested was named Yang Tianjia, who was taken from his home at around 5 p.m. on Nov. 9. According to Minghui.org, the police convinced Yang to open the door after claiming that his house had a water leak. Jin Xu was arrested at about 6:30 a.m on Nov. 9. According to Minghui.org, the police confiscated his three printers, one computer, about 4,000 yuan (about $574), and Falun Gong books. On the eve of current Chinese leader Xi Jinpings meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. House of Representative Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, noted that the recent Heilongjiang kidnappings were evidence of the CCPs ongoing persecutiona black mark on recent Chinese history. The human rights abuses against Falun Gong adherents include being subject to forced organ harvesting, wrote Congressman Smith. He added, I have urged President Trump to raise religious freedom issues with Xi Jinping, and asked that he discuss the massive persecution of Falun Gong and other religious communities as both a security issue and one that harms the Chinese economy. Investigations by the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC), a transplant ethics group consisting of medical doctors, lawyers, academics, and other researchers, have revealed that large numbers of Falun Gong adherents have been killed for their organs, which are used in Chinas lucrative organ transplant industry. According to incomplete data by Minghui.org, the ongoing persecution has resulted in at least 4,235 confirmed deaths of Falun Gong adherents as of November 2018. The true number is likely higher due to the difficulty of transmitting sensitive information out of China. Other large-scale arrests recently reported by Minghui.org include eight arrested in Suihua City in Heilongjiang on Oct. 3; 20 arrested in Changchun, the capital of northeastern Chinas Jilin Province on Oct. 12; and more than 7 arrested in Chengdu, the capital of southwestern Chinas Sichuan Province on Oct. 31. Dog the Bounty Hunter Says Its Not the End of the Road After Wifes Surgery Duane Dog the Bounty Hunter Chapman is staying positive after his wife, Beth, underwent surgery on tuesday, Nov. 27, to remove a cancerous growth in her throat. Another bend in the road, yet not the end of the road, #faith, #love #stayhumblepray. Beth Chapman, Duane Chapman wrote on Facebook on Nov. 29 on Facebook. It shows a photo of him and Beth in bed. "Another bend in the road, yet not the end of the road,#faith, #love #stayhumblepray." Beth Chapman Duane "Dog" Chapman It comes after Duane told TMZ that his wife is not doing good after the surgery. Beth went on Instagram on the evening of Dec. 1, reposting kind words from a friend, Rainy Robinson, with the couple. holding hands. It is the small things He indeed holds her heart in his hands. In the wee hours as we await the call of her emergence from the event, I am struck by many things, the caption read. There isnt much to do while you wait. Literally time feels like its standing still. So, you think. You watch. While many dont understand the chaos and super cells this family weathers, Robinson continued. I do. They are indeed the crazy glue that keeps each other together. They fight large and love even larger. I watch as the patriarch fields content contact from the outside wanting any shred of news. Beth is still at the hospital recovering from Tuesdays surgery, the Chapmans family lawyer, Andrew Brettler, told ETOnline that same day. Her family is with her and she is trying to stay in good spirits. Were all still rooting for her and her doctors, who are working hard and running tests to come up with the best treatment option. Chapman said she was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2017. After months of a nagging cough, a routine checkup resulted in a diagnosis of stage 2 throat cancer, she wrote at the time. I have what is referred to as a T2 Tumor in my throat that is blocking my breathing. My doctors are suggesting immediate treatment and surgery before the disease progresses. In the fight against cancer, the two credited their familys faith. Faith is probably the number one thing in our lives, no matter what were faced with. Through this cancer episode, we had to drum up as much faith as we could. And the Bible talks about having faith as small as a mustard seed. And thats not much. And I thank God that we had at least that much faith to get her through that, Duane said at the time. Duane and Beth both rose to fame in the mid-2000s on their A&E series Dog the Bounty Hunter, which stopped airing in 2012. They had another show that aired from 2013 to 2015. Several months ago, Duane said he would join the search for an elusive fugitive who made posts on Facebook that he would shoot President Donald Trump and a local district attorney in Pennsylvania. He was hired by a friend of the then-fugitive, Shawn Christy. I have a very hot lead, Chapman told the Mansfield News Journal at the time. I have delivered messages to him. My goal is not to shoot him but get him to surrender. Christy was later captured by U.S. Marshals. Ex-FBI Head Comey Gives Up Bid to Block House Subpoena House lawmakers to question former FBI director behind closed doors Former FBI Director James Comey gave up his legal bid to quash a U.S. House of Representatives subpoena and indicated that hell appear for questioning in a closed-door session with lawmakers. Comey announced his decision on Dec. 2, two days after the legal team for the U.S. House of Representatives appeared in court to oppose his attempt to block a subpoena issued by the House Judiciary Committee. Hours later, Comeys attorneys filed paperwork (pdf) to withdraw the lawsuit, indicating that their client has reached an acceptable accommodation with the Judiciary Committee for voluntary testimony. Grateful for a fair hearing from judge, Comey wrote on Twitter. Hard to protect my rights without being in contempt, which I dont believe in. So will sit in the dark, but Republicans agree Im free to talk when done and transcript released in 24 hours. This is the closest I can get to public testimony. Before Comey made his decision public, the House Judiciary Committee announced on Twitter that it was expecting the former FBI head to withdraw his legal challenge and appear for a private deposition later this week. The subpoena (pdf) originally compelled Comey to appear on Dec. 3. The Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform are conducting a joint investigation into the actions taken and not taken by the FBI and Justice Department (DOJ) in 2016. The probe is specifically looking into the conduct of government officials in connection to the investigations of Hillary Clintons use of an unauthorized email server and allegations of collusion between associates of the Trump 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. Comey headed the FBI during both investigations. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued subpoenas to Comey and former Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Nov. 21. The next day Comey indicated that he planned to resist the subpoena. His lawyers filed a motion to quash the subpoena with the U.S. District Court in Washington on Nov. 30. In the court motion, Comeys attorneys allege that the closed-door setting of the deposition will subject the former FBI head to selective leaks used to promote a partisan political narrative. The motion further argued that the subpoena is in violation of House rules. House attorneys filed a response with the court on Nov. 30, citing, in part, a 1975 Supreme Court ruling which virtually insulates Congressional subpoenas from challenges like to Comeys. The house legal team called the ex-FBI heads court appeal 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. Comey chose to file a motion to quash despite clear Supreme Court precedent setting forth Congress authority to issue subpoenas compelling testimony before its committees, Goodlatte said in a statement. There was no need to use baseless litigation in an attempt to run out the clock on this Congress, and I am glad that it was withdrawn. According to the court documents, none of the 16 witnesses interviewed by the joint committees to date have resisted a closed-door deposition. The committees have spoken to some of the key players in the Clinton and Russia investigations, including former FBI agent Peter Strzok and former FBI lawyer Lisa Page. Strzok played a lead role in both probes. Special counsel Robert Mueller, who is heading the probe into the Russia investigation, removed Strzok from his team after reviewing text messages between Strzok and Page which revealed the pairs intense bias against Trump and in favor of Clinton. Strzok and Page, who were having an affair at the time, discussed an insurance policy in the unlikely event Trump won the presidency in 2016. Part of the House investigation focused on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant that the FBI secured to wiretap former Trump campaign volunteer Carter Page. FBI officials used a now-discredited dossier of opposition research on Trump as the core of a secret-court application to secure the warrant. A separate investigation by the House Intelligence Committee found that the opposition research dossier was funded by the Hillary Clinton Campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Christopher Steele, a former British spy, used second- and third-hand sources with ties to the Kremlin to compile the document. The FBI and DOJ included the dossier in the FISA application knowing that Steele had breached bureau policies by talking to the media and was opposed to Trump becoming president. The applicants also failed to disclose that Clinton paid for the dossier. Comey signed the initial application and two renewals. Trump fired Comey in May last year, triggering a series of developments that led to Muellers appointment. Comey admitted to leaking his FBI memos in hopes that a special counsel would be installed. At least one of the memos contained classified information, according to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). A group of 11 Republican lawmakers referred Comey for criminal investigation in April. In a letter (pdf) sent to the heads of the FBI and DOJ, they accuse Comey of leaking classified information and investigative misconduct. Comey has said that he wants to testify publicly instead of behind closed doors. In prior testimony to Congress, Comey used the public setting as a reason to not answer nearly 100 questions, according to Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.). A man uses his mobile phone in Cucuta, Colombia, in this file photo. (Luis Acosta/AFP/Getty Images) False Social Media Rumors Cause Wave of Lynchings Across Latin America BOGOTA, ColombiaPolice units were hastily dispatched on Oct. 26 to stop a mob of more than 150 people who had violently taken to the streets of Ciudad Bolivar, a mega-slum sprawling into the hills of southwestern Bogota, Colombias capital. The crowds, enraged by news disseminated via WhatsApp that Venezuelans were kidnapping young girls, began attacking the alleged suspects. Video footage shows one of the three victims laid out helplessly on the floor, blood streaming from his body as he is hit by seemingly endless rocks, kicks, and punches. Among the mob are young children, women, and the elderly, who scream thief and kill him over the wail of police sirens. Many of the vigilantes hold sticks; some wield machetes. The violence left three of the seven people injuredthe other four were police officersin intensive care. But 23-year-old Maikel Eduardo Mabello, who had recently fled political and economic turmoil in Venezuela, was not so fortunate, according to news source El Tiempo. Unable to flee the attack because of a chronic leg injury, he received a fatal stab wound to the chest. Fake News The police have since confirmed that Mabello was not actually Venezuelan, but a Colombian who had resided in the neighboring country for several years. Neither had he been involved in the kidnapping of children: The images of him circulating were one of six rumors, or fake news stories, refuted by the police in recent weeks. That same weekend in Medellin, Colombias second-largest city, another young man was left in intensive careagain due to rumors circulating via the messaging app of child-kidnapping. It is unknown who created the false accusations. Clearly there are people who are interested in generating panic and anxiety in citizens, the Secretary of Security for Bogota, Jairo Garcia, told local press. Eight individuals were investigated over the death of Mabello, but no one was charged. Similar incidents have now been reported in all four major Colombian cities. Local police asked citizens not to share fake news, to verify sources, and avoid taking justice into their own hands. They were unable to comment to The Epoch Times on the incidents or reveal how many cases have been recorded. WhatsApp Lynchings Lynchings caused by fake news or rumors dispersed via WhatsApp have been most prevalent in India, where at least 18 people have been lynched since April. A wave of similar cases across Latin America in recent months, however, suggests the trend is spreading. On Oct. 16, a nearly 1,000-strong mob enraged by WhatsApp rumors of child-kidnapping beat three individuals to death in Posorja, a village in southwestern Ecuador. In perhaps the most shocking case to date, a mother in the small town of Acatlan in Puebla, Mexico, witnessedvia a live Facebook streamher 21-year-old son and his 43-year-old uncle being burned alive by a mob charged by false rumors. A string of other lynchings have been reported across the continent from Brazil to Ecuador. Following political pressure in India, WhatsApp has limited the number of times a person can forward a message and has made it more difficult to forward video or image content on the platform. No such initiative has been taken in Latin America yet. An Echo Chamber While not as common in North America or Europe, WhatsApp is the second-most popular medium for consuming news after Facebook in every Latin American country analyzed by Reuters 2018 Digital News Report (Argentina, Brazil, and Chile), except in Mexico, where it is third. The app continues to gain popularity as a means for news consumption due to declining trust in news shared via Facebook, but according to experts, WhatsApp is equally flawedand potentially dangerous. WhatsApp, like Facebook, is an echo chamber, said Jose Luis Penarredonda, a Colombian journalist and researcher of fake WhatsApp news. Facebooks algorithm displays content users are more likely to agree with, and has been criticized globally for contributing to political polarization and disinformation. WhatsApp has a similar user-created effect as families and friends are unlikely to share unpopular opinions or content which could cause debate, Penarredonda said. The result is that inaccurate, potentially incendiary information spreads quickly and unchallenged. Also contributing to the rise of fake news in Latin America is a growing skepticism of big media, says Daniel Rivera, a consultant combating fake news. People create their own reality, he said, pointing to the medias failings, which have pushed many toward news shared via messaging apps or social media. To combat the trend, police forces across Latin America are campaigning via social media to increase awareness of fake WhatsApp chains and inform the public on how to identify disingenuous information. But as for prosecuting those responsible for disseminating false allegations, there is little the authorities can do. WhatsApps end-to-end encryption is strong, and penetrating it would be unlawful in most democratic states. Laws to prevent the sharing of fake news would not only be bad for democracy, they would be stupid as they are impossible to enforce, Penarredonda said. Giant Steer Knickers Isnt as Big as 6-foot 5-inch Dozer of Canada Scroll down to see Dozer A Canadian man has insisted that his steer is among of the largest in the world and even larger than Knickers, the steer from Australia that went viral earlier this week due to its large size. Karl Schoenrock, who runs Kismet Creek Farm, a sanctuary for animals near Winnipeg, Manitoba, said Dozer is about an inch taller than Knickers. RAISING THE STEAKS: Knickers, an Australian steer who stands at 64", gained internet fame this week. But Dozer, a Canadian Holstein Friesian, clocks in at 6'5" https://t.co/Tev9oeCs2x pic.twitter.com/YEb0M8xUXt ABC News (@ABC) December 2, 2018 Knickers was measured at 6 feet, 4 inches tall and Dozer reportedly is measured at 6 feet, 5 inches tall. Both are Holstein cows, according to the Daily Mail. Schoenrock recently measured the animal and found Dozer was 6 feet, 5 inches tall. In comparison, former Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan is 6 feet, 6 inches tall, and current Houston Rockets star James Harden is 6 feet, 5 inches tall. Hes just the friendliest animal, Schoenrock told the New York Post. Hes not very intimidating at all, except for his size. If you stood next to him hell just lay down next to you. He said Dozer, like Knickers, was saved from the slaughterhouse. A vegan woman named Rebecca Hanuschuk brought the cow to the sanctuary from a beef-producing farm in Alberta, Canada, the Post reported. I was reading out in their pasture one day and Dozer came to me. I just sat there looking at him until he came close enough for me to pet. After that, I went back to the pasture every day and we created a bond, Hanuschuk told Steinbach Online. Knickers the Giant Cow Has Some Big Competition, Dozer the Steer Claims He Is One Inch Taller https://t.co/YbWtN9woaz People (@people) November 30, 2018 As he kept getting older, his size kept getting bigger and I was taken aback. I was not expecting this to happen, she added, saying Dozer grew to 3,000 pounds. Its likely that Dozer wont live for too much longer, said Hanuschuk, due to his large size. He doesnt stop growing, said Hanuschuk. The tendons in his back legs are beginning to break down a bit as a result of his size. Knickers was spared because he is simply too large for slaughter, his owner said. Neither animal is a technically a cow, however. Both are steers, which are are bulls that have been castrated. Knickers is a Holstein-Friesian, a dairy breed known for being quite tall. (CNN) On average, Holsteins weigh about 1,500 pounds and are 58 inches tall at the shoulder. The Holsteins breed is known for being quite tall, according to an industry website about the animals. Holsteins are most quickly recognized by their distinctive color markings and outstanding milk production. Holsteins are large cattle with color patterns of black and white or red and white, it says. Knickerss Massive Appetite Every day, Knickers eats 70 pounds of natural green pasture and cereal grain, his owner, Geoff Pearson, said. He was always a standout who stood above the rest. We kept him on because we thought he had potential to be a big steer but never imagined hed grow to be this huge, Pearson told the publication. Its quite daunting being up close to him, hes far bigger than any other steer Ive had. But hes very placid, not aggressive, just inquisitive. In an undated photo, Fior Pichardo de Veloz, 55, has brought a lawsuit against a doctor and nurse at the Miami-Dade Corrections Department after she was mistakenly booked into a Florida jail as a man and forced to spend 10 hours in a holding cell with male inmates. (Miami-Dade Corrections Department) Grandmother Locked in Jail Cell With 40 Men Can Sue Staff for Negligence A federal judge in Florida has ruled that a lawsuit filed by a grandmother who was booked into a jail as a man may go ahead after the woman spent nearly 10 hours in a holding cell with male inmates. Fior Pichardo de Veloz, a 55-year-old attorney, was arrested back in 2013 on an outstanding drug charge, and subsequently strip searched, revealing she was a biological female, the Miami Herald reported. But Miami-Dade Corrections Department officials placed her in a holding cell after the jail doctor and nurse insisted Pichardo be booked as a man. The ruling, made by Judge Frank Hull on Nov. 21, means that Pichardo is now eligible to pursue a trial against Dr. Fredesvindo Rodriguez-Garcia and nurse Fatu Kamara Harris, of the Miami-Dade Corrections Department. A federal judge initially dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that prison staff were immune from a civil lawsuit for negligence. 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 Hull wrote in the unanimous opinion released Nov. 21. Nothing Abnormal Pichardo was booked at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, a female officer strip-searched her, according to the Miami Herald. The corrections officer later testified she did not notice anything abnormal about the detainee, who was issued an orange female jumpsuit. At one point nurse Harris asked Pichardo whether she was a man because her file noted that she was taking hormone pills, the court said in a statement cited by the Miami Herald. Pichardo was under hormone replacement therapy at the time to help with menopause symptoms, according to the report. Harris then allegedly repeatedly insisted Pichardo be classified as a man, the paper reported, despite all evidence pointing to her being a woman. The nurse was reportedly exposed to consistent and repeated information that Mrs. Pichardo was a woman and stubbornly refused to confirm Pichardos gender, according to the report. She at one point took Pichardo to be checked by the staff doctor, who did not perform a physical examination to verify Pichardos sex, failed to ask about her gender or why she was taking hormone pills before classifying her as a man, according to the report. Risk of Serious Harm The doctor knew that sending a woman to an all-male prison would pose a risk of serious harm to her safety, however, he took no steps to verify Mrs. Pichardos sex before re-classifying her as male, the court said. A woman taking hormone pills was mistakenly booked into jail as a man even though a strip search had already shown she was a woman. She was placed in a holding cell for hours, surrounded by leering male inmates. Now she's suing. https://t.co/NF7JyptgaM Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) November 30, 2018 Several corrections officers allegedly voiced concerns about placing Pichardo in a cell with men, but were brushed off, the paper reported. One jailer told the grandmother, You are a woman. Good luck if youre alive tomorrow, according to the court statement. Pichardo was remanded in a cell with about 40 men who laughed at her and yelled out Mami! Mami! She was so afraid to use the toilet, she urinated on herself instead, the court said. Male jailers allegedly mocked Pichardo and it wasnt until her family came to the jail that she was removed from the male cell. Over the past decade or so, the reasons to avoid products made in China have been piling up. (Unsplash) Holiday Shopping: Where to Find Toys That Are Not Made in China According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 88 percent of toys imported into the United States in 2016 came from China, slightly down from previous years. According to the Financial Times, that percentage decreased significantly in 2017, down to 82 percent. While there are many factors that contribute to such statistics, one wonders the reason for the decline. Could the growing awareness of quality and safety concerns of products made in China, along with human rights concerns, have resulted in a shift in consumer demand? Over the past decade or so, the reasons to avoid products made in China have been piling up, including the use of toxic materials, the neglect of safety standards, the horrific conditions in Chinese factories, and Chinas notorious human rights abuses. Many consumers are coming to see that a lower price at the cash register comes at a terrible cost. In addition to avoiding the negative aspects that come with toys manufactured in China, there are very positive benefits to eliminating China-made items from ones search. The quality is generally much better. Safety requirements are met and, more typically, exceeded. Just about all companies that are making truly sustainable or environmentally friendly products are, by definition, not manufacturing their products in China. Upright business practices are more likely to be benefiting those who produce the items youre buying. Whats more, you find unique items that may not have been heavily marketed in the mainstream but will benefit the growth and development of your child through imaginative play. With such a large percentage of toys still being imported from China, finding toys that are not made in China can be tedious. Some online retailers, to their credit, have made the job a bit easier. Here are five online shopping retailers that make finding toys not made in China a breeze, along with some advice about shopping on Amazon. The best place to start, Fat Brain Toys features an expansive catalog of educationally-minded toys and games. The company has been in business since 2002 and has earned its reputation as a go-to resource for enriching products for kids. Whats great about Fat Brain Toys website is that the search engine allows you to define the country of origin. On their website, utilize the gift bot, which can be found near the top, right-hand corner. From there you can set a number of search parameters including Not China. With that criterion selected, the quantity of choices is impressive. There are items to choose from for every age group and interest. Search not made in China, and youll be offered a reliable and extensive list of options that you can filter further as you wish. Oompa caters to younger children, featuring natural toys for imaginative play. You may be familiar with these companys catalogs. These sister brands of Plow & Hearth offer many educational and creative toys for kids of all ages. Hearth Song also features childrens clothing. Entering Made in USA in the search bar delivers a variety of choices that can be further pared down. Formerly The Land of Nod, this Crate & Barrel subsidiary carries enough items made in the USA that they deserve a mention. Search Made in USA in the search box to find both toys and home decor items for childrens spaces. What About Amazon? If you are going to Amazon it up this year, you can find toys there that are not made in China, but Amazon, unfortunately, doesnt offer country of origin as a search criterion. The key is to know what brands to look for. Some safe bets are Green Toys, Plan Toys, Roy Toy (Lincoln Logs), American Plastic Toys, Selecta, Bruder, Maple Landmark, Kathe Kruse, and Playmobil. You can feel pretty confident about Haba, most Lego, most Little Tikes, many Step2, some Crayola, some Matchbox, and even some Barbie toys. For the latter group, try to confirm elsewhere before buying from Amazon. If youre looking to give the children in your life wonderful gifts that theyll treasure and youll feel great about giving, seek out products that are not made in China. Theyre not as hard to find as you might think. With that as your starting point, youll come across high-quality, safe toys that children can enjoy for years and often even pass on to the next generation. A display featuring missiles and a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is seen at Baharestan Square in Tehran, Iran on September 27, 2017. (Nazanin Tabatabaee Yazdi/TIMA via Reuters) Iran Tests Medium-Range Ballistic Missile Capable of Multiple Warheads: Pompeo Iran has test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said on Saturday, Dec. 1. The missile has a range that allows it to strike parts of Europe and anywhere in the Middle East, he said. Its unclear when and where Iran conducted the test. Pompeo said Irans new missile testing violated UN Security Council Resolution 2231. He condemned the test and called upon Iran to cease immediately all activities related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Irans missile testing and missile proliferation are growing. We are accumulating risk of escalation in the region if we fail to restore deterrence, he warned. Pompeos statement came just days after a top Iranian general warned that U.S. military personnel and assets in the Middle East are within range of the countrys missiles. On Nov. 21, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander claimed that American aircraft carriers in the Gulf and military bases in Qatar, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates are within range of Iranian missiles. They are within our reach and we can hit them if they (Americans) make a move, Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the Revolutionary Guards airspace division, told a local state-run news outlet, according to Reuters. He described the American bases around Iran as easy meat for us, reported Iranian state-run mouthpiece Press TV. Hajizadeh also claimed the Revolutionary Guard has improved the precision of its missiles, saying it could specifically hit the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the Kandahar base in Afghanistan, and the Al Dhafra base in the United Arab Emirates. The comments came amid mounting tension between the United States and Iran. President Trump pulled out of a 2015 deal on Irans nuclear program in May and recently restored sanctions that were lifted under the agreement, which was partially brokered by former President Barack Obama. The Treasury Department said on Nov. 5 that the sanctions are the harshest ever imposed on Iran, and will target critical sectors of Irans economy, such as the energy, shipping and shipbuilding, and financial sectors. Pompeo Defends US-Saudi Partnership In a Nov. 28 op-ed, Pompeo defended the alliance with Saudi Arabia and warned that degrading U.S.-Saudi ties would be a grave mistake for the national security of the U.S. and its allies. He cited the threat from Iran as one reason for the US-Saudi partnership. [Irans] objectives are to spread the Islamic revolution from Tehran to Damascus, to destroy Israel, and to subjugate anyone who refuses to submit, starting with the Iranian people. An emboldened Iran would spread even more death and destruction in the Middle East, spark a regional nuclear-arms race, threaten trade routes, and foment terrorism around the world, Pompeo wrote. Pompeo has also affirmed theres no evidence of a direct link between the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and journalist Jamal Khashoggis murder. He made the statement during an interview with Wolf Blitzer of CNN. I have read every piece of intelligence that is in the possession of the United States government, and when it is done, when you complete that analysis, theres no direct evidence linking him to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. That is an accurate statement, it is an important statement, and it is the statement that we are making publicly today, he said. Reuters contributed to this report. British authorities have assessed an alleged asylum-seeker who claimed to be a 15-year-old schoolboy, is in fact an adult. (Screengrab via Facebook) Migrant Man Posing as 15-Year-Old Schoolboy Still Classed as a Child by British Authorities An asylum-seeker who posed as a 15-year-old schoolboy but was exposed to be likely around 30 years old continues to be treated by British authorities as a child, an unnamed source told The Sun. The source claims that an investigation by the British Home Office, the agency responsible for asylum cases, determined the man is almost certainly an adult, yet continues to treat him as underage, with the source telling The Sun, Hes been pulled out of school but hes still protected as a minor. The case made headlines in British newspapers after the man, identified as Siavash and allegedly from Iran, spent six weeks as a grade 11 student at a British school, with his presence among young pupils sparking an outcry. Parents and students at Stoke High School in Ipswich, Suffolk, believed the man was older than the claimed 15 years of age, pressed for an investigation, and threatened a boycott. Victoria Newby, who has a child at the school, told the BBC, My girls will not be attending until I know for sure hes been removed. The man was suspended earlier this month after a fellow student posted a Snapchat picture of him in uniform in a classroom with the message, Hows there a 30-year-old man in our maths class? Officials at Britains Home Office launched an investigation, with earlier reports saying that the agency had almost certainly determined the individual was an adult. However, according to The Daily Mail, citing sources familiar with the matter, the individual allegedly continues to maintain on his asylum application that he is under 18. Extremely Concerning The East Anglian Daily Times reported that some parents claimed the man had admitted to fellow students he had lied about his age in order to obtain a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), a British academic qualification. The qualifications in his country of origin were not recognised in England. This is extremely concerning, a parent wishing to remain anonymous told The East Anglian Daily Times. He has told students he has had to lie to go get into high school to complete his GCSEs. In a statement cited by the BBC, the school said, This is a matter for the Home Office. They are looking into this after we contacted them. We do not comment on individual cases but we have followed government and local authority policies and guidance, as we do for any asylum admissions matter. It added the pupil was not attending the school at this time. Official Investigation The British Home Office investigated the matter and on Nov. 23 the Daily Mail reported that officials concluded that the man is most likely over 18. The man was said to be treated as an adult asylum-seeker, meaning that if his claim for refugee status in the UK is rejected, he could face deportation. One Ipswich resident said on Facebook today, Clearly the children can do a better job of guessing an age than the officials. The student was suspended earlier in November after a fellow student posted a Snapchat picture of him in uniform in a classroom with the caption, Hows there a 30-year-old man in our maths class? That photograph was shared on social media and extensively reported on in British media, with the individuals face blurred out to protect his identity, under the supposition that he might be underage. Over 60 Per Cent of Children Seeking Asylum in the UK Are Adults The man is thought to have presented himself as an unaccompanied child when he arrived in the UK from the Middle East, over the summer. Adult asylum-seekers are known to have, on occasion, misrepresented their true age in order to increase the likelihood of qualifying for refugee status and reduce the probability of deportation. The Home Office is currently investigating how the mans claim to be aged 15 came to be believed. A Home Office spokesman told The Daily Mail, We are fully committed to safeguarding children and are looking into the circumstances of this case to understand how it was handled. Age-disputed cases remain a challenging area of work in which no single assessment technique, or combination of techniques, is likely to determine an individuals age with precision, he said. A British government report published earlier in 2017 revealed that 65 per cent of asylum-seekers assessed after claiming to be unaccompanied juveniles were found to be adults. The Home Office figure for all assessed children found to be adults in 2016 (the last year for which the total number of children seeking asylum is known) is similar, at 61 per cent. A worker in a residential home for children in care located in the British city of Kent told The Spectator that half of the children there are unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, estimated that over half of them were not children, but in their twenties. They can be quite frightening at times, she said, according to the report. They are aggressive and have an attitude problem. Many have no respect for women because of their culture. No one is giving consideration to the risks they pose, not just to staff but to the other children in the home. Because they are older, they have a lot of influence on the youngsters, who are very vulnerable. They introduce the children to alcohol and get them into crime like street robberies. It is a serious problem, which those in authority are not tackling. Nine Argentine Falun Gong practitioners hang two banners on the crowd control barriers, which say Stop the persecution of Falun Gong and Bring Jiang Zemin to Justice in Spanish and Chinese. The practitioners are surrounded by supporters of the Chinese Communist Party sent to welcome Chinese leader Xi Jinping. (Screenshot via YouTube) Falun Gong Practitioners at G-20 Arrested for Peacefully Protesting Chinese Regimes Abuses Demonstrators peacefully protesting human rights abuses by the Chinese regime ahead of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, were arrested and detained after being told by police they were not permitted to protest the Chinese communist regime. Practitioners of the spiritual discipline Falun Gong gathered on Nov. 29 near the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel, where Chinese leader Xi Jinping stayed, to protest the communist regimes 19-year suppression of their faith. About a dozen demonstrators stood behind metal barricades and held two banners calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Footage of the incident obtained by The Epoch Times shows several police officers confiscating the banners, which escalated to a situation akin to a tug-of-war, with police on one side and demonstrators on the other pulling on the banner. The demonstrators can be heard imploring the police to stop, while police can also be seen addressing the demonstrators. A demonstrator involved in the incident, Natividad Almaraz, 25, said a male police officer told her they were told the demonstrators were not allowed to be there because they were protesting against the Chinese regime. The demonstrators were surrounded by hundreds of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) supporters, wearing red polo shirts and waving large Chinese flags. Such groups are known to be organized by local Chinese embassies when CCP leaders go on state visits. In the video, one man from the pro-CCP group jabs his flagpole into the tussle in an apparent attempt to get the demonstrators to release their banner. Later on, several members of the CCPs group can be seen quickly grabbing and balling up flyers dropped from the bag of a practitioner. During the incident, a male police officer can be seen using his baton to hit the hands of the demonstrators holding the banner. The same officer can later be seen using his baton to form a chokehold around a male demonstrator to try to get him to release the banner. The banner is eventually seized by police, and the demonstrators are arrested and led to an area nearby. As police lead away a male demonstrator, a man wearing a suit, understood to be the officer-in-charge, points to the demonstrators bag and says, He has a bomb in there. Police can later be seen searching the bag and returning it to the owner after finding nothing suspicious. At one point, the officer-in-charge tells the cameraperson, [He or she] attacked a police officer, as apparent justification for the arrests. Nine demonstrators were arrested and detained overnight at a local police station. They were released in the afternoon of the following day without charges. Local police did not respond to a request from The Epoch Times for comment. Orders From Above Almaraz said that after the incident, a female police officer told her that she couldnt help the demonstrators as the orders to stop them came from above, and there is a lot of corruption. The policewoman told me, I know what [Falun Gong practitioners] do is good,' Almaraz said. Fu Liwei, another Argentine Falun Gong practitioner present during the incident, said that when she arrived at the demonstration, staff from the Chinese Embassy followed her and asked the police to arrest her. I asked a police officer, Are you monitoring me or protecting me? He said, Both, Fu said. Sebastian Arcusin, one of the practitioners who was arrested, said the demonstrators were doing nothing illegalthey were peacefully protesting and calling for an end to the persecution in China. In China, our fellow practitioners are persecuted. They are tortured. Their organs are harvested. Its genocide! Arcusin said. We are here for them. We are asking to stop this persecution. The Falun Dafa Association in Argentina said in a statement on Nov. 30: It was legal for Falun Gong practitioners to peacefully petition there. We will take legal action against the perpetrators [of the incident]. Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, consists of five meditation exercises and is based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. According to Minghui.org, a clearinghouse for information about the persecution, Falun Gong is practiced by tens of millions of people in more than 110 countries worldwide. Former CCP leader Jiang Zemin initiated the persecution in 1999. The sweeping repression has led to the confirmed deaths of more than 4,200 Falun Gong practitioners in China due to torture and abuse, though the actual number is suspected to be far higher. Large numbers are suspected to have been killed through having their organs harvested. Researchers have described this forced organ harvesting as a cold genocide. The G-20 Summit 2018 was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1. Putin Says Too Early to Release Captured Ukrainian Sailors Russian President Vladimir Putin has said it is too early to return Ukrainian sailors and naval vessels seized by Russian forces in the Sea of Azov, adding that no top-level discussions had taken place about their possible release. The Russian president said bilateral talks with Ukraine are not currently held but that contacts between the two countries had not been cut off completely, according to Russias state news agency Tass. As for top-level contacts, I am not against them. Yes, indeed, the talks havent taken place, but this doesnt mean that we ceased all contact, Putin said during a Dec. 1 press conference in Argentina. 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. Putin spoke to reporters after the G-20 meeting in Buenos Aires, where President Donald Trump canceled a meeting with the Russian leader because of Moscows refusal to release the 24 Ukrainians. 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! After Trump canceled the meeting, the Russian leader said there were no preconditions for future bilateral talks. It is regrettable that we cant succeed in holding a full-scale meeting, which is long due, Putin said, adding that issues of strategic stability would be of paramount importance. Prisoner Swap Reporters at the G-20 meeting in Argentina asked the Russian leader if he would consider exchanging the captive sailors for Russians in Ukrainian detention. We are not considering a swap and Ukraine did not raise this issue, and its too early to talk about that, Putin said, according to the Guardian. They are still being investigated. We need to establish the fact that this was a provocation by the Ukrainian government and we need to put all these things on paper, Putin said, according to the report. The current Ukrainian leadership is not interested in resolving this at all, Putin said. As long as they stay in power, war will continue. Why? Because when you have provocations, such hostilities like what just happened in the Black Sea you can always use war to justify your economic failures. Martial Law Ukrainian lawmakers approved the imposition of a 30-day period of martial law on Nov. 26 after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko warned of the extremely serious threat of a Russia-led land invasion. Russia has been waging a hybrid war against our country for a fifth year. But with an attack on Ukrainian military boats it moved to a new stage of aggression, Poroshenko said. On Nov. 29, Poroshenko accused Putin of wanting to annex all of Ukraine and called for NATO to deploy warships to a sea shared by the two nations. Ukraine has also barred Russian men between 16 and 60 from crossing its borders, citing the desire to prevent the formation of Russia-led private armies in the country. Putin has accused the Ukrainian government of provoking an incident as a distraction from domestic problems. Conflicting Accounts Moscow has said the clash that has sparked the current crisis took place inside Russias territorial waters. Ukraine denies this account and said its vessels notified the Russian maritime authorities of their intention of going through the strait. Kyiv said the Russian forces opened fire on its vessels after they had turned around and were heading away from the strait into the open waters of the Black Sea. An analysis by the Bellingcat investigative journalism agency suggests that the Ukrainian vessels may have been in Russian territorial waters at the time the tugboat was rammed, but under a 2003 agreement, Ukrainian ships had right of access through the strait. The agency also claims evidence provided by Russia and Ukraine suggests the Ukrainian gunboat may have been fired on when it was already in international waters. There has been growing hostility between Ukraine and Russia since Moscows annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Russia has also supported separatists in Ukraines east with clandestine dispatches of troops and weapons. Fighting there has killed at least 10,000 people since 2014 but eased somewhat after a 2015 truce. Reuters contributed to this report. Mullah Abdul Manan Neyazi, a deputy of Mullah Mohammad Rasool Akhund, the newly appointed leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban, addresses a gathering of supporters at Bakwah in the western province of Farah on Nov. 3, 2015. (Javed Tanveer/AFP/Getty Images) Senior Afghan Taliban Commander Killed in Air Strike, Officials Say LASHKAR GAH, AfghanistanA top commander of the Taliban has been killed in Afghanistans southern province of Helmand in a joint operation by Afghan and U.S. Special Forces, Afghan officials and Taliban members said on Dec. 2. Abdul Manan, who was in charge of Helmand Province, was killed along with 29 others by an air strike on Saturday while he was meeting local commanders and fighters in the Nawzad District, Helmand provincial Gov. Mohammad Yasin Khan said. His death was confirmed by Taliban members in Helmand and neighboring Kandahar Province but there was no initial confirmation from the U.S. military, which said it was looking into the incident. The death of Mullah Manan, who commanded Taliban extremists, as they steadily increased their control over Helmand in the years following the end of most international combat missions in 2014, was seen as a major success by Afghan officials. He was the most senior Taliban commander in the south and his death will have an overall impact on security, one senior security official in Kabul said. The report of Manans death comes as both the Western-backed security forces and the Taliban have pushed to gain momentum at the same time as efforts have stepped up to find a peaceful settlement to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan. Although contacts have started between U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban representatives, there has been no let-up in the fighting, with both sides aiming to build a favorable position in advance of any peace talks. By Mohammad Stanekzai, Hamid Shalizi and Jibran Ahmad U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Scott A. Stearney, Commander of 5th Fleet and head of Naval Forces Central Command, speaks during the Change of Command U.S. Naval Forces Central Command 5th Fleet Combined Maritime Forces ceremony at the U.S. Naval Base in Bahrain, May 6, 2018. (Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters) Senior U.S. Admiral Found Dead in Bahrain, No Foul Play Suspected at this Time UPDATE: CBS News is reporting that unnamed defense officials are calling the death of Vice Admiral Scott Stearney an apparent suicide. WASHINGTONThe U.S. Navy admiral overseeing American naval forces in the Middle East has been found dead at his residence in Bahrain, the Navy said on Nov. 1, adding that foul play was not suspected. Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, a Chicago native, was the commander of the U.S. Navys Bahrain-based 5th Fleet. The Navy did not specify the cause of death. 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 Adm. John Richardson (@CNORichardson) December 1, 2018 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 Stearneys deputy, Rear Admiral Paul Schlise, had assumed command. By Phil Stewart The Fundamental Problem of Sino-US Relations part 3 Internationally, there is a popular saying: the CCPs system is highly efficient. Therefore, when Westerners think of problems in China, they always think that when they have talked with the dealings, the result is exactly the opposite: the Chinese government will never have credit, and its words cannot be counted on and lack any credit. Why is this? The first layer of the problem is that the words of the central government can not be counted for. Because according to the theory of the Communist Party, only they are the correct representatives, others are nothing. According to the standard cult theory, anyone that does not meet the standards of a cult is not considered human and is ineligible for rights; thus it is not a violation of morality to not carry out promises, nor to use whatever means. The most standard and most straightforward expression is Deng Xiaopings cat theory: regardless whether it is a black or white cat, any cat that catches mouse is a good cat. Another layer of the problem is that the Communist Partys system is not about only one or a few emperors, but thousands of emperors. The phrase the decrees cannot get out of Zhongnanhai, is exactly talk about this system. The central order is not necessarily approved by the provinces; the provincial orders are not necessarily approved by the cities and counties. Therefore, trade barriers and non-tariff barriers cannot be resolved by the central government. This is the second important reason why China has no credit. Apart from China not being a democratic system and having no need to be accountable to the people, one-party dictatorship is another major cause of decrees that cannot get out of Zhongnanhai. The decrees are ordered by the governments, meanwhile the Communist Party committees also order their decrees, but the governments must obey the party committees, yet the party committees do not have to be responsible. The lower-level party committees do not need to obey the higher-level government, and they can make their own orders. This chaotic system, the system of one-party dictatorship, is the root cause of chaos and the root cause of the creation of the emperor. This is also a common problem in all authoritarian systems. For example, Beijing blocked the flour in Hebei, so Hebei returned to block vegetables. Guangdong imports rice and pork to stabilize prices, then Hunan returned to block rice and pork. Qinghai blocked the wool from Gansu, then Gansu countered by blocking grain and coal. Similar domestic trade wars and trade barriers will not appear in the newspapers, but they are realities in China. Under this system of local dictatorship, county officials can not overcome those lower level officials who are in charge, and trade wars and barriers are not just for foreign countries. The promises of the central government cannot be realized it is impossible for foreigners to achieve them just as the Chinese themselves cannot. The current system in China is similar but not identical to the system in ancient times. Although authoritarian politics are always used to manage the market economy, the ancient legal system was effective, without having other power centers intervening in the legal system. The system in China now is that extra-judicial intervention is greater than the legal system, usually said as the Communist Party is bigger than the law. In fact, it is lawless. In ancient times, only in the final stages when the dynasty about to collapse, did the corrupted state of the lawless appear. Now with the Communist Party being above the law, there will not be a unified legal system from the root. This is the fundamental problem of Sino-US relations and the fundamental conflict between Chinese society and the Communist Party. Of course, the fundamental strategy of the Communist Party is to exploit the American and Chinese people with unfair trade. Even if the central government verbally compromises with the United States, thousands of local emperors will not give up their rights to exploit the Chinese and American peoples. They are already accustomed to rebel against the policies and decrees of the central government. Therefore, the fundamental problem between China and the United States is lack of credit, due to the invalidity of Chinas legal system. The key to changing the trade war between China and the United States in the direction of fair trade is that China must change the system of the emperor Communist Party being above the law. When it has established an independent judicial system free from any interference, a trade agreement between China and the United States may become effective. Otherwise, even if Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang were sincere, they would not be able to comply with the agreement. Under the premise that it is impossible to immediately change the one-party dictatorship system, Sino-US negotiations must attach requirements of establishing an independent and effective judicial system, supervised by international supervisory bodies. This supervision must also provide punitive measures, instead of a deceptive institution without so-called teeth. In this way, the agreement can be guaranteed to be carried out, which will be beneficial to both the Chinese and American people, instead of just being only beneficial to the capitalists in China and the United States while people in both countries suffer. Tijuana Mayor Pleads With Mexican Government to Step Up in Migrant Crisis TIJUANA, MexicoThe mayor of Tijuana, Juan Manuel Gastelum, said the Mexican border city is bearing a $25,000 per diem cost to house and feed the burgeoning number of Central American migrants that have arrived. According to the last numbers, were approximately either near 7,000 or just past 7,000 people here in Tijuana, Gastelum told The Epoch Times on Nov. 30. Were on the last, the last, were just hanging in there, he said, about being able to sustain the cost. I gave the federal government two or three days more to come and solve the problem. However, Gastelum said he doesnt have a solution if the federal government doesnt step up. Everyday, God gives us a chance to do better things. Were hoping for the best. The mayor said hes not getting any pressure from the United States to hold the migrants back from crossing the border. But, he said, I dont know why the federal government doesnt let them go after helping escort them up through Mexico. On Nov. 25, as more than 1,000 migrants rushed to try to break through the fences to the United States, both municipal and federal riot police in Tijuana attempted to stop them. About 75 percent of the migrants are male. Central Americans, in general, are only granted asylum by a federal immigration judge in 9 percent of cases that pass an initial credible fear screening at the border. But with 89 percent passing the initial screening, its seen as a way to get into the United States. All of a sudden, foreigners are putting us in a breaking point with the good relations we have with the United States, Gastelum said. This is a security, a national-security business. Why? We dont know who they are. Do you know that we dont know who they are? We dont have a registry. We dont know who came in. Gastelum said the National Human Rights Commission has forbidden the city from registering the migrants, saying its a human-rights issue. But the mayor said it makes it look as if theyre helping hide their identities. Arent they law-abiding citizens whove been suffering mistreatment from the country they came from? Gastelum said. I mean its not very fair for us as Tijuana people. And its not fair for themwe dont know who they are. This is a national-security matter for us Mexicans. Our main issue is, what are we doing here in Mexico to solve this problem? We have to solve this matter, this issue, because theyre humans. Either they go across the border, either they stay in Mexico, either they go back home, whatever, but we have to solve it. Gastelum pleaded for the migrants to abide by the law. If they want to cross the border, go ahead, its fine, just register yourself with the U.S. authorities, prove your case, go ahead. Not in the way theyre doing it, he said. Im very worried that this will get out of control. Trump Says Next Meeting With North Koreas Kim Likely in Early 2019 President Donald Trump said on Dec.1 that he is likely to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in January or February and that three sites for their second meeting are under consideration. Were getting along very well, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his return from a G-20 summit in Argentina. We have a good relationship. Trump added that at some point he will invite Kim to the United States. The two sides have been engaged in talks on the leaders second meeting after the first, unprecedented, one in Singapore in June, Reuters reported in October, citing a senior official. Complete and Verifiable Denuclearization Trump has promised Kim a prosperous future for North Korea should he abandon the pursuit of nuclear weapons. In his communication on the issue, the president has largely maintained an upbeat tone about the prospects for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. I have confidence that Kim Jong Un will honor the contract we signed &, even more importantly, our handshake. We agreed to the denuclearization of North Korea, Trump wrote on Twitter back in July. I have confidence that Kim Jong Un will honor the contract we signed &, even more importantly, our handshake. We agreed to the denuclearization of North Korea. China, on the other hand, may be exerting negative pressure on a deal because of our posture on Chinese Trade-Hope Not! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2018 The United States is seeking complete, irreversible, and verifiable denuclearization. But until this goal is achieved, Washington is committed to maintaining sanctions on the communist regime. Disarmament Plan Last month, Vice President Mike Pence said Trump would push for a concrete plan outlining Pyongyangs steps to end its arms programs. Pence told NBC News last month the United States would not require Pyongyang to provide a complete list of nuclear weapons and locations before the second summit, but that the meeting must produce a concrete plan. I think it will be absolutely imperative in this next summit that we come away with a plan for identifying all of the weapons in question, identifying all the development sites, allowing for inspections of the sites and the plan for dismantling nuclear weapons, Pence said. Last month, Pence said it was essential that international sanctions pressure be maintained on North Korea until its complete denuclearization was achieved. North Korean Problem Secretary of Defense Gen. Jim Mattis, was asked by Lara Seligman, Foreign Policys Pentagon correspondent, which country poses the most serious security threat. Mattis said, in terms of URGENCY, North Korea is the problem, Seligman wrote on Twitter. U.S. officials have so far been unsuccessful in persuading North Korea to detail the extent of its nuclear arsenal. Insufficient progress on denuclearization was cited as a reason for the cancellation of a planned visit to North Korea by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo toward the end of August. I have asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to go to North Korea, at this time, because I feel we are not making sufficient progress with respect to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Trump stated Aug. 24. Secretary Pompeo looks forward to going to North Korea in the near future, most likely after our trading relationship with China is resolved, Trump added. Negotiations at an Impasse Asia expert Su Mi Terry, senior fellow and Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said at the Defense One Summit in Washington on Nov. 15, that talks on denuclearization seem to have stalled. According to an earlier report, Terry said that aside from the joint aspirational statement of Trump and Kim in June, the negotiations had reached an impasse. Terry believes that despite its periodic threats to resume testing of missiles and other nuclear program-related tests, North Korea thinks that it can get the best possible deal with President Trump, and therefore probably wont relinquish its program, but also wont resume testing or other provocative activities. Trump and Kim met in person during a historic summit in Singapore in June. The two leaders signed a joint statement agreeing to work toward peace on the Korean Peninsula, a new era for relations between Washington and Pyongyang, and the complete denuclearization of North Korea. Reuters contributed to this report. Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto (L), US President Donald Trump (C) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, sign a new free trade agreement in Buenos Aires, on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit on Nov. 30, 2018. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) Trump to Formally Terminate NAFTA Congress can choose either new trade deal or return to rules from before 1994 when NAFTA took effect, Trump says BUENOS AIRES, ArgentinaPresident Donald Trump said on Dec. 1 that he soon would give formal notice to the U.S. Congress to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Trump will give lawmakers six months to approve the new trade deal with Canada and Mexico, signed on Nov. 30. I will be formally terminating NAFTA shortly, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after the Group of 20 (G-20) summit in Argentina. Just so you understand, when I do thatif for any reason were unable to make the deal because of Congressthen Congress will have a choice, he said, adding that the lawmakers can choose either the new deal or return to pre-NAFTA trade rules. Trump called the new trade deal, the U.S.MexicoCanada Agreement (USMCA), a phenomenal deal. Much, much better than NAFTA. A great deal, he said. Democrats, however, who took control of the House in the midterm elections, may reject the new agreement to avoid handing Trump a political victory. Democrats have earlier called for stronger enforcement provisions for labor and environmental standards. New Chapter at G-20 The United States, Canada, and Mexico begin a new chapter by replacing the 24-year-old NAFTA with USMCA. Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and former Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto signed the agreement on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. The new treaty now will have to be approved by the congresses of each country. After months of talks, officials of the three countries finalized their negotiations Sept. 30. With its strong provisions, the new pact has become a playbook for future trade deals, according to the White House. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Trump called the agreement a truly groundbreaking achievement. The USMCA is the largest, most significant, modern, and balanced trade agreement in history, Trump said. All of our countries will benefit greatly. The new trade pact would bring to the United States high-paying manufacturing jobs and boost exports in various sectors, including farming, manufacturing, and service industries, he said. This is an amazing deal for our farmers, and also allows them to use cutting-edge biotechnology, and eliminates non-scientific barriers. Trump added that the treaty would promote high wages, citing autoworkers as primary beneficiaries. Under the new deal, 75 percent of automobiles content must come from North America, up from the original threshold of 62.5 percent. The higher threshold will keep more parts from other regions out, while boosting production and jobs in the region. The rules also incentivize the use of high-wage manufacturing labor in the auto sector. Almost 40 to 45 percent of automobile content must be manufactured by North American high-wage labor in order to gain preferential access to these three markets. This will help stop auto jobs from going overseas, and it will bring back auto jobs that have already left, Trump said. Many companies are coming back, and were very excited about that. The USMCA also contains new provisions on digital trade and financial services. Significant Accomplishment The new deal is a significant accomplishment for Trump, according to Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. In an article originally published in Politico Magazine in October, Alden slammed critics who said the new agreement wasnt satisfactory. Trump succeeded in altering the agreement in ways that Democrats and unions for years have longed for, he argued. The unions have opposed every major trade deal for the last 40 years, Alden wrote. But with the new NAFTA, President Trump has done more to address their concerns than any Democratic president ever achieved. A Model Agreement The USMCA also has ambitious standards on fighting unfair trade practices, confronting massive state subsidies, and currency manipulation. It also includes a so-called poison pill, which is a clause that aims to contain Beijing. The provision, which has attracted a lot of attention and praise, essentially blocks any trade flirtation with China. According to the agreement, if any party enters into a free-trade agreement with a non-market country, the other parties have the right to terminate the USMCA on six-months notice. The use of the phrase non-market country is a clear reference to China, since the United States last year reaffirmed that China was a non-market economy. The European Union also opposes Chinas recognition as a market economy. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross earlier said that this provision could be replicated in other trade agreements. Trump said, This is a model agreement that changes the trade landscape forever. And this is an agreement that, first and foremost, benefits working peoplesomething of great importance to all three of us here today. Trump is highly confident that the U.S. Congress will approve the deal. Its been so well-reviewed, I dont expect to have very much of a problem, he said during the signing ceremony. Incredible Way to End a Presidency During the signing ceremony at the G-20 summit, Trump praised outgoing Mexican President Pena Nieto for signing the deal on the last day of his presidency. It is really an incredible way to end a presidency. You dont see that happen very often, he said. Trudeau called the agreement the new North American Free Trade Agreement and said it maintained stability for Canadas entire economy. The new agreement lifts the risk of serious economic uncertainty that lingers throughout a trade renegotiation process, he said. Uncertainty that would have only gotten worse and more damaging had we not reached a new NAFTA. Pena Nieto said the trilateral partners were beginning a new chapter in their shared history. 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, he said. U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and China's President Xi Jinping (L) along with members of their delegations, hold a dinner meeting at the end of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, on Dec. 1, 2018. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) US, China Agree to Temporary Truce on Trade Beijing pledges to deliver 'structural changes' that Washington has been demanding for over a decade BUENOS AIRES, ArgentinaPresident Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping declared a 90-day ceasefire on tariff increases between the United States and China on Dec. 1, at the end of their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Argentina. As part of the deal, Xi agreed to deliver structural reforms within the next three months. Its an incredible deal, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after the summit. If it happens, it goes down as one of the largest deals ever made. Both sides will immediately begin negotiations on structural changes that Washington has been demanding for more than a decade. The structural reforms include ending Chinas unfair trade policies and practices with respect to forced technology transfer, intellectual property protection, non-tariff barriers, cyber intrusions and cyber theft, services, and agriculture, according to the White House. Trump has agreed to postpone the planned stepup in the tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25 percent on Jan. 1. The tariffs will remain at 10 percent. Xi has also agreed to purchase a very substantial amount of American goods, including agricultural, energy, industrial, and other products, in an effort to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with China. The White House said the size of the purchase hasnt been agreed to yet, but China will start buying agricultural products from U.S. farmers immediately. Both parties agree that they will endeavor to have this transaction completed within the next 90 days, the White House said. If they fail to reach an agreement by the end of this period, the tariffs will be increased to 25 percent from 10 percent. Earlier this year, the Trump administration imposed new tariffs on nearly $250 billion worth of Chinese goods, to force Beijing to end its unfair practices. China will be opening up. China will be getting rid of tariffs, Trump said. China, right now, has major trade barrierstheyre major tariffsand also major non-tariff barriers, which are brutal. During the meeting, Xi also said that he was open to approving a previously rejected takeover deal by Qualcomm Inc. The U.S. technology company was one of the victims of the trade dispute between Washington and Beijing. Chinese regulators in July blocked Qualcomms $44 billion takeover bid for its Netherlands-based rival, NXP Semiconductors NV. According to Trump, the meeting was an amazing and productive meeting, bringing boundless opportunities for both countries. Before the meeting, Trump praised his close friendship with Xi. The relationship is very special, he said. The Chinese leader echoed Trump and said the meeting was a manifestation of a personal friendship. During the meeting, 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, Treasury Secretary 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. Chinas Unfair Practices Trump has long complained about Chinas unfair trade practices and blamed previous U.S. leaders for failing to address the matter. For decades, Beijing hasnt taken any concrete actions to fulfill its promises. And thats why the Trump administration has chosen to take a tougher stance on Chinas decades-long protectionist and trade-distorting policies. Tensions between Washington and Beijing increased in recent weeks ahead of the meeting between Trump and Xi. The Trump administration had signaled that the United States wouldnt back down unless China fundamentally changed its attitude. According to experts, agreeing to Washingtons demands would undermine the Communist regimes plans to achieve dominance in high-technology industries, as outlined in the economic blueprint Made in China 2025. However, the state of the Chinese economy has been putting pressure on Xi, as economic growth has slowed this year, battering its stock market. Troubles have deepened further with trade tensions, forcing the Chinese regime to come to the table to end the dispute. Market reaction to the U.S.China deal is expected to be positive. Despite short-term optimism, however, the ChinaU.S. trade dispute is very complex and involves issues that are beyond trade, according to investment adviser Peter Creedon. The issues involved for the United States have been basically ignored or glossed over by the last three presidents, he said. But now, China is on the verge of becoming a world superpower and challenging the U.S. position and economy. U.S. President Donald Trump, President Trump's national security adviser John Bolton, President Trump's trade and manufacturing policy adviser Peter Navarro and others, as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping's leadership team attend a working dinner after the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 1, 2018. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) US, China Declare 90-day Halt to New Tariffs, White House Says China Agrees to Label Fentanyl a Controlled Substance BUENOS AIRES, ArgentinaThe 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 Dec. 1 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. In return, 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 Americas huge trade deficit with China, the White House said. The truce buys time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijings aggressive drive to supplant U.S. technological dominance. China to Regulate Fentanyl Production After more than a year of work by the United States to seek concessions, China has agreed to label fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid responsible for tens of thousands of American drug deaths annually, as a controlled substance. Most U.S. supply of the drug, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin, is manufactured in China. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders says Chinas decision to label the drug as a controlled substance means that people selling Fentanyl to the United States will be subject to Chinas maximum penalty under the law. The Trump-Xi meeting was the marquee event of Trumps whirlwind two-day trip to Argentina for the G-20 summit after the president canceled a sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin over mounting tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Trump also canceled a news conference earlier Dec. 1, citing respect for the Bush family following the death of former President George H.W. Bush. The United States and China are locked in a dispute over their trade imbalance and Beijings predatory tactics in its tech industry, 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 products25 percent on $50 billion worth and 10 percent on the other $200 billion. Trump had planned to raise the tariffs on the $200 billion to 25 percent if he couldnt get a deal with Xi. China had also slapped tariffs on $110 billion in U.S. goods. Under the agreement reached in Buenos Aires, the two countries have 90 days to resolve their differences over Beijings tech policies. If they cant, the U.S. tariff increases will go into effect on the $200 billion in Chinese imports. 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. A full-blown resolution was not expected to be reached in Buenos Aires. 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. A Special Relationship Before the start of the meeting, Trump told reporters that he was looking forward to the discussion with his Chinese counterpart. 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. Chinese leader Xi Jinping echoed Trump, saying that 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, Xi said. Both sides would exchange ideas on issues of mutual interest and draft a future for the China-U.S. relationship, he added. Trump met Nov. 30 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 long-standing pledge. Additional reporting by Epoch Times reporter Emel Akan. Watch next: Death by China Directed by President Trumps trade adviser Peter Navarro U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, was found dead on Dec. 1, 2018, in Bahrain, said officials, saying his death was an apparent suicide." (Navy) US Navy Vice Adm. Scott Stearney Found Dead in Bahrain, Report Says Its an Apparent Suicide U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, was found dead on Dec. 1 in Bahrain, said officials and one report said his death was an apparent suicide. Stearney served as the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command for the U.S. 5th Fleet, said the Navy in a statement. Team, its my sad duty to inform you that today the Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer and I were told that Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, our commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet, was found deceased in his residence in Bahrain today. This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at 5th Fleet, and for the entire U.S. Navy, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said in the statement. He added: Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was a good friend to all of us. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are investigating the matter, and they said that no foul play is suspected in his death. Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, the deputy commander of 5th Fleet, has assumed command of the fleet, said the Navy. I ask that you keep the Stearney family in your prayers and respect their privacy as they navigate through these very difficult times. We will keep you informed as we learn more. Thank you very much, Richardson continued. Defense Department sources told CBS News on Dec. 2 that his death was an apparent suicide. No further details were released. The 5th Fleet plays a vital role in safeguarding critical points in the Middle East, including Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf. It confronts Somali pirate ships as well as Iranian warships. We stand ready to ensure the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce where international law allows, Stearney told reporters in September, the New York Times noted. We are postured to defend and protect, not to cause international crises and provocation and escalation. We are here for the stability and the security of this region and for nothing else. Life of Service Born in Chicago, Illinois, Stearney went to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and got an economics degree before joining the Navy in 1982. Later, he became a pilot and logged 4,500 flight hours over the course of his career. He was appointed commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and of the Fifth Fleet, CBS noted. Operationally, he served in numerous strike fighter squadrons flying the FA-18 Hornet. His fleet assignments include the Golden Warriors of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-87, the Knighthawks of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-136 and strike warfare officer for commander, Carrier Group 4. Stearney commanded the Wildcats of VFA-131 and Carrier Air Wing Seven embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. He served in Kabul, Afghanistan, as chief of staff of Joint Task Force 435 and later Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435, according to his biography. It adds: He is entitled to wear the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal, as well as other commendations and awards. He has accumulated more than 4,500 mishap-free flight hours and over 1,000 carrier-arrested landings. In the United States, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255. Young people can call the Kids Help Phone on 1-800-668-6868. In Canada, the line is 1-833-456-4566. In Australia, the crisis support service hotline is 13 11 14 (Lifeline). Other worldwide suicide hotlines can be found at www.befrienders.org. USGS: 1,000 Aftershocks Hit Alaska Since 7.0 Earthquake Since the 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck north of Anchorage, Alaska, more than 1,000 small earthquakes have hit the state, according to a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist. Most of the quakes, according to USGS data are around 2.0 magnitude, but there have been some above 3.0. USGS geophysicist Randy Baldwin told CNN on Dec. 2 that hundreds of small aftershocks have struck Alaska since Friday, Nov. 30. This is the second largest earthquake weve had since 1964, which was a very significant earthquake, Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz told CNN in another report. The 1964 event hes referring to was a 9.2 magnitude earthquake, which was the strongest quake to hit the United States in recorded history and the second strongest quake ever recorded on earth. But in terms of a disaster, I think it says more about who we are than what we suffered. I would characterize this as a demonstration that Anchorage is prepared for these kinds of emergencies, he said. A 5.7 tremor hit right after the 7.0 quake, the USGS said. On the night of Nov. 30, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit. He said the city, the largest in Alaska, is returning to normal. We know that we have to be prepared because were never impervious to earthquakes or the weather, Berkowitz said. The quake damaged roads and buildings, and it knocked out power for thousands. Dramatic photos showed large cracks in roads with a car resting on an island of pavement. No deaths or serious injuries were reported, the mayor confirmed to the network. The bottom line on the utility structure is that the power is up, the heat is on, the communication lines are opening, Anchorage Municipal Manager Bill Falsey was quoted as saying by CNN. At this point, though, were not seeing a significant amount of bridge damage, Falsey added. More than a dozen of the aftershocks have been greater than a magnitude of 4 and five have been greater than a magnitude of 5, said Falsey, NBC News reported. Every one of those in a normal course would have been a real no kidding Alaska earthquake. So for a lot of people in town, this event has not ended, he said. Meanwhile, a seismic expert said that Alaska and California use the most stringent standards to help buildings withstand earthquakes like the one that struck Anchorage, according to The Associated Press. There was minimal structural damage Friday to Anchorage buildings, though some major roadways will need significant repairs. Sterling Strait, a member of the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission, said Saturday that both states use the International Building Code, considered the best available standard for seismic safety. He said it requires buildings to be designed to resist possible ground motion determined by location and earthquake histories. It also requires that structural connectionssuch as beams and columnsbe reinforced to resist damage from shaking. The Associated Press contributed to this report. NORWALK In November 2004, 79-year-old Bernard Wood was struck and killed by a car while trying to cross the road near the intersection of Silvermine and New Canaan avenues. For years, the Broad River Neighborhood Association had pushed to have crosswalks painted at what neighbors described as one of the most dangerous and unsafe intersections in Norwalk. The tragedy finally brought the effort to fruition. The gentleman was hit and killed trying to cross the street. After that, finally we got a crosswalk, said Kelly L. Straniti, past president of the neighborhood association and a former Norwalk councilwoman. Unfortunately, thats what happened in Broad River, but hopefully the city has learned a lesson. It is about balancing priorities and budget issues, but at the same time I would just encourage anybody in a neighborhood who needs (a crosswalk) to reach out to their council people and ask them to come and take a look. Pedestrian accidents, while rarely fatal, are common in Norwalk. Police reported 93 pedestrian-related accidents from 2015 to 2017, according to spokesman Lt. Terry Blake. Increased attention Fourteen years after Woods death, the battle to get crosswalks approved continues elsewhere, spearheaded by individuals, neighborhood associations and the Norwalk Bike/Walk Commission. Mayor Harry W. Rilling formed the bike/walk panel in May 2014 to make streets and sidewalks safer for everyone. Getting crosswalks on Main Avenue near the Department of Motor Vehicles, on Westport Avenue near Stew Leonards, along Wall Street and the nearby Norwalk Green are among the commissions priorities, according to commission Chairwoman Nancy Rosett. The Green is an obvious example of a place that should have pedestrian access that does not, Rosett said. As were trying to encourage people to do something other than travel by car, making it safe for them to cross the street might encourage them to become pedestrians. The commission is pleased that the Norwalk Traffic Authority recently approved a crosswalk across Wall Street at Knight Street. It will be installed in spring. But theres room for improvement, said Jud Aley, standing at the corner of Wall and Main streets. Aley, also on the commission, described the t-intersection where crosswalks are in place for only two of the three crossing routes as a two-legged intersection with a two-legged crosswalk because, you see on the far side of Wall, theres no crosswalk. It could use (a crosswalk) at all sides of the intersection because people are people, and were all going to follow the path of least resistance, and many people arent going to take the time to cross here and then cross there, he said. Deborah Lewis, chairwoman of the commissions Pedestrian Committee, said the commission has discussed crosswalks, looking at crash reports where people attempted to cross streets legally at crosswalks and been hit, or where jaywalkers have been struck. Walking and biking initiatives should be viewed within the context of Complete Streets, she said. Complete Streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities, Lewis said. Lewis said the commission is also looking for consistency in crosswalk installation in Norwalk. Lights and signs for crosswalks appear to be implemented on an ad-hoc basis, she said. In my view, there needs to be a discussion of a sign/light combination that would work for the whole city of Norwalk, Lewis said. Thorough review The Norwalk Traffic Authority, a three-member body chaired by the mayor, reviews and approves or rejects crosswalk installations, based upon traffic speeds, sight lines, road grades, accident history and engineering standards. Its going to depend on the type of street it is, the type of traffic, said Michael Yeosock, an engineer and assistant director of transportation, parking and mobility in the Norwalk Public Works Department. We use what has been established, industry-type guidelines. When you put a crosswalk in, youre telling people that thats a safe location to cross. So the bottom line, youre creating a liability on the city. Its a no-brainer putting them in at a traffic signal, at a four-lane stop, but to do mid-block crossings is not the best. The Traffic Authority rejected Norwalk Hospitals request for a mid-block crosswalk across Maple Street at Prospect Street. The location is along a steep hill, and city engineers and the Traffic Authority had concerns that motorists could not stop in time for pedestrians, particularly during icy winter conditions. The authority did approve a crosswalk for a nearby side street. Yeosock, staff person to the Traffic Authority, said crosswalks must meet Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices standards. Under those standards, marked crosswalks at a midblock area should not be used indiscriminately. An engineering study should be performed. New crosswalks should not be installed across an uncontrolled approach on roads with four or more lanes and speeds of over 40 mph without other measures designed to reduce traffic speeds, shorten crossing distances, enhance driver awareness of the crossing, and/or provide active warning of pedestrian presence. Stamford as an example One problematic area in Norwalk is East Avenue near the Norwalk Green. The Norwalk Green Association is working with the public works department and First Taxing District to have a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk beacon system, similar to those in downtown Stamford, and have a crosswalk installed mid-block in the area of the gazebo. Mastheads would be built from each side of the roadway to carry the flashing lights. Stamford clearly understands that open space is important to the long-term viability of downtowns and actually is re-building a park and creating a safe pedestrian connection, said Norwalk Green Association founder Brad Craighead. This is the kind of forward thinking that our leadership needs to embrace so that Norwalk can define its future as a destination city which (already) has so much to offer its residents, businesses and visitors. Craigheads biggest criticism of Norwalks crosswalk landscape: the discrepancy between East and West avenues. From about Interstate 95 northward, 13 crosswalks are in place along West Avenue as compared to four along East Avenue. He acknowledges differences between the two areas East Avenue is home to City Hall, churches, a synagogue, apartments and single-family homes whereas West Avenue is largely home to apartments. He doubts, however, that their populations differ greatly. I dont think that theres a significant difference in the population density of East Avenue versus West Avenue, Craighead said. If that, in fact, is the case, why would you have a disproportionate share of crosswalks along one boulevard versus the other? Creating a crosswalk can cost anywhere from $200 to $20,000. The least-expensive scenario entails simply painting the crosswalk, the most-expensive relocating a storm drain and utilities. All crosswalks require ramped curbs to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to Yeosock. Fresh off the midterms, President Donald Trump is making nice with one of the Democratic senators he repeatedly hammered on the campaign trail: Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia. Trump will host Manchin at the White House for a 12:30 p.m. Monday, a spokesman for the senator confirmed Saturday. During a post-election chat, the two men decided to meet for lunch, and Monday is the first day since that conversation that has worked with both men's schedules. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called on U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to ease the two countries' disputes over the bilateral trade row, Japanese officials said. The prime minister held talks with the U.S. and Chinese leaders separately in Buenos Aires on Friday on the sidelines of summit talks of the Group of 20 economies. Abe also held a trilateral summit meeting with Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first such trilateral summit talks. The Abe-Trump meeting lasted for about 35 minutes, and Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso; Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko; U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton were among those who joined the meeting. During the meeting, Abe explained about his October Chinese visit to Trump. Then, with exchanges of retaliatory tariffs between the United States and China in mind, the prime minister called on the U.S. president for calm responses, according to the officials. "Japan believes exchanges of trade restrictive measures will not benefit any countries," Abe was quoted as saying. Abe also urged Trump to solve disputes through the World Trade Organization. The two leaders also agreed to work closely together to urge China to play "a constructive role." On the outset of the meeting, Trump emphasized, "We do have a [trade] deficit that is pretty substantial with Japan. We hope that we're going to be balancing it very quickly." With this remark, the U.S. president apparently sought concrete results from the negotiations for a proposed bilateral trade agreement on goods (TAG) slated to start as early as January next year. Over Japan's plan to purchase state-of-the-art F-35 stealth fighters from the United States, Trump said, "We appreciate it very much." The U.S. president unveiled that he has been invited to an Imperial event in Japan. "I was very honored to be invited [by] your Emperor," he said. Trump likely had in mind Sokuirei Seiden no Gi ceremony scheduled for October next year, where the new Emperor will proclaim his enthronement. Abe and Trump also agreed that complete implementations of U.S. Security Council resolutions for sanctions against North Korea are indispensable for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders confirmed the two countries will cooperate with each other on the abduction issue of Japanese nationals by North Korea. During the meeting between Abe, Trump and Modi, the three leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in such fields as the maritime security toward realizing "a free and open Indo-Pacific," which Japan and the United States campaign. In this agreement, the three leaders apparently had China's maritime advance, among other elements, in mind. 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 Rawai beachfront refuelling from steel drums is legal, confirms Phuket energy chief PHUKET: The Chief of the Phuket office of the Ministry of Energy, which responsible for the safe transport and dispensing of fuels across the island, has told The Phuket News that the ongoing refuelling of tour speedboats directly from steel drums in the back of songthaew buses on the Rawai beachfront, is legal. tourismtransportmarineSafety By The Phuket News Sunday 2 December 2018, 11:00AM The refuelling of tour speedboats in a public area on the Rawai beachfront is legal, for now, say officials. Screengrab: Supplied The refuelling of tour speedboats in a public area on the Rawai beachfront is legal, for now, say officials. Screengrab: Supplied The refuelling of tour speedboats in a public area on the Rawai beachfront is legal, for now, say officials. Screengrab: Supplied The refuelling of tour speedboats in a public area on the Rawai beachfront is legal, for now, say officials. Screengrab: Supplied The refuelling of tour speedboats in a public area on the Rawai beachfront is legal, for now, say officials. Screengrab: Supplied The refuelling of tour speedboats in a public area on the Rawai beachfront is legal, for now, say officials. Screengrab: Supplied The refuelling of tour speedboats in a public area on the Rawai beachfront is legal, for now, say officials. Screengrab: Supplied Wirot Damkong confirmed the news this week after being presented with photos and even a video showing the practice is ongoing despite his confirmation last week that the driver of a properly constructed fuel truck had been arrested for ignoring an order and continuing to refuel speedboats on the Rawai beachfront. Dispensing fuel directly from a fuel truck or from large plastic tanks or containers is illegal, Mr Wirot said. He explained that, in terms of the law, it was an issue of volume. The volume of each of the drums (seen in the photos and video) contains only 200 litres, but the truck can contain much more fuel, and hence and presents a much greater danger if it catches alight, he said. But these steel drums are allowed. Now we are looking into how many of those drums can carried in the one vehicle at the same time. Asked how many drums of fuel is the limit, and especially in the back of a songthaew and restrained by a single rope, as seen in the video, Mr Wirot declined to answer. We are looking into that, he said. Regarding Mr Wikroms assurance last week that the driver of the fuel truck photographed repeatedly carrying out the beachfront refuelling despite an order to stop had been arrested (see story here), Mr Wikrom this week declined to comment. Meanwhile, Pannee Raknai, Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) and Chief of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation division at Rawai Municipality (DDPM-Rawai) has yet to respond to queries from The Phuket News this week about the ongoing practice. Ms Pannee has consistently claimed that her office is powerless over the issue unless there is an environmental concern, despite the obvious public safety issue involved. Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos this week did respond to questions from The Phuket News. The Phuket Energy office has informed Rawai Municipality of this, he said. We will stress to the refeulling operators to not refuel speedboats when there are tourists around, Mayor Aroon noted. I have informed them to use pickup trucks to make sure they are not carrying too many fuel drums at the same time until it is figured out how this can be done legally and safely, he added. 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 Prime Minister Theresa May began a day of meetings with foreign leaders aimed at strengthening the U.K.s future trade ties as domestic opposition to her Brexit deal mounted. May met on Saturday with her counterparts from Australia, Japan, Canada and Chile at the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires. All offered supportive remarks on trade ties. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japans Shinzo Abe expressed support for the agreement May reached with the European Union on Sunday, setting the terms for Britains departure from the bloc, and praised her leadership. Back in Britain, the premier was hit by the resignation of Science Minister Sam Gyimah, who slammed her Brexit deal in a lengthy Facebook post, while Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright appeared to go off-message, suggesting that if Parliament rejects Mays agreement with the EU it could lead to a second referendum. Thats something May has said wont happen on her watch. Wright told BBC radio on Saturday that people rejecting Mays deal should compare it to the alternatives, and not an idealized vision of Brexit. The alternatives dont look attractive, he said. They are essentially either we leave with no deal which would have serious economic consequences, or we say to the British public: Im sorry you got it wrong, youre going to have to do it again, which I think would have serious democratic consequences. U.K. lawmakers are set to vote on Mays Brexit package on Dec. 11, and all the signs are shes heading for a large defeat. All opposition parties say theyll oppose it, as do her allies in Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist Party, and about 100 members of her own Conservatives. Surrender Brexit-supporting Tories have been the most vociferous antagonists of the deal, which they say would turn Britain into a vassal state of the EU. Gyimah the 22nd ministerial resignation since last years election swells the growing ranks of pro-European Conservatives voicing displeasure, with many calling for a second referendum, or Peoples Vote to resolve the issue. We shouldnt 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, Gyimah wrote. Under Mays deal, Britain has surrendered our voice, our vote and our veto. G-20 May herself has stuck rigidly to the line that she can win the parliamentary vote, and refused to tell reporters traveling with her to Buenos Aires whether she had a plan B. Shes counting on the support of foreign leaders to buttress her case, with a message that rejection of the deal would put voters jobs at risk. Both Abe and Morrison paid tribute to Mays leadership and expressed optimism about future trade ties. The Japanese leader issued an appeal for May to avoid no deal as well as to ensure transparency, predictability as well as legal stability in the Brexit process. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera both discussed with May progress on rolling over existing EU trade deals into bilateral agreements with the U.K. after Brexit. Trudeau said U.K. and Canadian officials have been working behind the scenes over the past year plus to ensure that there is a seamless transition. Thats obviously a big part of making sure that the CETA trade deal that we have with Europe moves smoothly and completely to the U.K. on Brexit, he said. On Friday, May held a controversial meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whos under fire over the killing of columnist Jamal Khashoggi. It was the sole bilateral meeting that Mays office didnt invite the U.K. press to, only offering reporters a single official photo of a stony-faced May sitting a short distance from the prince. The damage-limitation effort was thwarted by the Saudis, who invited a camera crew in to film the two shaking hands. She planned to raise the issue of Khashoggis murder also with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in her final meeting on Saturday. Read more about: It was mid-summer, less than three months before Canada legalized recreational marijuana, and Vic Neufeld had a problem. The chief executive officer of Aphria Inc. had just hired 50 people to work in the pot producers greenhouse in Leamington, Ontario and by the end of the first week all but eight had quit. Those are really hot, humid months and working in a greenhouse, as much cooling and airflow as we can provide, is still pretty darn hot in July and August, Neufeld said in a phone interview. A lack of qualified local labour forced Aphria to dispose of almost 14,000 cannabis plants in the quarter ended Aug. 31 after they werent harvested in time, costing it nearly $1 million. Since then, the company has doubled the staff at its Aphria One greenhouse thanks in part to Canadas Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program, which has allowed it to hire about 50 temporary workers from the Caribbean and Guatemala with plans to bring in up to 100 more. Aphrias experience underscores the swelling demand for labour in Canadas five-year-old cannabis sector, where openings have tripled in the past year to 34 out of every 10,000 job postings, according to employment search engine Indeed.com. Canadas licensed producers employed about 2,400 workers at the end of 2017, according to Statistics Canada, and BMO Capital Markets estimated that industry employment was around 3,500 people when legalization took effect in mid-October. Between them, eight of Canadas largest cannabis companies are now actively recruiting for approximately 1,700 positions, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Many companies say they expect that number to grow as they expand production facilities after Canada legalized recreational marijuana in October. Theres been a spike in postings for jobs at cannabis growers and retailers. And next year will see even more demand for labour as Canada expands the number of legal cannabis products to include edibles and concentrates, said Alison McMahon, founder and CEO of Cannabis At Work, a recruitment and training site. Were going to see a lot of R&D positions and a lot of science-based positions around extraction and formulations, McMahon said, estimating that the industry could create around 125,000 jobs in the first year after legalization. Increasing automation will also likely accelerate the shift toward more high-tech jobs in the industry away from more manual jobs. That would follow the pattern of traditional sectors such as the auto industry, where blue-collar manufacturing jobs have been disappearing as companies ramp up spending on research and engineering. Canopy Growth Corp., Canadas largest licensed producer by market value, needs to fill about 1,200 positions. Recent postings on the companys recruitment site range from a destruction lead hand in Langley, British Columbia to a soft gel encapsulation manager in Smiths Falls, Ontario. With operations in 12 countries, Canopy is also recruiting for a few international jobs, including a regional manager for natural health products in Frankfurt and a manager of medical affairs in Cape Town. Most of Canopys hiring is happening in Canada however, as the country is the global centre of the legal cannabis industry, said CEO Bruce Linton. Its kind of like a burden for the globe but its being borne in Canada because it has the most medical patients and its the best place to hire the people to do the research, Linton said in an interview. Aurora Cannabis Inc. has grown to 1,700 employees worldwide from 35 when Chief Corporate Officer Cam Battley joined the company in March 2016, Battley said in an interview. The Edmonton, Alberta-based company currently has about 140 openings and is bringing 60 new employees on board each month. Alberta Beacon Theres plenty of interested candidates, with Aurora getting between 200 to thousands of applications for each posting. Competition for workers is fierce, with Canadas jobless rate at a four-decades low of 5.8 per cent. Were bringing in people from mature industries who probably wouldnt have considered a career in the cannabis business two years ago, Battley said. Weve got people coming in from the logistics business, weve got people coming in from agriculture and different sciences, weve got people coming in from oil and gas. The latter industry, largely based in Auroras home province of Alberta, is suffering from the slump in Canadian crude prices, which fell to a record low in November. Theres no question that weve been one of the bright lights in the Alberta economy, Battley said. A number of researchers due to attend a prestigious conference on artificial intelligence in Canada this week have been unable to obtain visas in time, leading some executives to question the governments stated goal of becoming a world-leading destination for academics and companies developing the technology. Complaints from prominent AI researchers and media reports prompted the Canadian government to approve some African researchers whose applications had been held up. But the late-hour approvals seemed too little for a conference that started in Montreal on Sunday: Timnit Gebru, a Google AI researcher and a founder of Black in AI, said her group had tried to book last-minute flights for these academics but that some hit additional roadblocks with connecting flights through Europe. Its unclear how many people have been affected by visa issues, but at least a dozen researchers circulated their stories on social media. Gebru estimated last week that 55 percent of the approximately 230 academics it had asked to attend the workshop had visa applications either denied or not processed in time to allow them to attend. African Researchers Have Most Trouble Its Africans living everywhere that are getting denied, she said. This is not how you attract world-class AI talent to Canada, Caleb Del Begio, the co-founder of Advize, a tech startup in Vancouver, wrote on Twitter. Jeff Dean, a computer scientist who leads AI research for Alphabet Inc.s Google, used Twitter to appeal directly to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to help remove the roadblocks. I believe that its important that researchers from populations that are under-represented in the field of machine learning be given the opportunity to participate in the conference and to present their research to the community, Dean said in an emailed response to questions. Mathieu Genest, a spokesman for Canadas immigration minister, said the government had been working with the conference organizers to provide guidance on visa applications and has processed them in as timely a manner as possible. While we understand the disappointment of those whose visa applications were refused, he said in an email, all visitors to Canada must meet the requirement for temporary residence in Canada and are assessed equally. Name Changed The conference has already courted controversy. It was better known by the acronym NIPS, but changed to NeurIPS earlier this month following complaints that the original acronym could have sexual connotations and was emblematic of an environment unfriendly to women. The organizers have said theyre working to make the event more inclusive. NeurIPS is one of the top annual gatherings for people working on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence and machine learning, drawing thousands of attendees. As large technology companies, from Amazon.com Inc. and Alphabet Inc.s Google to Chinas Baidu Inc. and Tencent Holdings Ltd., have played a bigger role in this research, it has become an important stage for showcasing their latest work as well as recruiting employees for their research labs. Trudeau has been seeking to burnish his countrys reputation as an AI hot spot. While the U.S. has built many more large technology companies, lots of the ideas underpinning current machine learning technologies were developed by academics working in Canada. Trudeau has sought to capitalize on this background to create more tech economy jobs. The country has also tried to lure entrepreneurs and technology workers to Canada from the U.S., where the immigration reforms introduced by President Donald Trump have made it harder for foreign nationals, especially those from the Middle Eastern and African nations, to remain. Trudeau has introduced a new, streamlined visa process under which technology companies can bring in foreign employees. In addition, Canada currently holds the presidency of the Group of Seven industrialized nations and it has organized a G7 event on the future of AI, including its effect on jobs and issues surrounding regulation of AI, in Montreal to coincide with the NeurIPS conference. To sidestep future visa problems, Yoshua Bengio, a world renowned machine learning researcher at the University of Montreal, said in a recent magazine interview that a different machine learning conference, the International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR), would move to an African nation in 2020. Visas are not the only issue, he said. Bengio said African computer scientists were already struggling with less access to computing power and IT infrastructure. CALGARYWhile she had her hair and makeup prepared for her portrait photo at the Calgary Drop-In Centre, Tracy reflected on this photo shoot thats become an annual tradition for her. It makes me feel good. You live in a homeless shelter, and these people come here out of the goodness of their heart. Its nice, its fun, said Tracy, a client at the DI who was getting her portrait taken by Help Portrait Photography at the centre for the third time on Saturday. Tracys last name wasnt provided, as per DIs official policy. It made me feel glamorous, like a movie star. For seven years, Help Portrait Photography has partnered with the DI to bring hairstylists, makeup artists and professional photographers in to take photos of the centres clients once a year. On Saturday, they returned again for a full day at the DI where they planned to take portraits of approximately 100 clients. Those who participate get to pick out clothing for the photo, have their hair and makeup done, and have their photo taken and edited to take with them as a personal keepsake the same day. Help Portrait Photography, a worldwide organization, has run this event in Calgary for more than a decade since before partnering with the DI, always scheduling these photoshoots on the first Saturday of December. The organization sets up the event with a goal to empower the DIs clients and to capture their courage and beauty in a portrait. Its really just an opportunity for the community to get together to show the less fortunate that they are not forgotten and that they mean something to the world, said Chantelle Ethier, whos been the Help Portrait Photography event organizer in Calgary for 10 years. We can just help them feel a little better about themselves going into the Christmas season and the new year. For Saturdays event, Ethier and Help Portrait brought together four professional photographers and four photo editors, independent hair and makeup stylists, and they partnered with The Street Store, a non-profit that provided clothing. For some clients who havent seen their families in years, Ethier said these portraits are a keepsake they can send home. Or, she added, it can be used by clients and their families to mark the end of the year together. Sadly, we have some families that come year after year, Ethier said. One, because theyre still on the streets. But also because they want to get their family portrait done, so that they know theyve made it through another year together. The DI often receives positive feedback from clients about the event as something they can have fun with and look forward to when it arrives in December. You can watch people transform as soon as they walk through the door, said Briana Goucher, a spokesperson with the DI. This is the time of year where you want to feel good about yourself, or youre expected to feel good about yourself. And if this is whats going to help them with that, then thats fantastic. Ethier echoed the same sentiment that shes always amazed to see the transformation of clients. They might walk through the door for the first time not knowing what to expect, but Ethier said she often sees those same people leave excited to have a professional portrait of themselves. They feel special, like theyve been seen and like they matter, Ethier said. Its just an amazing way to spend the day. Read more about: EDMONTONUniversity of Calgary medical student Angela Kim remembers how there was a surge of nearly 100,000 Canadians who signed up to be organ donors after the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. She just wishes it didnt take such a tragedy for Canadians to register as donors. This really reminded us of the altruistic human connection we have and the life-saving benefits of organ donation Its really unfortunate because Alberta is lagging behind on the public education and public awareness portion of organ donation, Kim said. Its why a group of medical students from the University of Calgary and University of Alberta are meeting with MLAs on Monday to come up with new strategies to educate the public and increase donor rates in Alberta. Alberta has long lagged behind the national rate for organ and tissue donors, with Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec leading the way. In 2016, Alberta had 17.2 donors per million people, compared to the national average of 21.6. In 2017 the number increased to 20.7, well behind the national average of 25. Alberta is unfortunately not a leader in organ donation in Canada, said Kaylin Bechard, senior chair of the U of As Medical Students Associations Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee. Patients arent getting the optimal care that they deserve in the province, she added. And its costing our health-care system. According to the Canadian Health Institute, there were 640 Albertans who were waiting for an organ transplant in 2017. Of those, 96 were either withdrawn from the waitlist or died waiting for an organ transplant. The number one reason (people are withdrawn) unfortunately is they get too sick to get through a transplant, said Dr. Norman Kneteman, a professor of surgery at the University of Alberta and section chief for transplantation for Alberta Health Services, Edmonton zone. Most of the people who are withdrawn from the list probably died without a transplant. Bechard hopes that by lobbying MLAs from the governing NDP and opposition UCP, action will be taken on the urgent need for organ and tissue donors in Alberta. Were missing out on improving patients quality of life and care, helping those that are not able to get off the waitlist because of the lack of organs that are available, and we (would be) able to save our health-care system a substantial cost, Bechard said. Bechard said while up to 90 per cent of Albertans support organ donation in principle, only about 8 per cent are actually registered. The students are calling on the province to follow the lead of Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec by following best practices for organ donation, which includes having mandatory referral from physicians. Mandatory referral is a law that requires physicians to refer potential organ donors to their local organ donation program if theyre a suitable fit. However according to Alberta law We only have mandatory consideration. Were one of the few provinces that does not have mandatory referral, Bechard said. Another area for growth is to direct resources into hiring more physicians who are specialized in organ donation and trained in dealing with donor identification. Right now, Alberta only has two serving the entire province, whereas Ontario has something in the range of 60 specialized doctors, Kneteman said. And unlike the three leading provinces, there is no designated provincial agency or organization that is solely dedicated to organ donations. Kneteman points to the Ontarios Trillium Gift of Life Network, which he says has a host of information on how people can register. None of that information is available in Alberta either publicly or even potentially to myself, Kneteman said. So were lagging behind in the whole system and the funds to support the system. Bechard and Kim both said hearing the stories of patients as part of their studies motivated them to push the government for legislative change. More than 75 per cent of Canadians waiting for an organ transplant are in need of a kidney, Bechard said. Their only other option is dialysis, which has a five-year survival rate of 45 per cent compared to 82 per cent with a transplant, she said. It also leads to a lower quality of life due to having to travel for treatment multiple times a week, and costs substantially more. When you listen to those stories of patients who are on kidney dialysis and how much it impacts their lives and their families, you want to learn more (about what we can do), Kim said. I think we as medical students have an obligation to the people we serve to identify what their true health-care needs are and voice these concerns together. Thats what motivated me to help organize this political action day, she added. In addition to getting the government to take action, the political action day also aims to show medical students that they have an obligation to be health advocates. As part of our training, its actually essential and its really well integrated into our program to learn about what this health advocate role is, Kim said. Its not just about becoming a scholarly person, but its also becoming a better communicator, a better collaborator ... Because at the end of the day were serving people. Read more about: OTTAWAThe Canadian government is planning a larger push to protect the integrity of the 2019 federal election against foreign meddling, the Star has learned. Ottawa is expected within weeks to announce a broader effort by federal agencies and departments to safeguard the 2019 vote, sources have confirmed. The total number of departments is not yet known but it is described, in Ottawa terms, as a whole of government effort. Both the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) are expected to have a role, but non-security agencies like Global Affairs Canada and the Privy Council Office are also involved. The initiative was described to the Star by a number of officials from different agencies, who requested anonymity because the governments planning is not yet complete. A spokesperson for Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould told the Star that her ministry was not prepared to comment. I can only say we continue to work on new measures to protect against foreign interference as we approach the 2019 election, wrote Amy Butcher in an email. One of the key questions officials are grappling with is how exactly Canadians would be informed about any attempt either by influencing Canadians debates through disinformation campaigns, or by a more direct efforts to meddle with the election. Its a question that has put non-partisan public servants in a difficult spot: How do you tell Canadians in the heat of the campaign that a foreign actor is trying to influence the results without appearing to influence the results yourself? Read more: Virtually impossible to prevent foreign meddling in 2019 election, Karina Gould says Politicians from 9 countries call for regulation of social media Elections chief wants to talk to parties about election interference Call it the James Comey question, after the former FBI director who reopened an investigation into Hillary Clintons emails in the middle of the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. It could also be called the Barack Obama question, since its exactly the same issue Obamas administration dealt with in 2016 according to David Sanger, a New York Times reporter whose recent book, The Perfect Weapon, details Russias campaign to influence the U.S. presidential election and the Obama administrations internal debates. (Obama argued) he would be accused of trying to swing the election in Hilary (Clintons) favour by arguing the Russians were coming in Trumps favour, Sanger told the Star. Theres not an easy answer (to that) but theres an answer. The naming and shaming of cyber actors, once youve got reasonable confidence in the attribution, (becomes) routine Once youve started that process, long before the election begins, the populace becomes accustomed to it. And youre just calling balls and strikes, to use a very American metaphor, he said. The hard thing would be not doing that, and then start doing it during the election. Obamas decision was to largely keep quiet, except for a few short statements about Russias campaign. It doesnt appear that the Canadian government, if it detects a foreign influence campaign, will do the same. Melanie Wise, a spokesperson with Elections Canada, said the arms-length agency has been working with partners including some in the security community about how the Canadian public will be informed if a foreign agent or government is trying to swing the election. Its a big question, Wise said. Were meeting, actively, regularly, to discuss roles and responsibilities under various scenarios and were developing appropriate communications plans. Officials including Wise stressed that Elections Canada is independent of government. But Wise said the agency has been meeting with the commissioner of Canada Elections, who investigates and enforces elections law, CSE, CSIS, the RCMP, Public Safety Canada, and the Office of the National Security Advisor on elections integrity matters. Michael Pal, a professor with the University of Ottawas faulty of law, said that more transparency around how the federal government would deal with these issues would be a positive. One of the things Id like to see is a bit more public disclosure of what the protocols would be in the case of foreign interference which the U.S. has done, Pal said. They deemed elections critical infrastructure, but they also made public what would happen Homeland Security contacts the secretary of state, then we announce it under these factors and conditions because it can get very partisan very quickly, especially if the foreign interference is seen to help or hurt one party. I would like to see a commitment to setting out those standards in public, Pal said. I think its better for building trust in the Canadian public, if everybody knows the rules in advance. Read more about: Peel Regional police have arrested a man wanted for attempted murder after a Canada-wide warrant was issued last week. The case relates to a shooting in Mississauga, which police allege had an intended target who was later found uninjured. Shortly before midnight on Nov. 10, police responded to sounds of gunshots in the area of Delmonte Cres. and Brandon Gate Dr., near Morning Star Dr. and Hwy. 427. They found shell casings and a suspect vehicle that was damaged after a collision with parked cars. Police say anyone believed to be involved in the shooting had fled the area before police responded. A news release said the targeted victim was identified at a later time and was found uninjured. Travon Edwards-Bryan, 23, of Mississauga was identified as the alleged suspect. He was arrested in Toronto on Friday at 3:30 a.m., and appeared in court in Brampton later in the day. Two other men were charged at the same time. Adrian Williams, 26, and Teshawn Tulloch, 24, both of Toronto, were arrested. Williams was found with an unauthorized firearm, and Tulloch was arrested based on an outstanding warrant from Toronto, and was later turned over to the Toronto Police Service. Ilya Banares is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @ilyaoverseas Read more about: Paramedics took a woman to hospital after a bullet grazed her cheek in an early morning shooting in the Queen West area, according to Toronto police. The call came in at 2:55 a.m., paramedics said, for a shooting that occurred at Queen St. and Ossington Ave. Police are not sure if the woman, whos in her 20s, was a bystander or a direct target. Investigators are reviewing video footage to determine what happened. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINAThe 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 U.S. 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 (U.S.) 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 Americas huge trade deficit with China, the White House said. The truce, reached after a dinner of more than two hours, buys time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijings aggressive drive to supplant U.S. technological dominance. Its an incredible deal, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. What Ill be doing is holding back on tariffs. China will be opening up, China will be getting rid of tariffs. China will be buying massive amounts of products from us. In another long-sought concession to the U.S., China agreed to label fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid responsible for tens of thousands of American drug deaths annually, as a controlled substance. And Beijing agreed to reconsider a takeover by U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm that it had previously blocked. The White House announcement framed a victory for Trump and his unflinching negotiating tactics, securing a commitment from China to engage in talks on key U.S. economic priorities, with little obvious concession by the U.S. Notably, however, the White House appears to be reversing course on its previous threats to tie trade discussions to security concerns, like Chinas attempted territorial expansion in the South China Sea. Read more: U.S. goes its own way on climate at G20 summit Saudi Prince finds both friends and disapproval at G20 summit At stake when Xi and Trump meet: The possibility of a new Cold War Its great the two sides took advantage of this opportunity to call a truce, said Andy Rothman, investment strategist at Matthews Asia. The two sides appear to have had a major change of heart to move away from confrontation toward engagement. This changes the tone and direction of the bilateral conversation. The Trump-Xi meeting was the marquee event of Trumps whirlwind two-day trip to Argentina for the G-20 summit after the president cancelled a sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin over mounting tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Trump also cancelled a Saturday news conference, citing respect for the Bush family following the death of former president George H.W. Bush. Trump said Bushs death put a damper on what he described as a very important meeting with Xi. The United States and China are locked in a dispute over their trade imbalance and Beijings tech policies. 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 25 per cent on $50 billion worth and 10 per cent on the other $200 billion. Trump had planned to raise the tariffs on the $200 billion to 25 per cent if he couldnt get a deal with Xi. China has already slapped tariffs on $110 billion in U.S. goods. Under the agreement reached in Buenos Aires, the two countries have 90 days to resolve their differences over Beijings tech policies. If they cant, the higher U.S. tariffs will go into effect on the $200 billion in Chinese imports. 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 judged. A full-blown resolution was not expected to be reached in Buenos Aires; the issues that divide them are just too difficult. 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 per cent from a previous 3.7 per cent. In doing so, they cited the trade conflict as well as political uncertainty. The U.S. and China also made progress on the regulation of fentanyl, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin. U.S. officials for years have been pressing the Chinese government to take a tougher stance against fentanyl, and most U.S. supply of the drug is manufactured in China. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders says Chinas decision to label the drug as a controlled substance means that people selling Fentanyl to the United States will be subject to Chinas maximum penalty under the law. The White House also said that Chinas government is open to approving the purchase of Dutch semiconductor manufacturer NXP by American chipmaker Qualcomm. China nixed the proposed takeover earlier this year, citing antitrust concerns, after U.S. and European regulators approved the deal. Chinas decision earlier this year came amid a period of heightening tensions between the U.S. and China over trade and intellectual property issues. Qualcomm announced it was dropping plans to proceed with the deal after it failed to receive Chinese government approval. It is unclear whether the transaction could be revived even with Chinas acquiescence. Read more about: In the preface of How It Happened: Documenting the Tragedy of Hungarian Jewry, editor Nina Munk writes about her cousin Erno Munkacsis testament to brutality and first-hand account of the Jews moral dilemmas in wartime Hungary with a focus on the Jewish Council (a.ka. Judenrat). The book has been published in English for the first time. A few years ago, while rummaging through his desk drawers, my father, Peter Munk, found a tattered copy of a Hungarian book written in 1947 by his cousin Erno Munkacsi. My father sat down, read the book in one sitting, and called me. This book, he began urgently. It has to be published in English. Leading scholars of the Holocaust in Hungary have long been influenced by Erno Munkacsis remarkable book of 1947. Notably, How It Happened served as a vital source for Randolph L. Brahams encyclopedic The Politics of Genocide. But as my father understood immediately, How It Happened is not only an important historical record of the Holocaust in Hungary; it is an extraordinary first-hand account of the atrocity, written by a privileged eyewitness and victim. Memoirs of war are almost always affected by hindsight bias. How It Happened was written right after the Second World War, when the wounds were still raw. That immediacy magnifies the horrors Munkacsi describes: The barrage of increasingly preposterous demands made by Adolf Eichmanns special operations unit in Budapest (Sondereinsatzkommando Eichmann); the complicity of the Hungarian authorities; the disagreements that unfolded behind closed doors among frantic members of the Hungarian Judenrat; the mind-numbing swiftness and barbarity with which hundreds of thousands of Hungarys Jews were rounded up, robbed of their property and civil rights, herded into ghettos, and murdered in Nazi concentration camps. My father and Erno Munkacsi were first cousins once removed. (My fathers grandfather was Munkacsis uncle.) The Munk family was big and tightly knit and comfortably bourgeois. In Budapest in the years leading up to the war, family members gathered frequently at their local coffee house (Orszaghaz kavehaz), at their synagogue on what was then Csaky St., and for Shabbat dinners at my great-grandfather Gabor Munks well-appointed apartment in Lipotvaros. Erno, born in 1896, was 31 years older than my father. My father, born in 1927, remembered his older cousin as serious, dutiful and rather dull. By all accounts, Erno was all that and more. He was a member of Budapests Jewish intelligentsia, a highly respected jurist, cultured, and committed to doing right by his community. As Susan Papp argues in her biographical essay (included in this volume), by acting as secretary for the Judenrat or Jewish Council, Erno Munkacsi surely believed he could act as a bulwark against the Nazis. The reality was something very different, of course, as revealed by a disquieting joke that Erno recounts in How It Happened: A Jew is woken up in the middle of the night by a banging on his door. Whos there? he calls out. The Gestapo, comes the answer. Thank God, says the Jew, with obvious relief. I thought it was the Jewish Council! To read How It Happened is to understand that the Budapest-based Judenrat, an administrative body established by the SS immediately after the invasion of Hungary in March 1944, inadvertently facilitated the Nazis wholesale extermination of Hungarian Jews (Ernos words). Even today, this is a deeply unsettling, controversial topic. The tragic role played by the Jewish councils in Hungary, Poland and other Nazi-occupied nations is often defined in terms of impossible choices or, to quote the Holocaust scholar Lawrence L. Langer, choiceless choices. In The Politics of Genocide, Braham describes the Hungarian Judenrat as naive, ineffective and almost completely oblivious of the inferno around it. Rudolf Vrba, an escapee whose detailed report of April 1944 first documented the extent of the horrors at Auschwitz, went further in his critique of the Jewish elite who composed the Judenrat, charging them in his later memoirs with complicity in the Nazis crimes: It is my contention that a small group of informed people, by their silence, deprived others of the possibility or privilege of making their own decisions in the face of mortal dangers. Erno Munkacsi wrote How It Happened well before Braham or Vrba questioned the role of Jewish leaders in Hungary; yet already in the immediate aftermath of the war he and other members of the Judenrat were confronted by intense hostility and outrage from fellow survivors, many of whom had lost their whole family and community to the gas chambers. Why didnt the Judenrat do more to save their people? How did the Judenrat and their families manage to emerge largely unscathed from the war even while more than 400,000 Hungarian Jews were murdered? In his perceptive introduction to this volume, Ferenc Laczo suggests that in writing How It Happened, Erno had a personal stake in denying how much he knew about the Holocaust by mid-1944; he needed to defend himself against accusations of having done too little too late. Fulop (Pinchas) Freudiger was another member of my family who served on the Hungarian Judenrat in 1944. Years later, as a witness at the Eichmann Trial, Freudiger was asked what he did to prevent the mass deportations in Hungary. What could we have done? he asked. Erno Munkacsi and Fulop Freudiger werent the only members of my family who wrestled with their wartime records. In June 1944, as the cattle cars rolled from Hungary to the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp at peak capacity, 14 members of my immediate family including my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather fled Budapest on what we now know as the Kasztner Train, the result of secret negotiations with the Nazis that permitted 1,687 select Jews to flee to safety in Switzerland. To be blunt: My family used its connections and money to escape the inferno, while others with less money and fewer connections were murdered. That unspoken, unsavoury fact has caused lingering rifts, even within my own family, because less-wealthy or less-lucky branches of the family were trapped in Hungary and slaughtered by the Nazis or the Arrow Cross (fascists who took over the government in October 1944). What was the right thing to do during the Holocaust? In How It Happened, Munkacsi offers readers a new understanding of the lamentable, impossible balancing act that he and his fellow members of the Judenrat performed. They were not heroes. They were dutiful, rather dull members of the establishment who implicitly or conveniently trusted in the established order that had permitted them to thrive in Hungary. Even as increasingly severe anti-Jewish measures robbed them of their property, their jobs and their civil rights, the Jewish elite in Budapest rationalized that if they kept their heads down, they would emerge from the war relatively unscathed. Even after the Nazis arrived in 1944 and Hungarys Jews began to be herded into ghettos and deported, they stayed the course, perhaps because they entertained the illusion that Hungary would be the exception, a tiny foothold of an island in the sea of Jewish devastation, as Munkacsi argues, or perhaps because they felt they had no other option. To quote Ferenc Laczo: With greater temporal distance, it might be easier to acknowledge that members of the Council made politically and morally problematic choices because there was no alternative; it was impossible for them to make good decisions. My father could never forgive himself for leaving his mother behind when he escaped in 1944. I should have done something to save her, he would say. But what could he have done? Shortly after the Germans occupied Hungary, my grandmother was arrested on the far-fetched charge that she was a threat to the Reich. My father, aged 16, accompanied her to the Gestapo detention centre on Rokk Szilard St., carrying her brown leather valise. Assured by elder statesmen of the community that she would soon be released, my father would only later learn that she had been sent to Auschwitz and then forced into labour for the Nazis at a factory in Zschopau, Germany. She survived the ordeal, only to later commit suicide. Not surprisingly, my father empathized with his cousin Ernos impossible dilemma. KABULAt least ten civilians were killed following an airstrike in the eastern Paktia province bordering Pakistan, Afghan officials said Sunday. Shausta Jan Ahady, a former provincial council member, said that women and children were among those killed in the strike carried out a day earlier. He said local residents displayed the bodies and protested on Sunday. Provincial government spokesperson Abdullah Hsrat said the airstrike killed four insurgents and that an investigation has been launched into the allegations of civilian casualties. We are aware of the reports of civilian casualties, but cant confirm it right now, as an investigation is ongoing, said Hsrat. Ahady said the area is under Talibans control and so exact information is difficult to obtain. In a separate incident in the southern Helmand province, an airstrike killed the Talibans shadow governor and two of his guards, according to the provincial government spokesperson, Omar Zwak. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Talibans spokesperson, in a statement said that Mullah Abdul Manan Akhand, a powerful military commander in the southern region, was among those killed in Saturdays airstrike. Read more: Taliban attacks kill 20 police, 10 troops, say Afghan officials Three U.S. soldiers killed by explosion in eastern Afghanistan U.S. airstrike reportedly kills dozens of Afghan civilians Abdul Manan Akhand, was a powerful and brave military commander who cleared 95 per cent of Helmand from invader Americans and their slaves, the Taliban statement said. Manan was a military commander and the Talibans shadow governor responsible not only for Helmand, but also Kandahar, Zabul and Nimroz provinces, according to local officials in Helmand. The Taliban control of nearly half the country and run a parallel administration with provincial governors and military commanders across numerous provinces in the country. It was not immediately clear who carried out either airstrike. Read more about: HONG KONGEarly last year, a little-known Chinese researcher turned up at an elite meeting in Berkeley, California, where scientists and ethicists were discussing a technology that had shaken the field to its core an emerging tool for editing genes, the strings of DNA that form the blueprint of life. The young scientist, He Jiankui, saw the power of this tool, called CRISPR, to transform not only genes, but also his own career. In visits to the United States, he sought out CRISPR pioneers such as Jennifer Doudna of the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford Universitys Dr. Matthew Porteus, and big thinkers on its use, like Stanford ethicist Dr. William Hurlbut. Last week, those shocked researchers watched as He hijacked an international conference they helped organize with an astonishing claim: He said he helped make the worlds first gene-edited babies, despite clear scientific consensus that making genetic changes that could be passed to future generations should not be attempted at this point . U.S. National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins called Hes experiment a misadventure of a major sort starring a scientist who apparently believed that he was a hero. In fact, he crossed every line, scientifically and ethically. But nobody stopped him. How can that be? Read more: China halts work by team on gene-edited babies Chinese researcher claims he helped make worlds first genetically edited babies Another gene-edited baby may be on the way, scientist says To be fair, scientists say theres no certain way to stop someone intent on monkeying with DNA, no matter what laws or standards are in place. CRISPR is cheap and easy to use which is why scientists began to worry almost as soon as the technology was invented that something like this would happen. And there is a long history in science and medicine of researchers launching experiments prematurely that were met with scorn or horror some of which led to what are now common practices, such as in vitro fertilization. Gene-editing for reproductive purposes is effectively banned in the U.S. and most of Europe. In China, ministerial guidelines prohibit embryo research that violates ethical or moral principles. It turns out He wasnt exactly tight-lipped about his goals. He pursued international experts at Stanford and Rice Universities, where he had done graduate studies work, and elsewhere, seeking advice before and during the experiment. Should scientists who knew of Hes plans have spoken up? Could they have dissuaded him? The answers arent clear. It doesnt fall into the category of legal responsibility, but ethical responsibility, said Collins. He said that not speaking up doesnt seem like a scientist taking responsibility. Chinas National Commission of Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Hes own university have said they were in dark and have since condemned him . But three Stanford scientists Hurlbut, Porteus and Hes former fellowship adviser, Stephen Quake had extensive contact with him over the last few years. They and other scientists knew or strongly suspected that He intended to try to make genetically edited babies. Some confidantes didnt think He would follow through; others raised concerns that were never heeded. Stanford has not responded to an interview request. Quake, a bioengineering professor, was one of the first to know about Hes ambition. Quake said he had met with He through the years whenever his former student was in town, and that He confided his interest a few years ago in editing embryos for live births to try to make them resistant to the AIDS virus. Quake said he gave He only general advice and encouraged him to talk with mainstream scientists, to choose situations where theres consensus that the risks are justified, to meet the highest ethics standards and to publish his results in a peer-reviewed journal. My advice was very broad, Quake said. Hurlbut thinks he first met He in early 2017, when he and Doudna, co-inventor of CRISPR, held the first of three meetings with leading scientists and ethicists to discuss the technology. Somehow, he ended up at our meeting, Hurlbut said. Since then, He returned several times to Stanford, and Hurlbut said he spent many hours talking with He about situations where gene editing might be appropriate. Four or five weeks ago, Hurlbut said He came to see him again and discussed embryo gene editing to try to prevent HIV. Hurlbut said he suspected He had tried to implant a modified embryo in a womans womb. I admonished him, he said. I didnt green-light his work. I challenged him on it. I didnt approve of what he was doing. Porteus said he knew that He had been talking with Hurlbut and assumed Hurlbut discouraged the Chinese scientist. In February, He asked to meet with Porteus and told him he had gotten approval from a hospital ethics board to move forward. I think he was expecting me to be more receptive, and I was very negative, Porteus said. I was angry at his naivete, I was angry at his recklessness. Porteus said he urged He to go talk to your senior Chinese colleagues. After that meeting, I didnt hear from him and assumed he would not proceed, Porteus said. In retrospect, I could have raised a hue and cry. In a draft article about the gene-edited twin girls, which He planned to submit to journals, he thanked UC Berkeley biophysicist Mark DeWitt for editing the manuscript. DeWitt said he tried to dissuade He and disputed that he edited the paper. He said he saw the paper, but the feedback he offered was pretty general. Hes claims, including that his work has resulted in a second pregnancy, cannot be independently confirmed and his work has not been published. He defended his actions last week at a gene editing summit in Hong Kong. In contrast, another U.S. scientist said he not only encouraged He but played a large role in the project. Michael Deem, a bioengineering professor at Rice University and Hes doctoral degree adviser, said he had worked with He since the scientist returned to China around 2012, and that he sits on the advisory boards and holds a small stake in Hes two genetics companies in Shenzhen. Deem defended Hes actions, saying the research team did earlier experiments on animals. We have multiple generations of animals that were genetically edited and produced viable offspring, and a lot of research on unintended effects on other genes, Deem said. Deem also said he was present in China when some study participants gave their consent to try embryo gene editing. Rice said it had no knowledge of Deems involvement and is now investigating. So far most of the attention has focused on regulatory gaps in China. But thats not the whole story, said Rosario Isasi, an expert on genomics law in the U.S. and China at the University of Miami. Lets focus on how it happened and why it happened, and the way it happened, said Isasi. How can we establish a system that has better transparency? Theres no international governing body to enforce bioethics rules, but scientific bodies and universities can use other tools. If someone breaks those rules, scientists can ostracize, journals can refuse to publish, employers can refuse to employ, funders can refuse to fund, said Hank Greely, a professor of law and genetics at Stanford. Greely expects Hes experiment will have ripple effects in academia, whether or not regulators act. Universities are going to take a harder look at whats going on. This incident will put everyone on alert about any related research. Of course, sometimes bad beginnings can turn into better endings. In 1980, University of California, Los Angeles, professor Martin Cline was sanctioned for performing the first gene therapy on two women in Israel and Italy because he hadnt gotten approval to try it at UCLA. Cline announced his work rather than publishing it in a scientific journal, and faced criticism for trying genetic engineering on people when its safety and effectiveness hadnt yet been established in animals. Now gene therapy is an established, although still fairly novel, treatment method. Two years earlier, in 1978, Dr. Robert Edwards was similarly denounced when he announced through the press the worlds first test tube baby, Louise Brown. The work later earned a Nobel Prize, and IVF has helped millions to have a child. And this year, Louise Brown mother of two sons, conceived in the old-fashioned way turned 40. Read more about: FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.Immediately after 17 people were murdered inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the school district launched a persistent effort to keep people from finding out what went wrong. For months, Broward schools delayed or withheld records, refused to publicly assess the role of employees, spread misinformation and even sought to jail reporters who published the truth. New information gathered by the South Florida Sun Sentinel proves that the school district knew far more than its saying about a disturbed former student obsessed with death and guns who mowed down staff and students with an assault rifle on Valentines Day. After promising an honest assessment of what led to the shooting, the district instead hired a consultant whose primary goal, according to school records, was preparing a legal defense. Then the district kept most of those findings from the public. The district also spent untold amounts on lawyers to fight the release of records and nearly $200,000 (U.S.) to pay public relations consultants who advised administrators to clam up, the Sun Sentinel found. School administrators insist that they have been as transparent as possible; that federal privacy laws prevent them from revealing the school record of gunman Nikolas Cruz; that discussing security in detail would make schools more dangerous; and that answers ultimately will come when a state commission releases its initial findings about the shooting around New Years. Who made key mistakes in Parkland school shooting? Nine months later, no one held accountable Beyond that, though, the cloak of secrecy illustrates the steps a beleaguered public body will take to manage and hide information in a crisis when reputations, careers and legal liability are at stake. It also highlights the shortcomings of federal education laws that protect even admitted killers like Cruz who are no longer students. Behind a shield of privacy laws and security secrets, schools can cover up errors and withhold information the public needs in order to heal and to evaluate the people entrusted with their childrens lives. Nine months after the Parkland shooting, few people have been held accountable or even identified for mishandling security and failing to react to signs that the troubled Cruz could erupt. Only two low-level security monitors have been fired. Three assistant principals and a security specialist were finally transferred out of Stoneman Douglas last week as a result of information revealed by the state commission, but the district refused to say exactly what the employees did wrong. Obviously it seems to me there were multiple failures in the system, said longtime businessman John Daly Sr. of Coral Springs, who with a few others started the activist group Concerned Citizens of Broward County in response to what they considered security lapses. And basically it looked, more or less, like a cover-up, because they werent forthcoming about how they handled the situation. Superintendent Robert Runcie stresses that the school district has made no attempt to conceal information except when lawyers said it could not be released. That cant be characterized and should not be characterized as the district doesnt want to provide more information, he said. We work to be as transparent as possible. ... We have nothing to hide. Theres no conversation anywhere in this district about withholding any information that we can readily provide. I havent had those conversations. I havent heard about them. Runcie has professed openness from the beginning, but reporters and families of dead children have been denied information time and again. In May, three months after the shooting, Runcie said: Look, we want to be as transparent and as clear as possible. ... Its the only way that were going to get better as a school district, as a society, to make sure that we can put things in place so that these types of tragedies dont happen again. In March, he said, We cannot undo the heartbreak this attack has caused in the community, but we can try to understand the conditions that led to such acts in hopes of avoiding them in the future. That statement came as he announced what he called an independent, comprehensive assessment that would be done with transparency and a sense of urgency. The review fell short of what he described. Without taking bids or interviewing consultants, the district let its outside law firm hire Collaborative Educational Network of Tallahassee, a contractor that had worked for Broward schools before and knew school board attorney Barbara Myrick professionally. CENs contract, for $60,000, did not demand the thorough and transparent review that Runcie promised. Rather, it directed the consultant to analyze Cruzs school records, interview educators and keep the details secret. The contract required the consultant to further assist the client in ongoing litigation matters. CEN spent several months analyzing one issue: whether Broward schools satisfied the law in the education of Nikolas Cruz, a one-time special education student, or whether areas of concern should be addressed. The review made no attempt to assess whether the district adequately protected students or failed to act on Cruzs often-spoken plans for violence. Though Runcie said other agencies would be interviewed, none were. The report, released in August after a court battle, concluded that the district generally treated Cruz properly. Exactly how, the public could not tell. With a judges approval, the district obscured references to Cruz nearly two-thirds of the text to protect his privacy under law. Only when the Sun Sentinel obtained and published an uncensored copy did the truth come out: Cruz was deeply troubled; the district improperly withdrew support he needed; he asked for additional services; and the district bungled his request, leaving him spinning without help. Startling as those details were, they pale in light of new information obtained by the Sun Sentinel, none of it included in the consultants report or shared publicly by the school district. The district was well aware that Cruz, for years, was unstable and possibly murderous: Im a bad kid. I want to kill, Cruz, now 20 years old, ominously told a teacher in middle school. I strongly feel that Nikolas is a danger to the students and faculty at this school, Cruzs eighth-grade language arts teacher wrote in a behavioral evaluation. I do not feel that he understands the difference between his violent video games and reality. In middle school, he stated he felt nervous about one day going to jail and wondered what would happen to him if he did something bad. Cruz told one teacher in October 2013 4 1/2 years before his Parkland rampage that I would rather be on the street killing animals and setting fires. The same year, his eighth-grade class was discussing the Civil War in America. He became fixated on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, a teacher noted. What did it sound like when Lincoln was shot? he asked. Did it go pop, pop, pop really fast? Was there blood everywhere? At Westglades Middle School, at the beginning of eighth grade, one girls mother called to have her transferred out of Cruzs class because she was concerned for her childs safety. The mother called Cruz a menace to society, according to a psychosocial assessment. In short, the school districts own records reveal Nikolas Cruz to be a tortured teen liable to explode at any time. Yet the analysis the district commissioned to help the community understand, as Runcie promised, makes no mention of those episodes. Ryan Petty, whose 14-year-old daughter, Alaina, was murdered at Stoneman Douglas, was angered that the report all but absolved the school district of responsibility. I have absolutely no trust that the district has any interest in policing itself, Petty said. The school district began to lock down information right after the shooting, declaring that all Stoneman Douglas records were secret, even those the public had a legal right to see. At this time, any records pertaining to Stoneman Douglas High will not be released, the districts risk management department said in an email to reporters in February. Even employees were subject to restraints. Some received letters of reprimand not for mishandling Cruz, but for accessing his private records after the shooting. Parkland shooter: Seven key facts hidden in the school districts report Officials refused at times to respond to even simple questions from reporters, telling them to wait for the consultants report: In mid-March, spokeswoman Nadine Drew declined to explain why Cruz was banned from carrying a backpack at school, information that had already been revealed publicly. Later that month, Runcie cited the report in declining to confirm that Cruz participated in the JROTC military program, a fact that was widely known. In May, Runcie said the district would wait until we have the facts in the report before talking in detail about Cruzs involvement in PROMISE, a program that gives students a second chance after disciplinary problems. Additionally, the school district refused in October to release a presentation by internal security expert Al Butler because it supposedly contained security secrets, but then the state commission released it the next month. At one point, the district said it would cost $2,600 for reporters to see copies of letters that teachers and staff sent to School Board members after the shooting. The district said it would charge $2,700 for Principal Ty Thompsons emails related to Cruz, the tragedy and security. Journalists obtained some of the letters months later after negotiating a lower price. Other emails were released only after the parents of dead students sued the school district, saying they had been unable to obtain public records. The Sun Sentinel has petitioned to join that suit, one of several cases that have led the district into court over secrecy. Just two weeks after the attack, news companies sued the district to obtain surveillance video from outside Stoneman Douglas so the public could evaluate the response of police officers. The school district argued that the footage would give away security secrets. An appellate judge rejected that argument, calling the video something that the parents of students should be able to evaluate to participate in future decisions concerning the safety of their children. The school district was back in court after its consultants report was completed. After first refusing to release the report, school lawyers suddenly sought a judges permission to do so, but only with vast sections blacked out to hide Cruzs information. Although the school district says the court ordered the alterations, it was the district that suggested which portions to conceal after acknowledging that much of the information was private. Cruzs lawyers objected to the release of any information at all. When the Sun Sentinel published an uncensored version, the school district swiftly asked a judge to hold two reporters in contempt, which could result in their jailing. School officials maintain that they did not attempt to sanction reporters, only to inform the court that the full report had been published. Yet their petition asked the judge to initiate contempt proceedings ... and impose proper sanctions as deemed appropriate. Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer has not ruled on the request three months later. Precisely how much the school district has spent on legal battles is unclear. The district has failed to release its legal bills despite requests from reporters over the past month. Aside from legal issues, the school system has considerable reason to be concerned about its reputation, finances and stability. It is the sixth-largest school system in the country, with more than 270,000 students and a budget of more than $4 billion. Broward Countys largest public sector employer, its leadership wields tremendous power and influence, and the communitys top businesspeople have been among Runcies staunchest supporters. The business community has confidence in Bob Runcie 100 percent, said Keith Koenig, president of City Furniture and chairman of the Broward Workshop, a nonprofit organization made up of the countys major corporations, including school district vendors and contractors Koenig credits Runcie with raising graduation rates, scaling down inefficiency, improving productivity, winning an $800 million bond issue in 2014, and passing a property tax increase this past August for teacher raises and school security a campaign waged as questions about Parkland went unanswered. Koenig said Runcie has attorneys telling him what he can and cant do legally, which explains, Koenig said, any hesitance to release information. School districts nationally have taken similar steps to protect information during crises, experts say. In Madison, Ala., one ninth-grader fatally shot another in a hallway at Discovery Middle School in February 2010. Although students were texting the shooters name to one another, the school district could not confirm it because he was a minor, said communications consultant Barbara Nash, who was hired to help with public relations. There are so many things that school officials are not allowed to tell anybody, the parents, anybody, Nash said. I wanted to. We wanted to. But we couldnt. It would have been against the law to say so. Its ridiculous. Mellissa Braham, associate director of the National School Public Relations Association, said: Sometimes you might think that it seems as if the district is trying to hide something, when it might actually be that theyre trying to be thoughtful about the process or trying to provide a reasonable accommodation of the laws. And not get themselves in additional trouble. Even then, she said, most districts would do their own internal reviews to see what mistakes were made. Broward schools never did. It was five months after the shooting that the school district announced it would launch a thorough investigation into school security and other issues that the consultant CEN was not considering. By then, the state commission was investigating the shooting and asked the district to avoid another review, in order to not interfere with the commissions work. Elected School Board members have largely fallen into line on secrecy, claiming they have no information or citing litigation and student privacy as reasons not to answer questions. Longtime board member Robin Bartleman said she doesnt feel comfortable discussing whether mistakes were made with Cruzs schooling, until investigations are complete. I dont have all the info, and I dont want to make statements that are erroneous, she said. School Board member Nora Rupert, who chaired the board for most of 2018, also was cautious. As a mom, I would love to sit and talk with anybody who wants to about this, she said, but litigation puts you in a very funky place. Rupert said she was unaware that the districts law firm, Haliczer, Pettis and Schwamm, hired the consultant CEN as part of its legal defense. I as a board member was not told anything about that, and Im a little surprised, she said. David Frankel, one of Cruzs attorneys, went further, calling the report a whitewash that underplayed or omitted evidence of Cruzs psychological problems in order to help the school district evade responsibility. To say its independent is completely misleading, Frankel said in court. Christy Noe, president and CEO of CEN, defends the report as not a whitewash at all. The report, in part, explored why Cruz was transferred to Stoneman Douglas from Cross Creek School in Pompano Beach, a school that gives emotionally and behaviorally disabled students the extra support they need. Cruzs behavior deteriorated quickly at Stoneman Douglas and he was forced to withdraw, but the report concluded that the school district did nothing wrong by sending him there. If people understood the laws related to educating a special needs child, Noe said, theyd understand that Cruz wasnt meant to stay in the sheltered environment of a special school forever. Even with his history of aggression and threats to kill people, she said she stands by her reports conclusion that he had improved enough to be sent to a regular school. Cruz was just one of about 1,000 students in Broward public schools with emotional and behavioral disabilities, Noe said. If you were to review the full educational records of those students, you would find many, many instances in which they said or wrote disturbing or threatening statements, Noe said in an email, adding that unfortunately, how we see things in hindsight is often very different than what we perceive in the moment. Still, plenty of people knew that Cruz was bent on violence, but their concerns appear nowhere in the consultants report. Nikolas continues to struggle with displaying appropriate behaviors, a guidance counselor at Stoneman Douglas wrote. The student was observed writing KILL on a paper. In February 2016, just weeks after Cruz started full time at Stoneman Douglas, a neighbor reported to the sheriffs office how unhinged he was. Cruz posted online that he planned to shoot up a school, the neighbor said. The statement does not appear in the consultants report; it is not included in Cruzs school files. Instead, the report portrayed the volatile Cruz as a success story at the time. He was experiencing positive academic progress with only minor behavioral challenges, the report said. At Stoneman Douglas, Cruz disappeared on a giant campus with 3,300 students and no structure for emotionally troubled students like him. Worse, the school district sent him there without a formal plan for governing his behavior a decision the school districts consultant found understandable. A behavioral intervention plan would have outlined steps to take if Cruzs behavior impeded his learning or that of others. Sending him to Stoneman Douglas without a behavioral plan was a grave mistake, said Dottie Provenzano, a retired special education coordinator for Broward schools. Although the consultant did not criticize the district, the report did recommend that a behavioral intervention plan should be considered for students with emotional or behavioral problems who move from special education to a traditional school setting. Some in the community wonder whether Cruzs problems at Stoneman Douglas led him to target the school later. The school districts actions were just total negligence serious, not minor, said Provenzano, the former special education coordinator. The way I look at it, we dont have dead children if the school district had done what they needed to do. The district has tried to dispel that perception. Public Information Officer Tracy Clark has repeatedly distributed talking points, or suggested comments, for administrators and school board members to make publicly, according to emails obtained by the Sun Sentinel. On Feb. 23, she suggested phrases for Rupert to use at a news conference, including the statement: Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School victims, families, employees and community. On March 6, she issued this suggestion for School Board members: Our ability to move forward in the aftermath of this horrific attack depends on the steps we take now to understand the conditions that may have led to this tragedy. Similarly, the district attempted to mitigate any public outcry about its consultants report. A news release proclaimed, This report verifies that the districts systems are appropriate and are in place. Clark then sent out talking points for board members, who were advised to say, I have not yet seen the report. Or: It seems clear that the review was thorough. And: We must never forget that Nikolas Cruz is responsible for this tragedy. Roger Stone, a longtime adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, said Sunday that he has never been in touch with Julian Assange, the founder of the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks, which released hacked Democratic emails during the 2016 campaign. That is absolutely correct, Stone said on ABC News This Week when asked whether it was true that he had never spoken with Assange. I turned over one direct message to the House Intelligence Committee between the flack for WikiLeaks and I, in which he essentially brushed me off. That immediately leaked to Atlantic magazine, who then edited the context and published it. No, I had no contact with Assange. Stone also said that he has had no contact with special counsel Robert Mueller III, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 campaign. Again, where is the crime? Stone said, when asked by host George Stephanopoulos whether the fact that he has not been contacted by Muellers team suggests that he may be a target of the probe. I engaged in politics. My purpose was to take a tip which I thought to be solid, and then after that to follow the WikiLeaks Twitter feed and set a Google news alert for Julian Assange and use Twitter to hype as much voter and media attention to the disclosures when they came as politics. You were in this business once, he told Stephanopoulos, a former aide to President Bill Clinton. Thats called politics. A draft special counsel document revealed last month indicates that prosecutors are closely scrutinizing Trumps interactions with Stone, as Stone was allegedly seeking information about WikiLeaks plans to release the hacked Democratic emails. Trump ally Jerome Corsi allegedly told Stone about WikiLeaks plans to release the emails in October 2016 because he knew Stone was in regular contact with Trump. In Sundays interview, Stone said that he has had no discussions with Trump regarding a pardon for either himself or for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. He added that there is no circumstance under which he would testify against Trump, because Id have to bear false witness against him. Stone also disputed his dirty trickster reputation. The characterization of me as a dirty trickster comes from Democrats. It will probably be on my epitaph, he said. Ive never done anything in politics that was outside the norms of my colleagues and my contemporaries. And Ive always made it clear that so-called dirty tricks come up to but do not cross the line into illegality. Asked later on This Week whether he found Stones statements credible, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the incoming chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, responded, No, I didnt. Not at all. On CNNs State of the Union, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the news of potential ties between WikiLeaks and Stone is a chapter where I think Mueller has a lot to reveal. Asked by host Jake Tapper whether there may be evidence that Stone or other Trump associates coordinated with WikiLeaks, Warner said the Intelligence Committee has not had a chance yet to interview Stone. He added that I think most of America wants to hear the results of those interviews that Mueller has carried out. Read more about: VATICAN CITYPope Francis lit a candle decorated with the faces of Syrian children suffering from war from his balcony overlooking St. Peters Square on Sunday, launching a global campaign calling for peace in the country martyred by a war that has lasted for nearly eight years. Francis told believers gathered in St. Peters Square on the first Sunday of the Advent season leading up to Christmas that Advent is a time of hope. Lifting the candle to the window, Francis prayed that These flames, and many flames of hope, disperse the darkness of war. Lets pray and help the Christians to remain in Syria and the Middle East as witnesses of mercy, of forgiveness and of reconciliation. May the flames of hope also reach those who are enduring conflict and war in these days in other parts of the world, near and far, the pope said. He urged those who foment war and make arms for conflicts to have a change of heart. The lighting of the candle with the images of some 40 Syrian children, mostly from Aleppo, launched a global campaign for Syria, which the organization Aid to the Church in Need said involved over 50,000 children of different religions from war-torn Syrian cities. Read more about: MOSCOWUkraines leader called on Germany and its allies to boost their naval presence in the Black Sea to deter Russia from further aggression in the region and said Russia was blockading Ukrainian ports on the nearby Sea of Azov. President Petro Poroshenko says Russia has deployed a large number of troops along its border with Ukraine. He alleged in an interview published Sunday that Russia intends to push inland into Ukraine following a clash in the Black Sea between the countries forces. We need a strong, unified, unambiguous reaction to Russias aggressive behaviour, Poroshenko said in the interview published by Germanys Funke Media Group. Citing the imminent threat of a Russian offensive, Poroshenko convinced the Ukrainian parliament to implement 30 days of martial law. During the naval clash a week ago, Russian coast guard vessels fired upon and seized three Ukrainian naval boats and their 24 crew members. The incident has driven tensions between Russia and Ukraine to their highest point since Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014. Read more: Trudeau demands Vladimir Putin release imprisoned Ukrainian sailors at G20 Canada led joint G7 statement condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine, says Freeland Trump meets Saudi prince while Putin and Macron talk Ukraine at G20 Moscow is trying to create a land corridor from occupied Donbas to occupied Crimea by blockading Mariupol and Berdyansk, Poroshenko said in the interview, referring to two Ukrainian cities on the coast of the Sea of Azov. Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for the Nov. 25 clash in the Kerch Strait, which links the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. During that engagement, Russia closed the Kerch Strait to all traffic. Ukrainian officials have since accused Russia of denying passage to Ukrainian commercial traffic in and out of Mariupol and Berdyansk. Read more about: Silicon Valley researchers are attacking flying bloodsuckers in Californias Fresno County. Its the first salvo in an unlikely war for Google parent Alphabet Inc.: eradicating mosquito-borne diseases around the world. A white high-top Mercedes van winds its way through the suburban sprawl and strip malls as a swarm of male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes shoot out of a black plastic tube on the passenger-side window. These pests are tiny and, with a wingspan of just a few millimetres, all but invisible. You hear that little beating sound? says Kathleen Parkes, a spokesperson for Verily Life Sciences, a unit of Alphabet. Shes trailing the van in her car, the windows down. Like a duh-duh-duh? Thats the release of the mosquitoes. Jacob Crawford, a Verily senior scientist riding with Parkes, begins describing a mosquito-control technique with dazzling potential. These particular vermin, he explains, were bred in the ultra-high-tech surroundings of Verilys automated mosquito rearing system, 200 miles away in South San Francisco. They were infected with Wolbachia, a common bacterium. When those 80,000 lab-bred Wolbachia-infected, male mosquitoes mate with their counterpart females in the wild, the result is stealth annihilation: the offspring never hatch. Better make that 79,999. One just hit the windshield, says Crawford. Mosquito-borne disease eradication is serious stuff for Alphabet, though it is just one of many of the companys forays into health care and life sciences. Through Verily and other branches of the company, Alphabet is investigating smart contact lenses, artificial intelligence applications for health care, and the molecular mechanisms of aging. Just this month, Alphabet hired Geisinger Health CEO David Feinberg to oversee its many health-care initiatives. Verily guards its technology closely. But it stands to reason that if it succeeds in making mosquito control easy and cheap enough, it could have a lucrative offering on its hands: Many governments and businesses around the globe might be glad to pay for a solution to their mosquito problems. In the arid climate of Californias Central Valley, A. aegypti are detested for their vicious bite. But there, at least, they dont typically transmit disease. Other places arent so lucky. The mosquito species is among the worlds deadliest, spreading diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya in the tropics and subtropics. The diseases its bite carries kill tens of thousands of people every year and infects millions more. Releasing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes into the wild may eventually wipe out entire populations of deadly mosquitoes and the diseases they carry. At least thats the plan if the field tests pan out in California. Every morning during mosquito seasonwhich runs from April to Novemberthe van, emblazoned with Debug Fresno, cruises through leafy housing tracks full of multistory homes. At predetermined locations, an algorithm automatically releases carefully calculated numbers of mosquitoes, counting each individual insect with the help of a laser as it exits the van. As the efforts to wipe out mosquito-borne diseases have ramped up, a few different approaches to the problem have emerged. Bill Gates alone has pledged more than $1 billion (U.S.) for technologies that may help wipe out malaria, including controversial efforts to genetically modify mosquitoes. Verilys 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. Its unclear what would happen if the worlds disease-causing mosquitoes were done away with. The ecological role that mosquitoes play hasnt been thoroughly studied, though some scientists suggest we might be just fine without them. But its 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 thats certain is that they spread extremely rapidly. 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 Countys 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 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 wasnt cutting it, so in 2016, Fresno teamed up with a scientist named Stephen Dobson and his company, MosquitoMate. It was Dobsons lab that figured out how to infect mosquitoes with a form of Wolbachia thats different from the type of the bacteria that mosquitoes usually carry. Thats 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 U.S. 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 neighborhoods, hitting more than 3,000 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 percent. A second project by Verily in Innisfail, Australia, that concluded in June reduced the mosquito population by 80 percent. 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 dont 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. In videos of the original trials, you can see Holeman, the Fresno County scientist, gingerly blowing the mosquitoes out of a tube. The release van is now filled with proprietary technology, including software that determines exactly what areas of a neighborhood mosquitoes should be released in and a laser sensitive enough to count every single one as it exits, generating loads of data that can later be used to fine-tune the process. At Verilys headquarters, the factory where the mosquitoes are bred incorporates even more automation. Once the eggs are laid, robots rear the mosquitoes to adulthood, packaging them in containers filled with water and air, feeding them, and keeping them warm. Still other robots sort them by sex, first by size (females are bigger) and then optically, using proprietary technology. Mosquitoes are all given a digital identifier that makes it possible to follow them from egg-state to the specific GPS coordinate where theyre released. With this years season wrapping up, the company has yet to decide whether it will further expand the program next year. Verily wouldnt say how much it costs to manufacture and release tens of thousands of mosquitoes every day, but its a safe bet that its still an expensive proposition. The key part is trying to be able to do a program like this in a very affordable and efficient way, Crawford, the Verily scientist, says, so that we can go to places where there isnt a lot of money. Read more about: Ford urges Simard to keep ranks, Nov. 29 I applaud MPP Amanda Simard for voting against her party line on the cuts to French language services. It doesnt matter whether or not I agree with this French language issue but she did exactly what she was elected to do. She was elected to represent her riding at Queens Park and that is exactly what she did. I get tired of hearing that MPPs and MPs vote the party line, completely disregarding those who hired them to represent their views. If they cant do that then they need to find another line of work. Patrick Drumm, Courtice It is a shame that a party leader cannot see the advantages of his members expressing their thoughts and ideas, even if they differ from the leaders. It means they arent puppets. Bev Northeast, Goodwood However, as much as I support the rights of Ontario Francophones to protective oversight and French education, unlike climate change, this is not a life-threatening issue. The Ford government has dismantled all policies that address climate change and failed to replace these with anything effective. Where are the morally minded MPPs who should be standing up for the future of their constituents? It appears that the Conservatives lust for power (both federal and provincial) far outweighs their obligations to the well-being of their constituents or the planet. Instead they continue to sheepishly follow ill informed and spiteful leaders down a path of earthly destruction. As Toronto gets more and taller condos, the city is left grappling with shadows, Nov. 25 Sadly, Lynne Craigmyles experience of lost sunlight and view is common in the Yonge and Eglinton area. I moved into my Yonge-Eglinton house 26 years ago when the street was mostly lined on both sides with two-storey homes. Now, there are nine towers under construction or to be built along a stretch of six city blocks on the other side of my street. Fortunately, I am not going to lose sunlight but I sympathize with all the residents who will. Its not just lower serotonin levels that can lead to sadness, but also the lack of control over significant change to ones personal environment. It would be beneficial for localize.city, the free website to inform homebuyers (in New York City) of the amount of sunlight their potential homes could get. It would also be beneficial, if real estate agents were obliged to present up-to-date information to prospective buyers about zoning regulations that could impact the property. I, too, never saw the skyscrapers coming. VANCOUVERThe B.C. RCMP have called for public assistance in solving the case of a man on the North Shore who was murdered five years ago. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has continued to investigate the murder of Rostam Poulad, who was found shot and killed at his North Vancouver home on the afternoon of November 30, 2013. Police believe that there are people who have information about Poulads death that could help them solve the case. "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, Cpl. Frank Jang of IHIT said in a statement. Poulad was a grandfather and a well-respected fixture of the Persian community in the North Shore, best known for being involved and promoting cultural events. Language should not be a barrier to solving murders and so we have Farsi-speaking police officers available for those in the Iranian community, said Jang. A statement released by Poulads family pleads for those with information to come forward. 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. Read more about: "Saturday Night Live" doesn't offer many dedications in memoriam. It is, after all, a comedy show. Such segments are usually better left to new channels. In particular, the show doesn't tend to honor the politicians that it spends most of its time skewering. That made the brief segment pinned onto the end of this week's Weekend Update feel so much more poignant. STATESMAN REMEMBERED: Former president spent a lifetime as a public servant "On a serious note," Michael Che said to close the segment, "Friday night, former President George H.W. Bush passed away. He was 94 years old. Our thoughts and condolences go out this family and friends." "That's right. President Bush, who famously was a warm and gracious man who always understood the power in being able to laugh at yourself. So, take a look," Colin Jost added. Then followed several clips of Dana Carvey doing his famous impression of the former president. The impression was wildly popular for how absurd it was. And, as The Washington Post's Michael S. Rosenwald wrote, the impression "was never mean, though also not particularly flattering. In Carvey's rendering, Bush was a little more weird, a little more out of control with his hands, a little more prone to inexplicable, staccato phraseology." LATEST NEWS: Memories, stories, rare photos and more on George H.W. Bush Even so, Bush once called up the actor and "invited him to the White House to do what Carvey had been doing nearly every week the previous year: to play Bush, goofy warts and all." The reverse also happened: Bush appeared on "SNL." One of the clips Che and Jost showed was the real Bush speaking with Carvey's version of Bush. "George Bush here. I'm watching you do your impression of me, and I gotta say it's nothing like me. Bears no resemblance. It's bad. It's bad," the real one says. "Well, I'm sorry Mr. Present. I think it's a fair impression," Carvey's version says, waving his hands crazily around the air like a drunk maestro conducting an orchestra. Bush then says he doesn't do the "crazy hand gestures" and, "in all my years of government service, I never once said 'na ga da.'" As he does, Carvey continues making the erratic hand gestures. The short clip makes it clear that Bush was happy to play along, even with a comedian - and a show - that generally disagreed with his politics and made no effort to hide this fact. In some ways, to borrow a modern parlance, the segment felt like a subtweet. After all, it's difficult not to draw the obvious parallel (or lack thereof) between Bush and the current president, especially after watching the clips of Bush playing along with the joke. "SNL" relentlessly mocks President Donald Trump. And yes, the show has always mocked presidents, but its treatment of Trump is far harsher. But Trump is no ordinary president. All that aside, Trump has never responded to the show in any way that suggests humility or good humor - and it seems that he should have a closer relationship with Lorne Michaels and his crew than most, since he has hosted the show twice. It is not unreasonable to assume Trump wouldn't appear on the current iteration of the show and make jokes about himself, which is actually something of a tradition among some politicians. Bush is far from the only politician to appear on the show in a somewhat self-effacing manner. Just a few weeks ago, Republican representative-elect from Texas Dan Crenshaw joined Pete Davidson on Weekend Update to address a joke Davidson previously made about the loss of Crenshaw's eye, a wound caused by an improvised explosive device during his third tour in Afghanistan. Davidson apologized, and Crenshaw lobbed some jokes both at himself and at the young comic. There was a genuine warmth to the moment. The late John McCain regularly appeared on the show and made fun of himself, such as when he popped by Weekend Update during the 2008 presidential race. It was fairly clear he was going to lose to then-Sen. Barack Obama, and he appeared anyway and mocked his own campaign by offering some of his political strategies, such as "Sad Grandpa." "That's where I get on TV and go, 'C'mon, Obama's gonna have plenty of chances to be president. It's my turn!' " he said. "Vote for me!" Though Trump has hosted the show, he has made no secret of how much he now despises it. Nothing could be further from the way Bush handled the program's ribbing. There's no telling if raising this comparison was Che and Jost's intention - but in such a Trump-heavy episode, it's likely that the viewers couldn't help but make the connection. WOOD RIVER A disturbance in Wood River late Saturday began as the possible cornering of an Alton murder suspect, but that ended up not to be the case, police concluded after unrewarded efforts. A dozen officers from Wood River, Alton, East Alton, Roxana, Hartford and the Madison County Sheriffs Office responded to the intersection of East Ferguson Avenue and South Wood River Avenue after a disturbance eventually led to the report that a man resembling Brian L. Edelen, the suspect of a deadly stabbing in Alton Thursday night, was spotted through a window, holed up in a mostly-empty building in the first block of East Ferguson Avenue. An officer over police radio traffic report seeing a white, bald male with glasses that resembled Edelen peeking out of a window of the building. The property was quickly surrounded by law enforcement. Individuals who appeared to live in an apartment inside the building were evacuated. A K-9 unit from the Madison County Sheriffs Office searched the entirety of the building, but found no one. A thermal detector also was used throughout the building with no result. The Wood River Fire Department brought in a ladder truck, so officers could access the roof of the building. No suspect was found. Officers were on scene from approximately 10 p.m. to midnight. Employees from nearby businesses, all who declined to speak on the record, knew little about the situation when asked by a Telegraph reporter. One offered that the disturbance began with an argument over a cellphone. Another person said the man in question may have had a warrant out of Mississippi. Wood River police do not believe the man in question was the wanted murder suspect, Edelen. Edelen remained at large early Sunday. Anyone with possible information to his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Alton Police Department at 618-463-3505. Increased clientele and the popularity of handmade gifts have led a pair of entrepreneurs to expand their quilting business. Located in Columbia, Warm N Cozy Quilting is owned by mother-daughter pair, Debbie Chitty and Danielle Cyvas. Their recently expanded shop located on 816 South Main St. #2 now allows them to offer more fabrics, classes, additional services like sew days, and an area for their Quilts of Valor group to create quilts for veterans. The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is proud to have assisted Warm N Cozy since it opened in 2015. SBDC Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May initially provided Chitty with business plan assistance and continues to offer resources for financing and referrals. The SBDC and I are ecstatic to see Warm N Cozy grow and flourish, says Di Maggio May. The ladies work so hard and always have their customers at the heart of every decision they make. I wish them even more success moving forward and am always here to assist and offer advice as needed. Jo Ann has always been our cheerleader, Chitty said. She has kept in contact with us and is always there for emotional support whenever we need help. Chittys grandmother, Carol, started a tradition when she made a quilt for each grandchild when they got married. When Carol passed away, Chitty took it upon herself to learn how to quilt and keep her grandmothers tradition alive. The first step in Chittys quilting journey was purchasing the book Quilt in a Day, by Eleanor Burns. She was determined to give her daughter, Danielle, a quilt as a wedding gift, just as Grandma Carol would have. Chitty had ignited a passion she never knew existed: a love for quilting. She turned her hobby into a small family-owned business with the support of her business partner and daughter, who has over 20 years of experience in retail management. Cyvas expertise and passion for quilting fit right in with her mothers values. Chittys daughter, Sarah Neuman, works at the shop part-time, providing help with information technology, marketing and social media. Cyvas mother-in-law, Trish Cyvas, works part-time and plays an integral role in helping customers as well as keeping the store stocked with pre-cut fabrics. Chitty also knows that they would not be able to run as smoothly and efficiently without the help of a full-time employee, Julie Yeager. She sends monthly newsletters, organizes classes and more. Warm N Cozy Quilting can be contacted at 618-719-2565. For more information, visit https://www.warmncozyquilting.com/. You can also find Warm N Cozy Quilting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures like Warm N Cozy Quilting as well as existing businesses headquartered in the nine-county region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe, and Randolph. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and SIUE as a service to Illinois small businesses. By aiding entrepreneurs and companies in defining their path to success, the SBDC network positively impacts the Metro East by strengthening the business community, creating and retaining new jobs and encouraging new investment. It enhances the regions economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses. When appropriate, the SBDC strives to affiliate its ties to the region to support the goals and objectives of both the SIUE School of Business and the University at large. To learn about the SBDC, contact the IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at (618) 650-2929. USAIDsOrganizational Development Activity (ODA) is an initiative intended to supportUSAID/Uganda in further strengthening the internal relationships, systems,practices, and organizational culture that underpin the Mission. The Activitywill build upon the gains realized from the highly consultative process ofengagement with its staff and others that yielded the Company DevelopmentCooperation Strategy (CDCS). USAID has already begun the transformation journeytowards staff, teams, cross-teams and a Mission that will realize thisstrategy. Kaizen through the USAID Organizational DevelopmentActivity (ODA) will support and empower USAID to become a Mission ofdevelopment catalysts who, individually and collectively achieve the CDCS,shape the Ugandan development agenda, and have time and support to do so. Thiswill help lift millions of Ugandans out of poverty, and likely become a modelfor other Missions. Quashing the political ambitions of jailed ex-Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, the election authority on Sunday rejected her nomination papers from three constituencies, citing her convictions in two corruption cases. The Election Commission's decision came four days after the Bangladesh High Court ruled that a person jailed for more than two years cannot contest polls. The 73-year-old ex-premier is currently serving jail terms in two graft cases involving charities named after her slain husband Ziaur Rahman. Zia had filed nomination papers from three constituencies -- two from northwestern Bogra and one from southeastern Feni -- for the December 30 polls, but the returning officers of the two districts scrapped her nominations as she was convicted by the court, an EC spokesperson said. Nearly 104.2 million people, including some 51.6 million women, are registered as voters. They will elect 300 representatives to Parliament through the balloting in about 40,199 polling stations. As per election rules, a candidate declared unfit to contest polls can appeal to an EC tribunal for revised decisions or could challenge the commission decision to the High Court. Besides Zia, the nomination of 15 high-profile candidates were also disqualified on different grounds, the spokesperson said. Zia has been in custody since February 8, when the Dhaka Special Court convicted her in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case and sentenced her to five years of imprisonment for embezzling 21 million Bangladeshi Taka (USD 252,504) in foreign donations meant for the Trust. On October 30, the High Court doubled her jail term to 10 years. On October 29, a trial court convicted her in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case and sentenced her to seven years in prison and imposed a fine of Tk 1 million (USD 12,024). Zia was made vice-chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the largest political opposition of the country, in March 1983 after the assassination of her husband. She became chairperson of the party on May 10, 1984, a post she is holding till now. In her 35 years of political career, Zia went to the jail several times. During the 2007-2008 tenure of the army-backed caretaker government, she was in jail for about a year on charges of corruption. The BNP continued to remain in a state of political disarray with Zia in prison and her "fugitive" elder son Tarique Rahman, who is the vice chairman of the party, staying in London after a Dhaka court recently sentenced him life imprisonment for masterminding a deadly attack on a political rally in 2004. The BNP, which boycotted the 2014 elections under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League (AL) government over fears that it would be rigged, has set up an alliance with the newly formed National Unity Front (NUF) led by eminent jurist Kamal Hossain. Bangladesh politics is deeply divided, with rivals Hasina and Zia, popularly referred to as "Battling Begums", ruling the country alternately since 1991, when democracy was restored in the Islamic nation. Both the women emerged from political dynasties. While Zia is the widow of Ziaur Rahman, a general-turned-president who was assassinated in 1981, Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's first president who was assassinated in 1975. Buenos Aires, Dec 2 (PTI) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump Saturday agreed to suspend any new tariffs and take steps to address the trade disputes, which over the past few months had threatened to spill over into a trade war between the world's two largest economies. At their "highly successful" dinner meeting on the sidelines of the annual G-20 Summit here, Trump agreed not to bring in any new import tariffs on Chinese products, while Xi agreed to purchase a very substantial amount of US products so as to reduce the trade deficit between the two countries. During the meeting, Trump agreed that on January 1, 2019, he will leave the tariffs on USD 200 billion worth of product at the 10 per cent rate, and not raise it to 25 per cent at this time. "This was an amazing and productive meeting with unlimited possibilities for both the US and China. It is my great honour to be working with President Xi," Trump said in a statement released by the White House after the dinner talks between the two leaders. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders described it as a "highly successful meeting" between the two leaders and their most senior representatives in Buenos Aires, Argentina. "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 China's maximum penalty under the law," she said. She also said that an increase of tariffs from 10 to 25 per cent due to kick in on January 1 would now be put on hold, providing room for negotiations. "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," Sanders said. Trump and Xi also 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. "Both parties agree that they will endeavour 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 per cent tariffs will be raised to 25 per cent," Sanders said. It was also agreed that great progress has been made with respect to North Korea and that President Trump, together with President Xi, will strive, along with North Korean leader Chairman Kim Jong Un, to see a nuclear free Korean Peninsula. President Trump has expressed his friendship and respect for Kim, she said. "Xi also stated that he is open to approving the previously unapproved Qualcomm-NXP deal should it again be presented to him," Sanders said. Before their meeting, Xi underscored the need of cooperation between the two countries. "Only with cooperation between us can we serve the interest of both peace and prosperity," he said. PTI LKJ ZH ZH Bareilly, Dec 2 (PTI) Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Saturday exchanged wedding vows in a Christian ceremony in Jodhpur and people from the actor's hometown Bareilly celebrated the occasion with sweets and fireworks. Parameshwar Rai Pandey, who is the caretaker of the ancestral house of Priyanka in Bareilly said, "Despite not getting any invitation of their bitiyaa's marriage, people of the city illuminated their houses with fairy lights and distributed sweets to celebrate the moment on Saturday." Crackers were burst and people danced to different songs, Pandey added. Priyanka's mother Madhu told PTI, "Through caretaker Parameshwar Pandey, I came to know that people in Bareilly are celebrating Priyanka's marriage, and I am proud of the residents." "No wedding cards for Priyanka-Nick wedding were printed. Only selected persons were invited through phone. We are getting congratulatory messages from people of Bareilly. Owing to busy schedule, I am not able to say thanks. Thanks will be conveyed to all as soon as we get time," she added. Owner of a chaat shop in Bareilly's Civil Lines, Chaman Kumar said, "To celebrate the wedding of Priyanka, a party has been organised for poor children." Madhvi Mishra who had taught Priyanka in Army School conveyed her congratulations to the newlyweds. Bareilly mayor Umesh Gautam hosted a cultural programme at a private university to celebrate the occasion. The city has been the workplace of Priyanka's father Ashok Chopra and mother Madhu. The actor received her initial schooling from Bareilly's Army School. Before shifting to Mumbai, Priyanka's parents used to run Kasturba Hospital in Bareilly. PTI CORR NAV SHD SHD New York, Dec 2 (PTI) A Bangladeshi national has been arrested in the US for his role in a scheme to smuggle undocumented immigrants from Mexico into America. Moktar Hossain, 30, conspired to bring and brought 14 Bangladeshi nationals at the Texas border in exchange for a fee from March 2017 to August 2018, the US Department of Justice said. He operated out of Monterrey, Mexico, where he maintained a hotel that housed immigrants before they were transported to the US border by drivers paid by him. US Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo in the Southern District of Texas ordered that Hossain be held pending transfer to Laredo for further criminal proceedings. "Protecting our country from illegal immigration and the national security threat it poses is a priority for the Department of Justice," Assistant Attorney General Brian A Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division said. San Antonio, the Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden of US Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), said the agency will continue to work with federal law enforcement partners to maintain the integrity of the US border and the safety of its communities. PTI YAS ZH ZH Washington, Dec 2 (AFP) US President Donald Trump said Saturday he hoped to organise a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in early 2019, perhaps as soon as January or February. Trump told reporters travelling home to Washington with him aboard Air Force One from Argentina that "three sites" were in consideration for the meeting, a follow-up to their historic summit in Singapore in June. When asked about a future meeting, Trump said: "I think we're going to do one fairly (soon) -- into January, February, I think." Trump had been in Buenos Aires for the Group of 20 summit. In June, Trump and Kim opened up dialogue on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula after months of trading military threats and pointed barbs. The two leaders signed a vaguely worded document on denuclearisation of the peninsula, but progress since has stalled as Washington and Pyongyang spar and North Korea has taken few concrete steps to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. US 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 Washington ease sanctions. On Friday, Trump discussed the situation with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The pair "reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearisation" of North Korea, Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. They agreed on the need for "maintaining vigorous enforcement of existing sanctions to ensure the DPRK understands that denuclearisation is the only path," Sanders said, using the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. But differences have emerged between Washington and Seoul on how to proceed with Kim, as the dovish Moon has long favoured engagement with the North. When asked Saturday if he would ever host Kim in the United States, Trump replied: "At some point, yeah." (AFP) RUP RUP Washington, Dec 2 (AFP) US President Donald Trump said Saturday he hoped to organise a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in early 2019, perhaps as soon as January or February. Trump told reporters travelling home to Washington with him aboard Air Force One from Argentina that "three sites" were in consideration for the meeting, a follow-up to their historic summit in Singapore in June. When asked about a future meeting, Trump said: "I think we're going to do one fairly (soon) -- into January, February, I think." Trump had been in Buenos Aires for the Group of 20 summit. When asked Saturday if he would ever host Kim in the United States, the Republican president replied: "At some point, yeah." In June, Trump and Kim opened up dialogue on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula after months of trading military threats and pointed barbs. The two leaders signed a vaguely worded document on denuclearisation of the peninsula, but progress since has stalled as Washington and Pyongyang spar over the meaning of the document. North Korea has taken few concrete steps to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. US 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 Washington ease sanctions. On Friday, Trump discussed the situation with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The pair "reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearisation" of North Korea, Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. They agreed on the need for "maintaining vigorous enforcement of existing sanctions to ensure the DPRK understands that denuclearisation is the only path," Sanders said, using the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. But differences have emerged between Washington and Seoul on how to proceed with Kim, as the dovish Moon has long favoured engagement with the North. North and South Korea have begun to remove landmines and destroy military bunkers at parts of their common 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 Kim will make his first-ever visit to the South this year, as Seoul is hoping. Kim agreed to travel to Seoul after hosting Moon in Pyongyang in September for their third summit this year. But prospects of a fourth Moon-Kim meeting have recently dimmed, with negotiations on denuclearising the North grinding to a halt. In his talks with Trump in Argentina, Moon earned some support for the Seoul summit from the US leader -- perhaps in a bid to entice Kim to make good on his pledge. The two leaders said Kim's visit to the South Korean capital "would provide additional momentum to their joint efforts to establish peace on the Korean peninsula," Moon's press secretary Yoon Young-chan said.(AFP) RUP RUP Buenos Aires, Dec 2 (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. (AFP) GVS New Delhi, Dec 2 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 1700 hours : FGN18 G20-INDIA-LD HOST India to host G-20 summit for the first time in 2022 Buenos Aires: For the first time, India will host the annual G-20 summit in 2022, coinciding with the country's 75th anniversary of Independence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the 13th G-20 summit here in the Argentinian capital on Saturday. FGN21 UAE-SWARAJ Swaraj to co-chair India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting in Abu Dhabi this week Dubai: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will co-chair the 12th session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting for Economic and Technical Cooperation with her counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi during her official visit to the Gulf country from December 3-4. FGN16 G20-PM-MACRON PM Modi, French president discuss ways to deepen strategic partnership Buenos Aires: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron and the two leaders discussed ways to deepen and diversify the bilateral strategic partnership by enhancing trade and people-to-people ties. FGN20 US-LD BUSH GHW Bush to lie in state in US Capitol before his state funeral at National Cathedral Houston: George H W Bush, the 41st US president who died here on Friday at the age of 94, is to be honoured with a state funeral at National Cathedral in Washington on Wednesday, followed by burial on Thursday in Texas. By Seema Hakhu Kachru. FGN10 G20-US-LD CHINA Trump, Xi agree to take steps to address trade disputes Buenos Aires: Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump Saturday agreed to suspend any new tariffs and take steps to address the trade disputes, which over the past few months had threatened to spill over into a trade war between the world's two largest economies. (AFP) FGN9 G20-US-CHINA-TARIFFS China, US agree no new tariffs 'after January 1': Chinese media Buenos Aires: The United States and China agreed Saturday in a long-anticipated summit to hold off on new tariffs after January 1, Chinese state media said following a months-long trade war. (AFP) FGN14 TRUMP-KIM-LD MEET Trump says hopes to meet N.Korea's Kim in January or February Washington: US President Donald Trump said Saturday he hoped to organise a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in early 2019, perhaps as soon as January or February. (AFP) RUP New Delhi, Dec 2 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 2000 hours : FGN18 G20-INDIA-LD HOST India to host G-20 summit for the first time in 2022 Buenos Aires: For the first time, India will host the annual G-20 summit in 2022, coinciding with the country's 75th anniversary of Independence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the 13th G-20 summit here in the Argentinian capital on Saturday. FGN25 BANGLA-POLLS-ZIA Bangladesh polls: EC rejects nomination of jailed ex-premier Zia Dhaka: The candidature of jailed former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, who has filed her nomination papers for the upcoming general election in the country from three constituencies, has been rejected Sunday by the Election Commission due to her convictions in two graft cases. By Anisur Rahman FGN21 UAE-SWARAJ Swaraj to co-chair India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting in Abu Dhabi this week Dubai: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will co-chair the 12th session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting for Economic and Technical Cooperation with her counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi during her official visit to the Gulf country from December 3-4. FGN16 G20-PM-MACRON PM Modi, French president discuss ways to deepen strategic partnership Buenos Aires: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron and the two leaders discussed ways to deepen and diversify the bilateral strategic partnership by enhancing trade and people-to-people ties. FGN20 US-LD BUSH GHW Bush to lie in state in US Capitol before his state funeral at National Cathedral Houston: George H W Bush, the 41st US president who died here on Friday at the age of 94, is to be honoured with a state funeral at National Cathedral in Washington on Wednesday, followed by burial on Thursday in Texas. By Seema Hakhu Kachru. FGN10 G20-US-LD CHINA Trump, Xi agree to take steps to address trade disputes Buenos Aires: Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump Saturday agreed to suspend any new tariffs and take steps to address the trade disputes, which over the past few months had threatened to spill over into a trade war between the world's two largest economies. (AFP) FGN27 POLAND-CLIMATE-2NDLD TALKS Nations urged to tackle 'urgent threats' at UN climate talks Katowice (Poland): With the direst warnings yet of impending environmental disaster still ringing in their ears, representatives from nearly 200 nations gathered Sunday in Poland to firm up their plan to prevent catastrophic climate change. FGN9 G20-US-CHINA-TARIFFS China, US agree no new tariffs 'after January 1': Chinese media Buenos Aires: The United States and China agreed Saturday in a long-anticipated summit to hold off on new tariffs after January 1, Chinese state media said following a months-long trade war. (AFP) FGN14 TRUMP-KIM-LD MEET Trump says hopes to meet N.Korea's Kim in January or February Washington: US President Donald Trump said Saturday he hoped to organise a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in early 2019, perhaps as soon as January or February. (AFP) FGN28 FRANCE-PREZ-3RDLD-PROTESTS Macron leads crisis meeting after anti-government riots Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron led a crisis meeting on Sunday after anti-government protests in Paris that left 263 people injured and widespread destruction around the capital. (AFP) FGN24 ISRAEL-2NDLD NETANYAHU Israel police recommend indicting Netanyahu in third graft probe Jerusalem: Israeli police on Sunday recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara for bribery and other offences, the third such move against the premier in recent months. (AFP) CK Bhopal (MP), Dec 2 (PTI) The Congress has raised doubts over the security of EVMs kept in strongrooms across Madhya Pradesh after voting in the assembly elections as the state awaits counting on December 11. However, Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao, who visited the strongroom for Bhopal district set up at the Old Jail at Arera Hills here Sunday along with Congress leaders, said the EVMs are "completely secure, safe and sealed as per the norms of the Election Commission". Former Union minister Suresh Pachouri and some Congress candidates accompanied Rao during his visit to the strongroom. Playing down the Congress' allegations, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the opposition party of running a "false propaganda" in view of its "imminent defeat" in the polls. Voting for the 230 seats in the central India state, where the Congress is trying to deny the ruling party a fourth straight term, was held on November 28. State Congress spokesman Bhupendra Gupta Sunday alleged the basic norms of the EC are not being followed as far as the security of the EVMs in strongrooms is concerned. "There should be uninterrupted power supply in these strongrooms. But in Bhopal, LED screens installed outside the strongroom went blank on three occasions due to power interruptions. In most of the districts, even basic arrangements are not in place at the strongrooms," he alleged. Gupta demanded that representatives of the poll contestants be allowed to stay at vantage points from where gates of these strongrooms are visible. He also demanded electronic devices not be allowed near the strongrooms. BJP state unit president Rakesh Singh said the Congress was levelling baseless allegations against "Constitutional establishments". "The Congress is running a false propaganda over the security of the EVMs and strongrooms which is an excuse to its imminent defeat in elections. The Congress is trying to create confusion among the voters," he alleged. "It has been the history of the Congress to attack the constitutional establishments by levelling baseless allegations," Singh said. He said the election process is controlled by the EC and no government or political party can interfere. "The Congress has now started blaming the EVMs in MP but can it clarify how it formed the government in Punjab"? he questioned. PTI ADU NSK TIR TIR Assam government employee shot at in Haflong Haflong, Dec 2 (PTI) An Assam government employee was shot at by an unidentified gunman here in Dima Hasao district, police said on Sunday. The incident happened on Saturday at official's workplace, the police said, adding, the government employee is an inspector in the food and civil supply department. According to a police officer, the gunman entered the food and civil supply office at Haflong Government College Road, and fired two rounds of bullets at Inspector Donald Dibragade from a close range. The assailant then fled the scene, the police officer said. Dibragade was immediately taken to Haflong Civil Hospital, the police officer said, adding, he is still undergoing treatment at the hospital. An investigation has been initiated and a search operation has been launched to nab the culprit, the police officer said. PTI COR ESB SBN SBN Jaipur, Dec 2 (PTI) Home Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said Pakistan can seek India's help if it cannot handle the fight against terrorism alone. He asserted there have not been any major terrorist related incident in the country in over four years of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government. "I want to ask the Pakistani prime minister (Imran Khan) that if in Aghanistan, a fight can be carried out against terror and Taliban with the help of the US, then, Pakistan can seek help against terrorism from India if it feels that it cannot handle it alone," he said. Addressing a press conference here, Singh said Jammu and Kashmir was not an issue as it was an integral part of the country. "The issue is of terrorism, and Pakistan can discuss it," Singh said. The Home Minister also accused the Congress of creating a crisis of distrust in politics and claimed there was a difference in their words and deeds. "I do not want to claim that terrorism has stopped, but no major terrorist incident has happened in the country in last four-and-a-half years, he said. Terrorism is confined only to Kashmir where also situation is improving, Singh said adding Panchayat elections in J&K is being conducted successfully. "The government has brought Jammu and Kashmir into political process. As far as terrorism is concerned, there is no second thought that it is Pakistan sponsored," the Home Minister said. The Union minister asserted that the country and its borders are safe. Terrorism has reduced and the problem of naxalism will get eliminated from the country in the coming years, he added. Naxal related incidents have come down by 50-60 per cent in the last four years, he said, adding it has reduced from 90 districts to only 8-9 districts and that the problem will get eliminated in next three to five years. PTI AG TVS TVS (Eds: Incorporates Governor's reply to Omar's letter, other details) Srinagar, Dec 2 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik asserted Sunday that there was no attempt to tamper with the act governing the permanent resident certificate (PRC) in the state, saying such reports were "frivolous and unfounded". The governor's remarks came in reply to a letter by National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah earlier in the day, expressing concern over the reports of changes proposed to the procedure of granting permanent residence certificates in the state. In reply to Abdullah's letter, Malik said his administration is not making, or even considering, any changes to the act. "At the outset, I would like to mention that the government is not making or even considering any changes to the act governing Permanent Resident Certificate in the state. It is an integral part of the legal structure of Jammu and Kashmir and there is no attempt whatsoever to tamper with this law," the governor wrote in a letter to the NC vice-president. Malik said no changes in the procedural rules governing the issue of PR certificates would ever be done without larger consultations with all stakeholders. "Consultations are essential so as to avoid any unnecessary apprehensions in the minds of anyone. To the best of my knowledge, nothing off the sort is being contemplated at the moment nor have any decisions been taken. However, in view of the concerns expressed by you, I will assure you that nothing will be done to modify the procedures for issuing PR certificates," he said. The governor said seeking a PRC is one of the services under Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Guarantee Act of 2011 and as per the act, a PRC by a genuine state subject applicant should be obtained within 30 days from the date of application. He, however, said it was observed that many genuine applicants face avoidable difficulties in getting a PRC within this timeline. "There have also been complaints that the issuance of the certificates gets delayed due to a variety of procedural reasons. It is in this context of having a hassle free process for bona-fide applicants that I believe the Revenue department has sort comments from few others. This is a routine administrative matter and unnecessary meaning should not be read into it," Malik said. Malik asked Abdullah to not pay heed to "such frivolous and unfounded reports". "In fact you have an obligation to dispel rather than promote unnecessary mistrust among people and are always welcome to discuss issues with me, which you have been doing once in a while," he said in the letter to Abdullah. He also pointed out that the fax machine at Raj Bhavan was working and Abdullah's fax had been received and confirmed by his office "while you (Abdullah) were tweeting that it was non-functional". Abdullah had said the fax machine was not working. In his response to the governor's letter, Abdullah said he was grateful to Malik for his timely and detailed reply and also pleased to note that no changes were being proposed to the PRC rules. "Fax received from @jandkgovernor Malik Sahib which I'm sharing here. I'm pleased to note no changes are being proposed to the PRC certificate rules," Abdullah wrote on Twitter. "This is how a mature democracy functions we flag our concerns with the person in authority & those concerns are addressed. When we can't meet face to face we use technology. I'm grateful to @jandkgovernor Malik Sb for his timely & detailed reply," he said in another tweet. He said he believed a regular mechanism of discussion and consultation would be beneficial to the state as it moves closer to elections. "@jandkgovernor Malik Sb's assurance of consultation with stake holders is an important one. I believe a regular mechanism of discussion/consultation will be beneficial to the state as we move closer to elections," the former chief minister said. Earlier, Abdullah in the letter to the governor, said his party would oppose any move aimed at changing the procedure for granting the PRCs in the state. Senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta had said the state administration was contemplating to simplify the procedure for grant of PRCs and a timeline should be fixed for its issuance. Abdullah described the reported directions of the Governor-led state administrative council (SAC) in this regard as "an attempt to distort the demography of the state" and "detrimental to J-K's special status". "We are obligated to write to you at a time when you are mulling changes to the permanent resident certificate rules. Our party, the National Conference, is of the opinion that this is an attempt to distort the demography of the state and finds it detrimental to J&K's special status," Abdullah had said in the letter to the governor. Asserting that the SAC was "unilaterally bringing changes" in the working of institutions and procedures in the state, the NC leader said it was against the principal and spirit of democracy and participative governance. "The (media) reports say that directions have already been issued to the concerned officials to make changes in the procedure pertaining to the issuance of these certificates," he said. "It is highly unfortunate that no wider consultations with any political party of the state and other stakeholders were carried out," he added. He said "any misadventure could disturb the fragile and precarious peace" in the sensitive state. "In addition, it is a brazen act to further create mistrust among people here and can have serious ramifications for the prospects of peace and harmony in J&K," Abdullah said. PTI SSB ABH ABH New Delhi, Dec 2 (PTI) Air forces of India and the US will begin a 12-day military exercise in Kalaikunda and Panagarh air bases in West Bengal from Monday with an aim to enhance operational coordination, officials said. The 'Ex Cope India-18' will be the fourth edition in the series of bilateral drills between the Indian Air Force and the US Air Force. This is for the first time, the exercise is being held at two air force bases, the officials said. "The aim of the exercise is to provide operational exposure and undertake mutual exchange of best practices towards enhancing operational capability," the IAF said in a statement. The US has sent a fleet of F15 C/D and C-130 military aircraft. The IAF is participating with the Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage 2000, C-130J and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft. The US and Indian air forces are enhancing their overall cooperation as part of deepening of defence and security ties between the two countries. US President Donald Trump, in his first prime-time televised address to the nation as commander-in-chief last year, had laid out his South Asia policy saying a "critical part" of it was to further develop the USA's strategic partnership with India. In June 2016, the US had designated India a "Major Defence Partner" intending to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners. PTI MPB NSD Nilakkal/Chengannur, Dec 2 (PTI) Amid charges that the BJP has diluted its agitation against the entry of young women into the Sabarimala temple, some party workers, led by its state general secretary B Gopalakrishnan, Sunday defied prohibitory orders at Nilakkal, the pilgrim base camp located about 20 km from the hill shrine. Eight BJP activists, who were on their way to Sabarimala, were stopped by police at Nilakkal. They violated the prohibitory orders by squatting on road and chanting 'swamiye saram ayyappa'. In an unrelated incident, activists of BJP's youth wing, Yuva Morcha, attempted to wave black flags at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Mulakkuzha near Chengannur when he was on his way to attend a function there. Two people were arrested in connection with this incident, police said. Five Mahila Morcha activists, who staged 'nama japa' (chanting of mantras) protest at the chief minister's programme venue, were also arrested, they said. The women, who managed to enter the venue, stood up and chanted mantras when Vijayan was about to begin his speech. Police rushed to the spot and removed them from the venue. Gopalakrishnan later told reporters that the BJP would continue to agitate till police lift the prohibitory orders and other restrictions imposed in and around the hill shrine. He slammed the Vijayan-led LDF government for allegedly filing false cases against party general secretary K Surendran, who was arrested en route to Sabarimala last month. The BJP recently announced its decision to shift its protest from the temple complex to the state capital. But since then, the party has been facing allegations that it was backtracking from the agitation. BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai had rejected the charges and said the move was to expand the stir across the state. He had also said the party would launch an indefinite fast before the Secretariat from December 3 and block state ministers in support of its various demands, including lifting of prohibitory orders and providing basic amenities to pilgrims in and around the Lord Ayyappa temple. Since the September 28 verdict of the Supreme Court, allowing women of all ages to enter the temple, no women in the 10-50 age group has been able to reach the shrine due to frenzied protests from devotees. PTI LGK APR APR ABH ABH Jammu, Dec 2 (PTI) Union minister Jitendra Singh said Sunday the BJP-government at Centre was leading the nation on the path of growth and development, while claiming that the love of the people for Prime Minister Narendra Modi is increasing with each passing day. Addressing a meeting of the BJP's newly elected presidents, vice-presidents and councilors of municipal committees from Jammu region at the party headquarter here, he said the results of the urban local body polls and the ongoing panchayat elections are acting as "booster dose" for the party activists. "Other political parties only looted the resources of the country whereas the Modi government has led the nation on the path of growth and development. The love of the people for Modi is increasing day by day due to the pro-public approach of government," Singh, the Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office, said. Claiming that the BJP would form government in Jammu and Kashmir after the Assembly elections, the party's state president Ravinder Raina told those in attendance at the meeting that, "You need to work with dedication to strengthen the party in view of the upcoming parliamentary and assembly polls." Taking a dig at the parties which boycotted the urban local body polls and the panchayat elections, he wondered whether they have "guts to boycott the assembly and parliamentary polls as well." The National Conference and then PDP boycotted the urban local body polls over Article 35(A), which grants special rights and privileges to the "permanent residents" of the state and is facing legal challenge. PTI TAS NSD NSD Westerly, RI (02891) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 46F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 29F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 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%. Barclays Bank will tomorrow launch a service to help deaf or hard-of-hearing customers do their banking more easily. The new arrangement coincides with the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities and is the latest move by a high street bank to help those with disabilities do everyday banking. Customers must sign up to the service in a Barclays branch for security reasons. Barclays Bank will tomorrow launch a service to help deaf or hard-of-hearing customers But thereafter there will be a marker against their account alerting the bank that the customer may be using a lipspeaker to do their talking. A lipspeaker is someone who is trained to communicate what a deaf speaker is saying. Once they have signed up to the service, hearing impaired customers can contact the bank by phone any day between 8am and 9pm. Barclays already helps those with sight problems by issuing them with high visibility and brightly coloured debit cards with a tactile notch so customers know which way to insert a card in a cash machine. In common with other banks such as HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest, it also provides hard-of-hearing customers video access to British Sign Language interpreters via a mobile app. Many banks offer talking cash machines cashpoints where you plug in earphones before being talked through transactions. The machines can be found using the ATM locator on the website of network operator Link though visually impaired people may need help to use it. Dr Roger Wicks, of the charity Action on Hearing Loss, welcomes the banks move. He says: People with deafness and hearing loss frequently do not enjoy equal or convenient access to banking services. After hundreds of thousands of flights British Airways has bid farewell to one of the most iconic aircraft in its fleet the Boeing 767. The airline's final two 767s have been retired to MOD St Athan in Wales after the last commercial flight - Larnaca in Cyprus to Heathrow took place on Sunday. The captain of the flight to St Athan, Jonny Lutton, tweeted: 'Today [Monday] I have the privilege of commanding the last ever @British_Airways #767 flight. @aston_adam and I will deliver #ZHB to St Athan, bringing 28 years of safe and efficient 767 operations to a close. This is the end of an era.' The plane that operated the last ever commercial 767 flight for BA touches down in Larnaca, Cyprus, before making the end-of-an-era return journey to Heathrow The crew of the last 767 to fly a commercial service for BA pose by the plane in Cyprus before it returns to Heathrow for the final time Since British Airways operated its first 767 in February 1990 on a short hop to Paris, the fleet of aircraft has completed over 425,000 commercial flights. Frankfurt was the route where enthusiasts could spot the 767 most frequently, with the aircraft completing nearly 15,000 flights to and from the airport, but the aircraft has also been used to serve routes from Abu Dhabi, to Calgary and New York. While it was initially used for long-haul, in recent years it has been reconfigured for use on short-haul, including to Athens and Larnaca as well as on some domestic routes. The retirement comes as British Airways looks to the future of its fleet. Just days ago, the airline took delivery of its 30th Boeing 787 Dreamliner the newest aircraft in its fleet. Not only is the Dreamliner around 40 per cent quieter than other aircraft it also uses 20 per cent less fuel than similarly sized aircraft. The flight crew that would be operating the historic final BA 767 journey pose by the aircraft in Cyprus before it heads back to the UK capital This means a reduction in carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. But it's not just the 787 that's being added to British Airways' fleet. Later in the year the airline will take delivery of another pioneering aircraft - its first Airbus A350, part of the airline's 4.5bn investment for customers over the next five years. On the 767 retirement, British Airways Director of Flight Operations, Captain Al Bridger, said: 'The 767 has been a brilliant part of our fleet, flying some of our most popular routes and giving customers what was an industry-leading service in its time. The first ever BA 767 service from London Heathrow to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris takes off on February 19, 1990 The flight deck of the 767. Frankfurt was the route where enthusiasts could spot the 767 most frequently 'It's fitting that as the final 767 leaves the fleet, we take our 30th delivery of another industry-leading aircraft, the 787, which offers customers an exceptional experience in the skies.' The final 767 commercial flight took place on a plane with the registration G-BZHA. One other 767 was retired to St Athan on Monday and will be sold, along with G-BZHA, but not to another airline. BA said that neither plane will fly again, but didn't comment on the identity of the buyer (s). G-BZHA first flew in 1998 and has flown an estimated 23 million miles. It has visited Larnaca 900 times in its life, but its most popular route is actually to Athens, where it's completed 1,275 round trips. It is estimated that this aircraft has carried around four million customers across nearly 23,000 flights. CoreLogic, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides property information, insight, analytics, and data-enabled solutions in North America, Western Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Property Intelligence & Risk Management Solutions (PIRM) and Underwriting & Workflow Solutions (UWS). The PIRM segment combines property information, mortgage information, and consumer information to deliver housing market and property-level insights, predictive analytics, and risk management capabilities. It also offers proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with decision-making and compliance tools in the real estate and insurance industries. This segment primarily serves commercial banks, mortgage lenders and brokers, investment banks, fixed-income investors, real estate agents, MLS companies, property and casualty insurance companies, title insurance companies, government agencies, and government-sponsored enterprises. The UWS segment combines property, mortgage, and consumer information to provide comprehensive mortgage origination and monitoring solutions, including underwriting-related solutions, and data-enabled valuations and appraisals. This segment also provides proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with vetting and onboarding prospects, and meeting compliance regulations, as well as understanding, evaluating, monitoring property values. It primarily serves mortgage lenders and servicers, mortgage brokers, credit unions, commercial banks, fixed-income investors, government agencies, and property and casualty insurance companies. The company was formerly known as The First American Corporation and changed its name to CoreLogic, Inc. in June 2010. CoreLogic, Inc. was incorporated in 1894 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. Read More Intu owns and manages some of the best shopping centres, in some of the strongest locations, in the UK and Spain. Our UK portfolio is made up of 17 centres, including eight of the top-20, and in Spain we own three of the country's top-10 centres, with advanced plans to build a fourth. We are passionate about creating compelling experiences, in centre and online, that make our customers smile and help our retailers flourish. We attract around 400 million customer visits and 26 million website visits a year offering a multichannel approach that truly supports retail strategies. Our strategic focus on prime, high-footfall flagship destinations, combined with the strength and popularity of our brand, means that intu offers enhanced footfall, dwell time and loyalty. This helps our tenants flourish, driving occupancy and income growth. We are committed to our local communities, with our centres supporting nearly 130,000 jobs (representing about 3 per cent of the total UK retail workforce), and to operating with environmental responsibility. We have already met or exceeded a significant number of our 2020 environmental targets. Read More EAST NORRITON Holiday cheer was as abundant as the candy canes Saturday as East Norriton kicked off its holiday season with a bang. The annual Hillcrest Plaza holiday parade, now in its 26th year, began late Saturday morning as area businesses and organizations took part in the Christmas merriment and strolled down Germantown Pike. This is our 26th year. The Merchants Association, which is made up of all the merchants in the shopping center, came up with the idea themselves, said Kim Tornetta Attanafio ,with Hillcrest Plaza Shopping Center. Ever since then weve been putting on East Norritons holiday parade. Each year, the parade benefits a new local organization. Tables are set up along Hillcrest Plaza shopping center encouraging business and holiday donations from the community. At the beginning it started out as a community event but also to raise toys for Toys for Tots. After a few years we recognized that there are so many organizations that need help that are local so we decided each year to pick a new organization, explained Tornetta Attanafio. This year, the annual parade will benefit the Patrician Society, a local organization that serves individuals in the greater Norristown area. Were an organization that has been in operation for 38 years, said LeeAnn Rooney, executive director of the Patrician Society. We have a food cupboard for disadvantaged families, we serve over 1,300 families throughout the year. We also provide funding for rental assistance like utilities and medical aid for anyone who cant afford it. In addition to helping out local organizations just in time for the holidays, the parade serves as a happy tradition for many East Norriton residents excited to kick off their holiday. Featured in Saturdays parade were Norristown Area High Schools marching band, local girl scout and boy scout troops, several area dance schools and local businesses. And of course, what holiday parade would be complete without Santa Claus himself riding in style? The parade ended Saturday at Hillcrest Plaza Shopping Center as Santa arrived atop a Norriton Fire Engine Company firetruck. COHOES Police are searching for an older model gray Jeep Grand Cherokee that may have been involved in an incident Friday afternoon where two city parks and a private lot were vandalized. In a statement, Mayor Shawn Morse said Saturday that it appears that that someone deliberately drove a vehicle into the parks and lot and "severely ripped up the grassy areas where many of the city's sporting programs take place." Looking for someone to blame for the not-so-stellar performance of your investment portfolio? Try checking the mirror. Common tendencies that make us our own worst enemies when investing include: selling winning investments too soon or holding onto losers for too long, loading up on too-similar assets or failing to assess the future implications of today's decisions. Researchers have found dozens of unconscious biases that can drive people to make money decisions they later regret. These behavioral economics concepts include things like "anchoring" when a specific and perhaps arbitrary number you have in mind sways your decision-making, such as selling Apple just because the company's stock hit a round number, like $200 a share. Or, the "endowment effect" can cause you to overvalue something simply because you own it, leading you to cling to a stock that's tanking. Here are some common human errors in investing, with strategies to overcome them. Pursuing past predilections Financial institutions remind us that past performance doesn't guarantee future results. We don't always listen. It's tempting to look at a stock's (or the broader market's) recent performance and conclude gains will persist in the near term, said Victor Ricciardi, a finance professor at Goucher College and co-editor of the books "Investor Behavior" and "Financial Behavior." "People take a very small sample of data and draw a major conclusion, and that's a pretty bad pitfall," Ricciardi said. How to overcome it: Don't base investing decisions solely on what's happened; think about what will drive gains in the future. Prioritize selecting companies with solid long-term potential. Diversification that's not diverse You may interpret diversification to mean more is better. That's only half the story; what's important is owning a variety of assets (both stocks and bonds) with exposure to various industries, companies and geographies. Sometimes investors exhibit "naive diversification" by owning too-similar assets, which does little to reduce risk, said Dan Egan, director of behavioral finance and investments at robo-adviser Betterment: "People will have three or four different S&P 500 funds and think they're diversified but don't look at how correlated they all are." Similarly, many investors invest only in companies they know, which results in over-concentration in certain industries, Ricciardi said. That may mean underexposure to "the unknown" like international stocks which they perceive to be risky, he said. How to overcome it: Invest in a wide range of assets. This can easily be accomplished with a simple portfolio constructed of just a few mutual funds or exchange-traded funds. Making emotional decisions Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. When money's on the line, it's hard not to let emotions creep into your decisions. Prior to the 2016 presidential election, many professional investors expressed concerns about a market slump if Donald Trump won. Betterment data suggested that investors who supported Hillary Clinton might let politics shape their investment strategy and cash out following the election, Egan said. So after the election, the robo-adviser messaged investors about the importance of staying invested for the long haul, he said. On a stock-specific basis, we often let emotions dictate when to sell. "People tend to sell winners too quickly when they go up and, on the downside, they hold on to losing investments too long," Ricciardi said. How to overcome it: Think about individual investments in the context of your entire portfolio and craft a plan for when you'll sell that's not triggered by short-term factors. Focusing on today It can be difficult to see the value of saving money for tomorrow when there's so much to spend it on today. That myopia can make investors either too active or too passive. If you're too passive, you may avoid regular check-ins on financial health and stick with a status quo that doesn't properly prepare for the future, Ricciardi said. Being too active can drive up trading expenses, resulting in lower returns, he adds. How to overcome it: Let the numbers do the talking. Sit down with a retirement calculator when charting your investing journey. Make sure you fully understand the tax implications and costs associated with selling investments. ajackson@nerdwallet.com Dharamshala, India Tibetan Buddhist monks from around the world are gearing up to discuss whether the aging Dalai Lama should reincarnate and, if he does, then how to prevent Beijing from claiming that Tibet's next spiritual leader will reincarnate in China. The monks were to congregate in the Himalayas of northern India this week to deliberate on the issue at the 13th Religious Conference on Tibetan Buddhism, but the meeting was called off after Kathok Getse Rinpoche, leader of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, died Nov. 19. No dates have been set for a rescheduled conference in Dharamshala, where the 83-year-old Dalai Lama and his followers have lived in exile since 1959, but the monks are prepared to deliberate on the steps, interpreted from ancient Buddhist texts, to recognize the reincarnated body if their spiritual leader decides to continue the office after his death. Tibetan Buddhists believe that karma directs a person's reincarnation, but those who have achieved enlightenment can direct their own path, choosing the body of their rebirth. The 14th Dalai Lama has been the face of Tibet's nonviolent struggle against China, which in the 1950s seized the region and killed thousands of Tibetans who resisted communist rule. Since 1959, the Indian government has provided land to the Dalai Lama and Tibetan refugees. In a departure from 369 years of tradition, the 14th Dalai Lama relinquished political power in 2011 to the Central Tibetan Administration, a democratic institution with a parliament and president. The move came four years after China's government decreed that all reincarnations of living Buddhas have to be approved by Beijing given that Tibet is officially part of China. They designate the Dalai Lama and his followers as "terrorists" or separatists. China created the Tibet Autonomous Region in an agreement between Tibetan representatives and Beijing, but Tibetans say they have little autonomy. More than 150 Tibetans, mostly monks and nuns, have self-immolated since 2011 over religious restrictions and interference inside Tibet. In 2011, the Dalai Lama said preparations to determine how his successor would be found wouldn't happen until he reached 90, in 2025, when he would first consult with Tibetan Buddhist authorities about whether to even continue the Dalai Lama institution. But last year, the Dalai Lama said the process would begin as soon as 2018. He has in recent years mentioned that perhaps he would not reincarnate. "There is no guarantee that some stupid Dalai Lama won't come next, who will disgrace himself or herself," the Dalai Lama told BBC in 2014. "That would be very sad. So, much better that a centuries-old tradition should cease at the time of a quite popular Dalai Lama." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Speaking in Japan this month, the Dalai Lama said that succession through nomination, instead of reincarnation, could be a way to continue his office. China will likely try to name its own Dalai Lama regardless, as Beijing asserts that the seat of Tibetan Buddhism should be inside Tibet. In the 1990s, the Dalai Lama recognized a 6-year-old boy as the Panchen Lama, the second-most-revered position in Tibetan Buddhism. Soon, though, the boy and his family disappeared in Chinese custody and their whereabouts remain unknown. Then China declared a new Panchen Lama. The continuation of the centuries-old tradition of reincarnation is crucial because the Dalai Lama is the only unifying figure for the Tibetans and their struggle for autonomy within the Chinese rule. Tibetans would prefer to end the office of the Dalai Lama rather than have a China-appointed spiritual leader. "It's difficult for us to imagine Tibet without him," said Namdol Lhagyari, the youngest member of Tibet's exile parliament. "But, you know, we also have to be realistic. We have to make sure all our energy goes toward the Central Tibetan Administration because this is the only institution that we have which is able to challenge the Chinese government." From a mountainside temple in Dharamshala, through international forums (and even Twitter with nearly 19 million followers), the Dalai Lama teaches popular Buddhist values such as compassion, religious tolerance, finding joy and service to others. MAYFIELD Fellow New York State Police as well as friends and loved ones attended calling hours Sunday to honor Trooper Jeremy J. VanNostrand. State Police vehicles packed the school's parking lot at VanNostrand's alma mater, Mayfield Junior/Senior High School in Fulton County, in the early afternoon before the calling hours were opened up to the general public. A funeral mass for VanNostrand will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Gabriel the Archangel Church in Rotterdam. Fellow law enforcement and emergency services personnel paid their respects as well, including troopers from out of state. Reporters were not allowed inside the school for the calling hours and mourners declined to talk to the media. VanNostrand was killed Tuesday after a box truck rear-ended his vehicle while he was waiting to turn into the parking lot of the barracks he worked at in Fultonville, Montgomery County. The impact pushed VanNostrand's Nissan Altima into the path of another truck. The 36-year-old husband and father to a 6-year-old daughter had been a State Police trooper for six years, and lived in Rotterdam. State Police are investigating the crash the latest in an already devastating year in which four troopers have lost their lives in the line of duty, according to State Police Superintendent George Beach. Two troopers died from chemicals they had breathed while working at ground zero after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in New York City. Another trooper was shot and killed by a suicidal man. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The accident last Tuesday happened around 7:45 a.m. outside the barracks on Route 5S. The drivers of the two trucks involved in the crash have not been charged. While there was heavy, wet snow present at the time of the accident, State Police have said it doesn't appear that road conditions were a contributing factor in the crash. The exact cause has not be released. VanNostrand had worked in Liberty, Middletown and Granville since becoming a state trooper in 2012. He previously worked as a state correction officer for eight years. Wilton Sarah Landers remembers the day she realized her builder wasn't going to finish her house. It was October 2017, more than a year after Landers, her husband, Chris, and her parents, Tom and Jude Catlin, gave Thomas J. Farone Homebuilders a $50,000 deposit to build them a house with an in-law apartment. The Landerses sold their old house, based on Tom Farone Jr.'s promises. They were living in an apartment and their belongings were in storage. Farone's latest promise was they would be in by Thanksgiving. But in October, Sarah Landers sat outside looking at a shell of a house with no windows. "I had this sinking feeling and I knew he wasn't going to finish the house," Landers said. The Landerses and the Catlins were among five families left in limbo between 2016 and 2018 while progress dragged along on the houses they commissioned Farone to build. The couples all tell similar stories about their experiences, echoing fears that many home buyers have when they put their trust and a considerable chunk of money into the hands of builders. The five families had contracts with deadlines the contractor failed to meet. There were months, they all said, when nothing happened at the work sites, and when work was completed, it was often shoddy. Of the three former Farone customers who spoke for this story, only the Landerses ended up with a house and only because another builder stepped in to complete it. Cost and reputation drew each of the families to Farone Homebuilders. Thomas Farone Sr. started the business more than 30 years ago and built a reputation as a reliable builder. His company built many homes in Saratoga County, including at Rowlands Hollow East and West, in Milton. The company has also built and manages several apartment complexes in the area, including Saratoga Heritage, Split Rail and Renaissance. Tom Farone Jr. did not respond to repeated calls to comment for this story. His father, Tom Farone Sr., declined to comment and referred questions to his lawyer, Andy Brick. Brick did not comment on behalf of his clients after repeated calls to his office. The Landers' search for a new house was prompted by Sarah Landers' father's health. In 2010, Tom Catlin was diagnosed with multisystem atrophy, a neurological disease similar to ALS and Parkinson's disease. By 2015, he was using a wheelchair and Sarah's mother, Jude, was struggling to take care of him by herself in the couple's Halfmoon townhouse. The foursome decided to sell their houses and buy a house together that had an in-law apartment, so the Landers, including their children, then 11 and 9, could help with Tom Catlin's care. Sarah Landers is a school guidance counselor and Chris Landers is a sales supervisor for Charter Communications. When they couldn't find anything locally to buy, they looked into new construction. Everything they found was out of their price range until they heard about Olson Farm, a subdivision off Northern Pines Road where Farone was building houses. They knew people who bought houses in the subdivision and were happy. They talked to others who said construction took longer than promised nine to 11 months, rather than six to eight months but it was worth it in the end. In 2016, they chose a lot and put $1,000 down to hold it. Paul Buckowski In December, the Landerses and Catlins gave Farone a $50,000 deposit and worked with an architect to design a 2,500-square-foot house with an 850-square-foot in-law apartment for $489,000. Then, Farone stopped returning their calls. By February, after exploring the neighborhood, they met other unhappy customers whose houses seemed stalled. They started hearing rumors about financial instability at the company. They visited Wilton Town Hall to see if Farone filed a building permit and discovered he had not. Unnerved, the Landerses called Farone and asked for their money back. The builder asked for a meeting and talked them into staying with him. "He's charming in person," Sarah Landers said. "He convinced us he was going to build our house and he was so confident, he said to go ahead and put whatever deadlines we wanted in the contract. He said he would have us in by Sept. 15." The Landerses moved in first with friends, until school was over, and then to a seasonal camp they own in Lake George. Landers met the Pitaniellos: Michelle, a teacher, and David, who works in health insurance. They were drawn to Farone Homebuilders by the cost, after they thought new construction in Saratoga Springs was going to be too expensive for them. They put down $43,000 in May 2016. There were problems immediately, David Pitaniello said. The architectural plans when the Pitaniellos finally got a look at them in the fall were not what the couple had discussed with the builder and needed corrections. Later, Pitaniello said Farone refused to show him the plans, and when Pitaniello filed a request with the town through the Freedom of Information Act, he discovered the plans were not what he signed off on. Like the Landerses, when the Pitaniellos were fed up and ready to walk away, Farone talked them into staying with apologies and a new contract. He threw in a couple free upgrades. But new deadlines, starting in March 2017, came and went. "He would do just enough to make you feel things were moving along," Dave Pitaniello said. "I kept doing the math in my head, thinking, 'If he gets the framing done in July, the interior can get done in the winter and we could get in by Christmas.'" Cindy Schultz Pitaniello visited the site frequently and was troubled by what he saw. The load-bearing members in the construction of a bay window were off. Instead of resting on a point load the way it's supposed to, Pitaniello noticed the load was resting on just a thin sheet of subflooring material, and it was sagging. Concerned, he called the town building department. Wilton building inspector John Herlihy visited the site and took pictures. Building inspectors are a homeowner's last line of defense when it comes to new construction. Inspectors visit a site at each stage of construction to make sure it's being built according to standards set by the state. A builder can't frame a house unless the footings and foundation have passed inspection. Electrical installation, HVAC, plumbing, insulation and the roof must also pass inspection. The checks are done on the builder's timeline. When they're ready, the builders call for a building inspector to visit. Farone hadn't called the town yet for a framing inspection, but Herlihy stopped by to take a look. In addition to the misaligned beams, he photographed exposed beam hangers metal plates with holes where nails are supposed to secure the hanger to the structural frame. The beams weren't adequately attached to the framing, which voids the manufacturer's warranty and is not structurally sound. More Information What to do before hiring a home builder Check with the local building department. Inspection reports are subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Two membership organizations represent many local builders - the New York State Builders Association and the Capital District Builders and Remodelers Association. If the builder is a member, call and ask the staff if complaints have ever been filed against the company. Contact the Better Business Bureau, the state attorney general and the state Division of Consumer Protection, which keeps records up to three years of complaints against businesses. See More Collapse Mark Mykins, the town's supervising building inspector, said all houses settle and move in the year or so after they're built. Weather, snow, heating and cooling all affect how a house settles. "If it's not all tied in correctly, you could have structural failure of some type," Mykins said. Mykins said there were "issues" in Farone's houses. "They were having a hard time getting past those issues, and it took them a long time," he said. "They were averaging a house every two years, when similar houses were built four or five years ago by the same company in 140 to 160 days from start to finish. On a personal note, two years is longer than I'd ever wait." Talking with the building inspectors in a town where you're hoping to build is a good way to gauge the builder's reputation. Mykins said he and the other staff in the building department don't recommend one builder over another, but, if asked, they will discuss if a builder is known for taking a long time to complete a house, or if issues arise during inspections. Thomas J. Farone Homebuilders has a D- rating from the Better Business Bureau. The BBB website lists two complaints about Thomas J. Farone and Son Inc. in the last three years, both of which were left unanswered by the company. The NYS Builders Association, which advocates on behalf of the residential construction industry at the state Capitol, if a builder isn't responsive to requests from a customer, they may file a complaint with the Attorney General or state Division of Consumer Protection. There have been no complaints against Farone's company in the last three years. By the end the summer of 2017, the Landerses' house had a roof, but no windows. They couldn't live in the camp as the weather became cooler. Farone offered them apartments at Saratoga Heritage for free, and promised them they would be in by Thanksgiving. Sarah Landers remembers picking through their storage unit with a flashlight, looking for Christmas decorations. The stress was taking a toll on her kids, she said. Every day, Chris drove his son to a friend's house across the street from their old house so he could catch the bus to school. They would look longingly at the old house, wishing they never moved out, Chris Landers said. Still, the family tried to keep things in perspective. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "We realize these are first-world problems," Sarah Landers said. "I work with kids who live in places with dirt floors. The house we ended up with is more than I ever thought we would have." The Landerses started negotiating with Farone to buy the house and talked to a builder who would finish it. Galarneau Builders, another company with a long history in homebuilding, had given the Pitaniellos a quote for finishing their house. The Landerses asked Lou Galarneau to take a look at their house, too. Ed Rechak, Galarneau's estimator, said it would need $20,000 in repairs alone, but they could make it work so the couple could stay close to their original budget for the house. Then, in January, Sarah Landers found out Farone was trying to sell the half-finished house out from under her family. "I called the Realtor and started asking questions," Landers said. "I said I was in the market for a four-bedroom Colonial with an in-law apartment. She said she had just the thing for me: 4 Cardiff Circle." The phone call ended quickly after Landers told the real estate agent the house already had a buyer her. Finally, in March, Farone agreed to sell the house to the Landerses for $264,000. Within days of the closing in June, the family found eviction notices on both their door and the Catlins' door of the apartments in which they were staying. Although they still had two months on their lease, Farone wanted them out immediately. They were living there for free, but they had a lease. They were legally protected. They ignored the eviction notices. Michelle and David Pitaniello tried to make a similar deal for their unfinished house as the Landerses did, but Farone refused to sell. It's still standing, empty and unfinished. David Pitaniello said he tried everything to convince Farone. "I was humble. I apologized for my own sharp words. I forgave him. He never responded," Pitaniello said. The Pitaniellos, who had their third child while living with Michelle's parents, found a house not far from Olson Farm and paid $428,000. They were lucky, David Pitaniello said, because they heard about it before it went on the market. Ryan and Allison D'Antonio also hired Farone to build them a house in Olson Farm. Ryan works for an investment firm in Albany and Allison works for a nonprofit in Saratoga. The couple signed a contract in the summer of 2015 for a house that would cost about $350,000. By spring of 2016, there was little progress, the mortgage rate the couple locked in for 11 months was running out and the D'Antonios soon had to move out of their apartment in Albany. Farone said they would be in their house at 10 Cardiff Circle by Christmas. When that didn't happen, Farone set the D'Antonios up at the Split Rail apartment complex for free. Ryan D'Antonio drove by the house frequently, once meeting a contractor and his son, who later disappeared. He noticed when the wrong roof was installed on his house. Again and again, Farone made promises and broke them, he said. "We had the right to cancel the contract when he missed deadlines, but we didn't want that. We wanted the house," Ryan D'Antonio said. "There isn't much in Saratoga Springs in the way of new construction that is under a half-million dollars." Galarneau Builders' estimate was for $182,000 to finish the house, including $25,000 in corrective work to get the house to pass inspection, D'Antonio said. Farone offered to sell them the incomplete house for $285,000. Altogether the final cost would have been about $100,000 more than the couple originally agreed to pay. "There was no other option," D'Antonio said. "We were made aware he no longer intended on finishing it and honoring the contract. It was a take-it-or-leave-it situation." In July, the couple received an eviction notice at the Split Rail apartment and a bill for $13,120 in back rent and utilities. They ignored it. The couple bought a house in Milton and moved in just before their first child was born. In order to get their deposit back from Farone, they had to sign a document promising not to sue Farone Homebuilders or Tra-Tom Development, the developer of Olson Farm. The Landerses' moved forward with Galarneau and moved back to their camp at the end of August to wait for the house to be finished. They had a ramp built on it so Tom Catlin could come and go and hired a home health aide. It wasn't ideal, but they were optimistic. Galarneau's crew worked seven days a week on their house and promised them a move in date of Columbus Day weekend, which they met. "I've never seen anyone in a position like they were in, and as a builder I can't imagine being put in that position," Galarneau said. "I really wanted to make it right for them." The builder kept his promise, but the conclusion to the Landerses' story was bittersweet. Tom Catlin died Oct. 16. He lived in his new house for less than two weeks. lhornbeck@timesunion.com 518-454-5352 @leighhornbeck Washington Former President George H.W. Bush is returning to Washington as a revered political statesman, hailed by leaders across the political spectrum and around the world as a man not only of greatness but also of uncommon decency and kindness. Bush, who died late Friday at his Houston home at age 94, is to be honored with a funeral service in the nation's capital on Wednesday, followed by burial Thursday at his presidential library in Texas. Following an arrival ceremony Monday, his body will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda for a public viewing until Wednesday morning. President Donald Trump, who ordered federal offices closed for a national day of mourning on Wednesday, is to attend with first lady Melania Trump. Bush's crowning achievement as president was assembling the international military coalition that liberated the tiny, oil-rich nation of Kuwait from invading neighbor Iraq in 1991 in a war that lasted just 100 hours. He also presided over the end of the Cold War between the United States and the former Soviet Union. "We didn't agree much on domestic policy, but when it came to the international side of things, he was a very wise and thoughtful man," former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, a Democrat who lost the presidency to Bush in 1988, told The Associated Press on Saturday. He credited Bush's ability to negotiate with former Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev as playing a key role. "It was a time of great change, demanding great responsibility from everyone," Gorbachev told the Interfrax news agency. "The result was the end of the Cold War and nuclear arms race." During that time and after, Gorbachev said, he always appreciated the kindness Bush and his family showed him. In Washington, the former Republican president won praise from leaders of both parties. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan lauded him for leading the nation with "decency and integrity," while Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi said it was a "privilege to work with him." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, also commented on the former president's passing. "(Bush) will be greatly missed in many ways. He was a fine man and even when he opposed your views, you knew he was doing what he thought was best for America," Schumer said. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. At the G-20 summit in Argentina, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was raised in then-divided East Germany, told reporters she likely would never have become her country's leader had Bush not pressed for the nation's reunification in 1990. Former President Bill Clinton worked with his predecessor to raise tens of millions of dollars for victims of a 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Clinton said he would be "forever grateful" for that friendship. "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. "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." Steven Aiello and Joseph Gerardi, top executives with COR Development in Syracuse, knew they faced prison for their convictions in the "Buffalo Billion" bid-rigging case. But apparently, federal prosecutors in Manhattan also want them punished for extensive conduct in the separate Joseph Percoco bribery case despite Gerardi being acquitted of all charges, and Aiello found guilty in one count during that trial. Prosecutors for U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman cited legal precedent in asking Judge Valerie Caproni to consider "acquitted conduct" at sentencing. Case law in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which covers Manhattan federal court, allows judges to consider acquitted conduct. "Although Gerardi was acquitted of the charges relating to his participation in the Percoco bribery scheme, the government proved that conduct by more than a preponderance of the evidence, and therefore the court should consider it at sentencing," prosecutors wrote in a Nov. 19 sentencing recommendation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Podolsky, David Zhou, Robert Boone and Janis Echenberg all but took the position that Aiello and Gerardi's acquittals never happened. "Gerardi's bribing of Percoco corrupted the highest reaches of the executive branch of New York state, and ensured that an individual entrusted with vast power over state operations worked not in the interests of the citizens of New York, but in the interests of Gerardi and his real estate development company," stated their letter. "As noted by the court at prior sentencings, Gerardi's conduct has significantly undermined public trust in the state government. The Buffalo Billion fraud scheme was similarly serious." A few paragraphs down, the prosecutors stated: "Gerardi's criminal conduct went beyond even his bribery and fraud." Someone reading that would have little idea the jury exonerated Gerardi completely of all bribery charges. Milton Williams, the attorney for Gerardi, acknowledged that the Second Circuit has allowed judges to consider acquitted conduct but noted the practice has not been authorized by the Supreme Court. Williams contends it is unconstitutional. "Respectfully, the court should decline this request because the government did not prove those crimes by a preponderance of the evidence," Williams wrote. "Even if the government had proved the crimes by a preponderance of the evidence, the court should not enhance Mr. Gerardi's sentence based on those crimes because he was acquitted." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Aiello's attorneys, Steve Coffey, Pamela Nichols and Scott Iseman, also responded. "We are not attempting to relitigate the jury's verdict," they wrote. "Nonetheless, the government appears content to proceed as if Mr. Aiello was not acquitted of significant charges and as if the Government, on its own, had not dismissed other significant charges against Mr. Aiello." As a refresher, prosecutors alleged in the Percoco trial that Aiello and Gerardi funneled $35,000 to Percoco, the former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, through Percoco's wife -- all in return for state action. Aiello was convicted at that trial of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. He was acquitted of all other charges. In July at a separate trial -- Gerardi and Aiello were both convicted of all charges, which included wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy. So were SUNY Polytechnic Institute founder Alain Kaloyeros and Louis Ciminelli, the president of LPCiminelli in Buffalo. Jurors determined they conspired to rig the bids on $855 million in the governor's "Buffalo Billion" initiative toward COR and LPCiminelli. They convicted Gerardi of an additional charge of lying to the FBI. That was a clean sweep for the government. The earlier trial was not even if federal prosecutors are trying to wipe the memory of it clean. Mexico City Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was sworn into office Saturday as Mexico's president, vowing to do away with corruption and launch a sweeping transformation of Mexican society amid widespread disenchantment spurred by rising crime, unchecked official graft and limited economic opportunities. "Today begins a change in the political regime," Lopez Obrador, donning the tricolor presidential sash, told lawmakers convened at the congressional palace where he formally assumed power. He pledged to fulfill his campaign promise for a "peaceful and orderly" transformation, "but at the same time, profound and radical," promising to increase social spending and launch infrastructure projects while avoiding new taxes and holding gasoline and energy prices in check. "The corruption and impunity that has impeded the rebirth of Mexico will end," the new president added. Lopez Obrador made yet another bow toward friendly relations with the United States and with President Donald Trump, who has angered many Mexicans with comments and actions viewed as Mexico-bashing. "I want to point out that from the day of my election I have received a respectful treatment from President Donald Trump, whom I thank for having sent to this ceremony in a message of friendship his daughter Ivanka," Lopez Obrador said. Ivanka Trump, who was seated in the audience next to Lopez Obrador's wife, stood up in recognition of the shout-out from Mexico's new president. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Lopez Obrador, who turned 65 last month and is widely known by his initials, AMLO, embarks on a single six-year term. Under Mexican law, presidents are not allowed to run for re-election. He is Mexico's first avowed leftist president in a generation and is also the first in modern history elected not as the candidate of a traditional political party but of his own left-wing political bloc. His populist oratory and anti-establishment message drew landslide support from Mexican voters discouraged by corruption scandals, slow economic growth and record homicide rates. Seated to Lopez Obrador's left at the handover ceremony was outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto, whom Lopez Obrador thanked publicly for "not intervening" in the July elections, "unlike other presidents in past elections." JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. - A female inmate at the Johnson County Detention Center was found unresponsive in her cell Friday afternoon, and was pronounced dead a short time later. The inmate was found unresponsive by staff in her cell at 2:27.p.m. Life-saving efforts were initiated by staff, and the Olathe Fire Dept. The Future of HIV Research at MSU SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - HIV infects about 50,000 people in the United States each year. Twenty-three percent of Americans diagnosed with HIV are simultaneously told they have AIDS. And worldwide, 36.9 million people are living with AIDS. Because no other local news outlet mentioned- It's worth at least noting the continued struggle . . .There are at least 12K people living with HIV in Missouri and those numbers extend beyond most demographic profiling and threaten to get worse as there's no signs of opioid problems getting any better. Whilsthere's a sign of hope and local science dedicated to the ongoing American public health problem. editorial@tribune.com Bhartesh Singh Thakur and Naina Mishra Tribune News Service Chandigarh, December 1 The Post-Graduate Government College (PGGC), Sector 46, admitted students in Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) courses, but applied for affiliation with Panjab University (PU) later. The PU has declined affiliation as it was against rules. Consequently, as many as 80 students are left in the lurch. But in the interest of the students, the affiliation committee of the PU on Saturday authorised the Dean, College Development Council, Prof Sanjay Kaushik, to shift students to other colleges. We are shifting 40 students of BBA to the Government College of Commerce and Business Administration (GCCBA), Sector 50, and 40 BCA students to the PGGC, Sector 11. The process has been started. The roll numbers will be issued online, said Prof Kaushik. He added, The students will have to take exams at the GCCBA-50 and the PGGC-11 accordingly. The PGGC-46 authorities were so careless that they applied for affiliation in August this year whereas they should have applied by October 31 last year. Former Principal of the PGGC, Sector 46, Prof JK Sehgal, wrote to the PU on October 1 that in a letter dated January 15 wherein permission for BSc (Non-Medical) was sought, the college inadvertently has not mentioned BBA and BCA courses. The affiliation committee on October 25 had said the affiliation could not be granted at this late stage as the last date for submission of students return in the university was September 30. On his last day in the office, which was November 30, Sehgal told students that they would get roll numbers by Monday. Some members of the affiliation committee objected to it. They said how he had given in writing to students that they would get roll numbers when the affiliation committee meeting was to take place on December 1. The Education Department intervened on time. Students will not be allowed to suffer due to inaction on the part of former Principals, who have retired now, said Education Secretary BL Sharma. The Chandigarh Administration denied Sehgal any extension in service as he had allegedly given gifts to a team of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission, which was against ethics. He had even allegedly spent on food expenditure and arranged the stay of the inspection team in a five star hotel. Saksham, a student of BCA at the PGGC-46, said, I live in Zirakpur. I want to go to the PGGC-46. But now they have shifted me to the PGGC-11 for no fault of mine. The PGGC-46 was set up in 1982 as a college for boys. But it evolved as a co-educational institution in 1992. Students to be shifted to other colleges: PU In the interest of the students, the affiliation committee of the PU has authorised the Dean, College Development Council, Prof Sanjay Kaushik, to shift students to other colleges. We are shifting 40 students of BBA to the Government College of Commerce and Business Administration, Sector 50, and 40 BCA students to PGGC-11. The roll numbers will be issued online, said Prof Kaushik. editorial@tribune.com Sandeep Rana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, December 1 Who will be the citys next Mayor? With less than a month left for incumbent Davesh Moudgils tenure to end, Bharat Kumar and Farmila, councillors of the ruling BJP, are the front runners for the top post in the Municipal Corporation. For 2019, only candidates from reserved categories will be eligible for the post. The BJP, which has an absolute majority in the MC House, has four councillors eligible for the post, namely Bharat Kumar, Rajesh Kalia (both from the city BJP president Sanjay Tandons camp) and Satish Kainth and Farmila (both from the local MP Kirron Khers group). First-time councillor Bharat Kumar has been associated with the BJP for about 15 years. With reserved seat in the ring, he is going to have an edge over Farmila for being from Valmiki community, which has a large number of votes in the city. He also has to his credit the second highest winning margin in the party during the MC elections in 2016. However, he may have to field questions on a graft-based audio CD purportedly with his voice, which had gone viral though it could not be proved that it had his voice. Farmila, also a first-time councillor, comes from Kabirpanth community, which comparatively has a quite lesser vote share. However, she is going to get a benefit of being a woman, a graduate and a contender with a clean image. She has also been associated with the BJP Mahila Morcha. So far, Kalia, who also comes from Valmiki community, seems to be less preferred due to his criminal past, which may dent the partys image. It seems that Kainth, who is from Ravidass community, will not be preferred for the top post. He had earned bad name for the part as he was accused and arrested in a land grabbing case which later ended in a compromise in a local court. Kainth, who has earlier been in the Tandon camp, seemed to have found himself in troubled waters after he recently signed a complaint against Tandon, sent allegedly by councillors owing allegiance to Kirron, with regard to the shootout at a city disco. Many councillors in both the groups seem little interested in him for the top post though he had been the Deputy Mayor twice. Meanwhile, all four councillors told Chandigarh Tribune that they were in the fray and denied that there were two camps in the BJP. Tandon said the core group and the partys central leadership will start discussion on the mayoral elections after December 15. The party is busy in elections in different states. We will decide after December 15, said Tandon, refuting groupism in the party. Kirron was not available for comments. Litmus test for Kirron, Tandon Both MP Kirron Kher and city BJP president Sanjay Tandon will put in their best to have a Mayor of their choice ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. Whosoever gets his/her candidate the post will get prominence at MC events. The new Mayor would be five months in the seat at the time of the LS polls. Thus, it will be a litmus test for Kirron and Tandon, said a senior BJP leader. Kirrons loyalist Davesh Moudgil was elected the Mayor last year while from the Tandon camp, Asha Kumari Jaswal had filed nomination as an independent. This brought the rift in the party in the open. BJP has numbers The BJP has 20 of the 26 seats in the MC House. While the Congress has four votes, SAD and Independent councillors have one vote each. With four councillors, the Congress has one contender Sheela Devi for the post. We may not have the numbers, but due to BJP infighting, there will be cross-voting and we will take the advantage, said Devinder Singh Babla, Congress leader. vinaymishra188@gmail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 1 Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday slammed the Election Commission (EC) over the latter's objection to data collection exercise ordered by the AAP government in all schools of the national capital. Sisodia told the ECI that it does not have the right to raise objections on the move and should first carry out its mandate of verifying EVMs for conducting fair elections. Addressing reporters, the minister said the data collection will help identify school students from other states enrolled in Delhi and claimed the education mafia operating in the national capital is opposing the government directive to get voter details. He said that it came to the notice of the government that there are schools which dont even have the required space to run a school and are showing admission for children much higher than the actual capacity. Subsequently, a magisterial inquiry found that the residence address of 54 per cent and 61 per cent of children in two schools, respectively, of the national capital was different than what was furnished by them during admissions in April-May this year. Recently, the ECI had questioned the drive following complaints that the move to seek personal details, like voter identity and aadhar cards, is a breach of privacy telling the government to stop the data collection drive. But the AAP government chose to continue with the exercise maintaining the voter identity card is widely used by telecom companies and unless it is made invalid from being used the ECI should not stop the city government from conducting the data collection exercise. On September 11, the Directorate of Education of the Delhi government issued an order to all schools, including private ones, in the capital to collect data, including names, addresses, educational qualifications, voter card, Aadhar card details and mobile numbers of all students and their families, as a part of verification exercise. The directive drew flak from the administrators of both public and private schools that raised question on the ambiguity of the exercise precisely putting the mention of various purposes of the department in the order. Exercise for political purpose, claims BJP The AAP is collecting data of students of Delhi schools for political purpose, said Delhi BJP president, Manoj Tiwari. He said the EC had also expressed doubt in this exercise of the AAP that is taking the help of the innocent students for its political gains. We have been opposing this process since September. When Directorate of Education issued notification for getting details from students, the BJP had lodged its objection and demanded an inquiry, Tiwari said. He said that in a circular issued in September, the Delhi government had asked all the schools, including public and private, to collect data of all the students, their family members and relatives. By this order the mobile number, voter ID and data of educational qualification were being collected which is prima facie a violation of the right to privacy. The Delhi High Court had also raised objection to it. Tiwari said that the EC has said that collecting data related to the voters is only the right of the Election Commission, no political party can do so. The statement of Manish Sisodia on the objections of EC is an attack on the federal system under the Constitution. Arvind Kejriwal must explain how the children and their family members will benefit by this process? He said that in spite of sufficient information collected at the time of admission, what is the purpose behind collecting private information. The BJP president said that taking care of the interest of the people, the Delhi government should ensure education to all the children. It should stop making unbecoming comments against the constitutional institutions for cheap popularity in the media and for political gain. During the past three years the Delhi government has done more publicity on education than teaching their students. For the past two years, the government could not utilise Rs 1,982 crore of the budget which is largest unspent amount in the history of Delhi. vermaajay1968@gmail.com Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawats homily to Pakistan asking it to turn into a secular state from an Islamic nation if it has to stay together with India would have ruffled several feathers in the Foreign Office. It has been Indias consistent policy, bar a few aberrations, not to be prescriptive about the political arrangement in other countries. This stance is on display in the ongoing G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. Mohammad bin Salman of Saudi Arabia may be in the Wests doghouse for the murder of journalist Adnan Khashoggi and is an Islamic country to boot. That didnt prevent PM Modi from discussing urgent matters of state with him. Similarly, it is of little concern to India that China is a one-party state. As long as it does not imperil its national interests, India is happy to go along with China regardless of its political structure and sense of destiny. That also presumably is the political line the Army Chief is compelled to adhere to. The Army is the last line of defence and the Chief has to keep the morale of his men high and inspire them into combat. His exposition on the need for Pakistan to change its identity hardly promotes any of those prerequisites. General Rawat superseded two senior officers on the way to becoming the Chief. The reason for the supersession, a rare happening in the Indian Army, was his vast experience on the Line of Control and in the Northeast. The Army has risen to the occasion in both sectors, but General Rawat betrays a lack of sensitivity and propriety when he weighs in on issues outside his domain. In this case, he also displays a naivety, if that is the case, about the fragility of the circumstances. The Kartarpur corridor has provided an extraordinary opening for India and Pakistan to get out of a diplomatic cul de sac. The situation requires India to display a unity of purpose among different actors for the tough bargaining that is inevitable. It could do without creating the impression of dissonance. 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 Kurukshetra, December 2 Diplomats from 10 countries are expected to participate in the International Gita Mahotsav, scheduled to begin here from next week. Amit Agarwal, a senior bureaucrat and nodal officer for the celebrations, said the envoys had been invited to promote Kurukshetra as a potential international tourist destination. He said Mauritius had agreed to be the partner country for the second consecutive year this time, whereas Gujrat would be the partner state for the festivities. The annual Mahotsav would begin with the inauguration of International Crafts and Saras Mela on December 7. Agarwal said it was for the first time that the crafts mela, which has been part of the Mahotsav, had been upgraded to an international scale. He said BJP president Amit Shah would be the chief guest on December 13, which will mark the start of the cultural programmes. The event would conclude on December 18. Former President Pranab Mukherjee and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will take part in the concluding day functions of the main event. Governors from various states have also consented to attend the festivities on different occasions, said Agarwal. Honorary secretary of the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) Madan Chhabra said another addition to the event would be a Gita Sansad, which will be orgainsed in more than 30 colleges of the state to discuss on scripture. Ashtadashi Shaloki Gita would be recited by 18,000 students simultaneously in Kurukshetra on December 18. The celebratory activities include a traditional Sant Sammelan on December 16 which will be attended by saints. editorial@tribune.com Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service Dharamsala, December 2 New industrial areas developed by the state government in Una and Kangra district have failed to attract investors despite crores being spent on these. The government had set up an industrial area at Pandoga in Una at Rs 70 crore. A similar amount is spent on bringing up an industrial area in Kandrori in Kangra district near Pathankot. However, no unit has come up in these areas. Sources said the government was planning an investor meet at Dharamsala in February but it has been postponed to June due to the parliamentary elections. Anshul Dhiman, GM, Industries Centre, Una, said they were trying to attract investors for the new industrial areas. Certain investors had shown interests also. There has been a decline in investment after the industrial package, given to the state, was not extended in 2010. Many units that had availed the benefit of the package are leaving the state. The government has failed to provide any package on its own. Earlier, investors were exempted from seeking permission under Section 118. However, the previous Congress government made it mandatory for investors to seek permission under Section 118. The present government has been planning to provide them relief. However, till date no decision has been taken over the matter. The state government has also announced that it will hold investor meets in foreign countries. However, such meets by the previous government had failed to yield any results. Industrialists allege that despite the fact that the GST has been implemented, the Himachal Government is still implementing Additional Goods Tax. The tax had been imposed on the goods coming inside the state or going outside. Since all taxes have been merged in the GST in the country, the Himachal industry is being forced to give extra tax. The industrialists said Certain Goods Carried by Road (CGCR) was another tax being imposed in Himachal. Since there was no railway infrastructure, all goods had to be carried by roads. So the tax was making the industry unviable, he said. editorial@tribune.com Ambika Sharma Tribune News Service Solan, December 2 The much-awaited issue of granting the tribal status to the Hattee community in 133 panchayats of the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district seems to have hit a major roadblock. The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has directed the state government to conduct a fresh ethnographic study of the area. In a letter dated October 24, the ministry directed the state government to submit a fresh proposal after conducting a full-fledged ethnographic study as the earlier proposal was rejected by the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) as per Clause (f) of the approved modalities. The letter states that the issue of inclusion of the Hattee community in the list of the Scheduled Tribes of Himachal Pradesh has been examined several times by the ORGI, but it has not concurred with the proposal. The Home Minister had also held a meeting with the Minister of Tribal Affairs to push for this status, but it was found that the details pertaining to the Hattee provided in the ethnographic report were not sufficient. Amichand Kamal, president of the Kendriya Hattee Samiti, who took up the issue with Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, on Tuesday said since the ethnographic study, as per the criteria recommended by the Lokur Committee, has already addressed the due concerns pertaining to this issue, it was unfair to undertake another such study. He said the study had received the Cabinet nod and it had also been recommended by the Governor in July as per the requirement of the ORGI. Even maps depicting the villages had been made available as demanded. He said the CM had assured them that they would respond to specific queries raised by the ORGI, but no ethnographic study would be undertaken again on this issue. The state government has been pursuing the case since 2016. The Tran-Giri area was part of the erstwhile Jaunsar Bawar area of Uttrakhand where the Hatti community has been granted the ST status. Both areas were part of the royal Sirmaur state. Though some information was also collected by the Additional Registrar of India during his visit to Nahan in August such as the number of Hatti villages, their origin, population, work culture and the geographic reach of the area, but it has failed to satisfy the ORGI. The tribal status allows them to be governed by their local laws and will also make the people eligible for government jobs. Only Kinnaur enjoys the ST status. Since granting the tribal status to the area requires a constitutional amendment, the issue required an in-depth analysis of the situation. editorial@tribune.com Jammu, December 1 The BSF and Pakistan Rangers on Saturday exchanged sweets along the International Border (IB) in Jammu as the Indian border force celebrated its 54th Raising Day, officials said. On the occasion of the BSFs 54th Raising Day, border guarding forces of India and Pakistan Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets and greeted each other in Samba, Hiranagar, Ramgarh, RS Pura and Pargwal sectors in the Jammu region, a BSF official said. Both sides expressed their commitment to maintaining a peaceful atmosphere and harmonious relations on the occasion, the official added. The BSF celebrated its Raising Day at all its camps and headquarters across the Jammu region, the official said. PTI gspannu7@gmail.com Jammu, December 2 The father of a Sikh woman in Jammu and Kashmir who expressed her desire to donate one of her kidneys to her female Muslim friend, appealed to his daughter on Sunday to reconsider her decision taking into account his medical condition and sought the governors intervention. Manjot Singh Kohli, 23, a social and human rights activist, had recently made her decision public to donate one of her kidneys to her 22-year-old Muslim friend Samreen Akhtar of Rajouri district, but said objections by her family and a hospital in Srinagar were delaying the procedure. With folded hands, I am requesting my daughter to abandon the plan to relieve me of the trouble as you are aware of my medical condition and there is nobody to look after me, Gurdeep Singh Kohli, who has 75 per cent disability and is unable to walk, told reporters at his Udhampur residence. The activists father had already served a notice to the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, opposing his daughters decision, saying there is no family consent. Manjot Singh Kohlis parents met with an accident in 2014, resulting in the death of her mother while his father escaped with serious injuries and underwent a major operation. Have mercy on me and come back. You are not doing any good as your own father requires you, who else are here to look after me. I cannot bear this shock, he said and sought the intervention of state Governor Satya Pal Malik to save the life of his daughter. Gurdeep Singh Kohli, known among his family and friends as Pinka, broke down and said his only son is working in Delhi and he had done everything possible to ensure good education to his children. I gave her the best of the education and enrolled her in a school in Himachal Pardesh where noted Bollywood actresses have studied. When her (Akhtars) mother is medically fit to donate a kidney, why they are compelling my daughter, he said. He said his daughter left about nine months back, had opened an institute in Jammu and informed him that she is moving to Srinagar for a three-month course. On November 10, she came along with her friend and informed me that she wanted to donate a kidney to her. I opposed when her friend left. What she is doing is illegal as she cannot donate her kidney outside blood relation, he said terming her move as an attempt to attract attention. He said people are welcoming her decision and sending congratulatory messages but I know it is for the time being and nobody will look back once she is done. They will take care of her for some time and thenshe is young and it is my wish to marry her off. After donating the kidney, nobody is going to marry her. Manjot Singh Kohli had said, 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. 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, she said. PTI shriaya.dutta@tribuneindia.com Mumbai, December 2 Actor Sonali Bendre Behl, who was diagnosed with high grade cancer, is excited to return to the city she calls "home" after undergoing treatment in New York for about five months. In the first week of July, Sonali had revealed that she has been diagnosed with a "high grade cancer" and was undergoing treatment in New York. In an emotional statement, the actor had then said the cancer metastised which "we frankly did not see coming." Sharing the news on Instagram Sonali said, "They say 'Distance makes the heart grow fonder'. It sure does. But let's never underestimate what distance teaches you. Being away from home in the city of New York, I realised I was walking amongst so many stories. Each trying to write their own chapter in different ways. Each struggling to do it but never giving up. Each taking it #OneDayAtATime." She further said, she is now her way back, to "where her heart is". "It's a feeling I can't describe in words but I'm going to tryit's the joy to see my family and friends again, the excitement to do what I love and mainly the gratitude for the journey I've had up until this moment." Without divulging any details about her treatment, Sonali said, "The fight is not yet over. But I am looking forward to this happy interval. It's time to learn that there is a new normal out there and I can't wait to embrace it and #SwitchOnTheSunshine." Her post ended with a quote by Chris Martin, Sonali said, "And as my adventure with life continues these words by Chris Martin hit home, 'Everything you want is a dream away. Under this pressure, under this weight We are diamonds taking shape...'" Sonali, best known for her role in '90s movies such as "Sarfarosh", "Diljale" and "Duplicate", is married to filmmaker Goldie Behl. The couple has a 13-year-old son Ranveer. PTI editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 1 Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have planned a major operation to bring down the remaining top leadership of terrorists operating in the state. As per the latest estimates of the Army, a hunt is on for three terrorists who formed the core 12-member leadership. The three are locals from Kashmir and have been categorised by the forces as A++ terrorists, the most notorious level. In the past couple of months, security forces have killed nine terrorists of the same category, the last one being Naved Jatt, who had killed journalist Shujaat Bukhari. The forces are searching for Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Zeenat-ul-Islam, the groups chief operational commander in Kashmir; Riyaz Ahmad Naikoo; and Zakir Musa of the group called the Ansar Ghazwat ul-Hind. Authorities in Delhi are upbeat that the number of terrorists killed so far during 2018 is 233 and of these, 39 have been killed in November alone, indicating that local sources have been helping the forces. October, September and August had seen 28, 29 and 28 terrorist getting killed, respectively. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had said recently terrorists have to be brought to a level where they are not able to revamp and come together. Sources said clear instructions have been issued to prevent any regrouping. There are inputs on terrorists being concentrated in certain areas of south and central Kashmir in five locations Shopian, Anantnag, Budgam, Kulgam and Srinagar. The Army says hard intelligence about the whereabouts of terrorists is coming from the local population which has led to successful operations. This development coincides with the reality that ceasefire violations by Pakistan (firing from across the Line of Control in J&K) have been going up. On May 29, India and Pakistan had agreed to maintain ceasefire along the borders. They had promised to end continuous firing across the acrimonious divide. The Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan had then spoken to each other through the existing telephonic hotline mechanism. Resultantly, June and July saw only 18 and 13 ceasefire violations. In contrast, the violations in October and November were 178 in each month. The ceasefire is an understanding of 2003. Ceasefire violations go up when Pakistan Army fires at Indian posts in the attempt to remove the focus on terrorists attempting to sneak in. Search on for dreaded trio uttara@tribuneindia.com Washington, December 2 The deepening security co-operation between the US and India shows the growing trust between the world's two largest democracies, Defense Secretary James Mattis has said. In his address to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on Saturday, Mattis also said that the US seeks a constructive, results-oriented relationship with Beijing. "In the Indo-Pacific region, we keep our decades-old alliances strong by building new partnerships. From this year's historic visit of the USS Carl Vinson, to Vietnam, to our deepening security cooperation with India, which shows the growing trust between the world's two largest democracies, both Pacific powers," Mattis said. "But we do not accept predatory economic practices, or coercion of smaller states. No one nation can, on its own, change the international order or veto other nations' diplomatic, economic or security decisions," he said. Responding to questions, Mattis said that in recent months he has had several meetings with his Chinese counterpart. "There's no doubt in my mind that China wants to return to what it believes is its rightful place in the world as a great nation, he said. "I believe that we're going to have to find ways to work with China, two nuclear-armed powers, superpowers, in a manner that when we step on each other's toes, which may happen from time to time, we have a way to manage those issues, and we are working quietly, and I would say quite closely together, my Chinese counterpart and myself, Secretary Pompeo and State Counselor Yang, we are working on trying to craft that way ahead," Mattis said. The Trump Administration is looking for cooperation with China. "We will confront them where we must. But it is now our desire to end up in that situation; it's to find a way to manage a new relationship," he said. "I believe 10 years from now, 15 years from now, what the Trump administration will be most remembered for, were we able to create that new way to operate with China? Were we able to create a mechanism by which we could maneuver on the world stage economically, diplomatically, security-wise, and keep the peace, and not stumble into a miscalculation?" said the defence secretary. Mattis in his speech also referred to the aggressive posture by Russians in Europe. He said the already strained ties between Washington and Moscow have "no doubt" worsened over Russian's continued attempts to interfere in the US voting process. PTI sanjiv@tribunemail.com Chandigarh, December 1 A day after the two-day national protest by farmers in New Delhi, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today attacked the UPA government for ignoring farmers during its rule, and said it put the recommendations of the 2006 Swaminathan Commission report on the backburner. He was addressing the 13th edition of CII Agro Tech India, a four-day biennial agro-technology and business fair, inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind. Singh asserted that the Narendra Modi government had taken a number of steps to boost farmers income, adding that it had implemented the recommendations in mission mode. Swaminathan had called for recommendations like having a national agricultural market, soil health management, organic farming... all of which were put on the backburner. Had these been implemented 10 years back, the condition of farmers would have been much better, the minister said. Even as top BJP leaders, including Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar, were present at the inaugural function along with the lone Akali Union minister, the Punjab Government failed to mark its presence, though state Governor VP Singh Badnore was present. President Kovind said agriculture needed a renewal of its marriage with technology; protection against climate change, price fluctuations and demand shocks; and, sustained investment in partnership with business. Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the time was now ripe for food processing to ensure food for more people. Around Rs 1 lakh crore worth of agri-produce is wasted for lack of processing. Rakesh B Mittal, president, CII, said, Farmers have met the food security goal, farming should be seen as a wealth creation tool. TNS/PTI Prez on farm fires Today, 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, it is leading to pollution. It is for all of us, including the state governments, the skilled and large-hearted farmers, to come up with a solution. And no doubt technology will help us. Ram Nath Kovind, President shriaya.dutta@tribuneindia.com Tirupati, December 2 Five members of a family, including a one-year-old boy, were killed after their car collided with a lorry near Mamanduru, about 20 km from here, early on Sunday, police said. The victims were returning to their village in Kadapa district in Andhra after receiving a family member, who had arrived in Chennai from Kuwait, police added. The accident occurred when the car smashed into a cement-laden lorry, police said, adding all the occupants of the car were killed. Either of the drivers could have slept off at the wheel leading to the accident, police added. The victims included two couples and a one-year old boy, police said. PTI uttara@tribuneindia.com Yash Goyal Our Correspondent Jodhpur, December 2 Besides Mehrangarh Fort, Ummaid Palace, golden sand dunes, Mirchi Barda and Mawa Kachori, the royal city of Jodhpur has one more thing to boast about: AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot. Gehlot is one of several high-profile leaderspast as well as present ministerswho vie for 16 of 30 assembly seats that are scheduled to go to polls on December 7. Of the 30 seats in Marwar regionwhere Jodhpur isBJP won 27 seats in 2013, reducing Congress to just three. The battle this time around however appears tougher for the saffron brigadepre-poll surveys say Congress are poised to wrest at least six seats in Jodhpur alone, putting them at a certain advantage. Gehlot, considered the blue-eyed boy of the sun city of Jodhpur will face off against BJPs Shambhu Singh Khetasar, chairman of state seed corporation, for the Sardarpura seata segment the latter lost in 2013 by 18,478 votes, primarily because of the dominance of Mali, Muslim, and SC/ST votes. Gehlot has been called a jadugar(magician)hes never lost an election since 1998. In fact, of Jodhpurs 10 seats, Congress could retain only Sardarpura in 2013, losing the rest to the rising Modi Wave. Jodhpur has 24.58 lakh voters. Although BJP is determined to hold on to its tally of nine, its own lawmakers in these segments appear unsure. There are talks that the MLAs were unhappy with the present government under Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje because they could not get enough work done in their constituenciesa reason they fear could lead to anti-incumbency. Neglect Gehlot accuses his successor Raje of neglecting Marwar, even blaming her for not doing enough to push for Jodhpurthe second biggest city in the stateto be turned into a smart city. Rajput leader Khetasar meanwhile says Gehlots never care much for his constituency when he was chief minister, visiting the place only after filing his nomination. If he is so worried, he (Gehlot) was an MLA, why did not he raise a single question in assembly because he was mostly absent from the house for five years. In the assembly, he becomes Mauni Baba, Khetasar, whos engaged in door-to-door campaign these days, says about the former chief minister. In Sardarpura seat, out of 2.27 voters, 50,000 are Mali, Rajput number 35,000, Muslim make up 30,000, SC/ST account for 20,000, Jats 8000 and the remaining 20,000. Frequent drought, silicosis disease that affect lakhs of labourers in stone mines, citizenship of Hindus who migrated to Pakistan, and regular potable water supply are key issues facing the candidates. Six of Rajes cabinet ministers will contest from the region: Gajendra Singh Kheenvsar will fight Congresss Kisnaram Visnoi in Lohavat, Pushpendra Ranawat is up against NCPs Ummed Singh Ranawat in Bali, Otaram Devasi is in a triangular contest against Congresss Jeevaram Arya and rebel Sanyam Lodha in Sirohi; Amraram Choudhary is challenging Congresss Madan Prajapat in Pachpadara seat; and Kamsa Meghwal will go up against Congress Bhanwar Ballai in Bhopalgarh. Among other high-profile contests, Congress candidate Manvendra Singh, who quit the BJP in October to join the Congress, will go up against Raje in Jhalarapatan. Sitting BJP Member of Parliament Col Sonaram will fight Congresss Mevaram Jain in Barmer. Five former ministers BJP leaders Jogeshwar Garg, Laxminarayan Dave, and Arjun Lal Garg), and Congresss Ameen Khan and Hemaram Choudharyare also facing triangular contests in Jodhpur division. uttara@tribuneindia.com Buenos Aires, December 2 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that India would host the annual G-20 summit in 2022, coinciding with the country's 75th anniversary of Independence. Modi made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the two-day G-20 Summit here Saturday. He thanked Italy for allowing India to play the host. Italy was to host the international forum in 2022. "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," Modi tweeted after making the announcement. The G-20 is a grouping of the world's 20 major economies. 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. "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," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted. 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 editorial@tribune.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service Jaipur, December 1 Congress veteran and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today warned his colleagues against making provocative statements which the ruling BJP could use for electoral gains in the state and reminded them of the BJP benefiting from a similar narrative during last years Gujarat elections. In an interview to The Tribune, Gehlot, in reference to the recent casteist remarks by his colleague CP Joshi, said, Congress leaders must refrain from making any comment which the BJP can twist to its advantage. Sabko bachnaa chahiye... Gehlot said he had last month issued a detailed circular on the instructions of Congress president Rahul Gandhi cautioning party leaders against speaking out of line and giving the BJP any handle. BJP has done nothing for five years and so they are looking for escape routes and Congress leaders need to be wary of this, Gehlot, Congress star campaigner in Rajasthan and a CM post hopeful, said. Gehlot was answering a query on the BJP attacking three Congress leaders Joshi for insulting OBCs, BD Kalla for interrupting Bharat Mata ki jai slogans and Punjab minister Navjot Sidhu for meeting a Khalistan ideologue in Pakistan. The BJP is certainly trying to divert attention in Rajasthan. They had benefited in Gujarat by making an issue out of the presence of a former Pakistan foreign secretary at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyars house. It was a small issue but was blown out of proportion to deflect peoples attention, Gehlot cautioned. He, however said the BJP wont succeed in misleading the people of Rajasthan, who are fed up with the corruption of the Vasundhara Raje Government and can see through BJPs designs. The Congress heavyweight turned around and attacked PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah for lowering the level of public discourse, and accused Shah of speaking like a goon at a recent rally in Rajasthan. The Congress has even petitioned the Election Commission against Shahs remarks where he allegedly provoked Rajasthan voters to attack Congress leaders if they come asking for votes. The Congress leader said the Rajasthan poll was being fought on issues of development and lack of governance on the part of the Raje Government, with the Congress placed quite comfortably. sanjiv@tribunemail.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 Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mullakal raped her in 2014. The Church was in the process of glorifying the Bishop, 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 the Jalandhar Bishop could never get justice from the Church because of the absence of such a mechanism in their institutions. 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. Mulakkal has denied the charges. He was later granted conditional bail. He had given up his pastoral duties of Jalandhar diocese of the Missionaries of Jesus and transferred his administrative powers to Bishop Agnelo Gracious. The NCW chairperson also criticised Kerala MLA PC George for not appearing before the commission in a case of allegedly using abusive language against the nun. PTI sanjiv@tribunemail.com Anup Dutta Bhopal, December 1 The Congress today raised an alarm over the late arrival of EVMs and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines by more than 48 hours at the district headquarters of Sagar and Khargone in Madhya Pradesh, as well as an hour-long power outage in the capitals old jail area. While state Home Minister Bhupendra Singh is contesting the Khurai seat, minister Balkrishna Patidar is fighting from Khargone. In all, 118 EVMs from Khurai in Sagar district and 50 in Khargone arrived 48 hours after the Wednesday polling for all 230 Assembly constituencies. We will probe the matter, Khargone district deputy election officer MN Klen said. State Chief Electoral Officer VL Kantha Rao claimed these EVMs were unused or kept in reserve. To this, Congress MP Vivek Tankha remarked: These spare EVMs were to be deposited two hours after the polls and not two days. Voting machines from about 2,250 polling booths in Bhopal district have been kept in the old jail located in Arera Hills. The CCTV camera and LED panel were down for more than an hour and no one knows what transpired or who went inside the strongroom during that period, pointed out Congress candidate from Narela Dr Mahendra Singh Chouhan. Alleging tampering, Congress leaders and supporters arrived on the jail premises, staged a demonstration and raised slogans against the district authorities. A Congress delegation registered a complaint. I urge all candidates and workers to keep a close vigil on the strongrooms where the EVMs are kept till December 11, the day counting will take place, state Congress chief Kamal Nath tweeted. EC approached New Delhi: A Congress delegation met the EC and raised concern over the security of EVMs inside strongrooms and their handling during the counting process in MP and Chhattisgarh and the alleged deletion of voters in UP. Congress PL Punia claimed suspicious people with laptops and cellphones were seen near the strongroom where EVMs were kept after voting on the pretext of repairing CCTVs. PTI editorial@tribune.com Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 1 The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition seeking review of its October 2015 verdict that declared the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) unconstitutional and revived the Collegium system of judicial appointments. A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi dismissed the review petition filed by the National Lawyers Campaign for Judicial Transparency and Reforms, saying it was delayed and was devoid of merit. There is a delay of 470 days in filing the present review petition for which no satisfactory explanation has been offered. The review petition is liable to be dismissed on the ground of delay alone, said the Bench. In accordance with the practice followed in the Supreme Court, the review petition was taken up in chamber and it was dealt with by circulation without advocates being allowed to advance arguments. The review of the 2015 verdict was primarily sought on the ground that it went against the doctrine of separation of powers as the top court assumed the role of both Parliament and the Executive. It has resulted in a ridiculous scenario where Articles 124 and 217 of the Constitution (which deal with appointment of SC and HC judges) were to be read diametrically opposite to what they stated, the review petitioner contended. However, the review Bench which also included Justices Madan B Lokur, Kurian Joseph (since retired), AM Khanwilkar and Ashok Bhushan was not convinced. Even otherwise, we have carefully gone through the review petition and considered the merits. We did not find any merit in the same, the Bench said in its November 27 order uploaded on top courts website on Saturday. A five-judge Constitution Bench had on October 16, 2015 struck down the NJAC Act, 2014 and revived the Collegium system under which a panel of top judges appoint judges of the Supreme Court and high courts following a 1993 verdict that reduced the role of the executive to mere checking of antecedents and issuance of formal warrant of appointment. gspannu7@gmail.com Dubai, December 2 External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will inaugurate a digital museum in Abu Dhabi showcasing the life, works and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and the founder of modern UAE Shaikh Zayed. The Gandhi-Zayed Digital Museum, which will promote peace, tolerance and sustainability, is part of the celebrations to mark 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and centenary celebrations of the birth of Shaikh Zayed, an official statement said. Swaraj will be on a two-day visit to the UAE from December 3-4, where she will co-chair the 12th session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting for Economic and Technical Cooperation with her counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The museum will showcase rare photographs, videos and objects representing the life, works and philosophy of both renowned leaders. The soft launch of the museum will take place at the Founders Memorial in Abu Dhabi, Indian embassy in the UAE said in a statement. The interactive museum aims to celebrate the similarities, the influence they had, and the change they caused. Though separated by time and region the lives of these men serve as a resonating lesson, inspiration, and reminder to billions across the world. The museum is a humble homage to Sheikh Zayed and Mahatma Gandhi by bringing forward their lives and their love for their people, the statement said. The announcement of the proposed digital museum was made in New Delhi by Swaraj and her UAE counterpart during the latters visit in July 2018. PTI editorial@tribune.com Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 1 There is an old adage in the Hindi heartland roti ek taraf se nahi sikti . It fits politics of Rajasthan perfectly. The state opts for a change every five years because voters there know that this is how their demands will fructify, through a change, explains a state leader. To this add the prevailing slogan Modi tujhse bair nhi, Vasundhra teri khair nhibroadly signifying that we have no issues with PM Narendra Modi but CM Vashundhra Raje will not be spared and the picture is complete. A perceptible anger among traditional saffron supporters Rajputs and the farming community dominated by Jats is proving to be a big reason for worry for the BJP, sources agree. Though the BJP appears to have recovered from earlier projections of 130-plus seats for the Congress in the 200-member Assembly, the situation seems to be still prevailing in its favour. As per latest trends, the Congress projections are now down to between 112 and 115 seats. The main reason for this is presence of a large number of BJP leaders in the state. It is not just these elections, sources say, their aim is to also ensure that peoples anger against Raje gets expended in the Assembly and is not carried forward to the Lok Sabha, next year. While the anger in the farming community is a cause of concern for the BJP across the country, in Rajasthan it is also said to be facing resistance from traditional supporters Rajputs, especially from those belonging to the Jodhpur region. Traditionally, Jats are considered loyal to the Congress and Rajputs to the Opposition first the Swatantra Party and then the BJP. But this time, it seems Jats are weighing other options, one of them being Hanuman Beniwal, a youth leader from the community and his Rashtriya Loktantrik Party. Beniwals popularity is being seen as disadvantage Congress and advantage BJP. Managing anger gspannu7@gmail.com Tribune Web Desk Chandigarh/Islamabad, December 2 Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday defended his controversial googly comments, which drew sharp criticism from India, saying that linking his remarks to Sikh sentiments was misleading. On Thursday, Qureshi had said Prime Minister Imran Khan bowled a googly to ensure Indian Governments presence at the groundbreaking ceremony of the landmark Kartarpur Corridor. A googly is a leg-spinners prize weapon, which is almost undetectable. Qureshi noted that it was the same Indian Government that had said it will not engage with Pakistan sent two ministers to the groundbreaking ceremony. Union ministers from India, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri, along with Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, attended the event in Pakistan Punjab provinces Narowal area. Qureshi took to Twitter on Sunday to respond to the criticisms. Dragging my comment towards Sikh sentiments is a deliberate attempt to misrepresent & mislead. What I said was strictly with ref to bilateral interaction with the Indian Govt, he tweeted. Dragging my comment towards "Sikh sentiments" is a deliberate attempt to misrepresent & mislead. What I said was strictly with ref to bilat.interaction with the Indian Govt. We have deep respect for Sikh sentiments & no amount of distortions or controversies would change it. 1/2 Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) December 2, 2018 In deference to the long-standing desires of our Sikh brethren, we decided to open the Kartarpur Corridor. We have taken this historic initiative in good faith and will carry it forward in good faith. 2/2 Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) December 2, 2018 We have deep respect for Sikh sentiments and no amount of distortions or controversies would change it, he said. Qureshi also said the Kartarpur Corridor was opened to fulfil the desires of the Sikh community. In deference to the long-standing desires of our Sikh brethren, we decided to open the Kartarpur Corridor. We have taken this historic initiative in good faith and will carry it forward in good faith, he tweeted. Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Sunday came down heavily on Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshis Kartarpur googly remark and urged Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to take action against him for hurting sentiments of Sikhs. I urge Pak PM @ImranKhanPTI to take action against his minister for hurting sentiments of Sikhs and peace efforts by equating attendance at function at Sri Kartarpur Sahib with trapping India by bowling a googly. Nothing can be more disgusting than this, she wrote on Twitter. I urge Pak PM @ImranKhanPTI to take action against his minister for hurting sentiments of Sikhs and peace efforts by equating attendance at function at Sri Kartarpur Sahib with trapping India by bowling a googly. Nothing can be more disgusting than this./1 Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) December 2, 2018 .@ImranKhanPTI ji no one should be allowed to play with religious sentiments. Your commitment to peace shouldnt be a hollow promise. Please walk the talk & take action against Mehmood Qureshi imm. for politicising religious issue to assuage hurt feelings of Sikhs./2 Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) December 2, 2018 @ImranKhanPTI ji no one should be allowed to play with religious sentiments. Your commitment to peace shouldnt be a hollow promise. Please walk the talk & take action against Mehmood Qureshi imm. for politicising religious issue to assuage hurt feelings of Sikhs, she further added. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had also critised Qureshis remarks on Saturday and said it showed that he had no respect for Sikh sentiments. 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', Swaraj said in a tweet. 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 added. 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 Qureshis remarks came a day after Swaraj categorically ruled out the possibility of resumption of bilateral talks with Pakistan. Pakistan PM Imran Khan had on November 28 laid the foundation stone for a historic corridor linking two revered gurdwaras on both sides of the border. 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. Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is located across the river Ravi, about 4 km from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. With PTI editorial@tribune.com Tribune news Service Bathinda, December 1 Upset after a woman rejected his sexual advances, her husbands cousin threw acid on her at Goniana on Thursday. The woman was taken to the local Civil Hospital by her family members. She suffered burns on her face. On the statement of the woman, the Nehiawala police have registered a case against the accused, identified as Pawan Kumar Gulati. After allegedly committing the crime, he fled from the spot. The police are conducting raids to arrest the accused. Goniana police post in-charge Sub-Inspector Buta Singh said the victim was a resident of Goniana. Pawan Gulati allegedly used to harass her. The victim had stated that the accused had been following her for the past many days and had asked her to develop physical relations with him, but she rebuffed him. She stated that Pawan would follow her when she would go to a gurdwawa. On the morning of November 29, when she went out of her house to go to the gurdwara and reached near Pawans house, he threw acid on her. Buta Singh added that on the statement of the victim, the police had registered a case under Sections 354-D and 326-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the accused at the Nehiawala police station. Two cases of acid attack had been reported from Ludhiana district recently. On November 15, a 25-year-old woman had sustained burn injuries after a youth had targeted her. The accused had turned out to be her neighbour. In a case from Khanna, a jilted lover had thrown acid on a girl. She had fought back, and in the ensuing melee, the youth had sustained 45 per cent burn injuries. editorial@tribune.com Arushi Chaudhary A sprawling banquet inside a palatial palace done up in hues of gold and adorned with massive chandeliers, birds fluttering all around, an elephant, a zebra and a gazelle drinking from a pool of water with swans floating about, a stallion galloping on the sidelines and a cheetah studying its reflection in a mirror...Sounds like a distorted dream? Far from it. These are the visually stimulating elements of New Delhi-based contemporary artist Ranbir Kalekas recent work, Palace of Wilderness, part of his latest exhibition, A Summer Nights Dream. The exhibition has been curated exclusively to support an NGO, which works toward improving the quality of life for children, women and vulnerable families. I have been associated with Khushii for a long time now and admire the great work these volunteers are doing in supporting children, women and entire villages in some instances. They approached me for an exclusive show for them, and thats how A Summer Nights Dream came about, says Kaleka, in a heavy British accent that in no way gives away his Punjabi roots. Speaking of the concept and the theme of this exhibition, Kaleka, who spent his formative years in Patiala, says, My works usually revolve around darkness and turmoil stemming from emotional and social issues. However, for this one, I decided to break away from these themes and work with imagery of animals, flowers, people, foliage and water, placing them in the setting of some sort of architecture to able to weave them into a story left to be interpreted. In that sense, these works do obliquely touch upon surrealism but are closer to magic realism. The work, Freedom of Flight, for instance, shows remains of a meal, animals approaching, a boat with a cloth half immersed in water, depicting a sense of foreboding. That work is somewhere in the space between possible and surreal. The same can be said of every other work from A Summer Nights Dream, he adds. Every piece in this collection is a digital collage brought to life using light boxes, and, in some cases, blended with the use of canvas. I work with digital pens and brushes to digitally sculpt and tweak images to make them fit the larger context of the piece and play with light and colour to create that desired effect of highlighting certain areas while pushing the others into the background. For some of these works, I have first created a piece digitally, transferred it on to a canvas and then touched it up with oil paint. Fusing digital collages and canvas painting is an elaborate and intricate process that requires work on hundreds of layers for the final structure to take form. So, what drives Ranbir to keep revisiting a blank canvas and bring it to life with stirring, stunning imagery? For me, the beauty of any work lies in the little details that become clear only if you look long enough. The full meaning of a work has to remain slightly elusive to me. It has to mystify me for me to continue working on it. If the full picture becomes clear in my mind before a piece is completed, I abandon it. One has to feel the emotions one is trying to portray, he explains. A Summer Nights Dream garnered enormous response both in Delhi and Mumbai, helping raise money for a good cause. A plan of taking the exhibition to London next is in the works. uttara@tribuneindia.com Houston, December 2 George HW Bush, the 41st US president who died here on Friday at the age of 94, is to be honoured with a state funeral at National Cathedral in Washington on Wednesday, followed by burial on Thursday in Texas. President Donald Trump, who has announced a national day of mourning on Wednesday, will send Air Force One to Texas on Monday to bring the remains of the former president to Washington, DC, where his body will lie in state in the US Capitol to enable public an opportunity to bid farewell to their leader. Bushs office on Saturday announced the official schedule of his state funeral and the related services and ceremonies scheduled in Houston, Texas; Washington, DC; Spring, and College Station, Texas. The former president will have two funeralsa state funeral at the National Cathedral and a local funeral at St. Martins Episcopal Church in Houston. His office said the state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral will be held on Wednesday morning. The late presidents remains will then be returned to Houston on Wednesday afternoon. A funeral service is planned at St. Martins Episcopal Church in Houston on Thursday morning. On Thursday, the presidents casket will be taken by train to College Station, Texas, accompanied by the Bush family members and close friends. A funeral procession will then travel on George Bush Drive toward the Bush Library complex. Bush will be buried on Thursday in a family plot behind the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University, alongside his wife and former first lady, Barbara, and daughter Robin, university officials said in a statement on Saturday. President Trump and first lady Melania will attend Bushs funeral at the National Cathedral. Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies and departments to close on Wednesday as a mark of respect for Bush. He was a very fine man, Trump said of Bush. He led a full life, and a very exemplary life, too. Trump also signaled his respect by calling off a press conference planned at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. President Trump said he spoke with former president George W Bush Saturday morning and offered his condolences. A plane used as Air Force One will carry Bushs casket from Houston to Washington for memorial services, Trump said. Air Force One will be taking myself and a group of our people back to Washington, Trump said during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday evening. 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. Trump called it a special tribute that he deserves very much. The state funeral for the 41st president, whose death sparked tributes from around the world and across the political aisle, will be the first presidential funeral since Gerald Ford died in 2006. Bushs death comes months after the passing of his wife of 73 years, Barbara. The former first lady died in April. Her memorial service in Houston drew hundreds of thousands of people from past presidents to heads of state and historians. Noticeably absent was Trump, who declined an invitation out of respect for the Bushes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was 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. Meanwhile, floating candles were released into the pond at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum on Saturday. It was a touching moment from the second vigil held at the presidential library in less than 24 hours. For the man known for crafting a thousand points of light, there were hundreds of candles and as well as the people who held them. For many of the students at the Bush School it was a way for them to honor the man that has and will continue to impact their lives. The former president touched many lives at Texas A&M University. Doors to Bushs presidential museum opened Saturday morning, hours after the announcement of his death. Admission to the library is free through December 9. Since the announcement of the death of Bush, the Houston community is mourning and paying their respects outside the Bush home in the Tanglewood neighborhood. Bush was a man people looked up to as a role model, World War II Naval aviator, an oil pioneer and much more. In his neighborhood, people knew him as a husband, a good neighbor, and a kind citizen. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said a public tribute to Bushs memory will happen on Monday evening at Hermann Square in front of Houston City Hall. In Houston, the former president will lie in repose at St. Martins Episcopal Church starting sometime Wednesday evening. 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. 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. PTI pardeepdhull@gmail.com Jerusalem, December 2 Israeli police on Sunday recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara for bribery and other offences, the third such move against the premier in recent months. Netanyahu immediately rejected the accusations, but the three cases against him have led to speculation that they could eventually force the long-serving prime minister to step down. The head of the opposition Labour party, Avi Gabbay, renewed his call for Netanyahu to resign after the latest recommendations were released. The attorney general will now decide whether to bring indictments in the case, which centres on regulatory benefits allegedly granted to telecommunications firm Bezeq in exchange for positive coverage from a related media company. Police in February recommended indicting the prime minister in two other corruption investigations. In the findings announced Sunday, police said there was evidence to charge Netanyahu with bribery, fraud, breach of trust and unlawful acceptance. They recommended Sara Netanyahu face charges of bribery, fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of justice. The premier has repeatedly called the allegations against him in all three cases a plot by his political enemies to force him from office. He argued in a statement that these recommendations were determined and leaked even before the investigations began. Im sure that in this case the relevant authorities, after examining the issue, will reach the same conclusion: that there was nothing because there is nothing, he said. Netanyahu did not mention the allegations in his comments at the start of a cabinet meeting later in the day. The prime minister has been repeatedly questioned by police in the three corruption investigations. Sundays recommendations involved Netanyahu, Bezeq and the firms largest shareholder, Shaul Elovitch. Netanyahu is accused of seeking favourable coverage from another Elovitch company, the Walla news site, in exchange for policies that could have benefited the moguls business interests. Police also recommended indicting Elovitch and his wife Iris for giving bribes, among other offences, while the statement said their son Or should face fraud charges. There was however insufficient evidence to charge Netanyanus son Yair, police said. Two key figures have turned states witnesses in the case, including former media adviser to the Netanyahu family Nir Hefetz. The other is Shlomo Filber, a Netanyahu ally for more than 20 years and former director general of the communications ministry. Police said Sunday their investigation found that between 2012 and 2017, the prime minister and his confidantes crudely and consistently, at times on a daily basis, intervened in the content published by the Walla news website. (They) sought to influence the appointments of people (writers and editors) within the website, using their ties with Shaul and Iris Elovitch, the police statement said. The recommendations in February involved separate cases of alleged bribery, for which the attorney general is yet to decide whether to indict Netanyahu. In one, allegations against Netanyahu include seeking a secret deal with the publisher of Israels top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot to ensure positive coverage in return for pushing forward a law that would have limited the circulation of a rival. The other case involves suspicions that the prime minister and his family received luxury gifts from wealthy individuals in exchange for financial or personal favours. The gifts allegedly included pricey cigars, jewellery and champagne. The total value of the gifts received is estimated at around one million shekels (USD 270,000), according to police. Separately, police said earlier this month there was evidence to charge a Netanyahu lawyer and others with bribery in a corruption probe related to Israels purchase of German submarines. While Netanyahu was questioned as a witness and not a suspect in the submarine case, the accusations against his lawyer and others in the investigation have only added to the pressure the prime minister is facing. Netanyahu has been prime minister for a total of more than 12 years, from 1996 to 1999 and again since 2009. He could next year surpass the record set by Israels founding father David Ben-Gurion, who spent more than 13 years in office. He is not legally required to step down if indictedonly if he is convicted with all appeals exhausted. AFP gspannu7@gmail.com Shubhadeep Choudhury Tribune News Service Kolkata, December 2 Ending any hope of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supremo Khaleda Zia contesting the coming general election in the country, all three nominations filed by her from three constituencies were rejected during scrutiny on Sunday. The former Bangladesh prime minister is in prison following her conviction in two separate graft cases. She has been handed down two sentences of 10 years and 7 years each. Law bars convicts like her from contesting polls unless released on bail. On November 27, the High Court also reiterated that people sentenced to more than two years in jail cannot contest an election even if their appeals are pending. The next day, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court order, diminishing the chances for the BNP chief to participate in the election. Khaledas papers were filed from Bogra 6, Bogra 7 and Feni 1 constituencies for the December 30 polls. However, in each of the three constituencies, BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) also put up an additional candidate so that these candidates could become the partys official nominee in the case of rejection of Khaleda Zias candidature. With Zia out of the race, the BNP will be contesting the election without anyone from the family of the slain president Ziaur Rahman, founder of BNP, to lead the party in the elections. BNP acting president Tarique Rahman, son of Khaleda Zia and Ziaur Rahman, is in self-imposed exile in Britain since 2008. He has been tried in absentia in Bangladesh and found guilty in graft cases as well as a terror case. There was rumour that Tarique Rahmans wife Zubaida, a qualified physician, might come to Dhaka from Britain and lead the party in the polls. But Zubaida, who too is an accused in a graft case in Bangladesh, thought the better of it and preferred to stay put in London. BNP had boycotted the last elections held in 2014 after its demand for holding the polls under a caretaker government was turned down by the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League. Hasina has rejected the demand for a caretaker government this time also. But BNP has been forced to take part in the polls as the party feared that boycotting the election once again will push it into political wilderness. In another setback to the Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Front, the nominations of the Bangladesh liberation war hero Abdul Kader Siddique too was today rejected during scrutiny. Tangail Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Shahidul Islam rejected the veteran politicians candidature from Taingail 4 and Tangail 8 constituencies for defaulting on loan repayments. 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. 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. Crisis Phone Numberspecial noticeIf you are a veteran in emotional crisis and need help RIGHT NOW, call this toll-free number 1-800-273-8255, available 24/7, and tell them you are a veteran. All calls are confidential.1-888-899-9377A Crisis Intervention Hotline has been established by the VA Heartland Network to assist veterans who may be dealing with a mental health crisis or difficult issue in their lives. The hotline will also aid family members or friends of veterans who need help in assisting a veteran in crisis. 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. OK so you've left booking very very late. Christmas is a peak time of travel and the most expensive one. It's one of the few times (together with Easter) that trains actually do sell out. Even with a pass you might not get on. Start booking tickets NOW. I've listed the ticket prices I can currently see for your dates with the operators of the train. I'll leave it up to you to do the math versus a pass. Frankfurt to Luxemburg: Takes 4h43. One easy change in Koblenz. Book at www.bahn.com. For instance departing 07.42 arriving in Luxemburg at 12.25. Prices start at 34.90. Luxemburg to Paris: Last train of the day departing at 18.46. Takes 2h19. Prices starting at 104. This price most likely means it is nearly full. Book at or at if credit card doesn't work. Paris to Bern: Only the last direct TGV of the day is still for sale at 153. Takes 4h27. Other trains that day seem to be sold out. Book at the same site as Luxemburg to Paris. Bern to Milano: Direct EC takes 3h39. I can still see prices of 39.00. So not too bad. Book at Milano to Torino: By regular intercity taking 1h52 for 12.75 or by high speed Frecciarossa in 1h02 for 14.75. Book at Torino to Genua: Takes 2 hours. Lots of sold out tickets already. Prices starting at 9.90. Book at Genua to Monaco: Takes 2h40. Prices starting at 32.50. Book at or Monaco to Nice: Regional train. Can't sell out and can't be reserved. Fixed price of 4.10. Just buy at the station. Nice to Frankfurt: Just fly this one. It takes 11 hours with a change in Paris which is never something you should want. But if you persist. Nice to Paris Gare de Lyon book at or for 92. You have to take the 10.00 at the latest. Then transfer by RER through Paris for a few euros to Gare d'Est and hop on the 17.10 ICE arriving at 20.58 in Frankfurt. All in all your itinerary is extremely rushed. Especially the Italy part and I'm not convinced it is actually doable but can't be bothered to check that through. I've given you the pointers and prices it's up to you to see what is realistic and what isn't and what fits your budget. To reiterate: lots of trains are sold out already. Even with a pass you will not be able to get on those. OH and for the record: Eurail does not run any trains. They just sell passes and resell regular train tickets at a hefty premium. Edited: 2 years ago Re: First visit to Costa Rica: what are the best places to visit 3. Re: First visit to Costa Rica: what are the best places to visit April is high season. If your travel times include Easter and the wk before it, it is peak travel season. You want empty beaches. So traditional advice to combine Arenal, Manuel Antonio or Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio won't work, - too populated, developed, busy. Consider going to Osa Peninsula, Drake Bay, Puerto Jimenez, Cabo Matapalo, etc. We have just spent weeks just there, loved it. Depending on the waves / visibility at the time, Cano Island diving is considered to be the best in CR. Accessible mostly on 1/2 day tours from Drake Bay (also from Uvita, but it is better from DB). Help needed for Hirafu Welcome Center to Westin Rutsutu Help needed for Hirafu Welcome Center to Westin Rutsutu Dear All, I'm renting a vehicle and returning it on the 10 Dec 2018 to Nippon Rent-a-car, 204 Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0081, Japan. I understand that Hirafu Welcome Center, Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0081, Japan is less than 5 mins walking distance away. I need to get a bus back to my Hotel at Westin Rusutsu. I googled and found Donan bus but seems like its only available from 14 Dec. The other option seems to be to take a bus from Hirafu Welcome Center to Kutchan Station and get another Donan bus to Rusutu Resort. As i don't understand Japanese, I hope someone here can assist. 1) Any bus services from Hirafu Welcome Center to Westin Rutsutu? 2) Timing and costs? 3) As i understand the bus services are limited, the timings will help me to ascertain what time I should return my car. 4) I know there are some buses that pile between the Niseko to Rusutsu to airports. I wonder if they allow me to board just to get off at Rusutsu? Many thanks.... We were greeted Wednesday morning with a partly sunny and breezy day. We had 9am Crown Reserved tickets to the Statue of Liberty, followed by a Hard Hat Tour at Ellis Island at 11:30am. A few people thought this might be too tight a time frame, but we had plenty of time of time spare between the two, which gave us time to take a break for a hot cup of tea before heading to Ellis Island. We arrived right before 8:30am to Castle Clinton to pick up our tickets. Please make sure all members of your party are at the ticket window with you. I had to leave the window and call the rest of my family over, but otherwise, we had no issues getting our wristbands, tickets, and making it through security via the reserved line. We were on the boat that left around 8:45 am, and were the second people in line for the steps to the crown at 9am. Thanks to Trip Advisor, I knew the earlier we scheduled our tours, the less crowded it would be. That was soooo true! We actually walked right up the stairs, never having to stop and wait for the group in front of us until we were about 5 steps from the top. (It is hot inside the statue itself, but it was cold and windy on the pedestal balcony, so keep your coats with you for the climb.) My goal was to get a photo of the tablet in her left hand, and the National Park Service Ranger in the crown helped me get the perfect shot! He also took a group photo of us with the Staten Island bridge in the background. Since it was not crowded, the rangers had plenty of time to answer our questions. It was so worthwhile, and another bucket list item checked off! The SOL Museum is currently closed for renovation, which also contributed to our having some extra time. The new museum looks like it will be awesome, and much more accessible to the public. We walked around the perimeter of Liberty Island and then hopped on the 10:30 ferry with our hot tea (after being announced that "Wisconsin (was) in the house!" Once we arrived at Ellis Island, we easily found the desk where we signed our waivers for the Hard Hat tour, checked out the gift shop, hit the restrooms, and then waited until 11:30 for our tour. There were 10 of us on the tour, and it was amazing! I was so grateful that we had the opportunity to take that tour, explore more of the buildings in various stages of renovation, learn about medical practices pioneered at Ellis Island, toured the Chief Medical Doctor's residence, and got some amazing views of the lower Manhattan Skyline. Back in the main building of Ellis Island, we looked through a few of the various museum exhibits we had missed on our previous exhibit, spent some time in the Ancestry room, and then headed back to Battery Park. Once we arrived there, we walked around the Financial District, found the Irish Hunger Memorial and walked through that, and then headed down Stone Street to find a place for lunch. By then it was around 3pm, and were ready for a pub crawl! We started with a beer at Fraunces Tavern, then lunch at the Bavaria Bierhaus (excellent German food and another beer!), and then ended at the Dubliner to sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. By then it was happy hour, and there was music playing and everyone was having a great time prior to the Thanksgiving holiday! On the way back to the Subway to Brooklyn, we stopped by the Vintry Wine and Whiskey store to pick up some tasty beverages for back at the hotel. The staff there gave us some excellent recommendations and we were set for the rest of the week! Once back at the hotel, we rested for a bit, and then decided it would be a perfect night for some Cheesecake! So we headed to Juniors in Brooklyn, and shared a couple slices (Raspberry swirl and Red Velvet). You just can't get cheesecake like that back home! We put in 23000 steps today, but had an excellent time! - The Council's chair, Josphat Nanok, said the governor was not given a notice before his security was withdrawn - The Council condemned the decision to take away Lonyangapuos bodyguards and asked IG Boinnet to intervene - Lonyangapuo's security was withdrawn after he stormed a police roadblock to free a boda boda operator under arrest - The residents of West Pokot protested the security withdrawal terming it harassment of their county boss - They defended their governor saying he was only doing his job of protecting his county residents The Council of Governors has strongly condemned move by the government to take away bodyguards attached to West Pokot governor, John Lonyangapuo, and demanded the governor's security detail be restored without delays. The Council expressed its disappointment at the manner in which Lonyangapuo's bodyguards were withdrawn claiming due process was not followed. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: West Pokot residents protest, demand government restores Governor Lonyangapuo's security The withdrawal of Wwest Pokok's Governor John Lonyangapuo's security detail was confirmed by County commander Matthew Kuto. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Governor Lonyangapuo's security withdrawn after he stormed police roadblock to rescue boda boda rider In a statement dispatched to the newsrooms on Sunday, December 2, the Council's chairperson, Josephat Nanok, who doubles as the governor of Turkana County, said the West Pokot County chief was not issued with a notice prior to the withdrawal of his security. We note that the governor's security detail have been withdrawn from his official residence without notice. To this moment, no explanation of the same has been communicated, Nanok said in the statement, seen by TUKO.co.ke on Sunday. The Council of Governors chairperson, Josephat Nanok,on Sunday, December 2, said the West Pokot governor was not issued with a notice prior to the withdrawal of his security. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Kabete police officers open fire to free colleagues arrested by EACC detectives over corruption Nanok asked the Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet, to intervene in the matter and restore Lonyangapuo's bodyguards. He warned the government not to repeat the same mistake again. The Inspector General must take action in this matter, and seek to formally communicate to the governor and immediately replace the officers. The actions witnessed must not be repeated ever again," he said. READ ALSO: Bill promising MPs rent-free houses, vehicles inches closer to reaching Uhuru Lonyangapuo was stripped of his security detail following an incident where the governor stormed a police roadblock, removed the barriers and forcefully freed a boda boda rider who had been arrested along the Kapenguria-Lodwar highway on November 28 for alleged violation of Michuki rules. The move elicited mixed reactions from locals who argued the governor was only protecting them from corrupt police officers whom they alleged harassed them in the naming of enforcing traffic rules. "We woke up to the news that governors security details has been withdrawn and we are now worried. He was only defending citizens from being intimidated and harassed by police officers," said one local only identified as Elijah. The irate residents also demanded for restoration of Lonyangapuo's security. 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 - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko - Kilifi has the highest number of teenage pregnancies in all counties if the latest statistics are anything to go by - During World AIDS day on Saturday, December 1, it was discovered that four in every 100 people are infected - Upto 41,000 people were tested for HIV out of 500,000 residents in the county World Aids day in Kilifi county came with a shocking statistic in Kilifi county as it came to light that 4000 gay couples are HIV positive. The revelation was made by County Health executive Anisa Omar who noted that a shocking 4 people in every 100 are infected with the virus. Addressing journalists in Malindi after gracing the world Aids day, Dr.Anisa said reports indicate that one in four gays is infected with HIV and the numbers continue to rise despite measures to curb new infections. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens Crisis in Kilifi as over 4000 gay couples test HIV positive Source: UGC READ ALSO: Breakdown of alarming teenage pregnancy rates in Kenya per county We have come to realize that there is a sexually trend going on, which is men having sex with men (MSM), it is dangerous though we have measure controlling those doing it, she said Part of the reason of the high number of HIV positive individuals in the county was because of an equally high number of people engaging in same-sex relationship. Anisa revealed that currently there are 12,000 gays in Malindi town alone and that 4,000 are infected with HIV and Aids virus . It is a disheartening situation which health officials in Kilifi attribute to several factors , including high poverty levels, poor upbringing and the Kilifi nightlife which further exposes individuals to the disease. According to Anisa, men also had a tendency to engage in sex with their own kind because some were being paid for it. Crisis in Kilifi as over 4000 gay couples test HIV positive Source: UGC READ ALSO: Alarm as 20 teenagers from one school in Trans Nzoia are reported pregnant It is possible that our young men to have sex with other men for money, this is a challenge to us especially when it come to controlling HIV/AIDS infections, she went on. Out of the 4000 newly infected people, upto 19 percent were discovered to be teenagers who had started engaging in sexual activity at a tender age. Alarm bells of the rate of HIV infections in Kilifi were initially rang towards the beginning of the 2019 KCPE exams when it was discovered that the county had the highest number of teen pregnancies in the country. Anisa said that poverty in the community has drastically contributed to most of young men having sex with other men just to earn a living form it. Source: Original ALSO: Parents have a role to play in stopping early pregnancies among teenagers The fact that some of the new mothers are also HIV positive has been found to be a contributing factor to the high rates of HIV infections. Kenya National Examinations Council George Magoha termed the exploding number of teenage pregnancies a pandemic which should be curbed immediately. Additional reporting by Onesmus Baraka, TUKO.co.ke correspondent Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. KNEC chairman declares student pregnancy a pandemic in Kenya| Tuko TV: Source: Tuko Breaking News Latest - Rotich said the move was aimed at replacing short-dated loan with longer-dated one - The government is already in talks with Trade and Development Bank regarding the new loan - This comes even as government plans to take separate KSh 92 billion loan to finance projects - Kenya's public debt currently staggers at KSh 5.1 trillion and may rise to KSh 7 trilion by 2022 It has emerged the national government is planning to go for another KSh 100 billion loan amid concern over the rising public debt that now stands at KSh 5.1 trillion and which could hit KSh 7 trillion in the next four years. The new loan would not go towards the ongoing development projects, but rather would be used to clear old debts that are expected to mature in 2019. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Government plans to secure KSh 92 billion additional loans The National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Henry Rotich, argued replacing a short-dated loan with a longer-dated loan was a standard practice worldwide. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Kenya to earn about KSh 100 billion annually from oil exports - Energy PS Reports seen by TUKO.co.ke on Sunday, November 2, revealed the government was already in talks with the Trade and Development Bank regarding the new loan. The loan, Daily Nation reported, would be used to clear a two-year syndicated loan that was borrowed in April 2017 and which would be maturing in 2019. READ ALSO: Kenya to spend another KSh 380 billion Chinese loan on construction of Naivasha-Kisumu SGR According to the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Henry Rotich, replacing a short-dated loan with a longer-dated loan was nothing new. "It is a standard practice worldwide to retire short-dated loan and replace it with longer dated loan," Rotich told Nation on Saturday. READ ALSO: Yes, it costs KSh 1 billion every month to run Standard Gauge Railway - DP Ruto This comes even as the same exchequer pushes for KSh 92 billion additional to finance various government projects. As was earlier reported by TUKO.co.ke, the national government had struck fresh deal with foreign lenders to borrow more billions to be channeled towards construction of roads, improving agriculture and access to energy and bailing out cash-strapped Kenya Airways. The Treasury had tabled in Parliament a report indicating the government on March 16, 2018, entered into a deal with the Japanese government for some KSh 9.23 billion loan to facilitate rehabilitation of Olkaria Geothermal Power Plant. READ ALSO: You will want to get a feel of the SGR after reading this womans experience Kenya also in May 2018 signed another deal with Kuwait government for a KSh 2.3 billion loan to fund construction of the Modogashe-Wajia Road. Additionally, the Treasury note, another loan of KSh 3 billion was signed between Kenya and the African Development Bank. This loan would go towards training youth on better agricultural skills. The biggest of all the new loans, according to the exchequer, would come from the United States Exim Bank which would be used to revive Kenya Airways in attempts to turn around the airline's fortunes. The treasury noted the loans would be repayable within a period of between 25 to 30 years. The new loans could push higher the country's national debt which staggered at KSh 5.1 trillion as of November 2018. The debt has risen steadily from KSh 1.8 trillion in June 2013 when the Jubilee government came to power. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Top 4 Kenya Business Ladies: Who Are They? - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko Newspaper 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. UNHCR recognizes that efforts to protect refugees cannot be pursued in isolation from broader trends, policies and practices shaping global mobility. It also recognizes that people under its mandate including asylum-seekers, refugees and stateless persons are directly affected by migration policies and processes, particularly when they engage in mixed movements. UNHCR therefore strives to engage with migration issues that affect refugees and other persons under its mandate, including asylum-seekers, internally displaced people and stateless people. In certain circumstances, the General Assembly has asked UNHCR to contribute its expertise to processes that relate to migration. With this in mind, UNHCR focusses broadly on: Seeking to ensure that migration-management policies, practices and debates take into account the particular protection needs of asylum-seekers, refugees and stateless people, and acknowledge the legal framework that exists to meet those needs; Assisting States and partners to meet asylum and migration-management challenges in a manner that is sensitive to protection concerns; Identifying migration, trafficking and related developments impacting on persons under UNHCRs mandate, and Supporting stronger governance and closer observance of the universal character of human rights, including the rights of all persons on the move, regardless of their legal status, in ways that reinforce the principles and practice of international refugee protection. To support these aims, UNHCR collects and analyses data and trends, develops policy and guidance, implements programmes and provides operational support to governments and other stakeholders on mixed movements and related issues such as trafficking in persons and protection at sea. Refugee or Migrant? Refugees are people who cannot return to their country of origin because of a well-founded fear of persecution, conflict, violence, or other circumstances that have seriously disturbed public order, and who, as a result, require international protection. The tendency to conflate refugees and migrants, or to refer to refugees as a subcategory of migrants, can have serious consequences for the lives and safety of people fleeing persecution or conflict. Without question, all people who move between countries deserve full respect for their human rights and human dignity. However, refugees are a specifically defined and protected group in international law, because the situation in their country of origin makes it impossible for them to go home. Calling them by another name can put their lives and safety in jeopardy. The important distinction between refugees and migrants was acknowledged by the UN General Assembly in the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. Relevant UNHCR documents on terminology include: The people of Burundi are facing a humanitarian crisis marked by economic decline, extreme food insecurity and a disease outbreak. While the worst of the violence has eased, the situation remains fragile, with an unresolved political situation and continued displacement within and outside the country. What is UNHCR doing to help? UNHCR and its partners are working together every day to aid and protect Burundis refugees in Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and other nearby countries. Together, we are helping families reunite with lost loved ones and training camp community workers to spot signs of sexual exploitation and abuse. We are helping mothers give birth in proper health facilities and enlisting water engineers to drill new boreholes to supply water for refugees. The Burundian refugee situation is the lowest funded of any situation globally. In 2018, UNHCR and its partners received just 33 percent of the required US$391 million requested to support Burundian refugees. The Burundi Regional Refugee Response Plan for 2019-2020 was published in late December 2018, and appeals for US$ 296 million in 2019. Burundian refugees in Tanzania, Rwanda and the DRC arrive to find camps full and only temporary shelters available. Health centres are struggling to cope with huge numbers of patients. Education is very basic, and children lack sufficient learning materials; hundreds of children in Tanzania attend classes under trees. Burundis refugees are being forgotten. The world needs to urgently help these refugees and the countries hosting them. Catherine Wiesner, Regional Refugee Coordinator and Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework Champion for the Burundi situation Refugees who fled in fear for their lives find themselves struggling to provide the basics for their children in overcrowded, under-resourced camps, says Catherine Wiesner, the Regional Refugee Coordinator and Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework Champion for the Burundi situation. Even as some refugees are opting to return home, the majority will still require international protection for some time to come. Wiesner added. The international community needs to live up to its global commitments to urgently help these refugees and the countries hosting them. In line with the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, UNHCR is working with governments and partners to support host communities and to give Burundi refugees more opportunities to become self-reliant. Meanwhile, some refugees have been choosing to return to Burundi. While UNHCR is not promoting returns, since September 2017 we have been assisting those who are voluntarily choosing to go home to do so safely and start to rebuild their lives. For the hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees who still require international protection, more global support and funding is needed to provide urgent life-saving assistance for today, and long-term solutions for the future. "I lost everything: my home, my flesh, my identity. My kids sleep on the floor." Zainaba, widowed mother of four displaced in Bangui Back in December 2013, hundreds of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes as violence spread in the Central African Republic (CAR), with armed groups controlling parts of the country. Today, CAR continues to experience sporadic surges of violence forcing over 632,108 CAR refugees to remain in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo, with smaller numbers in Sudan and South Sudan. In addition to the refugees, 630,834 people have been forced to flee inside the country. CAR had been experiencing a gradual transition towards peace and stability since late 2016, when both refugees and internally displaced people started to go back home. Now, insecurity is plaguing areas in the centre, northwest, east and south-east of CAR some not previously affected by violence. Thousands of people walk for weeks and hide in the forests in a desperate bid to escape, sometimes with nothing to eat or drink. Those who arrive at sites for the displaced have witnessed traumatic scenes of violence, and malnutrition rates have risen to serious levels. In what is one of the most poorly funded emergency situations globally, many people lack even basic survival assistance. Food, health, shelter, and water and sanitation are all primary concerns for refugees living outside formal sites and for the communities hosting them. What is UNHCR doing to help? UNHCR is helping people affected by the violence and conflict. Inside CAR, UNHCRs focus remains on life-saving protection and assistance, distributing basic relief items to the newly displaced and new community shelters are being set up in response to the growing number of IDPs. In neighbouring countries, UNHCR and its partners continue to respond to new arrivals while building refugees livelihoods and ability to sustain themselves. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a complex and challenging humanitarian situation, with multiple conflicts affecting several parts of its vast territory. Hopes soared after a long and costly civil war was brought to an end in 2003, but the nation has instead seen sporadic waves of fighting especially in the Eastern parts of the country. Since 2016, a new wave of violence also affected the DRCs Kasai region, a vast area in the south and center of the country. Now, thousands of civilians are struggling for survival. Although many people have returned to areas in the Kasai region and elsewhere, they have often found their property, businesses and schools in ruins, and family members killed. Human rights violations are still widespread, including physical mutilation, killings, sexual violence, arbitrary arrest and detention in inhumane conditions. Armed men killed my wife and three of our children. I dont know why. Kadima Kabenge, mine worker who fled attacks in Kasai Province While these conflicts have forced many Congolese to flee their homes, the country also hosts over half a million refugees from neighbouring countries. It continues to see new arrivals from Burundi, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. The risk of further displacement is high, as conflicts affect many areas. Protection needs, particularly for the most vulnerable, are enormous, and the challenges of getting aid to those in need are increasing. Strengthening public health, sanitation and water supplies to prevent diseases remains vital. What is UNHCR doing to help? UNHCR is assisting people displaced inside the DRC through activities aimed at strengthening the protection of vulnerable people, including women and children. It also provide shelter materials and cash grants to the most vulnerable among the displaced and returnees. We strengthen community-based organisations that work for peaceful coexistence, while working towards solutions to displacement. UNHCR is working with the International Organization for Migration to lead the coordination and management of sites hosting internally displaced people (IDPs) in North Kivu and Tanganyika provinces. We also provide protection and assistance to Congolese refugees in neighbouring countries, in collaboration with authorities and partners, including those forced to flee during the most recent surge of violence. Refugees, mainly women and children, from countries like the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Burundi, who have sought refuge in the DRC, also receive life-saving support and international protection through UNHCR and its partners, notably the National Refugee Commission, UNHCRs Government partner. Most of these refugees settle in local Congolese communities and many can become self-reliant with some support. UNHCR is actively seeking durable solutions for these refugees, by developing strategic partnerships with other UN agencies, as well as by looking to reduce environmental impacts, notably deforestation, in refugee-hosting areas. Despite the enormous needs, UNHCR has only received 67% of the US$156 million required in 2019 to provide life-saving assistance and protection to refugees, IDPs and other vulnerable people in the DRC. More support is urgently needed. Please help now. Reports and Links Of the 20.7 million refugees under our care, 7.9 million are refugee children of school age. Their access to education is limited, with almost half of them unable to attend school at all. The New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants pinpoints education as a critical element of the international refugee response. Furthermore, Sustainable Development Goal 4 aims to deliver inclusive and quality education for all and to promote lifelong learning. UNHCR partners with governments and international organisations to ensure quality protective education for refugee children and young people everywhere. Together with your help, they can learn how to rebuild their lives. Education is a basic human right, enshrined in the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 1951 Refugee Convention. Education protects refugee children and youth from forced recruitment into armed groups, child labour, sexual exploitation and child marriage. Education also strengthens community resilience. Education empowers by giving refugees the knowledge and skills to live productive, fulfilling and independent lives. Education enlightens refugees, enabling them to learn about themselves and the world around them while striving to rebuild their lives and communities. How many refugees are there around the world? At least 82.4 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes. Among them are nearly 26.4 million refugees, around half of whom are under the age of 18. There are also millions of stateless people, who have been denied a nationality and lack access to basic rights such as education, health care, employment and freedom of movement. At a time when 1 in every 95 people on earth has fled their home as a result of conflict or persecution, our work at UNHCR is more important than ever before. UNHCR personnel Our workforce is the backbone of UNHCR. As of 31 December 2020, we employ 17,878 people, of whom around nearly 91 per cent are based in the field. We work in 132 countries and territories, with personnel based in a mixture of regional and branch offices and sub and field offices. Our teams work hard to help the displaced, specializing in a wide range of disciplines, including legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs and health. How is UNHCR funded We are funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions, with 85 per cent from governments and the European Union. Three per cent comes from other inter-governmental organizations and pooled funding mechanisms, while a further 11 per cent is from the private sector, including foundations, corporations and the public. Additionally, we receive a limited subsidy (one per cent) from the UN budget for administrative costs, and accept in-kind contributions, including items such as tents, medicines and trucks. UNHCR was launched on a shoestring annual budget of US$300,000 in 1950. But as our work and size have grown, so too have the costs. Our annual budget rose to more than US$1 billion in the early 1990s and reached a new annual high of US$9.15 billion in 2021. For up to date information about UNHCRs financial needs visit our Global Focus website. Our yearly budget supports continuing operations and supplementary programmes to cover emergencies, such as the Syria crisis or large-scale repatriation operations. Data on forced displacement and stateless populations We track the number of people forced to flee and use data and statistics to inform and optimize our work and the work of our partners to better protect, assist and provide solutions. So when for example a major displacement crisis erupts, we can predict how many people need help, what kind of help they need and how many staff we must deploy. These figures are released every year in our flagship reports: Global Trends and Global Report. For statistics and operational data that are essential for UNHCR operations, we collect and process data in a number of different systems that are fit for purpose. Our Population Statistics Database, for example, carries information on country of asylum, country of origin and demographics on people of concern to UNHCR refugees, asylum seekers, returned refugees, internally displaced and stateless people. For more information on how UNHCR collects population figures, including links to our databases, visit our data page. In 1954, UNHCR won the Nobel Peace Prize for its groundbreaking work in Europe. But it was not long before we faced our next major emergency. In 1956, during the Hungarian Revolution, 200,000 fled to neighbouring Austria. Recognizing the Hungarians as 'prima facie' refugees, UNHCR led efforts to resettle them. This uprising and its aftermath shaped the way humanitarian organizations would deal with refugee crises in the future. During the 1960s, the decolonization of Africa produced the first of that continent's numerous refugee crises. We also helped uprooted people in Asia and Latin America over the following two decades. In 1981, we received a second Nobel Peace Prize for what had become worldwide assistance to refugees. The start of the 21st century has seen UNHCR help with major refugee crises in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. We have also been asked to use our expertise to help many internally displaced by conflict and expanded our role in helping stateless people. In some parts of the world, such as Africa and Latin America, the 1951 Refugee Convention has been strengthened by additional regional legal instruments. UNHCR now has more than 17,878 personnel working in 132 countries. Our budget, which in its first year was US$300,000, grew to US$8.6 billion in 2019. In 2020, we marked our 70th anniversary. During our lifetime, we have helped well over 50 million refugees to successfully restart their lives. Want more UNHCR history? Subscribe and listen to Forced to Flee, a groundbreaking new podcast that sheds light on 70 years of stories from those forced to flee their homes. This is not history from a textbook. These are personal stories of persecution, survival and new beginnings. In photos: The history of UNHCR Anyone concerned by potential misconduct is encouraged to report this and contact the IGO. Anyone can contact the IGO if they have concerns or information about possible misconduct by any UNHCR staff member or other person/entities with a contractual relationship with UNHCR. Anyone can contact the IGO if they have reason to believe that a staff member or another person associated with UNHCR has not behaved correctly. Contacting the IGO - By using the online complaint form - By confidential email: [email protected] - In person or by post: 94, rue de Montbrillant, Case postale 2500, 1211 Geneva Mark all mail as CONFIDENTIAL. Important note before sending a complaint: The Investigation Service of the IGO does not have the authority to deal with protection/assistance related requests. This means that the IGO cannot review individual refugee claims, cannot provide individuals with assistance (in kind or in cash), and cannot provide applicants with a durable solution. For these matters, please contact the UNHCR Office where you are registered or closest to where you are located. Investigative process Following receipt of information about possible misconduct, the Investigation Service will register the complaint and conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether an investigation is warranted, considering among others whether the issue falls within its mandate and whether the alleged facts could amount to misconduct. If it is decided to conduct an investigation, the investigative process consists of the following steps: If the investigation finds that a staff member failed to comply with UN Staff Regulations and Rules or the standards of conduct expected of a UN civil servant, the IGO will send an investigation report to UNHCRs Division of Human Resources (DHR). DHR has the responsibility to determine the appropriate administrative response, such as possible disciplinary or administrative measures. The IGO ensures confidentiality of the investigation, information and reports, as well as due process throughout the investigative process. Established in 1954, the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award honours individuals, groups and organizations who go above and beyond the call of duty to protect refugees, as well as displaced and stateless people. We are delighted to announce that this years Laureate is the Jeel Albena Association for Humanitarian Development (JAAHD), a humanitarian organization providing emergency services to internally displaced people in northern Yemen. Founded by Ameen Jubran in 2017, the organization has constructed 18,000 shelters for internally displaced people and their host communities. It has also provided cash assistance to some 60,000 people and helped thousands of others through its skills-building centre and school rehabilitation programme. Jubran himself was displaced by the conflict in Yemen in 2015. Three years later, he was nearly killed while working for his organization. Yet Jubran and his colleagues stayed throughout the conflict to deliver lifesaving aid to those who need it the most. The perseverance, humanitarian spirit and commitment to people forced to flee their homes makes Jeel Albena a worthy Laureate of the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award. Jubran will be accepting the award on behalf of his team at a special ceremony airing on UNHCRs YouTube channel on 4 October (18:30 CET). Be sure to tune in for this star-studded ceremony! Read more about Jubrans incredible story What is happening in Yemen? Yemen is already one of the poorest countries in the Middle East and fighting has added to the existing problems of poverty and insecurity. The worsening violence means that more than 20 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance. More than 20 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance More than 4 million people have been forced to flee their homes, living in substandard shelters Yemenis who have been forced to flee their homes are four times more at risk of famine than the rest of the population Yemen is facing a humanitarian catastrophe. Without help, many more lives will be lost to violence, treatable illnesses or lack of food, water and shelter. You can provide direct help to Yemenis who are suffering - please donate now. Donate now Meet the 2021 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award Regional Winners We are honoured to announce the Regional Winners of the 2021 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award, each selected from hundreds of nominees for their outstanding work with refugees as well as displaced and stateless people. Africa Regional Joint Winners: Roukiatou Maiga and Diambendi Madiega Roukiatou Maiga is the President of the Womens Association Djam Weli, based in Burkina Faso. Maiga advocates strongly for the rights of internally displaced people (IDPs) and has shown great hospitality and generosity to those forcibly displaced in Dori in the Sahel region. Diambendi Madiega is a small-scale farmer and practitioner of traditional medicine in Kaya, Burkina Faso. He also spends time advocating for the rights of IDPs and has opened his heart and property in the Center-North region. Read about their amazing work Asia Regional Winner: Dr Saleema Rehman Doctor Saleema Rehman is an obstetrician and gynecologist living and working in Pakistan. Dr Rehman is an Afghan refugee and overcame significant struggles to gain the support of her community to pursue her dreams of becoming a doctor. After years of hard work and lobbying for funding, Dr Rehman opened a private practice in Attock, which enables refugees and people from low income backgrounds to access affordable medical care. Read about her incredible story Americas Regional Winner: Santiago Avila After the murder of his younger brother, Santiago Avila and his family had to seek safety in another region of Honduras. Santiago has since made it his mission to save other families from the same fate. Avila opted to return to Honduras to start Jovenes Contra la Violencia, which over the past 10 has worked with at children and young people at risk of being pulled into gangs or who have already fled gang related violence. Read Avila's inspirational story Europe Regional Winner: Nikola Kovacevic Nikola Kovacevic has represented almost 30 per cent of the asylum-seekers who have been granted protection in Serbia. He has been actively engaged in the protection of human and refugee rights, individual asylum-seekers and refugees since 2012. His work has contributed towards key improvements in asylum procedures in Serbia which, in turn, has increased the number of refugees being granted international protection there. Read Kovacevic's inspirational story Like teenagers the world over, Syrian refugee Alaa is constantly tapping away on his cell phone. But rather than chatting with friends or using social media, Alaa who was born blind uses the old handset as his sole means of writing and a vital tool in achieving his ambition of getting an education. The phone was a gift from my uncle, explained Alaa, who fled Syria with his family in 2014 aged 13, and moved to Akkar in the far north of Lebanon. I would press a key and learn what it was one, then two, then three letters and soon I could write a word, a sentence and a full text. Together with his younger brother Ahmad, who is also blind, Alaa was determined to enroll in school in Lebanon, despite having missed several years of education due to the conflict and limited accessibility of local schools. With braille learning unavailable in the rural area where their informal settlement is located, and unable to afford a specialist private school, the brothers were ultimately welcomed at a nearby Lebanese public school that holds afternoon classes for Syrian refugees. Their capacity to learn by heart is unbelievable, said their father Mahmoud. I could see they had potential and I did not want them to waste their future. Although having to catch up on schooling means Alaa is a couple of years older than his classmates, his teachers have been impressed by the way he has overcome every obstacle. The school does not have resources to deliver inclusive education but Alaa himself has found ways to adapt, using his phone to write the answers to tests as well as recording lessons to play back at home for revision. "Education is everything." We try to integrate them as much as possible, explained Doha Hajar, a Lebanese teacher at the school. Alaa was able with time to overcome his problems, his disability did not stop him from persevering, learning and succeeding, and he is competing with the brightest in class. For his part, Alaa is resolute when it comes to the value of learning. Education is everything, he said. The World Health Organization estimates that 15 per cent of the worlds population has some form of disability. Monday 3 December marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which this year focuses on empowering those with disabilities and ensuring inclusivity and equality. In situations of forced displacement, people with disabilities often face additional barriers to accessing services such as education, and have fewer opportunities to play an active role in their communities. Lebanon is currently host to more than 950,000 registered refugees from Syrias conflict, around half of whom are children of school age (from three to 18 years old). About 220,000 Syrian children attend lessons, either during dedicated afternoon shifts or in morning classes alongside Lebanese pupils, but more than half of young refugees remain out of school. "I hope for a beautiful future." Having developed his own unique approach to learning, Alaa said it is the more routine aspects of attending school that can sometimes prove testing. I mainly find difficulties in moving around. But if someone helps me, I can overcome that challenge, he said. I dont really feel different from others. I can do things that others cant do. He and Ahmad walk to school each day with their siblings, and once there, their fellow pupils help them to navigate between classrooms. Ahmads sister sits next to him during lessons and helps him to follow the classes. Determined to push themselves, the brothers have recently started learning French, and help each other out by testing themselves on vocabulary. Often when we are together, I ask him about French words. He has a strong memory and knows a lot of words, Alaa said. We work together, strengthen each other and help each other. The brothers both have ambitions of one day becoming Arabic teachers, but the first objective is to finish school. With Alaas cheerful determination to overcome all obstacles in his path, it is easy to imagine him fulfilling his goals if only he gets the same opportunities as other young people. I am hopeful, he said. There is no life without hope, and no success without work. I hope for a beautiful future and even if we all have to die one day, I want to be able to leave a good legacy. Taking a bank card to a cash machine in Beirut, Syrian widow Manar Al Sayer taps in a PIN and withdraws a few Lebanese pounds. Cash in hand, she can now prioritize her monthly spending for herself and her three children, Aseel, six, Abdullah, nine, and Osaima 12. I allocate this cash assistance so that my children can attend the morning shift at school, she explains. I use [it] to pay for my childrens school transport and I am very happy that I am now able to pay for something, she adds. Uprooted from her family home in Homs by shelling in 2012, Manar sought refuge in neighbouring Lebanon the following year. After her husband was killed in a traffic accident, she is now head of the family. "What we buy is no longer imposed on us." Once she has taken care of her childrens schooling, Manar can budget for the remainder of the month. I promised my children to buy them slippers with part of this months cash assistance. So I am going to do that because I have the money, she adds. The 29-year-old is among millions of refugees and others of concern in scores of countries worldwide who have been able to take greater control of their lives since UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, began expanding cash-based assistance in 2016. See also: Cash grants offer hope to displaced Yemenis facing eviction The programme aims to ensure that refugees, asylum-seekers, returnees, internally displaced and stateless people meet their needs in dignity, are protected and can become more resilient. In the three years between 2016 and 2019 when it ramped up cash assistance, UNHCR - in partnership with governments, UN agencies, NGOs and the private sector has distributed around $2.4 billion to 20 million vulnerable individuals in more than 100 countries. With cash now accounting for a greater share of the agencys assistance than traditional in-kind aid, the shift has resulted in significant changes to UNHCRs organisation, with some 5,000 internal and partner staff now trained on cash assistance. Around 95 percent of the money is disbursed without restrictions, meaning that refugees themselves can choose how they spend it. This benefits the local economy with refugees buying essential goods in local stores and paying for local services. Before we were restricted to spending the cash assistance in supermarkets. But when they made it available in cash, they gave us the freedom of choice. What we buy is no longer imposed on us, says Manar. A refugee signs the necessary documents to receive her cash card in Athens, Greece, September 2017. Cash gives refugees the dignity of choice and encourages self-reliance. UNHCR/Yorgos Kyvernitis Syrian refugees queue for winter cash assistance at Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, November 2017. The aid allows refugees to buy heating, insulation and warm clothing. UNHCR/David Azia A young Syrian refugee holds an ATM card provided by UNHCR inside a distribution point in Tripoli, Lebanon, April 2018. She will use the cash to provide for her daughters, aged four and six. UNHCR/Diego Ibarra Sanchez A Syrian family shop for groceries in Kilkis, Greece after receiving cash assistance, February 2017. UNHCR distributed 500 cash cards to 1,200 refugees staying in apartments and hotels in the country's Central Macedonia region. UNHCR/Yorgos Kyvernitis Rohingya refugee and single parent Samuda, 35, receives UNHCR cash assistance in Bangladesh, April 2018. She says: "The first thing I'll do is pay off our debts and then we'll use this money to buy food." UNHCR/Caroline Gluck While she prioritizes spending on her childrens schooling, other people of concern from Greece to Niger and Somalia are using cash assistance to pay their rent, buy medicines, pay off debts or even start businesses. Flexible and innovatory, the initiative is even helping displaced people living in some of the more remote places where UNHCR works, such as camps in Niger. In the West African country, UNHCR distributed a total of 5,000 mobile phones to refugees and internally displaced people to respond to urgent needs. Using electronic payments so-called Mobile Money it is assisting men, women and children who fled insecurity in neighbouring Mali and Nigers border areas. An SMS message notifies beneficiaries that they have received their assistance. They can then withdraw the cash at the phone shop a red phone box-sized booth in the camp or pay for goods directly with their phones in the local stores. Weve seen that providing cash instead of goods is one of the best ways to address refugees basic needs here in Niger, says Robert Heyn, UNHCRs associate programme officer for cash-based interventions in the country. Its more cost effective, it gives refugees dignity of choice and it also has a very positive impact on the local economy. So it benefits the refugees and the host economy at the same time. "It benefits the refugees and the host economy at the same time. Refugees in receipt of Mobile Money no longer need to carry cash in their wallet with them, but can access their money whenever they need it, whenever its necessary, and they can also leave money on their mobile money accounts, says Heyn. The flexibility and security is welcomed by refugees, among them Zeinabu Warekoufaf from Mali. When you have your money in your mobile phone, nobody knows what you have and if somebody takes it from you, he wont know how much you have, she says. Visiting a shop at the settlement, Zeinabu uses cash to buy sugar, tea and couscous, as well as skeins of brightly coloured wool from which she make cushions to sell. Many of the shopkeepers have increased their revenue since the refugees started getting money and are happy with the arrangement. UNHCR Niger: Mobile Money gives Malian refugees dignity and freedom of choice Mobile cash accounts for more than a third of cash assistance globally, and UNHCR hopes that the freedom and security that Mobile Money provides will allow refugees like Zeinabu to leave the camps and integrate into the local community, where they can live in a more independent and sustainable way. The largest operations to date are in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Jordan, Somalia, Greece, Yemen, Iraq, Egypt, Syria and Turkey, although operations have since rolled out in other countries including Kenya, where it has helped refugees to build their own durable shelters. See also: Cash for shelter programme empowers refugees and their hosts in Kenya As a result of UNHCRs cash assistance programme, refugees in countries such as Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zambia and Uganda now have access to formal bank and mobile money accounts, a vital stepping stone towards financial inclusion in their host countries. The cash-based interventions cover the whole arc of displacement, from helping people uprooted within and beyond the borders of their own countries, to assisting those who opt to return home when conditions are safe enough -- among them thousands of Somalis. Nearly three decades of civil war in the Horn of Africa country uprooted more than two million people to neighbouring countries. With security at home improving, more than 90,000 refugees have so far returned voluntarily, for whom cash is proving vital as they restart their lives in their still fragile homeland. Among beneficiaries is mother of five Aisha, 55, who spent 25 years as a refugee in Dadaab, Kenya. On returning to Somalia in early 2017, she used a reinstallation grant of US$200 to set up a small store in Kismayo, selling everything from bananas and watermelons to pens. "It allows me to cater to most of my family's needs." It allows me to cater to most of my familys needs, she says of the shop, stocked with items bought from local wholesalers in the country, now getting back on its feet after decades of war and instability. Others are using their cash grants and assistance to buy land and livestock, or start a business, like 47-year-old Mohamed Noor Omar, who faced an uncertain future in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya after fleeing civil war in his native Somalia in the early 1990s. He returned to the Somali capital, Mogadishu last year, where he used some of the money to buy a fishing boat. He also partnered with a local man who had an engine to run it. Out on the water by 6 a.m., he makes US$7 to US$10 a day depending on the catch, and is now looking to improve his business like any other entrepreneur. That income is enough to meet my basic requirements, says Mohamed, who wants to buy better nets to catch more fish, and an outboard motor that can take him further offshore. That way I can improve my living conditions. For more information on UNHCR and cash, please see the 2016-2019 UNHCR Implementation Report on the Policy on Cash-Based Interventions. Reporting by Rima Cherri and Houssam Hariri in Lebanon, Robert Heyn in Niger, and Urayayi Mustsindikwa in Somalia. Thousands of children, women and men are streaming across an international border escaping war or persecution. You are the aid worker on the frontline. What do you do? Available online as an app, UNHCRs Emergency Handbook gives hands-on guidance to humanitarians in all areas of life-saving assistance from registering refugees, to providing shelter, food, sanitation and more. The Handbook, which draws on the UN Refugee Agencys over 60 years of operational experience, works on all electronic platforms. Once downloaded to a mobile, it even works offline for use in remote areas. It is now also available in Arabic, French and Spanish. Managing the platform is Alvin Gonzaga, Senior Emergency Policy Officer in UNHCRs Division of Emergency, Security and Supply. He spoke to Senior External Relations Officer Roland Schonbauer about it. In simple terms, what is the Emergency Handbook? Responding to an emergency, every second counts. The Handbook is a web-based how-to guide for humanitarian workers, from volunteers to UNHCR colleagues that rush to save the lives of refugees and internally displaced people in an emergency. It offers easy-to-read guidance with simple tools and checklists, ranging from a packing list for emergency missions to key steps in protecting and assisting people with disabilities or survivors of sexual or gender-based violence. It gives you a quick reference on standards, indicators and key steps for camps and urban environments. Why online, and why all the languages? When you rush to a border area, you are not going to carry a thick book with you, and you may not get the expert you need in the office on the phone. This is when the Emergency Handbook makes a difference. Downloaded to your phone, it even works in a forest off the beaten track where desperate people may be stranded. Experience shows that in an emergency, even veteran humanitarians face new situations requiring a fast, high-quality response. With the Handbook, they have the most important information in the palm of their hands anywhere, any time. It provides specific technical information quickly, for instance on how to start a project to communicate with refugee communities, or even how to handle sudden media interest, The Handbook has been available online in English since 2015. Encouraged by the keen interest in the English platform in countries such as Bangladesh and Nigeria, we also wanted to make it available to the humanitarian community in other unfolding crises in places such as Syria, and the Venezuela situation hence the new Arabic, French and Spanish versions. Can you give examples of how it has been used? Since 2013, more than one million South Sudanese refugees have sought safety in Uganda. We had to set up a transit centre quickly because thousands of men, women and children were fleeing to an area far away from any significant dwelling, without any shelter or infrastructure. Fortunately, the online Emergency Handbook offers a sample design for a transit centre to receive refugees. The design shows where they would receive food, get health care and registration documents. Ultimately, the Handbook serves as a protection tool. Another example are latrines. Every humanitarian knows that poor sanitation poses a potential threat to public health. But if you are not an expert, you probably do not know the minimum distance that latrines should be located from a tent. So you can immediately check the Handbook app about this distance needed to reduce health risks. If the latrine is too close, the standard gives you an argument to advocate for a remedy. The Handbook can help everybody to prepare assistance and protection of new arrivals. For this, it contains a simplified version of the Preparedness Package for Refugee Emergencies, a hands-on guide for systematic risk analysis and actions to enhance the preparedness of UNHCR and its partners. The online Handbook offers also a template for a Contingency Plan, among many other useful tools. The Emergency Handbook is available here. Apologies, it seems we cant find what you were looking for. The content has either moved or no longer exists. Maybe try a search UNHCR has been working with NGOs since we first began helping the forcibly displaced in the early 1950s. As our work and size grew to cope with emerging refugee crises in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, especially in Africa, Asia and Central America, so did our ties with a wide range of newly formed humanitarian and refugee-related NGOs. In 2007, UNHCR adopted the Global Humanitarian Platform's Principles of Partnership that set out common standards of equality, transparency, complementarity and a results-oriented approach among all humanitarian groups. We integrated the Principles of Partnership in to our 'Framework for Implementing with Partners' as an institutional approach to collaborative partnerships. The Global Consultation with NGOs includes a range of national and international NGOs from around the world. It provides an important forum for NGOs and states to network, dialogue and exchange views with UNHCR as equal partners an approach that NGOs welcome. "The UNHCR has had the most excellent relations with the voluntary agencies. Their work is in a true sense of the term indispensable and invaluable for refugees Dr. Van Heuven Goedhart, The first High Commissioner for Refugees, 1954 Today, we rely heavily on NGOs to implement a wide range of projects, including aid distribution, protection, logistics, shelter, health, water, sanitation, nutrition and education projects. Partners interested to collaborate with UNHCR are invited to register in the Partner Portal, an interactive tool established for enhanced communication between UNHCR and our partners. Our position is clear, and has been reiterated on a number of occasions by our High Commissioner: sexual misconduct is unjustifiable and must be eradicated from UNHCR operations. With over 17,000 staff and affiliated workforce based primarily in the field, in permanent and direct contact with vulnerable people, UNHCR is one of the biggest and most operational UN agencies. There were over 83.7 million people of concern to UNHCR last year, and our programmes were implemented together with more than 1,100 partners. We work in an environment shaped by significant power differentials and deeply rooted inequalities, including gender inequalities, in which the conditions that can give rise to sexual misconduct exist. "There is no place for sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment at UNHCR, an organization that is dedicated to serving and protecting others." UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi The overwhelming majority of our staff are deeply committed professionals, many of whom are working in difficult environments, sometimes risking their own safety and well-being. But our organization is not immune, and like others we have seen instances in which our own colleagues or partner staff have used their positions of power to exploit others. These actions inflict intolerable harm on the victims and their families, run counter to the very values for which UNHCR stands, and undermine the work and credibility of our organization. For this reason, we have taken a series of decisive actions over recent years to reinforce our mechanisms for preventing and responding to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. In March 2018, the High Commissioner appointed a Senior Coordinator to lead UNHCR efforts to tackle sexual misconduct. She is supported by a cross-functional working group, and reports to the Deputy High Commissioner, who leads a Director Level Task Force on this issue. In May 2018, UNHCR issued a comprehensive Strategy with Action plan and in August 2020 UNHCR launched a new Strategy and Action Plan (2020-2022), building on achievements in 2018 and 2019 while recognizing that much remains to be done. This new Strategy and Action Plan also takes into account developments in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Central to UNHCRs efforts to tackle sexual misconduct is a commitment to working in partnership, as it is only by capitalizing on interagency and broader partnerships that we can make a difference. UNHCRs High Commissioner took up the role of Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Champion on Protection from SEA and SH in September 2019 and has launched a number of initiatives under his Championship which will continue until the end of the year. In addition, in September 2019 UNHCRs Deputy High Commissioner took on the role of Interim Chair of the Chief Executives Boards Task Force on Addressing Sexual Harassment within the organizations of the UN system. Definitions: There is a frequent confusion between sexual exploitation and abuse on the one hand, and sexual harassment on the other. The main difference relates to who is the victim (also called survivor). Sexual exploitation and abuse affects persons of concern . . Sexual exploitation is defined as an actual or attempted abuse of someones position of vulnerability (such as a person depending on you for survival, food rations, school books, transport or other services), differential power or trust, to obtain sexual favours, including but not only, by offering money or other social, economic or political advantages. It includes trafficking and prostitution. is defined as an actual or attempted (such as a person depending on you for survival, food rations, school books, transport or other services), differential power or trust, to obtain sexual favours, including but not only, by offering money or other social, economic or political advantages. It includes trafficking and prostitution. Sexual abuse means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature , whether by force, or under unequal or coercive conditions. It includes sexual slavery, pornography, child abuse and sexual assault. means the actual or threatened physical , whether by force, or under unequal or coercive conditions. It includes sexual slavery, pornography, child abuse and sexual assault. Sexual harassment affects personnel and is defined as any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that causes offense or humiliation. Sexual harassment may occur in the workplace or in connection with work. While typically involving a pattern of conduct, sexual harassment may take the form of a single incident. In assessing whether the conduct causes offense, the perspective of the victim shall be considered UNHCR now has an effective safeguarding team with a global remit, which includes the Senior Coordinator on Prevention of and Response to Sexual Exploitation and, Abuse and Sexual Harassment, the Inspector Generals Office, the Ethics Office, the Legal Affairs Service and the Staff Welfare Services, among others. While the organization continues to work hard to ensure that victims/survivors can report in a safe manner, in its new 2020-2022 Strategy and Action Plan on tackling sexual misconduct, UNHCR places stronger emphasis on theirs needs and wishes. The 2020-2022 Strategy and Action Plan is guided by four core objectives: Ensure that victims are at the heart of everything we do when fighting sexual misconduct; Equip and empower UNHCR and partner personnel to prevent, identify and respond to sexual misconduct; Uphold organizational accountability in tackling sexual misconduct; Maintain UNHCRs role as a key player engaging in inter-agency efforts against sexual misconduct. Actions we are taking to tackle sexual misconduct: Prevention and awareness raising UNHCR works systematically to identify and reduce risks, including risks of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, in all its operations. Eradicating sexual misconduct requires us to pay attention to the values and attitudes that underpin our behaviours, and the structures or systems that support or reinforce these behaviours. In 2002, we introduced a UNHCR Code of Conduct, which all personnel are required to sign. This code is the subject of mandatory refresher training each year, with a strong focus on values and inclusion, diversity and gender and is available in nine languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Thai, Urdu and Turkish). Two online courses on the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment are likewise mandatory for all personnel. Management training courses also include a focus on how to create and lead an inclusive and respectful work environment, with specific modules on the prevention of sexual misconduct. We also have a network of 400 protection and other staff in our field offices with specific focal point responsibilities related to prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, including through carrying out training and awareness raising activities and engaging with partners. We believe that their presence on the ground is a key factor in helping identify and support victims. In addition, a global Peer Advisor network, consisting of 400 colleagues, act as a point of contact in their respective offices for workplace grievances, ethical dilemmas and psychosocial concerns, including sexual harassment. Encouraging survivors to come forward We are acutely aware of the enormous difficulties that survivors of sexual exploitation or abuse, or sexual harassment, face in coming forward, and of the deep professional and personal considerations and even fears that may prevent them from doing so. We are striving to address these concerns, by ensuring that reporting mechanisms are known, accessible and trusted, and that victims who report sexual misconduct feel safe and protected. To achieve this, we have adopted a survivor-centred approach that places the rights and protection of victims, or survivors, and persons directly affected at the centre of our actions. Actions include improving the experience of recourse, providing proper medical and psychosocial support, strengthening our policies, and developing additional protective measures for those who have experienced or witnessed such abuses. We have reinforced mechanisms to ensure that all cases of sexual exploitation and abuse are reported, using a range of complaints mechanisms, including face to face engagement, mobile phone technology and call centres. The SpeakUp! Helpline is a confidential independent helpline available to all colleagues who wish to report misconduct or obtain advice on what to do when in doubt. The helpline is managed by an external provider and is available 24/7 by phone, through a web form and a mobile application. It offers the possibility to report in complete anonymity. The High Commissioner and other senior managers have consistently and strongly encouraged victims to speak out and underscored the mandatory obligation for all colleagues to report on situations or interactions that may give rise to concerns of sexual exploitation or abuse. Information on disciplinary measures taken is shared with all colleagues. We firmly believe this information, together with a robust follow-up on allegations, helps inspire confidence in the system and demonstrating accountability in action. UNHCRs policy on Protection against Retaliation includes our affiliate workforce, has a wide scope of activities considered as protected and extends the timeline to report. It also provides interim measures to safeguard the interests of the complainant and strengthens corrective measures. We are also strengthening survivor and witness protection, which we recognize is difficult in certain contexts in which we work. Psychosocial and medical support is made available, along with interventions to facilitate reintegration within the community. Investigations and disciplinary actions In recent years, we have strengthened the capacity and expertise of our investigative and disciplinary processes, to ensure timely and effective handling of sexual misconduct cases, which is crucial to ensure accountability. Sexual misconduct cases are prioritized in both the investigatory and disciplinary processes. UNHCRs Office of the Inspector General (IGO) is an independent internal body responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct that involve people or entities with a direct contractual link with UNHCR. The IGO is staffed with professional investigators, including senior female investigators, who all have previous and extensive experience in the police or the military, or who worked for international tribunals or in similar functions for other international organizations. Investigators have received a specific training on how to handle sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment cases. The IGO also provides training to our field operations to raise awareness of procedures, build confidence in the system and share best practices. It also provides training on sexual misconduct to our partners. UNHCR also has a dedicated team of professional lawyers in its Legal Affairs Service, including employment law specialists who are experienced in advising on sexual misconduct. Following investigation, if the allegations are substantiated, UNHCR personnel found to have engaged in sexual exploitation and abuse have their employment terminated, in line with our zero tolerance approach. Perpetrators of sexual harassment are also normally separated from service. We work closely with the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations in New York to ensure that credible allegations of sexual misconduct that may amount to criminal conduct are referred to the national authorities for criminal prosecution. The United Nations systematically cooperates with national authorities on referrals, including through appropriate waivers of immunity of UN personnel. Both UNHCR and the UN Office of Legal Affairs regularly follow up on the status of cases referred to national authorities. Vetting and reference checking In terms of vetting and reference checking, we have taken new measures, both internally and through interagency efforts, to ensure that perpetrators cannot move within the organization or from one organization to another. We were among the first agencies to roll out the United Nations Clear Check trackers, launched in June 2018, and have undertaken a mapping of vetting mechanisms with a view to improving our own internal processes. We have amended our recruitment form to include specific questions on misconduct and self-certification that allows us to sanction anyone trying to misrepresent him/herself. So far this year, UNHCR has received 19 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse involving its personnel. Additional information on the number of allegations in previous years, their status and the related investigations can be found here. In 2021, UNHCR has dismissed four personnel on grounds of sexual exploitation and abuse (as of November). In one other case, sexual exploitation and abuse was established, and the individual separated prior to completion of the disciplinary process; the individual has been recorded in the UN Clear check database to prevent their re-hire in any UN entity. In 2020, UNHCR dismissed two personnel on grounds of sexual exploitation and abuse. In two other cases, SEA was established, and the individuals left the organization prior to completion of the disciplinary process; they have both been recorded in the UN Clear check database to prevent their re-hire in any UN entity. In 2019, one case was substantiated but the disciplinary process was not completed as the contract of the UNHCR personnel expired. This case was registered in the UN Clear check database to avoid this person being rehired in any UN entity. In addition, three members of our workforce left the organization before the allegations were received, and therefore an investigation was not possible. A note has been placed in their personnel file. So far this year, UNHCR has received 87 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse involving its implementing partner personnel. Additional information on previous years, the status of various SEA allegations and the investigations involving the personnel our implementing partners can be found here. UNHCR also received 83 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse involving its implementing partner personnel in 2018, 95 in 2019 and 53 allegations between 1 January and 30 June 2020. Additional information on the status of various SEA allegations and investigations involving members of the personnel our implementing partners can be found here. Note: these statistics change on a regular basis as the investigative and disciplinary processes continue. Working in Partnership UNHCR is fully committed to working in partnership to eradicate sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment. We have a zero tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse by our partners and have embedded robust measures in the management of our relationships with them to address risks and ensure accountability. All Project Partnership Agreements make specific reference to values and standards of professional conduct, and require that procedures are in place to prevent, detect, investigate and report on misconduct, with specific reference to sexual exploitation and abuse. Breaches are grounds for termination of the partnership. We are also actively engaged in the strengthening of their awareness and capacity. Since 2013, UNHCRs Office of the Inspector General has organized more than 14 regional workshops for partners across the world, covering investigations carried out by NGOs, how to report sexual exploitation and abuse, and zero-tolerance. UNHCR is also participating fully in inter-agency efforts to eradicate sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment. This includes participating to the work of the Special Coordinator on Improving the UN Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the Victims Rights Advocate for the United Nations, and the UN Chief Executives Board (CEB) Task Force on Sexual Harassment. UNHCR also co-chairs a task team on sexual exploitation and abuse set up by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), an inter-agency forum for coordination, policy development and decision-making involving key UN and non-UN humanitarian partners. Since September 2019, the High Commissioner has been the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Champion on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment. Recent key achievements under the High Commissioners Championship include: The establishment of a community outreach and communications fund: UNHCR and the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) launched an Interagency Community Outreach and Communications Fund on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in April 2020. The fund provides support to smaller nongovernmental organizations (with over 1,600 applications received) with developing information, education and communications materials to raise communityawareness and ensure that victims know where, and how, to safely report incidents. UNHCR and the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) launched an Interagency Community Outreach and Communications Fund on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in April 2020. The fund provides support to smaller nongovernmental organizations (with over 1,600 applications received) with developing information, education and communications materials to raise communityawareness and ensure that victims know where, and how, to safely report incidents. The development of an interagency training for partners on protection from sexual misconduct: UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Food Programme, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and other partners, have jointly developed a learning package, Saying NO to Sexual Misconduct, and was launched in May 2020. Find out more on his three key priorities to help strengthen the fight against sexual misconduct. 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Changes to the policy will apply from the date they are posted on our site and shall not apply retroactively. Our dedicated personnel work in 132 countries around the world, from major capitals to remote and often dangerous locations. Wherever refugees arrive, we work closely with governments to ensure the 1951 Refugee Convention is honoured. Just over ten per cent of our personnel are based at our Geneva headquarters. Along with the Global Service Centres in Budapest, Copenhagen and Amman, these people provide support for the rest of UNHCR, including key administrative functions. Nearly 90 per cent of our workforce is based in the field, assisting the most vulnerable victims of displacement. Together, as a team, they work hard to help the world's displaced. Browse country pages: UNHCR and its partners are ready to stay and deliver in Yemen. People across the country are fighting for their survival between COVID-19 and a brutal conflict that has left them hungry, without access to medical care, and living in dire conditions. The time is now, more than ever, to save lives with your help. Jean-Nicolas Beuze, UNHCR Representative to Yemen Fighting in Yemen, already one of the poorest countries in the Middle East, has severely compounded needs arising from long years of poverty and insecurity. The worsening violence has disrupted millions of lives, resulting in widespread casualties and massive displacement, and the situation is rapidly deteriorating. Civilians bear the brunt of the crisis, with more than 20 million Yemenis now in need of humanitarian assistance. Those forced to flee their homes are especially at risk. More than 4 million people now languish in desperate conditions, away from home and deprived of basic needs. The risk of a large-scale famine in the country has never been more acute. Tens of thousands are already living in famine-like conditions, with a staggering 5 million more just one step away from it. Displaced families are four times more at risk of famine than the rest of the Yemeni population. Yemen is facing a humanitarian catastrophe. Without help, many more lives will be lost to violence, treatable illnesses or lack of food, water and shelter. What is UNHCR doing to help? We provide life-saving aid to displaced Yemenis, as well as to refugees and asylum-seekers, across the country. Under the humanitarian coordination system in Yemen, we lead in the provision of protection, shelter and non-food items. We provide cash assistance for displaced people to cover their most urgent needs such as food and medicine, emergency shelter, and core relief items such as mattresses, blankets, sleeping mats, kitchen sets, solar lamps and more to help those displaced and most vulnerable. Our assistance reaches people in need in all 20 governorates affected by the conflict. Our shelter kits, mats and plastic sheets help families repair homes damaged in the conflict and provide some privacy and protection to those living in collective buildings. We support health facilities that serve refugees, asylum-seekers and Yemenis affected by violence, and we work to prevent and control the spread of cholera, which has arisen as a result of the conflict. As well as helping protect families against COVID-19 by distributing hygiene kits and providing safety information across the country. We provide legal and cash assistance as well as psycho-social support to help those affected by the war, along with a wide range of protection services such as prevention of gender-based violence and specific interventions focusing on women and children. We also continue to protect and support more than 137,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mainly from the Horn of Africa, who remain in Yemen despite the conflict and are particularly at risk. However, limited funding for our work in Yemen means we are not able to fully address these massive needs, limiting our capacity to provide life-saving relief. More information: Data on arrivals from Yemen in other countries Yemen latest updates The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine are at stake, Poroshenko said. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has commented on Putin's statement, which called the Ukrainian side and personally the head of state guilty of provoking an incident in the Kerch Strait to distract Ukrainians from the decreasing popularity of the president and postpone the presidential election date. "There is no evidence that this is my attempt to deliberately provoke a crisis to influence the electoral process. This is not the issue of my popularity on the eve of voting at all. Unfortunately, at the moment, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine are at stake. The only way out of the situation is that Putin must leave our country and leave us alone," Poroshenko said in an interview to the Italian daily Corriera della Sera, according to the president's press service. Read alsoMerkel, Putin agree to more four-way talks on Kerch Strait tension Reuters He stressed Ukraine was a victim of Russia's long-term military aggression. "Russians keep hundreds of planes and tanks ready near our borders. Our requirements are well known, we have formulated them together with France and Germany. We call for compliance with the Minsk agreements and guarantees of a lasting ceasefire. We call on the United Nations 'blue helmets,' as peacekeeping forces, to enter the buffer zone in the occupied regions. We call for the release of our prisoners of war," the president said. Poroshenko stressed that instead of responding positively to Ukraine's calls, Moscow decided to increase tension. "For the first time since the beginning of aggression in 2014, Russian soldiers openly act in our captured territories with the purpose of annexation of the entire territory of Ukraine and destruction of the entire state apparatus," he said. Trudeau says Putin did not have an opportunity to respond to his remarks during the meeting of leaders. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Ukrainian sailors who have been taken prisoner. Trudeau says he raised his concerns during the G20 Summit about Russia's actions that resulted in the seizure of three Ukrainian naval vessels near Crimea, according to The Star. Read alsoMerkel, Putin agree to more four-way talks on Kerch Strait tension Reuters He says Putin did not have an opportunity to respond to his remarks during the meeting of leaders. The prime minister says he also spoke directly with Saudi Arabia's crown prince on the margins of a dinner last night in which he discussed the diplomatic discord that has been happening between Canada and the kingdom. He says Canada will always stand up strongly for human rights. Trudeau says frank and direct conversations with leaders is better than not talking. The president stressed that concrete steps should be taken to stop Russian aggression. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said Russian President Vladimir Putin threatens NATO's eastern borders. "At present the tension in the Sea of Azov has attracted the attention of the international community, but at the same time Russian fighter planes violate Ukrainian airspace in different parts of the border and in the Baltic States. They are also preparing to take air control of the territory where gas and oil pipelines pass through delivering hydrocarbons to Europe. Putin threatens NATO's eastern borders. If you remain silent, Putin will know that he can continue to expand and gain new benefits," the Head of State stressed," Poroshenko said in an interview to the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, according to the presidential press service. Read alsoPoroshenko comments on Putin's accusations of provoking incident in Kerch Strait Poroshenko noted a solid European position and demand for the Kremlin to adhere to international law. In particular, the requirement for Russia to release Ukrainian seamen and guarantee free navigation in the waters of the Kerch Strait. "I am convinced that the time of general political declarations has already passed. If we want to normalize the situation, it's necessary to tell the Moscow authorities directly: the aggression against Europe is unacceptable, the new incident will not be tolerated and the next aggressive action will only increase the price to be paid by Moscow," the president answered about his attitude towards growing sympathy for Putin in some European, in particular, Italian political circles. The president stressed that concrete steps should be taken to stop Russian aggression, such as "blocking the Nord Stream 2 project, strengthening NATO's presence in the Black Sea, introducing new sanctions against those responsible for the crisis in the Azov Sea, forbidding Russian ships from entering the European ports, supporting Ukraine in the political, economic and military spheres." "We have repeatedly warned against those who flirt and blindly dance with Putin in Europe, noting that this will only provoke a new Russian attack on the world order, freedom and the core values of European democracy itself. The waiting time ended with an attack on Ukrainian ships and the arrest of 24 Ukrainian sailors," he said. Poroshenko also stresses that there are two million people in Crimea who are terrorized by repressions, in Donbas there are more than 11,000 dead over the past 4 years and 1.5 million displaced persons. "One must understand that Ukraine is actually under a military attack. Our independence is threatened, and the whole system of European security is threatened with it. Will there be new attacks? Should we continue to feed the beast that attacks us? And for all those who are still hesitating, I want to repeat my appeal to visit Donbas. Unlike Russians, Ukrainians have nothing to hide," he said. Poroshenko emphasizes that Ukrainians never wanted to intensify the crisis. "The clashes in the Kerch Strait were planned in Moscow. After the invasion of Donbas and aggression in Crimea, now they want to take the Azov Sea, force us out and take more our territories. Those who allow themselves to be misled by Kremlin propaganda are naive," the president said. He thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his decision not to meet with Putin at the G20 summit. "Now the Russian leader is in isolation. I am also grateful for the actions of Mrs. Merkel to curb the expansion of Moscow. But this does not mean that Russians will not continue their invasion policy," he added. Poroshenko stressed that Ukraine has always been actively seeking ways of diplomatic solution of the situation in opposition to any military decision. "But Russians themselves are taking away, occupying our regions, haunting the Ukrainian population. Russian military boots have been walking for a long time on our lands," he said. Captured Ukrainian Navy men have the status of prisoners of war and fall under the protection of the Third Geneva Convention. Captured Ukrainian Navy men have the status of prisoners of war (POWs), according to Gunduz Mamedov, Ukraine's chief prosecutor for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, which territory was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. The law of international conflicts, in particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of 1949 (Third Geneva Convention) must be applied on the territory of Crimea, the prosecutor stresses, according to the Information Resistance OSINT community. "Captured Ukrainian Navy men have the status of prisoners of war and fall under the protection of the Third Geneva Convention," he believes. Read alsoTrudeau demands Putin release imprisoned Ukrainian sailors at G20 media According to the official, Russia is obliged to comply with the relevant norms of international humanitarian law when dealing with Ukrainian Navy men. The Third Geneva Convention lays down in detail the procedure for the treatment of POWs. "Captivity is not a form of punishment. It is applied to combatants in order to prevent their further participation in an armed conflict by temporarily imprisoning them," the prosecutor says. Thus, prisoners of war cannot be charged for the mere fact of their participation in an armed conflict. Also, Russia has to inform Ukraine and the International Committee of the Red Cross about all actions committed in relation to Ukrainian Navy men as POWs, and allows ICRC representatives to visit them. "Prisoners of war remain military servicemen, and the invader state must respect their honor and dignity. They are allowed to wear military insignia and save their rank. The murder, inhuman treatment of prisoners of war and any moral or physical pressure on POWs to force them into pleading guilty of crimes are accused serious violations of international humanitarian law. In addition, seriously ill and wounded prisoners of war must be returned to their own or neutral state," Mamedov said. "Is the invader state aware of this?" Definitely. Are they treating our sailors as prisoners of war? According to our information, they aren't," the prosecutor stressed. According to Mamedov, the actions of the invader state, which are aimed to lead Ukrainian Navy men to criminal responsibility for a crime that they did not commit (namely, "the illegal crossing the state border of the Russian Federation"), is a deprivation of their right for fair and impartial trial. This is a serious violation of laws and customs of war under Article 130 of the Third Geneva Convention. Mattis said the United States would take whatever steps were necessary to defend American democracy. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis accused Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday of being a "slow learner" who again tried to meddle in U.S. elections in November, adding that he had no trust in the Russian leader. The remarks by Mattis at a security forum in California came a day after President Donald Trump held informal talks with Putin on the sidelines of the Group of 20 industrialized nations meeting in Argentina. Trump had scrapped a more formal meeting with Putin, citing Russia's treatment of Ukraine, Reuters reported. Read alsoTrudeau demands Putin release imprisoned Ukrainian sailors at G20 media Asked if U.S.-Russian ties had become more strained since he took over the Pentagon last year after Trump became president, Mattis said, "There's no doubt the relationship has worsened." "(Putin) tried again to muck around in our elections this last month. And we are seeing a continued effort along those lines," Mattis said, adding that the United States would take whatever steps were necessary to defend American democracy. Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian naval vessels last weekend and seized them and their crew near Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Mattis said those actions underscored why the international community was increasingly distrustful of Moscow. "Mr. Putin is clearly a slow learner. He is not recognizing that what he is doing is actually creating an animosity against his people," Mattis said. "What we are seeing Putin do with his ripping up of international agreements... we're dealing with someone that we simply cannot trust," the Pentagon chief added. Four hundred and forty-one students graduated in Nursing, MBBS, BDS and other Health Sciences disciplines from the prestigious Aga Khan University on Saturday. ISLAMABAD,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Dec, 2018 ) :Four hundred and forty-one students graduated in Nursing, MBBS, BDS and other Health Sciences disciplines from the prestigious Aga Khan University on Saturday. Addressing the convocation ceremony, AKUH President Firoz Rasul said, "This year's ceremony is especially significant as it marks 35 years since the university was founded," a private news channel reported. "So far, 15,000 students, including 10,000 women, have graduated from AKUH in the fields of education, nursing, medicine and others," he added. The university president further said, "The AKUH has contributed $1 billion annually in Pakistan's economy and has made research in several disciplines of medicine. "The chief guest at the convocation, Kashf Foundation Founder and Managing Director Roshaneh Zafar extended her congratulations to the graduating class and encouraged them to continue their quest for knowledge through the experience of serving others. In 1983, His Highness the Aga Khan, founder and chancellor accepted the charter of the University. So far, the university has grown to include five campuses and three teaching sites in three continents namely Asia, Europe and Africa. (@ChaudhryMAli88) BEIJING, Dec 2 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Dec, 2018 ) :Pakistani manufacturers, businessmen, and traders should display their food products at various trade exhibitions in China to enhance export, Shamsul islam Khan, Member Managing Committee, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said. "China with a population of around 1.4 billion is the world's largest importer of grain, cotton, rice, sugar, meat, and milk and our businessmen should display these products at various exhibitions to enhance export of these items to China, " he told APP here. Shamsul Islam who was currently visiting China to explore further business prospects pointed out that rice was one-third of Pakistan's total agriculture export and Pakistani traders could target the Chinese market for non-basmati type rice. Expecting a substantial increase in export of rice to China after the free trade agreement between the two countries, he proposed that Pakistan should pay attention for the value addition of its agricultural products to increase its exports. Shamsul Islam said the export of fruits could also be enhanced to China. Most prominent among these was a citrus variant known as kinnow which hit a record high export figure in the 2017-18 Season."We have a capacity of exporting 50,000 to 80,000 tons of kinnow to China in the next few years." About the export of Mangoes, he said this fruit revered as the king of fruits in Pakistan, and its export to China could be enhanced. About the prospect of seafood to China, he pointed out that seafood consumption among the Chinese people was very high and Pakistan could take advantage to increase its export to China. He said there were only a few outlets of Pakistani food in China and asked the Pakistani businessmen to come forward and open Pakistani restaurants in different cities of China to introduce Pakistani high-quality cuisine which was already very popular all over the world. He also suggested opening of shops and stores in different cities of China to display and introduce Pakistan-made commodities to make Pakistan's product more popular among the common citizens in China. About the China Import Expo held in Shanghai, he hoped Pakistan export to China would increase substantially. "Being a market economy, the Chinese government can encourage traders and businessmen to import from Pakistan, but as for what to import and how much to import, it would mainly be determined by the market and it is also closely related to the promotion of Pakistan products," he added. Pakistan, as a country of honour, had set up a pavilion at the expo and displayed its main products and highlighted the development process and achievements in science and technology, information technology and other areas. According to the statistics, China mainly exports raw materials, computers, telecommunication equipment, trucks, chemicals, medical equipment, plastic and rubber products, textiles and household appliances to Pakistan. While Pakistan's shipments to China include minerals, cement, optical and medical equipment and accessories, garments and agricultural products. (@mahnoorsheikh03) The family didnt like Marina and Salman meeting and taking a picture together. Lahore (Point News 2nd December, 2018) The incidents of selfie deaths often surface but in a fresh incident, a couple was killed for taking selfie together. According to details, Marina, a resident of Karachis Qasba Colony, was the maternal cousin of Swats Salman. When both met at some place, they snapped a selfie together. However, the same selfie became the cause of their death as the family didnt like them meeting and taking a picture together. The father and grandfather of the girl killed Marina by poisoning her while the accused had locked her mother before murdering her. On the other hand, Salman was killed in Swat. The murder was initially presented as a suicide case. However, the police later found out about the murder. The police, after registering a case against the accused over the report of Marinas mother, have arrested them. The application to conduct the post-mortem of the girls body has been given to the court. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has called for utilizing abundant resources of hydro power generation for reviving economic and development activities in the province. PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Dec, 2018 ) : Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has called for utilizing abundant resources of hydro power generation for reviving economic and development activities in the province. He is under tremendous nation obligations to serve the poor segment of the society. "His government was going all out to give relief to the people in all social sectors", he added. He was presiding over a high level meeting which was attended by Federal Minister for Energy Umer Ayub, Provincial Minister Akbar Ayub, Advisor to CM on Energy Himayat Ullah, Secretary Energy, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Chief PESCO and others at Chief Minister House Peshawar. The meeting focused on the infrastructure development, the under utilization of the existing system, wheeling of electricity, nomination of board's members through consultation with the provincial government and the six month widow available to the PESCO for the upgradation of system, the connectivity of already available electricity to the national grid, the overbilling, the shift in policy for the consumption of electricity produced in the local areas both for the domestic and industrial consumption locally and the project of waste to energy conversion. The meeting thoroughly discussed these issues and agreed to settle them both by energy and planning division at federal level. Mahmood Khan asked the Federal Minister to work out a mechanism that could facilitate the provision of already available power to be used by the province both for the twin purpose of domestic use, industrial growth, trade and commercial activities at local level. The Malakand-III project and others of the likes could be run on these lines. The locally produced electricity could be extended to Malakand and other areas where the WAPDA could not lay down the transmission lines to connect these power stations to the national grid. The priority should stay for the provision of locally produced electricity for consumption at local level, he added. Chief Minister said that he had discussed the issues of the province with the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan with focus on giving relief to the people and upgrading both the infrastructure and system of electricity. The province, he added, has the capacity to generate beyond the required amount of electricity for the whole of the country. He had already informed him of the crises and the issues confronted the province adding that the production of electricity would yield three dimensional benefits for the province and the people that he said including that the electricity production would boost industrialization and business activities, bring productivity to the agriculture sector largely concentrated in the rural areas and would generate maximum job opportunities for the youth. He said that his government wanted the stability and consistency in the growth at rural level to trap the majority portion of the population for contributing in the productive sectors and strengthening the local economies. Mahmood Khan said that the Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed him and the Federal Minister for Energy to work out a mechanism as how to give relief to the poor which should be the centre of all governmental activities and how to effectively discourage power theft and emancipate the people from overbilling. The Federal Government would go an extra yard to resolve these issues on priority basis. He thanked the Prime Minister Imran Khan for his keenness in resolving the longstanding issues of the province especially the progress on outstanding dues on net hydel power generation and also appreciated the federal government for his commitment to resolve the problems of the province as expeditiously as possible. The Federal Minister assured all out support to the provincial government in the system's upgradation, improved transmission lines, the evacuation of generated power, holding of a meeting of all stakeholders to find out permanent solution to all outstanding issues. He also talked about the federal government plan for the energy corridor including Basha Dam, Dasu Dam, Swat, Chitral and Hazara and the interconnectivity of the whole system. The federal minister stated that he was tasked by the Prime Minister to settle all issues of the province as expeditiously as possible. The meeting informed the Federal Minister about the provincial government representation at different forums both of power generation and gas. He was further informed about the waste to energy conversion project that the meeting endorsed was absolutely in line with the vision of the Prime Minister for green and clean Pakistan. ISLAMABAD, Dec 2 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Dec, 2018 ) :Launch of ten new passenger trains, increase number of freight trains, 90 percent of punctuality trains improved, adding of around 20 million passengers in the system and other positive steps by the department was a milestone achievements of Ministry of Railways in 100-day of the present government. "This is all done due to the restless efforts of the management of the Pakistan Railways under the leadership of Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid," an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP. He said that Sheikh Rashid Ahmed had announced to run around 10 new passenger trains on different routes during the initial 100 days and the department has successfully achieved the target even before the completion of the given timeframe. The performance report of Ministry of Railways Ministry of 100-day had been presented to Prime Minister Imran Khan in which as many as 18 major initiatives were elaborated, he added. Giving details of the achievements, he said that in the report, Pakistan Railways had initiated the process for hiring around 10,000 new technical and non- technical staffer to improve the performance of the organization. He said the electricity supply system of the Railway Colonies across the country was handing over to Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) that save billion of rupees annually. The department privatized the operation of schools and hospitals run by the Pakistan Railways to cut the financial burden on the department and the auction of 10 thousands obsolete bogies of goods trains also helped the Railways to generate additional income, he said. He said that Gwadar was given the status of Railways Division and disbanding the Vigilance Cell for saving precious resources besides repatriating 350 employees to their parent departments. C:sra/P:sra/L:srb/R:srb (@mahnoorsheikh03) Qureshi said that his comments are being misrepresented. Lahore (Point News 2nd December, 2018) The Twitter war between Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers does not seem to come to a stop as Shah Mehmood Qureshi gave a befitting response to his Indian counterpart in his recent tweets. Taking to Twitter, Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj had referred to the opening of Kartarpur Border as Googlies. In her tweet, 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'. /1 In her second tweet, the Indian foreign minister wrote, 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 Taking a dig at Swaraj, Qureshi also responded on Twitter saying that his comments are being misrepresented. Dragging my comment towards "Sikh sentiments" is a deliberate attempt to misrepresent & mislead. What I said was strictly with ref to bilat.interaction with the Indian Govt. We have deep respect for Sikh sentiments & no amount of distortions or controversies would change it, the Pakistani foreign minister said. In deference to the long-standing desires of our Sikh brethren, we decided to open the Kartarpur Corridor. We have taken this historic initiative in good faith and will carry it forward in good faith, he added. Three-day 4th CAC Pakistan Summit and Exhibition will be held here at Expo Centre from Dec 3. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Dec, 2018 ) :Three-day 4th CAC Pakistan Summit and Exhibition will be held here at Expo Centre from Dec 3. Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Almas Hyder, Senior Vice President Khawaja Shahzad Nasir, Vice President Fahim-ur-Rehman Saigal confirmed here Saturday that over 50 stalls of the exhibition had been booked by major companies of Pakistan and China related to agriculture and its sub-sectors. The companies, they said, would exhibit state-of-the-art technologies and solutions to improve productivity of agro-based commodities and to keep the crops free of hazards. These companies would also display their range of products to visiting importers, distributors and farmers from Pakistan and neighbouring countries, they added. The LCCI office-bearers said that Pakistan was an agrarian economy but it lag far behind in terms of obtaining the desired level of knowledge and ways to combat with potential threats to its food and cash crops existing in the form of pests, unnecessary herbs and scarcity of water. They said that CAC Pakistan promised to display and convince the use of modern technologies developed over the period of time through research and development in the field of agriculture. The CAC Pakistan would also provide a joint forum to government officials and industry professionals to highlight the benefits of using pesticides, fertilizers, processed seeds, latest yet affordable agri-equipment and machinery. They said that there lies an immense potential of agro-chemicals in Pakistan which must be utilized on priority basis. Agro-chemicals had contributed significantly in raising agricultural yield and there was still a room to bring improvement in this sector. Meanwhile, Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) Chairman Javed Saleem Qureshi said, "We are very glad to coordinate with CAC which sets up world's largest agro-chemical trading platform in China every year with most updated policies, products, technologies and market dynamics." He mentioned that CAC had broadened its network by exhibiting in Europe, Brazil and other important destination of world and it would first time be holding such kind of exhibition and summit in South Asia. "We are happy that Pakistan is taking this lead to hold this important exhibition in collaboration with CAC," he maintained. While, an agri expert Muhammad Nadeem Qureshi said, "We expect great results from this exhibition that will prove to be a perfect beginning in the right direction to bring greater fortunes to Pakistan." LCCI office-bearers said that Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar had been invited to the exhibition as chief guest. High government officials, and a large number of local and foreign visitors would participate actively in the summit and exhibition. PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) :President Dr Arif Alvi Friday said the time had come to complete the process of merger of erstwhile Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) so its benefits should trickle down to the common tribal people at the earliest. The president lauded the tribal people for their services which they were rendering for the defence of motherland. He expressed these views during a briefing on FATA's merger into KP here at the Governor House. KP Governor Shah Farman, Speaker KP Assembly Mushtaq Ghani, Senior Minister Atif Khan, Provincial Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai, Minister Forest Ishtaiq Urmar, Minister Law Sultan Mohammad Khan, Chief Secretary Naveed Kamran Baloch and ACS FATA Capt (R) Sikandar Qayum also attended the briefing. Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai told media persons that Dr Alvi was briefed in detail about legal and administrative affairs of FATA's merger plan. The president was told that the Levis Force and Khasadar would remain intact after the merger of FATA. He was informed that the elections for provincial assembly seats from tribal districts would be held before May 2019 as delimitation of Constituencies was underway, which would likely to be completed by end of December this year. The president was further informed that a nine-member committee of the KP Cabinet had been constituted for outlining administrative structure of the proposed merger. The committee would present its report to the cabinet within 15 days. The president on the occasion said investors should take benefit of the incentive of five-year exemption in tax for establishment of industrial units in tribal districts. Earlier, the president was also briefed in detail about the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project, which would be completed by April 2019. The project comprises 68-kilometer long feeder routes where 230 buses will ply to serve commuters. The president appreciated the project and hoped that it provide quality travelling facilities to the people. He directed for its early completion. (@rukhshanmir) ISLAMABAD, Dec 2 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Dec, 2018 ) :Sui NorthernGasPipelines Limited (SNGPL) has advised its consumer to avoid using compressor for increasing the gas pressure as it was an illegal act and besides posing serious threats for precious human lives and public property. Spokesperson of the SNGPL while talking to APP asked the consumers to use gas-efficient devices and uninterrupted supply of gas to domestic consumers was the top priority of the government. "Consumer should also install quality gasappliances with proper fittings, avoiding rubber pipes, as it would help curtail their utility bills, ensure safety and save the commodity for its judicious use by all consumers," he added. "The recently held meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet had also decided that there would be no gas load shedding during the current winter season," he reminded. He said the meeting had also allowed Sui Northern Gas Pipeline (SNGPL) to utilize RLNG in the system for consumption by domestic and commercial consumers, to manage the load. SNGPL has advised its consumers to ensure avoiding excessive use ofgasappliances aimed at maintaining smoothgasflow in transmission lines and ensuring regular supply till the tail-end. Commenting on the reports of lowgaspressure complaints being faced by residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in different localities the spokesman said the company was fully aware of the problems being faced by the consumers and its technical teams were busy around the clock to address the lowgaspressure complaints and raiding the premises where compressors were installed to get the increased flow. He said SNGPL General Manager Rawalpindi Region had set up a special compliant center and constituted special teams to facilitate consumers and redress their complaints instantly. Sharing the province-wise data, he said, Punjab is producing 119 million cubic feet of gas (mmcfd) and getting 1,000 mmcfd, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is producing 411 mmcfd and getting 296 mmcfd, Sindh is producing 2,320 mmcfd against consumption of 1,696 mmcfd and Balochistan is producing 467 mmcfd against demand for 292 mmcfd. C:zah/P:zah/L:rkk/E:rkk/I:mka/R:mka (@ChaudhryMAli88) Jakarta, Dec 1 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Dec, 2018 ) :A deep 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in eastern Indonesia Saturday night, US seismologists said, but no tsunami warning was issued. The quake hit in the sea in southwest Indonesia, about 130 kilometres (80 miles northeast of the city Tiakur at 10:27 pm (0127 GMT), at a depth of 140 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey. The national disaster agency said the quake was felt weakly in Tiakur for about three to five seconds. "There are no damages and casualties," national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told AFP. The area is often hit by quakes, but the epicentre is deep, Nugroho added. The quake was also felt in Dili, the capital city of neighbouring country Timor-Leste which lies about 370 kilometres from the epicentre. "People immediately started running while screaming 'Quake!' and informing one another by hitting the electricity pole as a quake warning sign," Dili resident Dion Chatulessy told AFP. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. An earthquake struck the country's western Aceh province in December 2016, killing more than 100 people, injuring many more and leaving tens of thousands homeless. Last September, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 with a thousand more declared missing. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd December, 2018) Houthi militants have captured an employee of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the embattled port city of Al Hudaydah, Yemeni Minister of Information Moammar Eryani said on Sunday. "The Houthi militia in the city of Al Hudaydah has detained Muhammad Shaybani, a specialist of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights," the minister wrote on Twitter. The international community and the UN special envoy for Yemen are calling for a decisive position on the actions of the Houthis, he added. Yemen has been engulfed in an armed conflict between the government forces led by President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi and the Houthi rebels for several years. The Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis at Hadi's request since March 2015. The UN-led attempts to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict have not succeeded so far. The fighting has recently intensified near the Houthis-controlled city of Al Hudaydah, through which the rebels receives humanitarian and commercial cargoes. The Yemeni government, in turn, claims that the port city is receiving weapons from Iran through the port. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd December, 2018) Kiev's decision to ban foreign journalists from entering the territory of Crimea and Donbas shows how far Ukraine is today is from democratic norms on freedom of the media and their right to convey an alternative point of view on what is happening to their audience, Russian Union of Journalists Secretary Timur Shafir told Sputnik on Sunday. On Friday, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Information Policy of Ukraine, Emine Dzhaparova, said that entry into the Crimea and the Donbas for foreign journalists is prohibited for the period of martial law. Later, the ministry updated the requirements for Kiev's approval for foreign journalists' visit to the Crimea, which include a passport and a special one-time permit. "In this situation, it's not possible to say that the ruling Ukrainian regime is committed to European and democratic norms on freedom of the media, their movement and their right to convey an alternative point of view to the audience," Shafir said. Against this background, Dzhaparova's hopes for understanding from foreign colleagues, and that it would not affect the coverage of Ukrainian issues, sound cynical, he added. "The situation is absolutely clear and very sad," Shafir said. He noted that the issue of banning foreign journalists from visiting the territory of Donbas should not be considered outside the context of everything that has been recently happening on the territory of Ukraine as a whole. "The situation with the introduction of a state of emergency in certain regions of the country, giving rise to such measures, has long and sharply been discussed in the world media, and almost all discussions reduce this issue to the upcoming presidential elections, the prospects of victory in which for most candidates, including the incumbent president, is very vague," Shafir concluded. Early this week, Kiev introduced martial law for 30 days in the regions bordering with Russia and along the shores of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Ukraine also imposed restrictions on the entry of male Russians aged 16 to 60. In addition, Ukrainian security officials said that entry into the territory of the two breakaway republics in Donbas was closed to foreign nationals with the exception of representatives of the Red Cross, the UN and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Crimea rejoined Russia in 2014 after 97 percent of the peninsula's residents voted in favor of the move in a referendum. The reunification was not recognized by Ukraine or Western states, which subsequently imposed economic and political sanctions on Moscow. Russia has repeatedly stated that the referendum was conducted in compliance with international law. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd December, 2018) At least 37 militants of the Taliban movement have been killed and a number of others suffered injuries in the southern Afghan Kandahar province after their own bomb-laden armored vehicle suddenly exploded, local media reported on Sunday, citing officials. According to the Khaama Press News Agency, the incident took place near the province's Maruf district, bordering on Pakistan. A spokesman for the provincial governor said that the Taliban militants were planning to launch an attack against Afghan military, using an Armored Personnel Carrier packed with those very explosives, the outlet reported. The Taliban has refuted the reports, claiming that there was no such incident at all, the news outlet said. Afghanistan has long been struggling to achieve stability in the country, especially in the terms of security. The Taliban movement has been one of the major forces opposing Kabul, as its militants seized power in the country in 1996 before being overthrown in 2001 only to continue fighting the government as insurgents. (@rukhshanmir) SEOUL, Dec 2 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Dec, 2018 ) /APP):The Royal Netherlands Air Force has picked samsung Electronics Co.'s Galaxy S9 Enterprise Edition as the official smart phone for its employees, the company said Sunday. In late November, the Dutch air force deployed the Samsung smart phone for 6,000 of its employees. Samsung will provide free security update services for the enterprise version for four years, the company said in a statement. The Netherlands Air Force focuses on information-driven action. This goal has made the air force decide to provide every employee in the air force with a smart phone in the form of a Samsung Galaxy S9, an air force official said in the statement. Samsung launched the Galaxy S9 Enterprise Edition earlier this year to satisfy the needs of corporate customers. The A8 Enterprise Edition model is also available, Samsung said. Niamey, Dec 2 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Dec, 2018 ) :A Niger customs official was killed in an attack by insurgents in a southwestern region bordering Burkina Faso and placed under a state of emergency last week, authorities said Sunday. Finance Minister Hassoumi Massoudou, speaking as the body of the victim was transferred to a Niamey morgue, decried what he termed a "barbarous, armed attack" on a police post in the southwestern town of Tera. "Armed men who we suspect of being terrorists... attacked the Tera police post around 9 pm (2000 GMT)," a local councillor told AFP, adding that the town also hosts a customs unit. The councillor added the assailants "came to try to free one of their comrades" who security forces had detained and who according to private broadcaster Saraounia was injured in Friday's attack. The attack came the very day the government had placed three southwestern departments bordering Burkina Faso -- including Tera -- under a state of emergency after a spate of "terrorist" attacks. The area across the Burkinabe border has regularly been the scene of attacks by jihadists in recent months and late October saw a large-scale deployment of troops in the zone to try to chase out the insurgents. Two policemen were killed and another wounded in a mid-November attack by alleged jihadists on a police post at Makalondi close to the Burkinabe border some 100 km (60 miles) south west of the capital Niamey. BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd December, 2018) Russia and Argentina signed on Saturday a strategic document on partnership in peaceful use of nuclear energy. The sides exchanged the signed documents in presence of the two presidents, Vladimir Putin and Mauricio Macri. The two governments have also signed an agreement on cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture. The foreign ministries, in turn, have adopted a plan for political consultations. (@FahadShabbir) BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd December, 2018) Russia and Argentina signed on Saturday a strategic document on partnership in peaceful use of nuclear energy. The sides exchanged the signed documents in presence of the two presidents, Vladimir Putin and Mauricio Macri. he two governments have also signed an agreement on cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture. The foreign ministries, in turn, have adopted a plan for political consultations. The two governments have also signed an agreement on cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture, while the foreign ministries of Russia and Argentina have adopted a plan for political consultations. DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd December, 2018) Russian military from the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian Reconciliation have delivered humanitarian aid to injured Syrian soldiers at a military hospital in Aleppo and their families, the center's spokesman, Maj. Gen. Sergei Popov, told reporters on Sunday. "We gave wheelchairs and warm clothes to the Syrian army soldiers who suffered injuries during the armed conflict [in Syria] as well as their relatives. A total of 25 sets have been delivered," the spokesman told reporters. Popov also told medics working at the hospital that the reconciliation center and Russian charity foundations would continue to provide humanitarian aid both to injured Syrian soldiers and their families. Representatives of the Syrian Armed Forces command and the medics thanked the Russian military for paying attention to the injured soldier's problems and for the provided aid. The Russian side has been assisting Syria throughout the war, providing military and humanitarian aid and brokering ceasefire agreements. Damascus has already won back vast territories that had fallen into the hands terrorists and rebels during the war, and the armed conflict itself seems to be nearing its end, which prompted Syria to start the reconstruction process and the repatriation of refugees. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd December, 2018) One Syrian serviceman was killed and one more injured as a result of militants' shelling attack in the province of Hama, head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian reconciliation Lt. Gen. Sergei Solomatin said on Sunday. "Despite the ceasefire, there are still cases of truce violations by illegal armed formations in the Idlib de-escalation zone. Over the past day, terrorists attacked the settlement of Zalaqiyat, Hama province, Jubb al-Mgara, Latakia province, and the Hay al-Ansari district of the city of Aleppo. One Syrian serviceman was killed and one injured as a result of the attack on Zalaqiyat," Solomatin said. According to the Russian official, Damascus continued to work on amnesty for those, who avoided military service, in line with the presidential decree dated November 9. Solomatin noted that 14,221 people had already been granted amnesty as for November 30. Solomatin added that the Russian Center for Syrian reconciliation had carried out two humanitarian actions within last 24 hours in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor and Homs. 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 in Syria. Moscow has also been providing humanitarian aid to residents of the crisis-torn country. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ASHGABAT (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd December, 2018) The Mejlis of Turkmenistan has ratified the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea and a number of related agreements, local media reported on Sunday. According to the TDH news agency, apart from the landmark convention, Turkmen lawmakers also unanimously ratified intergovernmental agreements with other Caspian littoral states on trade cooperation, transport and prevention of dangerous incidents in the Caspian Sea. The status of the oil-and-gas-rich Caspian Sea was regulated by agreements reached between Iran and the Soviet Union until the dissolution of the latter. The new deal on the legal status of the sea among the independent states that emerged after 1991, namely Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan, was signed at the Fifth Caspian Summit in Aktau, Kazakhstan, on 12 August 2018. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd December, 2018) The US military carried out an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants (pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda, banned in Russia) in Somalia having killed nine terrorists, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a statement. "To support the Federal Government of Somalia's continued efforts to degrade al-Shabaab, US forces conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants near Lebede, Somalia on November 30, 2018. We currently assess this airstrike killed nine (9) militants with no civilians involved," the statement said. AFRICOM added that the US forces would continue to use "all effective and appropriate methods" to protect the Somali people, including by conducting joint counter-terror operations with the Somali government, Africa Union Mission in Somalia and Somali National Army forces. Al-Shabaab emerged in Somalia in 2006 and has been responsible for numerous terror attacks throughout the region. The group is known for enforcing a radical version of Sharia law in territories under its control. Phoenix, Arizona (UroToday.com) Dr. Packiam presented his work from Mayo clinic, Rochester, on CG0070, an oncolytic adenovirus, for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC): Final 18-month interim results from a multicenter phase 2 trial.Patients with high-grade BCG-unresponsive NMIBC can experience high rates of disease progression and subsequent mortality (1). Those who refuse radical cystectomy in this setting have limited effective bladder sparing options (2). In fact, Valrubicin, is the only FDA-approved agent for patients with BCG unresponsive NMIBC. It demonstrates an 18% complete response rate at 6 months, which decreases to 10% complete response at 12 months (3).CG0070 is an oncolytic adenovirus (4). It selectively replicates in retinoblastoma pathway defective bladder tumor cells. Adenovirus causes transgene expression of GM-CSF, which causes direct tumor lysis, immune mediated killing from GM-CSF. The current existing data demonstrate that in 2012 a phase 1 trial (4) took place, with 35 patients, showing tolerable confirmation of mechanism of action. A phase 2 study took place in 2017 and the interim analysis demonstrate a 44% complete response rate at 6 months (5), and 30% complete response rate at 12 months (6).The aim of the discussed poster is to assess the safety and efficacy of CG0070 in patients with high risk BCG-unresponsive NMIBC who refused cystectomy. The results presented in this presentation are the final 18-months results from this phase 2 study. For the purpose of this study, high-grade NMIBC patients (Ta, T1, carcinoma in situ [CIS]) were included. All patients received induction BCG (at least 5/6 courses) and 1 maintenance (2 of 3 courses). All patients were also defined as BCG-unresponsive, which meant either BCG-refractory: failure to be disease free 6 months after BCG therapy, or BCG-relapsing: recurrence after disease free status within 24 months. Patients with over 50% of variant histology were excluded from the study.In this trial, patients received 6-weekly instillations with induction, and 6,12, and 18 months maintenance treatments. The primary endpoints were complete response, stable disease, progressive disease, and adverse effects. The secondary endpoints included cystectomy pathology, biomarker expression (pRb, ppRB, CD8+ infiltration).A total of 67 patients were accrued so far with 56 patients having evaluable results at 18 months follow-up. Median age was 72, with males consisting of 81% of the patients. A total of 92% of the patients completed maintenance. The overall complete response rate was 21%. Figure 1 demonstrates the rate of complete response stratified according to pathologic features. 32% of the patients had refractory disease, and 17% had relapsing disease.Figure 1: Complete response rate stratified according to pathologic features:Overall, 92% of the patients reported at least one adverse event during the study. A total of 59 grade 1, 25 grade 2, and 3 grade 3 adverse events were reported. The most common adverse events were genitourinary with bladder spasms, hematuria, and dysuria being most prevalent. Additionally, Influenza-type illness was common (7%), fatigue (4%), and chills (1%).A total of 10 patients underwent radical cystectomy due to stable/progressive disease, and 6 patients had muscle invasive disease. Six patients had non-treatment related deaths.The limitations of the study include a heterogenous population with no control arm. The biomarker data with correlation to the clinical response is still pending.In conclusion, CG0070 adenovirus demonstrates a 21% complete response rate in a NMIBC BCG-unresponsive population after 18 months. 17% and 32% complete response rate was shown in CIS tumors, and BCG-refractory tumors, respectively. The drug related adverse events demonstrate a Clavien grade 3 complication rate of 4.5%. This novel treatment for the NMIBC BCG-unresponsive patients shows considerable promise.Presented By: Vignesh T. Packiam, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MNReferences:Hall et al. J Urol 2007Witjies et al. Eur Urol 2006Steinberg et al J Urol 2000Written by: Hanan Goldberg, MD, Urologic Oncology Fellow, SUO, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, @GoldbergHanan, at the 19th Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), November 28-30, 2018 Phoenix, Arizona Terms Of Use Welcome to the University of Sydney Union. 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Please either return to the home page or use the sitemap below: http://www.usu.edu.au/Sitemap.aspx Page last updated July 2019 A 38-year-old suspect Thisitha Maduranga alias ' Matara Malli' has been arrested yesterday in connection with a robbery of gems and diamonds in Pannipitiya last month. Police said the robbers who were dressed similarly to policemen had entered a house at Araliyapura, Arawwala in Pannipitiya on November 5 and assaulted the owner of the house to rob gems and diamonds. They said a foreign national who was in the house to buy gems and diamonds at the time of the incident had also been kidnapped by the robbers. Matara Malli who is a resident of Rotumba, Matara was arrested by the officials of the Mirihana Special Crimes Investigation Unit near a fuel station at the Maliban Junction, Ratmalana yesterday evening. He would be produced in the Nugegoda Magistrate's Court today.(Darshana Sanjeewa) Brazil's president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, who takes office January 1, 2019, has long criticized government environmental monitoring agencies. (Photo: AFP/Sergio LIMA) Brazil's incoming far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, took a swipe on Saturday at the government's environmental monitoring agencies, warning he would not allow them to impose "fines all over the place." "The party is over," said Bolsonaro, a retired army captain who takes office on January 1. He was speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony at the Agulhas Negras (Black Eagles) military academy outside Rio de Janeiro, where he studied in the 1970s. "I will no longer allow Ibama and ICMBio to be handing out fines all over the place," he said, referring to Brazil's main government environmental protection bureaus. "I want to defend the environment, but not in a Shiite way, as is taking place now," he said. He used the word "Shiite" as a synonym for radical and inflexible. Bolsonaro himself owes Ibama 10,000 reais (us$2,600) for illegally fishing in 2012. The president-elect vowed to pay the fine. "But I am living proof of the bias and bad work of some inspectors of Ibama and ICMBio. This will stop," he said. During the presidential campaign Bolsonaro criticized both government agencies, arguing that environmental protection could not "hinder development" and complaining that agribusiness was being "suffocated" by regulations. A notorious climate change skeptic, Bolsonaro has threatened to withdraw Brazil from the 2015 Paris Agreement to curb global warming. On Saturday he said that he took part in the recent government decision to withdraw Brazil's offer to host the COP25 UN climate conference next year, officially due to "budget constraints." Bolsonaro also reiterated his intention to "integrate Indians into society," saying that he no longer wants to maintain native reservations. "My plan is to make Indians our equals," he said. "They have the same needs as us, they want doctors, dentists, television, internet." This ignores the wish of the tribes to maintain their traditional way of life, away from towns and cities. Bolsonaro had a similar comment on Friday, claiming that over the past 20 years Brazil has been under foreign pressure to designate territory for native Brazilians. "Why here in Brazil should we keep them reclusive in reservations, as if they were animals in a zoo?" he asked. Former US president George Bush - seen here in 2008 - served one term as president but lost in 1992 to Democrat Bill Clinton. (File photo: AFP/John MacDougall) 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. 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 AND POLITICS George Herbert Walker Bush was born on Jun 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. "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 per cent 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. About 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 honour, 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. A 28 sq.m model apartment at VinCity Ocean Park. - Photo vietnambiz.vn At the end of last year, the Ministry of Construction gave the green light to HCM City to study the development of apartments with areas ranging from 25sq.m to 45sq.m. The city was allowed to have around 20 to 25 per cent of new apartments fall within this range while waiting for official regulations. The ministry is compiling the national technical standards for apartments, which are expected to set the minimum area for commercial apartments at 25sq.m. The in-effect Law on Housing 2014 does not regulate the minimum area of an apartment. But the Governments Decree No 100/2015/ND-CP, dated October 20, 2015, set the minimum area for a social housing apartments at 25 sq.m. Due to the lack of regulations, the development of small apartments has been a controversial topic. Some worried small apartments might turn into slums, while others said they would meet a majority of the market demand. The ministry said the market was showing high demand for affordable small apartments. For example, studio apartments at VinCity Ocean Park with areas from 28sq.m to 33 sq.m, priced from VND23 million (US$1,000) and VND30 million, recently released for sale and were reportedly already sold out. According to real estate and investment management services firm Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL), small apartments are becoming a popular trend in crowded cities home to over half of the worlds population where space is sparse, costs are high and finding a suitable place to live is a real challenge. Stephen Wyatt, country head of JLL Vietnam, said Ha Noi and HCM City had significant potential to build micro apartment units. Most city-dwellers could only afford larger apartments far from the central areas, but young urbanites now prefer small units in the heart of the city with adequate services, he said. Micro apartments were a solution, he said, adding that many developers were building units that cater to these changing tastes. According to Nguyen Trong Ninh, Director of the ministrys Housing and Real Estate Market Management Department, there is huge demand for apartments smaller than 45 sq.m, which are affordable to lower-income workers, singles and young families. Micro units were a potential solution to the shortage of social housing projects and affordable homes, Ninh said. Countries like France, Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia all allow the development of micro apartments. A minimum apartment area of 25 sq.m to house one to three people fits with Viet Nams national housing development strategy, which targeted a minimum housing area of eight sq.m per head by 2020. Ninh said housing quality was not only decided by area but also by construction quality, facilities, infrastructure and quality of services. For this reason, small apartments are not always slums. Property expert Dang Hung Vo said it is time to encourage developers to build micro apartments to cope with the shortage of affordable homes. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a bilateral meeting on the second day of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires. (Photo: AFP/Mikhail KLIMENTYEV) Following talks at a G20 summit with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Putin said the world's two biggest exporters of crude "have agreed to extend our agreement." There was no immediate word from the Saudis, but financial markets have been expecting the deal to be renewed between the kingdom and non-OPEC member Russia as the cartel prepares to meet next week in Vienna. Russia has for years been cooperating with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), helping to engineer a rebound after a 2014 oil price slump. But since reaching four-year highs in October, oil prices have plunged around 30 percent as worries about falling demand in a slowing world economy have taken their toll. "We are going to work together with Saudi Arabia," Putin said in Buenos Aires, ahead of the Vienna talks. "We are going to survey together the market situation with Saudi Arabia and respond to it operationally," he said. On Thursday, the price of New York crude ducked below US$50 per barrel for the first time in almost 14 months. The contract closed the week Friday down 52 cents at US$50.93 per barrel. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (fourth from right) and other guests open the 2018 TechFest in a Nang.- VNS Photo Cong Thanh That was the message from Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the opening ceremony of the national start-up day Techfest 2018 in the central city on Thursday. He stressed that start-up programmes will help the country reach its target of each person earning US$18,000 per year by 2045 when Vietnam celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Independence. Phuc said start-up programmes in Vietnam have achieved good results with 93 Vietnamese start-ups worldwide, but the figure still has room to grow. He said the innovation in start-up programmes is seen as a valuable resource. News and information related to start-ups and innovation has been among the top key words searched for on Google in Vietnam recently. It clearly shows that start-up and innovation have become major interest among Vietnamese people, Phuc said. Start-up programmes and centres have been established at colleges and universities and included in the curriculum. The Government also introduced the Project 844 to support start-up ideas among students and young people two years ago. The PM also urged young people and students to think big and take risks in turning their desires and dreams in business start-ups. He said the Government plans to build up a national framework to promote and set up key centres in Hanoi, HCM City and Da Nang to boost connectivity, innovation and entrepreneurship. He said the Government will work hand-in-hand with young people to build Vietnam as one of the most prosperous countries in the world. The TechFest 2018, entitled Innovation, From here to Global, has 4,500 participants taking part in a series of activities to connect investors with enterprises. The annual event, which began in 2015, has attracted 40 investment foundations creating 40 business incubator centres and 60 co-working spaces nationwide. According to a latest report, Vietnam has 3,000 innovative start-up businesses, and the figure would increase to 5,000 by 2020. The 2015 TechFest earned US$1million commitment from investors before increasing to $4 million in 2017. The event continues today with start-up contests, discussions, exhibitions and business matching. ven as the political crisis in the parliament and of government rages on, a near silence pervades the North. People are either indifferent or intentionally avoiding public engagement. The Tamil media, while extensively reporting political developments, paints the crisis as unrelated to the Tamil community, or uses it to bash the TNA, or in turn to claim that strong Tamil demands should be placed by the TNA on the parties vying for power in the South. There have only been a few small public fora and no mobilizations in the North addressing the state of democracy and legitimacy of the Government amidst this crisis. However, in private conversations, a palpable fear emerges harking back to the dark post-war years under the Rajapaksa regime. Regardless of how the parliamentary crisis is resolved, what are the reasons for the lack of engagement from the North during this moment of national significance? How have developments in the post-war years contributed to such a perspective in the North? Power grab Part of the reason for the Norths indifference, and for that matter other regions of the country, is that media attention is limited to the confrontation between the executive and the legislative arms of the state, theatrics in parliament and the outcome of court cases. Furthermore, public mobilizations and protests have for the most part been happening within Colombo. President Sirisena has suffered considerable credibility, and by his own act of appointing MR as Prime Minister made his own political future irrelevant. Without a significant political and social base, Sirisena will only be capable of interventions with the presidential powers at his disposal for at most another year. The UNP led by Ranil Wickremesinghe is hardly capitalizing on the premature power grab reflecting a major political misjudgement that can undermine and de-legitimise MR. While he has lost his momentum after the local government elections in February, the UNP has yet to mobilize its base outside Colombo, pointing to its weakness in any electoral contest with the well-oiled electoral machine of MR. The MR loyalists having taken a legitimacy hit are sticking to their guns and dragging out an unenviable situation in the hope the courts will come through in their favour on December 7, legitimizing the dissolution of parliament and early general elections. They are shamelessness in the face of various actors pointing to their illegitimate and naked stint in power over the last month. In this context, the TNA has taken a commendable and strong stand in parliament exposing the power grab. While the Tamil media is spinning it as TNAs instrumental support for the UNP in return for Tamil demands, the TNAs strength has been its clear positions against the violations of constitutional and parliamentary norms. However, much like the UNP, the TNA has limited its efforts to moves in parliament and the courts, and in its weaker moments meeting with the diplomats. The TNA acts as if holding together its fourteen members in parliament itself is an achievement, and has hardly communicated to, much less mobilized, the Northern population around the political crisis. Indeed, since the end of the war, the TNA is merely strung together by a lose group of individual leaders with neither a mobilisable party machine nor a committed social base. Their electoral fortunes, which took a major hit in the local government elections in February, have been for the most part due to the legacy of the Federal Party and the lack of a credible Tamil political alternative. Northern predicament While the limelight is on the political manoeuvres in Colombo, the lack of concern in the North is revealing of developments during the post-war years. Perhaps the two most important post-war political events in the North were the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections in September 2013 and the defeat of the authoritarian MR regime in January 2015. Those elections brought considerable hope to the people in the North and were shaped by the moves of the TNA. To be fair to the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Government over the last three years, it is to their credit that the dark cloud of militarized surveillance and climate of fear lifted in the North, after years of post-war repression under the MR regime.Sirisena through his many visits to the North also pushed for the release of lands held by the military. Peoples public engagement and protests on a range of issues in the North became a new political chapter. Here, the continued expansion of democratic space in the North was thanks to the initiatives of local people and social movements on a range of issues, while their political representatives remained distant from such issues. In this context, the political apathy in the North with respect to the current parliamentary crisis and representative democracy, I would argue, are linked to the dashed hopes of the people over the last few years. The failures of the NPC led by former Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran and the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Government on a range of crucial social and economic concerns affecting the war-torn people have been a setback towards rebuilding interest in representative democracy after decades of disruption due to the civil war. Here, the TNA has to take considerable blame for the failures in the North. "The failures of the NPC led by former Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran and the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Government on a range of crucial social and economic concerns affecting the war-torn people" The TNA swept the NPC elections, but failed to deliver even a modicum of results. Wigneswaran with his polarizing antics, lack of concern for the people and shift towards narrow Tamil nationalism was at the centre of this failure. However, the TNA having brought Wigneswaran to power was ultimately responsible; they should have controlled him or thrown him out. There is considerable resentment among the northern population, about the arrogance and lack of delivery by the NPC; particularly with the people suffering from the post-war economic crisis aggravated by rising indebtedness, collapsing livelihoods and a devastating long drought. Similarly, the TNA swept the parliamentary election of August 2015 in the North. With a significant block in parliament, where the TNA consistently voted with the Wickremesinghe Government at every Budget after that, it did not have the vision or capacity to deliver the necessary economic support for the North. Sadly, the ex-Resettlement Minister D. M. Swaminathan, hand-picked by Ranil, ran amok with reconstruction initiatives. Hardly a small fraction of the war devastated houses in the North were built under Swaminathan, as he insisted on the disastrous Arcelor Mittal 65,000prefabricated steel houses; a housing scheme environmentally inappropriate for the North, not used any local labour where unemployment was high and been a blow to national finances with a massive external loan of US$ 1 billion. The Arcelor Mittal scheme if implemented would have left an even darker blot on the Wickremesinghe Governments legacy than the Central Bank bond scam. While the TNAs principled stand against the Arcelor Mittal scheme was welcome, the TNA failed to use its leverage to oust Swaminathan, who with the cabinet reshuffle in May this year was given the portfolio of Northern Development as well. On agriculture, on fisheries, on palmyrah-based production and other rural sectors, the reconstruction work over the last three and a half years of the Wickremesinghe Government has been an abysmal failure. For example, the famous Thickham Distillery, crucial for the livelihoods of oppressed caste toddy tappers in Jaffna to increase their production and incomes, has remained idle for four years. The TNA is answerable for their deep slumber in parliament as the social and economic lives of its constituencies deteriorated. Democratic path ahead History is not generous with political openings. The constitutional political solution the sole concern of the TNA over the last few years that too in the realm of experts as opposed to mobilizing the people is for all purposes dead in the near future. Regardless of how the current political impasse is resolved, the road ahead is going to be difficult. These are times, to borrow from the Marxist-thinker Antonio Gramasci, for a war of position. That is ideological battles to confront the undemocratic moves of those in power and resist the ethnic polarization mobilized by the nationalists on all sides. Preserving and expanding the democratic space won over the last few years is a priority for all the people in the country, and particularly the North where the winds of fear are again blowing. A lesson the rest of the country can learn from the North is that democracy, which is now the subject of debate in Colombo, has for long been undermined in the periphery. Peoples everyday lives whether it be interactions with the social welfare arms of the state such as Samurdhi or the repressive arms of the state such as the police, are of an alienating if not repressive encounter. If rebuilding democracy is the urgent task of the hour, it is important to start from the periphery with issues facing the working and rural people as well as the minorities. When a people-centred democracy begins to make sense for those on the margins, the state structures in Colombo will also fall in place. 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. An American drone strike in southern Afghanistan has killed a key Taliban military commander, dealing a serious blow to the insurgent group. Afghan and Taliban officials Sunday identified the slain man as Mullah Abdul Manan, saying he was killed along with four partners Saturday in the Nawzad district of Helmand province. An insurgent statement said Manan was its shadow governor for the largest Afghan province, where the Taliban controls or contests most of the territory, and described his death as a major loss for the insurgent group. Helmand is also the hub of the countrys massive drug trade and Manan was controlling it to generate funds for the Taliban. The Taliban in its statement claimed the slain leader successfully led the insurgents to captured 95 percent territory of Helmand from the occupation of American-backed Afghan forces. It is perceived that Manan played a key role in organizing battlefield attacks in provinces around Helmand, including volatile Ghazni where a roadside bomb this week killed three American soldiers and wounded three others. An American contractor was also injured in the blast. Saturdays deadly drone attack came amid reports the United States has dropped more bombs in Afghanistan in the first 10 months of 2018 then in any other full year in a decade, releasing nearly 6,000 munitions. U.N. and Afghan officials say an aerial attack by U.S. forces last Tuesday killed more than 23 Afghan civilians in Helmand, including 15 children and eight women. The United Nations has already documented a record increase in Afghan civilian casualties due to airstrikes by pro-government forces. The intensified battlefield attacks in Afghanistan come as Washington has recently opened direct talks with the Taliban to promote a politically negotiated settlement to the prolonged conflict. Afghan officials confirmed on Sunday that an airstrike in the eastern border province of Paktia killed at least 10 civilians, including women and children. It was not known whether the U.S. military carried out the attack. The killings provoked residents to protest and display the bodies of the victims. U.S. President Donald Trump took his "America First" foreign policy to a major gathering of world leaders this week in Argentina. The result was a G-20 summit that resulted in few substantive agreements. As VOA's Bill Gallo reports from Buenos Aires, the multilateral summit was perhaps most notable for its one-on-one interactions. In the final days of his presidency, George H.W. Bush committed the U.S. military to a mission many would later regret, ordering more than 20,000 troops into Somalia to "save thousands of innocents from death." Within months, the image of dead U.S. soldiers dragged through the streets of Mogadishu profoundly changed the way the U.S. approached Africa. And yet it is barely mentioned in the explorations of Bush's legacy since his death. Only now, under President Donald Trump, is the U.S. returning regular troops to Somalia as much of the military's work across Africa is conducted in far smaller doses, with drones and special operations forces and little fanfare of the past. The death of a U.S. soldier in Africa, as seen in Niger a year ago when four special operations were killed, brings sharp questions back home about "what we're doing over there." In Bush's time, it was different. The Somalia mission was promoted as an act of charity, meant to protect starving Somalis from the attacks and looting that kept them from reaching aid in a country torn by warlord-led fighting after the fall of dictator of Siad Barre. The United Nations has estimated 300,000 people died. "You're doing God's work," Bush said as he ended his live address from the White House. "We will not fail." Cheering Somalis greeted the first U.S. troops as they arrived to lead a United Nations operation. And Bush became the first, and only, U.S. president to visit the drought-plagued Horn of Africa nation. A month after ordering in the troops, he shared a modest New Year's meal with dozens of soldiers and Marines and told them the American people were fully behind them in the mission to help Somalis, called Operation Restore Hope. "Thanks to you, they got a shot. They got a shot at really living," Stars and Stripes reported him saying. These days, a visit to Somalia by an American president, wearing desert fatigues and dutifully eating the soldiers' meal of "Menu No. 8: Ham slice with Accessory Packet A," is now almost unthinkable. As the humanitarian crisis eased, rebuilding Somalia became the goal, but it stumbled. The end came in October 1993 when an elite U.S. raid in Mogadishu against a key warlord descended into street battles. Hundreds of Somalis were killed. Two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were shot down, and 18 Americans were killed. As global outrage echoed, the U.S. pulled out of Somalia five months later amid accusations that they had swept in well-intentioned but unprepared. A quarter-century later, Somalia's fragile central government is still trying to take hold. It wrestles with widespread corruption, bitter relations with regional states and high-profile attacks by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab and now a new threat from fighters linked to the Islamic State organization. While Trump recently announced he would soon visit a "war zone," chances are it will not be Somalia. After decades of the U.S. largely leaving Somalis to work out their own problems, the Trump administration with its focus on counterterror operations has grown the number of U.S. military personnel in the country to an estimated 500. But now the work is about fighting extremists. U.S. airstrikes targeting al-Shabab, 37 so far this year, receive much of the attention. Two U.S. service members have been killed in Somalia since Trump took office, the first such deaths since 1993. The widespread insecurity means the U.S. still has not re-opened its embassy in Mogadishu, instead quietly using offices at the heavily defended international airport there. Bush's death has revived a debate among some Somalis about the U.S. presence years ago, with some remembering their countrymen killed in the fight against warlords and others arguing that thousands of starving people were saved. The country's Somali-American president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, avoided discussions of the past when he released a brief statement early Sunday expressing "heartfelt condolences." Bush, he tweeted, "was a true statesman who was committed to world peace and upholding democracy." More than one year after its recapture from Islamic State (IS) militants, Raqqa, the former de facto capital of the Islamic States so-called caliphate, is still struggling to recover from a war that devastated all aspects of normal life. Efforts are underway, though, to rebuild the citys major bridges. Raqqa was liberated from the terror group by U.S.-backed forces in October 2017. During the 3-month-long battle, the citys infrastructure was mostly destroyed, including dozens of bridges vital for traffic and transportation of goods. Reconstruction efforts are focusing on one major bridge over the Euphrates River, which will reduce traffic congestion by more than 50 percent, experts said. The project is expected to be completed on Jan. 1, 2019, Abdulrahman Hasan, an engineer who oversees the reconstruction progress of al-Hukoumiya Bridge, told VOA. Hopefully by then the bridge will be safe for pedestrians and traffic. It will carry loads up to 4 tons, he added. Boats and makeshift bridges Raqqa residents hope that other bridges also will be rebuilt soon. But for now, they rely on boats and makeshift bridges to cross the river and channels. Most people go to the other side of the city through the river, Mohammed Saho, a Raqqa resident, told VOA as he was preparing to get on a small boat with other passengers. But crossing the Euphrates with these old boats is very risky. A lot of people have drowned in the past few months. He added that transportation fees are expensive, especially since most people dont work so they cant afford these fares. Local officials say the damage that has been done to the bridges is so severe that it will take a long time to rebuild them. Repairing the bridges is actually beyond the capabilities of our council, said Abdullah al-Aryan of the Raqqa Civil Council, the civilian body that is now responsible for running the city. There are about 37 bridges across the city over channels and two big ones over the Euphrates River, Aryan told VOA. Infrastructure damage While rebuilding bridges is seen as an important step, it is not the only obstacle hindering Raqqas recovery, according to experts. Nearly 80 percent of Raqqas infrastructure was destroyed during the liberation battle, said Jowan Hemo, a Syrian economist who closely follows the stabilization process in the city. It could be possible to implement projects, such as rebuilding residential houses, hospitals and schools, in a relatively short period. It would be a lot harder to take on bigger projects such as the power sector, Hemo said. The United States in August announced that it was cutting about $230 million in stabilization funding to northeast Syria, saying it would instead rely on financial contributions from countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and other members of the anti-ISIS global coalition. But despite those cuts, the U.S. remains one of the main donors in the recovery of Raqqa. U.S. stabilization efforts have helped 150,000 Raqqa residents return to their homes, U.S. officials say. Mahmoud A., a program coordinator at the Early Recovery Team, U.S.-funded organization that operates in Raqqa, said his group hasnt been affected by the U.S. funding cuts, although many local organizations panicked when the announcement was first made. Our projects are still ongoing in many parts of Raqqa. We have three main priorities at the moment, which include purifying drinking water, repairing the sewage system, and improving the environment for the education system to recover, he told VOA. Long-term stabilization As the war on IS dwindles, the focus in Raqqa and elsewhere should be on long-term stabilization efforts, U.S. officials say. We talked about transitioning to a new phase, really focusing on the stabilization and sustainment effort, Brett McGurk, U.S. special envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, told reporters in October during an annual meeting in Washington on countering violent extremism. In November, the Syria Recovery Trust Fund (SRTF), a multidonor initiative that includes the U.S. and several European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries, approved a $3 million project as part of its stabilization efforts in Raqqa. The assistance will benefit beneficiaries in Raqqa Governorate, complementing ongoing SRTF support to farmers in the same area, the SRTF said in a statement. The intervention will benefit 2,000 households in the targeted area, increasing health and WASH services to the civilians recovering from the destruction caused during the conflict with Daesh, the group added, using an Arabic acronym for IS. Former U.S. president George H.W. Bush will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda starting Monday evening as Americans honor the life of the country's 41st president. The Capitol will be open for dignitaries and the public to pay their respects through early Wednesday, with visitors allowed to walk past Bush's casket. He died in Texas, his home state, late Friday at the age of 94 after several years of failing health. Bush, who served a single term in the White House 1989 to 1993, will receive a state funeral Wednesday at the National Cathedral in Washington, followed by burial Thursday at his presidential library in Texas. Watch related video by VOA's Michael Bowman: The White House announced Saturday that U.S. President Donald Trump would attend the funeral. In a Twitter comment, the U.S. leader said, "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!" James Baker, Bush's former secretary of state and his friend of 60 years, told CNN on Sunday he considered Bush as "the most kind and considerate person I ever knew." He said Bush's "quality of life had deteriorated a lot" in recent months, but that near the end he was able to talk by phone with his adult children, including former President George W. Bush. Baker said the elder Bush's last words were, "I love you, too," spoken to the younger president Bush, the country's 43rd president. 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 have 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." The New York Stock Exchange said it would be closed on Wednesday in honor of Bush. 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. Tens of thousands of people protested in Georgia Sunday against last week's run-off presidential election, which they believe were rigged. Backed by the ruling party, Salome Zurabishvili was elected Georgia's first female president by 59 percent of the vote. But opposition leaders and protesters allege vote-buying, voter intimidation, and other irregularities as they packed the streets of Tbilisi, the Georgian capital. Zurabishvili's opponent Grigol Vashadze addressed the crowd in Tbilisi, calling the election a "criminal farce" and saying that the opposition "demands an early parliamentary election to be held in Georgia." Vashadze is backed by allies of former president Mikhail Saakashvili, who is currently in self-imposed exile in Amsterdam. Saakashvili addressed the crowd via video link Sunday, met by cheers and chanting of his name. "Georgia's future is being born on this square today," he said. The president's role in Georgia is largely ceremonial, but the results of the election may be a good indicator of which parties will maintain or seize power in the 2020 parliamentary elections. Zurabishvili, 66, ran as an independent even though she has the backing of Georgian Dream, headed by former prime minister and billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. She has been criticized over her background and been branded a traitor by some detractors over comments they interpreted as suggesting that Georgia started the 2008 war with Russia. Zurabishvili was born in France and served as a French diplomat before beginning her political career in Georgia. Life is slowly settling down in Alaska following a powerful earthquake that rattled buildings, disrupted power and caused heavy damage to the only highway that leads north out of Anchorage. Still, hundreds of aftershocks frayed nerves Saturday as people worried about being caught in more massive shakers. Theyre disturbing, and Im not putting anything away that could fall until they calm down, Randall Cavanaugh, an Anchorage attorney, said following a restless night at home. I kept waking up. Employees who live in communities north of Anchorage have been encouraged to see if they can take Monday off or work from home to reduce the number of cars on Glenn Highway as crews repair damage. Motorists trying to travel north Friday were at a virtual standstill on the highway. Gov. Bill Walker, who leaves office Monday, has given state office workers in the Anchorage area the day off to ease traffic congestion. Even though we are making very significant progress on the highway travel, it would still behoove all of us to see if we can keep the volumes down, Municipal Manager Bill Falsey said at a news conference. Strictest building codes The magnitude 7.0 quake didnt cause widespread damage to structures or collapse buildings. Theres 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. A seismic expert said Alaska and California use the most stringent standards to help buildings withstand earthquakes. Sterling Strait, a member of the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission, said the states use the International Building Code, considered the best available standard for seismic safety. It requires buildings to be designed to resist possible ground motion determined by location and earthquake histories. It also mandates structural connections, beams and columns, be reinforced to resist damage from shaking, said Strait, seismic program coordinator for Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., operator of the 800-mile (1,287-kilometer) Alaska oil pipeline. Walker said sometimes people, including himself, grouse about stringent building codes. But hes glad they were in place because he had only minor water damage at his home. Building codes mean something, he said. 550 aftershocks in 24 hours 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 followed within minutes. Then came a series of smaller quakes. There were about 550 aftershocks, including 11 with magnitudes of 4.5 or greater, in the 24 hours following the Friday temblor. The aftershocks should be weaker and less frequent in the coming days, but officials couldnt say for sure when theyll stop. Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz said the extent of damage was relatively small considering the scale of Fridays earthquake. He also credited building codes for minimizing structure damage. Roads damaged most Roads took the brunt of the damage. The Alaska Department of Transportation counted about 50 sites with damage, including eight considered major. Most of the damage was done to highways north of Anchorage. The agency also was planning to conduct bridge inspections. Earthquake damage also was preventing Alaska Railroad trains from making the trek between Anchorage and Fairbanks. The trip is 350 miles (563 kilometers) one way. hile the complicated situation that has arisen in parliament today is unprecedented, the origins of this logjam could perhaps be traced back to the period when the yahapalana government was formed. The present instability could be seen as part of a continuum starting with the creation of a National Government in January 2015 - a forced marriage between two traditionally opposed groups from centre-left and centre-right of the political spectrum. Till the UPFA quit the yahapalana government - ahead of the Presidents sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe from the job of Prime Minister on Oct. 26, - the UNP-ledcoalition largely depended on the UPFA members for the numbers in parliament. With the new government faced with the charge that it, in turn, lacks a majority, the UPFA has pointed out that Wickremesinghes party had only 41 MPs at the time he was appointed PM in 2015 while they had 162 in the 225-member parliament. Wickremesinghes appointment, based on a campaign pledge, was not the outcome of his party winning an election. Nor was he appointed on the basis of being the MP most likely to command the confidence of parliament. With the UPFA quitting the coalition, the UNP is now at the mercy of smaller communally-oriented parties without whose support it cannot hope to survive politically. Already it is reported that the TNA and SLMC have pledged support to the UNP that is conditional on their demands being met. Although the total numbers on each side keep shifting daily, it appears the UNF coalition (which includes SLMC, ACMC and DPF members who contested on the UNP ticket) has in the region of 101 MPs while the UPFA claims a figure of around 103. The UNFs ability to muster majorities in the rather strange voting sessions that took place in parliament on Thursday and Friday, which were boycotted by government members, has been entirely thanks to the support of the TNA and JVP. These two groups of 14 and 6 respectively, have become the UNPs props in many respects, but for how long, it is not clear. In reality there is a knife-edge balance between the two main political formations the SLFP-led UPFA and the UNP-led UNF and this can at any moment be upset with a few cross-overs purchased on the auction floor that we call parliament today. As the voting public can see, it is the most venal, unscrupulous, and untrustworthy of MPs whose hands are strengthened by this pathetic situation. The manner in which the 19A was passed is yet another marker of the way in which instability got built into the yahapalana project. It may be recalled that Wickremesinghe at the time proposed changes that would have made the president subordinate to the PM. This outcome was averted by the Supreme Court ruling that said a referendum was required in order to approve sections relating the PM being designated as Head of Cabinet, with powers to appoint ministers and assign their subjects and functions. (The UNF had said it would only go with changes that would not require a referendum). There was inadequate time for public discussion of the hurriedly passed Bill, with 12 pages of amendments reportedly submitted to the SC during the hearing, which the public had no opportunity to contest because they did not know what was in them. "With the UPFA quitting the coalition, the UNP is now at the mercy of smaller communally-oriented parties" Wickremesinghes attempts to amend the law so as to make the PM more powerful than the president via the 19A, might throw light on some of the complaints made about him by President Maithripala Sirisena in the wake of his sacking. At a forum with Colombo based foreign correspondents last Sunday (25) the President elaborated on the differences of opinion that surfaced within three weeks of the yahapalana govt. coming into office - starting with the appointment of a cabinet. He said the PM ignored the report of a committee of academics appointed by him to formulate a scientific basis for assigning portfolios. I doubt he even turned the pages of the report he remarked. He went on to list numerous instances where he said the PM disregarded or sought to over-ride his views. The Central Bank and state banks were removed from the purview of the Finance Ministry and, for the first time, the prime minister took over the Central Bank. Sirisena said Ranil Wickremesinghe was determined to appoint Arjuna Mahendran as Governor of the Central Bank, although he opposed it saying the latter was not a Sri Lankan. Within three months the first looting of the Central Bank (mudal mankollaya) took place and not long after that there was another similar fraud. Wickremesinghe was not in the least concerned about the biggest financial robbery, he alleged. Like the Central bank bond scam there were so many other cases of corruption he said, he could write a book.However, he felt at the time that he shouldnt clash with Wickremesinghe because he did a lot to make him president, he said. Wickremesinghes ultra-neoliberal policies destroyed the country, Sirisena alleged. The former kept trying to introduce two Land Bills, but he said he did not allow them. One related to land administration (Idam vidividaana panatha) that would have allowed foreigners to buy any land, both public and privately owned. The other related to setting up a Land Bank, which had similar objectives. It was a very anti-national law he said. "Regardless of who the PM is, any government in the present circumstances is doomed to be highly unstable" After the February 10, Local Government polls, Sirisena said he told Wickremesinghe the disastrous result was the outcome of his economic and political policies, and asked him to step down as PM, but he refused. He then asked Karu Jayasuriya and Sajith Premadasa in turn, but they were unwilling to go against their party leader. So you see, I didnt suddenly remove Ranil Wickremesinghe and appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa he asserted. The last straw was the unconcern shown by Wickremesinghe in relation to the plot to assassinate him, the President said. He asserted that all his moves sacking the PM, appointing a new one, proroguing parliament, and dissolving parliament were made legally, and only the dissolution has been challenged. It was against this backdrop, the President categorically ruled out the possibility of re-appointing Wickremesinghe as PM. It would appear he is ready to appoint another candidate, and talks are said to be underway with a view to breaking the deadlock. Meanwhile, both sides are engaged in tactical manoeuvres in parliament. Regardless of who the PM is, any government in the present circumstances is doomed to be highly unstable. But it will have to hobble along in this state until a general election is called - hopefully sooner rather than later - depending on the Supreme Court verdict on the dissolution of parliament. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis accused Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday of being a slow learner who again tried to meddle in U.S. elections in November, adding that he had no trust in the Russian leader. The remarks by Mattis at a security forum in California came a day after President Donald Trump held informal talks with Putin on the sidelines of the Group of 20 industrialized nations meeting in Argentina. Trump had scrapped a more formal meeting with Putin, citing Russias treatment of Ukraine. Asked if U.S.-Russian ties had become more strained since he took over the Pentagon last year after Trump became president, Mattis said, Theres no doubt the relationship has worsened. (Putin) tried again to muck around in our elections this last month. And we are seeing a continued effort along those lines, Mattis said, adding that the United States would take whatever steps were necessary to defend American democracy. Election interference American intelligence agencies concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to sow discord and boost Trumps chances through a campaign of propaganda and hacking aimed at disparaging his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. A special counsel investigation into Russias role in that election and whether Trumps campaign conspired with Moscow has cast a cloud over his presidency. The comments by Mattis were the latest sign of deteriorating relations between Washington and Moscow. Russia has denied meddling. Trump has said there was no collusion. Ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm congressional elections, U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials accused Russia of trying to influence the vote. U.S. prosecutors in October charged a Russian national with playing a financial role in a Kremlin-backed plan to conduct information warfare against the United States, including attempts to influence the midterm election. Russia-Ukraine tensions Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian naval vessels last weekend and seized them and their crew near Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Mattis said those actions underscored why the international community was increasingly distrustful of Moscow. Mr. Putin is clearly a slow learner. He is not recognizing that what he is doing is actually creating an animosity against his people, Mattis said. What we are seeing Putin do with his ripping up of international agreements ... were dealing with someone that we simply cannot trust, the Pentagon chief added. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders on Saturday confirmed Trumps encounter with Putin in Argentina in a statement, saying, 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. Speaking in Buenos Aires, Putin told reporters Saturday there were no preconditions for future bilateral talks with Trump. It is regrettable that we cant succeed in holding a full-scale meeting, which is long due, Putin said, adding that issues of strategic stability would be of paramount importance. Pompeo dismisses 'parlor game' U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday said the Ukraine events were the only reason Trump canceled his planned formal meeting with Putin in Argentina, not developments in Special Counsel Robert Muellers Russia probe. The decision to scrap the meeting with Putin came shortly after Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge of lying to Congress about a skyscraper project Trump was pursuing in Moscow during the 2016 U.S. presidential race. Ludicrous; Washington parlor game, Pompeo said in a CNN interview at the G-20 meeting when asked whether Trump was motivated to cancel the meeting by Cohens guilty plea. A new program in Sydney is helping indigenous Australians quit smoking. Its also exploring the deeper reasons why about a third of aboriginal adults smoke, a much higher proportion than the national average. The organizers of the Talking About Tobacco Use project warn that high smoking rates are the biggest risk to health among Australias original inhabitants. Stubborn smoking rates Public health campaigns have helped smoking rates in Australia to fall steadily. But tobacco use in indigenous communities remains stubbornly high. About a third of aboriginal adults smoke, including Simone Jordan, an aboriginal leader involved in setting up a center in Sydney that is designed to help Australias original inhabitants give up cigarettes. Jordan is also a participant in the program. Most of my family did smoke, and it was not seen as a bad thing, it wasnt discouraged and, I guess, I just thought I was cool for doing it, Jordan said. I guess the goal for us is to get people to quit, help them, make them feel good about it, encourage others. If they fall over, they are not a failure. There is other things we can try, and share with people what is working and what is not. Indigenous Australians die, on average, 10 years before their nonaboriginal counterparts. High rates of poverty, inadequate housing and alcohol and drug abuse are, in part, to blame, but professor Renee Bittoun, a tobacco treatment specialist, says that smoking causes immense damage. It is a huge contributor, it is probably the biggest contributor, Bittoun said. I am not saying that other substances are not a big concern, and they are, but the medical consequences it is nothing like smoking. Historic context Australia was settled by the British in 1788. Academics argue that high rates of smoking among aboriginal people are the result in part to colonization. Tobacco was a de facto currency and was widely used in state- or church-run missions where many indigenous Australians were sent to live in the 19th century in an attempt to assimilate them or to convert them to Christianity. Dr. Raymond Lovett is an epidemiologist at the Australian National University. Tobacco was used right up until the recent past as payment for labor, and it was also part of the mission rations. Obviously that legacy has produced this really high smoking prevalence, Lovett said. Smoking is not a traditional part of aboriginal culture, but in some remote settlements 1 in 2 adults smoke. Indigenous Australians make up about 3 percent of Australias national population of 25 million people. The worlds two largest economies, the U.S. and China, have agreed to a small truce in their escalating trade war after a meeting between presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping following the G-20 summit. Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One after the plane departed Argentina, said his agreement made over dinner with Xi, will go down as one of the largest deals ever made. And itll have an incredibly positive impact on farming, meaning agriculture, industrial products, computers every type of product." WATCH: Steve Herman's video report Trump agreed that he will leave the tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese products at the 10 percent rate, and not raise it to 25 percent, for now, as he has threatened to do come Jan. 1, according to a White House statement. 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, said White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. China has agreed to start purchasing agricultural product from our farmers immediately. Trump and Xi also 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, according to the White House statement. 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 percent tariffs will be raised to 25 percent. Some of the details were echoed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who confirmed that both countries will step up negotiations. The news is likely to bring cheer Monday to global financial markets, which have been sensitive to the escalating trade battles between China and the United States. Fentanyl designation At the dinner, Xi also agreed to designate fentanyl as a controlled substance, meaning that people selling the powerful opioid to the United States will be subject to Chinas maximum penalty under the law. The White House is calling the Chinese presidents decision a wonderful humanitarian gesture. Trump, sitting across from Xi at a long banquet table, described their relationship as incredible and predicted that would mean well probably end up getting something thats good for China and good for the United States. In his remarks, the Chinese president noted, its 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. G-20 summit concludes The 2-hour 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: Trade policy adviser Peter Navarro, seen as the most hawkish member of Trumps team when it comes to 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, the presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner (who is a senior adviser) and Larry Kudlow, assistant to the president for economic policy. Fears of no progress Many major business leaders in both the United States and China had hoped for some sort of truce or partial deal in what is seen as an escalating trade dispute between the worlds two largest economies. Despite months of complaints by the United States and the U.S. imposing 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 last week by Lighthizer. Observers feared that if no progress was made at the Trump-Xi dinner, the U.S. president would 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, had been threatening to impose taxes on an additional 5,000 types of American imports worth about $60 billion. WTO reform 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, told VOA. In its communique Saturday at the conclusion of the leaders summit, the G-20 called for reform of the WTO to improve its functioning and said the group would review progress made by the trade organization at next years summit in Japan. For the first time ever, the G-20 recognized the WTO is currently falling short of meeting its objectives and that its in need of reform, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of not being named, told reporters. Well see what reactions we get in the next few months, to the WTO reform call in the communique, G-20 host Mauricio Macri, the president of Argentina, told reporters, adding, there is clearly a need for dispute mechanisms that are more agile. No press conference 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 the age of 94. He was a terrific guy and hell be missed. He lived a full life and an exemplary life, Trump said of the late president. He did not respond to a reporters question about whether he regrets 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 evenings dinner. At the table, Trump announced his plane would fly to Houston, in the state of Texas, after the return of Air Force One from Argentina, to transport Bushs casket to Washington. 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. Xi, according to the White House, also told Trump he is open to approving the previously unapproved $44 billion bid by American semiconductor and telecommunication equipment manufacturer Qualcomm to purchase Dutch semiconductor maker NXP should the deal again be presented to him. The acquisition collapsed four months ago after Chinese regulators expressed anti-trust concerns. VOA's Bill Gallo contributed to this report. U.S. President Donald Trump says he is willing to agree to a two-week extension of government funding to avoid conflicts with the ceremonies honoring the late President George H.W. Bush. Speaking on board Air force One on his way home from the G-20 summit in Argentina, Trump said congressional leaders have asked for the extension because of Bush's funeral on Wednesday and other events this week honoring the country's 41st president. Trump said he "would absolutely consider it and probably give it." Funding for some government operations is currently set to run out on Friday, although much of the U.S. government has already been funded through next September. Trump and lawmakers have sparred in recent days over his demand for $5 billion in funding for a wall along the southern U.S. border with Mexico to thwart illegal migration of Central Americans trying to enter the United States. The U.S. leader has threatened a partial government shutdown if the new wall funding is not included in the spending measures lawmakers are now debating. But so far lawmakers have only agreed to spend $1.6 billion more for border security. U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he will give formal notice to the U.S. Congress soon to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), giving six months for lawmakers to approve a new trade deal signed Friday. I will be formally terminating NAFTA shortly, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way home from Argentina. Just so you understand, when I do that, if for any reason were unable to make a deal because of Congress then Congress will have a choice of the new deal or returning to trade rules from before 1994 when NAFTA took effect, he said. Trump told reporters the trade rules before NAFTA work very well. NAFTA allows any country to formally withdraw with six months notice. Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto signed a new trade agreement Friday known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Democrats skeptical Trumps decision to set in motion a possible end to largely free trade in North America comes amid some skepticism from Democrats about the new trade deal. 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 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. Can president act without Congress? A 2016 congressional research report said there is a debate over whether a president can withdraw from a trade deal without the consent of Congress, and there is no historical precedent for the unilateral withdrawal from a free trade deal by a president that had been approved by Congress. The issue could ultimately be decided by the U.S. courts. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said last year that exiting NAFTA without a new deal could devastate American agriculture, cost hundreds of thousands of jobs and be an economic, political and national-security disaster. The leaders of the three countries agreed on a deal in principle to replace NAFTA, which governs more than $1.2 trillion of mutual trade, after acrimonious negotiations concluded Sept. 30. Target of campaign 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 to sit down and sign it. Legislators in Canada and Mexico must still approve the pact. Trump had forced Canada and Mexico to renegotiate the 24-year-old agreement because he said it 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. U.S. President Donald Trump has returned home from the Group of 20 meeting of the worlds top economies. After the curtain came down on the summit, the spotlight lingered on the leaders of the two top economies. As VOAs White House bureau chief Steve Herman reports from Buenos Aires, in the end a truce was achieved in the escalating battle of tariffs between the United States and China. Pakistan is registering approximately 20,000 new HIV infections annually, the highest rate of increase among all countries in the region, warns the World Health Organization (WHO). The international body says mortality among Pakistanis living with the virus, which causes the deadly AIDS disease, is also rising, in spite of the availability of lifesaving antiretroviral therapy. The latest government figures show that only 16 percent of the estimated 150,000 people living with HIV had been tested and only 9 percent have access to lifesaving treatment. "The remaining 135,000 people are walking around in the communities as carriers of (HIV) infection who are ready to transmit infections to those who are not infected, even to their unborn babies," Dr. Saima Paracha of the National AIDS Control Program, told VOA. Officials say the HIV epidemic in Pakistan remains largely concentrated among the key populations, including people who inject drugs, the transgender community, sex workers and their clients and men who have sex with men. "The drivers of infection are now the sexual networks and they are ready to spill the infection into the general public," Dr. Paracha cautioned. Paracha says the Pakistani government offers free HIV testing and treatment, but she notes the marginalized key populations continue face widespread stigma and discrimination in the society. The fear of maltreatment, and punitive actions by law enforcers impacts the willingness of these populations to pursue testing, which remains a major challenge facing national efforts to treat and prevent the spread of HIV, she lamented. Official estimates show that Pakistan has seen a 45 percent increase in new HIV infections since 2010. "The number of new HIV infections will continue to increase dramatically if implementation rates of intervention remain at current levels," said Dr. Nima Saeed Abid, country head of WHO. An official statement issued in connection with World AIDS Day quoted him as saying that Pakistan has the lowest rate of all regional countries in diagnosing people who are infected and linking them to care and treatment. Naila Bashir, who heads the HIV treatment center at Islamabad's Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), told VOA the facility receives up to 40 new HIV patients every month, underscoring the alarming increase in the number of infections. The center was established in 2005 and the number of patients has since increased from 22 to more than 3,000, including men, women and children of all ages, said Dr. Bashir. HIV has never been a priority program in the national health system and the recent abolition of the federal health ministry and the devolution of its functions to the provinces, which lacked preparedness and capacity, have led to the increase in infections, say WHO experts in the country. However, they acknowledge the new government of Prime Minister Imran Khan is giving priority to tackling health emergencies in Pakistan, including HIV. Federal Minister for National Health Services Regulation and Coordination, Aamir Mehmood Kiyani, says the government is working on a strategy to remove barriers and challenges in protecting people from HIV infections. Kiyani told a seminar in Islamabad that since taking office three months ago, the government has moved to established 12 new HIV treatment centers while overall 33 such facilities have been working throughout Pakistan. U.N. officials say the Pakistan government urgently needs to redouble efforts to "de-stigmatize HIV testing, advocate for confidential, non-discriminatory, community based care models and raise awareness about disease transmission, prevention treatment" to achieve reductions in new infections in affected populations. U.S. President Donald Trump took his "America First" foreign policy to a major gathering of world leaders this week in Argentina. The result was a G-20 summit that resulted in few substantive agreements. The multilateral summit was perhaps most notable for its one-on-one interactions. No media source currently available The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. French demonstrators take to the streets over frustrations about escalating taxes, especially on gasoline, and the country's leadership. n November 26, 2014, President Sirisena joined hands with the then leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe to contest former President Rajapaksa at the 2015 presidential election. A curious coalition of political foes coming together -- not on principles, but with a common aim of unseating the sitting president. In the after-glow of his presidential election victory, the new president appointed his comrade-in-arms Wickremesinghe as Premier though the latter was not the leader of the party enjoying a majority in Parliament. The President and his Premier then joined hands to bring in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which for all intents and purposes was designed to prevent any President from unilaterally dismissing a Prime Minister in the future. The President went on record to confirm he had voluntarily given up his executive powers. However, the loose coalition, comprising two widely differing personalities, holding diametrically opposed political ideologies not based on a common programme of work, was bound to run aground. Within a year, the governing coalition began to fall apart. By early 2018 it became clear that the President was looking for ways to get rid of his Prime Minister. On Friday October 26, President Sirisena sacked his Premier, replaced him with ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa -- the man whom Wickremesinghe and Sirisena came together to oust as President -- and prorogued parliament until November 14 believing that the new Premier would be able to show he had the required majority in the House. Wickremesinghe rejected President Maithripalas action saying it was unconstitutional claiming he had a majority in the House. He continued to occupy the Premiers official residence and called for a vote in the House to prove his majority. The President however cited another article of the Constitution which he claimed, allowed him to appoint any Member of Parliament as Premier, who he believed commanded a majority in parliament.When it became apparent his newly-appointed PM did not have a a majority in parliament, on November 9, 2018, the President dissolved parliament. On November 10 three political parties -- the UNP, TNA and JVP -- challenged the dissolution of parliament in the Supreme Court and after a two-day hearing, on November 13, the Court issued a Stay Order on the dissolution order until it gave its final determination. In the aftermath of the Courts Stay Order, in keeping with the Presidents directive to reconvene parliament on November 14, the Speaker reconvened parliament. On November 14 and 16, the new Prime Minister was unable to prove his majority in parliament. On November 29, parliament passed a motion curtailing funds to the Prime Ministers office with 123 MPs voting for the motion. On November 30, parliament passed another motion curtailing funds to ministers and deputy ministers, with 122 voting for the motion with none against as the government was boycotting parliament! With the parliamentary votes clearly indicating the presidents nominee did not enjoy the confidence of a majority in the House, the president was forced into damage control mode. On November 30, the President began meeting other parties in parliament including his erstwhile foe, the UNP led by immediate past Premier Wickremesinghe. In his meeting with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), President Sirisena finally admitted his newly-appointed PM Rajapaksa did not command the confidence of the majority in the House and suggested a motion requesting him to appoint a new PM. The wheel had turned full circle. After over a month, the country was thrown into turmoil by the Presidents ill-advised unilateral sacking of Premier Wickremesinghe, the President had now to eat humble pie. Many feel the country has had no Prime Minister or legal government for a month or more. The country has been made a laughing stock internationally. But Sri Lanka has gone through worse and bounced back. Not too long ago, (during the insurgency) no one knew, once they left home whether they would return alive. We lived through an era where headless bodies littered the streets, where white vans kidnapped people, where journalists disappeared or were killed for writing the truth, where bus-loads of civillians were ambushed and slain in cold blood. A time when religious men and women were killed by government authorities and terrorists alike. These memories make the present crisis look like a storm in a tea cup. Our Constitution though often maligned has now shown, checks and balances are in place. The systems kicked back and democracy will still be saved. Nine people were killed and several others seriously injured Sunday when a Greenfuel Private Limited truck was involved in a head-on collision with a commuter omnibus in Chipinge, Manicaland province. According to state media reports, the nine died on the spot while the injured were ferried to a nearby hospital. Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi is quoted as saying human error could have caused the accident. But Claris Madhuku of the Platform for Youth Development told VOA Studio 7 that the accident may have been caused by the poor state of the roads in Checheche. Zimbabwe has recorded a number of road traffic accidents of late with most people saying they are caused by the countrys poor road network and human error. The family of Zimbabwes International Affairs Minister Major General Sibusiso Moyo says he is recovering at home contrary to reports that his health condition is deteriorating. Moyos wife, Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, said her family is concerned about media reports that the minister is gravely ill. According to the state-controlled Herald newspaper, Justice Matanda Moyo said the minister recently attended a public function, an indication that his health condition is improving. The newspaper quoted her as saying, The family of Dr. Sibusiso Busi Moyo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, is concerned with a report published by an outfit called Bulawayo 24 on November 24, 2018, insinuating that the Honourable Minister has suffered deteriorating health. Contrary to the said report, Dr. SB Moyo is recuperating at home and recently attended a reunion event of St. Augustines High School, a school where his wife is an alumni. It is our humble submission as a family that media organisations and individual journalists must always observe their ethical obligations and not only verify, but also be sensitive to the privacy of their subjects, especially on personal matters such as health. Justice Matanda-Moyo, who is a High Court judge, said false reports are likely to cause unnecessary pain and anxiety among family members and society. We wish to reiterate that Dr. SB is not in any danger and looks forward to resuming his official duties soon. Moyo, who announced the Zimbabwe Defence Forces military intervention which subsequently led to the fall of former president Robert Mugabe, fell ill two months ago and underwent a medical procedure at Avenues Clinic in Harare. Mugabe insists that he was violently removed from office by the military. He is currently in Singapore undergoing treatment for an undisclosed ailment. Wes Anderson. Photo: Lars Niki/Getty Images for The Academy of Hes trading in some twee stop-motion foxes for some twee live-action humans. Wes Anderson is currently in the midst of shooting his tenth film, The French Dispatch, in southern France with a bunch of his favorite actors in tow. Per intel from IndieWire, the film which is not a musical, despite earlier reports that alluded to such a thing is described as a love letter to journalists set at an outpost of an American newspaper in 20th-century Paris, with three storylines weaving together to flesh out the written word shenanigans. Anderson VIPs Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, and Tilda Swinton will be starring in some capacity, as well as newbies Timothee Chalamet, Benicio del Toro, and Jeffrey Wright. Were already humming the Alexandre Desplat score. People around the country and around the world are remembering the 41st President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush. He died last night at the age of 94. WAAY 31 spoke with state senator-elect Sam Givhan who remembers meeting President George H.W. Bush in Huntsville. Former President Bush was at the Von Braun Center in 2003. His son, George W. Bush, held a fundraising event when he was running for re-election. Givhan cherishes his memories of President Bush. "The first opportunity I got to vote for a President was for President Bush back in 1988. That was also the first time my wife got to vote for President Bush," said Sam Givhan. Givhan has several photos with other politicians he's met. But, he'll never forget the day standing in line at the Von Braun Center waiting to meet President Bush. "There were so many people up there and in line to get their picture taken with him," Givhan told us. "It was sort of a rush, hit the pose and move on. But it was still neat to meet the President. I met his son enough times to shake his hand and that was about it," Givhan said. Givhan called the President a war hero who put his life on the line for our country and a tireless leader full of energy. "This man was active in World War II and was many of the heroes we had there. I think people appreciate that. You have to admire that. He was in his 80's still doing jumps," Givhan said. Givhan said Bush 41 had several accomplishments as President. Most importantly, he loved his family and this country and set an example for us all. "I think being deliberate and doing what you think is the right thing for your country or your district, that's what we can learn from him. Without political repercussions and what it's going to cost you by doing the right thing," Givhan said. President Bush died just less than 8 months after his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush died. They were married 73 years. "We do a lot for our country and we fight for our country so the last thing you want to do is fight for our veterans," Cedric Reid. Cedric Reid is an Army veteran living in Huntsville, he says was surprised the V.A.'s oversight may have cost veterans benefits they deserve. "We do a great job of taking care of our veterans," said Reid. In his letter to the V.A. Senator Doug Jones wrote, "I am gravely concerned about the impact these errors have had on the thousands of Alabama veterans and their family members who rely on the timely and predictable disbursement of G.I. bill benefits." While the problem impacted veterans housing benefits nationwide Jones kept his focus here in Alabama with this example: "Specifically, I am referring to cases like the one i recently heard about involving a student in my state who lost a parent in combat having to wage her own fight for several months just to have her tuition disbursement corrected. While this students case was resolved favorably and her financial good standing restored after several anxiety-filled months, I am told that there may be thousands of other similar cases still pending in Alabama," Jones. Reid told me his main concern is what happened after the technical error. "No ones got an issue with the technical error its the accountability; to make sure our veterans are taken care of," said Reid. Jones says the delays to the housing benefits started in august after a bill known as the forever G.I. Bill took effect. s we grew up movie-mad, there were those directors, who held us in awe Orson Welles, David Lean, Akira Kurosawa, Sathyajith Ray, Vittorio de Sica, Andrej Wajda, Alain Resnais, Francois Truffaut, Norman Jewison, Sergei Eisenstein, Sergio Leone and more. This list is both low and high brow, and incomplete. Bernardo Bertolucci (high-brow) came late into the list and worked his way effortlessly to the top even though Ive seen only three of his films to date the Little Buddha, The Last Emperor, and Last Tango in Paris. Of these three, Little Buddha is not regarded highly by critics. It is an elegiac tribute to the life of the Buddha, not a soul-searching cinematic journey like Conrad Rooks film Siddhartha, based on Herman Hesses novel. It was a sentimental exploration of a search for personal liberation through Indian philosophy and spirituality, and a startling departure from the strong political stances that Bertoluccis other films took, which may be why it fell short of critical expectations. After the shock of Bertoluccis death at 77 from cancer (He was one of those who seemed eternally young), it is time to look for those films I have missed. Among Europes elite filmmakers, he was unique in breaking through to Hollywood and making films without losing his artistic integrity. The Last Emperor (1987) was his breakthrough movie. It won nine Oscars and confirmed his ability to make epics in the style of David Lean. Bertolucci was born in Parma in 1941. His father, a poet and teacher, was a friend of filmmaker Pier Pasolini, who gave the young Bertolucci his break into Italian cinema. After working with Sergio Leone on his epic Western Once Upon A Time in the West, Bertolucci got his big break directing the 1970 movie The Conformist in which Jean-Louis Trintignant acts the role of a young gay man who joins the fascists. The movie reflected Bertoluccis radical Left-wing politics. I live in a kind of dream of Communism, he once said. But he became disillusioned with politics as he grew older and did not even vote in the latter stages of his life. He was criticised for working for former premier Silvio Berlusconis film company Medusa Film. Bertolucci was openly contemptuous of the politicians wild lifestyle and political corruption. But Berlusconi never interfered with the directors work and gave him a free hand. After many, many years, I fell out of love with politics. Its not something I like but its the truth. Bertolucci told an interviewer during the last year of his life. The Last Emperor was impressive, but it was the Last Tango in Paris (1972) which made the deepest impression on me. It stars Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider (A 19-year-old French actress making her debut) and the storys about a casual encounter between the two in Paris which develops into a series of sexual encounters. The film was a revelation in many ways. Filmed by Bertoluccis cinematographer Vittorio Storaro in a very seductive style (the effect is enhanced by the saxophone drenched soundtrack and great theme music by jazz composer Gato Barbieri) this film displaced a number of complacent assumptions in my mind about filmmaking, acting and sexuality (both in film and out of it) which havent been answered to this day. Brando (A middle-aged American hotelier called Paul) and Schneider (Jeanne) meet casually and Paul insists from the start that they remain anonymous throughout the relationship. But this emotional distance becomes impossible to maintain. He is rough, even brutal, in his approach. This was a culture shock. Sex, like food or language, is cultural. The shock of what Brando and Schneider carried out on screen looked to me like a clash of civilizations his and hers. From my own perspective, violence against women in love and marriage is something we come across as domestic violence. But this was nothing like it, and she suffers it willingly before finally breaking away. Brando finally admits to loving her (Im in love with you, you dummy) but by then its too late. The film outraged some critics for its depiction of sex and was blacklisted in festivals when a video released much later revealed that the full details of a key scene of a sexual encounter between Brando and Schneider had not been revealed to her by the director (The scene has been re-instated since). It has been suggested that the role may have damaged Schneiders subsequent career. But Bertolucci remained unrepentant. After Schneiders premature death in 2011, he told an interviewer: Poor Maria. I didnt have the occasion to go to ask her to forgive me. She was a 19-year-old who, like the actors in Me and You, had never acted before. Maybe, sometimes in the movie, I didnt tell her what was going on because I knew her acting would be better. So, when we shot this scene with Marlon [Brando] using butter on her, I decided not to tell her. I wanted a reaction of frustration and rage. American film critic Pauline Kael said that Last Tango was the most important cultural event since Stravinskys The Rite of Spring. It defined the cultural battle lines between the reactionary Right and the progressive Left in the West. Bertoluccis post-Last Tango fame made it possible to shoot his next epic, 1,900 (Filmed in 1976) with big stars such as Robert De Niro, Gerard Depardieu and Burt Lancaster. His last film was Me and You, based on a novel by Niccolo Ammaniti. He has been married since 1978 to filmmaker Clare Peploe, and the couple had no children. A three member committee has been appointed by Governor of Northern Province Reginald Cooray to investigate a financial fraud allegedly committed by former Minister of the Northern Provincial Council Ananthi Sasitharan. Three-member committee to probe alleged fraud of Ananthi SasitharanThis committee was appointed following a written complaint made by former Chairman of Northern Provincial Council C.V.K. Sivagnanam regarding the financial fraud allegedly committed by former Minister of Women's Affairs of the NPC. Ms Sasitharan has been accused of misusing funds of the Northern Provincial Council Fund for kidney and Cardiovascular disease. The Governors office said that the report of the three-member committee would be received within two weeks and the next step would be taken based on the report.(Romesh Madhushanka) 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 I believe that we all have that stereotype when we see someone whos homeless, said Paula, 56. They all must be drinking or on drugs. But there is also the added component. There is the veteran who hasnt found work. There is the grandparent who is taking care of the children because their son or daughter has decided not to come back to take care of their own children. There is the widow who found herself on the streets with her kids. There are so many different situations and these are the women that I met. The high court has struck down graduation prayer and school-sponsored prayer that is led by a student. There have been battles over whether religious groups can rent out school facilities, with religious groups prevailing. A school in the D.C. area tried to prevent two Muslim students from covering their heads during Ramadan. In rural Virginia, a lesson about Islam stirred so much anger that the school district had to shut down, in the face of emailed threats. Two decades after its end, a Doctor in Alaska prepares his return to television. The american chain CBS is working on a new installment of the successful series of the decade of the 90's along with the creators and the original cast. According to Variety, the actor, Rob Morrow, you will return to see the doctor, Joel Fleischman, who returns to Cicely to attend the funeral of an old friend. Once there, you will find a new group of bizarre characters and meet with their former colleagues. Morrow also will be executive producer of the new series. Actor John Corbett, in the fiction, Chris Stevens, will, also, as a producer, but is not expected to act in the series. The co-creator of Doctor in Alaska, Josh Brand, write and produce the new chapters. The other protagonist of the series, John Falsey, and Ben Silverman (The Office, Betty) complete the production team under the umbrella of Universal Television. CBS aired a Doctor in Alaska between 1990 and 1995. With six seasons, the series surpassed the barrier of 100 chapters and won seven Emmy awards, including best drama and best script drama in 1992. moving forward, this project adds to the long list of prequels, sequels and other reviews of classic series that is developing the american television. To give some examples, the same CBS currently airing Murphy Brown, a popular comedy from the 90's; ABC recovered to Roseanne, a series that after the crushing departure of its creator and protagonist continues as The Conner; and Nickelodeon will relaunch the Rugrats. According to the criteria of Updated Date: 02 December 2018, 08:01 Learn more The counsel for the House and the counsel for Mr. Comey have been working cooperatively, and I expect that will happen. If it doesnt, there is a hearing set tomorrow morning. . . . I think that the strength of the presentation made by Tom Hungar, the House counsel, on Friday in the Houses brief is very compelling, and I think that that is where the parties are headed in their discussions right now, Goodlatte said. You see so many people dying of cancer, said Barnes, who is working with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to advance the measure. It is our responsibility to do what we can to curb this. We know we will have a battle on our hands with the tobacco industry, but were trying to do whats right. Murphys story began a century ago in the District, where he was born to Mollie and Richard Murphy, an automobile dealer. Richard Jr. was the youngest of the Irish couples four children and was known in their Lamont Street rowhouse for being talkative, charming and so talented at piano that his rendition of Ave Maria could move a listener to tears. After graduating from Central High School now known as Cardozo and Georgetown University, Murphy stayed in the city to work for what was then called the Evening Star newspaper. According to his 1943 enlistment papers, he wrote stories of local interest and served as both [a] leg man and rewrite man. The law requires wide-body aircraft to be equipped with accessible bathrooms, but it does not require such accommodations on single-aisle aircraft, such as Boeings 737, one of the most widely used commercial jetliners. Though there has been a sustained push for change, it has run into resistance from the airline industry, which says the move could have significant financial repercussions because installing larger bathrooms could mean a loss of seats or galley space. He came out, and we presented him with a key to the city, and he actually kissed me on the cheek, Mayor Gretchen Fagan said. My mother-in-law said that she got home and there were messages on her voice mail saying, Oh my gosh, the president of the United States just kissed your daughter-in-law! Haverstraw Police Dept./Facebook(NEW YORK) -- A dog named Toto was lost for three days -- but not with Dorothy in the Land of Oz. This Toto was lost in a storm drain in Rockland County, New York. But this story -- just like classic "The Wizard of Oz" -- seems to have had a happy ending. Toto, who went missing Tuesday, was rescued Friday by police from the drain near his home in Haverstraw. The dog was reunited with its owner, Haverstraw police said in Facebook post. Toto's owner, Anna Marie Miller, said she's had the 16-year-old Lhasa Apso since his previous owner died eight years ago. He was my neighbor's dog, and my neighbor passed away, so I kept him, she said. But on Tuesday, Miller said a smoke alarm went off in her home and her niece opened the door. That's when Toto apparently walked out, she added. My niece was in the house, and when I came home I could not find him, Miller said. Miller, 81, said that after Toto went missing her niece posted on Facebook to try to find him. Her neighbors helped search the woods, but Toto was nowhere to be found, she added. I thought maybe he was in a ditch someplace, or he was in the woods and that he died, Miller said. I was praying that they would find him. On Friday, a woman in her neighborhood was walking near a storm drain near Millers home, and heard a dog barking, Miller said. The woman then called the police, who responded to the drain, opened it and scooped Toto out. Miller said Toto is shaken up, though. It looks like hes traumatized now, she said. She added that she took him to see a veterinarian, but Toto hasn't had an appetite since being rescued. I'm giving him a few days, you know, and see," Miller said. "He's not eating or anything. But I think it takes time, you know? Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. But Bushs environmental bona fides extended far beyond the domestic provisions of the Clear Air Act. He pushed for U.S. leadership on a global scale, as vice president and president, to address the mounting threat from the ozone hole, caused by certain chemicals released into the atmosphere that thinned the ozone functioning as a shield protecting the Earth from the suns harmful ultraviolet rays. The international Montreal Protocol, signed by the United States in 1987, required the EPA to ban the use of ozone-harming chemicals that had been commonly found in air-conditioning refrigerants and spray cans. This year came the fantastic news that scientists had confirmed for the first time that the ozone hole is beginning to close. America will lay to rest a man who served his country. We will pause, and mourn, and reflect. We might also want to mourn the loss of dignity that we have long associated with the office of the president and that is no longer there. No matter what you thought of George H.W. Bushs time in office, he never attacked or abused people or institutions. He was never crude or dismissive of people who were hurting. And he had reverence for the Constitution and the pillars of democracy that built this nation the pillars that are now being chipped away, crudely and casually. He understood that peace is a fragile thing, and that to maintain it, nations have to work together, employ diplomacy and treat one another with respect. That tone is set by leaders. What I find particularly interesting with the revelation of Cohens plea is that hes saying he lied to protect then-candidate Trumps stories that he had nothing to do with Russia, Warner said on CNNs State of the Union. So, the president seemed to already be changing his story a little bit and say, well, it was all legal. Again, where is the crime? Stone said, when asked by host George Stephanopoulos whether the fact that he has not been contacted by Muellers team suggests that he may be a target of the probe. I engaged in politics. My purpose was to take a tip which I thought to be solid, and then after that to follow the WikiLeaks Twitter feed and set a Google news alert for Julian Assange and use Twitter to hype as much voter and media attention to the disclosures when they came as politics. Brown, who has long opposed NAFTA, said he wants to return to negotiations with Canadian and Mexican leaders on the replacement agreement. Weve got to do this right, the Democratic senator told CNNs Jake Tapper. These rules so far dont get us where we need to get to stop the outsourcing of jobs, to protect the dignity of workers. In an appearance on CNNs State of the Union, Baker said he spent time with Bush on Friday, the day of his death. Baker said he arrived early in the morning at Bushs Houston home, where the president ate a big breakfast of eggs, yogurt and fruit drinks. Baker said Bush hadnt gotten out of bed in three or four days, but that based on his energy that morning, Baker thought the former president would bounce back. Jayapal said most of the people she spoke with were from Honduras, which is one of several Central American countries with high levels of gang violence. She described several conversations with migrants who had left dangerous situations back home, including a pregnant woman who had left her 3-year-old child behind, a 17-year-old boy who had been shot in both knees, and a mother of three whose partner had been murdered. The moves amount to a last gasp from a wing of the GOP that has been unable to steer the party away from Trump during the first two years of his presidency and will see its ranks diminished in the next Congress. The shifting dynamic reflects Trumps dominance in the party and the marginalization of dissenting voices, even after a disappointing midterm election for Republicans in which Democrats won back the House. The question is what will happen first: Will the attorney general decide to prosecute, or will the government collapse? said Reuven Hazan, a professor of political science at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. If there is an election first and Netanyahu wins with everyone knowing about his legal issues, then he can say that despite knowledge of the legal battles, the people still want him. Right now, we do not have a smoking gun, he said, noting that he had seen all the latest intelligence in the matter as of Friday. We do not have a smoking gun [showing] that the crown prince was involved. We certainly need to continue to explore . . . all aspects of the murder and find anyone who was involved, but that should not in any way dissuade us from basically confronting Iran, which the Trump administration views as its major adversary in the Middle East and one that Saudi Arabia is essential to confronting. 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. There will never be enough fire trucks for every home when a severe fire hits, a new $1 million advertising campaign reveals. The bold campaign was launched on Sunday by the state government to raise awareness of the realities and dangers that catastrophic and severe fires can have. Firefighters work to control a bushfire in Deepwater, central Queensland, on Friday. Credit:QFES Media/AAP Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan used the campaign to call on West Australians to be aware of the dangers around bushfires and accept personal responsibility around their safety and protecting their properties. Department of Fire and Emergency Services research showed only 16 per cent of the WA community had a plan for what they would do during a bushfire. Hundreds of people united across WA on Sunday in protest of the state governments decision to approve gas fracking in the states north. Premier Mark McGowan announced on Tuesday that fracking would be allowed in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Mid West if risks to people and environment were manageable. Hundreds of anti-gas fracking protesters rally across WA. The McGowan government came into power promising to ban fracking in the South West, Perth, and Peel regions. It also promised to put a moratorium on fracking across the Kimberley, Pilbara and Mid West pending an independent inquiry headed by the Environmental Protection Authority. 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. 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. 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. An emergency doctor who spearheaded campaigns against the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia in Victoria is in Perth to warn of the risks of assisted dying laws and focus opposition to the state government's plans to introduce it in WA. Stephen Parnis, a former Victorian AMA president, said he would be meeting MPs and doctors over the next few days to encourage them to learn from the passage of Victoria's legislation. Emergency medicine specialist Stephen Parnis is in Perth to speak to MPs and doctors about Victoria's experience passing voluntary assisted dying legislation. Credit:Jeffrey Chan He said he would be speaking to opponents of assisted dying laws to outline how legislation was passed by Victoria's Parliament, but recently opposed by the Federal Parliament and in South Australia and New South Wales. "Over the last 25 years there would have been something in the vicinity of 30 or 40 attempts to pass laws enabling assisted suicide, and I had a big part to play in the defeat of those laws in Canberra in August," Dr Parnis said Buenos Aires: The United States and China have 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 on Saturday between US 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 on January 1 on $US200 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 US to reduce America's huge trade deficit with China, the White House said. The truce buys time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijing's aggressive drive to supplant US technological dominance. In another long-sought concession to the US, China agreed to label fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid responsible for tens of thousands of American drug deaths annually, as a controlled substance. Connecticut Historical Society and Connecticut History Online Emily Seymour Goodwin Holcombe was an activist and preservationist who took pride in the states history, particularly its colonial past. From the 1890s through the early 20th century, Holcombe organized numerous preservation efforts, including the restoration of Hartfords Ancient Burying Ground and the preservation of Connecticuts Old State House. Born in Bristol in 1852, Holcombe spent her youth in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y., surrounded by numerous relocated Connecticut natives who came to New York in search of new opportunities. Her heart was never far from Connecticut, however, and she often spent her summers back in Bristol. There have been times when Brittney Fox felt like her life was devoid of colour. This article was published 2/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. There have been times when Brittney Fox felt like her life was "devoid of colour." Fox lives with mental illness. After being hospitalized and experiencing an abusive foster home situation, art helped Fox cope with her mental-health challenges. "Something I like to do is draw my flashbacks and manually put in colour," says Fox, 24. "It helps me remember the situation in a different way." Artbeat Studio artist in residence Brittney Fox. "I was starting to withdraw from society a little," before joining the studio. "It definitely put me in the right place at the right time." PHOTOS BY MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Fox is an artist at Artbeat Studio, a non-profit thats been helping those living with mental-health issues heal through creative expression for the past 14 years. Artists who self-identify as having a mental illness apply by submitting work samples and letters of support. The organization accepts eight artists at a time. Every six months after a group show in January and July new participants are brought in while the previous ones become alumni. Fox says she has been making art since she was three years old. She applied to Artbeat after her psychiatrist mentioned it to her. "I was starting to withdraw from society a little," Fox says. "It definitely put me in the right place at the right time." Brittney Fox, artist in residence, paints at Artbeat Studio in Winnipeg. Nigel Bart, studio facilitator and one of Artbeats founders, was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 19. He says art helps him directly address what hes feeling. "Its been a way of getting at those issues in a creative way, " Bart says. "Ill draw a picture and visualize something positive in my life instead of thinking about the negative. I can find very creative solutions to my problems." Bart studied fine arts and dabbled in pottery with his mother, which he found "very healing," before volunteering in the mental-health field. After meeting creative people with mental illness, Bart and his parents conceived of Artbeat. They presented their idea to stakeholders in 2004 and received funding the following year. Brittney Fox's art at Artbeat Studio in Winnipeg. "I thought it would be awesome to have a place where people with mental-health issues could hang out in a collaborative setting," Bart says. "When you start thinking of yourself as an artist it kind of gives you some hope." While Artbeat does not offer counselling in a clinical sense, expressive arts therapies are growing in popularity. Doctors in the United Kingdom, for instance, will soon be able to treat patients with a dose of arts and culture, according to an article published by BBC News. The campaign referred to as "social prescribing" is expected to launch by 2023. The initiative will allow the countrys physicians to prescribe therapeutic art- or hobby-based treatments for health issues ranging from dementia to lung conditions and mental illness. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) has a similar campaign. Since Nov. 1, doctors who are members of Medecins francophones du Canada have been able to send patients on free trips to the museum to enjoy the health benefits of art. An unfinished chess set by Brittney Fox. The one-year pilot project, which will allow physicians to hand out 50 museum "prescriptions" over the course of the initiative, is the first of its kind in the world, according to the MMFA. Tanis Dick, a private practice art therapist in Winnipeg, has been working in the field for over a decade. "More and more (we) are starting to acknowledge treating the whole person. Art therapy can do that because it involves the body and the spirit" Tanis Dick, a private practice art therapist Many of Dicks clients are children in the foster care system, some of whom have a diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome. She uses a "brain-based view of behaviour" thats trauma-informed. During sessions, kids may work in autobiographical art, sand play or drama. A student in the Expressive Arts Group draws a mandala at CancerCare Manitoba. "Children cant benefit from talk therapy in the same way as adults," Dick says. "Some are less verbal and arent comfortable expressing themselves with words. The therapist gets information through what they create." Dick believes expressive arts therapies also allows people to reconnect with their true self, which is a "key part of healing." "More and more (we) are starting to acknowledge treating the whole person. Art therapy can do that because it involves the body and the spirit," Dick says. Expressive arts therapies are not reserved for people living with mental-health issues. Miriam Duff, a psychosocial oncology clinician runs a weekly Expressive Arts Group at CancerCare Manitoba. Miriam Duff, a psychosocial oncology clinician at CancerCare Manitoba, runs a weekly Expressive Arts Group for patients, free-of-charge. The introductory program lasts 10 weeks. After it ends, participants are invited to attend the Art Grad Group for up to two years, or as long as theyre followed by CancerCare. Duff believes the program is a "safe space" where patients are able to relate to one another. "A common experience people have shared with me is they have a very fragmented sense of self after the cancer diagnosis and treatment experience," Duff says. "The expressive arts-based approach gives them a chance to get back in touch with a resilient feature we all have: our imagination." Art made in the Expressive Arts Group at CancerCare Manitoba. Duff believes a patients finished product is also a "legacy of what theyve been through" to share with family and friends. "Its not about their cancer, its about them living through their cancer," she says. "Theres the cure, which is the treatment, but healings different because its about all the different parts of a person: the physical, the emotional, the intellectual and the spiritual." Sylvia Hansen joined the group after receiving her breast cancer diagnosis in August 2014. She found out about it while undergoing chemotherapy, and says she thought it would be "something more positive" to do outside of appointments. "It left me with this real peacefulness," Hansen says. "As I was going through the treatments, it was something I really looked forward to." Nigel Bart, studio facilitator (left), and Brittney Fox, artist in residence, create art at Artbeat Studio. After getting the news she was cancer-free in early 2016, Hansen returned for the Art Grad Group. She says she had gotten used to the regime of being busy with treatment and appointments, so the transition was "not easy." "This program really helped me lean into life and be more present for myself," Hansen says. "I no longer feared the return of cancer as much as I feared not being present in my life." Hansen also learned how art can help her be more mindful, present and in tune with the simpler things in life. "I had no clue the power art had," she says. "Its about getting back in touch with just being alive." kelseyrjames@gmail.com TORONTO - Stories of women who have been sexually harassed, assaulted or mistreated have dominated the headlines and social media for more than a year as the message of Me Too has spread across nearly every industry around the world. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/12/2018 (1089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Law professor and equal rights advocate Anita Hill poses at the 25th Annual ELLE Women in Hollywood Celebration, In Los Angeles on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Hill, the U.S. attorney and academic who accused a Supreme Court Justice nominee of sexual harassment decades ago, spoke with The Canadian Press ahead of a Dec. 3 visit to Toronto to deliver a speech at the Canadian Women's Foundation annual The Exchange breakfast. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Invision, Chris Pizzello TORONTO - Stories of women who have been sexually harassed, assaulted or mistreated have dominated the headlines and social media for more than a year as the message of Me Too has spread across nearly every industry around the world. But now one of the movement's most prominent icons says society needs to learn to recognize and address situations that could lead to sexual harassment long before they become full-blown lawsuits and crises. Anita Hill, the U.S. attorney and academic who accused a Supreme Court Justice nominee of sexual harassment decades ago, spoke with The Canadian Press ahead of a Dec. 3 visit to Toronto to deliver a speech at the Canadian Women's Foundation annual The Exchange breakfast. "Often managers don't want to address these issues in these workplaces so they send everyone to HR, but I would love for a manager to be trained to identify behaviours that are likely to escalate to more egregious behaviour and to not only identify but know how to respond," Hill said. "When you don't prevent gender harassment it creates this permissive culture in the workplace and in many cases that permissive culture becomes an incubator for much more serious behaviour." Hill became a household name in 1991, when she testified against Clarence Thomas, saying he sexually harassed her while was her supervisor at the Department of Justice. She also alleged that he asked her out several times and often discussed sex at the office. Following Hill's testimony, the Senate confirmed Thomas to the Supreme Court in a 52-48 vote. A CBS and New York Times poll conducted just after the testimony found 54 per cent of respondents thought Hill's accusations were untrue and she faced significant public backlash. Nonetheless, she galvanized the women's movement, which drew comparisons between her case and the recent accusations levelled by Christine Blasey Ford and two other women against Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which were not enough to prevent him being named to the Supreme Court. Following her testimony Hill said she saw the number of sexual harassment complaints more than double, legislation pass allowing for recovery and compensation for victims of sexual harassment and an openness around discussing the problem. "We had a record number of women who were willing to come forward and share their stories and many of them raised a generation of children who understood that sexual harassment was wrong, that it was illegal and that they did not deserve to be treated in that way," Hill said. "Unfortunately things like the Kavanaugh hearing set us back...but I think we are much smarter now, much more informed and there are much more people working on this than there were 27 years ago and that is why I think we can make progress." However, Hill stressed that progress cannot come without paying particular attention to those who face added barriers because of their ethnicity, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation. Hill said research has shown that minority women who come forward with claims of sexual harassment are sometimes treated differently from their majority peers. "Sexual harassment can impact any woman, but it will not necessarily impact all women in the same way," Hill said. Several women have reached out to her over the years seeking advice on how they can come forward with sexual misconduct claims. The volume and intricacies of their situations and her busy schedule mean she refers them to organizations and people that can likely help, but Hill said there is never a simple answer as to what these women should do. She said it is hard to know why some industries have been rife with sexual misconduct accusations against public figures, while others, including Canada's Bay Street, have been much more quiet since the Me Too movement began with a wave of allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein last October. Hill argues that coming forward is difficult for anybody, especially because research she's read suggests 60 per cent of those who make such claims will face retaliation. Many also face difficulties navigating non-disclosure agreements a silencing tool that she noticed was rampant after her testimony. Violating such an agreement can trigger legal implications and make it difficult to find another job. "There is still a lot of resistance. I don't think there is smooth sailing for anyone," Hill said. "My situation is different because it was so public and was politically driven, but I don't know that anyone who comes forward and makes a charge of sexual misconduct, harassment, can have an easy time in a system that often assumes that they are not being truthful." That system is also grappling with stories of unintended consequences stemming from Me Too, including men who are refusing to take meetings with or mentor women for fear of being wrongly accused of misbehaviour. Hill hasn't heard of any instances of this kind of backlash, but said it "worries" her because it could "become an excuse for not doing the things they weren't doing anyway." She feels it also shows why men need to be part of the Me Too conversation. "We need men to be on board with us, not only because in many cases they are the decision-markers, but also because sexual violence affects them," she said. As Me Too moves forward, she said it's important that its proponents do not underestimate "the resistance," which she saw in full force following her own testimony. "As much progress as we have made, there were efforts to reduce that progress or nullify that progress," she said. "I am hoping at this point, we can move and work in our spaces, whether it be the private or public sector, to become problem solvers, to see sexual harassment not as something you want to address as a risk or a lawsuit, but because it occurs in your workforce and is causing institutional damage." KATOWICE, Poland - Negotiators from around the world opened the United Nations' annual climate change conference Sunday in a Polish city built around mining coal, widely seen as a main culprit behind global warming. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/12/2018 (1089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this photo taken Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, mining machines work in the open cast mine near Kostolac, Serbia. The Kostolac power plant complex in eastern Serbia is currently being expanded with a $715 million loan from a Chinese state bank and constructed by one of China's largest companies. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) KATOWICE, Poland - Negotiators from around the world opened the United Nations' annual climate change conference Sunday in a Polish city built around mining coal, widely seen as a main culprit behind global warming. Arriving for two weeks of talks on tackling climate change, conference participants cast off hats, scarves and heavy coats as they entered cavernous halls in Katowice heated by coal-fired power plants nearby. Coal is centre-stage at the U.N. summit, which is taking place three years after a landmark deal in Paris set a goal of keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Demonstrators take part in a climate demonstration in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Thousands of people are marching in Berlin and Cologne to demand that Germany make a quick exit from coal-fired energy, a day before a U.N. climate summit opens in neighboring Poland. (Christoph Soeder/dpa via AP) While the Polish government claims Katowice is in the process of transforming into a green city , power plant chimneys pumped plumes of smoke into a dull December sky and monitoring sites showed elevated levels of air pollution. Poland, which is presiding over the meeting, plans to use Monday's official opening event to promote a declaration calling for a "just transition" for fossil fuel industries that face cuts and closures amid efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental activists have expressed concerns about the non-binding declaration, arguing that it could be cited as justification for propping up dying industries instead of investing in renewable energy sources. Some also have questioned why coal companies are among the meeting's sponsors. Poland's deputy environment minister, Michal Kurtyka, who is chairing the conference, urged envoys from almost 200 nations to use the time between Sunday and Dec. 14 to make progress on fleshing out the 2015 Paris agreement. In this Nov. 20, 2018 photo workers decorate the venue of the global climate summit that will be held at the site of the closed 'Katowice' coal mine in the city of Katowice, Poland. The COP 24 UN Climate Change Conference is taking place in Katowice, Poland. Negotiators from around the world are meeting for talks on curbing climate change. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) "We are here to enable the world to act together on climate change," he said. With further meetings next year meant to build on what's decided in Katowice, Kurtyka urged all countries to "show creativity and flexibility." "The United Nations secretary-general is counting on us, all of us to deliver," he added. "There is no Plan B." The World Bank Group said Monday it is doubling funding for poor countries preparing for climate change to $200 billion over five years. It said about $50 billion will be earmarked for climate adaptation, a recognition that some adverse effects of global warming can't be avoided anymore but require a change in practice. The meeting, known as COP24, received a boost over the weekend when 19 major economies at the G-20 summit affirmed their commitment to the Paris accord. The only holdout was the United States, which announced under President Donald Trump that it is withdrawing from the climate pact. A demonstrator holds a placard which reads 'climate first, politics second' during a 'Claim the Climate' march in Brussels, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. The climate change conference, COP24, will take place in Poland from Dec. 2-14. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) "Despite geopolitical instability, the climate consensus is proving highly resilient," said Christiana Figueres, a former head of the U.N. climate office. "It is sad that the federal administration of the United States, a country that is increasingly feeling the full force of climate impacts, continues to refuse to listen to the objective voice of science when it comes to climate change," Figures said. She cited a recent expert report warning of the consequences of letting average global temperatures rise beyond 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F). "The rest of the G-20 have not only understood the science, they are taking actions to both prevent the major impacts and strengthen their economies," said Figueres, who now works with Mission 2020, a group that campaigns to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A demonstrator wears a headband stuffed with greens and a sign which reads 'act now' during a 'Claim the Climate' march in Brussels, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. The climate change conference, COP24, will take place in Poland from Dec. 2-14. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) While the United States is withdrawing from the climate pact, the State Department said it is sending a delegation to the Katowice conference. The meeting in Katowice is regarded as a key test of countries' willingness to back their lofty but distant goals with concrete measures, some of which are already drawing fierce protests . At the top of the agenda is the so-called Paris rulebook , which will determine how governments record and report their greenhouse emissions and efforts to cut them. Separately, negotiators will discuss ramping up countries' national emissions targets after 2020, and financial support for poor nations that are struggling to adapt to climate change. The shift away from fossil fuels, which scientists say has to happen by 2050, is expected to require a major overhaul of world economies. "The good news is that we do know a lot of what we need to be able to do to get there," said David Waskow of the World Resources Institute. Waskow, who has followed climate talks for years, said despite the Trump administration's refusal to back this global effort the momentum is going in the right direction. "It's not one or two players anymore in the international arena," he said. "It's what I think you could call a distributed leadership, where you have a number of countries some of them small or medium-sized really making headway and doing it in tandem with cities and states and businesses." Not far from the meeting venue, Polish anti-coal activists held a small protest Sunday. It was dwarfed by marches in Brussels, Berlin and Cologne over the weekend calling for greater action to curb climate change. But the governor of Germany's most populous state said Sunday it was premature to set a firm date for phasing out the use of coal-fired power plants. Armin Laschet, the governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state, told the Funke media group that Germany's decision to stop mining and burning lignite coal "must be considered seriously and decided with broad consensus." German officials had hoped to present a blueprint for the country's exit from coal at the meeting in Katowice, but an expert committee delayed issuing its recommendations until next year. ___ Follow Frank Jordans on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/wirereporter ___ Read more stories on climate issues by The Associated Press at https://www.apnews.com/Climate BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - The United States and China reached a 90-day cease-fire in a trade dispute that has rattled financial markets and threatened world economic growth. The breakthrough came after a dinner meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/12/2018 (1089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - The United States and China reached a 90-day cease-fire in a trade dispute that has rattled financial markets and threatened world economic growth. The breakthrough came after a dinner meeting 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. The truce, reached after a dinner of more than two hours Saturday, buys time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijing's aggressive drive to supplant U.S. technological dominance. "It's an incredible deal," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, adding, "if it happens it goes down as one of the largest deals ever made." Trump said: "What I'll be doing is holding back on tariffs. China will be opening up, China will be getting rid of tariffs. ... China will be buying massive amounts of products from us." In a long-sought concession to the U.S., China agreed to label fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid responsible for tens of thousands of American drug deaths annually, as a controlled substance. And Beijing agreed to reconsider a takeover by U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm that it had previously blocked. The White House announcement framed a victory for Trump and his unflinching negotiating tactics, securing a commitment from China to engage in talks on key U.S. economic priorities, with little obvious concession by the U.S. Notably, however, the White House appears to be reversing course on its previous threats to tie trade discussions to security concerns, like China's attempted territorial expansion in the South China Sea. "It's great the two sides took advantage of this opportunity to call a truce," said Andy Rothman, investment strategist at Matthews Asia. "The two sides appear to have had a major change of heart to move away from confrontation toward engagement. This changes the tone and direction of the bilateral conversation." The Trump-Xi meeting was the marquee event of Trump's whirlwind two-day trip to Argentina for the G-20 summit after the president cancelled a sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin over mounting tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Trump also cancelled a Saturday news conference, citing respect for the Bush family following the death of former President George H.W. Bush. Trump said Bush's death put a "damper" on what he described as a "very important meeting" with Xi. The United States and China are locked in a dispute over their trade imbalance and Beijing's tech policies. 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 25 per cent on $50 billion worth and 10 per cent on the other $200 billion. Trump had planned to raise the tariffs on the $200 billion to 25 per cent if he couldn't get a deal with Xi. China has already slapped tariffs on $110 billion in U.S. goods. Under the agreement reached in Buenos Aires, the two countries have 90 days to resolve their differences over Beijing's tech policies. If they can't, the higher U.S. tariffs will go into effect on the $200 billion in Chinese imports. U.S. 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 judged. A full-blown resolution was not expected to be reached in Buenos Aires; the issues that divide them are just too difficult. 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 per cent from a previous 3.7 per cent. In doing so, they cited the trade conflict as well as political uncertainty. The U.S. and China also made progress on the regulation of fentanyl, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin. U.S. officials for years have been pressing the Chinese government to take a tougher stance against fentanyl, and most U.S. supply of the drug is manufactured in China. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said China's decision to label the drug as a controlled substance means that "people selling Fentanyl to the United States will be subject to China's maximum penalty under the law." The White House also said that China's government is "open to approving" the purchase of Dutch semiconductor manufacturer NXP by American chipmaker Qualcomm. China nixed the proposed takeover earlier this year, citing antitrust concerns, after U.S. and European regulators approved the deal. China's decision came amid a period of heightening tensions between the U.S. and China over trade and intellectual property issues. Qualcomm announced it was dropping plans to proceed with the deal after it failed to receive Chinese government approval. It is unclear whether the transaction could be revived even with China's acquiescence. In other developments, Trump announced aboard Air Force One on his return to Washington from Buenos Aires that his next meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un would likely happen in January or February. He said there were three sites under consideration, but he declined to name them. Trump also said he would shortly be providing formal notice to Congress that he will terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement, giving lawmakers six months to approve the replacement he signed Friday. He said lawmakers can choose between the replacement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or nothing. ___ Wiseman reported from Washington. 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." BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used face time with two of the world's most controversial leaders Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss concerns about issues unfolding under their watch. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1091 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland leaves after speaking to media on the roof of the Panamericano Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018., to attend the G20 Summit. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used face time with two of the world's most controversial leaders Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss concerns about issues unfolding under their watch. In Buenos Aires on Saturday, Trudeau told a news conference that he directly pressed Putin about actions that resulted in the Russian seizure of three Ukrainian naval vessels near Crimea a message that top Ukrainian officials wanted Trudeau to relay. Trudeau said he told Putin of the need to release imprisoned Ukrainian sailors during a meeting of world leaders on Friday, but there wasn't an opportunity for Putin to respond to the remarks. "For me, it is obvious that this is an issue that concerns not just Canada but a number of our NATO allies," Trudeau said Saturday. "We are all very much hoping that there will be de-escalation and a release of those prisoners." Trudeau's message to Putin came on the heels of a Friday statement from the foreign ministers of Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the high representative of the European Union, expressing concern about Russia's actions against Ukraine in the Kerch Strait and surrounding waters. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets British Prime Minister Theresa May at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Trudeau also indicated Saturday that he spoke directly with Saudi Arabia's crown prince on the sidelines of a dinner offered by Argentina that was held on Friday night. "I took the opportunity to have a conversation with the crown prince directly, in which we discussed the diplomatic discord between Canada and Saudi Arabia," he said. Trudeau said he also brought up the need for better answers on the killing of journalist Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the ongoing imprisonment of Raif Badawi, as well as the need for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Yemen. The civil war in Yemen constitutes the largest humanitarian catastrophe going on in the world today, Trudeau said, adding it is a subject that has been raised throughout the G20 summit. "The situation is dire and getting worse," he said. Trudeau stressed that he continues to believe "frank and direct" conversations with leaders matter, adding they are what Canadians expect him to do and what the world has come to expect of Canada. Canada and other countries faced the difficulty of how to handle the presence of Saudi Arabia's crown prince, known by the initials MBS, at the G20 summit. The trip marked the highest-profile overseas junket for the crown prince since Khashoggi's murder. On Saturday, Trudeau also sat down separately with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May. During both bilateral sessions, Trudeau discussed Khashoggi's October murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and Canadian sanctions enacted on 17 Saudi nationals implicated in the killing. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland announced on Thursday the federal government had looked closely at the involvement of each person it sanctioned and concluded they were either directly involved or complicit in the murder. The sanctions freeze the targets' Canadian assets and make them inadmissible to Canada. Earlier this month, the United States imposed its own sanctions on Saudi officials for the same reason. Saudi Arabia is set to host the G20 summit in 2020. Follow @kkirkup on Twitter The Manitoba Legislative Assembly threw open its doors to hundreds of visitors during its annual open house on Saturday, as families converged to tour the building, mingle with ministers, and enjoy some holiday cheer. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Manitoba Legislative Assembly threw open its doors to hundreds of visitors during its annual open house on Saturday, as families converged to tour the building, mingle with ministers, and enjoy some holiday cheer. Premier Brian Pallister kicked off the festivities at 1 p.m., strolling with his wife Esther to the top of the Grand Staircase to the tune of bagpiper Dennis Schindler's rendition of Scotland the Brave. After welcoming his guests and encouraging them to help the needy during the holiday season, the premier returned to his office to glad-hand and pose for photos with a long line of visitors. "It's just cool that we can be in a country where we can do this," said Nancy Borne, of Stonewall, who showed up with her husband Brian to offer their best wishes and encouragement to the premier. Angela and Jerome Dondo of St. Claude brought five of their 10 children to Winnipeg to meet the premier and the health minister. They wanted to express their gratitude for Angela's recent cancer treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, which was paid for by the provincial healthcare system. "Even though they're not personally responsible, it's because of a government program that my wife is here today," said Jerome Dondo. The Dondo family posed for pictures with Pallister to the tune of serenades from a roving band of carolers, and Pallister wrapped Angela Dondo in an embrace. TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Brian Pallister hugging Angela Dondo, as her sons, Josiah, 16, and Joshua, 17, look on, at the annual open house at the Manitoba Legislative Building, Saturday. Angela thanked the premier for her ability to receive cancer treatments in the US. "It's always a warm meeting with him," she said afterwards. Other visitors to the legislature showed up with business on their minds, using the open house as an opportunity to get access to politicians. Alan Butler, the president of the board of Snowmobilers of Manitoba, waited for his chance to chat with the premier about changes to the group's $150 "Snopass" registration program for using snowmobile trails. "Right now it's a voluntary type (of) situation, so we're trying to get that to where it's a legal requirement," said Butler. "We've been working with various ministers on it for a while, so we just want to bring it to his attention again, politely." Executives from the Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre in Swan River were also on hand to meet MLAs and spread the word about their non-profit organization, which helps deliver social services to Indigenous people living in urban areas. "We're just here to say, you know what, if you're wanting to deliver programs in communities to Indigenous groups, let us have a crack at it," said board president Peter Fleming. "I think friendship centres get lost sometimes in the shuffle," added executive director Ken Munro. TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSPremier Brian Pallister addresses the annual open house at the Manitoba Legislative Building, Saturday. "We're not big politically, and I think people forget sometimes all the good work we do. So that's why we come here, to just remind them and let them see our faces." Manitoba NDP Opposition Leader Wab Kinew said he'd had a few visitors who wanted to talk business on Saturday. "But more so it's mingling and visiting and holiday cheer," he said. Kinew got into the holiday spirit with a campy Christmas sweater that featured a light-draped dinosaur dubbed "Tree Rex." "My staff teased me because I wore the same ugly Christmas sweater two years in a row, so I had to step it up and bring a new one," he said. (Not to be outdone, Manitoba Liberal leader Dougald Lamont dressed as an elf to welcome visitors to his caucus office, while Liberal MLA Cindy Lamoureux donned a Santa costume to hand out candy canes.) NDP MLA and Justice Critic Nahanni Fontaine said the open houses are "an opportunity to get to meet so many different Manitobans that you may not necessarily get the opportunity to meet." TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSOpposition Leader Wab Kinew wears an ugly Christmas sweater dubbed 'Tree Rex' for the open house. A few visitors want to talk politics, she said, but more of them just want to meet their elected representatives and enjoy themselves. Fontaine herself was happy to get political, though asked what she wants for Christmas, she said she wished the Progressive Conservative government would undertake a "comprehensive, robust review" of Manitoba's Independent Investigation Unit in light of a recent Free Press investigation that explored how the watchdog agency's work has been stymied by a lack of police cooperation. For his part, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen said his Christmas wish was simply for "justice." As visitors milled around his first-floor office, Cullen reflected on the benefits of living in an open democracy. He said he'd just met a family that recently moved to Manitoba from Russia. "They said, (in) a lot of countries you would never have this opportunity to visit with elected officials," said Cullen. "That's something that's special." solomon.israel@freepress.mb.ca @sol_israel Lying cold in the snow, her face beaten and swollen, Mary watched as the Christmas presents she and her partner exchanged went up in flames. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Lying cold in the snow, her face beaten and swollen, Mary watched as the Christmas presents she and her partner exchanged went up in flames. He threw them on the barbecue, one by one, after an argument between the couple took a violent turn last December. ZACHARY PRONG / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Domestic abuse should be recognized as a global health epidemic, says Det.-Sgt. Susan Desjardine, the Winnipeg Police Service's domestic violence intervention co-ordinator. Mary left her partner after the assault and feels he hasnt been held accountable for his actions. After reporting the incident to police, Mary went to court and filed for a protection order. The Free Press has agreed not to identify Mary by her last name, out of concern for her safety. The order was granted, but criminal charges were stayed. Shes now looking for a second job to help pay her legal bills "Im thousands of dollars in debt and I have nothing to show for it. He got away with it," Mary says. Nearly a year later, the systems meant to hold domestic violence offenders accountable just arent working, she says. Many Manitobans find themselves in Marys position involved in a toxic domestic relationship that erupts into physical violence. In Winnipeg, police received 16,332 calls for domestic disturbances in 2017 a number that increases every year. Police respond to an average of 44 domestic disturbance calls every day. While not all incidents result in stayed charges, Mary says she is far from alone. "Ive been vocal on social media about my experiences," she says. "Ive had several women reach out to me saying that they have had a similar experience reporting abuse." Domestic violence is one of the most pervasive public health issues in Manitoba, with 374 cases per 100,000 people, according to Statistics Canada. Det.-Sgt. Susan Desjardine, the Winnipeg Police Services domestic violence intervention co-ordinator, describes the issue as a global health epidemic."I dont know why the World Health Organization hasnt recognized that," she says. Desjardine studies global approaches to domestic violence, in the hope of finding more effective strategies that can be adopted in Winnipeg. There may be one worth looking at in a small North Carolina city, about two kilometres southeast of Raleigh. The community of High Point claims to be seeing results after implementing whats being called an innovative approach to curbing domestic violence. For years, the High Point Police Department (HPPD) had been receiving roughly 5,000 domestic disturbance calls a year in a city of 111,500 people. The city had expanded and strengthened social services, and the justice system often ordered mandatory counselling for known offenders. Still the numbers didnt budge. But after having success with so-called "focused deterrence" as a response to gang violence and drug trafficking, HPPD adopted what it calls the Offender Focused Domestic Violence Initiative (OFDVI) in 2012. Focused deterrence policing is a strategy that aims to prevent crime by increasing the severity and certainty of punitive measure. It targets specific criminal behaviour and classifies offenders based on a four-tier evaluation system. Some of the key features of the strategy are intervening with offenders and setting clear standards for their behaviour. As well, police keep a database of offenders and aim to hold them accountable by ensuring that all legal means available will be employed when those standards are violated. This is also known as "pulling-levers policing." Focused deterrence hypothesizes that crime can be prevented if potential offenders believe the costs of committing a crime outweighs the benefits, particularly if the punitive measures are swift and certain. The strategy has resulted in a 20 per cent decrease in domestic-violence-related calls in a two-year period, according to a 2015 report published by the University of North Carolina. But locally, some Manitoba domestic violence researchers wonder if the baseline results actually show improvement. "Even though that may be true, it could be a result of two things: either the actual rate of crime went down which they believe or it could mean that victims have learned not to call," says Olivia Peters, a research assistant at RESOLVE Manitoba, a research initiative aimed at ending violence against girls and women. Peters wrote her dissertation for her masters in sociology and criminology on the Offender Focused Domestic Violence Initiative. Winnipeg police adopted a mandatory charge policy for domestic violence in 1999, which was rewritten in 2004. After it was adopted, the volume of arrests made from domestic calls dropped significantly, Desjardine says. The policy meant that when police were called to a domestic dispute, someone was going to be arrested if there were grounds to believe a crime had taken place. "When the mandatory charge policy came into effect we were receiving 16,000 calls a year on average for domestic violence. We were arresting about 4,000 of those cases. We are now arresting just under 2,000," Desjardine says. The number of domestic violence arrests is declining annually in Winnipeg. However, Desjardine and Peters agree those statistics alone do not necessarily mean the Winnipeg police policy is working. "A lot of analysts will see that and think that the policy works, its effective but its because victims are scared to call. Victims dont necessarily want their partners to go to jail they just want the violence to stop," Peters says. In October, Winnipeg police and the province adopted a restorative justice program aimed at rehabilitating first-time offenders. Prior to the program, offenders were arrested and released on a promise to appear in court six weeks later. Under the new strategy, offenders return to court three months later. In the interim, offenders are provided education on domestic violence, healthy relationships and other programming justice officials feel is best suited for them. If its an addiction issue, the offender will be ordered to seek treatment. High Point has seen a decrease in recidivism since implementing the OFDVI, with a 12 per cent reoffence rate among first-time offenders. Nineteen per cent of high-risk offenders in High Point reoffended within a year. Repeat and chronic offenders are one of the biggest challenges for police agencies when it comes to domestic violence. Breaking the cycle of abuse is a challenge when early intervention isnt possible. A focused deterrence approach in Winnipeg would need to be adapted to the citys demographics, Peters says. "The reason I think it seems to work (in High Point) and I wouldnt say that it works as a whole for them is the fact that they have applied focused deterrence to other types of crime prior. They have a network of people who truly believe in the strategy." Peters also researched a nearby jurisdiction in North Carolina that applied the strategy without success. "They didnt have the previously established system of focused deterrence," she says. "Everyone needs to buy in that the initiative will work, and if they dont have the previously applied focused deterrence method that this one community did, then it wont work." Jenn Walker is a journalism student with Red River Community Colleges creative communications program. The following companies are subsidiares of CVS Health: @Credentials Inc., ACS ACQCO CORP., ADMINCO Inc., AE Fourteen Incorporated, AHP Holdings Inc., AMC - Tennessee LLC, APS Acquisition LLC, ASCO HealthCare LLC, ASI Wings LLC, AUSHC Holdings Inc., Accendo Insurance Company, Accordant Health Services L.L.C., Active Health Management Inc., Administrative Enterprises Inc., AdvancePCS SpecialtyRx LLC, AdvanceRx.com L.L.C., Advanced Care Scripts Inc., Aetna, Aetna (Beijing) Enterprise Management Services Co. Ltd., Aetna (Shanghai) Enterprise Services Co. Ltd., Aetna ACO Holdings Inc., Aetna Asset Advisors LLC, Aetna Behavioral Health LLC, Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health of California Inc., Aetna Better Health of Florida Inc., Aetna Better Health of Kansas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Better Health of Missouri LLC, Aetna Better Health of Nevada Inc., Aetna Better Health of North Carolina Inc., Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma Inc., Aetna Better Health of Texas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Washington Inc., Aetna Capital Management LLC, Aetna Card Solutions LLC, Aetna Corporate Services LLC, Aetna Dental Inc., Aetna Dental of California Inc., Aetna Financial Holdings LLC, Aetna Florida Inc., Aetna Global Benefits (Asia Pacific) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bahamas) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bermuda) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Europe) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Middle East) LLC, Aetna Global Benefits (Singapore) PTE. LTD., Aetna Global Benefits (UK) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits Limited (DIFC UAE), Aetna Global Holdings Limited, Aetna Health Holdings LLC, Aetna Health Inc., Aetna Health Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Aetna Health Insurance Company, Aetna Health Insurance Company of Europe DAC, Aetna Health Management LLC, Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company, Aetna Health of California Inc., Aetna Health of Iowa Inc., Aetna Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Health of Ohio Inc., Aetna Health of Utah Inc., Aetna HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., Aetna Holdco (UK) Limited, Aetna Holdings (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Inc., Aetna Insurance (Hong Kong) Limite, Aetna Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Aetna Insurance Company Limited, Aetna Integrated Informatics Inc., Aetna International Inc., Aetna Ireland Inc., Aetna Korea Ltd., Aetna Life & Casualty (Bermuda) Ltd., Aetna Life Assignment Company, Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC, Aetna Multi-Strategy 1099 Fund LLC, Aetna Network Services LLC, Aetna Partners Diversified Fund LLC, Aetna Pharmacy Management Services LLC, Aetna Resources LLC, Aetna Risk Assurance Company of Connecticut Inc., Aetna Rx Home Delivery LLC, Aetna Services (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Aetna Student Health Agency Inc., Aetna Ventures LLC, Aetna Workers Comp Access LLC, Alabama CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Alaska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, American Continental Insurance Company, American Drug Stores Delaware L.L.C., American Health Holding Inc., Arbor Drugs, Arizona CVS Stores L.L.C., Arkansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Badger Acquisition LLC, Badger Acquisition of Kentucky LLC, Badger Acquisition of Minnesota LLC, Badger Acquisition of Ohio LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc., Beauty Holdings L.L.C., Best Care LTC Acquisition Company LLC, Busse CVS L.L.C., CCI Foreign S.a R.L. (R.C.S. Luxembourg), CCRx Holdings LLC, CCRx of North Carolina LLC, CHP Acquisition LLC, CP Acquisition LLC, CVS 2948 Henderson L.L.C., CVS 3268 Gilbert L.L.C., CVS 3745 Peoria L.L.C., CVS AL Distribution L.L.C., CVS AOC Corporation, CVS AOC Services L.L.C., CVS Albany L.L.C., CVS Bellmore Avenue L.L.C., CVS Care Concierge LLC, CVS Caremark Advanced Technology Pharmacy L.L.C., CVS Caremark Indemnity Ltd., CVS Caremark Part D Services L.L.C., CVS Caremark TN SUTA LLC, CVS Foreign Inc., CVS Gilbert 3272 L.L.C., CVS Health Solutions LLC, CVS Indiana L.L.C., CVS International L.L.C., CVS Kidney Care Advanced Technologies LLC, CVS Kidney Care Health Services LLC, CVS Kidney Care Home Dialysis LLC, CVS Kidney Care LLC, CVS Manchester NH L.L.C., CVS Media Exchange LLC, CVS Michigan L.L.C., CVS Orlando FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS PA Distribution L.L.C., CVS PR Center Inc., CVS Pharmacy Inc., CVS RS Arizona L.L.C., CVS Rx Services Inc., CVS SC Distribution L.L.C., CVS State Capital L.L.C., CVS TN Distribution L.L.C., CVS Transportation L.L.C., CVS Vero FL Distribution L.L.C., Campos Medical Pharmacy LLC, Canal Place LLC, Care Pharmaceutical Services LP, CareCenter Pharmacy L.L.C., Carefree Insurance Services Inc., Caremark Arizona Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Arizona Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark California Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Florida Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Florida Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Hawaii Mail Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Hawaii Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark IPA L.L.C., Caremark Illinois Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Illinois Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Irving Resource Center LLC, Caremark Kansas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark L.L.C., Caremark Logistics LLC, Caremark Louisiana Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Maryland Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Massachusetts Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Michigan Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Minnesota Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark New Jersey Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark North Carolina Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ohio Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Pennsylvania Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark PhC L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Redlands Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Repack LLC, Caremark Rx L.L.C., Caremark Tennessee Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ulysses Holding Corp., Caremark Washington Specialty Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Alabama Mail Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Health L.L.C., CaremarkPCS L.L.C., Central Rx Services LLC, Claims Administration Corp., Cofinity Inc., Compscript LLC, Connecticut CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood Tennessee, Continuing Care Rx LLC, Coram Alternate Site Services Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Alabama, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater D.C., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater New York, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Indiana, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Massachusetts, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Mississippi, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Nevada, Coram Healthcare Corporation of North Texas, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Northern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Utah, Coram LLC, Coram Rx LLC, Coram Specialty Infusion, Coram Specialty Infusion Services L.L.C., Coventry Consumer Advantage Inc., Coventry Health Care National Accounts Inc., Coventry Health Care National Network Inc., Coventry Health Care Workers Compensation Inc., Coventry Health Care of Illinois Inc., Coventry Health Care of Kansas Inc., Coventry Health Care of Missouri Inc., Coventry Health Care of Nebraska Inc., Coventry Health Care of Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Care of West Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Plan of Florida Inc., Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, Coventry HealthCare Management Corporation, Coventry Prescription Management Services Inc., Coventry Rehabilitation Services Inc., Coventry Transplant Network Inc., D & R Pharmaceutical Services LLC, D.A.W. LLC, Delaware CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Delaware Physicians Care Incorporated, Digital eHealth LLC, District of Columbia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., E.T.B. INC., Echo Merger Sub Inc., Eckerd Corporation of Florida Inc., Employee Assistance Services LLC, Enloe Drugs LLC, Enterprise Patient Safety Organization LLC, EntrustRX, Evergreen Pharmaceutical LLC, Evergreen Pharmaceutical of California Inc., Express Pharmacy Services of PA L.L.C., FOCUS HealthCare Management Inc., First Health Group Corp., First Health Life & Health Insurance Company, First Script Network Services Inc., Florida Health Plan Administrators LLC, Garfield Beach CVS L.L.C., Generation Health L.L.C., Geneva Woods Health Services LLC, Geneva Woods LTC Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Management LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Alaska LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Washington LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Wyoming LLC, Geneva Woods Retail Pharmacy LLC, Georgia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., German Dobson CVS L.L.C., Goodhealth Worldwide (Asia) Limited, Goodhealth Worldwide (Global) Limited, Goodyear CVS L.L.C., Grand St. Paul CVS L.L.C., Grandview Pharmacy LLC, Group Dental Service Inc., Group Dental Service of Maryland Inc., Health Care Management Co. Ltd., Health Data & Management Solutions Inc., Health Re Inc., Health and Human Resource Center Inc., HealthAssuance Pennsylvania Inc., Healthagen LLC, Highland Park CVS L.L.C., Holiday CVS L.L.C., Home Care Pharmacy LLC, Home Pharmacy Services LLC, Hook-SupeRx L.L.C., Horizon Behavioral Services LLC, Idaho CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., IlliniCare Health, Indian Health Organisation Private Limited, Innovation Health Holdings LLC, Innovation Health Insurance Company, Innovation Health Plan Inc., Interlock Pharmacy Systems LLC, Iowa CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., JHC Acquisition LLC, Kansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Kentucky CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., LCPS Acquisition LLC, Langsam Health Services LLC, Lo-Med Prescription Services LLC, Lobos Acquisition LLC, Longs Drug Stores, Longs Drug Stores California L.L.C., Louisiana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., MHHP Acquisition Company LLC, MHNet Life and Health Insurance Company, MHNet Specialty Services LLC, MHNet of Florida Inc., Managed Care Coordinators Inc., Managed Healthcare LLC, Martin Health Services LLC, Maryland CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Med World Acquisition Corp., Medical Arts Health Care LLC, Medical Examinations of New York P.C., Melville Realty Company Inc., MemberHealth LLC, Mental Health Associates Inc., Mental Health Network of New York IPA Inc., Meritain Health Inc., Merwin Long Term Care LLC, MetraComp Inc., Minor Health Enterprise Co Ltd., MinuteClinic, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Alabama L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arizona LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Florida LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Georgia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Hawaii L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Illinois LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Kentucky L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Louisiana L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maine L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maryland LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Massachusetts LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Nebraska L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Hampshire L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Mexico L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Ohio LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oklahoma LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oregon LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Pennsylvania LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Rhode Island LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of South Carolina L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Utah L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Virginia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Washington LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Wisconsin L.L.C., MinuteClinic L.L.C., MinuteClinic Online Diagnostic Services LLC, MinuteClinic Physician Practice of Texas, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services LLC, Mississippi CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Missouri CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Montana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NCS Healthcare LLC, NCS Healthcare of Illinois LLC, NCS Healthcare of Iowa LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kansas LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kentucky Inc. (Oh, NCS Healthcare of Montana LLC, NCS Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, NCS Healthcare of Ohio LLC, NCS Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, NCS Healthcare of Tennessee LLC, NCS Healthcare of Wisconsin LLC, NIV Acquisition LLC, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Nebraska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NeighborCare Holdings Inc., NeighborCare Inc., NeighborCare Pharmacy Services Inc., NeighborCare Services Corporation, NeighborCare of Indiana LLC, NeighborCare of Virginia LLC, New Jersey CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Niagara Re Inc., North Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., North Shore Pharmacy Services LLC, NovoLogix LLC, OCR Services LLC, Ocean Acquisition Sub L.L.C., Ohio CVS Stores L.L.C., Oklahoma CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Omnicare, Omnicare Holding Company, Omnicare Inc., Omnicare Indiana Partnership Holding Company LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania East LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania West LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of the Great Plains Holding LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy and Supply Services LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of Tennessee LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of the Midwest LLC, Omnicare Property Management LLC, Omnicare of Nebraska LLC, Omnicare of Nevada LLC, Omnicare of New York LLC, Oregon CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., PE Holdings LLC, PHPSNE Parent Corporation, PP Acquisition Company LLC, PRN Pharmaceutical Services LP, PT Aetna Management Consulting, Pamplona Saude e Beleza LTDA, Part D Holding Company L.L.C., PayFlex Holdings Inc., PayFlex Systems USA Inc., Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Performax Inc., Pharmacy Associates of Glenn Falls LLC, Pharmacy Consultants LLC, Phoenix Data Solutions LLC, Precision Benefit Services Inc., Prime Net Inc., ProCare Pharmacy Direct L.L.C., ProCare Pharmacy L.L.C., Prodigy Health Group Inc., Professional Risk Management Inc., Pt. Aetna Global Benefits Indonesia, Puerto Rico CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Red Oak Sourcing LLC, Resources for Living LLC, Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Roeschens Healthcare LLC, RxAmerica, Schaller Anderson Medical Administrators Incorporated, Scrip World LLC, Sheffield Avenue CVS L.L.C., Shore Pharmaceutical Providers LLC, Silverscript Insurance Company, Soma Intimates, South Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., South Wabash CVS L.L.C., Specialized Pharmacy Services LLC, Spinnaker Bidco Limited, Spinnaker Topco Limited, Stadtlander Drug Company, Stadtlander Pharmacy, Sterling Healthcare Services LLC, Superior Care Pharmacy LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Administrative Services LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, T2 Medical Inc., TCPI Acquisition LLC, TargetPharmacy, Tennessee CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company, Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Texas Health + Aetna Health Plan Inc., The Vasquez Group Inc., Thomas Phoenix CVS L.L.C., Three Forks Apothecary LLC, U.S Healthcare Holdings LLC, U.S. Healthcare Properties Inc., UAC Holding Inc., UC Acquisition LLC, UNI-Care Health Services of Maine LLC, Universal American - Medicare Part D Business, Utah CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., VAPS Acquisition Company LLC, Value Health Care Services LLC, Vermont CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virtual Home Healthcare L.L.C., Warm Springs Road CVS L.L.C., Washington CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Washington Lamb CVS L.L.C., Weber Medical Systems LLC, Wellpartner LLC, West Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Westhaven Services Co LLC, Williamson Drug Company LLC, Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Woodward Detroit CVS L.L.C., Work and Family Benefits Inc., ZS Acquisition Company LLC, Zinc Health Services LLC, Zinc Health Ventures LLC, bSwift LLC, and iTriage LLC. AFC Energy plc engages in the development of alkaline fuel cell systems for the generation of clean energy in the United Kingdom and Germany. The company offers HydroX-Cell(L), an alkaline fuel cell module; HydroX-Cell(S); and AlkaMem, an anion exchange membrane technology for alkaline water electrolysis, alkaline fuel cells, fuel synthesis, electrodialysis, desalination, acid remediation, salt water batteries, and REDOX flow batteries applications. It also provides auxiliary equipment, such as ammonia crackers, water electrolyzes, inverters, battery and fuel storage products, and battery management systems. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Cranleigh, the United Kingdom. Read More Aston Bay Holdings Ltd., an exploration stage company, acquires, explores, and develops mineral properties in North America. The company explores for copper, zinc, lead, silver, gold, and precious metal deposits. It holds a 100% interest in the Storm Copper and Seal Zinc project that consists of 118 contiguous mining claims and 12 prospecting permits covering an area of approximately 381,468 hectares on Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada, as well as holds an interest in the Blue Ridge Project located in central Virginia, the United States. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More ONEOK, Inc. engages in gathering, processing, fractionating, transporting, storing and marketing of natural gas. It operates through the following segments: Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Liquids and Natural Gas Pipelines. The Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment offers midstream services to producers in North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma. The Natural Gas Liquids segment owns and operates facilities that gather, fractionate, treat and distribute NGLs and store NGL products, in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico and the Rocky Mountain region, which includes the Williston, Powder River and DJ Basins, where it provides midstream services to producers of NGLs and deliver those products to the two market centers, one in the Mid-Continent in Conway, Kansas and the other in the Gulf Coast in Mont Belvieu, Texas. The Natural Gas Pipelines segment provides transportation and storage services to end users. The company was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Tulsa, OK. 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 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.. 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 Celanese Corp. engages in the provision of technology and specialty materials businesses. It operates through the following segments: Engineered Materials, Acetate Tow, Acetyl Chain and Other Activities .The Engineered Materials segment includes the engineered materials business, food ingredients business and certain strategic affiliates. The Acetate Tow segment serves consumer-driven applications and is a global producer and supplier of acetate tow and acetate flake used in filter products applications. The Acetyl Chain segment includes the integrated chain of intermediate chemistry, emulsion polymers and ethylene vinyl acetate (""EVA"") polymers businesses, based on similar products, production processes, classes of customers and selling and distribution practices as well as economic similarities over a normal business cycle. The Other Activities segment consists of corporate center costs, including administrative activities such as finance, information technology and human resource functions, interest income and expense associated with financing activities. The company was founded by Camille Dreyfus and Henri Dreyfus in 1918 and is headquartered in Irving, TX. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Ecolab: AO Ecolab, Abednego Environmental Services, Abednego Environmental Services LLC, Abednego Mexico Holdings LLC, Abednego de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Alcide Corp., Anios America S.A., Anios Diffusion SAS, Anios Manufacturing SAS, Bioquell, Bioquell Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Bioquell Global Logistics (Ireland) Ltd., Bioquell Holding SAS, Bioquell Inc., Bioquell Limited, Bioquell SAS, Bioquell Technology (Shenzhen) Ltd., Bioquell Technology Canada Ltd., Bioquell UK Limited, Bioxyquell Limited, CALGON EUROPE LIMITED, CALGON LLC, CID LINES HOLDING NV, CID LINES INVEST NV, CID LINES NV, CID Lines, CID Lines Beijing Animal Hygiene Co Ltd., CID Lines France Sarl, CID Lines Iberica SL, CID Lines LLC, CID Lines Mexico S.A. DE C.V., CID Lines R&D NV, CID Lines Sp. z o. o., CORPAK MedSystems, Cascade Water Services, Champion Technologies, Chamtech L.L.C., Chemlawn, Chemstaff Inc., Chemstar Corporation, Cirlam BVBA, Copal Holding NV, Copal Invest NV, DERYPOL SA, DMD, E&M Bio-Chemicals LLC, ECOLAB NL 10 B.V., ECOLAB PEST FRANCE SAS, Ecolab (Antigua) Ltd., Ecolab (Aruba) N.V., Ecolab (Barbados) Limited, Ecolab (China) Investment Co. Ltd, Ecolab (Fiji) Pty Limited, Ecolab (GZ) Chemicals Limited, Ecolab (Guam) LLC, Ecolab (Proprietary) Limited, Ecolab (Schweiz) GmbH, Ecolab (St. Lucia) Limited, Ecolab (Taicang) Technology Co. Ltd., Ecolab (Trinidad and Tobago) Unlimited, Ecolab (U.K.) Holdings Limited, Ecolab A.E.B.E., Ecolab AB, Ecolab AP Holdings LLC, Ecolab AT 2 GmbH, Ecolab AU2 Pty Ltd, Ecolab Acquisition LLC, Ecolab ApS, Ecolab Argentina S.R.L., Ecolab Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Ecolab B.V., Ecolab B.V.B.A./S.P.R.L., Ecolab Bahrain S.P.C., Ecolab CDN 2 Co., Ecolab CDN 4 ULC, Ecolab CH 1 GmbH, Ecolab CH 2 GmbH, Ecolab CH 3 GmbH, Ecolab CH 5 GmbH, Ecolab CH 6 GmbH, Ecolab Chemicals Limited, Ecolab Co., Ecolab Colombia S. A., Ecolab DE 1 GmbH, Ecolab Deutschland GmbH, Ecolab EOOD, Ecolab East Africa (Kenya) Limited, Ecolab East Africa (Tanzania) Limited, Ecolab East Africa (Uganda) Limited, Ecolab Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Ecolab Engineering GmbH, Ecolab Europe GmbH, Ecolab Export GmbH, Ecolab FR 1 SAS, Ecolab FR 4 SAS, Ecolab Finance Company Designated Activity Company, Ecolab Food Safety & Hygiene Solutions Private Limited, Ecolab G.K., Ecolab Global Business Services LLC, Ecolab GmbH, Ecolab Gulf FZE, Ecolab HK 1 Limited, Ecolab HK 2 Limited, Ecolab Hispano-Portuguesa S.L., Ecolab Holding Italy S.r.l., Ecolab Holdings (Europe) LLC, Ecolab Holdings Inc., Ecolab Holdings Mexico S. de R. L. de C. V., Ecolab Hygiene Kft., Ecolab Hygiene d.o.o., Ecolab Israel Holdings LLC, Ecolab JVZ Limited, Ecolab Korea Ltd., Ecolab LLC, Ecolab LUX & Co Holdings S.C.A., Ecolab LUX 1 Sarl, Ecolab LUX 2 Sarl, Ecolab LUX 4 Sarl, Ecolab LUX 7 Sarl, Ecolab LUX Sarl, Ecolab Limited, Ecolab Ltd., Ecolab Lux 10 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 12 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 13 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 14 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 15 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 9 S.a.r.l., Ecolab Lux Partner LLC, Ecolab MT Holdings LLC, Ecolab MT Limited, Ecolab Malta 1 Limited, Ecolab Malta 2 Limited, Ecolab Malta GPS, Ecolab Manufacturing IE Limited, Ecolab Manufacturing Inc., Ecolab Manufacturing UK Limited, Ecolab Maroc Societe a Responsabilite Limitee, Ecolab NL 11 B.V., Ecolab NL 15 BV, Ecolab NL 16 B.V., Ecolab NL 23 B.V., Ecolab NL 3 BV, Ecolab NL 4 BV, Ecolab Name Holding Limited, Ecolab New Zealand, Ecolab Peru Holdings S.R.L., Ecolab Pest Deutschland GmbH, Ecolab Philippines Inc., Ecolab Production Belgium B.V.B.A., Ecolab Production France SAS, Ecolab Production Italy Srl, Ecolab Production LLC, Ecolab Production Netherlands B.V., Ecolab Production Poland sp. z o.o., Ecolab Pte. Ltd., Ecolab Pty Ltd., Ecolab Quimica Ltda., Ecolab S. de R.L. de C.V., Ecolab S.A., Ecolab S.A. de C.V., Ecolab SAS, Ecolab SIA, Ecolab SNC, Ecolab SRL, Ecolab Sdn Bhd, Ecolab Services Argentina S.R.L., Ecolab Services Poland Sp. z o o, Ecolab Sociedad Anonima, Ecolab Sp. z o o, Ecolab Spain Services S.L.U., Ecolab Temizleme Sistemleri Limited Sirketi, Ecolab U.S. 2 Inc., Ecolab U.S. 6 LLC, Ecolab U.S. 7 LLC, Ecolab US 1 GP, Ecolab USA Inc., Ecolab Viet Nam Company Limited, Ecolab Water Holding LImited, Ecolab a.s., Ecolab d.o.o., Ecolab s.r.l., Ecolab s.r.o., Ecolab y Compania Colectiva de Responsabilidad Limitada, Ecolab-Importacao E. Exportacao Limitada, Ecolabone B.V., Ecolabtwo B.V., Endoclear Equipamentos Medicos Hospitalares Ltda., Enviroflo Engineering Limited, Food Protection Services, GCS Service, Gallay Medical & Scientific Pty Ltd, Gallay Medical & Scientific Pty Ltd., GallayTrac Pty. Ltd., Georgia-Pacific - Paper Chemicals Business, Gibson Chemical Industries, Green Harbour Mainland Holdings Ltd, Guangzhou Green Harbour Environmental Operation Ltd., HYDROSAN LIMITED, Henkel-Ecolab, Hicopla SL, Holchem Laboratories, Huntington Laboratories, Hydenet SAS, INDUSTRIAL) UNIPESSOAL LDA, INTERNATIONAL WATER CONSULTANT B.V., Immobiliare R.E.O.P.A. SRL, Instrunet Hospital SLU, Jianghai Environmental Protection Co., Jianghai Environmental Protection Co. Ltd., KATAYAMA NALCO INC., Kay BVBA, Kay Chemical Company, LHS (UK) Limited, Laboratoires Anios, Laboratoires Anios-Distribution SAS, Les Produits Chimiques ERPAC Inc., Lobster Ink, Lobster Ink Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Lobster International S.A., London & General Packaging Ltd, MALAYSIA SDN. BHD, MANUFACTURING S.R.L., MOBOTEC AB LLC, Master Chemicals OOO, Meratech Rus Group LLC, Microtek Dominicana S.A., Microtek Italy S.R.L., Microtek Medical B.V., Microtek Medical Europe Limited, Microtek Medical Holdings, Microtek Medical Holdings Inc., Microtek Medical Inc., Microtek Medical Malta Holding Limited, Microtek Medical Malta Limited, Midland Research Laboratories, Midland Research Laboratories UK Limited, NALCO (SHANGHAI) TRADING CO. LTD., NALCO AB, NALCO ACQUISITION ONE, NALCO ACQUISITION TWO LIMITED, NALCO AFRICA (PTY.) LTD., NALCO ASIA HOLDING COMPANY PTE. LTD., NALCO BELGIUM BVBA, NALCO CHINA HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO COMPANY OOO, NALCO DANMARK APS, NALCO DE MEXICO S. de R. L. de C.V., NALCO DELAWARE COMPANY, NALCO DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, NALCO DEUTSCHLAND MANUFACTURING GMBH UND CO. KG, NALCO DUTCH HOLDINGS B.V., NALCO EGYPT LTD., NALCO EGYPT TRADING, NALCO ESPANOLA MANUFACTURING S.L.U., NALCO ESPANOLA S.L., NALCO EUROPE B.V., NALCO FINLAND MANUFACTURING OY, NALCO FINLAND OY, NALCO FRANCE, NALCO FRANCE SNC, NALCO GLOBAL HOLDINGS B.V., NALCO GLOBAL HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO HOLDING B.V., NALCO HOLDING COMPANY, NALCO HOLDINGS G.m.b.H., NALCO HOLDINGS UK LIMITED, NALCO HONG KONG LIMITED, NALCO INDUSTRIAL OUTSOURCING COMPANY, NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES (NANJING) CO. LTD., NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES (SUZHOU) CO. LTD., NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES (THAILAND) CO. LTD., NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES CHILE LIMITADA, NALCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS B.V., NALCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO INVESTMENTS U.K. LIMITED, NALCO ISRAEL INDUSTRIAL SERVICES LTD, NALCO ITALIANA, NALCO ITALIANA HOLDINGS S.R.L., NALCO ITALIANA SrL, NALCO KOREA LIMITED, NALCO LIMITED, NALCO LUXEMBOURG HOLDINGS SARL, NALCO MANUFACTURING BETEILIGUNGS GMBH, NALCO MANUFACTURING LTD., NALCO NETHERLANDS B.V., NALCO NORTH AFRICA LIMITED, NALCO OSTERREICH Ges m.b.H., NALCO OVERSEAS HOLDING B.V., NALCO PAKISTAN (PRIVATE) LIMITED, NALCO PHILIPPINES INC., NALCO PORTUGUESA (QUIMICA, NALCO PWS INC., NALCO SAUDI CO. LTD., NALCO TAIWAN CO. LTD., NALCO TWO INC., NALCO U.S. HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO UNIVERSAL HOLDINGS BV, NALCO WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO ZAO, NALFLOC LIMITED, NALTECH INC., NANOSPECIALTIES LLC, NLC PROCESS AND WATER SERVICES SARL, Nalco (BN) SDN BHD, Nalco (China) Environmental Solution Co. Ltd., Nalco Anadolu Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Nalco Canada ULC, Nalco Company LLC, Nalco Contract Operations LLC, Nalco Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG, Nalco Gulf Response Corp., Nalco Japan G.K., Nalco Libya, Nalco Middle East FZE, Nalco Polska Sp. z o. o., Nalco Production LLC, Nalco Real Estate GmbH, Nalco Schweiz GmbH, Nalco US 1 LLC, Nalco Wastewater Contract Operations Inc., Nalco Water India Limited, Nalco Water Pretreatment Solutions LLC, Nalco Worldwide Holdings S.a.r.l./B.V., Nigiko, Nuova Farmec S.r.l., Oksa Kimya Sanayi A.S., Oy Ecolab AB, PT Ecolab International Indonesia, PT Ecolab Technologies and Services, Purate business - AkzoNobel, Quantum Technical Services LLC, Quimicas Ecolab S.A. de C.V., Quimiproductos S.A. de C.V, RP Adam Ltd, Research Fumigation Co., Royal Pest Solutions, Shield Holdings Limited, Shield Medicare Limited, Shield Salvage Associates Limited, Soluscope International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Soluscope SAS, Swisher Hygiene, Technical Textile Services Limited, Techtex Holdings Limited, Terminix, Ultrafab, Wabasha Leasing LLC, and vanBaerle Hygiene AG. Ferguson plc distributes plumbing and heating products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Central Europe. It offers plumbing and heating solutions to customers in the residential, municipal, civil and industrial markets, and commercial sectors for repair, maintenance, and improvement (RMI), as well as new construction markets. The company also distributes pipes, valves, fittings, hydrants, meters, and related water management products, as well as offers related services, such as water line tapping and pipe fusion services. In addition, it distributes heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration equipment, and parts and supplies to specialist contractors in the residential and commercial markets for repair and replacement; and PVF products to industrial customers. Further, the company fabricates and supplies fire protection systems and bespoke fabrication services to commercial contractors for new construction and renovation projects, as well as offers products, services, and solutions to enable maintenance of facilities across various RMI markets. Additionally, it offers supply chain management solutions for PVF; and industrial maintenance, repair, and operations specializing in delivering automation, instrumentation, engineered products, and turn-key solutions. The company also sells its home improvement products directly to consumers, as well as through a network of online stores. In addition, it operates its B2B business primarily under the Ferguson brand; and B2C business under the Build.com brand. Further, the company provides products and services for maintenance of multi-family properties, government agencies, hospitality, education, healthcare, and other facilities. It operates a network of 2,194 branches and 19 distribution centers. Ferguson plc was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in Wokingham, the United Kingdom. Read More iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF's stock was trading at $37.46 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EEM stock has increased by 34.5% and is now trading at $50.39. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF's stock was trading at $73.25 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EFG shares have increased by 49.6% and is now trading at $109.59. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. GMS, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the distribution of wallboard and suspended ceilings systems and complementary interior construction products. It operates through the following segments: Geographic Divisions, Other, and Corporate. The firm offers ceilings products, including suspended mineral fibers, soft fibers, and metal ceiling systems primarily used in offices, hotels, hospitals, retail facilities, schools, and various other commercial and institutional buildings. It also provides steel framing products, such as steel tracks, studs, and various other steel products used to frame the interior walls of a commercial or institutional building; and insulation, lumber and other wood products, ready-mix joint compound, and various other interior construction products, as well as ancillary products comprising tools, fasteners, and safety products. The company was founded by Richard K. Mueller and Richard A. Whitcomb in 1971 and is headquartered in Tucker, GA. Read More Greene King plc operates as a pub retailer and brewer in the United Kingdom. The company operates through three segments: Pub Company, Pub Partners, and Brewing & Brands. Its brands include Greene King Local Pubs, Hungry Horse, Flaming Grill, Farmhouse Inns, and Chef & Brewer. The company is also involved in brewing, marketing, and selling beer under the Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale, and Belhaven Best brands. In addition, Greene King plc engages in the employment, financing, pension trustee, and property businesses. As of April 30, 2018, it operated 2,855 managed, tenanted, leased, and franchised pubs, restaurants, and hotels. Greene King plc was founded in 1799 and is headquartered in Bury St Edmunds, the United Kingdom. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Sherwin-Williams: Acquire Sourcing LLC, CTS National Corporation, Comex North America Inc., Compania Sherwin-Williams S.A. de C.V., Contract Transportation Systems Co., Dongguan Lilly Paint Industries Ltd, Duron, EPS (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., EPS B.V., Geocel Holdings, Geocel Limited, Guangdong Valspar Paints Manufacturing Co Ltd., Inver East Med S.A., Inver France SAS, Inver GmbH, Inver Industrial Coating SRL, Inver Polska Spoka Z O.O, Inver Spa, Invercolor Bologna Srl, Invercolor Ltd, Invercolor Roma Srl, Invercolor Torino Srl, Invercolor Toscana Srl, Isocoat Tintas e Vernizes Ltda, Isva Vernici Srl, Leighs Paints, M.A. Bruder & Sons, Omega Specialty Products & Services LLC, Oy Sherwin-Williams Finland Ab, PT Sherwin-Williams Indonesia, PT Valspar Indonesia, Paint Sundry Brands, Pinturas Condor S.A., Pinturas Industriales S.A., Piton Paints Limited, Plasti-Kote Co. Inc., Plasti-kote Limited, Productos Quimicos y Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Quest Automotive Products UK Limited, Quetzal Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Ronseal (Ireland) Limited, SWIMC LLC, SWIPCO Sherwin Williams do Brasil Propriedade Intelectual Ltda, Sherwin Williams Colombia S.A.S., Sherwin-Williams (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams (Belize) Limited, Sherwin-Williams (Caribbean) N.V., Sherwin-Williams (Ireland) Limited, Sherwin-Williams (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Sherwin-Williams (Nantong) Coatings Technology Co. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams (Nantong) Company Limited, Sherwin-Williams (S) Pte. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams (Shanghai) Limited, Sherwin-Williams (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams (Vietnam) Limited, Sherwin-Williams (West Indies) Limited, Sherwin-Williams Argentina I.y C.S.A., Sherwin-Williams Aruba VBA, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Mexico S.de R.L.de C.V., Sherwin-Williams Balkan S.R.L., Sherwin-Williams Bel Unitary Enterprise, Sherwin-Williams Benelux NV, Sherwin-Williams Canada Inc., Sherwin-Williams Cayman Islands Limited, Sherwin-Williams Chile S.A., Sherwin-Williams Coatings India Private Limited, Sherwin-Williams Coatings S.a r.l., Sherwin-Williams Czech Republic spol. s r.o, Sherwin-Williams Denmark A/S, Sherwin-Williams Deutschland GmbH, Sherwin-Williams Diversified Brands Limited, Sherwin-Williams France Finishes SAS, Sherwin-Williams Italy S.r.l., Sherwin-Williams Norway AS, Sherwin-Williams Paints Limited Liability Company, Sherwin-Williams Peru S.R.L., Sherwin-Williams Pinturas de Venezuela S.A., Sherwin-Williams Poland Sp. z o.o, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings, Sherwin-Williams Realty Holdings Inc., Sherwin-Williams Services (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Sherwin-Williams Spain Coatings S.L., Sherwin-Williams Sweden AB, Sherwin-Williams UK Coatings Limited, Sherwin-Williams do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., Spanyc Paints Joint Stock Company, Syntema I Vaggeryd AB, Taiwan Valspar Co. Ltd., The Sherwin-Williams Acceptance Corporation, The Sherwin-Williams Headquarters Company, The Sherwin-Williams Manufacturing Company, The Sherwin-Williams US Licensing Company, The Valspar (Asia) Corporation Limited, The Valspar (Australia) Corporation Pty. Ltd., The Valspar (Finland) Corporation Oy, The Valspar (France) Corporation S.A.S., The Valspar (France) Research Corporation SAS, The Valspar (Malaysia) Corporation Sdn Bhd, The Valspar (Nantes) Corporation S.A.S., The Valspar (Singapore) Corporation Pte. Ltd, The Valspar (South Africa) Corporation (Pty) Ltd, The Valspar (Spain) Corporation S.R.L., The Valspar (Switzerland) Corporation AG, The Valspar (Thailand) Corporation Ltd., The Valspar (UK) Corporation Limited, The Valspar (Vietnam) Corporation Ltd., The Valspar Corporation, The Valspar Corporation Limitada, UAB Sherwin-Williams Baltic, Valspar (India) Coatings Corporation Private Limited, Valspar (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Valspar (Uruguay) Corporation S.A., Valspar (WPC) Pty Ltd, Valspar Aries Coatings S. de R.L. de C.V., Valspar Automotive (UK) Corporation Limited, Valspar Automotive Australia Pty Limited, Valspar B.V., Valspar Coatings (Guangdong) Co. Ltd., Valspar Coatings (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Valspar Coatings (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Valspar D.o.o Beograd, Valspar Industries (Ireland) Ltd., Valspar Industries (Italy) S.r.l., Valspar Industries GmbH, Valspar LLC, Valspar Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Valspar Paint (Australia) Pty Ltd, Valspar Paint (NZ) Limited, Valspar Powder Coatings Limited, Valspar Rock Company Limited (Japan), Valspar Specialty Paints LLC, and ZAO Sherwin-Williams. InterXion Holding N.V. provides carrier and cloud-neutral colocation data center services in France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The company enables its customers to connect to a range of telecommunications carriers, cloud platforms, Internet service providers, and other customers. Its data centers acts as content, cloud, and connectivity hubs that facilitate the processing, storage, sharing, and distribution of data between its customers. The company offers colocation services, including space and power to deploy IT infrastructure in its data centers; a range of output voltages and currents; connectivity services that enable its customers to connect their IT infrastructure to exchange traffic and access cloud platforms; and systems monitoring, systems management, engineering support, and data backup and storage services, as well as installs and manages physical connections running from its customers' equipment to the equipment of its telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers, Internet exchange customers, and other customers. It provides its services to telecom operators, Internet service providers, and content delivery networks; content and cloud providers; and enterprises through direct sales forces, as well as through tradeshows, networking events, and industry seminars. As of December 31, 2018, it operated 51 carrier and cloud neutral colocation data centers in 13 metropolitan areas in 11 countries. The company is also involved in real estate management/holding businesses. InterXion Holding N.V. was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. Read More iShares MSCI Australia ETF's stock was trading at $17.46 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWA shares have increased by 46.2% and is now trading at $25.53. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Jabil: AOC Technologies Co. Ltd., AOC Technologies Inc., Badger Technologies LLC, Celetronix, Celetronix India Private Limited, Celetronix USA Inc., Clothing Plus Hong Kong Ltd., Clothing Plus MBU Oy, Clothing Plus Zhejiang Ltd., Clothing+, Eco.logic Brands Inc., Ecologic Brands, F-I Holding Company, GET Manufacturing, Green Point Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., Green Point Precision Electronic Co. Ltd., Green Point Precision Sdn. Bhd., Green Point Technology Co. Ltd., Green Prosperity Co. Ltd., Greenam Electricity (Proprietary) Limited, JCI Funding Ireland Designated Activity Company, JCI Labuan Limited, JN Global Holdings C.V., Jabil AMS LLC, Jabil Advanced Mechanical Solutions Inc., Jabil Advanced Mechanical Solutions de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Jabil C.M. S.r.l., Jabil Canada Corporation, Jabil Chihuahua Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., Jabil Circuit Austria GmbH, Jabil Circuit Belgium N.V., Jabil Circuit Cayman L.P., Jabil Circuit China Limited, Jabil Circuit Co. Ltd., Jabil Circuit Financial II Inc., Jabil Circuit Holdings Limited, Jabil Circuit Hong Kong Limited, Jabil Circuit Hungary Contract Manufacturing Services Ltd., Jabil Circuit Inc., Jabil Circuit India Private Limited, Jabil Circuit Investment Co. Ltd, Jabil Circuit Italia S.r.l., Jabil Circuit Limited, Jabil Circuit Ltd., Jabil Circuit Luxembourg II S.a r.l., Jabil Circuit Luxembourg S.a r.l., Jabil Circuit Netherlands B.V., Jabil Circuit Pte. Ltd., Jabil Circuit SAS, Jabil Circuit Sdn Bhd, Jabil Circuit Technology LLC, Jabil Circuit Ukraine Limited, Jabil Circuit de Chihuahua S. de R.L. de C.V., Jabil Circuit de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Jabil Circuit of Michigan Inc., Jabil Consulting Limited Liability Company, Jabil DR S.R.L., Jabil Defense and Aerospace Services LLC, Jabil Denmark Aps, Jabil Dutch Mexico B.V., Jabil EMS Switzerland GmbH, Jabil Electronics Co. Ltd., Jabil Energy Ltd., Jabil Green Point Precision Electronics Co. Ltd., Jabil Green Point Technology Co. Ltd., Jabil Guadalajara Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., Jabil Healthcare DR S.R.L., Jabil Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., Jabil Holdings Ltd., Jabil Hungary LP Services Limited Liability Company, Jabil India Manufacturing Private Limited, Jabil Industrial do Brasil Ltda., Jabil International Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., Jabil International Treasury Pte. Ltd, Jabil Investment Pte. Ltd., Jabil Israel Ltd., Jabil Japan Inc., Jabil Korea International Limited, Jabil Limited Liability Company, Jabil Mexico Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., Jabil Mexico Investment S. de R.L. de C.V., Jabil Monterrey S. de R.L. de C.V., Jabil Nypro Holding LLC, Jabil Nypro I LLC, Jabil Nypro II LLC, Jabil Nypro International B.V., Jabil Optics Germany GmbH, Jabil Poland Sp. z.o.o., Jabil Precision Industry Co. Ltd., Jabil Science and Telecommunication Trading Co. Ltd., Jabil Sdn Bhd, Jabil Services Korea Limited, Jabil Silver Creek Inc., Jabil South Africa (Pty) LTD, Jabil Switzerland Manufacturing GmbH, Jabil Technology Co. Ltd, Jabil Technology and Trading Co. Ltd., Jabil Torres S. de R.L. de C.V., Jabil Tuttlingen Manufacturing GmbH, Jabil Umkirch Manufacturing GmbH, Jabil Vietnam Company Limited, Jabil do Brasil Industria Eletroeletronica Ltda., Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices, Kasalis, Kasalis Inc., Kuatro Technologies, Kuatro Ukraine LLC, Manna Renewable Energy Investments Two (Pty) Ltd, NP Medical Inc., NPA de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Nypro, Nypro Alabama LLC, Nypro Atlanta LLC, Nypro China Holdings Limited, Nypro DR LLC, Nypro Deutschland GmbH, Nypro France SAS, Nypro Guadalajara S.A. de C.V., Nypro Healthcare Baja Inc., Nypro Healthcare GmbH, Nypro Healthcare LLC, Nypro Inc., Nypro Iowa Inc., Nypro Limited, Nypro Monterrey Management S. de R.L. de C.V., Nypro Plastics & Metal Products Co. Ltd., Nypro Plastics & Molding Products Co. Ltd., Nypro Puerto Rico Inc., Nypro Research and Developments Limited, Nypro Spain Holding S.L.U., Nypro de Amazonia, Nypro de la Frontera S. de R.L. de C.V., NyproMold Chicago Inc., NyproMold Inc., NyproMold Investment Corp., PT Jabil Circuit Indonesia, Plasticast Hungary Kft., Plasticos Castella S.A.U., Radius Chicago LLC, Radius Hong Kong Limited, Radius Product Development Inc., Roosevelt Insurance Company Ltd., S.M.R. Metal Ltd., Shay Motion Ltd., Shemer Group, Shemer Motion (2009) Ltd., Taiwan Green Point Enterprises, Taiwan Green Point Enterprises Co. Ltd., Telmar Network Technology, TrueTech, Westing Green Plastic Co. Ltd, Wolfe Engineering, Wolfe Engineering Co. Ltd., and Yen Investments 140 (Proprietary) Limited. Invesco Global Short Term High Yield Bond ETF's stock was trading at $20.51 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, PGHY stock has increased by 4.6% and is now trading at $21.45. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Eaton: ADF Systems SARL, Abeiron III Limited, Aeroquip (UK) Limited, Aeroquip Financial Ltd., Aeroquip Iberica S.L., Aeroquip International Inc., Aeroquip Limited, Aeroquip do Brasil Ltda., Aeroquip-Vickers, Aeroquip-Vickers Canada Inc., Aeroquip-Vickers International S.a.r.L., Aphel Technologies, Argo-Tech, Arrow Hose & Tubing, Arrow-Hart S. de R.L. de C.V., Azonix Corporation, Babco Electric Group, Beijing Internormen-Filter Ltd. Co., Beijing Yoosung Shinhwa Automobile Parts Co. Ltd., Blinda Industria e Comercio Ltda., Bussmann International Holdings LLC, Bussmann International Inc., Bussmann S. de R.L. de C.V., Bussmann do Brasil Ltda., CBE Services Inc., CEAG Notlichtsysteme GmbH, CI ESI de Colombia, CTI-VIENNA Gesellschaft zur Prufung elektrotechnischer Industrieprodukte GmbH, Cambridge International Insurance Company Ltd., Cannon Technologies Inc., Centralion Industrial Inc., Chagrin Highlands III Limited, Cobham, Componentes de Iluminacion S. de R.L. de C.V., Cooper (China) Co. Ltd., Cooper (Ningbo) Electric Co. Ltd., Cooper B-Line Inc., Cooper Bermuda Investments Ltd., Cooper Bussmann (U.K.) Limited, Cooper Bussmann Hungaria Kft., Cooper Bussmann LLC, Cooper Capri S.A.S., Cooper Colombia Investments Ltd., Cooper Controls (Watford) Limited, Cooper Controls Limited, Cooper Crouse-Hinds (LLC), Cooper Crouse-Hinds (UK) Ltd., Cooper Crouse-Hinds AS, Cooper Crouse-Hinds B.V., Cooper Crouse-Hinds GmbH, Cooper Crouse-Hinds LLC, Cooper Crouse-Hinds MTL Inc., Cooper Crouse-Hinds Pte. Ltd., Cooper Crouse-Hinds S. de R.L. de C.V., Cooper Crouse-Hinds S.A., Cooper Csa Srl, Cooper Edison (Pingdingshan) Electronic Technologies Co. Ltd., Cooper Electric (Changzhou) Co. Ltd., Cooper Electrical Australia Pty. Limited, Cooper Electrical International LLC, Cooper Electronic Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cooper Enterprises LLC, Cooper Finance (Canada) L.P., Cooper Finance Group Ltd., Cooper Finance USA Inc., Cooper Germany Holdings GmbH, Cooper India Private Limited, Cooper Industrials, Cooper Industries (Canada) Inc., Cooper Industries (Electrical) Inc., Cooper Industries Colombia S.A.S., Cooper Industries FZE, Cooper Industries Finance B.V., Cooper Industries Finanzierungs-GbR, Cooper Industries Global B.V., Cooper Industries Holdings (Canada) Inc., Cooper Industries Holdings GmbH, Cooper Industries International LLC, Cooper Industries Japan K.K., Cooper Industries LLC, Cooper Industries Malaysia SDN BHD, Cooper Industries Middle East LLC, Cooper Industries Poland LLC, Cooper Industries Romania SRL, Cooper Industries Russia LLC, Cooper Industries Trading Limited, Cooper Industries UK Subco Limited, Cooper Industries Unlimited Company, Cooper Industries Vietnam LLC, Cooper Interconnect, Cooper International Holdings S.a.r.l., Cooper Investment Group Ltd., Cooper Investment Group S a.r.l., Cooper Investments Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Cooper Korea Ltd., Cooper Lighting LLC, Cooper Lighting de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Cooper Menvier France SARL, Cooper Mexico Distribucion S. de R.L. de C.V., Cooper Netherlands Investments Ltd., Cooper Notification Inc., Cooper Offshore Holdings S.a.r.l., Cooper Power Systems LLC, Cooper Power Systems do Brasil Ltda., Cooper Pretronica Lda., Cooper Safety B.V., Cooper Securite S.A.S., Cooper Security Limited, Cooper Shanghai Power Capacitor Co. Ltd., Cooper Switzerland Investments Ltd., Cooper Technologies Company, Cooper Univel S.A., Cooper Wheelock Inc., Cooper Wiring Devices Inc., Cooper Wiring Devices Manufacturing S. de R.L. de C.V., Cooper Wiring Devices de Mexico S.A de C.V., Cooper Xi'an Fusegear Co. Ltd., Cooper Yuhua (Changzhou) Electric Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Copperlogic, Cutler-Hammer Electrical Company, Cutler-Hammer Industries Ltd., Cutler-Hammer SRL, Cyme International T & D Inc., D.P. Eaton Electric, Digital Lighting (Dong Guan) Co. Ltd., Digital Lighting Co. Limited, Digital Lighting Holdings Limited, Dongguan Cooper Electronics Co. Ltd., Dongguan Fu Li An Electronics Co. Ltd., Dongguan Wiring Devices Electronics Co. Ltd., E. Begerow, E.A. Pedersen Co., EIC Holding GP I, EIC Holding GP II, EIC Holding GP III, EIC Holding GP IV, EIC Holding I LLC, EIC Holding II LLC, EIC Holding III LLC, EIC Holding IV LLC, EIC Holding V LLC, EIC Holding VI LLC, ETN Asia International Limited, ETN Holding 1 Limited, ETN Holding 2 Limited, ETN Holding 3 Limited, EX Innovations Limited, Eaton (China) Investments Co. Ltd., Eaton Aeroquip, Eaton Aerospace LLC, Eaton Ann Arbor LLC, Eaton Asia Investments Corporation, Eaton Automation G.m.b.H, Eaton Automation Holding G.m.b.H., Eaton Automotive Components Spolka z.o.o., Eaton Automotive Spolka z.o.o., Eaton Automotive Systems Spolka z.o.o., Eaton B.V., Eaton C.V., Eaton CHB LLC, Eaton Capital Unlimited Co., Eaton Controls (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Eaton Controls (UK) Limited, Eaton Controls S. de R.L. de C.V., Eaton Corporation, Eaton ETN Offshore Company, Eaton ETN Offshore II Company, Eaton Electric, Eaton Electric & Engineering Services Limited, Eaton Electric (Japan) Ltd., Eaton Electric (South Africa) Pty Ltd., Eaton Electric (Thailand) Ltd., Eaton Electric AS, Eaton Electric ApS, Eaton Electric Company Ltd., Eaton Electric G.m.b.H., Eaton Electric Holdings LLC, Eaton Electric Limited, Eaton Electric Manufacturing Middle East LLC, Eaton Electric S.I.A., Eaton Electric S.a.r.l., Eaton Electric S.r.l., Eaton Electric SPRL, Eaton Electric Sales Ltd., Eaton Electric Spolka z.o.o., Eaton Electric d.o.o., Eaton Electric s.r.o., Eaton Electric s.r.o. (Slovak Republic), Eaton Electrical (Zhongshan) Co. Ltd., Eaton Electrical Equipment Co. Ltd., Eaton Electrical IP G.m.b.H. & Co. KG, Eaton Electrical Ltd., Eaton Electrical Products Limited, Eaton Electrical S.A., Eaton Electrical S.A. (Venezuela), Eaton Electrical Systems Limited, Eaton Electro Productie S.r.l., Eaton Elektrik Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Eaton Elektrotechnika s.r.o., Eaton Energy Solutions Inc., Eaton Enterprises (Hungary) Kft., Eaton Enterprises Limited, Eaton Enterprises S. de R.L. de C.V., Eaton FZE, Eaton Filtration, Eaton Filtration (Denmark) ApS, Eaton Filtration (Italy) S.r.l., Eaton Filtration (Poland) Sp. z.o.o., Eaton Filtration (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Eaton Filtration BVBA, Eaton Finance (Ireland) Limited, Eaton Finance S.a.r.l., Eaton Fluid Power (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Eaton Fluid Power Limited, Eaton Fluid Power S.r.l., Eaton France Holding S.A.S., Eaton Germany G.m.b.H., Eaton GmbH & Co. KG, Eaton Holding (Austria) G.m.b.H., Eaton Holding (Netherlands) B.V., Eaton Holding (UK) II Limited, Eaton Holding G.m.b.H., Eaton Holding I B.V., Eaton Holding I Limited, Eaton Holding II LLC, Eaton Holding II Limited, Eaton Holding II S.a.r.l., Eaton Holding III B.V., Eaton Holding III Limited, Eaton Holding III S.a.r.l., Eaton Holding IV S.a.r.l., Eaton Holding IX S.a.r.l., Eaton Holding International LLC, Eaton Holding LLC, Eaton Holding Limited, Eaton Holding S.a.r.l., Eaton Holding SE & Co. KG, Eaton Holding SRL, Eaton Holding V B.V., Eaton Holding V S.a.r.l., Eaton Holding VI B.V., Eaton Holding VI S.a.r.l., Eaton Holding VII B.V., Eaton Holding VIII S.a.r.l., Eaton Holding X S.a.r.l., Eaton Holding XII B.V./S.a.r.l., Eaton Holec AB, Eaton Holec OY, Eaton Hydraulics (Luzhou) Co. Ltd., Eaton Hydraulics (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., Eaton Hydraulics (Proprietary) Limited, Eaton Hydraulics LLC, Eaton Hydraulics Systems (Jining) Co. Ltd., Eaton I Spolka z.o.o., Eaton II LP, Eaton III LP, Eaton IV LP, Eaton India Innovation Center LLP, Eaton Industrial Clutches and Brakes (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Eaton Industrial Corporation, Eaton Industrial IP G.m.b.H. & Co. KG, Eaton Industrial Systems Private Limited, Eaton Industries (Argentina) S.A., Eaton Industries (Austria) G.m.b.H., Eaton Industries (Belgium) BVBA, Eaton Industries (Canada) Company, Eaton Industries (Chile) S.p.A., Eaton Industries (Colombia) S.A.S., Eaton Industries (Egypt) LLC, Eaton Industries (England) Limited, Eaton Industries (France) S.A.S., Eaton Industries (Ireland) Ltimited, Eaton Industries (Israel) Ltd., Eaton Industries (Italy) S.r.l., Eaton Industries (Japan) Ltd., Eaton Industries (Jining) Co. Ltd, Eaton Industries (Korea) Limited, Eaton Industries (Luxembourg) B.V./S.a.r.l., Eaton Industries (Morocco) LLC, Eaton Industries (Netherlands) B.V., Eaton Industries (Philippines) LLC, Eaton Industries (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Eaton Industries (Spain) S.L., Eaton Industries (Thailand) Ltd., Eaton Industries (U.K.) Limited, Eaton Industries (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Eaton Industries Company, Eaton Industries EOOD, Eaton Industries G.m.b.H., Eaton Industries Holding G.m.b.H., Eaton Industries Holdings Ltd., Eaton Industries II G.m.b.H., Eaton Industries KFT, Eaton Industries LP, Eaton Industries Manufacturing G.m.b.H., Eaton Industries Panama S.A., Eaton Industries Pte. Ltd., Eaton Industries Pty. Ltd., Eaton Industries S. de R.L. de C.V., Eaton Industries SAC, Eaton Industries Sdn. Bhd., Eaton Industries s.r.o., Eaton International B.V., Eaton International Corporation, Eaton International Industries Nigeria Limited, Eaton Japan Co. Ltd., Eaton LLC, Eaton LP, Eaton Leasing Corporation, Eaton Ltda., Eaton MEDC Limited, Eaton Madeira SGPS Lda., Eaton Manufacturing G.m.b.H., Eaton Manufacturing II G.m.b.H., Eaton Manufacturing III G.m.b.H., Eaton Manufacturing LP, Eaton Middle East LLC, Eaton Moeller B.V., Eaton Moeller S.a.r.l., Eaton Phoenixtec MMPL Co. Ltd., Eaton Power Quality (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Eaton Power Quality AB, Eaton Power Quality Limited, Eaton Power Quality OY (Finland), Eaton Power Quality Private Limited, Eaton Power Quality S.A.S., Eaton Power Solution Ltda., Eaton Production International G.m.b.H., Eaton Protection Systems IP G.m.b.H. & Co. KG, Eaton S.A.S., Eaton S.r.l., Eaton SAMC (Shanghai) Aircraft Conveyance System, Eaton SE, Eaton Safety IP G.m.b.H. & Co. KG, Eaton Safety Limited, Eaton Senstar Automotive Fluid Connector (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Eaton Services S.a.r.l., Eaton Solutions S. de R.L. de C.V., Eaton Switzerland Holding I GmbH, Eaton Switzerland Holding II GmbH, Eaton Technologies (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Eaton Technologies G.m.b.H., Eaton Technologies IP G.m.b.H. & Co. KG, Eaton Technologies Private Limited, Eaton Technologies S. de R.L. de C.V., Eaton Technologies S.A., Eaton Trading Company S. de R.L. de C.V., Eaton Truck Components (Proprietary) Ltd., Eaton Truck Components S. de R.L. de C.V., Eaton Truck Components Spolka z.o.o., Eaton Truck and Bus Components (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Eaton US Holdings Inc., Eaton Worldwide LLC, Eaton-Powerware, Electromanufacturas S de R.L. de C.V., Electrum Group Ltd., Elpro Technologies Pty. Limited, Ephesus Lighting, Ephesus Lighting Inc., FHF Bergbautechnik GmbH & Co. KG, FHF Funke+Huster Fernsig GmbH, FHF New World GmbH, Fast Eaton (Xi'an) Drivetrain Company Ltd., Fifth Light Technology Ltd., Funke+Huster (Tianjin) Electronics Co. Ltd., Funke+Huster GmbH, GeCma Components electronic GmbH, Georgetown Financial Services Ltd., Gitiesse Asia Pte. Ltd., Gitiesse S.r.l., Green Holding Company, Green Motion, Guangzhou Nittan Valve Co. Ltd., Hein Moeller Stiftung G.m.b.H., Hernis Scan System do Brasil Comercio E Servicos LTDA, Hernis Scan Systems - Asia Pte. Ltd., Hernis Scan Systems A/S, IE Power, Illumination Management Solutions Inc., Iluminacion Cooper de las Californias S de R.L. de C.V., Innovative Switchgear Solutions Inc, Institute for International Product Safety G.m.b.H., Integrated Hydraulics, Integrated Partial Discharge Diagnostics, Intelligent Switchgear Organization LLC, Internormen Filters Private Limited, Internormen Technology, Jeil Hydraulics, Kaicheng Funke+Huster (Tangshan) Mining Electrical Co. Ltd., Lian Zheng Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., MP Group SAS, MTL Instruments (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, MTL Instruments B.V., MTL Instruments GmbH, MTL Instruments LLC, MTL Instruments Private Limited, MTL Instruments SARL, MTL Italia Srl, MTL Partners II Inc., MTL Partners Inc., Marina Power and Lighting, Martek Power F SAS, Martek Power GmbH, Martek Power Limited, Martek Power Limited (UK), Martek Power S.A. de C.V., Martek Power SA, McGraw-Edison Development Corporation, Measurement Technology Limited, Menvier Overseas Holdings Limited, Micro Innovation Holding, Moeller Electric (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Moeller Electric Ltda., Moeller Electrical Equipment (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Moeller Holding Gmbh & Co. KG, Moeller Industria de electro-electronicos do Amazonas Ltda., Morestana, Nittan BVI Co. Ltd., Nittan Euro Tech Spolka z o.o., Nittan Global Tech Co. Ltd., Nittan Valve Co. Ltd., Norex AS, Ocean Technical Systems Limited, Oxalis Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Oxalis Group, Oxalis Group Limited, PKL LLC, PT. Eaton Industries, PT. Fluid Sciences Batam, PerkinElmer - aerospace division, Phoenixtec Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Phoenixtec International Corp., Phoenixtec Power, Pigozzi, Polaron Components Limited, Polimer Hortum Teknolojileri Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Polimer Kaucuk Sanayi Ve Pazarlama, Polimer Kaucuk Sanayi ve Pazarlama A.S., Power Distribution, Pringle Electrical Manufacturing, Productos Eaton Livia S.L., Pulizzi Engineering, RTE Far East Corporation, RTK Instruments Limited, Riseson International Limited, Rizhao Yoosung Shinhwa Automobile Parts Co. Ltd., Rolec Comercial e Industrial, SOURIAU, Santak Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Santak Electronics Company Limited, Saturn Insurance Company Ltd., Scantronic Benelux B.V., Schreder-Hazemeyer, Scoremax Limited, Sefelec GmbH, Sefelec SAS, Semelec SAS, Senyuan International Holdings Limited, Senyuan International Investments Limited, Shinhwa Precision Co. Ltd., Shinhwa Takahashi Precision Co. Ltd., Silver Light International Limited, Silver Victory Hong Kong Limited, Standard Automation & Control LP, Sure Power Inc., TGM Automotiva, TT (Ireland) Acquisition Limited, Tai Ah Electrical Ltd., Taiwan Nittan Industrial Co. Ltd., Telkom Kenya, The MTL Instruments Group Limited, The Oxalis Protection Technology India Private Limited, Tractech, Tractech (Ireland) Limited, Tractech Industries (Ireland) Limted, Tripp Lite, Turlock B.V., Tuthill Coupling Group, U.S. Engine Valve Company, UPE Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Ultronics, Ultronics Nordic Sales AB, Ulusoy, Vickers International Inc., Vickers Systems Limited, Viking Electronics Inc., WPI-Boston Division Inc., Winner Hydraulics Ltd., Wireless Power and Communications AS, Wright Line, Wright Line Holding Inc., Wright Line LLC, and Zhenjiang Daqo Eaton Electrical Systems Co. Ltd.. McCarthy & Stone plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates in the retirement housing market in the United Kingdom. The company designs, builds, manages, and sells retirement developments. It offers retirement living developments, which provide apartments for customers aged 60 and over; and retirement living plus developments, which are designed for customers aged 70 and over, as well as offers retirement properties with management services, domestic assistance, personal care, and additional support. McCarthy & Stone plc was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Bournemouth, the United Kingdom. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of PPG Industries: AIPCF V Texstars Blocker Inc., AkzoNobel, Alermac Inversiones S.A. de C.V., Alpha Coating Technologies LLC, Alpha Coatings Inc., Broad Range Development Limited, Brown Brothers Distribution Limited, CG Holdings Manufacturing Co., Centro de Investigacion en Polimeros S.A. de C.V., Chemfil Canada Limited, Chorlton Trade Paints Limited, Comercial Mexicana de Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Comex, Comex Industrial Coatings S.A. de C.V., Consorcio Comex S.A. de C.V., Cristacol S.A., Cuming Microwave Corporation, Deutek SA, Dexmet Corporation, Dexmet Holding Corporation, Distribuidora Kroma S.A. de C.V., EPIC Insurance Co. Ltd., Eberle Design Inc., Empresa Aga S.A. de C.V., Ennis Canadian Holding Company, Ennis Flint Soluciones Seguras Para Trafico, Ennis Highway Traffic Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Ennis Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Ennis Paint Australia Holding Pty Ltd, Ennis Paint Boya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., Ennis Paint Canada ULC, Ennis Paint Germany GmbH, Ennis Paint Netherlands Holdings LLC, Ennis Paint U.K. Holding Company Limited, Ennis Traffic Safety Solutions Pty Ltd, Ennis Flint Mexico, Ennis Flint New Zealand, Ennis Flint New Zealand Holding Pty Ltd, Ennis-Flint, Ennis-Flint Africa (Pty) Ltd, Ennis-Flint Inc., Foshan Bairun Chemicals Co. Ltd., Fpu Industrial S.A. de C.V., Grupo Comex S.A. de C.V., Hemmelrath Automotive Coatings (Jilin) Co. Ltd., Hodij Coatings B.V., Homax Products, Industria Chimica Reggiana I.C.R. SPA, Johnstones Paints Limited, Kalon Investment Company Limited, Kalon South Africa Proprietary Limited, Manchester Thermoplastics LLC, Masterwork Paint, MetoKote Canada Limited, MetoKote Corporation, MetoKote Mexico Holding Inc., MetoKote UK Limited, MetoKote de Mexico S. de RL de CV, PPG AC - France SA, PPG ALESCO Automotive Finishes Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PPG AP Resinas S.A. de C.V., PPG Aerospace Materials (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., PPG Architectural Coatings (Puerto Rico) Inc., PPG Architectural Coatings Canada Inc., PPG Architectural Coatings Ireland Limited, PPG Architectural Coatings Italy S.r.l., PPG Architectural Coatings UK Limited, PPG Architectural Finishes Inc., PPG Asian Paints Private Ltd., PPG COATINGS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD., PPG Canada Inc., PPG Cieszyn S.A., PPG Coatings (Hong Kong) Co. Limited, PPG Coatings (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., PPG Coatings (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Thailand) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Wuhu) Company Ltd., PPG Coatings (Zhangjiagang) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings B.V., PPG Coatings Belgium BV, PPG Coatings Danmark A/S, PPG Coatings Deutschland GmbH, PPG Coatings Europe B.V., PPG Coatings Manufacturing SARL, PPG Coatings Nederland BV, PPG Coatings S.A., PPG Coatings South Africa (Pty) Ltd., PPG DYRUP S.A., PPG Deco Czech a.s., PPG Deco Polska sp. z.o.o., PPG Deco Slovakia s.r.o., PPG Deutschland Business Support GmbH, PPG Deutschland Sales & Services GmbH, PPG Distribution S.A.S., PPG Europe B.V., PPG Finance B.V., PPG France Business Support S.A.S., PPG France Manufacturing S.A.S., PPG Guadeloupe SAS, PPG Hellas S.A., PPG Hemmelrath Coatings Inc., PPG Hemmelrath Lackfabrik GmbH, PPG Holdco SAS, PPG Holdings (U.K.) Limited, PPG Holdings Argentina USA LLC, PPG Holdings Latin America USA LLC, PPG Iberica S.A., PPG Iberica Sales & Services S.L., PPG Industrial Coatings B.V., PPG Industrial do Brasil - Tintas E. Vernizes - Ltda., PPG Industries (Korea) Ltd., PPG Industries (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PPG Industries (UK) Ltd, PPG Industries Argentina S.R.L., PPG Industries Australia PTY Limited A.C.N. 055 500 939, PPG Industries Colombia Ltda., PPG Industries Czech Republic s.r.o., PPG Industries Delfzijl B.V., PPG Industries Europe Sarl, PPG Industries France S.A.S., PPG Industries International Inc., PPG Industries Italia S.r.l., PPG Industries Kimya a Sanayi VE Ticaret AS, PPG Industries LLC, PPG Industries Lipetsk LLC, PPG Industries Middle East FZE, PPG Industries Netherlands B.V., PPG Industries New Zealand Limited, PPG Industries Ohio Inc., PPG Industries Poland Sp. Z.o.o., PPG Industries Securities LLC, PPG Industries de Mexico S.A. de C.V., PPG Italia Business Support S.r.l., PPG Italia Sales & Services S.r.l., PPG Japan Ltd., PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes Canada LP, PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes U.K. LLP, PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes U.S. LLC, PPG Luxembourg Finance S.aR.L., PPG Luxembourg Holdings S.aR.L., PPG Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Mexico S.A. de C.V., PPG Packaging Coatings (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., PPG Paints Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Performance Coatings (Hong Kong) Limited, PPG Powder Coatings (Shanghai) Limited, PPG Romania S.A., PPG SSC Co. Ltd., PPG Switzerland GmbH, PPG Trilak Kft., PPG Vietnam Co. Ltd., PRC-DeSoto Australia Pty Ltd., PRC-DeSoto International Inc., PT. PPG Coatings Indonesia, Painter's Supply, Paintzen, Peintures de Paris SAS, Plasticos Envolventes S.A. de C.V., Polymeric Systems Inc., Prismo Road Markings Limited, ProCoatings B.V., ProCoatings BV, Protec Pty Ltd. A.C.N. 007 857 392, Reno A&E LLC, Revocoat France SAS, Revocoat Holding SAS, Revocoat Iberica SLU, Revocoat S.A.S, Road Infrastructure Investment Holdings Inc., SEM Products Inc., Sealants Europe SAS, Sierracin Corporation, Sierracin/Sylmar Corporation, Sigma Marine & Protective Coatings Holding B.V., SigmaKalon (BC) UK Limited, SigmaKalon Group, SigmaKalon Middle East B.V., Sikar (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Spraylat International Ltd, Texstars LLC, The Crown Group Co., The Crown Group Inc, The Homax Group, Tikkurila Group, Traffic Safety Intermediate LLC, Traffic Safety Parent LLC, United International Business NV, Vanex Inc., Vernisol S.p.A., Versaflex, Viasa S.A. de C.V., Whitford, Whitford B.V., Whitford Corporation, Whitford Jiangmen Ltd., Whitford Ltd. (HK), Whitford Ltd. (UK), Whitford Pte. Ltd., Whitford S.r.l., Whitford Worldwide Company LLC, Worwag Coatings, and Zaganite Industries Pty Ltd. The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III (Scots) L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Campus Drive LLC, Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DHFL PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (Ireland) L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (US) L.P., Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sweden Resi I GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA Mission LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd., LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PEREF II PV S.r.l, PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM (Australia) Pty Ltd, PGIM (Hong Kong) Ltd., PGIM (Scots) Limited, PGIM (Shanghai) Company Ltd., PGIM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Agricultural Investors LP, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management (Feeder) VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital (Ireland) Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate (Japan) Ltd., PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited, PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings (UK) Limited, PIM KF Blocker Holdings LLC, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Mexico Residential Manager I LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Limited Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Red LP, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP (SCOTS FEEDER) LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRECO ACCOUNT III LLC, PRECO ACCOUNT PARTNERSHIP III LP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, Pramerica (Luxembourg) CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica (Scots) CP GP LLP, Pramerica Business Consulting (Shanghai) Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. Ltd., Pramerica Financial Asia Limited, Pramerica Fixed Income Funds Management Limited, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Pramerica General Partner LLP, Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Insurance Agency (China) Company Ltd., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate (Scots) LP, Pramerica Property Partners Fund (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Netherlands) GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica SGR S.p.A, Pramerica Systems Ireland Limited, Preco III (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Customer Solutions LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. Ltd., Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Industrial Properties LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Life Insurance Company of Taiwan Inc., Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Securities Structured Assets Inc., Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., QMA JP EM All Cap Equity Partners LLC, QMA LLC, QMA Wadhwani LLP, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock UK Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. (Kabushiki Kaisha Sanei Shuuno Service), Senior Housing Partners IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partners V LLC, Senior Housing Partnership Fund IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partnership Fund V LLC, Sterling Private Placement Management LLP, Stetson Street Partners L.P., Strand Investments Limited, TBG Insurance Services Corporation, TENSATOR HOLDINGS LTD, TF Proveedora S.C., TMW ASPF I Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, TMW ASPF Management GmbH, TMW Management LLC, TMW Real Estate Group LLC, TMW Realty Advisors LLC, TMW USPF Verwaltungs GmbH, TRGOAG Company Inc., The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Keynes Dynamic Beta Strategy (US) Fund GP LLC, The Prudential Assigned Settlement Services Corp., The Prudential Brazilian Capital Fund LP, The Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, Times Square Center Associates, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I (Ireland) L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I (US) L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC. The following companies are subsidiares of Global Payments: ACTIVE Network - Communities and Sports, Active Network (HK) Limited, Active Network IPICO (CA) Inc., Active Network IPICO (US) Inc., Active Network IPICO Holdings (US) LLC, Active Network IPICO Holdings (US) LLC, Active Network IPICO Innovation Inc., Active Networks LLC, AdvancedMD, Athlaction Intermediate LLC, Athlaction Topco LLC, AuctionPay, Comercia Global Payments Entidad de Pago S.L., DEBITEK INC, Digital Dining LLC, Dinerware LLC, DolEx Europe S.L., Educational Computer Systems Inc., Ematters Australia Pty Ltd., Equifax Credit Services LLC, Ezi Holdings Pty. Ltd., Ezi Management Pty Ltd., Ezidebit, Ezidebit (NZ) Limited, Ezidebit HK Ltd., Ezidebit Pty Ltd., GP Finance LLC, GPC Financial Corporation, GPS Holding Limited Partnership, GPUK LLP, Global Payment Holding Company, Global Payment Systems Asia-Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd., Global Payment Systems LLC, Global Payment Systems of Canada Ltd., Global Payments - Caixa Acquisition Corporation S.a.r.l., Global Payments - Realex Payments Holding Limited, Global Payments - Servicos de Pagamentos S.A., Global Payments Acquisition Corp. 1 B.V., Global Payments Acquisition Corp. 2 B.V., Global Payments Acquisition Corp. 3 B.V., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 2 LLC, Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 2 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 3 LLC, Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 3 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 4 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 6 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 7 LLC, Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 7 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation HK Holding Limited, Global Payments Acquisition PS 1 C.V., Global Payments Acquisition PS 2 C.V., Global Payments Acquisition PS 3 C. V., Global Payments Acquisition PS1-Global Payments Direct S.e.n.c., Global Payments Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong Holding) Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong) Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific (India) Private Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific (Shanghai) Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific (Singapore Holding) Ltd., Global Payments Asia-Pacific Lanka (Private) Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Macau Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Maldives Private Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Philippines Incorporated, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Processing Company Limited, Global Payments Australia Pty 1 Ltd., Global Payments Australia Pty 2 Ltd., Global Payments Canada GP, Global Payments Canada Inc., Global Payments Card Processing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd, Global Payments Check Recovery Services Inc., Global Payments Check Services Inc., Global Payments Direct Inc., Global Payments Europe d.o.o. Sarajevo, Global Payments Europe s.r.o., Global Payments Gaming Canada Inc., Global Payments Gaming International Inc., Global Payments Gaming Services Inc., Global Payments Integrated, Global Payments Limited, Global Payments Process Centre Inc., Global Payments South America Brasil-Servicos de Pagamentos S.A., Global Payments UK 2 Ltd., Global Payments UK Ltd., Global Payments s.r.o., Greater Giving Inc., Heartland Acquisition LLC, Heartland Payment Solutions Inc., Heartland Payment Systems, Heartland Payment Systems LLC, Heartland Payroll Solutions Inc., IPICO South Africa (Pty) Ltd., JumpForward LLC, Maximum Solutions LLC, Merchant Services U.S.A. Inc., Modular Data Inc., NDC Holdings (UK) Ltd., NDPS Holdings Inc., PCAmerica LLC, Pay and Shop Limited, PayPros LLC, Payment Processing, Payroll 1 Inc., Realex Payments, SICOM Systems, Sabrir Invest S.L., Sentral Education, Spolecnost pro informacni database a.s., Storman Holdings Pty Ltd., Storman Software Inc., Storman Software Limited, Storman Software Ltd., Storman Software Pty Ltd., TeamPages Inc., The Active Network (Asia) Pte. Ltd, The Active Network (Aus-NZ) Pty. Ltd., The Active Network (EU) Ltd., The Active Network Ltd., The Active Network Ltd. (Chengdu), The Active Network Ltd. (Xian), Total System Services, TouchNet Information Systems Inc., UCS Terminal Joint Stock Company, United Card Service Joint Stock Company, VEPF III AIV VI-C Corp., VEPF IV AIV VII-C Corp., VFF I AIV IV-C Corp., Web Active Corporation Pty Ltd., Xenial, Xpient LLC, eWAY, eWay Europe Limited, eWay Payments Asia Pte Ltd., eWay Payments Inc., eWay Payments New Zealand Limited, eWay Payments North America Inc., and eWay Payments Pty Ltd.. Rogers Communications Inc. operates as a communications and media company in Canada. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The company offers mobile Internet access, wireless voice and enhanced voice, device and accessory financing, wireless home phone, device protection, text messaging, e-mail, global voice and data roaming, bridging landline, machine-to-machine and Internet of Things solutions, and advanced wireless solutions for businesses, as well as device delivery services; and postpaid and prepaid services under the Rogers, Fido, and chatr brands to approximately 10.9 million subscribers. It also provides Internet and WiFi services; smart home monitoring services, such as monitoring, security, automation, energy efficiency, and smart control through a smartphone app. In addition, the company offers local and network TV; on-demand television; cloud-based digital video recorders; voice-activated remote controls, and integrated apps; personal video recorders; linear and time-shifted programming; digital specialty channels; 4K television programming; and televised content on smartphones, tablets, and personal computers, as well as operates Ignite TV and Ignite TV app. Further, it provides residential and small business local telephony services; calling features, such as voicemail, call waiting, and long distance; voice, data networking, Internet protocol, and Ethernet services; private networking, Internet, IP voice, and cloud solutions; optical wave and multi-protocol label switching services; IT and network technologies; and cable access network services. The company also owns Toronto Blue Jays and the Rogers Centre event venue; and operates Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet World, Citytv, OMNI, FX (Canada), FXX (Canada), and OLN television networks, as well as 55 AM and FM radio stations. Rogers Communications Inc. was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More Phoenix Group Holdings plc engages in the long-term savings and retirement busines in Europe. The company operates through UK Heritage, UK Open, Europe, ReAssure, and Management Services segments. It engages in the management of insurance policies, which include active and closed life insurance products. The company also provides workplace pensions, and customer savings and investments products under the Standard Life brand. Its retirement solutions business includes vesting annuities and bulk purchase annuity business, where it acquires annuities and deliver the financial stability for secure pensions. The company also offers a range of financial products for the over 50s market under the SunLife brand, which cover life cover, equity release, funeral plans, and home insurance. Phoenix Group Holdings plc has a strategic partnership with Standard Life Aberdeen plc. The company was formerly known as Pearl Group and changed its name to Phoenix Group Holdings plc in March 2010. Phoenix Group Holdings plc was founded in 1782 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Read More Features 1) Another ICANN New gTLD Disaster: .AMAZON 2) ICANN news: EPDP Team Meetings Dec 4 & 6 and the EPDP Initial Report , Names, Domains & Trademarks, ICYMI: a. China & WTO, b. US vs Assange, c. France vs Google, d. Russia vs Google, e. Dragonfly, 5) Most Read. Another ICANN New gTLD Disaster: .AMAZON Trouble in the .AMAZON: ICANN 's ill-conceived, ' new gTLDs program , including its "extortion racket .BRAND new gTLDs" [a "privatizing" of global public resources and a corruption of the principles set forth in Jon Postel ] is suffering another controversy and series of embarrassing events, this time in regard to new gTLD .AMAZON: 's ill-conceived, ' horribly implemented , including its[a "privatizing" of global public resources and aof the principles set forth in RFC1591 by] is suffering another controversy and series of embarrassing events, this time in regard to "I am writing to you as ICANNs CEO and President, to inform you of some issues and facts related to the facilitation process associated with the application for a .AMAZON top-level domain. As you are aware, ICANN has been conducting this facilitation process consistent with and according to the ICANN60 Government Advisory Committee (GAC) communique advice with the participation of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization ( ACTO ) and Amazon, the corporation (Amazon Corporation [sic]) and the applicant for .AMAZON. I will refer to myself throughout the letter as ICANNs CEO. "Unfortunately, at this time, we regret to inform you that this facilitation process has been unsuccessful . The facilitation has not been able to reach its desired conclusion. I was hoping to meet with the ACTO countries in Bolivia following an invitation from ACTOs Secretary General. This visit and meeting were scheduled for 29 November 2018. I was hoping to be able to explain any misunderstandings and or statements made by ICANN which might have been misinterpreted, during that meeting, however, we have received a letter dated 22 November indicating that the ACTO Member Countries requested that this scheduled meeting be postponed ...." UPDATES: 22 Nov 2018 Letter from HE Jacqueline Mendoza to Goran Marby [Published 28 Nov 2018] 20 Nov 2018 Letter from Goran Marby to HE Jacqueline Mendoza [Published 28 Nov 2018] 5 Nov 2018 Letter from HE Jacqueline Mendoza to Cherine Chalaby and Goran Marby [Published 28 Nov 2018] .BRAND new gTLDs: Zombie .BRAND TLDs --DOHA and ZIPPO Make Forty Five--"... it does make me wonder how much other destroyed value is hiding in new TLDs . The zone files for over 500 active new [.BRAND] TLDs contain less than 10 names each, even though each is paying the ICANN fixed fee of $25,000/yr. That's $12.5 million of ICANN's budget from zombie TLDs . No doubt a few of those still have plans to do something, but even so, we're looking at a lot of failures ."--John Levine. "... That is also why I believe we need to move away from the false possibilities we are currently offered, whereby only two models would exist: that, on the one hand, of complete self-management, without governance, and that of a compartmented Internet, entirely monitored by strong and authoritarian states. To be very politically incorrect, we are seeing two types of Internet emerge: as I said earlier, there is a Californian form of Internet , and a Chinese Internet . The first is the dominant possibility, that of an Internet driven by strong, dominant, global private players, that have been impressive stakeholders in this development, that have great qualities and with which we work, but which at the end of the day are not democratically elected. Personally, I dont want to hand over all my decisions to them , and that is not my contract with Frances citizens. That is the self-management model, but it doesnt really have any governance and it is not democratic. On the other side, there is a system where governments have a strong role, but this is the Chinese-style Internet: an Internet where the government drives innovations and control, where the major players in artificial intelligence are held by the government ... We do a lot with China, but we do not have the same democratic preferences, we do not have the same cultural references on all subjects, we do not have the same relationship with individual freedoms that is a reality. And so in that Internet, the state has found its place, but it is hegemonic. We therefore need , through regulation, to build this new path where governments, along with Internet players, civil societies and all actors are able to regulate properly ... What we need to do is learn to regulate together, on the basis that all Internet players, including civil societies, private actors, NGOs, intellectuals, journalists and governments, are co-guarantors of this common interest that should drive us precisely to work in cooperation. And it is no coincidence that the notion of commons has seen such success in the digital era. The Internet, the depth of data and knowledge hosted by it, and the essential services it gives access to, are collective treasures that we need to manage together in order precisely to pass them on to future generations. And so it is here that we need to invent a new multilateralism both suited to the reality of cyber space and effective. That is why I am here today to propose a new collegial method ..." Editor's note : has Schedule of next EPDP meetings and topics 26 Nov 2018 Letter from *HE Jacqueline Mendoza to ICANN Board Chair Cherine Chalaby [Published by ICANN 28 Nov 2018] *Mendoza is Secretary General | Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO). Letter embed below: Dec 7. 2018 Letter from HE Mendoza with official note (pdf) adopted by the Member States of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) at the XXI Ordinary Meeting of the Amazon Cooperation Council, held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, on November 28-29, 2018. (pdf);and Dec 3, 2018, letter from ICANN Board Chair to HE Jacqueline Mendoza (pdf).Related previous correspondence:Among thein ICANN'sRemember the IGF 2018 Speech by French President Emmanuel Macron just a few weeks ago:indeed, thereto be a better way than "the ICANN way."(updated as of Dec 3): Suburban Propane Partners LP engages in the business of liquefied petroleum gas business. It operates through the following business segments: Propane; Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels; Natural Gas and Electricity; and All Other. The Propane segment engages in natural gas processing and petroleum refining. It also used in residential and commercial applications, industrial applications and agriculture. The Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels segment refers to the marketing and distribution of fuel oil, kerosene, diesel fuel and gasoline primarily to the northeast region of the United States. The Natural Gas and Electricity segment pertains to the generation, transmission, and distribution of natural gas and electricity among residential and small commercial customers. The All Other segment include the sale, installation and service of whole-house heating products, air cleaners, humidifiers, and space heaters to the customer who uses propane, fuel oil, natural gas and electricity businesses. The company was founded by Mark Anton in 1928 and is headquartered in Whippany, NJ. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Molina Healthcare: Aetna & Humana - Medicare Advantage, Affinity Health Plan, AmericanWork Inc., Better Health Network, Camelot Care Centers Inc, Children's Behavioral Health Inc., Choices Group Inc., College Community Services, Dockside Services Inc, Family Preservation Services Inc., Family Preservation Services of Florida Inc., Family Preservation Services of North Carolina Inc., Family Preservation Services of Washington D.C. Inc., Family Preservation Services of West Virginia Inc., Florida NetPASS LLC, Hclb Inc., Magellan Complete Care, Maple Star Nevada Inc., Maple Star Oregon Inc., Mercy CarePlus, Molina Clinical Services LLC, Molina Healthcare Data Center Inc., Molina Healthcare of Arizona Inc., Molina Healthcare of California, Molina Healthcare of Florida Inc., Molina Healthcare of Georgia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Molina Healthcare of Iowa Inc., Molina Healthcare of Louisiana Inc., Molina Healthcare of Maryland Inc., Molina Healthcare of Michigan Inc., Molina Healthcare of Mississippi Inc., Molina Healthcare of Nevada Inc., Molina Healthcare of New Mexico Inc., Molina Healthcare of New York Inc., Molina Healthcare of North Carolina Inc., Molina Healthcare of Ohio Inc., Molina Healthcare of Oklahoma Inc., Molina Healthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., Molina Healthcare of Puerto Rico Inc., Molina Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, Molina Healthcare of Texas Inc., Molina Healthcare of Texas Insurance Company, Molina Healthcare of Utah Inc., Molina Healthcare of Virginia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Washington Inc., Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin Inc., Molina Holdings Corporation, Molina Hospital Management LLC, Molina Information Systems LLC dba Molina Medicaid Solutions, Molina Medical Management Inc., Molina Pathways LLC, Molina Pathways of Texas Inc., Molina Youth Academy, NextLevel Health Illinois, Pathways Community Corrections Inc., Pathways Community Services LLC, Pathways Community Support of Texas Inc., Pathways Health and Community Support LLC, Pathways Human Services LLC., Pathways of Arizona Inc., Pathways of Delaware Inc., Pathways of Idaho LLC, Pathways of Maine Inc., Pathways of Massachusetts LLC, Pathways of Oklahoma Inc., Pathways of Washington Inc., Providence Community Services, Providence Human Services, Raystown Developmental Services Inc., The Game of Work LLC, The RedCo Group Inc., Total Care Medicaid plan, Transitional Family Services Inc., Unisys -Health Information Management, and YourCare Health Plan. United Technologies Corporation provides technology products and services to building systems and aerospace industries worldwide. Its Otis segment designs, manufactures, sells, and installs passenger and freight elevators, escalators, and moving walkways; and offers modernization products to upgrade elevators and escalators, as well as maintenance and repair services. The company's Carrier segment provides heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration, fire, security, and building automation products, solutions, and services for commercial, government, infrastructure, residential, and refrigeration and transportation applications. This segment also offers building services, including audit, design, installation, system integration, repair, maintenance, and monitoring. Its Pratt & Whitney segment supplies aircraft engines for commercial, military, business jet, and general aviation markets; and provides aftermarket maintenance, repair, and overhaul, as well as fleet management services. The company's Collins Aerospace Systems segment provides electric power generation, power management, and distribution systems; air data and aircraft sensing systems; engine control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems; engine components; environmental control systems; fire and ice detection, and protection systems; propeller systems; engine nacelle systems; aircraft lighting, seating, and cargo systems; actuation and landing systems; space products and subsystems; avionics systems; flight controls, communications, navigation, oxygen, and training systems; food and beverage preparation, and storage and galley systems; and lavatory and wastewater management systems. The company offers its services through manufacturers' representatives, distributors, wholesalers, dealers, retail outlets, and sales representatives, as well as directly to customers. United Technologies Corporation was founded in 1934 and is headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut. 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(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 UTICA- A Utica man is in trouble for allegedly having a relationship with a minor. According to New York State Police, Han San, 31, of Utica was arrested and charged for one count of endangering the welfare of a child. San is accused of engaging in a dating type of relationship with a minor under 17-years of age. Police said he snuck into the person's residence during the overnight hours. He was taken into custody. Hans is a New York State Registered Level two Sex Offender. He'll appear in court at a later date. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) In a News 18 exclusive, we talk to the Purdue student who says she was tricked into having sex with a man she thought was her boyfriend in a dark dorm room last year. Donald Ward was acquitted of rape last month. Some believe he's walking free due to a hole in the state's current rape statute. According to Indiana, what happened to Abigail Finney last year, isn't against the law. "The person [Donald Ward] was behind me the entire time, I didn't ever look over," said Finney. Finney was asleep in her boyfriend's bed when a man she thought was her boyfriend woke her up with his touch and started having sex with her. "My boyfriend and I had only been together for a month, so it's not like I really knew that well," said Finney. "I remember it being dark and I was kind of groggy and half asleep." She said she didn't drink that night. She just never would have imagined someone other than her boyfriend would be in her bed. When they finished, she went to the bathroom and came back to discover it was Donald Ward, not her boyfriend. "I was pretty confused, I thought maybe they were playing a prank on me," said Finney. When her boyfriend was no where to be found in the room, she feared it wasn't a joke and rushed to go find him. "What did he say?" asked News 18's Kayla Sullivan. "It took him a bit to process it," responded Finney. "It took him awhile to believe me just because it is unbelievable." But Finney's boyfriend came around when Ward confirmed her story. He told police he knew Finney thought he was her boyfriend, but did it anyway. "I feel disrespected as a person and like I was less than to him," said Finney. After Ward was acquitted of rape, she felt less than to Indiana too. "I'm less protected than property in the state," said Finney. "Like, my body can just be taken and used and it's not a crime." Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington said with Ward's admission of what happened, they thought they had the evidence to convict him. "But we were aware of the obstacles legally," said Harrington. In Indiana, a person charged with rape had to knowingly or intentionally cause another person to perform or submit to sexual conduct in one of three ways. Force, mentally disabled or mentally deficient, or unaware the sex is occurring. Harrington argued Finney was unaware because she didn't know who she was consenting to, but a jury thought differently. So, Harrington got State Representative Sally Siegrist involved. "We never want another woman to be in that situation where that rape cannot be successfully prosecuted," said Siegrist. She's working on a bill to add rape by impersonation to the current statute and wants Finney to know she's determined. "She not only has my heart, but she has my appreciation for her courage to stand up, go public and help us improve our rape laws and ensure that no other woman has to endure what she has," said Siegrist. But Finney said her bravery hasn't come without a price. Not everyone has been supportive. "Just the aftermath of it has been really rough on me," said Finney. "Seeing people's reactions, feeling like I can't defend myself." She took a semester off from Purdue because of it. She wants people to know words matter. "A lot of the comments have just been like finding ways to blame me," said Finney. "Saying that I should have known the difference." It was difficult for her not to believe them, but hearing it wasn't her fault helps. "It was the actions of someone else," said Finney. She hopes all the guilt, shame, and pain of going public is worth it someday. "My main goal throughout all of this is protecting other women," said Finney. "And also just a personal validation of what happened to me was wrong." State Representative Julie Olthoff is coauthoring Siegrist's bill. Siegrist said Indiana State Police, the Indiana Prosecutor's Association, and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute have all agreed to help write the legislation. It should be ready to present next session. Saturday evening, United Auto Workers Local 2335 announced that Lear Corporation auto parts workers in Hammond and Portage, Indiana voted to overwhelmingly reject a company- and union-backed deal for a second time. The ballot results were 311 against and 155 in favor, resulting in a no vote of approximately 67 percent, or over two to one. We rejected this deal because it was the same thing as before, nothing changed, a worker at the Portage plant told the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter, reflecting the broad opposition to the contract. The union and Lear must think we are stupid. The vote is an act of tremendous courage by Lear workers, who have again defied the unions attempts to ram through the deal. It is an indication of the growing determination to fight back among the working class more broadly, after decades of concessions imposed by the companies with the assistance of the trade unions. While the no vote is welcome and entirely deserved, a warning must be made: the company and the UAW will respond by intensifying their efforts to force workers to accept their terms. No time must be lost! Workers should immediately initiate discussions to elect and organize rank-and-file factory committees across their plants, independent of the pro-corporate UAW, in order to carry forward the momentum of the no vote and prepare the groundwork for launching a genuine struggle. Workers voted down Lears first contract proposal in October. While UAW Local 2335 officials claimed the agreement would help us support our families with a better wage, the deal in fact: Maintained the hated multi-tier divisions between just-in-time and sub-assembly workers; Entailed the extension of poverty wages, with starting pay for sub-assembly at an abysmal $13.50 at the beginning of the contract; Significantly increased health care costs, with substantial rises in premiums, deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses; and, Failed to restore any of the concessions previously given up by the UAW, such as cost-of-living adjustments and pensions, among other retrogressive provisions. In response to workers denunciations and anger at the proposal, the UAW doubled down on its attempts to keep workers in the dark about its negotiations with the company. At the same time, as workers increasingly turned to the WSWS, which alone has exposed the rotten character of the company-union agreement and sought to give workers a platform to voice and organize their opposition, the UAW launched a campaign of intimidation aimed at cowing workers into accepting the companys demands. After claiming on November 9 that a supposedly new tentative agreement had been reached, the UAW made every attempt to keep workers divided, holding separate informative meetings about the deal for each shift at each plant. At the meetings, workers were disgusted to learn what they suspected: the new deal was essentially the same as the one they already rejected, with the addition of a few extra sweeteners. The unions little divide and conquer crap before the votes didnt work, the worker at Portage said. He pointed to the corrupt relationship between the union and the auto companies, in which the UAW has accepted millions of dollars of bribes from Fiat Chrysler to push through the demands of the corporations. I honestly think the UAWs role has been simple: they are trying to force an unfair deal down our throats so the company will continue to line their pockets. The no vote is an indication of the sharp intensification of the class struggle. Last week, in an opening shot aimed at terrorizing workers into accepting further concessions in the 2019 contract negotiations at the Detroit Three auto companies, General Motors announced plans to shutter five plants in North America and another two overseas, laying off roughly 15,000 production and salaried workers. Workers have responded with shock and outrage, with over 100including a number of Lear workersattending a call-in meeting last Wednesday held by the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter in order to organize opposition to the companies attacks. It is critical that workers at Lear immediately reach out to the workers at GM, Ford and more broadly, both in the US and beyond, in order to prepare a joint counter-offensive for the right to good-paying jobs and decent living conditions. The WSWS will provide every assistance possible and urges workers who want to fight to contact us today. The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter is holding an emergency meeting in Detroit on December 9 to discuss a strategy for autoworkers to unify their struggle against the companies and the corporate-controlled UAW. Learn more and RSVP here. The author also recommends: Reject the UAW-Lear sellout contract! Unite with GM and other autoworkers in a common fight! [28 November 2018] UAW intensifies campaign of intimidation against Indiana Lear workers [26 November 2018] Virgin billionaire Richard Branson joined a new mission to solve one of the most captivating mysteries of the ocean -- what lies at the bottom of the Great Blue Hole in Belize? The Great Blue Hole in Belize is the largest sinkhole in the world -- a giant cavern measuring 300 meters (984 feet) across and around 125 meters deep. Belize Business figures Central America Continents and regions Richard Branson The Americas Business and industry sectors Business, economy and trade Marine transportation Marine vessels Submarines Transportation and warehousing Celebrities Jacques Cousteau In 1971, underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau put the Blue Hole on the map when he first explored its depths. Nearly half a century later, despite becoming a scuba hotspot, the Blue Hole's exact features remain mostly unknown. But Cousteau's grandson, Fabien Cousteau, is on the case. He joined up with Branson -- who runs Ocean Unite, a leadership initiative that aims to help protect the ocean -- and a team of scientists, explorers and filmmakers from the Aquatica Foundation. The group took submersibles including a manned Aquatica Stingray 500 to the bottom of the hole to chart what lies deep down below. The Blue Hole Belize 2018 Expedition was broadcast live on the Discovery Channel on Sunday December 2, 2018. Murky depths Located roughly 40 miles off the Belize coast, the Blue Hole is thought to have once been a giant cave on dry land, thousands of years ago. As the ocean rose again, the cave flooded. It's now part of the wider Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Blue Hole has never been fully mapped or plotted -- the idea is this new expedition might answer the question of what lies at the bottom of this enigmatic cavern. One of the submersibles on the expedition had additional lighting to allow both the on board team and the viewer at home to see as much as possible. There were also two support vessels on site, a luxury charter yacht providing accommodation and amenities for the team and a research vessel to support the expedition. Following the dive on December 2, vessels will continue to monitor and explore the site for two weeks, collecting data that will allow experts to construct real-life models of the Blue Hole's geography. Photo credit: Getty Images From Esquire Photo credit: Getty Images Not long after Bill Clinton won his first term as president, in 1992, I found myself in a private building on the grounds of Westchester Airport, awaiting the appearance of the man he had beaten. I had been invited there as a journalist by AmeriCares, the innovative disaster relief and global healthcare organization. That night was its annual Airlift Benefit, a gala dinner staged in an airplane hangar that ends at midnight, when one hundred passengers eager for an up-close look at the nonprofit's first-response operations board a chartered 747 bound for one of the world's fresh disaster zones. That year the destination was Haiti, which was still reeling from a military coup d'etat and the subsequent intervention of U.S. troops to restore constitutional rule. The event's guest of honor-a college roommate of AmeriCares's founder, the late Robert Macauley-had kept a very low profile since having to hand over the keys to the White House. His ousting-by the separate efforts of the young governor from Arkansas and the vaudevillian saboteur Ross Perot-had been decisive, but not easy. "War has rules; mud wrestling has rules," went one of Perot's amusing quips, his voodoo stick at the ready. "Politics has no rules." The tragicomic atmosphere, along with the mirth made of Bush's first-time experience with a grocery store checkout scanner 10 years after the technology had become commonplace, still clung somewhat forlornly to my memory of the man. Photo credit: Getty Images An intimate party had been put together to welcome the president and his wife on their arrival. I was the only journalist-at 25, barely a cub-among a handful of relatives and friends milling about in a small room across the tarmac from the gala. A slight early autumn chill hung in the air, and it was already dark outside when the president stepped through the door. Dana Carvey's "Not gonna do it-wouldn't be prudent" routine made people think Bush had the charisma of a robot, but in the flesh that wasn't true at all. He casually proceeded to lap the room in a clockwise motion, audibly cranking up the volume of conversation with each new handshake and turning the atmosphere from that of a holding tank to a cocktail party that happened to be hosted by the former leader of the free world. Then he got to me. Story continues "George Bush," he said, introducing himself with a wide, friendly smile. He quickly sussed out that I worked for the New Yorker and asked how I had gotten there. I told him I was originally from West Texas. Photo credit: Getty Images "West Texas!" he said. He liked that. Seeing that geographic coincidences were of interest, I confessed I'd had a recent girlfriend with a summer house in Maine. "Maine!" he said, suggesting that a girl like that might be a keeper. I confessed, however, that we had unfortunately broken up. "You flush her or she flush you?" he asked with an avuncular laugh, before aiming a shoulder at the wall for a sideways lean that signaled he wanted to talk about it. Photo credit: Jay Fielden For the next 10 minutes he got me to tick off my entire resume, education and work experience included. He was particularly curious about my quality of life on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where I then lived, and he pretended to be shocked when, after he had asked me, I told him I didn't own a gun. Was the absurd notion that it's common to pack heat in New York City like the grocery store scanner thing, a detail too mundane to register? Or was he just teasing me-the West Texas boy with an empty holster? It was genuinely hard to tell. Photo credit: Getty Images When our circle started to widen, he kindly introduced me around, summing up my life as if it were a telegram. "I'd like you to meet Jay Fielden," he'd start out, before breaking into that voice you'd heard a hundred times on Saturday Night Live. "West TexasMaineBoston UniversityRecently been flushedUpper West SideDoesn't own a weapon." Photo credit: Getty Images A few days later, thanks to 41, who encouraged me to go, I had one of the most important achievements yet to add to my resume: "Been to Haiti." ('You Might Also Like',) All 3 on board corporate jet die when it crashes in Indiana: State police All 3 on board corporate jet die when it crashes in Indiana: State police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com All three people on board a corporate jet have died after the plane crashed in a rural, wooded area of southern Indiana, the Indiana State Police said Friday. The crash took place shortly before 11:30 a.m. local time in Clark County, just north of Louisville, Kentucky. PHOTO: A state police vehicle sits near the site of a small plane crash in a rural, wooded area of southern Indiana, Nov. 30, 2018. (WHAS) PHOTO: People congregate near the site of a small plane crash in a rural, wooded area of southern Indiana, Nov. 30, 2018. (WHAS) Plane crashes in Mexico, but miraculously all survive The Clark County Airport in Sellersburg, Indiana, said the plane had three people, including the pilot, on board when it took off at 11:24 a.m., according to police. The jet was headed to Chicago's Midway International Airport when it fell from air traffic radar, the Federal Aviation Administration's Chicago office told ABC Chicago station WLS. PHOTO: Men stand near the site of a small plane crash in a rural, wooded area of southern Indiana, Nov. 30, 2018. (WHAS) PHOTO: Emergency vehicles sit near the site of a small plane crash in a rural, wooded area of southern Indiana, Nov. 30, 2018. (WHAS) Vintage plane crash lands on highway in Mississippi The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating. The NTSB identified the plane as a Cessna Citation. Photo credit: Pool - Getty Images From Town & Country Former President George H. W. Bush died on the evening of November 30, 2018 at the age of 94. The sad news was announced via a statement from his son, former president George W. Bush. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," reads the message. "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 and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our family and fellow citizens." Statement by the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, on the passing of his father this evening at the age 94. pic.twitter.com/oTiDq1cE7h - Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 1, 2018 Along with the statement, Bush senior's longtime spokesman Jim McGrath also shared that a tribute to the 41st president has gone live on georgehwbush.com, and that relevant funeral information would be posted there as well. Here, we've created a quick summary of the events. Photo credit: Pool - Getty Images The services started on Monday, when the former president's remains were flown from Houston to Maryland, then taken to the U.S. Capitol. Monday's official schedule commenced with a departure ceremony in Houston at 10:30 a.m. Central Time, before the former president's remains were flown from Houston to Maryland. According to the Houston Chronicle, Bush's casket, draped in an American flag, was escorted by six pallbearers into a hearse headed to Ellington Field. At 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, an arrival ceremony was held at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Bush's casket was then taken to the U.S. Capitol, with an arrival ceremony scheduled at 4:45 p.m. A short service took place there on Monday afternoon, where remarks were given by Paul Ryan, Mike Pence, and Mitch McConnell. Story continues Photo credit: ALEX EDELMAN - Getty Images The former president will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda from Monday evening until Wednesday morning. During this period, the public will be able to pay their respects at specific times. Photo credit: Scott Olson - Getty Images The Washington, D.C. funeral-the first of two such services scheduled this week-took place on Wednesday. Photo credit: Pool - Getty Images On Wednesday, his casket traveled from the Rotunda to the Washington National Cathedral for a memorial service at 11 a.m. Numerous politicians and public figures, including President Trump and his wife Melania, were in attendance. Trump also officially designated Wednesday as a national day of mourning. Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla - Getty Images During the service, Bush was eulogized by his son, George W. Bush, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, presidential biographer Jon Meacham, and former Senator Alan Simpson in a series of powerful, poignant speeches. Photo credit: Pool - Getty Images On Wednesday afternoon, Bush's remains departed for Houston, arriving back at Ellington Field at 4:30 p.m. Central Time. His body now lies in repose at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, and over 12,000 people have already come to pay their respects to the former president. On Thursday, a funeral in Houston will be held, followed by the former president's internment. At 10:00 a.m. Central Time, a funeral service will be held at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, where Barbara Bush's funeral took place last April. Following that, Bush's remains will be transported via motorcade (and subsequently train) to Texas A&M University. The institution's campus encompasses that of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. It is there that George H. W. Bush will be interred, near his wife Barbara and daughter Robin. For those interested in expressing their sympathies, the Bush family has given instruction on how to honor the late president. The Bush family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be given to the George Bush Memorial Fund. The public is also welcome to dedicate a day of service to Bush. The family suggests looking to Points of Light, an organization founded by the former president, for ideas and guidance. ('You Might Also Like',) We look forward to the Hallmark Channels Countdown to Christmas lineup all year. Theres just something about the feel-good films that makes us, well, feel good. And 2018s slate features literally dozens of new movies, including Mingle All the Way, which premieres Saturday, December 1. It stars Brant Daugherty and Days of Our Lives actress Jen Lilley, who has appeared in several Hallmark Channel originals from other seasons but is making her Countdown to Christmas debut this year. I grew up in Virginia, where Hallmark Channel is king. So Im really excited to join the holiday family, Lilley told Brit + Co in a recent chat. For me, Hallmark became part of my family because there was a Hallmark store that sold cards and ornaments right by the grocery store where I grew up. So, every Christmas, my mom, my dad, my two brothers, my sister, and I would go to the Hallmark store, and my parents would get us a Hallmark Christmas ornament. So Hallmark has always been a part of my Christmas. And then when they formed Hallmark Channel and started doing all of the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, that just naturally folded into my Christmas traditions. Below, Lilley tells us more about her holiday traditions, what to expect from Mingle All the Way, and a new project thats close to her heart. Brit + Co: Why do you think people love Hallmark movies so much, especially around the holidays? Jen Lilley: Theyve become just such a key part of everyones holidays, and I think one of the many reasons Hallmark Channel is so successful, in general, is that theres just so much tension going on in our society and around the world. Right, left, front, center, whatever you are, theres racial tension, theres political tension, theres economic tension. And its so nice to have a channel that really is empowering and uplifting and happy and safe for everyone of all ages. I think thats one of the keys to their success. Story continues B+C: Youve done several Hallmark Channel original movies now. Do you have a favorite of the ones youve done? JL: Obviously theyre all rom-coms, and theyre all very on brand with Hallmark. But each character is so unique that I cant really pinpoint which one is my favorite. A Dash of Love has a really special place in my heart, though, because 1) it was my induction into the Hallmark family, which was really a dream come true for me, and 2) Valentines Day is my favorite holiday. And Frank Sinatras The Way You Look Tonight was in that movie, and thats my favorite song, so that was really amazing for me. But theyve all been amazing. I havent had any mediocre experiences. Ive done one for each season, so theyve all had their charms. Im really excited about Mingle All the Way. Obviously I love Christmas, I love Christmas music, and the idea of becoming part of someones positive memories from Christmas because they watch the movie I think thats the greatest thing. B+C: Mingle All the Way is such a good title. So what should we expect from the movie? JL: It obviously follows the rom-com formula we all love, but its a little outside the box. My character Molly creates an app for entrepreneurs who are really focused on their work and dont necessarily want a relationship but need a platonic plus-one for all of the holiday parties they get invited to. If its not a real app, it should be. The funny thing about Molly is that she has zero interest in signing up for her own app. And her assistant, Tyler, played by the amazing Casey Manderson I dont know if you know who Casey Manderson is, but youre about to, and I think he is just Gods gift to humanity he signs Molly up. And Brant Daughertys character, Jeff, signs up because he needs to impress his boss. And then of course, love ensues. Its very witty, its very funny there are like 20 or 30 holiday parties we go to. It was like walking into 25 different Pinterest boards. B+C: And you have two songs in the movie, correct? JL: Yes! Years ago, I came out with a Christmas album called Tinsel Time. It was just a pet project for me, but it ended up going to number one on Amazon! So now two of my songs, Tinsel Time and Jingle Bells (Reprise), are in Mingle All the Way. And that Christmas CD is what led me to record a regular studio album. B+C: What can you tell us about that album? JL: It has a retro vibe, its very empowering, its music that is going to uplift and be really cathartic for people. One thing that my producer Adrian [Gurvitz] worked with me a lot on is the art of storytelling. And he really explained to me, you know, it doesnt matter if you hit the notes as much as it does if youre telling the story well. Good music tells a story that people relate to. So hopefully it really takes people through a musical journey and a story where they come out on the other side and feel really empowered. Like, I feel like I am worthy of being in a relationship or empowered to not be in a relationship. Im comfortable with myself, and liking myself, and ready to give love. And theres a philanthropic element, too. Its music that gives. My first single, King of Hearts, came out in October. And through that, we were able to raise money for a young boy in Uganda to have life-saving heart surgery. It was like such a little Christmas miracle. So I donated to Project Orphans for the single, and then going forward, 100 percent of my share of the profits will go toward charities that focus on orphans and foster care, since thats something I really care about. B+C: Thats great. And very much in the spirit of giving for this season. Besides your tradition of going to Hallmark to pick out an ornament as a kid, do you have any current holiday traditions that are really special to you? JL: Yes! Im a foster and adoptive parent I have a two-and-a-half-year-old who were still in the process of adopting, and we also have his little seven-month-old brother this year. So Im super excited. My two-year-old is really into Play-Doh, so Im really excited about making sugar cookies, because I feel like hes going to pretty good at the cookie-cutter game, and pretty awful at the decorating game, and its going to be really fun. B+C: Messy decorations are always the best. JL: Yeah, exactly. The ugliest cookies are the best ones. This interview has been edited and condensed. Do you have any special holiday traditions? Tell us @BritandCo! (photos via Ricardo Hubbs/Crown Media + Crown Media + Bettina Strauss/Crown Media) When George H.W. Bush, the 41st U.S. President, died on Nov. 30, 2018, at the age of 94 obituaries celebrated his achievements as president but his life offers lessons for almost everyone. TIMEs coverage of former President H.W. Bush dates back to 1964, when he was a U.S. Senate candidate from Houston, and includes more than a dozen cover stories. Though the topics of those articles evolved through the years, a thread emerges: people across the political spectrum have found inspiration in George H.W. Bushs approach to life. Here are three of those lessons: Be nice, but not weak In an Aug. 22, 1988, TIME cover story about Bushs 1988 campaign, Garry Wills explored the future presidents personality, finding that any idea that he was weak was a false perception from his war record to his attitude toward sports, there was plenty of evidence of his backbone. He was also used to being liked, and for good reason. George Bush is authentically nice enough to put ones teeth on edge; but he does not like to be made fun of, Wills wrote, and he especially does not like to lose. Later in the same story, Bush is described as both unnecessarily nice and improbably tough. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter Dont forget to say thank you In another cover story the following year, after Bush was elected, the then-President provided an example of how far gratitude can take you. Most evenings between 8 and 10, George Bush excuses himself from the company of friends and family in order to be alone, Michael Duffy reported. As he has done for years, he retreats to a private study, now on the second floor of the White House, to read and write cards and thank-you notes to friends, political allies and even perfect strangers. Though such extreme politeness might have seemed like a waste of time to some, it ended up making all the difference for Bush. For example, while trying to free some Americans who were being held hostage in the Middle East, he was able to call on personal relationships with world leaders from Jordan and Saudi Arabia to Britain and West Germany. As he put it in his inaugural address, and as he restated to TIME, goodwill begets goodwill. Story continues Do your best, try your hardest This last life lesson doesnt actually come from Bush himself. Rather, its advice that his mother gave him and something he always tried to live up to, according to a TIME analysis during his 1992 campaign. Though in that particular case it seemed to TIMEs Michael Kramer that Bush was letting the tough campaign get to him, it was still an idea he was capable of manifesting. He is smart and sharp, a quick study, Kramer wrote. I have seen him dazzle by sheer force of intellect. His best, it was clear, could be truly great but you dont have to be President to face each challenge with dedication and effort. Though hes sure to be remembered for the political heights to which he climbed and for the dynasty he furthered, TIMEs coverage of George H.W. Bush makes it obvious that what he had to give the world, on a much more personal level, was important too. Just as he was able to bridge the gap between friendliness and force, these lessons of his life likewise bring together too seeming oppositessimple and profound. In recognition of his ability to combine seeming opposites, TIME recognized The Two George Bushes as Men of the Year for 1990. Read an interview with the then-President from that issue, here in TIMEs archives: Determined to Do What Is Right It's been a weird year for Hollywood celebrity couples (R.I.P. Peteiana but long live "thank u, next"), but a great one in Bollywood. Now it's time for us to share the joy: Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas are marrying their cultures, their industries, and two whole countries (to say nothing of massive global fan bases), and while we can't attend, we sure can celebrate. Here are the best ways for you to celebrate the Jo-pra wedding on a budget. SEE ALSO: Ariana Grande's 'thank you, next' just broke YouTube Image: vogue We've got whiplash from how fast this love story snuck up on us. It turns out, though, that it's been in the works for years, but that both parties are private people (can't blame 'em!). In a cover story for Vogue, Chopra and Jonas open up about the history of their courtship, and it couldn't be clearer that they're both thrilled to embark on the next step. 2. Form a task force The only way you're going to stay in the loop about this wedding is if you make your interest known to everyone in your life so that they see something, say something and text you the moment they see a photo, tweet, or any news about the nuptials. Talk to your friends, know who you can trust, promise to keep each other informed! 3. Watch this Bollywood song This isn't an exact representation of what's going down at the Hindu wedding (like taking over all of London), but there will be some overlap, including Jonas entering on a horse for his baraat. If this song isn't in the playlist, someone needs to get fired. 4. Obsess over these photos I'm not saying I found them within 13 seconds of posting but having a task force pays off! Be smart about how you check Google, Twitter, and Instagram constant vigilance! Story continues This wedding was foretold...by ART. The mashup of Jonas' "Chains" and Chopra's "Tujhe Bhula Diya" (she featured in the film it's from but didn't sing it) starts around 16:27. 5. Get Indian food If you're really committed, get it in Nick's home state of New Jersey. Rep 'em both! 6. Watch this GIF on a loop Vogue wyd!! 7. Meet DeepVeer Priyanka's Bollywood peers Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh married less than a month ago, and though it's not a competition, you can't avoid direct comparison (also, Deepika tweeted these photos about 10 minutes after Priyanka's emotional wedding Insta post). Neither member of the couple has spoken a word about it since then, but instead opted for social media dumps of insanely beautiful photos. Priyanka and Nick might be on the same path... 8. Listen to your favorite Jonas brothers songs This whole thing is a whirlwind, and it's okay to feel emotional about the loss of what could have been! Take some you time, visit the past, and take a breath to appreciate the journey millions of former teens and their teen heartthrob took up to this weekend. 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. Baikonur (Kazakhstan) (AFP) - Astronauts of the first manned space mission since an unprecedented accident in October on Sunday brushed aside concerns about Russia's Soyuz rocket, saying risks were part of the job. Oleg Kononenko of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, Anne McClain of NASA and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency will launch to the International Space Station (ISS) from Baikonur in Kazakhstan aboard a Soviet-designed Soyuz on Monday. They will head to the ISS after a Soyuz rocket carrying Russia's Aleksey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague failed on October 11 just minutes after blast-off. The pair escaped unharmed, but the failed launch was the first such accident in Russia's post-Soviet history and a new setback for the country's once proud space industry. The crew heading to the ISS dismissed any possible concerns about their safety. "Risk is part of our profession," crew commander Oleg Kononenko told a news conference at Baikonur, adding they "absolutely" trusted teams preparing them for the flight. "We are psychologically and technically prepared for blast-off and any situation which, God forbid, may occur on board," the 54-year-old said. Kononenko added that the crew would conduct a spacewalk on December 11 as part of the investigation into a mysterious hole that has caused an air leak on the ISS. Anne McClain, a 39-year-old former military pilot, struck a similar note. "We feel very ready for it," she said. Canada's Saint-Jacques added that the Soyuz spacecraft was "incredibly safe," noting it was "actually reassuring" to witness the October aborted launch from Baikonur. The accident highlighted the "smart design of the Soyuz and the incredible work that the search and rescue people here on the ground are ready to do every launch," the 48-year-old said. Saint-Jacques joked that he had received so much training ahead of the flight "that I felt at the end that I could build a Soyuz in my backyard." Story continues Russia said last month the launch of the Soyuz rocket failed because of a sensor that was damaged during assembly at the Baikonur cosmodrome, but officials insisted the spacecraft remains reliable. Saint-Jacques will be the first Canadian astronaut to visit the space station since Chris Hadfield, who recorded a version of David Bowie's Space Oddity classic aboard the ISS in 2013. Canada's governor general and former astronaut Julie Payette is expected to be among the dignitaries to watch Monday's launch. Of the trio set to reach the ISS six hours after blastoff, both Saint-Jacques and McClain will fly for the first time. Kononenko is beginning his fourth mission to add to an impressive 533 days in space. NASA's McClain was deployed to Iraq and has represented the United States women's national rugby union team. She has said that training to spacewalk was similar to rugby since it demands "grit, toughness, mental focus, and more". Johannesburg (AFP) - Beyonce was leading an all-star line-up including Ed Sheeran, Jay-Z and Usher in Johannesburg at a concert to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. The concert was the climax of a year of events celebrating the centennial of Mandela's birth in 1918, and part of a campaign to tackle poverty, child malnutrition and boost gender equality. This year's Global Citizen Festival is being held at Johannesburg's 94,736-capacity FNB stadium and began at 1200 GMT. Thousands of music fans, many of whom had received free tickets to reward their activism and campaigning work, flocked to the stadium hours before the gig began. "It's really important to be here because we all support what Global Citizen is doing, it's helping out a lot of people," said Lesedi Mosita, a banker. "I do follow the cause, I have done my share, I have tried to support as much as I can -- but I am mostly excited to see Beyonce." As well as a constellation of global stars that also included Pharrell Williams and Coldplay's Chris Martin, President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted fellow heads of state from Ghana, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. Williams received a rapturous reception for his rendition of "Get Lucky", with many cheering fans holding phones aloft and dancing exuberantly. - 'Take action' - South African stars Trevor Noah and Bonang Matheba also made appearances, as the largely local crowd braved heavy downpours to attend. Ahead of the concert co-host Oprah Winfrey hailed Mandela's "goodness and integrity", describing him as her "favourite mentor". Mandela was jailed under South Africa's apartheid regime. After being released in 1990, he led the country's transformation into a multi-racial democracy. He died on December 5, 2013 aged 95. Earlier Sunday, Mandela's widow Graca Machel, draped in a bright yellow and blue dress, took to the stage to honour her late husband in front of the near-capacity crowd. Story continues And Mandela's grandson Ndaba Mandela told festival-goers: "Today it is a privilege and choice for us to take action on behalf of the hundreds of millions of people trapped in the cycle of poverty. "So I plead with you, don't think of this as just a music festival, this is a call to the hearts and minds of humanity all across the world." The Global Citizen initiative aims to help eradicate extreme poverty by 2030 and has staged events in other global cities including London, Brussels, and New York. Event organisers earlier paid tribute to a rigger who died following a fall while helping to prepare the stage on Saturday. "The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated," Global Citizen said in a statement. Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Brazil's incoming far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, took a swipe on Saturday at the government's environmental monitoring agencies, warning he would not allow them to impose "fines all over the place." "The party is over," said Bolsonaro, a retired army captain who takes office on January 1. He was speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony at the Agulhas Negras (Black Eagles) military academy outside Rio de Janeiro, where he studied in the 1970s. "I will no longer allow Ibama and ICMBio to be handing out fines all over the place," he said, referring to Brazil's main government environmental protection bureaus. "I want to defend the environment, but not in a Shiite way, as is taking place now," he said. He used the word "Shiite" as a synonym for radical and inflexible. Bolsonaro himself owes Ibama 10,000 reais ($2,600) for illegally fishing in 2012. The president-elect vowed to pay the fine. "But I am living proof of the bias and bad work of some inspectors of Ibama and ICMBio. This will stop," he said. During the presidential campaign Bolsonaro criticized both government agencies, arguing that environmental protection could not "hinder development" and complaining that agribusiness was being "suffocated" by regulations. A notorious climate change skeptic, Bolsonaro has threatened to withdraw Brazil from the 2015 Paris Agreement to curb global warming. On Saturday he said that he took part in the recent government decision to withdraw Brazil's offer to host the COP25 UN climate conference next year, officially due to "budget constraints." Bolsonaro also reiterated his intention to "integrate Indians into society," saying that he no longer wants to maintain native reservations. "My plan is to make Indians our equals," he said. "They have the same needs as us, they want doctors, dentists, television, internet." Story continues This ignores the wish of the tribes to maintain their traditional way of life, away from towns and cities. Bolsonaro had a similar comment on Friday, claiming that over the past 20 years Brazil has been under foreign pressure to designate territory for native Brazilians. "Why here in Brazil should we keep them reclusive in reservations, as if they were animals in a zoo?" he asked. Buenos Aires (AFP) - China and Argentina signed a $9 billion currency swap deal to boost the crisis-stricken South American country's foreign currency reserves, its central bank announced Sunday. Struggling to recover after a currency crisis earlier this year, Latin America's third largest economy sought the help of the International Monetary Fund -- which approved a $56 billion loan package. Now, this latest agreement will "contribute to greater financial stability and also facilitate trade" between China and Argentina, according to the bank's statement. A currency swap sees two parties agree to exchange a certain amount of foreign currency at a pre-determined rate, protecting against fluctuations. Argentina's central bank will be able to draw on these funds in an emergency. The agreement followed the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, as Chinese President Xi Jinping was received by his Argentine counterpart Mauricio Macri for a state visit. The two countries signed 30 trade and financial agreements in total. "We are extending cooperation on economic, agricultural, financial and infrastructure issues," Xi told a press conference. After Brazil, China is Argentina's second largest trade partner. In 2017, the relationship was firmly in Beijing's favor: China exported $17 billion of goods to Argentina, while importing $8 billion of goods from that country. Beijing and Buenos Aires also agreed another currency swap in 2014, which provided $11 billion for Argentina's depleted treasury reserves. The CIA believes Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman sent at least 11 messages to an advisor it alleges oversaw the team that killed Jamal Khashoggi in the hours surrounding the journalists death, according to a highly-classified assessment seen by The Wall Street Journal. Mr Khashoggi a critic of the Saudi royal family was killed in October shortly after entering Riyadhs consulate in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia has faced an international outcry over the killing, which the country has blamed on a kidnap operation by a group of rogue operatives. The electronic messages reportedly sent by the crown prince were to former Saudi royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani, according to the CIA assessment. The content of the messages between the crown prince and Mr Qahtani is not known, the document says. It also does not say in what form the messages were sent. Mr Qahtani was one of the officials that was sacked as part of the investigation by the Saudi public prosecutor into the killing. He was also one of 17 people sanctioned by the US Treasury Department whom the US had linked to the killing. Saudi officials have repeatedly denied that Mohammed bin Salman had any involvement in the killing. Excerpts of the CIA assessment, which cites electronic intercepts and other clandestine information, also reportedly states that in August 2017, the crown prince had told associates that if efforts to persuade Mr Khashoggi to return to Saudi Arabia were not successful, we could possibly lure him outside Saudi Arabia and make arrangements. The Wall Street Journal said that it was unclear from the excerpts whether the 2017 comments are from Crown Prince Mohammed directly, or from someone else describing his remarks. It was reported last month month that the CIA had assessed that the Saudi crown prince had likely been involved in the decision over Mr Khashoggis killing. The new excerpts reportedly state that the CIA has medium-to-high confidence that bin Salman personally targeted Mr Khashoggi. However, it said: To be clear, we lack direct reporting of the Crown Prince issuing a kill order. Story continues Mr Trump has questioned the CIAs assessments about the crown prince, saying recently that maybe he did [know]; and maybe he didnt. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met US Senators on Wednesday to brief them on the US response to the killing. He said after the meeting that the agency did not find a so-called smoking gun. There is no direct reporting connecting the crown prince to the order to murder Jamal Khashoggi, Mr Pompeo told reporters. A Saudi official, responding to The Wall Street Journal from Riyadhs Embassy in Washington, said: HRH the Crown Prince communicates regularly with various senior officials within the Royal Court on different matters. At no time did HRH correspond with any Saudi officials in any government entity on harming Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen. We continue to categorically reject any accusations based on speculations. A CIA spokesman declined to comment. Mr Qahtani did not respond to a request for comment. The White House said it did not respond to reports on intelligence matters. Donald Trumps former lawyer pleaded for leniency Friday, telling a judge he should be spared from prison because hes spilling secrets to Special Counsel Robert Mueller about the president and his company. Michael Cohens lawyers made the request a day after his dramatic appearance in federal court, where he admitted he lied to Congress about the Trump Organizations effort to build a Moscow tower. Only months ago, Cohens bid to remain free would have been unimaginable. In April, after FBI agents raided his home, office and hotel suite, he appeared headed to prison in a separate tax-evasion and campaign-finance case built on what appeared to be overwhelming evidence. But Cohen, once among the presidents most loyal allies, turned on Trump after pleading guilty and provided prosecutors with detailed accounts of his possible wrongdoing. In court in August, he told a judge that he violated campaign-finance laws at the presidents direction and, on Thursday, said he lied to Congress to remain consistent with Trumps messaging on the campaign trail. Michaels decision to cooperate required and requires singular determination and personal conviction, his lawyers said in a court filing late Friday in Manhattan federal court. He could have fought the government and continued to hold the party line, positioning himself perhaps for a pardon or clemency, but, instead for himself, his family and his country he took personal responsibility for his own wrongdoing and contributed, and is prepared to contribute, to an investigation that he views as thoroughly legitimate and vital. Cohens New Plea Suggests Mueller Closing In on Key Questions Cohens lawyers said their client had seven meetings with the special counsels office, met twice with federal prosecutors in Manhattan, and talked to representatives of the New York attorney generals office, which is suing Trump over his foundation. Cohen also provided the NYAG with documents concerning a separate open inquiry, according to the filing. Story continues Cohens cooperation has come despite the withering fury of Trump and his supporters, including hate mail and threats to him and his family, the lawyers noted. 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, they wrote. He expects to cooperate further. Cohen, 52, is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 12 in the tax-evasion and campaign-finance case. The new case has been transferred to the judge handling the earlier one, and Cohen is seeking to be sentenced on both at the same time. Prosecutors in Muellers office, which is probing Russian meddling in the 2016 election and the Trump campaigns ties to Russia, have agreed to brief the sentencing judge on Cohens cooperation. Time Served Cohen faces more than five years in prison in the tax-evasion and campaign-finance case and as long as six months behind bars in the lying-to-Congress case, under recommended federal sentencing guidelines. But the judge could sharply reduce the sentence because of Cohens cooperation. Cohens asking for a punishment of time served, meaning the hours spent in custody before each of his guilty pleas. Prosecutors will file their sentencing recommendation at a later point. Cohen pleaded guilty to nine felonies in the two cases, which will cost him his law license in addition to whatever sentence he receives. On Aug. 21, he admitted his role in hush-money payments to two women, adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal before the 2016 election, to prevent them from publicizing their claims of extramarital affairs with Trump. Hes to be sentenced for two campaign finance violations, five counts of tax evasion and one count of making a false statement to a financial institution. Cohen, in Plea, Says Trumps Moscow Plans Ran Well Into 2016 Cohen didnt then have a cooperation deal, but his lawyer said Cohen was eager to help the government. Cohen had worked for Trump for about a decade first at the Trump Organization and later as a close aide during his bosss campaign for the White House. He famously said hed take a bullet for Trump. Cohen set out to win over prosecutors both in Manhattan, where the tax-evasion and campaign-finance case was handled, and in the special counsels office in Washington. Over the ensuing months, he had multiple meetings with Muellers team. Ex-Trump Fixer Cohen Said to Have Lengthy Talks With Mueller On Thursday, with the lying-to-Congress charge added to the mix, Cohen said his work on a plan to build a Trump tower in Moscow continued into June 2016, after Trump had locked up the Republican presidential nomination. He said he lied when he told Congress that the Moscow project was abandoned that January, before the Republican nominating contests. Cohen also said in his guilty plea that he updated Trump on the proposed deal more frequently than hed previously acknowledged, briefed certain members of Trumps family whom he didnt identify, and had a 20-minute call with an aide to a Kremlin official. Cohen told the court he lied to be consistent with Trumps campaign positions and out of a sense of loyalty. The revelation tied Trump to Russia throughout much of the campaign, and suggested that the real estate developer turned politician misled the public in July 2016 when he said he had no business dealings with Russia. What Cohen Plea Deal Means for Trump, His Business and Mueller The Moscow plan ended on June 14, 2016, the same day the Washington Post reported that Russians had hacked the Democratic National Committee. Days earlier, three senior campaign officials held a now infamous meeting in Trump Tower in New York with a Russian lawyer claiming to have dirt on Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, one of numerous contacts between Russians and campaign officials under scrutiny. Trump said Thursday that he had decided not to pursue the Moscow project, but that there wouldve been nothing wrong if he had. He said hed been focused on running for president in 2016 but that no rule prevented him from continuing to do business. He also branded his former lawyer as a liar and weak person who was making up a story to cut his prison sentence. Cohen submitted 37 letters from family, friends and business acquaintances supporting his bid for leniency. Several referred to what Robyn and Richard Ebers, a married couple who are friends of Cohen, called the destructiveness caused by Michaels relationship with Mr. Trump. Michaels greatest characteristic, yet also on occasion his Achilles heel, is his staunch loyalty, wrote Kimberly Green, another friend. When he is behind you it is unfaltering, at times to his detriment. 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 NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City police sought on Saturday for an unlucky suitor who dropped an engagement ring down a Times Square grating while proposing to his fiancee, who nonetheless told him yes. Video shared on social media by the New York Police Department showed the man fumble the ring before lying on the sidewalk in the popular tourist destination and peering into the grating while his partner looked on in concern. "She said 'Yes' - but he was so excited that he dropped the ring in a grate," the NYPD wrote on Twitter. "Our @NYPDSpecialops officers rescued it & would like to return it to the happy couple. Help us find them?" (https://bit.ly/2QxZ9sw) More than 350,000 people visit Times Square in midtown Manhattan, known as "The Crossroads of the World," every day. (Reporting by Daniel Wallis; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Washington (AFP) - As US President Donald Trump faces intensifying scrutiny about possible connections to Russia, opposition Democrats are looking to 2020, and who might challenge the controversial leader for his job. They have published new books and made repeat visits to early-voting states -- traditional steps towards a White House bid. Several have publicly expressed interest in running. "I'm considering it," goes the refrain. Others are keeping mum for now. But with the first primary votes 14 months away, time is of the essence, and deciding late risks the best potential advisors -- and donors -- aligning elsewhere. Trump is clearly eager to take on challengers. "I dream about them," he said recently. The potential 2020 Democratic field is vast -- too vast, some strategists worry. Meanwhile, some see it as a sign of party strength before waging campaign war. - The old guard - Joe Biden: Riding his fame and gaining sympathy over his son's death from cancer, the former vice president handily leads 2020 polls. But after eight years in the White House and a lengthy Senate career, Biden, 76, acknowledges that age is a "legitimate" election issue. Bernie Sanders: Hillary Clinton's unexpectedly strong 2016 challenger has signaled his 2020 interest. The 77-year-old liberal US senator said he is studying whether he is the "best candidate" to beat Trump before launching a campaign. Clinton and John Kerry: Both former secretaries of state lost their presidential bids, but they have delivered barely-cryptic messages about possible returns to politics. - The star of the moment - Beto O'Rourke: This 46-year-old progressive Texas congressman is suddenly the talk of the trail. While he lost his Senate race this month, O'Rourke gained an intangible asset: name recognition. He built a national grassroots structure that reached millions, inspired an army of volunteers and won over independent voters -- all critical for a modern-day successful campaign. Story continues The wave of enthusiasm for the former punk rocker did not crash with his Senate defeat. Instead, he is routinely mentioned in 2020 analysis, and this week O'Rourke opened the door by acknowledging he is thinking about a presidential bid. Some are not waiting for him to decide. A group called Draft Beto 2020, founded by Democratic strategists, launched this week to draw support. - The senators - Sherrod Brown: Often removed from the political spotlight, Brown acknowledged his presidential interest after the November 6 midterms. His left-leaning policies on workers' rights and international trade played well in his Ohio, the quintessential Midwestern swing state where he resoundingly won re-election. Trump took notice, accusing Brown of failing to prevent the job cuts recently announced by General Motors. Elizabeth Warren: The senator from Massachusetts still dodges questions about 2020 but the mystery is fading. On Thursday she outlined her foreign policy vision, and she regularly clashes with Trump on Twitter. Cory Booker and Kamala Harris: The first-term Senate Democrats are popular progressives. Each this year has visited Iowa, the state that votes first in the nominations process, and other early voting states. Harris and Booker, both of whom are black, are from California and New Jersey respectively, coastal states often associated with progressive elites, putting them at risk of a poor showing in heartland and southern states. Senator Amy Klobuchar overwhelmingly won re-election in the Midwestern state of Minnesota, placing her in good standing should she announce a run. Other senators mulling bids include Oregon's Jeff Merkley, New York's Kirsten Gillibrand, and Mark Warner of Virginia. - The billionaires - Michael Bloomberg: Like Trump, Bloomberg is a confident New York billionaire. The ex-mayor has spent millions helping Democrats win in the midterms. But Trump brushed him aside as a serious 2020 candidate this week, saying he would "love to run against Little Michael." Oprah Winfrey: The television queen has denied interest in running, but her name keeps appearing on 2020 lists. Financier-turned-environmental activist Tom Steyer, who has called for Trump's impeachment, is a potential candidate, as is Howard Schultz, the former chief executive of Starbucks. - The outsiders - With no heir apparent, the Democratic nomination fight will be sprawling. It could include governors like Montana's Steve Bullock, congressmen such as 40-year-old Seth Moulton, and Obama-era officials like ex-housing secretary Julian Castro -- among others: Michael Avenatti: The brash anti-Trump lawyer for porn star Stormy Daniels is "seriously" interested in a White House bid. Richard Ojeda: The West Virginia military veteran who pumps iron, supports coal and once voted for Trump recently declared his candidacy. John Delaney: The Maryland congressman became the first to announce his presidential campaign, in 2017, and has visited all 99 Iowa counties. He remains relatively unknown. Buenos Aires (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded Saturday that Saudi Arabia extradite suspects in the killing in Istanbul of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, taking to task the kingdom's crown prince who was basking in his quick return to the world stage at the G20. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's presence at the summit of the Group of 20 powers in Buenos Aires demonstrated he was firmly in control, as he met with Western leaders and sealed an oil pact with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But the Turkish leader, also attending the G20, was visibly cooler toward the 33-year-old prince and on Saturday directly criticized him for the first time over the killing of Khashoggi, a royal confidant turned critic. Saudi Arabia has said that 21 people are in custody and vowed to keep probing the killing of Khashoggi, who was killed and dismembered after visiting the kingdom's Istanbul consulate to handle paperwork for his planned wedding. "It's essential that these people are tried in Turkey in order to eliminate any question marks that the international community may have," Erdogan told reporters in Buenos Aires. "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 with information on the whereabouts of Khashoggi's body and the identities of accomplices said to have supported the visiting Saudi hit squad. 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. But he criticized Prince Mohammed, saying that during the summit the Saudi heir apparent gave an "unbelievable explanation" on Khashoggi's killing. The prince told world leaders that "unless the crime is proven, you cannot blame Saudi Arabia," Erdogan quoted him as saying. Story continues "Of course, that might be valid from a legal point of view," Erdogan said. "But his own officials have admitted that this was a planned operation." - Only Canada raises case - Erdogan said that only one G20 leader -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau -- raised the journalist's killing in the full summit. Erdogan said that he himself did not bring up the case as time ran out in the session. Both French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May said they raised the Khashoggi case during private meetings with the crown prince, with Macron overheard on an open microphone telling him, "You never listen to me." Canada has been outspoken on human rights in Saudi Arabia, which has retaliated by breaking off diplomatic relations and vowing to end trade. But US President Donald Trump has said that it does not matter if the crown prince ordered the killing of Khashoggi, who lived near Washington, because the kingdom is a major buyer of arms, supplier of oil and opponent of Iran. In a nod to growing criticism at home on Saudi Arabia, Trump only exchanged "pleasantries" with the crown prince, according to the White House. But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with his Saudi counterpart in Buenos Aires, and again defended the US embrace of the crown prince. "There's no direct evidence linking him to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi," Pompeo told CNN. - Reports implicate prince - Several US news reports say that the CIA has concluded that the crown prince ordered the killing, even if there is no "smoking gun" evidence. The Wall Street Journal, quoting the CIA assessment, said Saturday that Prince Mohammed sent at least 11 messages in the hours before the killing to a close adviser charged with overseeing the murder. The crown prince enjoyed a buoyant welcome at the G20 on Friday from Putin, the two exchanging a high-five and grinning broadly as if they were long-lost friends. Putin said he had agreed with Prince Mohammed to renew a pact on cutting oil production by their two nations, the world's leading exporters of crude. Analysts had been touting a Russia-Saudi deal ahead of talks next week in Vienna of the OPEC oil cartel, as global crude prices have been slumping. I joined the Bush-Quayle presidential campaign in the summer of 1988 when I was 25, writing something called the line of the daya one-page memo of catchy facts, stats, anecdotes on whatever the topic of the day was. Once we arrived at the White House, I began ghostwriting magazine articles by the President. I would send him questionnaires through intraoffice mail and hed handwrite his answers. It was like having a pen pal. I worked my way up to doing more junior speechwriting stuff, like the turkey pardoning and statements of congratulations to spelling-bee winners. The more I wrote for him, the more I learned his style. He didnt like to talk about himself much. If we used the word I too much hed circle it, to mean too many. He felt that in a democracy the President should use the word We. Thats probably why he was generally extremely reticent to talk about his World War II experience. The most memorable speechwriting experience I had with him was writing a speech to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1991. One night at about 6 oclock in the Oval Office, before the anniversary, we started talking about what his memories were of the day he heard about Pearl Harbor. Despite his fathers objections, he went to sign up for the Navy and got turned away because he was only 17. He showed back up on June 9, 1942, a few days before his 18th birthday and enlisted, becoming the youngest Navy pilot at the time. Pearl Harbor had a huge effect on his life. Though he flew 58 combat missions, he bristled at being called a war hero. He thought the war heroes were the ones who didnt come home. He told me about all of the buddies he had lost, the circumstances of their deaths, and him having to write to their parents. But every time he would tell me one of these stories, Id say, Thats an amazing story! Can I put that in the speech? And hed say, Oh, God no! You cant use that. Im just telling you that. And he wouldnt let me use any of it! I pleaded, Sir, give me something here! I think he knew he would get very emotional while talking about it, and he didnt want that to happen. Story continues So we ended up deciding that the message of the speech I was working on, one of four speeches given that day, was to convey to his fellow veterans that it was time to bury the hatchet with Japan. One of his first acts as President was to attend the funeral of Emperor Hirohito the same emperor who was on the throne when Bushs plane got shot down over the Japanese island of Chichi Jima on Sept. 2, 1944; he survived but his two crewman died. The President thought it was important to send the message to all of the veterans of Pearl Harbor who were still alive that he did not bear any grudge against the Emperor because of his own personal experiences during the war. He had forgiven the Japanese, and it was time for them to as well. It was a uniquely appropriate speech for George Bush to give having survived being shot down. I would make the argument that survivors guilt was what motivated him to public service and to build his amazing career. He wanted to show that his life was in gratitude for surviving and to repay his colleagues who didnt make it. He wanted to make his life worthy of their sacrifices. And he did. What a remarkable life he led. As told to Olivia B. Waxman as part of a presidential-history partnership between TIME History and the University of Virginias Miller Center of Public Affairs. Mary Kate Cary is a former speechwriter for George H.W. Bushs administration and a Senior Fellow at the Miller Center. By Jean-Baptiste Vey and John Irish PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron ordered his prime minister on Sunday to hold talks with political leaders and demonstrators, as he sought a way out of nationwide protests after rioters turned central Paris into a battle zone. Riot police on Saturday were overwhelmed as protesters ran amok in Paris's wealthiest neighborhoods, torching dozens of cars, looting boutiques and smashing up luxury private homes and cafes in the worst disturbances the capital has seen since 1968. The unrest began as a backlash against fuel tax hikes but has spread. It poses the most formidable challenge yet to Macron's presidency, with the escalating violence and depth of public anger against his economic reforms catching the 40-year-old leader off-guard and battling to regain control. After a meeting with members of his government on Sunday, the French presidency said in a statement that the president had asked his interior minister to prepare security forces for future protests and his prime minister to hold talks with political party leaders and representatives of the protesters. A French presidential source said Macron would not speak to the nation on Sunday despite calls for him to offer immediate concessions to demonstrators, and said the idea of imposing a state of emergency had not been discussed. Arriving back from the G20 summit in Argentina, Macron had earlier rushed to the Arc de Triomphe, a revered monument and epicenter of Saturday's clashes, where protesters had scrawled "Macron resign" and "The yellow vests will triumph". The "yellow vest" rebellion erupted out of nowhere on Nov. 17, with protesters blocking roads across France and impeding access to some shopping malls, fuel depots and airports. Violent groups from the far right and far left as well as youths from the suburbs infiltrated Saturday's protests, the authorities said. Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux had indicated the Macron administration was considering imposing a state of emergency. The president was open to dialogue, he said, but would not reverse policy reforms. "We won't change course. We are certain of that," he told Europe 1 radio. As he spoke, workmen in the upper-crust district of central Paris set about cleaning the defaced Arc, removing charred hulks of cars and replacing the shattered windows of banks, restaurants and glitzy boutiques. [L8N1Y70AN] MACRON UNYIELDING While the protests were initially against Macron's fuel tax hikes - necessary he says to combat climate change - they have also mined a vein of deep dissatisfaction felt toward his liberal reforms, which many voters feel favor the wealthy and big business. Police said they had arrested more than 400 people in Paris on Saturday and that 133 were injured. Some 10,000 tear gas canisters and stun grenades were fired as well as water canon as security forces fought for control. Macron's plight illustrates a conundrum: How do political leaders' introduce policies that will do long-term good for the environment without inflicting extra costs on voters that may damage their chances of re-election? His unyielding response has exposed him to charges of being out of touch with common folk outside of France's big cities who worry about the squeeze on household budgets and job security. The protests have driven Macron's popularity to record lows and left him facing a lose-lose situation, said Gael Sliman, president of the Odoxa polling institute said. Either Macron caves in to the pressure and is derided by opponents as weak, or he puts down the dissent, Sliman said. "In the second scenario, Macron will still come out loser, because what everyone will remember is that he wrestled with the popular classes. He would be victorious, but at the cost of having crushed them." Before heading into Sunday's meeting, Macron met under heavy security with police and firefighters near the Champs Elysees boulevard. Some bystanders cheered, others jeered and called on him to resign. So too did Jean-Luc Melenchon, head of hard-left party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) and far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who both demanded the government unwind its fuel tax hikes. They called for parliament to be dissolved and snap elections held. Such an outcome is unlikely, however. Macron has 3 1/2 years left of his five-year mandate and a strong majority in parliament, albeit with signs of simmering unease on the backbenches over his response to the protests. TV footage showed the interior of the Arc ransacked, a statue of Marianne, symbol of the French republic, smashed, and graffiti scrawled on the exterior ranging from anti-capitalist slogans to social demands and calls for Macron's resignation. On nearby streets, some Parisians worried of a repeat of the violence next weekend. The yellow vests have already called another demonstration in Paris. "The violence is increasing at an exponential rate," said Claude, a resident in the affluent 16th district. "The state is losing control, it is scary. They cannot let this happen. Maybe the army should intervene." (Reporting by John Irish, Richard Lough, Emmanuel Jarry, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Matthias Blamont, Myriam Rivet, Simon Carraud and Luke Baker; Writing by John Irish and Richard Lough; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Susan Fenton) The leaders of France and Japan on Friday stood by the Renault-Nissan auto alliance despite ructions from the arrest of its chief executive, officials said. President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina hours after a Tokyo court extended the detention of sacked Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn. "The president for his part recalled his commitment that the alliance be preserved, as well as the stability of the group," a French official said. The partnership also includes Mitsubishi Motors. The Kyodo news agency quoted a senior Japanese official as saying Abe stressed the importance of all three companies "maintaining their stable relationship". But the fate of the group should be decided by "private businesses", and that "governments should not commit to how the alliance should operate going forward", the Japanese premier said, according to the official quoted by Kyodo. Macron is well versed in the sensitivities of the car-making partnership. As a young economy minister in 2015, he triggered a crisis in the alliance by increasing the French state's stake in Renault, which rattled Japan. The move doubled the French state's voting rights, alarming the Nissan side, which saw itself at risk of coming under French control. Paris subsequently reduced its stake in the alliance. 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. Ghosn was arrested on November 19 amid allegations he under-reported his salary by millions of dollars over five years. Ghosn denies any wrongdoing. Demonstrators clash with riot police at the Arc de Triomphe - AFP France is considering imposing a state of emergency to stop a repeat of the violence in Paris that left swathes of the city centre looking like a war zone and injured 133 people. President Emmanuel Macron returned from a G20 summit in Argentina on Sunday morning and went directly to the Arc de Triomphe to assess the damage at the historic monument caused by so-called yellow vest anti-tax protestors. The arch, which lies at the top of the prestigious Champs Elysees avenue, was where the violence kicked off early on Saturday morning before spreading as far as the Louvre and the Opera districts. Under heavy security, Mr Macron spoke with police and firefighters on one of the avenues near the Champs Elysees, with some bystanders cheering but more jeering him, including yellow-jacketed protesters chanting, "Macron, resign!" Young men, many of them with their faces masked, had battled riot police throughout Saturday in some of the capitals poshest areas, smashing shop windows, overturning cars and torching buildings and vehicles, including at least one police car. French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with a firefighter during a visit to the streets of Paris Credit: GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP/Getty Images Street cleaners were out in force on Sunday to clear away the burnt-out cars, broken glass and the remains of barricades from the citys worst day of rioting in a decade that saw more than 400 people arrested. Mr Macron was due to hold a lunchtime meeting with the prime minister, interior minister and top security service officials at the Elysee presidential palace to discuss the unrest in Paris and many other French regions. When asked if the government might impose a state of emergency, government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said it would be among the options considered at the Elysee meeting. At least two yellow vest protestors seriously injured when a crowd pushed down railings at Tuileries gardens on Rue de Rivoli in Paris. Gilets jaunes pic.twitter.com/KEET0mSdHY Rory Mulholland (@mulhollandrory) December 1, 2018 "It is out of the question that each weekend becomes a meeting or ritual for violence," he said. Story continues The comment came as calls were being made on social media for the yellow vests, whose revolt was sparked by planned fuel tax hikes, to meet again next Saturday on the Champs Elysees. The yellow vest movement, which began just a few weeks ago, has morphed into a broad opposition front to Mr Macron, a 40-year-old pro-business centrist elected in May 2017 who is accused of being the president of the rich and of neglecting ordinary French people. Protesters defaced the city with slogans such as "the yellow vests will triumph" Credit: GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP/Getty Images Violent anarchist and far-right groups have since infiltrated it and are thought to be behind many of Saturday's clashes in Paris. Mr Macron faces a dilemma in how to respond to the "yellow vests", not least because they are a grassroots movement with no formal leaders and a wide range of demands. An estimated 75,000 demonstrators, most of them peaceful, were counted across the country on Saturday, the interior ministry said. Moscow (AFP) - Many Russians praised the late US president George H.W. Bush on Saturday for helping end the Cold War but some argued he helped trigger the collapse of the USSR and misled Moscow on NATO's expansion plans. The last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was among those saluting the 41st US president for ending the arms race but Moscow's simultaneous fall from superpower status remains a source of festering resentment in Russia. Bush and Gorbachev declared the end of the Cold War at a historic summit in December, 1989, only weeks after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Following decades of post-war rivalry and a costly arms race between Washington and Moscow, Bush expressed his support for Gorbachev's "perestroika" reforms. In 1991, the Soviet Union was gone and the new Russia plunged into economic chaos. Two years later Bush confidently declared that "we are the only remaining superpower", a remark that still rankles in Moscow. President Vladimir Putin on Saturday called Bush "an outstanding man" and stressed his good personal ties with him. "George Bush senior has done a lot to strengthen Russian-American cooperation on issues of international security," he said in a telegram to his son George W. Bush. But Putin conspicuously avoided any mention of the Cold War or the Soviet Union whose collapse the Russian president once called the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe" of the 20th century. - 'Cannot forgive him' - "Many Russians cannot forgive him for the collapse of the Soviet Union," Konstantin Kalachev, head of the Political Expert Group think tank in Moscow, told AFP. Kalachev said the Bush administration promised the Soviet leadership that NATO would not be allowed to expand eastward. The fact that those promises would later be broken "have become the main reason of the current crisis in ties between Russia and the West", said Konstantin Kosachev, head of the Senate's international relations committee. Story continues At the same time Bush's name was still associated with the "peak of trust" between Moscow and Washington, said Kosachev. "I believe Bush was very sincere in his desire to establish good relations with the USSR and then with Russia," Kosachev said on Facebook. Gorbachev -- himself much-criticised for the break-up of the Soviet Union -- called Bush a "true partner" in ending the Cold War. - 'Dramatic time' - "We had the chance to work together during the time of enormous changes," the 87-year-old said in comments carried by the Interfax news 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," he said, praising Bush for his contribution "to this historic achievement". In 1991, Gorbachev and Bush signed the Strategic Arms Reductions Treaty, 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. Further reductions were spelled out in the START II treaty signed by Bush and the first Russian president Boris Yeltsin in 1993. - 'Far from Bush era' - But the start in 1991 of what would be called Operation Desert Storm to expel occupying Iraqi forces from Kuwait is also seen by many in Russia as contributing to the breakdown in trust between Moscow and Washington, Kalachev said. Nearly three decades later, Russia and the US are in the throes of a new East-West drama, after ties rapidly deteriorated under Yeltsin's successor Putin amid crises including Ukraine and Syria. Moscow and the West accuse each other of dismantling a global arms control system and the fate of the New START -- a successor to the START I - is unclear. Tensions have recently reached a new peak, with US President Donald Trump cancelling a summit with Putin in Argentina over Moscow's seizure of three Ukrainian ships. Some said Bush's death served as a fresh reminder that the Russia-US thaw was short-lived and a new arms race was looming. Today, said Kosachev, we are far "from the Bush era." After hours of tense negotiation, world leaders of the G20 have signed off on a summit-ending agreement reaffirming a commitment to multilateral trade and a "rules-based international order" but the real winner may yet be Donald Trump. There is no doubt of the impact the US president has on the world stage, with the final communique from the two-day meeting in Buenos Aires having to tip-toe around American demands. The message involved a pledge to reform the World Trade Organisation (WTO), with Mr Trump having built his campaign for the presidency on the idea that America was being treated unfairly on trade issues. The statement which involved negotiations that lasted through the night did not mention the word protectionism after negotiators said that had met resistance from the United States. The EU, and its individual members, had been looking to put pressure on Mr Trump over the issue, given his 'America First' doctrine, but officials said they had felt resistance from Washington on almost every issue. Mr Trump and his team were also the lone holdouts on language in the statement over global warming. The joint statement signed by all 20 member nations said 19 of them reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris climate accord, with the US having previously announced its withdrawal from the pact. Apparently Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey all wavered on the issue of climate change before siding with the majority. Hardliners in Mr Trump's administration, such as national security advisor John Bolton, will take heart from the fact that there could be some movement on such issues. On global commerce, the statement says the 20 countries support multilateral trade but acknowledge that the current system does not work and needs fixing, via the necessary reform of the WTO to improve its functioning. On migration, there is minimal language that acknowledges growing migrant flows and the importance of shared efforts to support refugees and solve the problems that drive them to flee their home countries. Officials had been told that any more would be an apparent deal-breaker for Washington. Story continues Again, the US has cracked down on migration in recent weeks, with tear gas being used recently as some of the thousands of asylum seekers that have travelled to the US tried to rush the border with Mexico. Many of those who have travelled thousands of miles to reach the border city of Tijuana are fleeing violence in Central American nations such as Honduras and El Salvador. French president Emmanuel Macron, who has frequently clashed with Mr Trump over the need for global cooperation, called it a victory that the US signed on to the statement at all, given the tensions going into the talks. With Trump, we reached an agreement, Mr Macron said. The US accepted a text. Other countries also had gripes with the text. South Africa objected to language on trade and Australia did not want the statement to be too soft on migration. However, the other big holdout was China, who pushed back hard in talks over steel. Indeed, a dinner between China's president Xi Jinping and his US counterpart on Saturday night had become the centrepiece of Mr Trump's visit, especially since pulling out of a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin and cancelling a Saturday afternoon press conference out of respect for the family of George HW Bush, who died late on Friday night. The issuing of the G20 communique will have given Mr Trump a lift ahead of the dinner, with the world watching anxiously to see how the two nations try to solve an escalating trade war that started over the imposition of steel and aluminium tariffs but has expanded to include billions of dollars of goods. Mr Trump struck a positive note as he sat across from Mr Xi at a meeting before dinner, despite earlier threats to impose new tariffs on Chinese imports. We'll 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, Mr Trump said. He suggested that the incredible relationship he and Mr Xi had established would be the primary reason they could make progress on trade, though he offered no specifics on how they might resolve the main issue dividing their countries. Mr Xi told Mr Trump that only through cooperation could the US and China serve the interest of peace and prosperity. The world's two biggest economies have also increasingly been at odds over security in the Asia-Pacific region. Amid the myriad of other issues present at the summit, from the fallout regarding a naval clash between Russia and Ukraine to the investigation into the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, many officials made clear that movement on trade was important. International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde said high levels of debt accumulated by emerging market nations was a pressing concern. There is an urgent need to de-escalate trade tensions, reverse recent tariff increases, and modernise the rules-based multilateral trade system, she said. Reuters contributed to this report George H W Bush dies aged 94 His son, George W Bush, leads tributes Trump cancels G20 press conference Obama and Clinton praise legacy of service Theresa May hails "true friend" of Britain Obituary: A former US president who triumphed in Iraq before election defeat George H W Bush no longer feared death before his passing and hoped to be reunited with the daughter he lost to leukemia, his granddaughter revealed on Saturday as tributes to Americas 41st president poured in from across the political spectrum. Mr Bush, who died at his home in Texas aged 94 on Friday, recently discussed his views on the afterlife with Jenna Bush Hager, one of his twin granddaughters, who posted a moving message about the conversation on Instagram. 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, Mr Bush is quoted as saying by Ms Hager. When I die I'm going to be reunited with these people that I've lost, he added. Asked who he was thinking about, Mr Bush said his mother and Robin, their daughter who died aged just three. 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, Mr Bush said according to Ms Hager, adding: I hope she's the three-year-old. The comments provide an intimate insight into the final chapter of Mr Bushs life on a day when world leaders and US politicians of all stripes, including former rivals, united to praise his service to American public life. 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 Bush become the 43rd president. Another son tried to follow their footsteps into the White House but former Florida governor Jeb Bush was unable to clinch the 2016 Republican nomination for president. Story continues 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 that saw him 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 U.S. president, John Adams, had a son who also became president. How the US reacted Donald Trump cancelled a press conference he was due to give at the G20 summit in Argentina in a mark of respect for Mr Bush, whose health had been failing in recent months and was being treated for a form of Parkinson's disease. President George HW 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, Mr Trump said. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all! Mr Trump declared a national day of mourning for Mr Bush would be held on December 5, this Wednesday. The US president will attend Mr Bush's funeral at the Washington National Cathedral that day with his wife Melania. Mr Bush's son, former president George W Bush, paid tribute to his father. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," Mr 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. "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," the statement read. 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 Former US president Barack Obama and wife Michelle said Mr 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." U.S. President Barack Obama is introduced to speak by former President George H.W. Bush at the Points of Light forum at Texas A&M University in College Station Credit: Reuters Bill and Hillary Clinton said in a statement that Mr Bush had "never stopped serving". "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. Greg Abbott, the Texas Governor, said the state joined the nation in mourning "the passing of one of our greatest Presidents." In a brief statement, the Republican said "George H.W. Bush was an American hero and icon. He was a friend to all he met. He embodied class and dignity." Abbott added that "Texans are genuinely honored that he called the Lone Star State home and we collectively grieve this monumental loss." How the world reacted Prime Minister Theresa May said: 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. 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. Sir John Major paid tribute to the former president, saying: "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." 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." Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, tweeted: "Deeply sorry to hear of death of President George HW span class"red" 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 span class"red"Bush family and the American people from your friends in Britain." Iran has noted the death of President George H.W. 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." 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, but relations went no further. Mikhail Gorbachev, former Soviet premier who worked closely with Bush to bring an end to the Cold War in the late 1980s and 1990s, lauded the former president for his abilities as a politician and his personal character. 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." Mourners, Including Former Presidents, Attend Funeral For Barbara Bush Credit: Getty Contrast to Trump A foreign policy realist, Mr Bush's approach was markedly different to the current White House incumbent. His preference for stability and international consensus stood in sharp contrast to the provocative bluster of fellow Republican Mr Trump. Bush did not endorse fellow Republican Trump, the eventual winner of the 2016 presidential election, who attacked both Jeb and George W. Bush during his campaign. He did not publicly say whom he voted for in the election, but a source told CNN he went for Trump's Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. Mr Bush did send Mr Trump a letter in January 2017 saying he would not be able to attend his inauguration because of health concerns, but wishing him the best. 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. Presiding over economic malaise at home, he 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 - the son of Prescott Bush, a successful banker and US senator for Connecticut. He 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. Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush, stand during the national anthem in Houston Credit: Reuters 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. End of the Cold War 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. US President George Bush (L) and Soviet counterpart Mikhail Gorbachev laugh during their joint press conference 31 July 1991 in Moscow concluding the two-day US-Soviet Summit dedicated to the disarmament Credit: AFP 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. Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush (bottom) celebrates his 85th birthday by jumping with the Army's Golden Knight parachute team in a tandem jump in Kennebunkport Credit: Reuters 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. After the presidency 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." 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. Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush (R) watches as his son, former President George W. Bush, throws a ceremonial first pitch in Arlington Credit: Reuters He worked with Carter, Clinton, Obama and son George to raise money for hurricane victims in Texas in 2017. The Bushes had been regular fixtures in their adopted hometown of Houston after his presidency, but public appearances became more rare because of health problems as they reached their 90s. However, Bush was on the field in November 2017 as his eldest son, who served as the nation's 43rd president, tossed out the first ball at one of the Houston Astros' World Series games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also had been joined by Barbara for the ceremonial coin toss when Houston hosted the Super Bowl in February 2017. And so passes George Herbert Walker Bush, the last American President to face combat. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the United States into World War II, he deferred admission to Yale and joined the Navy at the age of 18, just out of prep school in the June of 1942. He went to war in 1943, barely a man, saying later, I was scared but I was willing. I was young, but I was ready. I had barely started living when I began to see men die. He saw significant combat across the Pacific as a carrier-based bomber pilot, serving with deep courage and commitment, completing 58 combat missions and surviving two crashes. He nearly died in 1944, when his aircraft, a torpedo bomber, was shot down during an attack on the Japanese occupied atoll of Chichi Jima in the western Pacific. He ditched the aircraft into the sea and managed to scramble into a life raft. Bush was rescued at sea by a surfacing U.S. diesel submarine the only member of his squadron to survive the mission. The story of his miraculous rescue is well known; less well known is the pain he felt for decades at the loss of the other two crew members on his bomber, and the rest of the aircraft on that raid. He was the lone survivor and always asked himself, Why me? Ultimately, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three air medals, an outstanding combat record by any measure. He was the last American President to serve in combat. There were certainly opportunities to serve the nation at war in the following decades. But despite major conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, after President Bush, no subsequent President has seen a shot fired in anger. First came Bill Clinton, who avoided service in Vietnam through various deferments; then Bushs son, a pilot in the Texan Air National Guard who never deployed; Barack Obama, who was too young for Vietnam service; and President Trump, who received several medical deferments for bone spurs and thus avoided serving during the Vietnam War. Story continues Ive met all of them, and like all of us, each manifests strengths and weaknesses. But for depth of character, integrity and empathy, it is hard to top the senior Bush. Did his experiences in war shape him profoundly? Id say so; and more importantly, so did he, often doing so as he reflected on his service in the Second World War at various points in his long and eventful life. He looked back not in anger or bitterness as some combat veterans do, but with a profound sense of wonder at his own survival and a sense that he owed even more service to his nation for having been spared. President Bush used the hard-earned lessons of war in his Presidency in several ways. His was a life-long sense of wonder at the miracle of his survival, and an attendant relish for life itself compounded by an abiding interest in the world and the people around him. This served him well not only in the White House, but also in his lengthy career of service leading up to it in the House of Representatives, and as U.N. Ambassador, Special Envoy to China, Director of Central Intelligence and, for eight years, Vice President. Everywhere he went, he was above all curious; and as a result, he learned and learned. He was arguably the best-prepared President-elect to ever set foot in the White House. Much of that reflected his experiences in war. He was also keenly aware of the grave responsibility of sending young men and women into combat, having faced it. He understood both the primal fear that comes with combat operations, and the deep costs it imposes on the families and loved ones left behind. When he faced the biggest decision of his Presidency the first Gulf War he knew what he was asking of the troops because he had given it himself. And when the time came to decide on staying in Iraq or coming home, he chose to leave. In retrospect, that turned out to be a good decision in the eyes of most historians, and certainly the heart of that calculus was a reflection of his time in combat he didnt want others to have to spend any more time than necessary. He said, I can tell you this: If Im ever in a position to call the shots, Im not going to rush to send somebody elses kids into a war. Finally, that time in combat gave him a perspective that carried him forward through a demanding and complex life on a relatively even keel. He was able to not sweat the small stuff, and didnt manifest a violent temper. Solving a spat with Congress or dealing with a business reversal just didnt look quite as high stakes after youve watched your plane smash into the Pacific Ocean, floated on a raft and seen a submarine surface in front of you to save your life. Good humor, graciousness, kindness to others and balance became the hallmarks of his long life. None of this is to say that combat experience is essential for a President, and weve certainly had successful American Presidents who did not face combat operations (Thomas Jefferson, Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, for example). But having served in the crucible of combat deepens the reserves of character in anyone. We are poorer for President Bushs departure, not only for the loss of his insight and wisdom, but for losing the living example of personal courage that he offered the nation that he loved as well. Buenos Aires (AFP) - One US president talked softly, the other harangues. One built international coalitions, the other tears them up. One was a war hero, the other avoided battle. One was called George H.W. Bush and the other, Donald Trump, is in the White House today. Trump was among the first of present and past world leaders to praise the life of the 41st president, who died Friday in Houston at 94. But even Trump's gracious overnight statement highlighted an undeniable -- and uncomfortable -- contrast between the man being remembered and the man doing the eulogizing. "Hope," "humble," "quiet," "unflappable," "inspired." Words like these dotted the five paragraphs sent from Buenos Aires, where Trump was attending the G20 summit. They sounded foreign in Washington's current, brutal political landscape -- still more so in the White House. Bush, who married his teenaged sweetheart, certainly lived a life far removed from the scandals that have dogged Trump, who notably stands accused of paying off a porn star to keep a lid on their secret tryst. Bush was soft-spoken, steeped in etiquette and diplomatic niceties. Trump is a zero-sum competitor, a self-described dealmaker whose transactions -- from his New York real estate beginnings to the China trade war -- depend on brinksmanship and often well-timed insults. Where Bush, an experienced diplomat, was famous for putting together the enormous Desert Storm alliance to push Iraq out of Kuwait in 1991, Trump openly scorns multilateralism. Even the 45th president himself would never claim to share Bush's old-school manners, perhaps epitomized by the hand-written note that Bush left his election vanquisher Bill Clinton on inauguration day in 1993, wishing him "great happiness." So Bush's passing immediately left some in Washington in a wistful mood. "Today boasting & insults are viewed as strong leadership while humility & dignity are viewed as weakness," tweeted Senator Marco Rubio, a man who felt the full force of Trump's competitive instincts when they clashed in the 2016 race for the Republican presidential nomination. Story continues "The passing of our 41st President," Rubio wrote, "reminds us of what true leadership looks like." - 'Kinder, gentler' - Bush's biographical details alone stand in stark opposition to those of Trump. He was a decorated US Navy pilot in World War II, narrowly escaping death at just 20. He not only worked up through the ranks of elected office, but served as CIA director, UN ambassador and vice president, making him supremely qualified by the time he won the highest office, where he would help to ensure a peaceful end to the Cold War. Trump certainly has a colorful past in the cutthroat Manhattan business world. His insurgent 2016 election, requiring him to overcome both the Republican establishment and then his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, stunned friend and foe alike. But where Bush rushed to join up for war, the young Trump secured no less than five deferments to avoid being drafted to his generation's big conflict, Vietnam. Where Bush proved his lifelong dedication to US traditions and political institutions, Trump came in with a self-declared mission to turn them upside down. And where Bush famously called for a "kinder and gentler nation," Trump revels in his image as a tough talker. "Horseface," "weak," crooked," "slimeball," "loser" are just some of the insults he has thrown out, as president, against those crossing his path. The top Senate Democrat, Chuck Schumer -- whom Trump loves to label "Cryin' Chuck Schumer" -- said Bush's ability to talk to opponents was what he really misses. "His yearning for a kinder and gentler nation seems more needed now than when he first called for it," Schumer said. George HW Bush the 41st president of the United States has died at the age of 94. The elder of the two Bush presidents served during a time of rapidly shifting geopolitics the USSR unravelled and the Berlin Wall came down during his term but he failed to win re-election after the economy worsened. A now notorious comment Read my lips: no new taxes that he made at the 1988 Republican Party Convention but which he had to backtrack on two years later, came to hang around his neck. In 1992, he lost the White House to a fresh-faced Bill Clinton. Bush would later strike up a strong friendship with Mr Clinton, who lauded his former rivals service to his country in a statement. 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, Mr Clinton said in a joint statement with his wife, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. I am profoundly grateful for every minute I spent with President Bush and will always hold our friendship as one of my lifes greatest gifts. The death of Bush, who served as head of the CIA and two terms as Ronald Reagans vice president, before winning the Oval Office himself, came less than eight months after the passing of Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years. One of his final public appearances was at the April funeral service for his wife, at the St Martins Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas. He was pushed into the service by his son, George W Bush, and posed for a photograph with Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Barack and Michelle Obama. The Trump family was represented first lady Melania, after Donald Trump announced he would not attend out of respect for the family. Bush had a form of Parkinsons disease that forced him to use a wheelchair or motorized scooter in recent years. During that period, he had been repeatedly in an out of various hospitals and his health had weakened. George W Bush issued a statement late on Friday to announce his fathers death saying he was a was a man of the highest character. Story continues The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, the statement read. The death of the former president, who served as a US naval aviator during the Second World War, was announced in a statement issued by longtime spokesman, Jim McGrath. Bush passed away at at 10.10pm local time (4.10am GMT). No further details about the circumstances of his death were immediately available. Given the passage of time, and given some of the people who succeeded him into the White House, the presidency of the patrician Bush has taken on something of a retroactive glow in the eyes of some. But his term was not without controversy; in December 1989 he ordered the US invasion of Panama, and ousted dictator Manuel Noriega. While Bush claimed the reason for the invasion was to protect the lives of 35,000 US citizens living there, some critics said he did so for domestic political reasons. The following year, he helped put together a coalition of 35 nations to drive Saddam Hussein from Kuwait, after he annexed the Gulf nation. While Iraqi forces were quickly driven out of Kuwait, he decided not to pursue Saddams troops to Baghdad. Some said that was a a tactical error, but Bush always defended his decision. That wasnt our objective, he told the Associated Press in 2011. 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. Also controversial was Bushs alleged knowledge of the Iran-Contra affair, something he claimed he was kept out of the loop in when he ran for president. 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 As it was, one his final acts as president was to pardon half-a-dozen White House officials from the Reagan administration convicted over the secret operation to sell arms to Iran the subject of an arms embargo and use the money to fund right-wing contra forces in Nicaragua. Among those convicted and pardoned were Caspar Weinberger and Elliott Abrams. Among those to pay their respects to Bush after news of his death broke, was Mr Trump, who said he and Melania join with a grieving nation. 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, he said. Mr Obama and Ms Obama wrote on Twitter: America has lost a patriot and humble servant...While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Not merely for the years he spent as our forty-first president, but for the more than 70 years he spent in devoted service to the country he loved. Last year, Bush was accused of groping several women more than 15 years earlier, something that led his one-time spokesman Mr McGrath, to acknowledge the former president had on occasionpatted womens rears in what he intended to be in a good-natured manner. In addition to George W Bush, becoming president, another of Bushs sons, Jeb, was elected Florida governor in 1998 and made an unsuccessful run for the GOP presidential nomination in 2016. The other Bush children are sons Neil and Marvin and daughter Dorothy Bush LeBlond. Another daughter, Robin, died of leukaemia in 1953, a few weeks before her fourth birthday. WASHINGTON General Motors Co Chief Executive Mary Barra plans to visit Capitol Hill next week to discuss the company's plans to halt production at five plants in North America next year and cut up to 15,000 jobs, two congressional aides said on Friday. GM has come under harsh criticism from lawmakers from both major political parties, and from President Donald Trump, since Monday when it announced the biggest restructuring for the U.S. No. 1 carmaker since its bankruptcy a decade ago. Barra is expected to meet with lawmakers from Michigan and Ohio, where GM plans to shutter three plants, as well as senior leaders in Congress. GM did not immediately comment. Barra has been calling lawmakers this week to explain the decision to end production. Trump has threatened to revoke subsidies for GM. The Detroit automaker plans to halt production next year at three assembly plants: the Lordstown small-car factory near Youngstown, Ohio; the Detroit-Hamtramck complex in Detroit; and the Oshawa, Ontario, assembly complex near Toronto. It will also stop building several models now assembled at those plants, including the Chevrolet Cruze, the Chevrolet Volt hybrid, the Cadillac CT6 and the Buick LaCrosse. Additionally, GM plans to shutter the Warren transmission plant outside Detroit and a plant that makes electric motors and drivetrains outside Baltimore, Maryland. The Cruze compact car will be discontinued in the U.S. market in 2019, although GM may continue building it in Mexico for other markets, Barra said. Reporting by David Shepardson. Related Video: The Iranian regime test fired a medium-range ballistic missile that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Saturday could strike parts of Europe and anywhere in the Middle East. The weapons are capable of carrying multiple warheads, Pompeo said in a statement. The test violates a UN Security Council resolution that bans Iran from any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, according to Pompeo. The U.S. condemned Irans growing missile proliferation and called for the country to cease immediately testing and other activities related to the weapons. Pompeo warned in the statement of accumulating risk of escalation in the region if we fail to restore deterrence. The Trump administration has reimposed economic sanctions against Tehran after withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal. The U.S. has said it is seeking to curb the Islamic Republics influence in the region and its missile program, which Iran says is needed for self-defense. Israel allegedly struck Hizbollah sites - REUTERS Israel struck several positions south of Damascus in the first strikes since Syrian air defences were upgraded following the accidental downing of a Russian plane in September, a war monitor said Friday. Damascus claimed its air defence systems shot down all "hostile targets" late Thursday. Israel did not confirm carrying out raids but denied any losses. According to the Syria Observatory for Human Rights, the strikes hit two positions in the south of Damascus province, including an area believed to be an Iranian weapons depot near the capital. "Israeli forces bombarded for an hour," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. Two missiles hit "weapons depots belonging to the Lebanese Hezbollah (militant group) as well as Iranian forces" in Kisweh. Another missile hit the area of Harfa, where there is a Syrian military base, the Britain-based monitor said. In Kisweh, "the depots that were targeted are used to temporarily store rockets until they are taken somewhere else," Abdel Rahman said. "It appears the Israelis had intelligence that weapons had arrived there recently," he said. The state news agency said the attack was foiled and did not admit to any losses. "Our air defences fired on hostile targets over the Kisweh area and downed them," SANA said, citing a military source. A military source quoted by the pro-government Al-Watan daily said "the aggression, despite its intensity, was not able to implement any of its goals and all enemy bodies were downed." Initial reports by the Observatory suggested there were no casualties. The Israeli military denied any of its assets were hit but stopped short of denying it had conducted strikes at all. "Reports regarding an IDF (Israeli military) aircraft or an airborne IDF target having been hit are false," it said in an English-language statement. It said a Syrian surface-to-air missile was fired in the direction of an open area of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights but it was unclear if it had hit Israeli-held territory. Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli police on Sunday recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara for bribery and other offences, the third such recommendation against the premier in recent months. The attorney general will now decide whether to bring indictments in the case, which centres on regulatory benefits allegedly granted to telecommunications firm Bezeq in exchange for positive coverage from a related media company. Police in February recommended indicting the prime minister in two other corruption investigations. Netanyahu immediately rejected the accusations against him and his wife, claiming "these recommendations were determined and leaked even before the investigations began." He has repeatedly called the allegations against him in all three cases a plot by his political enemies to force him from office. "I'm sure that in this case the relevant authorities, after examining the issue, will reach the same conclusion: that there was nothing because there is nothing," he said in a statement. Police said there was evidence to charge Netanyahu with bribery, fraud, breach of trust and unlawful acceptance. They recommended Sara Netanyahu face charges of bribery, fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of evidence. The three cases involving the long-serving premier have led to speculation over whether he will eventually have to step down. Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli police on Sunday recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara for bribery and other offences, the third such move against the premier in recent months. Netanyahu immediately rejected the accusations, but the cases against him have led to speculation that they could eventually force the long-serving prime minister to step down. The head of the opposition Labour party, Avi Gabbay, renewed his call for Netanyahu to resign. The attorney general will now decide whether to bring indictments in the case, which centres on regulatory benefits allegedly granted to telecommunications firm Bezeq in exchange for positive coverage from a related media company. Police in February recommended indicting Netanyahu in two other corruption investigations. In the findings announced Sunday following a long-running investigation, police said there was evidence to charge Netanyahu with bribery, fraud, breach of trust and unlawful acceptance. They recommended Sara Netanyahu face charges of bribery, fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of justice. The premier has repeatedly called the allegations against him a plot by his political enemies to force him from office. "These recommendations were determined and leaked even before the investigations began," he said in a statement. "I'm sure that in this case the relevant authorities, after examining the issue, will reach the same conclusion: that there was nothing because there is nothing." He also noted the timing, with the recommendations coming at the end of the term in office for police commissioner Roni Alsheikh, heavily criticised by Netanyahu over the investigations. - 'Crudely and consistently' - The premier has been repeatedly questioned by police in the three corruption investigations. Sunday's recommendations involved Netanyahu, Bezeq and the firm's largest shareholder, Shaul Elovitch. Netanyahu is accused of seeking favourable coverage from another Elovitch company, the Walla news site, in exchange for policies that could have benefited the mogul's business interests. Story continues Police also recommended indicting Elovitch and his wife Iris for giving bribes, among other offences, while the statement said their son Or should face charges as well as three others, including then-Bezeq CEO Stella Handler. There was however insufficient evidence to charge Netanyahu's son Yair, police said. Two key figures have turned state's witnesses in the case, including former media adviser to the Netanyahu family Nir Hefetz. The other is Shlomo Filber, a Netanyahu ally for more than 20 years and former director general of the communications ministry. Police said Sunday their investigation found that between 2012 and 2017, "the prime minister and his confidantes crudely and consistently, at times on a daily basis, intervened in the content published by the Walla news website." "(They) sought to influence the appointments of people (writers and editors) within the website, using their ties with Shaul and Iris Elovitch," the statement said. It said their efforts were "aimed at advancing his personal interests by publishing flattering articles and pictures, removing content critical of the prime minister and his family, and so forth." - 'Crazy obsession' - The recommendations in February involved separate cases of alleged bribery, for which the attorney general is yet to decide whether to indict Netanyahu. In one, allegations against Netanyahu include seeking a secret deal with the publisher of Israel's top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot to ensure positive coverage in return for pushing forward a law that would have limited the circulation of a rival. The other case involves suspicions the premier and his family received luxury gifts from wealthy individuals in exchange for financial or personal favours. The alleged gifts -- including cigars, jewellery and champagne -- had an estimated value of around one million shekels ($270,000), police say. Separately, police said last month there was evidence to charge a Netanyahu lawyer and others with bribery in a corruption probe related to Israel's purchase of German submarines. While Netanyahu was questioned as a witness and not a suspect in the submarine case, the accusations against his lawyer and others in the investigation have only added to the pressure he is facing. Netanyahu has been prime minister for a total of more than 12 years, from 1996 to 1999 and again since 2009. Polls suggest he would still win if elections were to be held now despite the accusations. He could next year surpass the record set by Israel's founding father David Ben-Gurion, who spent more than 13 years in office. He is not legally required to step down if indicted -- only if he is convicted with all appeals exhausted. Gabbay of the Labour party said "Netanyahu has become a burden on Israel. He must resign." "A man driven by a crazy obsession of what the media will say about him can't lead Israel," he tweeted. Jerusalem (AFP) - An Israeli court on Sunday released the Palestinian governor of Jerusalem from detention to house arrest for three days as part of an investigation related to a land sale. Adnan Gheith, who was arrested on November 25, will be confined to his home through Tuesday, Jerusalem magistrate court justice Chavi Toker ruled. Police have been investigating Gheith over suspicions he was involved in the Palestinian Authority's arrest in October of America-Palestinian Issam Akel, who is accused of involvement in selling an east Jerusalem building to Jewish buyers. Such sales are considered treasonous among Palestinians concerned with Israeli settlers buying property in annexed east Jerusalem. Police also suspect Gheith of recruiting Palestinian residents of Jerusalem to the PA armed forces, which Israel says violates the 1993 Oslo accords. Palestinian officials have condemned his arrest and claim it is intended to pressure the Palestinian leadership over Akel's case. Israelis, as well as US ambassador David Friedman, have called for Akel's release. Geith's lawyer, Rami Othman, said the court's decision to release his client to house arrest proved the case was not serious. "The mountain gave birth to a mouse," Othman told AFP. "They want to harass him," he said following Sunday's hearing. He said they did not want him to remain Jerusalem governor. "They don't like the position." Gheith had been arrested for several days in October and was also taken for questioning a number of times in recent weeks, with his office raided on November 4. Israel meanwhile has halted security coordination with the PA in the Jerusalem area, Major General Adnan Al-Dumeiri, spokesman for the Palestinian security forces, told AFP. Israel's public broadcaster Kan said that ending the coordination was a means in pressuring the Palestinians to release Akel from detention. Security officials in Israel would not comment on the issue. Story continues 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 the city in the occupied West Bank. Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's supreme court on Sunday extended a deadline for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to pass a law related to military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews, a measure that could potentially provoke early elections. The court agreed to extend the deadline, which was on Sunday, until January 15, rejecting the government's request for it to be moved back to the end of March. Netanyahu's government has been seeking to have a law passed that could gradually see ultra-Orthodox Jewish students serve in the military like their secular counterparts, as mandated by the supreme court. Ultra-Orthodox parties that form a key part of Netanyahu's coalition reject such measures and a compromise law given initial approval earlier this year has not been advanced further. Netanyahu's government is now in a much more precarious position, left with only a one-seat majority in parliament after defence minister Avigdor Lieberman resigned last month. The premier says he wants his government to last until the end of its term in November 2019, but tensions surrounding the issue of ultra-Orthodox Jews and the military could derail those plans. Ultra-Orthodox parties control 13 seats and at least some could withdraw from the government over the issue. The need for a new bill arose after the supreme court in September 2017 struck down a law allowing ultra-Orthodox men to be exempted from military service until 2023. The court gave parliament a year to pass a new law, before an initial extension pushed that back to December 2. The issue is part of a decades-old debate over whether young ultra-Orthodox men studying at seminaries should perform mandatory military service like the rest of Israel's Jewish population. Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox between 18 and 24 obtain exemptions from military service to study at seminaries. The compromise law would set targets on proportions of young ultra-Orthodox who would begin serving in the army and establish financial penalties against seminaries that do not meet the goals. Robert Mueller is reportedly investigating Ivanka Trumps involvement in her fathers plans to build a skyscraper in Moscow, a project under renewed scrutiny after the presidents former personal lawyer admitted lying to congress over his business dealings in Russia. The US special counsel is said to have asked questions about the role played by Ms Trump and her brother Donald Trump Jr in the proposed property deal. Michael Cohen, Donald Trumps ex-lawyer, admitted in a surprise court plea on Thursday that he intentionally misled congress when he claimed talks over the tower had ended months before the Republican won the partys presidential candidacy in June 2016. He said he had lied out of loyalty and to be consistent with Mr Trumps political messaging. Court documents filed by Mr Muellers team show Mr Cohen had discussed plans for the tower as late as approximately June 2016 and had done so directly with the president multiple times. Ms Trump and Mr Trump Jr were also copied into emails about the project in late 2015, a person close to the Trump Organisation told Associated Press. Ms Trump even suggested an architect to work on the tower, they added. The emails have been handed over to congressional committees by the Trump Organisation, according to the source. According to Yahoo News, which cited multiple anonymous sources, Mr Trumps children were working independently of Mr Cohen to make the Moscow skyscraper a reality. Ms Trump, now a White House adviser, was an executive at the Trump Organisation at the time. Her elder brother remains a senior executive at the company. A Trump Organisation source told Yahoo News the siblings worked on plans for a Moscow Trump Tower years earlier than Mr Cohen and concluded in 2013. They were not looking at any other deals after that, said the source, although they confirmed they had been aware Mr Cohen was working on the project. Mr Trumps plan for a skyscraper in Moscow dates as far back as 1996, when the future US president paid a visit to the Russian capital to check out building sites on land being developed by an American company. Story continues He revived the idea in 2013 during a visit to Moscow as owner of the Miss Universe pageant, and reportedly scouted a potential site before the project again failed. The tower idea came back yet again in October 2015, when Andrey Rozov, an obscure Russian property developer, signed a letter of intent sent by Mr Cohen to advance the construction of a Trump Tower featuring 250 luxury condos, no fewer than 15 floors of hotel rooms, commercial and office space, a fitness centre and an Ivanka Trump spa. It would have been a lucrative deal for Trumps company, handing it $4m (3.1m) in upfront fees plus potentially millions more from a cut on everything from food and banquet fees to spa charges. However, the project soon ran aground again. According to Mr Cohens testimony in 2017 and his plea agreement, negotiations with Mr Rozovs group stalled, prompting the lawyer to turn to aides of Mr Putin to move the project forward. Mr Cohen told congressional investigators last year that he had sent an email in January 2016 to Dmitry Peskov, the Russian presidents spokesman. He told the committee he never heard back from Mr Peskov and the tower deal collapsed by the end of that month. But according to Mr Cohens new statement to prosecutors, the tower deal remained viable as late as June 2016, after Mr Trump had vanquished his Republican presidential rivals and was mounting his general election campaign against Hillary Clinton. Mr Cohen said he had spoken by phone with an assistant to Mr Peskov in January 2016 and outlined the project and requested assistance in moving the project forward. According BuzzFeed News, Mr Trumps company considered giving the Moscow towers penthouse apartment to Mr Putin. Mr Cohens business associate Felix Sater told the website: 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. Mr Sater and Mr Cohen continued to email about the foundering project well into June 2016, soon after a much-scrutinised meeting at Trump Tower in New York between Mr Trumps son Donald Jr, son-in-law Jared Kushner, campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and several Russian attendees, purportedly to discuss the possibility of dirt on Hillary Clinton. Mr Trump accused his former lawyer of being a liar following his guilty plea on Thursday. Hes trying to get a reduced sentence for things that have nothing to do with me, the president added. He said he decided ultimately not to pursue to Moscow tower plan, but added: There would be nothing wrong if I did do it. There was a good chance that I wouldnt have won [the presidency], in which case I would have gone back into the business, and why should I lose lots of opportunities? A casket carrying the remains of former President George H.W. Bush has arrived at U.S. Capitol Rotunda, where he will lie in state until Wednesday. Bush, who died Friday at the age of 94, arrived in Washington D.C. on Monday afternoon for the final time. His casket was flown in on a plane usually known as Air Force One, but renamed Special Air Mission 41 in honor of the 41st president. The Bush family has worked with the Department of Defense to implement a funeral schedule in accordance with Bushs wishes. 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 L. Howard, the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region commanding general, 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. Heres what to know about George H.W. Bushs funeral services. President George H.W. Bush will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol George H.W. Bushs funeral services will begin in Houston, Texas, according to the Joint Task Force National Capitol Region. On the morning of Monday, Dec. 3, a departure ceremony will be held in Ellington Field in Houston. From there, Bush will be flown to Joint Base Andrews, Md., and then taken to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, where he will lie in state until the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 5. On Dec. 5, 11 a.m. ET, a funeral service is scheduled at the Washington National Cathedral. After that, Bush will be taken back to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Former President George H.W. Bush is interviewed for 'The Presidents' Gatekeepers' project about the White House Chiefs of Staff at the Bush Library, October 24, 2011, in College Station, Texas. President Bush Will be remembered at services in Houston Bush will then be taken to St. Martins Episcopal Church in Houston where he will lie in repose until the morning of Thursday, Dec. 6. A second funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT on that day. Bush will then be transported by motorcade and train to the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, where he will be laid to rest. Story continues Bush will be buried next to Barbara Bush, the former first lady, who died in April, as well as his daughter Pauline Robinson Robin Bush, who died at the age of 3 in 1953. President Bushs dog Sully escorted his casket to the Capitol Sully, the yellow Labrador retriever who was former U.S. President George H.W. Bush's service dog, during a departure ceremony at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 3, 2018. Bushs service dog Sully was seen among the former presidents family and friends who watched as his casket was put on Special Air Mission 41 Monday. Bush family and friends, including his dog, Sully, look on. pic.twitter.com/X4d13SUtOc Gabe Gutierrez (@gabegutierrez) December 3, 2018 Sully, who assisted Bush after he was diagnosed with a form of Parkinsons disease, will also travel on the flight to accompany Bush to Washington, CNN reported. Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath posted a photo of Sully beside the former presidents coffin with the caption: Mission complete. Sully was pictured Sunday lying beside Bushs coffin Sunday. Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath posted the photo of Sully beside the former presidents coffin with the caption: Mission complete. The dog was able to open doors, press emergency buttons and retrieve objects for Bush. Sully will continue his work as a therapy dog by assisting wounded veterans. How you can pay respects to President Bush in Houston and D.C. Due to space limitations, only invited guests will be able to attend the service at the National Cathedral in Washington DC and the Funeral Mass at St. Martins in Houston, though members of the public will have a chance to pay their respects in both cities, according to the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation. These details will be released in the coming days. The public will also have a chance to send a heartfelt message to the Bush family by writing in a condolence book at the George Bush Presidential Library. In place of flowers, the Bush family asks that contributions be made to the George Bush Memorial Fund, which will go to support the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. How Presidents Trump and Obama paid tribute to President Bush President Donald Trump has designated Wednesday, Dec. 5 as a national day of mourning. He and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, are expected to attend the funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. 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, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump said in a statement on Saturday. Through all that he accomplished, he remained humble, following the quiet call to service that gave him a clear sense of direction. Former President Barack Obama also released a statement on Saturday, mourning his predecessors passing. America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush, Obamas statement 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. 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 This is the first state funeral for a former President in over a decade, since Gerald Ford passed away in December 2006. WASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and the special counsel's Russia investigation (all times local): 2 p.m. The chairman of the Senate intelligence committee says the guilty plea from President Donald Trump's former lawyer sends a message that "if you lie to us, we're going to go after you." Michael Cohen confessed that he lied to Congress about a Moscow real estate deal he pursued on Trump's behalf during the heat of the 2016 Republican campaign. Republican Sen. Richard Burr wouldn't say Friday how many referrals his intelligence panel has made to special counsel Robert Mueller. But Burr says they're not afraid to refer anything they believe is criminal and says lying to Congress is "right at the top of it." Burr was speaking at a national security forum at the University of Texas at Austin. He was joined by Republican Sen. John Cornyn and Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, who are also on the Senate intelligence panel. ___ 10:25 a.m. Special counsel Robert Mueller is considering new charges for Donald Trump's former campaign chairman after his plea deal fell apart over allegations of lying to investigators. That's what prosecutors told a federal judge Friday in the case of Paul Manafort. The judge ordered the government to disclose more details about the false-statements allegations against Manafort by next Friday and set a tentative sentencing date for early March. Manafort is accused of repeatedly lying to investigators even after he agreed to cooperate with the investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. Manafort faces up to five years in prison on each charge in his plea agreement. He also is set to be sentenced on eight felony counts in a separate case in Virginia in February. He has denied the lying allegations. ___ 1:55 a.m. Paul Manafort's attorneys are heading to court Friday at a time of frenetic activity in the special counsel's Russia investigation. Story continues Prosecutors this week obtained a guilty plea from President Donald Trump's longtime fixer Michael Cohen and appear to be lining up charges against another Trump supporter. Manafort's plea deal fell apart after prosecutors say the former Trump campaign chairman lied to investigators. They are expected to provide some detail about those false statements Friday. The hearing in federal court in Washington comes as Trump is facing questions about whether he will pardon Manafort and as he is attempting to downplay the guilty plea of Cohen for lying to Congress. NEW YORK (AP) The Latest on President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen (all times local): 8:45 a.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has displayed what he says are two emails from President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer asking for help getting the Trump Tower Moscow project off the ground. Michael Cohen pleaded guilty on Thursday to lying to Congress about the real estate deal. Cohen last year acknowledged sending the emails to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in January 2016, but said he killed the proposal after talking to Peskov's office. This week he confessed that he continued to pursue the deal on Trump's behalf during the heat of the campaign. Peskov, who is with Putin at an international summit in Argentina, said Saturday, "We told them that the presidential administration isn't involved in construction projects, and if they are interested in making investments we will be glad to see them at St. Petersburg's economic forum." Peskov said they never heard from Cohen again. ___ 1 a.m. Lawyers for President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer say Michael Cohen deserves no prison time for crimes he committed in an abundance of enthusiasm for his ex-boss. The lawyers said in court papers filed in New York Friday that Cohen cooperated extensively with Special Counsel Robert Mueller and New York state investigators who brought a civil lawsuit against the Trump Organization and individuals, including Trump. They say he'll continue to do so. The 52-year-old Cohen faces sentencing Dec. 12 after pleading guilty to crimes in August and on Thursday. Prosecutors have not yet filed a pre-sentence submission but have agreed to note Cohen cooperation to the sentencing judge. On Thursday, Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress. In August, he pleaded guilty to charges including campaign finance and bank fraud. TOKYO/PARIS France and Japan's leaders met for bilateral talks to avert a diplomatic row over the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance on Friday following the surprise arrest of its Chairman Carlos Ghosn in Japan. With the carmaking alliance facing its biggest test after the ousting of Ghosn at Nissan and affiliate Mitsubishi over financial misconduct allegations, President Emmanuel Macron sat down with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. Ghosn's arrest to face accusations including the under-reporting of income has triggered new attempts by Nissan to weaken Renault's control of the Franco-Japanese alliance, adding to challenges facing Macron at home. Macron, whose government has repeatedly pressed Japan to share evidence unearthed by Nissan's internal investigation into Ghosn, "restated his firm wish that the alliance should be preserved, along with the stability of the group," an Elysee official said after Friday's meeting with Abe. Abe said it was important to "maintain a stable relationship," according to a spokesman for the Japanese leader. "However, he said the future of the alliance is up to the private-sector shareholders. The government of Japan does not prejudge the future of the alliance," the spokesman said. The French official quoted Abe as telling Macron that "the legal process must be allowed to take its course." LEADERLESS Tokyo authorities on Friday extended Ghosn's detention for a second time, by the maximum-allowed 10 days, local media reported. Prosecutors must file charges by Dec. 10 or arrest Ghosn for new crimes to hold him beyond that date. Tokyo prosecutors declined to comment. Nissan did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ghosn's detention has left the global auto alliance without its leader and main interlocutor with the French government, which owns 15 percent of Renault and wants to maintain the ownership structure enshrining its control of the partnership. But Nissan Chief Executive Hiroto Saikawa has made clear that Nissan wants to weaken the control of its smaller parent as it carries out a governance review. Story continues Renault's 43.4 percent Nissan stake ensures an effective voting majority at shareholder meetings, while Nissan's reciprocal 15 percent Renault holding carries no voting rights. The Macron-Abe talks came as a diplomatic spat was brewing over comments by French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, who said that his Japanese counterpart Hiroshige Seko had agreed in earlier talks that the cross-shareholdings should be left unchanged. Seko denied any such agreement through a rare official letter of protest sent to Le Maire, Japanese daily newspaper Mainichi Shimbun reported. Officials at both of the ministries declined to comment on the letter or the incident. Le Maire also came in for criticism from Renault staff representatives concerned for the alliance. "The government should know their place and stay there," said a union official at the French carmaker. "This kind of overreaching may be counter-productive." As economy minister, Macron masterminded the French government's surprise increase to its Renault stake in 2015, raising concern within Nissan that the Elysee sought to wield more influence over the Japanese company. Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi "emphatically reiterated" their commitment to the alliance on Thursday after executives met in Amsterdam for the first time since Ghosn's arrest. A review of the capital structure was not discussed at the meeting, Mitsubishi CEO Osamu Masuko said. (Reporting by Kaori Kaneko, Chris Gallagher and Linda Sieg and Elaine Lies in Tokyo, Michel Rose and Laurence Frost in Paris, and by Daniel Flynn and Maximilian Heath in Buenos Aires; Writing by Laurence Frost and Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Keith Weir, David Goodman and Sonya Hepinstall) Related Video: Michelle Obama goes high, and apparently so do her book sales. The former first lady's personal memoir, Becoming, has sold more than two million copies since its release on Nov. 13, 2018, according to Penguin Random House. That means it's currently the top selling book of the year. SEE ALSO: Michelle Obama on Trump: 'You dont get results when you go low' On Friday, Penguin Random House shared a press release announcing the book had sold more than 2 million units "across all formats and editions in the U.S. and Canada" during its first 15 days, as reflected by NDP BookScan data. The hardcover edition of Becoming will have 3.4 million copies throughout the U.S. and Canada after its sixth print, and the book remains on several noteworthy bestseller lists. It's also currently at the top spot on the New York Times Bestselling Hardcover Nonfiction and the Combined Print and E-Book Bestsellers lists for the second week. In the book Obama paints a picture of her childhood, discusses her family, former jobs, how she met and fell in love with Barack Obama, and her time in the White House. She also gets very candid about her feelings for Donald Trump. Obama is currently on a book tour that's visiting ten cities, with upcoming stops in Brooklyn, Detroit, Denver, San Jose, Dallas, and more, so sales are bound to keep rising. You go, girl! Katowice (Poland) (AFP) - After the starkest warnings yet of the catastrophic threat posed by climate change, nations gathered in Poland on Sunday to chart a way for mankind to avert runaway global warming. The COP24 climate summit comes at a crucial juncture in the battle to rein in the effects of our heating planet. The smaller, poorer nations that will bare the devastating brunt of climate change are pushing for richer states to make good on the promises they made in the 2015 Paris agreement. Three years ago countries committed to limit global temperature rises to well below two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and to the safer cap of 1.5C if at all possible. But with only a single degree Celsius of warming so far, the world has already seen a crescendo of deadly wildfires, heatwaves and hurricanes made more destructive by rising seas. UN General Assembly president Maria Espinosa told AFP that mankind was "in danger of disappearing" if climate change was allowed to progress at its current rate. "We need to act urgently, and with audacity. Be ambitious, but also responsible for the future generations," she added. In a rare intervention, presidents of previous UN climate summits issued a joint statement as the talks got under way, calling on states to take "decisive action... to tackle these urgent threats". "The impacts of climate change are increasingly hard to ignore," said the statement, a copy of which was obtained by AFP. "We require deep transformations of our economies and societies." At the COP24 climate talks, nations must agree to a rulebook palatable to all 183 states who have ratified the Paris deal. The road to a final rulebook is far from smooth: the dust is still settling from US President Donald Trump's decision to ditch the Paris accord. G20 leaders on Saturday wrapped up their summit by declaring the Paris Agreement "irreversible". But it said the United States "reiterates its decision to withdraw" from the landmark accord. Story continues The UN negotiations got off to a chaotic start in the Polish mining city of Katowice Sunday, with the opening session delayed nearly three hours by a series of last-ditch submissions. A string of major climate reports have cast doubt over the entire process, suggesting the Paris goals fall well short of what is needed. - Data doesn't lie - Just last week, the UN's environment programme said the voluntary national contributions agreed in Paris would have to triple if the world was to cap global warming below 2C. For 1.5C, they must increase fivefold. While the data are clear, a global political consensus over how to tackle climate change remains elusive. "Katowice may show us if there will be any domino effect" following the US withdrawal, said Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a main architect of the Paris deal. Brazil's strongman president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, for one, has promised to follow the American lead during his campaign. Many countries are already dealing with the droughts, higher seas and catastrophic storms climate change is exacerbating. "A failure to act now risks pushing us beyond a point of no return with catastrophic consequences for life as we know it," said Amjad Abdulla, chief negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States, of the UN talks. A key issue up for debate is how the fight against climate change is funded, with developed and developing nations still world's apart in their demands. Poorer nations argue that rich countries, which are responsible for the vast majority of historic carbon emissions, must help others to fund climate action. "Developed nations led by the US will want to ignore their historic responsibilities and will say the world has changed," said Meena Ramam, from the Third World Network advocacy group. "The question really is: how do you ensure that ambitious actions are done in an equitable way?" JERUSALEM, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Israeli police on Sunday said they had found enough evidence for bribery and fraud charges to be brought against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife in a third corruption case against the Israeli leader. Authorities allege Netanyahu awarded regulatory favors to Israel's leading telecommunications company, Bezeq Telecom Israel, in return for more positive coverage of him and his wife on a news website, Walla, owned by the company. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing. If indicted, the four-term prime minister would be facing one of the greatest challenges to his political survival. Despite his dominance of Israeli politics, the newest police recommendation comes just after his right-wing coalition's majority was reduced to a precarious one seat in parliament. %InlineRelated-url="https://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/11/28/israeli-artist-beats-gaza-rockets-into-hanukkah-lamps/23603832/" CTA="SEE ALSO" title="Israeli artist beats Gaza rockets into Hanukkah lamps"% The final decision on whether to indict rests with Israel's attorney-general, who is still weighing whether to charge Netanyahu in the other two cases. Those relate to allegations that Netanyahu accepted gifts from businessmen and that he tried to strike a deal with a different media mogul for better coverage in return for curbs on a competing newspaper. Most of Netanyahu's coalition partners have said they will wait for a decision by the attorney-general before making any decisions about how to react to the allegations. Some analysts have said Netanyahu could call a snap vote in light of the legal proceedings against him. The next national election is not due until November 2019. But Netanyahu may want to seek a renewed mandate from the people, forcing a prosecutor to think twice before indicting him. Netanyahu has said he wants his coalition to keep going until the end of its term, but politicians close to him say that given the coalition's shaky razor-thin majority, an early election is likely. Story continues In Sunday's joint statement with the Israel Securities Authority, police said they also found sufficient evidence to charge Shaul Elovitch, a family friend of Netanyahu, with bribery. At the time Elovitch was chairman and controlling shareholder of Bezeq. The authorities said there was also evidence to charge the company's then-CEO Stella Handler with fraud. Elovitch and Handler have denied wrongdoing. They were both arrested and detained briefly earlier this year and have resigned from Bezeq. In their statement, the authorities said: "The main suspicion is that the prime minister took bribes and acted out of a conflict of interest by intervening and making regulatory decisions that favor Shaul Elovitch and Bezeq." It alleged that Netanyahu sought to interfere with content of Bezeq's Walla website "in a way that would benefit him." Netanyahu served as communications minister from 2015 to 2017. The police also recommended that charges of fraud and breach of trust be brought against Netanyahu and his wife. Shortly after the police recommendations were made public, Netanyahu issued a statement saying that the allegations had no legal basis and that ultimately nothing would come of the investigation. "I am sure that also in this case the relevant authorities, after examining the matter, will reach the same conclusion - that there was nothing because there is nothing," he said. (Additional reporting by Stephen Farrell, Steven Scheer and Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Toby Chopra) Marrakech (Morocco) (AFP) - US director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert de Niro on Sunday discussed the changing nature of cinema in the age of streaming services on the sidelines of the Marrakech film festival. "The cinema of the past is gone, things are changing," Scorsese said during a meeting with the public at the Palais des Congres. "I don't know what the future will be." "Movies have to be shown on a big screen," De Niro said during a news conference. Their remarks come with the ninth collaboration between Scorsese and double Oscar winner De Niro -- gangster movie "The Irishman" -- expected to be released next year by streaming giant Netflix. Based on true events, it stars De Niro as mob hitman Frank Sheeran and co-stars Al Pacino as the infamous American labour union leader Jimmy Hoffa who he allegedly killed. Scorsese told his audience that Netflix stuck its neck out by deciding to go ahead with the movie. "Netflix is taking risks... nobody else wanted to," he said. He said financing for films can be found but "theatres are closing" as more people prefer to watch movies online. De Niro told reporters that "movies have to be shown on a big screen, especially our movies," including The Irishman. But he acknowledged that "the contradiction" was in the fact that "the money we were fortunate enough to find to make this movie is from a network," referring to Netflix. "Things are changing in the world," said De Niro, adding: "I try with Martin to do... big films, big stories." Scorsese for his part said that despite the changing times, one thing is certain: "The only thing that perseveres is celluloid." "What we are doing now could fade tomorrow," he added. On Saturday De Niro received a tribute award at the Marrakech International Film Festival from the hands of his friend "Marty" Scorsese. "We made our first film together, I think it was over 45 years ago... One of the great blessings of my life," said De Niro during the ceremony. The pair have worked on several films together, including "Mean Streets" in 1973, "Taxi Driver" in 1976 and "Raging Bull" in 1981 which earned De Niro an Oscar. Buenos Aires (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he briefed his US counterpart Donald Trump on the Ukraine crisis as he came under pressure over Moscow's robust foreign policy at the G20 summit in Argentina. Putin said he explained Moscow's position to Trump when the leaders met briefly at a summit dinner Friday. "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 under a cloud, having drawn outrage from Europe over last week's incident in which his navy detained three Ukrainian ships and 24 sailors -- causing Trump to abruptly cancel their scheduled meeting. Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko kept up the pressure from Kiev, saying Putin had refused to take his calls since the crisis started. He said that when the incident happened, he instructed his office to set up a call with the Kremlin leader to say "we are ready for this negotiation to de-escalate... and unfortunately, until now, Putin did not answer my request for a direct phone conversation." Poroshenko told France 24 in an interview that Ukraine would try to resolve the standoff diplomatically but insisted Russian forces withdraw from Crimea, and return its ships and sailors "captured illegally in the neutral waters of the Black Sea." German Chancellor Angela Merkel took Putin to task at length over the naval spat, a day after French President Emmanuel Macron urged him 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. Story continues 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. 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'- 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. According to a French aide, 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. 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. Merkel said Germany had suggested a meeting of the Normandy group to discuss the crisis. Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli researchers say an inscription on an ancient ring discovered near Jerusalem may include the name of Pontius Pilate, the Roman official who Biblical accounts say sentenced Jesus to death. It would be a rare example still in existence of an inscription with the name of the man believed to have sent Jesus to his crucifixion. The researchers recently announced their analysis of the inscription on the ring -- which was actually found some 50 years ago -- in Israel Exploration Journal. The journal is published by the Israel Exploration Society and the Institute of Archaeology at Jerusalem's Hebrew University. They say the copper-alloy ring, dated to around 2,000 years ago and used to apply a seal, was found at Herodium, an ancient palace built by King Herod near Jerusalem and Bethlehem, today located in the occupied West Bank. The palace later became a fortress for Jewish rebels fighting the Romans. An inscription in Greek letters reads "of Pilatus", while the ring also depicts a wine vessel known as a krater. The researchers say it is unlikely that the ring belonged to Pilate himself, though possibly to a member of his administration or someone else entirely. "Since the inscription on the ring reads of Pilatus, the first association that comes to mind is Pontius Pilatus, the prefect of the Roman province of Judaea 2636 CE, under Emperor Tiberius Caesar," they write. It adds however: "Since the name Pilatus is rare, it is not inconceivable that this ring belonged to Pontius Pilatus himself. However, 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 Judaea before and during his rule." The Israel Museum says the only other object from Pilate's time bearing his name is a stone with an inscription found in Caesarea, today located in Israel along the Mediterranean coast. The stone is part of the museum's collection. The authors of the journal article on the ring are Malka Hershkovitz, Gideon Forster, Yakov Kalman, Rachel Chachy and Roi Porat of Hebrew University as well as Shua Amorai-Stark of Kaye College of Education in the Israeli city of Beersheba. LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan (Reuters) - A top commander of the Taliban was killed in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand in a joint operation by Afghan and U.S. Special Forces, Afghan officials and Taliban members said on Sunday. Abdul Manan, who was in charge of Helmand province for the insurgent group, was killed along with 29 others by an air strike on Saturday while he was meeting local commanders and fighters in the Nawzad district, Helmand provincial governor Mohammad Yasin Khan said. His death was confirmed by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid and by the U.S. military, which said Afghan forces had gone on the offensive with U.S. support, notably through precision air strikes to push the Taliban to accept peace talks. "They're going to have trouble intensifying the fight when their fighters and leaders are under constant assault. Peace talks are the only solution," Col Dave Butler, spokesman for U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, said in an emailed statement. The death of Mullah Manan, who commanded Taliban fighters as they steadily increased their control over Helmand in the years following the end of most international combat missions in 2014, was seen as a major success by Afghan officials. "He was the most senior Taliban commander in the south and his death will have an overall impact on security," one senior security official in Kabul said. The report of Manan's death comes as both the Western-backed security forces and the Taliban have pushed to gain the momentum at the same time as efforts have stepped up to find a peaceful settlement to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan. Although contacts have started between U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban representatives, there has been no let up in the fighting, with both sides aiming to build a favorable position in advance of any peace talks. (Reporting by Mohammad Stanekzai, Hamid Shalizi and Jibran Ahmad in Peshawar; Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Susan Fenton) REUTERS President Donald Trumps personal lawyer has accused special counsel Robert Mueller of trying to intimidate allies of the president as he reiterated his belief that the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election is simply a witch hunt. Rudy Giuliani made the remarks during an appearance on New Yorks AM 970's The Answer, where he was asked about the recent guilty plea of Michael Cohen in relation to the investigation. They obviously exerted a lot of pressure on him. Mr Cohen unfortunately has a history of significant lies in the past, Mr Giuliani said. Mr Cohen, the presidents former personal lawyer, admitted last week that he lied to Congress when questioned about attempts by the Trump Organisation to establish a real estate development in Moscow while Mr Trump was running for office. Since running into legal troubles, Mr Cohen has indicated that he is putting his family and country first in a public break from his longtime client. Mr Giuliani continued: This isnt a search for the truth. Its a witch hunt. This is what is wrong with these special prosecutors an independent counsels. They think they are God." The former mayor of New York City said the Mueller probe has also been unfair to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who the Mueller team has accused of violating a plea agreement by lying to federal investigators. Manafort, who had previously been convicted on eight felony bank and tax fraud charges, has denied intentionally lying to investigators. They want [Paul Manafort] to give certain forms of evidence that would implicate the president in things that Mr Manafort says are untrue, Mr Giuliani said. And they are pressuring him, and creating a real risk that the man might commit perjury. This kind of pressure can create the risk of tainted testimony." Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Saturday he hoped to organize a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in early 2019, perhaps as soon as January or February. Trump told reporters traveling home to Washington with him aboard Air Force One from Argentina that "three sites" were in consideration for the meeting, a follow-up to their historic summit in Singapore in June. "I think we're going to do one fairly (soon) -- you know, into January, February, I think," said Trump, who had been in Buenos Aires for the Group of 20 summit. "We're getting along very well. We have a good relationship." In the Argentine capital, Trump held separate bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday that primarily focused on trade, but the US leader said Xi he had agreed to work with him "100 percent" on North Korea. When asked Saturday if he would ever host the North Korean leader in the United States, Trump replied: "At some point, yeah." In June, Trump and Kim opened up a face-to-face dialogue after months of trading military threats and pointed barbs. The two leaders signed a vaguely worded document on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, but progress has since stalled as Washington and Pyongyang spar over the meaning of the document. North Korea has taken few concrete steps to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. US 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 Pyongyang insisting that Washington ease sanctions. On Friday, Trump discussed the situation with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The pair "reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization" of North Korea, Trump's 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. Story continues - Kim visit to Seoul this year? - Moon's office welcomed Trump's comments about a second summit with Kim. "We hope a concrete agenda and logistics will be determined soon," Yonhap quoted presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom as saying. But differences remain between Washington and Seoul on how to proceed with Kim, as the dovish Moon favors more robust engagement with the North. North and South Korea have begun to remove landmines and destroy military bunkers at parts of their common 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 Kim will make his first-ever visit to the South this year, as Seoul is hoping. Kim agreed to travel to Seoul after hosting Moon in Pyongyang in September for their third summit this year. But prospects of a fourth Moon-Kim meeting have recently dimmed, with negotiations on denuclearizing the North grinding to a halt. In his talks with Trump in Argentina, Moon earned some support for the Seoul summit from the US leader -- perhaps in a bid to entice Kim to make good on his pledge. The two leaders said Kim's visit to the South Korean capital "would provide additional momentum to their joint efforts to establish peace on the Korean peninsula," Moon's press secretary Yoon Young-chan said. Buenos Aires (AFP) - A dinner meeting Saturday between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to discuss their growing trade war went "very well," White House top economic advisor Larry Kudlow said. Kudlow's comment to journalists, as Trump and his delegation were about to take off for Washington from Buenos Aires, was the first public reaction from the high-stakes dinner lasting more than two hours. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said she expected to release a statement soon. There was no immediate word from China's government. Trump and Xi, who were in the Argentinian capital over the last two days for a summit of G20 countries, had gone into the meeting in a bid to pull the world's top two economies from the brink of a full-fledged trade war. Both leaders expressed optimism as they and top aides sat down at a long hotel table adorned with flowers. "We will probably end up ending up getting something that will be good for China and the United States," Trump said. Xi stated that they shared tremendous responsibility to find a solution. "Only with cooperation between us can we serve the interest of both peace and prosperity," he said. The meeting, featuring a menu of sirloin steak, caramel rolled pancakes and Argentinian wine, went on longer than scheduled. And while it may have been tacked on to the end of two days of G20 diplomacy, it was in many ways the main event of the weekend. Trump has already imposed tariffs on more than $250 billion in Chinese goods -- about half of the total imported into the United States each year -- in an attempt to pressure Beijing to change its trade rules. Duties of 10 percent currently on most of those goods are set to rise on January 1 to a whopping 25 percent if a deal isn't reached. And that's not all. As Kudlow said in Washington ahead of the dinner: "If things don't work out in this US-China summit meeting, he will invoke some 267 billion dollars in additional tariffs." Story continues With US-Chinese disagreements on Trump's demands for better market access and intellectual property protections so profound, any real breakthrough was considered unlikely. But financial markets, spooked by the potential impact on the world economy, hoped that at least some kind of truce could be declared. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, also attending the G20, spoke for many when she urged progress. "We all realize that we are indirectly influenced by the fact that Sino-American economic relations are not running as smoothly as a world order needs," she said. - Personal chemistry factor - Both sides certainly came prepared for serious discussion. The White House released the names of the two delegations, totaling 20 people in addition to the two leaders. On the US side, these included advisers such as Kudlow and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who are widely seen as wanting to cut a deal, but also hawkish advisers like Peter Navarro and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. Navarro's inclusion in particular was a surprise as he has harshly criticized China, accusing its leadership of duplicity. However, keen White House watchers noted that Trump was flanked at the table by Mnuchin and his secretary of state, Mike Pompeo. Trump, as often in his diplomatic dealings, appears to consider his personal chemistry with Xi the most important factor in the success of the negotiations. He has prided himself on building a good relationship with the Chinese leader, even though he acknowledges it may have trouble surviving the growing crisis. "He may not be a friend of mine anymore but I think he probably respects me," Trump said in September. At the dinner, however, he was more upbeat, saying that his ties to Xi were "a very primary reason" for considering a deal possible. Beyond trade, Washington and Beijing find themselves increasingly entangled on hard-to-resolve issues. They include attempts to secure the denuclearization of North Korea and China's increasingly self-confident expansion of military power, especially in the South China Sea. A successful dinner date with Xi would certainly help Trump's mood on the long flight home given his generally rocky G20 experience, where he faced difficult questions over relations with Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his abrupt cancellation of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 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. Very disappointed with General Motors and their CEO, Mary Barra, for closing plants in Ohio, Michigan and Maryland. Nothing being closed in Mexico & China. The U.S. saved General Motors, and this is the THANKS we get! We are now looking at cutting all @GM subsidies, including.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2018 The US leader also hinted that his administration could impose tariffs on imported cars in response to the plant closures. Story continues 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. 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 BUENOS AIRES The leaders of Mexico, Canada and the United States signed a North American trade pact on Friday after brinkmanship over the final details of the deal continued through the eve of the signing. They agreed on a deal in principle to govern the more than $1 trillion of mutual trade after a year and a half of acrimonious negotiations concluded with a late-night bargain just an hour before a deadline on Sept. 30. A side letter to the September agreement showed that Trump preserved the ability to impose threatened 25 percent global tariffs on autos while largely exempting passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and auto parts from Canada and Mexico. Since then, the three sides have bickered over the wording and the finer points of the deal and still had not agreed just hours before officials were due to sit down and sign it as the G20 summit kicks off in Buenos Aires. 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's spokesman only confirmed his attendance late on Thursday. Before signing the deal he continued to refer to as "the New NAFTA," Trudeau told Trump the two should continue to work together to eliminate steel and aluminum tariffs. Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto joined the ceremony on his last day in office. Trump had vowed to revamp NAFTA during his 2016 presidential election campaign. He threatened to tear it up and withdraw the U.S. completely at times during the negotiation, which would have left trade between the three neighbors in disarray. Trump 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 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. Related Video: By Michael Martina and Roberta Rampton BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - China and the United States agreed to halt additional tariffs in a deal that keeps their trade war from escalating as the two sides try again to bridge their differences with fresh talks aimed at reaching an agreement within 90 days. The White House said on Saturday that President Donald Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping during high-stakes talks in Argentina that he would not boost tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 percent on Jan. 1 as previously announced. Beijing for its part agreed to buy an unspecified but "very substantial" amount of agricultural, energy, industrial and other products, the White House said in a statement. The two sides would also launch new trade talks to address issues including technology transfer, intellectual property, non-tariff barriers, cyber theft and agriculture, it said. If no deal is reached within 90 days, both parties agreed that the 10 percent tariffs will be raised to 25 percent, the White House said. On Sunday, China's state-run media lauded the "important consensus" reached by the two leaders but did not mention the 90-day deadline. Trump imposed 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods in September. China responded with its own tariffs. Trump has also threatened to put tariffs on another $267 billion worth of Chinese imports, as the relationship appeared set to worsen in the weeks ahead of the Argentina meeting. "I think this is not a breakthrough - it's more of avoiding a breakdown. This is not a worst case outcome but the hard work is ahead of them," said Paul Haenle, Director at the CarnegieTsinghua Center in Beijing. "The Chinese have to come into (the talks) with a sense of urgency," he added. 'INCREDIBLE DEAL' As part of the deal, China agreed to start purchasing agricultural products from U.S. farmers immediately, the White House said. Story continues Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump hailed his agreement with Xi. "It's an incredible deal," Trump said. "What I'd be doing is holding back on tariffs. China will be opening up. China will be getting rid of tariffs." He said under the deal China would buy a "tremendous amount of agricultural and other product" from the United States. "It'll have an incredibly positive impact on farming." State Councillor Wang Yi, the Chinese government's top diplomat, told reporters in Buenos Aires that the two sides believed the agreement "effectively prevented the expansion of economic frictions between the two countries". "Facts show that joint interests between China and the United States are greater than the disputes, and the need for cooperation is greater than frictions," he said. U.S. companies and consumers are bearing part of the cost of the U.S. tariffs on China by paying higher prices for goods, and many companies have increased prices of imported goods. At the same time, U.S. farmers have been hurt by reduced Chinese imports of soybeans and other products. China "is open to approving the previously unapproved" deal for U.S. company Qualcomm Inc to acquire Netherlands-based NXP Semiconductors "should it again be presented," the White House statement said. In July, Qualcomm - the world's biggest smartphone-chip maker - walked away from a $44 billion deal to buy NXP after failing to secure Chinese regulatory approval, becoming a high-profile victim of the China-U.S. trade dispute. Qualcomm and NXP did not immediately respond to requests for comment late on Saturday. TEMPORARY REPRIEVE Beyond trade, Xi also agreed to designate the drug fentanyl as a controlled substance, the White House said. For more than a year, Trump has raised concerns about the synthetic opioid being sent from China to the United States, which is facing an epidemic of opioid-related deaths. Scott Kennedy, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said the United States appeared to come out slightly ahead in the overall agreement. "Beijing at best gets a temporary reprieve from additional tariffs, but was unable to get the U.S. to agree to return to 'business as usual'," he said. "Instead, only the pace of deterioration has changed, not the direction of the relationship," Kennedy added. The 90-day talks deadline falls just days before China's annual meeting of parliament in the first week of March, a politically sensitive time for Beijing. Sun Zhe, co-director of the China Initiative at Columbia University, said China might have made greater concessions this time but may be looking for more out of the United States in the coming months. "I think China compromised more. They bet that the United States would appreciate that China doesn't want to break the relationship even though China was pushed very hard," he said. "Some Chinese speculate about what compromise the United State can make in the future because China promised a lot and Trump just promised to not raise U.S. tariffs," he added. (Additional reporting by David Shepardson in Washington, John Ruwitch in Shanghai; Editing by Will Dunham and Darren Schuettler) By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A federal judge on Friday delayed a decision on whether to block U.S. House Republicans from compelling former FBI Director James Comey to testify next week in secret about his actions on investigations leading up to the 2016 presidential elections. Judge Trevor McFadden, who was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by President Donald Trump, said he wanted to review the case over the weekend before making a ruling and scheduled a follow-up hearing for Monday at 10 a.m. He also told Comey's attorney, David Kelley, to submit a follow-up brief to help inform his opinion by Sunday afternoon. Friday's hearing came about after Comey's lawyers this week asked the court to quash a Nov. 21 congressional subpoena ordering him to appear before the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee for a closed-door deposition and stay the congressional proceedings. Comey's lawyer argued his client will only agree to appear if his testimony is public, and on Friday Kelley accused the committee of trying to keep the testimony secret so lawmakers could selectively leak it to peddle partisan narratives. "They want to have unfettered access in a closed session," Kelley said Friday. "They don't want all the other members asking questions. They want to zero in and gang up." Republicans had initially ordered Comey to appear on Monday, but Thomas Hungar, a lawyer for the House, said Friday that Comey's deposition is now being pushed back to Tuesday. Comey has been tussling with Republicans on the House Judiciary and House Oversight committees, which are jointly investigating the FBI's decisions on inquiries into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server and whether Trump's election campaign coordinated with Russia. Republicans also separately sent a subpoena to former Attorney General Loretta Lynch asking her to come for a private deposition on Tuesday. A spokeswoman for Lynch declined to comment. The Republican-led inquiry has been lambasted by Democrats as a partisan effort to undermine Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Moscow denies meddling and Trump denies campaign collusion, calling the Mueller investigation a political witch hunt. Comey, who was fired by Trump in May 2017, is seen as an important witness into whether Trump tried to obstruct the special counsels investigation. Republicans have said the Federal Bureau of Investigation is biased against Trump, pointing to Comeys decision to publicly announce the FBI would not bring charges against Clinton, as well as text messages between two former FBI staffers on the email probe that disparaged Trump. They have also claimed that the FBI made missteps when it applied for a warrant to place former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page under surveillance. A Justice Department inspector general report issued earlier this year criticized Comey for his handling of the Clinton matter, but said he did not exhibit political bias. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; additional reporting by Makini Brice; editing by Grant McCool and Jonathan Oatis) United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 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. Story continues 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 Israel's 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 Jerusalem's status must be negotiated between the two sides. Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have agreed to pause a long-running trade war between the US and China, in a deal that will provide relief to global markets. The two world leaders met for a highly anticipated dinner at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires on Saturday evening, in an effort to resolve the dispute. As part of the deal, Mr Trump agreed to pause plans to raise tariffs on $200bn-worth of Chinese goods. His administration had intended to increase tariffs from 10 to 25 per cent from 1 January 2019. China, in response, will buy a not yet agreed upon, but very substantial amount of agricultural, energy and industrial goods from the US, according to the White House. The truce was struck during a two-hour dinner between the global leaders and their advisers. The concessions will buy time for the two sides to work out a deal covering the areas still in dispute. New trade talks on technology transfer, intellectual property, non-tariff barriers, cyber theft and agriculture will now take place. If no deal is reached within 90 days, both sides agreed the 10 per cent tariffs will be raised to 25 per cent, the White House said. The trade dispute between the nations escalated in September, when Mr Trump imposed 10 per cent tariffs on $200bn-worth Chinese goods, only for China to retaliate with duties worth $110bn on US products. On Sunday, Chinas state-run media hailed the important consensus struck, but did not mention the 90-day deadline on further talks. Donald Trump at the bilateral meeting (AP) Its an incredible deal, Mr Trump claimed, following the dinner. What Ill be doing is holding back on tariffs. China will be opening up, China will be getting rid of tariffs. China will be buying massive amounts of products from us. As part of the deal, the White House appeared to change its stance on tying the trade talks to security concerns, such as Chinas territorial ambitions. In a long-desired concession pushed for by the US, Mr Xis government is willing to label fentanyl, the deadly synthetic drug at the heart of the US opioid crisis, a controlled substance. Story continues I think this [deal] is not a breakthrough its more of avoiding a breakdown, said Paul Haenle, director at the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center, in Beijing. This is not a worst-case outcome, but the hard work is ahead of them. Beijing has also agreed to reconsider a takeover of chipmaker NXP by US company Qualcomm. It had previously blocked the move on antitrust concerns but it is unclear whether the transaction could be revived, even with Chinas agreement. The US and Chinas trade imbalance, and Beijings ambition in the technology sector, lie at the heart of the trade war. 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. Mr Trump said the death of former US president George HW Bush on Friday had put a damper on the very important meeting. He had cancelled a press conference planned for Saturday, and said he was doing so out of respect for the Bush family. Additional reporting by agencies In February this year, Oksana Bobok woke up in a Yekaterinburg hospital to be told her unborn child had been aborted. Id been in a coma for a month and a half. It was save me, or save the child. They chose to save me, she said. It was the bitter culmination of an advanced HIV-related infection the 34-year-old former heroin addict had unwittingly been living with for most of adult life. Now wheelchair bound and partially paralysed, Ms Boboks calamitous fall from health is made all the more tragic by the fact it could have been prevented. It is more than 30 years since HIV/Aids was recognised as a global crisis and, despite a total total death toll of 35.5 million, the response has in many ways been a triumph. Across the world, advances in testing, treatment and, perhaps most important of all, understanding have made HIV a wholly manageable condition. Sex education and safe sex have slashed infection rates, while rapid testing and new antiretrovirals mean those living with HIV can lead full and healthy lives. According to the United Nations, Aids related deaths have fallen 51 percent since their peak in 2004, new HIV infections per year are down 16 percent since 2010, and a record 75 percent of infected people now know their status, with and an estimated 59 percent receiving life saving antiretrovirals. But there is one anomaly - Russia and its former Eastern bloc satellites. Aids deaths in the region have climbed by 38 percent in the past ten years - almost as much as they have fallen elsewhere - and more than half of those with HIV only discover the infection once they develop Aids, according to the latest WHO report. Russia, by far the largest country in the region, now has around a million people thought to be living with HIV. Its the one region in the world where the rate of new infections is still growing, said Vinay Saldanha, the Moscow-based head of UNAIDS for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Story continues This is the frontline... What happens here and what governments do in the next two years will determine whether we can actually get the global HIV epidemic [back] on track. Ms Bobok and her husband Piotr, who is also HIV positive Like so many of the problems facing modern Russia, Ms Bobok's tragedy and the HIV crisis are enmeshed with the chaotic aftermath of the Soviet collapse. The first HIV case in Russia was only reported in 1987 - well into the Aids scare sweeping the West, and a year after Margaret Thatchers government had authorised a hard-hitting publicity campaign to tackle what was already an epidemic in Britain. Russian infection rates grew slowly - until a flood of heroin hit the country following the Soviet collapse as drug traffickers entered a previously untapped market. In around 1996, doctors began to see HIV cases among drug users. And the subsequent needle-borne epidemic ripped through Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states with frightening speed. Today, experts say 80 percent of infections can be found in just 20 of Russias 85 regions - the same relatively rich, industrially developed areas that were hit hardest by the heroin glut two decades ago. But it is not just needle sharing that is spreading HIV in Russia today, with most infections now caused by heterosexual sex, and affecting everyone from urban youth to rural pensioners. In terms of sheer numbers, Russias epidemic is minuscule compared to the catastrophe in southern and eastern Africa. But combined with a conservative government reluctant to embrace basic preventative measures such as sex education in schools, and a subculture of so called HIV dissidents who variously hold that HIV is a US plot, a conspiracy by big pharma, or nothing to worry about, it has become one of the fastest growing epidemics in the world. So HIV came on the back of the heroin epidemic. And then from the vulnerable groups the virus spread into the general population, first via needles, then via sex, says Aleksandar Chebin, a project manager at New Life, a charity in Yekaterinburg founded and run by HIV positive volunteers. Now it is well adjusted, ordinary people who have a family and a job - they are now the main group where infection is detected. Go and have a look at yourself in the mirror - thats what the risk group looks like. Nika Ivanova's daughter - Nika contracted HIV at a young age from a boyfriend Nika Ivanova was an early casualty. Then 17 years old, she had been dating an older boyfriend for six months when a routine visit to the gynaecologist resulted in an HIV diagnosis in the early 2000s. Her boyfriend, it turned out, had once been an intravenous drugs user. I dont blame him, because he didnt know, she says. "He was a just a young man who had experimented with things. If only I knew about contraception I was 17 at the time. No one talked to me at home. No one talked about sex, full stop, and especially not about HIV. Now 34, Ms Ivanova is a professional psychologist living a typical Moscow middle class life - she is proof that with modern retroviral treatment, HIV need not be a death sentence. Nika Ivanova and her daughter - Nika contracted HIV at a young age from a boyfriend Unfortunately, many in Russia are not so lucky. Although the state officially distributes anti-retroviral drugs to HIV positive patients for free, in practice only about 380,000 of the roughly one million infected Russians are receiving therapy, according to statistics compiled by the countrys Federal HIV centre. About 60 per cent of people are not getting therapy, and thats why people are still getting Aids, said Vadim Pokrovsky, the head of the centre. The problem, he says, is money. He estimates it would take a tripling of annual HIV spending to about $1.3 billion (1 billion) in order to make up the difference. Ms Bobok, now a wheelchair user, is one of those for whom anti-retroviral treatment is far from secure. Born in eastern Ukraine and raised in a downtrodden part of Russias Urals, she got into drugs at an early age, contracted HIV via needle sharing, and only found out months later when she landed in prison, age 19. In prison she received antiretrovirals to suppress the virus. But because she only ever held an old Soviet passport, when she was released in 2015 she was classed as a stateless person and struggled to access the state-supplied medication available to Russian citizens. In less than three years, she developed Aids. She was pregnant for the second time, and they had stopped issuing pills for her as soon as she gave birth last time, said her husband Pytor, who is also HIV positive. Her immune system became really weak, and when she was put on life support, the doctor said that her HIV had progressed into Aids because she had not been getting treatment, he added. The couple's first child died after being born prematurely. Russias ministry of health says a major test and treat campaign has seen Aids deaths begin to stabilise and the rate of new infections begin to slow in the past two years. About 30 million Russians, or 30 percent of the population, were tested last year. It has also unveiled a new national strategy for fighting the spread of the disease. Drafted by the countrys top HIV doctors, it includes provision for harm reduction measures such as needle exchange programs, and has been welcomed by the UN as a major step forward. But the most fundamental challenge remains political. Ideas such as needle exchange programs, methadone substitution, and sex education in schools have set alarm bells ringing among the Kremlins conservative base. Were not prudes - were opposed to this because there is a big question mark about whether it really works, said Zhanna Tachmamedova, a spokeswoman for the All Russian Parents Resistance, a pressure group that has successfully lobbied for the closure of HIV education programmes in schools in several parts of the country. Oksana Babok and senior foreign correspondent Roland Oliphant in Russia Russian school children have not had any sex education since 1997. Ms Tachmamedova, a St Petersburg-based child psychologist, argues introducing it would be counterproductive. Teach teenagers about sex, she worries, and the rate of sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancies will increase. Such attitudes dismay educators worried about about the risks teenagers face. "Statistics show that you have less infections, less premature pregnancies, fewer underage abortions, where there is sex education," said Daria Rakhmaninova, a Moscow high school teacher who has launched voluntary seminars for parents and families interested in sex education outside school. There is one part of the country where progressive policies have been tried - with startling success. St Petersburg is the first major Russian city to see a consistent decline in rates of new infections. In 2017, there were about 1750 new diagnoses in the city, down from nearly 2200 in 2015 - a fall of 20 percent in two years. It is a remarkable achievement, which experts put down to the way the city government has harnessed the help of NGOs, businesses and HIV-positive citizens to deliver the WHOs recommended test and treat strategy as well as other harm reduction initiatives like condom and syringe distribution. This month, the Federal Ministry of Health gave the St Petersburg HIV Centre a prize for the best public awareness campaign. And there are signs that other regions may follow suit. Alexander Vysokinsky, the mayor of Yekaterinburg, this month announced the industrial megapolis would be the first Russian city to sign up the UNs Paris declaration - a pledge to get the HIV crisis under control by 2020. It is a hopeful sign, says Ms Ivanova, as she watches her daughter on the playground outside her Moscow apartment block. The worst thing about this epidemic is that it is not just an HIV epidemic. It is an epidemic of stigma, she said. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security On Thursday, a lawmaker stood up in the U.K. parliament and made history: he became the first politician to openly declare to the House of Commons that he was HIV-positive. Lloyd Russell-Moyles speech came two days before World AIDS Day, which marks its 30th anniversary on Dec. 1. Such events are also deeply personal to me, because next year I will be marking an anniversary of my own 10 years since I became HIV-positive, Russell-Moyle told lawmakers in parliament, during a debate about public health. He described his diagnosis in words that would reverberate around the world on social media in the hours that followed. When you are first diagnosed, you get that call from the clinic and they just say, You need to come in. They do not tell you the details, and you know immediately that something is wrong. It hits you like a wall, he said, describing the moment the doctor told him. Labour's Lloyd Russell-Moyle becomes first MP to announce in the Commons that he is HIV positive #WorldAIDSDay pic.twitter.com/gEHj5lmZo2 Sam Wise ?????????? (@SamWiseSW) November 29, 2018 The next morning, TIME sat down to talk with Russell-Moyle over a cup of tea in Westminster, a stones throw from where he had made his speech less than 24 hours earlier. A large part of the speech was about breaking down stigma, he said. Because if you cant talk about something in whats meant to be the mother of all parliaments, then clearly theres still some sort of stigma attached. At just 32, Russell-Moyle is a one of the U.K.s newest lawmakers, having been elected for the first time in 2017 to represent an area in Brighton, a liberal city on Englands south coast. He is one of at least 48 LGBT lawmakers in the lower house of parliament. And now, hes only the second U.K. lawmaker to live openly with HIVthe first, Chris Smith, came out as HIV-positive in 2005, toward the end of his career, Russell-Moyle says. I think it was important for me to do it in a positive way, he adds. Im not doing it as a goodbye, Im doing it as a Hello, Im here. Story continues The response to his speech, he says, has been hugely positive. As well as going viral and touring television and radio stations on Friday morning, Russell-Moyle says several people have already reached out to him privately to speak of the impact it had on them. As soon as he walked out of the chamber, someone he didnt know came up to him and thanked him, he says. They had recently been tested and received a call from the clinic to go back in. The speech made them feel less scared about receiving the results, he says. At that point, his parliamentary researcher, sitting to one side, chipped in. You got that text, he said, from somebody whose friend had just reached out to them to tell them they were HIV-positive. The Lloyd effect has begun, it read. You dont have to look far back into the past to find a time when such attitudes would have been totally unthinkable in Britain. Weve been on a slow journey, Russell-Moyle says. I think Britain has been moving slowly to being a more progressive society on social issues. But the picture isnt all rosy. As a lawmaker for the U.K.s opposition Labour Party, Russell-Moyle is critical of the ruling Conservative Partys attempts to break up the National Health Service (NHS), Britains publicly funded health care system. I rely on making sure that there is a good health system, Russell-Moyle says, referring to the pill he takes each day. If theres not, then I would not be here. Simple as that. On Thursday, the same day Russell-Moyle made his speech, the U.K. announced it had hit the U.N.s 90-90-90 targets: 90% of HIV infections diagnosed, 90% of those people on treatment, and 90% of them having undetectable levels of the virus in their blood. Its the last camp that Russell-Moyle finds himself in, meaning he cannot pass the virus on, and can live a broadly normal life. He says the U.K. has been able to reach those targets because of its public health care system. The U.S. is really behind us at the moment, because there isnt that same coordination, he says. You cannot have competition in health. It doesnt work. My poor health will affect your poor health as well. In the U.S., the number of HIV infections each year is slowly declining, but an estimated one in seven people living with HIV are unaware they have the virus. Whats necessary for tackling HIV and AIDS, Russell-Moyle says, is a coordinated public health policy. That approach, he says, is always about changing minds. The best public health is about avoiding treatment and changing behaviors and changing stigma. Around the world, fear and stigma remain major barriers to tackling HIV. New drugs allow HIV sufferers to live long and healthy lives, but those drugs cant be effective if people dont know they are infected. To those who have not been tested, Russell-Moyle offered a message in his speech. It is better to live in knowledge than to die in fear. The Israel Police arrested early Sunday 40 doctors, medical interns and pharmacists from the Arab sector who presented false credentials to the Health Ministry. They are suspected of presenting graduation diplomas from universities in Armenia, even though they did not complete the required studies there. Based on this fraud, they received medical licenses in Israel. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he is likely to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in January or February and that three sites for their second meeting are under consideration. "We're getting along very well. We have a good relationship," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his return from a G20 summit in Argentina. Trump added that at some point he will invite Kim to the United States. KANGAR - Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted in his home country of India, said he has not broken any Indian law and was being targeted by the "enemies of Islam," in a rare public speech in Malaysia where he has sought refuge. Naik, 53, is facing charges of money laundering and hate speech in India, where authorities last year said he has been "promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through public speeches and lectures". The preacher has been living in Malaysia, where he has permanent residency, since India started investigating him, but he has kept a low profile over the past year amid criticism that he is a threat to peace in multi-ethnic Malaysia. WASHINGTON - 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. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter 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 test-launches Fateh-10 ballistic missile (file photo) 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 US 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." US 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 UN'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 US 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. The Israel Police arrested 40 doctors, medical interns and pharmacists from the Arab sector early Sunday who are suspected of presenting false credentials to the Health Ministry. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The suspects allegedly presented diplomas from universities in Armenia, even though they did not complete the required studies there, in order to receive medical licenses in Israel. Early on Sunday morning, police raided the suspects' homes across the countryfrom the Bedouin town of Lakiya in southern Israel to the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the north. Diploma given to one of the suspects from an Armenian medical school (Photo: Israel Police) The police investigation was launched at the request of the Health Ministry after it received an anonymous complaint about the matter from a man who presented himself as a doctor. The investigation found that the suspects studied medicine in different institutions abroadincluding in Jordan and Italy, among othersbut failed to meet the requirements to receive a medical certification. Israeli medical license given to one of the suspects (Photo: Israel Police) They turned to a middlemanwho also did not meet the requirements to graduate med schoolwho sent them to several academic institutions in Armenia: St Theresa Medical University, Yerevan Haybusak University and Mkitar Gosh Armenian-Russian International University. The suspects studied at those institutions for a short period of time, following which they received their diplomas without finishing the required studies. The police said the suspects, who knew they had a false diploma, presented it to the Health Ministry to receive a medical license in Israel. Some were even able to pass the accreditation exams and get public positions as doctors or medical interns at hospitals or other public institutions. Leaflets advertising the Armenian med schools (Photo: Israel Police) Leaflets advertising the Armenian med schools (Photo: Israel Police) Police also seized leaflets in Arabic saying, "We happily announce to students having trouble completing their studies the option of transfer to a university in Armenia or Georgia without losing years. Career retraining from natural treatments and physiotherapy... to general medicine or dentistry." The ad also included contact details. Most of the suspects will be brought in front of a judge Sunday for a remand extension. Some 20 protesters blocked traffic on King George Street in Tel Aviv on Sunday morning, as part of a nationwide protest over violence against women. A nationwide strike in protest of the government's inaction on the issue of violence against women expected to take place on Tuesday has received support from most local authorities across the country, as well as many major companies and organizations. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Since the beginning of 2018, at least 23 women have been murderedthe highest number since 2011, according to the data collected by the Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO). The statistics also show that in the years 2017 and 2016, 16 women were murdered each year, while 13 were murdered each year in 2014 and in 2015. Female demonstrators protesting violence against women (Photo: Maor Maximov) A few weeks ago, a bill for the establishment of a parliamentary committee of inquiry was voted down in the Knesset by the coalition government. Two days later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the establishment of a ministerial committee under his chairmanship, meant to combat the phenomenon. Last week, demonstrations took place across the country organized by a coalition of women's rights groups under the title "Degel Adom (Red Flag)." The protest organizers also urged women to go on strike on Tuesday, December 4. Women's protest against violence (: ) X "This is a historic turning point. Tens of thousands of women from all parts of Israeli society are planning to strike on Tuesday to prove once and for all that 51 percent of the population is not a minority, a statement by the protest organizers said. On Tuesday, we will demand an immediate solution to violence against women. The government cannot continue to hesitate while women are being murdered." The protest organizers also called on the government to transfer the NIS 250 million it had promised to allocate to an emergency plan for the prevention of violence against women, which includes rehabilitation programs for victims of domestic abuse and wide-scale reforms in police treatment of domestic abuse cases. Female demonstrators protesting violence against women (Photo: Maor Maximov) The Tel Aviv municipality was among the first to join the strike, announcing Saturday evening that it will allow its female employees to strike without having their pay deducted. The move prompted other major Israeli municipalitiesincluding Jerusalem, Haifa, Beer Sheva, Ramat Gan, Modi'in, Rishon LeZion and many othersto follow suit, allowing their female employees to take a paid leave so they could take to the streets and protest. Satellite TV company Yes, pharmacy chain Super-Pharm, eBay Israel, supermarket chains Tiv Ta'am and Rami Levy, airline IsrAir, Dizengoff Center, Haaretz Group, the Israel Post and many other big and small businesses pledged their support to the strike as well. The Israel Police announced Sunday morning that there is sufficient evidence to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in Case 4000, which deals with suspected corruption tied to telecommunications giant Bezeq and the Walla! News website. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Prime Minister Netanyahu is suspected of taking bribes and acting in a conflict of interest by promoting regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Bezeq and its majority shareholder Shaul Elovitch, including Bezeq's merger with the satellite TV company Yes. In return, the prime minister allegedly demandedboth directly and indirectlyto receive favorable coverage on Walla! News, which is owned by Bezeq. Police have already recommended indicting Netanyahu on corruption charges in two other cases. One involves accepting gifts from billionaire friends, and the second revolves around alleged offers of advantageous legislation for a newspaper in return for positive coverage. Shaul Elovitch and Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: EPA, Yuval Chen) All three cases now await the decision of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who is the only one authorized to order the investigation or indictment of a sitting prime minister. The Bezeq case, known as Case 4000, is the most serious of all those of which Netanyahu has been accused. Two of his top confidants have turned state witnesses and are believed to have provided police with incriminating evidence. Netanyahu held the government's communications portfolio until last year and oversaw regulation in the field. Police say the investigation, which included the testimony of 60 witnesses, revealed that Netanyahu and Bezeq boss Shaul Elovitch engaged in a "bribe-based relationship." From 2012 to 2017 the prime minister and his associates "blatantly intervened" on a near-daily basis in the Walla! News site, using the connections with Elovitch and his wife Iris to influence appointments there and to promote flattering articles and pictures while quelling critical stories of the prime minister and his family, police said. Police also said the Elovitch couple influenced the content published on Walla! News in return for regulatory decisions made by Netanyahu, which benefitted Shaul Elovitch and the Bezeq company. The prime minister has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the accusations as a witch hunt orchestrated by the media. "The police recommendations regarding me and my wife don't surprise anyone. These recommendations were decided upon and leaked even before the investigation began," he charged. "The police recommendations have no legal status. Just recently, the authorized bodies completely rejected the police recommendations against a series of public officials. I am sure that also in this case the relevant authorities, after examining the matter, will reach the same conclusion that there was nothing because there is nothing." The police presented the following conclusions from the investigation: There is sufficient evidence to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for taking bribes, fraud and breach of trust, and fraudulently obtaining benefits under aggravating circumstances. for taking bribes, fraud and breach of trust, and fraudulently obtaining benefits under aggravating circumstances. There is sufficient evidence to indict Sara Netanyahu , the prime minister's wife, for taking bribes (along with Netanyahu), fraud and breach of trust (along with Netanyahu), and obstruction of justice. , the prime minister's wife, for taking bribes (along with Netanyahu), fraud and breach of trust (along with Netanyahu), and obstruction of justice. There is sufficient evidence to indict Shaul Elovitch for giving bribes, obstruction of justice, money laundering and reporting offenses in violation of the Securities Law. for giving bribes, obstruction of justice, money laundering and reporting offenses in violation of the Securities Law. There is sufficient evidence to indict Iris Elovitch for giving bribes, obstruction of justice and money laundering. for giving bribes, obstruction of justice and money laundering. Police also noted there is sufficient evidence to indict Amikam Shorer , the former chief strategy and corporate development Officer at Bezeq; Ze'ev Rubinstein , a businessman with close ties to the Netanyahu and Elovitch families who serves as the vice president of business development at the Israel Bonds; Stella Handler , the former CEO of Bezeq; and Or Elovitch , Shaul and Iris Elovitch's son and a board member at Bezeq. , the former chief strategy and corporate development Officer at Bezeq; , a businessman with close ties to the Netanyahu and Elovitch families who serves as the vice president of business development at the Israel Bonds; , the former CEO of Bezeq; and , Shaul and Iris Elovitch's son and a board member at Bezeq. Police also cleared several suspects, including media advisor Eli Kamir , attorney Eitan Tzafrir and the prime minister's son, Yair Netanyahu . The case began with an investigation of the Israel Securities Authority into Bezeq, which raised suspicions over the conduct and interference of the Communications Ministry director-general, Shlomo Filber, concerning different regulatory matters in which he allegedly gave special treatment to Bezeq and Shaul Elovitch. Filber allegedly hid this activity from professional and judicial officials in the Justice Ministry, the Communications Ministry and the Finance Ministry. The initial investigation findings were passed on to the State Attorney's Office's Taxation and Economics Department, which after examining the material recommended expanding the investigation and launching an investigation against the prime minister. The attorney general accepted the recommendation and ordered the opening of a joint investigation to the police and the Israel Securities Authority. During its investigation, the police signed state's witness agreements with two of the suspectsformer Communications Ministry director-general Shlomo Filber and former Netanyahu advisor Nir Hefetz. From February 2018 to November 2018, police questioned 13 suspects under caution and collected testimony from 60 different witnesses both in Israel and abroad. The police also gathered evidence in the form of recordings and documents. During the investigation, the police seized and confiscated assets and money from suspects amounting to NIS 118 million. Shaul Elovitch's attorney,Jacque Chen, said in response: "For a while now that the police with their leaks have been preparing us for this recommendation. This is yesterday's leftovers, and there is nothing new under the sun... Mr. Elovitch is insisting that he did not commit any offense." Iris Elovitch's lawyer, Michal Rozen-Ozer, noted that "Today's police recommendations are part of the tendentious nature of the investigation and arrest of Mrs. Elovitch to begin with. We hope the prosecution could break free of this tendentiousness and examine the evidence. We have no doubt such an examination would show Mrs. Elovitch committed no offense." Calls on Netanyahu to resign "The most serious bribery case yet leaves no room for doubt: a prime minister who is accused of the most serious offense for a public servant in the Israeli rule book cannot keep serving one minute longer," said Tamar Zandberg, head of the dovish opposition Meretz party. "The prime minister has no moral mandate to keep his seat and must resign today. Israel must go to elections." Other opposition figures, including opposition leader Tzipi Livni, quickly joined in the call for Netanyahu to resign. Netanyahu's colleagues in the ruling Likud party have lined up behind up, attacking outgoing Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh for releasing the recommendation on his last day on the job. The appointment of Alsheikh's potential successor is being held up after a government-appointed committee rejected his candidacy. The other coalition partners have previously deferred bolting, saying they would await a formal decision by Israel's attorney general to press charges. But the latest development further threatens the wobbly government, already weakened by the recent departure of Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and his party. Some analysts have said Netanyahu could call a snap vote in light of the legal proceedings against him. The next national election is not due until November 2019. But Netanyahu may want to seek a renewed mandate from the people, forcing a prosecutor to think twice before indicting him. Netanyahu has said he wants his coalition to keep going until the end of its term, but politicians close to him say that given the coalition's shaky razor-thin majority, an early election is likely. Channel 20 intends to air excerpts from an interview it conducted with prime minister Yitzhak Rabin's murderer Yigal Amir on Sunday evening, amid claims from the Israel Prison Service (IPS) that the inmate has not given any interviews recently. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Amir has been barred from giving interviews from prison. To bypass the IPS regulations, presenters Shimon Riklin and Yinon Magal will read out excerpts from the interview. Yigal Amir (Photo: Hagai Aharon) MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin sent a letter to the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council and to The Second Authority for Television & Radio on Saturday, urging them to intervene in order to stop the segment from airing. Channel 20, which began as a channel for heritage, "could cause grave harm to the general public under the guise of freedom of expression, the MK stressed, adding that the interview with the murderer seeks to erase history. On Thursday, the Channel 20 management declined a request for comment from Yedioth Ahronoth about the interview, promising only that the show "will be interesting." A statement from the IPS said Amir "denied the reports about an interview he gave and said he had no intention of giving an interview." A few weeks ago, the channel aired a pandering interview with the Jewish terrorist who burned a bilingual school in Jerusalem. After facing public backlash, the channel's management was forced to issue an apology. A deacde ago, Channel 2 and Channel 10 planned to air phone interviews with Amir, but the public outcry the followed the airing of promos featuring excerpts from the interviews led the two channels to scrap the full interview. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday during a Cabinet meeting that the government intends to invest an additional NIS 700 million in the development of the Gaza border communities. This decision follows my meeting with the heads of communities adjacent to the Gaza border, which the finance and interior ministers also attended. We have decided to continue the assistance plan that was enacted in recent years, he stressed. An ultra-Orthodox man was assaulted in the neighborhood of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York, as reported by various media outlets in the United States. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The violent attack was caught on security cameras, which show a man dressed in Hasidic garb standing in the street with another man and a child, being suddenly hit on the back of the head by a man who later fled the scene. The 32-year-old victim was lightly hurt and later evacuated to the hospital. CCTV footage of the attack According to the New York Police Department (NYPD) the incident happened on Friday, shortly after 18:30pm. NYPD said that the attacker shouted something unintelligible as he was committing the crime, and that his motive remains unclear. The local NBC channel affiliate reported that the case is not being investigated as a hate crime despite the religious attire of the victim. Ultra-Orthodox man attacked in Brooklyn X Last October, Lipa Schwartz, an American ultra-Orthodox Jew, was also attacked in Brooklyn while walking to the synagogue. The driver, who appeared Middle Eastern, got out and chased Schwartz until catching up with him and assaulting the victim. Schwartz tried to defend himself and was able to escape, but was pursued by his attacker. The NYPD was called to the scene and arrested the assailant , 37-year-old Afzal Farrukh from Staten Island, who was charged with assault, hate crime and harassment. Pinch of Salt: So much to be thankful for Most Israeli Jews observe Hanukkah traditions, with some 73% lighting the Hanukkah menorah all throughout the festival, according to a new survey conducted ahead of the holiday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The survey was conducted by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) as part of an Israeli-Jewish research project headed by the journalist Shmuel Rosner and Tel Aviv University Prof. Camille Fuchs. The survey of 3,000 participants found that one out of every four Israelis (27%) lights Hanukkah candles only during some nights of the holiday, while most Jews in the country (79%) can't resist sufganiyot. IDF soldiers meet with children near the Gaza border ahead of Hanukkah (Photo: Haim Horenstein) In addition, the JPPI poll found that 64% of Israeli Jews present their children with Hanukkah gifts (with most of them being of Haredi background), and 42% attend Hanukkah-related events. The survey also examined whether American Jews celebrate Hanukkah, with its results indicating that 68% of US Jewry consider the festival of lights as one of the three most important Jewish holidays (compared to only 38% of Israeli Jews). Nevertheless, the survey found that only 60% of American Jews follow the tradition of lighting the Hanukkah menorah. Meanwhile, the 202nd Paratroopers Brigade and their battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ran Friedman, met with children living in Israeli communities near the Gaza border in order to wish them a happy Hanukkah amid the ongoing tension in the south. The meeting was also attended by the security coordinator of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, Eyal Hajbi, and the children's counselor, Aviv Alperin. The High Court of Justice (HCJ) approved Sunday the complete demolition of the house of terrorist Islam Yusuf Hamid, who murdered Staff Sgt. Ronen Lubarsky from the elite Duvdevan Unit in Ramallah in April. The terrorist's four-story building was built on the ruins of another house of the Hamid family that he IDF had demolished in 1990, following a terror attack carried out by Islam's brother. The Hamid family was barred from rebuilding their house, but did so anyway. US President Donald Trump greeted Sunday the Jewish nation in the wake of Hanukkah commencing today. "Melania and I send our warmest greetings to our Jewish brothers and sisters in the United States, in Israel, and around the world celebrating Hanukkah," Trump said in an official statement. "Over the coming days, may the warming glow of each candle on the menorah help fill homes and hearts with love and happiness. Together, we reaffirm the truth that light will always break through the darkness. We send our very best wishes for a blessed and happy Hanukkah," he added. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - Between 10:00pm last night and today at 7:00am, an unknown person(s) painted racially derogatory remarks in spray paint on a custom mural located at the Del Sol Market at 280 S. 4th Avenue. The graffiti depicted several racially derogatory remarks and symbols representative of white supremacy groups. The estimated cost of the damage is $1,500.00. The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department Special Operations Group at (928) 373-4675 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous. Remember if your information leads to an arrest you may receive up to a $1,000 cash reward. 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. - An unidentified senior nurse at the Tamale Teaching Hospital has been arrested by the police - His accomplice, who is not a staff of the hospital was identified as Abdulai Abdul Somed - They allegedly defrauded clients with the promise of aiding them to see the medical doctors as quickly as possible Police officials have arrested a senior nurse at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) for fraud, YEN.com.gh can report. The nurse, whose identity is yet to be established, allegedly connived with another person, Abdulai Abdul Somed, to defraud clients. Items retrieved from the suspect include hospital cards, stethoscope, syringes and other materials which were kept in a handbag used as a bait to deceive clients of the facility and then demand money from them in order to facilitate their seeing a medical officer. Source: MyNewsGH.com Source: UGC READ ALSO: I have learnt my lesson - NAM1 regrets helping 'big men' in Ghana YEN.com.gh understands that his arrest follows surveillance by authorities of the facility following complaints by some persons over illegal charges and extortion. According to a report by MyNewsGH.com, the management of the TTH revealed that it has been alerted to media and radio commentary about some forms of extortion and illegal charging of clients in various departments of the hospital. In that respect, several warnings have been given to staff who extort monies from clients, with the final line of action being sanctions. READ ALSO: Afia Schwar drops wild bedroom photo and fans go 'gaga' Star Gist: Rosemond Brown a.k.a. Akuapem Poloo discloses how much she earns | #Yencomgh Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place. Source: Yen - A Member of Parliament (MP), Alban Bagbin, has suggested that all presidential and parliamentary candidates should get tested for HIV/AIDS - According to him, the move will help raise awareness and encourage Ghanaians to get tested - Testing for HIV/AIDS is however voluntary An aspiring flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alban Bagbin, has called for an HIV/AIDS test for all presidential and parliamentary candidates. According to him, this should be an integral requirement for selection into important offices such as the presidency and parliament. He added that the move will help raise awareness, and encourage people to get tested, so that the stigma associated with the disease is eradicated. Member of Parliament, Alban Bagbin Source: Supplied Source: UGC READ ALSO: Mahama's filing fees: Full list of 219 'powerful people' who have pledged to pay GHC1000 each Bagbin made these remarks as part of contributions to a statement to mark world AIDS Day in Parliament. we have to include it as part of the qualification of a Member of Parliament; that before you go to stand an election, you go for an HIV test, and so should it be for all presidential aspirants, Babgin suggested. YEN.com.gh understands that Bagbin is however yet to suggest the strategy to be adopted in order to achieve the objective, as testing is a voluntary exercise. The 2018 World AIDS Day is on the theme: Know Your Status as timely. A recent report released by the Ghana AIDS Commission indicated that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst the youth in 2017, particularly those below the age of 24, rose to about 45% nationwide. The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), has attributed the upsurge to unprotected sex as well as low knowledge of the youth about the infection. According to CDD-Ghana, the issue should be a source of great concern to all, considering that Ghanas youthful population (under 25) stands at about 57%. READ ALSO: Police arrest senior nurse at Tamale Teaching Hospital for fraud (Photo) Ghana News Today: Highlight of Performances at AFRIMA 2018| #Yencomgh Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place. Source: Yen News Written by: Diana West The syndicated column of mine reposted below first appeared in June 2014 -- exactly one year before Donald Trump overturned the collective political applecart and entered the race for the presidency. It's funny how memory and chronology so often fail to mesh without a refresher course in the record. I had mistakenly come to believe that the "save the liberal world order campaign" had coalesced in the wake of America-First-Trump. Here we see it being set forth as a plan for a new kind of "bi-partisan" Bush-Clintonoid unity on the "liberal world order" between the necons in the GOP and the Clintonites in the Democratic Party -- the very same people who would later on style themselves as "Never Trump" and "the Resistance." Trump didn't have the effect of creating this creepy alliance of new world order-ites; his fight for the White House blew up their best-laid plans. Here's the column, from June 20, 2014: Are the neocons going home? By "neocons," I refer to followers of the hawkish foreign policy school that began to coalesce in the 1970s around New York writers and academics who had rejected their Communist or Socialist lodestar to become vocal anti-Communists. A generation or so later, from Kosovo to Georgia, from Afghanistan to Iraq, from Libya to Syria, from Ukraine and now back to Iraq, they consistently advocate the use of American power, often American troops, to establish and enforce a "liberal world order." By "going home," I mean returning to the Democratic Party. The question took shape while I was reading a profile in The New York Times about neocon light Robert Kagan -- brother of Iraq "surge" architect Frederick Kagan, son of Yale professor Donald Kagan, and husband of State Department diplomat Victoria Nuland. The Times describes Robert Kagan as "the congenial and well-respected scion of one of America's first families of interventionism." If there is something jarring about the "first families of interventionism" moniker -- just think for a moment about the families of the soldiers who actually do the "intervening" -- it doesn't seem to be meant ironically. Kagan, in fact, says he prefers to call himself a "liberal interventionist," not a neocon. This may indeed be more appropriate for the Brookings Institution fellow and New Republic contributing editor that he is, but there's nothing "conservative," or even "neo," about it. So is this Times profile a "coming out" party? Maybe that accounts for the Times' distinctly warm and fuzzy coverage. Kagan "exudes a Cocoa-Puffs-pouring, stay-at-home-dad charm," the newspaper reported -- not exactly standard Times treatment for a foreign policy hawk ever-ready, it seems, to give war a chance. Or is it? I will pause here for a flash or two of full disclosure. Irving Kristol, was not only the "godfather of neoconservatism," he was my first boss at The Public Interest, where I was an assistant editor. That spot came my way on the strength of a year at the Yale Political Monthly, a student publication I edited after being vetted by the college publication's co-founder -- Robert Kagan. There are other connections, albeit all of them nearly as historical as the ancient Greek specialty of Bob's professor-father, who was, incidentally, Yale Political Monthly's faculty adviser. All of which is to say that long ago I started out in what were only then becoming known as "neoconservative" circles. But I didn't stay there. After 9/11, the more I learned about Islam, the less I supported the Bush-Obama nation-building counterinsurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan -- high-water marks of neoconservative influence on the direction of U.S. policy and war strategy. We haven't recovered yet. At its root, the conceptual strategy behind these wars was driven by the universalist and globalist impulse that denies differences among peoples, religions, tribes, nations, societies of all kinds, as an ideological fundamental to justify the measures required to impose order -- the "new world order" President George H.W. Bush talked about, and the "liberal world order" Kagan now discusses. It helps explain why President George W. Bush could plant empty ballot boxes in Islamic Iraq and expect the Bill of Rights and other fruits of Graeco-Roman-Judeo-Christian millennia to grow. I refer, of course, to the calamitous "democracy project" neoconservatives became particularly infamous for driving, which, since 9/11, has only made the world safe for sharia. But about neocons possibly "going home" to the Democratic Party. The Times reports: "Both Mr. Kagan and his brother are taking considerable pains to describe their advocacy as broadly bipartisan. 'The urgent priority is to unite internationalists on both sides of the spectrum,' said Fred Kagan, while his brother, Robert, mentioned his briefing of a bipartisan congressional delegation at Davos and his good relations with top White House officials, including the national security adviser, Susan E. Rice." Davos? Susan E. Rice? Why not Samantha Power and Valerie Jarrett while we're at it? Internationalists of the world, unite! These are odd selling points -- unless you're seeking Democrat brownie points. I suppose the Republican Party is no longer so hospitable to "interventionism," and about time. Would that the GOP rouse itself one last time to intervene in a real national security crisis -- on the broken U.S. border. The Times continues: "But Exhibit A for what Robert Kagan describes as his 'mainstream' view of American force is his relationship with former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who remains the vessel into which many interventionists are pouring their hopes." Do I hear an SOS? "Shipwrecked neocons seeking vessel to pour interventionist hopes into. Will deploy troops anywhere." The Times: "Mr. Kagan pointed out that he had recently attended a dinner of foreign-policy experts at which Mrs. Clinton was the guest of honor, and that he had served on her bipartisan group of foreign-policy heavy hitters at the State Department, where his wife worked as her spokeswoman. 'I feel comfortable with her on foreign policy,' Mr. Kagan said, adding that the next step after Mr. Obama's more realist approach 'could theoretically be whatever Hillary brings to the table' if elected president." Lost Whitewater files maybe? A Muslim Brotherhood Rolodex? The truth about Benghazi? Nah. "'If she pursues a policy which we think she will pursue,' he added, 'it's something that might have been called neocon, but clearly her supporters are not going to call it that; they are going to call it something else." How about calling it "liberal interventionism"? I can see it now: A new ship of state under Hillary Clinton sailing home, carrying a crew of neocons-turned-liberal-interventionists. And The New York Times will find it all Cocoa-Puffs charming. 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. 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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. The funding is for infrastructure and the preserve the terracotta roof and the campanile tower. Pittsfield Accepts $125K Grant to Help St. Mary's Project PITTSFIELD, Mass. The state released a $125,000 allocation to move the St. Mary's redevelopment project along. The City Council accepted the grant from the state on Tuesday and the money will fund upgraded infrastructure to the project and preserve the terracotta roofing and campanile tower. The $6 million project is being undertaken by CT Management and will transform the St. Mary the Morningstar property into 29 market-rate housing units. "We will go through our bidding process for the water line, which is required because of the fire-suppression system, and the preservation of the terracotta roof and campanile tower," Director of Community Development Deanna Ruffer said. Ruffer expects the specifications and request for proposals to be prepared in December and the bid and work to begin early in 2019. She said the water line is a fairly straightforward project and the city has already expanded capacity from the south side of Tyler Street to the north side, where the church and accompanying four buildings are located. "I expect we would have it out to bid after the first of the year," Ruffer said. The grant was part of the state's budget and was petitioned for by state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, who made that allocation her sole budget amendment request. The funding helps close a funding gap in the project for developer David Carver, who is attempting to renovate the vacant buildings at a price point at which rents will still be affordable to the market. Work has already begun on the campus. The project received a boost when Mill Town Capital partnered with Carver in the project. Mill Town matched Carver's equity in the project to help secure bank loans. The demolition and securing of the buildings, at least one of which has sat vacant for three decades, began in the fall. Carver hopes to have construction start in early 2019 and apartments available by that fall. The project will encompass the entire 2.6-acre campus. The church itself was nearly knocked down in 2014 when Cafua Management sought to purchase the land and build a Dunkin Donuts drive-thru. That triggered significant outrage among the community who didn't want to see the buildings razed. When Cafua Management backed out of that deal, Carver made an offer. He purchased the property from the Springfield Diocese last year. Ongoing coverage: Manchester United came from two goals down to earn a draw during their domestic league clash with Southampton at St Mary stadium today in the fixture corresponding to match day 14 in the current campaign. Pre match talk had focused on why their Manager, Jose Mourinho, would field Nemanja Matic at the heart of the defence ahead of fit again defender, Eric Baily and it didnt take long during the clash before the Reds Devils started falling apart in defence as the Saints raced into a two goals lead before the half of an hour mark. Although, the Red Devils battled back to earn a draw from the tie their fans seems unmoved as they have been on social media questioning the attitude and grit with which they play. What fans are saying: https://twitter.com/26scholes/status/1068950983043162118 Mourinho is a disgrace. Matic at CB over Bailly. McTominnay at DM over Fred, Pereira. Dropping Martial! @ManUtd now 16 pts behind City & a -1 goal difference. DISGRACEFUL. I want a manager who plays the best players not ones he favours over others GET OUT OF MY CLUB #MourinhoOut WOODWARD GLAZERS OUT #GlazersOut (@MOYESOUT4EVER) December 1, 2018 Players mourinho purchased at man United Matic useless Lukaku useless Lindelof Average Baily bench warmer Dalot Bench warmer Fred- Always on the bench Grant- Don't know why man utd bought him Mkhitaryan- below expection and was sold Pogba Average this season Safiyanu (@_Sufy2) December 1, 2018 Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state stunned social media on Saturday, after photos of him, rocking an Igbo attire emerged. The governor, who recently accused the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakars running mate, Peter Obi, of being a tribal bigot, appeared on Twitter, wearing the Igbo traditional wear with all smile. The governor, who has also been accused of being a religious bigot, for picking a fellow Muslim as his running mate for the states 2019 gubernatorial election, is the Special Guest of Honour at the 2018 Igbo Cultural Day, organised by the Igbo Community Welfare Association, Kaduna. Another photo Since the emergence of a video on social media, showing some strange looking armed men in the Northwestern state of Sokoto, Nigerians have been calling for a thorough investigation to avoid stories that touch. The fear that leaving it unattended to, by appropriate authorities, may just see the beginning of another terrorist group, while the country was still battling to expel Boko Haram, which has held the Northeast to ransom for many years now. Joining voice with many other Nigerians, Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central at the senate has also called for quick and serious probe of the situation. According to him, while speaking via social media on Saturday, the government must take seriously the investigation of the armed group that just showed up in Sokoto. He noted that the group must be nibbed in the bud, to avoid another form of armed bandits, which the region was already battling with. He wrote: The emergence of an Armed group in Sokoto state must be investigated throughly and taken seriously. They must be nipped in the bud to prevent the rise of another monster from the North West, where already bandits hold sway in parts of Zamfara and Kaduna state. The FG must act now. The Republicans were shocked when the final vote count in CA-21, dealt them a 7th lost seat. No one really expected TJ Cox to beat David Valadao. The final forecast from FiveThirtyEight gave Valadao a 79% chance at reelection. The last public poll showed Valadao beating Cox 50-39%. Instead, the anti-red wave did Valadao in. His massive loss in Kern county wasnt balanced out by wins in Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties and the latest total has Cox ahead by around 600 votes-- 50.3% to 49.7%. Two years ago Valadao beat Emilio Huerta-- son of the legendary Dolores Huerta-- 75,126 (56.7%) to 57,282 (43.3%). It was a presidential election and 132,408 people showed to vote. Last month just 112,911 voters turned out. In the last midterm Valadao had beaten Amanda Renteria 45,907 (57.8%) to 33,470 (42.2%) with 79,377 people voting. Valadao had nothing to worry about, although Hillary had beaten Trump there 55.2% to 39.7%. Valadao spent $2,415,159 to Coxs $2,245,310. The DCCC didnt engage, although Pelosis SuperPAC spent $276,734 on Coxs behalf. The NRCC spent $419,693. Yesterday, Elena Schneider, writing for, reportered that the Republicans were surprised by more than Valadaos loss. They expected Mimi Walters, Dana Rohrabacher and Steve Knight to all hang on. Katie Porter beat Walters 51.9-48.1%; Rohrabacher lost to Harley Rounder 53.5-46.5% and Katie Hill beat Knight 54.2-45.8%. All of them did better than Hillary had in the districts. We never had any indication, any poll, that wed see anything close to the margin we got, said Matt Rexroad, a Republican consultant who worked on Steve Knights race. It was one of several nasty midterm shocks for California Republicans: Internal polling described to Politico showed Knight and Reps. Dana Rohrabacher and Mimi Walters-- all of whom lost-- narrowly leading their Democratic opponents at the end of the campaign. Not only did the GOP get crushed in California, the party also got taken by surprise by the intensity of the backlash in the nations largest state, where Republicans projected confidence nearly all year before watching Democrats flip a whopping six House districts-- and possibly a seventh. 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. Republicans shock has only deepened weeks after Election Day, as absentee and provisional ballots boosted Democrat TJ Cox ahead of Rep. David Valadao, a moderate Central Valley Republican who had previously won at least 57 percent of the vote in good and bad years for the GOP, despite the fact that his partys presidential candidates regularly lose his district by double digits Valadaos struggles symbolize the depth of the Democratic wave, which could balloon to as big as a 40-seat House gain behind backlash to President Donald Trump. Republicans projected confidence in California earlier this year-- Walters told Fox News in June that Nancy Pelosi had overplayed her hand in the state, while National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Steve Stivers told the Los Angeles Times that Walters didnt want or need his committees help. But Democrats saw the opportunity from the beginning, even in Valadaos district. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee persuaded Cox to run against Valadao instead of campaigning in a district seen as more competitive-- part of a broader, successful effort to back winners in the states all-party primaries and avoid getting locked out of battleground districts by the top-two primary system. The DCCC followed up in the fall by pumping TV ad money into Coxs campaign while most outside groups left the district alone. Now, while Republicans agree theyve witnessed a wipeout-- Republican National Committeeman Shawn Steel called the California election results a nuclear political holocaust for Republicans-- they cant agree why. Evidence-free suggestions of fraud have multiplied, while other Republicans have focused on unprecedented Democratic campaign spending. Rohrabacher told the San Francisco Chronicle that he didnt lose this vote, my district was purchased, after Michael Bloombergs Independence USA PAC sank $4.4 million into his district, along with a smattering of other Democratic groups. Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with House GOP leadership, put in $4 million to shore up Rohrabacher, but he was already being vastly outspent. What we didnt anticipate was the money tidal wave, and its pretty clear to me that the billionaires run the Democratic Party, said Steel, who also wrote a Washington Examiner op-ed absolving Trump of responsibility for the losses. But Valadao outraised and outspent his opponent. The more powerful factor was the states rejection of Republicans writ large, largely driven by distaste for President Donald Trump. If you were running for dogcatcher in Orange County-- or in a lot of places in California-- and you had an R next to your name on the ballot, you lost, said Andrew Acosta, a Democratic consultant in the state. It was Trump. Trump created this. There wasnt much Republicans could do to stop it. It could be decades before state Republicans chances recover, some in the party say. This is the death of the Republican Party in California, said Mike Madrid, a Republican consultant in the state. Theres no coming back from this for at least a generation, if not more. Still other Republicans pointed fingers at the campaigns themselves, arguing that none of the congressional campaigns were any different than any other generic Republican, so that was the fundamental problem, said John Thomas, a GOP consultant based in California. Trump was underwater in all the other seats, except in Danas, so that was an easy argument for Democrats to make, vote out the generic Republicans. Rexroad, who worked on Knights campaign, said he's still grappling with what happened, weighing whether the results hinged on tactics or on atmospherics. "Honestly, I don't know what we could've done," he said. "I'm going to spend a lot of my time over the holidays thinking about it." Ditan Okupe, son of former presidential aide aide, Doyin Okupe, has come very hard on the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), its presidential campaign and candidate. Ditan, joined the President Muhammadu Buhari campaign organization, a little while back, even though his father is a strong member of the opposition partys campaign organization and supporter of Atiku Abubakar. In a post via Twitter on Saturday, Ditan, who is father said joined Buharis team just to spite him(Doyin), descended heaving on the opposition partys campaign. Although, he didnt mention the name of the party, but from all indications, one can pinpoint that he was referring to Atiku and PDP. He threw a serious jab at Atiku over his travel ban to the U.S, which he has hasnt set foot on, in 13 years. Ditan, also accused Atiku of being notorious for corruption, and added that Atikus party almost destroyed Nigeria Ditan also took a swipe at At Atikus running mate, whom he referred to as a complete liability. The statement however didnt end without a subtle sub at Dino Meleya, Atikus campaign spokesperson Who he said cant even sell himself to himself He wrote: He has an international travel ban on him He is notorious for corruption His party almost destroyed Nigeria His running mate is a complete liability The person that is supposed to sell him to us (his spokesman) cant even sell himself to himself A stillbirth of a campaign. https://twitter.com/ditanokupe/status/1068481829068578816?s=19 Vanguard Reliable Sources including security forces who were not authotized to talk to the press, Sunday morning confirmed the deadly attack and invasion of Military Base by fully armed members of Boko Haram sect on Saturday evening at Buni Gari town of Gujba Local Government area of Yobe state. The Nation No fewer than 19 children have been reportedly drowned in a boat mishap on Saturday in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara.The boat, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt, was conveying the victims across River Niger for a programme at a traditional wedding ceremony in a community in Niger.The boat, conveying about 22 people mostly children, capsized while crossing the river.A source said that while two of the passengers were rescued, the ThisDay Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Bashir Jamoh, has been elected President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA). Jamoh was elected last week during the institutes National Conference and Annual General Meeting held in Uyo The Sun Oyedokun allayed the fear being expressed over the ability of the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to defeat the APC in the Southwest. Olakunle Olafioye Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, has given an insight on how the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was able to wrest power. Daily Times The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Saturday described the late Dr. Fredrick Fasehun as a renowned pro-democracy andT Daily Trust The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it would kick off the 2019 presidential campaign tomorrow, in Sokoto state, North-western Nigeria. A statement on Sunday by the Director, Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the campaign would focus on issues as well as address the concerns, plights, fears and Leadership The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai says fake news not only poses threat to national security but makes the ongoing counter terrorism operation in the North East more difficult. In an interview with Newsmen in Maiduguri, Buratai urged Nigerians to be patriotic and wary of false information, as well as condemn those behind Tribune The controversy surrounding the alleged invasion of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State by suspected armed bandits who were said to be imposing levies on residents in the area may not end soon FPSC Federal Public Service Commission Jobs 2019 Latest Federal Public Service Commission FPSC Management Posts Islamabad 2021 Medical, health, mbbs and experienced personnel for the posts of Civilian Medical Practitioner, Assistant Private Secretary, Assistant Electronic Engineer, Research Officer, Inspector, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, Joint Census Commissioner required for Ministry of Defence, Pakistan Meteorological Department, Cabinet Secretariat, Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform, Statistics Division, Ministry of Finance, National Accountability Bureau NAB, Pakistan Navy, Ministry of Railways through FPSC Federal Public Service Commission 2019. 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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 Defence Housing Authority Karachi Jobs Open Latest Defence Housing Authority DHA Teaching Posts Karachi 2021 Pakistan Defence Housing Authority Karachi require the servie of qualified / experience / dynamic Faculity Male / Female for its prestigious Educaiton Institutions. How to Apply on Defence Housing Authority DHA 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 political differences between Burundi and Rwanda have started to derail the progress of the East African Community (EAC) whose leaders have a plan for political federation, the final stage of the integration of the six countries that the form one of Africas regional economic blocs. On Friday nationals of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania were shocked as their leaders-President Uhuru, Yoweri Museveni and Dr.John Magufuli came out of the summit hall in Arusha to announce that the 20th Ordinary Meeting of the Summit of the East African Community Heads of State has been postponed to a later date.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, said Kirunda Kivejinja, who is the Chairman of EAC Council of Ministers and Ugandas 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs. Stories Continues after ad President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and his Burundian counterpart Pierre Nkurunziza did not travel for the Summit in Arusha even though the former sent in a representative in the names of former EAC Secretary General Amb. Richard Sezibera who also is Rwandas Minister of Foreign Affairs. The failed Summit meeting was preceded by the 38th Meeting of the Council of Ministers which was also was not attended by the Republic of Burundi. South Sudanese president Salvar Kiir travel for the Summit but sent in a representative. 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. All the above important issues could not be acted on just because Burundi absconded. It appears time to reconsider the EAC treaty has come. Burundi and Rwanda are not the original members of the EAC. They were admitted upon request from the two governments respectively, having taken note of the benefits of the bloc. Same to South Sudan which was the latest to enter the bloc. Political analysts say the original EAC countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda must maintain the speed of the integration progress. They argue that the three shouldnt be pushed back by the bickering between neighbours Rwanda and Burundi who only joined in 2007. The EAC was originally formed in 1967. The action of Burundi, analysts say must be dealt with, by imposing punitive measures or worse still Burundi which has disrespected the EAC activities that ran almost for the whole of last week must be suspended for a while and the rest of the leaders push with programmes that benefit citizens. We cannot wait for Burundi which has a population of 10.86 million people as of 2017, compared to blocs estimates of 150 million people with GDP of US$75.5 billion. Burundi has a GDP of US$3.478 billion as of 2017. That means Burundi benefits more from the bloc than what the rest of members get from Burundi, an analyst said. Another analyst is of the view that Burundi wants the rest of EAC Partner States to reign on Rwanda which Burundian state considers as a security threat but Rwanda has always denied the allegations. Internally, the two countries are victims of tribal tensions mainly because they comprise of two major tribes-the Hutu and Tutsi. Accusations are that the Kigali regime is not in favour of Nkurusinza being President of Burundi. Burundi accuses Rwanda of recruiting Burundian refugees into the military as well as supporting rebels, an accusation that Rwanda denies. After an attack on June 19 in Nyabimata Sector in Rwandas Southern Province, Rwanda alleged that the attack was carried out by Burundian security agencies and proxies. Rwanda says Burundis actions which include a blockage of the movement of goods and passenger vehicles across the border which is a violation of the EAC Common Market Protocol. Burundi wants EAC, the African Union and the United Nations to help solve the impasse yet Rwanda says it is not ready for any dialogue based on mere allegations by Burundi. But that aside, the latest report indicates that Burundi is the biggest defaulter in terms of budget contributions to the EAC. Burundi and South Sudan owe the EAC more than US$12 million. This also illustrates Burundi is not so much into the EAC issues. This and other reasons should force the remaining partner states to move on without Burundi, after all the country has plans to join SADC. Pakistan Oilfields Ltd POL Medical Officer Job 2019 Latest Pakistan Oilfields Ltd Medical Posts Rawalpindi 2021 Female Nursing Staff having experience in hospital are required in Pakistan Oilfields Ltd POL A leading Oil 7 Gas Exploration and Production Company in Rawalpindi. How to Apply on Pakistan Oilfields Ltd Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. 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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. A law passed by Californians earlier this month will dictate how egg producers in other states raise their chickens if they want to sell their eggs in the Golden State. (scpr.org) Financial Services Commission Chairman Choi Jong-ku By Jhoo Dong-chan The financial authorities said they will issue internet banking licenses this month. The decision came after an expert group's report claiming the nation's banking industry lacks competition. According to a report released by the Financial Services Commission's (FSC) expert group, which is made up of 11 financial specialists, there are not enough competitions in Korea's banking sector. The expert group has studied the competitiveness of the nation's banking sector since September. It said the HerfindahlHirschman Index (HHI) of Korea's banking industry was between 1,233 and 1,357. The HHI is a commonly accepted measure of market concentration, ranging from close to zero to 10,000. The range of 1,233 to 1,357 indicates moderate concentration in competition. "There is a large gap between Korea's top six banks and the rest. The six banks also occupy similar market share," the report said. "The industry lacks competition under the industry structure." The nation's banks also received disappointing scores in customer satisfaction. Bank customers gave only 46.7 points out of 100 in the expert group's survey questioning whether banks compete against each other to improve customer service. The group recommended financial regulator needs to consider new players' entry into the market to boost competition in the nation's banking sector. "Small or internet-only banks' entry into the market will help boost competition in the sector rather than conventional banks," the group said. The FSC said it will issue a license for the nation's third or fourth internet-only bank this month. There are two internet-only banks that operate without brick-and-mortar branch networks K bank and Kakao Bank. The both banks launched last year. In September, the National Assembly also approved a presidential decree that would allow a nonbanking entity to own up to 34 percent of shares in banking firms that operate without physical branches. Before the decree, such an entity was allowed to own no more than 4 percent of common shares, or 10 percent of shares with or without voting rights. Lawmakers' move signals a green light for non-banking firms' entry into the nation's banking sector. Prior to the move, e-commerce firm Interpark and online-only brokerage Kiwoom Securities showed in their possible entry into the market. By Jhoo Dong-chan The government's move to slash card transaction fees to benefit small business owners is drawing complaints from some credit card holders. Card firms said they will reduce marketing costs to maintain profitability. A reduction in marketing costs means fewer credit card benefits such as interest-free installment payments and loyalty point services. "I do not understand why customers need to bear the burden of the reduced card transaction fees. It will greatly reduce my purchasing power," said a 36-year-old computer programmer surnamed Ahn who lives in Songpa-gu, Seoul. "I often use the credit card interest-free installment service. It has really helped me buy expensive things. It's so regrettable." There was also an outcry from credit card firms protesting the government's move, claiming the impact will greatly damage their profitability. The firms' unions have said they will stage an all-out strike against the government. "It has always been customers who are subject to burden the costs created by feuds between the government and big industry players," said a 35-year-old Seoulite surnamed Lee. "I believe the decision was politically motivated. The government faced strong opposition from small business owners when it rapidly raised the minimum wage earlier this year. Many went out of business because of the decision. Now, card firms need to pay the costs." Last week, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea announced cuts in credit card transaction fees. They claimed that this would save the self-employed and small businesses around 1 trillion won ($1.2 billion) in costs. The government and the ruling DPK added the nation's card industry is able to deal with a drop of 800 billion won in annual revenue from fees by cutting marketing costs and those arising from other activities. Under the cuts, scheduled to take effect in January 2019, small business owners with annual earnings of 500 million to 1 billion won will have their transaction fees reduced to 1.4 percent from 2.05 percent. Those that earn between 1 billion and 3 billion won will be charged 1.6 percent, down from 2.21 percent. "The decision could be a death sentence for small card firms," said a card firm official who demanded not to be named. "Big players can survive, but small firms will have no option but to restructure themselves. This will include massive layoffs. The government should look at things from a long-term perspective." This blog may be a labor of love for me, but it takes a lot of effort, time and money. For over 14 years and 30,000 articles I have been providing accurate, original news that would have remained unnoticed. I've written hundreds of scoops and sometimes my reporting ends up making a real difference. I appreciate any donations you can give to keep this blog going. Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon, center, holds a roundtable discussion on innovation with entrepreneurs in Seoul, Nov. 19. Courtesy of Ministry of Economy and Finance By Park Hyong-ki It's pretty much conclusive at this point to say Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon was right and Jang Ha-sung, the former policy chief for President Moon Jae-in, was wrong. Kim, who is about to be replaced by Hong Nam-ki, has maintained that the level of hikes in the minimum wage was too high and fast. He was right that without innovation and productivity, it would be hard to create jobs and increase incomes. Also, he said the country can no longer push back structural reforms in labor and the private sector. The OECD has suggested further sharp increases in the wage should be "avoided," given they will cost the economy, followed by Moody's Investors Service saying that the President's pro-labor policy has "exacerbated the uncertainty." At this point after a series of weak numbers in employment, investment and consumption, it is even "right" to say the President was also "wrong." The sooner the President, his advisers, policymakers and the public admit it had been the wrong move, the sooner this country can prevent any more slowdowns and downfalls as projected in the near future. After all, outlooks via statistical simulations are considered "guidelines" that reflect what has happened and tell a country what may happen in the future in 2019, 2020, 2021. So, there is still a chance for this country to turn the tide by admitting our faults and promising to carry out more reasonable and hopeful policies for a better future. Otherwise, Asia's fourth-largest economy will continue to drift away like author Lee Child's fictional character Jack Reacher. The only difference between the two is Reacher is a drifter who can tell what's right from wrong and act accordingly. Korea will end up being a drifter without knowing what's right or wrong if it stays the course of Moon's income growth strategy with no regard for the private sector. If so, there will be more uncertainties ahead. And Hong should realize this as he is about to face furious lawmakers at his confirmation hearing on Dec. 4. He is about to have a shot at making the wrong right as he leads the administration's second economic team, unlike his predecessors who were too busy arguing that each was right and the other was wrong. To be fair, Jang wasn't entirely wrong about his philosophy on income growth. One economist said it would have worked "perfectly" if the country was growing like it used to in the 1980s. For example, when Hyundai Motor increased its employees' annual income in a similar level to the country's growth in the 80s, they started buying cars and houses. Things were good then. But a lot has changed since then. The level of growth and the quality of life have certainly changed a lot in incomparable numbers. As Korea heads for uncertain future, the second team should consider the mistakes the administration has made and the odds ahead as Reacher does before he prepares to go into battle and says: "Hope for the best, plan for the worst." By Kwon Mee-yoo "Kim Ji-young Born in 1982," a novel describing the life of an ordinary Korean housewife on a career break, has sold 1 million copies as of Nov. 27, just over two years after its release in October 2016. This is the first Korean novel to have sold over 1 million copies in nearly a decade, following Kim Hoon's "The Song of the Sword" in 2007 and Shin Kyung-sook's "Please Look after Mom" in 2009. The success of "Kim Ji-young Born in 1982," authored by Cho Nam-ju, isn't surprising, looking at the global #MeToo movement and increased awareness of women's rights. "Kim Ji-young Born in 1982' by Cho Nam-ju A train carrying a team of South Korean officials who will inspect railway sections in the North with their North Korean counterparts travels through the demilitarized zone in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. / Korea Times photo by Shin Sang-soon By Kim Bo-eun Inter-Korean projects, which were put on hold for months after the summit between leaders of the South and North in September, are back on track. The long-stalled joint inspections of railway sections in the North began Friday, a key step in the project to connect railways of the South and North. The Koreas also went forward with their plan on forestry cooperation, with the South delivering 50 tons of pesticides to the North, and discussing the issue of modernizing tree nurseries there. The stalling was seen as being due to The U.S. disapproval of the Koreas moving forward with joint projects while no progress was being seen regarding North Korea's denuclearization. The government's stance was to advance inter-Korean relations to create a virtuous cycle involving the North's nuclear disarmament. Now that the South and North are moving forward with cooperation including the crucial railway project, hopes are growing that this will get Pyongyang to start moving on the denuclearization process. Inter-Korean projects President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed to connect the railroads of the South and North at their first summit in April. To enable this, the Koreas had sought to jointly inspect the North's railway lines since July, but the plan was put on hold. Meanwhile, the two leaders agreed at their summit in September to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the railway connection project within the year. This appeared impossible as the plan for North Korea's railway inspections continued to be pushed back, due to disapproval from the U.S. However, after a working group on North Korea comprised of South Korean and U.S. officials was launched last week and held its first meeting, Washington stated its support for the railway inspection project. The United Nations Security Council consequently granted exemptions for sanctions to enable the inspections. The 18-day inspection began last week, making it possible for the groundbreaking to be held this month. Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said the government would make preparations to enable the ceremony to take place as planned. Pyongyang wants economic cooperation with Seoul, and the railway project is seen as a symbolic venture that could strengthen ties. The Koreas also made progress on forestry cooperation, another of the agreements reached at the summit. The South provided the North with pesticides and discussed a plan to modernize tree nurseries in the North by the end of this month. Impact on denuclearization progress In the meantime, high-level talks between Pyongyang and Washington, which need to address the topic of denuclearization and corresponding sanction-easing measures that will be taken, have yet to be held. There has been little progress on North Korea's denuclearization since Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump affirmed this goal at their historic summit in June. Pyongyang continues to call for sanctions to be eased, but Washington's stance is that complete denuclearization needs to be achieved first. A high-level meeting led by U.S. Secretary Mike Pompeo had initially been set for Nov. 8, but was postponed by Pyongyang. The U.S. reportedly proposed holding the talks from Nov. 27 through 28, but North Korea did not respond. Washington also invited Pyongyang to working-level talks in Vienna, Austria after the inter-Korean summit in September, where Pyongyang pledged to take denuclearization steps. But working-level talks have yet to be held. Analysts believe advances in inter-Korean affairs could help this process move forward. "Basically, the aim of Pyongyang and Seoul, and Pyongyang and Washington is to establish a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula and achieve denuclearization," Yang Moo-jin, professor at the University of North Korean studies in Seoul, said. "In order to achieve this aim, the countries need to show their determination and create the circumstances in which this will become feasible. For South and North Korea this means cooperation," he said, positively evaluating the recent inter-Korean developments. The professor said these developments also bear significance because the steps taken are part of carrying out agreements reached at inter-Korean summits. "It will send a message to the U.S. that carrying out agreements matters," he said. If things go well, a high-level meeting may take place in early December, he said. Professor Park Won-gon of Handong Global University said "the second and third summits between Moon and Kim show inter-Korean efforts can lead to a breakthrough in an impasse between Pyongyang and Washington." Bart Vermeiren / Yonhap Politics should be kept separate from efforts for humanitarian aid, the head of the North Korean office of an international Red Cross organization has said, adding that any link between them could be "dangerous" as it could turn assistance into a "negotiation tool." Bart Vermeiren, head of mission of the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), made the remark in a recent interview in Seoul with Yonhap News Agency, amid growing calls for waiving sanctions for humanitarian projects. "I think that humanitarian aid should remain depoliticized. It should not actually be linked to politics because it becomes dangerous. Then humanitarian aid becomes a tool, a negotiation tool so that should not be the case," he said. Vermeiren was in Seoul on a four-day trip to meet Red Cross colleagues and policymakers to discuss cooperation. This marked his first official trip since he was sent to Pyongyang in July last year. His term as head of the ICRC's Pyongyang office is to end in December. His call for politics to be steered clear of humanitarian assistance comes as the United States and North Korea remain at odds over what should come first in ridding Pyongyang of its nuclear weapons program. Pyongyang wants Washington to ease or lift sanctions on it in exchange for what it sees as substantive denuclearization steps taken in recent months, which is apparently in line with Seoul's push to expand inter-Korean cooperation. Washington has been firm that sanctions should remain in place until North Korea completely gives up its nuclear weapons program, which has all but halted major cross-border exchanges. Recently, a group of about 60 North Korea aid organizations in South Korea sent a joint letter urging the U.N. Security Council to exempt humanitarian assistance projects from sanctions on the communist nation. Vermeiren said that it is urgent to get funds flowing into the North to help it tackle growing humanitarian problems that are being exacerbated by a lack of money from outside. "There are obviously huge humanitarian needs in the DPRK," he said. "We do not only talk about health, and very critical issues, like tuberculosis, but with health goes food, goes water, clean water and sanitation." "There is a need to fund humanitarian operations, including the ICRC and many others," he added. "Funding is an issue in the DPRK. I can only advocate for a funding in the humanitarian sector." DPRK is the acronym of the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Since the launch of its Pyongyang mission in 2002, the ICRC, known for its commitment to wartime humanitarian assistance, has been involved in various areas in which it provides help to people in North Korea. It currently has a total of 23 workers, including 17 North Korean Red Cross workers. The ICRC's activities in North Korea run the gamut from support for health, urban water supply, sanitation to physical rehabilitation for disabled people. One of its top priorities is to safely remove unexploded bombs dropped across the North during the 1950-53 Korean War. He said that it is not an issue confined to inter-Korean borders strewn with untold landmines but a "nationwide" problem. "There had been a lot of bombings and air-drop bombs. Many of the old weapons are still existing in the DPRK," he said. "We call it weapon contamination. It can take centuries to clear up all these unexploded devices and ordnance ... In Europe, they are still dealing with this World War II contamination every day." Vermeiren cited what he called "unverified" information he received from North Korean authorities that about 16,000 casualties have been caused in some 5,000 incidents related to unexploded bombs since the end of the Korean War. This means that about 150 people are victimized by unexploded bombs every year. "Regardless of the number, yes, the problem is there. It is, of course, nationwide. It is not only the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). And we intend to believe that every week people get injured or killed because of these bombs," he said. He emphasized that the ICRC is working to provide necessary techniques for the North Koreans to defuse any unexploded bombs when they are found, while training medical people to treat people injuries caused by explosions. No less important is to raise awareness among people about the danger hidden beneath the surface. In a related preventive move, his Pyongyang office will soon distribute posters it created to about 4,500 schools across the country to raise awareness of the danger among young students, the most vulnerable people, he said. To meet growing humanitarian needs in North Korea, he added that the ICRC will increase its budget for the Pyongyang office in 2019 by 61 percent on-year to about US$6.6 million. He declined to talk about denuclearization talks and other diplomatic issues involving the reclusive state, saying that the ICRC is a neutral humanitarian assistance organization. Looking back on his days in Pyongyang, Vermeiren said that the atmosphere in the North's capital has changed significantly from tensions and worries over a possible war to peace mood. He now feels "relaxed" when he is in Pyongyang, a far cry from constant thinking about contingency plans until late last year. "I think in general, the atmosphere was defused. Yes, you can feel it." he said. "I think the whole atmosphere has been much more relaxed. You can feel that also in Pyongyang but I guess also in Seoul." Vermeiren will be replaced by Thierry Ribaux, deputy head of mission in Amman, Jordan in December, the ICRC said. (Yonhap) The North Korean soldier who defected to the South across the heavily armed border on Saturday is in his late teens or early 20s. Yonhap The North Korean soldier, who defected to the South across the heavily armed border on Saturday, is in his late teens or early 20s, a government source said. The soldier crossed the eastern land border into the South on Saturday morning. The crossing took place near a South Korean guard post in Goseong of Gangwon Province, northeast of Seoul, the source said. Further details about the soldier were not available. Under a military deal signed during September's inter-Korean summit, the two Koreas agreed to dismantle 11 border guard posts each to reduce tensions, but they later agreed to keep one of them each. The Goseong guard post is the one that the South decided to keep. Saturday's defection marked the first time a North Korean soldier defected across the land border since another soldier crossed the central western border on Dec. 21 last year. (Yonhap) Members of a mountaineering club, clad in Santa Claus outfits, pose on top of Mount Bukhan in Seoul, Sunday, to celebrate the launch of the Salvation Army's Kettle campaign. The charity event will run near the mountain every Saturday and Sunday in December. / Yonhap Photos of Lee Hyung-ja as a baby / Courtesy of Lee Hyung-Ja By Jung Min-ho One of the first photos Lee's adopting parents took after she arrived at Stockholm's Arlanda Airport in early 1974. 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 Korean President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook wave to the crowd before boarding the plane bound for New Zealand at an international airport in Buenos Aires, Saturday (local time). Yonhap South Korean President Moon Jae-in headed to New Zealand on Saturday, ending his three-day trip to Argentina for the annual Group of 20 summit, which also provided the venue for a possibly crucial meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. At the annual meeting of the leaders of the world's 20 largest economies, the South Korean president sought to promote free trade and joint efforts to tackle global issues, such as climate change and slowing economic growth. However, the highlight of his visit came Friday when he and Trump held their sixth bilateral summit since both leaders took office last year. Moon emphasized the need for both countries to continue engaging in dialogue with North Korea as a way of accelerating their joint efforts to rid the communist state of its nuclear weapons, apparently expressing his intention to invite North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to South Korea before the year's end as earlier agreed with Kim. Trump seemed to have offered his blessing for what would be a fourth Moon-Kim summit when he and Moon noted Kim's visit to Seoul may create fresh momentum for their denuclearization efforts, according to Moon's chief press secretary, Yoon Young-chan. The U.S. president also reaffirmed his commitment to meet Kim early next year. Trump met Kim in June in what marked the first-ever U.S.-North Korea summit. Moon's departure also followed a series of bilateral meetings with other global leaders, including Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. He also held the first South Korea-Argentina summit in 14 years with President Mauricio Macri earlier in the day. The South Korean president will arrive in Auckland on Sunday for a three-day state visit that will include a meeting with Governor-General Patsy Reddy. He will hold a summit with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern before heading home Tuesday. (Yonhap) Orion Delaj from Albania arrived in Korea in 2017 to escape murder threats for something other members of his family had done. Swearing not to go back, he was determined to settle in Seoul as a refugee. But having had no response from the Korean government, he sees his hope for a new life gradually disappearing. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk By Ko Dong-hwan Orion Delaj's life in Seoul is simple. He goes to a one-hour Korean language lesson at Yeonam Global Village Center in the trendy Hongik University campus area in Mapo-gu every Monday and Wednesday. After that, the 26-year-old Albanian's days pass by quietly. He lives in a tiny one-room apartment called a "gosiwon," a housing style notorious for a room that barely holds a single bed and a desk, in the western Seoul district. Before this, he lived in another gosiwon in Gangnam-gu for six months. "I cannot do anything these days, spending days on my own, wandering around, trying to meet good people," said Delaj, who came to Korea and applied for refugee status in November 2017, but has not received any call or mail from the government since. "But sadly most people I have met were bad with fake promises and schemes, asking me for money so they could help me with a visa. I didn't give money to anyone." The temporary G-1 visa holder, who must revalidate it every three months, describes his life in Korea as a "nightmare." He wakes in the morning and does not know what to do, constantly asking himself what he is going to do, what will happen to him. "I knew my life in Korea would not be easy," said Delaj, whose parents send him money sometimes and want him to leave Korea. "But the problem is that this (way of life) is not human." He does not know what he would do if he goes back to Albania. "What do I do there? It has no future for me. There is nothing else. Not only Albania, but all over Europe." A gosiwon room fits little more than a single-size bed, a desk and a closet. Korea Times file Delaj fears going back to the Europe because of murder threats from the Albanian mafia. He himself did nothing for the mob to hold a grudge against him. But he bears a scarlet letter the price for a dispute between his family and another family more than a decade ago. The grudge has continued down through the generations. The blood feud, which has trapped members of Delaj's family and the other family, will last until both parties bury the hatchet. Until then, surviving male members, excluding women and children, are reluctant to leave their homes for fear of being assassinated. The mafia murdered his uncle, Elidon Delaj, in Barcelona, Spain, in September 2006. Spanish police claimed the case was linked to rivalry for illegal trafficking on the Iberian Peninsula, leading to the "mafia execution," according to an Albanian news article dated to June 2008. In September 2012, Orion's cousin, Amarildo Delaj, was shot dead in front of his bar in Vlora, Albania. He was riddled with more than 10 bullets, according to local news reports. Delaj claims his uncle and cousin were victims of "the Kanun" an Albanian book of laws dating from the 15th century that codified the right to take a life to salvage honor from an earlier wrong. From 1945 to 1991, the country's communist dictatorship suppressed the Kanun and its code of honor, punishing participants in any blood feud. But the 1997 economic crisis led to widespread social disorder, and the old life-taking practice resurfaced. To curb Kanun's practice, the Albanian government reformed state institutions and courts and police arrested blood feud participants. But these national efforts have not stretched far enough to rescue Orion from his family tragedy. Delaj has been waiting for a call from the Korean immigration office for more than a year, by which time the authorities are supposed to have responded, as stated in the Korean Refugee Act. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk "I came to Korea to get away from this," said Delaj, whose parents and two sisters are in Italy. "It doesn't matter how many years have passed or who you are or where you are. These people will find you. This is the saddest reality of my country." Delaj said the Albanian government knows who the murderers are and what they do, but the mafia has corrupted the administration and judges. Albanians can travel freely in Europe, which means the mafia can follow a target anywhere there. He chose Korea at the last minute, hoping it would be the farthest country he could fly to. "I could have sought asylum in Germany, Norway, Sweden or Finland," he said. "Their famous social welfare gives us assistance and support. They even offer you school if you want to study. But I didn't go there. I came here because I felt safer." After landing in Korea, Delaj struggled to integrate into local communities. He knocked on the doors of humanitarian agencies and schools and got a part-time job at an Italian restaurant in Seoul. But all the places he visited for help offered no more than the basic daily necessities or hard labor jobs. Delaj was not desperate for money. He wanted a dignified means of livelihood. The first step was for the Korean government to grant him refugee status. But since Nov. 7 last year, when he applied for asylum at the Seoul Immigration Office in Yangcheon-gu District, he has heard nothing this is way past the authority's due reply period of six months and, if necessary, an additional six months as stated in the Korean Refugee Act. Inside the Seoul Immigration Office in Yangcheon-gu District. Korea Times file "If more than one year has passed since he applied for refugee status, then it appears the government evaluation must have been delayed for unavoidable reasons," a Ministry of Justice official told The Korea Times. The national refugee law does not strictly impose the maximum "reply due" period, according to the ministry. Rather, it defines the timeline as a "directory provision." "It is a necessary guideline considering it takes a long time to evaluate factual statements in detail and particular backgrounds before granting asylum," the ministry official said. The ministry said there had been a sharp increase in asylum seekers recently. As of late October, the government has registered 18,879 cases waiting for evaluation, with each taking an average of 10.3 months for just the first-round screening to be completed. Shortly after he applied, Delaj visited the Seoul immigration authority again to ask what was happening with his application and to inquire about possible means of social integration. He claims a male officer there gave him the cold shoulder. "He told me I need a Korean ID card to stay in Korea and, to obtain one, I need a house contract," Delaj said. "When I told him I had no money to pay a deposit as down payment for such a contract, he told me rudely that it was not his problem." Caleb Jeong, a Christian pastor who regularly visits the office to see if there are any "lost souls" he can help, heard the noisy argument between Delaj and the officer. The pastor offered Delaj a place at his church/shelter in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. He told Delaj there were other refugees at his church and that he helped them with visa processing, the Korean language and in other areas. "I don't usually trust people, but I thought he could give me directions so I went along with him," said Delaj. In Pyeongtaek, Delaj accepted a job offer from Jeong, without knowing the line of work. He had told the pastor he didn't come to Korea to earn money but decided to experience the new venture. When he got there after an hour-long ride, he found it was a yellow pickled radish factory. All the laborers were foreigners from Southeast Asian or Arabic countries. He said he almost vomited from the odor and barely lasted the day. He didn't work there again. Delaj suspected the pastor was earning a commission from sending refugees to the factory. In a joint consulting outreach project by the United Nations Refugee Agency in Korea and the National Human Rights Commission of Korea held in May 2010, human rights organization staff give consultations to refugees from Bangladesh at Yangchon District Office in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province. Courtesy of UNHCR Korea Jeong told The Korea Times the scouting had never been about money and that he only wanted to help foreigners who needed a job. He said some of the factory workers got their jobs through him. "I help people like Delaj to fulfill my mission as a missionary," Jeong said. "I have been delivering God's words to foreigners from non-Christian backgrounds for over 10 years." Because the G-1 identification card he applied for at Suwon-Pyeongtaek Immigration Office in November 2017 was issued the following month, Delaj waited until December that year to move out from Jeong's church. He then went to the Gangnam gosiwon. He said he "survived" there for six months. Shortly after moving to Seoul, Delaj visited the United Nations Refugee Agency's office in Jung-gu District to seek any means of social involvement. For him, it was a priority ahead of money or other material assistance. But a male official there would not provide the information he desperately wanted. He claimed the official told him, "We are officially an office, but we don't help refugees with any assistance." Having seen street UNHCR fundraisers touting passers-by to join various campaigns to help refugees, Delaj was confused at this response. "In Korea it's not like what you expected," the official told him, according to Delaj, and suggested that he get help from local NGOs. He gave contact numbers for Pnan in Dongjak-gu District and Nancen, or the Center for Refugee Rights in South Korea, in Guro-gu, both refugee help centers in Seoul. Delaj visited both offices but was disappointed to find they did not have the resources he was seeking, although they could offer clothes, shelter and money. They told him that social integration was up to him. Pnan told him it could find him a job in a factory or a farm after about six months places he did not want to work because he would feel "enslaved." A man consults a staff member from the joint consulting outreach project for refugees held in April 2011 by the UNHCR Korea and the National Human Rights Commission of Korea at Seongdong-gu District Office in Seoul. Korea Times file Asked about Delaj, the UNHCR refused to comment on any individual cases. Nancen explained that it only provided emergency funds to cash-strapped refugees and shared information or work with government immigration offices or humanitarian agencies such as Save the Children and Korean Red Cross. Pnan, helping mainly refugee applicants, said it provided about 40 foreigners, including Yemenis on Jeju Island, with temporary shelter with a maximum stay period of one month. The agency said it also helped visitors with basic livelihood, medication, education, children, employment and chances for social contribution. "We are short-staffed so can't welcome so many visitors properly," Pnan executive director Lee Ho-taeg told The Korea Times. A female Pnan staff member who met Delaj sent him an email apology following his visit, saying that she "didn't mean to ignore him" but she had been busy. She said her team called many restaurants, car-wash companies and factories, but they wanted people who could work 12-hour shifts and speak fluent Korean. "It's really not easy to find only a 5-8 hour job for a G -1 visa holder," said the staff member in the email. On his first visit to Pnan, Delaj met a man from Angola who was sobbing and asking the agency for help. Delaj, who claims he speaks seven European languages including Portuguese, Spanish and French, helped the man with translation for the agency. Delaj worked three hours the first day and four hours the next day for which he was paid 8,000 won (little over $7) an hour. "I helped him because of personal reasons, but mostly because I wanted Pnan to help me in return," Delaj said. After the translation job, Delaj again asked the agency if it could help him, but it again offered the same factory work. In this street demonstration backed by Amnesty International's Korean office and Nancen at Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul, in September 2018, members of the Egyptian Unions in South Korea urge the government to improve human rights for refugees and to ease the evaluation process for asylum seekers. The protesters hold banners that read "We object to refugee-phobia," "We welcome refugees" and "Let's support refugees." Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk "I specifically asked an agency staff member why refugees always have to work at factories," said Delaj. "I told them refugees are all people, not slaves." When he sought a free Korean language course at Konkuk University in Seoul, he was offered a construction job. To him, this was not much different than a factory job. After he got a government work permit, Delaj worked for three months at an Italian restaurant in Gangnam near his gosiwon. There, he formed a rare relationship with a Korean that was not based on hatred, lies or anti-refugee bigotry but real friendship. "The only person who was kind to me was the head chef," said Delaj. "He didn't care what country I was from or if I was a refugee. He was always making efforts (to form a good relationship with me)." By the end of three months, he argued with two Korean managers there who did not like him. He said they asked why he came to Korea, why he sought refugee status and what he wanted here. Already hoodwinked by the restaurant owner, who had promised to raise his salary after three months, he quit. "The head chef wanted me to stay, but I told him there would be no solutions," Delaj said. "He seemed to feel partly guilty for what happened. He almost cried." The owner, on the other hand, did not do anything even after he quit. Delaj says he cannot stay in his present situation, which was why he spoke to The Korea Times. "I think one year is already enough to wait and have some answers from the government," he said. "They didn't even give me the chance to explain why I came here." Bill Pugliano/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Renowned civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson delivered a powerful eulogy on Saturday at the funeral of a 21-year-old black man who was shot to death by police inside an Alabama shopping mall on Thanksgiving night. "Today, you find yourselves in the midst of a storm," Jackson told the crowd of mourners at the Boutwell Memorial Auditorium in Birmingham. "We must turn this tragedy into triumph in some kind of way." Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr., known as EJ, was shot and killed by police at Riverchase Galleria mall in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover on the evening of Nov. 22, following a physical altercation between multiple people. Bradford's family has called his death "unjust," claiming their son was just trying to help calm the chaos. The incident began when another man, who police first suspected to be Bradford, pulled out a gun and shot and wounded an 18-year-old man. A 12-year-old girl, an innocent bystander, was also hit. Police later determined that Bradford, who was armed, did not fire his weapon in that altercation and that the suspect was still at large. The Bradford family's attorney, Benjamin Crump, said that Bradford was carrying a handgun but was licensed to do so. On Thursday, authorities apprehended 20-year-old Erron Martez Dequan Brown in connection with the Nov. 22 shooting. He will be extradited from Georgia to Alabama to face charges, authorities said. During the funeral Saturday, Jackson described the shooting as the "violent death of another innocent son wrapped in black skin," saying that Bradford joins a long list of "victims in this sickness of uncontrolled violence." The reverend named Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager who was fatally shot by a neighborhood watchman in Florida in 2012, among those victims. "His blood will not have been shed in vain," Jackson said. "The officer who took Emantic's life must face justice." Jackson called for transparency, demanding authorities release any video evidence of the Nov. 22 shooting. The crowd joined him in repeating the words, "Show the tapes now!" Mike McClure Jr., senior pastor of Rock City Church in Birmingham, who describes himself as the Bradford familys pastor, led the homegoing service. At one point, he called for all the youth in the room to come up and place their hands on Bradford's casket and turn their lives over to God. "This ain't right," McClure said repeatedly, while pointing at the casket. "Somebody's son is on this altar." Bradford's mother, April Pipkins, was overcome with grief at the start of the service upon seeing her beloved son laying in the white casket. She was led out of the auditorium and later returned. Crump, the civil rights attorney who is representing the family, was seen at her side. Several friends of Bradford's took turns coming up to the stage to speak about the kind of man he was, "a wonderful person" and "always somebody you can call on." Bradford's father, Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Sr., spoke at length about his son, recalling the memories they shared from the moment he was born. "The years I had with him were 21 good years," Bradford Sr. said. "To this day, he always going to be my hero." He became visibly emotional as he talked about the time his son took care of him when he was sick with cancer. "In the back of my mind, I see him," Bradford Sr. said. "I hear him, 'Everything going to be all right, Daddy.'" Looking out from the stage at the packed auditorium, he said he never knew his son had "touched so many lives." "He's not gone," Bradford Sr. said. "In spirit, we're going to be together forever." Bradford was scheduled to be buried after the service Saturday in Valhalla Cemetery in Birmingham, according to an online obituary. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. By Lee Min-hyung Surion A Korean-made Surion will be used as the official helicopter of the nation's defense minister, instead of the UH-60 Black Hawk developed by Sikorsky of the United States, a military official said Sunday. The area within the four main gates represents 1.2 percent of the city's roads, but accounts for 4.1 percent of accidents and 3.7 percent of fatalities. / Courtesy Seoul Metropolitan Government By Kim Hyun-bin The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) plans to reduce the speed limit to 50 kilometers per hour (kmph) in the area surrounded by the four main gates of the capital next year. The speed limit is now 60 kmph, but this will be lowered to 50 on side roads and to 30 on non-main roads. The government will also upgrade traffic safety facilities by introducing LED signs and renewing road markings by March 2019. Police will give a three-month grace period after the new speed limit is introduced and plan to crack down on offenders from the second half of next year. The changes are part of a joint project by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the National Police Agency, designed to prevent pedestrian injuries. Since 2016, the city government and the National Police Agency have implemented the project in less congested areas around the city, lowering the speed limit in Jongno from 60 kmh to 50 kmh. The Seoul city government expects a decline in pedestrian injuries once the project is fully expanded to all parts of the capital. Nearly 200 pedestrians are killed in the city each year half of the total traffic accident fatalities. The area within the four main gates represents 1.2 percent of the city's roads, but accounts for 4.1 percent of accidents and 3.7 percent of fatalities. Of the fatal accidents, 69 percent are pedestrians, much higher than the national average of 57 percent. When the speed limit is 60 kmh, the possibility of a pedestrian being seriously injured in an accident is 92.6 percent. US first lady Melania Trump, center, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, right, and President Moon Jae-in's wife Kim Jung-sook are seen at the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires MALBA, during the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires, Dec. 2. (KST). Reuters-Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul BUENOS AIRES -- President Moon Jae-in will seek to push stalled denuclearization talks between North Korean and the United States forward after agreeing with President Donald Trump to closely coordinate the next steps, a presidential aide said Sunday (KST). Moon had summits with Trump, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the G20 meeting with North Korea as the main topic, the aide said. "Moon emphasized reviving the stalled momentum in the denuclearization talks, and this is what he will do in the coming weeks," the aide said. Moon and Trump agreed to maintain economic sanctions on North Korea until Pyongyang completely and verifiably abandons its nuclear programs. After the meeting, the White House said the two leaders "reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the final, verified denuclearization (FFVD)" of North Korea. The White House added that the two agreed on the importance of "maintaining vigorous enforcement of existing sanctions to ensure (North Korea) understands that denuclearization is the only path to economic prosperity and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula." Trump told Moon he was still hoping to hold a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un early next year though he didn't mention any possible locations. At a separate meeting with Prime Minister Rutte, Moon asked his Dutch counterpart to support the ongoing peace process. The Netherlands is a chair of the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) committee monitoring economic sanctions on North Korea. The aide said South Korea plans to push its plan for Kim Jong-un to visit Seoul because Trump remained calm and didn't oppose "that idea." The earlier expectation was that Kim's visit to Seoul would be delayed due to slow progress in the denuclearization talks. Separately, Moon and Argentine President Mauricio Macri agreed to expand their countries' economic and trade relations, early Sunday (KST), while pledging joint efforts to accelerate negotiations between South Korea and the South American trade bloc Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela known as MERCOSUR. "Argentina is a country which is abundant with lithium. I want more South Korean companies to join lithium-related business projects as lithium is the core raw material being widely used in next-generation businesses," Moon told Macri at their summit in the Argentine capital. Macri asked Moon to open up a direct flight route between Seoul and Buenos Aires and to import Argentine beef and fruit. Presidential secretary Yoon Young-chan said the Moon-Macri summit also covered joint efforts for a breakthrough in the denuclearization talks. President Moon Jae-in, left, is welcomed by Argentina's President Mauricio Macri at Costa Salguero in Buenos Aires during the G20 Leaders' Summit, Dec. 1. AFP-Yonhap Moon arrives in NZ for a three-day state visit By Kim Yoo-chul BUENOS AIRES -- President Moon Jae-in called for multilateral dialogue to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO) and tackle protectionism at a special session of the G20 meeting, Saturday. "While the global economy is showing signs of improvement, the principle of free trade is increasingly being threatened by escalating trade tensions and growing protectionism. Now is the time to step up dialogue to establish rules-based trade and reform the WTO," Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon quoted Moon as saying. Moon attended the special session to discuss pending issues with the G20 leaders behind closed doors. He earlier said this year's G20 summit was an opportunity to build a positive trade agenda and to de-escalate trade tensions between advanced economies. A fair multilateral trading system is essential in order to ensure sustained growth in global trade and create new market access and opportunities for export-driven economies, Moon said. "Multilateralism is also the power to create lasting peace by resolving various types of international conflicts. Moon told the leaders that the Korean Peninsula is at a major crossroads in terms of bringing about permanent peace between the two Koreas," the outgoing Kim said. World leaders gather for a group photo at the start of the G20 Leaders'Summit at the Costa Salguero Center in Buenos Aires, Dec. 1. Bottom row from left are Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. President Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Argentina's President Mauricio Macri and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Members of the middle and top row include European Council's President Donald Tusk, the Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. AP-Yonhap By Lee Min-hyung A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea, Saturday, the first such incident since the two Koreas finished demolishing 10 guard posts on each side of the border line with inter-Korean reconciliation moves. There was no exchange of fire as the defector crossed the military demarcation line (MDL) at around 8 a.m. Saturday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "The defector was seen crossing to the southern side of the MDL at 7:56 a.m. via our surveillance equipment, and the North's military showed no signs of unusual movement near the area," a military official said. Another government source said Sunday the defector was believed to be in his late teens or early 20s. "He defected to the South by crossing near eastern border town of Goseong, Gangwon Province," said the source, who declined to be named. The defector was able to cross the area because North Korea had demolished a nearby guard post, according to the source. The defection came as Seoul and Pyongyang are moving to reconcile by disarming border areas following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's pledge earlier this year to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. President Moon Jae-in and Kim have since held three inter-Korean summits. They signed a comprehensive military agreement in September during their third meeting, and reached a consensus to ease tension near the inter-Korean border, a step toward building lasting peace on the peninsula. After completing the demolition of the guard posts, both sides will carry out joint inspections to ensure they have been completely destroyed. Demolition is expected to be finished by the end of this year. As of the end of last month, the two Koreas also finished mine clearing on Arrow Hill, an upland area in Gangwon Province, paving the way for them to build an inter-Korean road over the area before starting joint excavation of the remains of soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War. For the smooth progress of inter-Korean reconciliation, the North Korean leader also pledged to visit Seoul no later than the end of this year during a three-day inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang. At that time, President Moon said he asked Kim to visit Seoul this year and that Kim had accepted the invitation. North Korea has yet to give any detailed timelines for Kim's possible trip to Seoul. But a fourth inter-Korean summit looks unlikely to take place this year because no concrete schedule has been unveiled. The government said it was open to the possibility of another inter-Korean summit in Seoul this year. The Ministry of Unification said Friday that nothing had been decided and that it remained open to all possibilities, preparing for various possible scenarios in the case Kim confirms his visit to Seoul. Workers stage a protest against the government's labor policy in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, Saturday. / Yonhap By Kim Jae-heun About 15,000 workers protested outside the National Assembly, Saturday, against the government's labor policy, which they claim is too friendly to chaebol, or the country's leading conglomerates. The protest was participated in by members of 50 associations from across the nation, including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the Korea Democratic Street Vendors Confederation (KDSVC) and the National Alliance of Squatters and Evictees. This was the first mass meeting of a varied group of associations since November 2015 when people held candlelit rallies to protest then-President Park Geun-hye's political corruption. They urged the government to halt the implementation of a flexible work hour system and retract its street vendor management policy. "The National Assembly that once voted for impeachment is now trying to turn the clock back to the time before we protested because of the corruption scandal. The government is now returning to a pro-chaebol policy putting workers' livelihoods on the line," KCTU Chairman Kim Myung-hwan said at the gathering. "The government and the ruling party have formed cozy relationships with the conglomerates and they are trying to overturn our candlelight revolution. In December, we will inherit the spirit of Baek Nam-ki and go out on the street to protest." Baek was a farmer who died several months after being struck by a jet from police water cannon during an anti-government rally in 2015 that left him in a coma. He was part of a group of farmers calling for the government to impose price controls to keep the price of rice above 210,000 won ($187) per 80-kilogram bag. This had been one of Park's pledges during her presidential campaign. The KCTU held its first protest at the Assembly against the expansion of flexible working hours two weeks ago. Together with the other major umbrella union, the Federation of Korea Trade Union (FKTU), the KCTU argues that the expansion only made it legal for conglomerates to force workers to put in longer hours and to hire more non-regular workers. They added that President Moon Jae-in promised to change the status of all non-regular workers at public medical institutions to that of permanent employees, but has yet to do so. The unions said they will hold a strike if the government ignores them. South Korean officials have departed for a field study with North Korea to relink railways cut since the 1950-53 Korean conflict. South Korean officials began their 18-day mission to re-link a divided peninsula on Friday (November 30). Around 30 officials - from each side - will be inspecting railways tracks cut since the Korean war. It's the first step in an effort to reconnect rail and road links, between the two Koreas, part of an agreement reached between the leaders in April. The train will travel around 1500 miles, including through the heavily fortified DMZ - a latest sign of detente between two countries technically still at war. The project was given the green light by the UN Security Council last week - which granted exemptions to sanctions that are imposed on NorthKorea for its nuclear program, allowing the cross-border infrastructure project to go ahead. Seoul has said that showed the U.S. and the international community are on board with the project. But Washington has been striking a more cautious tone than its South Korean ally. In spite of plans for a second meeting between Kim Jong Un and President Trump. The U.S. has insisted on keeping pressure on Pyongyang, until it gives up its nuclear arsenal - and has expressed concern that the North and South's budding relationship, might be outpacing progress toward full denuclearization. (Reuters) A South Korean army soldier stands next to the train that will travel across the border into North Korea at the Dorasan Station in Paju, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. South Korea sent rail cars and dozens of officials to North Korea on Friday for joint surveys on northern railway sections the countries hope someday to connect with the South. AP South Korean soldiers close the gate as the rails which leads to North Korea are seen inside the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, South Korea Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. South Korea sent rail cars and dozens of officials to North Korea on Friday for joint surveys on northern railway sections the countries hope someday to connect with the South. Reuters Police in Paris fire water cannon, tear gas and stun grenades at ''yellow vest'' protesters demonstrating against diesel prices and the high cost of living. Helen Percival reports. As night falls in Paris, a dozen cars blaze and building is on fire as the ''yellow vest'' protest continues in the French capital. More than 60 people have been injured as violence grips the Champs Elysees and surrounding streets. The protests against diesel tax hikes and the high cost of living in France are now entering their third week. Protests began earlier on Saturday (December 1) morning with riot police using water cannon, tear gas and stun grenades. Police unions said across France there were some 31,000 protesters and 582 blockages. In Paris, over 100 people have been arrested amid concerns that violent far-right and far-left groups were infiltrating the movement. On Friday (November 30) similar scenes played out in Brussels where a peaceful protest of around 500 people descended into violence. The ''yellow vest'' movement is one of France's most sustained challenges to Emmanuel Macron since his election in 2017. The French president has offered to talk with representatives of the protestors ahead of the next round of fuel tax hikes due in January. Macron said on Tuesday (November 27) he understood the anger over the squeeze that fuel prices have put on households. But insisted he would not be bounced into changing policy by "thugs". His unyielding response exposing him to charges of being out of touch with ordinary people. The protesters though have no leader and most of the rallies are organised online using social media. (Reuters) A French fire fighter walks towards flames as a Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) demonstrator waves the French flag during protests against rising oil prices and living costs in the French capital Paris on December 1, 2018. Groups of masked protesters battled police through clouds of tear gas near Paris' Champs Elysees as thousands took part in a third weekend of "yellow vest" demonstrations, which have morphed from anger over fuel taxes into a broader anti-government movement. AFP By Douglas L. McGuire Deforestation and land degradation is a global problem, impacting the well-being of at least 3.2 billion people by accelerating climate change, loss of biodiversity and the reduction of goods and services of ecosystems. The Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration (GPFLR) has determined through satellite image analysis of the world's deforested and degraded land that more than 2 billion hectares, an area larger than South America, have the potential for forest and landscape restoration (FLR). To deal with this serious problem in comprehensive approaches, the Bonn Challenge was declared at a high-level meeting in Germany in 2011 and calls for the restoration of 150 million hectares of the world's deforested and degraded land, 15 times the size of South Korea, by 2020. Today, that has been extended to 350 million hectares by 2030. Also, the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2010 in Nagoya agreed to Aichi Biodiversity Target 15, restoring 15 percent of the world's degraded ecosystems by 2020. South Korea is often referred to by the international community as an excellent example of successful restoration and an inspiration for the rest of the world using a landscape approach because it has been recognized as the country that recovered its deforested land and "re-greened" a devastated environment in the shortest period in the world. The Korea Forest Service has funded the implementation of the FAO's Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism (FLRM) since 2014 to achieve the goals of the Bonn Challenge by sharing its experience and knowledge of the success of the reforestation program in South Korea with developing countries around the world. Thus, the KFS is a founding partner of the FLRM at the FAO. With South Korean and other donor support, the FAO has launched some global and regional initiatives and supported forest and landscape restoration projects in several countries throughout the world that have shown considerable progress. At the global level, significant work has been done on sustainable financing for FLR as well as helping to monitor the results of restoration efforts. Support is provided to many global processes, including the U.N. Conventions on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Combat Desertification. Awareness raising and resource mobilization efforts have paid off. At the regional level, the FAO is very involved in restoration processes such as AFR100 in Africa, restoring 100 million hectares by 2030; the 20x20 Initiative in Latin America, restoring 20 million hectares by 2020; the Agadir Commitment in Mediterranean countries to restore 8 million hectares; and the Asia-Pacific region where the FAO-led the effort to develop the Asia-Pacific Forest and Landscape Restoration Strategy and Action Plan, endorsed in 2017. Most importantly, the FAO, with Korean support, has been able to help many countries make progress in restoring their degraded land through a variety of interventions. Today, almost 20 countries receive technical support for restoration from the FAO. In particular, the expansion of financial mobilization for the FLR has shown tremendous success. The project, which started in 2014 with $500,000 per year from the Korea Forest Service (the only donor at first), has grown steadily with additional support from Sweden, France, Germany and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), bringing in an additional $60 million of funding for country restoration projects. Overall, the project budget will increase more than 10 times in four years since the project began, and direct support to countries for the FLR by the FAO has expanded from seven countries to more than 20. North Korea is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters such as floods, landslides and droughts mainly caused by deforestation and degraded land. North Korea's deforestation and degradation are due to over-exploitation of forest resources and unplanned conversion of forests to agricultural use for self-sufficiency in food production and energy demand. North Korean also has made significant efforts to restore deforested land but has not made much progress due to insufficient resources available in poor economic circumstances, especially from the U.N. sanctions. Thus, If South Korea and the international community help North Korea with financial support and technical knowledge and experience from their success story, North Korea will be a success story of forest and landscape restoration. To succeed in landscape restoration in North Korea, it is necessary to invest large-scale resources over a long period. Therefore, participation and support by the international community are essential. Based on the successful experience of the FLRM already mentioned, I would propose the following strategies. First, a strong political commitment and interest by concerned countries to support North Korea's reforestation and restoration efforts internationally are needed with an explicit reference to the global restoration context, such as the Bonn Challenge and New York Declaration on Forests. The commitment will contribute to backing up to mobilize various international organizations and donors to participate in North Korea's forest and landscape restoration actively. Second, an international cooperation framework is vital to help implement the political declarations and to promote cooperation and financial support by international partners. A dedicated organization and an advisory group also should be established to fulfill the commitment. An "Advisory Group" for reforestation and restoration of North Korea could be organized, including countries surrounding and interested in the Korean Peninsula, as well as forest and environment-related funding organizations such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the international institutions specialized in the FLR, such as the UNCCD, IUCN and World Resources Institute, etc. The FAO, as an international neutral forum, could play a leading role in convening and organizing such an Advisory Group, given its presence and experience in North Korea, expertise and experience in the FLR, financial mobilization capacity and strong convening power. Third, large-scale financial mobilization will be one of the most crucial factors for achieving the scale of implementation needed. Reforestation and landscape restoration in North Korea will require very significant funding and investment over decades, with resources mobilized from many financial partners beyond the Korea Peninsula. Access to and the ability to secure large-scale financing from multilateral funding bodies such as the Global Environment Facility and Green Climate Fund, bilateral aid agencies and private sector actors with strategic approaches will be essential. Developing thematic FLR projects in conjunction with water management, climate change, environment protection, food security and poverty and disaster reduction will be an important strategy to ensure a comprehensive approach that delivers both environmental and socioeconomic objectives through large-scale restoration. Given its experience in these areas, the FAO has included the mobilization of financial resources and technical support through international cooperation in the proposals it has developed for DPRK support. Finally, an improved political climate for international cooperation and support to North Korea will be necessary to move ahead at the scale required. Based on recent discussions between the two Koreas and other international partners, a more favorable environment seems to be evolving, and improved international confidence to work together to achieve common goals related to sustainable development on the Korean Peninsula will be important. We need the active engagement of all concerned parties to find the political, technical and financial cooperation required to achieve large-scale restoration in DPRK that will lead to environmental security, reduced poverty, better food security and improved livelihoods for all Korean people. Douglas L. McGuire is a coordinator for the forest and landscape restoration mechanism at the United Nations Food Agriculture Organization (FAO). By Mark Leonard BERLIN There has long been talk that the strategic rivalry emerging between the United States and China in recent years could one day give way to confrontation. That moment has arrived. Welcome to the Cold War 2.0. The standard narrative about the Sino-American conflict is that it pits two distinct systems against each other. To the U.S., China is a big-data dictatorship that has detained one million Uighurs in concentration camps, cracked down on Christians, curtailed civil rights, and destroyed the environment all while building up its military and threatening America's regional allies. In the view of many Chinese, the U.S. is an exponent of interventionism and imperialism, and the Trump administration's trade war is merely the opening shot in a larger economic, military, and ideological contest for supremacy. Yet this framing gets things backward. The new Sino-American confrontation is rooted not in the two countries' differences, but in their growing similarity. China and America used to be the yin and yang of the global economy, with America playing the role of consumer, and China that of manufacturer. For years, China funneled its surpluses back into the purchase of U.S. Treasury bills, thus underwriting American profligacy and forging a symbiotic arrangement that the historian Niall Ferguson has called "Chimerica." But Chimerica is now a thing of the past. With his "Made in China 2025" policy, Chinese President Xi Jinping is moving his country up the global value chain, in the hope of becoming a world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies. To that end, China has curtailed Western companies' access to its markets, making it conditional on their transfer of technology and intellectual property to domestic "partners." At the same time that China has been reorienting its economic-development model, the U.S. has replaced its traditional laissez-faire approach with an industrial strategy of its own. Behind Trump's trade war is a desire to rebalance the economic playing field and "decouple" the U.S. from China. And with both countries now locked in a zero-sum competition, Team GAFAM (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft) and Team BATX (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, Xiaomi) are waging a war of technical know-how and data access on a global scale. Yet by trying to outcompete each other in the same areas, the U.S. and Chinese strategies are becoming more alike. In response to former U.S. President Barack Obama's efforts to create a Pacific-rim trade bloc to contain China, Xi launched his Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is now being met by an American-led Indo-Pacific initiative under Trump. The two countries are also on similar paths militarily. Though China still has a lot of catching up to do, its total defense spending is already second only to the U.S. It has built and launched its first aircraft carrier, and has plans to launch more. It is developing and deploying anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) defense systems. And by establishing its first overseas military base in Djibouti, it has signaled that it has global not merely regional ambitions. China and the U.S. also increasingly share a predilection for interventionism. For China, this represents a stark break from decades of treating non-intervention as a quasi-religious doctrine. But China's changing attitude makes sense. As Yan Xuetong of Tsinghua University explained to me shortly after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, a country's support for intervention reflects a recognition of its own power. He predicted that as China built up its military forces, it would become more open to exerting its influence abroad. Chinese citizens and many others around the world now expect precisely that. After evacuating hundreds of its citizens from Libya in 2014, China increased its participation in United Nations peace-keeping missions. And, following a series of attacks in Pakistan, it created a special security force (mostly of private contractors) to protect Chinese interests along the "new silk road" of BRI projects. Another area of Sino-American convergence concerns the multilateral system. In his 2005 "responsible stakeholder" speech, then-U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick told the West that global-governance institutions must include China or risk being overturned. But to the Chinese, international engagement was never a binary choice. So, rather than becoming a responsible stakeholder in the U.S.-led order, China is now developing what might be described as internationalism with Chinese characteristics. Accordingly, China has taken advantage of membership in Western-dominated institutions while simultaneously defanging them and building a parallel system of its own. But, as the structure of the BRI shows, the world order China envisions is based not on multilateralism, but on bilateral relations between countries. By dealing with other governments one on one, China can negotiate from a position of strength and impose its own terms. Trump's "America first" doctrine embodies the same vision for the U.S. Both he and Xi have embraced a message of national rejuvenation. This has led Xi to replace China's longstanding foreign-policy of moderation and tactical cooperation with one based on the pursuit of national greatness. And both leaders have increasingly taken foreign-policy decisions into their own hands, while undercutting their respective countries' systems of checks and balances. Although "Cold War 2.0" does not feature the same clash of utopian ideologies as the original, the metaphor is fitting nonetheless. Like its predecessor, this one will feature two superpowers that disagree on how the world should be organized, but agree that there can be only one winner. Mark Leonard is director of the European Council on Foreign Relations. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). 21 People, Including 1 U.S. Citizen Killed In Mali Attack Around 170 individuals were held captive by attackers at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali on Friday. Initial reports from the United Nations stated that 27 people were killed during the attack, including the two attackers. However, Mali government revealed the attack resulted to 21 deaths. ABC News reported Saturday that a US citizen named Anita Datar was among the victims of the attack at the Malian hotel. US President Barrack Obama extended his condolences to the bereaved family of the 41-year-old American. He also pledged to be "relentless" in hunting those who are responsible for the "appalling" incident. Advertisement "On behalf of the American people I want to extend our deepest condolences to the people of Mali and the victims and families, including at least one American," Obama says. "These were innocent people who had everything to live for, and they'll be remembered for the joy and love that they brought to the world." Meanwhile, a witness recalled the incident and said that attackers barged into the hotel and sprayed bullets while people were taking their breakfast Friday morning. Employee Tamba Couye revealed that the gunmen fired at "anything that moved," as noted by CNN Saturday. "They started firing at the tables," Couye recalls. "They walked through the hotel door and started to shoot at everybody. Then they returned to the restaurant and closed its doors." He goes on, "One of the attackers was yelling "Allahu akbar!" These people started shooting. They were shooting at everybody without asking a single question. They were shooting at anything that moved." After the incident, Malian security forces are hunting down more than three persons who are responsible for the attack. "The search has started and I can tell you that we are looking for more than three people at the moment," says Malian army commander Modibo Nama Traore, as forecasted by The Guardian Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Like us and Follow us Follow @Koreaportal and 2021 Korea Portal, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Japan should apologize and compensate for victims A Supreme Court verdict Thursday ordering a Japanese company to compensate Koreans for forced labor during World War II was certainly designed to heal the wounds of the victims and lay the legal foundation for reparations. The court ordered Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to pay 100 million won to 150 million won ($89,200-$133,800) each to four women and a victim's family. The Japanese firm was also ordered to pay 80 million won each to six other former forced laborers. The verdict was the second of its kind after the top court ruled Oct. 30 that another Japanese firm, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp., should compensate four Koreans 100 million won each for their forced labor. It also came after the Seoul government announced Nov. 21 that it had decided to disband a Tokyo-funded foundation to help former wartime sex slaves. The nationalist Japanese government has strongly protested the court's action and the decision over the foundation. As the highest court again ruled in favor of the former forced laborers, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono repeated his firm position that the ruling was "extremely regrettable and absolutely unacceptable." Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga warned that Japan could consider taking "all options," including bringing the case to the International Court of Justice. He called on Seoul to retract the decision immediately. Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Akiba summoned South Korean Ambassador Lee Su-hoon in protest of the ruling. Japan's protest is based on its claim that victims of forced labor have no right to file a compensation suit under a 1965 treaty that normalized diplomatic ties between Seoul and Tokyo. The Japanese government has argued the treaty settled all colonial-era compensation claims. But Korea's Supreme Court is taking a different stance. It says the bilateral accord did not terminate individual rights to reparations for atrocities committed by Imperial Japan. Thus, more Korean victims of forced labor are expected to file compensation suits against Japanese firms. The problem is that if Tokyo sticks to its firm position against the Seoul court, the two sides cannot find a solution to historical disputes over the 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Such a hard-line stance will only add fuel to anti-Japanese sentiment among Koreans. It also will further deteriorate relations between the two countries. In this regard, we urge Japan to face up to its shameful history of colonialism and militarism in the early part of the 20th century. The Asian economic power should reflect on its aggression and crimes against humanity during WWII. Then it ought to make a sincere and true apology to Koreans for their pain and suffering caused by its imperialist ambitions. Without its reflection and apology Japan can never address its historical issues with Korea. Needless to say, the problem of compensation will come naturally only when the former colonial power shows its genuine repentance to those who suffered under the yoke of the brutal Japanese rule. Most of all, both countries should make all-out efforts to find a political and diplomatic solution so they can leave the bad legacy behind and move toward a future-oriented partnership. By Tong Kim Diplomacy is at a stalemate again on denuclearization, casting more doubt over its ability to pull off an acceptable end state of negotiations. No nuclear talks have taken place since last month. It is not known when there will be a next meeting, while there remain a number of sticking points against moving forward. The North has been avoiding meetings with the U.S. It cancelled a meeting between secretary of state Mike Pompeo and his counterpart Kim Yong-chol scheduled for early November, and it did not respond to a U.S. request to hold another meeting toward the end of November. The prospect of a second U.S.-DPRK summit appears uncertain in the absence of preparatory meetings. In October, Kim Jong-un agreed with Pompeo to set up a working group at an envoy level but the group has not met. In contrast, a U.S. and South Korean working group has met in Washington to make sure that Seoul is not moving too fast in inter-Korean relations ahead of the pace of denuclearization, a new development to the displeasure of the North. In Seoul, Kim Jong-un's return visit now is unlikely to happen before the end of this year. In President Moon's meeting with Trump in Argentina during this year's G-20 summit, the pair will likely have discussed cooperation to achieve the goal of denuclearization, but not a new strategy. Washington will not relax or lift sanctions before complete denuclearization. At the United Nations, its Third Committee adopted a resolution blasting the human rights abuses in North Korea, with Seoul's endorsement. The resolution is likely to be approved by the General Assembly with support of the U.N. Security Council. Pyongyang accuses the U.S. of "stoking confrontation," warning Seoul and Washington that their "rash acts" against the North "will make everything go belly-up given the hard-won phase of repairing relations" with the North. In the meantime, a dominant school of thought holds the view that "complete denuclearization" is not achievable with the current tool of diplomacy backed up by sanctions, since the North will not abandon its nuclear weapons anyway. The North's vague commitment to a nuclear-free Korean peninsula without a credible road map is simply getting nowhere. At the end the North will likely seek to keep some of its nuclear arsenal. This theory will require a redefined goal from "a final, fully verified denuclearization" to a partial but verifiable arms reduction, offering a de facto nuclear status to North Korea, under the strict condition that it will become a responsible, limited nuclear state renouncing further development and proliferation. The problem with this idea is that North Korea is a country that has developed and threatened to use its nuclear weapons in blatant disregard of international law. A second school of thought believes the maximum pressure employing all pressure tools, including sanctions, military force and information programs is the only way to strangle the North Korean regime until it caves in with no other option but to denuclearize. For this school, war is an option, not necessarily the last resort. Regime change or unification by Seoul's term are other options for hardliners. However, the imaginable cost of a nuclear war should discourage any warmongers. Regime change by explosion or implosion also risks a war as the regime may resort to it for survival. A peaceful, democratic unification is still a remote dream: there is no viable, peaceful unification strategy except for absorption upon the North's soft collapse from within. A third school of thought advocates for a peaceful resolution of the North's nuclear issue through a phased, reciprocal and verifiable denuclearization. Trump has said "no hurry" and "no rush" on denuclearization, and he has not closed the window of opportunity, while South Korea, China and Russia are supporting a peaceful resolution. The process of denuclearization may not be completed within Trump's first term in office, but an irreversible state for the nuclear arsenal could be accomplished. How and under what conditions the North will decide to give up its nuclear weapons will determine the fate of its leadership. There may be differences between Kim Jong-un and his subordinates on this matter of life and death. His advisers are reluctant to offer bold recommendations, fearful of losing their lives should their advice fail. Kim may need a justification for making critical moves in the direction of denuclearization, a good cause that can keep the people's support for his regime. At this point, he needs something more than a U.S. promise for "a bright future of North Korea." Something more tangible. Tong Kim (tong.kim8@yahoo.com) is a Washington correspondent and columnist for The Korea Times. He is also a fellow at the Institute of Corean-American Studies. Shanghai, circa 1900. By Robert Neff Captain Patrick Hodnett circa 1890. "The habit of 'swapping yarns' about those voyages of byegone [sic] years grows stronger as the comrades who shared the trails, joys and perils of such journeyings become fewer and dearer," wrote Captain Patrick Hodnett in the beginning of his memoirs. Even he acknowledged that some of his memories "almost suggest fairy tales at this more civilized end of the century." He wrote his memoirs in the late 1880s. While his memoirs are not politically correct by today's standards, they do provide us with an interesting glimpse of the Far East in the mid to late 19th century. Unfortunately, aside from his memoirs, we know little about Hodnett. We know that he was born in Ireland in 1834 and was Catholic but always identified himself as an Englishman. At some point, Hodnett left Ireland and took to the sea. We don't know much about his early years but we do know that in 1860 he worked in Shanghai as a "junk agent" meaning he facilitated flagging Chinese junks with the British flag so that they could safely pass through rebel-held areas. In early 1863, he went to work for the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs but resigned at the end of the year possibly to go back in business for himself. China in the 1860s was filled with opportunities for men willing to take chances and Hodnett was more than willing. There were frequent periods of unrest, making travel inland risky at best. The shipping lanes were plagued with pirates who preyed not only on Chinese junks but also on Western ships. One of the tactics of the Chinese pirates was to use grenades. According to Hodnett: "A [pirate] aloft, with a basketful of earthenware shells, throws them down on the vessel's deck, when an explosion takes place which blinds the crew. In the midst of this confusion the vessel is boarded and everybody put to the sword. The job of the man aloft throwing the shell is not in any respect an enviable one, even though he is protected by two buffalo hides sewn together, which act as a sort of shield." This was a very effective attack on ships whose crews were armed only with swords and crude firearms but not so effective against Western ships and their rifle-equipped crews. The grenade-thrower was a most appealing target for the riflemen. A Chinese junk circa 1910. Teaching at a Korean university was an interesting experience, and I learned a lot. Korea Times file By Jacco Zwetsloot In this file photo taken on Sept. 5, 2018, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Facebook on Nov. 29 said that 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. AFP Facebook said its No. 2 executive, Sheryl Sandberg, asked staff to investigate whether billionaire philanthropist George Soros, in calling the company a ''menace,'' had financial motivations against it. This revelation follows prior disclosures that the company had done opposition research on him. Friday's statement from Facebook is in response to a New York Times article that describes Sandberg asking Facebook staff to look into Soros' financial interests in speaking out against the company. Soros called Facebook a ''menace to society'' in a January speech. Facebook said the company was already researching Soros when Sandberg sent an email asking if Soros had shorted Facebook stock. Shorting a stock is essentially taking a bet it will decline. Soros's Open Society Foundations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. In a Thanksgiving eve post, outgoing executive Elliot Schrage took the blame for hiring the public relations firm doing opposition research on critics. Schrage has been at Facebook for a decade and announced his departure in June. In the post, he acknowledges that Facebook asked the firm, Definers, ''to do work'' on Soros. Definers also helped respond to what Schrage described as unfair claims about the company. Sandberg followed Schrage's note of contrition with one of her own, acknowledging her responsibility for overseeing Facebook's communications team. On Definers, Sandberg said ''some of their work was incorporated into materials presented to me and I received a small number of emails where Definers was referenced.'' (AP) SK Telecom CEO Park Jung-ho, center, poses for a photo with company officials and the firm's business partners after pressing a switch to send the first 5G signal, Saturday. / Courtesy of SK Telecom By Jun Ji-hye SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus, which started the world's first commercial fifth-generation (5G) network services Saturday, still need to deal with a huge amount of tasks before offering full-scale services in March when smartphone users will be able to use the latest wireless technology. The three mobile carriers began to provide 5G services using mobile routers first. Mobile routers are devices providing mobile connections for Wi-Fi devices. The telecom firms' next-generation network services are currently focused on business uses as there are no smartphones that can utilize 5G networks yet. The 5G services for general customers will begin in earnest when 5G smartphones will be released around March. Up to that time, mobile carriers need to create "killer" content and services to attract users who currently use the long-term evolution (LTE), or 4G networks, services. How well firms attract more users will decide how well they make up for their enormous investments into the construction of the 5G networks. Companies have moved to create services related to self-driving cars, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), but a problem is most of the services are still in the experimental stage. "We have been carrying out a variety of projects and pilot services in preparation for offering more attractive 5G services, though uncertainty still remains," said an official from a telecom company. A KT engineer tests a 5G base station installed at Gwanghwamun, central Seoul. / Courtesy of KT Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Sung Yun-mo, left, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power CEO Chung Jae-hoon / Korea Times file By Park Jae-hyuk Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) CEO Chung Jae-hoon and high-ranking officials at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will make an urgent visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, according to the ministry, Sunday. Although the ministry claimed it scheduled the "courtesy visit" three weeks ago, their visit has been regarded as an "emergency action" plan to dispel worries. There are current concerns about Korea's possible loss of the exclusive right to operate the Barakah nuclear power plant in the Middle Eastern country after it is completed. Since Nawah Energy Company, a joint venture between the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO), signed a long-term service agreement for the nuclear plant with French energy company EDF, Nov. 21, concerns have been growing over Korea's possible failure to win a long-term operating contract for the power plant. Although Korea won the $18.6 billion design-and-build contract in 2009, operation and maintenance of the plant are regarded as more lucrative, considering the 60-year lifespan of a nuclear power plant. According to the ministry, the Korean delegation will meet executives from ENEC and Nawah during their four-day visit to Abu Dhabi, to discuss issues related to a long-term maintenance agreement. KHNP was initially expected to sign the long-term maintenance agreement with the UAE's state-run companies exclusively, but the Middle Eastern country has decided to open a bid in the first half of 2019. The delegation will reportedly try to figure out the reason the UAE signed the long-term service agreement with EDF. Against this backdrop, opposition parties are condemning the Moon Jae-in administration for causing problems with Korea's exports of nuclear power plants. "I heard the bidding terms and conditions are unfavorable to a consortium led by KHNP, because of the government's nuclear phase-out policy," Rep. Kim Sam-hwa of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party said at a National Assembly committee meeting Friday. "I also heard the U.S. CEO of Nawah has been doubtful about whether Korea will maintain its nuclear power plants here." The ministry is dismissing the criticisms. "The UAE has never mentioned any drawbacks of the anti-nuclear policy so far," Energy Minister Sung Yun-mo told the lawmakers during the Friday meeting. Kim Dong-seop, a senior KEPCO official, said Korea will have a competitive edge, if the UAE trusts Korea's expertise. The ministry also said the EDF will provide Nawah with services related to operational safety, radiation protection, fuel cycle management and environmental monitoring, without having a right to operate the nuclear power plant. Air Busan CEO Han Tae-keun. By Park Jae-hyuk Air Busan has been grappling with a series of unfavorable factors ahead of its planned initial public offering (IPO) in December, according to industry analysts Sunday. The difficulties the Asiana Airlines subsidiary is facing include intensifying competition in the nation's low-cost carrier (LCC) market and criticism of the measure it took when heavy fog prevented its plane from landing at Gimhae International Airport on Nov. 25. After bad weather forced a diversion to Incheon, the budget carrier kept passengers on the plane for seven hours rather than letting them wait inside the airport. Air Busan said it had expected the fog over Gimhae Airport to clear. But its controversial decision led the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to investigate the company, which has raised its brand awareness with punctuality and quality of service. "The success of Air Busan's IPO is uncertain, due to the worsening conditions in the nation's stock market and the government probe," said a securities analyst, who declined to be named. Air Busan will operate the Airbus A321neoLR from 2019. / Courtesy of Air Busan Wolfgang's Steakhouse Korea CEO Lee Dong-hoon poses at his restaurant in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, Nov. 19, after an interview with The Korea Times. / Courtesy of Wolfgang's Steakhouse Korea Steakhouse from New York has eyes on Busan, Jeju, Macau By Park Jae-hyuk Wolfgang's Steakhouse Korea, which has been popularizing dry-aged steaks here since the opening of its restaurant in Seoul in March 2015, has begun making efforts to expand here, according to the U.S. steakhouse brand's Korean operator. In a recent interview with The Korea Times, CEO Lee Dong-hoon said the company is considering opening steakhouses in Busan and on Jeju in the near future. The licensee of the New York-based restaurant's operations in Korea and Hong Kong is also pushing ahead with opening a steakhouse in Macau. "We have had plans to open restaurants in Seoul, Busan and Jeju since we brought the brand to Korea. We are trying to figure out when is the best time to open Busan and Jeju stores," Lee said. "As for the Macau restaurant, we will not rush to open a store there. But we have met operators of international hotel chains as the city has many hotels and resorts." Wolfgang's Steakhouse Korea is a joint venture between the U.S. headquarters and the Korean licensee. The two each hold 50 percent stakes in the company. According to the CEO, the establishment of a restaurant in Hong Kong in June 2017 was part of the Korean licensee's efforts for business expansion. "We were confident the brand would win the hearts of consumers in other countries, so we began searching for countries that did not have Wolfgang's Steakhouse," he said. "Then we found out tax rates were low in Singapore and Hong Kong. The U.S. headquarters had already selected a licensee for the Singaporean market, so we convinced the headquarters to select us as a licensee for Hong Kong." The company's attempts for business expansion have been possible, because it successfully stabilized the operation of its Cheongdam-dong restaurant by popularizing dry-aged porterhouse steaks made with USDA prime beef. "In the past, 99 percent of our customers made reservations before visiting our restaurant. These days, more than 20 percent of our customers visit without reservations," Lee said. The Cheongdam-dong restaurant had 11 billion won ($9.7 million) in sales in 2017 with a double-digit annual sales growth rate. "Although the figure is slightly lower than the average sales of Wolfgang's Steakhouses worldwide, it surpasses sales of most restaurants in Korea," Lee said. "We have also broken Korean customers' bias against beef imported from the United States." Wolfgang's Steakhouse Korea's dry-aged porterhouse steak / Courtesy of Wolfgang's Steakhouse Korea The event will be held by the Vietnam Business Forum Alliance in partnership with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the World Bank, and the International Finance Corporation. It will be chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. The forums three sessions will focus on following topics: resources for infrastructure investment, improving knowledge towards the modern industry, and removing barriers for enterprises. Various presentations will be delivered by working groups on infrastructure, electricity and energy, capital market, banking, trade and investment, tax and customs, education, agriculture and tourism. Representatives from the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), the Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam (KorCham), the British Business Group Vietnam and the Japan Business Association in Vietnam (JBAV) will also address the event. The forum will discuss a range of pressing issues, such as promoting public-private partnership, high-quality financing, enhancing competitiveness and reducing burden of bureaucracy to optimise free trade agreements, tax and customs transparency, and reform of direct power purchase agreements. As tech companies such as Google wrestle with employee objections to working with the U.S. military, Microsoft Corp.s president is throwing his companys support behind the Pentagon. Microsoft is going to provide the U.S. military with access to the best technology all the technology we create. Full stop, Brad Smith said Saturday during a panel at the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. Smith acknowledged that there is some angst in some workforces, including Microsofts, about tech companies involvement in military contracts. In June, after thousands of employees voiced objections to a contract that allowed the military to use Googles artificial intelligence tools to analyze drone footage, Google decided not to renew the contract. Advertisement Smith said he wanted to quell such concerns. We want Silicon Valley to know just how ethical and honorable a tradition the military has, he said. The future and use of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems have broad implications, he said, and are of importance to everybody and not just young people who happen to live on the West Coast. Smith expressed openness to hearing his workers opinions, saying that Microsoft would engage to address the ethical issues that new technology is creating. He recalled an email he had received from an employee who grew up in Belgrade, Serbia which was bombed by NATO forces in 1999 that said the employee needed to think through Microsofts reasoning for working with military contracts. Smith said he understood the employees background would lead to such hesitation. But he did not mention Microsoft taking any action or changing any policy as a result. Other tech industry executives pushed back against the idea that Silicon Valley workers are less inclined to work with the Defense Department solely because of cultural differences or qualms about the moral implications. Its much more an economics issue, said Rachel Olney, founder and chief executive of geographic location data start-up Geosite. Dealing with the U.S. government is extremely time consuming and often doesnt provide the same kind of profits as commercial work, she said. The Defense Department has established the Defense Innovation Unit, which is intended to provide capital without taking an ownership stake to companies that want to work on prototype projects that help address problems faced by the U.S. military. Despite the pushback from employees at Google on the Project Maven artificial intelligence contract, Defense Innovation Unit director Michael Brown said his agency has gotten more responses from commercial companies that are interested in working with the U.S. military. Separately at Saturdays event, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told reporters that development of the new B-21 bomber is on schedule. She acknowledged that it was still early in the program, but we are pleased with how that program is going forward. The Air Forces next-generation stealth bomber is being built by prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. at its plant in Palmdale. samantha.masunaga@latimes.com Twitter: @smasunaga The sideline that helps James Hoskins bring in a little extra money this time of year quickly became a deeply emotional experience after he donned a furry red suit and jet-black boots and took his seat at the Chico Mall. Asked what they wanted for Christmas, Camp fire evacuees children on Saturday clamored for dolls, video games, cell phones and new homes to replace the ones destroyed by the deadliest and most destructive wildfire disaster in California history. What they get from his red sack is a candy cane, a sleigh bell attached to a brightly colored ribbon and a 50% discount at the malls Santa photo concession. Relying on his standard assurance, Hoskins, 70, adds, Santa will see what he can do. One little girl left him stumped, but not for long. Advertisement When faced with the question, Santa, how do you know where I live if I dont have a house anymore? he replied, No problem. Ive got GPS to help me find you. After a three-week evacuation, chats with Santa represented a semblance of holiday spirit for these children. Their parents found there a brief respite from worries about what the Camp fire had taken from them in the nearby Sierra foothill city of Paradise, and their losses still to come. The worst fire in California history charred more than 153,000 acres, destroyed nearly 14,000 houses and killed 88, with 49 people still missing. Signs of Christmas around this economic hub near Cal State Chico made Suzanne Mason, 30, wistful for family gatherings in Paradise with family and neighbors sharing the dinner table and gifts. Mason is among thousands of residents left homeless by the hellish firestorm that roared through Paradise Nov. 8. Holiday spirit is hard to come by this year, Mason said, trying not to cry as her 4-year-old daughter, Jaycee, settled into a chair beside Santa and smiled into the camera. Her daughters wishes: an iPad and a home where her Barbie dolls could be comfortable again. Down the hall from Santas corner, thousands of people a day were registering for disaster assistance at a recovery center jointly operated by the California Governors Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a former Sears store. As of Friday, more than 22,000 claims had been submitted by Butte County residents for FEMA assistance of some kind, and more than $30 million had been approved, said Michael Hart, a spokesman for the agency. At the far end of the mall, crews were hastily toting desks, chairs, text books and a variety of teaching aids some of them salvaged from portions of Paradise campuses that survived the fire into store spaces that would be used as alternate classrooms for middle and high school students. Paradise Unified School District officials hoped to see as many as 650 students in the makeshift classrooms when school resumes Monday. So goes Christmas for residents of Paradise this year. Hoskins, a resident of Louisville, Ky., and a card-carrying member of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, has made a point of volunteering to assist in disaster zones including Hurricane Katrina, which decimated New Orleans in 2015. All the kids from the fire zone are asking for homes and my heart sinks when I hear it, said Hoskins, a retired certified public accountant who specialized in risk management. I cant do that, he said. But Santa tries hard to make all wishes come true. Louis.Sahagun@latimes.com @LouisSahagun Police are searching for two men suspected in a series of 13 armed robberies that occurred in November in Los Angeles and Culver City, officials said. The two men, Dijon Cooper, 21, and Nye Lee, 31, reportedly robbed people on the street at gunpoint. They would ride up in their car and exit to snatch victims wallets, jewelry and cellphones, officials with the Los Angeles Police Department said in a press release. One man was armed with a black revolver. Both men claimed gang affiliation. They drove a a white, late-model four-door Toyota Camry with paper plates, possibly with the word Glendale. The robberies took place between Nov. 6 and Nov. 30, many in the Baldwin Village, Crenshaw and Mid City neighborhoods. Advertisement Cooper is described as 6 feet tall and 212 pounds with brown eyes. Lee is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall and 140 pounds with brown eyes. Anyone with information may call detectives at (213) 486-6840 esmeralda.bermudez@latimes.com @LATBermudez Three years after forging the landmark Paris climate accord, world leaders are meeting again to decide how to turn emissions-cutting pledges into action. But as talks kick off this week in Katowice, Poland, a disconnect between climate science and global politics threatens the ability of nearly 200 countries to come together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time that scientists are issuing increasingly dire warnings of intensifying climate change and the perils of inaction, President Trump and other key world leaders are pursuing nationalist and fossil-fuel friendly policies that make global warming worse. Its a strange moment were in, where the science and peoples everyday experience are showing how important this problem is, and yet the politics, not just in the U.S. but around the world, are undermining international efforts, said Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford University. Advertisement The dynamic is not just evident in the actions of Trump, who has attacked climate science and vowed to pull out of the Paris accord as part of his America First agenda. Leaders from other countries that previously supported the agreement, from Australia to Brazil, appear to be following in his footsteps and backing away from their commitments. It will be interesting to see how this local distaste for multilateralism plays against a growing understanding of the urgency of the problem, said Samantha Gross, an energy and climate expert at the Brookings Institution. The 2015 Paris agreement was a breakthrough, with nations across the world for the first time committing to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and to pursue efforts to limit the rise to 1.5 degrees. Those international commitments to slash planet-warming emissions were a vital first step toward avoiding the most devastating effects of climate change, but the deal left many details to be firmed up later. The negotiations beginning this week at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP24, focus on those technical matters, including the rules by which countries track their greenhouse gas emissions and report their progress to the rest of the world. Crafting a so-called rulebook is a central mission of the talks thats essentially needed to turn Paris from an accord on paper into a working, operational and effective regime, said Todd Stern, who led the U.S. effort to negotiate the agreement under President Obama and is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Experts following the conference said its importance has grown in light of the geopolitical threats to the Paris agreement and the spate of recent reports warning that time is running out. The planet has already warmed by about 1 degree Celsius since pre-industrial times as a result of the human-caused buildup of greenhouse gases, and scientists say we are already experiencing the consequences in the form of rising sea levels, more intense hurricanes and wildfires and an array of other problems. An October report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that some of the most devastating effects of global warming will hit harder and sooner than previously expected and are likely to reach a tipping point without far-reaching and unprecedented changes to cut emissions within the next 12 years. A U.N. report released Tuesday found few nations are on track to meet the Paris targets, which themselves fall significantly short of achieving the emissions cuts needed to keep warming within levels tolerable to humanity. Without drastic, large-scale action, the assessment found, the planet is likely to see 3 degrees Celsius of warming by the end of the century. A miner throws coal into the basement of a house in Mikolow, Poland, in October. (Janek Skarzynski / AFP/Getty Images) Though the Trump administration still intends to withdraw from the Paris agreement as soon as its eligible to in 2020, it is sending a delegation to participate in the COP24 negotiations in order to ensure a level playing field that benefits and protects U.S. interests, the State Department said in a statement Thursday. Trumps disavowal of the Paris agreement, coupled with the ongoing trade dispute with China the most important other party in the negotiations weakens the U.S. position going into the conference, Wara said. Another obstacle, he said, is the administrations push to undo regulations to fight climate change while at the same time expressing unwillingness to assist poor countries in reducing their emissions. Thats a very toxic message for the U.S. to bring to this meeting, but I suspect it is what well be articulating as our viewpoint, Wara said. Though its possible countries will emerge from the two-week conference with a meaningful agreement that advances the Paris deal, Wara added, the worst case would be that no one agrees on anything and we have a real breakdown in the conversation. Trump recently dismissed the dire conclusions of a report by 13 federal agencies in his own administration that found climate change is causing widespread damage to the nations environment, health and economy that will intensify over the century without swift action. The latest installment of the congressionally mandated National Climate Assessment found that global warming, if left unchecked, will shrink the economy by hundreds of billions of dollars annually by the end of the century. I dont believe it, Trump said in response, without offering evidence to counter the findings of hundreds of leading climate scientists. Trumps comments continued a push by his administration to attack the scientific consensus on climate change while moving to allow more pollution from cars, trucks and coal-fired power plants by unraveling Obama-era environmental regulations. Some are optimistic, nonetheless, that the new round of climate talks can bring meaningful progress. Helen Mountford, vice president for climate and economics at World Resources Institute, a Washington-based research organization, said one other motivating factor could be increased pressure from those outside of government in business and finance who see economic opportunities in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. On the ground, theres good reasons to believe countries can and should step up action, she said, because were starting to see markets shift and technologies become cheaper. tony.barboza@latimes.com @tonybarboza Its been less than a month since the Camp fire tore through the Sierra Nevada foothills, leaving most of the Paradise Unified School Districts students homeless and damaging or destroying eight of the districts nine schools. But classes start Monday. Somehow. For the record: An earlier version of this article referred to Chico State. The university name is Cal State Chico.Also, the article said Sheri Eichars third-grade class would start classes Monday at a gymnasium in Chico. Those classes will begin Wednesday. We have no idea how many students will show up because they are scattered far and wide, said Supt. Michelle John. Were hoping to see, perhaps, 50% of our students. There are several rural school districts in the fire-ravaged towns of Paradise, Magalia and Concow. Theyve all been scrambling. Advertisement An estimated 5,000 students in Butte County have been displaced by the fire. Some 3,500 go to Paradise Unified schools. Administrators have rushed to set up makeshift classrooms. Some students will go to borrowed rooms at schools in nearby Oroville and Durham. Students from the tiny Golden Feather Union Elementary School District in Concow will go to the Spring Valley School, an isolated campus just off Highway 70 that was shuttered in 2010 because of declining enrollment. Classrooms have been set up in several churches. Paradise high school and middle school students will go to the Chico Mall. The essence of PUSD was never its buildings; it was always the people inside them, so we feel that we can give a quality PUSD education no matter where we land, John said in a letter to families. Teachers have made calls and sent scores of Facebook and text messages, trying to simply find their students, who are staying in hotels, shelters and other places all across the state. Theyve found most students. But not all. John said some alternate classrooms will be outfitted with desks and chairs salvaged from Paradise campuses that had parts of their structures still standing. After cleansing them of possible fire-related contaminants, many of those classroom essentials were taken to the Chico Mall over the weekend in U-Haul trucks. Busing plans were still being worked out as of Friday. Families have been told to keep an eye out on Facebook to get last-minute details. Paradise High School is still standing. But everything around it burned, and the still-evacuated town is covered in toxic debris. Students an estimated 90% of whom lost their homes will do much of their work online and have drop-in learning labs available in mall storefronts, said Principal Loren Lighthall. The space is so small that students will come at staggered times based on the first letter of their last names, he said. There are 13 days left in the semester. Weve just got to get through it, Lighthall said. Most of it wont be about learning. Itll be about trauma. Itll be about being with their friends. But we want to do things that are ethical. We want to get kids their credits, but we cant just give them to them. Sheri Eichar uses paper plates to teach her third-graders how to tell time using a homemade sundial. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Paradise High administrators are looking for more permanent building space in Chico and hope to be there by January, Lighthall said. It would be easier if my house didnt burn down, said Lighthall, a father of seven. Were getting it done, but everyone has got their own issues and trauma theyre dealing with. But its good for us to have something else to focus on other than having a pity party. Of the six charter schools in the area, one was severely damaged and two were completely destroyed, including the new Achieve Charter High School, which opened in August. Josh Garcia, a 15-year-old freshman at Achieve, had just gotten to school the morning the fire began. He and his siblings spent several hours sheltering at a gas station parking lot in an old Chevy TrailBlazer, then rode to an Oroville Walmart to meet their parents. Out the window, he saw something hell never forget. When I was going down to Oroville, I saw our school, he said. I saw our gym burn. Flames coming out of it. I was like, Our school isnt going to be there anymore. Caity Heim, a spokeswoman for the California Charter Schools Assn., said area charter school teachers did trauma training in recent days. They will be flexible with the students, some of whom might not be ready or able to come back to class yet, she said. The best way to ensure [students] well-being and education is to provide them a place of structure, support and security and establish that sense of normalcy as soon as possible because that will allow the students a chance to start healing, Heim said. Sandy Durdens 16-year-old daughter attends Ridgeview High School, which has about 150 students. Its Magalia campus was destroyed, and though the school is part of the Paradise Unified district, Durden worries it will be forgotten with so much attention on the larger schools. In Sheri Eichars living room, children read Charlottes Web during literature class while Eichars dog, Shadow, looks on. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Her daughter, Eris, and other Ridgeview students will start class Monday at the Chico Boys and Girls Club. Durden whose family lost their home in Paradise and now is staying in a recreational vehicle in Corning said its been frustrating trying to get basic information about when and where Ridgeview students would start class and whether they would have buses. Durden, 45, attends Cal State Chico a few blocks away and plans to drive her daughter to the makeshift campus as much as she can. Shes surprised they started classes so soon. Im paranoid that if for some reason I dont take her that shes not going to get proper credits for this semester, and that would be the worst thing in the world, Durden said. You have people who still have to go to their jobs. They have other kids, theyre staying an hour away, and theyre trying to figure this out. Ron Parker, who lost his Magalia home, was shocked to hear that two schools would be reopening in Magalia on Monday. There are still families in areas that didnt burn, but access to town is limited for those outside the evacuation zone. With the main roads from the south still closed, displaced students and staff staying in Chico will have to travel north on an hour-long route up Highway 32. Parker, whose family is staying in a Chico hotel, will not send his four children who attend Cedarwood Elementary, which is reopening, back to school in Magalia. He is enrolling them in Chico schools. My first thought was pretty much, Theyre going to make these kids drive past this destruction every day? Thats not OK, he said. Its hard because I understand they want to be with their friends. At the same time, I dont want them up there. If something happens, then what? How do I get them? Sheri Eichar is a third-grade teacher at Childrens Community Charter School in Paradise. She spent the summer decorating her classroom like a beach resort, with beach chairs to read in and fish on the bulletin boards. Her classroom burned to the ground. A few days after the fire, Eichar started holding class in her house in Chico. Of her two dozen students, 20 lost their homes. I just thought, Those children need normalcy, and the parents need an opportunity to go stand in a FEMA line, she said. They do math in the kitchen, and when she cooks meals for the kids, Eichar uses it as an opportunity to teach fractions. They jog around the block for recess and read on living room couches. Eichar gives lessons over Facebook Live for kids too far away to come. When those students take spelling tests, their parents snap a photo and message it to her, and shes able to write Good job! on the images. Im the most grateful because being idle is when you go dark, she said. What could be better than spending your day with 8-year-olds? Eichars school will start classes on Wednesday at a gymnasium in Chico. The children have been very matter-of-fact when they tell her what theyve been through, she said. One boy told her there were flames on both sides of his familys SUV that day, and when they got stuck in traffic, his dad drove them out of Paradise on the bike path. There have been a few tears, but mostly its, Mrs. Eichar, my home is gone. Theres only ashes there now, she said. All you can do is hug them and tell them, Im sorry your home is ashes, but Im so glad youre safe. Teachers aide Jenny Hansen, right, teaches math class at the kitchen table in teacher Sheri Eichars home in Chico. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) hailey.branson@latimes.com Twitter: @haileybranson louis.sahagun@latimes.com Twitter: @LouisSahagun Authorities arrested a drunk-driving suspect in connection with a two-car crash in Santa Ana on Sunday morning that left one person dead and three others injured. The 2:20 a.m. crash occurred at East McFadden and South Grand avenues, said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department, leading to the arrest of Jesus Segura Herrera, 29, of Orange. Herrera was behind the wheel of a black Acura TL, traveling northbound on Grand Avenue, when his car rear-ended a white Scion XD, sending the Scion careening across the intersection, with both vehicles finally coming to a stop in the southbound lanes of Grand Avenue, police said. Herrera had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit, Bertagna said. After his arrest, he was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Advertisement A man trapped in the backseat of the Scion was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. Paramedics rushed two other people to area trauma centers, and a third to a nearby hospital. Herrera has prior DUI convictions as far back as 2008, Bertagna said. anh.do@latimes.com Twitter: @newsterrier For two years, weekend mornings for Loretta Jones would begin with a drive from her Wilshire district home to Crenshaw to pick up a woman who needed to go to Hawthorne for methadone treatment. The woman had shown up homeless and on heroin outside the office of Healthy African American Families, the nonprofit Jones founded in 1992 to advocate for healthcare equity. She just needed someone to reach out, said Jones daughter, Felica Jones. Thats exactly what she got. Loretta Jones got the woman treatment and an apartment. Advertisement She lived a good life in her own apartment until she passed away, Felica Jones said. That was typical of Loretta Jones, her daughter said. My mother has always opened her door to every person that needed love and care and guidance. A prolific foster-care mom whose 1979 move from Massachusetts to Los Angeles led to a collaboration with UCLA researchers that helped bridge the gap between community care and academia, Jones died Nov. 22 from esophageal cancer. Since 2011, Jones served as associate director of the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute, a research group focused on combining laboratory science with clinical and community experience to shape practical medical interventions that improve the health of individuals and the public. Co-author of more than 80 peer-reviewed articles, Jones is most noted for her 2009 collaboration with UCLA professor Kenneth Wells pioneering a model for what is called community-partnered participatory research. In many underserved communities, research is a loaded word that sets expectations of being examined or exploited, begins the posting of the article in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. Research, whether it intends to or not, may disadvantage groups by highlighting problems rather than assets and become a symbol of distance between community reality and the ivory tower, where few mechanisms exist to facilitate community access to knowledge. Community-partnered participatory research called for transparency, accountability and equal power-sharing between academics and communities, a memorial on the UCLA website said. Jones decades of activism emphasized the communitys shared responsibility to ensure that healthcare is universally accessible. Everyone deserves the right to live, everyone deserves good healthcare and we are all responsible for making it happen, the article quoted her as saying. A native of Tewksbury, Mass., Jones spent 10 years in foster care as child and became a foster parent of more than 20 children. Because of her own experience she always wanted to make sure children had a home and were loved, Felica Jones said. We had a seven-bedroom house and every room was full. After the move to Los Angeles, Loretta Jones lavished Christmas gifts, Easter outfits and baby cribs on anyone in need who came to her attention, her daughter said. Jones received her bachelor of arts in psychology in 1963 and masters degree in criminal justice in 1972, both from Northeastern University in Boston. She was also awarded two honorary doctorates, including one from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Jones had been a community faculty member at the historically black university in Willowbrook since 2010. Jones founded Healthy African American Families in 1992 to work with pregnant women to improve preterm health, then expanded to other issues including diabetes, depression and environmental justice, her daughter said. Now called Healthy African American Families, Phase II, the group engages universities, think tanks and community members to address healthcare disparities. Its mission, according to its website, is to improve the health outcomes of the African American, Latino and Korean communities in Los Angeles County by enhancing the quality of care and advancing social progress through education, training, and collaborative partnering with community, academia, researchers and government. Jones daughter said her activities brought her to the attention of UCLA researchers who were trying to gain community access. From 1999 to 2009, Jones was on the community advisory board of the UCLA School of Nursings Center for Vulnerable Populations Research. In 2017, Jones was awarded the UCLA Medal, the universitys highest honor. By addressing health disparities and promoting health equity insisting that good health should be a right for all, not just a privilege for the lucky few she has raised the public profile of healthcare access as a true social justice issue, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said in presenting the medal. A notice posted on Healthy African American Families website recalled Jones in a more personal light: commonly known as Ms. Loretta and affectionately known as Nanie. Dr. Jones was a mother, mentor, and miracle for many, it said. Her commitment to social justice, community activation, and true equity made her a well-respected gatekeeper in South Los Angeles and beyond. Her impact can be felt across this country and the world. Besides her daughter, Felica Jones, she is survived by three grandchildren. doug.smith@latimes.com Twitter: @LATDoug Alison Woodman sees the same faces every time she tours the cat cages. The gray and white one looks promising but no, it lacks the nick on the left ear that her Lightning had. True to his name, Lightning bolted as Woodman was packing her car to flee the Camp fire as it devoured the town of Paradise. At the Chico Municipal Airport, the lost animals of Paradise, from chickens to cats and dogs, are housed in a temporary shelter. Advertisement Owners stop by often, hoping against hope that their furry or feathered friends will turn up. Not many new animals are arriving. As time passes, the chance of a reunion grows slimmer. More than three weeks since the deadliest fire in California history raged through Butte County, people are still coming to grips with the loss of homes and loved ones. The death toll stands at 88, with 49 still missing. Many also remain devastated over the loss of their pets. In a town where home lots are large, its not uncommon for residents to have multiple dogs and cats. But as embers flew and flames spread on Nov. 8, terrified animals ran away or refused to get into the car. In other cases, owners were away from home and could not get back to their homes. A dog rescued in the Camp fire rests at the Chico shelter. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) There are about 30 dogs, 80 cats and 60 chickens and ducks at the airport shelter, said Patrick Karcher, an animal control officer from San Luis Obispo County who came to Chico to help. Butte County officials have launched a web page, CampFireRescuedAnimals.com, with photos of animals that were found in burn areas in the days after the fire. Some animals, including horses, goats and pigs, are staying at other locations. Yet others remain inside homes that survived the fire, said Lisa Almaguer, a spokeswoman for the Butte County Public Health Department. Animal control workers and volunteers visit them regularly and leave food and water. Stray cats are a frequent sight in the restricted areas of the fire zone, but they usually scatter when people approach. Paradise officials announced recently that residents in the southern and eastern parts of the town will probably be allowed back to their properties this week. For others, the wait will be longer. At the airport shelter, Nancy Garoppo showed a worker a photo of her tabby, Mini. Shes got green eyes, and she does have distinct markings that bit of black and white hair, Garoppo said. Garoppo had already walked through the cat area, as she has many times since the fire. There, the cats paid their visitors absolutely no mind. A frisky gray kitten batted and chased a toy mouse. Two orange-striped kittens and one black kitten slumbered together in their cage. Mini was not in the isolation ward either, the worker said. When the fire erupted, Garoppo was driving home from Fresno, where she had dropped off her mother. There was no way she could get up the mountain. A neighbor broke a window to rescue Mini, but the cat hid. With flames closing in, the neighbor fled. The mobile home park for senior citizens where Garoppo lived was reduced to ashes. She heard that three people died there. She is hoping that Mini somehow survived. Three years ago, Mini showed up on Garoppos doorstep. Her owner, who arrived to claim her, was surprised to see that Mini was calm, instead of attacking people as she usually did. Mini stayed. Soon, she was ruling the house, waking her owner at 6 a.m. each day and demanding to be fed. I didnt care about my house, said Garoppo, 62, a flight attendant, who is staying with her sister in Chico. All I wanted to do was to get up there and rescue the cat. I felt guilty that I wasnt there for her. Woodman was preparing to leave her Paradise home when there was a loud explosion. Lightning took off. If she looked for the cat, she would die. She drove off with her two dogs. Meanwhile, her husband, Kirt Woodman, a teacher at Paradise High School, was with his students. When it became clear that a bus was not coming, he told them to flag down drivers who were stuck in the traffic jam to get off the mountain. He left with four freshman boys packed in his car. Another five minutes and we wouldnt have made it, he said. From a photograph, the Woodmans saw that their home of 21 years was gone. So was the house next door, which belonged to Alison Woodmans 88-year-old mother. Their daughter lost her house, too. Now, the whole family, including four dogs, is crammed into an Airbnb. Oh my God, little pusses, poor things, Alison Woodman exclaimed as she scanned the cat cages. Its hard when a whole town loses its kitties and dogs. Would the cats be available for adoption for people like herself who couldnt find their own? she asked a shelter worker. She was told they might go to other shelters. She is not ready to give up on Lightning, 13, who drools when he is petted and is as big as a little dog. She regrets that she did not microchip him, as she did her dogs. She was a really resourceful outdoor cat. Im holding out hope, said Woodman, who persists in calling him a she, though he is male. For the Woodmans, replacing the things they lost is a way of moving forward. They are close to purchasing a house in Chico. The Christmas angels Alison Woodmans grandmother gave her are irreplaceable but she must celebrate the holiday without them. When I think of something Ive lost, I go, OK, Ill get new Christmas ornaments, new stockings, Alison Woodman said. Maybe, someday, that will include a new cat. cindy.chang@latimes.com For more news on the Los Angeles Police Department, follow me on Twitter: @cindychangLA The U.S. Navy on Saturday commissioned its newest guided-missile destroyer, named for a naval pilot from Massachusetts who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War. Much of the commissioning ceremony for the Thomas Hudner, held in Boston, paid tribute to the late Fall River native and longtime Concord resident. President Truman awarded Hudner the Medal of Honor for crash-landing his plane to try to save the life of Ensign Jesse Brown, who was trapped behind enemy lines during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in December 1950. Brown, Americas first black naval aviator, had been shot down and could not get out of his plane, which had caught on fire. Hudner intentionally crash-landed in freezing temperatures, packed the burning planes fuselage with snow using his bare hands to keep the flames away from Brown, and tried unsuccessfully to pull his squadron-mate free. Navy Cmdr. Brett Litchfield said at Saturdays ceremony that the destroyers crew will strive to exemplify Hudners selfless devotion to his shipmate. Advertisement In that same spirit, this ship will sail the oceans, often alone. It will stand vigilant against those who would threaten democracy and freedom, he said. This crew is honored to serve on a ship that bears his name. Hudner, who died in November 2017 at 93, was on hand for the christening ceremony that April for the massive Arleigh Burke-class destroyer at Bath Iron Works in Maine. On Saturday, Hudners widow, Georgea, and Barbara Miller, wife of retired Vice Adm. Michael Miller, had the honors of ordering the crew to man our ship and bring her to life. Within seconds, the crew members rushed aboard, taking their positions along the decks of the ship as the Navys march song, Anchors Aweigh, was performed. The destroyers home port will be at Naval Station Mayport in Florida. The Navy says the ship is capable of engaging in air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously. It also has integrated air and missile defense capabilities. 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. The fallout over Floridas turbulent recount is escalating after the states 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 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, said the attorney, Burnadette Norris-Weeks, who added 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. Advertisement 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 years elections, as well as its legally required recount in close races for governor and U.S. Senate, the latter of which Scott won. 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 evidence. 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, 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 governors 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 Floridas economic development agency since last year. Snipes appeared at the start of the Saturday news 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. Scotts 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, chairwoman of the Broward County Democratic Party, questioned why Scott did not appoint someone from the community but instead someone who is a Republican Party stalwart. Chris Smith, a former state senator from Fort Lauderdale, called the decision to suspend Snipes after she had agreed to resign spiteful. McKinley Lewis, a spokesman for Scott, did not respond to statements from Snipes or her attorney, saying that the governors executive order and statement speak for themselves. While Scott initiated the action against Snipes, his administration told Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis about the pending move shortly before it happened. DeSantis will be sworn in as governor on Jan. 8. Its been more than a decade since the nations capital conducted the grand and solemn ritual of bidding a final farewell to a former president. Now Washington is caught up in elaborate preparations for the state funeral this week of George H.W. Bush, the nations 41st president, who died Friday at 94. Four days of observances will showcase a complex interplay of politics and pageantry, sentiment and stateliness, public mourning and private grief before the late president he was also a vice president, member of Congress, CIA chief, diplomat and war hero is laid to rest. The late presidents casket will be transported Monday from his home in Houston to Joint Base Andrews near Washington aboard the plane called Air Force One when the president is aboard. Family and staff are likely to accompany the body. Advertisement Bushs body will be taken to the U.S. Capitol, where members of Congress will stage an arrival ceremony before public viewing begins that night. Bush will lie in state in the soaring Rotunda until Wednesday morning, followed by a funeral at the Washington National Cathedral. President Trump has declared Wednesday a national day of mourning, closing executive departments and federal agencies for the day, and gave the order for U.S. flags to fly at half-staff on public buildings for 30 days. The last state funeral they are reserved for current and former presidents, or other officials the president designates -- was held in January 2007 for former President Ford. But Americans got a vivid reminder of one after John McCain, the longtime Republican senator from Arizona, died in August. An emotional memorial service at Washington National Cathedral carried many of the ceremonial trappings of a state funeral. Trump, who had repeatedly clashed with McCain and mocked his years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, was not invited to that service, which brought several former presidents together. Trump also stayed away in April when Bushs wife of 73 years, former First Lady Barbara Bush, was laid to rest in Houston, although First Lady Melania Trump attended. Trump will be at Bushs funeral, the White House said -- with the Bush familys apparent blessing despite Trumps barbed comments about Bush over the years and relentless mocking of his son, Jeb Bush, during the 2016 presidential campaign. Bush associates said the exclusion of a sitting president from an occasion so solemn and protocol-laden as a state funeral would have been out of keeping with the character of a man who was hailed for his dignity and graciousness. Visitors sign a guest book at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Center on December 1, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Scott Olson / Getty Images) State funerals are highly choreographed, but as with ordinary funerals, the family can incorporate personal touches to evoke particular aspects of the life being honored. The Bush family will decide who speaks at the service, the music played, and the route taken by the funeral procession. The late president is to be buried at the Bush presidential library on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station. He will lie alongside his wife and a daughter Pauline Robinson, nicknamed Robin -- who died of leukemia at the age of 3. Tributes continued to pour in Sunday for Bush, whose one term in the Oval Office from 1989 to 1993 coincided with the highly fraught geopolitics at the end of the Cold War. Many of the remembrances, however, focused on his personal attributes. He was a man of great capacity. He was a man of great tenderness and sensitivity. He was, as someone said, the last gentleman that weve had as president, his friend James A. Baker III, who served as Bushs secretary of State, said Sunday on CBS Face the Nation. The weeks ceremonial centerpiece, the National Cathedral funeral, is part of a larger series of events that will include additional memorials in Texas before the burial. Details of the Washington ceremonies were still being worked out Sunday and updated on a website set up to commemorate Bushs life, georgehwbush.com. In light of Bushs military service record as a Navy pilot, he was shot down over the Pacific in 1944 commemorations will likely involve honor guards drawn from the armed services and performances by elite military bands. A military-civilian task force was making the arrangements Sunday. The Navy tweeted out a terse but touching farewell to Bush on Saturday: Fair winds and following seas, Sir. We have the watch. America has lost a patriot and humble servant: Tributes and condolences pour in for George H.W. Bush At 30,000 feet, George H.W. Bush confronted the most difficult hours of his vice presidency laura.king@latimes.com @laurakingLAT The Woolsey fire was a 14-mile-long wall of flames when, on the morning of Nov. 9, it jumped the 101 Freeway and began tearing through the Santa Monica Mountains. Less than a week later, the National Park Service confirmed that the fire had burned nearly 88% of the federal parkland in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Most Angelenos have enjoyed this expansive network of parkland, even if they dont know it. Anyone who has spent a day at the beach in Malibu, hiked in Runyon Canyon or gone horseback riding in Will Rogers State Historic Park has taken advantage of the national recreation area. Nelson, Feuer and Swift repeatedly went up against development interests who had deep pockets and political connections. Advertisement And yet, four decades after it was created, many residents dont fully appreciate how vast the chain of parks is, or how remarkable its origin story. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is one of the largest urban parks in the country. Spread across more than 150,000 acres and more than 25 ZIP codes, its a crazy quilt of open space owned by federal, state and local agencies, all overseen by the National Park Service. The land preserve is the result of years of dogged advocacy on the part of a handful of local conservationists who went head to head with generations of developers. These epic battles over land use began decades before the recreation area was created. Disagreement over what to do with the Santa Monica Mountains started as early as the 1920s, when a real estate developer named Alphonzo Bell proposed dynamiting part of what is now Topanga State Park to create a limestone quarry. Sylvia Morrison, a wealthy resident of Pacific Palisades, pushed back, lobbying instead for a protected park, to be called Whitestone National Park. Our heritage of the hills must not be wasted, Morrison stated at a 1928 hearing on the matter. Bells plan to create a quarry ultimately collapsed, and so did Morrisons proposal to create a park. The 1960s brought a far more contentious wave of confrontation over the fate of the Santa Monicas. The postwar boom had sparked an extraordinary amount of development throughout California. Parts of the Santa Monica Mountains were being leveled to make way for large housing developments. One plan involved converting canyons in the Santa Monicas into landfills, another proposed filling in Malibu Canyon to build a multilane freeway. As a growing number of developers fixed their eyes on the mountains behind Malibu, a grassroots response began to mobilize. In 1964, a longtime local, Sue Nelson, founded a group called the Friends of the Santa Monica Mountains, Parks and Seashore. In 1965, Marvin Braude ran for Los Angeles City Council for the first time, and won, largely because of growing opposition to a proposed highway that was to cut through the mountains. Over the following decade, Nelson fought hard to create a national recreation area, along with two other local activists. Margo Feuer, a Malibu resident who worked for years to protect land on the coast and became a Sierra Club lobbyist in order to advocate for the park plan. Jill Swift, a homemaker and passionate naturalist, founded an outfit called the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force and led public hiking events to build support for a national park and to oppose development. Nelson, Feuer and Swift repeatedly went up against development interests who had deep pockets and political connections. Together, these three women came to be known as the mothers of the Santa Monica Mountains. Their efforts ultimately culminated in legislation that created a preserve stretching from Franklin Canyon to Point Mugu. This swath of parkland was established as part of the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978. Although the omnibus park bill, as its known, was authored largely by Congressman Phillip Burton of San Francisco, the section on the Santa Monicas was written by Congressman Anthony Beilenson, a local lawmaker, in consultation with Nelson. The bill passed despite opposition, and the recreation area was signed into existence by President Jimmy Carter. The following year, the California Legislature formed two groups: the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, an organization that purchases and oversees parkland; and the Mountains Restoration and Conservation Authority, which manages and improves the acquisitions. These agencies have enabled the state to acquire key sections of parkland that the federal government wouldnt fund. Over the past 40 years, with a brilliant and occasionally ruthless executive director in Joe Edmiston, the conservancy has successfully acquired 60,000 acres of additional open space. One of its first acquisitions, made in 1980, was Paramount Ranch, the first National Park Service property to be incorporated into the recreation area, and, in 1985, Solstice Canyon Park. (Nelson, Feuer and Swift all died in recent decades.) Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion A large portion of the park is now scorched. The Woolsey fire tore through Solstice, Zuma and Trancas canyons, as well as the Peter Strauss Ranch and Paramount Ranch. It jumped Pacific Coast Highway in multiple places, burning to the ocean at El Matador State Beach, Leo Carillo and even Westward Beach on Point Dume, an area that hasnt burned since 1935. Although much of the national recreation area burned in the Woolsey fire, the park helped save human lives. The Santa Monica Mountains are a fire corridor that has burned repeatedly, and it will burn again. If the ridges and canyons that now make up the recreation area were packed with the high-density development once envisioned by planners, the outcome of the Woolsey fire, in human lives, could have been exponentially worse. Conservation sometimes conserves more than we realize. Suzanne Guldimann is the associate editor of the Messenger Mountain News and a regular contributor to the Malibu Surfside News. Her forthcoming collection of essays on local history and nature, Life in Malibu, is due out in December. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook Thanksgiving is barely over, but the Christmas tree debate has already begun. We dont argue politics in my family, but the tree discussion is always spirited. Big or small? Short needles or long? From Home Depot or a place that donates the proceeds to charity? My daughter would prefer a tree from a farm owned and operated by women. For my son, the money should definitely go to a good cause otherwise two weeks of Christmas spirit is a complete waste. My husband just wants it to be cheap. He grew up with a 2-foot-tall green plastic tree his mother pulled out every December and decorated with color-coordinated ornaments. Hes Jewish though, so his family gets a pass. Ive always thought it was very enlightened of her to decorate in any remotely Christian way, but she said trees arent Christian, theyre pagan. She was right. Evergreen branches were once upon a time brought indoors at the winter solstice to remind the pagans that spring would come. The Romans decorated fir trees with fruit and candles to celebrate the god Saturn in December. Christians adopted the tree in the middle ages and hung it upside down from the ceiling thinking that best represented the holy trinity. When I married my husband, I said I would light the menorah and fry latkes for Hanukkah, but I absolutely had to have a Christmas tree. He was fine with that. The best, most ecological and ethical answer is not to have a Christmas tree at all. Advertisement This year Im hyperaware of the politics of everything, including Christmas trees. I want to do whats right. Which is more ecological, real or plastic? The Addis Brush Factory, a toilet brush manufacturer, made the first plastic tree in the 1930s from toilet brush bristles. It was billed as convenient and clean despite the fact that plastic in those days was filled with lead. Now the polyvinyl chloride is lead free, petroleum derived and nonbiodegradable. A plastic trees average life span is five to seven years; then it will spend the next 1,000 Christmases in a landfill. So what about real trees? Theyre a crop, like wheat or soybeans. Theyre often grown on steep hillsides, land not suitable for other plantings. According to the University of Illinois, 93% of Americans recycle their trees, turning them into valuable mulch. And for every one tree purchased, three are usually planted. But a real trees not guilt free. In order to keep up with the demand for the 25 million Christmas trees sold every year, the trees have to be grown quickly using herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. According to the National Christmas Tree Assn., tree farms employ 100,000 workers. Thats good. On the other hand, are these workers exposed to all those chemicals? Ive also read that tree farms create a rich environment for woodland creatures, but with those pesticides in the soil, how much of an animal wonderland can it be? The best, most ecological and ethical answer is not to have a tree at all. I have friends who decorate a wooden chair. Another friends sister hangs lights and ornaments on a skeleton she happens to have. Cat towers are popular tree substitutes on Pinterest, along with ladders painted green and pyramids of books and even repurposed soda bottles. My son gave me a spray can of pine scent, so I can have that special tree smell whatever we decide. But its not the same. Its not Christmas without the sound of my husband swearing as he maneuvers the trunk into the old metal stand. We have to struggle to make the tree straight as we discreetly tie it to the bookcase so it wont fall over. And what would the new year be without vacuuming up needles until Valentines Day? The tree decision is obviously not just about the tree. Its the ritual, the box of ornaments from my childhood that I inherited when my mom died. She was single with three kids on a schoolteachers salary and the presents might have been few, but we always had a tree. We drank hot chocolate and ate popcorn while we decorated it. It was as close to a Hallmark moment as it ever got in my family. A tree means Christmas to me and year after year Ive done what I can to make it significant for my kids as well. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion One year pre-internet I read in a magazine about a cut your own tree farm. We drove to Van Nuys from Silver Lake with our kids, 4 and 7 years old, our camera ready to take adorable California winter pictures. I even brought them mittens to wear with their shorts and T-shirts. It was 85 degrees, the trees looked dry and sick, and the farm was in the median of a busy road under the power lines. Another year we bought a living tree. Living trees are expensive, so it was tiny. We put three ornaments on it and propped the angel that usually goes on the top beside it. By the end of the holiday, it was drooping like the iconic Charlie Brown tree. We followed through: We planted it, watered it and it was dead by February. Now the kids are grown, and we have to add to the tree discussion a planning session to make sure everyone can be home to decorate. I have rated their boyfriends and girlfriends by how they participate. One sat on the couch reading while we trimmed the tree, a big black mark in my book. So far, the 2018 tree election remains undecided. Still on the ballot: A tree made out of scavenged lumber. One that benefits firefighters and fire victims. And anything that costs a fortune. Ive decided whats right this year is compromise. As long as the angel fits on top, it works for me. Diana Wagman is a contributing writer to Opinion. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook. To the editor: The op-ed article by the three law school deans who believe that the California bar exam is too rigorous in its grading should be given the same weight as an association of tavern owners that seeks to reduce the drinking age. The fact that other states have apparently lowered their requirements to accommodate unprepared students clamoring to enter the profession is not persuasive. The California State Bar has a responsibility to the public to maintain its standards for those who would enter the profession. Chris Allgreen, Woodland Hills Advertisement The writer is a lawyer. .. To the editor: I am licensed to practice law in California and the District of Columbia. I passed the California bar exam the second time I took it. Despite what the law school deans wrote, I did not wear my initial failure as an albatross around my neck. It is simply a fact, not an event that forever defines me. I suggest one idea for further study: elimination of the bar exam except for the professional responsibility section. The rest of the test does not prepare a person to become a lawyer; it is merely an antiquated rite of passage. Attending law school and participating in all of the programs offered by the school is the first step in the process of becoming a qualified lawyer. Robert Matthews, San Clemente .. To the editor: I didnt realize California has a shortage of lawyers, but I understand the authors dilemma. New York law schools can boast an 83% pass rate while their California schools are burdened with a 64% rate thats not great for marketing. However, any registration exam that has an 80%-plus pass rate isnt much of a barrier to entry. The pass rate for the structural engineer exam is 30% to 40%, so perhaps we should lower that standard as well. That wont be very reassuring, however, if you find yourself in a tall building or driving over a bridge when the next earthquake hits. Bruce Bates, Laguna Beach .. To the editor: Memorizing large amounts of information and regurgitating it over a few days has little predictive power for lawyering competence today. So when the modern lawyer trying a case hears an improper question, apparently these authors suggest the correct course of action is for the lawyer to take out an iPhone and ask, Siri, what is the proper objection? Theda Snyder, Sherman Oaks The writer is a lawyer Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: Nat Malkus lament that the Los Angeles Unified School Districts credit recovery classes may be a sham is a hit job. My husband and I, both retired English teachers, taught for a total of 60 years. We gave failing grades to many students, the vast majority failing because they were dealing with depression, divorce, violence, incarcerated family members or unstable living situations. Should these students be allowed to graduate based on credit recovery? Of course. What about that student who pretested out of her credit recovery courses? If she could prove she had the skills taught by the course, then why not? Malkus states that high participation in credit recovery signifies lower-quality programs. Based on what evidence? He thinks the teachers who supervise such classes are unlikely to be the schools best. Based on what evidence? Advertisement My school offered after-school tutoring for years. Very few students attended. Why? There was no credit offered. Credit recovery classes offer exactly the skills students need, and they also receive credit. Federal law guarantees each child a free appropriate education. For the high school where I taught, credit recovery classes are appropriate. Ramona Van Dyck, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Why doesnt Malkus mention the suspension of Californias high school exit exam in 2015? Grading schools on their graduation percentages but having no objective definition of what kids are expected to know is an obvious flaw. What is to keep schools from lowering their grading standards to pass more kids, raising their graduation rate in the process? Gov. Jerry Brown recently vetoed a bill that would have allowed for the use of the SAT as the standard high school evaluation test. Why, because that would have introduced more objective accountability? Too bad. Its only the kids who suffer when a schools top students get into the real world of competitive colleges and find out their academic prowess in high school may not take them very far. Todd Maddison, Oceanside Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook A political transformation of the California Legislature takes an important leap forward this week, one that feels a little like a blast from the past: The era of long-tenured lawmakers is back. When 120 legislators take the oath of office on Monday for a new two-year session, there will be fewer incoming members among their ranks than after any election since 1988. The change is most obvious in the Assembly, where only eight new lawmakers will be sworn in compared with 26 newcomers in 2016. And its just what voters ordered when they loosened legislative term limits six years ago. The original term limits were enacted in 1990 as backers of Proposition 140 accused career politicians in their statewide ballot argument of having cozy relationships with special interests. What voters created that November was, at the time, one of the nations strictest policies on legislative service. A lawmaker could serve no more than six years in the Assembly or eight in the Senate 14 years of total time in elected office if choosing to switch from one chamber to the other. The election is hardly over and yet Californias next campaign season is less than a year away Advertisement In the two decades that followed, Californians didnt exactly see impressive results. Approval ratings for the Legislature ranged from mediocre to poor, plummeting to single digits during years in which lawmakers squabbled over large state budget deficits. That gave critics of the 1990 law an opportunity. Their 2012 campaign insisted the new rules would bring stability and actually tighten term limits technically true but hardly the whole story. Legislators can now serve up to 12 years, two less than those who used to jump from one house to the other. But because its now possible to stay in one job, there are more incumbents on the ballot. Incumbents are generally better at raising money and thus more likely to win reelection. Theres no simple way to measure the effect that experienced legislators have on public policy. Several members of the class of 2012, one of the largest in recent history and eligible to serve until 2024, have shown an interest in tackling big issues housing and criminal justice, for example. Change doesnt come quickly in those public policy areas, and the previous eras legislators were routinely criticized for focusing on simpler things that they could brag about when moving to another political post. Nor will the returning and newly arriving members of the Legislature find themselves on the short end of the experience stick when it comes to negotiating with the governor, as their predecessors did. Most wont term out of office until after Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom faces reelection in 2022 and even more can serve long after he would face his own term limits. The change has been most profound in the Assembly, where two-year terms produced the most turnover under the prior term limits and drove the more experienced public servants to seats in the Senate. The growth in Assembly expertise helps bring the two chambers closer to equality in the policymaking process, wrote Eric McGhee, a researcher at the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California in a report last month. But this expertise necessarily comes at the price of lower turnover in some elections. That kind of trade-off was hardly visible when the first legislative term limits were enacted 28 years ago. In promoting one of two efforts that year, then-state Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp told reporters it was time to drain the swamp in Sacramento long before President Trump rode the very same promise into office. In California, though, recent experience suggests the solution to the political muck may be something other than giving lawmakers a strict shelf life. john.myers@latimes.com Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we wonder if Santa Anita executives are sleeping well at night. --Jockey Ricardo Jaime was fined $100 for using his riding crop three times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond. Now, heres where it gets tricky. The stewards minutes and the ruling said the offense took place in the sixth race on Sun., Nov. 11, but Jaime did not ride in that race. So, heres guessing the infraction took place on Mon., Nov. 12, where he rode Monterey Shale to a third-place finish in the sixth race. Who goofed, Ive got to know? (Done for effect, really dont need to know.) --Jockey agent Richard Silverstein was fined $200 for failure to conduct business in a proper manner. In this case, he said he forgot to alert the stewards that his jockey Martin Pedroza would not be riding on Nov. 14. He only had one mount that day. --Jockey agent Nelson Arroyo was fined $200 for failure to conduct business in a proper manner. Arroyo said he spun owner Nick Hines that his jockey would ride Empress of Joy in the fourth race on Nov. 17, according to the stewards minutes. The stewards did not identify which jockey was supposed to ride the horse but Arroyo represents Kent Desormeaux and Norberto Arroyo, Jr . Desormeaux was on another horse in that race. Now, there also was no horse in the race called Empress of Joy, but we are assuming it was Empress of Lov, who finished fourth with Luis Fuentes aboard. (See first ruling.) --Owner Michael Martin was suspended starting Nov. 23 for failure to appear at a hearing at which it was alleged that he owed the Equine Medical and Surgical Group $2,016.60. He is barred from the all areas of the track until the suspension is lifted. --Owner/trainer Lance Hellum was suspended for failure to fulfill a 2016 financial agreement that resulted in a debt of $1,159.61 to vendor Matt Unamuno of Angels Feed. The suspension went into effect on Nov. 25 and Hellum is barred from all areas of the track until the suspension is lifted. --Owner Samantha Siegel of Jay Em Ess Stable and jockey Joe Talamo were ordered to return all purse money after Mr. Vargas, who won the seventh race on Aug. 18 at Del Mar, tested positive for procaine, an antibiotic. The stewards minutes said the level was 2,932 ng/ml, the ruling said it was in excess of that. It was further ruled that Mr. Vargas be disqualified and ruled unplaced in the race. Gato Del Oro is the new winner, however, the ruling does not change any of the pari-mutuel payouts. It cost Jay Em Ess Stable $34,843 and Talamo has to return $3,900. The monies are due by Dec. 18. Brian Koriner is the trainer of Mr. Vargas and was not named in the ruling. --Trainer Mike Machowsky was fined $400 for a late declaration to not run his horse, Ria Munk in the second race on Nov. 22. The stewards ruled the trainer did not have a valid reason for scratching his horse. The feature on Saturday was the Grade 1 $300,000 Hollywood Derby for horses going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The race lived up to its billing with the two favorites battling down the stretch. In the end, shipper Raging Bull for trainer Chad Brown , rallied from the back of the pack, entered the stretch wide and won by a half-length over a game River Boyne. Joel Rosario , who is relocated to Southern California, flew in to ride the colt. I thought I was on the best horse, so I rode him that way, Rosario said. With him, he has a powerful quarter-mile kick at the end. Terrific acceleration. So, I just needed to keep him outside, keep him in the clear where I could ride him at the finish. It worked out just the way Id hoped. I expected him to be a little closer in the first part, Hernandez said. The speed had been holding in the earlier turf races. But he came from off the pace very well. Rosario is a good rider and he knows what hes doing, especially here in California. One [race] down, three [horses the Matriarch] to go. A few days ago, we put up the stats on 2-year-olds trained by Bob Baffert . In Saturdays eighth race, Kingly won another one for the Hall of Fame trainer. His record with young horses seems incredible so far this year. This is it for the fall meeting at Del Mar, which except for a day or rain on Thursday, has had a seemingly very successful meeting. The closing day card is none-races starting at 12:30 p.m. There are four turf races including the Grade 1 $300,000 Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares going a mile. We rarely root for a horse but cant help but love the story line on the favorite in the race, Vasilika at 7-2. I know Ive told the story before, but Ill tell it again. She was claimed 10 races back by Jerry Hollendorfer for $40,000. Since then shes won nine of 10, including eight in a row. Shes won three graded stakes. Flavien Prat gets the ride. Weve probably had a time in our life where we finally figure something out and, while not even Hollendorfer could have expected these kinds of results, it seems like this filly has figured it out, whatever it is. Reminds us of the movie City Slickers where Jack Palance and Billy Crystal discuss the secret of life and try and figure out whats the one thing. Classic scene, contains bad words, but if you want to watch it, here it is . Oh, and there are horses in it, too. Back to our regularly scheduled newsletter. The second favorite is another Brown shipper from New York called Uni. She is three for three this year with two graded stakes wins. Brown also has Quidura (8-1) and Rymska (5-1) in the 14-horse race. Rosario will be riding Uni. I like two 6-1 shots in here, Twisted Rosie and Brookes All Mine. Twisted Rosie tired after contesting the pace last time but is better with a target at which to run, and Brookes All Mine returns from Golden Gate and gets back on dirt, which is her preferred surface (she won here during the summer at 5-1). Box these two in the exacta and call it a meet at Del Mar. Most eyes will be on CM Whatta About Me, dropping back to the maiden ranks after a solid fourth-place finish in the Wild West Futurity five weeks ago. But I loved the works on debut runner First To The Moon V, whose dam Your First Moon is a multiple Grade I winner. First To The Moon V was very quick early in both of her local 12.1 and 12.2 gate drills and was geared down with big strides in latest work. Also, her trainer Jaime Gomez is exceptional with 2-year-olds. Always looking to add more subscribers to this newsletter. Cant beat the price. If you like it, tell someone. If you dont like it, then youre probably not reading this. Either way, send to a friend and just have them click here and sign up . Remember, its free, and all we need is your email, nothing more. Del Mar Charts Results for Saturday, December 1. Copyright 2018 by Equibase Company. Reproduction prohibited. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, California. All finishes confirmed by Plusmic USA. Official program numbers may not correspond with post position. 15th day of a 16-day meet. Clear & Good FIRST RACE. 1 Mile Turf. Purse: $32,000. Starter Optional Claiming. 2 year olds. Claiming Price $50,000. Time 23.81 49.55 1:14.07 1:25.96 1:38.02 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 8 Swamp Souffle 120 7 7 21 21 2 1hd 1 Prat 2.50 7 Mayan Warrior 120 6 4 32 31 31 22 21 Delgadillo 12.20 2 Saltarin 120 2 1 7 6hd 61 53 32 Quinonez 9.50 1 Honcho 120 1 5 61 41 42 4 4 T Baze 1.90 5 I Belong to Becky 120 4 2 1 11 1hd 31 5hd Flores 3.20 6 Daddy Jones 120 5 3 41 7 7 7 61 Fuentes 19.30 3 Lead Star 118 3 6 5 51 5hd 61 7 Espinoza 8.70 8 SWAMP SOUFFLE 7.00 4.40 2.80 7 MAYAN WARRIOR 12.40 7.00 2 SALTARIN 4.80 $1 EXACTA (8-7) $37.80 $2 QUINELLA (7-8) $57.60 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (8-7-2-1) $47.14 50-CENT TRIFECTA (8-7-2) $100.80 WinnerSwamp Souffle B.g.2 by Bodemeister out of Yes She Is, by Seeking the Gold. Bred by Craig L. Wheeler & Barry Berkelhammer (FL). Trainer: George Papaprodromou. Owner: Kretz Racing LLC. Mutuel Pool $188,086 Exacta Pool $99,941 Quinella Pool $4,477 Superfecta Pool $41,907 Trifecta Pool $66,327. ScratchedAck. SWAMP SOUFFLE angled in and pressed the pace outside a rival then stalked just off the rail, re-bid between foes leaving the second turn to gain the lead nearing the stretch, drifted out a bit into the lane, drifted in some in the stretch and held on gamely under urging. MAYAN WARRIOR also angled in early and stalked a bit off the rail, bid three deep leaving the second turn, drifted out some into the stretch, fought back alongside the winner in the drive, also drifted in some and continued willingly. SALTARIN pulled along the inside and was in tight past the wire the first time, saved ground chasing the pace, went outside a rival on the second turn and into the stretch, split horses past midstretch and finished with interest. HONCHO taken off the rail and outside a rival early, went three deep into the backstretch, chased alongside a foe then off the rail leaving the second turn, came out into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. I BELONG TO BECKY took the early lead and angled in, set a pressured pace inside then inched away on the backstretch, fought back leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. DADDY JONES chased outside a rival then between foes into the backstretch, continued alongside a foe, angled in leaving the second turn, came out in the stretch and could not offer the necessary late kick. LEAD STAR saved ground chasing the pace throughout and did not rally. SECOND RACE. 6 Furlongs. Purse: $53,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Time 22.42 45.59 1:10.43 1:16.78 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 5 Spend Spend Spend 122 5 2 21 21 14 14 Pereira 1.50 2 Lovely Finish 122 2 4 4hd 46 22 21 Vergara, Jr. 20.60 4 Confidentially 122 4 6 6 5hd 44 38 Rosario 3.60 1 Johansson 117 1 3 3hd 3hd 31 416 Figueroa 10.10 3 Gracious Me 122 3 1 1hd 1hd 5 5 Prat 1.20 6 Tribal Ann 114 6 5 56 6 dnf Donoe 88.30 5 SPEND SPEND SPEND 5.00 3.60 2.60 2 LOVELY FINISH 11.00 4.80 4 CONFIDENTIALLY 3.40 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (8-5) $20.40 $1 EXACTA (5-2) $27.40 $2 QUINELLA (2-5) $34.00 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (5-2-4-1) $19.56 50-CENT TRIFECTA (5-2-4) $55.15 WinnerSpend Spend Spend B.f.3 by Majestic Warrior out of Holiday Shopping, by Harlan's Holiday. Bred by Whisper Hill Farm, LLC (KY). Trainer: Brian J. Koriner. Owner: Jay Em Ess Stable. Mutuel Pool $249,442 Daily Double Pool $43,528 Exacta Pool $105,038 Quinella Pool $4,269 Superfecta Pool $43,791 Trifecta Pool $75,221. Scratchednone. SPEND SPEND SPEND had speed between foes then dueled alongside a rival, took the lead just past midway on the turn, inched away nearing the stretch and drew clear under a left handed crack of the whip inside the eighth pole and steady handling. LOVELY FINISH stalked between horses then outside a rival, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and held second. CONFIDENTIALLY broke in and slowly, settled inside, went around a rival on the turn, came out in the stretch and bested the others. JOHANSSON saved ground stalking the pace, came a bit off the rail on the turn and between foes into the stretch and weakened. GRACIOUS ME had good early speed and dueled inside, dropped back in the stretch, gave way and was eased in the final furlong. TRIBAL ANN had speed outside then stalked three deep, dropped back off the rail on the backstretch, angled in on the turn, took a bad step and was pulled up in distress midway on the turn and was vanned off. THIRD RACE. 5 Furlongs Turf. Purse: $60,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $100,000. Time 22.14 45.06 56.38 Pgm Horse Wt PP St 3/16 3/8 Str Fin Jockey $1 5 Eddie Haskell 122 3 3 3 41 31 11 Rosario 1.50 1 Calculator 120 1 5 4hd 3hd 42 2 Prat 1.40 7 Cistron 120 4 2 1hd 1hd 1hd 3ns T Baze 3.00 8 Go On Mary 121 5 1 22 21 2 41 Bejarano 10.40 3 Allaboutaction 120 2 4 5 5 5 5 Pereira 19.30 5 EDDIE HASKELL 5.00 2.60 2.10 1 CALCULATOR 2.80 2.20 7 CISTRON 2.20 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (5-5) $13.40 $1 EXACTA (5-1) $4.70 $2 QUINELLA (1-5) $5.00 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (5-1-7-8) $1.38 50-CENT TRIFECTA (5-1-7) $3.50 WinnerEddie Haskell B.g.5 by Square Eddie out of Teresa Ann, by Boston Harbor. Bred by Reddam Racing LLC (CA). Trainer: Mark Glatt. Owner: Wood, Philip J. and Hailey, Jim. Mutuel Pool $334,313 Daily Double Pool $23,158 Exacta Pool $130,933 Quinella Pool $5,008 Superfecta Pool $41,579 Trifecta Pool $86,004. ScratchedApalachee Bay, Bay Muzik, Sixes, St. Joe Bay, Surrender Now. 50-Cent Pick Three (8-5-5) paid $13.30. Pick Three Pool $59,248. EDDIE HASKELL stalked between horses then outside a rival on the turn, came out in the stretch, bid three deep in midstretch, gained the advantage approaching the sixteenth pole and proved best under a moderate hand ride and a snug hold late. CALCULATOR a half step slow into stride, stalked inside, waited off heel from upper stretch to midstretch, came out and got up for the place three deep on the line. CISTRON sent between horses early, angled in and dueled inside, fought back in the stretch and just held third. GO ON MARY had speed three deep then dueled outside the runner-up, battled between horses in midstretch and was edged for third between foes late. ALLABOUTACTION stalked outside a rival then three deep into and on the turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. FOURTH RACE. 5 Furlongs. Purse: $18,000. Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $16,000-$14,000. Time 21.98 45.12 57.07 1:03.56 Pgm Horse Wt PP St 3/8 Str Fin Jockey $1 6 Placido 124 6 3 11 11 14 14 Pedroza 0.90 1 Isee It in Hiseyes 122 1 8 31 2 22 21 Delgadillo 6.50 7 Schulace 122 7 1 2hd 31 42 3 Quinonez 6.20 2 Giddymeister 122 2 2 53 4hd 3hd 4 Roman 18.60 8 Builder 122 8 5 4hd 54 52 51 Gryder 4.90 5 Powerful Thirst 122 5 6 8 8 65 69 Fuentes 14.80 3 Drizzy 113 3 7 71 7 7 7 Fuentes 8.60 4 Demonslayer 114 4 4 6hd 6hd 8 8 Donoe 65.90 6 PLACIDO 3.80 2.80 2.40 1 ISEE IT IN HISEYES 5.00 3.80 7 SCHULACE 3.80 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (5-6) $12.20 $1 EXACTA (6-1) $11.70 $2 QUINELLA (1-6) $14.40 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (6-1-7-2) $35.86 50-CENT TRIFECTA (6-1-7) $29.85 WinnerPlacido Ch.c.4 by Shackleford out of Intentional Cry, by Street Cry (IRE). Bred by William D. Graham (ON). Trainer: Simon Callaghan. Owner: Arnold Zetcher LLC. Mutuel Pool $249,959 Daily Double Pool $29,247 Exacta Pool $147,893 Quinella Pool $5,951 Superfecta Pool $81,728 Trifecta Pool $109,643. ClaimedPlacido by Lorenzo Ruiz. Trainer: Lorenzo Ruiz. ClaimedPowerful Thirst by A and J Racing. Trainer: Vann Belvoir. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (5-5-6) paid $9.00. Pick Three Pool $28,429. PLACIDO had speed off the rail then between foes, inched away nearing the turn, angled in on the turn, was shaken up to widen in the stretch then drew away under a couple cracks of the whip and a hold late. ISEE IT IN HISEYES a step slow to begin, went up inside to press then stalk the pace, came out into the stretch and held second. SCHULACE had speed outside foes then stalked alongside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and edged a foe for third. GIDDYMEISTER saved ground chasing the pace throughout and was edged for the show. BUILDER five wide early, chased outside then alongside a rival on the backstretch and turn and was outfinished for a minor award. POWERFUL THIRST dropped back off the rail early, went three deep on the turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. DRIZZY between foes early, chased a bit off the rail to the stretch and weakened. DEMONSLAYER between horses early, chased outside a rival then between foes leaving the turn, came out some in the stretch and also weakened. FIFTH RACE. 1 Mile Turf. Purse: $53,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies. 2 year olds. Time 23.30 48.30 1:13.24 1:25.15 1:37.02 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 12 Giza Goddess 122 10 9 21 1hd 12 13 15 Blanc 7.50 9 My Sweet Baboo 122 7 4 61 61 41 31 2nk Prat 1.70 10 Hello Bubbles 122 8 2 81 81 6hd 51 31 Rosario 2.60 11 Nomizar 122 9 7 11 21 21 22 42 Bejarano 68.50 5 Shes All Woman 122 5 5 7 7 7hd 62 51 Pereira 37.10 13 Landon 122 11 1 3hd 31 31 41 63 T Baze 55.80 3 Queen Ryker 122 3 11 11 9hd 9hd 81 7ns Van Dyke 7.20 7 Super Klaus 122 6 8 10hd 10hd 11 102 8 Cruz 92.40 2 Woodfin 117 2 10 9hd 11 10hd 9 9 Figueroa 44.60 1 Opus Won 122 1 6 4 5 81 7 1026 Geroux 12.80 4 Enamored 122 4 3 5 4hd 51 11 11 Talamo 5.90 12 GIZA GODDESS 17.00 6.40 3.80 9 MY SWEET BABOO 3.40 2.40 10 HELLO BUBBLES 3.00 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (6-12) $60.60 $1 EXACTA (12-9) $24.60 $2 QUINELLA (9-12) $20.80 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (12-9-10-11) $115.61 50-CENT TRIFECTA (12-9-10) $36.65 $2 CONSOLATION DOUBLE (6-8) $5.00 WinnerGiza Goddess Grr.f.2 by Cairo Prince out of Comfort and Joy, by Harlan's Holiday. Bred by Clarkland Farm (KY). Trainer: John A. Shirreffs. Owner: Mercedes Stables LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, Dilworth, Scott, Ingordo, Dorothy, Ingordo, David an. Mutuel Pool $554,523 Daily Double Pool $39,473 Exacta Pool $340,076 Quinella Pool $11,561 Superfecta Pool $148,189 Trifecta Pool $217,247. ScratchedFabulous Star, Lily Con, Samandah. 50-Cent Pick Three (5-6-12) paid $33.50. Pick Three Pool $77,094. 50-Cent Consolation Pick Three (5-6-8) paid $2.60. 50-Cent Pick Four (5-5-6-12) 4 correct paid $98.85. Pick Four Pool $181,744. 50-Cent Pick Five (8-5-5-6-12) 5 correct paid $450.50. Pick Five Pool $544,272. GIZA GODDESS angled in and stalked off the rail then bid outside a rival on the backstretch, took the lead a half mile out, inched away and angled in on the second turn and drew off in the stretch under a late left handed tap of the whip and steady handling. MY SWEET BABOO stalked three deep to the stretch, split rivals in deep stretch and edged a foe for the place. HELLO BUBBLES angled in and chased outside a rival then three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for second. NOMIZAR sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside then dueled along the rail, stalked on the second turn, came out into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award. SHES ALL WOMAN angled in on the first turn and stalked inside, went between foes on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. LANDON three deep on the first turn, stalked off the rail then a bit off the fence on the second turn, found the inside in the drive and weakened. QUEEN RYKER (IRE) broke slowly, went three deep on the first turn and backstretch and into the second turn, swung five wide into the stretch and also lacked the necessary response. SUPER KLAUS settled between horses chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and did not rally. WOODFIN broke a bit slowly, saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch and was not a threat. OPUS WON close up stalking the pace along the inside, fell back leaving the second turn and weakened. ENAMORED stalked between horses, dropped back between foes into the stretch, gave way and was eased in the final furlong. SIXTH RACE. 7 Furlongs. Purse: $32,000. Starter Allowance. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $50,000. Time 23.12 46.36 1:11.92 1:25.11 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 1 Sauce On Side 119 1 7 8 8 7hd 1nk Rosario 2.90 5 Tiz Toffee 114 5 5 1hd 1hd 1hd 21 Espinoza 4.30 4 Tapitha Bonita 119 4 3 2 2 23 31 Pereira 9.90 3 Pied N True 117 3 8 7hd 72 41 4hd Fuentes 57.10 2 Mongolian Humor 119 2 2 65 6 6 55 Bejarano 2.30 7 Gypsy Blu 124 7 4 41 3hd 5hd 64 Gryder 10.70 6 Tiz Wonderfully 120 6 6 51 56 3 7 Desormeaux 19.20 8 Vallestina 121 8 1 3hd 4hd 8 8 T Baze 4.00 1 SAUCE ON SIDE 7.80 4.00 2.80 5 TIZ TOFFEE 5.00 3.80 4 TAPITHA BONITA 5.60 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (12-1) $99.40 $1 EXACTA (1-5) $18.80 $2 QUINELLA (1-5) $17.20 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (1-5-4-3) $96.79 50-CENT TRIFECTA (1-5-4) $67.40 WinnerSauce On Side Dbb.f.3 by Violence out of Carphonic, by Lion Heart. Bred by Maharg Management Inc. (FL). Trainer: Peter Miller. Owner: MyRacehorse.com and Rockingham Ranch. Mutuel Pool $400,045 Daily Double Pool $41,739 Exacta Pool $206,696 Quinella Pool $8,522 Superfecta Pool $96,298 Trifecta Pool $142,846. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (6-12-1) paid $58.25. Pick Three Pool $74,368. 50-Cent Consolation Pick Three (6-8-1) paid $5.30. SAUCE ON SIDE settled off the pace inside, came out leaving the turn and into the stretch and again in upper stretch and rallied under left handed urging to get up nearing the wire. TIZ TOFFEE dueled between horses then outside a rival leaving the turn and in the stretch, inched away in deep stretch and was caught late. TAPITHA BONITA angled in and dueled inside, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and held third. PIED N TRUE broke a bit slowly, settled outside a rival then inside on the turn and in the stretch and finished with some interest. MONGOLIAN HUMOR settled outside a rival then a bit off the rail, swung out into the stretch and also finished with some interest. GYPSY BLU pressed the pace three deep between foes most of the way to the turn, stalked between foes on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and weakened. TIZ WONDERFULLY stalked just off the rail on the backstretch and turn, swung out into the stretch and also weakened. VALLESTINA prompted the pace four wide then stalked three deep on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and had little left for the drive. SEVENTH RACE. 1 1/8 Mile Turf. Purse: $300,000. 'Hollywood Derby'. Stakes. 3 year olds. Time 23.70 48.20 1:12.48 1:36.74 1:48.34 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 6 Raging Bull 122 6 11 112 112 10hd 2 1 Rosario 1.90 4 River Boyne 122 4 2 91 8hd 3 11 22 Prat 2.70 7 Instilled Regard 122 7 5 2hd 2hd 41 51 3hd Geroux 5.70 13 Prince Earl 122 13 7 4 71 71 4hd 41 Pereira 29.60 11 Carrick 122 11 4 71 4hd 1hd 3hd 5nk Desormeaux 7.00 5 Fight On 122 5 3 12 12hd 121 81 6 Quinonez 116.60 3 Risky Proposition 122 3 12 103 9 11 122 7nk Talamo 48.20 8 Desert Stone 122 8 10 61 5hd 5hd 71 8 T Baze 23.10 2 Kazan 122 2 13 13 13 13 11hd 9hd Blanc 30.10 9 Platinum Warrior 122 9 8 8 101 91 91 10 Van Dyke 17.40 10 Way Early 122 10 6 5hd 6 8 10hd 115 Cruz 114.30 1 Have At It 122 1 9 11 1 21 61 1214 Cohen 10.40 12 Pubilius Syrus 122 12 1 31 31 6hd 13 13 Maldonado 49.20 6 RAGING BULL (FR) 5.80 3.40 2.80 4 RIVER BOYNE (IRE) 3.40 2.80 7 INSTILLED REGARD 4.40 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (1-6) $22.80 $1 EXACTA (6-4) $9.90 $2 QUINELLA (4-6) $10.00 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (6-4-7-13) $70.86 50-CENT TRIFECTA (6-4-7) $27.55 WinnerRaging Bull (FR) B.c.3 by Dark Angel (IRE) out of Rosa Bonheur, by Mr. Greeley. Bred by Dayton Investments Limited (FR). Trainer: Chad C. Brown. Owner: Peter M. Brant. Mutuel Pool $709,593 Daily Double Pool $67,513 Exacta Pool $359,926 Quinella Pool $9,856 Superfecta Pool $172,032 Trifecta Pool $265,793. ScratchedCaliforniagoldrush. 50-Cent Pick Three (12-1-6) paid $103.00. Pick Three Pool $87,853. RAGING BULL (FR) angled in and settled inside then a bit off the rail, went up three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and rallied under left handed urging to collar the runner-up nearing the wire. RIVER BOYNE (IRE) stalked inside then between horses, continued off the rail on the second turn, bid three wide into the stretch to gain the lead, inched away in the stretch and held on well but could not contain the winner late. INSTILLED REGARD stalked off the rail then bid between foes on the backstretch, tracked just off the rail on the second turn, split horses in the stretch and came back for the show. PRINCE EARL five wide leaving the chute, stalked three deep then four wide into the second turn and three wide into the stretch, drifted in some and was edged for third. CARRICK stalked outside, went up four wide to the lead on the backstretch, dueled outside a rival into and on the second urn and was outfinished in the drive. FIGHT ON saved ground off the pace, came out in upper stretch and improved position. RISKY PROPOSITION broke a bit slowly, settled inside then between foes on the second turn, swung four wide into the stretch and could not summon the needed late kick. DESERT STONE (IRE) angled in and stalked inside, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and also lacked the necessary late response. KAZAN (IRE) broke a bit slowly, settled inside then outside a rival, went up four wide on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. PLATINUM WARRIOR (IRE) chased outside then three deep, came four wide into the stretch and also lacked a rally. WAY EARLY three deep leaving the chute, stalked outside a rival then between foes, steadied in tight leaving the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. HAVE AT IT sped to the early lead, set the pace inside then dueled along the rail, fought back into and on the second turn and weakened in the stretch. PUBILIUS SYRUS four wide leaving the chute, stalked three deep then between foes, steadied in tight into the second turn, dropped back and gave way in the drive. EIGHTH RACE. 6 Furlongs. Purse: $53,000. Maiden Special Weight. 2 year olds. Time 22.52 45.65 57.71 1:10.19 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 4 Kingly 122 4 3 1hd 2 33 1 Van Dyke 4.10 8 Stretford End 122 8 2 41 32 2hd 21 Prat 0.60 6 My Mandate 122 6 1 3hd 1hd 1hd 33 Pereira 29.70 3 Mutineer 122 3 5 5hd 41 44 4nk Bejarano 57.00 1 Nolo Contesto 122 1 10 92 94 6hd 54 Rosario 10.40 10 Nolde 117 10 7 82 6hd 5 61 Figueroa 44.90 5 Mo Reserve 122 5 4 2hd 51 72 7 T Baze 12.30 7 American Camp 122 7 6 62 8 95 81 Roman 19.00 9 Moonoverthebayou 122 9 8 7 72 83 95 Desormeaux 44.30 2 Green Fleet 122 2 9 10 10 10 10 Talamo 13.20 4 KINGLY 10.20 3.60 2.80 8 STRETFORD END 2.20 2.20 6 MY MANDATE 6.60 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (6-4) $24.40 $1 EXACTA (4-8) $10.10 $2 QUINELLA (4-8) $6.00 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (4-8-6-3) $85.02 50-CENT TRIFECTA (4-8-6) $44.05 WinnerKingly B.c.2 by Tapit out of Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union. Bred by Clearsky Farms (KY). Trainer: Bob Baffert. Owner: Clearview Stables LLC. Mutuel Pool $417,974 Daily Double Pool $62,896 Exacta Pool $257,700 Quinella Pool $9,037 Superfecta Pool $136,606 Trifecta Pool $179,536. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (1-6-4) paid $33.10. Pick Three Pool $76,207. KINGLY dueled inside, fought back under urging in the stretch to regain the lead past midstretch and gamely prevailed. STRETFORD END pressed the pace four wide then three deep on the turn and in the stretch and was outgamed late. MY MANDATE dueled three deep between horses then between foes on the turn, put a head in front in the stretch, fought back between foes in the drive but could not quite match the top pair late. MUTINEER saved ground stalking the pace, came out a bit into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. NOLO CONTESTO bumped after the start and had the rider lose an iron briefly, settled inside, came out on the turn and four wide into the stretch and bested the others. NOLDE chased outside then alongside a rival, went three deep on the turn and into the stretch and did not rally. MO RESERVE dueled between horses, fell back and stalked a bit off the rail on the turn and weakened. AMERICAN CAMP chased between horses then outside a rival, continued a bit off the rail on the turn and also weakened. MOONOVERTHEBAYOU settled off the rail then a bit off the fence on the turn and did not rally. GREEN FLEET bumped with a rival after the start, chased a bit off the inside, came out into the turn and four wide into the stretch and was not a threat. NINTH RACE. 1 Mile Turf. Purse: $54,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $20,000. Time 23.26 47.85 1:12.44 1:24.71 1:36.99 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 11 Super Patriot 120 11 5 94 9hd 6hd 31 1nk Van Dyke 7.00 8 Absolutely Perfect 122 8 4 21 21 22 1hd 22 Geroux 6.60 9 Emmy and I 117 9 3 11 12 1hd 22 31 Espinoza 48.40 4 Sapphire Kid 120 4 8 8hd 8hd 8hd 8hd 4nk T Baze 13.20 5 Quinnie 120 5 2 61 51 51 7 5nk Bejarano 15.60 6 Tenthousandreasons 122 6 11 10hd 11 11 91 6 Talamo 71.50 10 Thalia 122 10 6 3hd 3hd 4 5hd 7nk Prat 1.60 3 Drop the Mic 120 3 9 51 6 3hd 4 8nk Cruz 14.40 2 Speakers 124 2 10 7hd 7hd 7hd 61 94 Pereira 9.90 7 Kennedie Sky 119 7 7 11 101 10hd 102 102 Figueroa 41.20 1 Marjorie E 122 1 1 4 4 91 11 11 Rosario 3.70 11 SUPER PATRIOT 16.00 8.00 5.80 8 ABSOLUTELY PERFECT 7.60 4.80 9 EMMY AND I 12.80 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (4-11) $69.00 $1 EXACTA (11-8) $54.60 $2 QUINELLA (8-11) $51.80 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (11-8-9-4) $1,210.04 $1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (11-8-9-4-5) Carryover $15,961 50-CENT TRIFECTA (11-8-9) $463.55 WinnerSuper Patriot Ch.f.3 by Unusual Heat out of Patriot C H, by Redattore (BRZ). Bred by Harris Farms (CA). Trainer: Bob Baffert. Owner: Bolton, George, Davenport, Jeff, Leidel, Peter, Lipman, Barry, Mathiesen, Mark, Molasky, Andrew, and. Mutuel Pool $398,118 Daily Double Pool $142,091 Exacta Pool $237,199 Quinella Pool $8,580 Superfecta Pool $127,458 Super High Five Pool $20,914 Trifecta Pool $174,129. ClaimedSpeakers by Homme, Eric, St. Hilaire, Christopher, Richardson, Maureen and Del Mar Summer Ra. Trainer: Andrew Lerner. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (6-4-11) paid $54.40. Pick Three Pool $176,251. 50-Cent Pick Four (1-6/14-4-11) 4 correct paid $215.15. Pick Four Pool $834,146. 50-Cent Pick Five (12-1-6/14-4-11) 5 correct paid $3,136.75. Pick Five Pool $563,095. $2 Pick Six (6-12-1-6/14-4-11) 5 out of 6 paid $118.60. $2 Pick Six (6-12-1-6/14-4-11) 6 correct paid $23,642.60. Pick Six Pool $132,767. Pick Six Carryover $21,460. $1 Place Pick All 9 correct paid $478.80. Place Pick All Pool $25,098. SUPER PATRIOT chased three deep then between foes leaving the backstretch, continued four wide on the second turn and five wide into the stretch, drifted in some but rallied under urging to get up in the final stride. ABSOLUTELY PERFECT angled in early then stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter on the second turn to gain the advantage into the stretch, inched away from that one in deep stretch and just failed to hold off the winner. EMMY AND I had speed outside the runner-up then angled in and set the pace inside, dueled on the second turn, fought back in the stretch and to deep stretch, could not match the top pair late but held third. SAPPHIRE KID chased between rivals, split horses three deep leaving the second turn, angled in entering the stretch, went between foes in deep stretch and was outfinished. QUINNIE stalked three deep, came four wide into the stretch and could not summon the needed late kick between foes. TENTHOUSANDREASONS broke slowly, settled inside, split horses into the second turn, came out five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late response. THALIA was in a good position stalking the pace three deep then between horses into the stretch and could not summon the necessary rally. DROP THE MIC stalked between horses to the stretch and did not rally. SPEAKERS saved ground chasing the pace, split horses leaving the second turn, angled back in and also lacked a rally. KENNEDIE SKY settled outside a rival then went up four wide on the backstretch, continued outside on the second turn and six wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. MARJORIE E saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened. Its been five years since Mohamed Iqbel Ben Rejebs brother Hamza left the Al Qaeda-affiliated militants he joined in Syria and returned home. But life in Tunisia has not returned to normal. Hamza, a 28-year-old who suffers from muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair, is under government surveillance and struggles to find a job, Ben Rejeb, 40, said in a phone interview. Tunisians make up one of the largest groups of nationals that joined extremist groups in Syria, Iraq and Libya. Of the estimated 40,000 foreign fighters that fought for Islamic State alone, upward of about 7,000 were Tunisians, according to a 2015 report from the Soufan Group, a security firm based in New York. Advertisement In Tunisia, militant Islamists took advantage of the politically open environment following the Arab Spring in 2011 to tap into long-standing grievances over unemployment and religious and political disenfranchisement. Since the collapse of Islamic States self-styled caliphate, troves of foreign fighters have returned home or to third countries. Ben Rejebs brother is one of an estimated 2,000 Tunisians who have come back to Tunisia. Consequently, the government has faced the dilemma of how, or whether, to reintegrate thousands of radicalized jihadists into the relatively open society. Some secular politicians have sought to strip returnees of their citizenship, but the constitution bars them from doing so. Human rights advocates and terrorism experts are calling for programs to de-radicalize fighters. By and large, Tunisian officials have imposed arbitrary detention and travel restrictions and engaged in surveillance, according to Amnesty International and other human rights groups. Such measures run counter to Tunisias law and threaten its fragile democracy, said Fida Hammami, an Amnesty International researcher based in Tunisia. The countrys democracy is one that has been lauded as the sole success of the Arab Spring uprisings across the Middle East that began in December 2010. Hamza did not respond to repeated requests for an interview. Ben Rejeb, his brother, said it was because of concerns about privacy. Ben Rejeb said he was often asked why Hamza decided to join militants in Syria. Its a question he says he is unable to answer. The brothers are from Ibn Khldoun, just outside Tunis, the capital. A 2018 study by the Washington-based New America Foundation estimated that Tunis was home to 36% of the foreign fighters from Tunisia. It also found that jihadists exploited the grievances of those struggling to find work or feeling politically marginalized. By the time Ben Rejeb found out Hamza had left Tunisia to join the Al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al Nusra, it was too late to stop him. It was March 2013 and Hamza, despite being in a wheelchair, had found his way into Syria through the border with Turkey. Because of his physical impediments, Hamza joined the militant groups online team. But it didnt take long before he regretted his decision. He spent just five days in Syria before returning to Tunisia, Ben Rejeb said. Now, the pair help de-radicalize former fighters, thus far serving 150 families. Their organization, Rescue Assn. of Tunisians Trapped Abroad, or RATTA, is one of a handful in Tunisia seeking rehab programs for returnees. Terrorist attacks in Tunisia in recent years have left many Tunisians wary and led authorities to double down on repressive tactics. After two high-profile massacres in 2015 one at a beach resort in Sousse in which at least 38 people were killed and the other at a museum outside Tunis where 23 people died the government declared a state of emergency. Three years later, the measure restricting freedom of assembly, imposing curfews and house arrests, and allowing media censorship has yet to be lifted. The state of emergency framework has shown that human rights have been sacrificed in several aspects, said Hammami of Amnesty International. On the other hand, Tunis lawyer Mounir Baatour, 38, wants the government to impose even harsher restrictions on returnees and potential extremists who never left. This is for the security of the people. I feel less safe than before, he said. While the Arab Spring created room for political openness by toppling an autocratic despot, President Zine el Abidine ben Ali, it also cast a spotlight on long-standing economic and religious grievances. Released from prison with the fall of Ben Ali, jihadists and leaders of Tunisias militant group Ansar al Sharia were able to openly spread their ideology. In North Africa, the Arab Spring and its aftermath created opportunities for jihadists to organize and mobilize on a wider scale than previously possible, said David Sterman, senior policy analyst at New Americas International Security program and coauthor of the study. The fighters were socioeconomically underprivileged and came from regions characterized by a lack of access to economic and political power. Citing escalating violence, Tunisian authorities in August 2013 banned Ansar al Sharia, but little could be done to reverse the ideology that it spread. Five years later, the government has yet to formulate a cohesive plan to deal with radicalized jihadists and returnees. Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, a member of the secularist Nidaa Tounes party, said in 2016 that returnees would be tried under the countrys 2015 anti-terrorism law, but collecting sufficient evidence to send returning fighters to prison has proved difficult, said Sarah Yerkes, a fellow at the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Moreover, jailing returnees could strain Tunisias already overcrowded prisons and further radicalize inmates, experts said. The easiest thing is for the government to put these people in jail, but this doesnt defer radicalization, Yerkes said. Hamzas decision to go to Syria has left him and his family with lasting consequences, Ben Rejeb said. Hamza has struggled to find work or friends. My brother is handicapped and cannot carry a weapon. In order to drink a glass of water, he needs to use two hands, Ben Rejeb said. Such obstacles worry him about Tunisias future, Ben Rejeb said. Hes trying to rebuild his life as normally as he can, but hes rejected. melissa.etehad@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @melissaetehad George H.W. Bush became the 41st president of the United States during a pivotal time in world politics. From the collapse of the Berlin Wall to the end of the Soviet Union and the Persian Gulf War, world affairs dominated much of Bushs one term in office. On Saturday, international leaders chimed in to recall their memories of the former president, who died Friday at the age of 94. President George H.W. Bush, left, and Soviet counterpart Mikhail Gorbachev laugh during a news conference on July 31, 1991, in Moscow. (Mike Fisher / AFP/Getty Images) Russia Leaders in Russia recalled Bush with nostalgia and fondness, illustrating the stark difference between todays tumultuous relationship with the Kremlin and warmer moments during Bushs years as president. Advertisement In a statement to the Bush family, President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences, adding: An outstanding man, who has faithfully served his country all his life with a weapon in his hands during the war and in senior government positions during peaceful times is no longer with us. By the time Bush became president in 1989, the Soviet Union was teetering and the new world order was around the corner. The union collapsed in 1991, and its constituent republics, including Russia, became independent states. Konstantin Kosachev, head of the Russian Senates foreign affairs committee, credited Bush with ushering in the greatest era of U.S.-Russia relations. In an interview with the Interfax news agency, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev recalled the close relationship that formed between the two world leaders as they worked together to help end the Cold War. I have a lot of memories associated with this person. We had a chance to work together during the years of tremendous changes. It was a dramatic time that demanded great responsibility from everyone. The result was an end to the Cold War and the nuclear arms race, he said in a statement. Bush is not universally loved in Russia, where some believe the United States did too little to help the country transition from communism, and blame U.S. advisors for decisions that put the states assets in the hands of a few oligarchs in the 1990s. However, he is also remembered for the less desirable (to Americans) cuts of chicken, primarily legs, that were sent to post-Soviet Russia in 1991 as food aid, and became known as Bush Legs. Chickens once viewed as an extension of friendship between the Kremlin and the U.S. are now a point of contention; when relations between the Kremlin and U.S. sour, Moscow bans imports of U.S. chicken. Former President George H.W. Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend a ceremony to inaugurate the new U.S. Embassy building in Berlin. (John MacDougall / AFP/Getty Images) Germany Bush is widely credited and almost universally applauded in Germany for his unflinching support for German reunification that ultimately came about on Oct. 3, 1990 just 11 eventful months after the Berlin Wall came down. Bushs unyielding faith in Germany as a democratic nation stood in stark contrast to its Western neighbors and came at a time 45 years after World War II when Germany did not have many friends in the world. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in a brief news conference with President Trump at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires, praised Bush for his role in supporting German reunification soon after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. Hes the father, or one of the fathers, of the German unification, and we will never forget that, she said. President George H.W. Bush shakes hands with a crowd of soldiers stationed in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield on Nov. 22, 1990. (Historical / Corbis via Getty Images) Saudi Arabia Bush, a former oilman, nurtured a close relationship with leaders in Saudi Arabia. In a statement issued after his death, the Saudi Embassy in Washington called Bush a true friend. The Kingdom will never forget his resolve during the Gulf War of 1991 when American and Saudi troops fought side by side to reverse a flagrant act of aggression, the statement read. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, Bush formed a coalition with Arab countries to try to get Iraq to withdraw. Saudi Arabia came into the picture when the oil-rich country became concerned about a possible invasion. Bush sent U.S. troops to Saudi Arabia and in January 1991 launched Operation Desert Shield, a war that drove Iraq out of Kuwait while leaving dictator Saddam Hussein in power. Hussein would later be driven from power by Bushs son, President George W. Bush. Special correspondent Erik Kirschbaum in Berlin and Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson in Washington contributed to this report. melissa.etehad@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @melissaetehad UPDATES: Times special correspondents Erik Kirschbaum and Matthew Bodner contributed to this report. 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. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Uzbekistan Under New Regime from Isolation to Integration by R.G. Gidadhubli Uzbekistan is the second largest and most populous state among the five Central Asian countries with a population exceeding 34 million. Shavkat Mirziyoev, taking over the presidency of Uzbekistan in 2016 after the demise of Islam Karimov, has undertaken the task of transformation of the country through reforms and changes in domestic and foreign policies discarding the former policy of repression and isolationism, which he could not do earlier as the Prime Minister. There is a focus on democracy, regional cooperation and integration of Uzbekistan with the world at large and promoting close political and economic ties both with the USA and Western countries and at the same time with Russia unlike his predecessor Islam Karmov, who was shifting his alliance with either the East or the West. The following facts and arguments justify these contentions. Firstly, the US Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, while addressing the American-Uzbek Chamber of Commerce Business Forum on October 23, 2018 in Tashkent attended by Mr Mirziyoev, appreciated: I want to applaud the successful political and democratic reforms that are underway in Uzbekistan and to encourage your continued commitment to them. In fact he was reiterating US President Donald Trumps appreciation of reforms during Mirziyoevs visit to the White House in May 2018. Hence Ross assured close partnership between the USA and Uzbekistan and that the United States was absolutely committed to being a strategic partner in your growth and development, through trade, investment, and your outreach to other nations in Central Asia. Secondly, prior to his meeting with the US Commerce Secretary, on October 8, 2018, Mirziyoev had made a trip to France as a part of his first official visit to a European Union country since taking over the helm of the long-isolated Central Asian state. In Paris he met French President Emmanuel Macron as well as other government officials, lawmakers, and representatives of the French financial institutions and companies to strengthen strategic ties with France. This is evident from his latest policy- decision according to which French nationals can travel to Uzbekistan for upto 30 days without a visa. Thirdly, Mirziyoev has every reason to be satisfied and confident with his policy to enhance and strengthen economic and political ties with Russia because President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to Uzbekistan on October 18, 2018 since Mirziyoev took over the presidency in 2016. Both the leaders discussed issues pertaining to bilateral military technical cooperation and regional security. Mirziyoev was candid in stating: A detailed exchange of opinions has taken place on countering terrorism, extremism, and especially the radicali-sation of youth. During the last about two decades Russia and Uzbekistan have been victims of these threats to security as also drug trafficking emanating from Afghanistan. Hence both the leaders were in agreement about the policy-measures needed with regard to Afghanistan. Equally important is the fact several documents, including a plan of Russian-Uzbek cooperation for 2019-2024, a memorandum on cooperation in oil and gas sectors, a programme on cultural and humanitarian cooperation, and other agreements were signed during Putins visit. On October 19, 2018 Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mirziyoev launched the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Uzbekistans western region of Navoiy, which Moscow estimates will cost $ 11 billion. It is a matter of great significance that, as stated by Putin, this will be the first nuclear plant in Central Asia and will have two reactors with a capacity of 2.4-megawatts to produce cheap and clean electricity for customers both in Uzbekistan and also other Central Asian countries. This will ensure energy stability not only for Uzbekistan but for the whole region of Central Asia. Fourthly, Uzbekistan as also other landlocked Central Asian countries face acute problems of water mainly after the two major rivers feeding the Aral Sea, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, were diverted for Soviet irrigation projects and therefore the Aral Sea has lost 90 per cent of its size since the 1960s. Hence leaders of five former Soviet republics in Central Asia met in Turkmenistan on August 24, 2018 to discuss the way to save the Aral Sea, which is facing severe environmental issues and Aral Sea degradation is one of the worlds worst disasters. In this background Mirziyoev announced that his country would spend $ 2.6 billion over five years to develop the area around the Aral Sea, which is an evidence of his policy of close regional cooperation and support to neigh-bouring countries, overriding conflicts that prevailed between Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz republic in the past. Fifthly, as opined by Western analysts and contended by Mirziyoev himself, Uzbekistan had been suffering from corruption, protec-tionism, and government intervention in various aspects of the economy that had hampered growth. Hence the new government is aware of the need to improve the investment climate and is taking incremental steps to reform the business sector, float the exchange rate, offer financing and tax advantages to potential foreign investors, and remove some capital controls. To implement his policy, Mirziyoev embarked on an anti-corruption campaign that has purged scores of top government officials including the powerful head of the countrys security service, Ruslan Inoyatov, who many had seen as untouchable. Sixth, as per the World Bank report in 2017, the Uzbek Government launched an ambitious programme of market-oriented reforms that are unprecedented in the countrys modern history. At the same time there is need to prioritise and implement reform policies to sustain economic growth and create employment opportunities. Efforts have been made by the present government to implement policy-decisions to reform the economy. For instance, the governments National Development Strategy for 201721 aims to transform the country by liberalising the economy, reshaping the role of the state in the economy, modernising the agriculture sector, strengthening governance, creating markets, including financial services, enabling private sector growth, investing in human capital, and improving social protection and service delivery for all citizens. Mirziyoev has proposed to give priority for the economic development of the Fergana Valley which, as reported by Western analysts, was neglected by the former President and his family as it was under their control. Mirziyoev was frank in stating that over the past 27 years, not a single new factory had been set up in Ferghana which is a vital region of the country. Seventh, several democratic reform measures have been undertaken by Mirziyoev and, as opined by several Western analysts, he has been trying to move away from the oppressive policies of his predecessor. This has made some positive impact on the image of the country. For instance, on September 26, 2018, 78-year-old Tolib Yoqubov, a prominent Uzbek human rights activist and outspoken critic of Karimov, returned to Uzbekistan after more than a decade in exile in France. He was the founder of the Uzbek Human Rights Society but fled Uzbekistan in 2007 fearing for his safety. The Uzbek authorities had withdrawn his citizenship in 2014. Eighth as opined by Mike Eckel, the publicity and propaganda that prevailed during the regime of Islam Karimov and his family members have been drastically curtailed since Mirziyoev has taken over the presidency. Stanislav Pritchin of Chatham House confirmed this contention: Islam Karimov and his family were at the centre of power and the economy, and, of course, when the personality changed, the system had to be changed. It needs to be mentioned that the eldest daughter of Islam Karimov, Gulana Karimova, was and has been under house arrest on corruption charges and another daughter, Lola, has been forced to leave her position as the Uzbek ambassador to UNESCO and at present lives outside the country. Thus in lieu of conclusion it may be stated that even as several social, economic and problems persist, Uzbekistan has been undergoing major developments and transformation under the new regime of Mirziyoev. Dr Gidadhubli is a Professor and former Director, Centre for Central Asian Studies, University of Mumbai. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Retelling the Tale of Hashimpura Massacre The story of Hashimpura massacre in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (UP), committed more than three decades back, has come back to the public domain after the recent verdict of the Delhi High Court, which sentenced 16 Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel involved in the massacre to life imprisonment. There are different narratives of the massacre. One theory is that the killings were retribution for the murder of Prabhat Kaushik, a young Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worker who had died of a bullet injury. The shots were allegedly fired from Hashimpura. This was on May 21 (1987). It was alleged that the Prabhats brother, Satish Kaushik, who was posted as a major in Meerut then, had orchestrated the custodial killings to avenge his personal loss. But, there are other narratives of the pre-history of the massacre. According to Shadab Rizvi, a senior journalist, who reported the incident from Meerut, there was no direct link between Prabhats murder and the massacre. His account of the events leading up to the massacre tells us that the PAC men were angry with the Muslims of Hashimpura over their aggressive stance during a search operation in the area following a communal incident a day earlier. What happened on the fateful day of May 22, 1987? Reportedly, the most popular narrative is that...the Army went on a door-to-door and roof-to-roof search-and-arrest operation and rounded up over 600 Muslim men. They were then paraded out of the narrow lanes to the main street, near a peepal tree. The Army then handed over the men to the PAC who sorted them into three groups: the aged, the boys and the young men. Between 42 and 45 of the healthiest men were then packed inside a yellow-colored truck of the C-Company of the PACs 41st battalion and driven away. What was the fate of those healthiest men of the community? To put it in the words of Shadab Rizvi: They took them to a canal in Ghaziabad and killed them there for the reason that the battalion was based there and they felt it was a lot safer. (See the report of Omar Rashid from Meerut in The Hindu, November 10, 2018, for the above narratives) Asad Rehman, a student of journalism, visited Hashimpura in 2016 and talked to the people about the massacre. He was surprised to listen to the same story from the survivors and the later generation members of the community. To put it in the words of Asad: What surprised me most was how... the tale of a fateful FridayMay 22, 1987was repeated in an entire community, across genders and generations, almost an incantation. Zarina, 61, remembers exactly what happened on Alvida, the last Friday in the month of Ramzan in 1987: PAC personnel barged into our house from the terrace and started assaulting the men in the house. They lined up all the men on the main road and then took most of them to police stations, barring the 42 who were taken to Ghaziabad. The 42 men were lined up and shot at in cold blood. Zarinas husband was one of the 42. He did not survive the shooting. Arif, born 15 years after the Hashimpura massacre, tells the same story, almost verbatim. I have heard the tales so many times, its almost as if I was there. Arifs father was kept in jail for three weeks, tortured and later released. (Asad Rehman, A Single Tale, The Indian Express, November 12, 2018) Now, let us listen to Vibhuti Narayan Rai, a retired IPS officer, who was Superintendent of Police in the region at that time, and later wrote a book on the massacre. In the context of the Delhi High Court verdict, Rai has raised uncomfortable questions, as a person who was witness to the gory incident, regarding the mode of governance of our polity: As Superintendent of Police, I vowed to take the assassins and perpetrators of this heinous crime to their logical destination...There are many open secrets, which were known to people in and around Meerut. Why was the investigation taken from me and handed over to the CID within 40 hours? Why were they allowed to make a mess of it? What about the mysterious army major who loitered around Hashimpura, where he was not supposed to be? What about the woman whose nephew was killed few hours before the victims were kidnapped in a PAC truck? While scanning the documents of the CID, I stumbled upon many leads which were leading the investigators to the perpetrators. Why did the CID suddenly decide not to pursue those leads? These issues keep me from enjoying this moment, one I was waiting for over all these 30 years...The judgment of the High Court may be some consolation but we must remember that in this case, all the stakeholders of the Indian statethe political leadership, bureaucracy, police, media and judiciaryinitially failed. If we are really committed to keeping India a secular democracy, we will have to ensure that Hashimpura never happens again. (The Indian Express, November 3, 2018) The role of the State in the investigation of the Hashimpura massacre has also been questioned in the recent judgement of the Delhi High Court. The text of the judgement noted: How the State of UP managed to have the records of a pending criminal trial weeded out is indeed a mystery. The two-justice Bench of the Court candidly recorded the limits of justice embedded in their verdict: We are conscious that for the families of those killed, this is perhaps too little, too late. They have had to wait for 31 years for justice. The monetary compensation they have received cannot make up for the lives lost. This case points to the systemic failure that results, not infrequently, in a miscarriage of justice. The spectre of the Hashimpura massacre still haunts us, as violence against the Muslim community has become a harsh reality confronting us today. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Indian Constitutional Courts and Secularism I by Irfan Engineer This is a two-part article. This is the first part. The second and concluding part will be carried in the following weeks issue of Mainstream dated December 8, 2018. Traditions and customs are being used to redefine and redraw the contours of secularism in India in the last couple of years. The constitutional parents, with near unanimity, if not unanimously, embraced the principle of secularism and that principle was followed in the initial years of the post-independence period to gradually check the power of religious institutions and religious leaders, loosen their control over communities, ushering in gradual reforms and marching towards equal citizenship. This included opening up Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus; regulating the secular activities associated with religious practices, including the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthan, Travancore Cochin Devaswom Board, management of Ajmer Sharif Dargah under The Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, 1955 etc., particularly the donations received by these institutions; and reforming family laws through a series of legislations. These measures were resented and resisted by the religious leaderships of the respective communities. The secular state was ushering in gradual reforms, albeit at a painstakingly slow pace in the case of minorities. The Dalit movement for social justice and feminist movement were the main engines pushing the state to usher in gradual reforms. The secular mandate and social reform impulse of the Constitution created space for social reforms and the secular convictions of the executive yielded to such demands. Secularism now is being invested with new meanings in the garb of freedom of religion to assert selective illiberal traditions and customs in order to check the march towards equal citizenship and reassert the control of religious institutions and religious leaders. The French model of secularism as laicite wherein the state is intolerant of religious manifestation in public space would not work in a traditional society like India. Mobilisation for the freedom struggle was through religiously coloured appeals and discourses and had to contend with communal demands. The idea of secularism in India was associated with religious freedom, albeit with reasonable restrictions, equal space for all religions and harmonious living together with diversity of language, culture and religion. However, what should freedom of religion mean? Is it freedom of the religious elite and institutions to determine the social and collective life in accordance with what they decide to be religious traditions and customs? Or is it freedom of individuals to profess and practice their religion in accordance with her/his conscience without facing exclusion and discrimination? And finally, who constitutes the community, or in constitutional terms, which group can claim to be of a religious denomination or a section thereof and whether dissidence within the community is to be accommodated and to what extent? Conflicting Claims to Secularism by Dissenting Individuals and Religious Institutions The Constitution of India tries to strike a balance between freedom of the individual to practice her/his religion and space given to the elite of religious denominations (and sections thereof) to establish and manage their institutions. The conflict in some of the recent judgments is whether the individuals right to profess and practice her/his religion is superior to that of the communitys right to maintain certain traditions and customs. The two recent examples are that of womens entry into the Sabarimala temple between the age of 10 and 50 years and the practice of divorcing a Muslim wife by her husband by pronouncing or communicating, through whatever means, the word talaaq thrice in a single sitting which is treated by a section of Muslim community as irreversible divorce (triple talaaq), while the majority judgment of the Supreme Court in both the cases seems to have taken a consistent stand tilting in favour of upholding the fundamental rights of individual citizens guaranteed in Part III of the Constitution over those of a religious denomination or a section thereof. Secular Provisions in the Constitution Article 25 of the Constitution gives the right to every individual in India to profess, practice and even propagate any religion of her/his choice, subject, of course, to the reasonable restriction of public order, morality and health, and subject to other provisions of the chapter on fundamental rights. However, the state can make laws to regulate or restrict any economic, financial or other secular activity associated with religion; the state can make laws providing for social welfare and reform or for throwing open Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus. Article 25 defines the right to freedom of religion from the perspective of an individual person, subject to the reasonable restrictions of public order, morality and health and to other fundamental rights. The Article further empowers the state to regulate financial and other secular activities that may be associated with religion such as administration and management of trust, employing staff, complying with state laws etc. The state can also make laws to ensure that Hindu religious institutions of public character are open to all classes and sections of Hindus. While Article 25 is about the right of an individual to freedom of conscience, Article 26 defines rights of religious denominations or sections thereof as a collective, and those rights include the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes and to manage its own affairs in matters of religion. The rights of the denominations and sections thereof are also subject to the reasonable restriction of public order, morality and health, the domain in which the state can make laws to restrict their rights. However, unlike Article 25, the rights of denominations and sections thereof are not subject to other fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The conflict in Sabarimala and the triple talaaq cases therefore can be seen within the prism of apparent conflict between the religious freedom to practice, profess and propagate religion granted under Article 25 and the religious freedom granted under Article 26 to religious denominations to establish and maintain institutions for religious worship and to manage its own affairs in matters of religion. In the triple talaaq case, Shayara Bano and other Muslim women challenged the practice of triple talaaq as unconstitutional and illegal and pleaded that their fundamental right to equality under Articles 14 and 15 was being violated as Muslim men alone had the right to divorce their wives unilaterally and instantly without resorting to mediation or arbitration. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, the orthodox voice within the community, pleaded that triple talaaq, though considered as a bad practice, once pronounced operated as divorce even when those dreaded words were pronounced under intoxication, anger or when a man was not in control of his senses. After pronunciation of those dreaded words, the marriage would be over and the man cannot inhabit with the divorced wife. They further pleaded that under Article 25, they (the Muslim community or denomi-nation) had a right to practice their religion and manage their religious affairs, which included operation of triple talaaq. In the Sabarimala case, while the petitioners, the Indian Young Lawyers Association, and interveners supporting the petition once again pleaded that restriction on entry of women in the age-group of 10 to 50 years amounted to discrimination and therefore violation of their fundamental right to practice their religion, the respondents opposing the petition claimed that Sabarimala was a separate denominational temple of great antiquity dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, a Naisthik Brahmachari celibate deity. According to ancient traditions and customs, women in the age of 10 and 50 cannot complete their 41 days Vruthum for physiological reasons and therefore cannot enter the temple. These are the basic tenets of establishment of the temple. They claimed the right of the denomination to manage its own religious affairs. We are citing these two examples but there are many other examples where dissenting individuals pleaded violation of their funda-mental right to practice their religion at the hands of the community and those managing the affairs of the community or a religious institution in turn claiming the the denomina-tional right to sustain traditions and customary practices and subject all members of the community to such practices merely because they are ancient, even if they cause legal injury to a section by treating them unequally and excluding them. Take it or leave it, they seem to say, we are not going to change. Some ancient customs can even be inhuman and oppressive like excluding Dalits from religious institutions and practices, witchcraft, deception of gullible people by practising faith healing and magic, the custom of marrying young girls to temple idols and compelling them to prostitution, etc. The executive and legislature intervened sparingly in the initial years after independence with the constitutional mandate under Article 25 to usher in reforms. That is how a series of temple entry legislations were passed and stiffly resisted and challenged in constitutional courts on the ground of right to manage religious affairs of the denominations. However, all such challenges failed. The States then brought in legislations to manage financial and secular activities associated with religious practiceregulating the financial management of donations at the Tirupati Balaji Temple and Ajmer Dargah. The recent legislative inter-ventions include The Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013 which was stiffly opposed by the Hindu supremacist organisations like the Sanatan Sanstha. The legislation was passed after the assassination of Dr Narendra Dabholkar who lobbied for years for such a legislation. In 2016, the BJP Government passed The Maharashtra Prohibition of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2016 to protect the individuals from being subjected to oppression on account of their dissenting views by caste-based bodies or local village elite enthusiastic to uphold traditions and customs as well as religious institutions and denominations with the weapon of social boycott. The constitutional courts, however, have by and large, with some exceptions, viewed the challenge by dissenting individuals (resisting oppressive traditions and customs that violate their fundamental rights) to the freedom of religion of denominations under Article 26 to manage their religious affairs and subject all members of the community to the norms they decide, in favour of the individuals right to practice their religion. In the Shayara Bano case, the practice of triple talaaq was invalidated. In cases of challenges to customs and rules that excluded the women from Haji Ali Dargah, Shani Shignapur temple and Sabarimala, these rules and customs were held to be discriminatory and violating the fundamental rights of those so excluded. How has the constitutional judiciary reconciled these conflicting claims of funda-mental rights? We would examine this in the next Secular Perspective. (To be concluded) (Courtesy: Secular Perspective) The author is the Director, Centre for the Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai. He can be contacted at e-mail: irfamengi[at]gmail.com Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Quest for the Lost Dignity by Sardar Amjad Ali The Indian National Congress, a party of distinction and heritage, fought the battle of liberation of India from the foreign yoke of 200 long years. With a heritage of Gandhi-Nehru-Indiras association, the party, since 2014, has been under a most heinous attack, as a party of irrelevance in the Indian contemporary political history, by the mainstream media of the country. Their main contention is that a party, having 130 years of descent, could secure only 44 seats in a House of 543 in the last Lok Sabha elections. The other facets of their campaign were aimed at the partys weak leadership, lack of stable/effective organisation and the much-hyped canard of corruption. True it is that the party leadership in different States was not that of expected quality or efficiency. Loose organisation, tainted with internal squabbles and lack of effective answer to the canards levelled by an articulate speaker like Narendra Modi, were no doubt, relevant. The concerted, cost-effective campaign in the national media in an orchestrated manner at a fabulous expenditure that the BJP could afford, alongwith the unprecedented financial assis-tance of their crony capitalists, and the unrealistic hopes and expectations generated among all classes of citizens, particularly the youth, in well-versed, articulate and hypnotic vocabularies by Narendra Modi, resulted in extra milege; no doubt all this was assisted by the well-calculated presentations of the media. Anti-establishment tenets have always been one of the most determinate factors in moulding the public psyche in election time. During the long years of the Congress regime admittedly there had been many abrasions. Per contra, its achievements and determined objective of establishing an egalitarian society, as was Nehru-Indiras quest, that is, a society shorn of caste, creed, religion, ensuring equality before law and equal opportunity to every citizen, to flourish economically, socially and culturally as a nation with a self-reliant economy through cohesive and collective effort, had suffered deliberate ignominy at the hands of the media. This too cannot be lost sight of. Inflated charges of corruption, slow economic progress, unemployment apart, a sinister charge of partisan interest shown by the Congress to a particular religious group was the most heinous and vicious bogey the BJP indulged in. The strategy was intended to consolidate a targeted constituency of a religious hue. I, as a Congress worker as well as a Member of Parliament, having worked with Indiraji and her colleagues, such as D.P. Dhar, K.D. Malaviya, Y.B. Chavan, Babu Jagjivan Ram, Devraj Urs, K. Karunakaran, Uma Shankar Dikshit, Kamala-pathi Tripathi, do not accept the unfounded virulent criticism by the BJP and its cohorts. To indict the Congress leadership as being extra-sensitive towards a particular religious group is nothing but a libelous insinuation for political gain. Justice Rajindar Sachar, in his report, however, did not endorse the canard. Not that the post-Indira and/or post-Rajiv leaderships of the Congress were less sensitive or more tilted towards any particular religious group. The personal integrity of these Congress leaders was above board. Indirajis critics say that she failed in developing a new generation of leadership in the Congress and the void started from thence. It is well known that slander sometimes get dispropor-tionate credo when reationality or factual matrix altains a tragic state. The picture is, however, different in reality. Was it not Indira Gandhi who built up a young generation of leaders in I.K. Gujral, Chandrashekhar, Sharad Pawar, V.C. Shukla, K.C. Pant, Krishna Kant, Purna Sangma, to speak of a few? Indiraji had the sagacity to lend her ears to them on national and inter-national issues which they argued and she conveyed her assent to their observations. But hard realities are more shocking. In her crisis days none of those gentlemen was with her. To share the booty of political bargain each one of them decamped conveniently. Even Pranab Mukherjee, who was the most favoured person during Indira Gandhis rule, did not hesitate to decamp when Rajiv Gandhi denied him a berth in his Cabinet, though he rejoined later under Rajiv in his Council of Ministers. Didnt Rajiv Gandhi shower his best confi-dence on Arun Nehru, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Bhagwat Jha Azad? But history tells how Rajivs confidence was betrayed and slain with the greedy knives of those blessed souls. Trust, faith and confidence on others are humane qualities as opposed to betrayal, breach of trust or adulterous bargain. The last two Gandhis have been victims of a treacherous saga in exchange of their generous overtures towards their fellow-travellers in building a new India and shaping the destiny of its people. To speak about the various scams allegedly indulged in by the erstwhile Congress regime, say, about Bofors or Coal blocks or Telecom contracts, neither before the Joint Parliamentary Committee, nor before the court of law the guilt of the Congress, as complained, could be established in spite of the complainants being in power. And yet the charge that the Congress is a party of insidious corruption persists. But the velocity of those virulent attacks on the honesty, integrity and purpose of the party has been, of course, lethal. The consistent malicious and derogatory campaign with the nastiest invectives used against the party, with particular emphasis on the images of the leaders, had helped breed a sense of popular mistrust and loss of confidence on the dignity of a party of 130 years. Consequent upon such a perverse situation, the basic challenge before the party, as it stands today, is to restore the dignity of the party as well as the confidence of the people in its leadership, not to speak of its vision ahead with the aim of repairing the damage the country has been forced to endure under the present regime. A curative or remedial measure can be well taken care of only when the ailment on the physique of an entity, be it an animate or inanimate object, is skilfully diognsed. Rahul Gandhi, the young President of the National Congress, has rightly detected that the party cannot be expected to be ever dependant upon the support or assistance of other political entities for its own survival. Therefore, resto-ration of its dignity and grandeur in the public mind is a priority that has to be addressed. And in doing so, the nature of the sinister attacks the ruling clique is inflicting unabatedly and with impunity upon the people at large and that too, in preference to a handful of their crony capitalists, has to be relentlessly unmasked. The Congress, as it is known, is a vehicle of mass movement for generation of mass awareness towards the vicious and diabolical attacks on the peoples right to justice, self-determination, secular system of governance, balanced economic development, sustained growth, resistance to unholy exploitation and a self-reliant socio-economic state-structure. Thus it has to tread over that cherished route to restore popular confidence in the party. The heredity of Indias cultural distinction, popular tolerance, constitu-tional nationalism and peaceful co-existence with its neighbours has also to be commemorated with honour and dignity. Rahul Gandhi, as the Congress President, has done well to take care of these factors over which the dignity of the party, as he very often says, can be built. In building a party, governmental power may be at times of help but that does not help unless a party, in a constitutional popular electoral democracy like ours, is based on mass support and inclusionary approach to human resources. Rahul Gandhi, it is evident, does not believe in the power-oriented cataclysm of party-building. His vision is not that of an exclusionary approach to human resources, either of the party workers or in addressing the issues touching different segments of the Indian populace. In organising the party, a structure synchro-nised with the wisdom of the veterans and the exuberance of the youth appears to have been strategically adhered to. In the long run this is likely to give the desired dividend. To identify a political rival, not only a claimant in the ultimate power-game, but also an ideological rival in the national polity, keeping an honest estimate of the real ethos the nation craves for, is a delicate one. The BJP, proceeding with an ideology of making India a theocratic state of medieval culture, has rightly been identified by Rahul Gandhi, representing a party with secular ideals, as the deadliest political force to emerge on the horizon. To fight such a divisive and communal outfit, consolidation of the secular forces is the imminent need of the hour. Immediacy of ascendance to power will dilute the real objective seems to have been Rahuls perception at the moment. If that be so, his move will not only instil popular confidence in the honesty of purpose of his political struggle but also enhance the dignity of the party which has been ruthlessly attacked by some of the media organisations with vested interest, alleging the Congress to be a party whch is nothing but a power-hungry selfish political giant. In his recent electoral strategy Rahul Gandhi has taken such allegations in his stride with abundant transparency and honesty of purpose. Yet then one has to keep a close watch as to how the people of India, who fought successfully against colonial exploitation, overcoming the then rulers divisive political strategy on the one side and the subject nations humiliating servitude on the other, react and record their signs of approval or disapproval to whatever is happening today. However, at the moment we do not have before us unlimited time which, incidentally, is fast running out. The author is a former Congress Member of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and a senior Advocate of the Calcutta High Court. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Unchallenged Hegemony of BJP by Vijay Kumar Ever since the Gujarat Assembly elections held in December 2017, the Congress party under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi has been on the resurgence. The Congress missed the formation of the government in Gujarat, the home State of the Prime Minister and the President of the ruling party, the BJP, by a narrow margin. Thereafter, the Congress did well despite anti-incumbency, and succeeded in outsmarting the BJP in May 2018 by installing a government in Karnataka led by H.D. Kumaraswamy as the Chief Minister. Therefore, on the political front, the Congress has been doing well and is living up to the task of an Opposition party. At the national level and on national/international issues, the Congress is the only party which has succeeded in capturing the Opposition space. The Congress is again the only party, apart from the Left, that is raising the issue of the Rafale scam, the most conspicuous case of crony-capitalism. But on the ideological front, the Congress is clearly not upto the task. Ever since the last Gujarat Assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, has been on a spree of temple visits, especially at the time of election; whether it is Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and/or Rajasthan. The Congress has adopted soft Hindutva and is thus allowing the BJP to establish its ideological hegemony. The two main planks of the BJP are aggressive and jingoistic nationalism and toxic Hindutva. Both these planks need to be countered by espousing secularism and pluralism. It is true that toxic Hindutva is a complete negation of classic Hinduism, known for bewilderingly diverse varieties, tolerance, openness and catholicity. It is also true that the basic tenet of Hinduism is under attack by the BJP through its highly sectarian and narrow vision of religion which Hinduism is not. But the response to the pernicious ideology of the BJP cannot be soft-Hindutva characterised by the temple hopping by Rahul Gandhi all the time and by proclaiming, rather defensively, that he is a Shiv Bhakt and Janau-dhari Hindu. Confronted with constant nagging by the BJP in respect of Rahuls religious affiliation, the Congress should take a principled stand that religion is a private affair of its leader and the BJP has no business to peep into his privacy. Instead of adopting this liberal and secular position, the Congress seems to be confused and has surrendered and is spending its energy in responding to the BJPs absurd questions. By now, it is crystal clear that the BJP is shying away from the issue of governance, particularly those issues which are central to the life of the ordinary public. The Congress should adopt people-centric activism by highlighting the issues which have fateful concern for the margi-nalised groups, youth and women. The Congress should raise the state of the economy and keep on harping on the issue of governance to such a virulent degree that the BJP is compelled to respond to it. There is no dearth of issues that can be raised to corner the BJP. There are a host of issues ranging from foreign policy, particularly its precarious state in the context of neigh-bouring countries, to the state of the economy, lack of jobs, farmers distress, callous neglect of education and denigration of institutions on which the record of the BJP Government is extremely pathetic. But this is not happening. Despite the alarmingly pathetic record of governance on all fronts, whether economic, social and/or foreign policy, the BJP is getting away from it by raising the issue of construction of the Ram temple and embarking on the name-changing agenda and allied polarising issues, and the Congress has been put on the defensive and left to respond to the same. The experience since independence has shown that hard-core secularism has always succeeded in countering the fanaticism of the erstwhile Jana Sangh and the present BJP. The Jana Sangh was an extremely marginal player at the time of Pandit Nehru, who practised genuine and aggressive secularism. The answer to the communal politics of the BJP lies in articulation of aggressive and principled secularism. The issues of governance, particularly pertaining to the poor public, should be the main plank on which elections ought to be contested. The Congress needs to be reminded of the difference between electoral success and hege-mony which are two distinct matters. During Nehrus time, the Congress achieved not only repeated electoral success, but also established its hegemony in the form of the famous Nehruvian consensus. The Congress may or may not succeed in defeating the BJP. But assuming that the Congress can defeat the BJP, it is presently not in a position to make a dent into the hegemony of the BJP by combating its ideology. Achieving electoral success is one thing and defeating the opponents ideology is an altogether different thing. The Congress has to learn this and should be in the forefront in its opposition to the hideous and divisive agenda and anti-poor policy of the BJP. The author is an Advocate of the Supreme Court. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Inclusive Development: Relevance of Socio-Political Factors Rising inequalities in wealth and income lead to unequal access to power, status and influence. Democracies may be less prone to such state capture than dictatorships but even democracies have proved to be vulnerable to pressures from the powerful private interests, particularly when the prevailing social structure is inequitable, as in India. Policy-analyses, worldwide, highlight rising income inequalities as the foremost concern today. Recent OECD evidence based on a sample of 15 countries over the period 2002-12 showed a negative correlation between income inequality within a region and the regions growth, basically on account of underinvestment in human capital by the lower income groups, suggesting that policies should avoid the grow first, distribute later assumption that has characterised the economic paradigm until recently, and instead consider from the outset the way in which the benefits of growth will be distributed to different income groups. (OECD, 2017 Update Report) Further, there is a general consensus among these studies on the major factors driving inequalities and on the agenda for action to reduce inequalities, prominent among such agenda being public provision of education, health care and necessary skills. But these studies do not ask why countries in general failed to implement such agenda effectively, even though these measures have been articulated for over two decadesa period during which inequalities have in fact reached unacceptable proportions. There is thus a major gap in understanding with respect to the relevance of socio-political factors beyond the oft-repeated economic policy agenda. In general, democracy has been regarded as a major political instrument for achieving inclusive development. But inequalities have been rising even in mature democracies which had experienced democratic revolutions long ago and have undergone radical social transformation, as in Europe. In China, feudalism was abolished in the late 1940s. However, its authoritarian political system with enormous powers for political mobilisation and will for action, while successful in bringing about high growth, resulted in highly uneven sharing of gains from growth. India, on the other had, succeeded in sustaining democracy so far in a society that is ancient, slow-moving and ridden with various kinds of inequities with respect to classes, castes, gender etc. But instead of democracy bringing about radical social change, the long-entrenched and powerful social groups are able to influence even the popularly elected governments for appropriating disproportionately large benefits from growth. There seem to be two sources for the failure of democracies in this respect. In the first place, democracies were expected to give rise to a large middle class that would espouse the cause of liberty and equality, but experience has shown that the upper sections of the middle class are more interested in reaching the top 10 per cent or one per cent of the income ladder than joining the forces working for wider sharing of benefits from growth. Another major source for distortion of the democratic framework is money power. (Stiglitz, 2012) It ranges from the very wealthy employing the highly paid consultants and lawyers for tax planning to financing interest lobbies to win over the law-makers, as often observed in the United States and even in other democracies in Europe. It is now widely recognised in social science research that much of the variation in poverty and inequality across rich democracies is due to politics and institutions. For example, there is convincing evidence of a strong relationship between unionisation and higher earnings, and lower inequality and poverty, the indirect effect of unionisation through liberal welfare policies of states becoming more prominent. The proportional representation system of democracy, where multiparty competition becomes effective at different stages, explains why countries in Europe with the system of proportional representation have much less poverty and inequality than the countries with a majoritarian system like the United States. (The Oxford Handbook of the Social Science of Poverty, 2017) There is evidence that congressional shifts to the Republican Party, diminishing Union membership, lower tax rates, and financial asset bubbles played a strong role in the rise of the super-rich in the United States. (Volscho and Kelly, 2012) Political actors, who favour free markets, do not simply let markets do their job and actively influence how markets work through their institutional choices of whom to tax and what to regulate. One of the emerging concerns with the dramatically rising inequality in countries like US is that this results in an unbalanced distribution of political power which reinforces inequalities and may by itself have a corrosive effect on democracy. (Brady and Leicht, 2007) A major casualty of rising income inequality and the increasing role of money power in policy-making is that those adversely affected start losing interest in the prevailing democratic system. This is confirmed by a study which, based on the individual survey data from twenty-four democratic countries, demonstrates that increasing income inequality strongly depresses political engagement by people who feel left out. (Frederick Solt, 2004) The decline in voter participation and apathy is explained by the decline in the government expenditure on social development and welfare measures as a proportion of GDP since the late eighties, which had steadily increased earlier in such economies for over two decades on account of unionisation and political pressures. (Brady and Lee, 2014) All this shows that formulating a good policy agenda for achieving inclusive growth is not enough. There is need for a debate on the efficacy of the existing framework of democracy and necessary modifications so as to enable it to more adequately represent the long-term societal aspirations for justice and fair play. It is also necessary to explore the possibilities of strengthening civil society activism by combating the prevailing apathy. This is a formidable challenge at the political level. But intellectuals can contribute to this effort through their investigations and thinking. This requires individual as well as joint effort from different scholars such as political scientists, sociologists, historians, economists and others. (Inaugural Address at the International Seminar on Inclusive Developmat: Issues and Challenges in honour of Prof R. Radhkrishna, held at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad on October 8-9, 2018) References David Brady, K.T.Leicht, Party to inequality: Right party power and income inequality in affluent Western democracies, Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, 26 (2008). David Brady and Hang Young Lee, The rise and fall of government spending in affluent democracies, 1971-2008, Journal of European Social Policy. 24(1), 2014. Frederick Solt, Economic Inequality and Democratic Political Engagement, Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, April 15-18, 2004. OECD, Bridging the Gap: Inclusive Growth 2017 Update Report. Stiglitz, Joseph E. (2012), The Price of Inequality, Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. The Oxford Handbook of the Social Science of Poverty, 2017. Thomas W. Volscho and Nathan J.Kelly, The Rise of the Super-Rich: Power Resources, Taxes, Financial Markets, and the Dynamics of the Top 1 Percent,1949 to 2008, American Sociologcal Review, 77(5), 2012. The author, an eminent economist, is an Honorary Professor, Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Black and White EDITORIAL Last week African nationals staying in the Capital were subjected to wanton attack once again. According to reports, two Tanzanian women and two Nigerian men were hounded by a mob in the wake of rumours that they had kidnapped a local boy and even eaten him, an allegation which was ultimately found to be totally false. Thankfully they were rescued on time before they could suffer physical assaults leading to grievous injuries. Such attacks on Africans in the National Capital Region have taken place in the recent past as well. These are all manifestations of intolerance springing from xenophobia which is indeed reprehensible as it tarnishes the countrys image and dents its stature in the developing world. In the four-and-a-half years since the Narendra Modi-led BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014, the country has witnessed a sea-change from the past, something unprecedented in post-independence India. The clamour for the construction of a Ram temple at the very spot the Babri Masjid stood for four hundred years in Ayodhya till December 6, 1992 is getting shriller by the day. If this eventuality overtakes the nation now that the RSS has decided to organise a weeklong agitation in the first half of December, that could mark a further and perhaps the most decisive step towards a majoritarian polity heralding the total obliteration of any trace of secularism. Not only that. India-Pakistan relations have been on the downslide since the present Union Government assumed power despite some hopes generated in the initial months. Now there is anticipation of a further deterioration of bilateral ties in the event of the Ayodhya issue reaching a flashpoint. Against such a fearful backdrop the latest develop-ment in New Delhi-Islamabad relations offers some ground for optimism. The laying of the foundation stone for the Kartarpur corridor yesterday to help Sikh pilgrims to visit the shrine where Guru Nanak (whose 550th birth anniversary will be observed in November 2019 by which time the corridor is expected to completed) breathed his last was a significant positive move in the annals of India-Pakistan history; and the visible warmth in the speeches of all the dignitaries at the functionfrom Pakistan PM Imran Khan to Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Congress leader Navjot Singh Siddhucontributed to it in no small measure. Regardless of the negative reactions to this event on both sides of the border the positive features of this development cannot be minimised. It is in this context that one mourns the sudden demise of an outstanding figure, Pakistans distinguished poet Fahmida Riaz, who played a prominent role in bridging the India-Pakistan divide. Besides spending seven long years in New Delhi, courtesy the generous hospitality extended to her by the then PM, Indira Gandhi, she did everything possible to fight the bigots in both the states. Her memorable lines in a remarkable poemTum bilkul hum jaise nikle... voh moorkhta voh ghamarpan, jis mein hum ne sadi ganwai, aakhir pahunchi dwaar tumhaarey, arre badhai bohat badhai (So you turned out to be just like us... that foolishness, that ignorance in which we lost a century, it has reached your door, many many congratulations)remains etched in ones memory. It was recited at the JNU some years ago causing much indignation in Right-wing circles while being warmly welcomed by progressive public opinion. She was indeed a messenger of peace and amity among peoples of the two neighbouring states. Her loss will be deeply felt by all those striving to rebuild trust between the two peoples defying manifold impediments. As we go to press farmers from across the country have come to the Capital today for a massive march tomorrow to project their demands that would enable them to come out of the ongoing agrarian crisis. All major kisan organisations are behind the march. Would the government respond positively to the demands? That is the vital question. November 29 S.C. 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. DEFIANT. Former lawmaker Satur Ocampo (right) and Rep. France Castro are a picture of defiance following their arrest, along with 15 others, for what the Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights called trumped-up charges of kidnapping minors . Manny Palmero JAKARTAAuthorities in the Philippines must immediately drop the trumped-up kidnapping and human trafficking charges against a sitting congresswoman and 17 other people who were trying to assist the indigenous communities being harassed by a paramilitary group, the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights said Sunday. Rep. France Castro, a member of APHR, was arrested on Nov. 29 after a convoy she was traveling in was stopped at a military checkpoint outside Talaingod town in Davao del Norte. The convoy was part of a so-called National Solidarity Mission which had traveled to the region to provide humanitarian aid to a school of children belonging to the indigenous Lumad community.These baseless charges against Congresswoman France Castro and 17 other people appear to be purely politically motivated and must be dropped immediately, said APHR Chairman Charles Santiago, a member of the Malaysian Parliament. Instead of targeting those trying to assist beleaguered indigenous communities, the Philippine authorities should do much more to end the abuse by paramilitary groups in Mindanao. Castro made his statement even as a Commission on Human Rights official on Sunday said due process in making arrests must be observed and should equally apply to human rights defenders. Human Rights commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana made the remark in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, referring to the arrest of former lawmaker Satur Ocampo, Castro and 16 others in Davao del Norte recently. Dapat yung due process is being observed. Siyempre yung right nila ni Ka Satur at kanyang mga kasama, in terms of yung pagkaka-incarcerate sa kanila, dapat tuparin, she said. The camp of Satur Ocampo will file counter charges against the police and military officers involved in their alleged harassment and detention.Police claim that the members of the NSM were charged and detained because they had illegally transported 14 Lumad students from the school without their parents consent. The NSM, however, says they were attempting to temporarily move the children to a safe shelter, since the school had suffered harassment by a local paramilitary group, that had forcibly closed the school and imposed a blockade on food entering the community. The delegation says teachers and students had felt threatened by the paramilitary groups presence and asked for their help to leave the area. Apart from Frances Castro, the 18 people eventually charged on Nov. 30 include Ocampo, four Protestant ministers and teachers from the school. The 18 have been charged under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act for kidnapping and failure to return a minor. They were released on bail late on Dec. 1 but the investigation against them is ongoing. Paramilitary groups in the Mindanao region have a track record of human rights abuses. In 2015, Human Rights Watch documented how paramilitary groups in the region committed violence against indigenous communities, including harassing students at tribal schools that they claim indoctrinate students in the communist ideology. Since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016, his administration has allegedly stepped up judicial harassment of opposition lawmakers. Two Senators, Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes, have been arrested on alleged trumped-up criminal charges. Leila de Lima has languished in prison awaiting trial since February 2017, while Antonio Trillanes was released on bail after his brief arrest in September 2018. In February 2018, Carlos Isagani Zarate also faced charges including conducting a rally without a permit under Section 13(a) of the Public Assembly Act after he staged a protest against the visit of US President Donald Trump to the Philippines the year before. President Rodrigo Dutertes latest attacks against the Catholic Church were meant to cover up for the shortcomings of his administration, a bishop said Sunday. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the President was just bringing up non-issues so the public would get distracted from the real issues that should be addressed. Just a week ago, Duterte urged the Catholic faithful to stop going to church to pray, and to just build their own chapels at home, calling the Churchs teachings archaic. In his speech during the groundbreaking for a bulk water supply project in Davao City, Duterte again slammed the Catholic Church and said the public should stop going to church and pray instead at their own chapels at home. You build a chapel in your own house and pray there. You do not have to go to church to pray for these idiots, Duterte said. He asked if there were any bishops present at the event and dismissed their teachings as archaic.Are there bishops here? I would hit you on the nape of the neck. The Catholic Church, even Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David [are] clinging to a belief which was 3,000 years ago, Duterte said. Pabillo told dzMM radio that Duterte was doing what he was doing to hide the incompetence of his administration. He said Dutertes promises remained promises. Ang traffic natin mahirap pa rin, ang drugs problem andiyan pa rin, kahirapan andiyan pa rin. Hindi naman niya natutugunan eh. yan dapat ang tinutugunan niya. Dutertes latest attack on the church came after he accused a prelate of stealing Church donations and bringing them to his family, claiming he had a video to back his claims. The President has routinely attacked the Catholic Church since he assumed office, even calling God stupid at one point, which drew flak from the Christian community. The Vietnamese satellite, weighing 50 kilograms, will be launched into orbit along with six other satellites aboard Japans Epsilon rocket, from the Uchinoura Space Centre in Kagoshima Prefecture. MicroDragon will be separated from the rocket at an altitude of 511 kilometres, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). MicroDragon was developed by 36 Vietnamese engineers from the VNSC who studied at Tokyo University, Keio University, Hokkaido University, Tohoku University and the Kyushu Institute of Technology, under the guidance of experts from these institutions, from 2013 to 2017. The satellite will be used to monitor the quality of coastal seawater for the fishery industry, as well as providing imagery for natural disaster response and climate change mitigation. * State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi and Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held bilateral talks in Buenos Aires of Argentina on November 30 and the two sides discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to Nepal-Myanmar relations. * Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 30 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. * Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Buenos Aires of Argentina on November 30 on the sidelines of the G20 summit and they agreed to increase mutual trust and bring the bilateral ties to a higher level. * US President Donald Trump on November 30 met with his Republic of Koreas 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 the country's top leader, Kim Jong-un. * 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 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 30. * US President Donald Trump on November 30 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. * The Republic of Korea's presidential Blue House left "all possibilities open" for the visit by Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), to Seoul in December (may be on December 12-14). * Russia on November 30 accused Ukraine of playing with fire by imposing martial law amid tensions off Crimea, which Moscow said threatened security in Europe. * Ukraine has imposed restrictions on the entry of Russian men aged between 16 and 60 years old, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on November 30. * Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for improving the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS ahead of the 31st World AIDS Day that falls on December 1. China has 820,756 people living with HIV/AIDS, and 253,031 people had died of AIDS-related diseases as of the end of June, according to a report released at the fifth National Conference on HIV/AIDS in September. * The UK's minister for universities and science Sam Gyimah has resigned in protest at Theresa May's Brexit deal, it was reported in London on November 30. Local newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported that Gyimah called the Brexit deal "naive" and said any deal struck with Brussels will be "EU first". * Cyprus and Greece will expand their tripartite cooperation agreements with eastern Mediterranean countries by soon including Balkan country Serbia, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said on November 30. * The Pentagon is expected soon to extend the deployment of thousands of active-duty troops stationed along the US southern border with Mexico through the end of January following the incoming caravans of Central American migrants, according to NPR, citing defense officials. * The Russian Armed Forces plan to hold more than 4,000 drills in 2019, the Russian Defense Ministry's official newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda reported on November 30. * Saudi Arabia and India discussed bilateral cooperation on November 30 during the ongoing Group of 20 summit in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. The discussion between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sideline of the G20 summit, covered fields including investment, agriculture and energy. * Croatian government announced on November 30 to raise a minimum monthly net wage in the country from HRK2,751 (about US$420) to HRK3,000 (about US$460). The decision of the biggest increase of the minimum wage since 2008 will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2019. * A total of 40 Houthi rebels were killed during armed confrontations with the Yemeni government forces in the central province of al-Bayda on November 30, state-run Saba news agency reported. * The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) on November 30 claimed responsibility for an airstrike on the previous day, saying that 11 terrorists were killed in the operation. * US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on November 30 met with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir to discuss the upcoming Yemen peace talks and the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. * Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said on November 30 the government was open to resuming the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 but that requires "new credible evidence." * Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on November 30 welcomed the decision of the European Union (EU) to release an aid of 500 million (about US$568 million) for Kiev. * Beijing has issued a yellow alert on November 30 for heavy air pollution as a round of smog will hit the city at the weekend, local authorities have said. * Kenya's umbrella organization of plastic recyclers said on November 29 it plans to recycle 14,000 tonnes of plastic bottles by 2025 as it steps up efforts towards the management of plastic pollution. 9 militants killed in US strike targeting Al-Shabaab in Somalia Pentagon 9 militants killed in US strike targeting Al-Shabaab in Somalia Pentagon Nine militants were killed in a US strike targeting the terrorist group Al-Shabaab in Lebede, Somalia, Africa Command (Africom) has said. A statement released by Africom late Saturday claimed that no civilians were injured or killed in the air strike. Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab aims to topple Somalias UN-backed government and impose its own radical interpretation of Islam. The group has been in the US militarys crosshairs for several years. In October, the US military reported that it had killed 60 Al-Shabaab fighters near Harardhere, Somalia.Source : RT - Daily news Germany cant afford being plunged into a war with Russia amid the Kerch Strait crisis, the countrys former Vice Chancellor alarmed, blasting Ukraines suggestion that Berlin deploy its warships to the troubled Azov Sea. Former German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has spoken out about the recent Kerch Strait incident, criticizing Kievs attempts to raise stakes in the political row with Moscow. At any rate, Germany should not be drawn into a war against Russia, Gabriel told Tagesspiegel newspaper. Read more He also denounced Ukraines call to shut international ports for Russian vessels based in Crimea, calling the suggestion a new edition of gunboat diplomacy. In a separate interview with N-TV broadcaster, the retired politician also accused Ukraine of trying to ignite a direct confrontation between Russia and Germany. I think that in no case should we let ourselves be drawn into a war through Ukraine, Gabriel stressed, adding this is what Ukraine has tried [to do]. Gabriels remarks came after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko suggested that Berlin provide military assistance to Kiev. We need increased presence warships from Germany and allied nations in the Black Sea to send a message and deter Russia, he told Funke media group. Berlin, however, ruled out a possibility of its warships being sent to Crimean shores. We do understand Ukrainian concerns, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas responded last week, adding, but what we do not want is militarization of this conflict. Earlier, Poroshenko had also called NATO to deploy military vessels to the Crimean coast "in order to back Ukraine and ensure security. Kievs pleas for help had also apparently fallen on deaf ears as NATO provided a tight-lipped response, with the spokeswoman Oana Lungescu saying the bloc already has a sizeable naval presence in the Black Sea. As the story developed, Russian President Vladimir Putin predicted the Ukrainian conflict will go on as long as a party of war stays in power in Kiev. Ukraines government is craving war to rip profits from it and to blame their own domestic failures on some aggressors. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine soared after the incident in the Kerch Strait last weekend. At the time, several Ukrainian Navy ships tried to sail through the strait without seeking the proper permission, Moscow said. Responding to the border violation, Russias border guard have seized the vessels and detained their crews. While Kiev branded the incident an act of aggression on Moscows part, Russia believes the whole affair to be a deliberate provocation which allowed Kiev to declare a so-called partial martial law ahead of Ukraine's presidential election. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Over the past few years, Brazil has held several very successful oil auctions under production-sharing contracts in its pre-salt layer, attracting major oil companies to its prized offshore oil area. Now President-elect Jair Bolsonaro wants to open more of the pre-salt assetsan area currently exclusively in the hands of state oil firm Petrobrasto private investors, hoping to earn $31 billion (120 billion Brazilian reais) that could help narrow Brazils massive budget deficit. However, as Bolsonaro prepares to take office on January 1, 2019, his transition team may need to negotiate how different Brazilian states and municipalities could divide the revenues from the potential sale of stakes in more pre-salt fields to foreign oil firms. This uncertainty is not welcome news for Big Oil, which has expressed interest in the area that has been explored to some extent and proven to hold much more oil than initially thought. Also on rt.com Indias purchases of sanctioned Iranian crude to eclipse last years level The area at stake is the so-called transfer of rights area, where Petrobras holds 100 percent of the rights to produce 5 billion barrels of oil. The state oil firm has explored the area and found that a lot more oil lies in this low-risk offshore zone. There are estimates that the transfer of rights area could hold up to 15 billion barrels of oil in excess of the 5 billion barrels to which Petrobras is entitled to produce when the government transferred the area to the state firm in 2010. Brazil has been looking to pass legislation to remove the obligation that only Petrobras can produce oil in the transfer of rights area. Far-right President-elect Bolsonaro, who had supported state control over the oil assets in the past, now plans to sell oil and other energy assets and supports the bill to allow foreign participation in the currently Petrobras-only transfer of rights area, Bolsonaros advisor Luciano de Castro told Bloomberg earlier this month. Also on rt.com Chinas CNPC takes over Iranian mega gas project from Frances Total But last week, the head of Brazils Senate Eunicio Oliveira put on hold a bill authorizing oil auctions in the zone, dealing a blow to the president-elect and potentially stalling the bill further. At a meeting with mayors on Friday, Oliveira said that the bill to authorize the sale of stakes in the transfer of rights area to foreign firms would be approved if it guarantees that part of the revenues would go to states and municipalities. Bolsonaros plan for the oil auction in this area hit a snag even before the President-elect takes office. Bolsonaro is the third Brazilian president looking to authorize sales to foreign firms in the transfer of rights area. But his transition team will probably have to negotiate with various states and municipalities how future revenues would be divided, if the plan is to pass in Parliament. In the past, Bolsonaro favored state control over energy assets, but he has changed his stance before the presidential election race and now he is lining up a pro-business team to lead the country and picked a privatization advocate, Roberto Castello Branco, to be Petrobrass new chief executive officer. Also on rt.com Washington looking for anti-monopoly tool to kneecap OPEC oil cartel If Bolsonaro and his team manage to push the transfer of rights area bill through Brazilian politicians from all sides, the potential resources opening for Big Oil to bid are huge. The area is low-riskPetrobras has explored parts of it and has found much more oil than originally thought. According to UBS analyst Luiz Carvalho, projects in the area can be viable even if oil prices were to drop to $20 a barrel, Bloomberg quoted the analyst as saying at an event in Rio last week. Brazil can become an even more attractive destination for Big Oil than it is now if it manages to remove regulatory and political hurdles to auctioning more of its coveted pre-salt oil fields. This article was originally published on Oilprice.com Iran to continue missile tests for defense and deterrence military spokesman Iran to continue missile tests for defense and deterrence military spokesman Iran will continue missile tests that are carried out for defense and the country's deterrence, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, Irans armed forces spokesman, said as cited by Tasnim news agency. However, Shekarchi didnt confirm or deny the US claims that Tehran had recently carried out a new test. On Sunday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of testing a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads. He urged the country to cease these activities that violate the Iranian nuclear deal, despite the US withdrawing from the landmark accord this May.Source : RT - Daily news Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara should be indicted for bribery in a corruption scandal known as Case 4000, the Israel Police have recommended. A statement issued on Sunday says that Netanyahu is suspected of accepting bribes in exchange for policy decisions that favored Shaul Elovitch, a media mogul that controlled Israels largest telecom firm, Bezeq, and the Walla News website. Its believed that Netanyahu fired Communications Ministry Director-General Avi Berger and hired his loyalist and ex-campaign manager Shlomo Filber in order to provide Elovitch and his companies special treatment. In exchange, Netanyahu and his wife struck a deal with Elovitch, giving the Israeli prime minister favorable coverage on the Walla news site. Netanyahu and those close to him bluntly intervened, sometimes on a daily basis, with the content being published on the Walla news website, and sought to influence the appointment of senior employees (editors and reporters), while using their ties to Shaul and Iris Elovitch, the police statement read. Also on rt.com Residence Affair: Israeli PMs wife Sara Netanyahu charged with fraud over extravagant meals If true, this would constitute bribery, as Netanyahu worked to set government policies that would increase monetary profits in exchange for positive media coverage. Police recommended that charges also be brought against Elovitch and his wife Iris. Its now up to the State Prosecutors Office to decide whether charges will be brought. Like this story? Share it with a friend! The worlds northernmost archipelago, Russias Franz Josef Land, could be a key tourist attraction in the Arctic, according to the International Union of Arctic and Far Easts Marine Natural Reserves. Its managing director Valery Korovkin told a tourist forum in Vorkuta that the Franz Josef Land Archipelago may become a wonderful alternative to Spitsbergen, pointing out that this is the opinion of many experts. He explained that every other tourist visiting Spitsbergen wants to visit Franz Josef Land. According to Korovkin, by serving tourists every year, Spitsbergen earns an equivalent of five billion rubles ($74.5 million), with the international airport there serving about 80,000 tourists. From the Norwegian side, everything is ready and works fine, so we should have a similar tourist center on the Russian side, especially since we all know about the high tourist interest to the archipelago, he said. Franz Josef Land is part of Russias Arkhangelsk Region, and a part of the Russian Arctic National Park. It was discovered in 1873 during an Austrian-Hungarian expedition of Julius Payer and Carl Weyprecht, and in 1914 became part of Russia. In the 20th century, Franz Josef Land became an Arctic scientific center with polar research stations. Located in the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea and Kara Sea, the archipelago consists of 191 islands, with a combined area of 16,134 square kilometers. Franz Josef Land is significantly colder than Spitsbergen, which experiences 8 C (14 F) warmer winter averages, but is warmer than the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. There are 33 species of fish in the waters off the archipelago (none of which are abundant or commercially exploitable) as well as 41 species of birds. The polar bear population of Franz Josef Land lies within the Barents Sea subpopulation, which also includes polar bears inhabiting Svalbard and the western coast of Novaya Zemlya. The island has rich biodiversity of rare marine mammals. Three species of seals inhabit the archipelago. Minke whales, humpback whales, and beluga whales are commonly seen around the island, and less commonly orcas and narwhales. The bowhead whale can occasionally be seen there. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section The two-and-a-half-hour dinner shared by Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in Argentina, where they repeatedly emphasized their great friendship, has ended with an apparent trade truce. The leaders have reached a consensus that trade talks should continue and have agreed not to impose any additional tariffs, at least for now. 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," the White House said in a statement. For its part, Beijing has consented to purchase a very substantial amount of American agricultural, energy and industrial products, to reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries, which amounted to $375 billion last year. While the list of American items to be purchased by Beijing has yet to be finalized, China agreed to start purchasing agricultural product from our farmers immediately, the US administration claimed. Also on rt.com China warns US that trade war could escalate into Great Depression & World War On top of this, Trump and Xi reached an understanding to immediately start negotiations on structural changes with regard to cyber protection and technology transfer, as well as intellectual property rights and non-tariff barriers. Yet, if China fails to address those issues within 90 days, Washington will go ahead with raising the 10 percent tariff rate, currently in place on some $200 billion of US goods, to 25 percent. 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. Read more Cooperation is the best option for the two countries in promoting world peace and prosperity, Xi reportedly told the US president at a working dinner, according to Xinhua. The Chinese leader said his country would like to proceed to exchange views on issues of common concern to jointly work out a course in bilateral relations in the next stage. Prior to having dinner with Trump, Xi said he was very happy to have an opportunity to address issues with the US leader. Once again highlighting the very special relationship between the leaders, Trump expressed hope that they can reach an understanding that will be good for both nations. Beijing and Washington are currently locked in a trade war, after Trump began imposing tariffs on Chinese goods for violating intellectual property rights, also accusing the Asian nation of unfair trade practices amounting to a $375 billion US trade deficit with China. The US, which has already slapped tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese products, has also threatened Beijing with an additional $267 billion in levies unless China shows a willingness to close the massive trade deficit. In its turn, Beijing responded with tariffs on $110 billion of US goods. Also on rt.com Trumps truculence on trade paying off? G20 backs WTO reform, sometime down the road A thaw in tense bilateral relations was made possible following a wonderful humanitarian gesture by the Chinese leader to solve the tremendous fentanyl problem the US has experienced from the synthetic drug on the American market. The leaders have agreed that, from now on, anyone selling the controlled substance from China to the US will be subject to Chinas maximum penalty under the law. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! The Commission said last week Italy's excessively expansionary 2019 budget was in breach of EU fiscal rules and would not decrease the country's large debt as required. This set the stage for a possible disciplinary procedure that could lead to fines and would leave Italy in the market spotlight for a prolonged period. But over the last days Rome has sent signals it could tweak its budgetary plans. "We are not at war with Italy," Juncker told a news conference at a meeting of leaders of the world's 20 largest economies (G20) in Buenos Aires. "The atmosphere is good. We are making progress," he said, adding that he would have a meeting with Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte later on November 30 or on December 1. "I want Italy to be the Italy, Italy always was inspiring Europe, not turning its back to Europe," Juncker said, urging not to "dramatise" the current dispute with Rome over its budget. Education Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu. Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu. Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events: International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu. EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu. Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events: SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960 Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above) SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours. Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863. Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376. Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com. The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes: Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020. CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313. The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events: Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30. Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301. For Kids & Families The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443. Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950. Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required. The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950. Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus. Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage. Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun. Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train. Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world! Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class. Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org. Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583. Community Events at the Ambler Y: -YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register. Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org. Health Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information. Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245. Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net. Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool: -Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required. Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR. Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR -Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21. -Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m. -Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons. -Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates. Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994. SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com. Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org. Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs: FITNESS CLASSES Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month. Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly. SUPPORT GROUPS Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000. Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047. New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931. Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325. Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com. Librarytalk Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744 www.upperdublinlibrary.org APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS: Storytimes: Please register in the library. o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m. o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6. APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS: North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS: NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org. One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above. Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744. o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register. Meetings: Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m. Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m. Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org. For children and teens at Blue Bell: * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. * May 14 Despicable Me * June 11 Alpha and Omega * Special Events * April watch for date of spring/Easter events * April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children. * April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided. * April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King. * April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes? * April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button. * April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults. * May sign up for Science in the Summer * June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children * June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages For adults at Blue Bell: * Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m. * April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked? *Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs * Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class. * Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class. * Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m. * Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3 o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults! o Held during library hours. o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m. o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join. * Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society * Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room. * Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read. * Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome. * Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome. *Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older. * Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours * Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours * Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday! Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library. * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * For adults: * Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn. * Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net * Special Events: * April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. * April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m. * April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades. *May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. *May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. *May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. Meetings and Lectures The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833. The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313. Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200. The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/. LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings. Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org) -Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them. The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter. For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps. Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin. Special Events The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County. The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065. Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members. Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex. The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com. The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348. The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org. Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163. The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu. The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com. The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net. Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages. 13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries. Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family. The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike. Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately. Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways. Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table. Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374 Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall: -Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store. Music and Theater The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html. Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free. The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org Religious News The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276. Reunions St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net. Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572. Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779. Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411. Support New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149. PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296. Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656. Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information. CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich, By By: Dr. Francis R. Souder, 85, formerly of Telford, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 in the skilled nursing unit of Peter Becker Community, Franconia Township. He and his wife Marion R. (Parker) Souder celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in July. Born in Souderton, he was a son of the late Elvin B. and Mary (Rittenhouse) Souder. A 1938 graduate of Souderton High School, he received his undergraduate degree in 1941 from the University of Pennsylvania where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Souder went on to receive his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College in 1944 and completed his internship at Hahnemann Hospital from Oct. 1944 July, 1945. He served with the U.S. Navy Medical Corps for 30 months in San Diego and Long Beach, Calif. during WW II and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant prior to his discharge. He entered his second tour of duty during the Korean War where he served in Panama City, Fla. as the medical officer for the Panama City Naval Air Station and the Tyndal Air Force Base. Dr. Souder owned and operated his family practice on Main Street in Telford from 1947-1989. He served on the staff of Grand View Hospital, and as its president, and taught at the Grand View Hospital Nursing School. He was a member of the Pa. Medical Society, the Bucks County Medical Society, Diplomat American Academy of Family Practices, and served on the board of trustees at Grand View Hospital, Sellersville. He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Telford, where he sang in the church choir. He was also a member of the MacCalla Lodge #596 in Souderton, the Raja Shrine, and Lehigh Consistory. In addition to his widow, he is survived by a son, Dr. Ronald L. Souder, and his wife Susan L. of Green Lane; a daughter, Susan J. Souder, and her husband Stephan Russo of New York, N.Y.; five grandchildren: Jennifer A. Souder of Philadelphia; Emily E. Souder of Philadelphia; Kathryn A. Souder of Washington, D.C.; Noah Russo of New York, N.Y., and Rebekah Russo of New York, N.Y., and two brothers: Attorney Elvin B. Souder of Souderton and Dr. Lawrence Souder of Souderton. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m. in Trinity United Church of Christ, 101 S. Main St., Telford, with calling hours following the service. Interment will be private in Trinity UCC Cemetery Telford. Memorial contributions may be made to Grand View Hospital, 700 Lawn Ave., Sellersville, Pa. 18960. Arrangements are by Sadler-Suess Funeral Home, Telford. Pennsylvania Horticulture Societys Harvest program ends season with almost 19,000 pounds of produce donated and $30K raised to fight food insecurity 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. Sesa sen By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: The government-supported BHIM application has clocked 17.35 million transactions worth Rs 7,981.82 crore in November against 18.27 million transactions worth Rs 8,206.37 crore a month ago de-growth of 5.03 per cent and 2.72 per cent in terms of transactions and value, respectively. Data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Saturday also shows that growth in Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions has hit a four-month low of nine per cent in November. The instant bank-to-bank fund settlement mechanism clocked 524.94 million transactions during the month under review, compared with 482.36 million transactions in October. Comparing month-on-month data, the growth is the lowest compared to the growth recorded over the last four months, with August registering 32 per cent growth, September 30 per cent, and October 19 per cent. In terms of value, UPI touched Rs 82,232.21 crore against Rs 74,978.27 crore in October a marginal increase of 9.76 per cent. Again, this is a sluggish growth compared with a growth of 25 per cent in transaction volume in October, 10 per cent in September and 18 per cent in August. The number of banks live on the UPI app remained unaltered in the past one month at 128. Meanwhile, the NPCI boasts of breaching half-a-billion transactions mark for the first time. While payment companies like Paytm, Tez and PhonePe are leading the race in terms of the number of transactions, transactions through BHIM app accounted for only 3.3 per cent of the total UPI transactions in October. The UPI transaction figures of PhonePe, Paytm and others for November were not available as yet. By PTI MUMBAI: Struggling to keep it afloat in the wake of a dismal financial performance in the last three quarters, Jet Airways is withdrawing its flight services on as many as seven Gulf routes from this month, a source said. The Naresh Goyal-controlled airline will not operate as many as 39 services per week to Doha, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Dubai from various domestic cities, he said. Once a key market for Jet Airways, the lower demand and high competition have made a good number of routes in the Gulf economically unviable, forcing the airline to withdraw operations from there, the source said. ALSO READ: Airline fires 16 more people to cut cost Notably, Abu Dhathe bi-based Etihad Airways holds 24 per cent stake in the domestic full-service carrier. "Jet Airways has decided to withdraw its services to Doha from Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram as well as to Abu Dhabi from Lucknow and Mangalore. Besides, the airline will also not operate on Mangalore-Dubai route. All these services are being taken out of operations from December 5," a source told PTI. This apart, the air services on Delhi-Muscat route are also being withdrawn from this month, he said. The airline currently operates one daily service each on Kochi-Doha, Mangalore-Abu Dhabi, Mangalore-Dubai and Lucknow-Abu Dhabi. The Kozhikode-Doha and Delhi-Muscat are four days per week operations while Thiruvananthapuram-Doha services are three times per week. Jet Airways in its response said Gulf operations are being optimised to focus on connectivity at its hubs in Mumbai and Delhi instead of point-to-point connectivity. The airline also said it will be enhancing frequency on Mumbai-Doha, Delhi-Doha as well as Mumbai-Dubai routes. "Jet Airways has undertaken a comprehensive review of its network, whereby it will move capacity from uneconomical routes to more profitable ones, to more closely align the capacity offered with the demand characteristics of specific markets," Jet Airways said in a statement to PTI. "It is important to note that the scale of the airline's operations will remain unaffected," it added. Jet Airways posted a net loss of Rs 1,261 crore during the September quarter. This was the airline's third successive quarterly loss. Amid cash paucity, it has been defaulting on salary payments to 15 per cent of its workforce, primarily senior management, pilots and engineers. The airline has been saying for quite some time now it is in "active discussion" with various investors to secure financing to navigate through current headwinds and create long-term growth. Chinese President Xi Jinping compared giant pandas to lovely envoys in his signed article titled Joining Hands for New Splendor in the New Era published on Spanish mainstream media this Tuesday, remarking that they would continue to pass on the China-Spain friendship to future generations. Giant pandas are the most popular animals at the Madrid Zoo Aquarium. Plenty of visitors come early to see these lovely creatures when the zoo just open in the morning. Local visitors take pictures with toy pandas. Photo by Bai Yang from Peoples Daily The panda enclosure at the Spanish zoo is built in Chinese architectural style. Stories and information about giant pandas are posted in a corridor of the enclosure, and the enclosure also offers classes on giant pandas to visitors. Giant pandas Bing Xing and Hua Zui Ba from Chinas Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding arrived at the zoo in Sept. 2007 according to a 10-year agreement on panda research between China and Spain. Four giant panda cubs were born during the couples 10-year stay at the Madrid Zoo Aquarium. At present, Bing Xing and Hua Zui Ba are living with their youngest daughter Chulina born in Aug. 2016. Local visitors take pictures with pandas. Photo by Bai Yang from Peoples Daily The beautiful panda enclosure is an attraction for local visitors. An elementary school teacher surnamed Imagulado who took 59 students on her class to see the pandas, told Peoples Daily that every year her school would take the students here to watch the pandas and receive on-site education of animal protection. Spanish students nowadays are having more and more interests in Chinese culture, and some of my students are learning Chinese and Chinese culture during their off hours, she said. The teacher believes that President Xis visit to Spain will further promote cultural exchanges between the two countries. Ranjani Madhavan By Express News Service BENGALURU: A stones throw from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palikes (BBMP) head office, Bannappa Park was once a site used for protest marches during Indias Freedom Struggle. Today, a portion of the park is being used for parking of BBMPs garbage trucks, residents complain. We used to play here when we were kids as there is no other playground in the neighbourhood. For the past three to five years, BBMPs garbage trucks are parked there. Around seven to eight are parked in the playground portion of the park, said Vinay T, a resident of Cubbonpete, whose family has been living there for generations. From what we hear, some of the contractors have not been paid and they have left their vehicles there. These vehicles are right near a school, and lie idle. We have been complaining repeatedly for the past few years, he said, adding that he has observed illegal activities such as prostitution and selling of drugs behind these trucks at night. Another resident who has also been living there for decades, said on the condition of anonymity, There are some scrap vehicles here as well. This park is very old, and has been there right from the time when Bengaluru was part of the Kingdom of Mysore. We complain, but nothing happens. The park is a strip that runs along the length of Kempegowda Road. It houses a few government buildings, a park for walkers and this playground, which residents are keen on restoring to its formers glory. Praveen Singh, co-founder of Bangalore Tours and More, which conducts historical tours, said, The bylane beside the park is narrow and filled with garbage. This used to be a protest area for freedom fighters. There are references that say Mahatma Gandhi gave speeches at this park. Just because the park belongs to the BBMP now, does not mean they can leave it ill-maintained. It should be maintained and kept purely for recreational purposes for children, elders and other residents of Cubbonpete. Visitors who come to see the site for its historical significance should not see garbage trucks. They must be removed. Lights must also be added to the black granite memorial in the park, which signifies the Satyagraha and colonial rule, Praveen said. When asked about the condition of the park, corporator of Sampangiram Nagar ward (110), Vasanth Kumar said, I noticed the trucks and spoke to Mayor Gangambike about the issue. These are private contractors who have parked trucks here. Previously, there were scrap vehicles, which I ensured were removed. I will find out who is parking these garbage trucks in the playground and have them removed. It will not take long. The Karnataka Parks, Play Fields and Open Spaces Preservation Act, 1985, states that no playground can be used for any other purpose than for which it was intended. By Express News Service BENGALURU: In yet another case of a passenger-carrying fake identity papers, a 28-year-old Bangladeshi national was held by immigration officials at Kempegowda International Airport before he was to board a flight to Dubai. He was carrying a fake Indian passport under the name of Sujan Das. The incident took place on early Friday, said the airport police. He got his fake passport in Kolkata. His residential address is mentioned as Santirbazar in South Tripura. Investigations revealed that the individual was born in Bangladesh and had a birth certificate in the name of Sujan Kumar Das. He entered India illegally via the Tripura border by paying Rs 300 to an agent. "The passenger managed to fraudulently obtain an Aadhaar card as well as a fake birth certificate from the Santirbazar Municipal Council in 2018. He dropped his middle name as well," a cop said. The passenger confessed that his father, Jitendra Kumar Das, a Bangladeshi national, also held an Indian passport and had entered India in 1995 to work as a labourer. He had already left for Bangladesh two days ago. By Express News Service BENGALURU: A 45-year-old unmarried doctor killed his mother and sister by injecting them with an overdose of insulin and tried to end his life by the same method at their house in Rajarajeshwarinagar on Mysuru Road on Friday night. The incident came to light early on Saturday. However, the doctor survived and his condition is said to be stable. The deceased are Mukambika (76), wife of Subbaraya Bhat, and their daughter Shyamala (40). A senior police officer said that Dr Govind Prakash is a diabetologist and that the family has been living in Ideal Homes Layout in RR Nagar since several years. Prakash was earlier working in private hospitals and then opened his own clinic in Vijayanagar named after Shyamala. Recently he had shut down the clinic and was said to be depressed. Prakashs father Subbaraya Bhat, a retired teacher, said in the police complaint that Prakash was suffering from migraine for ten years and Mukambika also had a similar problem. Their daughter Shyamala, a divorcee, was suffering from a spinal injury and was taking treatment for it.On Friday around 10pm, the family slept in different rooms after dinner and Prakash came to the room where his mother and sister were asleep. He gave them an injection and then took one himself to end his life. Relatives of victims the outside mortuary on Saturday | EPS According to doctors, emptied cases of Apidra, Actrapid and Lantus were found lying beside the suicide note in the house. Prakash is said to have confessed to injecting his mother and sister with the dosages. On Saturday morning, Bhat came to the room and found his wife and daughter unconscious on the floor and called his family doctor Adiga who rushed there and confirmed the deaths of both women while Prakash was shifted to a private hospital. RR Nagar police inspected the crime scene and also found that Prakash had left a suicide note that his family had decided to take this extreme step due to health issues. However, Bhat filed a case of murder against his son Prakash. Forensic experts along with a dog squad inspected the crime scene, the police officer added. The bodies were brought to Victoria hospital for the postmortem and the final rites will be conducted on Sunday.Meanwhile, some neighbours said the family was always aloof. Narayanappa (name changed), a neighbour, said that the family never used to mingle with anyone and that they had not been seen since a few days. Another resident of the apartment block said that on Friday, Bhat and Mukambika had attended a pooja at a neighbours house but they did not have lunch citing health issues. We were shocked to see the ambulance and the police and only then came to know about the death of Mukambika and Shyamala, the neighbours said. Keshava Bhat, a relative of the family, said Dr Prakash is an efficient doctor and a kind person. We are really shocked. We dont know why he has taken this extreme step, he said. Prakash was quite upset after his sisters divorce as it was he who fixed her alliance with a doctor. He was also searching for a groom for her remarriage and it did not happen. Thus Prakash had decided not to marry until his sister was married. Even though Shyamala completed LLB, she was not allowed to practise. After her divorce, Prakash had given her basic training and she worked as an assistant in his clinic, Keshava Bhat said. HEALTH ISSUES CAUSE FOR DETHS? By Express News Service BENGALURU: The age-old tradition of selling groundnut at Bengalurus famous Basavanagudi Kadlekai Parishe seems to have changed over the years. Unlike yesteryears, groundnuts are now sold by vendors and not the growers. Also, many vendors are selling groundnuts which are grown outside Karnataka. Every year, Kadalekai Parishe (groundnut mela) is held on the last Monday of Karthika month which is December 3 this year. However, as vendors expect people on weekend, they have already put up their stalls in and around Bull Temple Road. There are many versions on how Kadalekai Parishe started here. Earlier, Basavanagudi had an agriculture land where groundnut was cultivated. A bull used to come to eat and damage the crop. Anxious farmers then offered prayers to Basava (Nandi) to stop this and pledged to offer their first crop. The bull is said to have turned into a stone and can be seen even today. Later, during Kempegowdas regime, farmers from in and around Bengaluru would come to sell groundnut directly to the people. Kempegowda created this platform to benefit farmers so that they get a suitable market. This tradition is being practised even today where the annual groundnut fair attracts thousands of people. However, the tradition has now been turned into a business. Many people selling groundnuts are small-time vendors in Bengaluru, unlike olden days when growers used to be the vendors. Shanthi, who, along with her husband, sells churmuri near Banashankari temple, comes to Basavangudi, annually, to sell groundnuts. This is the time to make some business. We put up our stall for five days and get groundnut from KR Market to sell here. Once this Parishe is over, we will go back to my churmuri business, she said. Poornima from Nelamangala works at a scrap-dealer shop. I have taken loan of Rs 20,000 from a private financier and bought six sacks of groundnut. After five days, I have to pay Rs 2,500 more as interest. I come here every year to sell groundnuts, she said. Chandra, who hails from Dharmapuri, sells vegetables on other days. I came to Bengaluru on Thursday and will buy groundnuts from farmers to sell it here. The footpath here will be our home for the next four days, she said. Most of these vendors had taken a loan from private financiers at high interest. They were not aware of Badavara Bandhu scheme that allows street vendors to take an interest-free loan. My husband and I run a vegetable shop at Kalasipalya. He takes care of the vegetable market and I come here only to sell groundnuts, Mani, another vendor said. My daughter is getting married and I hope to make some money so that I can use it for her wedding, she said. By Express News Service CHENNAI: A 57-year-old special sub-inspector was arrested on Sunday after he allegedly unzipped his pants and exposed himself to girls coming out of a school when he was posted on patrol duty in the evening. Sources said the parents of the affected kids were hesitant to lodge a complaint, even though the children had been, for some time, complaining about the behaviour of the accused K Vasu, attached to the Madhavaram Milk Colony. The issue reached the ears of senior police officers after a few local youngsters, on Saturday evening, picked an argument with Vasu over his behaviour. The SSI avoided the argument and drove away from the spot. But the youth followed and assaulted him. The SSI was rescued by another patrol team after the control room got an alert, said a police source. Mustering up courage after this incident, parents of one of the affected children, a 10-year-old girl, lodged a complaint on Saturday night at the local police station. The officers at that station said that they would warn Vasu. However, senior officers, who had learnt of the issue, asked the parents to lodge a fresh complaint against Vasu on Sunday. Vasu was subsequently arrested and remanded in judicial custody. Police invoked Section 11 (i) of POCSO Act against him. Police sources said the SSI is about to retire from service in four months. Body found near pond Chennai: A 37-year-old man was found dead near a temple pond in Tiruvallur on Saturday night. Police said, K Ramachandran of Vinayagar koil street received a call from his elder brother, Murugan asking him to join him for drinks. Since he did not return after 12, his wife Mahalakshmi called Murugan since Ramachandrans mobile was switched off. Murugan is believed to have told her that Ramachandran left long ago, said a police officer. On Sunday morning the police found his body near Mukkulatheeswarar temple pond. Police booked a case and are investigating. History-sheeter killed Chennai: A 42-year-old history-sheeter was allegedly murdered after a drunken brawl on Saturday night. Police said, R Amul Raj (42) of West Tambaram was boozing at Erikarai street in Ranganathapuram. He was accompanied by S Velu (44), G Ramesh (36) and R Surya (26) all from Tambaram. Velu had just returned from prison and invited Amul Raj to resolve previous issues. At one point, brandishing a knife Amul threatened all of them, said a police officer. Surya hit Amul Raj with a log and they stabbed him. On information, Tambaram police registered a case and arrested the trio. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: AS many as 14 students from the departments of Electrical, Computer Science and Design were recruited by three companies on the first day of the placement drive conducted by Indian Institue of Technology-Hyderabad for the year 2018. With about 140 companies some of them based out of Japan taking part in the recruitments, a total of 418 students from various departments of the university have enrolled for placements, of which 14 students have already received their placement offers. Another 20 students had previously received their Pre-Placement offers. According to the university, the campus would have some fresh recruiters such as Oppo, Softbank, Mercari, Toyota Research, and Toshiba INC, apart from the regular tech-giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Swiggy, Qualcomm, and others. The number of companies coming in has been on a steady rise for the university, which saw around 130 companies coming in last year. Professor Amit Acharyya, acting Faculty-in-charge of Placements, IIT Hyderabad, said, We are witnessing an increased participation from Japanese companies. As a result of our collaboration with Japan and their institutes, around 14 companies are visiting this season to hire students from IIT Hyderabad. The first phase of the recruitment drive at the institute will end on December 22. The placement drive is being conducted in three sessions, from 7 a.m. till 12 in the midnight. u mahesh By Express News Service HYDERABAD: With just four days of campaigning left for December 7 Assembly elections, there appears to be a slight change of trend in Secunderabad constituency, with voters increasingly leaning towards Peoples Fronts Congress candidate Kasani Gnaneshwar.The situation was a little different last week when Express visited the constituency represented by TRS candidate T Padma Rao Goud, who is the Excise Minister in the caretaker government. What led to change of trend is change of loyalties by TRS corporators and party workers, who abandoned the ship and joined Congress. Though these developments have come as a big boon for Peoples Front partners, Secunderabad constituency still remains a stronghold of TRS candidate Padma Rao Goud, primarily because of Padma Raos personal connect with the voters. Even after becoming a minister in TRS government, Padma Rao was often seen in the constituency, interacting with people and also remained accessible for anyone in need of help, said one local resident. However, the way Congress has been gaining ground with strong campaigning, covering every lane in constituency, and with four more campaigning days remaining, the battle is definitely poised to get tough. Preparing well Muhammad Nasiruddin a shopkeeper in Warasiguda, said: Aspirants from both the parties have been preparing well for the election. Earlier, the Secunderabad TDP workers joined TRS party but many of them have now returned to the Congress-led alliance. Seems like it will be a tough fight. B Venkateshwarlu, who owns a tea stall in Tarnaka, said: Most people will have a soft corner for Padma Rao Goud because he is a local. He is available 24x7 for constituency people and he knows the local issues very well. Everyday people gather at my tea stalls in the evening and discuss about issues relating to elections. The contest is tough this time. One need to wait till December 11 to know, he added.Speaking to Express, Congress candidate Gnaneshwar said: People of the State arent ready to trust TRS again. During my door-to-door campaign I met many people with who are against the TRS government and they are very critical of TRS governments failures. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: Water Resources Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao has called upon the media to sensitise people on the deadly disease AIDS. Participating as a chief guest at the awareness programme in connection with World AIDS Day at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram here on Saturday, Devineni said a series of programmes were organised in the State which helped reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS in the last one decade. Stressing on the importance of creating awareness among the youth, he said that younger generations should break silence and speak openly about the deadly disease and how it spreads. Informing about the measures being taken by the State government, the minister said that `1,000 was being provided as monthly pension to the victims of deadly disease under NTR Bharosa Scheme in the State. He appealed to every individual to undergo medical tests and avail Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) medicines. Rao also suggested to the officials concerned to initiate necessary measures in making the third line medicines available at least for a week at Nuzvid, Ramachandrapuram, Bapatla, Siddhartha Medical College and government hospitals in Vijayawada. Director of Public Health and Family Welfare S Aruna Kumari informed that since July around 12,746 people in the State were examined with viral load and measures are being initiated to provide ART medicines for the HIV-infected people. She released the posters and pamphlets on AIDS. Later, the Minister along with Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao participated in an oath-taking ceremony with people to eradicate the stigma about the disease and ensure proper treatment for the deadly disease. Medical Education director Dr Babji, NTR Vaidya Seva Trust CEO Dr Subba Rao, AIDS Control Society assistant programme director Dr Rajendra Prasad and others were present. Steps being taken to support AIDS patients Guntur : District Collector Kona Sasidhar has said that the district administration was taking steps to ensure support to AIDS patients. The Collector, Guntur Rural SP SV Rajasekhara Babu along with DM&HO Dr J Yasmin interacted with 249 HIV-infected children on the occasion of World AIDS Day here on Saturday. They also distributed clothes and nutritious food to children. The collector said the Guntur Officers Association had opened a bank account to help the children affected by HIV/AIDS. He called upon the people to contribute liberally to bank account number 100710100047600, Andhra Bank, Medical College Branch, Guntur. Santwana Bhattacharya By Express News Service JAIPUR: The Pink City is not quite in a pink mood. It has little to do with traffic snarls, the grime and dust, or such basic issues. The Assembly elections have left Jaipur rather deeply troubled and divided, turning even individual voters into almost a split personality. Such is the intense dilemma of the competing pull of the two slogans Ek hi naara ek hi naam: Jai Shri Ram, Jai Shri Ram (One slogan, one name...) and Na jaat, na paat, is baar haath (No caste, no creed, only the hand). READ MORE: Madhya Pradesh elections: Women, youth could swing result Its no ordinary state election after all. It can alter the countrys political history. Many have made their choice, but not just out of political affinity. Each one is aware of and alive to the complexities of the arguments on both sides. The Congress is trying to turn us around 180 degrees, says Rajesh Goel, an old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter adding, And we would have readily done that too, had Ashok Gehlot been declared CM candidate. Goel runs a small outlet of artefacts and stationery at Johri Bazar, famous for its faux kundan jewellery, Bandhani sarees, hand-embroidered skirts and dupattas. A quintessential Jaipuria in short running a touristy paradise for quick bargains he voices all the core doubts that infect the typical bipolar voter here. Im an original Swadeshi Sanghi (coining a word) but Gehlot is a different kind of man. Hes a grassroots leader. Look at this place. He built it and spruced it up, he says, pointing to the picturesque arched corridor along the bazaar. The only reason he will cast his vote for the BJP is because the Congress could not project a clear leader. Who knows wholl be on the CMs chair? What change are we opting for then? he says, making no bones about his disapproval of the incumbent though. Some neighbouring shop-owners gather round all medium or small traders. All of them agree on one thing. Its not the farmers only... or the angry Rajputs who are against Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, but artisans too. This vital component of Rajasthans life got no government support, they chorus. She just vanished behind the walls after winning... Goel adds. Ajay Agarwal, owner of the popular Laxmi Misthan Bhandar, a century-old eatery in Jaipur, is equally clear. This time its Congress. He hails the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a good step, as against DeMo, which he calls a miscalculation. But thats not the point. We need a government which communicates with us and a CM whos accessible... he feels. The length and breadth of Johri Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar nearby are starkly divided on political lines. If one shop-owner proclaims that hell vote for change, another would rather strengthen Modijis hand and not for an unknown hand. Coming from a more upmarket ambience, Ranvijay Rathore, who runs a chain of heritage hotels and is a member of the Jaipur hoteliers association, cites the fact that the BJP holds all eight assembly segments of Jaipur city. Its unlikely theyll shed too many, he quips. For us, in the hotel business, the GST has worked out fine. At 18 per cent, its actually one per cent less than what we were charging our customers earlier. Then, the 5 per cent service tax at restaurants is much lesser than the 12 per cent charged earlier... some nagging problems like the process of tax-filing, etc will be there, but eventually its for the good. Rathore has little reason to root for change. The tourism and hospitality business, a key part of the states economy in which the erstwhile royalty and feudal community is heavily invested, is not doing too badly. The sector saw a record 29 per cent jump in tourist inflow in 2017-18 in Jaipur alone. Jaipur itself has been a fortress or a garh as they call it here for the BJP from even before 2013-14. And then the Modi wave swept Rajasthan, decimating the Congress in just about all the five broad regions Marwar, Dhundar-Matsya-Merwara (from Alwar-Bharatpur in the east to Jaipur and Ajmer), Harauti (a southeastern belt with towns like Kota and Bundi), Shekhawati-Kamand in the north and Mewar in the south. The eight rural seats around Jaipur however, were not all saffron. The Congress always retained these pockets. At present, this whole swathe appears very restive. Farmers claim they did not get the minimum support price (MSP) for either the traditional crop of bajra (millet) or for genhu (wheat). They also had to sell their interim crop of chana (gram/pulses) cheap. Then, the liquidity crunch, an unresponsive system, high input costs, long queues for urea (Aadhar card maangte hai, phir bhi nahin milta (we dont get it despite furnishing Aadhar cards), is the refrain), and finally, GST on farm equipment. They have now realised they must get organised, vote and protest collectively, says college student Sanjeev Singh. Still, the general consensus seems to be that the BJP may retain the urban vote, while the Congress will take the rural. Analysts believe the Congress may, at the most, pick up a few urban seats, like Hawa Mahal and Kishanpole in Jaipur, because of a sizeable minority vote (all the temple-hopping notwithstanding!). A group of first-time voters, college students at a coffee hub in Jaipur, seemed to be poised between the two parties. Some among them also talk about the need to address rural distress. Its also the kind of crowd that thinks Sachin Pilot is rather cute. Rajesh Asnani By Express News Service JAIPUR: Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday hit out at his paternal aunt Vasundhara Rajs government in Rajasthan saying it had ignored the plight of the states farmers and its youngsters and that it was a paan, pakode aur doodh (betel, fritters and milk) government. They [BJP government] had said they will bring many officers, but all they could bring was a paan, pakode and doodh government. This is the state of the youth in Rajasthan where 35 lakh people are unemployed, he said while speaking in Jaipur. Without naming his aunt, he lashed out at the government saying, the price of garlic is R200 instead of R2,850. Bajra is supposed to be R1,950 according to the MSP. But today, the grain is not bought from the farmer and he has to struggle in the open market to sell it for R1,000. The prices of petrol and diesel are touching the sky and farmers loans are not being waived off. Now, on December 11, the Congress is going to form the government in Rajasthan and within 10 days, farmers loans will be waived off. Scindia is being seen as one of the contenders for the post of the Chief Minister in MP, if the party wins. The Congress leader also hit out at the government over unemployment. This BJP government in Rajasthan has said that they will make sure 3 lakh people get employment opportunities every year. That means 15 lakh people should have got jobs in the last 5 years. But not even 1 lakh people have got those opportunities. In the same way, Modi [Prime Minister Narendra Modi] also said that he will give two crore youngsters jobs but all he could manage was 15 lakh jobs. He also criticised the Raje government for not doing anything in the area of health education and crimes against women. When he was asked whether he would go and campaign against Raje in her constituency, he said that he is a Congress worker and will go anywhere that the party asks him to. The family issues should remain with the family. Do not politicise it. I am giving a clear answer to a clear question but I will not give the byte that you want me to, he added. The photo shows a set of electric generator of Parque Eoloco de Bairro wind farm, a power plant co-constructed by Energias de Portugal (EDP) and China Three Gorges in Portugal. (Photo by Feng Xuejun from Peoples Daily) Energias de Portugal (EDP), an integrated generator, supplier and distributor of electricity in Portugal, has regained vitality after choosing China Three Gorges Corporation as a long-term cooperation partner. Parque Eoloco de Bairro wind farm, the power plant co-operated by EDP and China Three Gorges, is capable of now generating a capacity of 65,000 megawatt-hours each year. Situated over 130 kilometers north to Lisbon, Capital of Portugal, the farm has 11 windmills standing on the mountain ridge. As one of Europe's major electricity operators, EDP contributes nearly 10 percent to Portugals GDP each year. Due to the impact of European debt crisis, EDP encountered operational difficulties. During the debt crisis, Chinese companies showed their firm confidence in Portugals economic prospects and engaged into local economic construction with concrete actions, said Manuel Cabral, former Economic Minister, expressing Portugals gratitude to China. Facts have proved that Chinese companies are trustworthy long-term cooperation partners, he added. In their cooperation over the past years, China Three Gorges and EDP launched a series of power projects in Portuguese-speaking countries and also contracted upgrade projects of smart grid systems in many Chinese cities. Due to the cooperation, EDP has resumed its financing environment to a pre-crisis level and brought its share price to a record high in a decade. Its corporate credit rating has also been upgraded to a stable outlook. The companys net profit also hit its highest record reaching 1.113 billion euros in 2017 from the outbreak of the sovereign debt crisis. The partnership also made EDP one of the leading companies in Southern Europe that restored financial stability by issuing corporate bonds. Thanks to Chinese company for keeping us in Portugal, Antonio Mexia, CEO of EDP, told the Peoples Daily, explaining that several major energy corporations from Germany, France, Spain and Brazil proposed cooperation intentions when EDP decided to sell part of its stocks, but they chose the Chinese partner out of a string of concerns. European corporations desire to split or restructure the companies they acquire, or quit local market out of considerations on short-run investment returns, he added, saying that Portuguese corporations suffered a similar painful lesson before. Chinese companies meet the development appeals of EDP better with a more far-sighted strategic vision, which give more priority to industrial investment and layout in the long run, Mexia explained the reasons on their final choice. Wu Shengliang, Executive Vice President of China Three Gorges International and President of the Chinese firms European branch, said that though EDP was trapped in trouble by European debt crisis, there is no trouble with its power technologies or company management. The cooperation didnt lead to a split of the Portuguese partner nor a change of management team, which won the supports of EDP, added Wu. The cooperation between Portugal and China is promising due to a natural complementarity between the two countries, Mexia stressed, adding that trust serves as the footstone for long-lasting cooperation between Portuguese and Chinese firms. But such trust needs to be testified by times rather than being accomplished at one kick, he added, bilateral trust is like wine--the older the better. Rajesh Asnani By Express News Service JAIPUR: Union Home minister Rajnath Singh, while speaking in Jaipur on Sunday, said if Pakistan was not able to handle the fight against terror in the country alone, then they could ask for help from India. He added that no major terror incident had occurred in the country under the Narendra Modi government. Terrorism has decreased and it remains limited to Jammu and Kashmir, he added. Commenting on Pakistan prime minister Imran Khans remarks that both countries have to take steps to come out of a bygone era and that Kashmir is a common issue between both nations, Rajnath said the issue was Pakistan. I want to tell the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, that if Pakistan can take help from the United States to fight the Taliban, then it can also seek help from India to combat terror, he said. READ| Rajnath Singh announces special women safety feature in pan-India emergency app He also said, Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and it is not a matter of controversy. The issue is of terrorism. Pakistan can discuss it with us. The government has started a political system in Jammu and Kashmir, said Rajnath adding that as far as terrorism is concerned, there is no doubt that Pakistan is a sponsor. I do not claim that terrorism has stopped. But, during the last four-and-a-half years, there was no major terrorist attack during Modi jis tenure. Terrorism has remained limited to Kashmir only and the situation is improving there too. In the last 4 years, there has been a reduction by 50-60 per cent in incidents related to Naxalism. It had spread to 90 districts and is now limited to just 8-9 districts. In 4-5 years, this problem will also end completely. He also lashed out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his comment on Saturday that PM Modi did not understand the essence of Hinduism. Hinduism should not be connected with any sect, caste and religion. It is a way of living life and it is a human religion. What will they [Congress] teach us about Hindu and Hinduism? They have called Lord Ram a fictional character in the affidavit submitted in Supreme Court in Ram Setu case in 2007, he said. His cabinet colleague Smriti Irani also hit out at Rahuls comments while she was speaking at an event in Udaipur. Where was the Hindu in Rahul Gandhi when the Congress submitted an affidavit that Lord Ram does not exist?.. she asked? She was referring to a controversial petition submitted to the Supreme Court in 2007 which said there was no scientific evidence to prove the existence of the Ram Setu as a man made bridge. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Chandrayangutta candidate Akbaruddin Owaisi on Saturday said that his ill health could prevent him from contesting elections in the future. Addressing a public meeting at Yakutpura, Akbaruddin said, I have been very sick over the past few days. My kidneys are damaged. There are pieces of bullets near it. A few days back things got so worse, that doctor urged me to undergo dialysis. I dont have any time for myself. Apart from looking after my many schools, Darussalam banks and hospitals, I also have to look after my health, Akbaruddin said. Earlier Express had reported that Akbaruddins worsening health was preventing him from campaigning extensively. He has so far skipped two-three public meetings and also several paidal yatras. The partys floor leader in the State Legislative Assembly also slammed those who criticises him saying that he contested elections for his own interests. I have never had any sight on any seat, nor will I have in the future. If there is anyone genuine, deserving candidate who would improve the conditions of my community, I would easily vacate my own seat and sit at his feet. It is important to note, that Akbaruddin had earlier during a public meeting drawn a parallel with the Kumaraswamy government in Karanataka and had indicated that a similar situation could happen in the state, with AIMIM playing a similar role to the JD(S). A few days back he also said that if he was made the Chief Minister he would provide many jobs. AIMIM chief calls Naidu biggest liar Slamming Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu for his claim that he created Cyber Towers, All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi called him the biggest liar. Speaking at a public meeting in Musheerabad, Owaisi said, He is saying that he made Cyber Towers. Yes Chandrababu, you made Charminar too, you made Golconda fort. You have made all buildings over here. I have never seen this big a liar. Chandrababu comes second only to Modi when it comes to fekna. If you made Cyber Towers in 9 years, why couldnt you construct Amaravati in the last 5 years? he asked. By UNI HYDERABAD: With just 5-days left for Assembly elections, the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which is contesting the entire 119-assembly segments alone for the Dec 7 elections in Telangana state, on Sunday released its manifesto by promising Rs 1 lakh loan waiver to farmers and enhancement of government employees retirement age from the present 58 to 61 besides reducing of age eligibility for old age pension from 65 to 57 years. Unemployment allowance of Rs 3016, enhancement of Aasara pensions from Rs 1000 to Rs 2016 and pensions of differently abled persons from Rs 1500 to Rs 3016, age eligibility for old age pension and investment support of Rs 8000 per acre for agriculture to farmer under Rythu Bandhu will be increased to Rs 10,000 per acre; are some of the main promises in TRS's manifesto. Releasing a 24- poll promises in its manifesto at a public meeting here, party President and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao said multiplying the wealth and distributing amongst people, TRS Government that came to power after winning the 2018 elections would continue to implement all the existing schemes extensively, benefiting the people at large. While continuing the construction of double bedroom houses as per the existing norms, those a poor persons who have own plot and desirous of constructing a house on their own will be provided financial assistance, ranging from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 6 Lakhs, the CM said also promised to continue to press and fight for implementation of 33 per cent reservation to BCs and 33 per cent reservation to women in legislatures. The Telangana State Assembly has passed a resolution for the provision of 12 per cent reservation to STs and 12 per cent reservation to Minorities, he said for implementing these reservations, the Government will continue to fight for their cause with the centre. The SC categorization resolution of the Assembly was forwarded to centre and for obtaining centre's nod, the TRS government will continue to fight, the TRS manifesto also promised. By IANS MUMBAI: 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. ALSO READ: Kangana Ranaut's 'Manikarnika' faces trouble over non-payment of dues to workers, claims FWICE 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. ALSO READ: Rani Laxmibai was a Brahmin who fought like Kshatriyas, says Kangana Ranaut 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. By PTI NEW DELHI: 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 the 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 masterpiece on Indian judicial history. However, it was my dream to show the grandeur of these 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 panoramas 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 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. Medha Dutta By Art keeps good company with history. Colonialism has created singular offshoots of aesthetics, such as Company Paintings. This school of art evolved to satisfy the tastes of European patrons and was slowly replaced by the camera, says curator Seema Bhalla, who travelled extensively to identify its last living artists in order to create a historical re-contextualisation of the lost form. The recently held exhibition The Allure of India at the Bikaner House in Delhilooked into the 300 years of a shared heritage of art history of Company School Paintings dating from the 17th century to early 20th century. Bhalla painstakingly sought out the last of the living masters and commissioned them . Company Painting style evolved with the British East India Company establishing trade relations in India. When Company officials visited India for the first time, they were captivated by its picturesque landscape, its variety of people and their exotic way of life. India was the talk of Europe. Company officials were followed by European travellers eager to see what they had heard of. They wanted to send back home replicas of what they saw. It was the 17th century and the camera was yet to make its appearance. Paintings were the answer to record the sights that were strange to occidental eyes. The idea was a godsend to both Europeans at home and Indian artists of that time. The Mughal Empire was on the decline and traditional royal patronage was shrinking. Indian artists were on the lookout for fresh patrons. The artists were quick to modify their court technique to cater to British tastes, thereby giving life to a new genre. There is much debate as to where in the country did the art originate. Experts believe that both the Madras Presidency in South India and Kolkata in the Bengal Presidency were important centres of the art. In Kolkata, Lord Impey, chief justice of the High Court from 1777 to 1783, and the Marquess Wellesley, who served as governor-general from 1798 to 1805, were famous patrons of the art. When Lord and Lady Clive were stationed in Madras from 1798 to 1804, they encouraged the growth of the form, that was attracting wide-scale appreciation. From these places, it soon travelled to other cities such as Murshidabad, Patna, Benares, Lucknow, Agra, Delhi, Punjab and centres in Western India. Delhis art market expanded only after the British occupied the city in 1803. They would commission images depicting festivals and scenes from Indian life illustrating various castes and occupations, as well as the architecture, plants and animals, which they found outlandishly striking. Most of the works were painted on paper. Some artists were exclusive commissioned to draw on small ivory plaques. Such a style of painting, however, did not develop throughout the country. Rajasthan, Hyderabad and Punjab stayed isolated from the art stream since Company officials there were fewer in number. Among the famous artists of the genre were Sewak Ram, who worked in Patna and members of the Ghulam Ali Khan family in Delhi. The evolution of the camera rang the death knell for Company painting. It slowly lost its momentum in the early 1840s. Soon painted images were not part of a common need. The camera gave the real perspective that the British and Europeans sought in India. As the art languished, artists changed their profession. Just like the rise and fall of Miniature Mughal Art that has coincided with the fortunes of the Mughal Empire, the Company School of Art came to be replaced with flashbulb- blazing cameras. Curator Seema Bhalla believes the time has come for artists to repaint history. Ravi Shankar By That day was crisp and sunny for December. The heat emanating from the crowds that had gathered on a large, grassless maidan on December 6, 1992, had its own voltage. The Babri Masjid squatted on a small hillock, its domes scarred with ugly patches, its body black and stained with turbulent history. A dinosaur from a bloody past, cornered by nationalisms foot soldiers. I stood on the terrace of a building opposite Baburs abomination, watching the heaving sea of people baying for blood. They were mostly young, with saffron headbands on which Ram was inscribed. There were sadhus bearing shining tridents and wooden staffs. I had evaded the cops who had entered the area to take reporters away. They anticipated trouble. Unlike now, the media was not a favourite with bhakts because most magazines and newspapersthe raucous age of raging, ranting, shallow television journalism lay in the futuredid not support the movement. With the sun at its meridian, a sudden surge among the restless multitude below me caught my attention. Cheers rent the air as waves of people raced up the slope, smashing through police barricades into the disused mosque. Their roar spread through the air, scattering the birds on the domes. In the matter of what seemed like minutes, the first dome fell to pickaxes and even bare hands. Beside me, an old gentleman held his grandchild aloft and told him, Look beta, they are setting Ram Lalla free. I borrowed his Ram headband and rushed down to join the crowd. Propelled by their energy, I ran up the incline into the collapsing structure which wept dust. Through the swirling plumes of collapse and clamour, a sadhu spotted me. He thrust his trident into my hand and exhorted me to pound the wall down. It was a scoop for the magazine I worked for then. Now, almost 26 years later the old man may not be around. That grandchild would be a young man who has a job or is looking for one. His father probably drives a motorbike, and he is looking to upgrade his car. He may be married or expecting a child. A very different life from December 1992. The probability is he also voted BJP in 2014 and 2017a vote for Narendra Modi and development. A vote against the minority appeasement politics of the Congress. Perhaps he is now aware that Udhav Thackeray desires to become a national leader from Ayodhya and the VHP is looking for a comeback under its old Ram banner. India discovered its nationalist soul in 1992, which was reborn as the nemesis of the Congress over four years ago. India also went through unprecedented prosperity. Ayodhya is the conjunction of faith and aspiration. It is possible that both would become one. Whether it will happen at the cost of one over the other will predict the contours of politics for the next 26 years. Harpreet Singh Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: The farmers seemed much inquisitive about air sampler, electrostatic sprayer, Artificial Intelligence, e-apps, drones, rain gauge, android app, farm-management products, weather management services, their benefits and how to deploy these technological advancements. As these were showcased by multifarious companies, both domestic and international at the Innovators' Pavilion at the CII Agro Tech India 2018 here thus bringing along a variety of technological solutions. As farmers asked the concerned representatives on how to use this technology and how will it benefit them. Farmers also agreed that innovation is the key to the next level of reforms in production and income. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, has put up on display many products, one of which was 'Smart integrated irrigation and energy management system'. Talking about this innovative system, Dr Vikrant Bhakar, from IIT Ropar, said, "This product helps convert extra power from solar to AC through an inverter and the farmer can save up to 7,560 units of power per year, and earn a good amount of money, if he decides to sell this power." The Institute has also displayed products for keeping fruits and vegetables fresh for two to three days; for peeling off peas; and Agri Marketing-App. "We are the technology partner for a project on 'Sustainable Food Supply Chain Systems and Water Management', being undertaken in collaboration with the University of Cambridge," Bhakar added. 'Innovation is Great' - so goes the tagline of the pavilion of the United Kingdom (UK). There are multiple companies which have brought along their innovative products in the streams of pre and post-harvest management. Nextek has developed a hydrogen-based film to increase the shelf-life of the agri-produce. Speaking of the product, Professor Edward Kosior, Managing Director, Nextek said, "Our packaging has the capacity to reduce water loss and stop condensation, hence the life of the agri-products increases. We are undertaking this project in collaboration with India and ten companies from both the countries are engaged in research, development and testing." Ardra Systems has displayed their soil sensors, which release water when required, saving the wastage of water. PBD Biotech has developed a revolutionary kit to identify bacteria in a cow's milk, which will work for disease prevention. Also, countries like Canada, China, Israel and Netherlands also have displayed many innovative products in grain storage management, biosystems, genetics, disease control. Khristein Water, co-founder of Sponnado, a Canada based company which has developed an air sampler says, "these products cost Rs 16,000 and will give the farmer advance warning from one to two weeks that there is fungal infection in his crop be it potato, tomato and other crops and thus the farmer will be able to take remedial measures and spray accordingly. It will cover an area of 50 to 100 acres thus a group of farmers or village can buy this system. There is small device in this sampler which will collect the sample and that has to be send to the laboratory for testing and thus from the test one will be clear which kind of fungal infection,'' she says. Tech giant Microsoft also endeavors to make companies and farmers aware of their B2B solution which is a cloud-enabled 'Special Purpose Agri-specific Platform'. A representative of Microsoft shared that the app-based system will help the pharmaceutical companies, farm equipment companies, seed companies to gather information about the ground and weather conditions to send an advisory to the farmers about when to spray pesticides when to sow the seeds. "Research and testing is on for this product, and it will be made available globally by next year," he said. Pramod Rajan, Head - Research and Development, International Tractors Limited (Sonalika Group) said, "For real ground-level adoption of technology, there needs to be a two-way communication between the business and the end-user. Just showcasing technology is never enough; it needs to be made available at the ground level." Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: The Imphal Times, an English newspaper in Manipur, kept its editorial page blank on Saturday to protest the arrest of journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem. He was arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) recently for his "offensive" remarks against BJP, RSS and Manipur's BJP-led coalition government. Wangkhem had uploaded a video on his Facebook page where he used expletives several times to go hammer and tongs at BJP-RSS and the state's BJP-led government. The video has gone viral since. Wangkhem reportedly described Chief Minister N Biren Singh as a "puppet of Modi and Hindutva". He was miffed with the state government for organizing a function recently to mark the birth anniversary of Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi. He said she had nothing to do with Manipur's freedom movement. "The words, terms and gesture used by the accused in the video cannot be termed as seditious; it is a mere expression of opinion against the public conduct of a public figure in a street language. In what manner he is likely to cause disturbance to society?" The Imphal Free Press quoted Wangkhem's advocate Chongtham Victor as saying. The CM told TNIE Wangkhem was not a journalist. "He is no longer a journalist. The Information Service TV Network, where he worked, sacked him on November 19. He was arrested for such behaviour even in October. At that time, he was released after a journalists' association had approached me and appealed for his release. The association said he would come to me and apologise but he never showed up," the CM said. He added: "In the video, he criticized me for saying something which I never said. He has done a wrong and it is evident from nobody coming out to protest his arrest". By PTI JAIPUR: Home Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said Pakistan can seek India's help if it cannot handle the fight against terrorism alone. He asserted there have not been any major terrorist-related incident in the country in over four years of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government. "I want to ask the Pakistani prime minister (Imran Khan) that if in Afghanistan, a fight can be carried out against terror and Taliban with the help of the US, then, Pakistan can seek help against terrorism from India if it feels that it cannot handle it alone," he said. Addressing a press conference here, Singh said Jammu and Kashmir was not an issue as it was an integral part of the country. "The issue is of terrorism, and Pakistan can discuss it," Singh said. The Home Minister also accused the Congress of creating a crisis of distrust in politics and claimed there was a difference in their words and deeds. "I do not want to claim that terrorism has stopped, but no major terrorist incident has happened in the country in last four-and-a-half years," he said. Terrorism is confined only to Kashmir where also situation is improving, Singh said adding Panchayat elections in J&K is being conducted successfully. "The government has brought Jammu and Kashmir into political process. As far as terrorism is concerned, there is no second thought that it is Pakistan sponsored," the Home Minister said. The Union minister asserted that the country and its borders are safe. Terrorism has reduced and the problem of Naxalism will get eliminated from the country in the coming years, he added. Naxal related incidents have come down by 50-60 per cent in the last four years, he said, adding it has reduced from 90 districts to only 8-9 districts and that the problem will get eliminated in next three to five years. Chinese, which is magnificent yet subtle, is the most beautiful language, said Spanish sinologist Alicia Relinque during an interview with Peoples Daily in Madrid, Spain on Wednesday. She believes that Chinese literature carries both wisdom and beauty. The female sinologists name was mentioned by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his signed article published on Spanish mainstream media on Nov. 27. Contemporary Spanish sinologists like Alicia Relinque and Chinese hispanists are working tirelessly to bring our people the beauty of each other's languages and cultures, President Xi Jinping commented in such a way. Relinque told Peoples Daily that her love for Chinese language originated from her obsession with Bruce Lees movies and Chinese kung fu. She has entered into a new wonderland after learning Chinese characters, literature and culture, she said. Relinque stands in front of her shelf. Photo by Ye Qi from Peoples Daily Spanish people need to learn and understand China, which is important, Relinque noted, Many people said that I had foreseen the future long ago. In this regard, she explained, What I had, has and will have is pure love for Chinese literature. Im very grateful for what has been brought to my life by the thing I love, and I thank China for that. To present Spanish readers the charm of profound and interesting Chinese literature is what Im pursuing, and sharing these valuable spiritual treasures is also what I like to do and persist in, the sinologist remarked. Currently, she is working on the translation of Chu Ci, an anthology of Chinese ancient poetry. The photo shows Relinques Spanish translation of Chinese romantic tragicomedy play The Peony Pavilion (El Pabellon de las Peonias in Spanish). Photo by Ye Qi from Peoples Daily Relinque introduced that nowadays more and more Spanish people were learning Chinese language, literature and culture, which was had to imagine 10 years ago. Now Spain is home to eight Confucius Institutes, and the number of students learning Chinese has exceeded 40,000, ranking the fist in Europe. In addition, more sinologists are entering the classrooms of Spanish schools, devoting themselves to the spreading of Chinese culture. Relinque believes that it is an important task for Spanish people to learn and understand China. Both China and Spain are countries with ancient civilizations and long history, which have established close cultural ties in history through the ancient Silk Road, Relinque said. Nowadays, China Cultural Center has been established in Madrid , and in turn, Instituto Cervantes has been established in Beijing. Compared with the past, communications between the two countries have entered an unprecedented period, Relinque noted. I believe these two countries will have a broader space of cultural communication in the future, said Relinque full of expectation. She smiles and shines with glamour in her eyes when it comes to Chinese language and China. By Express News Service BHOPAL: The votes of women and first-time voters could decide which way the results of the November 28 Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh swing on December 11, according to a study of the voting trends in the state. According to numbers released by the Election Commission on Friday, 75.05% of the electorate exercised its franchise during Wednesdays election held for 230 assembly seats. While the total voting percentage was the highest in the Assembly polls since 1998, it was 2.92% higher than the 72.13% votes polled last time. A gender wise break-up of figures shows that 75.98% male voters and 74.03% female voters cast their votes at the 65,000-plus polling stations. While the male voting percentage was 2.03% more than the 73.95% voting of 2013, the percentage of female vote when compared to the previous assembly elections showed an increase of around 4%. The around 3% jump in the total poll percentage of this assembly poll is largely due to increase in voting by first time voters (young voters) and the female voters. READ MORE: Incumbency more against Vasundhara Raje than BJP It could have a major say about which way the vote has went in Tuesdays polls, sources in both Congress and BJP said. Importantly, out of the 230 seats, the female voters outnumbered the male voters in around 50 seats spread in the Mahakoshal, Vindhyan, Bundelkhand and Malwa-Nimar regions. The important seats which higher female voting, included the Churhat seat of Sidhi district from where leader of opposition (LoP) Ajay Singh is eyeing a fifth straight win, all seats of Satna and Rewa district, Jabalpur North and Jabalpur Cant seats, a large part of MPCC chief Kamal Naths seat Chhindwara and almost all the seats of the maoist-affected Balaghat district. STATE ELECTIONS 2018: CLICK HERE TO READ FULL COVERAGE Another important trend is that the percentage of polling in rural areas was more than the urban seats. All the top five constituencies where maximum voting was reported are predominantly rural seats, where the poll percentage varied between 86% and 91%, while among the five top seats where voting was least were urban seats. Figures show that in 166 seats out of the 230 seats (72% seats) the voting percentage was over 70%. While the Congress claims that increase in poll percentage is indicative of vote for change, the ruling BJP circles said that whenever the voting percentage has grown (it grew in 2003, 2008 and 2013 polls), the BJP has been the beneficiary. By UNI CHANDIGARH: The BJP has asked Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to throw Navjot Singh Sidhu out of his cabinet as he has not only declined to accept him as his Captain but also for indulging in indecent behaviour with media persons in Jaipur. In a statement here on Sunday, BJP national secretary Tarun Chugh said Sidhu's behaviour with the media persons was highly unfortunate and condemnable. "He hugs media men in Pakistan and goes out of his way to please Pakistani media but misbehaves with Indian journalists for asking questions as a matter of right," he said, adding that Sidhu was following Rahul's diktat to appease Muslim vote bank in view of the 2019 parliamentary elections. Chugh reminded Sidhu that successive Congress governments in the Centre had failed to get corridor for Guru Nanak's Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara across the border but Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has facilitated the construction of corridor. By UNI CHENNAI: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said the Central and State governments must make it mandatory that doctors should serve in rural areas. Speaking at the inauguration of a children's hospital here, he said medicine was one of the important needs of the country. He said the doctors, who get posted, after working for some time, should also work in rural areas before getting their first promotion. ''Only after serving in rural areas, they should get the first promotion. This should be mandatory'', Mr Venkaiah said. ''This is the weakness of our system (doctors not serving in rural areas) in our country'', he said, adding, the central and state governments should make doctors serving in rural areas mandatory. He also said people come from rural areas and become doctors. But they do not go back to serve the rural populace. So, the Central and State governments must make a rule, making mandatory, doctors serving in rural areas, before they get their first promotion, the Vice President said. Shankkar Aiyar By Governments aint workin, Sops are the way to do it Money for nothin and the Votes for free Apologies to Dire Straits fans, Mark Knopfler and Sting The campaign in the polls for five states, the so-called semi-finals, reflects a dark spectrethe bankruptcy of politics. No, this is not about the quality of the campaignthat simply represents the stunting of reason and the rise of demagoguery. What is worse is that the political class has normalised cynicism, delinked the obligation to resolve/transform from the appeal for votes and mandate to rule. There is high-decibel outrage about the deficiencies of governance, the genesis of persistence and the genealogy of political responsibility and a deafening silence on solutions. The stark reality is that every party is insuring its electoral fortunes by parading sops as the solution for every failure. In the seminal tome, The Road to Serfdom, Friedrich August von Hayek wrote: Our freedom of choice in a competitive society rests on the fact that, if one person refuses to satisfy our wishes, we can turn to another. What does the voter do when the choice is between bad, worse, and ugly? Choice is rendered Hobsonian, is stranded between political oligarchies peddling taxpayer-funded patronage instead of presenting competitive alternative solutions. Sop politics or band-aid economics is visible across sectors. For instance, this week, hundreds of farmers left their fields to converge in Delhi to demand relief and a better deal for them and their families. The truth is agriculture employs the largest share of the workforce. Nearly 60 per cent of Indians are dependent on the agri economy and live on less than 15 per cent of the national income. Agriculture is like any other business and requires forward and backward linkages. Farming needs affordable finance and reliable inputs, that is seeds, fertilisers, water or power. Farming also needs access to markets to recover costs and earn an income, but the largest private-sector enterprise in the economy is shackled. What is produced depends on geography and what they can sell to whom at what price depends on the politics of economic policies. The market for onions, sugar and pulses symbolises the state of affairswhen the prices rise, export is banned and import allowed, and when prices fall the farmer is failed by poor storage and an imperfect procurement system exploited by middlemen. The sector needs a recast in terms of trade. What is the solution proffered by the political class? Higher procurement prices cadged by middlemen, and episodic loan waivers. The political class is also enamoured by the income support scheme of the Telangana kind where twice every year, farmers are paid a certain amount. M S Swaminathan, one of the pioneers of the green revolution, put it succinctly. It is sad that farmers who are life-givers are forced to take their own life. Instead of short-term measures like loan write-off, it is high time to look at economic well-being of farmers and measure our agricultural progress by their net income per hectare. Consider the employment issue. The toolbox ranges from inducting new castes in job quotas to pushing for quotas in the private sector. The promise of shifting the workforce from farm to factories has run out the calendar. Job creation is hampered by public policy. Every factor of productionland, labour, capital and technologyis corralled by archaic conditions that deter rather than drive employment. Electoral economics dictated the creation of the rural employment guarantee actthe allocation for this year is Rs 55,000 crore. The draft for a new approach to labour laws is said to be ready but is yet to be adopted. The issue of hunger is about lack of skills and tools that can be leveraged to access income opportunities. Parties are alive to the need for education, particularly of the girl child, but scant attention is paid to the condition of schools without water/electricity, missing teachers and the quality of education, or the need to redesign education programmes. Health care demands investment in primary health and preventive measureslike reducing pollution, improving sanitation and availability of water. State governments prefer status quo and keep posts vacant as parties believe health insurance is the answer. The history of political economies reveals that there is only so much that sops can achieve in the absence of a road map of solutions. As the cliche goes, there is no such thing as a temporary government scheme. Spend on subsidies has gone up from Rs 1.29 lakh crore to Rs 2.29 lakh crore, gross borrowings have shot up from Rs 2.33 lakh crore to Rs 6 lakh crore, interest paid on borrowings has shot up from Rs 1.92 lakh crore to Rs 5.30 lakh crore in the last ten years. Politics may be about the survival of the fittest, but democracy demands that political parties design programmes for the revival of the weakest. So the argument is not against entitlement but for empowerment. The dependence on sops as solution is a stark reflection of the insolvency of politics. The trend suggests the central theme in 2019, as in the 2018 election season, will be more about the competing magnitude of sops and less a contest of competing ideas. You could say the parade of sops is an invitation to political serfdom. Shankkar Aiyar Author of Aadhaar: A Biometric History of Indias 12 Digit Revolution, and Accidental India shankkar.aiyar@gmail.com T J S George By When we say or do things that we should not say or do, its bad manners. In this election season bad manners became the very norm of public life. How else can we explain an educated and experienced political leader saying that Narendra Modi, Uma Bharati and Sadhvi Ritambhara are lower caste people, and therefore know nothing about Hinduism; that Brahmins alone are learned? The comment was made by Congress leader C P Joshi, a PhD holder and professor of psychology who was Cabinet minister under Manmohan Singh. It was an indication of the depths of rottenness to which politics has taken our country in just a few decades. We had started off well. For two brief periods, electoral democracy functioned in India with decorum and civility. The first was when Jawaharlal Nehru set the tone, beginning with the first general election in 1951. Courtesy prevailed in politics. Backroom manipulators like S K Patil in Bombay and Atulya Ghosh in Calcutta plotted and conspired, but they had to stay within the code of public decency that was mandatory in Nehrus India. The model of correctness in campaigning was V K Krishna Menon, a veteran of electoral politics in London, where he had contested and won. The Cold War was at its height and powerful US-led anti-communist lobbies singled out Menon as their principal target. In the fiercest battle, in which Menon faced Acharya Kripalani, editorials, speeches, leaflets and slogans vilified him in personal terms. But Menon stuck to his British-style campaigning, not even mentioning Kripalani by name, let alone attack him. His speeches were about policy, about war and the need for peace, about non-alignment, about Indias role in the world. It was political politeness at its best. Menon kept winning until 1967, when S K Patil, the unchallenged king of Bombay, introduced what was then a noveltythe argument that Menon was not a Maharashtrian. Nehru was dead. India was changing. The second golden age of electoral democracy was when T N Seshan reigned as Chief Election Commissioner (1990-96). All he did was to enforce the rules, but he did it with such authority and attention to detail that the electoral exercise in India became a marvellous spectacle that the world watched with awe. It was post-Emergency India and politics had become infested with time-servers, family retainers, profiteers and plain thugs. None of them had a chance against the enforcement juggernaut of the unflinching CEC. Seshan showed what one man could do to ensure that democracy did not become a hydra-headed monster. In time Seshan retired. And the monster was set free. Today, candidates give money openly to constituents, an illegality Seshan had stopped. The Election Commission itself was recently caught favouring the ruling party more than once. These are indications that the sense of morality that ruled politics in an earlier era is gone. Small wonder that even the language used by politicians has turned vulgar. Congress leader Kamal Nath asking Muslim leaders to ensure that 90 per cent of their people voted for his party was not vulgar; it was bluntly communal. His colleague Raj Babbar was vulgar when he referred to the fall of the rupee and said that the currency was inching towards the age of Narendra Modis respected mother. What was the point of that comparison? Bad manners for the sake of bad manners? Giriraj Singh is known for boorishness. Choosing to be an extremist despite being a Union minister, he makes notorious statements one after another. The worst was: If Rajiv Gandhi had married a Nigerian, would the Congress have accepted her as its leader? Even the BJP was ashamed and forced him to make some kind of apology. A man so uncultured keeps issuing warnings to those who do not toe his Hindutva agenda, while poor Mani Shankar Aiyar looks doomed for describing the Prime Minister as neech, an unwarranted term. Donald Trump must have been impressed by Indian politicians, hence his reckless use of bad words against people he dislikes. A woman TV presenter was called low IQ who was bleeding badly from a facelift. He called some opponents crazy, phoney and psycholanguage never used by a US president before. This kind of politics is criticised even by professional criminals. Remember Malkhan Singh, the Chambal Valley dacoit who struck terror in the region in the 1970s? He surrendered in 1982 and is leading a quiet life in his farm. He recently surveyed the political scene and said: We were rebels, not dakus. Todays netas are crorepatis. They are hi-tech dakus. Truer words were never spoken. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: A day after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took exception to the AP State Anti-Corruption Bureaus (ACB) trapping of a Central government employee in a corruption case, the anti-corruption watchdog said it would not be silent on complaints against officials, whether they belonged to State or Central government, and asserted that it was the ACB which received the complaint against CBIT official first. Echoing a similar sentiment, the State Home department principal secretary, whose office was also dragged into the controversy, said that ACB was the only agency that dealt with corruption cases in the State and reiterated the government stand that the CBI itself shared information about the complainant in the case and requested swift action. With the trapping of superintendent of Central GST Range Office, Machilipatnam, Mukku Kali Ramaneswar, on Friday becoming controversial, ACB Director General (DG) RP Thakur and Principal Secretary, Home, AR Anuradha, separately, defended the act of the ACB and said it was in accordance with the policy of the State government, which had recently withdrawn General Consent to the CBI barring it from operating in AP. Speaking to reporters, ACB DG Thakur said, We wont sit and watch if there are complaints of corruption against officials and all public servants in the State, whether they belong to State or Central government, fall under the jurisdiction of ACB. How can an anti-corruption agency sit silent when it receives complaints of graft against State or Central officials, he said. He asserted that the crackdown on the officials indulging in corruption would continue. Thakur wondered as to why the CBI issued a release blaming the State anti-corruption agency for reacting to a complaint lodged against a corrupt officer. He maintained that the complainant, K Lokesh Babu, approached the ACB well before knocking the doors of the CBI. The DSP, ACB received two missed calls from the complainant on November 22. Later, the DSP returned the call around 7.15 pm the same day to the complainant, who requested for action against Ramaneswar for demanding `1 lakh as bribe. The DSP asked Lokesh to come along with the voice record of the official demanding bribe on November 26, Thakur said. Lokesh, a steel and cement trader, met the DSP personally at the latters office along with the voice record (recorded on November 23). The DSP, however, was busy preparing to lay a trap for an assistant engineer (AE) of the housing department of Mandavalli in Krishna district and asked Lokesh Babu to come after two days, Thakur said. However, the same day, Lokesh approached the CBI - Visakhapatnam over phone and the agency officials met him in Machilipatnam on November 27 and got a written complaint the next day. The CBI SP later approached the State Home secretary for specific consent to trap the official. The Home secretary shared the information with the ACB DG and as the ACB already had information about the case, the officials, in the interest of clean administration, the legal formalities and relevant process were immediately initiated, Thakur said. Maintaining that the CBI was aware of the ACB action, Thakur said that on November 29 when the ACB Additional Superintendent of Police contacted Lokesh over phone, the latter informed the official that the CBI team was with him at Machilipatnam. At that time, the CBI officials questioned Lokesh as to why he was talking to the ACB. To this, he replied that he already approached the ACB earlier, Thakur said. Thakur said they did not have any information about the CBI seeking permission from the State Home department. Since the ACB received the complaint first, we acted on it and arrested the official. Whats wrong in it, Thakur sought to know.Reacting to CBIs allegation that the ACB, in its press release, gave the impression that the complainant had directly approached the State agency, Thakur said the ACB would never mention in its press release the name of the informant and source of information. Asked about the number of complaints received against Central government employees, Thakur said, We received a considerable number of complaints and those need to be verified. If necessary, we will contact the department concerned and abide by the standard procedure designed for ACB. Thakur also recalled past meetings with the CBI on curbing corruption in the State and said ACB would extend its support to any agency, including CBI, in taking action against corruption. ACB is ready to share information and cooperate with all agencies to curb corruption, he added. Earlier in the day, Principal Secretary, Home, AR Anuradha, in a release, said in response to the CBIs request seeking consent for trap case, the SP CBI was clearly briefed that in line with the current policy of the AP government, to take action in corruption cases through ACB, the trap could be done by a joint team. The SP -CBI, was not willing for a joint operation, but in the interest of swift action against the accused, expressed willingness to share the information with the ACB. He shared information about the complainant including his mobile number and requested urgent action so that the opportunity for the action against a corrupt officer is not lost, Anuradha said. Not to be silent on graft complaints The ACB said it would not be silent on complaints against corrupt officials, whether they belong to the State or Central government. It was the ACB which received the complaint against the CBIT official first, it added By Express News Service KOTTAYAM: After completing her BSc Nursing in a reputed private college in Mangaluru around two years ago, Ashna Viswanathan, hailing from Ulikkal near Iritty in Kannur, was confident about getting a job in one of the leading hospitals in Kerala so as to look after her family as well as to repay the education loan she had availed. Ashnas parents are rubber tapping labourers and her younger brother is pursuing higher studies. She availed an amount of R2.5 lakh as loan from Kerala Gramin Banks Iritty branch in 2011. When Ashnas immense search for a job with a fair salary in Kerala yielded no results, she decided to accept the job offer of a staff nurse in a leading private hospital in Bengaluru. She found her new job a great relief to allay the financial woes of the family. However, she couldnt proceed with her wishes with a remuneration of R12,000 per month, of which she gets only Rs 10,000 in hand. After two years, she is still struggling to make ends meet with the same salary. Express Illustration: Amit Bandre Though she started the repayment of her loan during the initial days of the job, it got defaulted seven months ago. Ashnas case is not an isolated one. It is almost the same saga for 6,500 nursing students passing out every year in Kerala. Though the state government issued a notification ensuring a minimum wage between R20,000 and R30,000 for nurses working in private hospitals in April 2018, their opportunities have shrunken after hospital managements abstained from recruiting fresh candidates for a salary stipulated by the government. I tried for an opportunity in several hospitals across Kerala. But, they said openings were only for those having a minimum experience in Kerala, Ashna said. Meanwhile, openings are there for fresh candidates in some hospitals, where they get posting as trainees with a salary ranging from R4,000 to R6,500. The irony is the managements seldom absorb these trainees into their own staff. Rasmi Ravikumar, hailing from Kottayam, who worked in one of the leading hospitals on the outskirts of Ernakulam, said she resigned after working as a trainee for two years. I was getting R6,500 per month, which was not enough to meet any of my needs, she said. Rasmi managed to find a job in a hospital in her hometown, with a comparatively better salary and is now searching for opportunities abroad. Aswathi Aniyan, hailing from Kallissery near Chengannur, wanted to stay back in Kerala if she got a fair salary here I worked in one of the major hospitals in Bengaluru for 15 months after my studies. I was offered R17,000 per month, but I was getting only R11,000 in hand. Even though remuneration is much better in Kerala, there are no vacancies for freshers and nurses with below three years of experience, she said. Aswathi had availed an education loan from Federal Banks Kallissery branch and is now unable to repay the amount. The experience was similar for Jitty Jose of Manimala. Though she didnt avail an education loan, she couldnt find an opportunity in Kerala after she quit her low-paying job in a hospital in Mangaluru. It was in 2012, the state government through an order brought in the post of trainee nurses, where only staff nurses existed until then. According to Jasmine Sha, national president of United Nurses Association (UNA), as per an order of the state government in 2013 that revised the salary of staff nurses, trainees would get R6,000 in the General Nursing (GNM) category and R6,500 in the BSc Nursing category. The proposal to revise this pay scale to R10,000 and R10,500 respectively is under the consideration of the government. But, the government has not issued an order in this regard so far. Taking advantage of the situation, many of the hospitals are taking experienced nurses as trainees, he said. As per guidelines, the trainees will be fresh graduates and they should not exceed 25 per cent of the total workforce of staff nurses. However, some of the hospitals violate this guideline. Moreover, trainees are forced to work in some sections where an experienced hand is needed, which often leads to mental stress. It is learnt the suicide of a young nurse at a private hospital in Tiruvalla a couple of days ago was related to such issues. Meanwhile, Kerala Private Hospital Association (KPHA) denied the allegations about the undeclared recruitment ban in the private sector. Earlier, the university authorities had cut short the duration of the GNM and BSc Nursing courses by reducing the internship period and students were not getting adequate on-job training during their studies. It was in such a situation that private hospitals had come forth to offer training. As per the government order, the training will be for one year and the candidate should leave the hospital on the 365th day.This is no way connected with the recruitment process of the hospitals, said Adv Hussain Koya Thangal, KPHA honorary general secretary. Burden of education loan repayment The sad part is a large number of trainees do not get a permanent job in their hospital even after two years. The management can easily avoid them citing low marks in performance appraisal. With nothing to place in the column of experience as staff nurse in their curriculum vitae, these nurses are forced to join again as a trainee nurse in some other hospitals. In the meantime, the burden of loan repayment gets worse following default over default. We cant manage loan repayment and daily expenses with a salary of I6,500 per month. I have to remit a minimum amount of I6,500 in the bank, when repayment commences, said a nursing student. As per the data received from the banking sector, there is a steep increase in the statistics of non-performing assets (NPAs) in the education loan sector, escalating banks stress. The NPA in 2015 was 10 per cent of the total outstanding amount, which has been increased to 20 per cent in 2018, said a bank officer. According to officers, a major share of the education loans belongs to the nursing sector. As per statistics, the outstanding amount in education loan sector in June 2015 was I9,587 crore and the NPA was I958 crore. Meanwhile, the outstanding loan amount in June 2018 was I9,982 crore and the NPA rose to I2,045 crore. This is the figure for loans issued by private and public sector banks alone. The outstanding amount rises to I10,049 crore when considering the loans issued by cooperative sector banks and small finance banks like Ujjivan. Responsibility of the State Govt A section of nurses and their parents believe the issues in the nursing sector can be resolved to a certain extent with an effective intervention of the state government. There are a lot of vacancies in the government sector. The job crunch can be resolved to a certain extent if the government fills these vacancies. At the same time, the government has to take steps to ensure that minimum wages have been implemented in all the hospitals, said Dr D Surendranath, state president, Indian Nurses Parents Association (INPA). According to him, private hospitals brought in trainee category when the bond system was abolished. He also alleged private hospitals increased treatment charges when they implemented minimum wages and thereby they passed the burden to the public. There must be social control over private hospitals to resolve the issue, he added. Rising opportunities abroad Even though Nitaqat and other issues had shrunk the opportunities in the Gulf countries around two years ago, the situation has changed with countries in the Middle East and Europe as well as in the US and Australia inviting nurses. Germany and the United Kingdom urgently require a large number of nurses and we are trying to equip our members to apply there. This apart, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Kuwait have already invited nurses in bulk numbers, Jasmine Sha said. Moreover, after the nurses recruitment scam related to sending nurses to Kuwait and the ensuing arrest of the prime accused Uthup Varghese, recruitment of nurses to the Middle East became transparent in the entire process. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday filed a petition before the special Vigilance court seeking its intervention in the allegation against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Excise Minister TP Ramakrishnan pertaining to the brewery challenge. The petition said the state government had allowed four companies illegally to engage in the liquor business in the state. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala emerging from the court on Saturday The court will consider the case on January 10. The petition said the government has not considered the amendment made to Section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act while granting a licence to the companies. According to Chennithala, it was a corrupt deal and was done without following the mandatory procedures. I had to approach the court as my pleas to the government and Governor P Sathasivam failed to yield an outcome. My allegations were true as the government cancelled the licences later. After committing a robbery, if the robbed things are returned, the case is still remains, said Chennithala. As per a 1999 order, no new distillery or brewery can be allocated in the state. No government has given sanction to any distilleries after this order. But the present government is quoting the same order to issue licence to new brewery. Replying to queries, Ramakrishnan said both the Vigilance and the Governor had looked into the allegation and decided not to proceed citing no merit in it. Arun Lakshman By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: RSS state leadership will give wholehearted support to BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai in the partys strategies on the Sabarimala issue. There were reports in a section of media that the RSS is not happy over the political stance taken by the BJP in shifting the Sabarimala agitation to the Secretariat. Sreedharan Pillai told Express RSS does not interfere in the internal affairs of the BJP but in this case, the Sangh is fully supporting our moves and we have never said the agitations are over, instead the party has chalked out more and more agitations and we have got the full support and consent of the Sangh in this regard. A senior leader of the RSS who is coordinating the whole agitation of the Ayyappa Karma Samithi told Express that the Sangh has thrown its weight behind the BJP state president and that the party is moving in the right direction. The recent High Court order appointing a three-member monitoring committee in the day-to-day affairs of the Sabarimala temple is one reason for the party shifting its agitation in front of the Secretariat as it does not want to rub on the wrong side with a committee appointed by the High Court. BJP and RSS leaders have in a recent meeting decided to chalk out the finer points of the agitations and there is a general feeling that the party has done well in the field though the arrest of K Surendran is a dampener. However, the feeling is that the arrest and subsequent jail hopping of Surendran are not being likened by the people of the state, especially women. The BJP leadership is also upbeat on the NSS not turning up to the meeting of social organisations called by the Chief Minister and that there is a major social churning happening in the background for the general good of the Hindu society which the party is closely monitoring. RSS All-India leader and Prajna Pravah national convenor J Nandakumar had recently called on NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair. The open statement of Sukumaran Nair in support of Surendran is also seen by the party as an open endorsement to its line of thinking. It may be noted that Sreedharan Pillai is having an excellent rapport with Sukumaran Nair and the RSS leadership knows this relationship. The RSS state leadership is also planning state-wide programmes during the ongoing Mandala-Makaravilakku season and conducting Ayyappa Sabhas and this will also be advantageous to the BJP. A source in the RSS told Express: The RSS leadership is fully satisfied in the manner in which the BJP has taken the agitation forward and as a political party this is the maximum it can do. Arun Lakshman By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KPCC general secretary and former chairman of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Vijayan Thomas may soon join the BJP. Vijayan Thomas had met BJP national president Amit Shah in New Delhi recently and has got the green signal to join the party. Highly placed sources in the BJP headquarters in New Delhi told Express, Vijayan Thomas will be given a decent accommodation in the state party and will also be in the party national executive. Confirming the new political development, Vijayan Thomas told Express: Yes. I met Amit Shah in New Delhi but this does not mean I am joining BJP immediately. Discussions are going on. Even if I join the BJP, my immediate aim will be to strengthen the party at the grassroots level and make inroads into the minority areas. I have a good rapport with BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai, Vijayan Thomas said. Thomas is from the powerful Latin Catholic community which has deep roots in the coastal Christian belts of the state capital. When Shashi Tharoor contested to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 2009, Vijayan Thomas name was actively discussed for the party candidature and when Tharoors name was announced, there were protests from the Latin Catholic community. Posters had appeared across Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency in support of Vijayan Thomas. Sources told Express Vijayan Thomas has the blessings and support of the powerful clergy of Latin Catholic community. Thomas, who was an NRI for several years, was also the managing director of the Congress television channel Jaihind and was one of the main fundraisers of the party. For the past few days, several Congress leaders have been talking to me including A K Antony. But I take decisions on my own judgment and as to what I can do to the people, Vijayan Thomas said. The state BJP leadership also confirmed the move. P S Sreedharan Pillai told Express: Yes, we have been talking to each other for the past several months, I have told you earlier that several senior Congress leaders will join the BJP fold. BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- China encourages the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to advance denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday night. Wang made the remarks when giving a briefing on the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump earlier in the day after the Group of 20 summit in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. During the meeting, Xi expressed China's support to another summit between the United States and the DPRK. China encourages the United States and the DPRK to work towards the same goal, take care of each others' legitimate concerns and advance denuclearization and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the peninsula in parallel, Xi said. Trump has expressed the United States' appreciation of the positive role that China has played and expressed that the United States will continue coordination and cooperation with the Chinese side, Wang said. By Express News Service KENDRAPARA: Luxury boats intended for use by tourists have been gathering dust for four months at a creek in Gupti in Bhitarkanika National Park. The seven boats worth `7 crore have not been used since August showing authorities lack of initiative to promote tourism in Bhitarkanika, said Naresh Das, a tour operator. Contacted, DFO of the park Bimal Prasan Acharya said that the boats were procured from Goa in 2014 under Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) project for tourists. He said each boat has the capacity to carry 20 tourists. The vessels are equipped with foolproof safety mechanism. The boats have been designed to ensure safety of tourists during their visit to the mangrove forest in the park which is home to around 1,700 salt water crocodiles, the DFO said. He added since the Forest department could not find trained boatmen and crew members, the vessels in 2016 were outsourced to Kerala-based Samudra Shipyards Private Limited for `6 lakh annually to ferry tourists from Gupti to Dangamala within the park. The service was operated smoothly till August this year. Acharya said the officials of Samudra Shipyards Private Limited were asked to resume the service as soon as possible. On the other hand, Debaduta Swain, supervisor of Samudra Shipyards Private Limited said, Some crew members and other employees of the firm had left for Kerala to rebuild their houses as they suffered huge losses in the devastating flood in August due to which the service was temporarily stopped. K Ezhilarasan By Express News Service PUDUKKOTTAI: Many survivors of Cyclone Gaja are suffering from psychological disorders resulting in sleeplessness and palpitations, a team of psychiatrists from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) has found. The team of 11 psychiatrists from the Chennai institute, headed by Dr Aravindan, is undertaking post-disaster assessments among cyclone victims in the affected areas of Pudukkottai district on a request from district mental health programme officer R Karthik Deivanayagam. The team is recording victim accounts. Assessment will continue in Pudukkottai, before shifting to three other districts. Most people are still unable to come out of the traumatic experiences caused by the cyclone. Vulnerability has escalated among the already vulnerable sections. Marginal farmers who availed jewel loans are worried as they are uncertain as to whether they can get back mortgaged jewels. Women, whose husbands are dependent on alcohol, are in a panic as they are the sole bread-winners. Family members of persons with mental disabilities are in greater depression, Aravindan said. The major complaints are sleeplessness, palpitations, restlessness and crying spells. Some are saying they are unable to sleep even for two hours a day. This is more among middle-aged persons. Survival fear has gripped them, Karthik Deivanayagam said. The team will do follow-up assessments a few weeks later. IMH plans to bring out a locally-relevant module on post-disaster psychological first-aid which it will use to train doctors at government hospitals and primary health centres. By Express News Service CHENNAI: A total of 85 job offers, including six international ones, were made by 19 companies during the first of two sessions of placements at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) on Saturday, according to a statement issued by the Institute. Saturday was the first day of the placements that will continue until December 8. The big recruiters of the first session include Microsoft, Google and Apple. IIT Madras is the only educational institute in India which had all the top three global consulting majors McKinsey, The Boston Consulting Group and Bain & Co., recruiting on campus - they accounted for 13 offers in the session, the statement said. Indian Space Research Organization and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), had already recruited seven candidates before the placements began, making a total offer count of 92. The first session happened between 7 am and 2 pm, with recruiters from McKinsey, Microsoft, Google, Uber, Rubrik, The Boston Consulting Group, Texas Instruments, Goldman Sachs, ITC Ltd, Auctus Advisors and Qualcomm, offering jobs for 32 different profiles. Bain and Company and Nutanix Technologies recruited for the first time at IIT-M campus. Microsoft gave the highest number of offers - 25 offers for three profiles. The other recruiters were Goldman Sachs (7) and Apple (8), the statement said. In the second slot of placements held between 4 pm and 11 pm, 23 companies including Airbus, Shell, JP Morgan, Star India, Intel, Qualcomm and General Electric were scheduled to participate. Professor Manu Santhanam, advisor, training and placement, IIT Madras, said, The number of finance or analytics offers has been excellent in the first slot, with 29 offers being made. S Kumaresan By Express News Service CHENNAI: On Saturday (December 1), GK Vasans Tamil Manila Congress stepped into the fifth year. What is special about the Congress splinter party is that Vasan has managed to maintain his flock together despite the party not tasting even a single electoral victory. Political observers and party insiders say maintaining such a huge number of second-line leaders, at a time of frequent party-hopping, is a big achievement. The worst phase for the party was the 2016 Assembly elections in which it was left with no allies at the last moment. It joined the third front, Peoples Welfare Alliance, just days ahead of the polls. The party lost all the 26 seats it contested and the third front itself collapsed soon after it was defeated. It then appeared that the only course left for Vasan was to merge his party with the parent Congress, lest should all his men desert him for greener pastures. But, except a few, most of them chose to stay back with. T Koodalarasan, a journalist, said, GK Moopanar (Vasans father who also once led a splinter group from Congress) and Vasans personal touch with district-level leaders and ground-level cadres and clean image of Vasan help the party to sustain itself, even without any electoral success. When Vasan left Congress and launched TMC in 2014, he had with him a good chunk of Congress workers. There were about 15 former MPs and 35 former MLAs among those who chose to join him. Most of them are still with him for the reason that they got tickets for contesting the parliamentary and Assembly elections based only on Moopanars recommendation. When queried about why many of them chose to stay with Vasan despite the electoral failures, T N Ashokan, party headquarters secretary, said, He is the only leader in the State who gives priority to regional issues with a national perspective. He was also one of the union ministers who had a clean record. By PTI BUENOS AIRES: 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. 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. Look forward to welcome him in India soon. pic.twitter.com/3k2AbjoI8w Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 1, 2018 The G-20 is a grouping of the world's 20 major economies. ALSO READ | India, Russia, China hold trilateral after 12 years; call for reforming multilateral institutions "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." By Associated Press KABUL: Afghan officials say an airstrike has killed at least 10 civilians in the eastern Paktia province bordering Pakistan. Shausta Jan Ahady, a former provincial council member, says women and children were among those killed late Saturday. He says local residents displayed the bodies and protested on Sunday. ALSO READ: 'Three American service members killed in Afghanistan' Provincial government spokesman Abdullah Hsrat says the airstrike killed four insurgents and that an investigation has been launched into the allegations of civilian casualties. In a separate incident in the southern Helmand province, an airstrike killed the Taliban's shadow governor and two of his guards, according to provincial government spokesman Omar Zwak. There was no immediate comment from the Taliban, who control nearly half the country and run a parallel administration. It was not immediately clear who carried out either airstrike. BAB AL-HAWA: A 54-year-old Argentinian woman who was lured into war-wracked Syria two years ago on a marriage promise was finally on her way home on Saturday, a Syrian rebel official said. History teacher Nancy Roxana Papa had accepted the invitation of a Syrian man she had met online three years earlier and travelled to Turkey in 2016, before entering Syria. "She returned to Turkey on Saturday after the required legal documents... were completed" for her entry into Turkish territory, said Bassam Sahiouni, an official from the local rebel authority in Idlib province. On October 30, the "Salvation Government" -- set up in rebel-held Idlib by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group -- handed Papa over to the Humanitarian Relief Foundation, a Turkish non-governmental organisation, at the Bab al-Hawa border post. She then had to remain in Syria for over a month to await completion of administrative and legal procedures for her repatriation. The Argentinian teacher had appeared on October 30 at a news conference organised by HTS at the border, where she thanked her country's diplomatic services, the Turkish authorities and the "Salvation Government". "You saved my life," she said that day, drying her tears after Sahiouni explained the circumstances of her misadventure. Nancy Roxana Papa, an 54-year-old Argentinian woman who was recently released after being kidnapped since 2016, speaks to the press at the Bab al-Hawa crossing with Turkey on October 30, 2018, ahead of being handed over to Turkish authorities. (Photo | AFP) Sahiouni had given an account of the teacher's apparent ordeal at the news conference. She met the man posing as her future husband in a hotel in Turkey and "he told her they would go to Syria to greet his parents," the rebel official said. She entered Syria illegally in 2016 and was immediately kidnapped by a gang that was waiting for her on the other side of the border and contacted her daughter to demand a ransom, Sahiouni said. He added that she managed to escape from her captors after a year and survived in the war-torn area by staying with residents and moving from home to home. The "Salvation Government" sought to address the case earlier this year and tried without success to contact Argentina's foreign ministry, before the Humanitarian Relief Foundation eventually dealt with her situation, Sahiouni said. Last year, HTS reunited a Belgian girl with her mother, after the death of the four-year-old's father, a radicalised criminal who had entered Syria with the child in May 2017. In February 2018, the same authorities handed over to Turkish officials two Canadian nationals who were held for several weeks after entering Syria for obscure family reasons. By PTI WASHINGTON: The deepening security cooperation between the US and India shows the growing trust between the world's two largest democracies, Defense Secretary James Mattis has said. In his address to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on Saturday, Mattis also said that the US seeks a constructive, results-oriented relationship with Beijing. "In the Indo-Pacific region, we keep our decades-old alliances strong by building new partnerships. From this year's historic visit of the USS Carl Vinson to Vietnam, to our deepening security cooperation with India, which shows the growing trust between the world's two largest democracies, both Pacific powers," Mattis said. "But we do not accept predatory economic practices or coercion of smaller states. No one nation can, on its own, change the international order or veto other nations' diplomatic, economic or security decisions," he said. Responding to questions, Mattis said that in recent months he has had several meetings with his Chinese counterpart. "There's no doubt in my mind that China wants to return to what it believes is its rightful place in the world as a great nation," he said. "I believe that we're going to have to find ways to work with China, two nuclear-armed powers, superpowers, in a manner that when we step on each other's toes, which may happen from time to time, we have a way to manage those issues, and we are working quietly, and I would say quite closely together, my Chinese counterpart and myself, Secretary Pompeo and State Counselor Yang, we are working on trying to craft that way ahead," Mattis said. The Trump Administration is looking for cooperation with China. "We will confront them where we must. But it is now our desire to end up in that situation; it's to find a way to manage a new relationship," he said. "I believe 10 years from now, 15 years from now, what the Trump administration will be most remembered for, were we able to create that new way to operate with China? Where we able to create a mechanism by which we could maneuver on the world stage economically, diplomatically, security-wise, and keep the peace, and not stumble into a miscalculation?" said the defence secretary. Mattis in his speech also referred to the aggressive posture by Russians in Europe. He said the already strained ties between Washington and Moscow have "no doubt" worsened over Russian's continued attempts to interfere in the US voting process. By PTI HOUSTON: George H W Bush, the 41st US president who died here on Friday at the age of 94, is to be honoured with a state funeral at National Cathedral in Washington on Wednesday, followed by burial on Thursday in Texas. President Donald Trump, who has announced a national day of mourning on Wednesday, will send Air Force One to Texas Monday to bring the remains of the former president to Washington, D.C, where his body will lie in state in the US Capitol to enable public an opportunity to bid farewell to their leader. Bush's office on Saturday announced the official schedule of his state funeral and the related services and ceremonies scheduled in Houston, Texas; Washington, D.C; Spring, and College Station, Texas. The former president will have two funerals -- a state funeral at the National Cathedral and a local funeral at St.Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston. His office said the state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral will be held on Wednesday morning. The late president's remains will then be returned to Houston on Wednesday afternoon. A funeral service is planned at St.Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston on Thursday morning. On Thursday, the president's casket will be taken by train to College Station, Texas, accompanied by the Bush family members and close friends. A funeral procession will then travel on George Bush Drive toward the Bush Library complex. Bush will be buried on Thursday in a family plot behind the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University, alongside his wife and former first lady, Barbara, and daughter Robin, university officials said in a statement on Saturday. President Trump and first lady Melania will attend Bush's funeral at the National Cathedral. Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies and departments to close on Wednesday "as a mark of respect" for Bush. "He was a very fine man," Trump said of Bush. "He led a full life, and a very exemplary life, too. " Trump also signalled his respect by calling off a press conference planned at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. President Trump said he spoke with former president George W Bush Saturday morning and offered his condolences. A plane used as Air Force One will carry Bush's casket from Houston to Washington for memorial services, Trump said. "Air Force One will be taking myself and a group of our people back to Washington," Trump said during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday evening. "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." Trump called it "a special tribute that he deserves very much." The state funeral for the 41st president, whose death sparked tributes from around the world and across the political aisle, will be the first presidential funeral since Gerald Ford died in 2006. Bush's death comes months after the passing of his wife of 73 years, Barbara. The former first lady died in April. Her memorial service in Houston drew hundreds of thousands of people from past presidents to heads of state and historians. Noticeably absent was Trump, who declined an invitation "out of respect" for the Bushes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was 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. Meanwhile, floating candles were released into the pond at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum on Saturday. It was a touching moment from the second vigil held at the presidential library in less than 24 hours. For the man known for crafting a thousand points of light, there were hundreds of candles and as well as the people who held them. For many of the students at the Bush School it was a way for them to honor the man that has and will continue to impact their lives. The former president touched many lives at Texas A&M University. Doors to Bush's presidential museum opened Saturday morning, hours after the announcement of his death. Admission to the library is free through December 9. Since the announcement of the death of Bush, the Houston community is mourning and paying their respects outside the Bush home in the Tanglewood neighborhood. Bush was a man people looked up to as a role model, World War II Naval aviator, an oil pioneer and much more. In his neighborhood, people knew him as a husband, a good neighbor, and a kind citizen. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said a public tribute to Bush's memory will happen on Monday evening at Hermann Square in front of Houston City Hall. In Houston, the former president will lie in repose at St.Martin's Episcopal Church starting sometime Wednesday evening. 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. 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. By PTI SRINAGAR: Pakistan-based terror groups are honey trapping Indian youths and encouraging them to join militancy. Officials said that the youths are being used as human carriers to ferry arms and to act as guides for terrorists. Syed Shazia, a woman in her 30s, was arrested from Bandipore a fortnight ago, under the Ranbir Penal Code (the equivalent of IPC) and Arms Act, by officials from the central security agencies. Investigators found that she had various accounts on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Instagram, and was being followed by many youths in the Valley. Not only youths, but Shazia was also in touch with a few officials in the police department. Officials said that it is a usual double-cross tactic and that she used to inform about the movement of troops to her handlers in Pakistan. For months officials had been keeping an eye on the IP address used by Shazia. During interrogation, she said that there were more women like her who were luring youths to pick up arms. Shazia has been on the radar of investigating agencies since September last year when police killed Abu Ismail, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist operating in Kashmir, and Chotta Qassim in an encounter. The police had recovered some documents and materials from the encounter site which indicated that an unidentified woman from North Kashmir was involved in supplying arms and ammunition to the two. The woman was identified as Shazia in April this year. Officials monitoring her social media accounts found that she was luring youths on orders from across the border. Shazia later started working as an overground worker from Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and was delivering weapons in the Valley. Before her arrest, a special police officer from Handwara was picked up by police for informing Shazia that her phone was being monitored. The police officer, identified as Irfan, had been passing information to Shaiza, they said. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had also arrested a 28-year-old Aysia Jan on November 17 after receiving a tip-off about the movent of arms and ammunition. They recovered 20 grenades and some ammunition from her. In September, a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan had allegedly been honey-trapped by the ISI over Facebook. The jawan, Achyutanand Mishra, was picked up from Noida. Egypts Prosecutor-General Nabil Sadek referred on Saturday 11 individuals to criminal court for carrying out an attack on a church in south Cairo in December 2017, which killed nine Copts and a policeman ahead of Coptic Christian Christmas celebrations last year. 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: By PTI NEW YORK: A Pakistani man has been sentenced to seven years in prison in the US for attempting to provide material support and resources to Jabhat al-Nusrah, an alias name for the terror group Al Qaeda in Iraq. Basit Javed Sheikh, 39, of North Carolina was sentenced to 84 months imprisonment followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He had pleaded guilty to the charge in August and since he is not a natural born citizen of the US, he faces possible automatic removal from the country. Sheikh had been living for years in the US as a legal permanent resident. The affidavit to the complaint describes multiple Facebook postings by him in 2013, expressing support for Jahbat al-Nusrah. He posted articles acknowledging that Jahbat al-Nusrah had been designated by the US as a terrorist group. As detailed within the affidavit, Sheikh utilized Facebook to propagate the violent ideology of Islamic Extremism, US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina said. In mid-2013, Sheikh sought out a relationship with an individual online whom he believed could assist him in travelling to Syria in support of violent jihad. This individual informed him of another person described as a member of Jabhat al-Nusrah able to assist Sheikh. In reality, both of these individuals were working with and for the FBI. Sheikh reached out to the individual he believed to be a Jabhat al-Nusrah member and expressed his desire to travel to Syria in order to "help the mujahideen in any way I can. When asked how he wanted to help, Sheikh responded "logistics, media, fight too." Believing that the FBI covert employee would be able to assist in smuggling him from Lebanon into Syria, Sheikh purchased a one-way ticket with a final destination of Lebanon and a departure from Raleigh-Durham Airport in November 2013. He was arrested prior to boarding his flight. "Our security as a nation, as a state, and as a local community requires vigilance against the hateful rhetoric and goals of groups and persons who hijack the tenets of any religion towards their own violent purposes," US Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Robert Higdon said. By PTI COLOMBO: Failing to prove his majority twice, controversially appointed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday demanded holding a snap parliamentary polls to end the ongoing political crisis in the country. The island nation is witnessing a political crisis since President Maithripapala Sirisena's controversial move to sack prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and install Rajapaksa in his place on October 26. Sirisena later dissolved Parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end, and ordered a 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. In a statement, Rajapaksa cites occasions in the history when Parliament had been dissolved to call parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka to avoid crisis and bring in political stability. "The only way to restore stability to a destabilised democracy will be through a general election. According to our Constitution, sovereignty is vested in the people and not in Parliament," the former strongman said. Rajapaksa has, so far, failed to prove his majority in Parliament. Wickremesinghe, with the support from the main Tamil party, claims to have the support of more than 113 legislators, required for a simple majority. Speculation are that President Sirisena may remove Rajapaksa on Wednesday when another motion would be taken up in Parliament and is defeated. Following the vote, Sirisena would be forced to appoint a new prime minister and a Cabinet. The Sri Lankan president has said that due to sharp personal differences with Wickremesinghe he would not reappoint him as the Prime Minister. However, Wickremesinghe's UNP claims that Sirisena will be left with no choice as he would be the man who will command the confidence in the House. In the statement, Rajapaksa also slammed Wickremesinghe's UNP of feeling shy of contesting a fresh poll. The UNP has said that any election now would be unconstitutional, without restoring the pre-October 26 status. By PTI KABUL: A senior Taliban military commander has been killed in a US airstrike in Afghanistan, officials said on Sunday. Abdul Manan, who was the Taliban's 'shadow governor' in the southern Helmand province, died of wounds sustained during an airstrike late on Saturday said Omar Zwak, a spokesman for the official governor of the province. Manan's death was also confirmed by the Taliban who in a statement described it as a "big loss" for the group but vowed that it will not affect their military operations. Helmand -- the region that supplies the largest share of Afghanistan's opium crop -- has been the scene of bitter fighting for years with 10 out of 14 districts of the province either controlled or contested by the Taliban. As a senior Taliban leader, Abdul Manan had led the insurgency group's expansion as it expanded control over the opium-rich province in recent years. Afghan interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said Manan was the militants' top military leader in southern Afghanistan and his death as a major blow to the Taliban. "His death will lower the moral of the enemy, and result in (the) improvement of security in Helmand and other southern provinces," Najib Danish told AFP. Danish said that 32 other Taliban fighters were also killed in the airstrike. A US force spokesman in Afghanistan confirmed the airstrike had killed the Taliban shadow governor. "The Taliban should consider intensifying peace talks, not the fight. They're going to have trouble intensifying the fight when their fighters and leaders are under constant assault," Col.Dave Butler said in a statement. Abdul Manan was on the blacklist unveiled mid-October by the Riyadh-based Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), which imposed financial sanctions on nine individuals, including six Taliban members. The killing of the Taliban military leader comes despite increased efforts by the Afghan government and its Western backers to put an end to the 17-year war. US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad recently expressed hopes that a peace deal to end the war could be struck before the Afghan presidential election, scheduled for April. At an international conference on Afghanistan in Geneva last Monday, Afghan president Ashraf Ghani said a 12-person negotiating team has been prepared for peace talks. But the Taliban have rejected Ghani's overtures, calling the government in Kabul "impotent" and a "waste of time". By PTI WASHINGTON: Religious freedom activists and several other groups in the US have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take all necessary measures to curb the rise of Hindutva extremism and punish groups involved in violence against religious minorities in the country. The request was made during a briefing titled 'Religious Freedom in India: A Briefing on Capitol Hill', organised by the Indian-American Muslim Council, at the US Capitol on Thursday which was attended by activists, Congressional staffs, State Department officials, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and civil society members. ALSO READ: Carnatic maestro TM Krishna's concert cancelled after Hindutva group trolls organisers "The failure of Prime Minister Modi to definitively condemn and to definitively distance himself from the extreme elements of his party has played a substantial and significant role in bringing about the situation that we see today," said Katrina Lantos Swett, former Chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). India maintains that its Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens including the right to freedom of religion and the USCIRF has no locus standi to pass its comment on Indian citizens' constitutionally protected rights. The participants urged Modi to condemn such violence against religious minorities as well as take all necessary measures to curb the rise of Hindutva extremism and punish the Hindutva groups involved in violence. ALSO READ: SIT names Hindutva outfit in chargesheet, says it was a five-year plot Swett, the daughter of Tom Lantos - the only Holocaust survivor to have ever been elected to US Congress and who founded the Congressional Human Rights Caucus - said that Muslims and Christians are the "primary victims". "Inflammatory rhetoric and a conception of India's national identity increasingly based on religion have contributed to an atmosphere of intimidation, exclusion, and even violence directed at non-Hindus," Swett alleged. Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, said, "If the prime minister were to condemn acts of aggression and violence and push for prosecution, this (violence) would fairly quickly dry up. But it's not happening," King said. He also urged Modi to "condemn acts of aggression and violence" and allow a team of USCIRF to visit India on a fact-finding mission. Matthew Bulger, Legislative Director of the American Humanist Association, alleged that several Indian laws and policies "restrict religious freedom rights" and have led to arrests and prosecution of individuals, which is just unacceptable. Rev.Sarah C.Anderson-Rajarigam, a Dalit Christian Lutheran church priest from Philadelphia, alleged that the status of Dalits had worsened under the Modi government. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 36F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds from time to time. Low 27F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Columnist Tom Kacich is a columnist and the author of Tom's Mailbag at The News-Gazette. His column appears Sundays. His email is tkacich@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@tkacich). Government is aware of the economic challenges affecting its employees and is committed to engaging them in frank discussions on what can and cannot be done to assist them, a Cabinet minister has said. Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima said while Government would always seek to improve employees welfare, the State could not promise US dollar salaries. This follows demands by some teachers unions for salaries in foreign currency. In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Prof Mavima said: Teachers are justified to make the demands. We also want them to come to the table to discuss with the Government and what is implementable will be implemented. What cannot be implemented we are always very frank and candid with them to say that this is not possible at this particular moment in time and we always have hope for the future. At the moment the situations remains. Salaries are paid through RTGS and I am not sure if the situation will change. However, Zimbabwe Teachers Association president Mr Richard Gundane repeated the demand for US dollar salaries. We are reaffirming the position that teachers be paid in foreign currency, which is the only way to go in these current circumstances. We are not at a point where we are threatening to take industrial action, but the events will unfold, said Mr Gundani. Economic analyst Dr Gift Mugano said Zimbabwes economy could not afford foreign currency salaries. We have a serious foreign currency shortage in the country and the bottom line is that teachers cannot be paid in foreign currency as this will trigger the rest of the civil service to demand payment in foreign currency, he said. France Decides on Third Shots but Not More Restrictions Egypt has set out to end the scourge of the Hepatitis C virus, and it is sharing its experiences with the rest of Africa When you first find out that you are a liver patient and that you may have liver fibrosis that could lead to cancer, you feel scared. I wanted to be armed with courage by knowing all I could about this disease and how it changes the lives of people with it, commented one African patient from Senegal who has been cured of infection with the Hepatitis B virus. There are still many people who suffer from this disease without knowing they have it. I first discovered that I had Hepatitis B when I was recruited to the army. I learnt the causes and symptoms of the disease. There were medical tests that I had to take that were extremely expensive, and it was a difficult moment when I went for more tests only to discover that I was in an advanced stage and the medication was very expensive. However, with the help of the African Liver Patients Association [ALPA] and some family members, I was able to complete my medication. Now that I am cured, I am here in Cairo to share my experiences because I must help others suffering from the same disease and because many people helped me, he said, adding that it was essential that information about the virus is shared in order to help prevent future infections. Some 20 per cent of Egyptians are also struggling with liver disease, mostly caused by the Hepatitis C virus. A national initiative launched in September this year under the auspices of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi called 100 Million Seha (100 Million Healthy People) offers all Egyptians the chance of free tests, especially for infection with one or other of the Hepatitis viruses that can cause liver disease. These tests are usually expensive and not everyone can afford them. Those who are found to be positive for infection with the Hepatitis B or C viruses are then offered free treatment. This is possible because in 2012 a new medicine was developed for Hepatitis C called Sovaldi. It has been made available for free to patients testing positive for the virus through a screening process supervised by the government. Today, Egypt has been sharing its medical expertise in this field with its African neighbours at a conference on 19-21 November entitled Capacity Building Workshop for African Union [AU] Member States on Viral Hepatitis held in Cairo by the ALPA and the African Union Scientific, Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC). It was attended by delegations from African countries, MPs, representatives from pharmaceutical companies, academics, civil society representatives and doctors. The event featured a case study about how Egypt has been successful in combating the disease once and for all in the village of Al-Othmaneya in Gharbiya governorate. It also pointed to the problems faced by many African countries in protecting their citizens from liver diseases and the role of Egypt in assisting them in doing so. We are working according to the African Union Agenda for Development 2063, including by capacity building in improving the health of the African peoples. This has resulted in the establishment of the AU Centre for Disease Control, a step forward in ending the plague of infectious diseases on the continent. Africa is full of resources that could help tackle disease, resources that have been inherited from our forefathers. We need to do more to capitalise on these, as too often the international pharmaceutical companies take our resources and then bring them back to us in the form of expensive medicines, said AU-STRC Director Ahmed Hamdi. Some 34 per cent of all scientific research is in the field of health in Egypt, while 40 per cent of research in a country like Burkina Faso is also in health. In other countries like Uganda, it is only 10 per cent, but 33 per cent of the publications coming out of Africa are in medical research. We have no problem in terms of medical capacities, but we are not able to produce our own medicines despite our internationally recognised research, Hamdi added. We have to ask ourselves why. Fifty-five per cent of medical practitioners in Africa are looking to work outside the continent in search of higher salaries, even as 70 million Africans are suffering from Hepatitis viruses. Some states in Africa do not have the know-how or the capacity to understand diagnoses and medications. However, Egypt has been successful in doing so, and we would like to build on that success, he said. Egyptian Success Egypt has a complete strategy for ending infection with the Hepatitis C virus, and the testing of 50 million citizens has been ongoing. It is vital that this expertise is now transferred via the ALPA to other African nations, ALPA Chairman Gamal Shiha said. According to a presentation by Shiha, a model for the elimination of the virus has been applied in 100 villages in Egypt, which has seven per cent of the worlds patients with the Hepatitis C virus. Egypt negotiated with an international pharmaceutical company to produce the medicine for the disease at a low price and established a large treatment programme. The number of patients treated in Egypt has now exceeded two million at more than 72 treatment sites in fewer than four years. About four million people have been estimated to be in need of treatment, most of them living in rural areas. Out of the 1,800 people living in the village Al-Othmaneya, for example, 17 per cent were found to be antibody positive. The strategy of screening and staging possible liver fibrosis in 50 million Egyptians as a result of possible viral infection started last October preceded by an awareness campaign including lectures about the disease through local promoters in villages. Patients were then treated, with those who could not afford medicine being given it free of charge, usually in the two hours following diagnosis. We want to see the scientific community and the World Health Organisation [WHO] apply rapid diagnostic tests. These take one hour and cost less than $1.6, while other tests usually cost $3, Shiha said, adding that there were also now machines that could scan for the disease. One agency that is working hard to spread Egyptian expertise in Africa is the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development (EAPD) announced by President Al-Sisi in 2014 . Its secretary-general, Ahmed Shahin, said he agreed with Shiha on the need to spread Egyptian expertise in the field of combating the Hepatitis viruses. On all fronts we need to unite and implement this important initiative as Egypts contribution to South-South co-operation assisting the African countries in achieving development, including medical development, Shahin said. To do so, the EAPD is working on four main pillars, including capacity building through 70 training courses, with 8,000 Africans so far having benefited. The second pillar is dispatching experts to other African countries, with there now being more than 45 Egyptian experts in 32 African countries, most of them working in the medical sector. The third is humanitarian assistance through supplying medical equipment, logistical assistance, and humanitarian assistance when needed. The last pillar is encouraging greater integration between Egypt and Africa in trade. We want to encourage NGOs to take part in dealing with the medical problems faced by Africa. 10 per cent of deaths in Africa are caused by liver viruses. The AU must put these at the top of its list of priorities for this reason, and the National Committee for Ending Liver Viruses, which started in Egypt in 2006, gives the clearest example of how to fight the Hepatitis C virus in the world today, meaning that we are duty bound to share our expertise with brotherly African nations, said Gamal Esmat, a representative of the Ministry of Health who attended the Cairo conference. According to Esmat, Egypt examined previous experiences in other countries before starting work and has been successful in producing its own model. It has also depended on locally manufactured medicine for the virus since 2015. We have built 170 centres in the different governorates and have been training doctors in different specialties and GPs on combating liver viruses. This conference is a great chance for capacity building in the field, Esmat said. He listed the efforts Egypt has made to combat the virus, starting with the prescription of interferon, which was not suitable for some patients, and then the introduction of Sovaldi and widespread screening. We want to transfer this experience to other African nations. Our aim is to have a world that is free of the Hepatitis C virus by the year 2030. We want an Egypt that is free of the virus by 2020, he said. Member of parliaments Africa Committee Mona Mounir gave a summary of how the committee is keen to meet with the ambassadors of different African countries to listen to their problems and to help to solve them. Meanwhile, at the Cairo conference ALPA Vice President Kenneth Kabagambe gave a presentation on the extent of viral hepatitis in Africa. In Africa today, we have 60 million people living with Hepatitis B, while only three in every 1,000 have been diagnosed with it. There are 10 million people with chronic Hepatitis C infection.Nine out of 10 people are living with liver cancer, but they do not discover it until it is in an advanced stage, and by that time little can be done to help them live longer, Kabagambe said. He said that 100 African governments were now committed to ending viral Hepatitis on the continent, adding that the priorities of the African Hepatitis programme included a 90 per cent reduction in new cases of Hepatitis B and C and a six per cent reduction in virus-related deaths. The WHO should support countries concerned by the ownership of clinics, in partnership with other countries that can help cure the disease and provide medical cooperation. By 2020, all the concerned countries should have their own national plans in place for ending liver diseases on the continent. But this will not happen unless we put civil society at the heart of the process, Kabagambe commented. I call on governments to include screening for Hepatitis B as well as Hepatitis C in their campaigns, Shiha said, adding that each country should decide for itself what type of screening method is best. We can fight this disease in my country and in all of Africa. I want to see African governments hand-in-hand in fighting this disease, commented the former liver patient from Senegal, adding that people must also be given access to the information that can help halt the spread of this disease and others. * A version of this article appears in print in the 29 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Ending Hepatitis in Africa Search Keywords: Short link: (Newser) The admiral leading American Naval forces in the Middle East turned up dead at his Bahrain residence Saturday, CNN reports. Vice Adm. Scott Stearney's death is under investigation, but media reports say there's no evidence of foul play. "This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at Fifth Fleet, and for the entire Navy," says Adm. John Richardson, the chief of naval operations. The Fifth Fleet is part of the US Navy's Naval Forces Central Command, which controls operations in areas including the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. America sees those Naval Forces as a deterrent to Iran and Iran-supported Houthi rebels, which are considered possible threats to regional shipping. story continues below Stearney, a 36-year Navy veteran, took command in the Middle East in May and led more than 200,000 US service members and civilians, per NBC News. The Navy website says he was a Chicago native who graduated from the University of Notre Dame and in 1982 entered the Navy, where he was an aviator and flew the FA-18 Hornet in strike fighter squadrons. He has served several commands and was chief of staff of a Joint Task Force in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Bahraini Ministry of Interior and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are looking into his death, Reuters reports. (Meanwhile, $7M legwear is supposed to turn US troops into "super soldiers.") (Newser) The CIA is pretty sure that Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Now the Wall Street Journal has details on why the CIA thinks that way, and a big one involves 11 messages sent by the prince himself in the hours before and after the killing. The CIA does not know the content of the messages, but they went to a close aide of his overseeing the Saudi operatives who killed Khashoggi. The Washington Post confirms that the prince and Saud al-Qahtani exchanged multiple messages in this time. The missives are part of why the CIA has "medium-to-high confidence" the prince "personally targeted" the journalist, according to excerpts of the agency's analysis viewed by the Journal. He "probably" ordered the killing, but to be clear, we lack direct reporting of the Crown Prince issuing a kill order. story continues below The CIA also says the prince uttered a cryptic statement to associates last year, telling them that if Khashoggi did not agree to return to Saudi Arabia, "we could possibly lure him outside Saudi Arabia and make arrangements." Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi embassy in Turkey. The accepted position is that there is no way this happened without him being aware or involved, a US official tells the Post, referring to the prince. That is not the White House view, however. I have read every piece of intelligence that is in the possession of the United States government, and when it is done, when you complete that analysis, theres no direct evidence linking him to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN Saturday. (France's Emmanuel Macron was overheard telling the prince: "I'm worried.") (Newser) Ah, it's heirs in love. Tiffany Trump is said to be dating the son of a wealthy family from Nigeriaone of the very countries her father reportedly compared to a makeshift toilet earlier this year, per the New York Post. His name is Michael Boulos and he's part of a family that started the multi-billion-dollar conglomerate SCOA Nigeria, which trades in equipment, retail, vehicles, and construction. The pair apparently met this summer in Mykonos, Greece, and kept their relationship quiet until now. "Tiffany is happy she has so far been able to keep things with Michael under the radar," a source tells the Post. story continues below "But she introduced him to her family at Thanksgiving, and he comes across as a very intelligent young man from a great family," the source adds. "There was no mention of the presidents unfortunate comment about African nations." Raised in Lagos, London-based Boulos went to a top Nigerian international school and has a brother who raps and acts under the name Farastafari. Their family is originally from Lebanon. Tiffany is mum so far, but W Magazine notes she is following a private Instagram account under Boulos' name. A friend told Us Weekly that she had a "cordial" breakup with New York-based beau Ross Mechanic last year and was "taking law school seriously" at Georgetown University. (Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump is having a little email trouble.) (Newser) Table talk at President Donald Trump's dinner meeting Saturday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping will undoubtedly have a global impact, the AP reports. What they agree onor don'twill likely move markets up or down, determine whether the world economy gets some relief from destabilizing trade tensions and cast judgment on the wisdom of the American leader's hard-nosed trade tactics. Trump and Xi are 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. Before the dinner of grilled sirloin, red onions, goat ricotta, and dates, Trump told reporters that "we'll be discussing trade and I think at some point we are going to end up doing something that is great for China and great for the United States." He did not offer any details. story continues below Xi's remarks also gave no indication of whether any breakthrough was imminent. "Only with cooperation between us can we serve the interests of world peace and prosperity," Xi said, adding that he looked forward to exchanging ideas and having an opportunity to "jointly map out the future for China-US relations." 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. Trump also canceled a Saturday news conference, citing respect for the Bush family following the death of former President George HW Bush. (See why world leaders agreed on trade, not climate.) (Newser) Pope Francis has been quoted in an upcoming book as saying that having gays in the clergy "is something that worries me" and remarking that some societies consider homosexuality a "fashionable" lifestyle. Italian daily Corriere della Sera's website Saturday ran excerpts of the book, in which Francis was quoted as describing homosexuality within the walls of seminaries, convents, and other places where clergy live as "a very serious question." "In our societies, it even seems homosexuality is fashionable. And this mentality, in some way, also influences the life of the church," Francis was quoted as telling his interviewer, a Spanish-born missionary priest, Fernando Prado. The book, based on four hours of conversations the two had in August at the Vatican, will be published in 10 languages next week. Its Spanish title is "La Fuerza de la vocacion," ("The Strength of Vocation"). story continues below Francis reiterated past Vatican pronouncements about the attention that must be given to admitting men to seminaries, saying "we must very much take care of human and sentimental maturity" when training future priests. Separately, the Italian news agency ANSA quoted Francis in the book as commenting on a clergyman who told him that having gays in Catholic religious housing "isn't so grave" because it's "only an expression of affection." 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." Still, Francis stressed that gay Catholics contribute to the life of the church and 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." (Read more Pope Benedict XVI stories.) (Newser) Alec Baldwin returned to Saturday Night Live as President Trump for the first time since his arrest Nov. 2, but included himself in the receiving end of the ribbing, reports USA Today. In character as Trump on an Argentine balcony, Baldwin lamented Robert Mueller's investigation, saying, "God, I havent been this upset since I flipped out over that parking space." The sketch romped through a series of visits from Cecily Strong as Melania Trump, Ben Stiller as Michael Cohen, Kate McKinnon as Rudy Giuliani, Beck Bennett as Vladimir Putin, and Fred Armisen as Mohammed bin Salman, and ended with a riff on Evita, with Baldwin singing, "Don't cry for me, Argentina/The truth is/I'm very guilty/Some little no-nos/And maybe treason/But I kept my promise/Oops, no I didn't." story continues below Meanwhile, Weekend Update paid tribute to former President George HW Bush, notes the Boston Globe, who was long portrayed on the show by Dana Carvey and invited the comedian to do his impersonation at the 1992 White House Correspondents' Dinner. Claire Foy guest-hosted the episode. (Read more Saturday Night Live stories.) (Newser) Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took the oath of office Saturday as Mexico's first leftist president in 70 years, reports the AP, marking a turning point in one of the world's 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 Mexico's 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 deals 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 to "not to buy abroad, but to produce in Mexico what we consume." story continues below Even so, Lopez Obrador has tried to send conciliatory gestures to financial markets, which have been roiled in the weeks before he took office. "I promise, and I'm 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." The first foreign dignitaries that Lopez Obrador greeted were US Vice President Mike Pence and Ivanka Trump. "I want to say that since ... the day I was elected, I have received respectful treatment from (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. "The only person he (Lopez Obrador) can't afford to get in a fight with is Trump, because he knows he could derail his plan," said author and columnist Raymundo Riva Palacio. "He is willing to do the dirty work for them." (Read more Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stories.) (Newser) An Alaska jury has ordered the buyer of a news website to make good on a payment promise she had scrawled on a cocktail napkin, the AP reports. The Anchorage Daily News reports that jurors on Thursday ordered Alice Rogoff to pay more than $850,000 to Tony Hopfinger. Rogoff purchased a majority stake in the Alaska Dispatch website from Hopfinger in 2009. Her company bought the Anchorage Daily News in 2014 and merged the businesses as the Alaska Dispatch Newswhich filed for bankruptcy in 2017, costing Rogoff an estimated $30 million, per the Daily News. The remains of the business were sold to another family that continued putting out the paper as the Anchorage Daily News. story continues below But back to the napkin, on which Rogoff wrote in April 2014: "I agree to pay Tony $100K at end of each calendar year (beginning '14) for 10 years," meaning $1 million total. Hopfinger sued Rogoff, claiming she failed to pay him $100,000 annually for 10 years as promised; she only paid him $100,000 in 2015. Rogoff's attorney argued that terms were stated to commit Hopfinger to work for a decade and that he deserved nothing when he moved to Chicago in 2015, per the Daily News. But the jury, which deliberated for roughly nine hours, found that "the actual promise was for his shares," says Hopfinger's lawyer. (Meanwhile, a blind man has sued Playboy over its website.) Egypt has won a seat at the World Water Council (WWC)'s Board of Governors, a statement released by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation on Saturday read. The seat is a recognition of Egypt's contributions to addressing issues of water resources management at international forums as well as its efforts during the 1st Cairo Water Week which took place on October 14-18. The World Water Council is an international multi-stakeholder platform organization whose mission is to mobilize action on critical water issues at all levels, including the highest decision-making level, by engaging people in debate and challenging conventional thinking. The Council focuses on the political dimensions of water security, adaptation, and sustainability. The ultimate authority of the World Water Council is the General Assembly of Members; they are governed by its Constitution and by-Laws. The General Assembly elects and appoints a maximum of 35 members to the Board of Governors in accordance with the Constitution and by-Laws. Search Keywords: Short link: The Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Election Integrity, Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, praised the turnout in the second round of the parliamentary and municipal elections, stressing the lack of religious fatwas (edicts) that could have limited eligible voters choices. The minister was speaking at a press conference, with the participation of the Executive Director of Elections Nawaf Hamza, following the sealing of the ballots boxes in the various polling stations where voters cast their ballots from 8 am until 8 pm. The minister pointed out to the strong competition in the various constituencies where run-offs were held. Bahrain is living a new chapter in democratic development. The electoral process is moving beyond the stage of experience, in addition to the fact that it is a patriotic duty and a personal motivation from the general public, Shaikh Khalid said. The minister pointed to the strong competition among the candidates that included a high number of candidates and the impressive turnout of voters who were keen on assuming their patriotic duties. Shaikh Khalid added that the 2018 elections witnessed a major change in the general trends, where the voter became the top focus of the process, in terms of the evaluation of the candidate and the greater attention to the criteria of competence in order to choose the aptest candidate. Such trends were clear and through the media and social networking sites, he said. Shaikh Khalid said there were three advantages to the current elections. Prominent child psychologist Mariam Alammadi, who is also the founder of The Child Foundation Centre, has received the prestigious Top 50 Smart Healthcare Leaders Award. The awards committee, which rated each applicant on their impact and contribution to healthcare, decided the winners following an extensive assessment. Speaking to Tribune, Ms Alammadi said, The Child Foundation Center opened earlier this year and is a psychological centre that specialises in milestone development assessment, counselling, psychometric testing in the areas of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers Syndrome, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is important to break the stigma of the mental health. Stigma causes individuals to feel embarrassed or ashamed for something that is out of their control. Stigma can also prevent people from seeking the psychological help they need to get better. It is important that all of us working in the mental health feed ensure our voices are heard and continue to break the stigma. The best methodology is to encourage equality between physical and mental illness. When society understand that mental illness is also a disease it causes better understanding and acceptance. The increase of mental health problems is a global problem. However, in Bahrain, there has been a huge increase in cyber-bullying. The method by which the younger generation communicates as completely changed. Social media has become their preferred tool for communicating, sharing and reading content. Egyptian and French naval forces carried out on Sunday a maritime training exercise at an Egyptian Red Sea naval base with the participation of the French warship COURBET and a number of Egyptian naval vessels. The training comes in the framework of bolstering military relations, enhancing cooperation, and exchanging experiences between the Egyptian armed forces and their French counterparts, according to an Egyptian Armed Forces statement. The exercise included drills on day and night sailing, air defence, defensive artillery fire to protect marine units while crossing dangerous areas, and protecting vessels carrying crucial cargo. The exercise aims to enhance the combat efficiency of the naval forces of both countries to achieve the highest levels of readiness to carry out any joint tasks. Search Keywords: Short link: The Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Organization has attacked Senate President Bukola Saraki for criticising the Federal Governm... The Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Organization has attacked Senate President Bukola Saraki for criticising the Federal Governments trader moni scheme. Saraki, who is the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council of Atiku Abubakar, had allegedly made false allegations about the President Muhammadu Buharis scheme. Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has been seen in markets in different states of the federation giving out small loans to traders. Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organization in a statement on Saturday, said, For the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make such wild and false allegations is degrading. Sarakis statement makes his position untenable; for it is preposterous for him to criticise the Executive for implementing a programme in the budget duly passed by the National Assembly which he leads. Does it now mean that the implementation of programmes of government equates to vote-buying? Should governance be suspended because of politics? Is his so-called empowerment scheme presently ongoing in Ilorin not a better example of vote-buying? His claims that the programme has a political coloration is just the height of subterfuge. It is on record that the Trader Moni loans are given to petty traders and artisans all over the country irrespective of political leanings as nobody is asked for their party cards in the markets before they are enlisted on the programme. Like other National Social Investment Programmes, it has been launched in every state of the Federation irrespective of political affiliation. To underscore the non-partisanship of the Social Investment Programmes, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme of the Federal Government started in the APGA- controlled Anambra State while Rivers State which is controlled by the PDP had the highest number of N-Power participants at inception in 2016. International detective, Sam Nwanti, has jettisoned his presidential candidature on the platform of the Labour Party to join the All Pro... International detective, Sam Nwanti, has jettisoned his presidential candidature on the platform of the Labour Party to join the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2019 general elections. He made this known during the weekend in a terse statement issued to journalists via email by his publicist, Emeh ThankGod. Nwanti revealed that the decision to step down his ambition was based on the need to support President Muhammadu Buharis fight against corruption as well as efforts to get the country working again. The statement quoted him as saying I withdraw from contesting for the presidential race on the platform of Labour party and back to All Progressives Congress APC. I am back to APC to support President Buhari for his second term bid because he needs our support to get things aright once again. I will help All Progressives Congress and the Buhari-led administration fight corruption and as the only detective who is contesting in 2019, it may split the support of President Muhammadu Buhari. President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that given opportunity for another four years will be quite significant for the country. T... 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. 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 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. The administration 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 take. He said, the winnings yesterday (Saturday), show a pattern that 2019 will take. The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon(Rtd), on Sunday in Abuja thanked God for his good... The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon(Rtd), on Sunday in Abuja thanked God for his goodness to Nigeria and also prayed for a more prosperous nation. Osinbajo and Gowon were at the State House Chapel for the annual End of Year Thanksgiving Service. Speaking with State House correspondents after the service, Osinbajo said that Nigerians had every reason to be extremely thankful to God. It has been a year where God has shown his faithfulness in some many ways; I think what God is also telling is that the coming months and the coming years will be even better. Our country is going forward; our country is getting better and better; our country will prosper; our country will be a place of abundance; all of us will enjoy the fruit of this land. So my message is that we should continually thank God because God has helped us a great deal and he is set to help us even more, he said. The Vice President had earlier during the service offered a special thanksgiving prayer to God for His mercy, grace and kindness to Nigeria. On his part, Gowon said that his message for Nigeria was to pray ceaselessly. He prayed God to accept the genuine prayers offered by Nigerians. Let God answer all the good prayers for Nigeria; what he thinks is best for Nigeria. That is my message and prayer; so that we contribute to the peace of Nigeria, he said. Pastor Ezekiel Odeyemi, Assistant General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, who delivered the sermo said, that Nigeria was still a country was a good reason to thank God. He said that Nigeria had passed through quite a lot as there were lots of signs and signals pointing towards disintegration but Nigerians still remained together. `That one is more than enough to thank God for, he said. The Chaplain, State House Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo, said that thanksgiving was something Nigerians should do continuously. Thanksgiving is something that is expected on a continuous basis; in fact, that is one of the requirements of God from us. We thank God; God will make us whole; in every relationship, you do not see perfection; even in your life but when you thank God, that imperfection will be perfected. So, I see a perfection for Nigeria; I see a wholeness for every one of us, he said. The Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Mr Silas Agara, on his part, thanked God for guiding President Muhammadu Buhari and Osinbajo in the last three years. He said that Nigerians should be thankful to God for giving the nation God-fearing leaders, unlike other nations, Nigeria was not at war. Agara also prayed God to give the president and vice president another opportunity to lead Nigeria for another four years, so that the nation could witness more blessings from God. The UK Trade Envoy Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Defence Senior Advisor for the Middle East (DSAME) John Lorimer have arrived in Egypt along with a trade delegation to attend the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX 2018) and discuss economic and security cooperation with Egyptian officials. According to the embassy, UK Trade Envoy Donaldson will meet with Egyptian Minister of Trade Amr Nassar to discuss the future of UK investment in Egypt and deepening trade ties. Donaldson will also meet with representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education. "Egypt is a country of vital strategic importance in the region and Egypts future is extremely important to the UK. I am delighted to be back to Egypt with a delegation of leading British companies focusing on education, as well as over 20 British companies participating in Egypts first defence expo to support this country as it works to realise its development goals, Donaldson said in the embassy statement. This is Donaldsons ninth visit to Egypt in two years in his role as trade envoy, according to the statement. Earlier this year, Donaldson headed the largest British trade delegation to Egypt in 20 years. The EDEX conference is organised by leading UK event organiser Clarion Events, and will include over 20 British companies specialised in security and defence. EDEX 2018, the first of its kind in Egypt and Africa, is set to host several major exhibitors and international weapons, defence and security companies, who will display their products and services. The event runs from 3 to 5 December and will include high-tech defence systems from around the world, as well as Egyptian-made military hardware. Last week, over 40 companies joined the British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA) delegation to explore bilateral investment opportunities and potential partnerships in sectors including healthcare, education, oil and gas, and finance. British ambassador to Egypt Geoffrey Adams said that Britain and Egypt have a shared will to grow their partnership. The past two weeks have seen a series of high-level visits in both countries that set a joint path of economic prosperity. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian prosecutors have rejected a request made by Italian prosecutors during a Wednesday meeting that a number of Egyptian national security agents be named as suspects in the murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni in 2016. In exclusive statements to MENA news agency, an Egyptian judicial source has said that Italy had made a similar request in December 2017, which Egyptian prosecutors had also turned down. The source said that Egyptian prosecutors had refused the request in 2017 because the Egyptian legal system does not include the existence of a "suspect registry," and that there was not enough evidence to name the agents as suspects in the case. The source added that the Italian prosecution considers the policemen suspects because they conducted surveillance on Regeni, which the source said falls under their normal work as security agents. Egyptian and Italian authorities have been cooperating in the ongoing investigation into the murder of the Italian student, who was conducting research on independent trade unions when he went missing on the fifth anniversary of Egypts 2011 Revolution, before he was found dead 10 days later bearing signs of torture. During the Wednesday meeting, Egyptian prosecutors asked that Italy investigate Regeni's entry into Egypt with a tourist visa, even though he was in the country to conduct academic research, which requires a student visa. Following Wednesday's meeting, Italian News Agency ANSA said that Italian prosecutor Sergio Colaiocco will officially name the agents as suspects early next week. On Friday, Roberto Fico, speaker of the Italian parliament, announced that Italy's parliament decided to suspend parliamentary relations with Egypt until the ongoing investigation into Regeni's death reaches a conclusive result. Egypt's parliament released a statement later on Friday expressing regret over the statements by the Italian parliament speaker, which it described as "premature" and "unilateral." Regeni's killing led to a brief diplomatic rift in 2016, when Italy's ambassador to Cairo was recalled in protest of Egypt's handling of the case. The ambassador returned in September 2017. Egypt has repeatedly rejected suggestions that members of its security forces are behind the killing, and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has promised to bring the killers to justice. Search Keywords: Short link: Carsten Koall/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Former FBI Director James Comey wrote on Twitter that he will testify privately before a House panel Monday on the condition that he will be able to speak freely afterward and that a public transcript will be released within 24 hours. Hard to protect my rights without being in contempt, which I dont believe in. So [I] will sit in the dark, but Republicans agree Im free to talk when done and transcript released in 24 hours. This is the closest I can get to public testimony, Comey wrote on Twitter Sunday morning. Comey had filed suit in federal court Thursday to block the subpoena requiring him to testify behind closed doors to the House Judiciary and Oversight committees, instead preferring to testify publicly. In the lawsuit, the former FBI director condemned the process as being powered by a poisonous combination of presidential tweets and the selective leaking that has become standard practice" for Republican lawmakers. Republican lawmakers want one more opportunity before handing control of the House to Democrats to push both Comey and former Attorney General Loretta Lynch on their handling of the FBIs investigation into former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clintons use of a private email server, and their separate probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. "Mr. Comey asks this Courts intervention not to avoid giving testimony but to prevent the [panel] from using the pretext of a closed interview to peddle a distorted, partisan political narrative about the Clinton and Russian investigations through selective leaks," read Comey's challenge to the subpoena, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Comey also expressed gratitude to U.S. Circuit Court Judge Trevor McFadden, an appointee of President Donald Trump, who is expected to make a formal ruling Monday. In a tweet Thursday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Virginia, called Comeys lawsuit baseless. It appears Mr. Comey believes he deserves special treatment, as he is the only witness refusing to either appear voluntarily or comply with a subpoena, Goodlatte wrote. Comey has received a subpoena from the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee before -- in 2016, after the then-FBI director announced the agency would not recommend seeking charges for Clintons use of a private email server. Comey has also previously testified on Capitol Hill about both the Clinton and Russia investigations. Trump fired Comey last year on the grounds that Comey had mishandled the Clinton case, with both then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein sending memos expressing agreement with the decision. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Egypt's first defence expo, EDEX 2018, will kick off on Monday in Cairo, where 373 major defence companies from 41 countries are participating. Organised by Egypt's Armed Forces under the auspices of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the fair the first of its kind in Africa will showcase the latest military and security technology, equipment and systems. EDEX 2018, which will be inaugurated by President El-Sisi and will run from 3 to 5 December, is expected to draw at least 10,000 visitors at Egypt's International Exhibition Centre in New Cairo. The UK Trade Envoy Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Defence Senior Advisor for the Middle East (DSAME) John Lorimer arrived on Sunday in Egypt along with a trade delegation to attend the expo. On Thursday, a Saudi delegation led by the head of the kingdom's state-owned Military Industries Corporation, Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Mady, also arrived to attend the expo. Saudi Arabia will have the largest pavilion at the fair, where it will showcase its latest defence products. Egypt's Minister of Military Production Mohamed Minister El-Assar has said that Egypt's political leadership is supporting the event and aims to ensure that it is on par with similar events globally. The minister also said that Egypt's military will provide all the necessary facilities to ensure its success, adding that the exhibition will be held every two years. The event is being organised in cooperation with the UK's Clarion Events, which organises defence and security exhibitions. Search Keywords: Short link: Once said to be rivers from paradise, the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers are now awash with poison, highlighting Iraqs worsening environmental woes Iraqi river fish are well known all over the world, and some of its typical grilled fish are so popular that if you are in Baghdad you should not pass up the chance to try them. The fish known as masgouf, traditionally cooked on the shores of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, is a seasoned carp cooked next to an open fire. It originated in the basin of the two rivers and has been around since ancient Babylonian and Assyrian times. Yet, with an annual production of some 30,000 tons of fish, Iraqs freshwater fish are now the most endangered group of species in the country, with severe implications for the millions of people who rely on fish for their food and income. In recent weeks, massive amounts of dead carp have been found floating in the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers or washed up on their banks, triggering fears of the water pollution that sickened thousands of people in southern Iraq over the summer. The mass death of the fish was first reported in October after villagers north of Baghdad woke up to shocking scenes of piles of dead fish washed up by the Tigris River. A few days later thousands of tons of fish died in the nearby Euphrates River. Sections of the river about 80 km south of Baghdad were covered with dead fish from nearby farms in the province of Babylon, with authorities using excavators to shovel them out of the water. The mass death of the species has caused significant losses to fish farms and production in provinces south of Baghdad, while farm owners and fishermen have struggled to find ways to continue to use the resources that the freshwater has to offer. Iraqs Health and Environment Ministry has warned the public against buying or eating river fish. The ministry banned the import of the fish into Baghdad, fearing that if infected fish were sold in markets then thousands of citizens could be at risk of disease. While the reason for the dead fish is yet to be fully explained, the United Nations and state health officials are pointing to pollution as the reason for the deaths. Laboratory tests conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in neighbouring Jordan have revealed the contamination of water with coliforms and a high concentration of ammonia as being responsible for the death of the freshwater fish. Coliforms are a broad class of bacteria whose presence in water may indicate the presence of harmful, disease-causing organisms. The testing also revealed serious issues that warranted the WHO to conduct a second investigation related to probable viral infection among the fish and causing their death in the rivers. The results of this second test were due this week. The laboratory investigations came in response to a request to the WHO by the Iraqi government to assess the likely effects of the fish deaths on humans and the environment. Health experts from the WHO and the Ministry of Health in Iraq are now saying that while the materials found are toxic to fish, they pose no threat to humans. The WHO said it was continuing to work with ministry experts to develop appropriate preventive measures to effectively mitigate and respond to future incidents of this nature. However, the death of the fish has highlighted the bigger issue of Iraqs river water contamination. Water shortages and pollution have been behind the protests that have rocked Iraqs southern region since July. Some 90,000 people have been admitted to hospital complaining of diarrhea and other stomach ailments caused by drinking polluted water. Doctors in the oil-rich Basra province have also been worried that diseases like cholera might spread through the citys unusable water. Like many other cities in Iraq, Basra has an advanced sanitary infrastructure that has broken down due largely to mismanagement and a lack of investment, leaving it, like other cities, without effective water-treatment systems. Iraqs river contamination, however, reflects wider environmental and pollution problems in Iraq. These problems may be shaving billions of dollars off the Iraqi economy each year in the form of early deaths, disease and lost production. Iraqs environment is now horrendous and its pollution level is one of the worst in the world. The countrys environment has been subject to pressures from wars, poor environmental planning, mismanagement, population growth and climate change. Today, Iraq faces serious environmental challenges, ranging from poor water quality, soil salinity, air pollution, climate change and the deterioration of key ecosystems. Many of these challenges overlap, as Iraqs environment is suffering both from degradation due to old problems and shortcomings exacerbated by new ones. Among the main reasons behind Iraqs environment-related problems are the wars and civil conflicts that have cumulatively damaged the countrys land, air, water and health infrastructure as well as its agricultural and energy sectors. The fallout from the US attack in 1991 and its invasion of Iraq in 2003 continues to deform and kill Iraqis long after the conflicts seemingly ended. Air pollution caused by war may be a major factor in the numbers of birth defects and cancers that have been reported in Iraq over the last three decades. Researchers have identified exposure to toxic materials from the explosion of munitions and the burning of military waste by the US army as the causes of birth defects and cancers in many parts of Iraq. Several research works have documented dramatic increases in infant mortality, cancer and leukemia in Iraqi cites bombarded by US troops In one study published in the British Independent newspaper, experts said that the devastating results had exceeded those reported by survivors of the atomic bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. They attributed escalating cancer rates in Iraq since 2003 on the US militarys use of depleted uranium (DU) weapons and have concluded that the remaining traces of DU in Iraq represent a formidable long-term environmental hazard, as they will remain radioactive for many years to come. Even US government reports have confirmed that tens of thousands of US Iraq war veterans have been diagnosed with respiratory and breathing problems, cancers, neurological diseases, depression and emphysema since returning from Iraq. The massive death of fish in Iraqs rivers has underscored that the countrys environmental problems are mounting and burdening its economy, public health systems and political and social stability. Iraq was also battered with heavy rain this week that swept across the north and south of the country causing flooding and disruption. The flooding claimed the lives of some two dozen people and caused enormous damage to houses and infrastructure. Iraq has endured many stretches of stormy weather in recent years, with multiple days of rain and thunderstorms that experts have attributed to climate change. Given the lack of tangible plans or policies as to how the government will tackle the environmental crisis, Iraq seems to risk facing further devastating pollution that could endanger the health of millions of people. Without investment and more efforts made in fighting pollution starting with tackling water scarcity, water contamination and rapid desertification, Iraq will continue to have one of the worlds worst environmental records, for which the Iraqi people will pay the price. * A version of this article appears in print in the 29 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Iraqs toxic environment Search Keywords: Short link: While the international community is trying to pave the way for Yemeni peace talks, the reality on the ground is completely different Countries and international organisations are moving to lay the groundwork for peace talks as UN Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths works to set the tone for peace negotiations in Sweden early December. Meanwhile, Houthi militias have violated the implicit ceasefire in Hodaida, which Griffiths visited 23 November. The Houthis raided residential neighbourhoods in Hodaida in an attempt to infiltrate Yemeni army posts. In Sanaa otherwise called Amanat Al-Asima, or the Capital Municipality rifts are dividing Houthi militia leaders, and the General Peoples Congress is suffering a trust issue among its prominent figures. While the war in Yemen is still raging, conflicts are rising between the Houthis regarding finances and administrative posts. The series of disagreements all started when Houthi militias toppled the government of Abdel-Aziz Habtour, despite the fact that Yemen and the world dont officially recognise this government. After visiting Hodaida, Griffiths said: The UN should now pursue actively and urgently detailed negotiations for a leading UN role in the port, and more broadly. We believe that such a role will preserve the essential humanitarian pipeline that starts here and serves the people of Yemen. The Yemeni Al-Youm Al-Thamen newspaper reported, Griffiths visit to Amanat Al-Asima and Hodaida yielded opposite results to the ceasefire Griffiths sought in anticipation of peace talks. The internationally recognised government was discontent. The newspaper said that UN participation in managing the port of Hodaida is believed to consolidate the status quo and help the Houthis further extend their control over the strategic city. Yemeni Minister of Information Muammar Al-Iryani wrote on Twitter, as reported by the Yemen Press Website: The government awaits the UN envoy to embark on a tour of Taiz to see for himself the destruction Houthi militias wreaked there. Al-Iryani also questioned what he described as UN bias. Hodaida witnessed relative calm in the past few days in tandem with Griffiths visit to Sanaa on 21 November to hold peace talks with the Houthis. After visiting Hodaida city on Friday, calling for maintaining peace in the city, Griffiths flew to Saudi Arabia Saturday to meet with members of the Yemeni government. In Riyadh, Griffiths convened with Vice President General Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar on Monday. Al-Ahmar revealed to Griffiths a number of decisions adopted by the legitimate government about its vision for peace in Yemen. Concerning the Houthis latest escalation, on Sunday the militias launched a ballistic missile towards areas under the control of government forces in Nihm district, located 40 kilometres east of Sanaa. Colonel Turki Al-Malki, spokesman of the Arab Coalition, stated Monday, as reported by Aden Al-Hadath Website, that the coalition will not allow the militias to continue threatening international Red Sea navigation through control over Hodaida. Al-Malki stated that 36 naval mines were discovered and detonated south of the Red Sea. The mines were planted by Houthi militias to threaten international marine routes in the area. The Houthi militias actions threaten the safety of the international maritime and commercial lines of conduct and are a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, Al-Malki said. Leaders of the Khawlan tribes called upon their people in Marib city with the sponsorship of the Supreme Council for the Resistance in Sanaa, under the title Marching to the Fronts to Continue Liberating Yemen, as reported on Yemens Huna Al-Baida Website. Social media networks in Yemen were rife with criticism over a photo of Griffiths and a Houthi leader sitting next to a table under which is placed a weapon. The photo stirred controversy and was titled Negotiation with a weapon under the table. International organisations calling for an end to the war fear the repercussions of famine. Five of the largest international relief organisations working in Yemen called on the US to halt its military support of coalition forces, and warned that continuing the US support will make Washington responsible for what could possibly be the worst famine for decades, reported the CNN. A relief group called on the US to end the suffering of Yemen through a bill approved by the Democratic and Republican parties calling for an immediate halt to violence and US support of coalition forces. The bill is being studied by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and is supported by five of the largest US charity organisations functioning in Yemen that published a joint message calling for an end to supporting the coalition in Yemen. On Monday, The Telegraph published War in Yemen: Desperate civilians trapped inside Hodaida fear what comes next if truce fails in which Mohamed Ali Kalfood, from Hodaida, and Josie Ensor, wrote: Civilians in the Red Sea city of Hodaida are trapped between Iran-aligned Houthi rebels and the coalition, who have been locked in a five-month battle that mediators are struggling to end. The writers added that, Save the Children reported last week that 85,000 children under the age of five are already thought to have starved to death since the start of the war in 2015. Meanwhile, only 50 per cent of health facilities are functioning. The crisis is compounded by deteriorated healthcare services, smuggled medicines and doctors and pharmacists exploiting the suffering of Yemenis to achieve personal gains. Avril Patterson, a nurse from Ireland who recently returned from Yemen, told the Telegraph: They were eating a bit of rice or a bit of bread, or flour mixed with water once a day. They didnt have a mat to sleep on, they really didnt have anything. Its very dramatic when you see it small children with no shoes on their feet. Amid international moves, events on the local front and conflicts of interests, the most significant question is where is the war in Yemen going? Is there a way to ease the suffering of Yemenis that are dying of hunger? Or are there more important interests than the survival of a people? The Yemeni nation awaits an answer as the date for the Stockholm talks approaches and as hopes rise that varied interests will finally align for the good of humanity and lifting the suffering of Yemenis. * A version of this article appears in print in the 29 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: End the suffering in Yemen Search Keywords: Short link: 0 Aaj Tak Executive Editor Rohit Sardana, who passed away last month, is now the target of fake news peddlers. Videos and images are being circulated by the fake news peddlers implying that he owned many luxury cars, huge bungalows and property. The images being shown are of Mercedes and BMW cars, luxury bikes and huge palatial bungalows. His family took to twitter to correct the misleading information. Family tweeted from Rohit Sardanas Twitter account, 1450 Sq.Ft EMI EMI VIP . (The family claimed Sardana has one car and one flat, both on EMI, for immovable property and two daughters and immense love of people.) Rohit Sardana, 42, passed away on April 30 following a massive cardiac arrest. He was undergoing treatment for Covid-19. Coming from a very humble background in Haryana, Sardana made it big in the media world through his hard work and talent. His death was cheered by the Islamists and anti-India forces. They have been cosistently engaged in the character assassination of Sardana. 0.2% of Mountbatten Papers: Tip of the Nehru Edwina Mountbatten Triangle? Download Organiser Mobile App: Mobile App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... Visit Us At: Website: https://www.organiser.org/ Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eOrganiser Koo: https://www.kooapp.com/profile/eOrganiser Twitter: https://twitter.com/eOrganiser Telegram: https://t.me/eorganiser Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/organiser_weekly Background Music Credits: https://www.bensound.com #mountbattenpapers #mountbatten #nehru #india #indianindependence #indiaspartition #partition1947 'Illicit drug activities' & Conscious possession work against, Shah Rukh's son denied bail New Delhi: The NDPS Court has rejected the bail plea of film star Shah Rukh Khan's Aryan on Wednesday (October 20) and ruled that through WhatsApp chat, it is "reflected that he was indulging in illicit drug activities". The special court has said that since his friend who was travelling with him was found with contraband, and he (Aryan Khan) had its knowledge, it amounted to 'conscious possession'. "If any of the accused is released on bail, it will ha ... A tanker first docked at Libyas Ras Lanuf oil port and then later went to the Zueitina port, a port engineer said on Sunday. On Friday, state oil firm NOC said bad weather had forced the shutdown of Ras Lanuf, Zueitina and two other oil export ports. NOC could not be immediately reached for comment. Search Keywords: Short link: We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Mr Mohammad Habibu Tijani, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has said there is the need for African countries to boost trade among themselves to enhance development. He said this would ensure that the level of trade which is currently at 18 per cent would attain the level of 69 per cent as it occurs in Asia and Intra European trade. Mr Tijani said this at the closing ceremony of the 2nd Stakeholders Conference in Accra. The three-day conference, held under the theme, Leveraging Economic Diplomacy for Ghanas Industrialisation Agenda, was organised by the Foreign Ministry in collaboration with the UN Economic Commission for Africa. Participants at the event included MDAs and the private sector and it was aimed at sharing information and best practices as well as challenges faced by key stakeholders of the Ghanaian economy and centred on Agenda 2063, SDGs, National Medium Term Development Policy Framework 2018-2021, and Ghana Beyond Aid. Other thematic areas include macroeconomic framework, current economic trends and opportunities in Ghana and Africa, overview of Africas Regional Integration Agenda, continental free trade, boosting intra-African trade and trade facilitation, industrialization, productivity, competitiveness and value chains. Mr Tijani said industrialization of African economies was crucial to turn around the fortunes of the continent and re-affirmed governments commitment to improve the business environment and empower the private sector to play a critical role in the development of the country. He said the Ministry is commited to the Presidents vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid and would continue to engage countries and international institutions for effective partnerships. This, he said, would help the nation wean itself from the over-reliance on foreign imports. The Ministry will also continue to promote Ghanas favourable investment climate through our Missions abroad in collaboration with our stakeholders to attract investors into the country. This we believe will go a long way to help the country to attain its aspirations, he said. He urged private sector players to take advantage of the governments flagship programmes to establish industries that would add value to raw materials. The Deputy Minister said:Ghanas development will be achieved on the back of different sectors of the economy by adding value to our agricultural products and natural resources. Source: GNA 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 Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has suggested that embassies operating in Ghana may soon start demanding digital addresses from Ghanaian visa applicants. Although this is not yet a government policy or a directive from embassies, Dr. Bawumia thinks this could become a reality. Dr. Bawumia made the comments when he was giving the keynote address at the 2nd Stakeholders Conference under the theme Leveraging Economic Diplomacy for Ghanas Industrialization Agenda. While highlighting the significance of the address system, Dr. Bawumia stated that the embassies will be able to better assess the credibility of visa applications going forward, if they make digital addresses a requirement. Increasingly, the digital address is being required for you to be able to register for SSNIT or for national ID. If you do not have your digital address you will not be able to register for national ID. We are going to be using it and I am sure even the embassies that are here will increasingly require National Digital Address of anybody in applying for a visa so you can know exactly when to apply for a visa. Already, visa applicants in filling forms provide addresses for their homes. The Vice Presidents comments come weeks after Researcher and Vice President of Policy Think Tank, IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, suggested that the National Identification Authority (NIA) requirement of a digital address for the registration and issuance of the Ghana Card appeared not to have been thought-through properly. Mr. Simons believes that the NIA may not have taken into account the countrys housing dynamics before making the digital address a requirement for the registration and issuance of the Ghana card. In a Facebook post, he indicated that more than the 120,000 homeless Ghanaians living in Accra alone would be denied the issuance of the card on the basis of the NIAs digital address requirement. There are ~120000 homeless people in Accra alone. And an estimated 5.4 million slum dwellers in Ghana. Most of these people have no fixed address. How do you then tie a national ID system to an untested digital address? Do these decision makers understand their own country?, Bright Simons quizzed. A private legal practitioner, Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, also a few weeks ago also sued the NIA over the digital ID requirement, contending that the requirement is illegal and must be scrapped from the list of requirements. Lawyer Kwarteng Arthur in a Citi News interview said his research showed that there was no regulation in the GhanaPost and Courier Services Act that recognizes the digital address system. The digital address code is being powered by GhanaPost, so I got the Ghana Post and Courier Services Act and regulations, and looked through it, and there was nothing there operationalizing digital address code in Ghana. I am a lawyer and Im in denial, so what about the ordinary person on the streets. So I decided to test it in court. My readings show me that there is no act operationalizing the digital address code so I want the court to declare that the digital address code is an illegality hence Ghanaian citizens who are willing and present themselves at the NIA to be registered should not be denied the Ghana card on the basis of not having the digital address code, he said. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Turkeys insistence on finding the truth behind the recent killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was not aimed at damaging the Saudi royal family. Speaking to reporters at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Erdogan said that solving the Khashoggi killing would also be in the interest of the Saudi monarchy. We have never seen this as a political issue, Erdogan said. We want to make sure that the murder is revealed in all aspects and that the perpetrators are tried. Khashoggis killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has strained Saudi Arabias ties with the West and battered the image overseas of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia has said the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder. Riyadh said Khashoggi had been killed and his body dismembered when negotiations to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia failed. Erdogan has said the killing was ordered by the highest level of Saudi leadership but probably not by King Salman, putting the spotlight instead on the 33-year-old crown prince. We have no interest in harming the Saudi Arabian state or the Saudi royal family. We believe bringing to light all aspects of the murder and prosecution of all perpetrators will be in the interest of Saudi Arabia, he said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he brought up the Khashoggi issue while at the summit. At a news conference in Buenos Aires, Trudeau said he had a frank conversation with the Saudi crown prince at the leaders dinner on Friday. I spoke to the crown prince to highlight our concerns and the need for better answers on the killing of Khashoggi and the need for cease fire in Yemen, Trudeau said. Western nations are calling for an end to the Saudi-led military campaign in neighboring Yemen, which was launched by Prince Mohammed, as a humanitarian crisis there worsens. Erdogan also said Prince Mohammed had sent his chief prosecutor to Turkey to investigate the Khashoggi killing, but the prosecutor failed to share information with Turkey. Turkey has evidence documenting that Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, was killed in 7-1/2 minutes, Erdogan said. He said Ankara has shared this evidence with all countries who requested it, including the United States, Britain, Germany and Saudi Arabia. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: Audio Attachment: Listen to Stephen Atubiga On Peace FM's 'kokrokoo' Stephen Atubiga, a flagbearer aspirant of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says he is capable of raising the GHc 420,000 filing fees through the help of his friends and supporters. "NDC has a population of about 5million and many of them are requesting for my account number to deposit and contribute to pay for my filing fees. So far in all the ten regions I have covered, we've spent between not less than Ghc 2,000 and Ghc 5,000 which is even more than the filing fees, not to even talk about hotel bills and other stuff," he told Peace FM. He said the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) should invite or arrest and interogate him if he is able to single handedly doll out almost $100,000 to pay for his filing fees. All male flag bearer aspirants of the NDC are expected to pay GHc 400,000 as filing fee while female flag bearer aspirants and persons with disability are to pay GHc 200,000 and GHc 150,000 respectively. The nomination form is going for GHc 20,000. General Secretary of te party annouced the decision at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday, 29 November at the partys headquarters in Accra. According to the party, all aspirants have up to 10 days to submit the forms. Stephen Atubiga speaking in an interview on Friday's edition of Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', with sit-in host, Nana Yaw Kesse, he said he can even afford to pay for former President John Mahama. "Don't be surprised to hear that Atubiga even paid for John Dramani Mahama, because the kind of support I am getting from Ghanaians is overwhelming and I may have enough money to pay for John Dramani Mahama . . . He doesn't have that money, I don't think he has that money. If he has that money I'll make them arrest him. Where is going to get that money? How much is his salary?" Atubiga stated, vowing that no politician has that kind of money sitting in his bedroom. He added that the EOCO should arrest and question any politician who has that money to pay for that filing fees. "It is people who are going to contribute for us all, I don't think any politician has that money sitting in their bedroom," he added. Picking of forms by aspirants commences at 9am to 5pm on the 3rd of December and ends on the 4th of the same month. Candidates according to the General Secretary of the party will have 10 days to go round all the 275 constituencies to have their forms endorsed by branch and regional executives of the party. Submission of forms will also begin on the 13th and 14th of December between 9am and 5pm on the said dates. He added that vetting commences on the 17th and 18th of December this year to assess aspirants who would want to lead the party for election 2020. Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/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 President Nana Akufo-Addo and his former ally, former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko may still have an axe to grind against each other. A video of the two former friends greeting has gone viral on social media and people are talking. Akufo-Addo who attended the one week observation of the late brother of Boakye Agyarko, Ayawaso West Wuogon MP Emmanuel Agyarko could not look into the eyes of his former minister. The former Energy Minister appeared to also feel irritated by the handshake of Akufo-Addo, merely extending his hand shabbily. Readers will recall how then Minister of Energy, Mr Boakye Agyarko was relieved of his position, following the controversy surrounding the review of the Ameri power deal. A press statement signed and issued by Mr Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Presidency in August said President Akufo-Addo by a letter dated August 6, 2018, relieved the Minister of Energy, Mr Boakye Agyarko, of his position, with immediate effect. President Akufo-Addo has asked Mr Boakye Agyarko to hand over his office to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr John Peter Amewu, who will act temporarily as Minister of until a substantive appointment is made, the statement said. The President wishes Mr Boakye Agyarko well in his future endeavours, the statement added. Mr Agyarko has since been silent and unseen until the demise of his brother. President Akufo-Addo extolled the loyalty of the Agyarko family to the Dankwa-Dombo-Busia tradition, right from their father the Senior Agyarko to the current generation, saying the late MP, Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarkos death is a loss for the NPP as a pillar has fallen. The President said this when he paid the family a visit. Kyeremateng Agyarko, who is the brother of the former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko was formerly Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Board and has been NPP MP for Ghanas most elite constituency since 2012. Mr Emmanuel Kwabena Kyeremateng Agyarko, died at the age of 60. VIDEO- Source: mynewsgh.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 Publishers of Ghana Palavar newspaper have agreed on terms of settlementwith Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a legal practitioner and a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), after the newspaper published a defamatory story about him. On September 13, 2017, Mr Otchere-Darko sued the Revalap Publishers and Suppliers Limited and Tetteh Amedjoe, Editor of the newspaper, for the defamatory publication. The words complained of were contained in a publication, which alleged that the Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, had allegedly awarded a $20million contract to Mr Otchere-Darko to review contracts awarded at the Ministry of Finance. The story also alleged that Mr Otchere-Darko had engaged a law firm based in the United States of America (USA) to assist his (Mr Otchere-Darkos) law firm to undertake the task. In his suit, Mr Otchere-Darko wanted the Accra High Court to perpetually restrain the defendants and their agents from further publishing or causing to be published the said or similar words defamatory of him. He was also seeking damages for the publication which he described as reckless and false. Terms of settlement However, the case did not travel to a full trial because during the case management conference, the plaintiff and the defendants decided to settle it amicably. The terms of settlement was filed at the court on November 22, 2018, and the presiding judge, Justice Eric Kyei Baffour, adopted it as the consent judgement of the court. The terms of settlement include an unqualified apology and retraction of the story that gave rise to the suit by the defendants. The apology and retraction must be on the front-page of the Ghana Palavar 14 days after the entry of the consent judgment. Secondly, the unqualified apology and retraction shall be carried on the website of the Ghana Palavar on the same day the story is published in the newspaper. Also, the defendants shall reimburse Mr Otchere-Darko of the filing fee for all the processes filed so far within 30 days of the entry of the settlement as consent judgement. Furthermore, Mr Otchere-Darko fully reserves the right to proceed against the defendants should they default the three initial terms of settlement. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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 Bahrain's cabinet on Sunday tendered its resignation to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa as required by law after last week's parliamentary elections from which the opposition was barred. Authorities in the Gulf Arab state, home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, announced results of the Dec. 1 election runoffs earlier on Sunday. The cabinet resignation statement was later carried by the state Bahrain News Agency. The government has said voter turnout was 67 percent in the Nov. 24 polls, higher than a turnout of 53 percent in 2014 when opposition groups boycotted elections in the Sunni Muslim-led, Western-allied kingdom. Activists had called for a boycott of this vote, describing it as a "farce", amid a crackdown on dissent by the ruling Al Khalifa family since it quashed a Shia-led uprising in 2011 with the help of neighbouring Saudi Arabia. Since then, the island state has kept a lid on dissent, closing opposition groups, barring their members from running in elections and prosecuting scores of people, many described by human rights groups as activists, in mass trials. Bahrain accuses Iran of fomenting unrest. Tehran denies the charges. Search Keywords: Short link: Rantoul, IL (61866) Today Partly cloudy skies. High near 35F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 26F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. What unites the Prime Minister of Norway and the President of Ghana? While we come from different countries, with different cultures, languages, food, and weather, we are co-chairs of the UN Secretary-Generals Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocates group. We are both dedicated to the SDGs, and believe in their promise for our peoples and our world. Although we live in challenging times, we are motivated by knowing that we have an ambitious and comprehensive plan to meet these challenges. The SDGs - 17 universal development goals, agreed to by 193 countries in 2015 - are the blueprint for a world without poverty; for increased equality, security and prosperity for all; and for a healthy and thriving planet. This weekend, we will be together in Johannesburg, in the beautiful Republic of South Africa, with people from around the world, of all ages and backgrounds, to reflect on the important and inspirational legacy of Nelson Mandela, Madiba, commemorating the 100th anniversary of his birth. Today, we can see his legacy in the SDGs they provide a continuation of his lifelong work to eradicate poverty, inequality and injustice. As he said: As long as poverty, injustice, and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest. We gather in Johannesburg to celebrate Nelson Mandelas amazing life and commit not to rest until we succeed in realising the SDGs. The SDGs apply equally to every country in the world rich and poor alike. They offer everyone - politicians, activists, students, business leaders, workers, farmers, fisherfolk, citizens of every nation - an opportunity to play a part in building the world we want. Together, through strong partnerships, we can accelerate the change our world needs, as world leaders promised to do in 2015 when they signed on to the SDGs. Impressive progress has already been made. Over the past three years we have seen huge leaps to lay the groundwork for achieving the SDGs. There has been significant global action to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and historic multilateral agreements signed on everything from oceans to family planning. Moreover, action on the SDGs is being taken by people all over the world, from civil society organizations to the private sector, who are seizing the opportunity the Goals present. Sustainable business alone could unlock $12 trillion in economic opportunity, according to the Business and Sustainable Development Commission. Businesses, large and small, are aligning their strategies with the SDGs, for their benefit and the benefit of our world. A new class of SDG-aligned customers has emerged. In the last two decades, 1 billion people have been lifted out of poverty, child mortality has halved, and HIV infections have fallen by 40%. Despite this progress, we are not moving fast enough. Many more of our most vulnerable people need to be reached; we must keep up our momentum and ambition. Citizens across Africa, especially young people, are leading the way in the path to a sustainable future, driving inspirational and energetic change and progress in their communities. The SDGs demand that we invest in the health and education of this next generation of change-makers, to ensure they can pursue fulfilling career paths and become innovators, leaders, and global citizens. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that their voices are heard and represented in the SDG agenda. Next year, for the first time at the United Nations General Assembly, Heads of State will report on their countrys progress towards meeting the SDGs. This will happen once every four years, and will be a moment to reflect on what has been achieved, and determine where we are falling short. We will be there to show our commitment to the SDGs and the people we represent. We encourage our fellow leaders to join us. 2020 marks a third of our journey to 2030. It is time now to turn promises into action. Though the road ahead may seem difficult, as Mandela said, it always seems impossible until it is done. Each of us must ask ourselves, What can I do to tackle the challenges we face today? We must continue to push forward, remain ambitious, and make smart decisions that empower change. If we do that, in 2030 will we stand as the generation that ended extreme poverty, tackled climate change, and successfully fought injustice and inequality. We should dare to be audacious. As the co-chairs of UN Secretary Generals SDGs Advocates group, we recognize that we can achieve more when we act together. We will endeavour to build partnerships that accelerate progress towards the SDGs, and we call on everyone to help. Every single day counts, every single individual adds up, and we must ensure, together, that no goal, and no-one, is left behind. Erna Solberg is prime minister of Norway, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is president of Ghana Search Keywords: Short link: Standard Chartered Plc (SCBFF.PK,STAC.L,STAN.L) is cutting jobs in Dubai and key including Singapore as it looks to curb expenses, Bloomberg reported citing people familiar with the matter said. Some senior roles are included in the cuts. As many as 100 positions may be impacted in Dubai although the number hasn't been finalized, the report said. The eliminations also include leadership at the firm's priority banking operations, which offer personalized wealth-management services, one of the people said. The bank is weighing a plan to simplify its structure, reduce funding expenses and free up liquidity, the report said. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News 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. The Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday filed a chargesheet against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Senior Congress leader Motilal Vora in a case related to the re-allotment of a plot in Panchkula to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the publisher of National Herald newspaper. The CBI in its chargesheet alleged that Hooda, in conspiracy with Vora, had abused official position and dishonestly re-allotted the institutional plot in Panchkula to AJL at old rate and caused wrongful gain of approximately Rs 67.65 lakh to the private company and corresponding wrongful loss to the government exchequer. The chargesheet was filed before a Special CBI Judge in Panchkula Court in Haryana. The chargesheet named Hooda, the company AJL and its chairman Vora as accused in the case. The agency has formally charged the accused under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), Section 420 (cheating) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act for committing criminal misconduct and obtaining pecuniary advantages. A case was registered on April 5 2017 on the request of Haryana Government by the CBI which has also taken over the investigation of First Information Report dated May 5 2016, earlier probed by State Vigilance Bureau of Panchkula. On August 24 1982, Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) allotted a plot in Panchkula to AJL for publishing a Hindi Daily Newspaper, "Nav-Jivan". "The Estate Officer of HUDA on October 30 1992 resumed the said plot, as the said private company (AJL) failed to carry out the construction as per the terms and conditions of allotment," CBI said. "AJL had been given ample opportunities for completion of construction at the site." But the land was left unused and AJL did not publish any newspaper from that plot. It was further alleged that the plot was instead mortgaged by the private company to Syndicate Bank, New Delhi, and the loan availed of against the mortgage of the plot was used for commercial purpose. AJL filed an appeal against the resumption order, which was dismissed by the Chief Administrator, HUDA, Panchkula on July 26 1995. Thereafter, the AJL challenged the July 26 1995 order before the Finance Commissioner and Secretary, Haryana, Town and Country Planning Department, but the same was also dismissed on October 10 1996. "The Legal Remembrancer, Haryana had given legal opinion that the resumed plot could not be re-allotted, since the order had attained finality, after the dismissal of the revision petition filed by the AJL," the CBI said. During the investigation, it was revealed that then chairman HUDA, Hooda allegedly overruled the opinion of Legal Remembrancer, Haryana and the proposal of the officials of HUDA for floating new advertisement for the allotment of the institutional plot at the prevalent current rate on flimsy grounds. CBI said that Hooda has misused his official position by wrongly ordering for re-allotment of the plot at old rates plus interest to the AJL on August 28 2005. Hooda has served as the Chief Minister of Haryana from 2005 to 2014. Election Commissioner Sunil Arora on Sunday assumed charge as the 23rd Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), a day after O.P. Rawat demitted the office, and sought support from "all the stakeholders" for conducting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. President Ram Nath Kovind had on November 27 appointed Arora in the post. He will have a nearly two and a half years tenure as CEC till April 2021, during which he would preside over the general election in 2019, besides elections to Assemblies of Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand, Delhi, Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir. A retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Rajasthan cadre 1980 batch, Arora had been working as an Election Commissioner since September 1, 2017. "I have already remained here as an Election Commissioner for a little over a year. It is with utmost humility and an enormous sense of responsibility that I have just taken over as Chief Election Commissioner," he said. "All I can say at this stage is that all of us in the Commission shall continue to put our best foot forward to meet the expectation of all the stakeholders strictly in consonance and in conformity with the vision and ideals of the Constitution." He said the EC had appointed a committee led by Senior Deputy EC Umesh Sinha to review the various facets of Section 126 of Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951, and its report was likely to be submitted by December 30. Arora retired on April 30, 2016 as Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In 36 years of his service, he held various crucial positions in the Rajasthan and central governments. He served in several key positions including Secretary in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, as Chairman and Managing Director of the then Indian Airlines between 2002 to 2005, member of Board of Directors of Air India, Airport Authority of India Ltd and National Skill Development Corp. He also served as the Chairman of Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corp (RIICO) in 2005-13 and as Additional Chief Secretary (Home) in the Rajasthan government in 2013-14. The number of children benefiting from Egypts cash-subsidies programme will be limited to two to finance a larger number of families Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli announced that the beneficiaries of Egypts cash-transfer Takaful (solidarity) programme would henceforward be limited to two children instead of the earlier three for eligible families this week, starting in January 2019. The decision is intended to help save the funds needed to include more families under the umbrella of the programme, which aims to provide cash subsidies and healthcare for families with children of school age, on the condition that the children attend school regularly. The data used to administer the programme is updated every three years. After ensuring that a family is eligible to receive cash transfers and after the relevant data is updated, that family is allowed to continue receiving cash support for two children only. Families new to the programme will also be enrolled with only two children, Niveen Al-Kabbag, deputy minister of social solidarity, told Al-Ahram Weekly. This condition aims to enrol more families in the programme, whose resources are limited, she added. No families have been enrolled in the programme over the past eight months due to a lack of resources. Families who have ceased to be eligible for the transfers have also been delisted from the programme, Al-Kabbag stated. The state has been offering Takaful and Karama (dignity) payments since 2015, hoping to target eligible strata of the population by income. Karama is a cash-transfer programme that targets the elderly, people with special needs, widows and divorced women. The Ministry of Social Solidarity has decided to limit cash transfers to families with two children only because of the programmes limited resources and the fact that many families are waiting to be enrolled in the programme, Heba Al-Leithi, advisor to the Takaful and Karama programmes, said, adding that the new conditions could unfortunately negatively affect families with more than two children already qualifying for the programme. Al-Leithi said that the ministry supported families with another child by providing job opportunities through the Forsa (opportunity) programme. This was launched in January 2017 to complement Takaful and Karama by enabling members of families benefiting from the programmes to generate income by gaining job opportunities through soft loans and vocational and occupational training. The ministry also wants to link such families to civil-society groups and NGOs in order to help support any children no longer qualifying for the cash-transfer programmes. These will usually be the oldest in the family, so that the younger children get a chance to enrol in education. The state has been applying the two cash-transfer programmes in villages where poverty rates reach 70 per cent. Upper Egypt has received 72 per cent of the programmes budget, with Qena, Assiut, Sohag, Beni Sweif and Minya being at the top of the list of governorates benefiting from the cash-transfer programmes. Since their launch, the Takaful and Karama programmes have cost LE21 billion, 85 per cent of which is paid from the state budget and the rest through a loan from the World Bank. The Ministry of Social Solidaritys website put the number of families benefiting from the programmes at mid-November at 1.921 million. Takaful pays LE60 to families for children under six years old, LE80 for children in elementary school, LE100 for pupils in the preparatory phase, and LE140 for secondary school students. The state intends to merge the Takaful and Karama programmes into the social security system to form one universal benefit system. The programmes healthcare and education conditions will also be followed through in cooperation with the ministries of health and education. The ministry said in a statement that 100 per cent of Takaful children are enrolled in school. There are five million children in the programme, two million of which are under six years old. These children receive periodical vaccines and their mothers receive follow-up on their reproductive health under the programme. Families benefiting from cash transfers should commit to a number of conditions, including taking their children under six years old to a healthcare clinic four times a year to receive their shots and follow up on their growth. Children should attend at least 80 per cent of the time at school, and mothers should receive ante-natal care, Al-Kabbag explained. With the application of the new conditions, 30 per cent of the cash support will be deducted from families that do not follow through on their childrens education and healthcare. They can receive the whole sum if they recommit to the conditions, however. Al-Kabbag said that the programmes work according to Egypts poverty map, allocating more than 70 per cent of their budget to Upper Egypt. A database of more than 25 million people has been set up to track the payments, and this is expected to rise to 30 million by the end of the year. Digitalising the programmes had helped to curb abuses, she added. According to Hania Al-Shalqami, a researcher at the Social Studies Centre at the American University in Cairo, the programmes have been successful, notably according to an evaluation conducted by the World Banks Food Policies Centre. However, the Forsa scheme is weak in terms of the number of people benefiting from it, Al-Shalqami said, adding that the programme needed more efforts to provide more job opportunities to help families make up for removing their children from the other programmes. * A version of this article appears in print in the 29 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Fewer children, more families Search Keywords: Short link: 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. - Yesterday Samoa joined the global community to mark World AIDS Day with Prime Minister Dr. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Ministry of Health CEO Leausa Toleafoa Dr.Take Naseri taking the lead. A day earlier, Minister for Health Tuitama Dr. Leao Tuitama, led a candle vigil to remember those who died from HIV and others who are currently living with the virus. Currently there are 13 people living with HIV in Samoa and are all on treatment while another 13 having passed on, according to Tuitama. Last Thursday, before the marking of World AIDS Day on December 1, the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) released a report titled Children, HIV and AIDS: The World in 2030, which contained current trends that indicate AIDS-related deaths and new infections are slowing, but the downward trajectory is not happening fast enough. The report estimates that in 12 years time, 80 adolescents around the world will die of AIDS every day, if nothing is done to stop the transmission of the virus. While the UNICEF report data show that HIV/AIDS infections globally have somewhat plateaued, the report confirms the seriousness of the situation and the need for everyone to be vigilant and work together. The decision by the Prime Minister and the Health Minister to lead the program is highly commendable, as it augurs well for Samoas own national response to the epidemic. However, feedback from Samoa Observer reporterswho interviewed members of the public at Malaefatu to get their views on HIV/AIDS for our Street Talk column (which runs tomorrow)revealed a worrying level of ignorance or rather lack of basic information on HIV/AIDS, its causes and the impact it can have on anyone. A number of members of the public, who were approached randomly by Samoa Observer reporters for an interview and later refused to be identified, said they did not know anything about the disease in Samoa, what caused it, and the need for them to undergo testing to determine their status. It is worrying, when a cross section of the Samoan population who were randomly interviewed yesterday, had no idea what HIV/AIDS was. If their statements are true then it means awareness and education programs spearheaded by either the Ministry of Health or the National Health Services are failing to make an impact in both the urban and rural communities. While Samoas HIV statistics appears miniscule, when compared to other Pacific Island nations such as Papua New Guineawhere UNAIDS estimates that close to 50,000 people live with the virusthe issue should not be brushed aside by those in authority including the leaders. It is time to take the battle against the deadly disease to the next level, by considering the introduction of initiatives such as sex education, in the school curriculum. Even programs, which would enable parents to discuss these issues at home with their teenage children before they enter a classroom, should be considered. Training on when it is appropriate for parents to have tough conversations like this with their children could be a start. Nonetheless all pathways should be considered. The Samoa Faafafine Association (SFA) president, Alex Sua, was spot on with this comment: Samoa is a very small country and to have a number of 26 HIV victim with 13 who have passed on and 13 still surviving, thats a big number and people tend to forget how serious this is. This is how we do itwe celebrate in such a way [so] people start talking about itits an innovative way to make people aware and continue to be reminded of what HIV and AIDS is. There is no doubt there will be opposition in Samoa to what some may consider unacceptable, especially from a morality perspective. But if an international agency such as UNICEF is warning that 80 adolescents around the world will die of AIDS every day in 2030if nothing is done to stop the transmissionthen the warning should be taken seriously for the future of the next generation of Samoans. It is time for a roundtable between all the relevant stakeholders, who have been charged with the responsibility to progress this agenda, and to work in partnership with international donor partners. And let us not forget the cost of the disease to Samoa thus far: 13 peoplewho could have contributed to the development of this nation over the yearshave passed on after contracting the virus. Another 13 are currently on antiretroviral medication, prolonging their lives and enabling them to live normally within the community. But first things firstyou can never have the confidence to open the door to next chapter in your lifeunless you take a test to know your status by visiting the nearest health facility. And finally, as the Prime Minister intimated, let us condemn stigma and discrimination targeting people living with HIV, and treat them with respect, care and love. What do you think? Have a lovely Sunday Samoa, God bless. The lawyer representing murder suspect Kolani Junior Lam has argued his client should be given bail as the Police only have circumstantial evidence. Appearing in the Supreme Court last Thursday before the Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiavaasue Falefatu Sapolu, defense lawyer Leiataualesa Komisi Koria submitted the police were only relying on circumstantial evidence and cited several courts cases in his submission, to argue that his client is released on bail pending the outcome of the murder trial. The prosecution who opposes bail in this application has cited the strength of the prosecution is evidence. I submit at this stage the evidence cited by the prosecution is circumstantial at best, especially when it relates to murder and manslaughter and in relation to those charges, there has been no direct evidence. As of this morning, there was no forensic scientific evidence and no medical evidence refers to the submissions by the prosecutionyet that is crucial in any homicide case, he said in his submission to the Court. The matter has been adjourned to Tuesday for the Chief Justice to hand down his ruling on the bail application. Leiataualesa also informed the Court the defendant is prepared to defend himself in the proceedings and he has engaged legal presentation to assist his defense together with his familys support. But prosecutor Leone Sua, in response, cited three main risks of failing to appear: re-offending while out on bail and the defendant interfering with witnesses for the prosecution. The main witnesseswhich referred that are at risk of being interfered and tampered withis the daughter of the deceased, the babysitter, the mother of the deceased and the son of the defendant, he submitted. Sua informed the Court the defendant seeks to reside with his family at Falelauniu albeit to the change of address, whether Sinamoga or Alafuawhich are still in close proximity to where the deceaseds daughter attends school. The Court heard from Sua that the deceaseds daughter has chimes in her room, which will alert her if anyone enters her room, and that she also sleeps with a knife under her pillow. According to Sua, the babysitter has indicated the defendant had written to her from jail, which was clearly an attempt to influence her evidence. He had made several attempts to contact the babysitter several times after the alleged incident in an attempt to influence her evidence. The babysitter in her affidavits maintains that while she was with the Police the defendant told her what to say. Furthermore, on November 2018 the defendant sent over a letter to the babysitter, asking her to stick to her statement given to the police. The letter from the defendant to the babysitter which was in Samoan was read out by Sua. The Police have are accusing me and they have arrested me for murder, please dont say anything further as the devil continues to blame me, the letter stated. The prosecutor asked the Court to consider that despite the defendants denial of attempting to influence the babysitters evidence. Prior to adjourning of the case, the Chief Justice queried the Attorney Generals Office if they can proceed with the hearing of the case by January, 2019. But Sua advised that the pathologist is not available until after January. Kolani was arrested three weeks ago by the Police, following the release of a preliminary autopsy report on the post mortem conducted on his wife Sa'u Justina Sa'u, who was until her death last month the C.E.O. of Unit Trust of Samoa. The Ministry of Police has not ruled out foul play. Supreme Court Justice Vui Clarence Nelson has cautioned the prosecutor from the Attorney Generals Office, saying discussions held during mediation sessions are strictly confidential. Raising his concerns during a Court proceedingwherein complainant Suitupe Misa filed a $1 million tala lawsuit against the Ministry of Policehe said discussions held during judicial settlement conferences are not admissible in Court and he will not accept it. During the proceeding, prosecutor Sefo Ainuu from the Attorney Generals Office, put it to the complainant that the Commissioner of Police Fuiavailiili Egon Keil did not know him. Remember when we were in mediation with the Commissioner, said Ainuu, which drew an objection from the complainants lawyer Seuamuli Sarona Ponifasio. Seuamuli then advised the Judge that the mediation was held before a judicial settlement conference which is confidential. Justice Vui agreed and told Ainuu that he will not allow this to continue in his Court. You cannot do that you bring any more than what you already know. But Ainuu argued that it was relevant to make reference to those discussions due to the issue of apologies being made. However, the Judge fired back saying: Whatever is said during judicial settlement conference is not admissible in courtend of story. Whether it is an apology or not or whateverit is not admissible in court. The Judge noted that if the apology was made outside of judicial settlement conference, then it can be questioned, but not during the mediation period. That is confidential and if we start reeling into the judicial settlement conferences, no one would agree to mediation anymore. The parties in the substantive are now awaiting approval from Cabinet on the amount of settlement to pay the complainant. The Cabinet is satisfied with the progress to a number of major development projects under construction and visited by the Cabinet Development Committee last Friday. But with the same token, the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi has appealed to officials in charge of the respective projects to proceed with full speed. Prime Minister Tuilaepa and Cabinet Ministers visited a number of major projects under construction last Friday. And should there be problems, they should be communicated to Cabinet so that it can be fixed immediately to ensure that there are no delays. The ultimate goal is for the projects to be commission for the benefit of the public as soon as possible. Delays will lead to public complaints and left unanswered it will be converted by our political enemies into fake news which is brainwashing a lot of our people, mostly Samoans living overseas. Its no wonder Facebook is littered with lies and deceit instigated by the government opposition. Many of our Samoans overseas are not aware of the developments in our country except for the fake news circulated by government opposition to deceive them of the real truth, he said in a statement. The projects that were visited by the ministerial delegation led by the Prime Minister included: Matautu ports extension, Samoa Submarine Cable Companys depot (Matautu wharf), Vaisigano bridge, Fiaga electric power generators, Tanumalala Prison and Faleolo International Airport Delays will lead to public complaints and left unanswered it will be converted by our political enemies into fake news which is brainwashing a lot of our people, mostly Samoans living overseas, he said. The Prime Minister said it was important for the public to be informed on what the Government is doing for their benefits. Do not fear the negative media coverage but address it so that our people will know the facts and the real truth instead of relying on one-sided and superficial newspaper reports. If there are any articles that has your name is mentioned do not get offended, but look beyond the article and see what you need to work on with your ministry, so that next time you will not be the on front page. But if you want to response to any of the articles that has your name mentioned, there is our Savali newspaper that is available as a vehicle to address inaccuracies published by the newspapers. Let our people know that government is not resting on its laurels and governments priority remains and will continue to be for the benefit of our people, he said. Supreme Court Justice Vui Clarence Nelson has questioned why the Apia village council has not penalised Paulo Afamasaga who pleaded guilty to drug charges. In October 2012 the Police executed a search warrant on the property of the defendant at Malifa, as he was suspected to have been engaged in dealing in illicit narcotics. They uncovered methamphetamine, marijuana and a live bullet. Justice Vui noted that there is nothing before the Court to indicate that the defendant received a village penalty for his actions. After all Paulo you may be resident in the United States of America, but when you are here, you reside in your village of Apia and are a recognized member of that community. And your offence was committed within the confines of the village of Apia. For some reason you have been given a free pass by the village. The Judge then became critical of the failure by the village council to take action. Why I do not know. But this is a practice not to be encouraged or condoned. Perhaps the village regards possession of ice and marijuana as trivial and not worth penalising. If this is so the Alii and Faipule of Apia should seriously reconsider their position. The Supreme Court Justice then put it to Lefau Harry Schuster, who is a high ranking chief of Apia village and he understands exactly what I am talking about. The Government yesterday marked World AIDS Day in Apia with speeches by leaders revolving around the theme know your status. The event kicked off with a parade and float by the National Health Services (NHS), various faafafine clubs and NGOs and started from the Central Police Station to Malaefatu. Guest speakers including the Ministry of Health CEO Leausa Toleafoa Dr.Take Naseri to open the formalities before Prime Minister Dr. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi gave the keynote address. The Prime Minister appealed to the public to stand up in solidarity against stigma and discrimination surrounding the topics of HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence. The commitment and contributions of the faafafine community to mark the day was also acknowledged by Tuilaepa. Its been five years since the Samoa Fa'afafine Association (SFA) spearheaded the celebration of World AIDS day in Samoa, as one of their contributions to communities, through many events held throughout faafafine week, he added. Touching on HIV statistics of Samoa, the Prime Minister made reference to the discovery of the first HIV case in Samoa in 1990 and used the opportunity to point out that no faafafine has tested positive for HIV. SFA president, Alex Sua, said the program is a reminder to everyone of Samoas status in terms of HIV and AIDS. Samoa is a very small country and to have a number of 26 HIV victim with 13 who have passed on and 13 still surviving, thats a big number and people tend to forget how serious this is. This is how we do itwe celebrate in such a way [so] people start talking about itits an innovative way to make people aware and continue to be reminded of what HIV and AIDS is, Ms. Sua said. A number of multi-sectoral activities took place with health booths running HIV testing, distributing health information, inspirational speakers, and trivia sessions with giveaway prizes, massage booths, food stalls, and jumping castles for children. Yesterdays event is the inaugural event of the multi sectoral program that was instigated and coordinated by SFA in collaboration with Ministry of Health, Samoa AIDS foundation, Samoa Family Health Association and Samoa Red Cross Society. The program is supported by United Nations Population Funds (UNPF), United Nations Development Program Global Fund (UNDP GF) and World Health Organization (WHO). The United States of America has never left the Pacific region, contrary to claims by some of its critics, amidst the rise of Chinas influence. It has always maintained a strong presence and under President Donald Trumps administration, it remains even more committed to ensure peace, security and to uphold the basic principles of freedom and liberty for all. Thats the message from the United States Government in Honolulu this week during a series of meetings with a media delegation from New Zealand and Samoa invited for conversations around regional security. Weve never left the Pacific, a Defense Official told the Samoa Observer. We have always been there and we will always be committed to the security of the region. It is in the interest of the United States that freedom is upheld for everyone in the world. Organised by the U.S. State Department, the visit by the group of senior journalists from countries under the U.S. Embassy umbrella in Wellington, centers around the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) in Hawaii. INDOPACOM is one of six U.S. geographic combatant commands, which uses the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps to achieve U.S. national security objectives while protecting national interests. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, formerly known as PACOM, was renamed recently in a move to counter Chinese economic and military pressure in the region. The Military Times quotes U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis as saying that all nations large and small are essential to the region, in order to sustain stability in ocean areas critical to global peace. The Military Times go on to say that while the change was not meant to be combative, it did signal Americas commitment to ensure that every country no matter its size . [is] not bound by any nations predatory economics or threat of coercion. But the former Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Navy Adm. Harry Harris, did not mince words. Great power competition is back, Harris is quoted as saying. I believe we are reaching an inflection point in history. A geo-political competition between free and oppressive visions is taking place in the Indo-Pacific. In Honolulu this week, the conversations, which are mostly held under Chatham House rules, were designed to give journalists an in-depth understanding of the U.S. contribution to security, U.S. perspectives on issues surrounding security and what the U.S. is doing to promote peace and stability in the Pacific region. The meetings have also looked at growing the medias understanding of Indo-Pacific security issues and the U.S. militarys role and capabilities. In that regard, the group has spent five days at Pearl Harbour, Hickham Air Force Base, Punchbowl, NOAA Daniel K. Innouye Regional Center, U.S. Coast Guard District, Camp Smith and the Kaneohe Marine Corps base among other strategic security related organisations, including the United States Coast Guard. The delegation includes Chris Bramwell, of Radio New Zealand, Benedict Collins of TVNZ, Stacey Kirk of Fairfax/Stuff, Jenna Lynch of NewsHub, Sam Sachdeva of Newsroom, Claire Trevett of The NZ Herald, and Michael Sergel of Newstalk ZB. They are accompanied by Dolores Prin and Janine Burns from the US Embassy in Wellington New Zealand. After a decade of story gathering and editing, artists Yuki Kihara and Dan Taulapapa McMullin have published Samoan Queer Lives. The book is an anthology of faafafines stories, in their own words, and is being launched at a free event at Tanoa Tusitala hotel from 6pm December 4th, and will be available for purchase at the event, or from Samoa Stationary and Books exclusively afterwards. Samoan Queer Lives introduces readers to 14 faafafine from Samoa, and beyond. Each story is unique, an exploration of their worlds and experiences. If there is one thread, I would repeat something that Yuki posted online recently, that Samoan Queer Lives is part of the de-colonisation of Samoa and Samoans, said collaborator, Dan Taulapapa McMullin. Poor historical documentation of faafafine before 1980, and European laws forbidding transgenderism might have erased the narrative of faafafine altogether, were it not for active voices striving to be recognised. Making space in literature, art and culture for faafafine is an attempt to solidify a place in history. Our goal is for our queer community to see ourselves, but also very important to us is for our families to see us, because we cannot be separated from our families, and to help our Samoan community as a whole to find healing, Taulapapa said. Yuki Kihara is an artist of many forms, and said she primarily acted as the producer on the book: coordinating interviews, negotiating with publishers and so on. But the work is very close to her heart. It really has been a labour of love, she said. What were offering here is an alternative history of Samoan life. Both Ms Kihara and Taulapapa said the book is as for as broad an audience as possible, to expose readers to the authentic voice of an oftentimes silenced group. Anthropologists have been controlling the conversation about Faafafine for quite a while and we wanted to take back the mic, said Taulapapa. In all of the life stories in Samoan Queer Lives, you will find a universal thread where transgenders, women, and men, found strength in the face of transphobia and homophobia, they found strength in their idealization of Samoan culture, of Faafafine, Faatane, Fafatama, and Tauatane life. Part of giving their speakers a voice was not editing their language, Ms Kihara said. Some of the interviews we recorded in person and transcribed, but some were written contributions, she explained. So we left their language as it was, as much as possible, as its more authentic. Samoan Queer Lives will launch where the contributing writers are from, in Auckland and San Francisco next February and in Wellington in March. The launch on Tuesday is supported by the New Zealand High Commission. And so they should, Ms Kihara said, laughing. The Apia Harvest Church celebrated 21 years of establishment at their main headquarters at Matafele yesterday. There are over 200 congregational members currently attending the church. Pastor Faafetai Fata led the celebrations with a church service in the morning with members of the congregation. The Apia Harvest Church was officially opened on the 30th November 1997 at the top floor of the Molesi Samoa Building. Michael and Elaine Boyle, Baptist Ministers were led by the Spirit of God to come from New Zealand to Samoa in early 1994, to pioneer an English Speaking Church. Before they came to Samoa, there were years of preparation and seeking God for direction. They knew no people or place to start with and they brought with them a container filled with numerous items needed for the Mission they came for, he said. Pastor Faafetai said boxes full of bibles, a pulpit, a communion table with sets completed, an overhead projector, a P.A. system, a guitar, a key board, etc. and some of those things are still in use as of today. They testified that most of these were donated by Christian brothers and sisters who believed in what they were led to do. The Boyles settled at Pesega and they visited Christian Churches nearby and came into contact with Rev Seuga Aumua, a Pastor of the Lotopa Assembly of God Church. The Boyles committed themselves to attend there and for more than eight months they served God by cleaning the windows and the church building every Friday, he added. Unknown to them that Rev Aumua wanted to start an English service for so long, he thought about the idea but did not know when to start one. Elaine Boyle is a Samoan, and she felt sorry for her husband who could not understand the Samoan language. They thought maybe they had not heard right, and they decided to tender in their resignation and attend a Christian Church somewhere whose service is conducted in English. It was then and there during their time together, that night of late November 1994Rev Aumua requested them to help out with an English servicethat God had put in his heart for so long, he said. He added that the Boyles then revealed to Rev Aumua and his wife Malilina Aumua that God had a purposed for them in Samoa. And for the next couple of weeks, Rev Seuga and Malilina Aumua with Michael and Elaine Boyle sought God for guidance how, when and who are to start and English Service, he said. Recent promises may end a two-year delay in the release of vital export subsidies to Egypts exporters Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait announced last week that export subsidies allocated in the budget for the current fiscal year would soon be presented to the Ministry of Trade and Industry before their disbursal to Egyptian companies. In a meeting with the heads of the countrys export councils, Maait said the first payments could be made within a week. The cabinet is scheduled to meet during the coming 10 days to find a solution to the late disbursal of the export subsidies. It will discuss a new mechanism that should help to pay them on a more regular basis and avoid delays. Due to the countrys current budget deficit, the government was unable to pay the companies export subsidies for more than two years. The funds are paid when the exporting process is finished, and they range from eight to 12 per cent of the total value of the products concerned. Around 2,000 exporting companies are qualified to receive export subsidies. Requests for receiving the subsidies are submitted to the Egyptian Export Development Fund (ESF) within a year of the products export date. The documents needed include a valid certificate from a government-authorised agency and an industrial and export register. The documents are examined by specialised committees, and if approved export subsidies are released within six months of submission. The government allocates LE2.6 billion annually to the ESF, with the aim of encouraging Egyptian companies to increase their products competitiveness in foreign markets. However, in the 2018/2019 budget, the government allocated an additional LE1.4 billion to the ESF to reach LE4 billion in order to pay long overdue funds. Hoping that the governments promises now turn into actions, frustrated exporters have argued that although they did well to increase exports by seven per cent in 2018, the government did not take action to increase the export subsidies or even pay the delayed funds. Some exporters have complained that their companies are owed more than LE100 million in export subsidies. Mustafa Al-Nagari, a member of the Agricultural Products Export Council, said that exporters in his sector had not received export subsidies for more than two years. The minister of finance had declared that around LE0.5 billion would be paid during the coming period, but this was not enough, he said. The value of the delayed funds has reached LE7 billion, and it continues to increase every day when exporters submit their documents to receive funds for further exports. This problem should be solved as soon as possible, Al-Nagari said. Sayed Ahmed, chairman of the Textiles Export Council, said that exporters are suffering, and the situation could turn into a disaster because they are in urgent need of their export subsidies to meet their financial responsibilities. He added that the council received 10 to 15 complaints a day from textiles factories, particularly in the Delta centre of Al-Mahallah Al-Kobra. The prices of energy, raw materials and wages had increased, leading production costs to soar, he noted. Unless they receive their payments soon to help them to manage their businesses, a large number of companies will close, Ahmed said. The increase in the cost price of products had meant less competitiveness in foreign markets, he added. The government aims to increase Egyptian non-oil exports to $30 billion in 2020 compared to $22 billion in 2017. If the government really aims at increasing exports, it should raise the export support fund to double at least, Ahmed said. The Egyptian Businessmens Association (EBA) and the export councils have sent a memo to Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli requesting that an urgent solution be found for the export-subsidies crisis as well as the value-added tax refunds due on exports. The total amount of the long-overdue subsidies has reached LE9 billion, according to the EBA memo. The delay in payments has had a serious impact on exporters, who will lose their share in foreign markets if they are not able to conclude future plans, the memo says. Many Egyptian exporters have had difficulty maintaining their shares in international markets in the past few years because of the difficult economic situation. A lack of cash is another problem facing some production lines and affecting the employment rate as well as the economic growth rate. According to the memo, the problem is a poor message for foreign investors who may plan to invest in Egypt. In an attempt to find a solution, the Federation of Egyptian Industries has suggested to the ministry of trade and industry that exporters should exchange their owed money against unpaid taxes and insurance bills. Many sectors are qualified to receive export subsidies, including agricultural products, the chemical industries, the spinning and weaving industries, leather products, engineering products, furniture and the construction materials industries. Ahmed explained that each sector could benefit from export subsidies according to the value-added of the products concerned, the percentage of local components, and the geographical location of factories, as well as the exports destination, employment incentives, and the use of innovative technologies. Egyptian non-oil exports increased during the first nine months in 2018 by seven per cent to reach $16.6 billion, compared to $15.5 billion during the same period in 2017. Imports also jumped during the first nine months in 2018 by 14 per cent to reach $49.1 billion, compared to $43.2 billion in the same period of 2017. * A version of this article appears in print in the 29 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: An end to subsidy delays? Search Keywords: Short link: It was a sea of green in different parts of Apia town last Saturday as volunteers and staff of Bank South Pacific Limited braved the morning heat to clean up the area. Volunteers from Samoa Primary School, Peace Chapel Christian School, Leifiifi College, St Marys College and Samoa Touch Rugby joined bank staff last Saturday to take part in BSPs Annual Go Green Clean Up initiative. Led by the bank staff, the groups were assigned to different parts of the town area including the Mulinuu Peninsula along the seawall, Government offices, the Court house, Malaefatu Park, Flea Market, Vaisigano Bridge, Matafele and Savalalo. The banks country manager, Taituuga Maryann Lameko-Vaai, said the initiative is to encourage the public to take care of the environment. The Go Green message is simple: rethink, reuse and recycle. Through this initiative, we encourage our people to take care of our environment, keep Samoa clean and rethink if there are things that we can reuse or recycle thus reducing waste. In addition, the Go Green for Christmas message hopes to promote the spirit of cleanliness throughout the festive season. We want to thank all participants and their families for making time to be part of BSPs Go Green campaign and we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! The participation of students from primary and secondary schools is significant as this sends out the message that cleaning is everyones responsibility, she added. BSPs Go Green campaign aims at creating a culture of environmental responsibility and increasing peoples awareness on ways to reduce waste. It is a nationwide initiative promoted by BSP in the markets that it operates in. BSP champions itself in driving Go Green schemes every year as a commitment to a cleaner and healthier environment. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Donald Trump, the disruptive, anti-establishment president who spent years deriding much of what George H.W. Bush stood for, set aside differences in politics and temperament Saturday to honor the late president. Trump declared a day of national mourning and ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days to honor a man of "sound judgment, common sense and unflappable leadership." The president and first lady Melania Trump added that Bush had "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service." Bush, who was president from 1989 to 1993, died late Friday at age 94. The quarter-century since Bush left office featured his Republican Party's steady march away from his steely pragmatism and international partnership, culminating in the dramatic break from long-held GOP principles ushered by Trump's election. It coincided with a swing in the nation as a whole toward more tribal politics. While Trump spoke graciously, he has not always been so kind to Bush or his family. He ran against one of Bush's sons, Jeb Bush, in the GOP presidential primaries in 2016, and was sharply critical of the two-term presidency of another, George W. Bush. He 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 a state funeral for the former president at Washington's 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 president's wife of 73 years. Melania Trump attended instead. The Trumps were informed of Bush's death late Friday while in Buenos Aires for the Group of 20 summit of rich and developing nations. Trump said he spoke with former President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to express his sympathies. He praised President George H.W. Bush as "a high-quality man who truly loved his family." Sitting alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he refused to say whether he had any regrets over his past criticism of the Bushes. He did say that Bush's death "really puts a damper" on his participation at the summit. In South America, Trump canceled 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 announced that he has authorized the use of the iconic Boeing 747 presidential aircraft, known as Air Force One whenever a president is on board, to transport Bush's remains to Washington a customary honor for a former president. Bush is to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from Monday evening through Wednesday morning. Trump also closed government offices Wednesday and designated it as a national day of mourning, which traditionally occurs on the same day as the Washington component of a late president's state funeral. He encouraged Americans to gather in places of worship "to pay homage" to Bush's memory, adding, "I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance." The proclamation hails Bush as "one of America's greatest points of light," a reference to one of the former leader's signature phrases about the impact of American civic culture. Trump mocked the "points of light" phrase at some of his campaign rallies this year. He contrasted it with his own campaign slogan, saying "Putting America first, we understand. Thousand points of light, I never quite got that one." In August 2015, Trump tweeted a dig at the presidency of George H.W. Bush, 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, Bush 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." Trump, the 45th president, paid tribute to "the life and legacy of 41." 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. The truce buys time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijing's aggressive drive to supplant U.S. technological dominance. In another long-sought concession to the U.S., China agreed to label fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid responsible for tens of thousands of American drug deaths annually, as a controlled substance. The White House announcement framed a victory for Trump and his unflinching negotiating tactics, securing a commitment from China to engage in talks on key U.S. economic priorities, with little obvious concession by the U.S. Notably, however, the White House appears to be reversing course on its previous threats to tie trade discussions to security concerns, like China's attempted territorial expansion in the South China Sea. "It's great the two sides took advantage of this opportunity to call a truce," said Andy Rothman, investment strategist at Matthews Asia. "The two sides appear to have had a major change of heart to move away from confrontation toward engagement. This changes the tone and direction of the bilateral conversation." The Trump-Xi meeting was the marquee event of Trump's whirlwind two-day trip to Argentina for the G-20 summit after the president canceled 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. Trump said Bush's death put a "damper" on what he described as a "very important meeting" with Xi. The United States and China are locked in a dispute over their trade imbalance and Beijing's tech policies. 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 25 percent on $50 billion worth and 10 percent on the other $200 billion. Trump had planned to raise the tariffs on the $200 billion to 25 percent if he couldn't get a deal with Xi. China has already slapped tariffs on $110 billion in U.S. goods. Under the agreement reached in Buenos Aires, the two countries have 90 days to resolve their differences over Beijing's tech policies. If they can't, the U.S. tariff increases will go into effect on the $200 billion in Chinese imports. U.S. 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 judged. A full-blown resolution was not expected to be reached in Buenos Aires; the issues that divide them are just too difficult. 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. The two countries also made progress on the regulation of fentanyl, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin. U.S. officials for years have been pressing the Chinese government to take a tougher stance against fentanyl, and most U.S. supply of the drug is manufactured in China. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders says China's decision to label the drug as a controlled substance means that "people selling Fentanyl to the United States will be subject to China's maximum penalty under the law." 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 long-standing pledge, though the agreement could face headwinds in Congress. ___ Wiseman reported from Washington. Isnt it a nice feeling starting the week on a high, thanks to Samoa beating France early yesterday morning to win the Challenge Trophy, on the second day of the Emirates Airline Rugby Dubai Sevens. And not forgetting the Bigger Better NetworkDigicel Samoabringing Christmas quickly to our doorsteps, by switching on the lights on its towering Christmas tree in Apias central business district last Friday evening. Another cruise ship docked at the Matautu wharf yesterday, the fourth vessel in a month, to confirm Samoas growing popularity among cruise tourism operators. The German cruise ship AIDAaura had over 1000 passengers and is on a 117-days around-the-world cruise. With Christmas just around the corner, it is perhaps time to start going through the paperwork on your desks, clearing out the old files and begin plans for the approaching holidays to close out the year. The school and college graduations, which begun in earnest last week and kept our reporters and photographers on their toes, has become a daily reminder of how the next generation of Samoan leaders are preparing themselves for the world and its challenges. But how can we expect some of Samoas next generation of young leaders to prepare themselves to become well grounded in global affairs when the basic foundation of their livestheir parents and their homesare in tatters due to the failure of local institutions to address evil such as gender-based violence? Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi does have a point when he called out parents, chiefs and church ministers during his weekly media conference last Thursday. When parents hear their children and spouses argue, they should address it then and there. Also the family chief should call in the couple and counsel them as chiefs do. You should open your mouth and talk to your children when there is domestic violence situation. The church minister also has a role to play and must counsel the couple, just as well with the chiefs, he said. The chiefs and church ministers in the Samoan cultural context are institutions in their own right and play a critical role in maintaining order in the community, consequently the appeal from the P.M. for them to become more involved and provide solutions to a growing crisis. According to Tuilaepa, there are mechanisms in place to address the issueinvolving the parents, chiefs and church ministershence it becomes everyones responsibility to provide solutions. To put the matter in perspective, it would make sense to go back to the final report of the Office of the Ombudsmans two-year inquiry in family violence. The report, released in September this year, estimates that 90 per cent of intimate partner violence in Samoa goes unreported. Of the 90 per cent of unreported partner violence, the Samoa Family Health and Safety Study of 2006 found 86 per cent believe their abuse is normal or not serious. Even worse, 70 per cent believed their abuse was justified. The findings of the inquiry were the result of consultations, submissions, data gathering and surveys, which among other things, reveals family violence in Samoa has become a new normal. In fact the get involved call by Tuilaepa directed at parents, chiefs and church ministerswhich can be described as community institutions that can be used to address violenceis not the first and most likely will not be the last. Samoas Ombudsman Maiava Iulai Toma made the same appeal in September this year, on the eve of the launching of the two-year inquiry report. It doesnt have to be a problem like in many countries that is attacked by the government alone. We have very strong traditional authorities in the rural areas, in the villages, that can play a very important and effective role in this, he said, in an interview with Radio New Zealand International. It is time to act, if there is any hope of saving a child from the long-term effects of living, in such an environment. Research and case studies warn that male children who witness their father beat their mother are seven times more likely to be violent as adultsthan those who did not witness such violence. The children of Samoa need healthy role models, whom they can look up to and respect. Now that we have started the countdown to the end of the year, it would not hurt doing a postmortem on our own performance as parents in the last 12 months, and identifying areas which could be worked on for the benefit of our children and their future. What do you think? Have a wonderful Monday Samoa and God bless. It is always good to seeking advice and gathering the right ideas to improve the Tourism Industry of Samoa. Hawaii is the best place to learn such goal for Samoa. You are correct Samoa doesnt need a huge tourism number. However, Samoa must improve their environment to cater to the 300,000 tourists that are coming to Samoa. And that is including adventures site, beaches, restaurants, hotels both fale and modern types and safety. And also Samoa needs couple of Luxury Resorts to add into the hotel goals to cater to the rich tourists is a must. Samoa has to have the varieties of hotels to choose from is a smart way to profitable from this goal. And of course a good financial guideline to charge people like add tax into the price of hotel rooms to help advertisements and promotion goal. It is about time to start working on improving tourism and long over due important work for Samoa. Samoa can make more money by improving from within and even providing jobs for many people, especially those who graduates and undergraduates group. Keep going. Moaga Nuusa Dear Sir, The information in the article written by Sapeer Mayron, Bank in NZ money laundering scandal once again remind us the people of Samoa of the sufferings we have from NZ. The Central Bank of New Zealand is run by a bunch of prejudicial and racist people. I do not see anything wrong for a New Zealand company like CBL Insurance to invest $30 million tala in the National Bank of Samoa. Layering? Bul... The NZ Government should encourage NZ capital to be invested under a special regime in Samoa and in island countries. And that investment regiment is long overdue. During the early 80s, Samoans living in NZ were subjected to a Stalin type system in the remittance of monies to families in Samoa. And most of these remittance went to buy NZ goods and services. The same results could be attributed to the CBL Insurance deposit at the National Bank of Samoa. Just a timely reminder: the export revenue of the Crown Estate of Western Samoa later WESTEC was used to pay the war cost for NZ in World War 1 under a special regime. And a thought: this case shows up why the Chinese capital is taking over in Apia and it wont be long when the Chinese Central Bankvia commercial entities and goods and servicesreplace NZ interests in Samoa. As for mentioning of Mr A Hutchinson name in the article, I dont see the link. He is not the accountant in the CBL Insurance and in the NBS. He is one of the director of these institutions. I have tremendous respect for this man. He could issue proceedings against wicked individuals for slander and that is why I read Mayrons article with a question mark. What does Mr Hutchinson got to do with the price of the fish as the saying goes? Tuiumi Aiono More often than not, we look at mangroves and fail to see how much of an asset they are for us humans. It is unfortunate that many do not see the importance of mangroves admittedly, its sometimes hard to see this value past the swampy odor, the muddy habitat and the eerie trees inhabiting the wetland. Because of this a lot of mangroves were neglected and often perceived as waste dumping sites until recently. Mangroves are unique trees that can tolerate salt water and grow in intertidal zones, says Conservation International (CI) Samoas Programme Associate Officer, Maria Fiasoso Sapatu. Mangrove forests are more unique in that they play a supporting role to both terrestrial and marine environments. Its dense and tangled root system protects the land or coastline from strong wave action, provides a nursery to freshwater, marine fish and invertebrates, for example the freshwater eel (Tuna) and mud crab (Paalimago), that most Samoans love to eat. Its upper roots and branches also provide a home to Samoas various birds, skinks and geckos. Lastly it does the same work as other trees in absorbing the carbon dioxide and providing us with fresh oxygen to breathe. To put it simply, mangroves are important; they are extremely productive ecosystems that provide a lot of benefits to our communities and for our biodiversity. Fortunately, many communities in Samoa have now recognized this importance and are on the move to improve the state of their local mangrove sites. One of these communities includes the village of Lotosoa, Saleimoa. Last week the village of Lotosoa-Saleimoa welcomed the assistance of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E) and partners such as CI Samoa, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P.), and the Youth Cl imate Action Network (Y.C.A.N.) of Samoa, to undertake the villages mangrove biodiversity baseline survey. It is part of the communities mangrove project with the United Nations Development Programme/Global Environment Facility-Small Grants Programme (U.N.D.P./G.E.F.-S.G.P.) to help improve the status of their mangroves for their livelihoods, health, and biodiversity. Our village has been looking to improve our mangroves for a long time as its an important source of livelihoods, explains the target villages mayor, Sagaga Ailaoa Poutou Ioane. The mangroves are closer than the reef and we also see a good potential for our mangroves to become a visitors site run by the village. The village mayor went on to explain that the threat of stronger storms and surges due to climate change has also prompted this project initiative so that their mangroves can also provide some coastal protection. The intensive one week survey, led by the M.N.R.E, is just part of the steps the village has undertaken so far to improve their mangrove ecosystem. The village has already installed rubbish stands to discourage people from dumping waste in the mangroves, conducted several awareness programmes on mangroves, and they have also upgraded the structure of their coastal spring all activities within their project with the U.N.D.P./G.E.F.-S.G.P. The biodiversity baseline survey is important so we can understand the biodiversity within the mangroves and the current issues there are within it. This survey may only provide a snapshot of what is in the mangroves, but we can make recommendations for the village for further actions to improve their mangroves. says Samantha Kwan, a Senior Marine Conservation Officer for M.N.R.E. M.N.R.E. is very grateful and also impressed with the level of commitment from the village to assist in the survey. The days were really hot and long to be out, and nights were cold and spent in the water most of the time, it can easily discourage someone from continuing on however the enthusiasm and support, especially from the young men and women of the village, were high right until the end of the survey. Our Ministry is also grateful to the technical assistance provided by our partners to support the survey. According to the villages Project Committee Treasurer, Puialii Levi Tauiliili, the survey conducted by M.N.R.E. provided some very interesting findings for the village. During the programme, M.N.R.E. came across fish we havent seen in a while and fish we didnt know existed in our mangroves, such as the snapper species we thought only existed in the reefs, he said. We were mainly expecting tilapia and mullet fish to be found but not all the other types of fish which were caught during the survey. Its really good that this survey was done so we ourselves can fully understand and appreciate whats in our mangroves and make sure generations after us will see these also. Village Matai, Soliaimalo Motu Nonumalo, added on with words of thanks to all those involved in the work, namely towards M.N.R.Es Chief Executive Officer, Ulu Bismarck Crawley, and his staff. The work done by the team throughout the week did not seem easy at all, he said. We see how they worked throughout the day and night with little rest in between. This survey will benefit our villages future development. Wed also like to thank the U.N.D.P./G.E.F.-S.G.P. because without this support from them, we wouldnt be able to work with the Government and its partners to complete this survey. The importance of these ecosystems cant be stressed enough, which warrants the efforts and support from funding agencies. Here in CI Samoa, as a small NGO office that supports the government and communities in environmental work, we think so much of mangroves that we have dedicated past internships with post-graduate university students to study and map mangroves in Samoa, says CI Samoa and Pacific Islands Marine Programme Director, Schannel Fanene van Dijken. We have also invested in equipment such as drones to help communities and government map Samoas mangrove areas, like how we did here in Lotosoa-Saleimoa, in using our drone to capture high resolution imagery of the area. Its important to do whatever we can to find out more about these amazing ecosystems. The past mangrove work Schannel refers to was done by a Samoan Masters student, Iosefa Percival, and provided information in three main areas for Samoa - (1) map of all the major mangrove forests in Samoa (major meaning larger than 10 hectares); (2) developed a method to map and distinguish individual mangrove plant species using drones; and (3) he observed how seascape/complex habitat patterns influence fish community composition within mangroves of Samoa. Research is hugely important - encouraging our people and communities into research and these types of surveys are the key to unlocking more knowledge on the beauty and understanding of mangroves and our environment in general. The village of Lotosoa will now await the recommendations from the survey for next steps in their project as well as the road works undertaken by the Land Transport Authority before going through any further actions within the mangroves. However, they will continue their efforts in raising awareness on mangroves and their importance within the village. Custom Logistic Services is bringing a fresher approach to an existing model of shipping in Samoa. That is the rationale behind opening an office in Samoa with its headquarters in New Zealand and Australia according to the company owner and founder Matthew Zeludko. Speaking to the Samoa Observer at the official opening of their Samoa office last Friday, Mr. Zeludko said his company has been doing business for Samoa over the last four years out of their New Zealand office. And he decided that it was time to expand their services beyond New Zealand to Samoa, after meeting Alo Leota. In 2015, we met up with Alo Leota. I was looking for a young energetic and vibrant sales representative to get the Auckland office up and running and in walks Alo who is 64-years-old. He introduced me to Samoa, and there are two reasons why we came here, we saw the opportunity to do good business and provide something different and the fact that we were attached to the place. Samoa is very welcoming and warm and humbling place and those two things together was personally motivating, he said. Custom Logistic Services has been doing business for Samoa for about four years out of New Zealand, added Mr. Zeludko, and managing the relationship out of New Zealand. We are spreading our wings, with the Samoa Office and one to open in United Kingdom next year. At the core of our business and being quite young in business ownership in just young of age, we are looking for ways to develop the costumer experience implementing new I.T. new software, new tools. We are bringing in new things to redesign and freshen up the service of shipping into Samoa, he added. Mr. Zeludko said apart from their services, they will focus on the customer experience. Shipping companies are good at getting cargo from Point A to Point B. However, often the customer doesnt know when it is going to arrive, how its going to arrive and at what cost. Initially establishing his company in Brisbane, Australia in 2014, Mr. Zeludko said they began their business with the basics: a laptop, diary, mobile phone and car, and using the kitchen counter at home as an office. As with all humble beginnings, we opened Custom Logistic Services with little investment a laptop, diary, mobile phone and car, and of course using the kitchen counter at home as an office. Throughout 2014 and 2015, we were lucky to experience steady growth in the Australian Market, relocating to our current Head Office adjacent to the Brisbane Airport and we currently employ several staff in Australia, he added. The opening up of the Samoa operations, added Mr. Zeludko, offered an opportunity to improve services for the local people, in terms of better pricing, better communication and easier business. Samoa joined the international community last Saturday December 1 to mark the 2018 World AIDS Day with a parade, a float and speeches by dignitaries including Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi. Our reporter Yolanda Lavatai met members of the public to get their views on the deadly disease and what should be done. Aiatia Notoa, Vailima, 20 Personally, I think everyone should utilize the health services provided to make sure that they are safe from the disease. To youths, they have a lot to learn and be aware about. It is important to learn about the causes and effects of HIV/AIDs because doing anything that could initially jeopardise their health can lead to major health issues. I think that youths have so much to fulfill and they are not at a stage right now to be sexually active. Muliau Isaako, Soi, 69 I support the program hosted by the Samoa Faafaine Association because of how fast pace life is now. The younger generation is influenced by modern technology; they are the ones we are most concerned about when it comes to HIV/AIDS. This program today is great to teach and prevent anyone from HIV/AIDS. Susana Talaiti, Tuanai, 29 There are a lot of people who do not know about HIV/AIDS. And because a lot of people do not know what makes them vulnerable to get the disease. Which is why I think today is a great day to get tested and learn more about health safety. The services are free. Mareta Arp, Alafua, 28 I personally think everyone should work together for World AIDS Day are doing a great job at spreading awareness. I have noticed through media that there have been more numbers of people who have HIV AIDS, and it is a concern for me because it is contagious if people are not aware of the preventions. The programme is great for adults and the youth. Shary Tasipale, Lalovaea, 19 I like the fact that Samoa is working to improve health in Samoa, especially for serous diseases like HIV AIDS. We need to decrease the number of those affected, and in order to do that the Ministry needs days like this to service and educate the public. I understand that the more people know and are aware of how to stay protected and get treated, the better chances of Samoa becoming a healthier nation. Jennifer Ah Ching, Fagalii, 28 If there are no programs like this to inform the nation about health issues in Samoa, the number of people to get the disease will increase. I understand that this disease can be fatal which is why different federations, organisations and ministries are working together to inform and educate the public in regards to HIV/AIDS. Not only that but people who know they are affected are encouraged to take the treatments and just for the sake of protection get tested. KATOWICE, Poland (AP) Negotiators from around the world began two weeks of talks on curbing climate change Sunday, three years after sealing a landmark deal in Paris that set a goal of keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Envoys from almost 200 nations gathered in Poland's southern city of Katowice, a day earlier than originally planned because of the large number of issues that need to be resolved by Dec. 14. "We are here to enable the world to act together on climate change," said Poland's environmental envoy, Michal Kurtyka, who is presiding over the U.N. meeting, known as COP24. With further meetings next year meant to build on what's decided in Katowice, he urged all countries to "show creativity and flexibility." "The United Nations secretary-general is counting on us, all of us to deliver," Kurtyka said. "There is no Plan B." Ministers and some heads of government plan to join the discussion Monday, when host Poland is expected to push for a declaration ensuring a "just transition" for fossil fuel industries that face cuts and closures amid efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The meeting received a boost over the weekend when 19 major economies at the G-20 summit affirmed their commitment to the 2015 Paris climate accord. The only holdout was the United States, which announced under President Donald Trump that it is withdrawing from the climate pact. "Despite geopolitical instability, the climate consensus is proving highly resilient," said Christiana Figueres, a former head of the U.N. climate office. "It is sad that the federal administration of the United States, a country that is increasingly feeling the full force of climate impacts, continues to refuse to listen to the objective voice of science when it comes to climate change," Figures said. She cited a recent expert report warning of the consequences of letting average global temperatures rise beyond 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F). "The rest of the G-20 have not only understood the science, they are taking actions to both prevent the major impacts and strengthen their economies," said Figueres, who now works with Mission 2020, a group that campaigns to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The meeting in Katowice is regarded as a key test of countries' willingness to back their lofty but distant goals with concrete measures, some of which are already drawing fierce protests . At the top of the agenda is the so-called Paris rulebook , which will determine how governments record and report their greenhouse emissions and efforts to cut them. Separately, negotiators will discuss ramping up countries' national emissions targets after 2020, and financial support for poor nations that are struggling to adapt to climate change. The shift away from fossil fuels, which scientists say has to happen by 2050, is expected to require a major overhaul of world economies. "The good news is that we do know a lot of what we need to be able to do to get there," said David Waskow of the World Resources Institute. Waskow, who has followed climate talks for years, said despite the Trump administration's refusal to back this global effort the momentum is going in the right direction. "It's not one or two players anymore in the international arena," he said. "It's what I think you could call a distributed leadership, where you have a number of countries some of them small or medium-sized really making headway and doing it in tandem with cities and states and businesses." Not far from the meeting venue, environmental activists held a small protest Sunday to call for an end to coal mining in Poland, which gets some 80 percent of its energy from coal. Katowice is in the heart of Poland's coal mining region of Silesia, and there are several active mines in and around the city. Marches aimed at showing support for ending the use of coal-fired power plants and other efforts to limit climate change drew thousands of people over the weekend in Brussels, Berlin and Cologne. But the governor of Germany's most populous state said Sunday it was premature to set a firm date for phasing out the use of coal-fired power plants. Armin Laschet, the governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state, said Germany's decision to stop mining and burning lignite coal "must be considered seriously and decided with broad consensus." German officials had hoped to present a blueprint for the country's exit from coal at the meeting in Katowice but an expert committee has delayed issuing its recommendations until next year. Microsoft is back at the top of the technology world following an extraordinary comeback to close the gap with Apple, some three years into a transformation of the onetime leader by chief executive Satya Nadella. Microsoft regained its title as the world's most valuable company when it closed Friday at a higher market value than Apple for the first time since 2010, after a brief move ahead of the iPhone maker earlier in the week. At Friday's close, Microsoft's market capitalization was $851.2 billion, having tripled in value since Nadella took over in early 2014. Apple's valuation stood at $847.4 billion, having dropped some 20 percent in the past eight weeks. Not far behind were Amazon ($826 billion) and Google parent Alphabet ($763 billion). In the 1990s, Microsoft held the crown as the top tech firm and most valuable company as it powered the revolution in personal computers with its Windows operating system. But in recent years, it appeared headed to obscurity after spectacular failures in mobile computing, while Apple, Google and Amazon saw their fortunes rise. Analysts say patience, diversification and the willingness to jettison failing ventures helped fuel Microsoft's surge. "Microsoft is firing on all cylinders right now," said Jack Gold, technology analyst with J. Gold Associates. "Satya Nadella has been doing a fantastic job in leading them away from dead-end areas and being more innovative." - Thriving in the cloud - Microsoft still draws considerable revenue from Windows, the software that powers the vast majority of PCs. But it has leveraged its position to bring business customers to its cloud computing platform known as Azure, and has developed a steadier revenue stream from its Office software suite for both consumers and enterprises. "Azure has been really big for Microsoft," Gold said. For companies already using Microsoft systems for PCs and servers, "it's easy for them to stick with Microsoft, and that's the advantage for Microsoft." Microsoft has become far less dependent on a single product than in the past, with strong growth from its cloud services and revenues from its Xbox gaming business, Bing search, Surface tablets and PCs, as well as the professional social network LinkedIn acquired in 2016. It won a $480 million contract with the US Army last month to supply HoloLens devices that will help troops train using augmented and virtual reality. It is also competing with Amazon and others for a multibillion-dollar contract for Pentagon cloud services. The diversified revenue stream is in contrast with Apple, which still relies on iPhone sales for the vast majority of revenue and profit. "Microsoft is pretty well-balanced across a number of different categories," said Bob O'Donnell of TECHnalysis Research. "For Apple, we've reached peak smartphone and it's a very challenging market. Longtime observers of Apple knew this would happen at some point, and the question is how quickly they can transition to services." Microsoft's emphasis on business services makes the company less visible to consumers, but "it means they are not subject to the whims of tech fashion, and their revenue base is more solid and more stable," O'Donnell said. - Learning from failure - A big part of Microsoft's transformation came when it decided to throw in the towel on its Windows mobile phone business after acquiring the device business of Nokia but failing to get a foothold in the sector dominated by Apple and Google-powered Android smartphones. "I think Satya Nadella exercised extraordinarily good judgment," said Roger Kay, a consultant and analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates. "He ceded the consumer business to Apple and focused on the corporate sector and the cloud." Microsoft's failures in mobile may have actually helped it by forcing the company to work with rival operating systems, analysts say. Apple, meanwhile, has largely required its own devices for its services, a strategy which Gold called "troubling." "That's the same path Microsoft went down a decade ago," he said. "Apple is going to have to change that." The company appeared to move a step toward opening its services in the past week, agreeing to offer its streaming music on Amazon's Alexa-powered devices. "Apple has a great track record when it comes to reinvention," said a research note from Gene Munster and Will Thompson of the investment firm Loup Ventures. It anticipated that the company's "next reinvention does not involve product replacement; rather, it will require a shift in mindset to consuming Apple products as a service." For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Leaders of the world's largest economic powers have agreed to overhaul the global body that regulates trade disputes, but they faced resistance from President Donald Trump over the Paris accord on climate change. Here are some of the main developments at the Group of 20 summit, which wrapped up Saturday: ___ WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION All G-20 leaders called for reforming the World Trade Organization and the issue will be discussed during the group's next summit in Osaka, Japan, in June. The gathering's final statement, however, did not mention protectionism after negotiators said the U.S. objected to the wording. Trump has criticized the WTO and taken aggressive trade policies targeting China and the European Union. ___ U.S.-CHINA TRADE WAR Financial markets will be cheered by the announcement that Trump and Chines President Xi Jinping agreed at a dinner after the summit to have a 90-day truce in their trade battle. Trump agreed to hold off on plans to raise tariffs Jan. 1 on $200 billion in Chinese goods. Xi 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. The cease-fire will buy time for the two countries to work out their differences in a dispute over Beijing's aggressive drive to supplant U.S. technological dominance. ___ PRINCE UNDER PRESSURE There were some awkward moments for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as some leaders called him out over the gruesome October killing of dissident Saudi newspaper columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the country's consulate in Istanbul. French President Emmanuel Macron was captured on video seemingly lecturing bin Salman, at one point being heard saying "I am worried," ''you never listen to me," and "I am a man of my word." Macron said the crown prince only "took note" of his concerns. British Prime Minister Theresa May also said she pressed bin Salman. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the only G-20 leader to raise the issue during the official session. Erdogan called bin Salman's response that the crime had not been proven "unbelievable" and complained that Saudi authorities have been uncooperative. But it wasn't all bad for bin Salman. He was not shunned, and on the gathering's first day, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a hearty grip-and-grin as the two seemingly reveled in their shared status as relative outcasts. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded the Saudi prince was behind the killing. Saudi Arabia denies he played a role. ___ UKRAINE CONFLICT Western leaders confronted Putin over Russia's recent seizure of Ukrainian naval vessels and crews, but the diplomatic pressure didn't seem to bring either side closer to solving the conflict. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of being responsible for the standoff. Trump cited Russia's actions as the reason that he canceled a planned meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the summit. EU Council President Donald Tusk sharply criticized "Russia's aggression" against Ukraine. Putin tried to convince Trump and the leaders of France and Germany that Russia's actions were justified even pulling out a piece of paper and drawing a map of the disputed area to make his point. ___ CLIMATE CHANGE The final communique signed by all 20 member nations said 19 of them reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris climate accord. The only holdout was the U.S., which has withdrawn from the pact under Trump. Still, environmental groups praised the statement as welcome news. "That G20 leaders signed up to the Paris Agreement reaffirmed their commitment to its full implementation in the resulting communique is important," the World Wildlife Fund said. "It is also a reflection of the Argentinian government rightly making climate an important topic on the agenda." Greenpeace said that "the necessity of the U.S. being part of the effort to fight climate change cannot be denied, but this is a demonstration that the U.S. is still the odd one out." ___ NAFTA After two years of negotiations, Trump signed a revised North American trade pact with the leaders of Canada and Mexico on the sidelines of the summit. The deal is meant to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump long denigrated as a "disaster." The new pact won't take effect unless approved by the legislatures of all three nations, and there are questions about the pact's prospects in the U.S. Congress, especially now that Democrats will control the House. Democrats and their allies in the labor movement are already demanding changes. But Trump said on the way back to Washington that he plans to formally terminate NAFTA, so Congress will have to choose between accepting the new pact or going without a trade accord. ___ LOW EXPECTATIONS_LOW OUTPUT Even the host country had lowered expectations ahead of the summit, saying before the gathering started that it might not be possible to reach a consensus for a final statement. After sleepless days of round-the-clock talks by diplomats, a communique was produced, but analysts said leaders merely signed a watered down statement that skirted trade and other contentious issues. "The G20 veered all over the road" at the summit and the leaders failed to fix trade, which is widely seen as a priority for boosting growth in jobs and economies, said Thomas Bernes, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation who has held leading roles with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and Canada's government. "Leaders buried their differences in obscure language and dropped language to fight protectionism, which had been included in every G-20 communique since the leaders' first summit. This is clearly a retrograde step forced by United States intransigence," Bernes said. Siren wailing, the bright red truck pulled into the back of San Diego Fire-Rescue Station 45 in Mission Valley. As more than 600 people watched, Santa Claus emerged, his red-and-white suit replicating the trucks color and lettering scheme. Trusty elf by his side, Santa walked to his chair and began greeting the children who had lined up to see him. It looked like a typical holiday party, but not to the 150 attending burn survivors, both children and adults, along with their families and volunteers. The event is a longtime partnership between the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and the Burn Institute, a nonprofit organization that helps burn survivors and their families move beyond the trauma. Advertisement One of the things that really benefits a burn survivor and the whole family is to know that theyre not alone, that they have other families that have been through a similar experience, and to pull them together, said Susan Day, the Institutes executive director. So when they come to an event like this, they know other people have been through a trauma similar to theirs. For the first time, the holiday party was held at a fire station. Burn survivors exchanged stories with each other, met firefighters, and the younger of them enjoyed the holiday excitement of meeting Santa. A short distance away from Kris Kringle, a crew from San Miguel Fire Protection District tended a slightly smoky grill, serving up hamburgers and hot dogs. Inside the cavernous station diners sat at benches draped with red and green. Wooden toys stacked on other tables awaited their new owners. These events are also important to the fire department staffers, said Day. Many times the fire personnel see a child or an adult on the worst day of their life, she said. And they always wonder, what happened to that child, what happened to that family? They can witness that families maybe not the exact families (they saw) do survive and they do thrive. A few survivors bore visible scars on their faces. Most scars were hidden beneath their clothes. All had gone through the intense pain, fear, and loneliness of enduring burn trauma. Malia Troesch, 9, bears scars on her back from extensive burns. Going to the Burn Institutes summer camp turned her depressed outlook around, said her mother, Jamia Troesch. They taught her she is not her scars, her mother said. We did arts and crafts, Malia said. We got to make our own beds by ourselves. We even had our own drawer so we could put our stuff there ... And they also gave her an awesome blanket her first time there, her mother said. When she got home she looked so sad and Im like, Whats wrong? She was like, I miss my friends. The experience gave Malia a career goal: She wants to go back to the camp as part of the staff. Event volunteer Ann Malo works at UC San Diegos burn center. She said the camps give the children a renewed sense of belonging. Ive been a camp counselor, and Ive seen them go from 5 years old to 18 years old, and theyll keep the same friends, Malo said. Theyll ask how did you get burned? And one says I got burned by ramen and the other kid says I got burned from Cup-a-Soup, Malo said. And theyll show each other their scars. Such injuries from preparing hot noodle dishes are distressingly common, Malo said, cautioning families to beware of them. Theyre flimsy, flimsy containers, she said. The kids think they can make them themselves, and with the fat content they really burn very deeply, and theyre terrible burns. Randy Sanders, an adult burn survivor, said he was introduced to the Burn Institute by a friend, and began going to the camps to help the children. He also helped himself. I found myself embedded into support groups and burn retreats, Sanders said. And it really helped build my self-esteem and my self-worth. It gave me a lot of confidence in myself because I was able to help other burn survivors. Science Playlist On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1020 For the past decade, the bustling offices of EvoNexus have been the unofficial hub of the citys startup scene. When new entrepreneurs arrive in San Diego looking to get plugged in, theyre often directed to Evo for its cachet and its network. Partnered with powerful corporate sponsors like Qualcomm and Viasat, the startup incubator was founded in 2009 and is the birthplace of some of the citys most notable tech companies, including Edico Genome, the data processing startup acquired by gene giant Illumina for $100 million. Evo was also the home to Hush, the earbud company bought up by Bose in 2017. In total, EvoNexus boasts 25 acquisitions of its tenant companies since 2013, which it says amounted to $780 million in outcomes money raised plus the amount paid by acquirers. Now, San Diegos startup fever has spread beyond Evos doors. New incubators and accelerators are cropping up regularly in the citys business core, and Evo is no longer alone in its mission to propel entrepreneurs through the early stages of launch. Today, the incubator maintains a powerful role in the citys tech industry, and its founders have observed the ups and downs of San Diegos startup scene over the past decade. The U-T spoke with Rory Moore, Evos co-founder and CEO, to see how the tech scene has evolved in recent years. Here are some excerpts: Advertisement EvoNexus was the first startup incubator to launch in San Diego. Why did you want to start something like this here? The trigger was the financial meltdown that was occurring back then. No money, people were losing their jobs and they were available to start companies. But there was no access to capital. Angel money went away completely, and venture money contracted significantly. I realized the region needed a real incubator. I knew of others in San Francisco like Y Combinator but I knew San Diego had to be different. We couldnt support an incubator with venture capital, because there was no venture capital here. It had to be supported by corporate sponsors that believed the region needed a healthy startup ecosystem. Our ecosystem was sputtering at the time. The timing was right for this, because there was pent-up demand. At the time, what did the startup ecosystem look like? It was a whole potpourri of things. I call it serendipitous startup land, because it was all happenstance. There was no coordinated effort to scale companies. I wanted to pull that together and create a program where we could grow dozens of companies at a time like a farm. What do you see as the biggest change in the tech scene here from 2009, when you got started, and right now? An older generation of entrepreneurs. That was a big change. EvoNexus has a lot of people older than 40-years-old doing a startup here. Back in the Internet bubble, if you were over 30, no one wanted to fund you. What about changes in popular technology or entrepreneurship ideas? I think the app phenomenon and web 2.0 software is over with. Over the past decade, the market was flooded with new app ideas. There was a euphoric overshoot with these app companies, because theyre cheap to fund. And there was a low barrier to entry to launch a startup like that. But how many apps do you actually use at the end of the day? What challenges do you see for startups launching in San Diego? Scaling takes money. And it takes management teams. Those are areas that are difficult here. The money that scales these companies doesnt come from San Diego, or even L.A. It comes from out of town Silicon Valley, Chicago, New York. And those investors would rather invest in something in their own neighborhood. Until you have a core venture fund base in San Diego, its going to be spotty. The last billion dollar venture fund in San Diego was Enterprise Venture Partners in La Jolla. They went out of business five years ago. The venture community in San Diego, Irvine, and L.A. is starting to grow again, though. And thats great news. But it will take five to 10 more years before theres a critical mass of funds here to pull more money in from outside. I know this from 35-40 years of working with them. The Southern California angels are absolutely key to starting most if not all of our companies here very little seed money comes from out-of-town capital. What are you optimistic and pessimistic about when it comes to San Diegos startup scene? Im very pessimistic about the growth of venture capital in Southern California. Im very optimistic of the continuing flow of money down here from other regions. Were doing the best we can to suck money down. But we wont see it explode until we have a venture community here. And that wont happen until we have some big outcomes. The outcomes the big companies that scale thats what draws the money. And thats going to take time. Business brittany.meiling@sduniontribune.com 619-293-1286 Twitter: @BrittanyMeiling CITY COUNCILS DEL MAR The Del Mar City Council is scheduled to meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday in council chambers, 1050 Camino del Mar. ESCONDIDO Advertisement The Escondido City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers, 201 N. Broadway, and in regular session at 4:30 p.m. OCEANSIDE The Oceanside City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Council Chambers, 300 N. Coast Highway, and in regular session at 5 p.m. POWAY The Poway City Council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers, 13325 Civic Center Drive. SAN MARCOS The city of San Marcos is taking applications for vacancies on its Parks & Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, San Marcos Community Foundation, Traffic Commission, Budget Review Committee and San Marcos Creek Specific Plan Oversight Committee. Application deadline is 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13. For information and requirements, visit www.san-marcos.net/your-government/commissions-boards-committees. Contact the City Clerks Office at (760) 744-1050, ext. 3100, or cityclerk@san-marcos.net. SOLANA BEACH The Solana Beach City Council is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday in closed session in City Council Chambers, 635 S. Highway 101, and in regular session at 6 p.m. VISTA The Vista City Council is seeking applicants for its 2019 scheduled vacancies on these boards and commissions: Central Vista Business Improvement District Advisory Board; Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee; Community Safety Commission; Investment Advisory Committee; Parks & Recreation Commission; Planning Commission; Public Arts Commission; Sales Tax Oversight Committee; Senior Citizens Affairs Commission; Traffic Commission; and Youth Advisory Commission. Application deadline for incumbents is Jan. 31; for all other applicants, Feb. 10. Youth applications are due May 1. Applications are available from the City Clerks Office, 200 Civic Center Drive, or from the City Commissions, Boards & Committees web page at cityofvista.com. Contact City Clerk Kathy Valdez at (760) 643-5320 or kvaldez@cityofvista.com. laura.groch@sduniontribune.com Israeli police on Sunday recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted on bribery and fraud charges, citing evidence that he exchanged regulatory favors for positive news coverage. It is the third time this year that police formally informed judicial authorities that Netanyahu should face corruption charges, and it could be the most damaging. The recommendation is a significant setback for Netanyahu, who presides over a fragile coalition government with a majority of one in Israels parliament with an election year looming. Police delivered a formal referral to Israels attorney general a Netanyahu appointee who must decide whether to accept the recommendations -- asserting they have sufficient evidence to charge Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, with bribery, fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of justice. The case encompasses the Netanyahus convoluted relations with telecom giant Bezeq, controlling shareholder Shaul Elovitch and his wife, Iris, whom the police also recommend charging, and with Walla, the popular news website the company owns. Advertisement Netanyahu denied all the charges in a tweet in which he diminished the significance of the case and repeated his mantra that nothing will be found because theres nothing there. The police recommendations against my wife and me surprise no one, he wrote, calling them a setup lacking any legal weight and questioning the timing. Earlier this year, police recommended that Netanyahu be prosecuted in two unrelated corruption cases. One revolved around gifts Netanyahu and his family are alleged to have received in exchange for political favors. In the other, another media-related case, Netanyahu stands accused of exchanging advantageous legislation for positive coverage in the countrys leading tabloid. In the newest case, a lengthy statement issued jointly by the police and Israels Securities Authority lays out suspicions regarding the prime ministers handling of the communications ministry, which he oversaw between 2014 and 2017 in addition to his roles as head of government and foreign minister. Netanyahu is accused of intervening to help Bezeq secure a lucrative deal. In exchange, police allege, media mogul Elovitch, a longtime friend of the Netanyahus, ordered Walla to post coverage flattering to the Netanyahu family. Police said evidence shows that Netanyahu and his associates intervened blatantly, sometimes on a daily basis, in content published on the Walla news website, and sought to influence the appointment of senior employees (editors and reporters), through their connection to Shaul and Iris Elovitch. Atty. Gen. Avichai Mandelblit is expected to amalgamate the three police files against Netanyahu and determine whether the accusations merit indictment in a single decision. The process may take several months, opening a window for Netanyahu to run for reelection and potentially win an unprecedented fifth term as prime minister while facing prosecution, a prospect that Netanyahu and his allies have discussed publicly but has never been tested in Israeli courts. Victory in a coming election would embolden Netanyahu to stay in office even if indicted, said Anshel Pfeffer, Netanyahus biographer, and it could dissuade any of his coalition partners tempted to break ranks despite the prime ministers steady showing in recent polls. The constitutional crisis of a prime minister serving under indictment now looks like a distinct possibility, Pfeffer said. Netanyahu has dominated Israeli politics for a decade, and he remains a daunting figure able to manipulate Israels fractured and polarized electoral arena, where his Likud party remains at the top of recent surveys of Israeli voters. In recent polls, his party has consistently been projected to maintain or improve upon the 30 seats it holds in the Knesset, Israels parliament, among up to 10 parties with realistic chances of winning seats. But Netanyahus political supremacy does not reach much beyond a core base of supporters, and his authority was severely tested last month when Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman abruptly quit the coalition, leaving Netanyahus government depending on a single vote to survive. The opposition reacted swiftly, calling time on Netanyahus almost decade-long rule. Labor Party Chairman Avi Gabbay tweeted: A prime minister with so many corruption cases around him cannot continue on the job and must resign. Any man driven by a sick obsession with what will be said about him in the media cant lead the state of Israel. Opposition leader Tzipi Livni said, Netanyahu has to go before he destroys law enforcement bodies to save his own skin. In recent days, both Netanyahu and the attorney generals office have appeared to gird themselves for battle, as each side announced it was reinforcing its team with new experts. The attorney general added to his team three experts in financial crimes who are expected to act as devils advocates in internal deliberations. Netanyahu, whose chief lawyer died last month, added a team of three including a former judge and a defense attorney who previously represented former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Olmert was released from prison last year after serving 16 months out of a 27-month term for corruption. Netanyahu says the investigations against him constitute a witch hunt orchestrated by the left-wing media. Sara Netanyahu is being tried on fraud and breach of trust charges following accusations that she improperly spent about $100,000 of public funds to pay for celebrity chefs catering private meals that were documented as state events. With two of the prime ministers closest aides flipping to provide testimony to police investigators, the Bezeq case could prove particularly difficult for Netanyahu to successfully contest. Shlomo Filber, the man Netanyahu personally appointed to serve as director general of the communications ministry, is said to have detailed the prime ministers attempts to overrule regulations in Bezeqs favor. Nir Hefetz, the Netanyahu familys longtime spin doctor who was accused of transmitting Netanyahus demands to Walla editors, holds years worth of personal confidences. In a recent expose on Israels Channel 10 News, Walla editors and journalists detailed pressures they faced to distort coverage in the Netanyahus favor, leading the prime minister to counter that the attempt to turn basic public relations into part of a bribery deal is ridiculous. Tarnopolsky is a special correspondent. UPDATES: 2:05 p.m.: This article has been updated throughout with Times reporting and more details on the Bezeq/Walla case and the potential implications for Netanyahu. This story was originally published at 8 a.m. December 2, 1895 Evening Tribune The San Diego Union-Tribune will mark its 150th anniversary in 2018 by presenting a significant front page from the archives each day throughout the year. Monday, December 2, 1895 In 1895 Thomas Dykes Beasley and Frederick Ernest Augustus Kimball launched the Evening Tribune as a daily newspaper. The men, who went by their initials T.D. Beasley and F.E.A. Kimball had previously owned the Seaport News, and Kimball owned and edited the the Coronado Mercury. Beasley and Kimball dubbed the Evening Tribune, "The People's Paper," and charged 25 cents a month for a subscription, undercutting the Union's subscription price by a third. From day one, the Tribune promised to be vigorous, timely and fearless, a lively and readable competitor to the more established, and somewhat stodgy, Union. In 1901 the Tribune was sold to to John D. Spreckels, who also owned the Union. Despite a joint printing operation, the Union and Tribune continued to battle at newsstands until 1992 when the two merged to form The San Diego Union-Tribune. The text below comes from page two of the four-page first issue, where the Beasley and Kimball give their vision for the newspaper. SALUTATORY. With this issue we begin the publication of an evening journal, in accordance with a long cherished desire to wield a more powerful force for the advancement and upbuilding of San Diego. Profiting by costly experience in the past and the lessons derived therefrom, the publishers feel that in this is enterprise there is no such word as failure. This experience being supplimented by a well equipped printing plant and a thorough understanding of the citys needs, assures the establishment of what San Diego has so long needed,and independent newspaper, fearlessly advocating the best interests of this city and its people. Thousands of persons in the East are looking towards Southern California as their future home, many of whom would come to this county, yet hesitate by reason of misstatements published in local papers, largely for the attainment of selfish ends. It will be the aim of THE TRIBUNE to truthfully depict the advantages of this section, without needlessly enlarging upon purely local and temporary disagreements. In the past we have had abundant proofs (some of which may be adduced late) of the injury done by the circulation of false reports concerning our city and county; and if in the future San Diego desires to speedily attain the position she is destined in time to occupy, there must be more united action in presenting her claims to the world. No one need hesitate to send THE TRIBUNE to Eastern friends for fear of hurting the town. THE TRIBUNE will be be clean, bright and progressive, and for that reason will be the newspaper for the home. Believing in the fundamental principles of the Republican party, THE TRIBUNE will advocate those principles, exercising the right of a free press to criticise a failure to live up to their spirit and intent, as interpreted by us. THE TRIBUNE congratulates itself on having secured a contract for the ASSOCIATED PRESS dispatches, and can assure its readers that its telegraphic service will be superior to that of any afternoon newspaper ever published in San Diego. Special efforts will be made to render the presentation of local news complete and attractive. KIMBALL & BEASLEY. Here are the first few paragraphs of news from the front page of Volume 1, No. 1 of the Tribune: EDITORIAL COMMENT. Young ladies should heed the fact that 1896 is a leap year and also that there will not be another leap year until 1904, eight long years. The Wilson tariff as a tariff for revenue has been a lamentable failure. Its only effect has been to create an annual deficiency of $50,000,000 Two full moons will occur this month. The only instance before this of two full moons in December was 1896 years ago at the coming of the Savior. The business of the Los Angeles postoffice has doubled within three years, a remarkable showing considering the general financial depression of those years. IT is said that fifteen years ago Ingersoll remarked that he would believe there was a hades when Kentucky went Republican. It is now in order for the noted agnostic to report. Out of seventy-five medals awarded California at the Atlanta exposition Southern California received 39, or 52 per cent. This is a most gratifying showing for this section of the state. National City is already agitated over the next city election although it will not occur for six months. According to the Record there will be no dearth of candidates for the respective offices. 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. Video: Drawn to America U-T editorial cartoonist Steve Breen is going to Tijuana to get a clearer picture of why thousands of migrants would travel thousands of miles in a caravan to seek asylum in the United States. Mexicos incoming President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has his work cut out for him. Looming in the backdrop of his Saturday inauguration is a laundry list of voter expectations and ambitious promises made by Lopez Obrador, also known by his initials AMLO. End corruption. Bring peace to a country that has been plagued by drug violence for decades. Jobs for everyone. Cheaper gas. Advertisement And hes only got six years. Lopez Obrador vows to accomplish it all, and launch a profound and radical change in Mexico. In Tijuana, his highest priority something city residents expect him to tackle immediately after his swearing-in ceremony are the thousands of Central American migrants on the brink of a humanitarian crisis at the border. Many of the migrants are waiting for a chance to plea for asylum with U.S. immigration officials, but they may be stuck for months. High stakes are on the line. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to permanently shut down the border. His administration is pushing a remain in Mexico policy that would require asylum seekers to wait out the long U.S. immigration process in Tijuana. Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum said the incident on Nov. 25, when hundreds from the caravan ran around Mexican federal police and rushed the border during a march, cost his city 129 million pesos, or $6.3 million, in revenue because U.S. officials closed the border for several hours. In Tijuana on Saturday, people were watching the presidential inauguration activities closely on their phones and in bars on television. The new presidents inaugural speech blasted from car radios for those waiting in a 90-minute vehicle line to cross into the U.S. At a restaurant just off Avenida Revolucion in Tijuana, Diego Gonzalez, 19, said hes looking for action right away from AMLO not just big promises that never get fulfilled. This president is very different in the way he thinks, Gonzalez said. Its going to be a little bit of a change. He wants to cause a disruption. Gonzalez said the economy should be the presidents prime focus. He said he feels very little pity for the Central American caravan. It was stupid of them to come here. It was never going to work, Gonzalez said. Its a realization many in the caravan were coming to grips with by Saturday morning, as they refused to participate in a march planned by By Any Means Necessary, a leftist, pro-immigration group based in Detroit. Im not going to march again. Why? Theyre lying to us and saying the United States will let us in, said Reinerio Lainez, a Honduran migrant. Tears welled in his eyes as he described his situation. I believed (U.S. officials) were going to look at my papers and my ID and grant asylum, Lainez said in Spanish. Im confused about what is the process. One people say one thing, another say another. In his inauguration speech Saturday, Lopez Obrador promised to address migration issues at the root, saying he will work with his counterparts in Central America to stem the flow of migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. He followed up, in one of his first acts in office, by signing an agreement with presidents from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to do just that. The plan includes a fund to generate jobs in those regions. Lopez Obrador, 65, won by a landslide, after years of his political party being on the losing end of elections. His party also won control of Congress and several state Legislature races. At a public park, the Parque Tonsonto Guerrero, Enrique Mendiola said he supported the change in administration. For me, this is very good, said Mendiola, a 52-year-old cook. This is the moment we have been waiting for for years. Mendiola said he also thought the change in presidency would be good for the migrants. I think he might help these poor people, Mendiola said. Its a very bad thing, all these people coming to Tijuana, which doesnt have a lot of work, and now having to navigate the system on their own. Yadria Vargas, 26, agreed. I know things will get better, but damn, this corruption, she ruefully laughed. Vargas said, at first, she didnt think it was the federal governments responsibility to deal with the caravan. But now that it is impacting Tijuana and cross-border trade, she said, something has to be done. Vargas hoped the federal government would step in to stop the people who are lying to would-be migrants in Central America about their chances to cross into the United States. Adding to the long wish list from voters who elected AMLO, Vargas said she hopes the new president can solve the immigration issue for both the United States and Mexico. No one else is helping them for anything, she said. Theyre just getting them hyped and then not doing anything. Theyre getting their hopes up and then abandoning them in our backyard. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Rep. Adam Schiff, the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said there is now a witness in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation -- President Donald Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen, who Schiff said confirms that "the president and his business are compromised." "There is now testimony, there is now a witness who confirms that in the same way Michael Flynn was compromised, that the president and his business are compromised," said the California congressman on This Week Sunday. On Thursday, Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress in a deal with Mueller. According to court documents, Cohen admitted to making misstatements regarding the Trump organization's efforts to develop a branded property in Moscow to congressional committees investigating Russian influence on the 2016 election -- including the House Intelligence Committee, which Schiff is set to lead come January. Cohen had previously struck a plea deal with federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York in August after admitting to campaign finance crimes. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Encoding of new information, was the aspect of memory most impacted by cannabis abstinence Not using cannabis for a month could improve learning ability for adolescents and young adults who used the drug at least weekly, a U.S. study suggests. The study from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston assessed 88 participants, ages 16 to 25, and found that not using cannabis for a month resulted in measurable improvement in memory functions important for learning. We saw much of the improvement in the first week of the abstinence, which was pretty surprising. We thought it would take longer, Randi Melissa Schuster, lead author of the study, told Reuters Health by phone. The participants in the study were randomly split into two groups. One group abstained from cannabis use, and one continued. Urine samples were tested weekly for levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive element in cannabis. Those abstaining were incentivized with monetary rewards at the end of each week, the authors reported in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Memory, but not attention, improved more among adolescents and young adults who abstained from cannabis compared to those who continued to use, researchers found. Declarative memory, particularly encoding of new information, was the aspect of memory most impacted by cannabis abstinence, the authors found, adding those who maintained abstinence learned more words than those who continued to use cannabis. The study also showed that cannabis abstinence is associated with improvements in verbal learning that appear to occur largely in the first week following last use. This study provides convincing evidence that adolescents and young adults may experience improvements in their ability to learn new information when they stop using cannabis, the researchers said - although attention does not appear to be impacted by a month of abstinence. Dr. Salomeh Keyhani, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said this is one more small study that shows cannabis use is associated with adverse neurocognitive effects and may affect learning. This study suggests that use of cannabis during adolescence may have lifelong implications in terms of educational attainment, Keyhani, who was not involved in the study, told Reuters Health in an email. The studys main limitation was the absence of a control group of non-users, the authors wrote, with an additional limitation being the inability to determine a more precise time point when memory improvement occurred during the first week of abstinence. Still, the authors believe their findings have the potential to make an impact on physicians advice to adolescents and their parents and on local, statewide, and national policymaking. Schuster noted another caveat: it is not known whether the improvement has been normalized within the first week. So yes, we see improvement and some of the cognitive deficit was abated by abstinence ... what we need to know is if they continue to improve. Search Keywords: Short link: Al Lowe, a prominent Pasadena businessman and community leader who helped implement a court order to integrate that citys schools in the 1970s, has died. He was 92. Lowe was a fourth-generation Californian and Chinese American whose ancestors arrived in the U.S. in the 1800s to mine gold and build railroads. He ran a furniture shop on Colorado Boulevard for decades and became the first member of a racial minority elected to the Pasadena school board in 1969. He rose to prominence in 1970 after U.S. District Judge Manuel Real determined that the districts schools were de facto racially segregated and approved a plan to integrate schools through a busing program that sent students around the district. Pasadena became the first district outside the American South to be hit with a federal order to integrate. The plan sparked outrage from some in Pasadena. But Lowe, along with two other school board members, supported the ruling and carried it out. He soon became the face of the busing plan as the board began to integrate school. Advertisement Lowe told The Times in 2000 that being an Asian American helped him during the tumultuous times. Landmark 1970 court order (Los Angeles Times) As a person who was neither black or white, I saw myself as friends of people of both races, Lowe said then. Lowe received threats, his home was picketed, and his business suffered. He and the two other board members who supported integration beat back a recall effort in 1971. But Lowe lost his seat on the school board when he was up for re-election in 1973 and an anti-busing slate of candidates won a majority. Larry Wilson, the public editor of the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers and a columnist and member of the editorial board for the Southern California News Group, called Lowe the man who saved Pasadena in a column about his death this week. His genius for negotiation and compromise had nothing to do with his race, Wilson wrote. It had everything to do with every fiber of his personal being. Over the years, Pasadena turned to him time and again to help guide the city through turbulent times. When activists protested the Tournament of Roses calling it an old white mens club Lowe stepped in to lead a diversity committee and created an outreach program. He was instrumental in getting rid of that stigma, Ken Burrows, a past president of the tournament, told The Times in 2000. It was a major change, no question. Lowe became the chairman of the Pasadena Playhouse board in 1994 when it faced financial troubles and helped it tap into new sources of money. He and his wife Rose Marie moved to the Bay Area in 2000 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Lowe appeared to have died of natural causes on Nov. 21, a representative of the Alameda County Coroners Bureau said Saturday. Times staff writer Nina Agrawal contributed to this report. Three weeks after the Camp fire tore through the Northern California towns of Paradise, Concaw and Magalia, destroying thousands of homes and killing 88 people, the number of individuals still missing now stands at 49, the Butte County Sheriff announced late Friday. The newest tally was a welcome drop from a figure that at one point exceeded 2,700, leading many to fear the already record-high death toll would rise. Investigators were paring the list of those who were unaccounted for by calling friends and family who had first reported their loved ones missing, searching various databases to locate them, and checking social media accounts for activity, Sheriff Kory Honea said earlier this week. Of the 88 people confirmed to have died, 41 have been positively identified and 42 have been tentatively identified. Advertisement Search teams have been combing through rubble for weeks in the aftermath of the fire, which was so hot that in many cases it left only bones and bone fragments to be recovered. The grim task was complicated further by rains that turned ash into a clay-like substance that had to be washed away to expose any remains. The sheriffs office said Friday that investigators had searched 18,000 structures and were no longer making their way through a list of locations, but that they may conduct additional searches as they receive new information. Honea has acknowledged that some peoples remains might never be found. nina.agrawal@latimes.com Twitter: @AgrawalNina Few realms remain as haunted by the Holocaust as the art world is, which helps to explain why David Cassirer is fighting for ownership of a painting hes never seen. Its quite a painting: a rainy Paris street scene done in 1897 by the influential French Impressionist Camille Pissarro and worth by some estimates more than $30 million. And it has quite a history, which will play out in a Los Angeles courtroom this week during a trial that may decide the fate of the masterpiece, Rue Saint-Honore, Apres-midi, Effet de Pluie. Cassirer, 64, a mostly-retired musician and part-time Coronado resident, is fighting for the painting because it belonged to his family for 40 years, until it was confiscated by the Nazis at the outset of World War II one of some 600,000 artworks looted as Hitlers army rampaged across Europe. Advertisement Subsequently sold several times without the familys knowledge to collectors on two continents, the painting hangs now in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, which has been resisting both Cassirers lawsuit and international pressure to give it back. The new trial opens another chapter in a dispute that has lasted almost two decades and has focused mostly on narrow legal issues of jurisdiction and statutes of limitation. This one will center on what one appellate judge called the elephant in the room: What did the museum know about the paintings Holocaust provenance, and when did it know it? The trial also comes just a week after a conference in Berlin was held to assess the impact of a landmark 1998 agreement, signed by more than 40 countries, that was supposed to lead to just and fair solutions for those whose artwork was pilfered. Known as the Washington Principles, the pact called on officials to identify, catalog and publicize the Nazi-related artwork within their national borders, and to set up commissions to resolve disputes. At the conference, two of the leading proponents of the agreement, Stuart Eizenstat and Ronald Lauder, cited some progress, but they also criticized several countries for hiding behind legal technicalities. They rebuked Spain by name over the Pissarro painting. Here we are 20 years later and much of this stolen art is still kept from the rightful owners, Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, said in remarks prepared for the conference. In almost every country in Europe, there are different reasons that this has happened, but in the end it all comes down to one issue justice has been denied and because of that the old ghosts of World War II wont go away. Cassirer said those ghosts are one reason hes never seen the Pissarro. Hes 64, too young to have been around when his family owned it. He could go to Madrid, but the museum where the painting hangs is named after a member of the steel-manufacturing Thyssen family, which helped fuel Hitlers rise to power. That bothers him. I would have mixed feelings about going in there to see the painting, he said. Id like to see it when we get it back. Lost and found Cassirers family, prominent art patrons who had a gallery in Berlin, bought the painting from Pissarros Paris art dealer in the late 1890s, a year or two after it was finished. In 1939, it belonged to Lilly Neubauer, David Cassirers great-grandmother, who had the misfortune at that time of living in Germany and being Jewish. To secure safe passage to England, she was forced to sell the painting for $360 to a Nazi appraiser. Her sister never got out and perished at the Theresienstadt camp. After the war, in 1948, Neubauer filed a claim for the painting with a restitution tribunal, but was told it couldnt be located. There was speculation it had been lost or destroyed in an Allied bombing. During almost a decade of proceedings, the Court of Restitution Appeals confirmed Neubauer as the paintings owner. She eventually accepted the equivalent of about $13,000 to settle her claim against the German government. Section of the disputed painting, which depicts a rainy street in Paris. (Cassirer Family) In doing so, she didnt waive her rights to the painting if it was ever found, according to later court rulings. Instead, she would be required to pay back the restitution settlement. Neubauer died in 1962. By then the painting had been auctioned by the Gestapo, sold to a collector in California for $14,850, and then sold again to a collector in St. Louis for $16,500. In 1976, it was purchased for $275,000 at a gallery in New York by a Swiss art collector named Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, the son of a steel magnate. His private collection of 775 paintings works by Rubens, Dali, El Greco, Picasso, Gauguin and others was considered among the best in the world and worth more than $1 billion. After he acquired the Pissarro, he hung it in the master bedroom suite of his home in Lugano, Switzerland. In 1993 Spain purchased the collection for $338 million and put it on public display in the Thyssen-Bornemisza, a national museum that is housed in a restored palace. It routinely appears on travel-advisory lists of Madrids top cultural attractions. The paintings whereabouts over the years werent a secret in the art world. Sales were advertised. It was shown in a photograph that accompanied an Architectural Digest magazine article about the barons Lugano villa in 1988. But Neubauers heir, her grandson Claude Cassirer, didnt traffic in those circles. The Internet didnt exist until 1991. He was raising a family and working as a portrait photographer in Cleveland, eventually retiring in La Mesa. As far as he knew, the painting was gone. According to his family, he never gave up hope it would be found, though. Born in Berlin in 1921, Cassirer was four when his mother died and he was raised by Neubauer. He remembered playing on the floor in her apartment near where the Pissarro hung on a wall. This was my life, he told the Union-Tribune in a 2010 interview. Whenever anyone he knew went on vacation, he asked them to look for the painting in museums and galleries. One day in late 1999, a friend telephoned him from New York, where she had gone into a bookshop and seen a catalog of the barons art collection. The Pissarro was in the catalog. Court fight begins In May of 2001, Claude Cassirer sent a letter through diplomatic channels to the foundation that runs the museum, explaining his familys ties to the painting and asking for it back. The foundation refused, arguing that the time period for filing a claim had passed. Officials told Cassirer, in essence, Sue us. So he did, in 2005. The case has been in court ever since, outlasting Claude Cassirer, who died in 2010. His son, David, and daughter, Ava, took over as plaintiffs. She passed away in March. Most of the hearings over the years have been narrowly focused on jurisdictional questions, interpretations of Swiss and Spanish law, and the application of various statutes of limitations. The rulings have gone back and forth. In June 2015, a federal judge in Los Angeles determined that Spanish law should govern the dispute, and that his reading of its provisions told him the museum had acquired title through public, peaceful and uninterrupted possession for almost eight years prior to being contacted by Claude Cassirer. The family appealed, and two years later a panel of the Ninth Circuit court decided in their favor, ruling that the judge had erred by interpreting Spanish law too narrowly. The panel said a new trial should be held to determine if the museum was an accessory to the looting of the painting. Thats what this weeks court showdown, scheduled to start Tuesday, will be about. Did the museum have actual knowledge of the paintings dark provenance? In their trial brief, Cassirers attorneys including prominent New York litigator David Boies argue that the baron, and through him the museum, had to have been aware that the painting was confiscated by the Nazis. If they didnt know, the brief says, its because they were grossly negligent in researching the Pissarros history. They point to several torn labels on the back of the painting. Labels help track ownership across time, and removing them, according to the brief, is akin to filling the serial number off a stolen gun. One label has Berlin on it and part of the street name where the Cassirer gallery was located. Even a semi-sophisticated art collector would have instantly known he was looking at Nazi-looted art, the brief says. And the baron, a highly sophisticated art collector undoubtedly knew exactly what he was purchasing. Actual knowledge? The museums attorneys, led by Thaddeus Stauber, a Los Angeles art-litigation specialist, argue in their trial brief that neither the baron, who died in 2002, nor the museum was aware that the painting had been looted, and that both acted in good faith when they purchased it. With the research tools available today, as well as the heightened awareness of artwork looted during the Holocaust, the standard of care employed now when purchasing an artwork may be higher, the brief says. But in 1976 the barons purchase did not violate any general or specific duty of care and there is nothing known now about the barons purchase that raises suspicion. The attorneys dismissed the torn labels as merely hindsight-driven speculation and inferences that fall far short of proving actual knowledge. When the museum acquired the barons collection, administrators did multi-pronged due diligence into ownership issues, according to the brief, and rejected more than a dozen paintings because of concerns about title. They found no reason to question the Pissarro. As has been the case with many Holocaust-era disputes, this one is being closely watched in art circles for how the various judges have handled the tension between doing whats legal and doing whats right. In 2015, for example, when District Court Judge John F. Walter ruled in favor of the museum because of statute-of-limitations laws, he also urged its managers to pause, reflect and consider their responsibility to bring justice to the victims of Nazi looting. Because this weeks trial is being heard without a jury, Walter will again be the one to decide who owns the painting. john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com UC San Diego has begun using new words to refer to Latinos and Chicanos in a move that reflects the profound change thats occurring nationally in the way many people define their gender and sexuality. The gender specific terms Latino and Chicano are being selectively replaced with Latinx and Chicanx to promote acceptance of virtually anyone who falls under the headings. The change is being promoted by students, social justice activists and the LGBT community, which are trying to get people to look beyond conventional notions of gender, sex and appearance. As broadly used, Latino refers to people of Latin American origin or descent. Advertisement Latinx includes: men and women of Latin American descent; people who are not exclusively male or female; people who dont think of themselves as a man or a woman; people who dont act or dress in ways that are common to people of their gender. The same basic definition applies to Chicanx, with the exception of heritage. Chicanos are Americans of Mexican descent. This is about making the university more inclusive, said Becky Petitt, UC San Diegos vice chancellor of equity, diversity and inclusion. Were meeting students where they are. The university also is trying to more broadly appeal to Latinos and Hispanics, an area where it has lagged behind some University of California campuses. The new word changes, made this week, mean that the school will use Latinx and Chicanx in a lot of its official communications, such as news releases and publicity. The words also might end up being used in the naming of certain campus events. Schools like Grossmont and MiraCosta colleges already use those terms in their publicity. So does UC Irvine. The University of San Diego holds a Chicanx/Latinx graduation. But deeper change is being sought. And it involves two words Latinx and Chicanx that are not widely used by the general public, partly because theres confusion about what the words mean, and how they are pronounced. People are especially perplexed by Latinx, which was reflected in a reader survey published earlier this year by Remezcla, a media company. The survey found that readers were almost evenly divided between pronouncing Latinx as latin-x and la-teen-x. A small percentage preferred lah-tinks. Still others have suggested referring to Latinos as Latin@, a gender-neutral term that hasnt caught on. Colleges and universities are often among the first places for new words and language to appear. Thats precisely whats been happening over the past couple of years. At UC San Diego, it is no longer uncommon for a person to announce their personal pronouns when they introduce themselves at a meeting. For example, a person might say, my pronouns are he/him/his or she/her/hers. Or they could ask to simply be referred to as they because their gender identity doesnt neatly match that of a man or a woman. The issue of gender identity also has surfaced in the way students apply for undergraduate admission to the University of California system. Students can now choose from heterosexual/straight, bisexual, gay, and lesbian to describe their sexuality. Under gender, they can select, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, trans man, trans male, trans woman, trans female. Making a selection which is voluntary can be confusing. Some of the terms arent well-known to the general public, and some have multiple meanings. The UC says that genderqueer refers to a person whose gender identity and/or gender expression falls outside of the dominant social norm of the assigned sex, is beyond genders, or is some combination. The new California Gender Recognition Act is likely to make all of these terms more familiar to a wider audience. The act, which begins to take effect on January 1st, will make it easier for people who are transgender, nonbinary or intersex to obtain state-issued IDs that specify their gender. Terms and practices change over time, said Dayo F. Gore, an ethnic studies professor at UC San Diego. It doesnt mean it is a zero sum game. The important thing is how do we think about the changes. It gives us a chance to be open and speak. The Union-Tribune asked Petitt whether some people will view words such as Latinx as an act of political correctness, leading to blowback against the campus. I think the nature of higher education as institutions is to create spaces for resistance and for people to redefine themselves and for people to redefine the world that they want to live in, Pettit said. I dont mean to sound flippant but thats what universities exist for: to allow people to think freely, to allow people to redefine and shift culture. Dear Mediator: We live in a narrow unincorporated area on an older street with no organized homeowners association. Street maintenance must be attended to by all the residents of our neighborhood. Years ago, long-standing neighbors harmoniously organized resources to pave the street as needed. But after major turnover, we dont even know most of our neighbors. Our worn-out street now requires expensive repaving. We need to engage neighbors we dont even know to contribute to the high cost of repair. Any suggestions on how we approach this daunting task? Torn-Up Street in El Cajon Dear Torn-Up: Advertisement One of the secret joys of conflict resolution is the discovery of blessings in disguise that start out as liabilities and then, with the application of skill and patience, morph into assets. Modern communities have lost much of the interpersonal cohesion that makes neighborhood life vibrant. Your street problem presents an opportunity to restore that solidarity. As one of the residents with the most seniority, you have the standing to take the lead. Now all you need is a playbook. The winter holidays are a time when people who dont interact the rest of the year reach out to one another. So consider sending a special Seasons Greetings! letter to all your neighbors by snail mail or hand delivery. Offer to host a potluck party in the New Year so families can become better acquainted and exchange contact information. Or suggest a January yard sale so everyone can make room in their closets and garages for new holiday swag. When all of you gather, newer neighbors will likely want to know more about the history of their street. Thats the time to broach the subject of how your unincorporated area doesnt have access to municipal services like street paving that most neighborhoods have. Theres no way to sugarcoat the news that households may have to pony up to fix the streets you all use. And some neighbors may outright refuse to chip in, even when you point out that unincorporated residents pay less in taxes than people in other areas. But you can broaden the menu of street maintenance options by exercising your rights as voters and consulting your elected representatives. Residents of unincorporated communities across the nation have been stepping up efforts to seek government assistance, and they are getting a lot more attention. Based on demographic data, these areas are often categorized as low income or disadvantaged. In a slew of recent disasters, when unincorporated residents were too remote to receive timely assistance, images of devastation raised awareness of their urgent needs. One of the big lessons we learn in conflict resolution is that too many disputes arise from the rigid belief that adversaries must divvy up a meager pool of resources. Mediators routinely work with clients to expand the pie by looking outside conventional channels for additional benefits. If you can organize a group of four or more neighbors, you will have the critical mass you need to ask for a meeting with elected officials who can direct you to government and nonprofit service agencies that could offer assistance. Its helpful to remember that in the eyes of a politician, a single unhappy constituent is an item on an office log, but a united group of unhappy constituents is a voting bloc. You also can expand the pie with a neighborhood Fix Our Street! fundraising venture (bake sale, car wash) and/or by approaching professionals who might give your group a discount or in-kind donations. The resulting camaraderie could restore the harmony that once was your neighborhoods strength. And if you all succeed in this project, your shared achievement will give your street a value all its own. Steven P. Dinkin is a professional mediator who has served as president of the San-Diego based National Conflict Resolution Center since 2003. Do you have a conflict that needs a resolution? Please share your story with The Mediator via email at mediatethis@ncrconline.com or as an online submission by visiting www.ncrconline.com/MediateThis. All submissions will be kept anonymous. If you have questions, please email me at lora.cicalo@sduniontribune.com Newly inaugurated Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador received a traditional cleansing during an indigenous ceremony Saturday in Mexico Citys central plaza, or zocalo. At one point, Lopez Obrador, who was sworn into office Saturday for a six-year term, dropped to his knees in a cloud of incense as indigenous healers performed a rite of purification, brushing him with bunches of herbs. The ceremony involving representatives of dozens of Mexicos indigenous groups, many donning traditional clothing was a highlight of the inauguration day, with tens of thousands of people in attendance. We are going to give special attention to the indigenous people of Mexico, Lopez Obrador vowed, addressing thousands of people gathered at a stage set up in the plaza. It is a disgrace that our original communities live with oppression and racism, with poverty and marginalization. Advertisement Indigenous people represent about 10% of Mexicos population, concentrated in certain areas, such as the poverty-stricken southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas. Lopez Obrador and his wife, Beatriz Gutierrez Muller, were both enveloped in incense as indigenous healers performed the cleansing of the first couple. Lopez Obrador received a traditional baston de mando a wooden staff representing leadership and respect and later said indigenous people would have priority in various new social programs. After receiving the baston de mando, I reaffirm my vow not to lie, not to rob and not to betray the people of Mexico, declared Lopez Obrador, who held the ribbon-bedecked staff in his left hand as he spoke. Bouquets of flowers and the indigenous guests provided a backdrop as Lopez Obrador addressed the crowd. The presidents speech was meant to be a direct message to the Mexican people, following his afternoon address to Mexican lawmakers and dignitaries at the congressional palace. Observers said it was the first time in memory that such an indigenous rite had been incorporated into a Mexican presidential inaugural event. A festive atmosphere pervaded the square as supporters of AMLO the presidents nickname, after his initials praised the new chief of states expansive plans to shrink poverty and provide jobs, scholarships, improved pensions and other aid for needy Mexicans. He gives us hope that things will change, said Arnuldo Beltran, 54, who said he traveled from the Gulf state of Veracruz to witness the inauguration festivities. Hope that Mexico will be a country in which we, the poor, are listened to. Its a historic day, thats why I came. Sanchez is a special correspondent in The Times Mexico City bureau and McDonnell is a staff writer. patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com Twitter: @PmcdonnellLAT The Rev. Jesse Jackson delivered the eulogy Saturday for an African American man shot to death by a police officer following a shooting at a crowded Alabama shopping mall. Jackson said the police officer in the town of Hoover who shot Emantic E.J. Fitzgerald Bradford Jr., 21, must face justice and urged authorities to release tapes of the shooting. No one is above the law, Jackson said. The officer killed Bradford on Thanksgiving night while responding to a shooting at the Riverchase Galleria mall. Authorities initially identified Bradford as the gunman, but later retracted that allegation and searched for the real shooter who wounded two people that night. Bradfords relatives have said he had a permit to carry a gun legally, and their attorney has quoted witnesses as saying Bradford was trying to help when he was gunned down. Advertisement Bradfords death sparked a week of protests in Hoover and calls for the release of surveillance videos of the shooting. We will have the tape made public, Jackson said to rousing applause. We want transparency, not cover-up. Tell the whole story, tell it now. We want justice now. We want fairness now. The Hoover Police Department has turned over footage of the shooting to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which is investigating. The city has not released any information about the officers involved, but did say the officer who fired the fatal shot has been placed on inactive duty during the investigation. Jackson said Bradford would not be forgotten, and pledged to keep fighting for more information about the shooting. Innocent blood has power, he said. Jackson invoked the long history of civil rights in Birmingham and Alabama, and the recent Black Lives Matter movement. He preached about Rosa Parks, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the four girls killed in a bombing at Birminghams 16th Street Baptist Church. He also listed some of the black men killed by police in more recent high-profile incidents across the country, including Michael Brown, Freddie Gray and Philando Castile. In the images of those battles and the shedding of blood, E.J. Bradford joins those ranks, Jackson said. Prior to the eulogy, many of Bradfords friends paid tribute to him, remembering him as a generous and loyal person who always thought of others. Everybody called E.J., said one friend. He was always on call. His father, Emantic Bradford Sr., who is fighting cancer, said that when he got diagnosed, he saw a change in his son. When I got sick, I knew then my son turned the corner and started being responsible, he said. 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 who he hadnt realized had touched so many lives. 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 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 the facility. A man was shot while he and a woman were standing near a parked car in Encanto Saturday night, San Diego police said. The gunman, who was with a companion, walked up to the couple on 59th Street about 7:20 p.m. and opened fire with a semi-automatic pistol, police Sgt. Michael Tansey said. One round hit the 30-year-old victim in his right ankle. He was taken to a hospital. The shooter and his companion ran off north, then headed west on Kenwood Street, Tansey said. Advertisement Officers searched for the two men, believed to be in their late teens or early 20s, but didnt find them. pauline.repard@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @pdrepard The chill of the December night was seeping through my thick fleece as we waited for the celestial fireworks to begin. And what a show it would be. With a small group of friends, we had wandered away from the lights of civilization to a silent wash in the wild heart of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Our goal was to see what the heavens offered as the winter meteor shower known as the Geminids ignited the night sky. For now, it was time to add another layer against the cold. Meteor showers are more common than most people realize, with nearly a dozen scattered throughout the year. Some are very minor events, while others can be more spectacular. Advertisement The annual Perseid meteor shower occurs in August and seems to draw the most attention. Warm temperatures, a brilliant Milky Way in the summer sky, and a meteor rate of up to 60 an hour make this one of the better shows when there is no competition from moonlight and you can escape city lights. The Geminids are lesser known, but as I soon discovered, one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen in the night sky. They will return again this year on the night of Dec. 13 and morning of Dec. 14. Most people have seen the random meteor streaking through a night sky, and I have rarely missed the beauty of the August Perseids. The Geminids topped them all. We went to the desert because Anza-Borrego is known for dark sky conditions. In fact, the park has been designated as a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association (www.darksky.org). During the August Perseids, hundreds will gather in remote canyons of the park to enjoy the show. We had our wide desert wash all to ourselves. With reclining chairs, warm blankets and a thermos of hot coffee, our group was settled in for the night. Meteors are created when tiny bits of space debris are burned up entering Earths atmosphere. A meteor shower happens when the Earth passes through a concentrated debris cloud, left behind by comets or asteroids. The Geminids come from the debris of an asteroid named 3200 Phaeton. These tiny pieces of debris, sometimes no bigger than a grain of sand, enter our atmosphere at extremely high speed and the friction causes them to ignite. Meteor showers get their name by their location. The Geminids seem to radiate from the constellation Gemini. What made last years Geminid show so spectacular was the rate of meteors. Not only did they happen at a rate of 120 an hour or more, there were moments when five, six or more, would streak through the night sky within seconds of one another. The wow factor was incredible. The enemy of night sky viewing is light, and conditions this year will be similar to last years epic show. The partial moon will be setting around 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 13, providing a truly dark sky for peak viewing after midnight. While you will see meteors before midnight, the peak will occur in the wee hours of Dec. 14 because the rotation of the Earth turns us into the oncoming debris cloud. Some of the meteors will be bright, multi-colored fireballs. Some leave a glowing dust trail. A few meteors will be very dim, and not even visible if you are not in a dark sky location. Thats why its important to escape city lights and hope for a cloudless, moonless night. As mentioned earlier, it will be colder than you think. Just sitting out on a chilly winter night, even in the desert, can get mighty cold. Take extra layers, blankets and have a pad under you to insulate from cold. A blanket and pad on the ground, or a reclining chair is an ideal way to just kick back and watch the show. Heres one more warning. Desert roads can be tricky, especially at night. Without a suitable vehicle, dont stray off pavement. Getting stuck would not be a fun way to spend your night. I can predict that seeing a spectacular meteor shower will change you. There is something about connecting with the cosmos that puts life in perspective. The Geminid meteor shower of 2018 should be one of the best celestial events of the year. Dont miss it. Contact Ernie at Packtrain.com or follow erniesoutdoors.blogspot.com/ Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Medical center timeline 1975: Pecos Valley Medical Center opens in village offices with federal aid after obtaining designation as a Medically Underserved Area and Health Professional Shortage Area through the U.S. Public Health Service of the Health and Human Services Department. 1987: The center is incorporated as a private, not-for-profit health care clinic. 1998: Following a successful capital campaign, the center moves into its own $480,000 building. 1999: Ambulance service is transferred from the village of Pecos to the clinic. 2000: The medical center opens its first dental clinic. 2013: A 7,000-square-foot medical building, funded through a $3 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, opens in the community. 2014: Behavioral health services are added. 2016: The center converts a community room into two new dental offices and begins offering transportation services for patients. 2017: The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care gives the center full accreditation; the center begins chronic care management for patients and expands its behavioral health services. 2018: The center opens a school-based clinic and begins a 9,000-square-foot expansion project with a $1 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration and a $3.2 million loan from Department of Agriculture. It also adds diabetes education services and begins offering food services for patients and employees through the nonprofit mobile food project MoGro. Source: Pecos Valley Medical Center Press Release December 2, 2018 De Lima deplores Duterte's attack vs prelate Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has chided Duterte for his desperate bid to besmirch the name of a Catholic prelate, whom many identified as Caloocan Bishop Pablo David, by baselessly accusing the latter of using Church funds for personal use. De Lima, a devout Catholic, said it is very typical of Mr. Duterte to resort to destroying the good name and reputation of individuals who are critical of his administration's policy every time he tries to silence them. "Duterte's attack on Bishop Pablo 'Ambo' David is nothing but slanderous. It is vintage Duterte. He destroys the reputation of those who oppose him and those who fight for the victims of his rule," she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 423. "Bishop Ambo is his latest victim. Aside from tending to the relatives of EJK victims in his diocese, Bishop Ambo drew the ire of Duterte for his rebuke on the President's latest attacks on the Catholic religion and the Church," she added. In his recent speech in Tanza, Cavite, Duterte, who has consistently released scathing attacks against the Catholic Church and the clergy, said a certain Bishop "David" has stolen Church donations given by the public to offer to his family. While Duterte did not completely name the said prelate, the public was quick to associate him with David because he is one of the most vocal critics of the President. On his part, David said the President has probably confused him with someone else because he is the only Bishop "David" in the CBCP. "People who are sick sometimes do not know what they are talking about, so we should just bear with them. My parents never taught me to steal," David wrote on Facebook. The Senator from Bicol said she remains proud that there are leaders of the Catholic Church, like Bishop David, who continue to have the courage and fortitude to defend the poor from the extra-judicial killings perpetrated by the government. "He has been successful in condemning the endless killings under Duterte, to the point that he has now become the newest target of Duterte's intrigues, lies, and slanders," she said, calling David as "one of the most respected figures in the Catholic Church." "It takes a different kind of courage to stand up against the powerful, and a psychotic tyrant at that, and to fight for the powerless. This is the kind of courage that continues to give hope to our people, and by doing so will deliver them from the evil that envelops the country," she added. The Senator from Bicol urged the Filipino Catholic faithful to stand behind David and all Filipino men and women of courage who remain steadfast in fighting for justice and human rights. Press Release December 2, 2018 De Lima backs proposed salary increases for Comelec personnel Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima threw her support behind a Senate proposal reorganizing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) by making the salary of its 5,000 employees nationwide at par with those who work in other government agencies. In her Dispatch from Crame No. 425, De Lima said the proposed substantial and just salary increases of Comelec employees can help prevent demoralization among them as they handle myriad challenges in ensuring honest, orderly, and peaceful polls. "Elections play a critical role in democracies. It is the most basic form of participatory governance and a key element in our people's civil and political rights," she said. "But how do we protect the sanctity of the ballot when those tasked to protect our votes are demoralized because they are underpaid compared to their counterparts in other government agencies and Constitutional Commissions," she added. The Commission on Elections Employees Union has been calling for the reorganization of the poll body's offices and employees' salary increase through the swift passage of Senate Bill (SB) No. 2082 or "An Act Reorganizing the Comelec Offices." Under SB No. 2082, all of the remaining rank and file plantilla positions in the Comelec's main and field offices shall be reclassified and upgraded accordingly. Once passed into law, SB No. 2082, which is authored by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, is expected to benefit some 5,000 employees of the Comelec nationwide. Note that a counterpart measure has also been introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Gary Alejano and Feliciano Belmonte Jr., among others. As a former election lawyer and a daughter of a former Comelec Commissioner, De Lima said she understands the tedious tasks of conducting elections nationwide which prompted her to file a measure aimed at strengthening the poll body. Last September, she filed SB No. 2025 which aims to strengthen the country's poll body by increasing its personnel and allowing the creation of field offices at the regional, provincial and municipal levels. The bill also pegged the election assistants to voters ratio at one for every 20,000. The Senator from Bicol said she remains hopeful that the passage of SB 2082 will revitalize the country's electoral workforce and further motivate them to fulfill their vital mandate of ensuring clean and truthful elections in the country. "Huwag po nating kakalimutan na ang mga tauhan ng Comelec ay mga manggagawa ring may taglay na mga karapatan. Unang-una na rito ang karapatan sa sapat at makatarungang pasahod," she said. "Umaasa ako na itong SB 2082 ay maisasabatas na sa lalong madaling panahon," she added. Press Release December 2, 2018 Senate ratifies New Central Bank Act The Senate, on Wednesday night, ratified the bicameral conference committee report on a bill increasing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) capitalization from P50 billion to P200 billion and strengthening its regulatory powers. "The bicameral conference committee adopted en toto the Senate version except for one amendment. They removed the tax provision that will go to the capitalization of the BSP and simply included the dividends that they will be remitting to the government which will be made part of the increased capitalization of the BSP," Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero, chair of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, said on the plenary floor. In reconciling the disagreeing provisions on the versions of the Senate and House of Representatives, Escudero told his colleagues that the declared dividends will be deposited in a special account and earmarked for the payment of BSP's increase in capitalization. Such dividend payments shall be released and disbursed immediately and shall continue until the increase in capitalization has been fully paid. "That's the explanation for the abbreviated sponsorship remarks of the bicameral conference committee report," Escudero said. Senate Bill No. 1297 and House Bill No. 7742 which amended RA 7653, otherwise known as "The New Central Bank Act", further empowers the central monetary authority's mandate in protecting the banking system. The BSP's expanded supervisory power will now include other categories of financial institutions, full flexibility to conduct risk-based supervision of financial institutions and has been given more teeth in imposing administrative and criminal sanctions, to include, among other things, forfeiture of profits from unauthorized financial transactions. It likewise has been granted authority to impose sanctions on transfers and acquisitions of substantial shares of banks and quasi-banks without its approval. The BSP shall also have the authority to require from any person or entity "any data for statistical and policy development purposes" in relation to the discharge of its functions and responsibilities although the release of such data shall be subject to prevailing confidentiality laws. These amendments, Escudero said, will empower the BSP to effectively respond to the challenges and innovations of a globalized economy and better perform its constitutional mandates. "Indeed, an empowered BSP is indispensable in ensuring a competitive, robust and inclusive economy attractive to investments and business that generate employment and promote inclusive growth and a financial system that will support a higher quality of life for Filipinos," he said. "Undoubtedly, there is a need to respond to contemporary challenges in order that the BSP shall remain effective in its conduct of monetary policy and supervision of entities within the financial system," the senator added. The Monetary Board shall now be allowed to authorize, regulate and have examination powers on entities or persons engaged in money service businesses. Co-authors of the measure, aside from Escudero are Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Sen. JV Ejercito and Sen. Sonny Angara. A2 Milk is confident it will meet all new Chinese cross-border e-commerce requirements affecting the sale of its Platinum infant formula in that country on or before March 31 next year. Chinas government has extended the grace period for foreign companies to meet these new requirements to that date from Jan. 1. The new requirements include English label products that comply with country of origin regulations can continue to be sold in China through e-commerce channels if they provide the consumer access to an electronic Chinese translation of the packaging label as well as notification that the products comply with regulations in the country of origin but not necessarily with those of China. Consumers will be required to electronically acknowledge their understanding of these notifications before placing an order. Such products must have adequate traceability systems, return and exchange services, product recall systems, product quality and safety risk prevention and control mechanisms and consumer dispute handling processes. They must have real-time reporting of transaction, payment and logistics information electronically to China Customs. The company welcomes this further guidance, which continues to demonstrate the Chinese governments support of this channel with a strong focus on improving channel transparency and protecting the rights and safety of consumers, A2 said in a statement. The detailed implementation policy guidelines issued on Nov. 30 are consistent with the A2 Milk Companys market interpretations expressed in market announcements on Sept. 3 and Nov. 22, it said. In the year ended June, 25.3 percent, or $233.6 million, of A2 Milks total sales were directly into China and other Asian countries through bricks-and-mortar mother and baby stores as well as through e-commerce channels such as Alibabas Tmall. However, a fair chunk the exact numbers arent disclosed of A2s sales in Australia and New Zealand, which totalled $656.6 million in the year ended June, were destined for China through the Daigou or grey-market trade. The majority of A2s $724.2 million Platinum sales are ultimately in China. The shares rose 3.9 percent to $10.75 in early trading today. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. 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Related News: Greenfern Industries Limited (NZX: GFI) Releases Interim Results Hallenstein Glasson Holdings Limited (NZX: HLG) Announcement of Final Dividend 26th November 2021 Morning Report EROAD Limited (NZX: ERD) Accelerates Towards Next Phase of Growth Green Cross Health Limited (NZX: GXH) REPORTS STRONG HALF YEAR PROFIT OF $9.7M Stride Property Ltd & Stride Investment Management Ltd (NZ: SPG) Placement Size Increased Following Strong Demand General Capital Limited (NZX: GEN) Announces Very Strong Growth 25th November 2021 Morning Report Gentrack Group Limited (NZ: GTK) Annual Results for the Year Ended 30 September 2021 Pacific Edge Limited (NZX: PEB) Results for Six Months Ended 30 September 2021 Orion Health will pay up to $144.6 million buying back shares from investors in the healthcare technology firm that struggled to achieve the big aspirations it had when it went public four years ago. The firm will pay $1.224 a share, around the mid-point of its last estimated range to $1.20-to-$1.25. Shareholders can opt to hang on to some or all of their shares, with Orion Health offering to buy 20, 50 or 100 percent of an investor's stake. Chief executive Ian McCrae will sell 20 percent of his holding. The buyback formed a component of Orion's wider transformation, in which it sold its profitable Rhapsody unit to UK private equity firm for $205 million, diluted its holding in the population health management division and retained full ownership of the hospitals unit. "The board has considered Orion Healths available cash immediately following completion of the Hg transaction, taking into account transaction costs and working capital adjustments in relation to the Rhapsody sale, and the ongoing requirements of Orion Healths hospitals business," the company said in a statement. The buyback is a small premium to the $1.17 trading price but will crystallise losses for investors in the 2014 initial public offering who paid $5.70 a share. Craigs Investment Partners analyst Stephen Ridgewell last week recommended shareholders accept the offer, saying it would take a substantial improvement to turnaround Orion Health's remaining businesses. The company had been profitable in private ownership but sought to accelerate global growth by raising funds from the public, while also changing to a subscription model from one-off perpetual licensing. The Kiwi firm had hoped to profit from the previous US administration's Affordable Healthcare Act, known as Obamacare, which poured billions of federal government dollars into the wider US health sector. However, that flagship policy of Barack Obama's presidency was strongly opposed by the Republican Party and changes to the law forced many of Orion's customers to cancel orders when their own funding ran out. Orion shareholders overwhelmingly backed the restructuring proposals at this year's annual meeting, although many vented their frustrations with the company's performance and chair Andrew Ferrier and McCrae shared their disappointment with its predicament. Investors on the register on Nov. 30 can accept the buyback between Dec. 6 and Jan. 11. McCrae will end up with between 44 percent of the company he founded if no-one participates and 100 percent if everyone sells. If he ends up with 90 percent he will enforce Takeovers Code mop-up provisions but has yet to say whether he'll de-list Orion from the NZX if more shareholders decide to stick with the company. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. 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Related News: Greenfern Industries Limited (NZX: GFI) Releases Interim Results Hallenstein Glasson Holdings Limited (NZX: HLG) Announcement of Final Dividend 26th November 2021 Morning Report EROAD Limited (NZX: ERD) Accelerates Towards Next Phase of Growth Green Cross Health Limited (NZX: GXH) REPORTS STRONG HALF YEAR PROFIT OF $9.7M Stride Property Ltd & Stride Investment Management Ltd (NZ: SPG) Placement Size Increased Following Strong Demand General Capital Limited (NZX: GEN) Announces Very Strong Growth 25th November 2021 Morning Report Gentrack Group Limited (NZ: GTK) Annual Results for the Year Ended 30 September 2021 Pacific Edge Limited (NZX: PEB) Results for Six Months Ended 30 September 2021 Tourism Holdings won't sell any of its New Zealand businesses after the potential suitor walked away when the Kiwi firm wouldn't budge on price. The rental campervan operator won't sell its Kiwi Experience unit and the Black Water Rafting, Ruakuri and the Waitomo Homestead from its Discover Waitomo division after the parties couldn't agree to a price in the final stages of negotiation. "The prospective purchaser for these businesses has decided not to proceed, seeking to reduce the purchase price," chair Rob Campbell said in a statement. "THL has remained clear in its view of the value of the tourism businesses; strategically, economically and socially." Tourism Holdings pursued the sale as it seeks to cement itself as an RV-centric global company. That's involved extending an investment in the TH2 joint venture with recreational vehicle maker Thor Industries to develop a single platform to connect a wide range of services in the growing markets for RVs here, in Australia and in the US. Campbell told shareholders in October that proceeds from the asset sale would be used to pursue those long-term goals, but he said the firm wouldn't sell for less than what they valued the assets at. Today, he reiterated that Tourism Holdings has received offers for the New Zealand businesses for many years, and will only consider any interest if it's right for the wider company. "The focus now is to ensure there are no distractions for anyone, including our customers, as we head into the current high season under THL ownership," he said. Tourism Holdings shares rose 0.4 percent to $4.95, matching the wider gain on the NZX 50 this morning. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. 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Related News: Greenfern Industries Limited (NZX: GFI) Releases Interim Results Hallenstein Glasson Holdings Limited (NZX: HLG) Announcement of Final Dividend 26th November 2021 Morning Report EROAD Limited (NZX: ERD) Accelerates Towards Next Phase of Growth Green Cross Health Limited (NZX: GXH) REPORTS STRONG HALF YEAR PROFIT OF $9.7M Stride Property Ltd & Stride Investment Management Ltd (NZ: SPG) Placement Size Increased Following Strong Demand General Capital Limited (NZX: GEN) Announces Very Strong Growth 25th November 2021 Morning Report Gentrack Group Limited (NZ: GTK) Annual Results for the Year Ended 30 September 2021 Pacific Edge Limited (NZX: PEB) Results for Six Months Ended 30 September 2021 New Zealand's terms of trade fell in the September quarter as rising fuel prices outweighed gains that pushed export prices to a nine-year high. The terms of trade, which measures the purchasing power of New Zealands exports relative to imports, fell 0.3 percent in the three months through September from an increase of 0.4 percent in the June quarter, Statistics New Zealand said. The June reading was revised down. Economists polled by Bloomberg had expected it to be unchanged in the quarter. The terms of trade is an indicator of the state of the overall economy. The 0.3 percent fall means New Zealand can buy fewer imports for the same amount of exports. Export values rose 6 percent to $14.3 billion in the third quarter, as a 2.3 percent increase in prices outpaced a 1.8 percent lift in volumes. Export prices were the highest they've been since December 2008. The value of imports rose 0.6 percent to $15.2 billion as prices increased 2.6 percent but volumes fell 0.9 percent. The values and volumes are seasonally adjusted. Import volumes fell from a spike in the June quarter when more diesel and petrol was brought into the country to make up for the Marsden Point oil refinerys maintenance shutdown in the middle of the year, business prices manager Sarah Johnson said. Export dairy prices rose 6.5 percent, with milk powder up 8.5 percent, cheese up 5.7 percent and butter up 3.7 percent. Dairy volumes fell 2.9 percent while values rose 6.7 percent. On the import side, petroleum and petroleum product prices rose 6.4 percent, following a 10 percent increase in the June 2018 quarter. Petroleum and petroleum product volumes rose 5.5 percent, and values rose 12 percent. Petroleum and petroleum product prices in the September 2018 quarter were 53 percent higher than the same quarter in 2017, Stats NZ said. The crude oil price was up 55 percent over the same period. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Greenfern Industries Limited (NZX: GFI) Releases Interim Results Hallenstein Glasson Holdings Limited (NZX: HLG) Announcement of Final Dividend 26th November 2021 Morning Report EROAD Limited (NZX: ERD) Accelerates Towards Next Phase of Growth Green Cross Health Limited (NZX: GXH) REPORTS STRONG HALF YEAR PROFIT OF $9.7M Stride Property Ltd & Stride Investment Management Ltd (NZ: SPG) Placement Size Increased Following Strong Demand General Capital Limited (NZX: GEN) Announces Very Strong Growth 25th November 2021 Morning Report Gentrack Group Limited (NZ: GTK) Annual Results for the Year Ended 30 September 2021 Pacific Edge Limited (NZX: PEB) Results for Six Months Ended 30 September 2021 US agrees to suspend new China tariffs for 90 days Buenos Aires, Dec 2 (AFP) Dec 02, 2018 The United States said Saturday that it agreed in a long-awaited summit with China to suspend new tariffs for 90 days as the two powers seek to end a trade war. The White House said a threatened increase of tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 to 25 percent, which was set to take effect on January 1, would be put off for 90 days. "If at the end of this period of time, the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the 10 percent tariffs will be raised to 25 percent," a White House statement said after dinner talks between President Donald Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Buenos Aires. Trump, who in recent months has harshly criticized China and accused it of meddling in US elections, in the statement called his meeting with Xi "amazing and productive." China earlier confirmed the outlines of the arrangement, saying that officials of the world's two largest economies would get to work on resolving a range of trade disputes. The White House said that China has also agreed to step up purchases "immediately" of an unspecified amount of US agricultural goods. Amid the trade tensions, China has sharply curtailed its purchases of US soybeans and other produce, dealing a significant blow to farmers, a major support base for Trump. In what the White House called a "wonderful humanitarian gesture," the White House said that Xi would crack down on fentanyl, the opioid painkiller largely made in China that is behind an epidemic of US overdoses. The White House said that China would subject fentanyl makers to the "maximum penalty under the law." China is the world's leading executioner, with drug offenses subject to the death penalty. Key points of the US-China trade deal Buenos Aires, Dec 2 (AFP) Dec 02, 2018 US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Saturday struck a deal at working dinner on the sidelines of the G20 summit to effectively stall their trade war. Trump hailed what he described as "an amazing and productive meeting with unlimited possibilities" for both countries, and said it was a "great honor" to work with Xi. Here are the main points of the deal: - Tariffs - Trump agreed to hold off on his threat to slap 25 percent tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from January 1, leaving them at the current 10 percent rate. China is to purchase "very substantial" amount of agricultural, energy, industrial and other product from the US to reduce a yawning trade gap. It also agreed to begin buying product from US farmers "immediately". Trump and Xi will "immediately" begin talks on "structural changes" affecting forced technology transfer, intellectual property protection, cyber intrusions and cyber theft, services and agriculture. Failure to agree within 90 days would mean tariffs could be raised to 25 percent. They also agreed to build on "great progress" on North Korea and together with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, would strive for a nuclear free Korean Peninsula. Trump expressed his "friendship and respect for Chairman Kim." Xi, meanwhile, is open to approving the previous blocked Qualcomm-NXP deal. - Fentanyl - The White House said Xi, "in a wonderful humanitarian gesture," had agreed to class the opioid fentanyl as a controlled substance, making its sale to the United States subject to China's maximum legal penalty. Most of the drug imported to the US is made in China. The Paris climate treaty: a snapshot Paris, Dec 2 (AFP) Dec 02, 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 governments, including the Palestinian Authority, have endorsed the landmark deal and 183 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. Greenpeace dozen denied bail over Slovak coal mine demo Bratislava, Dec 2 (AFP) Dec 02, 2018 A court on Sunday denied bail to 12 Greenpeace activists who staged an anti-coal protest at Slovakia's largest and oldest brown coal mine, a move that the global environmental group called a "disgrace". The activists were detained after hoisting a banner saying "End coal age!" on the tower of a lignite mine in Novaky, central Slovakia, on Wednesday. "The judge took 12 defendants into preventive custody. The reason is the fear that they will continue to commit crimes," Roman Tarabus, a Prievidza county court spokesman said in a statement on Sunday. The court ruling coincides with launch of the UN's COP24 climate conference in neighbouring Poland, amid urgent warnings by scientist about the rapid pace of global warming. The activists -- from Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany and Slovakia -- are accused of criminal acts and face up to five years in prison if found guilty. The court described their crime as "damaging and compromising the operation of a device of public benefit," Tarabus said, adding that the "protest stopped quarrying and extraction of coal for five hours." Greenpeace says the activists will be held in detention until their trial "which could take months". The organisation has launched an appeal. "These 12 activists took peaceful action to protest against the dirtiest fossil fuel and their continued detention is a disgrace," Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International told AFP in an emailed statement. "We call on Slovakia for their immediate release," she added. Astronauts on new mission dismiss safety concerns after Soyuz accident Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Dec 2 (AFP) Dec 02, 2018 Astronauts of the first manned space mission since an unprecedented accident in October on Sunday brushed aside concerns about Russia's Soyuz rocket, saying risks were part of the job. Oleg Kononenko of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, Anne McClain of NASA and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency will launch to the International Space Station (ISS) from Baikonur in Kazakhstan aboard a Soviet-designed Soyuz on Monday. They will head to the ISS after a Soyuz rocket carrying Russia's Aleksey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague failed on October 11 just minutes after blast-off. The pair escaped unharmed, but the failed launch was the first such accident in Russia's post-Soviet history and a new setback for the country's once proud space industry. The crew heading to the ISS dismissed any possible concerns about their safety. "Risk is part of our profession," crew commander Oleg Kononenko told a news conference at Baikonur, adding they "absolutely" trusted teams preparing them for the flight. "We are psychologically and technically prepared for blast-off and any situation which, God forbid, may occur on board," the 54-year-old said. Kononenko added that the crew would conduct a spacewalk on December 11 as part of the investigation into a mysterious hole that has caused an air leak on the ISS. Anne McClain, a 39-year-old former military pilot, struck a similar note. "We feel very ready for it," she said. Canada's Saint-Jacques added that the Soyuz spacecraft was "incredibly safe," noting it was "actually reassuring" to witness the October aborted launch from Baikonur. The accident highlighted the "smart design of the Soyuz and the incredible work that the search and rescue people here on the ground are ready to do every launch," the 48-year-old said. Saint-Jacques joked that he had received so much training ahead of the flight "that I felt at the end that I could build a Soyuz in my backyard." Russia said last month the launch of the Soyuz rocket failed because of a sensor that was damaged during assembly at the Baikonur cosmodrome, but officials insisted the spacecraft remains reliable. Saint-Jacques will be the first Canadian astronaut to visit the space station since Chris Hadfield, who recorded a version of David Bowie's Space Oddity classic aboard the ISS in 2013. Canada's governor general and former astronaut Julie Payette is expected to be among the dignitaries to watch Monday's launch. Of the trio set to reach the ISS six hours after blastoff, both Saint-Jacques and McClain will fly for the first time. Kononenko is beginning his fourth mission to add to an impressive 533 days in space. NASA's McClain was deployed to Iraq and has represented the United States women's national rugby union team. She has said that training to spacewalk was similar to rugby since it demands "grit, toughness, mental focus, and more". Trump sending Air Force One to bring Bush casket to Washington Washington, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 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. Senior US admiral found dead in Bahrain: official Washington, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 The admiral leading US Navy operations in the Middle East was found dead Saturday in Bahrain, the military branch said, adding that no foul play was suspected in the case. Vice admiral Scott Stearney, who began his post as commander of US Naval Forces Central Command -- including the US Fifth Fleet -- and Combined Maritime Forces in May, was found dead at his residence in the Gulf country. "This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at Fifth Fleet and for the entire Navy. Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior," Admiral John Richardson, chief of naval operations, said in a statement. "At this time no foul play is suspected." He said the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Interior Ministry were cooperating on the investigation. The Fifth Fleet's deputy commander, Rear Admiral Paul Schlise, assumed command in the wake of Stearney's death. The Chicago native entered the US Navy in 1982 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in economics. He later obtained a master's degree from the National Defense University and. He served in several strike fighter squadrons flying the FA-18 Hornet and served in Kabul, Afghanistan, as chief of staff of Joint Task Force 435 and later Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435. In the US, Stearney served in various roles, including as instructor and readiness officer at Navy Fighter Weapons School, according to his official biography. He also held various senior posts, including as director of operations at US Central Command. How have Yemen's rebels survived the Saudi-led onslaught? Dubai, Dec 2 (AFP) Dec 02, 2018 Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners predicted a quick victory when they launched a military intervention in Yemen in 2015 to support the ousted government. But more than three-and-a-half years later the Huthi rebels remain undefeated and the conflict is a quagmire that has set off a major humanitarian crisis. Here is a look at how the outgunned rebels have clung on: - Who are the Huthis? The Huthis come from the minority Zaidi Shiite sect of Islam and have their traditional stronghold in the mountainous north of Yemen. The movement, which takes its name from late spiritual leader Badreddin al-Huthi and his son Hussein, rose up in the 1990s over alleged sectarian discrimination. Between 2004 and 2010, the Huthis fought six wars against Yemen's then-government and battled Saudi Arabia in 2009-2010 after storming over the border. Officially calling themselves the Ansarullah (Supporters of God), the Huthis took part in the Arab Spring protests that forced veteran ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh from office in 2012. In the chaos that followed they later sided with former foe Saleh and together ousted the internationally-recognised government of Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi that had taken power. The rebel takeover of capital Sanaa set off the Saudi-led intervention in March 2015. The Huthis later fell out dramatically with Saleh and killed the former president in December 2017. - Does Iran support the Huthis? The war in Yemen is viewed by many as a front in the broader struggle between regional titans Saudi Arabia and Iran that has heated up under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. The Saudis and their ally the United States say Shiite Iran provides military support to the rebels, including components for ballistic missiles that have been fired over the Saudi border. Tehran denies the accusation and insists its backing for the Huthis is purely political. Brigadier Jamal al-Moammari, a former Yemeni air force officer, told AFP that Iranian arms, experts and "equipment to develop ballistic missiles" arrived in 2015. Security analyst Aleksandar Mitreski says Iran helps the Huthis both directly and indirectly. "Where and when possible, Iran supplies the rebels with equipment and training for the Huthis to remain a formidable opponent," he said. The Saudi-led coalition has claimed that members of Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah were also killed in Yemen while training the Huthis. Hezbollah has denied this. - Arms taken from government? Despite the allegations over Iranian support, it appears that the bulk of the Huthi's weaponry comes from looted official stockpiles. Brigadier Abdo Majli, a spokesman for pro-government forces, told AFP that "90 percent of Huthi arms came from the Yemeni army depots" taken along with Sanaa in 2014. Majli said that despite coalition warplanes destroying some of the weapons the Huthis had managed to "hide them in secret stores" in their northern strongholds. The rebel's impressive arsenal has been on display in the latest battles for the key port city of Hodeida as they deployed tanks to halt the advance of pro-government forces. The Huthis have also laid a large number of landmines and manufacture some of their own weapons, including rockets and reportedly even drones. - Local backing? The Huthis have benefited from home advantage and local alliances as they have faced off against some of the best equipped militaries in the region. Despite hailing from northern Yemen, they know the rest of the country and the terrain very well, said analyst Mitreski. "Aside from geography, what aids the rebels is cooperation with local tribes. Yemen remains a fragmented society along tribal lines, and the rebels capitalise on that," he said. "Local tribal support goes a long way in this conflict." The International Crisis Group said in a report in November that the Saudi-led coalition has underestimated the resilience of the Huthis. "The Huthis are resourceful, committed, experienced and ruthless, and that the core fighters are likely to fight until the last man if called upon to do so," the group said. Trump says hopes to meet N.Korea's Kim in January or February Washington, Dec 2 (AFP) Dec 02, 2018 US President Donald Trump said Saturday he hoped to organize a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in early 2019, perhaps as soon as January or February. Trump told reporters traveling home to Washington with him aboard Air Force One from Argentina that "three sites" were in consideration for the meeting, a follow-up to their historic summit in Singapore in June. When asked about a future meeting, Trump said: "I think we're going to do one fairly (soon) -- into January, February, I think." Trump had been in Buenos Aires for the Group of 20 summit. When asked Saturday if he would ever host Kim in the United States, the Republican president replied: "At some point, yeah." In June, Trump and Kim opened up dialogue on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula after months of trading military threats and pointed barbs. The two leaders signed a vaguely worded document on denuclearization of the peninsula, but progress since has stalled as Washington and Pyongyang spar over the meaning of the document. North Korea has taken few concrete steps to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. US 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 Washington ease sanctions. On Friday, Trump discussed the situation with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The pair "reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization" of North Korea, Trump's 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. - Kim visit to Seoul this year? - But differences have emerged between Washington and Seoul on how to proceed with Kim, as the dovish Moon has long favored engagement with the North. North and South Korea have begun to remove landmines and destroy military bunkers at parts of their common 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 Kim will make his first-ever visit to the South this year, as Seoul is hoping. Kim agreed to travel to Seoul after hosting Moon in Pyongyang in September for their third summit this year. But prospects of a fourth Moon-Kim meeting have recently dimmed, with negotiations on denuclearizing the North grinding to a halt. In his talks with Trump in Argentina, Moon earned some support for the Seoul summit from the US leader -- perhaps in a bid to entice Kim to make good on his pledge. The two leaders said Kim's visit to the South Korean capital "would provide additional momentum to their joint efforts to establish peace on the Korean peninsula," Moon's press secretary Yoon Young-chan said. Boko Haram raid kills two soldiers in NE Nigeria Kano, Nigeria, Dec 2 (AFP) Dec 02, 2018 Boko Haram jihadists killed two soldiers and seriously wounded five militia members in separate attacks in the troubled northeast of the country, military and militia sources told AFP Sunday. Gunmen from Boko Haram faction the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a remote base in Buni Gari village, in Yobe state, 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the state capital Damaturu on Saturday, with six of the attackers killed. "We lost two soldiers in the attack and six terrorists were also killed and their bodies recovered by soldiers," a military officer told AFP. Air support and reinforcements from a military base in the nearby town of Buni Yadi "effectively routed" the jihadists, said the officer. He asked not to be named because he was not cleared to speak about the incident. A member of the militia fighting beside the troops confirmed that the bodies of two soldiers and six jihadists had been recovered after the gun battle, which lasted less than an hour. Buni Yadi district is a known ISWAP stronghold Around the same time in Maiduguri, capital of neighbouring Borno state, a female suicide bomber seriously wounded five members of the local militia at a checkpoint. Civilian militia members had stopped two female suicide bombers at Muna Garage security checkpoint, but one managed to detonate her suicide vest, militia leader Babakura Kolo said. "The bomber and her accomplice were killed in the blast while five of our colleagues were injured," Kolo said. "The explosives on the other bomber did not detonate and were defused by a bomb squad," he said. The attack bore the hallmark of the Abubakar Shekau faction of Boko Haram, notorious for using suicide bombers to attack military and civilian targets. Boko Haram has in recent months intensified attacks on military targets in Borno and Yobe states. The two states, along with nearby Adamawa state, have born the brunt of nine years of jihadist violence that has claimed 27,000 lives and forced 1.8 million people to flee their homes. Since July, AFP has reported 18 attacks on military bases in Borno and Yobe, and ISWAP has claimed responsibility for most of them. CORRECTING AND HEALING A wide stone staircase ascends to the entrance of a light gray administrative building. A large awning of green glass extends above and meticulously trimmed trees sway in the wind on both sides. The entire compound seems perfectly friendly from the outside - even the message over the door. "Respectfully enforcing the law," it says, "correcting and healing." The drive from Chongqing to the prison camp Xishanping takes about an hour and a half. The first leg of the journey leads along a large highway to the northwest. Once you cross the Jialing River, though, the road becomes bumpier and the region less populated. It winds up into the densely forested mountains, with only the occasional ruined house dotting the side of the road. In 2009, back when Li, Xie and Sun traversed this road in a police car, Xishanping was one of the largest prison camps in Chongqing. In its heyday, this 1950s-era facility had up to 10,000 prisoners working inside. The section of the camp in which Li, Xie and Sun were incarcerated is visible from one side of the street. It is as vast as a small city, with white concrete structures, some five stories tall, rising above brown walls. Many of the buildings are modern-looking and connected by paved streets. Off to one side, in the shade of some tall trees, stands a massive structure with a large iron gate. Sun was brought to the prison camp on Nov. 13, 2009, with Li and his cousins following three days later. Xie arrived on Dec. 8, 2009. The police brought him straight to the building with the big iron gate. Bir-Lehlou (Liberated Territories), December 2, 2018 (SPS) - President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Bahim Ghali, has received a reply message from Tanzanian President John Magufuli. The message came in response to the message of condolence sent by President Brahim Ghali to his Tanzanian counterpart, following the tragic incident in September, in which a ferry carrying more than 200 people sank on the lake off Tanzania. The Tanzanian President appraised the message of condolence he received from the Sahrawi President and expressed his thanks and appreciation for the Sahrawi government and people's standing with the government and people of Tanzania in its ordeal. (SPS) 062/SPS/TRA